JP2016087811A - Printer and consumable supply - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify of expiration of a validity term properly.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: coefficient determination means 103 for, calculating a residual consumption period of an ink cartridge 150 until a recommendation period, by correcting a residual consumption period based on a storage time since manufacture date of the ink cartridge 150 until a use start date detected by use start date detection means, leaving time since previous power supply stop of an inkjet printer 1, or a deterioration degree coefficient based on a deterioration degree corresponding to temperature detected by a thermometer 155K; determination means 104 for determining whether or not, the recommendation period of the ink cartridge 150 has passed, based on the residual consumption period calculated by the coefficient determination means 103; and notification means 105 for notifying of a warning content for promoting exchange of an ink cartridge 150, when the determination means 104 determines that the recommendation period has passed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a consumable that notifies that an expiration date has been appropriately reached.

  The ink jet printing apparatus is detachably provided with an ink cartridge storing ink for each color. The ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the ink jet head, and the ink is ejected from the nozzle of the ink jet head toward the printing paper to form an image. Print characters and characters.

  In many cases, consumables such as ink cartridges have a valid period as a period for guaranteeing quality. Therefore, in a general inkjet printing apparatus, the expiration date is calculated based on the manufacturing date and the expiration date stored in the ink cartridge, and the currently used ink cartridge has passed the expiration date. , Display a warning to that effect.

  In Patent Document 1, an information processing apparatus reads information such as a manufacturing date and a mounting date stored in a storage medium of an ink cartridge, calculates an expiration date after manufacturing or an expiration date after mounting, A printing system that displays an expiration date on a screen of an information processing apparatus or the like has been proposed.

JP 2007-140666 A

  However, in the printing system described in Patent Document 1 described above, it is difficult to properly display the expiration date or display that the expiration date has been reached for the following reason.

  Specifically, the degree of deterioration of the quality of the ink stored in the ink cartridge varies depending on the storage period of the ink cartridge, the usage environment, and the like. For this reason, as in the printing system described in Patent Document 1, when the expiration date is simply determined from information such as the date of manufacture and the date of installation, the storage environment and use environment of the ink cartridge are not considered. The expiration date calculated without considering such a situation is displayed even though the ink has deteriorated drastically and the print quality cannot be guaranteed, or the ink has not deteriorated and is still usable. Sometimes

  In addition, when the manufacturer also simply determines the expiration date from information such as the date of manufacture and the date of installation and displays the expiration date, in order to prevent printing defects, the worst storage period and usage environment are assumed. You must set an expiration date for. However, in actuality, when it is not used in the strictest storage period or usage environment, the expiration date is set to be unduly short although it can still be used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a consumable that notify that the expiration date has been appropriately reached.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body device that performs printing, and a consumable used for the printing that is detachably attached to the main body device. A printing apparatus comprising a notification means for notifying a warning content that prompts replacement of the consumable when the expiry date of the consumable has passed, wherein the power supply detects whether the printing apparatus is turned on or stopped. Detection means; temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the consumables; use start date and time detection means for detecting the date and time when the consumables are mounted on the main body device as the use start date and time; and manufacture of the consumables Of the storage time from the year / month / day to the use start date / time detected by the use start date / time detection means, the leaving time in the power-off state of the printing apparatus, and the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, Storage means for storing a deterioration degree coefficient indicating the degree of deterioration of the consumables, and a valid consumption period of the consumables, which is determined according to any of the above, storage time, and leaving in the power-off state Coefficient determining means for determining a predetermined deterioration degree coefficient from among deterioration degree coefficients stored in the storage means based on at least one of time and temperature detected by the temperature detection means; and the storage means The expiration date determining means that corrects the consumption effective period stored in the table based on the predetermined deterioration degree coefficient and determines the consumption expiration date from the corrected consumption effective period, and the current time is determined by the expiration date determining means. And determining means for determining whether or not the expiration date of consumption has passed.

  A second feature of the printing apparatus according to the present invention is that the storage means includes a storage time from the date of manufacture of the consumables to the use start date and time detected by the use start date and time detection means, Of the temperatures detected by the temperature detection means, the storage time and the temperature are stored at least, and the coefficient determination means at least stores the power when the power is stopped. Based on the time and the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, a predetermined deterioration degree coefficient is determined from the deterioration degree coefficients stored in the storage means, and the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is determined. If the leaving time in the power-off state exceeds a predetermined threshold when the temperature is out of a predetermined temperature range, the notification means prompts the user to replace the consumable when notifying the warning content. In further comprising a notifying change means to increase the degree.

  The first feature of the consumable item according to the present invention is that the expendable consumption period of the consumable item and the storage time from the date of manufacture of the consumable item to the use start date and time detected by the use start date and time detecting means, Storage means for storing a deterioration degree coefficient indicating a degree of deterioration of the consumables, which is determined according to at least one of a standing time in a power-off state of the printing apparatus and a temperature detected by the temperature detection means. Is to prepare.

According to the first feature of the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the coefficient determining means stores the storage means based on at least one of the storage time, the standing time in the power-off state, and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. The time limit determining means for determining a predetermined deterioration degree coefficient from among the deterioration degree coefficients stored in the storage unit corrects the consumption effective period stored in the storage means based on the predetermined deterioration degree coefficient, and the corrected consumption The consumption expiration date is determined from the effective period, and the determination unit determines whether or not the current expiration date determined by the expiration date determination unit has passed.

  As a result, the remaining consumption time can be updated according to the degree of ink deterioration, so even when the degree of ink deterioration varies depending on the storage period, the standing time, and the temperature used, the expiration date is more appropriately set. Therefore, high quality printing can be realized.

  According to the second feature of the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the notification content changing means has a predetermined period of time when the power is stopped when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is out of the predetermined temperature range. When the threshold value is exceeded, the degree of prompting the replacement of the consumables is increased, so that the user can be more strongly urged to replace the consumables when the ink deterioration has progressed.

  According to the first feature of the consumables according to the present invention, the consumption valid period of the consumables, the storage time from the date of manufacture of the consumables to the use start date / time detected by the use start date / time detecting means, the printing apparatus Storage means for storing a deterioration degree coefficient indicating the degree of deterioration of the consumables determined according to at least one of the standing time in the power-off state and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. .

  As a result, even if the consumables to be used are replaced, the remaining consumption time can be updated by reading the effective period and deterioration degree coefficient stored in the replaced consumables. Even when the degree of ink deterioration varies depending on the time and temperature used, the expiration date can be set at a more appropriate timing, and high-quality printing can be realized.

It is the figure explaining the structure of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the function of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. 2 shows an example of a normal consumption period and a recommended stop period stored in a memory of an ink jet printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the normal consumption period and the recommended stop period. It is the figure which showed the condition of update of remaining consumption time. It is the figure which showed the operation | movement in a prior art. It is the figure explaining the operation | movement in the Example of this invention in detail. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a process at the time of mounting an ink cartridge in the ink jet printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence in the process at the time of a power stop in the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence in the process at the time of power activation in the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence in the alerting | reporting determination process in the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the message change process in the modification 1 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In an embodiment of the present invention, a main body device and an ink cartridge for each color detachably attached to the main body device are provided, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to an ink jet head included in the main body device and discharged. An inkjet printing apparatus that performs printing will be described as an example.

<Configuration of inkjet printing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ink cartridge and a main body apparatus having a configuration other than the ink cartridge. In FIG. 1, the ink jet printing apparatus in a state where the ink cartridge is mounted on the main body apparatus. 1 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K corresponding to C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) inks. The printing paper is conveyed at a speed determined by printing conditions by an annular conveyance belt (not shown) provided on the opposing surface of the inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K, and the inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K. Is printed line by line with ink ejected from the printer.

The ink cartridge is configured to be detachable from the main body device, and includes an ink bottle in which ink is stored and a non-contact IC that stores various types of information related to the ink.
Each ink is supplied from an ink bottle. An ink bottle 151C that supplies C (cyan) ink, an ink bottle 151M that supplies M (magenta) ink, and a Y (yellow) ink is supplied. Ink bottles 151Y and 151K for supplying K (black) ink are provided. In the following description, the ink bottle 151 will be used as a representative when the ink color is not particular. The same applies to other functional units.

  The ink supplied from the ink bottle 151 passes through an ink circulation path formed by a pipe made of resin, metal, etc., and is temporarily stored in a downstream tank provided on the downstream side of the inkjet head 110. Therefore, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a downstream tank 120C for storing C (cyan) ink, a downstream tank 120M for storing M (magenta) ink, and a downstream tank 120Y for storing Y (yellow) ink, K (black). A downstream tank 120K is provided for storing the ink.

  The ink jet printing apparatus 1 includes a pump 170C, a pump 170M, a pump 170Y, a pump 170K, an upstream tank 130C, an upstream tank 130M, an upstream tank 130Y, and an upstream tank 130K. The ink stored in the downstream tank 120 is sent to an upstream tank provided on the upstream side of the inkjet head 110 by a pump. The ink sent to the upstream tank 130 is sent to the inkjet head 110 provided with a number of nozzles that eject ink.

  The upstream tank 130 is connected to the common air chamber 172. The common air chamber 172 is provided with a pump 173 and an atmospheric release valve (not shown). The atmospheric release valve is fully closed and air is sent to the upstream tank 130 by the pump 173, or the atmospheric release valve is fully opened and the atmospheric pressure is opened. By adjusting the pressure, the pressure of the air in the upstream tank 130 is adjusted.

  Ink that has not been ejected by the inkjet head 110 is returned to the downstream tank 120. Ink feedback from the upstream tank 130 to the downstream tank 120 via the inkjet head 110 utilizes the water head difference between the upstream tank 130 and the downstream tank 120.

  The temperature range in which the print quality is guaranteed is determined for the ink, and it is necessary to heat the ink when the environmental temperature is low and the ink temperature is below the lower limit temperature at which printing is possible. On the other hand, the driver and the piezo element provided in the ink jet head 110 generate heat by operating, and it is necessary to suppress the influence of the ink temperature rise at a high temperature due to these heat generation and Joule heat of ink vibration. Therefore, a temperature regulator 161 is provided on the ink circulation path, and the temperature regulator 161 heats or cools the ink.

  In addition, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 that controls the main body device, and the control unit 10 has a function of performing data transfer by wireless communication with an ink cartridge attached to the main body device.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functions of the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an ink cartridge 150K, 150C, 150M, 150Y, a control unit 10 provided in the main body device, a memory 11, and an operation panel 12. And a timer 13. Here, the ink cartridge 150K corresponding to K (black) ink will be described as an example, but the same applies to inks of other ink colors.

  Each ink cartridge 150K corresponding to K (black) ink includes an ink bottle 151K, a non-contact IC (reference numeral 152K), and a thermometer 155K.

  The non-contact IC (reference numeral 152K) has a memory 153K and performs wireless data communication with the control unit 10 of the main device.

  The memory 153K includes a date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 150K, a use start date and time when the use of the ink cartridge 150K is started, a deterioration degree coefficient corresponding to the degree of deterioration of the ink stored in the ink bottle 151K, and the ink bottle 151K. The ink remaining amount stored in is stored. The remaining amount of ink can be calculated, for example, by subtracting the ejection amount from the inkjet head 110 from the initial amount. Further, the date of manufacture and the start date and time of use may be any of monthly units, daily units, hour units, minute units, and second units.

  The deterioration degree coefficient is determined in advance according to the degree of deterioration of the ink stored in the ink bottle 151K. For example, since it can be assumed that the ink cartridge 150K was stored without being opened from the date of manufacture until the use start date and time, the progress of the ink deterioration is slow. “0.9” is set as the deterioration degree coefficient with respect to the storage period so that the deterioration degree with respect to is reduced.

  Further, after the start of use of the ink cartridge 150K, when the used environmental temperature is within the temperature range that can be used appropriately, the deterioration degree coefficient is set to “1.0”, and the temperature that can be used appropriately. When the range is exceeded, it can be predicted that the progress of the ink deterioration is fast, and therefore, “1.01” is set as the deterioration degree coefficient with respect to the temperature.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 150K is used for a long period of time, the ink cartridge stays in the system without being circulated, and the deterioration of the ink proceeds. Therefore, “1.5” is set as the deterioration degree coefficient with respect to the leaving time when left unattended for a long time.

  Similarly, ink cartridges 150C, 150M, and 150Y corresponding to C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) inks also store the date of manufacture, use start date and time, deterioration degree coefficient, and remaining ink amount. Wireless communication with the control unit 10 of the main device.

  The memory 11 stores, for each of the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y, a normal consumption period indicating a period in which the ink cartridge can be normally used, and a recommended stop period in which the ink cartridge can be used but is recommended to be replaced. doing.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the normal consumption period and the recommended stop period stored in the memory 11 of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the normal consumption period 111 is a range in which the normal consumption period 111 can be set for each of the ink color names 11a of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). A setting range (month) 11b indicating, a setting unit (month) 11c which is a settable unit, and a default (month) 11d as an initial value are stored in association with each other.

  Similarly, the recommended stop period 112 is a setting range indicating a range in which the recommended stop period 112 can be set for each of the ink color names 11a of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). (Month) 11b, setting unit (month) 11c, which is a settable unit, and default (month) 11d when not set are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a normal consumption period and a recommended stop period.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the manufacturing date is stored in the memory of the non-contact IC for each of the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y, and the ink cartridge can be used without any problem from this manufacturing date. The point of time (for example, time) when the normal consumption period, which is a possible period, has passed is set as the recommended deadline. As will be described later, a warning is issued when the recommended time limit has passed. Then, when the recommended stop period has elapsed from the recommended deadline is the use deadline, and an ink cartridge that has passed the use deadline cannot be used, so an error is issued. The period of use is from the date of manufacture until the expiration date. The period from the current time to the recommended deadline is the remaining consumption time.

  However, the recommended deadline fluctuates back and forth depending on the degree of deterioration of the ink stored in the ink bottle 151K. As described above, when the ink cartridge 150K is stored without being opened, the deterioration of the ink is slowed down. When the ink cartridge 150K is used outside the temperature range where the ink can be used properly, the deterioration of the ink is deteriorated. When the ink is left for a long period of time, the ink progresses and stays in the system without being circulated, and the progress of the ink deterioration is increased.

  Therefore, the recommended deadline is changed back and forth by changing the recommended stop period set as the default (month) 11d according to the degree of deterioration of the ink. Thereby, an appropriate recommended time limit can be set according to the degree of ink deterioration.

  Returning to FIG. 2, an operation panel 12 including an operation screen and a touch panel is connected to the control unit 10. The operation panel 12 is disposed on the upper part of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. The operation panel 12 is an input operation for a user to input setting conditions such as processing contents such as the number of prints when a print image set in a scanner unit (not shown) is printed or printed from an externally received print job. It can be used as a department.

  The operation panel 12 accepts a setting operation such as a normal consumption period based on a user operation, and the control unit 10 reflects the setting operation in the memory 11.

  The timer 13 is connected to the control unit 10 and measures the current time.

  The control unit 10 that causes the inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K to perform a printing operation includes a CPU, a processor such as a DSP, a memory, and other hardware such as an electronic circuit, or software such as a program having the function, Or it is the arithmetic processing unit comprised by these combinations. The control unit 10 virtually constructs various functional modules by appropriately reading and executing the program, and performs processing related to image data, operation control of each unit, and various processing for user operations.

  Specifically, the control unit 10 constructs functional modules of a power source detection unit 101, a use start date / time detection unit 102, a coefficient determination unit 103, a determination unit 104, a notification unit 105, and a time limit determination unit 106. doing. The “module” used in the present embodiment is configured by hardware such as an apparatus or device, software having the function, or a combination thereof, and a functional unit for achieving a predetermined operation. Indicates.

  The power detection unit 101 detects power-on or power-off of the inkjet printing apparatus 1.

  The use start date and time detection unit 102 detects the date and time when the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y are mounted on the main body apparatus as the use start date and time, and stores them in the memories 153K, 153C, 153M, and 153Y, respectively.

  The coefficient determining means 103 is provided with a storage time from the date of manufacture to the start date of use when the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y are attached to the main body device, a standing time when the power is stopped, and a thermometer. Based on at least one of the temperatures detected by 155, a predetermined deterioration degree coefficient is determined from the deterioration degree coefficient stored in the memory 153.

  The time limit determining means 106 corrects the normal consumption period stored in the memory 11 based on the predetermined deterioration degree coefficient determined by the coefficient determining means 103, and determines the recommended time limit from the corrected remaining consumption time.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of updating the remaining consumption time.

  If the remaining consumption time is not updated by the coefficient determination means 103 as shown in the remaining consumption time 201 which is the prior art, the remaining consumption time decreases in inverse proportion to a straight line as time elapses.

  On the other hand, in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the remaining consumption time is updated by the coefficient determination unit 103, the time and the remaining consumption time may not be in a linear relationship.

  For example, it is assumed that the ink cartridge is mounted on the main body device and the use is started at time t1. At this time, during the storage period s1, which is the period from the date of manufacture t0 to the use start date and time t1, it is presumed that the ink cartridge 150 was stored without being opened, and thus the degree of progress of ink deterioration during this period Is considered slow. Therefore, “0.9” is set as the deterioration degree coefficient for the storage period, and the remaining consumption time is updated. Thereby, during the storage period s1, the slope of the remaining consumption time 202 of the embodiment of the present invention is gentler than the slope of the remaining consumption time 201 which is the prior art.

  Thereafter, during the period from the time point t1 to the time point t3, the slope of the remaining consumption time 201, which is the prior art, and the slope of the consumption time 202 in the embodiment of the present invention are the same. In this case, it is left for a long time and the temperature range is within an appropriate range.

  Then, the power is stopped at time t3, left as it is for a long time, and the power is turned on at time t5. Therefore, at time t5 when the power is turned on again, if it is determined that the calculated leaving time exceeds a preset leaving time threshold value, it can be predicted that ink deterioration has progressed due to long-term leaving. The coefficient determining means 103 extracts “1.5”, which is the deterioration degree coefficient α when the leaving time is long, from the memory 153K, and the time limit determining means 106 calculates the calculated elapsed time (t3 to t5) and the deterioration degree coefficient. Based on (= 1.5), the remaining consumption period of the ink cartridge 150K is updated.

  As a result, between the time t3 and the time t5, the slope of the consumption time 202 of the embodiment of the present invention is larger than the slope of the remaining consumption time 201 which is the prior art.

  Thereafter, from the time point t5 to the time point t7, the slope of the remaining consumption time 201, which is the prior art, and the slope of the consumption time 202 in the embodiment of the present invention are the same.

  Then, the power is stopped at time t7, left as it is for a long time, and the power is turned on at time t9. Therefore, if it is determined that the calculated leaving time exceeds a preset leaving time threshold at time t9 when the power is turned on again, similarly, it is predicted that the deterioration of the ink has progressed due to the long-time leaving. Therefore, the coefficient determination unit 103 extracts “1.5”, which is the deterioration degree coefficient α when the leaving time is long, from the memory 153K.

  Then, the time limit determining unit 106 updates the remaining consumption period of the ink cartridge 150K based on the calculated elapsed time and the deterioration degree coefficient (= 1.5).

  As a result, between the time t7 and the time t9, the slope of the consumption time 202 of the embodiment of the present invention is larger than the slope of the remaining consumption time 201 which is the prior art.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the determination unit 104 determines whether the current date and time counted by the timer 13 has passed the recommended expiration date of the ink cartridge 150 </ b> K based on the remaining consumption period calculated by the coefficient determination unit 103. .

  When the determination unit 104 determines that the recommended time limit has passed, the notification unit 105 notifies a warning content that prompts replacement of the ink cartridge 150K.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation in the prior art, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation in the embodiment of the present invention in detail. Here, K (black) ink will be described as an example, but the same applies to other ink colors.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the case of the prior art, even if the storage period is long, the manufacturing is stored in the memory 153K of the ink cartridge 150K even when used outside an appropriate temperature range or left for a long time. When the default (month) 11d of the normal consumption period set as the initial value has elapsed from the year, month, day, it is determined that the recommended time limit has been exceeded, and at 303 when the power is turned on the next time, the notification means 105 causes the ink cartridge to A message indicating that the 150K expiration date is near is displayed on the operation panel 12 as a warning. For example, as shown in a warning screen example 204, a message such as “An old ink cartridge is in use. Please use it up early” is displayed on the operation panel 12.

  In this way, even when the ink cartridge 150K is left for a long period of time and the ink deteriorates, a message is displayed when the fixed recommended time limit is exceeded without considering the deterioration degree of the ink stored in the ink cartridge. When displayed, the message is not displayed until 303, although it is better to replace the ink cartridge 150K earlier in order to ensure high print quality with deterioration.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the storage period is long, when used outside an appropriate temperature range, or when left for a long time, the remaining consumption time is updated, and the recommended expiration date is around. Fluctuates. Specifically, since the leaving time from the time point t3 when the power is turned off to the time point t5 when the power is turned on is long, the remaining consumption period is updated so that the recommended deadline is before the time point t5. The timing has been updated.

  When the recommended time limit for which the time measured by the timer 13 has been updated has passed, the notification means 105 causes the operation panel 12 to display the warning screen example 204 at the time 302 when the power is turned on next time.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the recommended deadline corresponding to the deterioration of the ink is changed based on the storage period, the used temperature, or the leaving time, and the warning screen example 204 is displayed on the operation panel 12. It is possible to appropriately notify that the recommended deadline has been reached.

  Furthermore, since the ink cartridge 150 </ b> K whose expiration date has passed since the recommended expiration date cannot be used, the notification unit 105 issues an error. Since the expiration date has passed at the power-on time 305, the notification unit 105 causes the operation panel 12 to display a message indicating that the expiration date of the ink cartridge 150K has elapsed as an error. The error message is, for example, “The expiration date has passed. Replace the ink cartridge.” As shown in an error screen example 205, for example.

<Operation of inkjet printing apparatus>
Next, the operation of the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The ink jet printing apparatus 1 calculates the remaining consumption time by mainly performing processing at the time of mounting an ink cartridge, processing at power-off, and processing at power-on. Then, by executing the notification determination process, it is determined whether the remaining consumption time has become zero, that is, whether the recommended time limit has been exceeded. Hereinafter, each process will be described in detail.

≪Process when ink cartridge is installed≫
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the ink cartridge mounting process in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, K (black) ink will be described as an example, but the same applies to other ink colors.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the ink cartridge 150K is attached to the main body apparatus (step S101), the use start date / time detecting means 102 Is acquired as the use start date and time (step S103).

  Next, the coefficient determining means 103 extracts the deterioration degree coefficient α (step S105). Specifically, the coefficient determining unit 103 extracts “0.9”, which is the deterioration degree coefficient α for the storage period, from the memory 153K.

Then, the coefficient determination unit 103 calculates a storage time from the date of manufacture of the consumables to the use start date / time detected by the use start date / time detection unit 102 as an elapsed time t (step S107), and the time limit determination unit 106 The remaining consumption period of the consumable item is calculated by correcting the normal consumption period based on the calculated elapsed time and the deterioration degree coefficient α corresponding to the deterioration degree corresponding to the elapsed time (step S109). Specifically, the time limit determining unit 106 sets n = 1 using the following (Equation 1) based on the deterioration degree coefficient α extracted in step S105 and the elapsed time t calculated in step S107. The remaining consumption period F ₁ (t) is calculated. Here, n indicates the number of calculations of the remaining consumption time, and the reference consumption period T is the normal consumption period set as the default (month) 11d.

F _n (t) = T−αt (Formula 1)
Then, the time limit determining means 106 stores the use start date and time in the memory 153K, stores the use start date and time in the memory 11 as the previous remaining time calculation date and time, and further stores the remaining consumption time in the memory 11 (step S111). .

≪Power-off process≫
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in power-off processing in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, K (black) ink will be described as an example, but the same applies to other ink colors.

  First, when the user presses the power-off switch of the main device (step S201; YES), the power detection unit 101 acquires the date and time when the power-off switch is pressed as the power-off date and time (step S203).

  Next, the coefficient determination unit 103 extracts the date and time information at the time of the previous remaining consumption time calculation and the current date and time (step S205), and calculates the elapsed time t from the previous remaining consumption time calculation to the current date and time. (Step S207). Here, the date / time information at the time of the previous remaining consumption time calculation is the newest date / time of the use start date / time stored in the ink cartridge mounting process described above or the power-on date / time stored in the power-on process described later. It is stored in the memory 11 as date / time information at the time of the previous remaining consumption time calculation. That is, when the power is turned on after the ink cartridge 150K is mounted, the use start date and time is set as the previous remaining consumption time calculation, and if the startup process is performed after the ink cartridge 150K is mounted, The power-on date and time is set when calculating the remaining consumption time.

  Next, the coefficient determination unit 103 acquires the temperature measured by the thermometer 155K of the ink cartridge 150K (step S209).

  Then, the coefficient determination unit 103 determines whether or not the measured temperature exceeds the temperature range (step S211). For example, the temperature range is preset as 10 (° C.) to 30 (° C.), and whether or not the temperature measured by the thermometer 155K exceeds the temperature range of 10 (° C.) to 30 (° C.). judge.

  When it is determined that the measured temperature does not exceed the temperature range (step S211; NO), the degree of progress of ink deterioration is not particularly fast and can be predicted to deteriorate at a normal speed. “1.0”, which is the deterioration degree coefficient α when the range is not exceeded, is extracted from the memory 153K (step S213).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the measured temperature exceeds the temperature range (step S211; YES), it can be predicted that the degree of progress of ink deterioration is faster than when the measured temperature is used within the temperature range. Therefore, the coefficient determination unit 103 extracts “1.01”, which is the deterioration degree coefficient α when the temperature range is exceeded, from the memory 153K (step S215).

Next, the period determining unit 106 calculates the remaining consumption period of the ink cartridge 150K based on the calculated elapsed time t and the deterioration degree coefficient α (step S217). Specifically, the period determining unit 106 uses the above-described (Equation 1) based on the deterioration degree coefficient α extracted in step S213 or S215 and the elapsed time t calculated in step S207 to calculate the remaining consumption period. F _n (t) is calculated. Here, the reference consumption period T is the remaining consumption period F _n−1 (t) calculated by the previous remaining consumption time calculation process.

  The period determining means 106 stores the remaining consumption time in the memory 11 and stores the power-off date / time as the previous remaining consumption time calculation date / time (step S219), and then executes the power-off process (step S221).

≪Power-on processing≫
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in power-on processing in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, K (black) ink will be described as an example, but the same applies to other ink colors.

  First, when the user presses the power-on switch of the main device (step S201; YES), the power detection unit 101 acquires the date and time when the power-on switch was pressed as the power-on date and time (step S303).

  Next, the coefficient determination means 103 extracts the previous remaining consumption time calculation date and time stored in the memory 11, and calculates the remaining time from the extracted previous remaining consumption time calculation date and time to the current date and time counted by the timer 13. Calculate (step S305).

  Then, the coefficient determination unit 103 determines whether or not the calculated leaving time exceeds a preset leaving time threshold (step S307). For example, the leaving time threshold is set to 5 (month), and it is determined whether or not the leaving time exceeds 5 (month). Here, the neglected time threshold is set in units of months, but is not limited to this, and may be in units of days, hours, minutes, or seconds.

  When it is determined that the calculated leaving time does not exceed the preset leaving time threshold value (step S307; NO), it can be predicted that the ink deterioration has not progressed so much. Is extracted from the memory 153K, which is the deterioration degree coefficient α in the case where is short (step S309).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the calculated leaving time exceeds a preset leaving time threshold value (step S307; YES), it can be predicted that the deterioration of the ink has progressed due to long-term leaving, so the coefficient is determined. The means 103 extracts “1.5”, which is the deterioration degree coefficient α when the leaving time is long, from the memory 153K (step S311).

Next, the period determining unit 106 calculates the remaining consumption period of the ink cartridge 150K based on the calculated elapsed time t and the deterioration degree coefficient α (step S313). Specifically, the period determining means 106 described above based on the deterioration degree coefficient α extracted in step S309 or S311 and the elapsed time t as the elapsed time calculated in step S305 (Equation 1 ) To calculate the remaining consumption period F _n (t). Here, the reference consumption period T is the remaining consumption period F _n−1 (t) calculated by the previous remaining consumption time calculation process.

  Then, the period determining means 106 stores the remaining consumption time in the memory 11 and stores the power-on date / time in the memory 11 as the previous remaining consumption time calculation date / time (step S315), and then executes the power-on process (step S315). S317).

≪Notification determination process≫
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the notification determination process in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, K (black) ink will be described as an example, but the same applies to other ink colors. This process may be executed when the power is turned on, or may be automatically executed at a predetermined interval while the power is on.

  First, the main body apparatus determines whether or not the current date and time counted by the timer 13 has exceeded the recommended deadline (step S401).

  If it is determined in step S130 that the current date and time has not passed the recommended deadline (NO), the process is terminated without issuing a warning because it is still a normal consumption period.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S130 that the current date / time has passed the recommended time limit (YES), the determination unit 101 determines whether the current date / time has passed the expiration date (step S403).

  If it is determined in step S403 that the current date has not passed the expiration date (NO), the notification unit 105 indicates that the expiration date of the ink cartridge is close as shown in the warning screen example 204 of FIG. Is displayed on the operation panel 12 (step S405).

  When the user presses the OK button from the warning screen example 204 on the operation panel 12 (step S407; YES), the notification unit 105 deletes the warning displayed on the operation panel 12 (step S409). .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the current date has passed the expiration date (YES), the notification unit 105 has passed the expiration date of the ink cartridge as shown in the error screen example 205 in FIG. A message indicating this is displayed on the operation panel 12 as an error (step S411).

  When detecting that the ink cartridge 150K has been replaced (step S413; YES), the notification unit 105 deletes the error displayed on the operation panel 12 (step S415). That is, the ink jet printing apparatus 1 cannot be used until the ink cartridge is replaced in the process of step S413.

  As described above, the storage time from the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 150 to the use start date / time detected by the use start date / time detecting means, the time left after the power supply of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is stopped last time, or the thermometer 155K. Based on at least one of the detected temperatures, coefficient determination means 103 for determining a predetermined deterioration degree coefficient from the deterioration degree coefficient stored in the memory 153, and the normal consumption period stored in the memory 11 Based on the predetermined deterioration degree coefficient determined by the determination unit 103, the correction is made, and a determination is made as to whether or not the recommended expiration date has passed for the ink cartridge 150 and the expiration date determination unit 106 that determines the recommended expiration date from the corrected remaining consumption time. 6 (b) when the determination means 104 and the determination means 104 determine that the recommended time limit has passed. Since a notification unit 105 for notifying contents of warning for prompting replacement of the ink cartridge 150, such as a warning screen 204 shown, in accordance with the degree of deterioration of the ink, it is possible to update the remaining consumption time. As a result, the recommended deadline can be set at a more appropriate timing, and high-quality printing can be realized.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the storage time from the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 150 to the use start date and time detected by the use start date and time detecting means, the leaving time from the previous power-off of the inkjet printing apparatus 1, or The remaining consumption period up to the recommended expiration date of the ink cartridge 150 is calculated by correcting the remaining consumption time based on the deterioration degree coefficient corresponding to the degree of deterioration corresponding to the temperature detected by the thermometer 155K. Of course, the remaining consumption time until the expiration date may be calculated. That is, either the recommended expiration date or the expiration date may be used as the expiration date of consumption, and both the recommended expiration date and the expiration date may be used as the expiration date.

  In this case, the determination unit 104 determines whether or not the expiration date of the ink cartridge 150 has passed based on the remaining consumption period calculated by the coefficient determination unit 103, and the notification unit 105 determines the expiration date of use. 7 is displayed on the operation panel 12. Thus, the remaining consumption time can be updated according to the degree of ink deterioration, and the expiration date can be set at a more appropriate timing, so that the deteriorated ink can be prevented from being used.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when the notification unit 105 determines that the recommended time limit has passed, the notification unit 105 notifies the warning that prompts the user to replace the ink cartridge 150. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When displayed on the operation panel 12, it is stored as a warning history, and is displayed again on the operation panel 12 only when a preset warning cycle has elapsed since the previous warning was issued. It may be. For example, when the warning cycle is set to “2” (month), it is determined whether or not the month of the current date has passed in February since the month when the previous warning was issued. In such a case, it may be displayed on the operation panel 12.

  The ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the memory 153 for each of the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y. The memory 153 includes the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 150. The start date and time of use and the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink bottle 151 are stored, and the memory 11 on the main body side stores a period during which the ink cartridge 150 can be normally used for each of the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y. The normal consumption period shown, the recommended stop period during which the replacement of the ink cartridge 150 is recommended, the calculated remaining consumption period, and the previous remaining time calculation date and time are stored, but not limited thereto.

  The date of manufacture, start date / time of use, remaining ink amount, normal consumption period, recommended stop period, remaining consumption period, and previous remaining time calculation date / time may all be stored in the memory 11 or stored in the memory 153. You may be made to do. Each of the various types of data may be stored in the memory 11 or may be stored in the memory 153. In addition, the storage location can be arbitrarily selected by the time of shipment.

  In addition, when the notification unit 105 determines that the recommended expiration date has passed, the notification unit 105 displays a message indicating that the expiration date of the ink cartridge is near on the operation panel 12 as a warning. For example, an audio speaker may be provided and the warning content may be output from the audio speaker.

  Further, the deterioration degree coefficient may be changed according to the temperature detected by the thermometer 155, or the deterioration degree coefficient may be changed according to the standing time. For example, “1.0” is set when the temperature exceeds an appropriate range, and “1.5” is set when the standing time exceeds a predetermined range. However, a deterioration degree coefficient in the standing time according to the temperature may be set. . Thereby, the remaining consumption time can be calculated more accurately reflecting the degree of deterioration.

[Modification 1]
Next, Modification 1 of the present invention will be described. In the above-described embodiment, as shown in the warning screen example 204, a message such as “Old ink cartridge is in use. Please use it up early” is displayed on the operation panel 12.

  However, when the ink in the ink cartridge 150 is left for a long time in an environment outside the appropriate temperature range, the message content displayed in the warning screen example 204 may be changed to a stronger expression.

  For example, in the power-off process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the following message change process may be incorporated as a subroutine between the process of step S209 and the process of step S211. At this time, the memory 11 stores the storage time from the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 150 to the use start date and time detected by the use start date and time detection means 102, the standing time when the ink jet printing apparatus 1 is turned off, and the thermometer. Among the temperatures detected by 155, at least the standing time and the temperature are stored. Thereby, it can be understood how many times the ink in the ink cartridge 150 has been left under the environment.

≪Message change processing≫
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of message change processing in the first modification of the present invention. Here, K (black) ink will be described as an example, but the same applies to other ink colors.

  In the message change process, first, notification content changing means (not shown) determines whether or not the measured temperature is within an appropriate temperature (step S501). Here, the appropriate temperature range may be the same temperature range as 10 (° C.) to 30 (° C.) or a different temperature range in step S211 shown in FIG.

  Next, the notification content changing means determines whether or not the leaving time in which the temperature detected by the thermometer 155 is outside the predetermined temperature range exceeds a preset second leaving time threshold. (Step S503). For example, when the second leaving time threshold is set to 2 (months), the leaving time left outside the predetermined temperature range based on the leaving time and the temperature stored in the memory 11, It is determined whether or not 2 (month) is exceeded. Here, the second neglected time threshold is set in units of months, but is not limited to this, and may be in units of days, hours, minutes, or seconds.

  If it is determined in step S503 that the leaving time has exceeded a preset second leaving time threshold value (YES), the notification content changing unit determines whether the recommended time limit has been exceeded and before the use time limit. (Step S505).

  If it is determined in step S505 that the recommended deadline has been exceeded and before the expiration date (YES), it is desirable to replace the ink cartridge 150 as soon as possible. Therefore, the notification content changing unit displays the message content displayed in the warning screen example 204. To a stronger expression. For example, the notification unit 105 displays a message indicating that the expiration date of the ink cartridge 150K is almost over in the warning screen example 204 as “An old ink cartridge is being used. Since it cannot be used anymore, it should be used as soon as possible. Please display a message such as “Please do this” on the operation panel 12.

  As described above, in the first modification of the present invention, when the time detected when the temperature detected by the thermometer 155K is out of the predetermined temperature range exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the notification means 105 notifies the user. Since the warning content is changed to the notification content that strongly urges the replacement of the ink cartridge 150K, the user can be urged to replace the ink cartridge 150K more strongly when the ink deterioration is progressing.

  In the first modification of the present invention, the message content is strengthened when the leaving time in which the detected temperature is out of the predetermined temperature range exceeds the preset second leaving time threshold. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the frequency of displaying the warning screen example 204 on the operation panel 12 as a message indicating that the expiration date is near may be shortened. That is, the degree of prompting replacement of the ink cartridge 150 may be increased.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printing apparatus 10 ... Control part 11 ... Memory 12 ... Operation panel 13 ... Timer 101 ... Power supply detection means 102 ... Use start date detection means 103 ... Remaining consumption period calculation means 104 ... Determination means 105 ... Notification means 110C, 110M, 110Y, 110K: inkjet heads 120C, 120M, 120Y, 120K ... downstream tanks 130C, 130M, 130Y, 130K ... upstream tanks 150C, 150M, 150Y, 150K ... ink cartridges 153K, 153C, 153M, 153Y ... memories 155K, 155C, 155M , 155Y ... Thermometer 161 ... Temperature controller 172 ... Common air chamber 173 ... Pump

Claims (3)

A main unit that performs printing, and a consumable used for the printing that is detachably attached to the main unit, and the consumable replacement when the expiry date of the consumable expires A printing apparatus comprising a notification means for notifying warning content for prompting
Power detection means for detecting power-on or power-off of the printing apparatus;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the consumables;
A use start date and time detecting means for detecting a date and time when the consumable is attached to the main unit as a use start date and time;
Of the storage time from the date of manufacture of the consumables to the use start date and time detected by the use start date and time detection means, the leaving time in the power-off state of the printing apparatus, and the temperature detected by the temperature detection means Storage means for storing a deterioration degree coefficient indicating a degree of deterioration of the consumables and a consumption effective period of the consumables, which are determined according to at least one of the following:
Based on at least one of the storage time, the standing time in the power-off state, and the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, a predetermined deterioration degree coefficient is selected from the deterioration degree coefficients stored in the storage means. Coefficient determining means for determining
A time limit determining means for correcting the consumption effective period stored in the storage means based on the predetermined deterioration degree coefficient, and determining the consumption effective period from the corrected consumption effective period;
A printing apparatus comprising: determination means for determining whether or not a current expiration date determined by the time limit determination means has passed. The storage means includes a storage time from a date of manufacture of the consumables to a use start date and time detected by the use start date and time detection means, a standing time in a power-off state of the printing apparatus, and a temperature detection means. Among the detected temperatures, at least the standing time and the temperature are stored,
The coefficient determining means has a predetermined degree of deterioration out of deterioration degree coefficients stored in the storage means based on at least the standing time in the power-off state and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. Determine the coefficient,
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is out of a predetermined temperature range and the leaving time in the power stop state exceeds a predetermined threshold, when the warning content is notified by the notification means, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising notification changing means for increasing a degree of prompting replacement of consumables. A consumable to be mounted on the printing apparatus according to claim 1,
Consumable lifetime of the consumables,
Of the storage time from the date of manufacture of the consumables to the use start date and time detected by the use start date and time detection means, the leaving time in the power-off state of the printing apparatus, and the temperature detected by the temperature detection means Storage means for storing a deterioration degree coefficient indicating the degree of deterioration of the consumables determined according to at least one of the following:
Consumables characterized by having.

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