JP2859750B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, for example, an EEPR capable of electrically erasing parameters unique to the apparatus.
OM (electrically erasable)
The present invention relates to a recording device having control means for writing data into a programmable ROM (programmable ROM).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, not only a recording device but also most electronic devices require parameters unique to the device, and their values are defined at the time of shipment from a factory. In many cases, device-specific parameters are mainly set by a DIP switch.
In many cases, a method is employed in which a PROM is mounted and input is performed from a panel mounted on the host computer or the device itself.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As described above, EEPR
In a device that writes device-specific parameters to the OM,
If the user permits the writing of parameters, the power may be turned off during the writing to the EEPROM, in which case the data will not be written correctly. As a result, the corresponding parameter may not be readable and may not operate normally.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which has solved the above-mentioned problems.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an erasable and writable first storage means for storing data relating to an apparatus-specific parameter, and the first storage means. A storage device having means for writing the same data in a plurality of locations, and second storage means for storing information as to whether or not the data has been written to the first storage means, wherein When a plurality of data written in the storage means have non-identical data and the information stored in the second storage means indicates a non-write state, a hardware error and In the case where the plurality of data written in the first storage means have the same data and the information stored in the second storage means indicates a write state, Said Characterized by comprising determination means for determining the true data data that has the most storage of one data.

[0006]

According to the present invention, the first storage means (for example, EE)
The same data is written to a plurality of locations in a PROM, and when reading the same, all of the data written in the plurality of locations is read, and the most frequent data is regarded as true data. In addition, by using the second storage means for storing information as to whether or not data has been written in the first storage means, the first storage means and the second storage means can be used to store information. Thus, it is possible to easily determine whether the data in the first storage unit can be repaired or whether the error is a hardware error that cannot be repaired.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration example of a color inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. In FIG. 1, a recording medium 1 such as paper or a plastic sheet is supported by a pair of conveying rollers 2 and 3 arranged above and below a recording area, and is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by a conveying roller 2 driven by a sheet feed motor 4. Is done. A guide shaft 5 is provided in front of the transport rollers 2 and 3 in parallel with the transport rollers. The carriage 6 is reciprocated in the direction of arrow B via the wire 8 by the output of the carriage motor 7 along the guide shaft.

A recording head 90, which is an ink jet head, is mounted on the carriage 6 as head moving means. The recording head 90 is for a color image, is disposed in the operation direction of the carriage, and is provided corresponding to each color ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk). Four recording heads 9, namely, a black head 9A, a cyan head 9B,
It comprises a magenta head 9C and a yellow head 9D. A plurality of (for example, 48 or 64) ink ejection ports are provided on the front surface of each recording head 9, that is, a surface opposed to the recording surface of the recording medium 1 at a predetermined interval (for example, 0.8 mm) according to the operation direction of the carriage. The ink ejection units are provided in a line in a vertical direction as the direction of intersection.

FIG. 2 shows a recording head 9 (recording heads 9A to 9A).
9D is the same as in any of 9D). In FIG. 2, a plurality of ink ejection ports 10 are formed at a predetermined pitch in the longitudinal direction on a surface facing the recording medium 1, and electrothermal conversion is provided corresponding to each ink ejection port 10 based on recording information. The body (heating resistance, etc.) 11 is driven (electrically heated) to cause a film boiling phenomenon in the ink to generate a bubble (bubble) 11A.
Is formed, and ink droplets are adhered on the recording medium 1 in a predetermined pattern to perform recording by a dot pattern. Each recording head 9 is provided with a heat driver 13 for turning on and off the energization of the electrothermal transducer, and a circuit board of a drive circuit (driver) 29 for performing the above-described driving is provided on the carriage 6. I have. 10A is a liquid path, and 10B is a common liquid chamber.

A control unit including an engine control circuit (CPU) of the recording apparatus and a ROM, a RAM and the like attached thereto receives a command signal and a data signal (recording information) from a controller of the host apparatus, and based on the instruction signal and the data signal (recording information). A drive power supply (heat power supply) for the electrothermal transducer is applied to each of the recording heads 9A to 9D via the drive circuit 29 and the heat driver 13 together with drive sources such as various motors and the like, and is energized. An operation panel 160 attached to an outer case (not shown) of the recording apparatus includes:
In addition to a setting unit such as an online / offline switching key 16A, a line feed key 16B, a form feed key 16C, and a recording mode switching key 16D, a display unit including a plurality of warning lamps such as an alarm lamp 16E and a power lamp 16F is provided. I have. In this embodiment, the key 1
By inputting a combination of 6A to 16D as appropriate, parameters unique to the apparatus can be input. The recording heads 9A to 9D include parameters unique to this apparatus.
The distance between them, the width of an energizing pulse to the electrothermal transducer for each recording head, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the color ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a CPU 21 in the form of a microprocessor is connected to a host device 14 via an interface 22, and a command signal (command) read from a controller of the host device 14 into a data memory 23 via the interface 22 and recorded. The recording operation is controlled based on information signals, programs and print command data stored in a program memory 24 in the form of a ROM, a working memory 25 in the form of a RAM, and the like.

The CPU 21 controls the carriage motor 7 and the sheet feed motor 4 through an output port 26 and a motor driver 27, and print heads through a head control circuit 29 based on print information stored in a data memory 23. 9 for recording.

The output from each of the operation keys 16A to 16D (FIG. 1) on the operation panel 160 is input to the input port 32.
Transmitted to the CPU 21 via the
Control signals are supplied to the warning lamps 16 such as 6E and the power lamp 16F via the output port 36. In FIG. 3, the power supply circuit 28 outputs a logic drive voltage VCC (for example, 5 V) for operating the control logic circuit, various motor drive voltages VM (for example, 30 V),
A reset voltage RESET, a heating voltage VH (for example, 25 V) for supplying electricity to the electrothermal transducer 11 of the recording head 9 to generate heat, and a backup voltage VDDH for protecting the recording head 9 are output. The heat voltage VH is applied to the recording head 9 and the backup voltage VDDH is applied to the head control circuit 29 and the recording head.

An electrically erasable EEPROM 37 is provided on an internal bus and can be directly accessed from the CPU 21. Here, the parameters set by the user are transferred from the host device 14 to the CPU 21 via the interface 22. Alternatively, the CP can be input from the operation keys 16A to 16D through the input port 32.
Transferred to U21. The CPU writes the transferred data to the EEPROM 37 at an arbitrary timing. At this time,
The CPU 21 writes one data a plurality of times as shown in FIG. In the figure, A, B, C, D, and E indicate the timing of writing data to each address of the EEPROM 37 serving as the first storage means.
Times (X = X1 = X2 =
X3). If the user turns off the power while the CPU is writing to the EEPROM 37, the data may not be written normally, and the normal state may not be restored even if the power is turned on again. If the power is turned off at the point A in the figure, the data of X1 cannot be guaranteed. However, although the data of X2 and X3 are old data before writing the parameters, correct values are written. If the power is turned off at B, new data is written in X1, but old data remains in X2 and X3. Considering that the power is turned off at the time of D and E, X1, X2
Data is reliable. Therefore, when data is read, the operation is performed with reliability of frequently-used data.

The above control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 shows a routine for reading the EEPROM 37. First, a plurality of written data (three as an example)
Is read (6.1). When all the values of X1, X2, and X3 are different from each other (6.2-Yes) (for example, FIG.
When the power is turned off at the time of C), an error is displayed on the warning lamp 16 as an EEPROM reading error (6.3). If all the values are not different from each other in (6.2), the process proceeds to (6.4). If all the values are the same data in (6.4), X1 is set to true data (6.5) and returned to the main routine as a parameter written in the EEPROM 37. X1 and X in (6.4)
When one of X2 and X3 is different, the different value is changed to be the same as the other value (6.6), the value is set to true data (6.5), and the parameter is returned to the main routine. . In this case, by rewriting the data to the same data, even if the user turns off the power while writing the data to the EEPROM 37 again by mistake, the same recovery operation as described above can be performed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the control according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the control of this embodiment, when the power is turned on to the apparatus, the EEPROM Set Fl as the second storage means is used.
ag is set to 0 (FIG. 7 (8.1)). By doing so, when the contents of the EEPROM 37 are different, the power is turned on by the user from writing to reading.
The presence / absence of the operation of / OFF is known. EEPROM 37
Power is turned on after data is written to
If N / OFF is not performed and the contents of the plurality of written data do not match, it is understood that the EEPROM 37 is electrically damaged and cannot be restored. The above control will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, the EEPROMSetFlag is set to 0 in an initial routine when the power is turned on (8.1). This flag is set to 1 when data is written to the EEPROM 37 (8.2). (6.
1), (6.2), and (6.3) are the same as those in the above embodiment, and the case where all the values of the same data written a plurality of times when reading data from the EEPROM are different from each other (6.2)
-Yes) and when even one value of the same data is different (6.4-No), the above-mentioned EEPROMSet F
When the lag is set to (7.2 and 7.1) and set to 1 (7.2-Yes and 7.1-Yes), the same control as in the above-described embodiment is performed (7.4 and 7 .-- 1). 5). If the flag is 0 (7.2-No and 7.1-No)
Since there is no cause of data destruction from writing data to reading data, it is assumed that the EEPROM is electrically irreparably damaged.
Hardware Error (7.3). As described above, the control is performed by distinguishing the recoverable error from the unrecoverable error.

(Others) In this embodiment, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink is used even in an ink jet recording system. The recording head and the recording apparatus of the type in which the change of the ink state is caused by the heat energy have been described as an example, but according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of the recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 may be used. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. S59-5959 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 123-670 discloses a structure in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is made to correspond to a discharge portion.
A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted. That is, it is possible to reliably and efficiently perform recording regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which the recording apparatus can record may be used. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or an electric connection with the apparatus main body or ink from the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied, or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the constitution of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the recording operation can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

Further, in this embodiment, an example in which a plurality of recording heads are provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors has been described. However, the type and number of the recording heads to be mounted are also limited to this. Instead, for example, only one ink may be provided corresponding to a single color ink.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In this embodiment, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and further, a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, a malfunction can be prevented even if the apparatus power is turned off during data setting. In particular, it is easy to judge whether there is a hardware error based on the state of the data stored in the first storage unit and the state of writing / non-writing to the first storage unit stored in the second storage unit. It can be easily corrected even if the error can be corrected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a color inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a recording method using an inkjet recording head to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of writing data to an EEPROM in the recording apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of EEPROM reading control in the recording apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of EEPROM read control in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of a control flowchart in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording medium 2, 3 Conveyance feed roller 4 Sheet feed motor 5 Guide shaft 6 Carriage 7 Carriage motor 8 Wire 9 Recording head 9A Recording head for cyan 9B Recording head for magenta 9C Recording head for yellow 9D Recording head for black 10 Ink ejection opening Reference Signs List 10A liquid path 10B common liquid chamber 11 electrothermal converter 11A bubble 12 flying ink drop 13 heat driver 14 host device 15 control board 16A to 16B operation keys 16E alarm lamp 16F power lamp 28 power supply device 90 recording head unit 160 operation panel

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Akira Kuronuma 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-2-215536 (JP, A) JP-A-2 JP-A-128846 (JP, A) JP-A-61-61299 (JP, A) JP-A-64-39699 (JP, A) JP-A-2-82333 (JP, A) JP-A-2-78089 (JP, A) JP-A-1-223698 (JP, A) JP-A-2-212165 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 29/38 B41J 2/01

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An erasable and writable first storage unit for storing data relating to an apparatus-specific parameter, a unit for writing the same data in a plurality of locations of the first storage unit, A second storage unit for storing information as to whether or not the data has been written to the storage unit, wherein the plurality of data written to the first storage unit are non-identical. If there is data and the information stored in the second storage means indicates a non-write state, it is determined that a hardware error has occurred. Is the same data, and when the information stored in the second storage means indicates a write state, the most stored data of the same data Recording apparatus characterized by comprising a determination means for determining the true data. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of identical data stored in the first storage unit includes a plurality of identical data stored most, the determining unit indicates that the plurality of data is an error. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus outputs a signal. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining means includes means for rewriting data of other values to data most frequently stored among the plurality of identical data written in the first storage means. The recording device according to claim 1. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus has a recording head, and the parameter unique to the apparatus is a distance between the recording heads. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus has a recording head, and the parameter unique to the apparatus is a driving condition of the recording unit. 6. The recording head comprises: a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink; and a plurality of energy generating elements provided corresponding to the ejection ports for causing a state change in the ink. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein ink is ejected from the ejection port based on a change. 7. The energy generating element is an electrothermal converter, and generates a bubble by driving the electrothermal converter, and discharges ink from the discharge port by pressure generated by the bubble. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein