JP3707494B2 - Printing device and cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus used as an ink jet printer or an ink jet plotter, and a cartridge attached to and detached from a main body of the printing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a processing technique for storing information in a cartridge.

  2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus used as an ink jet printer, an ink jet plotter, or the like is roughly configured by an ink cartridge that stores ink and a printing apparatus main body that includes a print head that performs printing on a medium. The print head realizes printing on a medium by attaching ink supplied from an ink cartridge to a medium such as printing paper. The ink cartridge is detachable from the printing apparatus main body. A predetermined amount of ink is initially stored in the ink cartridge, and when the stored ink becomes empty, the ink cartridge is replaced with a new one. This type of printing apparatus calculates the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge based on the amount of ink discharged from the print head on the printing apparatus main body side in order to avoid interruption of printing during the printing process. It is configured so as to notify that when there is less.

  Such ink remaining amount data is usually only stored by the printing device side or a so-called printer driver using the printing device. For this reason, if the ink cartridge is replaced during use, information about the ink cartridge, such as the remaining amount of ink, is lost or incorrect.

  In order to solve these problems, the ink cartridge is provided with a non-volatile memory, and data such as the remaining amount of ink is written to the memory from the main body side, so that the remaining amount of ink can be grasped even when the cartridge is replaced. The technique which tries to do is proposed (for example, refer the following patent document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-184856

  However, the ink remaining amount data requires a considerable accuracy in order to accurately notify the replacement timing of the cartridge, and if this is stored on the cartridge side, the storage capacity increases. It was. If the accuracy is low, the determination of the ink end for notifying that the ink cartridge has run out of ink greatly differs from the actual ink remaining amount. If this data is updated when the power is turned off, the next time the power is turned on, the printer main unit that reads the remaining ink amount of the cartridge must treat the stored value as the lower limit value within the accuracy. Because there is no. For example, the data on the cartridge side is 1 byte (8 bits), the remaining amount of ink is stored as a percentage such as 0-100%, and the accuracy of the data is 1%. In this case, if the value read from the cartridge side is “50”, it cannot be judged on the main body side whether this is a value written by rounding 50.9 to 50 or rounding 50.1. Therefore, it must be treated as a lower limit of 50.0.

  As a result, even if a small amount is used each time, the data must be gradually reduced by 1%. If the data is used 100 times, the ink remaining amount of the cartridge becomes zero. On the other hand, if the data is not reduced by 1% with a slight use, the ink end warning will not be output even if the remaining amount of ink becomes zero when the data is used little by little. Therefore, in a cartridge having a memory and a printing apparatus using the same, it is necessary to prepare a storage capacity of several bytes per ink in order to accurately determine the remaining amount of ink. In the case of a color cartridge in which a plurality of inks are stored in a single housing, a storage area is required for each color. For example, in a five-color ink cartridge, a capacity of 4 bytes is required for each color. For example, a capacity of 5 × 4 = 20 bytes (20 × 8 = 160 bits) is required.

  In addition, if the capacity to be written increases, it may be difficult to write back all data when the power is turned off. In the case of operating the power switch provided on the panel of the printing apparatus, it is possible to realize a sequence in which the power is shut off after confirming writing to the memory of the cartridge on the printing apparatus side. If you suddenly unplug the power outlet or forcibly turn off the power on the power line side using a computer-linked power strip, etc., even if a power-off is detected, the memory of the cartridge is transferred in a short time. Must be completed. If the power supply voltage to be written is lost during writing, the reliability of the data on the cartridge side is lost, and the cartridge can no longer be used properly. In addition, the use of a memory with a large capacity leads to an increase in the cost of the ink cartridge, which is a consumable item, and is also a problem from the standpoint of resource saving.

  In addition, such a problem uses not only an ink jet type printing apparatus that mixes or dissolves a pigment or a dye in a solvent or discharges liquid ink droplets to perform printing, and its ink cartridge, but also a toner cartridge containing toner. Even in a printing apparatus or a thermal transfer type printing apparatus, the remaining amount or consumption amount in the cartridge is not directly measured, but may occur similarly in a printing apparatus and a cartridge of a type that is calculated on the printing apparatus side.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a cartridge that can solve the above-described problems and can appropriately process information related to the cartridge such as the remaining amount of ink while suppressing an increase in the cost of the cartridge.

In order to achieve at least a part of the object, the invention of a printing apparatus and a cartridge has been made. The printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A printing apparatus that can be mounted with a cartridge having a rewritable nonvolatile memory that contains ink, and that performs printing by transferring the ink of the cartridge to a printing medium,
Rewritable main unit memory,
Information writing means for storing, in the main body side memory, information relating to the amount of ink in the cartridge that is consumed when printing on the print medium is performed, as data of a predetermined number of bits;
Memory writing means for converting the information relating to the ink amount into data having a bit number smaller than the bit number and indicating the ratio of the ink amount and writing the data into a nonvolatile memory provided in the cartridge. This is the summary.

  In such a printing apparatus, information on the amount of ink in the cartridge that is consumed when printing on the print medium is performed is written as data of a predetermined number of bits in the main body side memory, and in the nonvolatile memory on the cartridge side, The data is written after being converted into data having a smaller number of bits. Therefore, there is an effect that the data regarding the ink amount is stored in the cartridge in a non-volatile manner and the storage capacity is not unduly increased.

  Further, in such a printing apparatus, when power is turned on, the correspondence between the information about the ink amount stored in the main body side memory and the converted data stored in the nonvolatile memory is determined, Can be processed using the data of the number of bits stored in the main body side memory. By doing so, as long as the cartridge is not replaced, it is possible to perform processing related to the ink amount using data with a large number of bits, that is, data with high accuracy, which is preferable.

  On the other hand, when the power is turned on, the correspondence between the information about the ink amount stored in the main body side memory and the converted data stored in the nonvolatile memory is determined, and both do not correspond. The bit number data stored in the non-volatile memory is converted, and information relating to the ink amount corresponding to the data is written to the main body memory as the predetermined bit number data, and It is also possible to perform processing relating to the subsequent ink amount using the data. In this case, the subsequent processing can be continued using the data relating to the ink amount stored in the cartridge, which is preferable.

As well as the non-volatile memory of the cartridge, stores the identification information capable of identifying the cartridge, the printing apparatus main body, the power-on or at the time of replacement of said cartridge, is stored in nonvolatile memory the The identification information is read out and stored, and the read out identification information is compared with the identification information read out and stored before that to determine whether they match. At this time, the data regarding the number of bits stored in the memory on the main body side may be used to perform subsequent processing relating to the ink amount. In this case, since the cartridge identification information is used, it is definitely determined that the same cartridge is mounted, and the process related to the ink amount is processed by the large bit number data stored in the main body side memory. You can continue using

  On the other hand, in such a configuration, the number of bits stored in the non-volatile memory when the read identification information is compared with the identification information previously read and stored and it is determined that they do not match. In this case, the data regarding the ink amount corresponding to the data is written into the memory on the main body as the data of the predetermined number of bits, and the subsequent processing regarding the ink amount is performed using the data. You can also. In this case, the subsequent processing can be continued using the data relating to the ink amount on the cartridge side.

By the way, it is assumed that the main body side memory not only stores information on the ink amount of the cartridge currently mounted, but also stores information on the ink amount of several mounted cartridges. You can also. In this case, the non-volatile memory of the cartridge, stores the identification information capable of identifying the cartridge, power-on or at the time of replacing the cartridge, reading out the identification information stored in the nonvolatile memory, Using this identification information, information relating to the ink amount is stored in the memory on the main body side for each cartridge having a different identification information. In addition, if the cartridge can be replaced, the contents of the main body memory are searched using the identification information read from the non-volatile memory, and it is determined whether there is information on the matching cartridge. To do. If it is determined that there is information regarding the matching cartridge, this information may be used to perform subsequent processing regarding the ink amount. In this way, even if several cartridges are replaced, the processing relating to the ink amount can be performed with high accuracy.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is information on the matching cartridge, the correspondence between the information on the ink amount stored in the main body memory and the converted data corresponding to the cartridge stored in the nonvolatile memory When the relationship is determined and it is determined that the two correspond to each other, the subsequent processing relating to the ink amount can be performed using the bit number data for the matching cartridge stored in the main body side memory. . Since not only the identification information but also the correspondence relationship with the information regarding the ink amount is determined, the correct information can be reliably used as the information regarding the ink amount with respect to the mounted cartridge.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the information related to the ink amount stored in the main body side memory does not correspond to the converted data corresponding to the cartridge stored in the nonvolatile memory, the information is stored in the nonvolatile memory. By converting the data of the number of bits thus obtained, information regarding the ink amount corresponding to the data is obtained, and this information is written as data of a predetermined number of bits in association with the matched cartridge in the main body side memory. be able to. In this case, the process can be continued using the data on the cartridge side, which is preferable.

  In the case of performing processing related to the ink amount using the information of these two memories, it is realistic that the main body side memory has a larger capacity than the nonvolatile memory. This is because it is not desirable to provide a large-capacity memory for a consumable such as a cartridge from the viewpoint of cost and resource saving.

  Further, the main body side memory can be a memory that can be accessed at a higher speed than the nonvolatile memory. This is because data with a large number of bits is written, and a scale that can be accessed at high speed is desirable.

As the timing of writing data into the nonvolatile memory of the cartridge, may be selected from a variety of considered, were at or power-off the printing apparatus can be made at the time of replacement of said cartridge, writes the information. If the data is written at least at these timings, the data without the cartridge can be updated when the cartridge is released.

  On the other hand, data writing to the main body side memory is performed when printing for one page is completed, is performed when printing for one or more rasters is completed, or is performed at both timings. be able to. It is also preferable to update the data in the main body side memory finely and update the non-volatile memory on the cartridge side less frequently.

  Further, when the printing apparatus is provided with a cleaning unit that receives a predetermined operation and performs head cleaning to eject a predetermined amount of ink, the information is written to the main body memory even when the cleaning unit is operated. It is also good. Some ink jet printers have a cleaning function to prevent clogging of the nozzles of the print head. However, when a cleaning operation is performed, a predetermined amount of ink is consumed. Therefore, it is desirable to update the information regarding the ink amount after such an operation.

  Various known memories can be used as the non-volatile memory mounted on the cartridge. For example, a type of memory that transfers data by serial access can be used. Such a type of memory generally has a small storage capacity, but is inexpensive and has few terminals as a chip, which can contribute to resource saving. In this case, the side that performs writing to the memory writes information to the nonvolatile memory in synchronization with the addressing clock.

  Of course, such an addressing clock may be output using a control IC that directly controls the writing of data to the nonvolatile memory. In such a case, the main body side memory may be provided inside the control IC or outside the control IC.

  In such a configuration, when the cartridge can be mounted on a carriage provided with a print head and reciprocated with respect to the print medium, the main body side memory may be provided on the carriage. If the control IC receives data from the control means on the printing apparatus side, for example, by communication, it is preferable to provide a main body side memory near the control IC. The present invention is naturally applicable even when the cartridge is not on the carriage but is fixed to the main body.

  The configuration in which the cartridge includes the nonvolatile memory can be applied regardless of the type of the cartridge. For example, if the printing apparatus hand can mount a black ink cartridge containing black ink and a color ink cartridge containing a plurality of color inks, the black ink cartridge and the color ink cartridge can be mounted. Each can be provided with a non-volatile memory, and information can be written to each of them. According to such a configuration, since each cartridge has a nonvolatile memory, ink amount data can be processed for each cartridge. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a printing apparatus in which only a black or color ink cartridge can be mounted.

Although the printing apparatus of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can also be configured as an information management method in a memory. In other words, a method for managing information on this printing apparatus is as follows:
A method of storing information about a printing apparatus for storing ink and storing a rewritable nonvolatile memory and transferring the ink of the cartridge to a print medium to perform printing,
Information relating to the amount of ink in the cartridge that is consumed when printing on the printing medium is performed is stored in a rewritable main body side memory provided on the main body side of the printing apparatus as data of a predetermined number of bits. ,
The gist of the invention is that the information on the ink amount is converted into data having a bit number smaller than the bit number and indicating the ratio of the ink amount, and is written in a nonvolatile memory provided in the cartridge.

  If the information about the ink amount is managed by such a method, generally, an unnecessary load is not imposed on the nonvolatile memory on the cartridge side having a small capacity, and data having a large number of bits, that is, high accuracy is stored in the main body side memory. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage information regarding the ink amount in the cartridge.

Such a method can be performed in a printing apparatus, but can also be performed by a computer connected to the printing apparatus. In this case, the invention can be grasped as a recording medium on which a program to be executed by a computer is recorded. That is, the recording medium of the present invention can be loaded with a cartridge that contains ink and contains a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a program for handling information on a printing apparatus that performs printing by transferring the ink of the cartridge to a printing medium Is recorded on a computer in a readable manner,
Information relating to the amount of ink in the cartridge that is consumed when printing on the print medium is performed is stored as data of a predetermined number of bits in a rewritable main body side memory provided on the main body side of the printing apparatus. Function and
The computer realizes a function of converting the information about the ink amount into data having a smaller number of bits than the number of bits and indicating the ratio of the ink amount, and writing the data into the nonvolatile memory provided in the cartridge. The gist is that the program was recorded.
When such a recording medium is read by a computer, the above functions are realized by the computer, and the information management method described above can be realized.

Furthermore, the present invention can be configured as a cartridge. That is, the cartridge of the present invention is a cartridge that contains ink and contains a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and is used by being mounted on a printing apparatus,
The non-volatile memory is data of the number of bits less than the number of bits handled on the printing apparatus side, and the information about the amount of ink in the cartridge consumed when printing is performed , and the ratio of the amount of ink It is written as data indicating

  According to such a cartridge, the information related to the amount of ink to be written has a smaller number of bits than the number of bits handled on the printing apparatus side, so that there is an advantage that the necessary storage capacity can be reduced.

In such an ink cartridge, the information writing to the non-volatile memory, had time or power-off the printing device can be time of replacement of said cartridge. This is because if information on the ink amount is updated at these timings, information on the recent ink amount can be held in the non-volatile memory on the cartridge side in case of accidental cartridge replacement.

  As such a nonvolatile memory on the cartridge side, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or the like can be used. Of course, it is possible to use a non-volatile memory by backing up with a battery or the like. Bubble memories, ultra-small hard disks, and the like can also be used as nonvolatile memories.

  In addition, the nonvolatile memory may be a type of memory that exchanges data by serial access, and the information may be written in synchronization with an addressing clock. A serial access type memory can be miniaturized and can contribute to resource saving because the number of terminals can be reduced.

  The data written in such a non-volatile memory may be data excluding lower bits of data handled on the printing device side, or the data handled on the printing device side is converted into data indicating a ratio. It may be data. It is sufficient if the number of bits is small and the correspondence with the data handled on the printing apparatus side can be obtained.

  The cartridge can have an ink storage chamber for storing a plurality of types of ink, and data can be written in a nonvolatile memory in accordance with the type of ink. In this way, information related to the ink amounts of a plurality of inks can be stored in one nonvolatile memory.

As an example of a cartridge containing a plurality of inks, for example,
The ink storage chamber is divided into three or more that store at least three different types of ink,
The nonvolatile memory has a plurality of information storage areas for independently storing information related to the amount of each ink,
It can be considered that a capacity of 2 bytes or less is allocated to each of the plurality of information storage areas.

  In such a configuration, since a capacity of 2 bytes or less is allocated to each ink, even when three types of ink are used, information regarding the ink amount can be stored with a total storage capacity of 6 bytes or less. Similarly, when the ink storage chamber is partitioned according to five types of ink, information regarding the ink amount can be stored with a total storage capacity of 10 bytes or less.

  In each of the inventions described above, as the information related to the ink amount, the remaining amount of ink or the cumulative ink consumption amount related to the cartridge can be considered. In addition, information such as ink consumption while being mounted on the printing apparatus main body may be used. For a cartridge that can be refilled with ink, for example, a panel switch is operated to give an instruction of “refilling”, and the cartridge is taken out and refilled with ink to return. When such a form of use is assumed, it is necessary to manage the amount of ink consumed while the printer is attached to the printer while giving the “refill” instruction.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description will be given in the following order.
[First embodiment]
(Entire printer configuration)
(Configuration of ink cartridge and cartridge mounting part)
(Configuration of storage element 80)
(Operation of printer 1)
(Effects of the first embodiment)
[Second Embodiment and its effects]

[First embodiment]
(Entire printer configuration)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ink jet printer (printing apparatus) to which the present invention is applied, which is used in the following embodiments. In FIG. 1, the printer 1 of this embodiment is used in a state where it is connected to a computer PC together with a scanner SC and the like. By loading and executing an operating system and a predetermined program on the computer PC, these apparatuses as a whole function as a printing apparatus. In the computer PC, an application program runs on a predetermined operating system, and displays an image on the CRT display MT while performing predetermined processing on the image read from the scanner SC. When the user performs processing such as retouching an image on the display MT and then instructs printing, a printer driver incorporated in the operating system is activated and image data is transferred to the printer 1. The computer PC is equipped with a CD drive (not shown) that can read a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The printer driver converts the processed original color image data input from the scanner SC into data of each color used by the printer 1 and outputs the data to the printer 1. More specifically, the original color image data is composed of three color components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and this is color-converted and output to the printer 1 as black data (color data). K), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), yellow (Y) conversion processing, and so-called binarization that replaces this with the presence or absence of ink dots. Perform processing. Since these image processes are well-known, detailed description is omitted. Such processing can also be performed on the printer 1 side, as will be described later.

  Next, the basic configuration of the printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer 1 houses a printer main body 100 that includes a print controller 40 that performs control, a print engine 5 that performs ink ejection, and the like. The printer main body 100 is provided with a print head 10, a paper feed mechanism 11, and a carriage mechanism 12 that constitute the print engine 5. The print head 10 is provided integrally with the cartridge mounting portion 18 and constitutes a so-called carriage 101. The print head 10 is an ink jet head, and is attached to the surface facing the printing paper 105, that is, the lower surface of the carriage 101 in the example shown in this figure. Transfer of print data to the print head 10 is performed via a flexible flat cable (FFC) 300. The carriage mechanism 12 includes a carriage motor 103 and a timing belt 102. The carriage motor 103 drives the carriage 101 via the timing belt 102. The carriage 101 is guided by a guide member 104 and reciprocates in the paper width direction of the printing paper 105 by forward and reverse rotation of the carriage motor 103. The paper feed mechanism 11 that conveys the printing paper 105 includes a paper feed roller 106 and a paper feed motor 116.

  Ink cartridges 107 </ b> K and 107 </ b> F, which will be described later, are mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 18 of the carriage 101. The print head 10 receives ink from the ink cartridges 107 </ b> K and 107 </ b> F. Drops are ejected to form dots, and images and characters are printed on the printing paper 105.

  Each ink cartridge 107K, F is filled with ink in which a dye or pigment is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent. A space filled with ink is called an ink storage chamber. The ink storage chamber 117K of the ink cartridge 107K is filled with black (K) ink. In addition, a plurality of ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, and 107Y are independently formed in the ink cartridge 107F. These ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, and 107Y are filled with cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) inks, respectively. . Therefore, the ink of each color is supplied to the print head 10 from the ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, and 107Y. Each of these inks is ejected as ink droplets of each color from the print head 10 to realize color printing.

  A capping device 108 and a wiping device 109 are arranged at the end of the main body of the printer 1. The end of the main body is a non-printing area where printing is not performed. The capping device 108 is for sealing the nozzle openings of the print head 10 during the pause of the printing process. The capping device 108 prevents volatilization of the solvent component of the ink during the suspension of the printing process. By preventing volatilization of the solvent component, it is possible to suppress an increase in ink viscosity and formation of an ink film. By capping during the suspension of the printing process, clogging of the nozzles can be prevented. The capping device 108 also has a function of receiving ink droplets ejected from the print head 10 by a flushing operation. The flushing operation is an ink ejection operation performed when the printing process is being executed and the carriage 101 reaches the end of the main body, and is one of the nozzle clogging prevention operations. A wiping device 109 is disposed in the vicinity of the capping device 108. The wiping device 109 wipes the ink fountain and paper dust adhering to the surface of the print head 10 by wiping the surface of the print head 10 with a blade or the like. In addition to these operations, the printer 1 of the embodiment also performs a suction operation on the nozzles when an abnormality occurs due to air bubbles. In the suction operation, the capping device 108 is brought into pressure contact with the print head 10 to seal the nozzle opening, the suction pump (not shown) is operated, the passage communicating with the capping device 108 is set to a negative pressure, and the ink from the nozzles of the print head 10 is discharged. Is an operation of sucking. These flushing operations, wiping operations, and suction operations are called head cleaning. The wiping may be configured to be performed automatically every time when the blade is erected and the carriage 101 is reciprocated. In such a case, the aggressive head cleaning operation includes a flushing operation and a suction operation. Only movement is included.

  Next, the control circuit of the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment. The print controller 40 includes an interface 43 that receives print data from a computer, a RAM 44 that stores various data such as print data, a ROM 45 that stores programs for performing various data processing, a CPU, and the like. Functions such as a control unit 46, an oscillation circuit 47, a drive signal generation circuit 48 that generates a drive signal COM for the print head 10, and print data and drive signals developed in dot pattern data are transmitted to the print engine 5. A parallel input / output interface 49 is provided.

  Further, a panel switch 92 and a control line for a power source 91 are also connected to the print controller 40 via a parallel input / output interface 49. The panel switch 92 is provided with a power switch 92a for instructing power on / off, a cartridge switch 92b for instructing replacement of the ink cartridge, and a cleaning switch 92c for instructing forced cleaning of the print head 10. When the power switch 92a of the panel switch 92 is operated and a power-off instruction is input, an interrupt request (NMI) that cannot be masked is generated. When this interrupt request NMI is generated, the print controller 40 immediately shifts to a predetermined interrupt process, and outputs a power-down command to peripheral circuits such as the power supply 91. The power source 91 receives this signal and enters a standby state. In the standby state, the power supply 91 supplies standby power to the print controller 40 via a power supply line (not shown), although supply of the main power supply is stopped. That is, the power supply to the print controller 40 is not completely cut off by a normal power-off operation executed via the panel switch 92.

  An unmaskable interrupt request (NMI) is also output when the cartridge switch 92b of the panel switch 92 is operated to instruct the replacement of the ink cartridge. Furthermore, this interrupt request also occurs when the power plug is removed from the outlet. When these interrupt requests are generated, the print controller 40 executes an interrupt processing routine, which will be described later. In the interrupt processing routine, when this interrupt request is generated by the operation of the switch of the panel switch 92. Can be distinguished from the case where the power is forcibly shut off. Therefore, even when an interrupt request (NMI) is generated, different processing can be realized depending on factors as will be described later. The power supply 91 is provided with a compensation power supply device (for example, a capacitor) in order to realize power supply for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) even after the plug is removed from the outlet.

  In addition, the print controller 40 includes an EEPROM 90 as a main body side memory for storing information about the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F mounted on the carriage mechanism 12 (see FIG. 1). ing. Although described in detail later, the EEPROM 90 stores predetermined information such as information (remaining ink amount or ink consumption amount) related to the ink amount in the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F. Furthermore, the print controller 40 is provided with an address decoder 95 that converts the address of a memory cell 81 (described later) of a storage element 80 (described later) that the control unit 46 desires to access (read / write) into the number of clocks. Yes. In the address decoder 95, the control unit 46 in the print controller 40 normally handles data with 8 pits and 1 byte, whereas the memory cell 81 of the storage element 80 built in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F reads and writes. Since the serial access is performed in synchronization with the clock, the address to be accessed is used for conversion.

In the printer 1, the ink consumption is detected by calculation. The calculation of the ink consumption may be performed by the printer driver of the computer PC or by the printer 1 side. The calculation of ink consumption takes the following two factors into consideration.
(1) Ink consumption at the time of image printing: In order to accurately calculate the ink consumption at the time of printing, color conversion or binarization processing is performed on the image data, and after replacing the presence or absence of ink dots, The weight and the number, that is, the weight of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle opening 23 and the number of ejections of the ink droplet are multiplied. Of course, it is possible to estimate the ink consumption from the density of each pixel in the image data.
(2) Ink consumption amount due to cleaning of the print head 10: The ink consumption amount due to cleaning includes an ink discharge amount due to flushing and an ink suction amount due to suction operation. Since the flushing operation is the same as the normal ink droplet ejection, it may be calculated in the same manner as in (1). The ink consumption amount due to the suction operation may be stored in advance in association with the rotation speed and rotation time of the pump. Usually, the amount of ink consumed by one suction operation is measured and stored in advance.

  By subtracting the obtained ink consumption from the remaining ink amount before the start of the printing operation, the current remaining ink amount can be obtained. The calculation of the ink remaining amount is performed by the control unit 46 based on a program stored in the ROM 45 or the like while using data stored in the EEPROM 90 or the like.

  In this embodiment, as described above, color conversion and binarization processing are performed by the printer driver on the computer PC side. Therefore, the printer 1 receives binarized data, that is, data for dot formation / non-formation for each ink. Based on this data, the printer 1 multiplies the number of dots by the ink weight per dot (ink droplet weight) to obtain the ink consumption.

  As described above, the printer 1 of the embodiment receives the binarized data, but this data arrangement does not match the actual nozzle arrangement of the print head 10. Therefore, the control unit 46 divides the RAM 44 into a reception buffer 44A, an intermediate buffer 44B, and an output buffer 44C, and performs a rearrangement process of the dot data array. It is also possible to perform control such that the color conversion and binarization processing is performed on the printer 1 side. In such a case, the printer 1 holds the print data including multi-value gradation information sent from the computer PC or the like in the reception buffer 44A inside the printing apparatus via the interface 43, and performs the following processing. The print data held in the reception buffer 44A is sent to the intermediate buffer 44B after command analysis is performed. In the intermediate buffer 44B, the print data in the intermediate format converted into the intermediate code by the control unit 46 is held, and the process for adding the print position, modification type, size, font address, etc. of each character is controlled. This is executed by the unit 46. Next, the control unit 46 analyzes the print data in the intermediate buffer 44B, and develops and stores the binarized dot pattern data after decoding the gradation data in the output buffer 44C.

  In any case, when dot pattern data corresponding to one scan of the print head 10 is obtained, this dot pattern data is serially transferred to the print head 10 via the parallel input / output interface 49. When dot pattern data corresponding to one scan is output from the output buffer 44C, the contents of the intermediate buffer 44B are erased and the next conversion process is performed.

  In order to form the received dot pattern data on the print medium, the print head 10 ejects ink droplets from the nozzle openings 23 toward the print medium at a predetermined timing. The drive signal COM generated by the drive signal generation circuit 48 is output to the element drive circuit 50 of the print head 10 via the parallel input / output interface 49. In the print head 10, pressure generation chambers 32 and piezoelectric vibrators 17 (pressure generation elements) communicating with the nozzle openings 23 are formed in the number corresponding to the number of the nozzle openings 23. When the drive signal COM is given to 17, the pressure generating chamber 32 contracts and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle opening 23.

  An example of the layout of the nozzle openings 23 in the print head 10 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the print head 10 has nozzle openings 23 corresponding to black (K), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y). Two rows are formed for each color, and the nozzle arrangement is staggered.

(Configuration of ink cartridge and cartridge mounting part)
In the printer 1 configured as described above, the basic structures of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are common. Therefore, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the structure of the ink cartridge and the structure for mounting the cartridge on the printer main body will be described by taking the black ink cartridge 107K as an example.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion of the printer main body. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge, the internal structure of the cartridge mounting portion on the carriage, and how the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

  4A, an ink cartridge 107K includes a cartridge body 171 made of synthetic resin that constitutes an ink storage portion 117K that stores ink therein, and a storage element (inside the side frame portion 172 of the cartridge main body 171). Non-volatile memory) 80. The storage element 80 is a so-called EEPROM which can be rewritten by electrically erasing the stored contents, and retains the contents after the supply of power is lost. However, the number of data rewrites in the storage element 80 is about 10,000 times, which is less than a fraction of the number of times allowed to write in the EEPROM 90 built in the print controller 40. Accordingly, the cost of the storage element 80 is extremely low. Various data can be exchanged with the storage element 80 with the print controller 40 of the printer 1 in a state where the ink cartridge 107K is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 18 of the printer main body 100. In this embodiment, since the storage element 80 is mounted in the recess 173 that is open on the lower side with respect to the side frame 172 of the ink cartridge 107K, only the plurality of connection terminals 174 are exposed. The whole may be exposed. Of course, the whole may be embedded and the terminal portion may be provided separately.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, an ink supply needle 181 is disposed upward on the bottom 187 of the cartridge mounting portion 18. The periphery of the needle 181 is formed as a recess 183. When the ink cartridge 107K is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 18, the ink supply portion 175 formed in a convex shape at the bottom of the ink cartridge 107K is formed in the recess 183. Fitted together. On the inner wall of the recess 183, cartridge guides 182 are formed at three locations. Further, a connector 186 is disposed on the inner wall 184 of the cartridge mounting portion 18. The connector 186 has a plurality of electrodes 185. The electrode 185 comes into contact with each of the plurality of connection terminals 174 of the storage element 80 when the ink cartridge 107K is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 18, thereby realizing electrical connection.

  Next, a procedure for mounting the ink cartridge 107K on the cartridge mounting unit 18 will be described. When the panel switch 92 is operated to instruct replacement of the ink cartridge 107K, the carriage 101 is moved to a position where the ink cartridge 107K can be replaced. At the time of replacement, the used ink cartridge 107K is first removed. A fixed lever 192 is attached to the rear wall portion 188 of the cartridge mounting portion 18 via a support shaft 191. When the fixed lever 192 is pulled upward, the used ink cartridge 107K can be removed. Next, a new ink cartridge 107 </ b> K is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 18. Then, when the fixing lever 192 is tilted so as to cover the ink cartridge 107K, the ink cartridge 107K is pushed downward, the ink supply unit 175 is fitted into the recess 183, and the needle 181 is stuck into the ink supply unit 175. Ink can be supplied. When the fixing lever 192 is further tilted, the locking portion 193 formed at the tip of the fixing lever 192 engages with the engaging tool 189 formed on the cartridge mounting portion 18, and the ink cartridge 107 K is moved to the cartridge mounting portion 18. It is firmly fixed. In this state, the plurality of connection terminals 174 of the storage element 80 of the ink cartridge 107 </ b> K and the plurality of electrodes 185 of the cartridge mounting portion 18 are electrically connected to each other, and data is exchanged between the printer main body 100 and the storage element 80. Is possible. When the replacement is completed and the user operates the panel switch 92 again, the carriage 101 returns to the initial position and is ready for printing.

  Since the structure of the ink cartridge 107K is basically the same as that of the color ink cartridge 107F, the description thereof is omitted. However, in the color ink cartridge 107F, the inks for five colors are filled in the ink storage chambers, and these inks are supplied to the print head 10 through different paths. Therefore, in the color ink cartridge 107F, the ink supply portions 175 are formed by the number of ink colors. Note that the ink cartridge 107F contains ink for five colors, but only one storage element 80 is built in the ink cartridge 107F, and the information of the ink cartridge 107F and each color are stored in this one storage element 80. The ink information is stored together.

(Configuration of storage element 80)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage element 80 built in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F used in the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how data is written to the memory cell 81.

  In this embodiment, the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F includes a memory cell 81, a read / write control unit 82, and an address counter 83, as shown in FIG. The read / write control unit 82 is a circuit that controls reading and writing of data in the memory cell 81. On the other hand, the address counter 83 is a counter that is counted up based on the clock signal CLK, and its output is an address for the memory cell 81.

  An actual write operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flowchart illustrating processing when the remaining amount of ink is written in the storage element 80 built in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F from the print controller 40 in the printer 1 of this embodiment, and this processing. It is a timing chart at the time of performing.

  As shown in the figure, first, the control unit 46 of the print controller 40 sets the chip select signal CS for enabling the storage element 80 to a high level (step ST21). When the chip select signal CS becomes low level, the count value of the address counter 83 is reset to zero. Next, the necessary number of clock signals CLK for designating the address for writing data is generated (step ST22). At this time, an address decoder 95 built in the print controller 40 is used to determine the number of clock signals required. When a predetermined number of clock signals CLK are output, the address counter 83 in the storage element 80 is counted up. During this time, since the read / write signal W / R is held at the low level, the memory cell 81 is instructed to read data, and dummy data is read in synchronization with the clock. ing.

  After counting up to a predetermined write address in this way, write processing is performed (step ST23). This writing process is performed by switching the read / write signal W / R to high level, outputting 1-bit data to the data (I / O), and switching the clock signal CLK to high active when the data is established. Done. The storage element 80 writes the data DATA of the data terminal I / O to the memory cell 81 in synchronization with the rising edge of the clock signal CLK when the write / read signal W / R is at a high level. In FIG. 7B, writing is executed from the fifth clock signal CLK in synchronization with this signal CLK. This is for explaining general writing, and if necessary, Even from the first clock signal CLK, necessary data such as the remaining amount of ink is written in synchronization with the clock signal CLK.

  A data array in the storage element 80 to which writing is performed in this way will be described. FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing data arrays of storage elements built in the black and color ink cartridges 107K and 107F used in the printer 1 of this embodiment, respectively. Further, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a data arrangement in the EEPROM 90 built in the printer body. As shown in FIG. 8, the memory cell 81 of the storage element 80 provided in the black ink cartridge 107K has a first storage area 750 for storing read-only data and a second storage area for storing rewritable data. Storage area 760. The printer main body 100 can only read data stored in the first storage area 750, and can read and write data stored in the second storage area 760. Can be executed. The second storage area 760 is arranged at an address that is accessed earlier than the first storage area 750 when accessing without performing special processing, that is, when accessing the default storage area. In other words, the second storage area 760 is arranged at an address lower than that of the first storage area 750. In this embodiment, “low address” means “head address”.

  Here, in the second storage area 760, data indicating the number of ink cartridge attachments is stored in the head area 700, and in each of the subsequent storage areas 701 and 702, the first black ink remaining amount is stored. Data and second black ink remaining amount data are stored. The reason why the black ink remaining amount data is allocated to the two storage areas 701 and 702 is to perform data rewriting alternately for these areas. Therefore, if the black ink remaining amount data rewritten last is data stored in the storage area 701, the black ink remaining amount data stored in the storage area 702 is the previous data, and the next time. Is rewritten in the storage area 702. Both the storage areas 701 and 702 for the black ink remaining amount data have a storage capacity of 1 byte (8 bits). The remaining amount data of black ink may be assigned to an area before the area where the data indicating the number of attachments of the ink cartridge is stored, and may be accessed first when the power is turned off, which will be described later. Is preferred.

  On the other hand, the read-only data stored in the first storage area 750 is the opening timing data (K) of the ink cartridge 107K assigned to each of the storage areas 711 to 720 in the order of first access. Year), ink cartridge 107K opening time data (month), ink cartridge 107K version data, pigment type or dye type ink type data, ink cartridge 107K manufacturing year data, ink cartridge 107K manufacturing month data, ink The manufacturing date data of the cartridge 107K, the manufacturing line data of the ink cartridge 107K, the serial number data of the ink cartridge 107K, and the recycling presence / absence data indicating whether the ink cartridge 107K is new or recycled. Among these, the serial number of the ink cartridge 107K is given a unique value for each ink cartridge 107K, and is data that can be used as so-called identification information. If the date of manufacture and the time of manufacture are stored at the same level as or more finely than the time at which one ink cartridge 107K is manufactured (for example, stored in units of seconds or 1/10 seconds). If so, the date and time of manufacture can also be used as identification information.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the memory cell 81 of the storage element 80 provided in the color ink cartridge 107F also has a first storage area 650 for storing read-only data and a second storage area for storing rewritable data. Storage area 660. The printer main body 100 can only read data stored in the first storage area 650 and can read and write data stored in the second storage area 660. Can be executed. The second storage area 660 is arranged at an address that is accessed earlier than the first storage area 650 when accessed. That is, the second storage area 660 is arranged at an address lower than that of the first storage area 650.

  Here, in the second storage area 660, data indicating the number of attachments is stored in the head area 600, and in each of the subsequent storage areas 601 to 610, first cyan ink remaining amount data and second cyan are stored. Remaining ink data, first magenta ink remaining data, second magenta ink remaining data, first yellow ink remaining data, second yellow ink remaining data, first light cyan ink remaining data, Second light cyan ink remaining amount data, first light magenta ink remaining amount data, and second light magenta ink remaining amount data are stored. The reason why the ink remaining amount data of each color is assigned to the two storage areas is that data is rewritten alternately in these areas as in the case of the black ink cartridge 107K. Further, the storage capacity allocated to the data of each ink color is also 1 byte (8 bits) each as in the black ink cartridge 107K. Also in the storage element 80 of the color ink cartridge 107F, as in the storage element 80 of the black ink cartridge 107K, the remaining amount data of each color ink is assigned to an area before the area in which the data indicating the number of attachments of the ink cartridge is stored. It is also preferable that the access is made first when the power is turned off.

  On the other hand, the read-only data stored in the first storage area 650 is assigned to each of the storage areas 611 to 620 in the order of the first access, similar to the black ink cartridge 107K. Ink cartridge 107F opening time data (year), ink cartridge 107F opening time data (month), ink cartridge 107F version data, ink type data, manufacturing year data, manufacturing month data, manufacturing date data, manufacturing line data Serial number data and recycling presence / absence data. Since these data are common regardless of the color, only one type is stored as common data between the colors. Similar to the black ink cartridge 107K, the serial number data can also be used as identification information.

  Both of these data are accessed and used by the print controller 40 when the power of the printer main body 100 is turned on after the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are mounted on the printer main body 100. In some cases, the data is stored in the EEPROM 90 built in the main body 100. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, in the storage areas 801 to 835 of the EEPROM 90, all the data stored in each storage element 80, such as the remaining amount of ink in the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F. Can be memorized.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the EEPROM 90 is provided with an area for storing black ink remaining amount data and other data, and remaining amount data and other data of each color ink color. These data correspond to the data stored in the storage element 80 in the black ink cartridge 107K or the color ink cartridge 107F, but differ in that the remaining ink data is 32 bits (4 bytes) for each color. .

(Operation of printer 1)
Next, the basic operation executed by the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment from the power-on to the power-off and the difference in the writing frequency to the storage element 80 and the EEPROM 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed to calculate the remaining ink amount, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing executed when the printer 1 of this embodiment is powered off. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing executed when the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are mounted on the printer 1.

  First, a process for calculating the remaining ink amount will be described. This process is a process executed when the printer 1 performs a printing operation in response to a printing instruction from the computer PC. At this time, the control unit 46 transfers the print data to the print head 10 and executes a process of calculating the remaining ink amount. Such processing will be described with reference to FIG. When the print processing routine shown in FIG. 11 is started, first, a process of reading the ink remaining amount data In from the EEPROM 90 built in the print controller 40 is performed (step S40). This data is 32-bit data written when the previous printing is completed, and is the latest ink remaining amount data. Next, a process of inputting print data from the computer PC is performed (step S41). In this embodiment, since the color conversion and binarization processing are all performed by the computer PC, the printer 1 receives binarized data for a predetermined raster, that is, ink dot on / off data. . Therefore, the control unit 46 performs a process of calculating the ink consumption amount ΔI based on the print data (step S42). The ink consumption amount ΔI calculated here is not only the consumption amount corresponding to the print data for a predetermined raster received from the computer, but also the ink amount used in the flushing or the like. For example, the ink discharge amount for each color is calculated by multiplying the ink droplet weight by the number of ink droplet discharges, and the calculated ink discharge amount and the ink suction amount consumed by the flushing or suction operation are calculated. By adding, the ink consumption amount ΔI can be obtained.

  Next, a process for obtaining the accumulated amount Ii of the ink consumption amount ΔI thus obtained is performed (step S43). The successive ink consumption is determined according to the print data, but since these data are not written back to the EEPROM 90 every time they are calculated, in order to determine the ink consumption up to that point, the input print data Thus, the ink consumption amount ΔI is integrated to calculate the ink consumption cumulative amount Ii. All these operations are performed with 32 bits of data. Thereafter, the control unit 46 converts the input print data into data that matches the nozzle arrangement and ejection timing in the print head 10 and outputs the data to the print head 10 (step S44).

  Since the processing of the print data for several rasters thus input is completed, it is next determined whether printing for one page is completed (step S45). If printing for one page has not been completed, the process returns to step S41, and the above-described processing following the input of print data (step S41) is repeated. On the other hand, when printing for one page is completed, the remaining ink amount is calculated as a 32-bit value (step S46), and a process of writing this back to the EEPROM 90 is performed (step S47). The calculation of the ink remaining amount can be obtained by subtracting the accumulated ink consumption amount Ii obtained in step S43 from the previous ink remaining amount In-1 read in step S40. The new ink remaining amount In thus obtained is written back to the EEPROM 90.

Next, a process of converting the remaining ink amount In 2 calculated in 32 bits and written in the EEPROM 90 into an 8-bit value Ie is performed (step S48). In this embodiment, this conversion is performed by obtaining the upper 8 bits of 32-bit data as shown in FIG. Therefore, the accuracy of the data will be dropped to 1/2 ^24. Such conversion may be performed by dropping the lower bits, but may be performed, for example, by converting the original 32-bit data into data indicating a ratio of 0 to 100%. For example, the remaining amount can be expressed by 8 bits by calculating the following formula (1) and converting the remaining amount to a percentage (however, an integer obtained by rounding down the decimal point or rounding off the first decimal place).
Ie = 100 × calculated remaining ink amount (32 bits) / ink capacity (32 bits)
... (1)

  Thereafter, the control unit 46 performs a process of writing the converted 8-bit converted value Ie into a predetermined area of the RAM 44 (step S49). In this step, the 8-bit converted value Ie may be directly written in the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F. However, in consideration of the fact that the allowable number of writing of the storage element 80 is not high, in this embodiment, It is decided to write only in the routine described later.

  In the above embodiment, the ink remaining amount is updated in units of pages. This is because printing is normally performed in units of pages. Of course, the ink remaining amount data may be written back to the EEPROM 90 for each of a plurality of pages, or every time the raster unit or the print head 10 reciprocates a predetermined number of times, it is determined that printing is completed, and the ink remaining amount is determined. A process of writing back the amount of data to the EEPROM 90 may be performed.

The newly calculated ink remaining amount In is calculated in 32 bits in the EEPROM 90 provided in the print controller 40 of the printer 1 at the time of calculation, and the value Ie converted into 8 bits is written in the RAM 44. The ink remaining amount Ie stored in the RAM 44 is written to the storage elements 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F when the described power-down command is output. As described above, the power-down command is output at the following three timings.
(1) When the power switch 92a of the panel switch 92 of the printer 1 is operated and the power is turned off,
(2) When the cartridge switch 92b of the panel switch 92 is operated to instruct to replace the ink cartridge,
(3) When the power is forcibly cut off due to an action such as pulling out the outlet.

  Then, referring to FIG. 12, a process for saving the 8-bit converted ink remaining amount Ie data to the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F will be described. As described, the save routine shown in FIG. 12 is started as an interrupt process when a power-down command is output. When this routine is started, it is first determined whether or not the cause of the first interruption is a forced power-off (the above (3)) (step S50). In the case of a forced power-off, since the time allowed is short, steps S51 to S55 described below are skipped, and the process of writing the remaining ink amount into the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is performed ( Step S56). The ink remaining amount written here is an 8-bit value Ie calculated in the routine shown in FIG. The method of writing data to the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F has been described with reference to FIGS. When the ink remaining amount is stored (written) in each of the second storage areas 660 and 760, writing is alternately performed on the two storage areas allocated to each ink. Which storage area of the two storage areas has been executed can be identified by, for example, placing a flag at the head position of the two storage areas and setting the flag of the storage area in which writing has been performed. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the cause of the interruption is not a forced power interruption, the power switch 92a is turned off in the panel switch 92 of the printer 1 or the replacement of the ink cartridge is instructed by the cartridge switch 92b. Therefore, a sequence such as printing in progress is executed until a predetermined unit, for example, the end of the raster, and the remaining ink amount is also calculated (step S51). This process is the process shown in FIG. By executing the processing shown in FIG. 11, the calculated ink remaining amount is stored as 32-bit data in the EEPROM 90 and as 8-bit data in the RAM 44 as described above. It is. Thereafter, the capping device 108 is driven to perform capping on the print head 10 (step S52), and then the drive conditions of the print head 10 are stored in the EEPROM 90 (step S53). The drive conditions are, for example, voltage values of drive signals for correcting individual differences between heads, correction conditions for correcting between colors, and the like. Subsequently, the timer value is stored in the EEPROM 90 (step S54), and the contents of the control panel are further stored in the EEPROM 90 (step S55). The content of the control panel is, for example, an adjustment value for correcting the deviation of the landing points during both printing. After the above processing, the processing of step S56 described above, that is, the 8-bit ink remaining amount data Ie stored in the RAM 44 is used as the second storage areas 660 and 760 of the storage elements 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F. Is stored (step S56).

  Although not shown in FIG. 12, when this interrupt routine is started by operating the panel switch 92, it is determined which switch of the panel switch 92 has been operated after writing the remaining ink amount, and the power supply If off is instructed, a signal is sent to the power supply 91 to turn off the main power supply. If the ink cartridge replacement is instructed, the carriage 101 is naturally moved to the replacement position. .

(Effect of Example)
With the above processing, in the printer 1 and the ink cartridges 107K and 107F of the present embodiment, when the ink in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is consumed by execution of printing, the ink remaining amount is calculated and the print controller 40 is printed each time. In the EEPROM 90, the ink remaining amount is stored as 32-bit data, and the ink remaining amount is converted into 8-bit data and stored in the RAM 44. On the other hand, when the operation of the panel switch 92 is instructed to turn off the power or replace the ink cartridge, or when the power is forcibly shut off, the remaining 8-bit data Ie stored in the RAM 44 is stored. Then, the data is written in the storage element 80 built in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F. As a result, the remaining amount of ink is stored in the EEPROM 90 having a sufficient storage capacity, that is, 32 bits, and the remaining amount of ink is stored in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, which are consumables. Can be stored with a small capacity (8 bits in the embodiment) in accordance with the small storage element 80. Therefore, there is an advantage that time is not required for writing into the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F. This effect is particularly effective when the storage element 80 that is serially accessed bit by bit as in the present embodiment is used. In addition, when there is no access time, such as when the power is shut off, the capacity of the write data is small and the advantage of not requiring time for writing is great.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, by performing the processing shown in FIG. 13, the remaining amount of ink In stored in 32 bits in the EEPROM 90 in the print controller 40 and the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are stored in 8 bits. By using the remaining ink amount Ie, the processing of the remaining ink amount in the ink cartridge is made easier and more reliable. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing executed when the ink cartridge is replaced and the ink cartridge is mounted. Specifically, this process is executed immediately after the cartridge switch 92b of the panel switch 92 is operated, the carriage 101 moves to the ink cartridge replacement position, and the ink cartridge is replaced.

  When this routine is started, first, a process of reading the remaining ink data Ie from the storage element 80 of the installed ink cartridges 107K and 107F is performed (step S70). Thereafter, a process of incrementing the number of times the ink cartridges stored in the storage elements 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are incremented by 1 (step S71). This process is a process in which the number of times of mounting shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is read once, incremented, and written back to the same area of the storage element 80. The initial value of the number of mountings in each ink cartridge is 0.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of times of mounting is a value 1 (step S72). Since the number of times of mounting after the increment is 1 indicates that the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer 1 for the first time, in this case, the remaining amount of ink is stored in the EEPROM 90 of the print controller 40. Then, a process of writing all data is performed (step S73). The total amount data is a value corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is new. On the other hand, if the number of mountings is not once, it can be determined that the ink cartridge has been mounted in the printer 1 at least once, so whether the removed ink cartridge has been returned to the printer 1 or not. Alternatively, in order to determine whether or not a different ink cartridge is installed, the processing from step S74 is performed. That is, first, the ink remaining amount data In stored in the EEPROM 90 is read (step S74), and whether or not the ink remaining amount data Ie on the ink cartridge side that has already been read matches in 8-bit conversion. Is determined (step S75). Whether the printer 1 matches in 8-bit conversion is determined by the printer 1 in the 8-bit conversion processing of the remaining ink amount (step S48 in FIG. 11), only the upper 8 bits of the 32-bit data are replaced with the remaining 8-bit ink. In the case of the data Ie, similarly, the upper 8 bits of the 32-bit data read from the EEPROM 90 may be compared with the ink remaining amount data Ie. When 8-bit conversion is performed by conversion to a percentage, similarly, the comparison may be performed after performing conversion to a percentage in the comparison in step S75.

  If it is determined that the two data match in 8 bits, the mounted ink cartridge can be determined to be the ink cartridge that has been mounted in the printer 1 until immediately before. Then, it can be determined that the remaining ink remaining data is used as 32-bit data stored in the EEPROM 90 (step S76). On the other hand, if it is determined that the two do not match, the remaining ink data in the EEPROM 90 can no longer be used, so that the remaining ink stored in the storage element 80 in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F can be used. Thereafter, the ink amount is managed using the amount data Ie. For this reason, first, a process of converting 8-bit ink remaining amount data Ie into 32-bit ink remaining amount data In is performed (step S77). This process may be performed by reversing the process of converting 32-bit data into 8-bit data. For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, 8-bit data Ie is the most significant data, and the remaining 24 bits. The data may be all set to 0. Of course, if the 8-bit data of the remaining amount of ink represents a percentage, it is possible to calculate 32-bit data by performing back calculation using the described equation (1). After performing such conversion, it is determined that the converted 32-bit ink remaining amount data In is used for the subsequent calculation of the remaining ink amount (step S78), and is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 90.

  In the present embodiment in which the above processing is performed, when an ink cartridge is newly installed, the remaining ink level In stored in the EEPROM 90 on the printer 1 side and the remaining ink level stored in the storage element 80 on the ink cartridge 107 side. If the correspondence with the quantity Ie is determined, and it is determined that they match, the subsequent processing is performed using the 32-bit data stored in the EEPROM 90. Therefore, when the once removed ink cartridge is returned to the printer 1 or the like, the management of the remaining amount of ink can be continued with extremely high accuracy. As a result, it is possible to perform processing with extremely high accuracy such as, for example, that there is almost no remaining ink and the replacement time is near or notification that replacement is necessary.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the cartridges have been replaced with different ones and the two are not compatible, the remaining ink level is determined using the data Ie stored in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F. Management can be performed. Accordingly, although the accuracy is not as accurate as the data stored in the EEPROM 90, the remaining amount of ink can be managed even after the cartridge is replaced. For example, there is almost no remaining ink and the replacement time is near. Or the process which notifies that replacement | exchange is required can be performed exactly.

  In the above-described embodiment, the timing of calculating the remaining ink amount In and writing it to the EEPROM 90, or performing 8-bit conversion and writing it to the RAM 44 is the time when printing for one page is completed (step S45 in FIG. 11). However, conversion and writing may be performed for each raster or every time several rasters are printed. Alternatively, the remaining amount of ink is calculated (step S46), converted into 8-bit data (step S48), and stored in the RAM 44 (step S49) for every one or several rasters and written to the EEPROM 90 (step S47). These processes may be performed at different timings such as when one page is printed.

  In the present embodiment described above, the bit number of the remaining ink data Ie stored in the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is smaller than the bit number of the remaining ink data In stored in the EEPROM 90 on the printer 1 side. In addition, the following effects can be achieved by making the writing timings different from each other. That is, data is written to the EEPROM 90 every time printing of one page is completed, whereas (1) when the power switch 92b is operated and the power is turned off for the storage element 80, ( 2) When the cartridge switch 92b is operated to instruct the replacement of the ink cartridge, (3) the rewriting process is performed only when the power supply is forcibly shut off. As a result, the remaining ink data is updated with a high frequency for the EEPROM 90, whereas it is updated with a lower frequency for the storage element 80. For this reason, the number of times of writing the remaining amount of ink to the storage element 80 can be limited. As a result, coupled with the fact that the data to be written in the storage element 80 is 8-bit data with a small number of bits, an element having a small allowable number of writing and a small storage capacity is adopted as the storage element used in the ink cartridge as a consumable. Therefore, the unit price of the ink cartridge can be further reduced.

  In this way, even if the frequency of data writing back to the storage element 80 is limited, the latest ink remaining amount data is always stored in 32 bits in the EEPROM 90 of the printer 1. There is no effect on the amount monitoring process or the accuracy of the process. As the ink remaining amount monitoring process, when the ink remaining amount is below a certain level, the LED provided on the panel switch 92 of the printer 1 is blinked, or this is notified to the printer driver of the computer PC. For example, a warning may be displayed on the display MT of the PC. Since the printer 1 always holds the latest ink remaining amount data in the EEPROM 90 of the print controller 40, the printer 1 can always refer to this and output a warning such as an ink end at a necessary timing. Of course, when the utility software or the like is started and the current ink remaining amount is visually displayed as a bar graph or the like, these data may be used.

  In the above description, when a power-down command is issued, the remaining amount of ink is always written in the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F. However, when printing has never been performed since the power was turned on, etc. If there is no change in the remaining ink amount, the remaining ink amount may not be written back. Such a determination can be easily realized by providing a dedicated flag and setting the flag when the remaining amount of ink is changed, and reading this flag immediately after receiving the power-down command. In the above-described embodiment, the remaining amount of ink is taken as an example of data to be written to the storage element 80. However, data other than the remaining amount of ink is also considered as data for making the writing frequency different between the EEPROM 90 and the storage element 80. be able to. For example, data on the cumulative usage time of the ink cartridge, data on the mode of use of the ink cartridge, and the like can be similarly handled.

  In addition, the timing of writing to the EEPROM 90 and the storage element 80 is not limited to the above timing, and for example, a mode in which writing to the storage element 80 is performed once every M times of writing to the EEPROM 90 is possible. Further, when the cleaning switch 92c is operated to perform the suction operation, the remaining amount of ink is significantly reduced. Therefore, when the head cleaning by the suction operation is completed, data is written to the storage element 80. It is also good. Furthermore, it is also preferable to write the number of times of writing to the memory element 80 in a predetermined area of the memory element 80 and reduce the timing of writing and reduce the frequency of writing as the number of times of writing increases.

  In this embodiment, ink remaining amount data for each ink type of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is stored, so that the remaining amount can be known for each color ink. A warning such as ink end can be output for each color ink. Ink cartridges containing five colors of ink, such as the color ink cartridge 107F, store five types of ink remaining amount data. Since the data stored in the ink cartridge is 8 bits, the storage capacity is also 8 bits × the number of ink types (5 in this embodiment), and the storage capacity of the storage element 80 is not increased easily. Such an effect is particularly great when the ink remaining amount data is stored in duplicate as in the present embodiment.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment has the same printer and ink cartridge configuration as the first embodiment described above, but differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, in this embodiment, a dedicated control IC 200 is provided between the parallel input / output interface 49 in the print controller 40 of the printer 1 and the storage element 80 of the ink cartridge 107. As shown in FIG. 15, the control IC 200 is mounted on the control board 205 together with the RAM 210. The control board 205 is attached to the cartridge mounting portion 18 of the carriage 101 as shown in FIG. Signal exchange between the storage element 80 and the control board 205 is performed using a connector 286. As shown in the figure, the connector 286 is provided with contact pins for contact not only on the storage element 80 side but also on the control board 205 side, and the control board 205 is attached to the mounting part 250 outside the cartridge mounting part 18. The electrical connection is completed just by mounting.

  The control board 205 and the parallel input / output interface 49 are connected by four signal lines, and data exchange between the control IC 200 and the print controller 40 is performed by serial communication. Specifically, a signal line RxD for receiving data as viewed from the control IC 200 side, a signal line TxD for outputting data, and a power-down signal for outputting a write request at the time of a power failure from the print controller 40 side to the control IC 200 Four signals of a selection signal SEL permitting data exchange using NMI and signal lines RxD and TxD are exchanged between the parallel input / output interface 49 and the control IC 200 via a flexible flat cable (FFC) 300. Yes. The control unit 46 uses these signals to exchange necessary data with the control IC 200, but the communication speed between the control unit 46 and the control IC 200 is between the control IC 200 and the storage element 80. It is sufficiently fast compared to the speed of data exchange. As in the first embodiment, the power-down signal NMI is forcibly cut off when the power switch 92a or the cartridge switch 92b of the panel switch 92 is operated or the power plug is pulled out. In this case, the signal is output.

  The control IC 200 has a function of exchanging data individually with respect to the two storage elements 80. Therefore, one control IC 200 can exchange data between the storage elements 80 of the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F. In FIG. 15, in order to distinguish the signal lines for the respective storage elements 80, the black ink cartridge 107 </ b> K is placed after the power supply power and the signals CS, R / W, I / O, CLK, etc. shown in FIG. 6. For the color ink cartridge 107F, the subscript “1” is added, and for the color ink cartridge 107F, the subscript “2” is added.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 46 of the print controller 40 of the printer 1 not only writes data relating to the ink amount into the EEPROM 90 but also writes into the RAM 210 provided on the control board 205. At the time of writing to the control IC 200, the control unit 46 activates the selection signal SEL to select the control IC 200, puts data on the signal RxD, and writes the ink remaining amount data In to the control IC 200 by asynchronous serial communication.

  On the other hand, when the power switch 92a is pressed or the power supply is forcibly cut off and the power down signal NMI is output, the print controller 40 outputs the power down signal NMI to the outside, and hence to the control IC 200. To do. As a result, the control IC 200 receives the power-down signal NMI and performs a process of writing at least the data relating to the respective ink amounts among the data stored in the RAM 210 to the storage elements 80 of the respective ink cartridges 107K and 107N. . The method of writing to the storage element 80 by the control IC 200 is the same as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the chip select signal CS is activated and the write / read signal W / R is immediately set to high. Writing is selected as active, and data DATA is sequentially output in synchronization with the clock signal CLK.

  Next, the actual processing relating to the ink amount in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the process related to the ink amount of the ink cartridge is performed using “ink consumption” instead of “ink remaining amount”. Of course, it is also possible to perform processing based on the remaining amount of ink as in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing routine executed by the print controller 40. This processing routine is executed when processing that causes fluctuations in ink consumption in the ink cartridge, such as printing processing and cleaning, is performed. This process can be performed not only when the ink amount is reduced but also when the ink amount is increased. For example, if a configuration capable of performing a treatment such as filling the ink cartridge with ink is employed, the ink cartridge can be executed at the time of ink filling.

  When the processing routine shown in FIG. 17 is started, first, a process of calculating the ink consumption amount by the process such as printing and cleaning with 32-bit data is performed (step S110). Next, a process of calculating the current total consumption Iha as 32-bit data from the consumption of the current process and the previous consumption stored in the EEPROM 90 is performed (step S120). Once the total consumption amount Iha is obtained, a process of writing it back to the EEPROM 90 is performed (step S130). Through the above process, the latest data Iha of the total ink consumption is always stored in the EEPROM 90 in the print controller 40.

  Next, a process of converting the data of the total ink consumption Iha into 8-bit data Ice is performed (step S140). Conversion to 8-bit data can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Subsequently, the control unit 46 outputs the total ink consumption Ice converted into 8-bit data to the control IC 200 in order to write it in the storage element 80 (step S150).

  According to the processing described above, the total ink consumption data to be written back to the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is controlled via the control IC 200 that directly controls the exchange of data with the storage element 80. The control unit 46 writes the data to the RAM 210 via the control IC 200 every time the ink remaining amount data is updated. Therefore, the latest data is always prepared in the RAM 210 on the control board 205. When the power supply is forcibly cut off and the power down signal NMI is output, the data stored in the RAM 210 is immediately stored in the ink cartridge regardless of the operation of the print controller 40 and the control unit 46. The data is written in the memory elements 80 of 107K and 107F. Therefore, the processing of the control unit 46 at the time of power-off is simplified, and the processing load is greatly reduced. In this embodiment, data writing to the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and F is started using the power-down signal NMI. However, a command is sent using the signal line RxD for writing. Thus, data writing by the control IC 200 may be performed.

  Next, processing when the power is turned on or a new ink cartridge is installed after the cartridge is replaced will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing routine when the power is turned on and the cartridge is mounted. As shown in the figure, when this process is started, first, a process is performed to determine whether or not the installed ink cartridge is a new one based on the number of attachments (step S200). If it is determined that a new product that has never been mounted on the printer 1 has been mounted, a predetermined specified value is determined as the total consumption Iha and determined to be used for the subsequent processing (step) S270). Here, the specified value is normally set as a total consumption amount of zero. However, a value corresponding to ½ of the total consumption can be used for a half of the ink storage amount such as a half bottle. Whether the installed ink cartridge is a half-bottle or a service product (a product with a small ink storage capacity) bundled with the printer 1 at the time of shipment is determined directly by the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F. However, it is possible to use the upper two digits of the serial number for determining the type of cartridge.

  When it is determined that the mounted ink cartridge is not new from the number of times of mounting, the serial number SN as the identification information is read from the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, and the EEPROM 90 is read by this serial number SN. Processing for searching the inside is performed (step S205). This search is performed by referring to a table prepared in the EEPROM 90 using the serial number SN as an index, as shown in FIG. The serial number SN of the ink cartridge that has been mounted once is registered in the EEPROM 90 in association with the total ink consumption as long as the storage capacity permits. When the storage capacity of the EEPROM 90 is full, old data is deleted sequentially.

  By referring to this table, whether the cartridge that is installed when the power is turned on or the newly installed cartridge when the ink cartridge is replaced is the ink cartridge that is installed in the printer 1 for the first time. A determination of whether or not can be made (step S210). If the serial number read from the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is found in the table, it can be determined that the cartridge is not the first mounted cartridge. In this case, the 8-bit ink is transferred from the storage element 80. First, a process of reading the total consumption data Ice and converting it into 32-bit total ink consumption conversion data Ihe is performed (step S220). Thereafter, the data Iha of the total ink consumption stored originally in the EEPROM 90 in 32 bits and the conversion data Ihe from the total ink consumption stored in 8 bits in the storage element 80 are compared (step S230). It is determined whether or not both correspond (step S240).

  If it is determined by the comparison that the two correspond to each other, it can be determined that the ink cartridge has been used continuously or has been removed and then returned to the original state. The stored total ink consumption Iha is determined to be handled as the current total ink consumption (step S250). On the other hand, when it is determined that the two do not correspond to each other, the larger one of the total consumption data Iha and the total consumption data Iha stored in the EEPROM 90 is determined as the current total ink consumption. (Step S260). Here, the reason why the data stored in the storage elements 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is not uniformly adopted is that the ink cartridge is specified in advance using the serial number SN as identification information. . For this reason, it is possible to use the one having a larger total ink consumption in consideration of an error due to conversion. Of course, it is possible to preferentially handle the data of the total ink consumption stored in the storage element 80 of the ink cartridge. For example, when an environment is used in which an apparatus is used in which ink is filled with a dedicated ink filling machine and the total ink consumption is rewritten accordingly, the information on the ink cartridge side is given priority.

  In addition to the above processing, when it is determined that the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are first installed in the printer 1 by referring to the table illustrated in FIG. In this case, 8-bit ink consumption data is read from the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, and converted into 32-bit data. Then, it is decided to use it as the data Iha of the total ink consumption thereafter (step S280).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 18, the capacity of data stored in the storage element 80 on the ink cartridge side can be reduced as in the first embodiment. Moreover, since the identification information can identify the ink cartridge to be mounted, for example, even when a plurality of ink cartridges are replaced and used, this is accurately judged and the same printer is used again without being used elsewhere. The total ink consumption of the ink cartridge returned to 1 can be managed with much higher accuracy than the data on the ink cartridge side. In addition, even when these ink cartridges are used in other printers, the total ink consumption can be managed with a certain level of accuracy.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the memory cells 81 and the EEPROM 90 of the memory element 80 may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Of course, the present invention can be implemented in various forms such as a configuration using a dielectric memory (FROM).

  Further, the storage element 80 may be exposed outside the ink cartridge 107. An example of the color ink cartridge 500 provided with the storage element 80 exposed is shown in FIG. The ink cartridge 500 contains a porous body (not shown) impregnated with ink in a container 51 formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and has an upper surface sealed with a lid 53. In the container 51, five ink storage portions (for example, 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, and 107Y in the ink cartridge 107F) for separately storing five color inks are partitioned and formed. On the bottom surface of the container 51, ink supply ports 54 are formed corresponding to the respective ink colors at positions facing the ink supply needles when mounted on the holder. Further, an overhanging portion 56 that engages with a protrusion of the lever on the main body side is integrally formed at the upper end of the vertical wall 55 on the ink supply port side. The projecting portion 56 is formed separately on both sides of the wall 55 and has ribs 56a. Further, a triangular rib 57 is formed between the lower surface and the wall 55. The container 51 has a recess 59 for preventing erroneous insertion.

  On the ink supply port forming side of the vertical wall 55, a recess 58 is formed so as to be positioned at the center in the width direction of each cartridge 500, and the circuit board 31 is mounted thereon. The circuit board 31 has a plurality of contacts on the surface facing the contacts of the main body, and a memory element is mounted on the back surface thereof. Further, the vertical wall 55 is formed with protrusions 55a and 55b and overhang portions 55c and 55d for positioning the circuit board 31.

  Even when such an ink cartridge 500 is used, data such as the remaining amount of ink can be stored in the storage element provided on the circuit board 31 as data having a smaller number of bits than the EEPROM on the main body side, as in the above embodiment. it can.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, five colors of magenta, cyan, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta are used as color inks. However, combinations of other colors, or addition of other colors, six colors, seven colors, etc. In this case, the present invention can be applied. In addition to the type in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage, a configuration in which the ink cartridge is fixedly mounted on the printer main body 100 side can be employed.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part of a printer 1 as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the printer 1 in the embodiment, with a print controller 40 as the center. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of nozzle openings in the print head. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing shapes of an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an ink cartridge 107 is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion 18. FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage element built in ink cartridges 107K and 107F. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing how data is written to the storage element 80. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array in a storage element 80 built in a black ink cartridge 107K. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array in a storage element 80 built in a color ink cartridge 107F. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array in an EEPROM 90 provided in a print controller 40 of the printer 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing routine including a process for calculating a remaining ink amount. It is a flowchart which shows the save process routine performed by interruption when a power down command is issued. 6 is a flowchart showing a mounting processing routine executed when an ink cartridge is mounted. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of conversion to 8-bit data of 32-bit data. It is a block diagram which shows the connection state of control IC200 used in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the control board 205 etc. in 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process performed at the time of completion | finish of the printing process in 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process performed at the time of power-on or cartridge mounting. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the table using the serial number as identification information. It is a perspective view which shows the other structural example of a color ink cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 5 ... Print engine 10 ... Print head 11 ... Paper feed mechanism 12 ... Carriage mechanism 17 ... Piezoelectric vibrator 18 ... Cartridge mounting part 23 ... Nozzle opening part 32 ... Pressure generation chamber 40 ... Print controller 43 ... Interface 44 ... RAM
44A ... Reception buffer 44B ... Intermediate buffer 44C ... Output buffer 45 ... ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 46 ... Control part 47 ... Oscillation circuit 48 ... Drive signal generation circuit 49 ... Parallel input / output interface 50 ... Element drive circuit 80 ... Memory element 81 ... Memory cell 82 ... Write / read control part 83 ... Address counter 90 ... EEPROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 91 ... Power supply 92 ... Panel switch 92a ... Power switch 92b ... Cartridge switch 92c ... Cleaning switch 95 ... Address decoder 100 ... Printer main body 101 ... Carriage 102 ... Timing belt 103 ... Carriage motor 104 ... Guide member 105 ... Printing paper 106 ... Paper feed Roller 107K, 107F ... Ink cartridge 108 ... Capping device 109 ... Wiping device 116 ... Paper feed motor 117K ... Ink storage chamber 171 ... Cartridge body 172 ... Side frame 173 ... Concave portion 174 ... Connection terminal 175 ... Ink supply unit 181 ... Needle 182 ... cartridge guide 183 ... recess 184 ... inner wall 185 ... electrode 186 ... connector 187 ... bottom part 188 ... rear wall part 189 ... engagement tool 191 ... support shaft 192 ... fixed lever 1 93 ... Locking part 200 ... Control IC
205 ... Control board 210 ... RAM
250 ... Mounting portion 286 ... Connector 650 ... First storage area 660 ... Second storage area 750 ... First storage area 760 ... Second storage area

Claims (17)

A printing apparatus that can be mounted with a cartridge having a rewritable nonvolatile memory that contains ink, and that performs printing by transferring the ink of the cartridge to a printing medium,
Rewritable main unit memory,
Information writing means for storing, in the main body side memory, information relating to the amount of ink in the cartridge that is consumed when printing on the print medium is performed, as data of a predetermined number of bits;
Memory writing means for converting the information relating to the ink amount into data having a bit number smaller than the bit number and indicating the ratio of the ink amount and writing the data into a nonvolatile memory provided in the cartridge. Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
Determination means for determining a correspondence relationship between the information about the ink amount stored in the main body side memory and the converted data stored in the nonvolatile memory when the power is turned on;
And an ink amount processing control means for performing a process related to the ink amount thereafter using the data of the number of bits stored in the main body side memory when it is determined by the determining means that both correspond to each other. Printing device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body side memory is a memory having a larger capacity than the nonvolatile memory.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body side memory is a memory that can be accessed at a higher speed than the nonvolatile memory. It said memory writing means, was at or power-off the printing apparatus when replacing the cartridge, printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for writing the information.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information writing means is means for writing the information when printing for one page is completed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The information writing means is a printing apparatus which is means for writing the information when printing of one or more rasters is completed. A method of managing information on a printing apparatus that accommodates ink and can be mounted with a cartridge having a rewritable non-volatile memory, and transfers the ink of the cartridge to a print medium to perform printing,
Information relating to the amount of ink in the cartridge that is consumed when printing on the printing medium is performed is stored in a rewritable main body side memory provided on the main body side of the printing apparatus as data of a predetermined number of bits. ,
Information management method for converting information relating to the ink amount into data having a smaller number of bits than the number of bits and indicating a ratio of the ink amount and writing the data into a nonvolatile memory provided in the cartridge. A cartridge that contains ink and contains a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and is used by being mounted on a printing apparatus,
The non-volatile memory is data of the number of bits less than the number of bits handled on the printing apparatus side, and the information about the amount of ink in the cartridge consumed when printing is performed , and the ratio of the amount of ink Cartridge written as data indicating . The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein
The nonvolatile memory, the printing device was at or power off during replacement of the cartridges, the cartridge in which the information is written.   The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the nonvolatile memory is an EEPROM. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein
The non-volatile memory is a type of memory that transfers data by serial access, and is a cartridge in which the information is written in synchronization with an addressing clock. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein
An ink storage chamber for storing a plurality of types of ink;
The nonvolatile memory is a cartridge in which the data is written according to the type of ink. 14. The cartridge according to claim 13, wherein
The ink storage chamber is divided into three or more that store at least three different types of ink,
The nonvolatile memory has a plurality of information storage areas for independently storing information related to the amount of each ink,
Each of the plurality of information storage areas is assigned a capacity of 2 bytes or less. 14. The cartridge according to claim 13, wherein
The ink storage chamber is divided into five or more that store at least five different types of ink,
The nonvolatile memory has a plurality of information storage areas for independently storing information related to the amount of each ink,
Each of the plurality of information storage areas is assigned a capacity of 2 bytes or less. A cartridge having a rewritable nonvolatile memory for containing ink can be mounted, and a program for handling information on a printing apparatus that performs printing by transferring the ink of the cartridge to a printing medium is recorded in a computer-readable manner A recording medium,
Information relating to the amount of ink in the cartridge that is consumed when printing on the print medium is performed is stored as data of a predetermined number of bits in a rewritable main body side memory provided on the main body side of the printing apparatus. Function and
The computer realizes a function of converting the information about the ink amount into data having a smaller number of bits than the number of bits and indicating the ratio of the ink amount, and writing the data into the nonvolatile memory provided in the cartridge. A recording medium that records the program. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein
The cartridge contains printing toner instead of the ink,
The information relating to the amount of ink written to the non-volatile memory is information relating to the amount of toner.

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