JP4075943B2 - Printer, printer system, and error detection method in printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, a printer system, and an error detection method in the printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a colorant cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a printer is known that includes a data storage element such as a semiconductor memory. The storage element stores the date of manufacture of the cartridge, the type of ink, the ink remaining amount, printer control information, and the like as data for the printer to perform print control and the like. Since the printer operates normally, the printer checks whether the cartridge is correctly installed, whether the data can be accessed, and notifies the user when an error is detected.

  By the way, conventionally, as a means for notifying a user of a detected error, a method in which a printer control unit drives a LED (light emitting diode), which is continuously lit in a normal state, to be lit up is used. With this method, it is possible to notify the user of the fact that an error has occurred in the printer, but it is not possible to notify the user of the details of the error content, such as what kind of error the error is. . For this reason, the user often has difficulty in determining what action should be taken for the notified error.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to notify a user so that the type of error can be known when an error relating to the mounting or data access of the cartridge occurs in a printer in which a colorant cartridge having a data storage element is removable. Is to be able to.

  The printer according to the first aspect of the present invention can be mounted with a colorant cartridge equipped with a storage element, and includes a control unit that controls each unit of the printer. As a first error check for determining whether or not the printer is mounted, if the detection signal line of the printer is connected to GND, it is determined that the cartridge is mounted on the printer; If the detection signal line of the printer is not connected to GND, an error check is performed to determine that the cartridge is not attached to the printer, and if it is determined that there is no error as a result of the first error check, Next, as a second error check for determining whether or not communication with the storage element can be normally performed, the storage If the data stored in advance in the child can be read correctly, it is determined that the communication can be normally performed. If the data stored in advance in the storage element cannot be read correctly, the communication is not performed. An error check is made to determine that it cannot be performed normally. If it is determined that there is no error as a result of the second error check, the cartridge is used as the next third error check based on the data read from the storage element. Either an ink end check to determine whether the remaining amount of ink is small, a check to determine whether the validity period of the cartridge is appropriate, or a check to determine whether the cartridge type is appropriate Like to do.

In a preferred embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the second error check is performed by checking whether data stored in advance in the storage element has been read correctly, and after the check. And performing a check on whether or not the written data has been correctly read out.

  A printer system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a printer on which a colorant cartridge having a storage element can be mounted, and a host device communicably connected to the printer. The printer controls each part of the printer. And a data transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from the host device. The control unit first determines whether the cartridge is attached to the printer. As a first error check for determination, when the detection signal line of the printer is connected to GND, it is determined that the cartridge is attached to the printer, and the detection signal line of the printer is set to GND. If it is not connected to the printer, an error check is performed to determine that the cartridge is not installed in the printer, and the first error check is performed. If it is determined that there is no error as a result of the check, then it is stored in advance in the storage element as a second error check for determining whether or not communication with the storage element can be normally performed. If the data can be read correctly, it is determined that the communication can be performed normally. If the data stored in advance in the storage element cannot be read correctly, it is determined that the communication cannot be performed normally. When an error check is performed and it is determined that there is no error as a result of the second error check, the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge is very small as the next third error check based on the data read from the storage element. Ink end check, whether the cartridge is valid, or whether the cartridge type is appropriate. Or the error message to the user when the cartridge is not attached to the printer, a message regarding a coping method, and the storage. An error message to the user when communication between the element and the control unit cannot be performed normally, a message related to the coping method, and the data content read from the storage element by the control unit are not normal A storage unit for storing an error message to the user and a message relating to a countermeasure, and when the printer notifies the occurrence of any of the errors through the data transmission / reception unit, A message providing unit that obtains a message corresponding to the error type to be shown from the storage unit and provides the message to the user.

  The error check method according to the third aspect of the present invention is an error check for determining whether or not the colorant cartridge mounted with a storage element is first mounted in the printer. If the detection signal line of the printer is connected to GND, it is determined that the cartridge is attached to the printer, and if the detection signal line of the printer is not connected to GND, A first step for performing an error check for determining that the cartridge is not attached to the printer, and if it is determined that there is no error as a result of the error check in the first step, communication with the storage element is performed next. Is stored in advance in the memory element as an error check to determine whether or not It is determined that the communication can be normally performed when the data is correctly read, and the communication is not normally performed when the data previously stored in the storage element is not correctly read. When the error check in the second step for performing the error check and the error check in the second step determines that there is no error, the ink of the cartridge is used as the next error check based on the data read from the storage element. An error check is performed to check whether the remaining amount is very low, whether the cartridge is valid, or whether the cartridge type is appropriate. At least the third step is executed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the printer in which the colorant cartridge having the data storage element can be attached and detached, when an error relating to the mounting or data access of the cartridge occurs, the type of error can be understood. The user can be notified.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an ink jet printer to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  In the printer 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet print head 10 is moved by a carriage mechanism 12 including a carriage motor 103 and a conveyance belt 102. As a result, ink is supplied from the on-carriage ink cartridge 107 </ b> F while raster scanning the surface of the paper 105, and an image is printed on the surface of the paper 105.

  The cartridge 107F includes, for example, six color sub-cartridges 107Y, 107LM, 107M, 107LC, and 107C that respectively store six color inks, and a black sub-cartridge 107K that stores black ink. A cartridge holder 101 is attached to the print head 10, and the cartridge 107 F is set in the cartridge holder 101.

  A head maintenance mechanism 108 for performing initial ink suction, cleaning, drying prevention capping, and the like of the print head 10 is disposed at the end of the movement range of the print head 10.

  As will be described later, a non-volatile writable memory such as an EEPROM is mounted on the cartridge 107F, and this memory is a communication interface (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the carriage mechanism 12 together with the print head 10. ) Is electrically connected. The interface and print head 10 and a CPU (not shown in FIG. 1) for controlling each part of the printer are electrically connected to each other by a movable flexible cable 111 that does not interfere with the head running. Yes.

  2A is an external perspective view of the cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of a cartridge holder provided on the carriage mechanism of the printer.

  The cartridge 107F contains a porous material that has absorbed ink, and a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) 13 is mounted on the outer surface of the cartridge 107F. The access terminal 15 is exposed to the outside. Further, the cartridge holder 101 includes a needle 19 that is inserted into the ink supply port of the cartridge 107F and sucks ink when the cartridge 107F is mounted on the inside thereof. In addition to the above, the cartridge holder 101 further includes a contact terminal 21 that makes contact with the access terminal 15 of the EEPROM 13 of the cartridge 107F so that electrical signals can be transmitted and received between the EEPROM 13 and the printer 1.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 1 includes a CPU 31 for controlling each part of the printer 1 in addition to the carriage mechanism 12 for moving the print head 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. It also has a configuration with. As is apparent from the above description, not only the print head 10 but also the cartridge 107F having the EEPROM 13 shown in FIG. 2A is provided on the carriage mechanism 12 with the cartridge holder shown in FIG. 2B. 101 is mounted. A communication IC 41 that functions as a communication interface for making the CPU 31 accessible to the EEPROM 13 is also mounted on the carriage mechanism 12.

  As described above, the CPU 31 and the print head 10 and the communication IC 41 on the carriage mechanism 12 are connected by the flexible signal cable 111 that does not interfere with the movement of the carriage mechanism 12. For example, the CPU 31 and the communication IC 41 are both connected by a reception line RxD and a transmission line TxD included in the signal cable 111. The communication IC 41 and the EEPROM 13 are connected by, for example, a power supply line Vcc, a chip select line CS, a read / write select line R / W, a clock line CLK, an input / output data line I / O, and a ground line GND. Yes.

  When the CPU 31 drives the print head 10 by printing, flushing or the like (that is, when the printer 1 performs a printing operation), the CPU 31 passes through a signal cable connecting the CPU 31 and the print head 10 among the signal cables 111. A drive pulse signal is transmitted to the print head 10. However, during that time, the CPU 31 turns off the EEPROM 13 and does not read data from the EEPROM 13 or write data to the EEPROM 13.

  Only when the print head 10 does not need to be driven, the CPU 31 selects the timing to power on the EEPROM 13 and applies a clock signal to the EEPROM 13 through the reception line RxD, the communication IC 41, and the clock line CLK. Specify the address. Various data is written to the address of the EEPROM 13 through the reception line RxD, the communication IC 41, and the input / output data line I / O, or the EEPROM 13 through the input / output data line I / O, the communication IC 41, and the transmission line TxD. Read data from address. Here, turning on the power of the EEPROM 13 means applying a voltage to the power supply line Vcc through the communication IC 41.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 31 and the ground line GND are connected by the detection signal line P. This detection signal line P is for detecting whether or not the cartridge 107F is mounted on the carriage mechanism 12, and is connected to the power source Vcc through the pull-up resistor 37.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the EEPROM 13 stores the date of manufacture of the cartridge 107F, the effective period, the opening date and time, the effective period after opening for each ink type, and the type of the cartridge 107F determined for each corresponding model of the printer 1. The name is stored, and the remaining ink amount and the current time are constantly updated and stored in the data state.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as a processing operation for error detection, when the printer 1 is turned on and the cartridge 107F is installed in the printer 1, the following three checks are executed by the CPU 31. First, whether or not the cartridge 107F is installed is checked, then whether or not the communication with the EEPROM 13 can be normally performed is checked, and finally the contents of the data based on various data read from the EEPROM 13 are checked. Done. By performing the above-described checks in the above order, it becomes possible to perform error detection with high reliability as a whole. This is because the communication with the EEPROM 13 can be normally performed on the premise that the cartridge 107F is correctly attached to the carriage mechanism 12. The determination as to whether or not the read data content is correct is that the cartridge 107F is correctly attached. This is because it is assumed that communication with the EEPROM 13 can be normally performed.

  First, in checking whether or not the cartridge 107F is mounted, when the cartridge 107F is correctly mounted on the carriage mechanism 12, the CPU 31 is connected to the ground line GND through the detection signal line P. Therefore, a LOW (L) level voltage signal is applied to the CPU 31 through the detection signal line P, and as a result, the CPU 31 detects an L level voltage signal. However, if the cartridge 107F is not attached to the carriage mechanism 12, the detection signal line P is separated from the ground line GND and is thus opened. As a result, the power supply voltage Vcc is pulled through the pull-up resistor 37 and the detection signal line P to the CPU 31. Therefore, the CPU 31 detects a HIGH (H) level voltage signal.

  Next, in checking whether or not communication with the EEPROM 13 can be normally performed, the CPU 31 actually exchanges data with the EEPROM 13 through the transmission line TxD / reception line RxD, the communication IC 41, and the input / output data line I / O. If the data transfer is not successful, it is determined that a communication error has occurred.

  In the above check, first, a check (read check) is performed as to whether or not data can be correctly read from the EEPROM 13 through the input / output data line I / O, the communication IC 41, and the transmission line TxD / reception line RxD. Thereafter, the data is written to the empty area of the EEPROM 13 through the reception line RxD, the communication IC 41, and the input / output data line I / O, and then the written data is read and compared with the written data. Check whether or not data is correctly written to (write check). In the above check, by performing a read check first and then performing a write check, it is possible to correctly perform both read and write checks.

  Furthermore, in the content check of the data based on various data read out from the EEPROM 13, an ink end check is performed to check whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge 107F is very small. A validity period check and a cartridge name check are performed. As a result of these checks, it is determined whether or not there is an error in the contents of various data stored in the EEPROM 13.

  The contents of each check described above will be described in detail later.

  As a result of the above checks, if the cartridge 107F is not mounted, or if the cartridge 107F is mounted normally but cannot communicate normally with the EEPROM 13, it is determined that an error has occurred. . Even if the cartridge 107F is normally mounted and normal communication with the EEPROM 13 can be performed, if the data content is abnormal, it is determined that an error has occurred. Then, the CPU 31 executes a predetermined processing operation such as notifying a host device (not shown) such as a personal computer terminal of details of the error that has occurred. Details of the mode of notification performed by the CPU 31 to the host device (not shown) and the processing operation of the host device (not shown) based on the notification will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printer error correspondence table stored in the memory as help means by the host device that constitutes the printer system together with the printer 1 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the error correspondence table includes an area 201 for individually storing a plurality of error type (check type) information to be checked, and each check type information associated with each area 201. And a plurality of areas 202 for individually storing message information of a plurality of error contents set in (1). In addition to the above, the error correspondence table further includes an area 203 for individually storing message information on how to deal with each error, which is associated with each of the areas 201 and 202.

  In the area 201, items such as the mounting of the cartridge 107F, the communication IC, the ink consumption, the expiration date of the cartridge 107F, the opening time, and the cartridge name are individually stored as check type information as illustrated. In the area 202, messages indicating no cartridge, communication error of communication IC, ink out, cartridge expiration date exceeded, cartridge open guarantee time exceeded, and cartridge name unknown are shown as message information of error contents as shown in the figure. Stored separately. In the area 203, a message indicating that the cartridge should be mounted, a message indicating whether or not dust or the like is attached to the electrical contact portion of the cartridge, and a message indicating that the cartridge should be replaced without ink are displayed. It is stored individually as message information on how to deal with errors. In the area 203, in addition to the above, a cartridge replacement message due to the expiration of the expiration date, a cartridge replacement message due to the expiration of the opening guarantee period, and a cartridge replacement message due to an incompatible cartridge are also displayed for each error. It is stored individually as message information on how to deal with If the printer driver is upgraded to the latest version of the printer driver that can be downloaded from the home page (display URL) of the printer 1 manufacturer in the message of the last handling method, the printer 1 can handle an unknown cartridge. You may add a message to the effect that you can do it.

  A CPU (not shown) of the host device extracts a message of error contents corresponding to the error information and a message of a corresponding method from the error correspondence table based on each error information transmitted from the CPU 31. Display on the display unit (not shown) of the host device in a manner recognizable by the user. Therefore, the user can perform a measure corresponding to the error information based on the displayed content.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing operations executed by the printer system when the cartridge 107F is mounted on the printer 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the error detection process described above includes (1) checking whether or not the cartridge 107F is mounted, (2) checking a communication error, (3) checking ink consumption (checking for running out of ink, and (4) checking the cartridge 107F. The expiration date check, (5) the opening time check of the cartridge 107F, and (6) the cartridge name check are performed in this order, but the expiration date check and the opening time check may be interchanged.

  When the printer system is turned on, it is first checked whether or not the cartridge 107F is attached to the printer 1 (step S301). When the CPU 31 detects that the cartridge 107F is not installed and notifies that fact, the host device displays error 1 indicating “no cartridge” (step S302) and ends the mounting check of the cartridge 107F. . On the other hand, when the cartridge 107F is mounted (YES in step S301), the manufacturing date of the cartridge 107F is read from the EEPROM 13 (step S303), and it is checked whether the read manufacturing month is 0 or greater than 13. (Step S304). The phenomenon that the month of manufacture is 0 or greater than 13 occurs when each of the signal lines mentioned above is in contact with the power supply line Vcc or the ground line GND. Therefore, when it is determined that the manufacturing month is 0 or greater than 13 (YES in step S304), the host device displays error 2 representing “read error” among communication errors (step S305), and communication. The lead check in the error check is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the manufacturing month is not 0 and is less than 13 (NO in step S304), no read error has occurred, and the process shifts to a write check following the read check.

  First, the number of attachments of the cartridge 107F is read (step S306). Next, “1” is added to the number of attachments by the current attachment (step S307), and the updated number of attachments is written in the EEPROM 13 (step S308). . Next, the updated number of attachments is read from the EEPROM 13 (step S309), and it is determined whether or not the read number of attachments is “1” added to the previous number of attachments (step S310). If “1” is not added (NO in step S310), there is no read error in the check in step S304, so the host device displays error 3 indicating “write error” of communication errors ( Step S311), the write check in the communication check is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the read number of attachments is obtained by adding “1” to the previous number of attachments (YES in step S310), the ink consumption is read from the EEPROM 13 (step S312), and the read ink is read. It is determined whether or not the consumption amount exceeds a specified value (step S313). If it exceeds (YES in step S313), the host device displays error 4 indicating “out of ink” (step S314) and ends the ink consumption check.

  On the contrary, if the ink consumption read from the EEPROM 13 is less than the specified value (NO in step S313), the expiration date of the cartridge 107F is checked based on the date of manufacture recorded in the EEPROM 13. Is performed (step S315). As a result of this check, if the expiration date of the cartridge 107F has passed (YES in step S316), the host device displays an error 5 indicating “the expiration date of the ink cartridge has expired” (step S317), and the validity of the cartridge 107F is displayed. End the deadline check.

  On the other hand, if the expiration date has not passed as a result of the expiration date check (NO in step S316), a period check after the cartridge 107F is opened is performed based on the information stored in the EEPROM 13 (step S318). As a result of this check, if a predetermined period has elapsed since opening (YES in step S319), the host device displays an error 6 indicating “exceeding opening time of cartridge 107F” (step S320), and opening cartridge 107F. End time check.

  On the contrary, if the predetermined period has not elapsed since opening (NO in step S319), the name of the mounted cartridge 107F is checked (step S321), and the cartridge name stored in the EEPROM 13 is determined. It is determined whether or not the name is (step S322). If the name is other than the predetermined name (NO in step S322), the host device displays an error 7 indicating "unknown cartridge name" (step S323) and ends the cartridge name check.

  As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, various checks necessary for the printing operation are performed from the mounting of the cartridge 107F to the start of the printing operation, and if there is an abnormality for each check, it is applicable. The error items to be displayed and the response method for the error are displayed. Therefore, it is possible to realize an easy-to-use printer system with a rich user help mechanism.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above is an example for demonstrating this invention, This invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range of the summary of invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the ink jet printer has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to any other printer including a laser printer. The cartridge is not limited to the ink cartridge, and can be applied to any colorant cartridge such as a toner cartridge.

1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an ink jet printer to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an ink cartridge (a) and an external perspective view of a cartridge holder (b). 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part in a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which showed the error correspondence table | surface of the printer which the host apparatus of a printer system hold | maintains. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations performed by the printer system when an ink cartridge is installed in a printer.

Explanation of symbols

1 Inkjet printer (printer)
10 Inkjet print head (print head)
12 Carriage mechanism 13 EEPROM
15 Access terminal 21 Contact terminal 31 CPU
41 Communication IC
101 Cartridge holder 107F Ink cartridge (cartridge)
111 Flexible cable (signal cable)

Claims (4)

In a printer that can be mounted with a colorant cartridge equipped with a storage element and includes a control unit that controls each part of the printer,
The control unit is
First, as a first error check for determining whether or not the cartridge is attached to the printer, if the detection signal line of the printer is connected to GND, the cartridge is attached to the printer. If the detection signal line of the printer is not connected to GND, an error check is performed to determine that the cartridge is not attached to the printer,
As a result of the first error check, when it is determined that there is no error, the memory element is then used as a second error check for determining whether or not communication with the memory element can be normally performed. If the data stored in advance can be read correctly, it is determined that the communication can be normally performed. If the data stored in advance in the storage element cannot be read correctly, the communication is normally performed. Perform error check to determine that it cannot be done,
As a result of the second error check, when it is determined that there is no error, an ink end indicating whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge is small based on data read from the storage element is performed as the next third error check. A printer that performs a check, an error check of whether the validity period of the cartridge is appropriate, or a check of whether the type of the cartridge is appropriate. The printer according to claim 1.
In the next second error check, whether or not the data stored in advance in the storage element has been correctly read out, and after the check, the data is written to the storage element and the data is not written. Printer that includes checking whether the data has been read correctly. In a printer system comprising a printer capable of mounting a colorant cartridge equipped with a storage element and a host device communicably connected to the printer,
The printer is
A control unit that controls each unit of the printer, a data transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from the host device,
Have
The control unit is
First, as a first error check for determining whether or not the cartridge is attached to the printer, if the detection signal line of the printer is connected to GND, the cartridge is attached to the printer. If the detection signal line of the printer is not connected to GND, an error check is performed to determine that the cartridge is not attached to the printer,
As a result of the first error check, when it is determined that there is no error, the memory element is then used as a second error check for determining whether or not communication with the memory element can be normally performed. If the data stored in advance can be read correctly, it is determined that the communication can be normally performed. If the data stored in advance in the storage element cannot be read correctly, the communication is normally performed. Perform error check to determine that it cannot be done,
As a result of the second error check, when it is determined that there is no error, an ink end indicating whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge is small based on data read from the storage element is performed as the next third error check. Checking whether the validity period of the cartridge is appropriate or checking whether the type of the cartridge is appropriate is performed, and an error check is performed.
The host device is
An error message to the user when the cartridge is not attached to the printer, a message related to a countermeasure, and a message to the user when communication between the storage element and the control unit cannot be performed normally. A storage unit that stores an error message, a message related to a coping method, an error message to a user when the data content read from the storage element by the control unit is not normal, and a message related to the coping method;
Providing a message to the user by obtaining a message corresponding to the error type indicated by the notification from the printer when the printer notifies the printer that the error has occurred. And
A printer system. In a printer that can be mounted with a colorant cartridge equipped with a storage element,
First, as an error check for determining whether or not the cartridge is attached to the printer, when the detection signal line of the printer is connected to GND, the cartridge is attached to the printer. If the detection signal line of the printer is not connected to GND, a first step of performing an error check that determines that the cartridge is not attached to the printer;
When it is determined that there is no error as a result of the error check in the first step, next, an error check for determining whether or not communication with the storage element can be normally performed is performed in advance on the storage element. If the stored data can be read correctly, it is determined that the communication can be performed normally. If the data stored in the storage element cannot be read correctly, the communication can be performed normally. A second step of performing an error check to determine that there is no
When it is determined that there is no error as a result of the error check in the second step, an ink end check is performed as to whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge is very small based on data read from the storage element as the next error check. A third step of performing an error check of whether or not the validity period of the cartridge is appropriate or whether or not the type of the cartridge is appropriate;
An error check method to execute at least.

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