JP4110773B2 - Benefits reduction system according to the amount of ink jet recording device and ink cartridge used - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that counts the number of used ink cartridges and returns a privilege to a user according to the number of used cartridges, and a privilege return system according to the amount of ink cartridge used.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a serial printing type ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head that is mounted on a carriage and reciprocates in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the recording paper, and a direction (secondary) that is perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head. A paper feeding means for transporting in the scanning direction is provided, and printing is performed on the recording paper by ejecting ink droplets from the recording head based on the print data.
[0003]
In the ink jet recording apparatus described above, the ink cartridge is arranged to be detachable in order to supply ink to the recording head, and when the ink in the ink cartridge is in an end state, As is well known, the printing operation can be continued by replacing the ink cartridge with a new one.
[0004]
In this case, in a recording apparatus mainly serving as a home use with a relatively small printing amount, the ink cartridge is detachably mounted on the carriage, and ink is supplied to the recording head mounted on the carriage. The Further, in a recording apparatus that is used mainly for offices or for business use with a relatively large amount of printing, the ink cartridge is detachably mounted on the recording apparatus main body side, and a flexible ink supply is provided from the ink cartridge. Ink is supplied to the recording head mounted on the carriage via the tube.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the number of ink cartridges used when using the recording apparatus as described above increases in accordance with the operating time of the printing operation. In particular, recently, for example, a commercial form has emerged in which image data captured by a digital camera, for example, is stored from a customer, and the image data is printed and provided to the customer using an ink jet recording apparatus. In the case where the recording apparatus is used for such business, a large number of ink cartridges are used.
[0006]
Therefore, for large-volume users of ink cartridges as described above, for example, even if an operation method is used in which benefits are reduced according to the amount of ink cartridge used, it can be fully profitable. In addition, not only large-volume users of ink cartridges but also small-sized users of cartridges who mainly use recording devices as home uses, for example, by understanding the actual usage and trends, for example, the types of ink cartridges and ink This can be utilized for a cartridge production / supply plan or a product plan corresponding to the color of the cartridge. Therefore, acquiring such information as described above can find a great merit on both the ink cartridge supply side and the printing apparatus manufacturing supply side.
[0007]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described points, and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of managing the benefits in order to return benefits to the user according to the amount of ink cartridge used. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a privilege return system that acquires use information of an ink cartridge obtained from the recording apparatus and returns a privilege to the user in accordance with the information. It is what.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, which has been made to achieve the above object, includes an ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets by a drive signal based on printing data and performs printing on a recording paper, and an attachment / detachment. An ink jet recording apparatus including an ink cartridge that can be mounted and supplies ink to the recording head, and mounting an unused ink cartridge when an unused ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus A cumulative ink cartridge counter for counting the number of times is provided.
[0009]
In this case, when the ink cartridge is mounted, it is preferable to determine whether the ink cartridge is an unused ink cartridge, and when it is determined that the ink cartridge is an unused ink cartridge, the cumulative ink cartridge Control means for incrementing the count value of the counter is further provided.
[0010]
In a preferred embodiment, the discriminating unit is configured to discriminate whether or not the ink cartridge is unused based on information read from a storage unit mounted on the ink cartridge. In this case, the storage means mounted on the ink cartridge is preferably configured to store flag information indicating that the ink cartridge is not an unused ink cartridge when mounted on the recording apparatus.
[0011]
Further, it is desirable to provide a display means capable of displaying the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter as required, and when the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter reaches a predetermined value, It is desirable that the information is displayed by the display means.
[0012]
In this case, the display unit is preferably configured to use a display whose display is controlled on a utility of a printer driver installed in the host computer. In addition, when the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter has reached a predetermined value and the information is displayed by the display means, there is provided a reset means for resetting the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter. Is done.
[0013]
According to the recording apparatus configured as described above, the cumulative number of ink cartridges that are not used is counted by the cumulative ink cartridge counter. In this case, a semiconductor storage element such as an EEPROM is mounted on the ink cartridge, and a storage flag for identifying whether or not the ink cartridge is unused is stored in the storage element. Reference is made to the mounting flag. When this mounting flag indicates that it is not used (for example, when the flag is OFF), the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter is incremented.
[0014]
Then, the recording apparatus sends a rewrite signal to the semiconductor memory element, and updates the mounting flag built in the semiconductor memory element to a state (flag is ON state) indicating that it is not unused. With this configuration, the recording apparatus can count the number of installed unused ink cartridges, that is, the number of ink cartridges used by the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus monitors the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value, the information is displayed by, for example, a display connected to the host computer. The
[0015]
On the other hand, in a preferred embodiment of the privilege return system according to the present invention, a recording apparatus including the above-described cumulative ink cartridge counter is used, and the user who uses this recording apparatus responds to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter. To be able to give benefits. In this case, an editing unit that edits the privilege information according to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter and a print control unit that can print out the privilege information edited by the editing unit are provided.
[0016]
In another preferred embodiment of the privilege return system according to the present invention, a recording apparatus that similarly includes a cumulative ink cartridge counter is used, and editing means that edits privilege information according to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter; And a communication means capable of transmitting the privilege information edited by the editing means to the operation manager side via a communication line.
[0017]
In any of the forms described above, it is desirable that the editing means is constructed on a utility of a printer driver installed in a host computer. In this case, particularly in the former privilege return system, the privilege information edited by the editing means is preferably managed so that it can be printed out only once.
[0018]
In addition, the privilege information edited by the editing unit includes at least information corresponding to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter. More preferably, the privilege information edited by the editing means corresponds to information corresponding to a printer ID code uniquely assigned to the recording apparatus and a cartridge ID code uniquely assigned to each mounted ink cartridge. Information to be included.
[0019]
According to the former privilege return system described above, the privilege information is edited according to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter mounted on the recording device, and this is printed out by the recording device. This printed output is operated as a so-called cash voucher and can be exchanged for a desired product such as an ink cartridge or dedicated paper at a contract dealer.
[0020]
Further, according to the latter privilege return system described above, the privilege information edited according to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter is transmitted to the operation manager side via a communication line such as the Internet. On the operation manager side, by acquiring the privilege information, the product desired by the user as described above is delivered.
[0021]
In this case, in addition to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter, the printer ID uniquely assigned to the printing apparatus is added to the data transmitted to the operation manager via the print output or communication line operated as a cash voucher. By adding information such as the code or the ID code of the used ink cartridge, the operation manager can grasp the type of recording device used by the user, the type of ink cartridge, the actual color of ink, and the like.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of a recording apparatus main body to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage, which is guided by a guide member 4 via a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2 and reciprocates in the main scanning direction along the longitudinal direction of the paper feed member 5. It is configured to be.
[0023]
A paper feed roller 6 is disposed on the paper feed member 5, and the recording paper 7 sandwiched between the paper feed roller 6 and a driven roller (not shown) is driven by the rotation of the paper feed roller 6. It is configured to be conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. In this case, a large number of protrusions 5a are intermittently formed along the longitudinal direction on the upper surface of the paper feed member 5, and the recording paper 7 is conveyed along the upper surface of the protrusions 5a. A predetermined gap is formed with a recording head described later.
[0024]
On the other hand, an ink jet recording head 8 is mounted on the lower surface of the carriage 1 facing the recording paper 7 as indicated by a broken line. Further, a black ink cartridge 9B that supplies ink to the recording head 8 and color ink cartridges 9C, 9M, and 9Y containing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. And is detachably mounted.
[0025]
Reference numeral 11 in the figure denotes a capping unit disposed in a non-printing area (home position). The capping unit 11 moves upward when the recording head 8 moves immediately above, and forms a nozzle formation surface of the recording head. (In this embodiment, the lower surface of the recording head 8) can be sealed. A suction pump 12 for applying a negative pressure to the internal space of the capping unit 11 is disposed below the capping unit 11.
[0026]
The capping unit 11 functions as a lid that seals the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 8 and suppresses evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzle opening during the rest period of the recording apparatus, and from the suction pump 12. A cleaning operation for applying a negative pressure to the recording head 8 to suck and discharge ink from the recording head can also be executed.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 1, a wiping member 13 in which an elastic material such as rubber is formed in a strip shape is disposed on the printing area side adjacent to the capping means 11, and the carriage 1 reciprocates toward the capping means 11 side. When doing so, a wiping operation is performed in which the recording head 8 is moved back and forth in the horizontal direction as necessary to wipe and clean the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 8.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the recording apparatus according to this embodiment, a black ink cartridge 9B and cyan, magenta, and yellow color ink cartridges 9C, 9M, and 9Y are detachably mounted on the carriage 1. . As shown in FIG. 1, the black ink cartridge 9B used in this embodiment has a slightly larger width than the color ink cartridges 9C, 9M, 9Y. Each color ink cartridge is formed so that the outer shape thereof has the same size.
[0029]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a color ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the recording apparatus described above, and FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from one surface direction. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from the other surface direction. In FIG. 2, the color ink cartridge is indicated by reference numeral 21.
[0030]
The color ink cartridge 21 is mainly composed of a rectangular bottomed container body 22 having an opening on one surface and a flat lid 23 for sealing the opening. An ink supply port 24 is formed on the leading end side in the cartridge insertion direction, that is, near one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface of the cartridge in this embodiment, and the ink supply port 24 has an ink supply needle to be described later. A valve element (not shown) that opens by insertion is accommodated.
[0031]
Further, locking members 25 and 26 are formed integrally with the container main body 22 on the sides of the cartridge 21 in the longitudinal direction. The locking member 25 located on the ink supply port 24 side is formed in a state in which the lower end side thereof is a rotation fulcrum and the upper part is expanded outward, and on the outer surface of the locking member 25. A single protrusion 25a is formed so that it can be locked in an engagement recess formed in a carriage described later. Similarly, the other opposing locking member 26 is formed in a state where the upper portion is expanded outward, and a single protrusion 26a is similarly formed on the outer surface of the locking member 26. It can be locked in an engagement recess formed in a carriage, which will be described later.
[0032]
In addition, a slit-like space 27 is formed in the center of the bottom of the container main body 22 constituting the outer shell of the cartridge. When this is mounted on the carriage, the positioning described later formed in the carriage. When the convex piece for use enters the space 27 relatively, the insertion is guided and the positioning is performed.
[0033]
Further, below the locking member 25 disposed on the ink supply port 24 side, a non-volatile memory functioning as a storage means, for example, a circuit board 28 mounted with an EEPROM is disposed. Are formed with a plurality of terminals 28a that can come into electrical contact with electrode terminals (to be described later) arranged on the carriage side when mounted on the carriage. Thereby, data is exchanged between the nonvolatile memory and the recording device.
[0034]
In this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory mounted on the substrate 28 stores a cartridge ID code uniquely assigned to each ink cartridge, color data of ink stored in the cartridge, or the like. ing. The nonvolatile memory can also store a mounting flag indicating whether or not the ink cartridge is unused.
[0035]
Next, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a black ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the above-described recording apparatus. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from one side. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from the other surface direction. Here, the black ink cartridge is indicated by reference numeral 31.
[0036]
The black ink cartridge 31 basically has the same configuration as that of the color ink cartridge shown in FIG. However, the width W of the black ink cartridge is slightly larger than the width of each color ink cartridge, and the amount of ink contained is increased. Therefore, in the black ink cartridge 31 shown in FIG. 3, portions corresponding to the respective portions of the color ink cartridge shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a dash sign (′) is added to the end of the reference numerals. ing. Therefore, the description of the configuration of each part in the black ink cartridge is omitted.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge holder (in this embodiment, a carriage) to which the black ink cartridge and three color ink cartridges are mounted. As shown in the figure, the carriage 1 is provided with a slightly wider first mounting region 40 on one side thereof, and second to fourth mounting regions 41 to 43 having the same width so as to be adjacent thereto are provided. The ribs 44 to 46 and 47 to 49 are formed so as to face each other.
[0038]
In this embodiment, the black ink cartridge described above is mounted in the first mounting area 40 that is slightly wider. Also, cyan, magenta, and yellow color ink cartridges are mounted in the second to fourth mounting areas 41 to 43, respectively.
[0039]
Hollow ink supply needles 52 are arranged in an upright state at the bottom bottom on the back side in the mounting area of each cartridge, and the ink from each cartridge passes through the ink supply needles 52 to the recording head 8. It is comprised so that it can supply to. Further, a positioning convex piece 53 is formed so as to protrude from the substantially center portion of the lower bottom portion of the carriage 1 in the cartridge insertion / extraction direction.
[0040]
Furthermore, electrode terminals 56 are arranged on the side wall on the back side of the carriage 1 so as to face each mounting region. When each cartridge is mounted, the terminal 28a in the circuit board 28 mounted on each cartridge is provided. It is comprised so that it can contact. As a result, data can be read and written from the nonvolatile memory mounted on the circuit board 28.
[0041]
On the other hand, a concave portion 57 is formed in the upper portion of the electrode terminal 56 to engage the projection 25a of the locking member 25 formed on one end surface of each cartridge. Although not shown in FIG. 4, a similar recess is formed on the front side wall of the carriage 1 to engage the protrusion 26 a of the locking member 26 formed on the other end surface of each cartridge. ing.
[0042]
Accordingly, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the carriage 1 so that the circuit board 28 mounted on the ink cartridges 21 and 31 faces the back side of the carriage 1, the inside of the slit-shaped space portion 27 formed in the ink cartridge In addition, the leading end of the convex piece 53 erected from the inner bottom of the carriage 1 is inserted.
[0043]
When the cartridge is pushed in this state, the cartridge 21 is inserted toward the inner bottom portion of the carriage 1 while being guided by the convex piece 53 that relatively enters the slit-like space portion 27. Then, the protrusions 25 a and 26 a of the pair of locking members 25 and 26 formed on the cartridge are fitted into the recesses formed on the carriage 1, and the cartridge 21 is mounted on the carriage 1. At this time, a clear click feeling is transmitted to the fingertip for pushing the cartridge, and the user can recognize that the cartridge is securely attached to the carriage 1.
[0044]
In this state, the ink supply port 24 formed in the lower bottom portion of the cartridge is joined to the ink supply needle 52 disposed on the carriage 1 side, so that ink can be supplied from the cartridge to the recording head. At this time, the terminal 28a on the circuit board 28 mounted on the side end of the cartridge contacts the electrode terminal 56 disposed on the carriage 1 side, and the data from the nonvolatile memory mounted on the circuit board 28 is transferred. Reading and writing can be performed.
[0045]
On the other hand, when the cartridge is removed from the carriage 1 by exchanging the cartridge or the like, when the locking member 25 formed on the cartridge is pressed back to the container body side, the protrusion 25a of the locking member 25 is moved to the carriage 1 side. It leaves | separates from the said recessed part 57 formed in this. In this state, the protrusion 26a of the other locking member 26 is disengaged from the concave portion that does not appear in the drawing formed on the carriage 1 side, and the cartridge 1 is moved upward by the biasing force of a leaf spring (not shown). Extruded. Thereby, the cartridge can be taken out from the carriage.
[0046]
Next, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a control circuit mounted on the recording apparatus having the above-described configuration. In FIG. 5, parts corresponding to those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted. Reference numeral 60 shown in FIG. 5 is a host computer, and a printer driver 61 is mounted on the host computer 60. On the utility of the printer driver 61, using the input device 62 and the display 63, it is possible to input a known paper size, monochrome / color printing selection, recording mode selection, font data, print command, and the like. It is configured.
[0047]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter, which will be described later, can be displayed on the display 63 controlled to be displayed on the utility of the printer driver 61. Further, when a count value of a cumulative ink cartridge counter described later reaches a predetermined value, the information is displayed on the display 63.
[0048]
The print data is sent from the printer driver 61 to the print control means 64 mounted on the recording device P by the input of the print command by the input device 62. The print control means 64 generates bitmap data based on the print data from the host computer 60, generates a head drive signal based on the data, and generates ink droplets from the recording head 8 mounted on the carriage 1. It has a function to discharge.
[0049]
Reference numeral 65 denotes a central control means. The central control means 65 exchanges signals with the host computer 60 described above and performs functions such as managing the amount of ink cartridge used as described later. The central control means 65 is configured to be supplied with an information signal from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 66. The ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 66 is supplied with a signal indicating that the ink cartridge has been replaced. In this case, the reading / writing means 67 acquires data from the non-volatile memory 68 mounted on the ink cartridge and rewrites the cartridge mounting flag stored in the non-volatile memory 68.
[0050]
Further, a cumulative ink cartridge counter 69 is connected to the central control means 65. The counter 69 is configured to increment the count value when the cartridge mounting flag in the mounted ink cartridge indicates an unused cartridge (when the mounting flag is OFF). That is, the central control unit 65 functions as a determination unit that determines that the ink cartridge is unused, and a control unit that increments the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter 69.
[0051]
Further, a cartridge ID storage unit 70 is connected to the central control means 65. The cartridge ID storage unit 70 stores a cartridge ID code uniquely assigned to each cartridge when the cartridge mounting flag in the mounted ink cartridge indicates an unused cartridge (when the mounting flag is OFF). A function of reading from the nonvolatile memory 68 and storing in the storage unit 70 is also provided.
[0052]
On the other hand, the host computer 60 is equipped with Internet communication software 71 so that it can communicate with the computer 73 on the operation manager side via the Internet network 72. Then, on the utility of the printer driver 61 installed in the host computer 60, the privilege information corresponding to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter 69, the cartridge ID stored in the cartridge ID storage unit 70, etc. are edited, and the Internet The information is transmitted to the computer 73 on the operation manager side via the network 72.
[0053]
That is, the printer driver 61 mounted on the host computer 60 functions as an editing unit, and the Internet communication software 71 mounted on the host computer 60 functions as a communication unit.
[0054]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation mode of the privilege return system performed by the recording apparatus P and the host computer 60 configured as described above. That is, the flow shown in FIG. 6 starts when the ink cartridge is replaced. This is triggered by the central control means 65 receiving information from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 66 shown in FIG.
[0055]
First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the mounting flag is on. This is determined by reading a mounting flag from the non-volatile memory 68 mounted on the mounted ink cartridge by the reading / writing means 67 and recognizing the mounting flag by the central control means 65. Here, when the mounted ink cartridge is unused, the mounting flag is turned off. When the ink cartridge is mounted once, the mounting flag is turned on.
[0056]
As a result of referring to the mounting flag, when it is determined that the mounting flag is not on (No), the process proceeds to step S12, and an operation of turning on the mounting flag is executed. This is written into the nonvolatile memory 68 mounted on the mounted ink cartridge via the read / write means 67. At the same time, as shown in step S 13, the ID code of the mounted ink cartridge is read by the reading / writing means 67, and this ID code is stored in the cartridge ID storage unit 70. The cartridge ID code includes, for example, a serial code uniquely assigned to each ink cartridge, cartridge type, ink color information, and the like.
[0057]
Subsequently, in step S14, the count value Ct in the cumulative ink cartridge counter 69 is incremented, thereby managing the actual number using the new cartridge. In step S15, the central control means 65 determines whether or not the count value Ct in the counter 69 has reached a predetermined value (for example, 50). Here, when it is determined that the count value Ct has reached a predetermined value (Yes), the process proceeds to step S16 and the privilege information for the user is edited.
[0058]
This is instructed by the central control means 65 to the host computer 60, and the host computer 60 edits the privilege information transmitted to the user on the utility of the printer driver 61 installed therein. And it progresses to step S17 and privilege information is provided with respect to a user. The operation routine of step S17 described above will be described in detail later.
[0059]
In step S18, the count value Ct of the cumulative ink cartridge counter 69 is reset to zero. Subsequently, as shown in step S19, a maintenance sequence accompanying the replacement of the ink cartridge is executed. In this maintenance sequence, as is well known, an operation for forcibly sucking and discharging ink from the recording head is performed by sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head with a capping unit and applying a negative pressure by a suction pump.
[0060]
If it is determined in step S11 that the mounting flag is ON (Yes), it means that the mounted ink cartridge has already been used (once installed in the recording apparatus). Therefore, the process proceeds to step S19 described above, and the maintenance sequence is executed. In addition, when it is determined in step S15 that the count value Ct has not reached the predetermined value (No), the process similarly proceeds to step S19, and the maintenance sequence is executed.
[0061]
FIG. 7 thru | or FIG. 9 demonstrates the 1st operation | movement form in the case of providing privilege information with respect to a user. That is, the 1st form in the privilege information provision method to the user shown to step S17 shown in FIG. 6 is shown. That is, in the first operation mode, as shown in FIG. 7, when the count value Ct of the cumulative ink cartridge counter in the printing apparatus P reaches a predetermined value, the user is notified. Information for returning the benefit is transmitted to the host computer 60. On the other hand, in response to this, the host computer 60 edits an image proving the voucher and controls the recording device P to print it out.
[0062]
FIG. 8 explains the flow of the operation. When information for returning benefits to the user is transmitted to the host computer 60, the host computer 60 uses the utility of the printer driver 61 installed therein. Above, the privilege information display image is edited and displayed on the display 63 as shown in step S21. FIG. 9 shows an image displayed on the display 63 at this time. Here, as shown in step S22, the user selects and confirms a desired product on the display. That is, a desired product is selected by clicking an icon on which the desired product is drawn.
[0063]
Based on this operation, the host computer 60 edits an image proving the voucher on the utility of the printer driver 61 as shown in step S23, and outputs a command to the recording apparatus P to print it out. Therefore, as shown in step S24, the user can exchange the desired voucher by bringing the printed out voucher to a contract store or the like.
[0064]
In this case, information corresponding to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter, for example, information on the use of XX cartridges, or information indicating a product to be returned to the user corresponding to the information is displayed on the voucher. Information corresponding to the printer ID code uniquely assigned to the apparatus P, information corresponding to the cartridge ID code assigned uniquely to each mounted ink cartridge, and the like are displayed. These displays may be encrypted. Then, the operation manager collecting the cash voucher can grasp the actual usage status of the recording device used by the user, the type of ink cartridge, the ink color, etc. by counting the information displayed on the cash voucher. .
[0065]
The above-mentioned voucher must be unique. In order to realize this, it is desirable that the privilege information edited by the editing means can be printed out only once using, for example, a management flag.
[0066]
Next, FIGS. 10 to 12 explain a second operation mode in the case of providing privilege information to the user. That is, the 2nd form in the privilege information provision method to the user shown to step S17 shown in FIG. 6 is shown. That is, in the second operation mode, as shown in FIG. 10, when the count value Ct of the cumulative ink cartridge counter in the recording apparatus P reaches a predetermined value, a privilege is given to the user. Is transmitted to the host computer 60. On the other hand, in response to this, the host computer 60 transmits privilege information to be given to the user to the operation manager via a communication line, for example, the Internet network. Based on this, a procedure for delivering the product to the user from the operation manager side is taken.
[0067]
FIG. 11 explains the flow of the operation. When information for returning benefits to the user is transmitted to the host computer 60, the host computer 60 uses the utility of the printer driver 61 installed therein. Above, the display image of privilege information is edited and this is displayed on the display 63 as shown as step S31.
[0068]
FIG. 12 shows an image displayed on the display 63 at this time. Here, as shown in step S32, the user selects and confirms a desired product on the display. That is, a desired product is selected by clicking an icon on which the desired product is drawn.
[0069]
Subsequently, when the privilege information is to be transmitted to the operation manager side using the Internet, the Internet communication software is displayed as shown in step S34 by clicking the box displaying “Yes” on the screen. 71 is activated, and information is transmitted to the operation manager via the Internet network 72. Thereby, as shown in step S35, a procedure for delivering the product to the user from the operation manager side is performed.
[0070]
Similarly, when transmitting user privilege information using the Internet, information corresponding to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter, for example, information using XX cartridges, or a user corresponding thereto In addition to this, information corresponding to the printer ID code uniquely assigned to the printing apparatus P, and information corresponding to the cartridge ID code uniquely assigned to each mounted ink cartridge Are transmitted to the computer 73 on the operation manager side. Therefore, the operation manager side can comprehend the actual usage of the recording device, the type of ink cartridge, the ink color, etc. used by the user by counting the information with the computer 73.
[0071]
In the privilege return system described above, the central control unit 65 in the printing apparatus monitors the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter 69 and determines whether or not the count value has reached a predetermined value. However, the monitoring and determination of the count value may be executed by a printer driver installed in the host computer.
[0072]
In the privilege return system described above, in the case of adopting an operation mode in which a cash voucher is printed out, it is not always necessary to use a host computer. For example, the above-described operation can be realized by arranging a dot matrix display device in the recording device and providing the central control means 65 with an editing function for images displayed on the dot matrix display device.
[0073]
In the privilege return system described above, an operation mode is shown in which the privilege is returned to the user when the number of ink cartridges used reaches a predetermined value. Various kinds of products to be returned to the user may be prepared, or other return means may be employed instead of the products.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus and the privilege return system using the same according to the present invention, when an unused ink cartridge is installed in the recording apparatus, the number of times the unused ink cartridge is installed. The cumulative ink cartridge counter for counting the ink cartridge is provided, and the privilege is returned to the user according to the count value of the counter, so that the user can enjoy the privilege according to the usage record of the ink cartridge. it can. In addition, since the operation manager side of this privilege return system can acquire various useful data based on the use record of the ink cartridge, it can be effectively utilized in the cartridge production plan or product plan. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an external configuration of a color ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the recording apparatus illustrated in FIG.
3 is a perspective view showing an example of an external configuration of a black ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a cartridge holder formed on a carriage of the recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a block diagram showing an example of a part of a control circuit mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and an example of construction with an external host computer. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow performed by the control circuit shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first operation mode of the privilege return system according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow in the first operation mode of the privilege return system.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an image display example used in the first operation mode of the privilege return system.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second operation mode of the privilege return system according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow in the second operation mode of the privilege return system.
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an image display example used in the second operation mode of the privilege return system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Carriage
7 Recording paper
8 Recording head
9B-9Y ink cartridge
21 Color ink cartridge
28, 28 'circuit board
31 Black ink cartridge
56 electrode terminals
60 Host computer
61 Printer Driver
62 Input device
63 display
64 Print control means
65 Central control means
66 Ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means
67 Reading / writing means
68 Nonvolatile memory (storage means)
69 Cumulative ink cartridge counter
70 Cartridge ID storage
71 Internet communication software
72 Internet network
73 Operation Manager Computer

Claims (12)

Inkjet recording comprising an ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets by a drive signal based on printing data and performs printing on recording paper, and an ink cartridge that supplies ink to the recording head is detachable A device,
The ink cartridge stores flag information that is turned off when the ink cartridge is not used, and turned on after the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus.
Determining means for determining whether the flag information is in an on state or an off state when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus;
A cumulative ink cartridge counter that counts the number of times an unused ink cartridge is mounted when it is determined that an unused ink cartridge is mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus and the flag information is off. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by the above. Wherein the ink cartridge storage means is mounted, in the case of mounting the ink cartridge to the recording apparatus, to indicate that it is not a fresh ink cartridge, the flag information of the on state is stored in the storage means The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, configured as described above.   3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter.   4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying information when the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter reaches a predetermined value.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a display that is display-controlled on a utility of a printer driver installed in a host computer is used as the display means.   The inkjet according to claim 4, further comprising a reset unit that resets the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter when the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter reaches a predetermined value and the information is displayed by the display unit. Type recording device. The privilege which can give a privilege according to the count value of the said cumulative ink cartridge counter with respect to the user who uses the inkjet recording device in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6 provided with the said cumulative ink cartridge counter. A reduction system,
A privilege return comprising: an editing unit that edits privilege information according to a count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter; and a print control unit that can print out the privilege information edited by the editing unit. system. The user of the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 provided with the cumulative ink cartridge counter is notified to the user of the recording apparatus according to a count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter. It is a privilege return system that can give a privilege to
Editing means for editing privilege information according to the count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter, and communication means capable of transmitting the privilege information edited by the editing means to the operation manager side via a communication line. A privilege reduction system characterized by that.   The privilege return system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the editing means is constructed on a utility of a printer driver installed in a host computer.   The privilege return system according to claim 7 or 9, wherein the privilege information edited by the editing means can be printed out only once.   The privilege return system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the privilege information edited by the editing means includes at least information corresponding to a count value of the cumulative ink cartridge counter.   The privilege information edited by the editing means further includes information corresponding to a printer ID code uniquely assigned to the recording apparatus and information corresponding to a cartridge ID code uniquely assigned to each mounted ink cartridge. The privilege reduction system of Claim 11 contained.

Images