JP4269128B2 - Printer control apparatus, printer control method, and medium on which printer control program is recorded - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer control apparatus, a printer control method, and a medium on which a printer control program is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Inkjet printers have been rapidly spreading in recent years as printers that can perform printing with an image quality equivalent to that of photographs. In this ink jet printer, two types of pigment ink and dye ink are generally used. These two types of ink have advantages and disadvantages in image quality and light resistance depending on their characteristics, and both are widely used. In addition, the two types of inks have different viscosities, densities, and the like. Even when the same head is used, pigment-based inks and dye-based inks are used to perform appropriate printing while corresponding to the above characteristics. However, the control conditions such as ink discharge amount and discharge timing are different.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional inkjet printer described above has the following problems. That is, even in a printer that can use two types of ink, if different types of ink cartridges are installed by mistake before replacing or cleaning the ink supply system, different types of ink will be mixed inside the ink supply system. End up. When two types of ink are mixed, it becomes impossible to perform discharge amount control according to the characteristics of the ink, and the print quality is impaired. Therefore, in an ink jet printer that can be used by exchanging the two types of ink, in order to prevent mixing of ink in the ink supply system, it is necessary to replace or clean the ink supply system when replacing the ink type.
[0004]
Furthermore, in an ink jet printer, the remaining amount of ink filled in the ink cartridge may be monitored and displayed as a status. However, in the conventional ink jet printer described above, the pigment-based ink and the dye-based ink are used before the ink is used up. Since the ink cartridge can be replaced with the ink, if the ink type is switched after using the ink halfway and then returned to the original type, the remaining ink level of the original cartridge must be correctly determined. There was a problem that could not.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. In a printer capable of exchanging ink types, an appropriate control is performed according to the ink type while preventing mixing of different types of ink, and the ink cartridge is repeatedly used. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer control device, a printer control method, and a printer control device capable of correctly determining the remaining amount of ink even if the printer is changed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is configured to control a printer that performs printing while supplying ink filled in a replaceable ink cartridge to the head. Control while preventing. For this reason, the replaceable ink cartridge is equipped with a non-volatile memory whose storage contents can be updated, and the non-volatile memory stores the type of ink filled in the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is attached to and detached from the printer main body via an ink cartridge mounting portion, and data can be transmitted and received from the nonvolatile memory when the ink cartridge is mounted.
[0007]
In addition, the ink supply system is composed of an ink supply tube from the ink cartridge to the head. filling The supplied ink type is stored in the supplied ink storage means, and the printing condition storage means stores the printing conditions necessary for driving the head for each ink type. The head drive control means uses these stored information for printing, and compares the ink type stored in the nonvolatile memory with the ink type stored in the supplied ink storage means. Then, the head is driven in a state in which both ink types match, and the head drive is controlled based on printing conditions that match the matching ink types.
[0008]
That is, the type of ink stored in the non-volatile memory uniquely matches the type of ink charged in the ink cartridge, and the type of ink stored in the supply ink storage means is supplied to the ink supply system. The head drive control means compares these with the ink type so that the head is driven using an ink cartridge of an ink type different from the ink type already supplied to the ink supply system. Can be prevented and mixing of ink can be prevented.
[0009]
Here, the non-volatile memory can update the stored contents and may be non-volatile, and various modes can be adopted, and it is preferable that the non-volatile memory is constituted by an EEPROM such as a flash memory. In addition, the ink type is used to prevent ink mixing as described above. For this purpose, whether the filling ink is dye-based or pigment-based as information indicating the ink type. However, various other information can be stored as the ink type. That is, if the ink filling date is stored, the ink that has passed the expiration date can be used by referring to the filling date. Further, by storing information indicating that the components are different even in the same type of ink, it is possible to control the driving of the head with the best driving sequence for the ink.
[0010]
The ink cartridge attaching / detaching portion only needs to be able to attach and detach the ink cartridge and to enable data transmission / reception from the non-volatile memory when the ink cartridge is attached, and a container having a volume that can be filled with ink is attached to the fitting type holder. In addition, it is possible to have a configuration in which conduction of the terminals of the nonvolatile memory is ensured simultaneously with the fitting. The supplied ink storage means only needs to be able to store the type of ink supplied to the ink supply system, and can be constituted by various rewritable memories. Although the printer can be configured by a RAM or the like, it is preferable that the printer is configured by an EEPROM such as a flash memory where the power is frequently turned on / off.
[0011]
The printing condition storage means only needs to be able to store the printing conditions necessary for driving the head for each type of ink filled in the ink cartridge, and can be constituted by various memories. Although it can be configured by a mask ROM or the like, the status of the printer changes sequentially depending on the use, and in particular, since the present invention is a mode in which the ink used can be changed, Is preferred. The head control drive means only needs to be able to read and calculate information from various memories and control the memory and the head, and is preferably constituted by a CPU or the like.
[0026]
As described above, the ink type and the remaining amount of ink are stored in the non-volatile memory mounted on the ink cartridge, and referring to these, the mixing of the ink is prevented and the remaining amount of ink is properly grasped. The method is not necessarily limited to an actual apparatus, and it can be easily understood that the method also functions. For this reason, the claims 4 The invention according to the present invention has a configuration corresponding to a control method performed by the printer control apparatus. That is, it is not necessarily limited to a substantial apparatus, and there is no difference that the method is also effective.
[0027]
By the way, such a printer control apparatus may exist independently, or may be used in a state where it is incorporated in a certain device. The idea of the invention is not limited to this and includes various aspects. . Therefore, it can be changed as appropriate, such as software or hardware.
When the software of the printer control apparatus is realized as an embodiment of the idea of the invention, it naturally exists on a recording medium in which such software is recorded, and it must be used. In that sense, the claim 5 The present invention has a configuration corresponding to each step of causing the printer control apparatus to be implemented by a computer.
[0028]
Of course, the recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium that will be developed in the future. In addition, the duplication stages such as the primary duplication product and the secondary duplication product are equivalent without any question. Although different from the above medium, the communication line is used as a transmission medium when the communication method is used as a supply method, and the present invention is used.
[0029]
Further, even when a part is software and a part is realized by hardware, there is nothing completely different in the idea of the invention, and a part is stored on a recording medium, and it is appropriately changed as necessary. It may be in the form of being read.
When the present invention is implemented by software, the present invention is not only realized as a medium storing a program, but the present invention is naturally realized as a program itself, and the program itself is also included in the present invention.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above Book According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer control device, a printer control method, and a medium on which a printer control program can be recorded, which can prevent ink mixing and can execute appropriate control according to the type of ink. Can do.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an internal configuration of an ink jet printer equipped with a printer control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection status of each hardware of the ink jet printer. . In the figure, an ink jet printer 10 includes a main substrate 11, a printing unit 20, a panel unit 30, and a cartridge unit 40 are connected to the main substrate 11, and a CPU 12 provided on the main substrate 11 controls each unit. This functions as a printer.
[0034]
On the main substrate 11, in addition to the CPU 12, an ASIC 13, a flash memory 14, and a head driving unit 16 are provided. The ASIC 13 is an IC customized for driving the head 22 described later, and performs processing for driving the head 22 while transmitting and receiving predetermined signals to and from the CPU 12. As one of the processes, an ink usage amount counter is provided, and the number of dots to be printed is counted for each ink color. In addition to this, voltage data applied to the head drive unit 16 described later is output. The head driving unit 16 is a circuit composed of a dedicated IC, a driving transistor, a heat radiating plate, and the like, and generates a voltage pattern applied to a piezo element built in the head 22 described later.
[0035]
The flash memory 14 is an EEPROM that can electrically erase stored contents, and can erase data in a batch of chips or in units of blocks. Furthermore, the flash memory 14 according to the present embodiment is a boot block type, and writing and erasing of hardware data can be prohibited for a predetermined block.
[0036]
The printing unit 20 mainly includes a roller 21 and a head 22, and the head 22 is connected to the main substrate 11 via a predetermined relay cable. The roller 21 is configured to feed printing paper while being rotated by a motor (not shown) driven by a motor control unit (not shown). The head 22 is mounted on a carriage (not shown). The carriage has the head 22 disposed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the roller 21 and can reciprocate the head 22 in the axial direction of the roller 21.
[0037]
A tube 22a for each ink color is connected to the head 22, and the supply of each color ink is received. The head 22 is provided with a piezo element (not shown), and the piezo element is driven in an ink chamber that communicates from the tube 22a to the ejection port, thereby ejecting ink in dot units. The head 22 and the head drive unit 16 are connected by a predetermined relay cable and wiring on the substrate. The head drive unit 16 generates a predetermined voltage in response to a command from the ASIC 13 and generates the same for the head 22. A voltage is applied to drive the carriage and piezo element.
[0038]
The panel unit 30 includes a liquid crystal display 31 and operation buttons 32, and the panel unit 30 is connected to the main substrate 11 via a panel I / O 33 by a predetermined relay cable. The liquid crystal display 31 is a display that displays characters and the like based on a predetermined signal transmitted from the CPU 12, and can display an error message, a status, and the like. The operation button 32 is a button used when a user or a service person operates the inkjet printer 10. The CPU 12 determines the operation content by a single button pressing operation or a plurality of button pressing operations, and the power is turned on / off. In addition, it is possible to instruct the discharge of print data, cancellation of error messages, execution of ink replacement processing, execution of cleaning, and the like.
[0039]
The cartridge portion mainly includes a sub-board 41, a cartridge holder 42, and an ink cartridge 43. The ink jet printer 10 according to the present embodiment uses six colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta, and black, and fills the ink cartridge 43 with each ink. The ink cartridge is equipped with a cartridge memory 43a, and the cartridge memory 43a stores the type of ink to be filled and the remaining amount of ink. Here, data indicating whether the ink is dye-based ink or pigment-based ink is recorded. That is, the cartridge memory 43a constitutes the nonvolatile memory. Each cartridge holder 42 includes a contact portion 42a with the cartridge memory 43a. When the ink cartridge 43 is mounted on the cartridge holder 42, the cartridge holder 42 contacts the cartridge memory 43a to secure a connection for data transmission / reception. The cartridge holder 42 includes an ink supply needle (not shown). When the ink cartridge 43 is mounted, the cartridge holder 42 contacts an ink supply port (not shown) provided in the ink cartridge 43 to form an ink supply path. . A tube 22a is attached to the cartridge holder 42, and ink filled in the ink cartridge 43 is supplied to the head 22 through the tube 22a.
[0040]
Each ink cartridge 43 is mounted on the ink jet printer 10 by being mounted on the cartridge holder 42, and ink can be supplied through the tube 22a while being mounted on the cartridge holder 42, and the cartridge memory 43a transmits and receives data. It becomes possible. That is, a predetermined relay cable 40 is connected to the cartridge holder 42, and a communication line between the relay cable 40 and the cartridge memory 43a is secured in a state where the ink cartridge 43 is mounted on the cartridge holder 42. Thus, in the present embodiment, the cartridge holder 42 constitutes the mounting portion.
[0041]
The relay cable 40 connected to the cartridge holder 42 is connected to the sub-board 41, and a predetermined signal is transmitted and received from the control IC 41a mounted on the sub-board 41 so that the cartridge memory 43a Be controlled. The sub board 41 is further connected to the main board 11 via a predetermined relay cable. The control IC 41a uses a plurality of inks, that is, an IC mounted to control a plurality of cartridge memories 43a. The CPU 12 on the main board transmits and receives a predetermined signal to communicate with the control IC 41a. The ink type recorded in the cartridge memory 43a is read, the remaining ink level is updated, and the like. Further, in the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 43 is removed from the cartridge holder 42 in order to determine whether or not the ink cartridge 43 has been attached or detached, the control IC 41a indicates that the ink cartridge 43 has been removed. When the ink cartridge 43 is mounted, the control IC 41a outputs a signal indicating the mounting of the ink cartridge 43.
[0042]
A predetermined communication I / O 15 is further provided on the main board 11, and is connected to a computer 50 outside the inkjet printer 10 via the communication I / O 15. In the computer 50, a driver for the ink jet printer 10 is installed. When the user executes printing of digital photo image data, the driver performs predetermined data conversion and the like, and print data and a print instruction are sent to the ink jet printer 10. The CPU 12 prints the print data in accordance with the print instruction.
[0043]
FIG. 3 shows the main part of the memory map of the flash memory 14. Since the ink jet printer 10 according to the present embodiment can use both dye-based ink and pigment-based ink, the flash memory 14 uses the ink in order to perform appropriate control on both systems of ink. Parameters for each system are stored. Specifically, an initial flag indicating whether or not the ink supply system, that is, the initial filling to fill the tube 22a with the predetermined ink has been performed, and the ink mode indicating the type of ink currently in use are stored. .
[0044]
Further, printing conditions, which are drive parameters for each ink type, are stored for each of pigment-based ink and dye-based ink. These data are stored in a protect block capable of prohibiting writing and erasing of hardware data. Thus, in the present embodiment, the flash memory 14 constitutes the supplied ink storage means and the printing condition storage means. The printing conditions include a counter coefficient, a driving voltage, a cleaning condition, and a flushing condition. The counter coefficient is a coefficient that is multiplied by the count value in the ASIC 13, and the multiplication results from the unified count of the number of dots, the pigment system and the dye system. The amount of ink used for both is calculated appropriately. Also, since the pigment ink and the dye ink have different ink characteristics, that is, viscosity and the like, the specific driving of the head 22 is different even if the same operations such as ink ejection, cleaning, and flushing are performed. .
[0045]
Therefore, the drive voltage, the cleaning condition, and the flushing condition are stored for each system, and the CPU 12 reads out such data and gives an instruction to the ASIC 13, and the head driving unit 16 performs a predetermined head driving according to the instruction. Thus, appropriate control is performed on the inks of both systems. For example, the driving voltage is data indicating a pattern of applied voltage generated by the head driving unit 16 during printing, and the voltage is applied in different patterns as shown in FIG.
[0046]
That is, the driving voltage as a printing condition is formed of a look-up table describing timer data. When the CPU 12 refers to the look-up data and instructs the ASIC 13, the ASIC 13 converts the timer data and applies the voltage applied to the head driving unit 16. Output data. The head driver 16 generates a pulse that is a temporal change in voltage according to the applied voltage data. The pulse mainly includes an ascending pulse and a descending pulse. During the ascending pulse, the applied voltage rises and the piezo element is driven to reduce the volume of the ink chamber. Further, during the descending pulse, the applied voltage decreases and the piezo element is driven to increase the volume of the ink chamber. Therefore, by adjusting the width of these pulses, the voltage generated by the head drive unit 16 has a substantially trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 4, and the ejection of ink is controlled by such voltage.
[0047]
The voltage pattern on the upper side of FIG. 4 is pigment-based. In the pigment-based ink, first, a falling pulse is input in a period t11 to increase the volume of the ink chamber. Then, after the pulse input is stopped and the state of the ink is lowered by holding the piezo element in the period t12, the rising pulse is input in the period t13 to reduce the volume of the ink chamber and eject the ink. Further, the pulse input is stopped and held in a period t14, and a falling pulse is input in a period t15 to divide the ejected ink. Thereafter, the pulse input is stopped in a period t16 and this state is maintained for a certain period, and the carriage is driven to perform an ink ejection sequence for the next dot.
[0048]
On the other hand, the voltage pattern on the lower side of FIG. 4 is a dye-based one, and in the dye-based ink, an ascending pulse is first input in a period t21 to reduce the volume of the ink chamber. Then, after the pulse input is stopped in the period t22 and the state of the ink is lowered by holding the piezo element, the falling pulse is input in the period t23 to increase the volume of the ink chamber. Hold down to calm the ink condition. Further, in the period t25, an ascending pulse is input again to reduce the volume of the ink chamber and eject ink. Thereafter, this state is maintained in the period t26, a falling pulse is input in the period t27 to divide the ejected ink, and this state is maintained in the period t28 to complete the one-dot ejection sequence.
[0049]
In this way, the pigment drive ink and the dye ink have different head drive patterns due to the difference in ink characteristics, and the drive voltage is held for each ink system in order to perform control suitable for each system. Reference is made as appropriate according to the type of ink. In addition to the driving voltage at the time of printing, the head driving unit 16 can also generate a voltage for cleaning and flushing, and the head 22 can eject ink not related to printing by the voltage. . That is, a pump unit 24 is disposed immediately below one end of the reciprocating motion of the head 22, and by applying a negative pressure to the head 22 conveyed to the position of the pump unit, suction of thickened ink can be performed. An initial filling process for the tube 22a can be performed.
[0050]
The head drive unit 16 applies a predetermined drive voltage to the pump unit 24 via a cable (not shown), and when a certain time elapses during printing, a flushing condition corresponding to the type of ink is referred to. The head 22 is caused to execute a predetermined ink discharge, the cleaning condition corresponding to the ink type is referred to according to a predetermined operation on the operation button 32, and a predetermined cleaning operation can be executed to the head 22. Further, after the ink cartridge is replaced, an initial filling process for the tube 22a is executed.
[0051]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of control executed by the printer control apparatus according to the present invention in the above configuration. In the printer control apparatus, the CPU 12 is responsible for the processing, and the CPU 12 performs processing according to the type of ink. Therefore, the CPU 12 determines the ink type stored in the cartridge memory 43a and the ink mode stored in the flash memory 14. The ink mode stored in the ink mode, that is, the ink type filled with ink in the ink supply system and the ink type filled in the ink cartridge 43 are matched with each other for printing. Do.
[0052]
In addition, the flash memory 14 is referred to drive the head 22 under conditions suitable for the type of ink determined to be consistent by these comparisons, and the pigment-based control or dye-based control is performed according to the type of ink currently in use. The head 22 is driven using the control parameters. Further, the amount of ink used is calculated by multiplying the number of dots counted by the ASIC 13 by a counter coefficient corresponding to the type of ink, and the amount used is updated so as to be subtracted from the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge memory 43a. By doing so, the remaining amount of ink is accurately stored for both pigment-based ink and dye-based ink. Thus, in the present embodiment, the CPU 12, the ASIC 13, the head drive unit 16, and the control IC 41a constitute the head drive control means.
[0053]
6 to 8 show flowcharts of processing executed by the CPU 12 in the inkjet printer 10 including the control as described above. FIG. 6 shows processing executed after the inkjet printer 10 is booted. In step S100, the CPU 12 refers to the flash memory 14 to determine whether or not the initial flag is on. If it is not determined in step S100 that the initial flag is on, it is determined that the ink supply system such as the tube 22a is not filled with ink, and processing for filling the tube 22a with ink is performed.
[0054]
At this time, in step S105, the CPU 12 communicates with the control IC 41a, causes the control IC 41a to read out the ink types of the cartridge memory 43a, and grasps the types of ink of each of the six colors. In step S110, it is determined whether or not the read ink types are the same for all six colors. If it is not determined that the same type is used, the panel unit 30 is controlled via the panel I / O 33 in step S115. Then, the error message A shown in FIG.
[0055]
The error message A is a message that “the cartridges are not unified in six colors”, and prompts the user to replace the ink cartridge 43 that has been mistakenly inserted with the message displayed in the above-mentioned step S105. The subsequent processing is repeated. If it is determined in step S110 that the ink types are the same for all six colors, ink filling processing for the ink supply system is executed in step S120. The filling process is a special sequence for filling the ink supply system with ink. After this sequence is executed, the ink in the ink cartridge is filled in the ink supply system, and the ink chamber of the head 22 is also filled with ink. The Accordingly, when the piezo element in the head 22 is driven in this state, ink is ejected from the nozzles of the head 22.
[0056]
After this filling process, in step S125, the flash memory 14 is accessed and the type of the filled ink is set as the ink mode. In step S130, the flash memory 14 is accessed to turn on the initial flag. When such a filling process is performed and when it is determined in step S100 that the initial flag is ON, in step S135, the flash memory 14 is accessed to read the ink mode, and in step S140. The control IC 41a is made to read out the ink type of the cartridge memory 43a, and grasps the type of ink filled in the mounted ink cartridge 43.
[0057]
In step S145, it is determined whether or not the type of ink filled in the ink cartridge 43 matches the ink mode stored in the flash memory 14. If it is determined in step S145 that they match, the printing process is executed in step S200. If it is not determined in step S145 that the two match, the panel unit 30 is controlled via the panel I / O 33 in step S150, and the error message B shown in FIG.
[0058]
The error message B is a message “Ink of different ink mode is installed”, and the above-mentioned step is performed while prompting the user to replace the wrong ink cartridge 43 inserted with the message displayed. The processes after S140 are repeated. In the printing process of step S200, it waits for the print data to be transmitted from the computer 50 together with the print instruction, and the process shown in FIG. 7 is performed after the print instruction.
[0059]
In step S205, the ASIC 13 is accessed and the counter is cleared to "0" in step S210 of ink usage in the ASIC 13. In step S210, the ink type in the cartridge memory 43a is read out by the control IC 41a and loaded. The type of ink filled in the ink cartridge 43 is grasped. In step S215, the flash memory 14 is accessed, and printing conditions suitable for the ink type are read.
[0060]
In step S220 and subsequent steps, printing is performed while driving for a predetermined line based on the print data transmitted from the computer 50. In step S220, the head 22 is driven by sending a command to the ASIC 13 with reference to the driving voltage of the printing condition suitable for the ink type and causing the head driving unit 16 to output the pulse. While the head 22 is driven in this way and printing is performed by moving the head 22 by the carriage, the ASIC 13 performs counting in step S225.
[0061]
When printing for a predetermined line is completed, the counter coefficient suitable for the ink type is read in step S230 to read the counter coefficient, and in step S235, the read counter coefficient and the count value of the ASIC 13 are multiplied. Calculate the amount of ink used. In step S240, a command is sent to the control IC 41a to update the ink remaining amount by subtracting the ink usage calculated in step S235 from the ink remaining amount stored in the cartridge memory 43a. In step S245, the ASIC 13 is accessed, and the counter is cleared to “0” again in the ink usage amount step S210 in the ASIC 13.
[0062]
In step S250, it is determined whether or not all of the print data transmitted from the computer 50 has been printed, and the processes in and after step S220 are repeated until it is determined that printing has been completed. In the present embodiment, the head 22 is flushed at one end position of the reciprocating motion by the carriage. That is, after a predetermined time has elapsed during printing, the head 22 is transported to the flushing area, and flushing is executed while reading the flushing conditions that match the type of ink read in step S210 from the flash memory 14. Further, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the printing from being continued when the ink cartridge 43 is removed, when a signal output from the control IC 41a is detected when the ink cartridge 43 is removed, FIG. Steps S205 to S250 are interrupted, and the process shown in FIG. 8 is executed.
[0063]
When a signal indicating that the ink cartridge 43 has been removed is detected, the panel unit 30 is controlled via the panel I / O 33 in step S305, and the error message C shown in FIG. Let The error message C is a message “please install a cartridge”, and indicates that the user has installed the ink cartridge 43 in step S310 while prompting the user to install the ink cartridge 43 with the message displayed. The processes after step S305 are repeated until a signal is detected. When a signal indicating that the ink cartridge 43 is mounted is detected in step S310, the ink mode is read by accessing the flash memory 14 in step S315, and the cartridge memory 43a is read in the control IC 41a in step S320. The ink type is read, and the type of ink filled in the installed ink cartridge 43 is grasped.
[0064]
In step S325, it is determined whether the type of ink filled in the ink cartridge 43 matches the ink mode stored in the flash memory 14. If it is not determined in step S325 that the two match, in step S330, the panel unit 30 is controlled via the panel I / O 33, and the error message B shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S325 that the two match, in step S325, the flash memory 14 is accessed to read a counter coefficient suitable for the type of ink, and in step S340, the read counter coefficient and the ASIC 13 are read. The amount of ink used is calculated by multiplying the count value held in step.
[0065]
In step S345, a command is sent to the control IC 41a, and the ink remaining amount is updated so as to subtract the ink usage calculated in step S340 from the ink remaining amount stored in the cartridge memory 43a. That is, after determining whether the refilled ink cartridge 43 is correct or not, the remaining ink amount is updated based on the count value counted until the cartridge is removed. Accordingly, even when the ink cartridge 43 is removed during printing, the correct ink remaining amount is obtained. Thereafter, the process returns to the printing process shown in FIG.
[0066]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, both pigment-based ink and dye-based ink can be used, and the type of the ink can be changed. When the ink systems are replaced, if the inks of both systems are mixed, the printed matter does not produce an appropriate color, and the driving pattern of the head 22 and the like is different, resulting in various inconveniences. Accordingly, when replacing the ink system, it is necessary to clean the ink supply system. A user or a service person can perform an ink replacement process by performing a predetermined pushing operation with the operation button 32 of the panel unit 30.
[0067]
That is, when a predetermined pressing operation is performed on the operation button 32, a predetermined trigger corresponding to the operation is output, and when the CPU 12 receives the trigger, the exchange shown in step S400 of FIG. 6 is performed even during printing. Execute the process. In step S410 in the replacement process, a cleaning sequence for the ink supply system is performed by, for example, mounting a cartridge containing cleaning liquid on the cartridge holder 42 while displaying a predetermined guide message on the liquid crystal display 31 of the panel unit 30. Execute. After this cleaning process, the ink supply system of the inkjet printer 10 is equivalent to a new state, that is, the initial flag is the same as the off state.
[0068]
Further, in addition to the cleaning process at the time of changing the ink system, a cleaning operation for cleaning the head 22 can be performed. When a predetermined pushing operation is performed with the operation button 32 of the panel unit 30, a predetermined operation corresponding to the operation is performed. When the CPU 12 receives the trigger and the CPU 12 receives the trigger, the CPU 12 sends an instruction to the head driving unit 16 via the ASIC 13 and discharges the ink by a negative pressure. Wiping operation is performed.
[0069]
Hereinafter, an operation example performed in the present embodiment by the above configuration and processing flow will be described. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the type of ink filled in each ink cartridge 43, the contents of the ink mode stored in the flash memory 14, the signal output when the cartridge is removed, and the count value in the ASIC 13. Show. In this operation example, as an initial state, cyan (C), magenta (M), black (K), and light cyan (LC) ink cartridges are pigment-based inks, and yellow (Y) and light magenta (LM) ink cartridges are used. Is filled with dye-based ink.
[0070]
When the inkjet printer 10 is booted in this state, the process shown in FIG. 6 is executed, and it is determined in step S100 whether or not the initial flag is on. Is read and the determination in step S110 is performed. Here, since the ink filled in the ink cartridge is a mixture of pigment-based and dye-based inks, an error message A is displayed on the liquid crystal display 31 in step S115 after the determination in step S110. Display.
[0071]
By visually recognizing this error message A, the user grasps that the types of ink are mixed, and at time t1, the user removes the yellow and light magenta ink cartridges and at the same time extracts yellow and yellow filled with pigment-based ink. Install a light magenta ink cartridge. As a result, in step S110, it is determined that all the ink cartridges are filled with the same type of ink, in step S120, initial filling of the ink supply system is executed, and in step S125, the ink mode is set in the flash memory 14. In step S130, the initial flag is turned on.
[0072]
Furthermore, even when the initial flag is on, if the ink cartridge 43 is once removed and remounted when the inkjet printer 10 is transported, the ink type may be wrong. For example, it is assumed that after the initial filling, an ink cartridge 43 filled with dye-based ink is mounted at time t2 and the inkjet printer 10 is booted.
[0073]
In this case, after determining that the initial flag is turned on in step S100, it is determined in step S135 that the ink mode stored in the flash memory 14 is pigment-based, and in step S140, the cartridge is selected. The type of ink stored in the memory 43a is read and the fact that it is a dye system is grasped. As a result, it is determined in step S145 that the two do not match, and an error message B is displayed on the liquid crystal display 31.
[0074]
The user visually recognizes this error message B, grasps that the ink type is wrong, and remounts the ink cartridge 43 filled with pigment-based ink at time t3. As a result, it is determined in step S145 that the ink mode matches the ink type of the installed ink cartridge, and the printing process in step S200 is executed. When the printing process is started, the count value of the ink usage counter of the ASIC 13 is cleared to “0” in step S205, the flash memory 14 is referred to in step S210, and the ink mode is set to the pigment system. The fact is grasped.
[0075]
The CPU 12 further refers to the flash memory 14 and reads out the printing conditions suitable for the pigment system in step S215, and executes printing in the processing after step S220. At this time, the count value of the ASIC 13 increases with execution of printing. If the printing is continued as it is, the printing will be finished. However, when the user removes the ink cartridge 43 (light magenta in this example) at time t4 before the printing is finished, the control IC 41a removes the ink cartridge. A signal to the effect is output.
[0076]
As a result, the printing process executed by the CPU 12 is interrupted and the flow of FIG. 8 is executed. That is, in step S305, the error message C is displayed on the liquid crystal display 31, and the user is prompted to remount the ink cartridge 43 by visually recognizing the error message C. When the user installs the ink cartridge 43, the process from step S315 is executed after the determination in step S310. However, the ink cartridge 43 that has been erroneously filled with a dye-based ink different from the other ink cartridges 43 at the time t5. If it is attached, an error message B is further displayed by the processing in steps S315 to S330.
[0077]
When the user visually recognizes the error message and changes the ink cartridge 43 to an appropriate cartridge filled with pigment-based ink at time t6, the flash memory 14 is accessed in step S335 through the determination in step S325, and the pigment is changed. Read the counter coefficient of the system. In step S340, the amount of ink used is calculated by multiplying the count value that has been counted up to the time t4, and the cartridge memory 43a is updated via the control IC 41a in step S345. In other words, even if the ink cartridge 43 is removed during printing, the count value up to that point is maintained and the remaining ink amount is updated when the appropriate ink cartridge 43 is mounted again. The stored ink remaining amount becomes appropriate.
[0078]
As described above, in the present invention, the ink type and the remaining amount of ink are stored in the non-volatile memory mounted on the ink cartridge, and when ink is supplied to the ink supply system, the ink type is stored, and is the same during printing. The type of ink stored is compared with the type of ink stored in the nonvolatile memory. As a result, when both coincide, printing control suitable for the type of ink can be executed, and mixing of ink can be prevented. Further, the ink usage amount is calculated in accordance with the head drive and the remaining ink amount is updated, so that an appropriate remaining ink amount can be determined.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an internal configuration of an ink jet printer.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an ink jet printer.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of a memory map of a flash memory.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a pattern of an applied voltage generated by a head driving unit.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of control performed by the printer control apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed by a CPU.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing executed by a CPU.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed by a CPU.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an error message.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an error message.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an error message.
FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the operation of each unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Inkjet printer
11 ... Main board
12 ... CPU
13 ... ASIC
14: Flash memory
16: Head drive unit
20 ... Printing section
21 ... Laura
22 ... Head
22a ... Tube
30 ... Panel section
31 ... Liquid crystal display
32 ... Operation buttons
40 ... cartridge part
41 ... Sub-board
41a ... Control IC
42. Cartridge holder
43. Ink cartridge
43a ... cartridge memory
50 ... Personal computer

Claims (5)

The ink of the replaceable ink cartridge to a printer controller for controlling a printer that performs printing while supplying to the head,
Non-volatile memory that can update the stored contents and is mounted on the ink cartridge and stores the type of dye-based or pigment-based ink in the ink cartridge;
An ink cartridge attaching / detaching portion that allows the ink cartridge to be attached and detached and enables data transmission / reception from the nonvolatile memory when the ink cartridge is attached;
Filling means for filling the ink supply system to the head with the ink of the ink cartridge when at least the ink cartridge is first attached to the ink cartridge attaching / detaching portion;
Supply ink storage means for storing the type of ink filled in the ink supply system ;
And print condition storage means for storing printing condition necessary for driving of the head by type of Lee ink Upon the printing,
The ink type stored in the non-volatile memory and the ink type stored in the supply ink storage means are compared, and if the two ink types do not match, error processing is performed, and the two ink types And a head drive control means for appropriately writing predetermined information to the nonvolatile memory while controlling the drive of the head based on the printing conditions stored in the printing condition storage means when they match. Printer control device. In the printer control device according to claim 1,
The ink cartridge attaching / detaching unit is capable of attaching / detaching a plurality of the ink cartridges,
The filling means performs filling when the types of ink stored in the nonvolatile memory of the plurality of ink cartridges attached to the ink cartridge attaching / detaching portion are the same, and when the types of ink are not the same. A printer control device that performs error processing. In the printer control device according to claim 1 or 2,
When the ink cartridge is first attached to the ink cartridge attaching / detaching portion, and when the ink cartridge is first attached to the ink cartridge attaching / detaching portion after the cleaning sequence of the ink supply system, A printer control device that performs filling. With mounting a nonvolatile memory for storing the type of the ink dye-based or pigment-based capable of supplying stored data by a updatable, the head of the ink of a replaceable ink cartridge by detaching the ink cartridge mounting portion A printer control method for controlling a printer that performs printing while supplying,
A filling step of filling the ink supply system to the head with the ink of the ink cartridge when at least the ink cartridge is first mounted in the ink cartridge attaching / detaching portion;
A supply ink storage step for storing the type of ink filled in the ink supply system ;
And print condition storage step of storing the printing conditions necessary for driving of the head by type of Lee ink Upon the printing,
The ink type stored in the non-volatile memory is compared with the ink type stored in the supply ink storage step. If the ink types do not match, error processing is performed. A head drive control step of appropriately writing predetermined information to the non-volatile memory while controlling the drive of the head based on the print conditions stored in the print condition storage means if they match. Control method. Supplied to the head of the ink of a replaceable ink cartridge by detaching the ink cartridge mounting portion while mounting the non-volatile memory for storing the type of the ink dye-based or pigment-based capable of supplying stored data by a renewable A medium for recording a printer control program for controlling a printer that performs printing by a computer,
A function of reading out the type of ink stored in the nonvolatile memory of the ink cartridge and determining the type of ink in the ink cartridge;
A function of filling an ink supply system to the head with ink filled in the ink cartridge when at least the ink cartridge is first attached to the ink cartridge attaching / detaching portion;
A function of storing the type of ink filled in the ink supply system ;
A function of reading out the type of ink filled in the ink supply system ;
As well as compared with the type of ink type and the read ink above the determined said ink cartridge, error processing is performed when the type of both the ink do not match, if the types of both ink matches recording the printer control program, characterized in an appropriate predetermined information while controlling the driving of the head thereby perform the function of writing to the nonvolatile memory to the computer based on the print condition stored in the printing condition storage means Media.

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