JP4965198B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a carrier on which an ink cartridge is mounted.

  Various computer peripheral devices such as printers use various connection interfaces to exchange data with the computer. Among these, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface is widely used as a connection interface for computer peripheral devices because it is inexpensive and can be used easily.

  The USB interface can connect up to 127 computer peripheral devices to a computer. Usually, a computer peripheral device having a USB interface holds device information in a nonvolatile memory or the like built in the device so that each device can be identified. When the computer peripheral device is connected using the USB interface, the computer acquires device information (manufacturer name, model name, model number, individual identification information, etc.) from the computer peripheral device and uses the device information. Thus, management for each device is performed.

  Therefore, for example, even when a plurality of printers of the same model are connected to the computer via the USB interface, each printer has unique individual identification information. The computer can reliably identify each printer. Each time a new printer is connected via the USB interface, the computer recognizes each printer, installs driver software for controlling each printer in a built-in HDD (hard disk), and manages each printer individually. It is supposed to be.

  By the way, in general, in printer development and manufacturing stages, many printers are frequently connected to a computer for testing / evaluation, product inspection, and the like. In such a case, the computer generally recognizes that a new printer has been connected every time another printer is connected even if it is the same model, so that the driver software is installed. Installation of driver software on a computer accompanying such inspection of equipment takes extra time and time, which reduces development efficiency and manufacturing efficiency.

Therefore, in order to prevent such problems at the development and manufacturing stages, for example, an initial common identification number common to each model is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) as individual identification information of a printer. Do not perform individual identification, proceed with development and manufacturing processes without installing unnecessary driver software, connect the computer with the USB interface at the time of product shipment, and assign the initial common identification number to the unique individual The identification number is rewritten (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In some cases, the individual identification number (specifically, USB serial) is switched between valid and invalid by operating a power key (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
Utility Model Registration No. 3092294 JP-A-8-207389 Utility Model Registration No. 3091774

  Further, in a printer of a type using an existing ink cartridge, when the ink cartridge is replaced, the auto alignment process is automatically executed without confirming whether or not to execute it to the user.

  However, in the printer development and manufacturing stages, test printing may be performed, but the printed document is not used for business as it is, so auto-alignment processing is executed each time the ink cartridge is replaced. There is no need. For this reason, developers at the development stage and workers at the manufacturing stage must cancel the auto alignment process every time the ink cartridge is replaced, or wait for several tens of seconds until the auto alignment process is completed. And a heavy burden on the workers.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. In an image forming apparatus using an ink cartridge, auto-alignment processing is performed at the timing when individual identification information unique to the image forming apparatus is validated at the time of product shipment. Each time the developer in the development stage or the worker in the manufacturing stage replaces the ink cartridge, the auto-alignment process is canceled or the auto-alignment process is completed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that eliminates the need and can reduce the burden on developers and workers.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an ink cartridge having a print head for ejecting ink is mounted, and a carrier that reciprocates in the main scanning direction is detected and the ink cartridge is exchanged. Printing is performed by the print head during auto-alignment processing, which is automatic adjustment processing of the position of the carrier in the main scanning direction, which is performed in order to prevent a print deviation caused by individual differences between the cartridge replacement detection means and the individual print heads. To communicate with the computer, an alignment sensor that reads the specified pattern image, a ROM that stores firmware for controlling the entire device including the auto-alignment process, and an ASIC that includes a CPU that executes the firmware USB interface and A USB serial that is a number for a computer to identify a connected device, and a non-volatile memory that stores a USB serial setting bit that is setting information for enabling or disabling the USB serial; In the image forming apparatus configured such that the setting bit can be changed from the computer via the USB interface, the ASIC detects that the ink cartridge has been replaced by the cartridge replacement detection device. When the USB serial setting bit stored in the non-volatile memory is a value meaning the validity of the USB serial, the auto-alignment processing is executed, and the USB serial setting bit stored in the non-volatile memory is executed. Means invalidity of the USB serial When it is intended not to perform the automatic alignment process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an ink cartridge having a print head for ejecting ink is mounted, a carrier reciprocated in the main scanning direction, and a cartridge replacement detecting means for detecting that the ink cartridge has been replaced. , An alignment sensor that reads a pattern image during auto-alignment processing, which is automatic adjustment processing of the position of the carrier in the main scanning direction, which is performed in order to prevent printing deviation caused by individual differences in the print head, and the auto-alignment processing Storage means for storing firmware for controlling the entire device including the control means, control means having a CPU for executing the firmware, communication means for communicating with the computer, and for the computer to identify the connected device Individual identification information, and the individual identification information Non-volatile storage means for storing individual identification enable / disable setting information which is setting information for enabling or disabling, so that the individual identification enable / disable setting information can be changed from the computer via the communication means. in the image forming apparatus configured to, said control means by the cartridge replacement detecting means when said ink cartridge is detected to be exchanged, the individual identification permission setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means Whether to execute the auto-alignment processing is switched depending on whether the individual identification information is valid or invalid .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the individual identification information for the computer to identify the connected device is USB serial, and the individual identification enable / disable setting information is valid for the USB serial. This is a USB serial setting bit which is setting information indicating whether to set or disable.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the ASIC detects that the ink cartridge has been replaced, and the USB serial setting bit is a value meaning the validity of the USB serial, the ASIC executes the auto alignment process. When the USB serial setting bit is a value indicating that the USB serial is invalid, the auto alignment process is not executed. As a result, at the time of product shipment, the auto-alignment process can be switched to be executed at the timing when the USB serial that is unique individual identification information of the image forming apparatus (a number for identifying the connected device by the computer) is validated. This eliminates the need for developers in the development stage or workers in the manufacturing stage to cancel the auto alignment process or wait until the auto alignment process is completed each time the ink cartridge is replaced. The burden on the user can be reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when the control means detects that the ink cartridge has been replaced, the control means executes the auto-alignment process according to the state of the individual identification enable / disable setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means. Switch whether or not to do. As a result, when the product is shipped, it can be switched to execute the auto alignment process at the timing when the unique individual identification information of the image forming apparatus is validated. The burden on the developer and the operator can be reduced by eliminating the need for canceling the auto alignment process every time the ink cartridge is replaced or waiting for the auto alignment process to be completed.

  Hereinafter, an ink jet printer (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, a schematic configuration of the entire inkjet printer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows the structure of the main part of the inkjet printer.

  The ink jet printer 1 performs main scanning by reciprocating a carrier 2 on which an ink cartridge 3 having a print head 3a (image forming means) for ejecting ink is mounted in a main scanning direction (indicated by an arrow A in the figure). An image is formed on a sheet P conveyed in a sub-scanning direction (indicated by an arrow B in the figure) orthogonal to the direction. The inkjet printer 1 is connected to, for example, an external personal computer (not shown), and forms an image on the paper P based on data and commands transmitted from the personal computer.

  The ink jet printer 1 has a paper feed tray 20 as a paper feed unit for holding the paper P to be printed on the upper rear side of the chassis 10, and printed paper below the front surface of the chassis 10. A paper discharge tray 30 for discharging P is provided.

  Inside the chassis 10 of the ink jet printer 1 are a carrier 2, an ink cartridge 3 mounted on the carrier 2, a shaft 4 disposed on the back side of the carrier 2 so that the main scanning direction is the longitudinal direction, and paper A paper transport mechanism 5 serving as a paper transport unit for transporting P, a carrier drive mechanism 6 that applies a driving force to the carrier 2 to reciprocate, and a chassis 10 that is used to detect the position of the carrier 2 in the main scanning direction. In addition, an encoder scale 7 arranged along the main scanning direction and a circuit board 8 on which a control circuit for controlling various operations of the ink jet printer 1 is mounted.

  The carrier 2 supports the ink cartridge 3 so that it can be inserted and removed. In the present embodiment, two ink cartridges 3 are mounted on the carrier 2, one filled with black ink and one filled with color inks of, for example, three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow. That is, the inkjet printer 1 is configured to be able to form a color image on the paper P. The configuration of the ink cartridge 3 mounted on the carrier 2 is not limited to this. For example, the black ink and the color ink are combined into one, or the color ink is separately sealed for each color. It may be. In addition, the ink jet printer 1 may be one in which only the ink cartridge 3 in which black ink is sealed in the carrier 2 is mounted, and an image such as a gray scale is formed.

  Further, an openable / closable cover 10a is provided on the upper portion of the chassis 10 of the inkjet printer 1, and the user can replace the ink cartridge 3 by opening the cover 10a.

  The carrier 2 is slidably fitted to the shaft 4 and is connected to a part of the belt 6a of the carrier driving mechanism 6 as will be described later, and is arranged to be movable in the main scanning direction while sliding with the shaft 4. ing. The carrier 2 is equipped with a photocoupler (not shown), and the photocoupler scans the encoder scale 7 having a predetermined resolution so that the position of the carrier 2 in the main scanning direction can be detected. It is configured.

  Further, on the right side of the carrier 2 shown in the figure, an alignment sensor 11 composed of a reflective optical sensor is provided so that its detection surface faces downward where the paper P is present.

  The alignment sensor 11 is an optical sensor for reading a specific pattern image printed by the print head 3a during auto-alignment processing performed when the ink cartridge 3 is replaced. The auto-alignment process performed using the alignment sensor 11 is an automatic adjustment process of the position of the carrier 2 in the main scanning direction, which is performed in order to prevent printing deviation caused by individual differences of the print heads 3a. It is determined whether the control of the main scanning direction of the carrier 2 is accurately performed from the result of printing the line pattern of the interval, etc., and reading the printed image using the alignment sensor 11, and the position of the carrier 2 as necessary. And automatic adjustment of control parameters and the like.

  The carrier drive mechanism 6 includes, for example, an annular belt 6a disposed along the main scanning direction on the chassis 10 of the inkjet printer 1, and a DC motor 6b for rotating the belt 6a. is there. A part of the belt 6 a is connected to the rear of the carrier 2. The carrier driving mechanism 6 rotates the belt 6a by the DC motor 6b to apply a driving force to the carrier 2 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction. The carrier driving mechanism 6 is not limited to this configuration.

  The paper transport mechanism 5 is provided with a feed roller (not shown) for transporting the paper P, and the paper P fed from the paper feed tray 20 by a pick roller (not shown) is placed in the main body of the inkjet printer 1. The paper is fed in synchronization with the reciprocating movement of the carrier 2. The feed rollers are a pair of upper and lower rollers made of a material having a high friction coefficient such as rubber and the like that is rotationally driven by a drive motor 5b such as a stepping motor via a drive force transmission means 5a such as a gear.

  The circuit board 8 is held on the back side of the chassis 10. An ASIC (Application Specific IC: see FIG. 2) mounted on the circuit board 8 controls operations of the paper transport mechanism 5, the carrier drive mechanism 6, the print head 3a, and the like. Then, print processing is executed based on control commands and data received from software such as a device driver operating on an external computer. The ASIC may be configured to operate a predetermined function in response to an operation button (not shown) provided on the inkjet printer 1 that can be operated by the user operated by the user.

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the inkjet printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The ink jet printer 1 detects the open / closed state of the cover 10a in addition to the printing unit 60 having the carrier driving mechanism 6 and the carrier 2, the paper transport mechanism 5, the circuit board 8, and the alignment sensor 11. A cover sensor 12 and a USB interface 14 (communication means) are provided.

  The circuit board 8 is provided with an ASIC 81 (control means) and an NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 9 (nonvolatile memory, nonvolatile storage means). The ASIC 81 includes a CPU 82 that performs arithmetic processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 83 (storage means) that stores initial setting information and firmware 84 of the inkjet printer 1, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 85, and the like. The ASIC 81 and the cover sensor 12 correspond to cartridge replacement detection means in the claims.

  The NVRAM 9 can hold information recorded in the NVRAM 9 even when the power of the inkjet printer 1 is OFF. The NVRAM 9 is a USB serial 91 (individual identification information) that is a number for individual identification of the inkjet printer 1, and a USB serial setting bit 92 (individual identification availability) that is setting information for enabling or disabling the USB serial 91. Setting information), other setting information of the ink jet printer 1, and the like. The USB serial 91 is a number or symbol (for example, “123K000001” or the like) that can be recorded in the NVRAM 9 attached to identify the same type of inkjet printer 1 for each machine. Each printer 1 has a unique value.

  The USB serial setting bit 92 is a 1-bit flag. In this embodiment, when the USB serial setting bit 92 is “1”, the USB serial 91 is valid, and the USB serial setting bit 92 is “0”. At some time, the USB serial 91 is invalidated. When the USB serial 91 is valid, the inkjet printer 1 notifies the computer 100 of the USB serial 91 recorded in the NVRAM 9 in response to a USB serial 91 notification request or the like from the computer 100 connected via the USB interface 14. When the USB serial 91 is invalid, for example, a fixed value such as “0000000000000” (the same value used in the same model) is notified to the computer 100. Note that the USB serial value recognized by the computer 100 when the USB serial 91 is invalid may be prepared in the driver software 150 in advance.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the computer 100 is a personal computer having a USB interface 114, and each of computer peripheral devices such as a printer, a DVD, and a mouse connected by the USB interface 114 is obtained from these devices. It is designed to be individually recognized based on device information such as the USB serial 91. The driver software 150 for each recognized device is installed in the HDD 101 of the computer 100, and the computer 100 controls each device via the driver software 150.

  In the present embodiment, the driver software 150 of the inkjet printer 1 is installed in the HDD 101 of the computer 100, so that the computer 100 and the inkjet printer 1 can communicate bidirectionally via the USB interfaces 14 and 114. ing.

  The inkjet printer 1 according to the above configuration is enabled to enable individual identification at the time of factory shipment as follows. In the NVRAM 9 writing process during the manufacturing process of the ink jet printer 1, the NVRAM 9 stores various initial setting values, a USB serial 91 value (for example, “123K000001”, etc.) that differs for each individual ink jet printer 1, The value of the setting bit 92 (“0”) is written. Thereafter, the ink jet printer 1 is connected to the computer 100 for each manufacturing process and inspection via the USB interface 14, and the assembly is completed through inspection and adjustment processes such as various inspections and operation adjustments. Then, in the final process before product shipment, the value of the USB serial setting bit 92 is changed to “1”, packed and shipped to the market.

  Next, a switching process for determining whether or not to execute the auto-alignment process when the ink cartridge of the inkjet printer 1 according to the above configuration is replaced will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the ASIC 81 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 3 has been replaced based on a signal from the cover sensor 12 and information read from the memory in the ink cartridge 3 in a state where the power of the inkjet printer 1 is turned on. To do. When the user opens the cover 10a of the inkjet printer 1 and replaces the ink cartridge 3, and then closes the cover 10a, the ASIC 81 receives a signal indicating that the cover 10a from the cover sensor 12 has been opened, and the ink. Based on the information read from the memory in the cartridge 3, it is detected that the ink cartridge 3 has been replaced. When the replacement of the ink cartridge 3 is detected (YES in S1), the ASIC 81 reads the data of the USB serial setting bit 92 from the NVRAM 9 (S2), and when the data of the USB serial setting bit 92 is “1”, the USB It is determined that the serial 91 is valid (YES in S3), and auto alignment processing is executed (S4). On the other hand, when the data of the USB serial setting bit 92 is “0”, the ASIC 81 determines that the USB serial 91 is invalid (NO in S3), and does not execute the auto alignment process (bypass). .

  Thereafter, the ASIC 81 performs an initialization operation of the ink jet printer 1 (S5), and puts the ink jet printer 1 into an operating state.

  By configuring the ink jet printer 1 as described above, when the product is shipped, the ink jet printer 1 is connected to the computer 100, and the USB serial setting bit 92 of the ink jet printer is changed from the computer 100, whereby the USB serial of the ink jet printer 1 is obtained. 91 is enabled, and the individual identification of the device can be performed from the computer 100, and at the same time, switching is performed to execute the auto alignment process.

  As described above, according to the ink jet printer 1 according to the present embodiment, when the ASIC 81 detects that the ink cartridge 3 has been replaced, the USB serial setting bit 92 is a value indicating that the USB serial 91 is valid. In some cases, auto-alignment processing is executed, and when the USB serial setting bit 92 is a value meaning invalidity of the USB serial 91, auto-alignment processing is not executed. As a result, at the time of product shipment, the auto-alignment process is switched to be executed at the timing when the USB serial 91 that is the unique individual identification information (the number for the computer 100 to identify the connected device) of the inkjet printer 1 is validated. This eliminates the need for developers in the development stage or workers in the manufacturing stage to cancel the auto alignment process or wait until the auto alignment process is completed each time the ink cartridge 3 is replaced. The burden on workers and workers can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the structure of the said various embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the meaning of invention. For example, the non-volatile memory for storing USB serial and USB serial setting bits is not limited to NVRAM. Further, the form of the value used as the USB serial is not particularly limited to a number as long as it can be handled by a computer. Further, the interface for connecting the computer and the inkjet printer is not limited to the USB interface, and may be a SCSI interface or an IEEE 1394 interface. The cartridge replacement detection means for detecting that the ink cartridge has been replaced may be a mechanical switch.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mechanism of a main part of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of the control system of the inkjet printer at the time of computer connection. 6 is a flowchart of a switching process for determining whether or not to execute an auto-alignment process when replacing an ink cartridge of the inkjet printer.

Explanation of symbols

1 Inkjet printer (image forming device)
2 Carrier 3 Ink cartridge 3a Print head 9 NVRAM (nonvolatile memory, nonvolatile storage means)
11 Alignment sensor 12 Cover sensor (cartridge replacement detection means)
14 USB interface (communication means)
18 ASIC (cartridge replacement detection means)
82 CPU
83 ROM (storage means)
84 Firmware 91 USB Serial (Individual identification information)
92 USB serial setting bit (Individual identification enable / disable setting information)
100 computers

Claims (3)

An ink cartridge having a print head for ejecting ink, and a carrier reciprocated in the main scanning direction;
Cartridge replacement detection means for detecting that the ink cartridge has been replaced;
A specific pattern image printed by the print head is read at the time of execution of an auto alignment process, which is an automatic adjustment process of the position of the carrier in the main scanning direction, which is performed in order to prevent printing deviation caused by individual differences of the print heads. An alignment sensor;
An ASIC including a ROM for storing firmware for controlling the entire apparatus including the auto alignment process, and a CPU for executing the firmware;
A USB interface for communicating with a computer;
A non-volatile memory for storing a USB serial which is a number for the computer to identify a connected device, and a USB serial setting bit which is setting information for enabling or disabling the USB serial;
In the image forming apparatus configured such that the USB serial setting bit can be changed from the computer via the USB interface,
The ASIC is
When the cartridge replacement detection means detects that the ink cartridge has been replaced,
When the USB serial setting bit stored in the non-volatile memory is a value meaning the validity of the USB serial, the auto alignment process is executed,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the auto-alignment process is not executed when the USB serial setting bit stored in the nonvolatile memory is a value meaning invalidity of the USB serial. An ink cartridge having a print head for ejecting ink, and a carrier reciprocated in the main scanning direction;
Cartridge replacement detection means for detecting that the ink cartridge has been replaced;
An alignment sensor that reads a pattern image at the time of execution of an auto alignment process that is an automatic adjustment process of a position in the main scanning direction of the carrier, which is performed in order to prevent printing deviation caused by individual differences of the print heads,
Storage means for storing firmware for controlling the entire apparatus including the auto-alignment processing, and control means including a CPU for executing the firmware;
A communication means for communicating with the computer;
Non-volatile storage means for storing individual identification information for the computer to identify connected devices, and individual identification enable / disable setting information that is setting information for validating or invalidating the individual identification information,
In the image forming apparatus configured so that the individual identification availability setting information can be changed from the computer via the communication unit,
When the control unit detects that the ink cartridge has been replaced by the cartridge replacement detection unit, the individual identification enable / disable setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage unit means that the individual identification information is valid. An image forming apparatus that switches whether or not to execute the auto-alignment process depending on whether the value is a value to be executed or a value that indicates invalidity . The individual identification information for the computer to identify the connected device is USB serial,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the individual identification enable / disable setting information is a USB serial setting bit which is setting information for enabling or disabling the USB serial.

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