JP7314570B2 - image recorder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus having a cartridge and a tank in which the cartridge is mounted and consumables are distributed from the cartridge.

2. Description of the Related Art An image recording apparatus is known which includes a cartridge and a tank in which the cartridge is mounted and liquid, which is an example of a consumable material, circulates from the cartridge (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100003). In such an image recording apparatus, when the liquid stored in the cartridge runs out, a new cartridge is attached to the tank while the liquid stored in the tank is being consumed. This supplies liquid from a new cartridge to the tank.

JP 2017-213754 A

As a mode of using the image recording device, there is a mode in which the user of the image recording device concludes a contract with a service provider and uses the image recording device. The service provider provides the cartridge to the user based on the contract with the user. The service provider should provide the user with a new cartridge before the liquid in the tank runs out.

However, some users consume the liquid at a high rate. In this case, there is a possibility that a new cartridge cannot be delivered to the user before the liquid stored in the tank runs out.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of reducing the possibility that a new cartridge cannot be delivered to a user before the liquid stored in a tank runs out even if the consumption rate of the liquid is different.

An image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a cartridge having a first chamber for storing consumables, an outlet through which the consumables in the first chamber flow out, and a mounting body to which the cartridge is mounted. The mounting body is a tank connectable to the cartridge, and includes a second chamber for storing the consumable material, a tank having an inlet into which the consumable material flowing out from the outlet of the connected cartridge flows, a controller, and a memory. The controller acquires first information about the consumption rate of the consumables stored in the first chamber and the second chamber, stores the first information in the memory, and changes the limit storage amount, which is the storage amount of the consumables that can be stored in the second chamber, based on the first information stored in the memory.

According to this configuration, the limit storage amount can be increased by the controller when the consumption speed of the consumable material is high. This reduces the possibility that a new cartridge cannot be delivered to the user before the consumables stored in the second chamber run out.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a new cartridge cannot be delivered to the user before the consumables stored in the tank are used up, even if the consumption rate of the liquid differs.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a delivery system 5 according to the first embodiment. 2A and 2B are external perspective views of the printer 10, in which (A) shows a state in which the cover 87 is in the cover position, and (B) shows a state in which the cover 87 is in the open position. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the mounting case 150. FIG. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of print processing. 7A is a flow chart of the first update process, FIG. 7B is a flow chart of the second update process, FIG. 7C is a flow chart of the third update process, and FIG. 7D is a flow chart of the fourth update process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of information transmission/reception processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of tank volume setting processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen of the display 28 on which the cartridge object 267 and the tank object 268 are displayed. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a state in which the cartridge 300 is connected to the tank 250 in Modification 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a state in which the cartridge 200 is connected to the mounting case 150 in Modification 3. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of pump control processing.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. Also, the execution order of each process to be described later can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.

[First embodiment]
In this embodiment, the delivery system 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The delivery system 5 includes a printer 10 and an information collection server 40 that collects information from one or more printers 10 . The printer 10 and the information collection server 40 are connected by a communication line 6 such as the Internet. The printer 10 and the information collection server 40 can communicate with each other using a communication protocol such as TCP/IP. The information collection server 40 can transmit information via the communication line 6 to the shipping server 50 that accepts orders. The printer 10 is an example of an image recording device.

[Overview of Printer 10]
The printer 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an inkjet printer that prints an image on a sheet by ejecting ink droplets. Ink is an example of a consumable. The printer 10 may be a multifunction device having functions such as facsimile, scan, and copy functions.

Below, a vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to a posture in which the printer 10 is installed on a horizontal plane so that it can be used, a front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface of the printer 10 formed with an opening 13 as the front, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the printer 10 is viewed from the front. That is, in the usage posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal.

The printer 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped housing 14 (an example of a mounting body). 2 and 3, a feed tray 15, a feed roller 23, a transport roller 25, a head 21 having a plurality of nozzles 29, a platen 26, an ejection roller 27, an ejection tray 16, a mounting case 150, and a tank 160 are positioned inside the housing 14.

The printer 10 drives the feed roller 23 and the transport roller 25 to transport the sheet supported by the feed tray 15 to the position of the platen 26 . Next, the printer 10 causes the head 21 to eject ink supplied through the tube 19 from the tank 160 through the nozzles 29 . As a result, the ink lands on the sheet supported by the platen 26 and an image is printed on the sheet. The printer 10 then drives the discharge roller 27 to discharge the sheet on which the image is printed to the discharge tray 16 .

More specifically, the head 21 is mounted on a carriage 20 that reciprocates along a main scanning direction (parallel to the left-right direction 9 ) that intersects the conveying direction of the sheet by the conveying roller 25 . The carriage 20 is transmitted with a driving force of a motor (not shown) to move along the main scanning direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3). The printer 10 causes the head 21 to eject ink through the nozzles 29 while moving the carriage 20 along the main scanning direction while the conveying of the sheet by the conveying roller 25 is stopped. As a result, an image is printed on a partial area (hereinafter referred to as “one pass”) of the sheet facing the head 21 . Next, the printer 10 causes the transport rollers 25 to transport the sheet so that the area where the image is to be printed next faces the head 21 . By alternately and repeatedly executing these processes, an image is printed on one sheet.

[Display 28]
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 14 has a display 28 (an example of a display panel). A display 28 is located on the front surface of the housing 14 . The display 28 is a so-called touch panel in which a touch sensor is arranged on the display panel. However, instead of the display 28 or together with the display 28, a display panel and push buttons may be located on the front surface of the housing 14. FIG. The display 28 accepts input from the user.

[Cover 87]
As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 85 is formed on the front surface 14A of the housing 14 and at the right end in the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. Housing 14 further includes a cover 87 . The cover 87 is rotatable between a covering position covering the opening 85 (the position shown in FIG. 2A) and an opening position opening the opening 85 (the position shown in FIG. 2B). For example, the cover 87 is supported by the housing 14 in the vicinity of the lower end of the housing 14 in the vertical direction 7 so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis along the horizontal direction 9 . A mounting case 150 in which the cartridge 200 is mounted is positioned in a housing space 86 inside the housing 14 that extends beyond the opening 85 .

[Mounting case 150]
The mounting case 150 includes a contact 152, a mounting sensor 32, and a liquid level sensor 33, as shown in FIG. The mounting case 150 can accommodate four cartridges 200 corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. That is, the mounting case 150 includes four contacts 152, four mounting sensors 32, and four liquid level sensors 33 corresponding to the four cartridges 200, respectively. The number of cartridges 200 that can be accommodated in the mounting case 150 is not limited to four, and may be one or five or more.

The mounting case 150 has a box shape having an internal space for accommodating the mounted cartridge 200 . The interior space of the mounting case 150 is defined by a top wall that defines the upper end, a bottom wall that defines the lower end, an inner wall that defines the rear end in the front-rear direction 8, and a pair of side walls that define both ends in the left-right direction 9. On the other hand, an opening 85 is provided at a position facing the back wall of the mounting case 150 . That is, the opening 85 opens the internal space of the mounting case 150 to the outside of the printer 10 when the cover 87 is positioned at the open position.

Then, the cartridge 200 is attached to the mounting case 150 through the opening 85 of the housing 14 and removed from the mounting case 150 . More specifically, the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150 by passing through the opening 85 backward in the front-rear direction 8 . The cartridge 200 removed from the mounting case 150 passes forward in the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 85 . Note that the mounting case 150 may have a mechanism for holding the cartridge 200 in a state of being mounted in the mounting case 150 .

[Contact 152]
As shown in FIG. 4, contacts 152 are located on the top wall of mounting case 150 . The contact 152 protrudes downward from the top wall toward the internal space of the mounting case 150 . The contact 152 is positioned to contact an electrode 248 (see FIG. 5) of the cartridge 200 , which will be described later, when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 . The contact 152 is conductive and elastically deformable in the vertical direction 7 . Contact 152 is electrically connected to controller 130 .

[Wearing sensor 32]
As shown in FIG. 4 , the mounting sensor 32 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150 . The mounting sensor 32 is a sensor for detecting whether the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 , that is, whether the cartridge 200 is connected to the tank 160 . The mounting sensor 32 includes a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion spaced apart in the left-right direction 9 . When the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 , the later-described light shielding rib 245 (see FIG. 5) of the cartridge 200 is positioned between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the mounting sensor 32 . In other words, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the mounting sensor 32 are positioned facing each other with the light shielding rib 245 of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 interposed therebetween.

The mounting sensor 32 outputs different signals (hereinafter referred to as "mounting signals") depending on whether the light emitted from the light emitting section along the horizontal direction 9 is received by the light receiving section. The mounting sensor 32 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130, for example, in response to the intensity of light received by the light receiving portion being less than the threshold intensity. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a high-level signal having a higher signal intensity than the low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the intensity of the light received by the light-receiving portion being equal to or higher than the threshold intensity.

[Tank 160]
The printer 10 has four tanks 160 corresponding to the four cartridges 200 respectively. For more information, in response to the cartridge 200 where the ink of the magenta is stored, the tank 160 where the ink of the magenta is stored, the tank 160 where the ink of cyan is stored in correspondence to the cartridge 200 where the ink of the cyan is stored, and the cartridge 200 in which the yellow ink is stored. It has a tank 160 where the ink is stored, and a tank 160 where black ink is stored in correspondence to the cartridge 200 where the black ink is stored. Since the configuration of the four tanks 160 is generally common, one tank 160 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the tank 160 is positioned further rearward than the inner wall of the mounting case 150 . The tank 160 is composed of an upper wall 161, a front wall 162, a lower wall 163, a rear wall 164, and a pair of side walls (not shown). A liquid chamber 171 is formed inside the tank 160 . The liquid chamber 171 is an example of a second chamber.

At least a portion of the rear wall 164 may be a film that is welded to the top wall 161, the bottom wall 163, and the end faces of the side walls. Also, the sidewall of the tank 160 may be shared with the mounting case 150 or may be independent of the mounting case 150 . Further, the tanks 160 adjacent in the left-right direction 9 are partitioned by partition walls (not shown).

The liquid chamber 171 communicates with an ink flow path (not shown) through an outlet 174 . A lower end of the outflow port 174 is defined by a lower wall 163 that defines a lower end of the liquid chamber 171 . The outflow port 174 is located below the joint 180 (more specifically, the lower end of the through hole 184). An ink flow path (not shown) communicating with the outlet 174 communicates with the tube 19 . As a result, the liquid chamber 171 communicates with the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 19 . In other words, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is supplied to the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 19 . One end (outflow port 174 ) of the ink channel and tube 19 communicating with the outflow port 174 communicates with the liquid chamber 171 , and the other end 89 (see FIG. 3 ) communicates with the head 21 .

A communication port 175 is formed in the upper wall 161 . The communication port 175 penetrates through the upper wall 161 . The liquid chamber 171 and the outside (atmosphere) of the tank 160 are communicated through the communication port 175 . The communication port 175 may be closed with a semipermeable membrane, or may be provided outside the upper wall 161 .

The tank 160 includes a volume variation mechanism 90 (an example of a moving section). The volume variation mechanism 90 increases or decreases the volume of the liquid chamber 171 . The volume variation mechanism 90 partitions the liquid chamber 171 . The volume variation mechanism 90 partitions the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 in this embodiment. The lower portion is a portion of the liquid chamber 171 below an outflow port 234, which will be described later. Note that the volume variation mechanism 90 may partition a portion other than the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 .

The volume variation mechanism 90 includes a housing 91 , a moving wall 92 , a variation wall 93 , a rack gear 94 and a pinion gear 95 .

The housing 91 protrudes rearward from the lower portion of the rear wall 164 . The inside of the housing 91 forms part of the liquid chamber 171 .

The moving wall 92 is arranged inside the housing 91 . The moving wall 92 is movable in the front-rear direction 8 within the liquid chamber 171 .

The variable wall 93 is configured in a bellows shape. A front end of the variable wall 93 is connected to the rear wall 164 and the bottom wall 163 . A rear end portion of the moving wall 93 is connected to the moving wall 92 . A liquid chamber 171 in the housing 91 is partitioned by a sub-upper wall 165 (upper wall of the housing 91 ), a lower wall 163 , a pair of side walls (not shown), a moving wall 92 and a variable wall 93 .

The rack gear 94 is supported by the sub-upper wall 165 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction 8 . A rack gear 94 is connected to the moving wall 92 although not shown in FIGS. As a result, the moving wall 92 moves in the front-rear direction 8 in accordance with the movement of the rack gear 94 in the front-rear direction 8 .

The pinion gear 95 meshes with the rack gear 94 . The pinion gear 95 rotates forward or backward when a driving force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted. When the pinion gear 95 rotates forward, the rack gear 94 and the moving wall 92 move forward. When the pinion gear 95 reversely rotates, the rack gear 94 and moving wall 92 move rearward.

The moving wall 93 extends as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4 as the moving wall 92 moves rearward. This increases the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 . On the other hand, the moving wall 93 contracts as the moving wall 92 moves forward as indicated by the solid line in FIG. This reduces the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 .

The moving wall 92 is movable between a front position indicated by solid lines in FIG. 4 and a rear position indicated by dashed lines in FIG. When the moving wall 92 is in the forward position, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 is the first volume. The first volume is the volume of the space below the reference position P in FIG. 4 and between the front wall 162 and the forward moving wall 92 . The reference position P is at the same height as the axial center of the needle 181, which will be described later. Further, the reference position P is at the same height as the center of the outflow port 234, which will be described later, when the cartridge 200 is connected to the tank 160 (see FIG. 5). When the moving wall 92 is in the rear position, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 is the second volume. The second volume is the volume of the space below the reference position P in FIG. 4 and between the front wall 162 and the moving wall 92 at the rear position. The second volume is greater than the first volume.

That is, the volume variation mechanism 90 partitions the liquid chamber 171 and increases or decreases the volume of the liquid chamber 171 by moving. Also, the volume variation mechanism 90 varies the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 to the first volume or the second volume.

[Joint 180]
As shown in FIG. 4, joint 180 is provided on tank 160 . Joint 180 has a needle 181 . The needle 181 is a tube with a channel formed therein. The needle 181 protrudes forward from a front wall 162 that defines the liquid chamber 171 . An opening 183 is formed at the front end of the needle 181 . Further, the internal space of the needle 181 communicates with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 184 (an example of an inflow port) passing through the front wall 162 . One end (opening 183 ) of the needle 181 communicates with the outside of the tank 160 , and the other end (through hole 184 ) communicates with the liquid chamber 171 . Although not shown in each figure, the opening 183 may be closed by a sealing member, valve, or the like, and may be configured to be opened during use.

[Liquid level sensor 33]
The liquid level sensor 33 shown in FIG. 4 outputs a low level signal to the control board when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is higher than the reference position P. FIG. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is below the reference position P, the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a high level signal to the control board. The liquid level sensor 33 is a sensor that optically detects the liquid level of ink in the liquid chamber 171 by using a prism having a different reflectance depending on whether ink is in contact with the sub-upper wall 165 of the liquid chamber 171 .

Note that the liquid level sensor 33 may employ another known configuration. For example, an actuator having a portion to be detected may be provided in the liquid chamber 171, and the position of the portion to be detected may be changed by rotating the actuator when the liquid surface of the ink becomes equal to or lower than the reference position P. Whether the ink level is below the reference position P can be determined by whether or not the detected portion of the actuator is detected by the optical sensor. Further, an electrode rod inserted into the liquid chamber 171 may be employed as the liquid level sensor 33 .

[Cartridge 200]
A cartridge 200 shown in FIG. 5 is a container having a liquid chamber 210 that stores liquid ink therein. Liquid chamber 210 is an example of a first chamber.

The liquid chamber 210 is defined by, for example, resin walls. The cartridge 200 has a flat shape in which the dimensions along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are larger than the dimensions along the left-right direction 9 . It should be noted that the outer shapes of the cartridges 200 in which inks of different colors are stored may be the same or different. At least part of the walls that constitute the cartridge 200 are translucent. Thereby, the user can visually recognize the liquid surface of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 from the outside of the cartridge 200 .

Cartridge 200 includes housing 201 and supply tube 230 . The housing 201 is composed of a rear wall 202, a front wall 203, an upper wall 204, a lower wall 205, and a pair of side walls (not shown).

The supply pipe 230 protrudes rearward from near the lower end of the rear wall 202 . The supply pipe 230 is a cylindrical member. An internal space of the supply pipe 230 is penetrated by an outlet port 234 . One end of the outflow port 234 communicates with the liquid chamber 210 . The other end of the outflow port 234 opens to the outside of the cartridge 200 . Although not shown in each figure, the opening at the projecting end of the supply pipe 230 may be closed by a seal member, valve, or the like, and may be configured to be opened during use.

A communication port 221 is formed in the upper wall 204 . The communication port 221 penetrates through the upper wall 204 . The liquid chamber 210 and the outside (atmosphere) of the cartridge 200 are communicated through the communication port 221 . The communication port 221 may be closed with a semipermeable membrane.

When the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150 , the needle 181 of the tank 160 is inserted into the outlet 234 of the supply pipe 230 of the cartridge 200 . Thereby, the cartridge 200 and the tank 160 are connected. When the cartridge 200 and the tank 160 are connected, ink can flow between the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the internal space of the needle 181 . In other words, the ink flowing out of the liquid chamber 210 through the outlet 234 flows into the liquid chamber 171 through the through hole 184 .

Further, when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, part of the liquid chamber 210 and part of the liquid chamber 171 overlap each other when viewed in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the bottom of the liquid chamber 171 is positioned lower than the bottom of the liquid chamber 210 . As a result, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 flows out of the outflow port 234 through the connected supply pipe 230 and the joint 180 due to the difference between the head of the liquid chamber 210 and the head of the liquid chamber 171, and flows into the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the through hole 184.

As shown in FIG. 5, a light shielding rib 245 is formed on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 . The light shielding rib 245 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8 . The light shielding rib 245 is formed of a material or color that shields light output from the light emitting portion of the mounting sensor 32 . The light shielding rib 245 is positioned on the optical path from the light emitting portion of the mounting sensor 32 to the light receiving portion when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 . That is, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 (FIG. 1) in response to the mounting of the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150 . On the other hand, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 in response to the fact that the cartridge 200 is not mounted in the mounting case 150 . That is, the controller 130 can detect whether or not the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150 based on the signal output from the attachment sensor 32 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the IC chip 34 is positioned on the outer surface of the top wall 204 and in front of the light shielding ribs 245 . An electrode 248 is formed on the upper surface of the IC chip 34 . The IC chip 34 also includes a memory (not shown). Electrode 248 is electrically connected to the memory of IC chip 34 . The electrodes 248 are exposed on the upper surface of the IC chip 34 so as to be electrically conductive with the contacts 152 . That is, the electrodes 248 are electrically connected to the contacts 152 when the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150 . Controller 130 can read information from the memory of IC chip 34 through contacts 152 and electrodes 248 and write information to the memory of IC chip 34 through contacts 152 and electrodes 248 .

The memory of the IC chip 34 stores the type information of the cartridge 200, the serial number, and the cartridge remaining amount value. The type information is information indicating whether the cartridge 200 is a small-capacity cartridge or a large-capacity cartridge, the color of the stored ink, and the like. A serial number is information for individually identifying a cartridge 200 . The cartridge remaining amount value is a value indicating the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 200 . It should be noted that in the unused cartridge 200, as the cartridge remaining amount value, the initial remaining amount value indicating the initial ink remaining amount is stored in the memory.

[Controller 130]
The printer 10 has a controller 130 . The controller 130 includes a CPU 35, a storage unit 36, and a communication bus 39, as shown in FIG. The storage unit 36 has a ROM 37 , an EEPROM 56 and a RAM 57 . The storage unit 36 is an example of memory.

The ROM 37 stores an OS (Operating System) program 37A, a control program 37B, a communication program 37C, and the like. The control program 37B is a program for performing print processing and the like, which will be described later. The communication program 37C is a program that controls communication with an external device such as the information collection server 40. FIG. The OS program 37A is a program different from the control program 37B, and is a program that controls operations different from those controlled by the communication program 37C. The OS program 37A, the control program 37B, and the communication program 37C are executed by the CPU 35 by processing instructions written in addresses. Below, operations processed by executing the OS program 37A, the control program 37B, and the communication program 37C may be described as operations of the controller 130 . Note that the controller 130 may have a hardware circuit using an IC that realizes part or all of the operations executed by the OS program 37A, the control program 37B, and the communication program 37C.

EEPROM 56 stores device information of printer 10 . The device information includes identification information of the printer 10 . The identification information of the printer 10 is the MAC address, serial number, etc. of the printer 10 .

The EEPROM 56 also stores a first discharge value, a second discharge value, an initial cartridge remaining amount value, an initial tank remaining amount value, an S_Empty flag, and a C_Empty flag. Details will be described later in the printing process.

The communication bus 39 is connected to the head 21, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as a communication I/F) 31, a mounting sensor 32, a liquid level sensor 33, a contact 152, a clock 30, a display 28, a motor (not shown), and the like. The clock 30 outputs date and time information. Communication I/F 31 is connected to communication line 6 .

The controller 130 rotates the feed roller 23 , the transport roller 25 and the discharge roller 27 by driving motors (not shown) through the communication bus 39 . In addition, the controller 130 causes the head 21 to eject ink droplets by outputting drive signals to the drive elements of the head 21 through the communication bus 39 .

Also, the controller 130 detects through the mounting sensor 32 whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 . Furthermore, the controller 130 detects whether the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P through the liquid level sensor 33 .

The controller 130 also reads out the type information, the serial number, and the cartridge remaining amount stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 through the electrodes 248 of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 and the contacts 152 . Further, the controller 130 updates the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248 of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 .

[Information collection server 40]
The information collection server 40 shown in FIG. 1 may be installed on the communication line 6 such as the Internet by the vendor of the printer 10, or may be installed by an operator other than the vendor. The information collection server 40 includes a CPU 41, a storage unit 42, a printer communication interface 43 (hereinafter referred to as communication I/F 43), a shipping server communication interface 44 (hereinafter referred to as communication I/F 44), a clock 48, and a communication bus 49. The CPU 41 , storage unit 42 and communication bus 49 constitute a controller 45 . A clock 48 outputs date and time information. The communication I/F 43 is connected to the communication line 6 and communicates with the printer 10 and the shipping server 50 . The controller 130 of the printer 10 and the controller 45 of the information collection server 40 are examples of controllers.

The storage unit 42 has a program storage area 46 and a data storage area 47 . The program storage area 46 is a hard disk or the like. The data storage area 47 is a RAM, hard disk, or the like.

The program storage area 46 stores programs such as an OS program 46A, a control program 46B, and a communication program 46C. The control program 46B executes processing described later. The communication program 46C controls communication with the printer 10 and the shipping server 50. FIG. The OS program 46A is a program different from the control program 46B, and is a program for performing control different from the communication program 46C. Below, the OS program 46A, the control program 46B, and the communication program 46C are copied from the hard disk to the RAM, and executed by the CPU 41 sequentially executing the instructions copied to the RAM. Below, operations processed by executing the OS program 46A, the control program 46B, and the communication program 46C may be described as operations of the controller 45 and the information collection server 40. FIG.

[Shipping server 50]
The shipping server 50 may be installed on the communication line 6 such as the Internet by the vendor of the printer 10, or may be installed by an operator other than the vendor. The shipping server 50 provides a service of shipping the cartridge 200 to the user of the printer 10 in response to a request from the information collecting server 40 .

The shipping server 50 includes a CPU 51 , a storage unit 52 , a communication interface 53 (hereinafter referred to as communication I/F 53 ), and a communication bus 54 . The CPU 51 , storage unit 52 and communication bus 54 constitute a controller 55 . Communication I/F 53 communicates with information collection server 40 . The configurations of the CPU 51 , storage unit 52 , communication I/F 53 and communication bus 54 are the same as the configurations of the CPU 41 , storage unit 42 , communication I/F 43 and communication bus 49 of the information collecting server 40 .

[Processing Executed by Controller 130 of Printer 10]
Processing executed by the controller 130 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that the execution order of each process described below can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.

[Print processing]
Controller 130 executes the printing process shown in FIG. 7 in response to a print instruction being input to printer 10 . The source of the print instruction is not particularly limited, but for example, a user operation corresponding to the print instruction may be received through the operation panel 22 or the display 28 (see FIG. 2), or may be received from an external device through the communication I/F 31. The print instruction includes image data representing an image. The image data is stored in the RAM 57 of the printer 10 .

First, the controller 130 determines whether the value of the S_Empty flag stored in the EEPROM 56 is "ON" or "OFF" (S11). The controller 130 stores “ON” in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 before the liquid surface of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 reaches the upper end of the outflow port 174 through which the ink flows out from the tank 160 . The value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 stores "OFF" until "ON" is stored. Note that when the ink surface reaches the upper end of the outlet 174 , air may enter the nozzles of the head 21 . If the air that has entered the nozzles of the head 21 stays in the nozzles, there is a risk that the entry of ink into the nozzles will be hindered, or the ejection of ink droplets from the nozzles will be hindered.

That is, the S_Empty flag is for preventing air from entering the nozzles of the head 21 . The controller 130 stores "OFF" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 in step S14 described later, and stores "ON" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 in step S65. Although not shown in the flowchart, the controller 130 prohibits ejection of ink through the head 21 in response to the S_Empty flag value of the EEPROM 56 being "ON". Also, the controller 130 permits ejection of ink through the head 21 in response to the S_Empty flag value of the EEPROM 56 being "OFF".

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 is "ON" (S11: ON), the controller 130 acquires the mounting signal from the mounting sensor 32 at predetermined time intervals. Next, the controller 130 determines whether the acquired mounting signal has changed from a low level signal (hereinafter referred to as "L") to a high level signal (hereinafter referred to as "H"), and whether the acquired mounting signal has changed from "H" to "L" (S12). That is, it is determined whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted based on the change in the mounting signal. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the controller 130 judges whether or not the acquired mounting signal has changed from 'L' to 'H' and whether or not the acquired mounting signal has changed from 'H' to 'L', or whether or not the cartridge 200 has been mounted. The controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted when the acquired mounting signal changes from "L" to "H" and further determines whether the acquired mounting signal changes from "H" to "L" (S12: Yes).

When the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is not mounted (S12: No), it continues to acquire the mounting signal from the mounting sensor 32 periodically. When the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is attached (S12: Yes), it executes the first update process (S13). Although the process of step S12 has been given as a specific example in which the controller 130 determines whether or not the cartridge 200 is attached, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the serial number may be used to determine whether the cartridge 200 has been installed. Controller 130 reads the serial number of cartridge 200 from the memory of IC chip 34 of cartridge 200 . The controller 130 then determines whether or not the read serial number matches the serial number stored in the EEPROM 56 . The serial number stored in the EEPROM 56 is the serial number stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200 that was installed in the installation case 150 before the new cartridge 200 was installed in the installation case 150 . In this case, a specific example of when the controller determines that the cartridge 200 is attached is that the controller 130 determines that the serial number read from the memory of the IC chip 34 and the serial number stored in the EEPROM 56 do not match.

[First update process]
The first update process shown in FIG. 7A is a process in which the controller 130 updates the initial cartridge remaining amount value and the initial tank remaining amount value stored in the EEPROM 56 and the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200.

First, the controller 130 reads the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 through the contact 152 (S31). The controller 130 stores the read cartridge remaining amount value in the EEPROM 56 as an initial cartridge remaining amount value (S32).

Also, the controller 130 reads the tank remaining amount value from the RAM 57 (S33). If the tank remaining amount value is not stored in the RAM 57 due to power off or the like, the controller 130 calculates the tank remaining amount value and stores the calculated tank remaining amount value in the RAM 57 in the same manner as the fourth update process described later. The tank remaining amount value read from the RAM 57 indicates the amount of ink remaining in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 immediately before the cartridge 200 is attached. In other words, the tank remaining amount value is a value indicating the amount of ink remaining in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 when the cartridge 200 is removed. The controller 130 causes the EEPROM 56 to store the tank remaining amount value read from the RAM 57 as the initial tank remaining amount value (S33).

The controller 130 adds the initial cartridge remaining amount value and the initial tank remaining amount value to calculate a total remaining amount value indicating the total remaining amount of ink (S34). The controller 130 determines a new cartridge remaining amount value and tank remaining amount value from the calculated total remaining amount value (S35).

Specifically, when a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 , part of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 flows out to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 . The outflow of ink from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 stops when the head of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the head of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 almost disappear. The new cartridge remaining amount value and the new tank remaining amount value indicate the ink remaining amount in a state where the difference between the head of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the head of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is almost eliminated.

The cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value may be determined, for example, by the controller 130 calculating based on calculation formulas stored in the EEPROM 56 or ROM 37 . Alternatively, the cartridge remaining amount value and tank remaining amount value may be determined by the controller 130 based on a table stored in the EEPROM 56 or ROM 37, for example. Specifically, the shape of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the shape of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 are predetermined by design. However, the shape of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 varies depending on the position of the moving wall 92 of the volumetric variation mechanism 90 . Therefore, if the total remaining amount of ink is known, the cartridge remaining amount and the tank remaining amount when the difference between the head of ink stored in the cartridge 200 and the head of ink stored in the tank 160 is almost eliminated. The EEPROM 56 and ROM 37 pre-store calculation formulas for calculating the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value from the total remaining amount value for each position of the moving wall 92 . Alternatively, the EEPROM 56 and ROM 37 store in advance a table showing the correspondence between the total remaining amount, cartridge remaining amount, and tank remaining amount for each position of the moving wall 92 . The controller 130 determines a new cartridge remaining amount value and a new tank remaining amount value based on the total remaining amount of ink and the calculation formula and table. Each position of the moving wall 92 is set in step S111 of the information transmission/reception process (see FIG. 8) to be described later, and the moving wall 92 is moved to the position corresponding to the setting in step S112 of the information transmission/reception process to be described later.

The controller 130 causes the RAM 57 to store the determined new cartridge remaining amount value, and updates the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 (S36). The controller 130 also causes the RAM 57 to store the determined new tank remaining amount value (S37). Next, the controller 130 causes the EEPROM 56 to store the date and time information output by the clock 30 as the mounting date and time (S38), and ends the first update process.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the first update process ends (S13), the controller 130 stores "OFF" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56, stores "OFF" in the C_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56, and stores zero as the first and second emission values in the EEPROM 56 (S14). After executing the process of step S14, the controller 130 executes the process of step S11 again. The C_Empty flag, the first emission value, and the second emission value will be described later.

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), it acquires a signal (hereinafter referred to as a liquid level signal) from the liquid level sensor 33 (S15). After that, the controller 130 prints on a sheet according to the image data stored in the RAM 57 (S16). Ink is discharged through the head 21 by printing an image on the sheet. As the ink is discharged, the ink level in the tank 160 is lowered. After executing printing (S16), the controller 130 acquires a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor 33 (S17). Next, the controller 130 determines between the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 and the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 (S18). Hereinafter, the low-level signal obtained by the controller 130 from the liquid level sensor 33 may be referred to as "L". Also, the high level signal that the controller 130 acquires from the liquid level sensor 33 may be described as "H".

When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signals obtained in steps S15 and S17 are both "L" (S18: L→L), it executes the second update process (S19). When the controller 130 determines in step S18 that the liquid level signals obtained in steps S15 and S17 are both "L", the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is in the following state. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before execution of printing (S16) is higher than the reference position P (the liquid level signal obtained in step S15 is "L"). Also, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 after execution of printing (S16) is higher than the reference position P (the liquid level signal obtained in step S17 is "L"). That is, after execution of printing (S16), ink exists in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 when the liquid level signal obtained by the controller 130 in step S17 is "L".

[Second update process]
The second update process shown in FIG. 7B is a process in which the controller 130 determines a new cartridge remaining amount value and tank remaining amount value from the first ejection value indicating the amount of ink ejected through the head 21 during printing or maintenance. The first ejection value is, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of one ink droplet to be ejected by the head 21 by the number of times the one ink droplet is ejected. Each time the controller 130 instructs the head 21 to eject ink, the controller 130 counts the first discharge value according to the instruction. The controller 130 counts the first ejection value corresponding to the amount of ink ejected by the head 21 from the time the cartridge 200 was installed to the present. That is, the first ejection value is an integrated value of the amount of ink ejected by the head 21 from the installation of the cartridge 200 to the present. The EEPROM 56 stores this first discharge value.

First, the controller 130 reads out the initial cartridge remaining amount value and the initial tank remaining amount value from the EEPROM 56 (S41). Next, the controller 130 adds the read initial cartridge remaining amount value and the initial tank remaining amount value to calculate the total remaining amount value (S42). The controller 130 subtracts the first discharge value from the calculated total remaining amount value to calculate a new total remaining amount value (S43). After that, the controller 130 determines a new cartridge remaining amount value and a new tank remaining amount value using a calculation formula and a table in the same manner as described above (S44).

The controller 130 causes the RAM 57 to store the determined new cartridge remaining amount value, and updates the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the IC chip 34 (S45). Further, the controller 130 causes the RAM 57 to store the determined new tank remaining amount value (S46), and ends the second update process.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the second update process (S19) ends, the controller 130 determines whether or not the image data of the next page is stored in the RAM 57 (S23). When the controller 130 determines that the image data of the next page is stored in the RAM 57 (S23: Yes), the process of step S11 is executed again. When the controller 130 determines that the image data of the next page is not stored in the RAM 57 (S23: No), it ends the printing process.

It should be noted that the method for determining the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value described above is an example, and the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value may be determined by other methods.

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), the processing from steps S15 to S18 is executed again. When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signal obtained in step S15 is "L" and the liquid level signal obtained in step S17 is "H" (S18: L→H), it executes the third update process (S20). When the controller 130 determines in step S18 that the liquid level signal obtained in step S15 is "L" and the liquid level signal obtained in step S17 is "H", the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is in the following state. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before execution of printing (S16) is higher than the reference position P (the liquid level signal obtained in step S15 is "L"). Also, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 after execution of printing (S16) is below the reference position P (the liquid level signal obtained in step S17 is "H"). That is, the ink that was in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 disappeared during the execution of printing (S16). In other words, it means that the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 has been used up during the execution of printing (S16).

[Third update process]
The third update process shown in FIG. 7C is a process in which the controller 130 updates the initial cartridge remaining amount value to the first predetermined value and updates the initial tank remaining amount value to the second predetermined value. Specifically, the first ejection value indicating the amount of ink ejected through the head 21 by printing or the like includes an error. For example, even if the controller 130 instructs the head 21 to eject a certain amount of ink, there may be a difference between the amount of ink actually ejected from the head 21 and the specific amount instructed to the head 21. This difference may be caused, for example, by the temperature when the ejection of the ink is instructed. This is because the lower the temperature, the higher the viscosity of the ink, making it more difficult for the ink to be discharged through the nozzles 29 . Furthermore, when the controller 130 repeatedly issues the above instructions to the head 21, the difference between the amount of ink actually ejected through the head 21 repeatedly and the amount of repeated specific amounts may increase. In other words, there is a possibility that an error is accumulated between the amount indicated by the calculated first ejection value and the amount actually ejected through the head 21 each time printing is performed.

Since the cartridge remaining amount value is determined according to the first ejection value, an error occurs between the ink remaining amount indicated by the cartridge remaining amount value and the actual ink remaining amount stored in the liquid chamber 210 . Further, since the tank remaining amount value is determined according to the first discharge value, an error occurs between the ink remaining amount indicated by the tank remaining amount value and the ink remaining amount actually stored in the liquid chamber 171 . Therefore, the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value, which are determined each time printing is performed, include accumulated errors. The third update process is a process of resetting the accumulated error.

More specifically, the controller 130 updates the initial cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 with the first predetermined value (S51). The first predetermined value is, for example, "zero". Further, the controller 130 stores the initial tank remaining amount value as the second predetermined value in the RAM 57 and the EEPROM 56 (S52). The second predetermined value is a value indicating the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 when the ink level is at the reference position P. The first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are pre-stored in the ROM 37, for example.

Next, the controller 130 causes the C_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 to store "ON" (S53), and ends the third update process.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the third update process (S20) ends, the controller 130 notifies the cartridge empty indicating that the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 has been used up (S22). Specifically, the controller 130 causes the display 28 to display a cartridge empty image indicating that the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 has been used up or that the cartridge 200 should be replaced. Note that the notification of cartridge empty is continued until "OFF" is stored in the C_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 at step S14, for example. That is, the cartridge empty image is displayed on the display 28 after the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 is used up until the new cartridge 200 is installed.

Note that the printer 10 may have a speaker instead of the display 28 or in addition to the display 28 . In this case, in step S22, the controller 130 causes the speaker to output a warning sound. Instead of the display 28, or together with the display 28, the printer 10 may be provided with lamps such as LEDs. In this case, in step S22, the controller 130 blinks or lights a lamp such as an LED.

After executing the process of step S22, the controller 130 determines whether or not the image data of the next page is stored in the RAM 57 (S23). When the controller 130 determines that the image data of the next page is stored in the RAM 57 (S23: Yes), the process of step S11 is executed again. When the controller 130 determines that the image data of the next page is not stored in the RAM 57 (S23: No), it ends the printing process.

When the controller 130 determines in the process of step S11 that the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), the process of steps S15 to S18 is executed again. When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signals obtained in steps S15 and S17 are both "H" (S18: H→H), it executes the fourth update process (S21). When the controller 130 determines in step S18 that the liquid level signals obtained in steps S15 and S17 are both "H", the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is in the following states. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before execution of printing (S16) is below the reference position P (the liquid level signal obtained in step S15 is "H"). Also, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 after execution of printing (S16) is below the reference position P (the liquid level signal obtained in step S17 is "H"). That is, the controller 130 detects that there is no ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 before and after the execution of printing (S16).

[Fourth update process]
The fourth update process shown in FIG. 7D is a process in which the controller 130 calculates the tank remaining amount value and determines whether or not to prohibit printing. First, the controller 130 reads from the EEPROM 56 the initial tank remaining amount value updated to the second predetermined value (S61). The controller 130 subtracts the second discharge value from the read initial tank remaining amount value to calculate a new tank remaining amount value (S62). Like the first ejection value, the second ejection value is, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of one ink droplet to be ejected by the head 21 by the number of times the one ink droplet is ejected. Each time the controller 130 instructs the head 21 to eject ink, the controller 130 counts the second discharge value according to the instruction. The controller 130 counts a second ejection value indicating the amount of ink ejected by the head 21 up to the present after the liquid level signal obtained from the liquid level sensor 33 changes from "L" to "H". That is, the second ejection value is an integrated value of the amount of ink ejected by the head 21 from when the liquid level signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 33 changed from "L" to "H" to the present. The second discharge value is stored in EEPROM 56 .

The controller 130 causes the RAM 57 to store the calculated new tank remaining amount value (S63). Next, the controller 130 determines whether or not the counted second emission value reaches the threshold value (S64). The threshold is a value pre-stored in the ROM 37 or EEPROM 56 . When the controller 130 determines that the counted second discharge value has not reached the threshold value (S64: Yes), it ends the fourth update process. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the counted second emission value has reached the threshold value (S64: No), it stores "ON" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56 (S65), and ends the fourth update process. Although not shown in the flowchart, when the controller 130 determines that "ON" is stored in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 56, it prohibits ejection of ink through the head 21, including printing and maintenance.

The threshold value is set such that the liquid surface of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is slightly above the outflow port 174 when the second discharge value reaches the threshold value. More specifically, there may be an error between the design reference position P detected by the liquid level sensor 33 and the reference position P actually detected by the liquid level sensor 33 . The threshold is set to a value such that the liquid surface of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 does not overlap the outflow port 174 when the second discharge value reaches the threshold, even if the error is the maximum error that can be assumed at the time of design. By prohibiting the discharge of ink through the head 21 by the controller 130 , entry of air into the head 21 is suppressed. In addition to the error described above, the threshold value may be set to a value such that the liquid surface of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 does not overlap the outflow port 174 when the second discharge value reaches the threshold value, even if the printer 10 is placed on an inclined surface, even if the printer 10 is placed on an inclined surface. Also, the second emission value may contain an error like the first emission value. The threshold may be a value such that the liquid surface of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 does not overlap the outlet 174 when the second discharge value reaches the threshold even if the second discharge value has the maximum error.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the fourth update process (S21) ends, the controller 130 determines whether or not the next page is stored in the RAM 57 (S23). When the controller 130 determines that the next page is stored in the RAM 57 (S23: Yes), the process of step S11 is executed again. When the controller 130 determines that the next page is not stored in the RAM 57 (S23: No), it ends the print process.

As described above, the controller 130 determines the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value according to the amount of ink used for printing each time printing in step S16 is executed. In the above description, an example has been described in which the controller 130 determines the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value each time one page is printed. Alternatively, the controller 130 may determine the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value each time one pass of printing is executed. In addition, the controller 130 executes the second update process, the third update process, and the fourth update process each time ink is discharged through the head 21 not only for printing but also for maintenance or the like.

[Information transmission/reception processing]
In the delivery system 5, the information collection server 40 collects management information including remaining ink information from the printer 10, and orders the cartridge 200 from the delivery server 50 when the remaining ink is low, as will be described later. In this way, the information collection server 40 manages the remaining ink amount and orders the cartridge 200 , thereby saving the user of the printer 10 the trouble of managing the remaining ink amount and purchasing the cartridge 200 .

Further, in the delivery system 5, as will be described later, the volume of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 of the printer 10 (more specifically, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171) is determined based on the content of the above contract, and the volume variation mechanism 90 is driven based on this determination.

A user of the printer 10 concludes a contract with a manufacturer (service provider) that manages the remaining amount of ink and provides ordering services for the cartridges 200 . The remaining ink management and cartridge 200 ordering service is contracted for each printer, and service information is registered in the information collection server 40 at the time of contract.

Service information is information about the content of services provided to users. For example, the service information includes user information, identification information of the contracted printer 10, ink consumption information (an example of the first information), delivery time information (an example of the second information), type information of the cartridge 200 described above, and the like.

The user information is information on the destination such as the name and address of the user to whom the cartridge 200 is to be delivered. The identification information is information for individually identifying the contracted printer 10 , such as the serial number and MAC address of the printer 10 .

The ink consumption information is information regarding the consumption speed of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 . The delivery time information is information relating to the delivery time from when the new cartridge 200 is ordered until the new cartridge 200 reaches the user.

Note that the ink consumption information also includes information that indirectly indicates the ink consumption speed, for example, the number of sheets that can be printed for each predetermined period (for example, one month) permitted for the user in the contract (the higher the number, the faster the ink consumption speed). In this embodiment, the ink consumption information is the number of sheets that the user can print in one month.

Information transmission/reception processing of the printer 10, the information collecting server 40, and the shipping server 50 regarding the ordering of the cartridge 200 and the change of the volume of the liquid chamber 171 will be described below with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the printer 10 is used by the user after concluding a contract with a service provider. The information collection server 40 is used by service providers. The shipping server may be used by the service provider, or may be used by a shipping company that has concluded a shipping contract with the service provider.

When a user and a service provider conclude a contract, service information is registered in the information collection server 40 (S101). That is, the controller 45 stores service information in the data storage area 47 .

The controller 45 of the information collection server 40 transmits service information to the printer 10 through the communication I/F 43 (S102).

The controller 45 also generates order information. The order information includes the type information of the cartridge 200 included in the service information, user information including the address and address to which the cartridge 200 is to be delivered, and the like.

After generating the order information, the controller 45 stores the generated order information in the storage unit 42 and transmits the generated order information together with the service information to the shipping server 50 through the communication I/F 44 (S103). The order information and service information transmitted by the information collection server 40 are received by the shipping server 50 through the communication I/F 53 .

Upon receiving the service information transmitted in step S102, the controller 130 of the printer 10 stores the service information in the EEPROM 56 (S104).

When the controller 55 of the shipping server 50 receives the order information and service information transmitted in step S103, it stores the service information in the storage unit 52 and the IC chip 34 (more specifically, the memory of the IC chip 34) of the cartridge 200 (S105), and generates shipping information (S106). The shipping information is information indicating that the cartridge 200 indicated by the type information included in the order information (the cartridge 200 storing the service information in step S105) is to be shipped to the address and address indicated by the user information included in the order information. The generated shipping information is used for shipping the cartridge 200, and the cartridge 200 is shipped to the user of the printer 10 (S107).

After the cartridge 200 shipped in step S107 reaches the user of the printer 10, the controller 130 of the printer 10 determines whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted based on a change in the mounting signal obtained from the mounting sensor 32 (S108) in the same manner as in step S12 (see FIG. 6).

When the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is not mounted (S108: No), it continues to periodically acquire the mounting signal from the mounting sensor 32 in the same manner as in step S12 (see FIG. 6).

When the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 has been mounted (S108: Yes, S12: Yes), it executes the processing from step S13 onward shown in FIG.

If the two pieces of service information do not correspond, for example, if the ink consumption information included in the two pieces of service information is different (S109: No), the controller 130 sends error information indicating that the cartridge 200 not corresponding to the service information has been sent to the information collection server 40 (S110). Based on the received error information, the service provider executes procedures for sending a new cartridge 200 corresponding to the service information stored in the EEPROM 56, collecting procedures for the already sent cartridge 200, and the like.

When the two pieces of service information correspond, for example, when the contents of the two pieces of service information match (S109: Yes), the controller 130 executes tank volume setting processing (S111).

The tank volume setting process will be described below with reference to FIG.

The controller 130 acquires ink consumption information PV included in the service information (S201). Also, the controller 130 acquires the delivery time information T included in the service information (S202).

Next, the controller 130 compares the ink consumption information PV with the threshold α (S203), and compares the delivery time information T with the threshold β (S204, S205). The thresholds α and β are preset and stored in the ROM 37 or EEPROM 56 . In the present embodiment, the threshold value α is information representing the number of printed sheets (eg, 2000 sheets), and the threshold value β is information representing time (eg, 3 days).

If the ink consumption information PV is greater than the threshold value α (S203: Yes) and the delivery time information T is greater than the threshold value β (S204: Yes), the controller 130 sets the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 (an example of the limit storage amount) to the volume V1 and stores it in the EEPROM 56 (S206).

If the ink consumption information PV is greater than the threshold α (S203: Yes) and the delivery time information T is equal to or less than the threshold β (S204: No), the controller 130 sets the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 to V2, which is smaller than V1, and stores it in the EEPROM 56 (S207).

If the ink consumption information PV is equal to or less than the threshold value α (S203: No) and the delivery time information T is greater than the threshold value β (S205: Yes), the controller 130 sets the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 to V3, which is smaller than V2, and stores it in the EEPROM 56 (S208). Note that the volume V3 may be equal to or greater than the volume V2 and less than the volume V1.

When the ink consumption information PV is equal to or less than the threshold α (S203: No) and the delivery time information T is equal to or less than the threshold β (S205: No), the controller 130 sets the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 to V4, which is smaller than V2 and V3, and stores it in the EEPROM 56 (S209).

As shown in FIG. 8, when the tank volume setting process is completed (S111), the controller 130 switches the volume of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 (S112), as described in detail below.

The controller 130 moves the moving wall 92 by driving a motor (not shown) to rotate the pinion gear 95 of the volume variation mechanism 90 forward or backward. The direction and amount of rotation of the pinion gear 95 at this time are determined by the current position of the moving wall 92 and the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 (one of volume V1 to volume V4) set in the tank volume setting process (S111). For example, when the volume V1 is the second volume and the volume V4 is the first volume, when the current position of the moving wall 92 is the front position and the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 set in the tank volume setting process (S111) is the volume V1, the controller 130 reversely rotates the pinion gear 95 to move the moving wall 92 from the front position to the rear position. As a result, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 changes from volume V1 (first volume) to volume V4 (second volume).

As described above, the controller 130 changes the volume of the liquid chamber 171, which is the amount of ink that can be stored in the liquid chamber 171 (in this embodiment, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171), based on the ink consumption information and the delivery time information included in the service information stored in the EEPROM 56 (S111) (S112).

At this time, the larger the ink consumption information (in other words, the faster the ink consumption rate, in this embodiment, the more sheets the user can print in one month), the larger the volume of the liquid chamber 171 (in this embodiment, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171) is set (S111). At this time, the volume of the liquid chamber 171 (in this embodiment, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171) is set larger the longer the delivery time from when the new cartridge 200 is ordered until the new cartridge 200 reaches the user (S111).

After that, the controller 130 periodically executes contact information transmission processing (S113 to S115). Specifically, when the date and time information output by the clock 30 reaches the predetermined time stored in the ROM 37 or the EEPROM 56, the controller 130 executes contact information transmission processing. The predetermined time is, for example, each time of 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 1 hour. The controller 130 executes contact information transmission processing at predetermined times. Note that the controller 130 may execute the contact information transmission process at predetermined time intervals. For example, the controller 130 executes contact information transmission processing when the time measured by the clock 30 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 1 hour).

The contact information transmission process is a process in which the printer 10 transmits contact information to the information collection server 40 . The contact information is information for determining whether or not the information collection server 40 transmits order information for ordering the cartridge 200 to the shipping server 50 .

The controller 130 acquires each remaining amount updated in the first update process (S13), the second update process (S19), the third update process (S20), and the fourth update process (S21) (S113). The controller 130 generates contact information based on each obtained remaining amount (S114). The controller 130 generates contact information reflecting the volume of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 set in step S111 and switched in step S112 (in this embodiment, any of the volumes V1, V2, V3, and V4, which are the volumes of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171) (S114). The communication information may include the volume of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 set in step S111 and switched in step S112. Using this volume, the printer 10 or the information collection server 40 can use it as a threshold for determining whether an order is necessary. The volume at this time is an example of a predetermined threshold. In other words, the predetermined threshold is greatly changed as the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 is set larger. Further, as an example, the contact information may include information to the effect that it is necessary to order a new cartridge 200 when the liquid level signal becomes "H".

The generation of contact information is detailed below. The communication information is information regarding the remaining amount of ink stored in at least one of the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 (the liquid chamber 171 in this embodiment). The contact information need not include the remaining amount of ink itself. However, as will be described later, the controller 45 of the information collection server that has received the contact information determines that the remaining amount of ink in the liquid chamber 171 is running low, and generates order information. In other words, the contact information in this embodiment is information for notifying the information collection server that the remaining amount of ink is running low, and is information regarding the remaining amount of ink. Of course, the contact information may include the remaining amount of ink itself.

The controller 130 reads out the type information of the cartridge 200 from the memory of the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200 and further reads out the device information of the printer 10 from the EEPROM 56 . The controller 130 generates contact information including the read type information and device information. Note that the controller 130 may store the type information read from the memory of the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200 in the EEPROM 56, read the type information from the EEPROM 56, and include it in the contact information.

The type information of the cartridge 200 is, for example, information indicating whether the cartridge 200 is a small-capacity cartridge or a large-capacity cartridge, the color of ink to be stored, and the like. The device information of the printer 10 includes identification information of the printer 10 such as the MAC address and serial number of the printer 10 . Identification information of the printer 10 is stored in the EEPROM 56 .

After generating the contact information (S114), the controller 130 transmits the contact information to the information collection server 40 through the communication I/F 31 (S115), and ends the contact information transmission process. The contact information sent from the printer 10 is received by the information collection server 40 .

The condition for determining that the printer 10 or the information gathering server 40 needs to place an order is not limited to when the liquid level signal obtained from the liquid level sensor 33 is "H", that is, when the remaining amount of ink in the liquid chamber 171 reaches the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 (any of the volumes V1, V2, V3, and V4). For example, the condition may be the case where the amount of ink remaining in the liquid chamber 171 is half the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 . In this case, it is determined that the amount of ink remaining in the liquid chamber 171 has become half of the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171, for example, based on the tank remaining amount value calculated in the above-described fourth updating process. Also, in this case, half the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 corresponds to the predetermined threshold.

The controller 45 of the information collection server periodically receives the contact information generated in step S114 and transmitted in step S115 (S115). As an example, when the date and time information output by the clock 48 reaches the predetermined time stored in the storage unit 42, the controller 45 executes order information transmission processing if an order is required (S117). The predetermined time is, for example, each time of 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 1 hour.

The controller 45 receives the contact information through the communication I/F 43, and when determining that an order is necessary, generates order information (S116). The order information includes the type information of the cartridge 200 included in the contact information, user information including the address and address to which the cartridge 200 is to be delivered, and the like. The controller 45 reads the user information corresponding to the identification information of the printer 10 included in the contact information from the storage unit 42 and includes the user information in the order information.

After generating the order information (S116), the controller 45 stores the generated order information in the storage unit 42 and transmits the generated order information to the shipping server 50 through the communication I/F 44 (S117). The order information transmitted by the information collection server 40 is received by the shipping server 50 through the communication I/F 53 .

Upon receiving the order information transmitted in step S117, the controller 55 of the shipping server 50 stores the service information stored in the storage unit 52 in step S105 in the IC chip 34 (more specifically, the memory of the IC chip 34) of the cartridge 200 (S118), and generates shipping information in the same manner as in step S106 (S119). The generated shipping information is used for shipping the cartridge 200, and the cartridge 200 is sent to the user of the printer 10 (S120).

After that, the processing after step S108 is repeated. In other words, when the cartridge 200 is sent to the user of the printer 10 (S107, S120), the processes after step S108 are executed.

[Remaining Ink Display]
The controller 130 causes the display 28 to display the latest cartridge remaining amount value and tank remaining amount value stored in the RAM 57 . Although the display format of the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value is arbitrary, it is preferable to use a format in which the ratio of the remaining ink amount to the volume of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 can be recognized at a glance. The same applies to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 .

For example, the controller 130 causes the display 28 to display cartridge objects 267Bk, 267Y, 267C and 267M and tank objects 268Bk, 268Y, 268C and 268M as shown in FIG.

A cartridge object 267Bk and a tank object 268Bk correspond to the cartridge 200 and tank 160 that store black ink. A cartridge object 267Y and a tank object 268Y correspond to the cartridge 200 and tank 160 that store yellow ink. A cartridge object 267C and a tank object 268C correspond to the cartridge 200 and tank 160 that store cyan ink. A cartridge object 267M and a tank object 268M correspond to the cartridge 200 and tank 160 that store magenta ink. Hereinafter, the cartridge objects 267Bk, 267Y, 267C, and 267M are collectively referred to as cartridge objects 267, and the tank objects 268Bk, 268Y, 268C, and 268M are collectively referred to as tank objects 268. The cartridge object 267 and tank object 268 are examples of remaining amount information.

The cartridge object 267 schematically represents the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200, and the remaining amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 is indicated with a color (for example, the same color as the ink) as indicated by hatching in FIG. 10(A). The ink remaining amount shown in color corresponds to the cartridge remaining amount value. FIG. 10A shows that 80% of the black ink remains in the liquid chamber 210, 50% of the magenta ink remains in the liquid chamber 210, and neither yellow nor cyan ink remains in the liquid chamber 210.

The tank object 268 schematically represents the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, and the remaining amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is indicated with a color (for example, the same color as the ink) as indicated by hatching in FIG. 10A. The ink remaining amount shown in color corresponds to the tank remaining amount value. FIG. 10A shows that 100% of black and magenta ink remains in the liquid chamber 171, 80% of cyan ink remains in the liquid chamber 171, and no yellow ink remains in the liquid chamber 171.

In FIG. 10, for the cartridge 200 storing cyan ink and the cartridge 200 storing yellow ink, the cartridge empty is reported as CE269, and the tank empty for the tank 160 storing yellow ink is reported as TE270.

When the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 is set in the tank volume setting process (S111), the controller 130 changes the size of the tank object 268 displayed on the display 28 according to the set volume. For example, FIG. 10B shows an example in which tank objects 268 of all colors are made larger than those in FIG. 10A.

Further, depending on the content of the contract concluded between the user and the service provider, the volume of the liquid chamber 171 may differ for each color of ink stored in the cartridge 200 and the tank 160 . An example of this case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 10C, the sizes of the four tank objects 268 are displayed in different sizes.

[Effect of this embodiment]
According to this embodiment, the controller 130 can increase the limit storage amount (in this embodiment, the volume of the liquid chamber 171) when the ink consumption speed is high. This can reduce the possibility that a new cartridge 200 cannot be delivered to the user before the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 runs out.

Further, according to this embodiment, the remaining amount information is increased or decreased according to the amount of the limit storage amount, so that the user can accurately grasp the remaining amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 .

Further, according to the present embodiment, the order information is transmitted early by greatly changing the threshold value (the volume of the liquid chamber 171) as the limit storage amount increases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a new cartridge 200 cannot be delivered to the user before the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 runs out.

Further, according to this embodiment, the limit storage amount can be increased or decreased by moving the moving wall 92 of the volume variation mechanism 90 .

[Modification 1]
In the above description, the memory of the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200 stores the type information. That is, in the above description, the small-capacity cartridge 200 in which the size of the liquid chamber 210 is the first size and the large-capacity cartridge 200 in which the size of the liquid chamber 210 is larger than the first size can be selectively attached to the mounting case 150.

In this case, the controller 130 may change the volume of the liquid chamber 171 set in the tank volume setting process (S111) according to the volume of the cartridge 200 attached to the attachment case 150. FIG. For example, the controller 130 may set the volume of the liquid chamber 171 to be large when a large-capacity cartridge 200 is attached, and set the volume of the liquid chamber 171 to be small when a small-capacity cartridge 200 is attached.

Controller 130 can determine the capacity of cartridge 200 mounted in mounting case 150 based on the type information stored in IC chip 34 . In this case, the contact 152 that reads the type information stored in the IC chip 34 and sends a signal based on the type information to the controller 130 is an example of the sensor. However, the determination may be made by means other than the type information.

For example, the light-shielding ribs 245 provided on the small-capacity cartridge 200 and the light-shielding ribs 245 provided on the large-capacity cartridge 200 may have different shapes. Specifically, the small-capacity cartridge 200 may be provided with a second light shielding rib 246 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5 in addition to the light shielding rib 245 shown in FIG. Then, in the process of mounting the small-capacity cartridge 200 to the mounting case 150, the mounting sensor 32 (an example of a sensor) outputs a low level signal due to the blocking of the optical path by the second shielding rib 246, then outputs a high level signal, and then outputs a low level signal due to the blocking of the optical path by the shielding rib 245. That is, in the process of mounting the cartridge 200, the mounting sensor 32 outputs the low level signal twice. These two low level signals are an example of the first signal. On the other hand, in the process of mounting the large-capacity cartridge 200 to the mounting case 150 , the mounting sensor 32 only outputs a low level signal due to the light path being blocked by the light shielding rib 245 . That is, in the process of mounting the cartridge 200, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a low level signal once. This one low level signal is an example of the second signal. Thus, the mounting sensor 32 outputs different signals depending on the capacity of the cartridge 200 .

The controller 130 changes the volume of the liquid chamber 171 set in the tank volume setting process (S111) based on the difference in the signal acquired from the mounted sensor 32. FIG. That is, when the controller 130 receives the low level signal from the mounting sensor 32 twice during the mounting process of the cartridge 200, it determines that the small-capacity cartridge 200 is mounted, and reduces the volume of the liquid chamber 171 set in the tank volume setting process (S111). On the other hand, when the controller 130 receives a low level signal once from the mounting sensor 32 during the process of mounting the cartridge 200, it determines that the large-capacity cartridge 200 is mounted, and increases the volume of the liquid chamber 171 set in the tank volume setting process (S111).

When the volume of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 connected to the cartridge 200 having the small size of the liquid chamber 210 is large, most of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 can be supplied to the liquid chamber 171 . As a result, the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 decreases, and the user looking at the liquid chamber 210 may have a bad impression. According to Modification 1, the volume of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is changed according to the size of the liquid chamber 210 . Therefore, when the cartridge 200 is connected to the tank 160, most of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 is supplied to the liquid chamber 171, and the decrease in the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 can be suppressed.

[Modification 2]
In the above description, an example was described in which the ink flows out from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 due to the head difference. However, gravity may cause ink to flow from cartridge 200 to tank 160 .

As an example of flowing ink from the cartridge to the tank by gravity, an example of flowing out from the cartridge 300 to the tank 350 by a so-called chicken feed method will be described with reference to FIG.

The printer 10 of this example comprises a tank 350 as shown in FIG. 11 and a cartridge 300 mountable on the tank 350 . The mounting case (not shown in FIG. 11) has a shape matching the cartridge 300 and the tank 350 . Also, the contact 152 and the mounting sensor 32 provided on the mounting case, and the IC chip 34 and light shielding rib 245 provided on the cartridge 300 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, illustration and description of these in FIG. 11 are omitted here.

The cartridge 300 is a container having a liquid chamber 310 (an example of a first liquid chamber) that stores liquid ink therein. The cartridge 300 is composed of a rear wall 302, a front wall 303, a top wall 304, a bottom wall 305, and a pair of side walls (not shown).

A liquid chamber 371 is formed inside the tank 350 . Also, the tank 350 communicates with the head 21 through an outlet 374 (an example of a second outlet) and a tube.

The tank 350 also has joints 120 and 121 . Joints 120 and 121 are tubular members extending forward from front wall 362 of tank 350 . Internal spaces of the joints 120 and 121 communicate with the liquid chamber 371 through through-holes passing through the front wall 362 . The joints 120 and 121 are arranged vertically with the joint 120 positioned downward. Joint 120 is an example of a second cylinder. Joint 121 is an example of a first cylinder.

The tank 350 includes a liquid channel 103 (an example of a second channel) and a gas channel 104 (an example of a first channel) communicating with the liquid chamber 371 . The liquid channel 103 is formed inside the liquid chamber 371 and the joint 120 . The gas channel 104 is formed inside the liquid chamber 371 and the joint 121 . The tank also has an atmosphere communication port 378 that communicates the liquid chamber 371 with the outside.

The liquid channel 103 has a first opening 131 (an example of an inlet), a second opening 132 , a vertical portion 133 and an extension portion 134 . The first opening 131 is an opening that is formed at one end of the liquid channel 103 and communicates with the liquid chamber 171 . The first opening 131 opens along the vertical direction 7 . The second opening 132 is an opening that is formed on the other end side opposite to the one end side of the liquid channel 103 and opens to the outside. The second opening 132 opens along the front-rear direction 8 . The second opening 132 is positioned within the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is connected. At this time, the second opening 132 functions as a first outlet. The vertical portion 133 is a portion extending upward from the first opening 131 in the liquid channel 103 . The extending portion 134 is a portion extending rearward from the second opening 132 in the liquid channel 103 . The upper end of vertical portion 133 is connected to the rear end of extension portion 134 . Although the entire outflow port 374 is located below the first opening 131 as shown in FIG. 11 , only a part of the outflow port 374 may be located below the first opening 131 .

The gas channel 104 has a third opening 141 (an example of a through hole), a fourth opening 142 , a vertical portion 143 and an extension portion 144 . The third opening 141 is an opening that is formed on one end side of the gas flow path 104 and communicates with the liquid chamber 171 . The third opening 141 opens along the vertical direction 7 . The fourth opening 142 is an opening that is formed on the other end side opposite to the one end side of the gas flow path 104 and opens to the outside. The fourth opening 142 opens along the front-rear direction 8 . The fourth opening 142 communicates with the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is connected. The vertical portion 143 is a portion extending upward from the third opening 141 in the gas flow path 104 . The extending portion 144 is a portion extending rearward from the fourth opening 142 in the gas flow path 104 . The upper end of vertical portion 143 is connected to the rear end of extension portion 144 .

The third opening 141 is positioned below the air communication port 378 . The first opening 131 is positioned below the third opening 141 .

A vertically extending portion of the joint 121 (a portion corresponding to the vertical portion 143 of the gas flow path 104) has a telescopic structure and is configured to be vertically extendable. Specifically, the vertically extending portion of the joint 121 includes an upper tubular portion 122 extending downward from the horizontally extending portion of the joint 121, and a lower tubular portion 123 supported by the upper tubular portion 122 so as to be vertically movable. The vertical movement of the lower cylindrical portion 123 causes the vertical movement of the third opening 141 . The driving force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the lower cylindrical portion 123 to move it up and down.

In addition, in Modification 2, at least the third opening 141 should be configured to be vertically movable, and the configuration for realizing this is not limited to the telescopic structure. For example, the third opening 141 may move up and down by moving the joint 121 itself up and down.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 11, the position of the liquid surface is located at the lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 123 forming the gas flow path 104 when ink remains in the cartridge 300 . This is because the liquid surface closes the third opening 141 of the gas flow path 104 and the gas-liquid replacement is stopped, so that equilibrium is maintained. Therefore, the liquid level sensor 333 in FIG. 11 can detect the state in which ink remains in the cartridge 300 by detecting the presence of ink in the liquid channel 103 at the position P higher than the lowest end of the gas channel 104 . When the liquid level sensor 333 stops detecting ink in the liquid flow path 103 , the liquid level position starts to fall from the position of the third opening 141 .

Instead of arranging one liquid level sensor 333, the liquid level in the tank 350 may be directly detected by providing them slightly below the lowermost end of the upper cylindrical portion 122 and the lowermost end of the lower cylindrical portion 123, respectively. Alternatively, the liquid level sensor 333 may be moved between the two positions.

The supply of ink from the cartridge 300 to the tank 350 in the state shown in FIG. 11 (the state in which the cartridge 300 is mounted in the mounting case and connected to the tank 250) will be described below. In Modified Example 2, ink is supplied from the cartridge 300 to the tank 350 by a so-called chicken feed method, as described in detail below.

When the cartridge 300 is connected to the tank 350 and the second opening 132 and the fourth opening 142 are positioned within the liquid chamber 310 of the cartridge 300 , the liquid chambers 310 and 371 communicate with each other through the liquid channel 103 and the gas channel 104 . As a result, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 310 flows through the second opening 132 to the liquid flow path 103 and through the first opening 131 to the liquid chamber 371 . Further, when the ink is distributed, air enters the liquid chamber 371 from the air communication port 378 and flows into the liquid chamber 310 through the gas flow path 104 . Here, the volume of ink flowing from the liquid chamber 310 to the liquid chamber 371 and the volume of air flowing from the liquid chamber 371 to the liquid chamber 310 are substantially the same. In this manner, so-called gas-liquid replacement is performed.

As the ink flows into the liquid chamber 371 , the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 371 rises and reaches the third opening 141 . Therefore, the flow of ink from the liquid chamber 310 to the liquid chamber 371 is stopped.

In Modified Example 2, the vertical movement of the third opening 141 changes the position of the third opening 141 relative to the vertical direction, thereby changing the volume of the portion of the liquid chamber 371 below the third opening 141 (hereinafter referred to as the lower portion of the liquid chamber 371). That is, in Modification 2, the amount of ink that can be stored in the liquid chamber 371 can be changed by changing the height of the third opening 141 . In Modified Example 2, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 371 (the portion of the liquid chamber 371 below the third opening 141) corresponds to the limit storage amount.

The lower tubular portion 123 is movable between a lower position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 11, an upper position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 11, and any position between the lower position and the upper position. For example, when the lower cylindrical portion 123 is in the lower position, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 371 is the first volume. When the lower cylindrical portion 123 is at the upper position, the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 371 is a second volume that is larger than the first volume.

In Modified Example 2, the controller 130 drives a motor (not shown) to move the lower tubular portion 123 of the joint 121 in step S112. The position of the lower cylindrical portion 123 at this time corresponds to the volume set in the tank volume setting process (S111). That is, the controller 130 moves the lower cylindrical portion 123 to change the volume of the lower portion of the liquid chamber 171 according to the ink consumption information and delivery time information included in the service information. Specifically, the controller 130 moves the lower tubular portion 123 (third opening 141) upward as the volume set in the tank volume setting process (S111) increases, and moves the lower tubular portion 123 (third opening 141) downward as the volume set in the tank volume setting process (S111) decreases.

According to Modified Example 2, the limit storage amount can be increased or decreased with a simple configuration in which the third opening 141 is vertically moved.

[Modification 3]
In the above description, an example was described in which the ink flows out from the cartridge 200 to the tank 260 due to the head difference. However, as shown in FIG. 12, ink may be pumped from the cartridge to a tank by a pump.

The printer 10 of this example includes a mounting case 150 having the same configuration as in FIG. 4, a tank 260 having a configuration different from that in FIG.

The tank 260 is composed of an upper wall 261, a front wall 262, a lower wall 263, a rear wall 264, and a pair of side walls (not shown). A liquid chamber 171 is formed inside the tank 260 . A communication port 266 is formed in the upper wall 261 . The communication port 266 has the same configuration as the communication port 175 of the above embodiment.

The tank 260 has joints 265 . Joint 265 includes needle 273 and tube 274 . The needle 273 and the tube 274 are tubes with channels formed therein. The needle 273 penetrates the inner wall defining the rear end of the mounting case 150 . An opening 270 is formed at the front end of the needle 273 . The rear end of needle 273 is connected to the front end of tube 274 . An opening 271 is formed at the rear end of the tube 274 . One end (opening 270 ) of the joint 265 communicates with the outside of the tank 160 , and the other end (opening 271 ) communicates with the liquid chamber 171 .

When the cartridge 200 is connected to the tank 260 , the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 communicate with each other through the needle 273 and the tube 274 .

Pump 259 is, for example, a rotary tube pump. The pump 259 handles the tube 274 by being driven by a motor (not shown). As a result, a flow of ink from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 is formed in the tube 274 . The pump 259 may be a pump other than a rotary tube pump. The pump 259 is also provided with a valve (not shown) as necessary, so that the ink does not move while the pump 259 is stopped.

The mounting case 150 has a first sensor 61 and a second sensor 62 . The first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62 have the same configuration as the liquid level sensor 33 of the above embodiment.

The first sensor 61 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is higher than the first position P1, and outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is lower than the first position P1.

The second sensor 62 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is higher than the second position P2, and outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is lower than the second position P2. The second position P2 is a position above the first position P1.

The supply of ink from the cartridge 200 to the tank 260 in the state shown in FIG. 12 (where the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 and connected to the tank 260) will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In Modified Example 3, ink is supplied from the cartridge 200 to the tank 260 by driving the pump 259 as described in detail below.

The controller 130 periodically executes the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 (hereinafter referred to as pump control process), for example, every 1 second, 5 seconds, or 1 minute.

When the liquid level signal obtained from the second sensor 62 is "L" (low level signal) (S301: L), the controller 130 determines that the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is full, and if the pump 259 is being driven (that is, if ink is being supplied from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171), the pump 259 is stopped (S302). After that, the timer T1 is reset to the initial value A, the timer T2 is reset to the initial value B (S303), and the pump control process ends. The timers T1 and T2 are count values that start counting down when the pump 259 starts to be driven. Initial values A and B will be described later.

When the liquid level signal obtained from the second sensor 62 is "H" (high level signal) (S301: H), the controller 130 determines that the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is not full, and refers to the liquid level signal obtained from the first sensor 61 (S304).

When the liquid level signal obtained from the first sensor 61 is "H" (S304: H), the controller 130 determines that the remaining amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is low.

At this time, if the pump 259 is stopped (S305: No), the controller 130 starts counting down the timers T1 and T2 (S306, S307), drives a motor (not shown) to drive the pump 259 (S308), and ends the pump control process. By driving the pump 259 , the supply of ink from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 is started. The processing when the pump 259 is driven in step S305 will be described later.

When ink is supplied from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 by starting the driving of the pump 259 (S308), the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 rises above the first position P1. As a result, the first sensor 61 outputs a liquid level signal of “L” to the controller 130 .

When the liquid level signal obtained from the first sensor 61 is "L" (S304: L) in step S304 of the pump control process that is periodically executed after the pump 259 starts to be driven (S308), the controller 130 executes step S309.

When the pump 259 is driven (S309: Yes), the controller 130 determines whether the timer T1 has expired (the count value of the timer T1 is zero) (S310). When the timer T1 has timed out (S310: Yes), the controller 130 stops the pump 259 (S311) and ends the pump control process. If the timer T1 has not timed out (S310: No), the controller 130 ends the pump control process without stopping the pump 259. FIG.

Here, the initial value A is a variable value. When the initial value A is set to be large, the drive time of the pump 259 is lengthened, so that the amount of ink supplied from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 from the start to stop of the pump 259 increases.

In Modified Example 3, the controller 130 sets initial values A (A1, A2, A3, A4) instead of volumes in the tank volume setting process (S111). Specifically, an initial value A1 is set instead of the volume V1, an initial value A2 smaller than the initial value A1 is set instead of the volume V2, an initial value A3 smaller than the initial value A2 is set instead of the volume V3, and an initial value A4 smaller than the initial values A2 and A3 is set instead of the volume V4. Note that the initial value A3 may be equal to or greater than the initial value A2 and less than the initial value A1.

That is, the larger the initial value A set in the tank volume setting process (S111), the larger the limit storage amount supplied from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 and stored in the liquid chamber 171 in the pump control process. That is, the controller 130 changes the amount of ink that can be stored in the liquid chamber 171 based on the ink consumption information and delivery time information included in the service information stored in the EEPROM 56 (S111). As described above, the controller 130 changes the limit storage amount based on the driving time of the pump 259 .

When the amount of ink remaining in the liquid chamber 210 is small or absent, the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 does not rise and remains lower than the first position P1 even though the pump 259 has started driving (S308). At this time, the first sensor 61 continues to output the liquid level signal of “H” to the controller 130 . At this time, the controller 130 performs the operation when the liquid level signal obtained from the first sensor 61 is “H” (S304: H) and the pump 259 is being driven (S305: Yes) in step S304 of the pump control process that is periodically executed after the pump 259 starts to be driven (S308), that is, the operation after step S312.

The controller 130 determines whether or not the timer T2 has timed out (the count value of the timer T2 is zero) (S312). Here, the initial value B is set to a value corresponding to a sufficient time for the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 to rise above the first position P1 when ink is supplied from the liquid chamber 210 to the empty tank 160 (the liquid chamber 171 in which no ink is stored) by the pump 259.

If the timer T2 has not expired (S312: No), the controller 130 ends the pump control process. In this case, driving of the pump 259 is continued.

On the other hand, if the timer T2 has timed out (S312: Yes), the controller 130 determines that a sufficient amount of ink has not been supplied from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 even though the pump 259 has been driven for a sufficient time, that is, the amount of ink remaining in the liquid chamber 210 is small or non-existent. At this time, the controller 130 stops the pump 259 (S313), notifies that the cartridge is empty (S314), and terminates the pump control process.

After the pump 259 is stopped (s311) due to the time up of the timer T1 (S310: Yes), when ink is supplied from the liquid chamber 171 to the head 21 by printing or the like, the remaining amount of ink in the liquid chamber 171 decreases. At this time, if the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is higher than the first position P1, the controller 130 ends the pump control process because the liquid level signal obtained from the first sensor 61 is "L" (S304: L) and the pump 259 is stopped (S309: No). On the other hand, if the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is lower than the first position P1, the controller 130 starts counting down the timer T1 (S306) because the liquid level signal obtained from the first sensor 61 is "H" (S304: H) and the pump 259 is stopped (S305: No) in the pump control process.

According to Modification 3, the limit storage amount can be increased or decreased simply by changing the driving time of the pump 259 .

[Other Modifications]
In the above description, the volume variation mechanism 90 is employed in the head difference type ink supply mechanism. However, the volume variation mechanism 90 may be applied not only to the ink supply method by the hydraulic head difference method, but also to the chicken feed method or the pump supply method.

In the above description, the movement wall 92 of the volume variation mechanism 90 is moved by the pinion gear 95 being controlled by the controller 130 . In other words, the volume variation mechanism 90 automatically varies the volume of the liquid chamber 171 . However, the volume variation mechanism 90 may vary the volume of the liquid chamber 171 by manually moving the moving wall 92 . For example, instead of the rack gear 94 and the pinion gear 95 , the volume variation mechanism 90 includes a grasping portion that is connected to the moving wall 92 and can move integrally with the moving wall 92 . After setting the volume in the tank volume setting process (S111) and storing it in the EEPROM 56, the controller 130 causes the display 28 to display the set volume (or the movement position of the moving wall 92 corresponding to the volume). The user manually moves the moving wall 92 by gripping the grip portion according to the display.

Further, in the above description, an example has been described in which the printer 10 transmits the contact information, and the information collection server 40 that has received the contact information transmits the order information to the shipping server 50 via the communication I/F 44 . However, each process executed by the controller 45 of the information collection server 40 may be executed by the controller 130 of the printer 10 . That is, printer 10 may transmit order information to shipping server 50 through communication I/F 31 instead of transmitting contact information.

Also, in the above description, ink is described as an example of a consumable material, but pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto paper prior to ink during printing, for example, may be stored in the cartridge. Also, water for cleaning the head 21 may be stored in the cartridge.

Further, in the above description, the printer 10 is an inkjet printer, but it may be a laser printer that prints an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, other than the inkjet printer. If the printer 10 is a laser printer, the toner is the consumable.

10 Printer (image recording device)
14 ... housing (mounting body)
36 ... storage section (memory)
130... Controller 160... Tank 171... Liquid chamber (second chamber)
184... Through hole (inlet)
200 Cartridge 210 Liquid chamber (first chamber)
234 Outlet

Claims (13)

a cartridge having a first chamber for storing consumables and an outlet for the consumables in the first chamber to flow out;
a mounting body to which the cartridge is mounted,
The mounting body is
a tank connectable to the cartridge, the tank having a second chamber for storing the consumable material, and an inlet into which the consumable material flowing out from the outlet of the connected cartridge flows;
a controller;
with memory and
The above controller is
Acquiring first information about the consumption rate of the consumables stored in the first chamber and the second chamber and storing it in the memory;
An image recording apparatus for increasing a limit storage amount, which is a storage amount of a consumable material that can be stored in the second chamber , as the consumption rate in the first information stored in the memory increases . The above controller is
Acquiring second information regarding delivery time from when the new cartridge is ordered until it arrives, and stores it in the memory;
2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the longer the delivery time in the second information, the larger the limit storage amount . The mounting body has a display panel,
The above controller is
causing the display panel to display remaining amount information indicating the second chamber and the remaining amount of consumables stored in the second chamber;
3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the remaining amount information displayed on the display panel is changed in accordance with a change in the limit storage amount . The mounting body has a communication interface,
The above controller is
after the remaining amount of the consumables stored in the second chamber becomes less than a predetermined threshold value, transmitting order information for instructing an order for the cartridge through the communication interface;
4. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined threshold value is greatly changed as the limit storage amount is increased . The cartridge having the first chamber of a first size and the cartridge having the first chamber of a second size larger than the first size are selectively mountable to the mount,
The mounting body includes a sensor that outputs a first signal on condition that the first chamber of the mounted cartridge is of the first size, and that outputs a second signal on condition that the first chamber of the mounted cartridge is of the second size,
5. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller makes the limit storage amount after receiving the second signal from the sensor larger than the limit storage amount after receiving the first signal from the sensor. The tank comprises a moving part that partitions and moves the second chamber to increase or decrease the volume of the second chamber,
The limit storage amount is the volume of the second chamber,
6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said controller moves said moving section according to said first information . The tank above
an atmosphere communication port that communicates the second chamber with the atmosphere;
a first cylindrical body that forms a first flow path that communicates with the first chamber when the cartridge is connected and communicates with the second chamber via a through hole, wherein at least the through hole is vertically movable;
a second cylinder that forms a second flow path that communicates with the first chamber when the cartridge is connected and communicates with the second chamber via the inlet;
The through hole is located below the air communication port,
The inlet is located below the through hole,
The limit storage amount is the volume of the portion of the second chamber below the through hole,
7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said controller vertically moves said through hole according to said first information. the mounting body comprises a pump for circulating the consumable from the first chamber to the second chamber;
7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said controller changes said limit storage amount based on the driving time of said pump . a cartridge having a first chamber for storing consumables and an outlet for the consumables in the first chamber to flow out;
a mounting body to which the cartridge is mounted,
The mounting body is
a tank connectable to the cartridge, the tank having a second chamber for storing the consumable material, and an inlet into which the consumable material flowing out from the outlet of the connected cartridge flows;
a controller;
with memory and
The above controller is
Acquiring and storing in the memory first information regarding the consumption rate of the consumables stored in the first chamber and the second chamber and second information regarding the delivery time from when the new cartridge is ordered until it arrives;
An image recording apparatus, wherein the longer the delivery time in the second information stored in the memory, the larger the limit storage amount, which is the storage amount of the consumable material that can be stored in the second chamber. a cartridge having a first chamber for storing consumables and an outlet for the consumables in the first chamber to flow out;
a mounting body to which the cartridge is mounted,
The mounting body is
a tank connectable to the cartridge, the tank having a second chamber for storing the consumable material, and an inlet into which the consumable material flowing out from the outlet of the connected cartridge flows;
a controller;
memory;
a communication interface;
The above controller is
Acquiring first information about the consumption rate of the consumables stored in the first chamber and the second chamber and storing it in the memory;
changing the limit storage amount, which is the storage amount of the consumable material that can be stored in the second chamber, based on the first information stored in the memory;
after the remaining amount of the consumables stored in the second chamber becomes less than a predetermined threshold value, transmitting order information for instructing an order for the cartridge through the communication interface;
An image recording apparatus that greatly changes the predetermined threshold value according to an increase in the limit storage amount. a cartridge having a first chamber for storing consumables and an outlet for the consumables in the first chamber to flow out;
a mounting body to which the cartridge is mounted,
The mounting body is
a tank connectable to the cartridge, the tank having a second chamber for storing the consumable material, and an inlet into which the consumable material flowing out from the outlet of the connected cartridge flows;
a controller;
with memory and
The cartridge having the first chamber of a first size and the cartridge having the first chamber of a second size larger than the first size are selectively mountable to the mount,
The mounting body includes a sensor that outputs a first signal on condition that the first chamber of the mounted cartridge is of the first size, and that outputs a second signal on condition that the first chamber of the mounted cartridge is of the second size,
The above controller is
Acquiring first information about the consumption rate of the consumables stored in the first chamber and the second chamber and storing it in the memory;
changing the limit storage amount, which is the storage amount of the consumable material that can be stored in the second chamber, based on the first information stored in the memory;
An image recording apparatus, wherein the limit storage amount after receiving the second signal from the sensor is greater than the limit storage amount after receiving the first signal from the sensor. a cartridge having a first chamber for storing consumables and an outlet for the consumables in the first chamber to flow out;
a mounting body to which the cartridge is mounted,
The mounting body is
a tank connectable to the cartridge, the tank having a second chamber for storing the consumable material, and an inlet into which the consumable material flowing out from the outlet of the connected cartridge flows;
a controller;
with memory and
The tank above
an atmosphere communication port that communicates the second chamber with the atmosphere;
a first cylindrical body that forms a first flow path that communicates with the first chamber when the cartridge is connected and communicates with the second chamber via a through hole, wherein at least the through hole is vertically movable;
a second cylinder that forms a second flow path that communicates with the first chamber when the cartridge is connected and communicates with the second chamber via the inlet;
The through hole is located below the air communication port,
The inlet is located below the through hole,
The limit storage amount, which is the storage amount of the consumable material that can be stored in the second chamber, is the volume of the portion of the second chamber below the through hole,
The above controller is
Acquiring first information about the consumption rate of the consumables stored in the first chamber and the second chamber and storing it in the memory;
changing the limit storage amount based on the first information stored in the memory;
An image recording apparatus for vertically moving the through hole according to the first information. a cartridge having a first chamber for storing consumables and an outlet for the consumables in the first chamber to flow out;
a mounting body to which the cartridge is mounted,
The mounting body is
a tank connectable to the cartridge, the tank having a second chamber for storing the consumable material, and an inlet into which the consumable material flowing out from the outlet of the connected cartridge flows;
a pump for circulating consumables from the first chamber to the second chamber;
a controller;
a memory;
The above controller is
Acquiring first information about the consumption rate of the consumables stored in the first chamber and the second chamber and storing it in the memory;
An image recording apparatus for changing a limit storage amount, which is a storage amount of a consumable material that can be stored in the second chamber, based on the first information stored in the memory and the driving time of the pump.

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