JPH05147339A - Equipment with consumable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the trouble of a main body device positively by completely eliminating the usage of unusable consumables in the device. CONSTITUTION:Recessed marks 5, to which projecting marks 15 formed to a ribbon cassette 11 are fitted, are formed to a ribbon carriage 1, and impedance among electrodes mounted to the contour sections of the projecting marks 15 is detected by electrodes set up to the contour sections of the recessed marks 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device having consumable parts which must be replaced, such as an office device such as a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various devices having consumable parts, such as printers that consume ink ribbons. In such a device, in order to facilitate replacement or replenishment of consumable parts, the consumable parts are detachably attached to the main body device like a cassette accommodating an ink ribbon. Among the consumable parts that can be attached to and detached from the main unit, there are genuine parts that are approved as capable of exhibiting specified performance during operation of the main unit and non-genuine parts that have not been certified. In some cases, both parts and non-genuine parts can be installed in the main unit. In such a case, if non-genuine parts are mounted on the main body device, not only the desired operating performance cannot be exhibited, but also the main body device may be damaged. Therefore, in a device having a conventional consumable part, as in US Pat. No. 3,755,641 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-33512, a consumable part and a main body device are provided with a mark or an electric signal detecting member facing each other, and It has been proposed to determine whether or not the consumable part mounted on the main body device is a genuine part by determining the matching of the shape with the main body device or the matching of the detected signal.

[0003]

However, in the case of judging only the shape alignment of the marks formed on the consumable part and the main body device, the mark on the main body device 81 side is shown in FIG.
In the case of a concave shape as shown in FIG. 9A, it is impossible to distinguish between a genuine part having a convex shape and a non-genuine part 82 without a mark. As shown in the figure, when a convex mark is formed on the main body device 83, the non-genuine part 84 having a shape that covers the convex shape over the whole cannot be excluded. Will be left to use.

Further, in the case of detecting the electric signal formed by the mark, since the electric member and the detecting member are provided on the surfaces of the consumable part and the main body device which face each other, the shapes of both are different. There is a problem in that it is not possible to determine the matching of No. 1, there is no need to dare to arrange the electric member and the detection member in a shape corresponding to the mark, and the imitation product can be created relatively easily.
As long as such a counterfeit product cannot be completely eliminated, it may not be possible to reliably exert the functional effects of the main unit, and the occurrence of a device failure similar to the use of non-genuine parts can be reliably prevented. There was a problem I couldn't do.

Further, in some cases, such as a color ink ribbon in a printer, a plurality of types of consumable parts can be attached to a single-type main body device. It was not possible to automatically perform different processing operations for each.

An object of the present invention is to three-dimensionally form marks for fitting the consumable part and the main body device to each other, and
It is possible to judge the type of the mounted consumable component based on the electrical signal created on the side surface forming the contour portion of the mark of the consumable component, and to match the shape of the consumable component and the main body device and the electrical signal. It is possible to determine whether the consumable parts installed are genuine parts by both of the detections, and to completely prevent the use of non-genuine parts to prevent deterioration of processing performance and failure of the main unit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a consumable part that can automatically execute a processing operation according to the type of the attached consumable part by the type determination based on the detected electric signal.

[0007]

According to another aspect of the present invention, a device having a consumable part has three-dimensionally formed marks which are fitted to each other at the mounting position of the consumable part and the mounting surface of the consumable part. An electric signal member for generating an electric signal representing the type of the consumable part is provided on a side surface forming the contour part of the mark formed on the consumable part, and the side surface forming the contour part of the mark formed on the main body device is provided with the electric signal member. A detection member that detects an electric signal formed by the electric signal member is provided, and the main body device includes a first storage unit that stores an electric signal for each type of a single or a plurality of consumable parts, and a single or a plurality of storage units. A second storage unit that stores the processing operation for each type of consumable part, a search unit that searches the first storage unit for a type corresponding to the electrical signal detected by the detection member, and a search unit A processing operation reading means reads a processing operation to be performed on the basis of separately from the second storage means, characterized in that the provided.

[0008]

According to the present invention, when the consumable part is mounted on the main body device, the marks formed on the two parts are fitted to each other, and the electric signal member of the consumable part and the detection member of the main body device are fitted on the side surface forming the contour of the mark. Face each other, and the detection member detects an electric signal generated in the consumable part. The main body device determines the type of consumable part based on the detected electrical signal, and executes the processing operation according to this type. Therefore, the electric signal is detected by the detection member only when the mark formed on the main body device and the mark formed on the consumable part are completely fitted, and the shape of the consumable part and the main body device is not detected. Matching is determined. Further, since the type of the consumable part is determined based on the electric signal detected by the detection member, the electric signal detected by the detection member is not stored in the first storage means storing the electric signal for each type. If it is, it is determined that it is not a genuine part. In this way, the matching between the consumable part and the main body device is double-checked on the basis of the shape and the detection result of the electric signal.
Furthermore, when different processing operations can be executed for each type of consumable parts determined based on the electrical signal detected by the detection member, and multiple types of consumable parts can be used for a single model main unit. In, the processing operation according to the type of each consumable part is automatically executed.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below by taking a printer and a ribbon cassette mounted in the printer as an example. FIG. 1 is an external view of a ribbon cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention and a ribbon carriage of a blinter in which the ribbon cassette is mounted. The ribbon cassette 11 is placed on the ribbon carriage 1 provided in the printer.
Guides 3a to 3c are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the ribbon carriage 1, and the guides 3a to 3c are engaged with the recesses 13a to 13c of the ribbon cassette 11 to be positioned.
Rollers 2a and 2b project from the center of the ribbon carriage 1 and are fitted into the reel holes 12a and 12b of the mounted ribbon cassette 11. Also, the ribbon carriage 1
Ribbon guides 4a and 4b are formed on the tape guides and engage with the recesses 14a and 14b of the ribbon cassette 11. When the ribbon cassette 11 is mounted on the ribbon carriage 1, the reels are rotated in the ribbon cassette 11 by the rotation of the rollers 2a and 2b, and the ink ribbon is transferred from one reel to the other reel via the guide 4b → 4a. To be wound up.

On the mounting surface 16 of the ribbon cassette 11, a convex mark 15 composed of a SHARP alphabet representing a registered trademark is formed to project in the mounting direction. On the other hand, on the mounting surface 6 of the ribbon carriage 1, the SHAR is placed at a position facing the convex mark 15 of the ribbon cassette 11.
A concave mark 5 having a shape obtained by reversing the alphabet of P is formed by depression. When the ribbon cassette 11 is mounted on the mounting surface 6 of the ribbon carriage 1, the convex mark 15 fits into the concave mark 5 and the two fit together.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a mark formation state in a printer having the above ribbon cassette. In order to facilitate the fitting of the concave mark 5 and the convex mark 15 on the side surfaces 5a to 5b and 15a to 15b forming the contours in the concave mark 5 and the convex mark 15,
Gradients of approximately the same angle are given. As a result, when the convex mark 15 is fitted into the concave mark 5, each of the side surfaces 15 a to 15 d of the convex mark 15 has a concave mark 5.
Abutting on each of the side surfaces 5a to 5d.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the concave mark and the convex mark. Electrodes 7a and 7c which are the detection members of the present invention are exposed on the side surfaces 5a and 5c of the concave mark 5. This also applies to the side surfaces 5b and 5d (not shown). On the other hand, on each of the side surfaces 15a and 15c of the convex mark 15, the electrode 17 (1
7a, 17c) are exposed. This electrode 17 (17
a, 17c) is covered with a protective film 18 to prevent the electrode portion from being damaged before the ribbon cassette 11 is attached to the ribbon carriage 1.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a formation state of the electrodes. The concave mark 5 has electrodes 7a to 7 on the side surfaces 5a to 5d, respectively.
d is provided. On the other hand, the convex mark 15 has a single electrode 17 or two-divided electrodes 17a to 17c on the side surfaces 15a to 15d depending on the type of the ribbon cassette 11.
Is provided. Here, the type of the ribbon cassette 11 refers to a difference in compatible printing speed and a difference in color in the case of a color ink ribbon.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a structure of a main part of a printer having the ribbon cassette. ROM22
The CPU 21 including the RAM 23 and the RAM 23 has interfaces 24, 2 in addition to the motor drive unit and the head drive unit (not shown).
The impedance measuring circuit 26 and the frequency generating circuit 27 are connected via the circuit 5. The CPU 21 outputs the generation frequency setting data to the frequency generation circuit 27 via the interface 25. The frequency generation circuit 27 or the like supplies the impedance measurement circuit 26 with a frequency corresponding to the setting data. The CPU 21 outputs selection data to the impedance measuring circuit 26 via the interface 24. The impedance measuring circuit 26 outputs to the CPU 21 the impedance between the electrodes according to the selection data among the measurement results of the impedance between the electrodes 7a to 7d. The measurement data of the impedance measurement circuit 26 is RA
It is stored in the memory area MA1 of M23. Also, RO
The impedance determination table shown in FIG. 6 is stored in M22 in addition to the program that defines the operation of the CPU 21. This impedance determination table stores the allowable impedance value to be detected between the electrodes for each of the plurality of inspection frequencies for each type of ribbon cassette 11. The ROM 22 corresponds to the first storage means of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the control unit of the printer. Before starting the printing operation, the CPU 21 determines whether the ribbon cassette 11 is set on the ribbon carriage 1 (n1),
When the ribbon cassette 11 is not attached, the printing operation for the thermal paper is executed (n14). When the ribbon cassette 11 is attached to the ribbon carriage 1, the setting data of the frequency f1 is output to the frequency generating circuit 27 (n2), and the measurement result of the impedance measuring circuit 26 at this frequency f1 is read. When reading the impedance measurement results, the six electrodes 7
The electrodes a to 7d are sequentially selected and read, and the obtained impedance measurement result is stored in the memory area M of the RAM 23.
It is stored in A1 (n3). The CPU 21 sequentially sets a plurality of preset inspection frequencies (n4, n5) and stores in the memory area MA1 the impedance measurement results for the setting data of the final frequency fn. Final frequency f
When the measurement result for n is read, the memory area MA
The measurement result stored in No. 1 is searched in the determination table shown in FIG. 6 (n6). Based on this search result, the type of the ribbon cassette 11 installed is determined (n
7), the processing operation according to the determination result is executed (n8, n
9). This n6 corresponds to the search means of the present invention, and n7-
Similarly, n9 corresponds to the processing operation reading means.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ROM 22 connected to the CPU 21 stores processing operations for each type of ribbon cassette usable in the printer. Therefore,
The ROM 22 is also the second storage means of the present invention. This processing operation is performed, for example, by the roller 2 relating to the difference in the printing side portion.
This includes setting the rotational speeds of a and 2b and setting the temperature of the thermal head due to the difference in ink. After such a setting operation, the printing operation is executed based on the print data input via the interface (not shown) (n10).

If there is no data corresponding to the measurement result in the determination table in n7, it is determined that the attached ribbon cassette is not usable in the printer, a warning message is displayed, and an operator's instruction is awaited ( n11, n12). Then, if there is an instruction from the operator, it operates according to this (n23).

As described above, according to this embodiment, when currents of a plurality of frequencies are applied between the electrodes 7a to 7d which are in contact with the electrode 17 by fitting the concave mark 5 and the convex mark 15 to each other. It is possible to measure the impedance, determine the type of the loaded ribbon cassette 11 based on the measurement result, and execute the processing operation according to the determination result. In addition, when a ribbon cassette having unmatched marks or a ribbon cassette having no marks is mounted, the electrodes 7a to 7d do not contact the electrode 17 and impedance is measured at a part or all of the electrodes 7a to 7d. However, since the matching type cannot be found in the determination table, it is determined that the ribbon cassette is defective and the printing operation is not performed. This makes it possible to eliminate the use of non-genuine products and prevent the occurrence of abnormalities in the printer.

[0018]

According to the present invention, the respective marks on the main body device and the consumable part are completely fitted to each other, and the electric signal member on the consumable part side and the detection member on the main body device side are brought into contact with each other, thereby the main body device. It is possible to determine the type of consumable component based on the electric signal measured in. This makes it possible to execute processing operations according to the type of consumable parts that are mounted, and to disable the operation of consumable parts whose marks do not match or those that cannot be used in the main unit, thus preventing the main unit from malfunctioning. There is an advantage that it can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a ribbon carriage and a ribbon cassette mounted on the ribbon carriage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of concave marks and convex marks formed on the ribbon carriage and the ribbon cassette.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the concave mark and the convex mark.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a formation state of electrodes on the concave mark and the convex mark.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control unit of the printer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a determination table stored in a storage unit of the control unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing storage contents similarly stored in the control unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the control unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a state in which consumable parts are attached to a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-ribbon carriage 5-concave mark 11-ribbon cassette 15-convex mark 7a to 7d-electrode (detection member) 17, 17a to 17d-electrode (electrical signal member) 22-ROM (first and second storage means) )

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A side surface which is formed with three-dimensional marks that are fitted to each other at a mounting position of a consumable part and a mounting surface of the consumable part in the main body device, and which constitutes a contour portion of the mark formed in the consumable part. An electric signal member that creates an electric signal representing the type of the consumable part is provided on the side surface, and a detection member that detects the electric signal formed by the electric signal member is provided on the side surface that constitutes the contour portion of the mark formed on the main body device. In addition to being provided, the main body device includes a first storage unit that stores an electrical signal for each type of consumable component or a second storage unit that stores a processing operation for each type of consumable component. A storage unit, a search unit that searches the first storage unit for a type corresponding to the electric signal detected by the detection member, and a second storage unit that performs a processing operation to be performed based on the type searched by the search unit. Equipment with consumable parts, characterized in that provided as the processing operation reading means for al reading, the. [Industrial applications]