JPH05193127A - Image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the setting and changing of control parameters or the like with a simple constitution by mounting a detachable information setting means equipped with a storage means in which specified information other than those relating to characteristic of its own is stored. CONSTITUTION:With a power source switch turned on, an ID stored in a ROM in a cartridge is read out after initialization is applied to a register in a CPU 1 and to a part of a work RAM 3. The data in the memory in the cartridge are stored in the work RAM 3 in accordance with a format preset according to the ID. After that, operation proceeds to recording required by a user. On this occasion, the recording operation does not start if a cartridge mounted to the recording apparatus is not a normal ink jet head cartridge in which the ID is '0'. Therefore, control of the recording apparatus, making of various settings and changes of programs can be executed easily by making access to memories in a dummy head cartridge through a head interface serving for making access to memories in the ink jet head cartridge.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording material using a detachable recording means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet type recording apparatus for recording an image using a detachable cartridge type ink jet recording head is known.

In such an ink jet type recording apparatus, due to restrictions such as the processing accuracy of a plurality of nozzles forming the ink ejecting section and the variation of the semiconductor sensor for detecting the temperature of the ink heater, a uniform ink is ejected from each nozzle. It is difficult to obtain a discharge. Therefore, in the cartridge type ink jet head, a memory (R) that stores correction values of the temperature sensor for each cartridge and correction value data (head shading data) for correcting the ejection characteristics of each nozzle
OM) is provided in the cartridge, and the recording device reads out these data from the head and records them in the ejection control prior to recording.

[0004]

However, even with a head that has been subjected to such ejection correction, the ink itself is affected by the ambient temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, etc., so stable recording cannot be performed only by the above correction. There was a drawback to say. A possible solution to this problem is to equip the device with sensors for temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, etc., but this is difficult to use in an inexpensive device because it increases the cost of the recording device.

Further, in the case of a color copying machine in which the recording apparatus requires various settings to the user, for example, it is necessary to set the recording density, the color balance, the number of recording sheets, and the recording dimensions, the user's preference is given. When a plurality of users use the same device that requires a means for avoiding the complexity of setting each time, it is desirable that each user can easily set his or her favorite settings in the device.

Further, there may be a case where it is desired to update or change the control program itself of the device. For example, when it is necessary to change the ejection control algorithm along with the change of the ink component, the control program of the normal device is ROM.
However, the change of the control program necessitates replacement of the program ROM of the apparatus.
Since the program ROM is mounted inside the device casing, it takes a lot of time and effort to replace it. Further, in the cartridge type ink jet head, since the user can freely replace the cartridge, it is unrealistic to replace the program ROM each time, and an alternative control program changing means is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
It is an object of the invention to provide an image recording apparatus capable of setting and changing control parameters and the like with a simple configuration.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a control unit of an ink jet type recording apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention and a cartridge type ink jet head. 1 in the figure is C
It is a PU and controls each part of the apparatus according to a program stored in a program ROM 2 in which a control program is stored. Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM for calculation, data storage, and program storage, the contents of which are held by the backup battery 4. Reference numeral 5 denotes an inkjet head cartridge, which is provided with a ROM storing a head ID and various data described later in the cartridge, is connected to the recording apparatus main body through a head connector 7, and is accessed by the CPU 1. The appearance of the inkjet head cartridge is shown in FIG. 8 is an ink discharge heater section,
By generating bubbles in the nozzles 11 by the ejection pulse from the head drive circuit 9, the ink tank 1
The ink supplied from 3 causes a state change, and thus the ink droplets 12 are ejected. Again 10
Is an operation unit equipped with a group of keys for inputting various parameters and the like, and various displays.

In this embodiment, by turning on the power with the ink jet head cartridge 5 mounted, R
Various data indicating the characteristics of the head itself are read from the OM 6 and used for various corrections.

Further, by replacing the ink jet head cartridge 5 with a dummy head cartridge 50 as shown in FIG. The program for changing a subroutine is read out. The dummy head cartridge 50 has the same external shape as the inkjet head cartridge 5, but has only a ROM without a recording ink tank and an ink ejection mechanism.

A head ID is stored in the ROM of each cartridge to identify the ink jet head cartridge and the dummy head cartridge.

Next, the recognition of the head ID will be described.
FIG. 2 is a list of head types represented by the head ID. 256 types of head IDs from 0 to 255 can be set. In this embodiment, 0 indicates a normal ink jet head cartridge, and 1 and subsequent ones are all filled in the dummy head cartridge. That is, the dummy head cartridge is also assigned an ID according to the contents of the memory of the dummy head cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing mapping of a memory which is normally provided in both the ink jet head and the dummy head. According to the figure, the ID is stored at the lowest address of the memory.

FIG. 4 shows the memory mapping of a normal ink jet head cartridge having an ID of "0".

In addition to the ID, head shading data for correcting the correction value of the temperature sensor and the ejection amount of the ink ejection nozzle are stored in the memory of the normal ink jet head cartridge having the ID "0". The correction value of the temperature sensor is used for adjusting the temperature of the heater that heats the ink, and the head shading data is used as a correction value for equalizing the ejection amount of each nozzle.

After the power is turned on, the recording apparatus reads the ID of the head address of the in-head memory and recognizes that the head is a normal ink jet head. Further, the contents of the memory in the head are read out as necessary according to an ID and a memory map correspondence table (not shown) stored in advance in the program OM of the controller, and the work RAM in the controller is read.
3 at a predetermined address. In the case of a normal head having an ID of “0”, the sensor correction amount is 1 byte, and the head shading data is 128 bytes in the RAM 3.
Reserved on top. The recording device reads the head shading data every time the power is turned on and stores it in the work RAM 3.

FIG. 5 shows memory mapping of the environmental data setting dummy head cartridge with ID "1". I
In the memory of the head cartridge in which D is "1", in addition to the ID, data representing the temperature range, the humidity range, and the atmospheric pressure of the environment in which the recording apparatus itself is used are stored. The amount of ink used in the inkjet head, the ink heater, the nozzle diameter, and the like vary depending on the temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure used. Therefore, these conditions are set in the printing apparatus, and the control is changed so that proper ejection can be performed in any usage environment.

Since it is necessary for the user to set the operating environment of the apparatus regardless of the head or the recording apparatus, a dummy head cartridge having dedicated setting data is usually used instead of the ink head. The recording device has this ID "1"
When the environment setting data head is recognized, the data representing the temperature range, the humidity range, and the atmospheric pressure of the environment is read from the memory in the cartridge and stored in a predetermined address of the work RAM 3. Since the contents of the work RAM 3 are backed up by the battery 4, the data representing the temperature range, humidity range, and atmospheric pressure of the environment in the work RAM 3 are retained until another environment setting data head is attached to the apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows the mapping of the memory in the mode setting dummy head cartridge with ID "2". I
In the memory of the head whose D is "2", in addition to the ID, various set values for printing are stored, and the contents set by the operation unit of the printing apparatus are stored. That is, it is possible for the user of the apparatus to set the desired setting in the memory in the dummy head cartridge for mode setting and to mount it on the recording apparatus, thereby saving the trouble of setting the operation section 10. Before recording, if the data set by the mode setting dummy head cartridge exists on the work RMA 3, the recording device ignores or invalidates the setting of the operation unit 10 and performs recording according to the data. Further, when the user wants to perform the setting by the operation unit, the reset key (not shown) on the operation unit 10 can invalidate the setting data by the mode setting dummy head cartridge.

FIG. 7 shows the memory mapping of the dummy head cartridge for changing the subroutine of ID "3".
In the memory of the dummy head cartridge with ID "3", in addition to the ID, a substitute program for a part of the control program stored in the program ROM 2 in the recording device and the total number of bytes of the program are stored. There is. When the dummy head cartridge with ID "3" is mounted on the recording device, an area for the total number of bytes is secured on the work RAM 3 and the ROM in the cartridge is secured.
The alternative program read from is stored in the area. Further, in the recording operation, the control is not performed according to the replacement program stored in the program ROM 2, but is performed according to the replacement program.

As described above, the recording apparatus reads data from the memory in the cartridge and reflects it on the control according to various cartridges.

FIG. 10 shows an operation flow of the recording apparatus after the power is turned on. After the power is turned on, the registers of the CPU 1 and a part of the work RAM 3 are initialized (step S1),
The ID of the ROM in the cartridge is read. ID
The data in the in-cartridge memory is stored in the work RAM 3 in accordance with the format determined in advance (step S2). Then, the recording operation according to the user's request is performed (step S3). If the cartridge installed in the recording apparatus is not a normal ink jet head cartridge having an ID of "0", the recording operation cannot be performed and the recording operation cannot be started.

By thus accessing the memory in the dummy head cartridge from the head interface for accessing the memory in the ink jet head cartridge, the control method of the recording apparatus, various settings, program changes, etc. can be easily performed.

In this embodiment, among the ink jet recording methods, the method of ejecting ink using bubbles generated by thermal energy has been described.
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be a piezo type.

The typical structure and principle of the method of ejecting ink droplets by using thermal energy in this embodiment are disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. What is carried out using the basic principle is preferable. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and the recording head This is effective because film boiling is caused on the heat-acting surface and the bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal in a one-to-one relationship can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet.
It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape, because the bubble growth and contraction are immediately and appropriately performed, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333, U.S. Pat. No. 44, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The configuration using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration corresponding to the ejection portion is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138461. That is, it is possible to reliably and efficiently perform recording regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. As such a recording head, either one of a structure that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads or a structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. A plurality of pieces may be provided.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, a recording means which is detachable and has a storage means for storing information relating to its own characteristic is replaced with a predetermined information different from the information relating to the characteristic. By mounting the information setting means having the storage means for storing the above information, the predetermined information is read into the apparatus, so that various settings can be easily performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a recording head and a control unit of an inkjet recording apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a correspondence diagram of head cartridge IDs and head cartridge types.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing mapping of a memory in a head cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing mapping of a memory in the inkjet head cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing mapping of a memory in a dummy head cartridge for environment data setting.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing mapping of a memory in a mode setting dummy head cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing mapping of a memory in a dummy head cartridge for changing a subroutine.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an inkjet head cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a sketch of a dummy head cartridge.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the recording apparatus.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 CPU 2 Program ROM 3 Work RAM 5 Inkjet head cartridge 6 ROM 50 Dummy head cartridge 60 ROM

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. The information stored in the first storage means is read by mounting a recording means that is detachable and has a first storage means that stores information relating to its own characteristics, and reads the information. An image recording apparatus that optimizes the operating conditions of the recording unit based on a second information storing predetermined information different from the information relating to the characteristic.
An image characterized in that the predetermined information stored in the second storage means is read out and stored in the storage means in the apparatus by mounting the information setting means equipped with the storage means in place of the recording means. Recording device. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit and the information setting unit have the same shape. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information is information related to an environment in which the apparatus is used. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information is information indicating a recording mode. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information is a control program for the apparatus. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the image by ejecting ink from the ejection port by using the energy generated from the ejection energy generating element. 7. The ejection energy generating element generates thermal energy, and the thermal energy causes a state change in the ink, and the ink is ejected from an ejection port based on the state change to fly droplets. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image recording apparatus is formed.