JPH10181041A - Informing device of use-condition of cartridge in ink jet printer or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give exact information of the use-condition of the ink in a cartridge by a method wherein set total number of dots discharged from a head, a kind and the number of times of cleaning are compared with the actual ones so as to issue a warning signal when the ink in the cartridge runs out, falling short of set values. SOLUTION: The total number of dots discharged from a head, a kind and the number of times of cleaning, all of which are set in advance for every one cartridge, are written in the ROM of a printer 100. When a cartridge IC is loaded in a loading means 101, its loading data, available period and the like are recorded. Further, the information of a detecting means 102 arranged at the loading means 101 is informed to the initial information storing means 201 of a personal computer 200 and a cock means 103 is started. Further, a printer means 104 equipped with a heat part 104A linking with the detecting means 105 of the total number of dots discharged and with the detecting means 106 of the kind and the number of times of cleaning links with a controlling means 202 and the actual use conditions are stored in a data storing means 203 so as to inform by an alarming means 107 having displaying parts 107A and 107B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the art of printers such as ink jet printers, and more particularly, to accurately informing the use status of ink in the printers and thereby achieving high quality printing by using an appropriate cartridge. In the technical field of a notification device that can guarantee the following.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a display means capable of detecting an ink consumption state is provided on a cartridge itself so that the ink consumption state in the cartridge can always be detected. Or the cartridge or its storage container provided with a scale display means or a detection means for visually confirming the ink consumption state, so that the printing process can be continued without worrying about the residual amount of ink consumption. An invention (prior application invention) of Japanese Patent Application No. 8-214058, which is a prior application filed by the present applicant, has been proposed as a device capable of detecting and displaying.

[0003]

According to the above-mentioned prior invention, the point that the ink consumption state in the cartridge can be detected to prevent printing defects due to sudden ink shortage can be prevented. Although it is possible to achieve the expected effect, improvement still remains desirable.

By the way, generally, in printers,
It is a well-known matter to those skilled in the art that it is most desirable to mount a cartridge (genuine cartridge) loaded with ink that is most suitable for the printer and perform printing processing. It is also known that when using a common cartridge, it is difficult to expect the expected print quality unless the ink finishes relatively early or if the number of cleanings is not performed frequently. there were.

In view of such a situation, when the ink in the cartridge loaded in the printer ends before the preset period elapses, or when the cleaning process is performed more than the preset number of times. It has been recognized as a user's need to be able to execute high-quality printing with peace of mind by alerting the operator to a warning.

A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of accurately reporting the use status of ink in a cartridge.

[0007] A second object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of printing out the above-mentioned use situation.

[0008]

The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

(1) An apparatus for informing the use status of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like, comprising: a preset total number of ejection dots from a head; a type and number of cleanings for cleaning the head; Compare the number, type and number of cleanings,
A cartridge use status notification device in an ink jet printer or the like configured to be able to generate a warning signal when at least a set value is deviated and ink in the cartridge is completed.

(2) A device for informing the use state of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like, which compares a preset number of cleaning times of the head with an actual number of cleaning times and determines that at least the actual number of cleaning times is a predetermined number. A cartridge usage status notification device in an ink jet printer or the like configured to transmit a warning signal when it is detected that the number of times has been exceeded.

(3) The device for informing of the use status of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like according to any one of the above (1) and (2), which can notify that the warning is "not a proper cartridge".

(4) The above-mentioned (1) to (3) in which the warning can notify that "it is desirable to use a designated cartridge".
The use status notification device of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like described in the item.

(5) The device for informing of the use status of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like according to any one of the above (1) to (4), wherein the contents of the warning can be printed out by a printing means.

(6) The ink discharge amount (the number of discharge dots) from the head of the ink jet printer or the like can be counted and stored. When the ink end state is detected, the identification number of the replacement cartridge, 7. The apparatus for informing of the use of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like according to any one of the above items (1) to (5), wherein information such as price and price can be printed out.

(7) The cartridge in the ink jet printer or the like according to (6), wherein the use history such as the mounting date, the number of printed dots, the number of cleanings, or the ink end date of the ink cartridge in the ink end state can be printed out. Use status notification device.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The illustrated embodiment will be described below.

1. 1. Configuration The usage status notification device 1 of a cartridge IC schematically shown in a functional block diagram in FIG. 1 includes a printer 100 and a personal computer 200 that controls the printer 100.

In the printer 100, for each cartridge, a preset total number of ejection dots from the head and a type and number of cleanings for cleaning the head are written in the ROM. There are a plurality of types of cleaning, and the amount of ink suction from the head is different. Further, the printer 100 has a loading means 101 capable of loading a cartridge IC. When the cartridge IC is loaded into the loading means 101, the printer I
A loading status detecting means 102 capable of detecting information such as a loading date and an effective use period of C is provided.
2 to the initial information storage means 20 of the personal computer 200
1 and the clock means 1
03 can be started.

The printer means 104 having a head section 104A linked to the cartridge IC is linked to the control means 202 of the personal computer 200 in the same manner.

The head section 104A is linked with a total ejection dot number detecting means 105 and a cleaning type / number of times detecting means 106, and each of the actual use state information is linked with the control section 202 of the personal computer 200. It is configured to be stored in the data storage means 203.

A warning means 10 is provided on the printer 100.
7 is provided, for example, on the first display unit 107A, a message indicating that "the cartridge is not appropriate" is displayed.
The second display unit 107B displays a message indicating that "it is desirable to use the designated cartridge".

The printing unit 104 can be processed by the control unit 202 so that not only the intended printing process but also the display contents of the warning unit 107 can be printed out.

The clock means 103 of the printer 100
Is configured to grasp the lapse of time from the loading of the cartridge IC to the removal of the cartridge IC and notify the control means 202 of the time.

2. Usage (1) Standby setting When a cartridge IC is loaded in the loading means 101 of the printer 100 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 (S1).
The cartridge I is automatically detected by the loading status detecting means 102.
The loading date of C is stored in the initial information storage unit 201 (S
2) At the same time, the clock means 103 is started (S3),
The time information can also be reported to the initial information storage means 201 every moment. Thus, the printer 10
0 indicates a standby state for print processing.

(2) Notification of Warning Next, in response to a command from the personal computer 200, the printer 1
00, the printing process is performed as appropriate, and the total number of ejection dots, the type and number of cleaning of the head unit 104A, and the like are shown in FIG. The current detection information is notified to the control unit 202 (S10), and further detected by the printer 1 in advance.
After the data is compared with the data stored in the ROM in the data storage unit 00 (S11), the data is stored in the data storage unit 203.

At this time, it is determined whether the ink has run out before the predetermined period has elapsed (S11) or the number of cleanings is equal to or more than the predetermined number (S12). If it is, a warning is issued (S1
3), (S14), which can be printed out (S15) as needed, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, and used.

When the end of the ink is after a predetermined period or when the number of times of cleaning is within a predetermined value, for example, information as shown in FIG. 5 may be printed out.

[0028]

The effects achieved by the present invention described above include the following.

It is possible to accurately grasp the usage status of the ink in the cartridge and to notify it in a timely manner.

It is possible to guarantee print quality by using an appropriate cartridge.

The warning based on the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge and other information advises the user on proper use of the cartridge and is highly effective.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a machine block diagram according to an embodiment of a cartridge use status notification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of standby setting in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a warning notification in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a notification report printed out by the use status notification device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the notification report similar to FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Usage Status Notification Device 100 Printer 101 Loading Device 102 Loading Status Detection Device 104 Printer Device 105 Total Discharge Dot Number Detection Device 106 Cleaning Type / Number Detection Device 200 Personal Computer 201 Initial Information Storage Device 202 Control Device 203 Data Storage Device 204 C. R. T

Claims (7)

[Claims] An apparatus for informing a usage state of a cartridge in an ink-jet printer or the like, comprising: a preset total number of ejection dots from a head; a cleaning type and the number of times of cleaning of the head; The type of cleaning and the number of times of cleaning are compared, and at least when the ink in the cartridge is out of the set value, a warning signal is generated. . 2. An apparatus for informing a usage state of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like, wherein a comparison is made between a preset number of times of cleaning of a head and an actual number of times of cleaning, and at least the actual number of times of cleaning is a predetermined number of times. Is exceeded,
A device for reporting the use status of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like configured to transmit a warning signal. 3. The device for informing of a usage state of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like according to claim 1, wherein the warning can notify that “the cartridge is not an appropriate cartridge”. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning can notify that “a designated cartridge is desirably used”. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning content can be printed out by a printing unit. 6. An ink ejection amount (the number of ejection dots) from a head of the ink-jet printer or the like can be counted and stored, and when an ink end state is detected, an identification number of a replacement cartridge, a purchaser, 6. A device for informing of a usage state of a cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like according to claim 1, wherein information such as a price can be printed out. 7. The use of the cartridge in an ink jet printer or the like according to claim 6, wherein the use history of the ink cartridge in the ink end state, such as the installation date, the number of print dots, the number of cleanings, or the ink end date, can be printed out. Status notification device.