KR20040106886A - Method for preventing ink refill and apparatus for detecting ink level therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for preventing ink refill and an apparatus for detecting an ink level are provided to effectively detect the ink level by using an amount of data to be printed. CONSTITUTION: An ink level detecting apparatus includes a memory(214), a control unit(211), a head driver(212) and a data counter(213). The memory(214) stores a present ink level. The control unit(211) transfers printing data in a predetermined unit, reads out the present ink level from the memory(214), and subtracts the predetermined ink level from the ink level outputted from the memory(214). The head driver(212) transfers the printing order to a head(22). The data counter(213) counts the data transferred to the head driver(212) from the control unit(211).

Description

Method for preventing ink refill and apparatus for detecting ink level therefor}

The present invention relates to an ink refill prevention method and an ink level sensing device therefor, and more particularly, to an ink refill prevention method for preventing ink refilling by displaying a current state of a cartridge related to ink levels on a cartridge, and an ink level sensing device therefor. will be.

In general, a cartridge type inkjet printer has a small cartridge, and the cartridge is divided into an integrated type and a separate type depending on where the head which communicates with the printer and the nozzle where the ink is ejected are located. In one-piece type, the head and the nozzle are attached to the cartridge. In the separate type, the head and the nozzle are inside the printer, and when the ink is used up, only the cartridge containing the ink is replaced.

In either case. The number of pages that one cartridge can print is limited, so the amount of ink is relatively important. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the ink from running out during page printing, and to recognize the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge currently being used.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting ink levels in a typical integrated cartridge. When the cover is closed, that is, when the printer is reset (step 101), the printer checks the ID and lot number (Lot No.) of the cartridge uniquely assigned by the printer manufacturer (102). If the confirmed ID and lot number are the same as the most recently stored value (step 103), it is determined that the head is in use and the currently stored ink level is maintained (step 105). If it is not the same in step 103, it is determined as a new cartridge and the ink level is set to "FULL" (step 104).

In this case, however, if the ID and lot number are different from the values stored in the driver or memory of the printer, it is determined as a new head and the ink level is set to "FULL", which is different from the head already used in another printer. You will be judged. That is, even though only about 30% of the ink has already been used in another printer, it is determined to be 100%, and accordingly, there is unclear information about the remaining amount of ink, and the user is informed of incorrect information.

In addition, the conventional ink level detection method disclosed in FIG. 1 uses a dot counter, which is usually detected by counting pixel data transmitted from the printer control unit to the head driver. However, since the ink level detection method by dot counting detects the ink level in the form of counting the dots one by one and decreasing the amount of ink corresponding to the counted dots from the current ink remaining amount, the burden of the dot counter is large.

On the other hand, the use of refilled ink in relation to the cartridge there is a case that the print quality degradation and the trouble of the printer itself. Thus, there is a need for a method of preventing the use of refilled cartridges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a method of preventing ink refilling of a cartridge by using a fuse resistor and an apparatus for detecting an ink level by using an amount of data to be printed.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting ink levels in a typical integrated cartridge.

2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for sensing ink levels in accordance with the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of the configuration of the ink refill prevention apparatus applied to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining a state of a cartridge using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of preventing ink refill during a printing operation using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a first fuse resistor connected to a power supply voltage, a first switch connected to a first fuse resistor on one side and grounded on the other side, a second fuse resistor connected to a power supply voltage, and one side on the first fuse resistor. 2. A method of preventing ink refilling of a cartridge using a cartridge having a second switch connected to a fuse resistor and grounded at another side thereof, and a printer supplying a first or second signal to the first or second switch. (a) when the printer is reset, identifying whether the cartridge is currently in use; (b) determining that the cartridge is free of ink by checking the voltage level of the second fuse resistor if the cartridge is not currently in use; (c) determining that the cartridge is a new cartridge by examining the voltage level of the first fuse resistor if there is ink; And (d) opening the first fuse resistor by supplying a first signal to the first switch if it is determined that the cartridge is new.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, the present invention provides an apparatus for sensing an ink level of the cartridge in the printer for a cartridge having a head in communication with the printer, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing a current ink level; A control unit transferring data to be printed in a predetermined unit, reading the current ink level from the memory, and subtracting an ink level corresponding to a predetermined input value from the read ink level and outputting the ink level to the memory; A head driver for transmitting a command for printing to the head; And a data counter counting data output from the controller to the head driver and outputting the data counter to the controller.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for sensing ink levels in accordance with the present invention. In Fig. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a printer portion, and 22 denotes a head provided in the cartridge.

The printer unit 21 includes a control unit 211, a head driver 212, a data counter 213, and a memory 214. The control unit 211 receives printing data input from a printer driver (not shown) such as a computer and transmits the printing data to the head driver 212 in a predetermined unit. The head driver 212 gives a command to the head 22 for printing. The data counter 213 counts data transferred from the controller 211 to the head driver 212 and outputs the counted data to the controller 211. The control unit 211 calculates an ink amount required to print the counted data, and subtracts the calculated amount from the ink remaining amount currently stored in the memory 214 to detect the ink level.

3 is a view schematically showing the configuration of an ink refill prevention apparatus applied to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of determining a state of a cartridge using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is FIG. 3. A flowchart of a method of preventing ink refill during a printing operation using the apparatus shown in FIG.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 comprises a control unit 211 and a head 22. The controller 211 determines whether the head is a new head, a used head, or a refilled head from the signals DET_NEW and DET_END input from the head 22. In addition, the controller 211 outputs an OPEN_FUSE_0 signal and an OPEN_FUSE_1 signal to the head 22 so as to distinguish whether the head is a new head or a head that has been used at least once.

The head 22 uses the signal of OPEN_FUSE_0 as the gate voltage, the emitter terminal is grounded, the collector terminal is the gate voltage of the first transistor T1 and OPEN_FUSE_1 connected to the resistors R1 and VDD, and the emitter terminal is grounded. The collector terminal has a second transistor T2 connected to the resistors R2 and VDD. Preferably, R1 and R2 are fuse resistors made of a material opened by T1 and T2 acting as switches according to the input of OPEN_FUSE_0 and OPEN_FUSE_1 signals, respectively.

The apparatus is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 as follows.

First, when the cover of the printer is closed (step 401), the control unit 211 checks the ID and lot number of the cartridge (step 402). If the ID and lot number of the cartridge are the same as the most recent value stored in the printer internal memory (e.g., 214 of FIG. 2) (step 403), it is determined that the cartridge is in use and maintains the current ink level stored in the memory ( Step 404).

If it is determined in step 403 that it is not the same, the control unit 211 checks the DET_END port (step 405). Here, the DET_END port indicates that the ink of the ink cartridge is empty. When the ink cartridge is empty by using the ink, the control unit 211 turns on T2 by applying a voltage to the OPEN_FUSE_1 port to open the R2 resistance. . Therefore, if the DET_END port is at the low level "L" (step 406), it indicates that the ink cartridge is empty and outputs a message to replace the cartridge (step 407). If DET_END is not "L" in step 405, the DET_NEW port is checked (step 408). The DET_NEW port indicates that the cartridge is new. When the cartridge is newly installed, the controller 211 applies a voltage to the OPEN_FUSE_0 port to turn on T1 to open the R1 resistor. Therefore, if the DET_NEW port is not at the low level "L" (step 409), it is determined that the cartridge is used at least once but ink remains (step 410). At this time, since the ink level is unknown to the control unit 211, it is notified to the user, and may set an arbitrary value or receive the current ink level from the user through the printer driver.

In step 409, if the DET_NEW port value is the high level "H", the control unit 211 determines that the new cartridge and set the ink level to "FULL" (step 411), and applies the voltage to the OPEN_FUSE_0 port to open the R1 resistor. (Step 412).

The opening process of the R2 resistor for preventing the refill will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

First, when the control unit 211 of the printer receives a print command (step 501), the printing data is transmitted to the head driver 212, and the data counter 213 counts the transmitted data. The control unit 211 checks the current ink level stored in the memory 214 (step 502). The control unit 211 calculates an ink amount required for printing from the data counted from the data counter 213 and compares it with the checked ink level (step 503). As a result of the comparison, if the ink is low, an ink low message is output (step 504). If there is no ink, the R2 resistance is opened by applying a voltage to the OPEN_FUSE_1 port (step 505). Opening R2 is intended to prevent refilling of ink by refilling only the ink cartridge. After opening the R2 resistor, the controller 211 outputs a cartridge replacement message (step 506).

According to the present invention, the fuse resistor can be used to distinguish and display a new cartridge, a cartridge in use, or a cartridge that has been used at least once in another printer, thereby providing the user with more accurate information on the cartridge and ink level. And the use of a refilled ink cartridge can be prevented. In addition, the ink level detection method counts by a predetermined data unit, which is simpler and more accurate than that of the conventional dot counting method.

Claims (6)

A first fuse connected to a power supply voltage, a first switch connected at one side to the first fuse resistor and the other side to ground, a second fuse resistor connected to a power supply voltage, and one side connected to the second fuse resistor and the other side grounded A method for preventing ink refilling of a cartridge using a cartridge having a second switch and a printer for supplying a first or second signal to the first or second switch, (a) when the printer is reset, identifying whether the cartridge is currently in use; (b) determining that the cartridge is free of ink by checking the voltage level of the second fuse resistor if the cartridge is not currently in use; (c) determining that the cartridge is a new cartridge by examining the voltage level of the first fuse resistor if there is ink; And and (d) supplying a first signal to the first switch to open the first fuse resistor if the cartridge is determined to be a new cartridge. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) (b1) checking the ink level of the cartridge if it is determined that the cartridge is currently in use and a print command is made; and (b2) if there is no ink, outputting the second signal to the second switch to open the second fuse resistor and output a cartridge replacement message. The method of claim 2, The ink level inspection in step (b1) is performed by counting data to be printed, determining an ink amount corresponding to the counted data amount, and comparing the determined amount with the remaining ink amount of the printer. How to avoid refills. The method of claim 3, And the printer outputs an ink shortage message if the determined amount is greater than the remaining ink level. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) Determining that the cartridge has been previously used at least once if the cartridge is not a new cartridge, and setting the ink level to a predetermined value. . An apparatus for sensing the ink level of the cartridge in a printer for a cartridge having a head in communication with a printer, the apparatus comprising: A memory for storing a current ink level; A control unit transferring data to be printed in a predetermined unit, reading the current ink level from the memory, and subtracting an ink level corresponding to a predetermined input value from the read ink level and outputting the ink level to the memory; A head driver for transmitting a command for printing to the head; And And a data counter counting data output from the control unit to the head driver and outputting the data counter to the control unit.