JP2008068478A - Printing apparatus and printing apparatus control method - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing apparatus capable of appropriately storing data transmitted and received between memories in the memory and a method for controlling the printing apparatus.
(A) a printing apparatus main body having a first memory; and (b) a cartridge detachable from the printing apparatus main body, the first memory being mounted on the printing apparatus main body. A cartridge having a second memory capable of communication; (c) a cover that can be opened and closed; and a cover that can be attached and detached when the cartridge is opened; and (d) a cover sensor that detects opening and closing of the cover. (E) a clock signal generator for generating a clock signal for synchronous communication between the first memory and the second memory; and (f) when the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, A printing apparatus comprising: a control unit that stops generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generation unit; and (g).
[Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing apparatus control method.

  Some printing apparatuses include a printing apparatus main body, a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus main body, and a cover that can be opened and closed, and that can be attached and detached when the cartridge is opened. . The printing apparatus main body has a first memory, and the cartridge has a second memory. When the cartridge is attached to the printing apparatus main body, the first memory and the second memory can communicate with each other. It has become a structure.

The printing apparatus includes a clock signal generator that generates a clock signal for synchronous communication between the first memory and the second memory, and is synchronized with the clock signal generated by the clock signal generator. Data is transmitted and received between the first memory and the second memory.
JP 2002-207401 A

  By the way, the cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus main body may be removed by opening the cover during the communication between the first memory and the second memory (this phenomenon is called a so-called phenomenon). Called hot insertion / extraction). If data is transmitted / received between the first memory and the second memory while the cartridge is being removed, the data is not properly transmitted to the first memory or the second memory. May not be stored.

  For example, when data is transmitted / received between the first memory and the second memory while the cartridge is being removed, the data is erroneously written in an area of the first memory or the second memory where data is not originally written. There is a fear.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of appropriately storing data transmitted and received between memories in the memory, and a control method for the printing apparatus. It is in.

In order to solve the above problems, the main present invention is:
A printing apparatus main body having a first memory;
A cartridge that is detachable from the printing apparatus main body, and has a second memory that can communicate with the first memory when mounted on the printing apparatus main body;
A cover that can be opened and closed, and a cover that can be attached and detached when the cartridge is opened;
A cover sensor for detecting opening and closing of the cover;
A clock signal generator for generating a clock signal for synchronous communication between the first memory and the second memory;
When the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, a control unit that stops generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generation unit;
A printing apparatus comprising:

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A printing apparatus main body having a first memory;
A cartridge that is detachable from the printing apparatus main body, and has a second memory that can communicate with the first memory when mounted on the printing apparatus main body;
A cover that can be opened and closed, and a cover that can be attached and detached when the cartridge is opened;
A cover sensor for detecting opening and closing of the cover;
A clock signal generator for generating a clock signal for synchronous communication between the first memory and the second memory;
When the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, a control unit that stops generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generation unit;
A printing apparatus comprising:
According to such a printing apparatus, when the generation of the clock signal is stopped, data transmission / reception is not performed between the first memory and the second memory when the cover is opened and the cartridge is removed. For this reason, for example, it is possible to prevent data from being erroneously written in an area that is originally a non-write area of the second memory. Therefore, according to the printing apparatus described above, data transmitted / received between the first memory and the second memory can be appropriately stored in these memories even if so-called hot-swapping occurs.

  In the printing apparatus, data is transmitted and received between the first memory and the second memory in synchronization with the clock signal, and the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened. In this case, it is desirable to stop the generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generation unit and the transmission / reception of the data.

  Further, in the printing apparatus, when the control unit detects that the cover is opened when data is transmitted to the second memory, the clock signal is generated by the clock signal generation unit. It is desirable to stop the occurrence of

  In this printing apparatus, the data transmitted to the second memory is data composed of non-write data that is not written to the second memory and write data that is written to the second memory. A reset signal generator for generating a reset signal for serial transmission of the non-write data and the write data in order, and for serial transmission to the second memory for each data group And the control unit causes the reset signal generation unit to generate the reset signal when the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, and causes the clock signal generation unit to generate the clock signal. It is desirable to cancel. In such a case, even if the clock signal is erroneously output due to noise, the data transmitted to the second memory in synchronization with this clock signal is non-write data, so that the non-write area of the second memory Write data can be prevented from being written by mistake.

  In the printing apparatus, when the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened when data is transmitted to the second memory, the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened. When the first memory and the second memory communicate with each other, the write data stored in the first memory is transmitted to the second memory when the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened. It is desirable to be written. In such a case, write data that has not been written to the second memory at the time of so-called hot-swap is properly written to the cartridge after hot-swap.

  Further, in the printing apparatus, identification information for identifying the cartridge is stored in the first memory and the second memory, and when the data is transmitted to the second memory, the cover When the cover sensor detects that the cover has opened, the first memory and the second memory communicate after the cover sensor detects that the cover has been opened, and the identification information of the first memory And the identification information of the second memory is the same, the write data stored in the first memory when the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened is the second memory It is desirable to be sent and written to.

  In the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the cartridge is an ink cartridge containing ink, and the writing data is a usage amount of the ink.

Furthermore, a printing apparatus main body having a first memory;
A cartridge that is detachable from the printing apparatus main body, and has a second memory that can communicate with the first memory when mounted on the printing apparatus main body;
A cover that can be opened and closed, and a cover that can be attached and detached when the cartridge is opened;
A cover sensor for detecting opening and closing of the cover;
A method for controlling a printing apparatus comprising:
Generating a clock signal for synchronous communication between the first memory and the second memory;
When detecting that the cover is opened by the cover sensor, stopping the generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generation unit;
A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising:
According to such a control method of the printing apparatus, data transmitted and received between the first memory and the second memory can be appropriately stored in these memories even if so-called hot-swapping occurs. Become.

=== Configuration of Printing Apparatus ===
A configuration of an inkjet printer 1 (also simply referred to as a printer 1), which is an embodiment of a “printing apparatus”, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the printer 1. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cartridge cover 27 is closed, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cartridge cover 27 is opened and the ink cartridge is being attached or detached.

  The printer 1 ejects ink onto a paper S and prints an image on the paper S. Inside the printer 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a carriage 41 and a head mounted on the carriage 41 are provided. 21, a drive mechanism 24 that moves the carriage 41 relatively parallel to the paper S while maintaining a predetermined interval, and a transport mechanism 36 that transports the paper S along a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage 41. And a control unit 50 (details will be described later).

  The head 21 ejects ink of each color toward the paper S to form dots on the paper S, and prints an image on the paper S.

  The drive mechanism 24 includes a timing belt 45 connected to the carriage 41, a pulley 44 meshed with the timing belt 45, a carriage motor 42 that rotationally drives the pulley 44, and a guide rail 46 that guides the movement of the carriage 41. And a linear encoder code plate 51 as a linear encoder for detecting the position of the carriage 41, and a detection unit 52 for reading the linear encoder code plate 51. The drive mechanism 24 drives the carriage motor 42 to rotate the timing belt 45 via the pulley 44. As a result, the carriage 41 moves relative to the paper S along the guide rail 46. The carriage motor 42 is driven and controlled by a control signal from the control unit 50.

  The transport mechanism 36 includes a platen 14, a transport roller 17A, a transport motor 15 that rotationally drives the transport roller 17A, a paper detection sensor 53 that detects whether or not the paper S has reached a predetermined position, and the transport roller 17A. And a rotary encoder 56 for detecting the amount of rotation. The platen 14 is disposed to face the head 21. When the carry motor 15 is driven, the carry roller 17 </ b> A rotates and the paper S is carried on the platen 14. The conveyance motor 15 is driven and controlled by a control signal from the control unit 50.

  During printing, the paper S is intermittently transported by a predetermined transport amount by the transport roller 17A, and the carriage 41 moves along a direction intersecting the transport direction by the transport roller 17A between the intermittent transports. However, printing is performed by ejecting ink from the head 21 toward the paper S.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a cartridge cover 27, which is an example of a “cover”, is provided on the lower front surface of the printer 1. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cartridge cover 27 is a cover that can be opened and closed when a user installs or replaces an ink cartridge INC, which is an example of a “cartridge”. Is provided. The ink cartridge INC contains ink, and the ink is supplied to the head 21 described above.

  A cover sensor 29 (FIG. 2) for detecting the opening / closing of the cartridge cover 27 is provided in the vicinity of the cartridge cover 27. The cover sensor 29 is an optical sensor including a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit. When the cartridge cover 27 is closed, light emitted from the light emitting unit is blocked by the cartridge cover 27, so that the light receiving unit does not receive the light and the cover sensor 29 is turned off. On the other hand, when the cartridge cover 27 is opened, the cover sensor 29 is turned on when the light receiving unit receives light emitted from the light emitting unit.

  Further, an operation panel 2 is provided on the front surface of the printer 1. The operation panel 2 is provided with a power switch button that allows a user or the like to switch on / off the power of the printer 1.

=== Configuration of Ink Cartridge etc. ===
FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating the ink cartridge INC. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the cartridge attaching / detaching portion 28 to which the ink cartridge INC is attached / detached.

  The printer 1 can be attached with four ink cartridges INC having different ink colors (specifically, a black ink cartridge INC1, a yellow ink cartridge INC2, a magenta ink cartridge INC3, and a cyan ink cartridge INC4). Since these four ink cartridges INC have the same configuration, the black ink cartridge INC1 will be described as an example here. In the present embodiment, a portion of the printer 1 excluding the four ink cartridges INC corresponds to a printer main body as a “printing device main body”.

  The ink cartridge INC1 includes a cartridge main body 26a that forms an ink storage portion that stores ink therein, and a storage element 26b that is an example of a “second memory” built in an outer frame portion of the cartridge main body 26a (for details, see FIG. (To be described later).

A connector 28a is disposed on the inner wall of the cartridge attaching / detaching portion 28. When the ink cartridge INC1 is attached to the cartridge attaching / detaching portion 28, the connection terminal 26c (FIG. 4A) of the storage element 26b is electrically connected to the connector 28a. An electrode 28b connected to is formed.
In a state where the connection terminal 26c and the electrode 28b are electrically connected, data can be transmitted and received between the printer main body and the storage element 26b.

=== Configuration of Control Unit ===
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is for controlling the printer 1, and includes a CPU 101, a memory 102, a clock 103 that is an example of a “clock signal generation unit”, an interface unit 104, a reset signal generation unit 105, have.

  The CPU 101 is for controlling the entire printer. The memory 102 includes an electrically rewritable RAM 102a, an EEPROM 102b which is a “first memory” (details will be described later), and a ROM 102c including various control programs. The clock 103 periodically generates a clock signal for the CPU 101. The interface unit 104 transmits and receives data (for example, a print processing command and a cleaning processing command) to and from a computer or the like provided outside the printer 1. The reset signal generator 105 generates a reset signal (described later).

=== Configuration of memory ===
The configuration of the storage element 26b of the four ink cartridges INC and the configuration of the EEPROM 102b of the printer main body will be described. Since the data arrays of the storage elements 26b of the four ink cartridges INC have the same configuration, the data array of the storage elements 26b of the black ink cartridge INC1 will be described here.

  FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of the storage elements 26b of the ink cartridge INC1. The data stored in the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1 is “ink use amount”, “number of times of attachment”, and “serial number”. The “ink usage amount” is data indicating the usage amount of the toner stored in the ink cartridge INC1, and the “number of attachments” is data indicating the number of times the ink cartridge INC1 is attached to the printer. "Is data indicating" identification information "for identifying individual ink cartridges.

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of the EEPROM 102b of the printer main body. The data stored in the EEPROM 102b are “ink usage”, “number of times of attachment”, “serial No.”, and “hot-swap flag” corresponding to each ink cartridge INC. The “hot line insertion / extraction flag” is set when the cover sensor 29 detects that the cartridge cover 27 is opened during transmission of data to the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC.

  The “ink use amount”, “attachment count”, and “serial number” of the storage element 26b of each color ink cartridge INC are read to the EEPROM 102b when the printer 1 is turned on. Further, the “ink usage” in the EEPROM 102b is updated every time ink is consumed by a printing process or a cleaning process described later. The “ink usage” of the “ink usage”, “number of times of attachment”, and “serial No.” of the EEPROM 102b is the “ink usage” of the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge when the printer 1 is turned off. Written in "amount".

=== Operation of Printer 1 when Data is Transmitted / Received ===
In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, since the ink cartridge INC is configured to be detachable from the printer body, the ink cartridge INC is appropriately attached, and the ink cartridge INC is appropriately used. In order to determine whether or not the data is read, synchronous communication of data is performed between the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC and the EEPROM 102b of the printer main body. Hereinafter, an operation of the printer 1 when data communication is executed between the storage element 26b and the EEPROM 102b will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 1 when data is transmitted and received between the storage element 26b and the EEPROM 102b.

  Various operations when the operation of the printer 1 is executed are mainly realized by the control unit 50. In particular, this embodiment is realized by the CPU 101 processing a program stored in the ROM 102c. And this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for performing the various operation | movement demonstrated below.

  When the power switch button on the operation panel 2 is operated by the user or the like and the printer 1 is turned on, the control unit 50 first executes an initialization operation (step S102). As the initialization operation, for example, the control unit 50 moves the carriage 41 to a predetermined standby position before starting the printing process, or detects whether the cartridge cover 27 is closed by the cover sensor 29 or the like.

  Next, the control unit 50 performs a data read process for the data stored in the storage element 26b of each color ink cartridge (step S104). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the control unit 50 reads “ink use amount”, “number of times of attachment”, and “serial number” of the storage element 26 b. The details of the data reading process according to the present embodiment will be described later.

  Next, when the print processing command is received from the computer via the interface unit 104 (step S106: Yes), the control unit 50 executes the print processing (step S108). That is, the control unit 50 ejects ink from the head 21 mounted on the carriage 41 moved by the driving mechanism 24 onto the paper S conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 36. Thereby, an image is printed on the paper S.

  Then, the control unit 50 updates the value of “ink usage” stored in the EEPROM 102b so as to increase by the amount of ink consumed in the printing process in step S108 (step S110).

  Next, when the cleaning command is received from the computer via the interface unit 104 (step S112: Yes), the control unit 50 executes a cleaning process (step S114). That is, the control unit 50 causes a pump device (not shown) to suck out ink from the head 21. For this reason, when the cleaning process is executed, the ink is consumed.

  Then, the control unit 50 updates the value of “ink use amount” stored in the EEPROM 102b so as to increase by the amount of ink consumed in the cleaning process in step S114 (step S116).

  Next, when the ink cartridge INC has been replaced (step S118: Yes), the control unit 50 stores the data stored in the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC attached to the printer 1 after the replacement (“ink use”). “Amount”, “Number of times of attachment” and “Serial No”) are read out in the same manner as in step S104 (step S120).

  On the other hand, if the ink cartridge INC is not exchanged (step S118: No) and the power switch button on the operation panel 2 is operated by the user or the like to turn off the printer 1 (step S122: Yes), The controller 50 causes the power off process to be executed (step S124).

  Then, the controller 50 writes the data (specifically, “ink usage”) of the EEPROM 102b in the storage element 26b of each color ink cartridge INC during the power-off process (step S126). As a result, the “ink usage amount” of the EEPROM 102 and the “ink usage amount” of the storage element 26 b have the same value.

  In this way, when the communication is normally performed between the EEPROM 102b and the storage element 26b, only the “ink usage” in the storage element 26b becomes a writing area to be written, and “Serial No”. Or “number of times of attachment” is a non-written area where data is not written.

=== Printer operation when removing ink cartridge during data transmission / reception ===
As described in the section “Problems to be Solved by the Invention”, the ink cartridge INC, which is detachable from the printer main body, is being transmitted / received between the EEPROM 102b of the printer main body and the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC. The cartridge cover 27 may be opened and removed (this phenomenon is referred to as so-called hot insertion / extraction). If data is transmitted / received between the EEPROM 102b and the storage element 26b while the ink cartridge INC is being removed, the data may not be transmitted / received normally, and the data may not be properly stored in the EEPROM 102b or the storage element 26b. There is.

  Here, the case where the ink cartridge INC is removed when writing the EEPROM 102b data to the storage element 26b will be described as an example.

  As described above, the data (“ink usage”) in the EEPROM 102b is stored in the storage element 26b in synchronization with the clock signal generated by the clock 103 during the power-off process of the printer 1 (step S124 shown in FIG. 7). The data is serially transmitted and written to the storage element 26b (specifically, an area where “ink usage” is stored). However, the ink cartridge INC may be removed during the serial transmission (the connection between the connection terminal 26c of the storage element 26b and the electrode 28b of the detachable portion 28 is released), and the serial transmission is performed while the ink cartridge is being removed. The written data (“ink usage amount”) may be written not in the area where the “ink usage amount” of the storage element 26 b is stored, but in the area where “serial number” or “number of times of attachment” is stored. is there.

  For example, when the “ink usage amount” of the EEPROM 102b is written in the area storing the “serial No.” of the storage element 26b, the “serial No.” of the EEPROM 102b and the “serial No.” of the storage element 26b if there is no hot plugging. Are supposed to be the same value, but the two “Serial Nos” become different values due to hot-line insertion / extraction. For this reason, the storage element 26b does not have original information regarding the ink cartridge INC.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, in the present embodiment, the controller 50 detects when the cover sensor 29 detects that the cartridge cover 27 is opened during the power-off process of the printer 1 (that is, When the cover sensor 29 is on), the generation of the clock signal by the clock 103 is stopped. Further, the controller 50 re-writes data that has not been written to the storage element 26b due to hot-swapping, so that when the power of the printer 1 is turned on after the generation of the clock signal is stopped and the EEPROM 102b and the storage element 26b communicate with each other. The data (“toner usage amount”) stored in the EEPROM 102b when the generation of the clock signal is stopped is written in the storage element 26b.

  In the following, the operation of the printer 1 when hot-swap occurs when writing data to the storage element 26b and the operation of the printer 1 when re-writing data to the ink cartridge where hot-swapping has occurred will be described. To do.

<<< Regarding Data Writing Process to Ink Cartridge >>>
The operation of the printer 1 when hot-swapping occurs when data in the EEPROM 102b is written into the storage element 26b will be described. This process corresponds to “data writing process to ink cartridge” in step S126 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining data writing processing to each ink cartridge.
First, the control unit 50 writes the data (specifically, “ink usage”) of the EEPROM 102b to the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC (step S202).

Details of the data writing process to the storage element 26b will be described.
FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the generation timing of the clock signal CLK and the reset signal LST and the transmission timing of data when hot-swap is not occurring. FIG. 9 is a timing chart when data is sequentially transmitted to the storage element 26b of the four-color ink cartridge INC.

  The controller 50 serially transmits the four data groups DATA in synchronization with the clock signal CLK for the data writing process to the storage element 26b. The reset signal generator 105 generates the reset signal RST at a predetermined cycle t (the reset signal RST switches from the L state to the H state), but the control unit 50 generates the reset signal RST. At this time, serial transmission of each data group DATA is started.

  The four data groups described above include the data group DATA (K) transmitted to the storage element 26b of the black ink cartridge INC1, the data group DATA (Y) transmitted to the storage element 26b of the yellow ink cartridge INC2, and A data group DATA (M) transmitted to the storage element 26b of the magenta ink cartridge INC3 and a data group DATA (C) transmitted to the storage element 26b of the cyan ink cartridge INC4.

  Each of the four data groups DATA includes “identification ID” and “write command” that are non-write data that is not written to the storage element 26b, and “ink use” that is write data that is written to the storage element 26b. Amount ”is serially transmitted in the order of“ identification ID ”,“ write command ”, and“ ink usage ”. The “ink usage” is the same as the data stored in the EEPROM 102b. The “identification ID” is data indicating one of the four ink cartridges INC, and the “write command” is a command for writing “ink consumption” serially transmitted after the “write command”. It is data which shows.

  The “identification ID”, “write command”, and “ink usage” of the data group DATA (K) are bit data each composed of a predetermined number of bits. For this reason, for example, the bit data constituting the “ink use amount” is serially transmitted, so that the “ink use amount” is written in the storage element 26b.

Here, the transmission method of the data group DATA will be described by taking the data group DATA (K) transmitted to the black ink cartridge INC1 as an example.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining data writing processing to the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1.

  The control unit 50 configures the “identification ID” of the ink cartridge INC1 in synchronization with the clock signal CLK at the timing of generating the reset signal RST (at the timing of switching from the L state to the H state) (step S302). The bits to be transmitted are sequentially transmitted (step S304). In this embodiment, when the ink cartridge INC1 receives this “identification ID”, data can be transmitted to the ink cartridge INC1.

  Next, the control unit 50 sequentially transmits the bits constituting the “write command” to the ink cartridge INC1 in synchronization with the clock signal CLK (step S306). Then, the ink cartridge INC1 side receives the “write command”, and the data transmitted thereafter (that is, “ink usage (K)”) is the write data written to the storage element 26b. Recognize

  Next, in synchronization with the clock signal CLK, the control unit 50 sequentially transmits a plurality of bits constituting the “ink usage (K)” of the EEPROM 102b to the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1 (steps S308 and S310). ). When the cover sensor 29 does not detect that the cartridge cover 27 has been opened during the transmission of the plurality of bids (the cover sensor 29 is in an off state) (step S312: No), “ink usage (K)” is configured. When the transmission of all the bits to be completed is completed (step S314: Yes), the “ink usage (K)” of the EEPROM 102b is written in the “ink usage” area of the storage element 26b.

  Incidentally, during transmission of the data group DATA (K) to the storage element 26b, the user or the like may open the cartridge cover 27 and remove the ink cartridge INC from the printer body. When data transmission to the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1 is executed while the ink cartridge INC is being removed, for example, the data of “ink usage (K)” being transmitted is stored in the “serial No.” of the storage element 26b. ”May be erroneously written in an area (originally a non-write area).

  Here, description will be made assuming that the ink cartridge INC1 is removed during transmission of the data group DATA (K) to the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the generation timing of the clock signal CLK and the reset signal LST and the data transmission timing when so-called hot-swap occurs. In the present embodiment, the cover sensor 29 detects that the cartridge cover 27 is opened during transmission of a plurality of bits constituting the “ink usage (K)” (the cover sensor 29 is in an ON state) (step 312). : Yes), the control unit 50 causes the reset signal generation unit 105 to generate the reset signal RST (step S322). Then, the control unit 50 stops the generation of the clock signal CLK by the clock 103 (step S324).

  As described above, the “ink use amount (K)” is transmitted to the storage element 26b in synchronization with the clock signal CLK. Therefore, when the generation of the clock signal CLK is stopped, the “ink use amount (K)” is described. The transmission of the remaining bits constituting "" to the storage element 26b is also stopped. If all the bits of “ink consumption” are not received by the ink cartridge INC1, writing to the storage element 26b is not performed. For this reason, the “ink usage (K)” stored in the EEPROM 102b and the “ink usage” stored in the storage element 26b show different values. That is, the “ink use amount” of the storage element 26b is a value that maintains the state where the ink amount used in the printing process, the cleaning process, and the like is not updated.

  After stopping the generation of the clock signal CLK (step S324), the control unit 50 sets a “hot line insertion / extraction flag” in the EEPROM 102b of the printer main body (step S326). As a result, there is a possibility that the ink cartridge has been removed during the transmission of the “ink usage (K)” to the storage element 26b, and it is determined that the data in the storage element 26b is not suitable for the use status of the ink cartridge INC1. Is done.

  Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the description of the data writing process to each ink cartridge will be continued.

  When the “hot-swap flag” of the EEPROM 102b is set (step S204: Yes), the controller 50 determines that other ink cartridges (that is, yellow ink cartridge INC2, magenta ink cartridge INC3, cyan ink) are set. The data writing process (step S202) to the storage element 26b of the cartridge INC4) is not executed (see FIG. 11).

  On the other hand, when the “hot-swap flag” of the EEPROM 102b is not set (step S204: No), the control unit 50 sets the ink cartridge INC2, the ink cartridge INC3, and the ink cartridge INC4 as shown in FIG. Write processing of “ink consumption” to the storage element 26b is executed (step S206: No, step S202). Then, when the data writing process (step S202) to the storage element 26b of the ink cartridges of all colors is executed (step S206: Yes), this process ends.

<<< Process for Reading Data from Ink Cartridge >>>
Next, a process of reading data from the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge INC1 is mounted on the printer body again after the ink cartridge INC1 is removed during transmission of the data group DATA (K) to the storage element 26b. Will be described. This process corresponds to “data reading process from ink cartridge” in step S104 (step S120) of the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the data reading process from each ink cartridge INC.
First, the control unit 50 reads data (specifically, “serial No” and “number of attachments”) from the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC (step S402).

Here, the process of reading data from the storage element 26b will be described by taking the black ink cartridge INC1 as an example.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a process of reading data from the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1.

  The control unit 50 configures the “identification ID” of the ink cartridge INC1 in synchronization with the clock signal CLK at the timing of generating the reset signal RST (at the timing of switching from the L state to the H state) (step S502). The bits to be transmitted are sequentially transmitted (step S504). In this embodiment, when the ink cartridge INC1 receives this “identification ID”, data can be transmitted to the ink cartridge INC1.

  Next, the control unit 50 sequentially transmits the bits constituting the “read command” to the ink cartridge INC1 in synchronization with the clock signal CLK (step 506). When the ink cartridge INC1 receives this “read command”, the bits constituting the “serial No.” and “number of times of attachment” of the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1 are transmitted to the EEPROM 102b in synchronization with the clock signal CLK. (Steps S508 and S510). Then, the reading process is executed until the bits constituting “Serial No” and “Number of times of attachment” are transmitted to the EEPROM 102b (Step S512: No).

  Next, the control unit 50 also executes data read processing (step S402) for the other ink cartridges (ink cartridge INC2, ink cartridge INC3, and ink cartridge INC4), and the storage elements of the four color ink cartridges. When the data reading process from 26b is completed (step S404: Yes), the hot-line insertion / removal process of the ink cartridge INC is performed (step S406).

Here, the details of the return processing of the hot insertion / extraction of the ink cartridge will be described by taking the ink cartridge INC1 as an example.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the hot-line insertion / return process of the ink cartridge INC1.

  First, the control unit 50 determines whether the “serial No.” and “number of times of attachment” of the EEPROM 102b of the printer main body are the same as the “serial number” and “number of times of attachment” of the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1. Is determined (steps S602 and S604).

  If the control unit 50 determines that the “serial No.” and the “number of times of attachment” are the same (step 602: Yes, step S604: Yes), then the “hot-swap flag” of the EEPROM 102b is set. It is determined whether it is set (step S606). In the present embodiment, since the “hot line insertion / extraction flag” is set (step S 326 in FIG. 10) in the data writing process described above (step S 606: Yes), “ink usage (K)” in the EEPROM 102 b. Is written in the “ink consumption” area of the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1 (step S608). As a result, the “ink use amount” that has not been written to the storage element 26b during the hot-line insertion / extraction is written.

  In the above description, since the same ink cartridge INC1 is attached and detached, the “serial number” and the “number of times of attachment” match. However, when a different ink cartridge is attached or detached, the “serial No” does not match (step S602: No). Further, if the printer is attached / detached to / from another printer during the attachment / detachment, the “number of attachments” does not match (step S604: No). In this case, the control unit 50 first increments the “number of attachments” of the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1 by “+1” (step S612), and writes the “number of attachments” of the storage element 26b in the EEPROM 102b ( Step S614). As a result, the “number of times of mounting” of the EEPROM 102b corresponds to the newly mounted ink cartridge INC.

Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the description of the data reading process from each ink cartridge will be continued.
Upon completion of the active insertion / removal return process (step S406) of the ink cartridge INC1, the control unit 50 executes a hot-line insertion / removal return process for the other ink cartridges INC2, INC3, INC4 (step S406). When the hot-line insertion / removal process of the four-color ink cartridges INC is executed (step S408: Yes), the control unit 50 clears the “hot-line insertion / extraction flag” in the EEPROM 102b (step S410). Thereby, this process is complete | finished.

=== Effectiveness of Printer 1 According to the Present Embodiment ===
As described above, the “printing apparatus” (printer 1) according to the present embodiment includes (a) a “printing apparatus main body” (printer main body) having a “first memory” (EEPROM 102b), and (b) the printer main body. An ink cartridge INC that has a “second memory” (storage element 26b) that can communicate with the EEPROM 102b when it is attached to the printer body. c) a “cover” (cartridge cover 27) that can be opened and closed, and a cartridge cover 27 that can be attached and detached when opened, and (d) a cover sensor 29 that detects opening and closing of the cartridge cover 27. (E) a clock signal for synchronously communicating the EEPROM 102b and the storage element 26b, It includes a click signal generating unit "(clock 103), the.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the printer 1 includes a control unit 50 that stops generating the clock signal by the clock 103 when the cover sensor 29 detects that the cartridge cover 27 is opened.

  In this way, by stopping the generation of the clock signal, when the cartridge cover 27 is opened and the ink cartridge INC is removed, data is transmitted and received between the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge and the EEPROM 102b of the printer body. Not executed. For this reason, for example, it is possible to prevent data (“ink usage”) from being erroneously written in the “serial No.” or the like, which is originally a non-writing area, of the storage element 26b. Therefore, according to the printer 1 described above, data transmitted and received between the EEPROM 102b and the storage element 26b can be appropriately stored in these memories even when hot-line insertion / extraction occurs.

=== Other Embodiments ===
Although the printer 1 and the printing system 100 as one embodiment have been described, the above-described embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the “ink usage” of the EEPROM 102b is updated every time the printing process or the cleaning process is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the update of the “ink usage” every time the printing process or the cleaning process is performed is performed in the RAM 102a, and the value of the “ink usage” stored in the RAM 102a is set when the printer 1 is turned off. The data may be updated by writing to the EEPROM 102b.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the controller 50 detects that the cartridge cover 27 is opened when the data stored in the EEPROM 102b is transmitted to the storage element 26b. In this case, the generation of the clock signal by the clock 103 is stopped, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the generation of the clock signal may be stopped when the cover sensor 29 detects that the cartridge cover 27 is opened when reading data from the storage element 26b.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the data transmitted from the EEPROM 102b to the storage element 26b is “non-write data” (for example, “identification ID” or “ Data command ”) and“ write data ”(for example,“ ink usage ”) written in the storage element 26b, and the data group DATA includes the non-write data, Serial transmission is performed in the order of the write data. In addition, the printer 1 includes a reset signal generation unit 105 that generates a reset signal for serial transmission to the storage element 26b for each data group DATA. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the cover sensor 29 detects that the cartridge cover 27 has been opened, the control unit 50 generates a reset signal in the reset signal generation unit 105 and uses the clock 103. The generation of the clock signal was stopped. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the reset signal may not be generated.

  When the reset signal is not generated and the generated clock signal is erroneously generated due to noise, write data (“ink usage”) may be transmitted in synchronization with this clock signal. There is a possibility that the “ink usage” is erroneously written in the non-writing area of the storage element 26b. On the other hand, when a reset signal is generated, even if a clock signal is erroneously output due to noise, data transmitted to the storage element 26b in synchronization with this clock signal is not written data (“identification ID”). Or “write command”), which is more preferable in that write data can be prevented from being erroneously written in the non-write region of the storage element 26b.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, when the cover sensor 29 detects that the cartridge cover 27 is opened when the data stored in the EEPROM 102b is transmitted to the storage element 26b, the cartridge cover When the EEPROM 102b and the storage element 26b communicate with each other after the cover sensor 29 detects that the cover 27 is opened, the write data stored in the EEPROM 102b when the cover sensor 29 detects that the cartridge cover 27 is opened (" Ink use amount ") is transmitted and written to the storage element 26b, but is not limited thereto. For example, during communication between the so-called EEPROM 102b after hot-swap and the storage element 26b, the “ink usage” stored in the EEPROM 102b when hot-swap occurs may not be written to the memory element 26b. .

  If the “ink usage” stored in the EEPROM 102b is not written to the storage element 26b when hot-swap occurs, the ink cartridge INC provided with the storage element 26b is mounted on the printer body again and used. In this case, printing is performed based on an “ink usage amount” different from the actual amount. On the other hand, when the “ink usage” stored in the EEPROM 102b at the time of occurrence of hot-swapping is written in the storage element 26b, it is more desirable in that the above problem is improved.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cartridge is an ink cartridge containing ink, and the writing data is “ink consumption”. For this reason, the “printing apparatus” provided with the cartridge is an ink jet printer.

However, it is not limited to this.

  For example, the cartridge may be a toner cartridge that contains toner, and the writing data may be the amount of toner used. In such a case, the “printing apparatus” is a so-called electrophotographic laser printer (including a photoconductor and a developing device).

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printer 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a printer. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cartridge cover 27 is closed, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cartridge cover 27 is opened and the ink cartridge is being attached or detached. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating the ink cartridge INC1. FIG. 4B is a view showing the cartridge attaching / detaching portion 28 of the printer main body. 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit 50. FIG. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of the storage elements 26b of the ink cartridge INC1. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of the EEPROM 102b of the printer main body. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer 1 when data is transmitted and received between the storage element 26b and the EEPROM 102b. 6 is a flowchart for explaining data writing processing to each ink cartridge. 6 is a timing chart showing generation timings of a clock signal and a reset signal and data transmission timings. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a data writing process to the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1. It is the timing chart which showed the generation timing of a clock signal and a reset signal, and the transmission timing of data when what is called hot-line insertion / extraction occurs. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a process of reading data from each ink cartridge. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process of reading data from the storage element 26b of the ink cartridge INC1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining hot-line insertion / removal recovery processing of the ink cartridge INC1.

Explanation of symbols

1 printer, 2 operation panel, 14 platen, 15 transport motor,
17A transport roller, 21 head, 24 drive mechanism, 25 paper discharge tray,
26a cartridge body, 26b storage element, 26c connection terminal,
27 cartridge cover, 28 cartridge attaching / detaching portion, 28a connector,
28b electrode, 29 cover sensor, 36 transport mechanism, 41 carriage,
42 Carriage motor, 44 pulley, 45 timing belt,
46 guide rail, 50 controller, 51 linear encoder code plate,
52 detection unit, 53 paper detection sensor, 56 rotary encoder,
101 CPU, 102 memory, 102a RAM, 102b EEPROM,
102c ROM, 103 clock, 104 interface section,
105 Reset signal generator

Claims (8)

A printing apparatus main body having a first memory;
A cartridge that is detachable from the printing apparatus main body, and has a second memory that can communicate with the first memory when mounted on the printing apparatus main body;
A cover that can be opened and closed, and a cover that can be attached and detached when the cartridge is opened;
A cover sensor for detecting opening and closing of the cover;
A clock signal generator for generating a clock signal for synchronous communication between the first memory and the second memory;
When the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, a control unit that stops generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generation unit;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
In synchronization with the clock signal, data is transmitted and received between the first memory and the second memory,
The controller is
The printing apparatus, wherein when the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generation unit and transmission / reception of the data are stopped. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The controller is
When the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened when data is transmitted to the second memory,
A printing apparatus, wherein the generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generator is stopped. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
The data transmitted to the second memory is
A data group composed of non-write data that is not written to the second memory and write data that is written to the second memory;
The data group is serially transmitted in the order of the non-write data and the write data,
A reset signal generating unit for generating a reset signal for serial transmission to the second memory for each data group,
The controller is
When the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, the reset signal generation unit generates the reset signal and the clock signal generation unit stops generating the clock signal. apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 4,
When the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened when data is transmitted to the second memory,
When the first memory and the second memory communicate after the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened,
The printing apparatus, wherein when the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, the write data stored in the first memory is transmitted and written to the second memory. The printing apparatus according to claim 5,
In the first memory and the second memory, identification information for identifying the cartridge is stored,
When the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened when data is transmitted to the second memory,
After the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, the first memory and the second memory communicate with each other, and the identification information in the first memory and the identification information in the second memory are the same. In some cases
The printing apparatus, wherein when the cover sensor detects that the cover is opened, the write data stored in the first memory is transmitted and written to the second memory. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The cartridge is an ink cartridge containing ink,
The printing apparatus, wherein the writing data is a usage amount of the ink. A printing apparatus main body having a first memory;
A cartridge that is detachable from the printing apparatus main body, and has a second memory that can communicate with the first memory when mounted on the printing apparatus main body;
A cover that can be opened and closed, and a cover that can be attached and detached when the cartridge is opened;
A cover sensor for detecting opening and closing of the cover;
A method for controlling a printing apparatus comprising:
Generating a clock signal for synchronous communication between the first memory and the second memory;
When detecting that the cover is opened by the cover sensor, stopping the generation of the clock signal by the clock signal generation unit;
A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising:

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