JP2786764B2 - Equipment with consumable parts and consumable parts - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus having consumable parts that need to be replaced, such as office equipment such as a printer, and the apparatus.
Consumable parts used in

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various devices having consumable parts, such as a printer that consumes an ink ribbon. In such a device, in order to facilitate replacement or replenishment of the consumable part, the consumable part is configured to be detachable from the main body device like a cassette containing an ink ribbon. Among the consumable parts that can be detached from the main unit, there are genuine parts that have been approved as capable of exhibiting predetermined performance during operation of the main unit, and non-genuine parts that have not been certified. In some cases, both parts and non-genuine parts can be mounted on the main unit. In such a case, if a non-genuine component is mounted on the main unit, not only the expected operation performance cannot be exhibited, but also a failure of the main unit. Therefore, in a conventional device having a consumable part, as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,641 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-33512, a mark or an electric signal detecting member facing each other is provided on each of the consumable part and the main body device, and the consumable part and the main body are detected. There has been proposed a configuration in which it is possible to determine whether a consumable component mounted on the main unit is a genuine component by judging matching of a shape with the main unit or matching of a detected signal.

[0003]

However, in the case of judging only the conformity of the marks formed on the consumable part and the main body device, the mark on the main body device 81 side is determined as shown in FIG.
In the case of a concave shape as shown in FIG. 9A, a genuine part having a convex shape fitted to the concave part cannot be distinguished from a non-genuine part 82 without a mark. As shown in the figure, when a convex mark is formed on the main body device 83, the non-genuine part 84 having a shape that encompasses the entire convex shape cannot be excluded. Will be left to use.

[0004] Further, in an apparatus for detecting an electric signal formed by a mark, an electric member and a detection member are provided on opposing surfaces of a consumable part and a main body device. Not be able to judge the matching, there is no need to dare to arrange the electrical member and the detection member in a shape corresponding to the mark, there is a problem that it is possible to relatively easily create a counterfeit product,
As long as such imitations cannot be completely eliminated, there may be cases where the effects on the function of the main unit cannot be reliably exerted, and the occurrence of a failure of the device similar to the use of non-genuine parts is surely prevented. There was a problem that could not be done.

Further, there are cases where a plurality of types of consumable parts can be mounted on a single type of main unit such as a color ink ribbon in a printer. A different processing operation could not be automatically performed every time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to form a mark of a specific shape to be fitted to a consumable part and a main body unit in a three-dimensional manner, and to output an electric signal generated on a side surface constituting a contour part of the mark of the consumable part. The consumable part mounted can be determined based on both the conformity of the consumable part and the main body device and the detection of the electric signal based on whether the consumable part is a genuine part. In addition to completely eliminating the use of non-genuine parts, it is possible to reliably prevent the processing performance from deteriorating and the main unit from failing. A device having a consumable part capable of automatically executing a processing operation according to the type; and
An object of the present invention is to provide a consumable part used in the device .

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The invention described in claim 1
Is a device having a consumable part in which a mark of a specific shape that fits into a mounting position of the consumable part in the main body device and a mounting surface of the consumable part in a three-dimensional manner is formed on the consumable part. An electric signal member for generating an electric signal representing the type of the consumable part is provided on a side surface forming a contour portion of the mark having the specific shape, and the electric signal member is provided on a side surface forming a contour portion of the mark formed on the main body device. A first storage means for storing an electrical signal for each type of single or multiple consumable parts in the main body device, and a single or plural consumable parts; A second storage unit that stores a processing operation for each type of
Search means for searching the first storage means for a type corresponding to the electric signal detected by the detection member, and processing operation reading for reading from the second storage means a processing operation to be executed based on the type searched by the search means Means are provided. The invention described in claim 2 is
It is a consumable part used in the device described in item 1.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a main unit and a consumable part are provided.
A mark of a specific shape that fits into each other is formed three-dimensionally.
ing. When a consumable part is mounted on the main body device, a mark of a specific shape formed on both parts is fitted, and an electric signal member of the consumable part and a detection member of the main body device face each other on a side surface forming a contour portion of the mark, The detecting member detects an electric signal generated in the consumable part. The main unit determines the type of the consumable part based on the detected electric signal, and executes a processing operation according to the type. Therefore, the electric signal is detected by the detecting member only when the mark formed on the main body device and the mark formed on the consumable part are completely fitted to each other. A match is determined. Further, since the type of the consumable part is determined based on the electric signal detected by the detecting member, the electric signal detected by the detecting member stores the electric signal for each type.
If the part is not stored in the storage means, it is determined that the part is not a genuine part. As described above, the alignment between the consumable part and the main body device is double-checked on the shape and the detection result of the electric signal. Furthermore, different processing operations can be performed for each type of consumable part determined based on the electrical signal detected by the detection member, and when a plurality of types of consumable parts can be used for a single model main unit. In, the processing operation according to the type of each consumable part is automatically executed. In addition, three-dimensionally shaped consumable parts
The formed mark has the same shape regardless of its type
The components (for example, the cassette in the ink ribbon)
Can be shared, lowering the cost of manufacturing consumable parts
it can.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to a printer and a ribbon cassette mounted on the printer. FIG. 1 is an external view of a ribbon cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention and a ribbon carriage of a printer in which the ribbon cassette is mounted. A ribbon cassette 11 is placed on a ribbon carriage 1 provided in a printer.
Guides 3a to 3c are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the ribbon carriage 1, and the guides 3a to 3c are engaged with the concave portions 13a to 13c of the ribbon cassette 11 to be positioned.
Rollers 2a and 2b project from the center of the ribbon carriage 1 and fit into the reel holes 12a and 12b of the mounted ribbon cassette 11. Also, the ribbon carriage 1
Are formed with ribbon guides 4a and 4b, which engage with the concave portions 14a and 14b of the ribbon cassette 11. When the ribbon cassette 11 is mounted on the ribbon carriage 1, the reels rotate in the ribbon cassette 11 by the rotation of the rollers 2a and 2b, and the ink ribbon passes from one reel to the other via the guides 4b → 4a. It is wound up.

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a mark formation state in a printer having the ribbon cassette. On the side faces 5a to 5b and 15a to 15b that form the contours in the concave mark 5 and the convex mark 15, in order to facilitate the fitting of the concave mark 5 and the convex mark 15,
Almost the same angle of gradient is provided. As a result, when the convex mark 15 is fitted into the concave mark 5, each of the side surfaces 15a to 15d of the convex mark 15
Abut on each of the side surfaces 5a to 5d.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the concave mark and the convex mark. Electrodes 7a and 7c, which are detection members of the present invention, are exposed on the side surfaces 5a and 5c of the concave mark 5. This is the same for the side surfaces 5b and 5d not shown. On the other hand, each of the side surfaces 15a and 15c of the convex mark 15 has an electrode 17 (1) serving as an electric signal member of the present invention.
7a, 17c) are exposed. This electrode 17 (17
a, 17c) are covered with a protective film 18 to prevent the electrode portion from being damaged until the ribbon cassette 11 is mounted on the ribbon carriage 1.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state of formation of the electrodes. The concave marks 5 have electrodes 7a to 7 on the side surfaces 5a to 5d, respectively.
d is provided. On the other hand, according to the type of the ribbon cassette 11, the convex mark 15 has a single electrode 17 or two divided electrodes 17a to 17c on the side surfaces 15a to 15d.
Is provided. Here, the type of the ribbon cassette 11 refers to a difference in a suitable printing speed or a difference in color in the case of a color ink ribbon.

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

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

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

If the data corresponding to the measurement result is not found in the judgment table at n7, it is determined that the attached ribbon cassette is not usable in the printer, a warning message is displayed, and the operator waits for an instruction ( n11, n12). Then, if there is an instruction from the operator, it operates according to the instruction (n 13 ).

As described above, according to this embodiment, when a current having a plurality of frequencies is applied between the electrodes 7a to 7d in contact with the electrode 17 by fitting the concave mark 5 and the convex mark 15, The impedance is measured, the type of the attached ribbon cassette 11 is determined based on the measurement result, and a processing operation according to the determination result can be executed. When a ribbon cassette with unmatched marks or a ribbon cassette without marks is mounted, the electrodes 7a to 7d do not come into contact with the electrodes 17, and the impedance is measured at a part or all between the electrodes 7a to 7d. Cannot be found and a suitable type cannot be found in the determination table, so that it is determined that the ribbon cassette is defective and the printing operation is not performed. As a result, the use of non-genuine products can be eliminated, and occurrence of abnormalities in the printer can be prevented.

[0018]

According to the present invention, the consumable parts are three-dimensionally formed.
The formed mark of a specific shape completely fits the mark of the main unit, and the consumable part is detected by the electric signal measured by the main unit when the electric signal member on the consumable part comes into contact with the detection member on the main unit. Can be determined. As a result, it is possible to execute a processing operation according to the type of the mounted consumable part, and to disable the operation of the consumable part whose mark does not match or the consumable part which cannot be used in the main unit, thereby causing a failure of the main unit. There is an advantage that can be prevented beforehand. In addition, three-dimensional for consumable parts
Marks formed on the same shape regardless of the type
For parts (eg cassettes in ink ribbons)
Can reduce the cost of manufacturing consumable parts.
Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a consumable part is mounted on a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An apparatus having a consumable part in which a mark of a specific shape three-dimensionally fitted to a mounting position of a consumable part in a main body device and a mounting surface of the consumable part is formed. Ah
Te, an electrical signal member to create an electrical signal representative of the type of side to the consumable components constituting the contour portion of the mark of a specific shape formed on the consumable part is provided, the contour of the mark formed on the main unit A first storage unit that stores an electric signal for each type of single or multiple consumable parts in the main body device, while providing a detection member for detecting an electric signal formed by the electric signal member on a side surface that configures Second storage means for storing processing operations for each type of single or plural consumable parts, search means for searching the first storage means for a type corresponding to the electric signal detected by the detection member, and search means A processing operation reading means for reading, from the second storage means, a processing operation to be executed based on the type retrieved by the method. 2. A three-dimensional formation at a mounting position in a main unit.
A mark of a specific shape that fits the mark
A consumable part which has a specific shape on the side surface forming the contour of the mark having the specific shape.
Consumables provided with an electrical signal member that creates an electrical signal representing another
parts.