JP6669406B2 - RECORDING DEVICE, RECORDING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording apparatus method, and a program in which a container for accommodating a recording material is detachable.

  In the recording apparatus, various techniques for preventing erroneous mounting of the ink tank have been developed.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology in which a protrusion provided on an ink tank and a hole provided on a carrier head and into which the protrusion is inserted are provided, and the positions of the protrusion and the hole are changed according to the ink color. Have been.

JP-A-08-150728

  In the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the physical shapes of the protrusions and the holes are unique according to the ink colors, the shapes of the protrusions and the holes become complicated as the types of ink tanks to be mounted increase. There was a problem of becoming. Even if an ink tank that is not compatible with a specific model of the ink jet recording device and is physically installed is compatible with another model, if the ink jet recording device cannot identify the It is also conceivable that the user cannot be notified.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a relatively simple configuration for notifying a user when a container accommodating a recording material is mounted on a recording device and a container corresponding to another type of recording device is mounted. It aims to be able to do it.

  A recording apparatus according to the present invention that solves the above-described problem is a recording apparatus in which a predetermined number of containers each containing a recording material are arranged, and acquires identification information from a storage element of the container provided in the recording device. Detecting means for detecting the presence of the container, and determining means for determining whether the predetermined number of the containers are arranged in the recording device based on the number of the containers whose presence has been detected by the detecting means; and Counting means for identifying the open / close state of the cover that opens and closes to attach to the recording device, and counts the number of times of opening and closing, and a notifying means for notifying information on the container, and the notifying means is provided by the determination means It is not determined that the predetermined number of the containers are arranged in the recording device, and the number of times of opening and closing the cover counted by the counting means is equal to or more than a predetermined number of times. Sometimes, and performs a predetermined notification about the container.

  According to the present invention, when a container accommodating a recording material is mounted on a recording device, even when a container corresponding to a recording device of another model is mounted, a relatively simple configuration is provided for a user. I can inform you.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the invention. Explanatory drawing of attachment of an ink tank to a recording head provided in the recording apparatus FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the recording apparatus. Flow chart showing the outline of the initial setup of the recording apparatus FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed in step S404 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed in step S406 shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the ink tank mounting process in step S405 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a cover open guidance screen displayed in step S701 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of an ink tank installation guide screen displayed in step S703 shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the guidance screen of the cover close displayed in step S706 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of an ink tank installation error screen displayed in steps S708 and S713 shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto. In addition, not all combinations of the components described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problem.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention.

  The recording apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 having an opening that opens upward, a recording head 103 that is disposed inside the apparatus main body 101, and that discharges ink, and a cover 104 that covers the opening of the apparatus main body 101. To the recording head 103, ink tanks 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 corresponding to the recording apparatus 100 are detachably attached. That is, a predetermined number of ink tanks are arranged in the apparatus main body 101 of the recording apparatus 100. A cover sensor (open / close detecting means) 105 for identifying the open / closed state of the cover 104 is provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body 101. As the cover sensor 105, an optical sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, a mechanical switch, or the like can be used. The recording apparatus 100 has a structure in which the cover 104 of the recording apparatus 100 needs to be opened in order to attach the ink tanks 111 to 115 to the recording head 103 because the recording head 103 is disposed in the apparatus main body 101. ing. Therefore, when the cover 104 is opened and closed during operations such as installation and replacement of the ink tanks 111 to 115, the recording device 100 determines whether the cover 104 is open or closed by the cover sensor 105. Can be automatically identified.

  A display unit (notifying unit) 106 is provided on the front of the apparatus main body 101. The display unit 106 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and is a device that can display information on the ink tanks 111 to 115. As the information on the ink tanks 111 to 115, for example, a guide screen of characters and illustrations, a warning screen for errors and the like, and a warning screen for a series of methods from opening the cover 104 to attaching the ink tanks 111 to 115 to the recording head 103 are provided. No.

  At the front of the apparatus main body 101, a medium discharge port 107 for discharging a recording medium is provided.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of attaching an ink tank to a recording head. FIG. 2A shows a case of a corresponding ink tank corresponding to a printing apparatus. FIG. 2B illustrates a case of an ink tank corresponding to a different model corresponding to a different type of printing apparatus than the printing apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The recording head 103 has a plurality of mounting portions 121 to 125 on which the plurality of ink tanks 111 to 115 are mounted, and identification chip reading sensors (detection means) 211 to 215 provided in each of the mounting portions 121 to 125.

  The mounting units 121 to 125 are configured so that specific ink tanks 111 to 115 corresponding to the ink colors of the ink tanks 111 to 115 are mounted. The ink tank 111 containing the dye cyan (C) is mounted on the mounting section 121. The ink tank 112 containing dye black (BK) is mounted on the mounting section 122. An ink tank 113 containing dye magenta (M) is mounted on the mounting section 123. An ink tank 114 containing dye yellow (Y) is mounted on the mounting section 124. An ink tank 115 containing pigment black (PGBK) is mounted on the mounting section 125.

  The ink tanks 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 are provided with identification chips (storage elements) 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205, respectively.

  The identification chips 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 identify the ink tanks 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 themselves, such as the color and amount of ink stored in the ink tanks 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115. Information and the like are stored. The ink tanks 111 to 115 corresponding to the recording apparatus 100 are mounted on the recording head 103 by moving downward. When the ink tanks 111 to 115 are mounted on the recording head 103, the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215 of the recording head 103 come into contact with the identification chips 201 to 205 of the ink tanks 111 to 115 and identify the identification chips 201 to 205. Read (get) information. Then, the recording apparatus 100 detects the presence of the attached ink tanks 111 to 115 based on the identification information of the identification chips 201 to 205 read by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215. Further, the recording apparatus 100 determines whether or not the attached ink tanks 111 to 115 correspond to the recording apparatus 100 and whether or not the ink tanks are attached at the correct positions based on the identification information of the identification chips 201 to 205. I do. For example, when the ink tank 114 is mounted on the mounting section 121 of the ink tank 111, the identification chip reading sensor 211 of the mounting section 121 reads the identification information from the identification chip 204 of the ink tank 114. Based on the identification information read by the identification chip reading sensor 211, the printing apparatus 100 detects the presence of one ink tank, and determines that the attached ink tank 114 corresponds to the printing apparatus 100. The recording device 100 is not mounted at the correct position because the identification information read by the identification chip reading sensor 211 is the identification information of the ink tank 114 that is not the identification information of the ink tank 111 corresponding to the mounting section 121. Is determined. That is, the recording apparatus 100 can automatically detect erroneous mounting of the ink tank 114.

  However, the ink tank 220 shown in FIG. 2B is an ink tank corresponding to a model different from the printing apparatus in the present embodiment. In this case, although the shape is the same as that of the ink tanks 111 to 114, the identification chip included in the ink tank 220 may not be in a form readable by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 214 of the recording head 103. Therefore, the ink tank 220 can be physically attached to the recording head 103, but the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 214 cannot react to the attached ink tank 220. Accordingly, in the recording apparatus 100, “the ink tank 220 having the same shape as the ink tanks 111 to 114 corresponding to the recording apparatus 100 but corresponding to a recording apparatus of a different model from the recording apparatus 100” is mounted on the recording head 103. Cannot be automatically detected. Hereinafter, the ink tank 220 having the same shape as the ink tanks 111 to 114 but not corresponding to the recording apparatus 100 will be referred to as “an ink tank 220 corresponding to another model”.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which five types of ink tanks, cyan, black, magenta, yellow, and pigment ink type black, are used as ink tanks. The present invention is applicable.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the recording apparatus 100.

  The recording device 100 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, and a storage unit 304. The CPU 301 expands the program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303, and generates a print job to be stored in the storage unit 304.

  The CPU 301 is connected to the display unit 106, the recording head 103, the cover sensor 105, the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215, and the non-volatile memory 305, and performs processing related to ink tank attachment.

  The non-volatile memory 305 is a device that can store stored information even when power is not supplied. The present embodiment has a function of a unit for storing whether or not an initial setup described later has been completed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the initial setup of the recording apparatus 100.

  The initial setup is a setup for performing a first setting so that the recording apparatus 100 is operated to perform recording when the recording apparatus 100 is received and installed by a user. The initial setup is different from the setup in which the settings of the recording apparatus 100 are changed after the completion of the initial setup. The initial setup is always performed in order to use the recording device 100. That is, the recording apparatus 100 has a function of a starting unit that starts the initial setup mode.

  Hereinafter, an outline of the initial setup will be described.

  In the recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, in the initial setup, it is determined whether or not the power of the recording apparatus 100 is on (step S401), and the power is turned on and power is supplied. Started from. That is, when the power is on (step S401: YES), the process proceeds to step S402. If the power is not on (step S401: NO), the state of the power is determined in step S401.

  Prior to step S401, work steps before installation of the recording apparatus 100, such as a step of removing the recording apparatus 100 from a box and a step of removing a cushioning material and a protective seal for protecting the recording apparatus 100, are performed. Suppose it was done.

  When the power of the recording apparatus 100 is turned on, the recording apparatus 100 determines whether to activate the initial setup mode (step S403) or the normal mode (step S410) (step S402). In the present embodiment, the determination condition in step S402 is whether the initial setup has been completed. Here, the completion of the initial setup is based on the condition that all steps up to the printing apparatus initial adjustment step (step S406) are performed and all the steps are successful. When the recording device initial adjustment step (step S406) is completed, the completion of the initial setup is stored in the nonvolatile memory 305. If the power of the printing apparatus 100 is turned off before the printing apparatus initial adjustment step (step S406) is completed in the initial setup, it is determined that the initial setup has been completed without recording that the initial setup has been completed in the nonvolatile memory 305. Is not considered. Therefore, when the power is turned on thereafter, the initial setup mode is started again. Information as to whether or not the initial setup has been completed is stored in the nonvolatile memory 305, and is retained even when the power of the recording apparatus 100 is turned off.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the initial setup has not been completed, the process of step S403 is performed. If it is determined that the initial setup has been completed, the process of step S410 is performed.

  Note that the determination condition in step S402 is not limited to performing all steps up to the printing apparatus initial adjustment step (step S406) and succeeding all. The determination condition of step S402 may further include a step of performing a process, setting, or the like not described in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4, and may include that all are successful.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the initial setup has not been completed, in the initial setup mode activation step in step S403, only the minimum processing required by the recording apparatus 100 during the initial setup is performed. For example, in the next step S404, preparation processing for displaying a language selection screen is performed. Note that the processing content of the initial setup mode starting step (step S403) is not limited to the preparation processing, and may include processing other than the preparation processing. Processing such as cleaning of the recording head 103 is performed in the normal mode start-up step (step S410), but is not performed in the initial setup mode start-up step of step S402 because the ink tank is not attached.

  In the initial setup mode starting step (step S403), the same processing as the normal mode starting step (step S410) can be performed.

  When the initial setup mode activation step (step S403) is completed, the initial settings required for the initial setup are subsequently performed (step S404). In the present embodiment, this is defined as a preceding setting step. In the former setting step (step S404), for example, setting of a language to be displayed on the display unit 106 is performed. At this time, for example, a language selection screen 501 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 106, and a language to be displayed on the display unit 106 is selected and set on the language selection screen 501.

  Note that the setting contents of the first-stage setting step (step S404) are not limited to the language setting, and may include settings other than the language setting. If the language can be determined in advance depending on the shipping area of the recording apparatus 100, the display of the language selection screen 501 may be skipped. When the recording device 100 is shipped, information on the shipping area is stored in the nonvolatile memory 305. Therefore, if the shipping area is Japan at the time of executing the first-stage setting step (step S404), the first-stage setting of the Japanese area can be skipped by automatically selecting Japanese as the language selection. As described above, it is also possible to skip the preceding stage setting step (step S404).

  When the first-stage setting step (step S404) is completed, an ink tank attaching operation is performed in step S405. In the present embodiment, the ink tank mounting process in step S405 needs to be completed before the printing device initial adjustment process in step S406. Therefore, a screen 901, 902, and 903, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 9, is displayed on the display unit 106 as a guide screen for mounting the ink tank, so that the user is guided not to fail to mount the ink tank.

  Subsequently, when the ink tank mounting step (Step S405) is completed, a recording apparatus initial adjustment step is performed (Step S406). At this time, for example, a screen 601 including a message indicating the operation state of the recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In the printing device initial adjustment step (step S406), a process of filling the print head 103 with ink is performed. Note that the processing content of the printing apparatus initial adjustment step is not limited to the processing of filling the print head with ink. After the initial setup, it is also possible to adopt a specification in which the recording device initial adjustment step (406) is performed at the time of the first recording.

  When the recording device initial adjustment step (step S406) ends, the initial setup ends.

  Here, the ink tank attaching step of step S405 shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the ink tank mounting step, which is a main part, in the recording apparatus 100.

  In step S701, a cover open guidance screen is displayed on the display unit 106. As the cover open guidance screen, for example, a screen 801 including a message illustrated in FIG. 8A and a screen 802 including an illustration illustrated in FIG. 8B can be used. Further, the screens 801 and 802 can be displayed alternately, or only one of them can be displayed. Illustrations may be animated.

  In step S702, it is determined whether the cover is open. If the cover sensor 105 identifies that the cover 104 is closed (step S702: NO), the process returns to step S701, and the cover opening guidance screen is continuously displayed on the display unit 106. If the cover sensor 105 identifies that the cover 104 is open (step S702: YES), the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S703, a guidance screen for mounting the ink tank is displayed on the display unit 106. A screen including a message or an illustration can be used as the guide screen for installing the ink tank. For example, a screen 901 including an illustration of an ink tank not mounted state illustrated in FIG. 9A, a screen 902 including an illustration of an ink tank mounted state illustrated in FIG. 9B, and all illustrated in FIG. Screen 903 including an illustration of the state of the ink tank being mounted can be used. The screens 901, 902, and 903 can be displayed in order, at least two of them can be displayed alternately, or the screens including the message can be displayed in order. It is also possible to switch screen transitions over time. When the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215 read the identification information from the identification chips 201 to 205 one by one, it is also possible to perform a display for distinguishing between the mounted ink tank and the unmounted ink tank.

  In step S704, it is determined whether or not all the ink tanks have been mounted, in other words, whether or not the ink tanks have been mounted on all the mounting units. The ink is determined by whether or not the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215 provided in each of the mounting portions 121 to 125 of the recording head 103 can read the identification information of the identification chips 201 to 205 provided in each of the ink tanks 111 to 115. Detects the presence of a tank. Then, based on the number of the ink tanks 111 to 115 whose presence has been detected by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215, it is determined whether a predetermined number (five in the illustrated example) of the ink tanks is arranged in the apparatus main body 101. That is, the recording apparatus 100 has a function of a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined number of ink tanks are arranged in the apparatus main body 101 based on the number of ink tanks 111 to 115 whose presence has been detected by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215. Have. Therefore, when all of the identification information of the identification chips 201 to 205 can be read by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215 (step S704: YES), it is determined that a predetermined number of ink tanks are arranged in the apparatus main body 101, Proceed to step S705. If all of the identification information of the identification chips 201 to 205 cannot be read by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215 (step S704: NO), it is determined that a predetermined number of ink tanks are not arranged in the apparatus main body 101, Proceed to step S710.

  In step S705, it is determined whether the detected color of the ink tank is correct. In other words, based on the identification information of the identification chips 201 to 205 read by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215, all of the ink tanks 111 to 115 mounted on each of the mounting portions 121 to 125 correspond to the mounting portions 121 to 125. Is determined. If the detected color of the ink tank is correct, in other words, if all of the ink tanks 111 to 115 are mounted on the corresponding mounting sections 121 to 125 (step S705: YES), the process proceeds to step S706. If the detected color of the ink tank is not correct, in other words, if at least one of the ink tanks 111 to 115 is mounted on the corresponding mounting unit 121 to 125 (step S705: NO), the process proceeds to step S708.

  In step S706, a cover close guidance screen is displayed on the display unit 106. It is possible to use a screen including a message or an illustration as a guide screen for cover closing. For example, it is possible to use a screen 1001 including an illustration with the cover closed as shown in FIG.

  In step S707, it is determined whether the cover 104 is in a closed state. If the cover sensor 105 identifies that the cover 104 is open, the process returns to step S706 again, and the cover close guidance screen is continuously displayed on the display unit 106. In step S707, whether the cover is closed is determined. Is determined again. When the cover sensor 105 detects that the cover 104 is closed, the ink tank attaching process ends.

  In step S708, an ink tank installation error screen is displayed on the display unit 106. As the ink tank installation error screen, for example, a screen 1101 including a message shown in FIG. 11 can be displayed.

  A method of notifying a user when an incorrect mounting of an ink tank such as a color difference is detected is not particularly limited. For example, the lighting and blinking of an LED provided on a print head may be used to detect an incorrect mounting of the ink tank. The user may be notified of the mounting. The timing of notifying the user of the ink tank installation error screen is not limited to when the ink tank is erroneously mounted. For example, it is also possible to notify when the cover is closed.

  In step S710, it is determined whether the cover is in a closed state. If the cover 104 is open and the cover sensor 105 does not recognize the closed state of the cover 104 (step S710: NO), the process returns to step S703. Then, after displaying an ink tank installation guide screen on the display unit 106, it is determined again in step S704 whether all the ink tanks have been installed. When the cover 104 is closed and the cover sensor 105 identifies the closed state of the cover 104 (step S710: YES), the process proceeds to step S711.

  In step S711, the number of times the cover 104 is closed during the installation of the ink tank (the number of times the cover 104 is opened and closed) is counted up. Hereinafter, the number of times the cover 104 is closed in a state where all the ink tanks are not mounted on the recording head 103 is referred to as a cover closing frequency.

  Although the initial value of the number of times of closing the cover is 0, the value is increased by one each time the process of step S711 is performed in the ink tank installation flow of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the timing for counting up the number of times of cover closing is set only during the installation of the ink tank (only after the determination in step S704). However, the number of times of closing the cover other than during the installation of the ink tank may be stored. Absent. For example, when the cover 104 is opened and closed in the preceding stage setting step (step S404) before the ink tank mounting step (step S405) shown in FIG. 4, the number of times the cover is closed may be counted up. That is, the number of times of cover closing can be counted up before the determination in step S704 is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the number of times of cover closing is stored in the nonvolatile memory 305. Therefore, even if the power of the recording apparatus 100 is turned off during the installation of the ink tank, the number of times of cover closing performed so far is stored in the nonvolatile memory 305. That is, the nonvolatile memory 305 has a function of a counting unit that counts the number of times the cover 104 has been opened and closed identified by the cover sensor 105. Note that the recording location of the number of times of cover closing is not limited to the nonvolatile memory 305, but can be stored in the RAM 303. In the case where the number of cover closes is stored in the RAM 303, when the power of the recording apparatus 100 is turned off, the number of cover closes is reset to zero once. The location where the number of times of cover closing is recorded is not limited to the non-volatile memory 305 or the RAM 303, but may be stored in another storage element or the like.

  After counting up the number of cover closes in step S711, it is determined in step S712 whether the number of cover closes is less than a predetermined number. The determination in step S712 is performed in a state where the guidance screen for mounting the ink tank is displayed on the display unit 106.

  Hereinafter, the number of times of the cover closing determined in step S712 will be referred to as a specified number of cover closings (predetermined number).

  Although the present invention does not particularly define the number of times the cover is closed, this embodiment defines this as “three times”.

  Therefore, if the cover 104 is closed once with one or more different model compatible ink tanks 220 attached, it is determined in step S712 that the number is less than three times (less than a predetermined number) (step S712: YES). . Then, the process returns to “START”, and after performing the processing of steps S701 to S703, it is determined again in step S704 whether all the ink tanks have been attached.

  When the user does not recognize that the ink tank 220 corresponding to another model is mounted and recognizes that the mounting of the ink tank is completed, and the cover 104 is closed again, the processes of step S711 and step S712 are performed again.

  In the present embodiment, since the prescribed number of times of closing the cover is defined as "3 times", the process returns to "START" and the processes of steps S701 to S704 are performed again until the cover 104 is closed for the second time.

  When the number of times of closing the cover becomes three, it is determined that the number is three or more (predetermined number or more) in step S712, and the process proceeds to step S713. In step S713, an ink tank installation error screen is displayed on the display unit 106. As the ink tank installation error screen, for example, a screen 1101 including a message shown in FIG. 11 can be displayed.

  Since an error screen is displayed on the display unit 106 at this timing, the user can recognize that some problem has occurred in the installation of the ink tank. Then, when a manual or the like is referred to in order to cope with the error, it can be recognized that the ink tank 220 for another model must not be attached. As a result, after the ink tank installation error screen is displayed in step S713, the user is prompted to install the ink tank using the detachable ink tanks 111 to 115 corresponding to the recording apparatus 100 instead of the ink tank 220 for another model. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the error canceling unit after the screen 1101 is displayed as the ink tank installation error screen (steps S708 and S713) is not particularly defined. For example, by opening the cover 104, attaching the detachable ink tanks 111 to 115 corresponding to the recording apparatus 100 to the recording head 103, and closing the cover 104, the error state can be released. Further, as an error canceling unit after displaying the screen 1101 (steps S708 and S713), the error can be canceled by the user closing the cover 104 and giving an instruction on the display unit 106 after the screen 1101 is displayed. When the error state is released in this way, the ink tank mounting process is finally completed, and the initial adjustment of the printing apparatus in S406 is performed.

  In the ink tank mounting process, an error is displayed from the beginning when the “removable ink tanks 111 to 115 corresponding to the recording apparatus 100” are not mounted or the “ink tank 220 compatible with another model” is mounted. This is not done for the following reasons.

  In the initial setup, the state in which the ink tank is not mounted on the mounting portion of the print head is normal because the ink tank is not mounted in the initial state, and displaying the error as an error reminds the failure of the printing apparatus 100. Not preferred. For this reason, in the initial setup, the display unit 106 displays a guidance screen for mounting the ink tank instead of displaying an error when the ink tank is not mounted.

  On the other hand, when there is a clear error in the installation of the ink tank such as a difference in the ink color of the ink tank, it is desired to promptly notify the user of the error. This is why an error is displayed in step S708 immediately upon detecting a difference in the ink color of the ink tank in step S705.

  However, at this time, the recording apparatus 100 cannot distinguish between a state in which the different-type ink tank 220 is mounted and a state in which the ink tank is not mounted. For this reason, the recording apparatus 100 cannot determine whether to continue to display the guidance screen for mounting the ink tank or to display the error screen for mounting the ink tank.

  Therefore, if the user opens and closes the cover three times in a state where all the ink tanks are not attached, the recording apparatus 100 automatically determines that there is a possibility that the ink tank is erroneously attached by the user and automatically performs the operation. An ink tank installation error screen is displayed on the display unit 106.

  The user who looks at the ink tank installation error screen may refer to a manual or the like to deal with the error, and may recognize that the cause of the display of the error screen is due to the installation of the ink tank 220 compatible with another model. On the other hand, a user who does not use the ink tank 220 corresponding to another model and simply opens and closes the cover 104 during installation of the ink tank is notified by the ink tank installation error screen until the number of times of cover closing is two. Absent. Therefore, unnecessary notification on the ink tank installation error screen is not required for a user who has not used the ink tank 220 corresponding to another model.

  In the present embodiment, the prescribed number of times of cover closing is defined as three times, but this number is not limited to three times. If the specified number of cover closes is one, even if the cover is opened and closed once, the ink tank installation error screen is displayed if all the ink tanks are not installed. The present invention is applicable to any number of prescribed cover closing times.

  In addition, the order of processing the step of counting up the number of cover closes (step S711) and the step of comparing the number of cover closes with the specified number of cover closes (step S712) may be reversed.

  Note that, even when the ink tank is not mounted on the mounting units 121 to 125 of the recording head 103 and the ink tank is not mounted, the processing of steps S710 to S713 is performed in the same manner as when the ink tank 220 corresponding to another model is mounted.

  The flow for use cases 1 and 2 in a printing apparatus that performs control to display an ink tank installation error screen when the number of times the cover is closed during the installation of the ink tank is equal to or more than a specified number will be described below. The ink tank mounting step will be described in detail.

<Use Case 1: When Ink Tanks 111 to 115 Corresponding to Recording Device 100 are Installed>
In step S701, a cover open guidance screen is displayed on display unit 106.

  When the user opens the cover 104 of the recording apparatus 100 in accordance with the instruction on the cover open guidance screen, the cover sensor 105 responds and detects that the cover 104 is open (step S702: YES). When the cover 104 is opened, the CPU 301 switches the screen displayed on the display unit 106 from the cover open guidance screen to the ink tank installation guidance screen (step S703).

  If the user installs all the ink tanks 111 to 115 corresponding to the recording apparatus 100 while the ink tank installation guide screen is displayed, this is detected through the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215. Therefore, it is determined in step S704 that all the ink tanks 111 to 115 have been attached. That is, the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215 read the identification information from the identification chips 201 to 205 and detect the presence of the ink tanks 111 to 115. Then, based on the number of ink tanks whose presence has been detected by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215, it is determined that a predetermined number of ink tanks corresponding to the recording apparatus 100 have been mounted.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether all the ink colors of the ink tanks detected in step S705 are correct.

  When it is determined that the detected ink color of the ink tank is not correct (step S705: NO), an ink tank installation error screen is displayed in step S708 to notify the user that the ink tank installation position is incorrect. .

  If it is determined that all the ink colors of the detected ink tanks are correct (step S705: YES), the installation of the ink tank is completed, and a cover closing guidance screen is displayed on the display unit 106 (step S706).

  When the user closes the cover 104 of the recording apparatus 100 according to the instruction on the cover close guidance screen, the cover sensor 105 reacts and detects that the cover 104 is closed (step S707: YES). When the cover 104 is closed, the display unit 106 stops displaying the cover closing guidance screen, and the installation of the ink tank is completed.

<Use Case 2: When One or More Ink Tanks 220 Compatible with Different Models Corresponding to Recording Devices of Different Models>
The different-type ink tank 220 does not include an identification chip that can be read by the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215 of the recording head 103 as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the recording apparatus 100 cannot distinguish between a state in which the “different model compatible ink tank 220” is mounted on the recording head 103 and a state in which the “ink tank 220 is not mounted”. Therefore, if the cover 104 is opened in accordance with the instruction in step S701 (step S702: YES), and if at least one of the different model compatible ink tanks 220 is installed in accordance with the instruction in step S703, it is not determined that all the ink tanks have been installed (step S704: NO). That is, since the ink tank 220 is attached, a predetermined number of ink tanks are attached to the recording apparatus 100 based on the number of ink tanks whose identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215 have read the identification information from the identification chip and detected the presence. It is determined that it has not been done. When viewed from the recording apparatus 100, there is an ink tank 220 that is not installed, so that the guidance screen for mounting the ink tank is continuously displayed. At this time, the “ink tank 220 for another model” can be physically attached to the print head 103. Therefore, the user may recognize that the attachment of the ink tank is completed and close the cover 104. At this time, the cover sensor 105 reacts to detect that the cover 104 is closed (step S710: YES), and counts up the number of times the cover is closed during the installation of the ink tank (step S711).

  After counting up the number of cover closes, it is determined whether the number of cover closes is less than the specified number of cover closes (step S712).

  Therefore, if the number of times the cover is closed with one or more “ink tanks 220 for different models” attached is one in step S712, it is determined that the number of times of closing the cover is less than three, and the process returns to “START”. Then, the processing of steps S701 to S703 is performed again. Then, it is determined in step S704 whether all the ink tanks have been attached. When the user does not recognize that the “ink tank 220 compatible with another model” is mounted, and the cover 104 is closed again with the recognition that the mounting of the ink tank is completed, the processes of steps S711 and S712 are performed again. .

  Until the cover is closed for the second time, the process returns to “START” and the processes of steps S701 to S704 are performed again. When the number of times of cover closing becomes three, it is determined that the number is not less than three in step S712, and the process proceeds to step S713, where an ink tank installation error screen is displayed on the display unit 106 in step S713.

  The above is the processing content when the ink tank 220 corresponding to another model is installed in the recording apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. When the number of times of cover closing is equal to or more than the specified number of times of cover closing (predetermined number of times), an ink tank mounting error screen is displayed on the display unit 106, so that the user can be prompted to mount the corresponding ink tank. That is, by using the existing cover sensor 105, the identification chips 201 to 205, and the identification chip reading sensors 211 to 215, the installation of the ink tank of the same shape but compatible with another model is detected, and the ink tank installation error screen is displayed. 106. Therefore, even when the ink tank for another model is installed, the user can be notified that the ink tank for another model is installed with a relatively simple configuration.

  Further, the present embodiment can be applied to the following various configurations. For example, the present invention can be applied to a recording device having a sound emitting unit that emits a sound as a notifying unit, and a recording device having a display unit 106 and a sound emitting unit as a notifying unit. Further, the present invention can be applied to a full-line type recording apparatus. Further, the present invention can be applied to an ink tank replacement operation.

  Further, it is also possible to apply a toner instead of ink as a recording material and apply a toner cartridge instead of an ink tank as a container for accommodating the recording material.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus read and execute the program. This processing can be realized. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 recording device 103 recording head 104 cover 105 cover sensor 106 display units 111 to 115 ink tanks 201 to 205 identification chips 211 to 215 identification chip reading sensor 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 Storage unit 305 Non-volatile memory

Claims (11)

A recording apparatus in which a predetermined number of containers accommodating recording materials are arranged,
Detection means for acquiring identification information from a storage element of the container provided in the recording device and detecting the presence of the container,
A determination unit configured to determine whether the predetermined number of the containers are arranged in the recording device based on the number of the containers whose presence is detected by the detection unit;
Counting means for identifying the open / closed state of a cover that opens and closes to attach the container to the recording device, and counts the number of times of opening and closing;
Notifying means for notifying information on the container,
The notifying unit does not determine that the predetermined number of containers are arranged in the recording device by the determining unit, and the number of times of opening and closing the cover counted by the counting unit is equal to or more than a predetermined number. A recording device that issues a predetermined notification regarding the container. The notification means is different from the predetermined notification until the number of times of opening and closing of the cover counted by the counting means is equal to or more than a predetermined number, or until the determination means determines that the predetermined number of containers are arranged. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a notification about the mounting of the container is performed.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counting unit counts the number of times the cover is opened and closed after performing the determination by the determining unit.   3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counting unit counts the number of times the cover is opened and closed before performing the determination by the determining unit. 4.   5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of times of opening and closing of the cover is maintained even when a power supply is in an off state. 6.   The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of times of opening and closing the cover is reset when a power supply is off.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes a display unit that displays information regarding the container as the predetermined notification.   The recording material is ink, the container is an ink tank containing ink, the ink tank is disposed in the recording device, is attached to a recording head that ejects ink, The recording device according to claim 1. Starting means for starting an initial setup mode for performing initial settings to operate the recording apparatus,
9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the initial setup mode is activated by the activation means, information on the container is reported by the reporting means. . A method for controlling a recording apparatus in which a predetermined number of containers accommodating recording materials are arranged,
A detection step of acquiring identification information from a storage element of the container provided in the recording device and detecting the presence of the container,
Based on the number of the containers whose presence has been detected in the detection step, a determination step of determining whether the predetermined number of the containers are arranged in the recording device,
A counting step of identifying the open / closed state of a cover that opens and closes to attach the container to the recording device and counting the number of times of opening and closing;
A notification step of notifying information on the container,
In the notifying step, it is not determined that the predetermined number of containers are arranged in the recording device in the determining step, and the number of times of opening and closing the cover counted in the counting step is equal to or more than a predetermined number. And performing a predetermined notification on the container.   A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as the recording device according to claim 1.

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