JP7052485B2 - Liquid consuming equipment and management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid consuming device that consumes a liquid such as ink, and a management system including the liquid consuming device and an information processing device connected by a communication network.

A liquid consuming device including a mounting case in which a cartridge for storing liquid is mounted and a tank is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the liquid stored in the cartridge flows into the tank.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-21126

In a liquid consuming device with a mounting case and tank, for example, if a cartridge that has not run out of liquid is accidentally replaced with a cartridge that has run out of liquid, the liquid stored in the tank can flow out into the cartridge. be.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a means for detecting that a liquid has flowed out of a tank to a cartridge.

(1) In the liquid consumption system according to the present invention, the first liquid chamber in which the liquid is stored, the first flow path in which one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and one end thereof is described above. A mounting case for mounting a cartridge having a second flow path that communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one end communicating with the outside and the other. A third flow path whose end is in communication with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path whose end is in communication with the second liquid chamber at one end located below the third flow path, and one end is the second flow path. The tank having a fifth flow path communicating with the liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside, a head communicating with the other end of the fourth flow path, an apparatus memory, a first interface, and the like. It includes a second interface and a controller. At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. The controller reads the first liquid amount value indicating the amount of the liquid in the first liquid chamber from the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the first interface, and reads the liquid in the second liquid chamber from the device memory. The second liquid amount value indicating the amount is read out, the liquid discharge instruction is received, the discharge value corresponding to the liquid amount discharged from the head according to the received liquid discharge instruction, the read-out first liquid amount value, and the read-out above. Based on the second liquid amount value, the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value after the liquid is discharged from the head are determined, and the determined first liquid amount value is passed through the first interface to the cartridge. It is stored in the memory, at least one of the determined first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value is stored in the device memory, and it is determined whether the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge. In response to the determination that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, the third liquid amount value is read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface, and At least one of the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value is read from the device memory, and the read third liquid amount value, and at least the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value are read out. Based on one of them, it is determined whether the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber, and according to the determination that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber, the above The leaked information is output through the second interface.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect that the liquid in the tank has flowed out to the cartridge.

(2) Preferably, the liquid consuming device of the present invention may further include a display. The controller outputs the leaked information to the display through the second interface, and based on the output leaked information, displays an object based on the leaked information on the display.

An object showing the leaked information is displayed on the display, so that the user can be aware that the information has been misused.

(3) Preferably, the controller may store the leaked information in the cartridge memory through the first interface.

Since the outflow information is stored in the cartridge memory, it is possible to make the liquid consuming device in which the cartridge is mounted recognize that the ink has flowed out from the tank.

(4) Preferably, the controller determines that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, and the cartridge memory of the other cartridge is used to the first interface through the first interface. The third liquid amount value is read out, and the second liquid amount value is read out from the device memory, and the first liquid amount value of the cartridge before replacement is determined and determined based on the read second liquid amount value. It is determined that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber according to the fact that the first liquid amount value is larger than the third liquid amount value read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge. You may.

If the amount of liquid in the cartridge before replacement is larger than the amount of liquid in the cartridge after replacement, it is determined that the liquid flows out from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber.

(5) Preferably, the controller determines that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, and the cartridge memory of the other cartridge is used to the first interface through the first interface. The third liquid amount value is read out, and the second liquid amount value is read out from the device memory, and the first liquid amount value of the cartridge before replacement is determined and determined based on the read second liquid amount value. The pre-replacement liquid level position of the cartridge before replacement is determined based on the first liquid volume value, and after replacement based on the third liquid volume value read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridges. The liquid level position after replacement of the cartridge is determined, and the liquid flows from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber according to the determined liquid level position before replacement being higher than the liquid level position after replacement. It may be determined to move.

If the liquid level position of the liquid in the cartridge before replacement is higher than the liquid level position of the liquid in the cartridge after replacement, it is determined that the liquid flows out from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber.

(6) Preferably, the controller determines that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, and the cartridge memory of the other cartridge is used to the first interface through the first interface. The third liquid amount value is read, and the second liquid amount value is read from the device memory, and based on the read second liquid amount value, the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value before replacement are used. The total liquid amount before replacement, which is the sum of the above, is determined, and the total liquid amount after replacement, which is the sum of the third liquid amount value read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge and the second liquid amount value read out. A value may be determined, and it may be determined that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber according to the fact that the total liquid volume value before replacement is larger than the total liquid volume value after replacement.

If the sum (total amount) of the liquid in the cartridge before replacement and the liquid in the tank is larger than the sum (total amount) of the liquid in the cartridge and the liquid in the tank after replacement, the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber It is determined that the liquid will flow out to.

(7) Preferably, the controller obtains identification information from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface in response to the determination that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber. The above-mentioned identification information and the above-mentioned leaked information read out may be output through the above-mentioned second interface.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not a certain cartridge is repeatedly mounted in the mounting case and the outflow of liquid occurs repeatedly.

(8) The management system according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned liquid consuming device and an information processing device to which the above-mentioned outflow information output by the above-mentioned liquid consuming device is input.

The present invention can also be regarded as a management system.

(9) The management system of the present invention includes a liquid consuming device and an information processing device. The liquid consuming device has a first liquid chamber in which a liquid is stored, a first flow path in which one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and one end communicates with the first liquid chamber. A mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path is communicated with the outside and the other end is mounted, and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one end of which is communicated with the outside and the other end of which is the second liquid. A third flow path communicating with the chamber, a fourth flow path having one end located below the third flow path communicating with the second liquid chamber, and one end communicating with the second liquid chamber and The tank having a fifth flow path whose other end communicates with the outside, a head communicating with the other end of the fourth flow path, a first device memory, a first interface, and a second interface. , A first controller. At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. The information processing device includes a third interface, a second device memory, and a second controller. The first controller reads out the first liquid amount value indicating the amount of liquid in the first chamber from the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the first interface, and reads the first liquid amount value indicating the amount of liquid in the first chamber from the first apparatus memory, and from the second liquid chamber. The second liquid amount value indicating the amount of the liquid in the above is read out, the liquid discharge instruction is received, the discharge value corresponding to the liquid amount discharged from the head according to the received liquid discharge instruction, the read out first liquid amount value, and Based on the read-out second liquid amount value, the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value after the liquid is discharged from the head are determined, and the determined first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value are determined. At least one of the amount value is stored in the cartridge memory through the first interface, the determined second liquid amount value is stored in the first device memory, and the cartridge mounted in the mounting case is the other cartridge. In response to the determination that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, the third liquid from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface. The third liquid amount value read out, and at least one of the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value read out from the first apparatus memory, and the first liquid amount value and the first liquid amount value read out. Judgment information corresponding to at least one of the second liquid amount value is output through the second interface. The second controller accepts the input of the determination information through the third interface, determines whether the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber based on the judgment information, and determines whether the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber. The outflow information is stored in the second device memory in response to the determination that the liquid moves from the liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber.

According to the above configuration, whether or not the liquid has flowed out from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber can be detected by the information processing apparatus.

(10) Preferably, the liquid consuming device may further include a timer for outputting date and time information. The first controller stores the determination information in the first device memory, and determines that the date and time indicated by the date and time information output by the timer is the transmission date and time stored in the first device memory. The remaining amount information according to the second liquid amount value read from the first device memory, the determination information read from the first device memory, and the management information including the management information are output through the second interface.

When the cartridge is replaced, the judgment information is transmitted to the information processing device by including it in the management information transmitted from the liquid consuming device to the information processing device at the scheduled time every day or at predetermined time intervals. The information processing device determines whether or not a liquid has flowed out from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber based on the judgment information, and if it is determined that the outflow has occurred, the outflow information is stored in the memory of the second device. Let me. Therefore, it is possible to make the manager of the management system aware that the liquid has flowed out from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber.

(11) The liquid consuming device according to the present invention has a first liquid chamber in which a liquid is stored, a first flow path in which one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and one end thereof. A mounting case for mounting a cartridge having a second flow path that communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one end communicating with the outside and the other. A third flow path whose end is in communication with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path whose end is in communication with the second liquid chamber at one end located below the third flow path, and one end is the second flow path. A fifth flow path that communicates with the liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside,
The tank having a A liquid level sensor that outputs a second signal, a cover that opens and closes an insertion slot into which the cartridge is inserted, which is an opening of the mounting case, and a third signal depending on whether the cover is closed. It includes a cover sensor that outputs and outputs a fourth signal depending on whether it is open, a device memory, a first interface, a second interface, and a controller. At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. The controller determines whether or not the output of the liquid level sensor is the first signal in response to the determination that the cover sensor has output the fourth signal, and the output of the liquid level sensor is output. The outflow information is output through the second interface in response to the determination that the signal is the first signal.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect the possibility that the liquid in the tank will flow out to the cartridge.

(12) In the liquid consuming device according to the present invention, the first liquid chamber in which the liquid is stored, the first flow path having one end communicated with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside, and one end thereof are described above. A mounting case for mounting a cartridge having a second flow path that is communicated with the first liquid chamber and the other end is communicated with the outside, and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one end of which is communicated with the outside and the other. A third flow path whose end is communicated with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path whose end is communicated with the second liquid chamber at one end located below the third flow path, and one end is the second flow path. The tank having a fifth flow path that communicates with the liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, a head that communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path, and the liquid level of the tank are above the detection position. The liquid level sensor, the device memory, the first interface, the second interface, and the controller are provided, which outputs the first signal in the above and outputs the second signal different from the first signal below the detection position. .. At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. The controller determines whether or not the cartridge has been removed from the mounting case, and whether the output of the liquid level sensor is the first signal according to the determination that the cartridge has been removed from the mounting case. Whether or not it is determined, and the outflow information is output through the second interface according to the determination that the output of the liquid level sensor is the first signal.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect the possibility that the liquid in the tank will flow out to the cartridge.

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect that the liquid has flowed out of the tank into the cartridge.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a management system 5 according to the first embodiment. 2A and 2B are external perspective views of the printer 10. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the cover 87 is in the covering position, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the cover 87 is in the open position. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 10. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the mounting case 150. 5A and 5B are views showing the structure of the cartridge 200, where FIG. 5A shows a front perspective view and FIG. 5B shows a vertical sectional view. FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a state in which the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the printing process according to the first embodiment. 8 (A) is a flowchart of the first update process, FIG. 8 (B) is a flowchart of the second update process, and FIG. 8 (C) is a flowchart of the third update process, FIG. (D) is a flowchart of the fourth update process. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a process when the printer 10 transmits management information to the information processing apparatus 40. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the leaked information generation process. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cartridge management list. FIG. 12A is a flowchart of the leaked information generation process according to the modified example 1, and FIG. 12B is a flowchart of the leaked information generation process according to the modified example 2. 13 (A) is a flowchart of the outflow information generation process according to the modified example 3, FIG. 13 (B) is a flowchart of the outflow determination process according to the modified example 3, and FIG. 13 (C) is a modified example. 6 is a flowchart of the leaked information generation process, and FIG. 13D is a flowchart of the leaked information generation process according to the modified example 7.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It is needless to say that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, the execution order of each process described later can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the management system 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The management system 5 includes one or a plurality of printers 10 and an information processing device 40 that collects information from each printer 10. The printer 10 and the information processing device 40 are connected by a communication line 6 such as the Internet and a local network. The printer 10 and the information processing device 40 can communicate with each other through the communication line 6. The printer 10 is an example of a liquid consuming device.

[Overview of Printer 10]
The printer 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink droplets and prints an image on a sheet. The printer 10 may be a multifunction device having functions such as a facsimile function, a scan function, and a copy function.

In the following, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on the usage posture in which the printer 10 is placed on a horizontal plane so that the printer 10 can be used, the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the opening 13 of the printer 10 is formed as the front surface, and the printer 10 is the front surface. The left-right direction 9 is defined when viewed from the viewpoint. That is, in the usage posture, the vertical direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the horizontal direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-back direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

The printer 10 has a housing 14 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Inside the housing 14, as shown in FIG. 3, a feed tray 15, a feed roller 23, a transport roller 25, a head 21 having a plurality of nozzles 29, a platen 26, and a discharge roller 27 are inside. , The discharge tray 16, the mounting case 150, and the tank 160 are located.

The printer 10 drives the feed roller 23 and the transport roller 25 to transport the sheet supported by the feed tray 15 to the position of the platen 26. Next, the printer 10 ejects the ink supplied from the tank 160 through the tube 19 to the head 21 through the nozzle 29. As a result, the ink lands on the sheet supported by the platen 26, and the image is printed on the sheet. Then, the printer 10 drives the ejection roller 27 to eject the sheet on which the image is printed to the ejection tray 16.

More specifically, the head 21 is mounted on a carriage 20 that reciprocates along a main scanning direction (parallel to the left-right direction 9) that intersects the sheet transport direction by the transfer roller 25. The carriage 20 is transmitted with the driving force of a motor (not shown) and moves along the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3). The printer 10 causes the head 21 to eject ink through the nozzle 29 while moving the carriage 20 along the main scanning direction while the sheet transfer by the transfer roller 25 is stopped. As a result, the image is printed on a part of the area of the sheet facing the head 21 (hereinafter referred to as "1 pass"). Next, the printer 10 causes the transfer roller 25 to transfer the sheet so that the area where the image should be printed next faces the head 21. Then, by repeatedly executing these processes alternately, an image is printed on one sheet.

[Display 17]
The housing 14 has a display 17. The display 17 is located in front of the housing 14. The display 17 is a so-called touch panel in which a touch sensor is arranged on the display panel. However, instead of the display 17, or together with the display 17, the display panel and the push button 22 may be located on the front surface of the housing 14. The display 17 accepts input from the user.

[Cover 87]
As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 85 is formed on the front surface 14A of the housing 14 and at the right end portion in the left-right direction 9. The housing 14 further includes a cover 87. The cover 87 is rotatable between a covering position covering the opening 85 (the position shown in FIG. 2A) and an open position opening the opening 85 (the position shown in FIG. 2B). be. The cover 87 is supported by the housing 14 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis along the left-right direction 9, for example, in the vicinity of the lower end of the housing 14 in the vertical direction 7. A mounting case 150 on which the cartridge 200 is mounted is located in the accommodation space 86 inside the housing 14 that extends to the back of the opening 85.

[Mounting case 150]
As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting case 150 includes a connection interface 152 (hereinafter referred to as a connection I / F 152), a rod 153, a mounting sensor 32, a liquid level sensor 33, and a lock pin 156. ing. Four mounting cases 150 are provided corresponding to each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The number of mounting cases 150 is not limited to four, and may be one or five or more.

The mounting case 150 has a box shape having an internal space for accommodating the mounted cartridge 200. The internal space of the mounting case 150 is composed of a top wall defining the upper end, a bottom wall defining the lower end, a back wall defining the rear end of the front-rear direction 8, and a pair of side walls defining both ends of the left-right direction 9. Delimited. On the other hand, the position facing the back wall of the mounting case 150 is an opening 85. That is, the opening 85 opens the internal space of the mounting case 150 to the outside of the printer 10 when the cover 87 is located at the open position.

Then, the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 through the opening 85 of the housing 14, and is removed from the mounting case 150. More specifically, the cartridge 200 passes through the opening 85 backward in the front-rear direction 8 and is mounted on the mounting case 150. The cartridge 200 pulled out from the mounting case 150 passes through the opening 85 forward in the front-rear direction 8.

[Connection I / F152]
The connection I / F 152 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The connection I / F 152 projects downward from the top wall toward the internal space of the mounting case 150. The connection I / F 152 is located at a position in contact with the electrode 248 described later of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The connection I / F 152 has conductivity and is elastically deformable along the vertical direction 7. The connection I / F 152 is electrically connected to the controller 130. The connection I / F 152 is an example of the first interface.

[Rod 153]
The rod 153 projects forward from the back wall of the mounting case 150. The rod 153 is located on the back wall of the mounting case 150 above the joint 180 described later. The rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through the atmospheric communication port 221 described later of the cartridge 200 in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150. When the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214, the atmospheric valve chamber 214, which will be described later, communicates with the atmosphere.

[Mounting sensor 32]
The mounting sensor 32 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 32 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 32 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. When the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the light-shielding rib 245 described later of the cartridge 200 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the mounting sensor 32. In other words, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the mounting sensor 32 are located so as to face each other with the light shielding rib 245 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 interposed therebetween.

The mounting sensor 32 outputs different signals (hereinafter, referred to as “mounting signal”) depending on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit along the left-right direction 9 is received by the light receiving unit. The mounting sensor 32 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130, for example, according to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being less than the threshold value. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a high level signal having a higher signal intensity than the low level signal to the controller 130 according to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being equal to or higher than the threshold value.

[Liquid level sensor 33]
The liquid level sensor 33 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the detected portion 194 of the actuator 190, which will be described later, is located at the detection position. The liquid level sensor 33 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. In other words, when the detected unit 194 is located at the detection position, the detected unit 194 is located between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the liquid level sensor 33. On the other hand, when the detected unit 194 is not located at the detection position, the detected unit 194 is not located between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the liquid level sensor 33. The liquid level sensor 33 outputs different signals depending on whether or not the light output from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. The liquid level sensor 33 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130, for example, according to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being less than the threshold value. On the other hand, the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a high level signal having a higher signal intensity than the low level signal to the controller 130 according to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being equal to or higher than the threshold value.

[Lock pin 156]
The lock pin 156 is a rod-shaped member extending along the left-right direction 9 at the upper end of the internal space of the mounting case 150 and near the opening 85. Both ends of the lock pin 156 in the left-right direction 9 are fixed to a pair of side walls of the mounting case 150. The lock pin 156 extends in the left-right direction 9 over four spaces that can accommodate the four cartridges 200. The lock pin 156 is for holding the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 at the mounting position shown in FIG. The cartridge 200 is fixed to the lock pin 156 in a state of being mounted on the mounting case 150.

[Tank 160]
The printer 10 includes four tanks 160 corresponding to each of the four cartridges 200. Specifically, the cyan ink is stored corresponding to the tank 160 in which the magenta ink is stored and the cartridge 200 in which the cyan ink is stored, corresponding to the cartridge 200 in which the magenta ink is stored. Black ink is stored corresponding to the tank 160 and the cartridge 200 in which the yellow ink is stored, and the tank 160 in which the yellow ink is stored and the cartridge 200 in which the black ink is stored. It is equipped with a tank 160. Since the configurations of the four tanks 160 are generally the same, one tank 160 will be described below.

The tank 160 is located further behind the back wall of the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. 4, the tank 160 is composed of an upper wall 161, a front wall 162, a lower wall 163, a rear wall 164, and a pair of side walls (not shown). The front wall 162 is composed of a plurality of walls, each of which is displaced in the front-rear direction 8. A liquid chamber 171 is formed inside the tank 160. The liquid chamber 171 is an example of the second liquid chamber.

Of the walls constituting the tank 160, at least the wall facing the liquid level sensor 33 has translucency. As a result, the light output by the liquid level sensor 33 can pass through the wall facing the liquid level sensor 33. At least a part of the rear wall 164 may be a film welded to the upper wall 161, the lower wall 163, and the end faces of the side wall. Further, the side wall of the tank 160 may be common to the mounting case 150 or may be independent of the mounting case 150. Further, the tanks 160 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction 9 are partitioned by a partition wall (not shown).

The liquid chamber 171 communicates with an ink flow path (not shown) through the outlet 174. The lower end of the outlet 174 is defined by a lower wall 163 that defines the lower end of the liquid chamber 171. The outlet 174 is located below the joint 180 (more specifically, the lower end of the through hole 184). The ink flow path (not shown) that communicates with the outlet 174 communicates with the tube 19. As a result, the liquid chamber 171 communicates with the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 19. That is, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is supplied to the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 19. The ink flow path and the tube 19 communicated with the outlet 174 are the fourth flow path in which one end (outlet 174) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end 19B (see FIG. 2) is communicated with the head 21. This is just one example.

The liquid chamber 171 communicates with the atmosphere through the air communication chamber 175. More specifically, the atmospheric communication chamber 175 communicates with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 176 penetrating the front wall 162. Further, the atmospheric communication chamber 175 is communicated to the outside of the printer 10 through a tube (not shown) connected to the atmospheric communication port 177 and the atmospheric communication port 177. That is, in the atmospheric communication chamber 175, one end (through hole 176) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end (atmospheric communication port 177) is communicated with the outside of the printer 10. That is, the atmospheric communication chamber 175 is an example of a fifth flow path in which one end (through hole 176) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end (atmospheric communication port 177) is communicated with the outside of the printer 10.

[Joint 180]
The joint 180 includes a needle 181 and a guide 182, as shown in FIG. The needle 181 is a tube having a flow path formed inside. The needle 181 projects forward from the anterior wall 162 defining the liquid chamber 171. An opening 183 is formed at the front end of the needle 181. Further, the internal space of the needle 181 is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 184 penetrating the front wall 162. One end (opening 183) of the needle 181 is communicated with the outside of the tank 160, and the other end (through hole 184) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171. The guide 182 is a cylindrical member arranged around the needle 181. The guide 182 projects forward from the front wall 162 and has an open front end.

A valve 185 and a coil spring 186 are located in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 is movable along the front-rear direction 8 between the closed position and the open position in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 closes the opening 183 when located in the closed position. Further, the valve 185 opens the opening 183 when it is located at the open position. The coil spring 186 is urged in a direction that moves the valve 185 from the open position to the closed position, that is, in the forward direction along the front-rear direction 8. The needle 181 is an example of a third flow path in which one end (opening 183) is communicated with the outside of the tank 160 and the other end (through hole 184) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171.

[Actuator 190]
As shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 190 is located in the liquid chamber 171. The actuator 190 is rotatably supported along the direction of arrows 198 and 199 by a support member (not shown) arranged in the liquid chamber 171. The actuator 190 can rotate between the first state shown by the solid line and the second state shown by the broken line in FIG. Further, the actuator 190 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow 198 from the position of the solid line by a stopper (for example, the inner wall of the liquid chamber 171) (not shown). The actuator 190 includes a float 191, a shaft 192, an arm 193, and a detected portion 194. The actuator 190 is an example of a detection object.

The float 191 is made of a material having a lower specific density than the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171. The shaft 192 projects from the right and left surfaces of the float 191 along the left-right direction 9. The shaft 192 is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the support member. As a result, the actuator 190 is rotatably supported by the support member about the shaft 192. The arm 193 extends substantially upward from the float 191. The detected portion 194 is located at the tip end portion of the arm 193. That is, the arm 193 is located between the detected portion 194 and the shaft 192. The detected portion 194 is a plate-shaped member extending along each of the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The detected portion 194 is formed of a material or color that shields the light output from the light emitting portion of the liquid level sensor 33.

When the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P, the actuator 190 rotated in the direction of arrow 198 by buoyancy is held by the stopper at the detection position shown by the solid line in FIG. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink is less than the reference position P, the actuator 190 rotates in the direction of arrow 199 following the drop of the liquid level. As a result, the detected portion 194 of the actuator 190 moves to a position different from the detected position. Since the detected unit 194 is a part of the actuator 190, the detected unit 194 moves to a position corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171.

The reference position P is at the same height as the axis center of the needle 181 and at the same height as the center of the ink supply port 234 described later in the vertical direction 7. That is, the reference position P substantially coincides with the liquid level position when the ink in the cartridge 200 is used up. However, the reference position P is not limited to the above-mentioned position as long as it is a position above the outlet 174 in the vertical direction 7. As another example, the reference position P may be the height of the upper end or the lower end of the internal space of the needle 181 or the height of the upper end or the lower end of the ink supply port 234 of the cartridge 200.

When the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P, the light output from the light emitting portion of the liquid level sensor 33 is blocked by the detected portion 194 located at the detection position. As a result, the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 because the light from the light emitting unit does not reach the light receiving unit. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is less than the reference position P, the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 because the light output from the light emitting portion reaches the light receiving portion. do. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether or not the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P by the signal output from the liquid level sensor 33. The reference position P is an example of a predetermined position. The low level signal “L” is an example of the first signal, and the high level signal “H” is an example of the second signal. In the following, the low level signal may be described as “L” and the high level signal may be described as “H”.

[Cartridge 200]
The cartridge 200 is a container having a liquid chamber 210 (see FIG. 3) for storing liquid ink inside. The liquid chamber 210 is an example of the first liquid chamber.

The liquid chamber 210 is defined by, for example, a resin wall. As shown in FIG. 5A, the cartridge 200 has a flat shape in which the dimensions along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are larger than the dimensions along the left-right direction 9. The outer shapes of the cartridges 200 in which inks of different colors are stored may be the same or different. At least a part of the walls constituting the cartridge 200 is translucent. As a result, the user can visually recognize the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 from the outside of the cartridge 200.

The cartridge 200 includes a housing 201 and a supply pipe 230. The housing 201 is composed of a rear wall 202, a front wall 203, an upper wall 204, a lower wall 205, and a pair of side walls 206 and 207. The rear wall 202 is composed of a plurality of walls, each of which is displaced in the front-rear direction 8. Further, the upper wall 204 is composed of a plurality of walls, each of which is displaced in the vertical direction 7. Further, the lower wall 205 is composed of a plurality of walls, each of which is displaced in the vertical direction 7.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a liquid chamber 210, an ink valve chamber 213, and an atmospheric valve chamber 214 are formed in the internal space of the cartridge 200. The liquid chamber 210 has an upper liquid chamber 211 and a lower liquid chamber 212. The upper liquid chamber 211, the lower liquid chamber 212, and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are internal spaces of the housing 201. On the other hand, the ink valve chamber 213 is an internal space of the supply pipe 230. The liquid chamber 210 stores ink. The atmosphere valve chamber 214 communicates the liquid chamber 210 with the outside of the cartridge 200.

The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 of the liquid chamber 210 are separated in the vertical direction 7 by a partition wall 215 that partitions the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 are communicated with each other by a through hole 216 formed in the partition wall 215. Further, the upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are separated by a partition wall 217 that partitions the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are communicated with each other by a through hole 218 formed in the partition wall 217. Further, the ink valve chamber 213 communicates with the lower end of the lower liquid chamber 212 through the through hole 219.

The atmospheric valve chamber 214 is communicated to the outside of the cartridge 200 at the upper part of the cartridge 200 through an atmospheric communication port 221 formed in the rear wall 202. That is, one end (through hole 218) of the atmospheric valve chamber 214 is communicated with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the upper liquid chamber 211), and the other end (atmospheric communication port 221) is communicated with the outside of the cartridge 200. This is an example of the second flow path. The atmospheric valve chamber 214 communicates with the atmosphere through the atmospheric communication port 221. Further, a valve 222 and a coil spring 223 are located in the atmospheric valve chamber 214. The valve 222 can move between the closed position and the open position along the front-rear direction 8. When the valve 222 is located at the closed position, it closes the atmospheric communication port 221. Further, when the valve 222 is located at the open position, the atmospheric communication port 221 is opened. The coil spring 223 is urged to move the valve 222 from the open position to the closed position, that is, backward along the front-rear direction 8.

In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through the atmospheric communication port 221. The rod 153 that has entered the atmosphere valve chamber 214 moves the valve 222 in the closed position forward along the front-rear direction 8 against the urging force of the coil spring 223. Then, by moving the valve 222 to the open position, the upper liquid chamber 211 is communicated with the atmosphere. The configuration for opening the atmospheric communication port 221 is not limited to the above example. As another example, the rod 153 may be configured to break through the film that seals the atmospheric communication port 221.

The supply pipe 230 projects rearward along the front-rear direction 8 from the rear wall 202 at the lower part of the housing 201. The rear end of the supply pipe 230 is open. That is, the ink valve chamber 213 communicates the liquid chamber 210 communicated through the through hole 219 with the outside of the cartridge 200. One end (through hole 219) of the ink valve chamber 213 communicates with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the lower liquid chamber 212), and the other end (ink supply port 234 described later) communicates with the outside of the cartridge 200. This is an example of the first flow path. Further, the packing 231, the valve 232, and the coil spring 233 are located in the ink valve chamber 213.

An ink supply port 234 penetrating in the front-rear direction 8 is formed in the center of the packing 231. The inner diameter of the ink supply port 234 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the needle 181. The valve 232 is movable along the anteroposterior direction 8 between the closed position and the open position. When the valve 232 is located at the closed position, it comes into contact with the packing 231 and closes the ink supply port 234. Further, when the valve 232 is located at the open position, the valve 232 is separated from the packing 231 to open the ink supply port 234. The coil spring 233 is urged to move the valve 232 from the open position to the closed position, that is, backward along the front-rear direction 8. Further, the urging force of the coil spring 233 is larger than that of the coil spring 186.

In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the supply pipe 230 enters the guide 182, and the needle 181 eventually enters the ink valve chamber 213 through the ink supply port 234. At this time, the needle 181 elastically deforms the packing 231 and comes into liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface defining the ink supply port 234. When the cartridge 200 is further inserted into the mounting case 150, the needle 181 moves the valve 232 forward against the urging force of the coil spring 233. Further, the valve 232 moves the valve 185 protruding from the opening 183 of the needle 181 backward against the urging force of the coil spring 186.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink supply port 234 and the opening 183 are opened, and the ink valve chamber 213 of the supply pipe 230 and the internal space of the needle 181 are communicated with each other.

Further, in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, a part of the liquid chamber 210 and a part of the liquid chamber 171 overlap each other when viewed from the horizontal direction. Further, the bottom of the liquid chamber 171 is located below the bottom of the liquid chamber 210. As a result, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 flows out to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the connected supply pipe 230 and the joint 180 due to the difference between the head of the liquid chamber 210 and the water head of the liquid chamber 171.

As shown in FIG. 5, a protrusion 241 is formed on the upper wall 204. The protrusion 241 projects upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The protrusion 241 has a lock surface 242 and an inclined surface 243. The lock surface 242 and the inclined surface 243 are located above the upper wall 204. The lock surface 242 faces forward along the front-rear direction 8 and extends along each of the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9 (that is, substantially orthogonal to the upper wall 204). The inclined surface 243 is inclined with respect to the upper wall 204 so as to face upward and backward.

The lock surface 242 is a surface that comes into contact with the lock pin 156 when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The inclined surface 243 is a surface that guides the lock pin 156 to a position where it comes into contact with the lock surface 242 in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150. When the lock surface 242 and the lock pin 156 are in contact with each other, the cartridge 200 is held in the mounting position shown in FIG. 6 against the urging force of the coil springs 186, 223, and 233.

A flat plate-shaped member is formed so as to extend upward from the upper wall 204 in front of the lock surface 242. The upper surface of the flat plate-shaped member is an operation unit 244 operated by the user when the cartridge 200 is pulled out from the mounting case 150. When the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 and the cover 87 is located in the open position, the operation unit 244 can be operated by the user. When the operation unit 244 is pushed downward, the cartridge 200 rotates, so that the lock surface 242 moves downward from the lock pin 156. As a result, the cartridge 200 can be removed from the mounting case 150.

As shown in FIG. 5, a light-shielding rib 245 is formed on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and behind the protrusion 241. The light-shielding rib 245 projects upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The light-shielding rib 245 is made of a material or color that blocks light output from the light emitting portion of the mounting sensor 32. The light-shielding rib 245 is located on the optical path from the light emitting portion to the light receiving portion of the mounting sensor 32 in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. That is, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 (FIG. 1) according to the mounting of the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130 according to the fact that the cartridge 200 is not mounted on the mounting case 150. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 by the signal output from the mounting sensor 32.

As shown in FIG. 5, the IC chip 34 is located on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and between the light-shielding rib 245 and the protrusion 241 in the front-rear direction 8. An electrode 248 is formed on the IC chip 34. Further, the IC chip 34 includes a memory (not shown). The electrode 248 is electrically connected to the memory of the IC chip 34. The electrode 248 is electrically exposed to the connection I / F 152 on the upper surface of the IC chip 34. That is, in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the electrode 248 conducts with the connection I / F 152. The controller 130 can read information from the memory of the IC chip 34 through the connection I / F 152 and the electrode 248, and write information to the memory of the IC chip 34 through the connection I / F 152 and the electrode 248. Hereinafter, the memory of the IC chip 34 will be described as a CTG memory. The CTG memory is an example of a cartridge memory.

The CTG memory stores the type information of the cartridge 200, the serial number, the cartridge liquid level value, and other information. The type information is information indicating whether the cartridge 200 is a small-capacity cartridge or a large-capacity cartridge, the color of the ink to be stored, and the like. The serial number is information that individually identifies the cartridge 200. The cartridge liquid amount value is a value indicating the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 200. The cartridge liquid amount value is an example of the first liquid amount value and the third liquid amount value.

[Controller 130]
The printer 10 includes a controller 130. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 130 includes a CPU 35, a device memory 36, and a communication bus 39. The device memory 36 has a ROM 37, an EEPROM 61, and a RAM 62. The controller 130 is an example of a controller and a first controller. The device memory 36 is an example of the device memory and the first device memory.

The ROM 37 stores an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program 37A, a control program 37B, a communication program 37C, and the like. The control program 37B is a program that performs printing processing and the like, which will be described later. The communication program 37C is a program that controls communication with an external device such as the information processing device 40. The OS program 37A is a program different from the control program 37B, and is a program that controls operations different from the communication program 37C. The OS program 37A, the control program 37B, and the communication program 37C are executed by the CPU 35 processing the instruction described in the address. In the following, the operation processed by executing the OS program 37A, the control program 37B, and the communication program 37C may be described as the operation of the controller 130. The controller 130 may have a hard circuit using an IC that realizes a part or all of the operations executed by the OS program 37A, the control program 37B, and the communication program 37C.

The EEPROM 61 stores the device information of the printer 10. The device information includes the identification information of the printer 10. The identification information of the printer 10 is a MAC address, a serial number, or the like of the printer 10.

Further, the EEPROM 61 stores the first discharge value, the second discharge value, the initial cartridge liquid amount value, the initial tank liquid amount value, the S_Empty flag, and the C_Empty flag. Details will be described later.

In addition, the EEPROM 61 stores the leaked information. Details will be described later.

A head 21, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as a communication I / F) 31, a mounting sensor 32, a liquid level sensor 33, a connection I / F 152, a clock 30, a display 17, a motor (not shown), and the like are connected to the communication bus 39. Has been done. The clock 30 outputs date and time information. The communication I / F 31 is connected to the communication line 6. The communication I / F 31 is an example of the second interface.

The controller 130 rotates the feed roller 23, the transport roller 25, and the discharge roller 27 by driving a motor (not shown) through the communication bus 39. Further, the controller 130 outputs a drive signal to the drive element of the head 21 through the communication bus 39 to eject ink droplets from the head 21.

Further, the controller 130 detects whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 through the mounting sensor 32. Further, the controller 130 detects whether or not the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P through the liquid level sensor 33.

Further, the controller 130 reads out the type information, the serial number, and the cartridge liquid amount value stored in the CTG memory through the electrode 248 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 and the connection I / F 152. Further, the controller 130 updates the value of the cartridge liquid amount stored in the CTG memory through the electrode 248 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 and the connection I / F 152.

[Information processing device 40]
The information processing apparatus 40 may be installed on a communication line 6 such as the Internet by the vendor of the printer 10, or may be installed by a business operator different from the vendor. The information processing device 40 includes a CPU 41, a device memory 42, a communication interface 43 (hereinafter referred to as a communication I / F 43), a clock 48, and a communication bus 44. The CPU 41, the device memory 42, and the communication bus 44 constitute the controller 45. The clock 48 outputs date and time information. The communication I / F 43 is connected to the communication line 6 and communicates with the printer 10. The controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 is an example of the second controller. The communication I / F 43 is an example of the third interface. The device memory 42 is an example of the second device memory.

The device memory 42 has a program storage area 46 and a data storage area 47. The program storage area 46 is a hard disk or the like. The data storage area 47 is a RAM, a hard disk, or the like.

The program storage area 46 stores programs such as the OS program 46A, the control program 46B, and the communication program 46C. The control program 46B executes the processing described later. The communication program 46C controls communication with the printer 10 and the shipping server 50. The OS program 46A is a program different from the control program 46B, and is a program that controls differently from the communication program 46C. In the following, the OS program 46A, the control program 46B, and the communication program 46C are copied from the hard disk to the RAM, and are executed by the CPU 41 sequentially executing the instructions copied to the RAM. In the following, the operations processed by the execution of the OS program 46A, the control program 46B, and the communication program 46C may be described as the operations of the controller 45 and the information processing device 40.

The data storage area 47 stores the cartridge management list shown in FIG. The cartridge management list is a list for collectively managing a plurality of printers 10, and is used, for example, for the administrator of the information processing apparatus 40 to manage or monitor the order of the cartridge 200.

The cartridge management list has a record stored for each cartridge 200 of each color of each printer 10 and a plurality of items. Multiple items are "identification information", "color information", "user information", "destination information", "model name", "scheduled arrival date and time", "order date and time", "number of leaks", "leakage date and time" Serial number "and so on. Each record in the cartridge management list is generated in response to a contract with the user of printer 10. The cartridge management list may have items other than those shown in the illustrated example.

The item "identification information" individually identifies each printer 10, and is, for example, a MAC address or a serial number. The item "color information" indicates the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 200. The item "user information" is a company name of a contracted user or the like. The item "destination information" indicates the address and address to which the new cartridge 200 will be delivered. The item "model name" indicates the model name of the printer 10. The item "scheduled arrival date and time" indicates the date and time when the ordered cartridge 200 is scheduled to arrive at the destination indicated by the destination information. The item "order date and time" indicates the date on which the new cartridge 200 was ordered. The items "identification information", "color information", "user information", "destination information", and "model name" are stored when the record is generated. The items "number of leaks", "date and time of leak", and "serial number" will be described later.

Further, the data storage area 47 stores a remaining amount management list (not shown). The remaining amount management list is a list created for each cartridge managed in each record of the cartridge management list. The remaining amount management list is a list in which the received management information is added as a new record each time the information processing apparatus 40 receives the management information transmitted by the printer 10. The control program 46B of the information processing apparatus 40 calculates the date and time when the new cartridge 200 is ordered and the estimated arrival date and time when the ordered new cartridge 200 arrives at the destination indicated by the destination information, based on the remaining amount management list. It is stored in the "scheduled arrival date and time" and "order date and time" of the cartridge management list.

[Ink management by management system 5]
In the management system 5, the information processing apparatus 40 collects management information including ink remaining amount information from the printer 10, and when the ink remaining amount becomes low, the information processing apparatus 40 places an order for the cartridge 200 with the shipping server 50. As described above, the information processing apparatus 40 manages the remaining amount of ink and orders the cartridge 200, so that the user of the printer 10 can save the trouble of managing the remaining amount of ink and purchasing the cartridge 200.

Specifically, the user of the printer 10 concludes a contract with a manufacturer that manages the remaining amount of ink and provides an ordering service for the cartridge 200. The ink remaining amount management and the cartridge 200 ordering service are contracted for each printer, and user information and identification information of the printer 10 to be contracted are registered in the information processing apparatus 40 at the time of contract. The user information is information about the destination such as the name and address of the user who is the delivery destination of the cartridge 200. The identification information is information for individually identifying the printer 10 to be contracted, and is a serial number, MAC address, or the like of the printer 10.

Further, the identification information of the printer 10 and the user information are associated with each other and registered in the information processing apparatus 40. Hereinafter, the processing of the printer 10, the information processing apparatus 40, and the shipping server 50 regarding the ordering of the cartridge 200 will be described in detail.

[Processes executed by the controller 130 of the printer 10]
The process executed by the controller 130 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. The execution order of each of the following processes can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

[Print processing]
The controller 130 executes the printing process shown in FIG. 7 in response to the input of the printing instruction to the printer 10. The acquisition source of the print instruction is not particularly limited, but for example, the user operation corresponding to the print instruction may be accepted through the operation panel 22 or the display 17, or may be received from an external device through the communication I / F 31. The print instruction is an example of a liquid discharge instruction. The print instruction includes image data indicating an image. The image data is stored in the RAM 62 of the printer 10.

First, the controller 130 determines whether the value of the S_Empty flag stored in the EEPROM 61 is "ON" or "OFF" (S11). The controller 130 stores "ON" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 before the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 reaches the upper end of the outlet 174 where the ink flows out from the tank 160. The value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 stores "OFF" until "ON" is stored. When the liquid level of the ink reaches the upper end of the outlet 174, air may enter the nozzle of the head 21. If the air that has entered the nozzle of the head 21 stays in the nozzle, there is a possibility that the entry of ink into the nozzle is hindered or the ejection of ink droplets from the nozzle is hindered.

That is, the S_Empty flag is for preventing air from entering the nozzle of the head 21. The controller 130 stores "OFF" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 in step S14 described later, and stores "ON" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 in step S55. Although not shown in the flowchart, the controller 130 prohibits ink ejection through the head 21 depending on the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 being "ON". Further, the controller 130 allows the ink to be discharged through the head 21 according to the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 being "OFF".

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 is "ON" (S11: ON), the controller 130 acquires the mounting signal from the mounting sensor 32 at predetermined time intervals. Next, the controller 130 changes the acquired mounting signal from a low level signal (hereinafter referred to as “L”) to a high level signal (hereinafter referred to as “H”), and further, the acquired mounting signal becomes “H”. It is determined whether or not the change has changed from "" to "L" (S12). That is, it is determined whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted based on the change in the mounting signal.

When the controller 130 determines that the acquired mounting signal has not changed from "H" to "L", that is, the cartridge 200 is not mounted (S12: No), the mounting signal from the mounting sensor 32 periodically determines that the mounting signal has not changed. Continue to acquire. When the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted (S12: Yes), the controller 130 executes the first update process (S13). As a specific example of determining whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted by the controller 130, the process of step S12 is mentioned, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the serial number may be used to determine whether or not the cartridge 200 has been mounted. The controller 130 reads the serial number of the cartridge 200 from the CTG memory of the cartridge 200. Then, the controller 130 determines whether or not the read serial number and the serial number stored in the EEPROM 61 match. The serial number stored in the EEPROM 61 is a serial number stored in the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 before the new cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150.

[First update process]
In the first update process shown in FIG. 8A, the controller 130 stores the initial cartridge liquid amount value and the initial tank liquid amount value stored in the EEPROM 61, and the cartridge liquid amount value stored in the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200. It is a process to update.

First, the controller 130 reads out the cartridge liquid amount value stored in the CTG memory from the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 through the connection I / F 152 (S31). The controller 130 stores the read cartridge liquid amount value in the EEPROM 61 as an initial cartridge liquid amount value (S32).

Further, the controller 130 reads the tank liquid amount value from the RAM 62 (S33). When the tank liquid amount value is not stored in the RAM 62 due to the power being turned off or the like, the controller 130 calculates the tank liquid amount value in the same manner as in the fourth update process described later, and uses the calculated tank liquid amount value. Stored in RAM 62. The tank liquid amount value read from the RAM 62 is a value indicating the liquid amount of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 immediately before the cartridge 200 is mounted. In other words, the tank liquid amount value is a value indicating the liquid amount of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 when the cartridge 200 is removed. The controller 130 stores the tank liquid amount value read from the RAM 62 in the EEPROM 61 as the initial tank liquid amount value (S33).

The controller 130 adds the initial cartridge liquid amount value and the initial tank liquid amount value, and calculates the total liquid amount value indicating the total liquid amount of the ink (S34). The controller 130 determines a new cartridge liquid amount value and a tank liquid amount value from the calculated total liquid amount value (S35).

Specifically, when a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, a part of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 moves into the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. leak. The outflow of ink from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is caused by the head of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the head of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. When the difference is almost eliminated, it stops. The difference between the new cartridge liquid level value and the new tank liquid level value between the head of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the head of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 has almost disappeared. Indicates the amount of ink remaining in the state.

The cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value may be determined, for example, by the controller 130 performing a calculation based on a calculation formula stored in the EEPROM 61 or the ROM 37. Alternatively, the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value may be determined, for example, based on a table stored by the controller 130 in the EEPROM 61 or the ROM 37. Specifically, the shape of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the shape of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 are predetermined by the design. Therefore, if the total liquid amount value of the ink is known, the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value in a state where the difference between the ink head stored in the cartridge 200 and the ink head stored in the tank 160 is almost eliminated are also available. I understand. The EEPROM 61 and ROM 37 store in advance a calculation formula for calculating the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value from the total liquid amount value. Alternatively, the EEPROM 61 and the ROM 37 store in advance a table showing the correspondence between the total liquid amount value, the cartridge liquid amount value, and the tank liquid amount value. The controller 130 determines a new cartridge liquid amount value and a new tank liquid amount value based on the total liquid amount value of the ink and the calculation formula or table.

The controller 130 stores the determined new cartridge liquid amount value in the RAM 62, and updates the cartridge liquid amount value stored in the CTG memory (S36). Further, the controller 130 stores the determined new tank liquid amount value in the RAM 62 (S37). The first update process is terminated. The tank liquid amount value is an example of the second liquid amount value.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the first update process is completed (S13), the controller 130 stores "OFF" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61, stores "OFF" in the C_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61, and stores the "OFF" in the C_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61. Zero is stored as the first emission value and the second emission value (S14). After executing the process of step S14, the controller 130 executes the process of step S11 again. The C_Empty flag, the first emission value, and the second emission value will be described later.

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), the controller 130 acquires a signal from the liquid level sensor 33 (hereinafter referred to as a liquid level signal) (S15). After that, the controller 130 prints on the sheet according to the image data stored in the RAM 62 (S16). By printing the image on the sheet, the ink is ejected through the head 21. As the ink is discharged, the liquid level of the ink in the tank 160 is lowered. After executing printing (S16), the controller 130 acquires a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor 33 (S17). Next, the controller 130 determines the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 and the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 (S18). Hereinafter, the low level signal acquired by the controller 130 from the liquid level sensor 33 may be referred to as “L”. Further, the high level signal acquired by the controller 130 from the liquid level sensor 33 may be described as "H".

When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signals acquired in steps S15 and S17 are both "L" (S18: L → L), the controller 130 executes the second update process (S19). When the controller 130 determines in step S18 that the liquid level signals acquired in steps S15 and S17 are both "L", the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is in the following state. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before the execution of printing (S16) is equal to or higher than the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is “L”). The position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 after the execution of printing (S16) is equal to or higher than the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 is “L”). That is, ink is present in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 when the liquid level signal acquired by the controller 130 in step S17 is “L” after the execution of printing (S16).

[Second update process]
In the second update process shown in FIG. 8B, a new cartridge liquid amount value and a tank liquid amount value are obtained from the first discharge value indicating the amount of ink discharged by the controller 130 through the head 21 in printing or maintenance. Is the process of determining. The first ejection value is, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of one drop of ink ejected to the head 21 by the number of times the one drop of ink is ejected. Each time the controller 130 instructs the head 21 to discharge ink, the controller 130 counts the first discharge value according to the instruction. The controller 130 counts the first discharge value corresponding to the amount discharged by the head 21 from the time when the cartridge 200 is mounted to the present. That is, the first ejection value is an integrated value of the amount of ink ejected by the head 21 from the time when the cartridge 200 is mounted to the present. The first emission value is stored in the EEPROM 61. The first emission value is an example of the emission value.

First, the controller 130 reads out the initial cartridge liquid amount value and the initial tank liquid amount value from the EEPROM 61 (S41). Next, the controller 130 calculates the total liquid amount value by adding the read initial cartridge liquid amount value and the initial tank liquid amount value (S42). The controller 130 subtracts the first discharge value from the calculated total liquid amount value, and calculates a new total liquid amount value (S43). After that, the controller 130 determines a new cartridge liquid amount value and a new tank liquid amount value by using a calculation formula or a table in the same manner as described above (S44).

The controller 130 stores the determined new cartridge liquid amount value in the RAM 62, and updates the cartridge liquid amount value stored in the CTG memory (S45). Further, the controller 130 stores the determined new tank liquid amount value in the RAM 62 (S46), and ends the second update process.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the second update process (S19) is completed, the controller 130 determines whether or not the image data on the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22). When the controller 130 determines that the image data on the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22: Yes), the controller 130 executes the process of step S11 again. When the controller 130 determines that the image data on the next page is not stored in the RAM 62 (S22: No), the controller 130 ends the printing process.

The method for determining the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value described above is an example, and the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value may be determined by another method.

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), the controller 130 again executes the processes from steps S15 to S18. When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is “L” and the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 is “H” (S18: L → H), the third update process (S18: L → H). S20) is executed. When the controller 130 determines in step S18 that the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is "L" and the liquid level signal acquired in S17 is "H", the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is contacted. The stored ink is in the following state. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before the execution of printing (S16) is equal to or higher than the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is “L”). Further, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 after the execution of printing (S16) is less than the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 is “H”). That is, during the printing execution (S16), the ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 disappeared. In other words, it means that the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 has been used up during the printing execution (S16).

[Third update process]
The third update process shown in FIG. 8C is a process in which the controller 130 updates the initial cartridge liquid amount value to the first predetermined value and the initial tank liquid amount value to the second predetermined value. That is, the third update process is a process of resetting the accumulated error.

First, the controller 130 updates the initial cartridge liquid amount value stored in the CTG memory with the first predetermined value (S47). The first predetermined value is, for example, "zero". Further, the controller 130 stores the initial tank liquid amount value as the second predetermined value in the RAM 62 and the EEPROM 61 (S48). The second predetermined value is a value indicating the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 when the liquid level of the ink is at the reference position P. The first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are stored in advance in, for example, the ROM 37.

Next, the controller 130 stores "ON" in the C_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 (S49), and ends the third update process.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the third update process (S20) is completed, the controller 130 determines whether or not the image data on the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22). When the controller 130 determines that the image data on the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22: Yes), the controller 130 executes the process of step S11 again. When the controller 130 determines that the image data on the next page is not stored in the RAM 62 (S22: No), the controller 130 ends the printing process.

When the controller 130 determines in the process of step S11 that the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), the controller 130 executes the processes of steps S15 to S18 again. When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signals acquired in steps S15 and S17 are both "H" (S18: H → H), the controller 130 executes the fourth update process (S21). When the controller 130 determines in step S18 that the liquid level signals acquired in steps S15 and S17 are both "H", the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is in the following state. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before the execution of printing (S16) is less than the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is “H”). Further, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 after the execution of printing (S16) is less than the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 is “H”). That is, before and after the execution of printing (S16), the controller 130 does not have ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200.

[4th update process]
The fourth update process shown in FIG. 8D is a process in which the controller 130 calculates the tank liquid amount value and further determines whether or not printing is prohibited. First, the controller 130 reads out the initial tank liquid amount value updated to the second predetermined value from the EEPROM 61 (S51). The controller 130 subtracts the second discharge value from the read initial tank liquid amount value, and calculates a new tank liquid amount value (S52). The second ejection value is, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of one drop of ink ejected to the head 21 by the number of times the one drop of ink is ejected, similarly to the first ejection value. Each time the controller 130 instructs the head 21 to eject ink, the controller 130 counts the second discharge value according to the instruction. The controller 130 counts a second discharge value indicating the amount of ink discharged by the head 21 after the liquid level signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 33 changes from “L” to “H”. That is, the second discharge value is an integrated value of the amount of ink discharged by the head 21 from the time when the liquid level signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 33 changes from “L” to “H” to the present. The second emission value is stored in the EEPROM 61. The second emission value is an example of the emission value.

The controller 130 stores the calculated new tank liquid amount value in the RAM 62 (S53). Next, the controller 130 determines whether or not the counted second emission value has reached the threshold value (S64). The threshold value is a value stored in advance in the ROM 37 or the EEPROM 61. When the controller 130 determines that the counted second emission value has not reached the threshold value (S54: Yes), the controller 130 ends the fourth update process. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the counted second emission value has reached the threshold value (S54: No), it stores "ON" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 (S55), and ends the fourth update process. Although not shown in the flowchart, when the controller 130 determines that "ON" is stored in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61, it prohibits ink ejection through the head 21 including printing and maintenance.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the fourth update process (S21) is completed, the controller 130 determines whether or not the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22). When the controller 130 determines that the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22: Yes), the controller 130 executes the process of step S11 again. When the controller 130 determines that the next page is not stored in the RAM 62 (S22: No), the controller 130 ends the printing process.

As described above, each time the printing in step S16 is executed, the controller 130 determines the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value according to the amount of ink used for printing. In the above description, an example in which the controller 130 determines the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value each time printing for one page is executed has been described. Instead, the controller 130 may determine the cartridge fluid volume value and the tank fluid volume value each time one pass of printing is performed. Further, the controller 130 executes the second update process, the third update process, and the fourth update process every time ink is discharged through the head 21 not only for printing but also for maintenance and the like. The maintenance execution instruction is an example of a liquid discharge instruction.

[Management information transmission processing and management information storage processing]
Next, the management information transmission process executed by the controller 130 of the printer 10 when the printer 10 transmits the management information including the liquid amount information, and the information processing device 40 receiving the management information stores the management information in the device memory 42. The management information storage process to be performed will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 130 of the printer 10 determines whether or not it is the transmission time for transmitting the management information (S61). The transmission time is, for example, midnight. That is, management information is transmitted on a daily schedule.

When the controller 130 of the printer 10 determines that the transmission time for transmitting the management information has come (S61: Yes), the controller 130 reads out the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value from the RAM 62 and acquires them (S62). When the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value are not stored in the RAM 62 due to the power being turned off or the like, the controller 130 performs the cartridge liquid amount value and the cartridge liquid amount value in the same manner as the above-mentioned second update process and fourth update process. Calculate and obtain the tank liquid volume value. The cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value are acquired for each of the magenta, cyan, yellow, and black colors.

The controller 130 reads and acquires its own identification information and the type information or serial number of each cartridge 200 from the device memory 36 or the CTG memory. Further, the controller 130 reads and acquires the leaked information described later from the device memory 36. The controller 130 generates management information including the acquired cartridge liquid amount value and tank liquid amount value, its own identification information, the type information or serial number of the cartridge 200, and the outflow information (S62). The controller 130 transmits the generated management information to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication I / F 31 (S63), and ends the management information transmission process.

On the other hand, the controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 determines whether or not the management information transmitted by the printer 10 has been received (S64). When the controller 45 determines that the management information transmitted by the printer 10 has been received through the communication I / F 43 (S64: Yes), the controller 45 uses the received management information to generate a new record to be added to the remaining amount management list. , Stored in the device memory 42.

The controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 determines whether or not to order the cartridge 200 from each record in the remaining amount management list (S66). For example, the controller 45 decides to order the cartridge 200 according to the fact that the cartridge liquid volume value is zero. When the controller 45 decides to order the cartridge 200 (S66: Yes), the controller 45 arranges the order for the cartridge 200 (S67). On the other hand, when the controller 45 determines that the cartridge 200 is not ordered (S66: No), the process of step S67 is skipped.

The controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 responds to the received management information and the arrangement of the order for the cartridge 200, and the items "order date and time", "scheduled arrival date and time", and "number of outflows" in the cartridge management list (FIG. 11). , "Leakage date and time", "Serial number" are updated.

[Leaked information generation process]
Hereinafter, the process in which the controller 130 of the printer 10 generates the leaked information will be described in detail. The outflow information is information indicating that ink has flowed from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200. The spill information includes, for example, the number of spills indicating the number of spills, the spill date and time indicating the date and time of the spill, and the serial number of the cartridge 200 in which the spill occurred. However, the leaked information may include information other than the above.

The case where ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 is, for example, a case where the cartridge 200 in which ink remains is removed from the mounting case 150 and an empty cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. In that case, the liquid level position of the ink in the tank 160 is higher than the position of the lowermost end of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200. Therefore, due to the head difference, ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

The outflow information generation process described below is executed for each of the four cartridges 200 that store the magenta, cyan, yellow, and black inks, respectively.

First, as shown in FIG. 10, the controller 130 of the printer 10 determines whether the user has opened the cover 87 to remove the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150 (S71). Specifically, the controller 130 periodically acquires the signal output by the cover sensor 88, and the signal output by the cover sensor 88 is from a low level signal (hereinafter, also referred to as “L”) to a high level signal (hereinafter, also referred to as “L”). , Also referred to as "H").

When the controller 130 determines that the signal output by the cover sensor 88 changes from "L" to "H" and the cover 87 is opened (S71: Yes), the controller 130 executes the processes of steps S72 to S76. The processes of steps S72 to S76 are processes for determining whether or not the cartridge 200 has been removed from the mounting case 150.

First, the controller 130 periodically tries to access the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 (S72), and determines whether or not the CTG memory can be accessed (S73). When the controller 130 determines that the CTG memory cannot be accessed because the cartridge 200 is removed from the mounting case 150 (S73: No), the controller 130 sets the access flag to "OFF" (S75) and performs the processes of steps S72 and S73. Run again. The access flag is a flag stored in the EEPROM 61.

On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 can be accessed (S73: Yes), the controller 130 determines whether the value of the access flag is "ON" or "OFF" (S75). That is, in step S75, it is determined whether or not the CTG memory of the replaced cartridge 200 has been accessed.

When the controller 130 determines that the access flag is "ON" (S75: ON), the controller 130 executes the processes of steps S72 to S75 again. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the access flag is "OFF" and has accessed the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 after replacement (S75: OFF), the controller 130 sets the access flag to "ON" (S76).

Next, the controller 130 reads the serial number from the CTG memory of the replaced cartridge 200 that can be accessed and acquires it (S77). The controller 130 determines whether or not the serial number read from the CTG matches the serial number stored in the device memory 36 (S78). The device memory 36 stores the serial number read from the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 before replacement. That is, in step S78, it is determined whether or not the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 has been replaced with another cartridge 200.

When the controller 130 determines that the serial numbers match (S78: Yes), that is, determines that the original cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the controller 130 ends the outflow information generation process. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the serial numbers do not match (S78: No), that is, when it determines that a cartridge 200 different from the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the cartridge 130 The serial number read from the CTG memory of 200 is stored in the EEPROM 61 (S79).

Next, the controller 130 reads the cartridge liquid amount value from the RAM 62 and acquires it (S80). If the cartridge liquid amount value is not stored in the RAM 62 due to the power being turned off or the like, the controller 130 performs the same process as the above-mentioned second update process to calculate and acquire the cartridge liquid amount value A. .. Further, the controller 130 reads the cartridge liquid amount value B from the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 and acquires it (S81).

The controller 130 determines whether or not the cartridge liquid amount value A acquired in step S70 is larger than the cartridge liquid amount value B acquired in step S80 (S82). That is, it is determined whether or not ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

More specifically, the cartridge liquid amount value A acquired in step S79 indicates the liquid amount of the ink in the original cartridge 200 before being removed from the mounting case 150. The liquid level position of the ink in the cartridge 200 and the liquid level position of the ink in the tank 160 are substantially the same. Therefore, the liquid level position of the ink in the tank 160 is a position corresponding to the cartridge liquid amount value A. On the other hand, the cartridge liquid amount value B acquired in step S80 indicates the liquid amount of the ink in the replaced cartridge 200. Therefore, the liquid level position in the cartridge 200 is a position corresponding to the cartridge liquid amount value B. Therefore, the fact that the cartridge liquid amount value A is larger than the cartridge liquid amount value B means that the ink liquid level position in the tank 160 is the ink liquid level position in the cartridge 200 immediately after the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Means to be higher. When the liquid level position of the ink in the tank 160 is higher than the liquid level position of the ink in the cartridge 200, the ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

When the controller 130 determines that the cartridge liquid amount value A is equal to or less than the cartridge liquid amount value B (S82: No), it determines that ink does not flow out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200, and ends the outflow information generation process. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the cartridge liquid amount value A is larger than the cartridge liquid amount value B (S82: Yes), the controller 130 generates outflow information and stores it in the EEPROM 61 (S83).

Specifically, the controller 130 associates the date and time information output by the clock 30 with the serial number acquired in step S77, and stores it in the EEPROM 61 as outflow information. Further, the controller 130 increments the number of outflows stored in the EEPROM 61. The initial value of the number of outflows is zero. Further, as the outflow information, the cartridge liquid amount value A and the cartridge liquid amount value B may be stored in the EEPROM 61. From this, the degree of outflow can be grasped.

Next, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display an object indicating that ink has flowed from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 (S84). The object indicating that the ink has flowed from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 may be a text, a character, a symbol, a picture, or the like.

Next, the controller 130 stores the information corresponding to the leaked information in the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 (S85). The information corresponding to the outflow information is, for example, an outflow flag that is “ON”. The controller 130 sets, for example, the outflow flag whose initial value is “OFF” to “OFF” and stores it in the CTG memory.

As described above, the controller 130 of the printer 10 transmits the management information including the leaked information to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication I / F 31 (FIGS. 9, S63). The controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 that has received the management information uses the serial number, the leak date and time, and the leak count included in the management information to display the items "serial number" and "leakage date and time" in the cartridge management list (FIG. 11). , And the "number of outflows" are overwritten (S68).

In addition, the controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 displays the user information corresponding to the identification information of the printer 10 that has transmitted the management information including the leaked information in the cartridge management list (FIG. 11) may be determined, an email containing the determined user information may be generated, and the generated email may be sent to the administrator of the management system 5. That is, the user of the printer 10 in which the outflow has occurred is reported to the administrator of the management system 5.

[Action and effect of the embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect that the ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 by the processing of steps S80 to S83.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the object indicating that the ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 is displayed on the display 17, it is possible to make the user recognize that the ink has been used incorrectly.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the outflow flag is stored in the CTG memory of the cartridge 200, it is determined that the cartridge 200 has ink flowing in from the tank 160 when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. It can be recognized by the controller 130 of the printer 10.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the outflow information transmitted to the information processing apparatus 40 includes the serial number of the cartridge 200 in which the outflow occurred, it is determined whether or not the cartridge 200 has the ink inflow repeatedly. The information processing device 40 can make a judgment.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the leaked information is included in the management information and transmitted. Therefore, the controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 can update the cartridge management list by overwriting the items such as the outflow date and time at the same time as other items such as the ordering date and time.

[Modification 1]
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which it is determined that the ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 because the cartridge liquid amount value A read from the apparatus memory 36 is larger than the cartridge liquid amount value B read from the CTG memory. .. In this modification, it is determined that the ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 because the liquid level position of the ink of the cartridge 200 before replacement is higher than the liquid level position of the ink of the cartridge 200 after replacement. explain.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. 12 (A) instead of the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. The same processing as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals as those of the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the processes other than the processes described below are executed in the same manner as in the embodiment.

First, the controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the processes of steps S71 to S81 as in the embodiment. Next, the controller 130 determines the pre-replacement liquid level position H1, which is the liquid level position of the ink in the pre-replacement cartridge 200, based on the cartridge liquid level value A read from the RAM 62 in step S80 (S91). ). Specifically, the device memory 36 stores a table showing the correspondence between the cartridge liquid amount value and the liquid level position. Alternatively, the device memory 36 stores a calculation formula for calculating the liquid level position from the cartridge liquid amount value. The controller 130 determines the liquid level position H1 before replacement from the cartridge liquid amount value A read out and acquired in step S80 by using the table or the calculation formula stored in the device memory 36 (S91).

Next, the controller 130 determines the replaced liquid level position H2, which is the liquid level position of the ink in the replaced cartridge 200, based on the cartridge liquid level value B read from the CTG memory and acquired in step S81 (. S92). Specifically, the controller 130 determines the liquid level position H2 after replacement from the cartridge liquid level value B read out and obtained in step S81 using the table or calculation formula stored in the device memory 36 (S92). ..

Next, the controller 130 determines whether or not the determined pre-replacement liquid level position H1 is above the post-replacement liquid level position H2 (S93). That is, it is determined whether or not ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

More specifically, the liquid level position H1 before replacement is substantially the same as the liquid level position of the ink in the tank 160 before the cartridge 200 is replaced. Therefore, the fact that the liquid level position H1 before replacement is equal to or higher than the liquid level position H2 after replacement means that the liquid level position of the ink in the tank 160 is the ink in the cartridge 200 immediately after the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. It means that it is higher than the liquid level position. When the liquid level position of the ink in the tank 160 is higher than the liquid level position of the ink in the cartridge 200, the ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level position H1 before replacement is less than the liquid level position H2 after replacement (S93: No), it determines that ink does not flow out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200, and ends the outflow information generation process. .. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the liquid level position H1 before replacement is higher than the liquid level position H2 after replacement (S93: Yes), the process of steps S83 to S85 is executed as in the embodiment. Here, the outflow information may include the liquid level position H1 before replacement and the liquid level position H2 after replacement. From this, the degree of outflow can be grasped.

[Action and effect of variant 1]
As described above, even if the liquid level position of the ink in the cartridge 200 before the replacement and the liquid level position of the ink in the cartridge 200 after the replacement are used, it is detected that the ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200. be able to.

[Modification 2]
In this modification, an example of detecting ink outflow from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 will be described using the total liquid amount value before replacement and the total liquid amount value after replacement.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. 12B instead of the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. The same processing as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals as those of the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the processes other than the processes described below are executed in the same manner as in the embodiment.

First, the controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the processes of steps S71 to S79 as in the embodiment. Next, the controller 130 reads the tank liquid amount value C and the cartridge liquid amount value A from the RAM 62 and acquires them (S101). The controller 130 sums the tank liquid amount value C read and acquired and the cartridge liquid amount value A to calculate the total liquid amount value D before replacement before the cartridge 200 is replaced (S102). When the tank liquid amount value C and the cartridge liquid amount value A are not stored in the RAM 62 due to the power being turned off or the like, the controller 130 performs the pre-replacement total in the same manner as the above-mentioned first update process and fourth update process. The liquid amount value D is calculated.

Next, the controller 130 reads the cartridge liquid amount value B from the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 after replacement and acquires it (S103). The controller 130 sums the acquired cartridge liquid amount value B and the tank liquid amount value C read out and acquired in step S101 to calculate the total liquid amount value E after replacement after the cartridge 200 is replaced (S104). ).

Next, the controller 130 determines whether or not the calculated total liquid volume value D before replacement is larger than the total liquid volume value E after replacement (S105). That is, it is determined whether or not ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

When the controller 130 determines that the total liquid amount value D before replacement is equal to or less than the total liquid amount value E after replacement (S105: No), it determines that ink does not flow out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200, and performs outflow information generation processing. finish. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the total liquid volume value D before replacement is larger than the total liquid volume value E after replacement (S105: Yes), the controller 130 executes the processes of steps S83 to S85 as in the embodiment. Here, the outflow information may include the total liquid volume value D before replacement and the total liquid volume value E after replacement. This makes it possible to grasp the degree of outflow.

[Action and effect of variant 2]
As described above, even if the total liquid amount value before the cartridge 200 is replaced and the total liquid amount value after the cartridge 200 is replaced are used, it is detected that ink has flowed from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200. can do.

[Modification 3]
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the controller 130 of the printer 10 determines whether or not ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200. In this modification, an example in which the controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 determines whether or not ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 will be described.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the determination information generation process shown in FIG. 13A instead of the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. Further, the controller 45 of the information winning device 40 executes the outflow determination process shown in FIG. 13 (B). The same processing as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals as those of the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the processes other than the processes described below are executed in the same manner as in the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the processes of steps S71 to S81 in the determination information generation process, as in the embodiment. Next, the controller 130 acquired the cartridge liquid amount value A read from the RAM 62 in step S80, the cartridge liquid amount value B read from the CTG memory in step S81, the serial number acquired in step S77, and the serial number. Occasionally, the determination information including the date and time information output by the clock 30 is generated, the generated determination information is stored in the EEPROM 61, and the determination information generation process is terminated.

Instead of the leaked information, the controller 130 of the printer 10 transmits management information including the determination information generated in the determination information generation process to the information processing apparatus 40 (S63). That is, the management information transmitted after the cartridge 200 is replaced includes the determination information.

On the other hand, the controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 executes the outflow determination process shown in FIG. 13B each time the management information transmitted by the printer 10 is received. First, the controller 45 determines whether or not the received management information includes the determination information (S112). When the controller 45 determines that the management information does not include the determination information (S112: No), the controller 45 ends the outflow determination process. On the other hand, when the controller 45 determines that the received management information includes the determination information, the controller 45 determines whether or not the cartridge liquid amount value A included in the determination information is larger than the cartridge liquid amount value B (S113). That is, in step S113, it is determined whether or not ink flows out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

When the controller 45 determines that the cartridge liquid amount value A is equal to or less than the cartridge liquid amount value B (S113: No), the controller 45 ends the outflow determination process. On the other hand, when the controller 45 determines that the cartridge liquid amount value A is larger than the cartridge liquid amount value B (S113: Yes), the controller 45 generates outflow information from the judgment information, and uses the generated outflow information to display items in the cartridge management list. Overwrite (S114), and the outflow determination process is terminated.

[Action and effect of variant 3]
By transmitting the determination information to the information processing apparatus 40, the controller 130 of the printer 10 can determine whether or not the ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

Further, the controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 can detect that the ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

The controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 may transmit the generated leaked information to the printer 10. Upon receiving the outflow information, the controller 130 of the printer 10 causes the display 17 to display an object indicating that ink has outflowed from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

[Modification 4]
In the above-mentioned modification 3, the controller 130 of the printer 10 has described an example of generating determination information including the cartridge liquid amount value A and the cartridge liquid amount value B. However, the controller 130 of the printer 10 determines the pre-replacement liquid level position H1 and the post-replacement liquid level position H2 described in the modified example 1, and sets the determined pre-replacement liquid level position H1 and the post-replacement liquid level position H2 as the cartridge liquid. Judgment information may be generated instead of the amount value A and the cartridge liquid amount value B.

Similar to the first modification, the controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 determines that the ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 because the liquid level position H1 before replacement is equal to or higher than the liquid level position H2 after replacement.

[Modification 5]
In the above-mentioned modification 3, the controller 130 of the printer 10 has described an example of generating determination information including the cartridge liquid amount value A and the cartridge liquid amount value B. However, the controller 130 of the printer 10 calculates the pre-replacement total liquid amount value D and the post-replacement total liquid amount value E described in the modified example 2, and the calculated pre-replacement total liquid amount value D and the post-replacement total liquid amount value. Judgment information may be generated in which E is included in place of the cartridge liquid amount value A and the cartridge liquid amount value B.

The controller 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 determines that the ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 because the total liquid amount value D before replacement is larger than the total liquid amount value E after replacement, as in the second modification.

[Modification 6]
In the above-described embodiment and modification, the cartridge liquid amount value and the tank liquid amount value calculated in the second update process and the fourth update process are based on the cartridge liquid amount value read from the CTG memory of the cartridge 200 after replacement. , An example of determining whether or not ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 has been described. In this modification, an example of determining whether or not ink has flowed from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 will be described using the liquid level sensor 33.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. 13 (C) instead of the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. The same processing as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals as those of the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the processes other than the processes described below are executed in the same manner as in the embodiment.

First, the controller 130 of the printer 10 determines whether or not the cover 87 has been opened, as in the embodiment (S71). When the controller 130 determines that the cover 87 is opened, the controller 130 determines whether the signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is "L" or "H" (S121). That is, in step S121, it is determined whether the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is above or below the reference position P. The process of step S121 is executed for each of the magenta, cyan, yellow, and black colors.

When the controller 130 determines that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is "H" and the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is lower than the reference position P (S121: H), the leaked information generation process is terminated. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is "L" and the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is above the reference position P ( S121: L), as in the embodiment, the processes of steps S83 to S85 are executed to generate the leaked information, and the leaked information generation process is terminated. That is, in this modification, the position of the liquid surface of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is above the reference position P, and the cover 87 is opened even though the cover 87 does not need to be opened. , The outflow information is generated by pretending that the ink has flowed from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200.

The controller 130 generates management information including the generated leaked information and transmits it to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication I / F 31 (FIGS. 9, S63).

[Action and effect of variant 6]
In this modification, the possibility of ink flowing out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 can be detected by a process simpler than that of the embodiment.

[Modification 7]
In this modification, a further example of determining whether or not ink has flowed from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 will be described using the liquid level sensor 33.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. 13D instead of the leaked information generation process shown in FIG. The same processing as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals as those of the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the processes other than the processes described below are executed in the same manner as in the embodiment.

First, the controller 130 of the printer 10 executes the processes from steps S71 to S79 as in the embodiment. Next, the controller 130 determines whether the signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is “L” or “H” (S122). That is, in step S122, it is determined whether the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is above or below the reference position P. The process of step S121 is executed for each of the magenta, cyan, yellow, and black colors.

When the controller 130 determines that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is "H" and the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is lower than the reference position P (S122: H), the leaked information generation process is terminated. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is "L" and the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is above the reference position P ( S122: L), as in the embodiment, the processes of steps S83 to S85 are executed to generate the leaked information, and the leaked information generation process is terminated. That is, in this modification, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is above the reference position P, assuming that the ink has flowed out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200, and the ink flows out. Information is generated.

The controller 130 generates management information including the generated leaked information and transmits it to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication I / F 31 (FIGS. 9, S63).

[Action and effect of variant 7]
In this modification, the possibility of ink flowing out from the tank 160 to the cartridge 200 can be detected by a process simpler than that of the embodiment.

[Other variants]
In the above-described embodiment, the controller 130 detects whether the detected unit 194 of the actuator 190 is in the first state or the second state based on the signal output by the liquid level sensor 33. The configuration of the liquid level sensor 33 is not particularly limited as long as the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 can be detected. For example, the liquid level sensor 33 optically detects the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 by using a prism having different reflectance depending on whether or not the ink is in contact with the rear wall 164 of the liquid chamber 171. It may be a sensor. Further, the liquid level sensor 33 may be an electrode rod inserted in the liquid chamber 171.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink is described as an example of a liquid, but for example, a pretreatment liquid to be ejected to paper or the like prior to the ink at the time of printing may be stored in the cartridge. Further, water for cleaning the head 21 may be stored in the cartridge.

Further, the IC board 247 is in contact with the connection I / F 152 and is conducted, but instead, data is transmitted in a non-contact manner using radio waves such as NFC (near field communication) and RFID (radio frequency identification). An information medium for reading and writing and an interface may be adopted.

In the above embodiment, the ink supply port 234 provided in the supply pipe 230 and the opening 183 of the needle 181 are opened so that the ink valve chamber 213 of the supply pipe 230 and the internal space of the needle 181 are communicated with each other. Was explained. The ink supply port 234 may be provided on the rear wall 202 of the cartridge 200. For example, as the ink supply port 234, a through hole that penetrates the rear wall 202 in the thickness direction may be formed in the rear wall 202. The internal space of the ink supply port 234 is an example of the first flow path. In this modification, in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the needle 181 enters the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 through the ink supply port 234, and one end (opening 183) of the needle 181 is the liquid of the cartridge 200. It will be located inside the chamber 210. As a result, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the internal space of the needle 181 are communicated with each other. That is, when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the internal space of the needle 181 forms a flow path for communicating the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

Further, the opening 183 may be provided in the front wall 162 of the tank 160. For example, as the opening 183, a through hole that penetrates the front wall 162 in the thickness direction may be formed in the front wall 162. The internal space of the opening 183 is an example of the first flow path. In this modification, in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the supply pipe 230 enters the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the opening 183, and the other end of the supply pipe 230 (ink supply port 234) is the tank. It is in a state of being located inside the liquid chamber 171 of 160. As a result, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the internal space of the needle 181 are communicated with each other. That is, when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the ink valve chamber 213 forms a flow path for communicating the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

5 ... Management system 10 ... Printer 21 ... Head 30 ... Clock 31 ... Communication I / F
33 ... Liquid level sensor 34 ... IC chip 36 ... Device memory 40 ... Information processing device 42 ... Device memory 43 ... Communication I / F
44 ... Communication I / F
45 ... Controller 46 ... Program 48 ... Clock 50 ... Shipping server 53 ... Communication I / F
55 ... Controller 130 ... Controller 150 ... Mounting case 160 ... Tank 171 ... Liquid chamber 190 ... Actuator 200 ... Cartridge 210 ... Liquid chamber

Claims (12)

A first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path in which one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end is outside. A mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path communicating with is mounted, and
A tank with a second liquid chamber
A third flow path in which one end communicates with the outside and the other end communicates with the second liquid chamber.
A fourth flow path in which one end located below the third flow path communicates with the second liquid chamber, and
A fifth flow path in which one end communicates with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside.
With the above tank,
A head communicating with the other end of the fourth flow path,
Device memory and
The first interface and
The second interface and
With a controller,
At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case.
The above controller
Through the first interface, the first liquid amount value indicating the amount of liquid in the first liquid chamber is read from the cartridge memory of the cartridge.
The second liquid amount value indicating the amount of the liquid in the second liquid chamber is read out from the device memory.
Accepts liquid discharge instructions,
The liquid was discharged from the head based on the discharge value corresponding to the amount of liquid discharged from the head, the read-out first liquid amount value, and the read-out second liquid amount value according to the received liquid discharge instruction. After determining the first liquid volume value and the second liquid volume value,
The determined first liquid amount value is stored in the cartridge memory through the first interface.
At least one of the determined first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value is stored in the device memory.
It is determined whether the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, and the result is determined.
In response to the determination that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, the third liquid amount value is read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface, and the device memory is read. Read at least one of the first liquid volume value and the second liquid volume value from
Based on the read-out third liquid amount value and at least one of the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value, it is determined whether the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber. death,
A liquid consuming device that outputs outflow information through the second interface in response to the determination that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber. It also has a display,
The above controller
The leaked information is output to the display through the second interface.
The liquid consuming device according to claim 1, wherein an object based on the spill information is displayed on the display based on the output spill information. The above controller
The liquid consuming device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outflow information is stored in the cartridge memory through the first interface. The above controller
In response to the determination that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, the third liquid amount value is read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface, and the device. Read the above second liquid volume value from the memory and read it.
Based on the read-out second liquid amount value, the first liquid amount value of the cartridge before replacement is determined, and the determined first liquid amount value is read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge. The liquid consuming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber according to the value larger than the third liquid amount value. The above controller
In response to the determination that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, the third liquid amount value is read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface, and the device. Read the above second liquid volume value from the memory and read it.
Based on the read-out second liquid amount value, the first liquid amount value of the cartridge before replacement is determined, and based on the determined first liquid amount value, the liquid level before replacement of the cartridge before replacement. The position is determined, and the liquid level position after replacement of the cartridge after replacement is determined based on the third liquid level value read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge, and the determined liquid level position before replacement is determined. The liquid consuming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber according to the position above the liquid level after the replacement. The above controller
In response to the determination that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, the third liquid amount value is read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface, and the device. Read the above second liquid volume value from the memory and read it.
Based on the read-out second liquid amount value, the total liquid amount value before replacement, which is the sum of the first liquid amount value before replacement and the second liquid amount value, is determined, and the cartridge possessed by the other cartridges. The total liquid amount value after replacement, which is the sum of the third liquid amount value read from the memory and the second liquid amount value read out, is determined, and the total liquid amount value before replacement is calculated from the total liquid amount value after replacement. The liquid consuming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber according to the size. The above controller
In response to the determination that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber, the identification information is read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface.
The liquid consuming device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the read identification information and the outflow information are output through the second interface. The liquid consuming device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A management system including an information processing device for inputting the outflow information output by the liquid consuming device. A management system equipped with a liquid consuming device and an information processing device.
The above liquid consuming device is
A first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path in which one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end is outside. A mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path communicating with is mounted, and
A tank with a second liquid chamber
A third flow path in which one end communicates with the outside and the other end communicates with the second liquid chamber.
A fourth flow path in which one end located below the third flow path communicates with the second liquid chamber, and
A fifth flow path in which one end communicates with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside.
With the above tank,
A head communicating with the other end of the fourth flow path,
First device memory and
The first interface and
The second interface and
Equipped with a first controller,
At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case.
The above information processing device
With the third interface
Second device memory and
With a second controller,
The first controller is
Through the first interface, the first liquid amount value indicating the amount of liquid in the first chamber is read from the cartridge memory of the cartridge.
The second liquid amount value indicating the amount of the liquid in the second liquid chamber is read out from the first device memory.
Accepts liquid discharge instructions,
The liquid was discharged from the head based on the discharge value corresponding to the amount of liquid discharged from the head, the read-out first liquid amount value, and the read-out second liquid amount value according to the received liquid discharge instruction. After determining the first liquid volume value and the second liquid volume value,
At least one of the determined first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value is stored in the cartridge memory through the first interface.
The determined second liquid amount value is stored in the first device memory, and is stored.
It is determined whether the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, and the result is determined.
In response to the determination that the cartridge mounted in the mounting case has been replaced with another cartridge, the third liquid amount value is read from the cartridge memory of the other cartridge through the first interface, and the third liquid amount value is read. 1 Read at least one of the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value from the device memory, and read it.
Judgment information corresponding to at least one of the read-out third liquid amount value and the first liquid amount value and the second liquid amount value is output through the second interface.
The second controller is
The input of the above judgment information is accepted through the above third interface,
Based on the above judgment information, it is determined whether or not the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber.
A management system that stores outflow information in the memory of the second device in response to the determination that the liquid moves from the second liquid chamber to the first liquid chamber. The above liquid consuming device is further equipped with a timer that outputs date and time information.
The first controller is
The judgment information is stored in the memory of the first device, and the judgment information is stored in the memory of the first device.
Remaining according to the second liquid amount value read from the first device memory in response to the determination that the date and time indicated by the date and time information output by the timer is the transmission date and time stored in the first device memory. The management system according to claim 9, wherein the amount information, the determination information read from the first device memory, and the management information including the management information are output through the second interface. A first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path in which one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end is outside. A mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path communicating with is mounted, and
A tank with a second liquid chamber
A third flow path in which one end communicates with the outside and the other end communicates with the second liquid chamber.
A fourth flow path in which one end located below the third flow path communicates with the second liquid chamber, and
A fifth flow path in which one end communicates with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside.
With the above tank,
A head communicating with the other end of the fourth flow path,
A liquid level sensor that outputs a first signal when the liquid level of the tank is above the detection position and outputs a second signal that is different from the first signal below the detection position.
A cover that opens and closes the insertion slot into which the cartridge is inserted, which is an opening of the mounting case.
A cover sensor that outputs a third signal when the cover is closed and outputs a fourth signal when the cover is open.
Device memory and
The first interface and
The second interface and
With a controller,
At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case.
The above controller
In response to the determination that the cover sensor has output the fourth signal, it is determined whether or not the output of the liquid level sensor is the first signal.
A liquid consuming device that outputs outflow information through the second interface in response to the determination that the output of the liquid level sensor is the first signal. A first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path in which one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end is outside. A mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path communicating with is mounted, and
A tank with a second liquid chamber
A third flow path in which one end communicates with the outside and the other end communicates with the second liquid chamber.
A fourth flow path in which one end located below the third flow path communicates with the second liquid chamber, and
A fifth flow path in which one end communicates with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside.
With the above tank,
A head communicating with the other end of the fourth flow path,
A liquid level sensor that outputs a first signal when the liquid level of the tank is above the detection position and outputs a second signal that is different from the first signal below the detection position.
Device memory and
The first interface and
The second interface and
With a controller,
At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case.
The above controller
Determining whether the cartridge has been removed from the mounting case,
In response to the determination that the cartridge has been removed from the mounting case, it is determined whether or not the output of the liquid level sensor is the first signal.
A liquid consuming device that outputs outflow information through the second interface in response to the determination that the output of the liquid level sensor is the first signal.

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