JP7315367B2 - Electronics and consumable units - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electronics and consumable units.

Some electronic devices, such as printing devices, use a replaceable consumable unit that holds consumables such as ink.

For example, inkjet printing devices that use replaceable ink cartridges are known.

An ink cartridge used in such an inkjet printing apparatus stores ink physical property information indicating physical properties such as ink viscosity and surface tension in a memory. An inkjet printing apparatus acquires ink physical property information from a memory of an ink cartridge, and performs ink ejection control based on the ink physical property information (see Patent Document 1).

Here, in the ink cartridge, the physical properties of the ink are changed, or the physical property information of the ink to be stored in the memory is added, so that the format of the memory may be changed in order to improve the quality or respond to the environment.

In this case, in the inkjet printing apparatus, it is necessary to change the control program (firmware) so as to be compatible with the new generation ink cartridge with the changed memory format.

If the inkjet printer is connected to the Internet, it is possible to automatically download and change the control program.

JP 2016-153199 A

However, since the inkjet printer is not necessarily connected to the Internet, it may not be possible to use the new generation ink cartridges because the new control program cannot be acquired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device and a consumable unit that can reduce the possibility of the consumable unit becoming unusable.

To achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device that controls consumables held by a replaceable consumable unit, and is characterized by comprising a control unit that reads a control program corresponding to the consumable unit from the consumable unit attached to the electronic device and controls the consumables using the control program.

The consumables unit of the present invention is a consumables unit that holds consumables used in the electronic device, and is characterized by comprising a storage unit that stores a control program for the electronic device to control the consumables.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a consumable unit cannot be used.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a storage area of a control program in a storage unit of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a memory map of a memory included in an ink cartridge attached to the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when an ink cartridge is installed in the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a control program storage area in a storage unit of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a memory map of a memory of an ink cartridge mounted on the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printing apparatus (corresponding to an electronic device) 1 according to the present embodiment includes an inkjet head 2, an ink path mechanism section 3, a transport section 4, an operation panel 5, a mounting section 6, a communication section 7, a storage section 8, a CPU (corresponding to a control section) 9, and a RAM 10.

The inkjet head 2 performs printing by ejecting ink onto the paper transported by the transport unit 4 .

The ink path mechanism section 3 supplies ink (corresponding to a consumable) in an ink cartridge (corresponding to a consumable unit) 11, which will be described later, to the inkjet head 2 via an ink path (not shown).

The transport unit 4 takes out a sheet of paper from a sheet feeding tray (not shown), transports the sheet along a transport path (not shown), and discharges the sheet of paper printed by the inkjet head 2 . The transport unit 4 includes rollers for transporting the paper, motors (both not shown) for driving the rollers, and the like.

The operation panel 5 displays various input screens and the like, and accepts input operations by the user. The operation panel 5 includes an input section having various operation keys, a touch panel and the like, and a display section having a liquid crystal display panel and the like (both not shown).

The mounting portion 6 is a portion to which the ink cartridge 11 is replaceably mounted. The configuration of the ink cartridge 11 will be described later.

The communication unit 7 performs wireless communication with the ink cartridge 11, and reads out information from a memory (corresponding to a storage unit of the consumable unit) 12 of the ink cartridge 11, which will be described later.

The storage unit 8 stores a control program for performing control according to the ink cartridge 11 . Specifically, this control program is a program for reading control of ink physical property information (corresponding to expendable item information) Pn (n=0, 1, 2, . . . , N) according to the format of the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11. The storage unit 8 consists of a non-volatile memory.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 8 has a plurality of areas (corresponding to storage areas) Ax (x=0, 1, 2, . . . , X) for storing the control program described above. Each area Ax is an area capable of storing one control program.

Each area Ax is associated with a control program corresponding to the ink cartridge 11 . That is, a control program area number indicating each area Ax is associated with a control program corresponding to the format of the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 . Here, the control program area numbers of areas A0, A1, A2, . . . are 0, 1, 2, .

When the printing apparatus 1 is put on the market, a control program corresponding to the ink cartridges 11 that can be used in the printing apparatus 1 at that time is stored in the area Ax corresponding to the control program. At least one of the areas Ax is an empty area in which no control program is stored when the printing apparatus 1 is released. After the printing apparatus 1 is put on the market, when a control program not stored in the storage unit 8 is read from the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 (to be described later), the control program is stored in the corresponding empty area Ax.

Further, the storage unit 8 stores keys Kx (x=0, 1, 2, . . . , X) corresponding to each area Ax and different for each area Ax. The key Kx is for generating a password for decoding the encrypted ink physical property information Pn read from the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 and the checksum (corresponding to judgment information).

The storage unit 8 also stores various programs other than the control program described above. For example, the storage unit 8 stores a program for driving control of the inkjet head 2 based on the ink physical property information Pn.

The CPU 9 controls the overall operation of the printer 1 by executing various programs.

Specifically, when the ink cartridge 11 is attached to the attachment portion 6 , the CPU 9 uses a control program corresponding to the ink cartridge 11 to read the ink physical property information Pn from the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 . At this time, if the control program corresponding to the ink cartridge 11 attached to the attachment portion 6 is not stored in the storage portion 8 , the CPU 9 reads the control program from the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 . Then, the CPU 9 uses the control program read from the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 to read the ink physical property information Pn from the memory 12 .

During printing, the CPU 9 uses a drive control program for the inkjet head 2 to control the driving of the inkjet head 2 based on the ink physical property information Pn.

The RAM 10 is used as a work area for the CPU 9 during temporary data storage and calculation.

The ink cartridge 11 holds ink used for printing by the printer 1 . The ink cartridge 11 also has a memory 12 . As shown in FIG. 2, the memory 12 stores a unique UID (identifier), control program area number, ink property information Pn, checksum, and control program.

The control program area number indicates the area Ax of the storage section 8 of the printing apparatus 1 in which the control program corresponding to this ink cartridge 11 is stored.

The ink physical property information Pn indicates physical properties of the ink held by the ink cartridge 11 .

The checksum is data for checking the ink physical property information Pn calculated from the ink physical property information Pn stored in the memory 12 .

The ink physical property information Pn and the checksum are encrypted with a password generated from the key stored in the storage unit 8 of the printer 1 corresponding to the control program area number area Ax stored in the memory 12 .

The control program is a program for the CPU 9 of the printer 1 to control the ink cartridge 11 .

Here, in the ink cartridge 11, the format of the memory 12 may be changed from that of the previous generation in accordance with the addition of the ink physical property information Pn due to product improvement or the like. The control program stored in the memory 12 is for reading control according to the format of the memory 12 .

Next, the operation when the ink cartridge 11 is installed in the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

The processing of the flowchart of FIG. 4 starts when the ink cartridge 11 is attached to the attachment portion 6 by the user's work. A sensor (not shown) detects that the ink cartridge 11 is attached to the attachment portion 6 .

At step S1 in FIG. 4, the CPU 9 reads the control program area number from the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 via the communication section 7. FIG.

Next, in step S2, the CPU 9 determines whether or not the control program is saved in the area Ax of the control program area number acquired in step S1. When determining that the control program is saved (step S2: YES), the CPU 9 proceeds to step S5.

If it is determined that the control program is not saved (step S2: NO), the CPU 9 reads the control program from the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 via the communication section 7 in step S3.

Next, at step S4, the CPU 9 stores the control program read from the memory 12 at step S3 in the area Ax of the control program area number obtained at step S1. After that, the CPU 9 proceeds to step S5.

At step S5, the CPU 9 generates a password for decryption from the key Kx corresponding to the area Ax of the control program area number acquired at step S1.

Next, in step S6, the CPU 9 reads the ink physical property information Pn and the checksum from the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 via the communication section 7. FIG. At this time, the CPU 9 controls reading of the ink physical property information Pn and the checksum from the memory 12 using the control program stored in the area Ax of the control program area number obtained in step S1.

Then, the CPU 9 decrypts the ink physical property information Pn read from the memory 12 and the checksum using the password generated in step S5.

Here, the CPU 9 stores the ink physical property information Pn obtained by decoding the code in the storage unit 8 . This ink physical property information Pn is used for drive control of the inkjet head 2 at the time of printing.

Next, in step S7, the CPU 9 determines whether the checksum is correct. Here, the CPU 9 calculates a checksum from the ink physical property information Pn obtained by decrypting the code, and determines that the checksum is correct when this checksum matches the checksum obtained by decrypting the code.

When it is determined that the checksum is not correct (step S7: NO), in step S8, the CPU 9 determines that the ink cartridge 11 mounted in the mounting section 6 is not a genuine product, and displays an illegal ink error on the display section of the operation panel 5. This completes a series of processes.

When it is determined that the checksum is correct (step S7: NO), in step S9, the CPU 9 determines whether or not the ink in the ink cartridge 11 mounted in the mounting portion 6 is usable in the printer 1 based on the ink physical property information Pn obtained by decoding the code. When determining that the ink is usable (step S9: YES), the CPU 9 ends the series of processes.

If it is determined that the ink is not usable (step S9: NO), the CPU 9 causes the display section of the operation panel 5 to display an ink incompatibility error in step S10. This completes a series of processes.

When performing printing, the CPU 9 causes the paper to be conveyed by the conveying unit 4 and ejects ink from the inkjet head 2 to form an image on the paper. At this time, the CPU 9 uses a drive control program for the inkjet head 2 to control the driving of the inkjet head 2 based on the ink physical property information Pn.

As described above, the ink cartridge 11 used in the printing apparatus 1 stores the control program in the memory 12 . If the control program corresponding to the ink cartridge 11 is not stored in the storage unit 8 when the ink cartridge 11 is attached to the printer 1 , the CPU 9 reads the control program from the ink cartridge 11 . Then, the CPU 9 uses the control program read from the ink cartridge 11 to control reading of the ink physical property information Pn and the like.

As a result, when a new-generation ink cartridge 11 whose format of the memory 12 is changed is attached to the printing apparatus 1, even if the control program cannot be automatically downloaded and acquired via the Internet, the control program corresponding to the ink cartridge 11 can be acquired and the reading control of the ink physical property information Pn or the like can be performed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink cartridge 11 cannot be used because the control program corresponding to the ink cartridge 11 cannot be obtained.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the storage unit 8 has a plurality of areas Ax for storing control programs. The CPU 9 stores the control program read from the ink cartridge 11 attached to the printer 1 in the empty area Ax. As a result, compared to the case of rewriting the stored control program with the control program read from the ink cartridge 11, the process of acquiring the control program can be speeded up.

Moreover, since a plurality of control programs can be stored in the storage unit 8, it is possible to provide a plurality of types of ink cartridges 11 with different formats of the memory 12 for the same ink, and prepare corresponding control programs for each.

As a result, even if an attempt is made to compare and analyze the data stored in the memory 12 of the ink cartridges 11 of a plurality of types, the analysis is difficult because the formats of the memories 12 are different. Therefore, the ink physical property information Pn in the memory 12 can be prevented from being tampered with. As a result, it is possible to prevent deterioration of print quality and failure of the printing apparatus 1 due to improper drive control of the inkjet head 2 due to falsification of the ink physical property information Pn in the memory 12 .

Also, in the printing apparatus 1 , the key Kx is stored in the storage unit 8 . In the ink cartridge 11 attached to the printer 1 , the ink physical property information Pn stored in the memory 12 is encrypted with a password generated from the key Kx stored in the storage unit 8 of the printer 1 . This makes it more difficult to analyze and tamper with the ink physical property information Pn stored in the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 .

In the printing apparatus 1, the storage unit 8 corresponds to each of a plurality of areas Ax associated with the control program corresponding to the ink cartridge 11, and stores different keys Kx for each area Ax. As a result, it becomes possible to associate a plurality of keys Kx with the same ink cartridge 11 (control program). This makes it more difficult to analyze and tamper with the ink physical property information Pn stored in the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 .

Also, the ink cartridge 11 attached to the printing apparatus 1 stores a checksum in the memory 12 . The CPU 9 of the printer 1 reads the checksum from the memory 12 and uses the checksum to determine whether the ink cartridge 11 is genuine. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the ink cartridge 11 is genuine or not, so that it is possible to prevent deterioration of print quality and failure of the printing apparatus 1 due to the use of non-genuine ink cartridges 11 .

In the above-described embodiment, the storage section 8 has a plurality of areas Ax, and the control program read from the ink cartridge 11 is stored in the empty area Ax of the storage section 8 . However, the control program stored in the storage unit may be rewritten with the control program read from the ink cartridge 11 .

In the above-described embodiment, the control program stored in the memory 12 of the ink cartridge 11 is a program for controlling reading of the ink physical property information Pn according to the format of the memory 12 . However, the control program stored in the memory 12 may also include a program for driving control of the inkjet head 2 . The control program stored in the memory 12 may be any program for controlling the ink in the ink cartridge 11 .

Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the ink physical property information Pn and the checksum are encrypted has been shown, but the encryption may be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the checksum of the ink physical property information Pn for determining whether the ink cartridge 11 is genuine is stored in the memory 12, but the checksum may be omitted. Also, other determination information may be used to determine whether the ink cartridge 11 is genuine.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, an inkjet printing apparatus using an ink cartridge has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to any electronic device that controls consumables held by a replaceable consumables unit. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a stencil printer using a master (stencil base paper) wound around a paper tube as a consumable unit.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the gist of the present invention. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments.

[Appendix]
This application discloses the following inventions.

(Appendix 1)
An electronic device for controlling consumables held by a replaceable consumable unit,
An electronic device, comprising: a control unit that reads a control program corresponding to the consumable unit from the consumable unit attached to the electronic device and controls the consumable using the control program.

(Appendix 2)
further comprising a storage unit having a plurality of storage areas for the control program,
The control unit
When the control program corresponding to the consumable unit is stored in the storage unit when the consumable unit is attached to the electronic device, the control program stored in the storage unit is used to control the consumable,
The electronic device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein when the consumable unit is attached to the electronic device and the control program corresponding to the consumable unit is not stored in the storage unit, the control program is read from the consumable unit and stored in the empty storage area, and the stored control program is used to control the consumable.

(Appendix 3)
each storage area is associated with the control program corresponding to the consumable unit;
The storage unit stores a different key for each storage area,
The control unit
reading consumables information encrypted with a password generated from the key corresponding to the storage area of the control program corresponding to the consumables unit from the consumables unit attached to the electronic device;
The electronic device according to appendix 2, wherein a password is generated from the key corresponding to the storage area of the control program corresponding to the consumable unit, and the generated password is used to decrypt the consumable information.

(Appendix 4)
further comprising a storage unit that stores a key corresponding to the consumable unit;
The control unit
reading consumables information encrypted with a password generated from the key corresponding to the consumables unit from the consumables unit attached to the electronic device;
The electronic device according to appendix 1, wherein a password is generated from the key corresponding to the consumable unit stored in the storage unit, and the generated password is used to decrypt the consumable information.

(Appendix 5)
The control unit
5. The electronic device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein determination information for determining whether the consumable unit is genuine is read from the consumable unit attached to the electronic device, and the read determination information is used to determine whether the consumable unit attached to the electronic device is genuine.

(Appendix 6)
A consumables unit holding consumables used in an electronic device,
A consumables unit, comprising: a storage unit for storing a control program for the electronic device to control consumables.

(Appendix 7)
The consumable unit according to appendix 6, wherein the storage stores the consumable information encrypted with a password generated from a key stored in the electronic device.

(Appendix 8)
8. The consumable unit according to appendix 6 or 7, wherein the storage stores determination information for the electronic device to determine whether the consumable unit is a genuine product.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printing device 2 inkjet head 3 ink path mechanism section 4 transportation section 5 operation panel 6 mounting section 7 communication section 8 storage section 9 CPU
10 RAM
11 ink cartridge 12 memory

Claims (5)

An electronic device for controlling consumables held by a replaceable consumable unit,
a control unit that reads a control program corresponding to the consumable unit from the consumable unit attached to the electronic device and controls the consumable using the control program;
A storage unit having a plurality of storage areas for the control program,
The control unit
When the control program corresponding to the consumable unit is stored in the storage unit when the consumable unit is attached to the electronic device, the control program stored in the storage unit is used to control the consumable,
When the consumable unit is attached to the electronic device and the control program corresponding to the consumable unit is not stored in the storage unit, the control program is read from the consumable unit and stored in the empty storage area, and the stored control program is used to control the consumable,
each storage area is associated with the control program corresponding to the consumable unit;
The storage unit stores a different key for each storage area,
The control unit
reading consumables information encrypted with a password generated from the key corresponding to the storage area of the control program corresponding to the consumables unit from the consumables unit attached to the electronic device;
An electronic device, comprising: generating a password from the key corresponding to the storage area of the control program corresponding to the consumable unit; and decrypting the consumable information using the generated password. An electronic device for controlling consumables held by a replaceable consumable unit,
a control unit that reads a control program corresponding to the consumable unit from the consumable unit attached to the electronic device and controls the consumable using the control program;
a storage unit that stores a key corresponding to the consumable unit,
The control unit
reading consumables information encrypted with a password generated from the key corresponding to the consumables unit from the consumables unit attached to the electronic device;
An electronic device, wherein a password is generated from the key corresponding to the consumable unit stored in the storage unit, and the generated password is used to decrypt the consumable information. The control unit
3. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein determination information for determining whether the consumable unit is genuine is read from the consumable unit attached to the electronic device, and the read determination information is used to determine whether the consumable unit attached to the electronic device is genuine. A consumables unit holding consumables used in an electronic device,
A storage unit for storing a control program for the electronic device to control consumables,
The consumable unit, wherein the storage stores consumable information encrypted with a password generated from a key stored in the electronic device. 5. The consumable unit according to claim 4 , wherein the storage stores determination information for the electronic device to determine whether the consumable unit is genuine.