Substrate and liquid containment container

Abstract

One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a technique for suppressing the possibility of short circuits between terminals. In the substrate of the present invention, a portion of all contact portions are disposed in a first region, and the remaining contact portions are disposed in a second region. The portion of contact portions includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion, a third contact portion and a fourth contact portion, and the remaining contact portions include a fifth contact portion. The portion of contact portions and the remaining contact portions are asymmetrically disposed with respect to a first imaginary line.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a substrate, a liquid containment container, a printing system, and the technology of using the substrate or the liquid containment container. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Previously, regarding ink cartridges detachably mounted on a printing apparatus, a technique for detecting ink cartridge mounting using mounting detection terminals of a terminal group is known (Patent Document 1). The terminal group consists of four mounting detection terminals, including a terminal to which a high voltage higher than the power supply voltage is applied, and five memory terminals. The mounting detection terminals are arranged at the four corners of the terminal group to surround the memory terminals. In Patent Document 1, when an electrical connection is detected between the mounting detection terminals and the device-side terminals, the printing apparatus determines that the ink cartridge has been mounted on the printing apparatus.

[0003] Furthermore, regarding ink cartridges detachably mounted on printing devices, a technique for detecting cartridge installation using a memory terminal is known (Patent Document 2). A response signal is output to the host terminal via any one of a reset terminal, a clock terminal, and a data terminal to notify that the memory device, such as the memory in the ink cartridge, is connected to the host device, such as the printing device. The host device can determine whether the memory device is connected to the host device based on the response signal from the memory device, without using a dedicated connection detection terminal. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2012-029311 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-170740 [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, neither Patent Documents 1 nor 2 address short-circuit detection between memory terminals. In Patent Document 1, if a short circuit occurs between memory terminals, even if it is determined that the ink cartridge is installed in the printing apparatus, there is still a possibility that the printing apparatus may malfunction or be unable to properly read or write to the memory of the ink cartridge. In Patent Document 2, if a short circuit occurs between memory terminals, there is a possibility that the memory may be unable to output the original signal to the printing apparatus, thus the printing apparatus may be unable to determine whether the memory is correctly connected to the printing apparatus.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems. One of its objectives is to provide a technique that can suppress the possibility of short circuits occurring between terminals in liquid containing containers such as ink cartridges. Another objective is to provide a technique that can detect short circuits even if at least some terminals experience a short circuit. This invention will achieve at least one of the above-mentioned objectives. [Technical Means for Solving the Problem]

[0008] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a substrate is provided, which is mounted on a printing apparatus and configured to contact a plurality of device-side terminals; the printing apparatus includes: a print head; a liquid inlet portion that introduces liquid into the print head; a receiving portion that is provided with the liquid inlet portion and receives a liquid receiving container; and the plurality of device-side terminals, which are provided in the receiving portion. The substrate includes: a substrate, a device disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of terminals disposed on the substrate. The plurality of terminals includes at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal. The first terminal is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that should contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The second terminal is connected to the device and includes a second contact portion that should contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The third terminal is connected to the device and includes a third contact portion that should contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that should contact a corresponding fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that should contact a corresponding fifth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The first terminal... The device is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals. Viewed from above, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first and second imaginary lines. When all contacts of all terminals on the substrate are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contacts are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions furthest apart. Relative to the first imaginary line, one region is designated as the first region, and another region as the second region. A portion of the contacts is disposed in the first region, and the remaining contacts are disposed in the second region. The portion of contacts includes the first, second, third, and fourth contacts, and the remaining contacts include the fifth contact. The portion of contacts and the remaining contacts are asymmetrically arranged relative to the first imaginary line.

[0009] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a substrate is provided, which is mounted on a printing apparatus and configured to contact a plurality of device-side terminals; the printing apparatus includes: a print head; a liquid inlet portion that introduces liquid into the print head; a receiving portion that is provided with the liquid inlet portion and receives a liquid receiving container; and the plurality of device-side terminals, which are provided in the receiving portion. The substrate includes: a substrate, a device disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of terminals disposed on the substrate. The plurality of terminals includes: a first terminal connected to the device and including a first contact portion that should contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and other terminal groups. The other terminal groups include at least: a second terminal connected to the device and including a second contact portion that should contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and a third terminal connected to the device and including a third contact portion that should contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The second terminal is used to detect whether the second terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the other terminal groups other than the second terminal. From a top view, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line. When all contacts of all terminals provided on the substrate are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contacts are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions of all contacts that are furthest apart. Relative to the first imaginary line, one region is designated as the first region, and another region is designated as the second region. A portion of the contacts are disposed in the first region, and the remaining contacts are disposed in the second region. The portion of contacts includes the second and third contacts, and the remaining contacts include the first contact. The portion of contacts and the remaining contacts are asymmetrically arranged relative to the first imaginary line.

[0010] According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a substrate is provided, which is mounted on a printing apparatus and configured to contact a plurality of device-side terminals; the printing apparatus includes: a print head; a liquid inlet portion that introduces liquid into the print head; a receiving portion that is provided with the liquid inlet portion and receives a liquid receiving container; and the plurality of device-side terminals, which are provided in the receiving portion. The aforementioned plurality of device-side terminals include a first device-side terminal, a second device-side terminal, a third device-side terminal, a fourth device-side terminal, and a fifth device-side terminal. Viewed from above, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as a first imaginary line and a second imaginary line. When the projection positions of the contact portions of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth device-side terminals onto the second imaginary line are designated as the first projection position, the second projection position, the third projection position, the fourth projection position, and the fifth projection position, respectively, and when the contact portions of all device-side terminals are projected onto the second imaginary line, the contact portions of all device-side terminals are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through all the device-side terminals. The middle of the two projection positions of the contact portion of the terminal is the farthest from each other. When one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals are disposed in the first region, and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals are disposed in the second region. The portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals includes the contact portions of the first, second, third, and fourth device-side terminals, and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals include the contact portion of the fifth device-side terminal. The portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.The substrate includes: a substrate, a device disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of terminals disposed on the substrate. The plurality of terminals includes at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal. The first terminal is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that, when mounted on the printing apparatus, should contact the first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals of the printing apparatus. The second terminal is connected to the device and includes a second contact portion that, when mounted on the printing apparatus, should contact the second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The third terminal is connected to the device and includes... The device includes a third contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the third device-side terminal corresponding to the third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the fourth device-side terminal corresponding to the fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the fifth device-side terminal corresponding to the fifth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals.

[0011] According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a liquid containment container is provided, which is installed in the containment portion of a printing apparatus; the printing apparatus includes: a print head, a liquid inlet portion for introducing liquid into the print head, the containment portion provided with the liquid inlet portion, and a plurality of device-side terminals provided in the containment portion. The liquid containment container comprises: a liquid containment body for containing liquid; a liquid supply section mounted on the liquid inlet section of the printing apparatus, having a liquid supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid containment body to the liquid inlet section; a device; and a plurality of terminals; the plurality of terminals at least include a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal; the first terminal is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that should contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the second terminal is connected to the device and includes a second contact portion that should contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the third terminal is connected to the device and includes a third contact portion that should contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that should contact a corresponding fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that should contact a corresponding fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The fifth contact portion corresponding to the fifth device-side terminal; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals. Viewed from above, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first and second imaginary lines. When all contact portions of all terminals on the liquid containing container are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contact portions are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the two projection positions of the most distant contact portions. In the middle of the position; relative to the first imaginary line, when one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region, a portion of the contact portions is disposed in the first region and the remaining contact portions are disposed in the second region. The portion of the contact portions includes the first contact portion, the second contact portion, the third contact portion, and the fourth contact portion, and the remaining contact portions include the fifth contact portion. The portion of the contact portions and the remaining contact portions are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.

[0012] According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a liquid containment container is provided, which is installed in the containment portion of a printing apparatus; the printing apparatus includes: a print head, a liquid inlet portion for introducing liquid into the print head, the containment portion provided with the liquid inlet portion, and a plurality of device-side terminals provided in the containment portion. The liquid containment container comprises: a liquid containment body for containing liquid; a liquid supply section mounted on the liquid inlet section of the printing apparatus, having a liquid supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid containment body to the liquid inlet section; a device; and a plurality of terminals; the plurality of terminals including: a first terminal connected to the device and including a first contact portion that should contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals of the printing apparatus; and other terminal groups; the other terminal groups at least include: a second terminal connected to the device and including a second contact portion that should contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and a third terminal connected to the device and including a third contact portion that should contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the second terminal is used to detect whether the second terminal is in contact with the other terminals. In a top view, if at least one of the other terminal groups besides the second terminal is short-circuited, and two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line, and all contacts of all terminals provided in the liquid containing container are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contacts are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions of all contacts that are furthest apart; if, relative to the first imaginary line, one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region, a portion of the contacts are disposed in the first region, and the remaining contacts are disposed in the second region. The portion of contacts includes the second contact and the third contact, and the remaining contacts include the first contact; the portion of contacts and the remaining contacts are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.

[0013] According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a liquid containment container is provided and installed in a containment portion of a printing apparatus; the printing apparatus includes: a print head, a liquid inlet portion for introducing liquid into the print head, the containment portion provided with the liquid inlet portion, and a plurality of device-side terminals provided in the containment portion. The aforementioned plurality of device-side terminals include a first device-side terminal, a second device-side terminal, a third device-side terminal, a fourth device-side terminal, and a fifth device-side terminal. Viewed from above, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as a first imaginary line and a second imaginary line. When the projection positions of the contact portions of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth device-side terminals onto the second imaginary line are designated as the first projection position, the second projection position, the third projection position, the fourth projection position, and the fifth projection position, respectively, and when the contact portions of all device-side terminals are projected onto the second imaginary line, the contact portions of all device-side terminals are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through all the device-side terminals. The middle of the two projection positions of the contact portion of the terminal is the farthest from each other. When one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals are disposed in the first region, and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals are disposed in the second region. The portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals includes the contact portions of the first, second, third, and fourth device-side terminals, and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals include the contact portion of the fifth device-side terminal. The portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.The liquid containment container comprises: a liquid containment body for containing liquid; a liquid supply section mounted on the liquid inlet section of the printing apparatus, having a liquid supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid containment body to the liquid inlet section; a device; and a plurality of terminals; the plurality of terminals at least include a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal; the first terminal is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that, when mounted on the printing apparatus, should contact the first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals of the printing apparatus; the second terminal is connected to the device and includes a second device-side terminal that, when mounted on the printing apparatus, should contact the second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The second contact portion of the sub-contact; the third terminal is connected to the device and includes a third contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the third device-side terminal corresponding to the third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the fourth device-side terminal corresponding to the fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the fifth device-side terminal corresponding to the fifth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals.

[0014] According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes: a printing apparatus, a liquid container for containing liquid, a liquid supply section having a liquid supply port, a device, a plurality of terminals, and a substrate on which the device and the plurality of terminals are disposed. The printing apparatus includes a printing head, a liquid inlet section for introducing liquid into the printing head, and a plurality of device-side terminals. The liquid supply port supplies liquid from the liquid container to the liquid inlet section of the printing apparatus. The substrate is mounted on the printing apparatus and configured to contact the plurality of device-side terminals. The plurality of terminals includes at least a first terminal and a second terminal. Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are provided. Terminal 1 is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that should contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. Terminal 2 is connected to the device and includes a second contact portion that should contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. Terminal 3 is connected to the device and includes a third contact portion that should contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. Terminal 4 is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that should contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The fourth contact portion contacts the fourth device-side terminal; the fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that should contact the fifth device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals; from a top view, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line; when all contact portions of all terminals provided on the substrate are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contact portions are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the upper... The middle of the two projection positions that are furthest apart among all the projection positions of the contact portions; when one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the contact portions is disposed in the first region and the remaining contact portions are disposed in the second region. The portion of the contact portions includes the first contact portion, the second contact portion, the third contact portion and the fourth contact portion, and the remaining contact portions include the fifth contact portion. The portion of the contact portions and the remaining contact portions are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.

[0015] According to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes: a printing apparatus, and a liquid receiving container mounted on the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a print head, a liquid inlet for introducing liquid into the print head, and a plurality of device-side terminals. The liquid receiving container includes a liquid receiving body capable of containing liquid, a liquid supply section having a liquid supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid receiving body to the liquid inlet of the printing apparatus, a device, and a plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals includes at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal. The first terminal is connected to... The aforementioned device includes a first contact portion that should contact a first device-side terminal corresponding to one of the plurality of device-side terminals; a second terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a second contact portion that should contact a second device-side terminal corresponding to one of the plurality of device-side terminals; a third terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a third contact portion that should contact a third device-side terminal corresponding to one of the plurality of device-side terminals; a fourth terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a fourth contact portion that should contact a fourth device-side terminal corresponding to one of the plurality of device-side terminals; the aforementioned The fifth terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a fifth contact portion that should contact the fifth device-side terminal among the aforementioned plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals. Viewed from above, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first and second imaginary lines. When all contact portions of all terminals provided on the aforementioned liquid containing container are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contact portions are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through all contact portions. The middle of the two projection positions that are furthest apart; when one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the contact portions is disposed in the first region and the remaining contact portions are disposed in the second region. The portion of the contact portions includes the first contact portion, the second contact portion, the third contact portion and the fourth contact portion, and the remaining contact portions include the fifth contact portion. The portion of the contact portions and the remaining contact portions are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.

Implementation Method

[0017] A. First Embodiment: A1. Hardware Configuration: Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the general outline of the printing system 1000 will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the hardware configuration of the printing system 1000. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the general configuration of the printing system 1000. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are marked in Figure 1. The directions pointed by the arrows of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis represent the positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are designated as +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively. The directions opposite to the directions pointed by the arrows of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are designated as the negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are designated as X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. The same applies to the figures and explanations shown thereafter. The X, Y, and Z axes indicated in the other figures correspond to the X, Y, and Z axes in Figure 1. In Figure 1, under the usual operating posture of the printing system 1000, the front orientation of the printing system 1000 is set as the +Y direction. The +Z direction is set as the gravity direction, and the -Z direction is set as the anti-gravity direction.

[0018] The printing system 1000 includes a printing device 20 and a plurality of liquid receiving containers 100. The printing device 20 is specifically an inkjet printer. The liquid receiving containers 100 are specifically ink cartridges. The printing device 20 includes a printhead drive mechanism, a main scanning feed mechanism, and a secondary scanning feed mechanism.

[0019] The printhead drive mechanism includes a bracket 30. The bracket 30 includes a receiving section 4 and a printhead 5. The receiving section 4 is configured to detachably mount four liquid receiving containers 100. In this invention, "liquid receiving containers 100 mounted on the printing apparatus 20" means that the liquid receiving containers 100 are physically mounted on the printing apparatus 20, and the contact portion cp of the terminal 290 is electrically connected to the device-side terminal 490. The four liquid receiving containers 100 are respectively housed in predetermined positions in the receiving section 4. In this invention, the four liquid receiving containers 100 each contain liquids of different colors. The liquid is specifically ink, hereinafter referred to as ink. If the four liquid receiving containers 100 are to be distinguished, they are referred to as liquid receiving containers 100A to 100D. The bracket 30 is configured to move between a replacement position for replaceable liquid receiving containers 100 and a standby position for non-replaceable liquid receiving containers 100.

[0020] The printhead 5 is disposed on the +Z direction side of the bracket 30. A plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets are disposed on the +Z direction side of the printhead 5. Each nozzle is connected to any one of the liquid receiving containers 100A to 100D mounted on the receiving section 4 via a flow path within the bracket 30. The receiving section 4 is provided with a liquid inlet 6 and a connecting mechanism 400. The liquid inlet 6 is configured to be detachable from the liquid supply port 104op of the liquid receiving container 100. Ink is supplied from the liquid receiving container 100 to the liquid inlet 6, and the ink is introduced into the printhead 5 via the flow path within the bracket 30. The connecting mechanism 400 has a plurality of device-side terminals 490.

[0021] The main scanning and feeding mechanism includes a drive belt 36, a bracket motor 32, a sliding shaft 34, and a pulley 38. The drive belt 36 is an annular belt stretched between the bracket motor 32 and the pulley 38. The bracket 30 is fixed to the drive belt 36. The sliding shaft 34 is arranged parallel to the shaft of the paper feed roller 26 described below, and slidably holds the bracket 30. By rotating the bracket motor 32, the bracket 30 fixed to the drive belt 36 moves along the sliding shaft 34 in the +X and -X directions.

[0022] The auxiliary scanning and feeding mechanism includes a paper feed motor 22 and a paper feed roller 26. By rotating the paper feed motor 22, the paper feed roller 26 transports the printing medium PA in the Y direction.

[0023] The printing apparatus 20 further includes a main control unit 40. The main control unit 40 is connected to the bracket 30 via a cable 31. A busbar 46 is formed on the cable 31, and the main control unit 40 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 500 of the bracket 30 via the busbar 46.

[0024] The main control unit 40 controls the aforementioned mechanisms to achieve the printing process. The main control unit 40 receives, for example, a printing task from a computer 90 via a connector 80, and performs printing based on the content of the received printing task. The printing medium PA is conveyed in the +Y direction by the paper feed roller 26, and the print head 5, mounted on the carriage 30, moves in the +X and -X directions by the drive belt 36, thereby allowing ink ejected from the print head 5 in the +Z direction to adhere to any part of the printing medium PA, thus forming an image. In this invention, "image" includes text and symbols. In this invention, the +X and -X directions in which the carriage 30 moves are collectively referred to as the "main scanning direction." The -Y and +Y directions in which the printing medium PA is conveyed are collectively referred to as the "secondary scanning direction."

[0025] The printing apparatus 20 further includes an operation unit 70. The user uses the operation unit 70 to make various settings for the printing apparatus 20 or to check the status of the printing apparatus 20.

[0026] As described above, the printing apparatus 20 includes: a print head 5; a liquid inlet 6 that introduces liquid into the print head 5; a receiving section 4 that has the liquid inlet 6 and receives a liquid receiving container 100; and a plurality of device-side terminals 490. The print head 5 is disposed in the printing apparatus 20. The print head 5 is not disposed in the liquid receiving container 100. The technical field of the embodiment in which the print head 5 is disposed in the liquid receiving container 100 is different from that of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the configuration of the liquid containing container 100 will be described. Figure 3 is a first perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid containing container 100. Figure 4 is a second perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid containing container 100. The X, Y, and Z axes of the liquid containing container 100 are the same as in Figure 1, based on the state in which the printing device 20 is arranged on a horizontal plane parallel to the X and Y directions, and the liquid containing container 100 is mounted on the printing device 20.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the liquid container 100 has a generally rectangular shape. As shown in Figure 3, the liquid container 100 includes a liquid container 101 for containing ink as a liquid, a liquid supply section 104 with a liquid supply port 104op, and a substrate 120.

[0029] The liquid containment body 101 forms the outer shell of the liquid containment container 100. The liquid containment body 101 has a first wall 101wf, a second wall 101wr, a third wall 101wb, a fourth wall 101wu, a fifth wall 101wsa, and a sixth wall 101wsb. These six walls 101wf, 101wr, 101wb, 101wu, 101wsa, and 101wsb divide the inner side of the liquid containment body 101 into ink chambers 150 for containing ink. The first wall 101wf is the wall on the +Y direction side and constitutes the front wall. The front wall faces the front side of the printing system 1000. The second wall 101wr faces the first wall 101wf. The second wall 101wr is the wall on the -Y direction side and constitutes the rear wall. The rear wall faces the rear side of the printing system 1000. The third wall 101wb intersects with the first wall 101wf and the second wall 101wr; in this embodiment, they are essentially orthogonal. The third wall 101wb is the wall on the +Z direction side, forming the bottom wall. The fourth wall 101wu intersects with the first wall 101wf and the second wall 101wr; in this embodiment, they are essentially orthogonal. The fourth wall 101wu faces the third wall 101wb. The fourth wall 101wu is the wall on the -Z direction side, forming the upper wall. The fifth wall 101wsa intersects with the first wall 101wf to the fourth wall 101wu; in this embodiment, they are essentially orthogonal. The fifth wall 101wsa is the wall on the -X direction side, forming the right side wall. The sixth wall 101wsb intersects with the first wall 101wf to the fourth wall 101wu; in this embodiment, they are essentially orthogonal. The sixth wall 101wsb faces the fifth wall 101wsa. The 6th wall, 101wsb, is the wall on the +X direction side, forming the left side wall.

[0030] The liquid supply section 104 is a cylindrical member protruding from the third wall 101wb. The liquid supply port 104op is located at the front end of the liquid supply section 104. The liquid supply port 104op communicates with the ink chamber 150 of the liquid container 101, and supplies ink to the liquid inlet section 6 of the following section of the printing apparatus 20 when the liquid container 100 is installed on the bracket 30 of the printing apparatus 20. The liquid supply port 104op is sealed by a membrane 104f. The liquid supply port 104op is configured to be detachable relative to the liquid inlet section 6. When the liquid container 100 is installed on the bracket 30, the membrane 104f is punctured by the liquid inlet section 6. The ink contained in the ink chamber 150 is supplied to the print head 5 of the printing apparatus 20 via the liquid inlet section 6. As the ink in the ink chamber 150 is consumed, air is introduced into the ink chamber 150 through an atmospheric opening (not shown).

[0031] The direction in which the liquid containing container 100 is mounted on the bracket 30 of the printing apparatus 20 is defined as the mounting direction MD. The mounting direction MD is also the direction in which the substrate 120 is mounted on the bracket 30 of the printing apparatus 20. In this embodiment, the mounting direction MD is the +Z direction. Two mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the first direction FD and the second direction SD. The first direction FD is a direction that includes a component of the mounting direction MD. In this embodiment, the first direction FD is the Z direction, and the second direction SD is the X direction. The first direction FD is a direction substantially along the front surface 120fa of the substrate 120.

[0032] The first direction FD is also defined as follows. For example, the first direction FD is a direction perpendicular to the imaginary surface including the liquid supply port 104op. For example, the first direction FD is a direction in which the device-side terminal 490 of the printing apparatus 20 passes through the terminal 290 when the liquid containing container 100 or substrate 120 is mounted on the bracket 30. For example, the first direction FD is a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of device-side terminals 490 of the printing apparatus 20. In other embodiments, when the front 120fa is inclined relative to the mounting direction MD, the first direction FD becomes a direction different from the mounting direction MD.

[0033] The substrate 120 is used in the liquid containment container 100. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG4, the substrate 120 is disposed on the second wall 101wr of the liquid containment body 101. Details about the substrate 120 will be described below.

[0034] Two protrusions, Pr1 and Pr2, are formed on the second wall 101wr. These protrusions, Pr1 and Pr2, protrude in the -Y direction. A cavity 122 and a notch 121 are formed on the substrate 120 to receive these protrusions, Pr1 and Pr2, respectively. The cavity 122 is formed at the center of the end of the substrate 120 on the side of the liquid supply portion 104, and the notch 121 is formed at the center of the end of the substrate 120 on the side opposite to the liquid supply portion 104. When the substrate 120 is fixed to the second wall 101wr, the protrusions Pr1 and Pr2 are inserted into the cavity 122 and the notch 121, respectively. After the substrate 120 is inserted into the second wall 101wr, the front ends of these protrusions, Pr1 and Pr2, are flattened. In this way, the substrate 120 is fixed to the second wall 101wr. Furthermore, the method of fixing the substrate 120 to the second wall 101wr is not limited to this.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the liquid containment container 100 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second wall 101wr on which the substrate 120 is provided, the substrate 120 is arranged such that the central axis of the liquid supply port 104op overlaps with the first imaginary line C1 described below. The contact portion cp described below is not provided on the central axis of the liquid supply port 104op.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid container 100 further includes a liquid detection member 110. The liquid detection member 110 is fixed inside the liquid container 101. The liquid detection member 110 is a component used by the printing apparatus 20 to detect the ink balance in the liquid container 100. The liquid detection member 110 may be, for example, a prism used for optically detecting ink balance, a piezoelectric element formed by sandwiching a piezoelectric body between two opposing electrodes, or two electrodes that detect ink balance by means of the resistance difference between the electrodes. Alternatively, the liquid detection member 110 may not be provided.

[0037] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, details of the substrate 120 will be described. Figure 5 is a first figure showing the structure of the substrate 120. Figure 6 is a second figure showing the structure of the substrate 120. As shown in Figure 6, the substrate 120 includes a substrate 120bd, a plurality of terminals 290, a device 130, and wiring (not shown). The substrate 120 may also include other configurations. The substrate 120bd has a front surface 120fa and a back surface 120fb. In this embodiment, both the front surface 120fa and the back surface 120fb are planar. The substrate 120bd may be made of a material that constitutes a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. The terminals 290 are formed of a conductive material such as gold foil.

[0038] In this invention, "surface" is defined, for example, as described below. For example, "surface" is the surface of the substrate 120bd facing the device-side terminal 490 when the liquid containing container 100 or substrate 120 is mounted on the printing apparatus 20. For example, "surface" is not only the surface of the substrate 120bd facing the device-side terminal 490 when the liquid containing container 100 or substrate 120 is mounted on the printing apparatus 20, but also the surface where the terminal 290 is formed. For example, "surface" is the surface of the substrate 120bd that includes the contact portion cp. In this embodiment, "surface" is the front surface 120fa. In other embodiments, unless otherwise specified, "surface" is the front surface 120fa.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of terminals 290 include a data terminal 210, a clock terminal 220, a power terminal 230, a reset terminal 240, and a ground terminal 250. Each terminal 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 is connected to the device 130. Each terminal 210 to 250 is electrically connected to the device 130 via a wiring pattern layer disposed on the front surface 120fa and the back surface 120fb of the substrate 120bd, and a through hole disposed inside the substrate 120bd. The data terminal 210 is used to transmit and receive data signals SDA between the device 130 and the printing apparatus 20. Here, "signal" refers to a change in voltage. Signals transmitted and received via data terminal 210 include, for example, signals representing various data stored in memory unit 138, signals controlled by processing unit 136 but not stored in memory unit 138, and signals controlled by main control unit 40 or sub-control unit 50 of printing apparatus 20 but not stored in memory unit 138. Clock terminal 220 is used to send a clock signal SCK from printing apparatus 20 to device 130. Power terminal 230 is used to supply power voltage VDD from printing apparatus 20 to device 130. Reset terminal 240 is used to send a reset signal RST from printing apparatus 20 to device 130. Ground terminal 250 is grounded via device-side terminal 450 of printing apparatus 20. The voltage supplied to data terminal 210, clock terminal 220, power terminal 230, and reset terminal 240 is a voltage that device 130 can withstand. The voltage supplied to each terminal 210-240 is within the same range, approximately 0 V to approximately 3.3 V in this embodiment. The voltage that device 130 can withstand is, for example, a voltage lower than the voltage used to drive the printhead 5, a voltage approximately the same as the power supply voltage VDD, a voltage lower than the withstand voltage of device 130, a voltage that will not damage device 130, or a voltage that will not cause device 130 to malfunction. Here, the terminals 290 of the present invention do not include inspection terminals for shipment inspection. Inspection terminals are terminals that do not contact the device-side terminals 490 of the printing apparatus 20 when the liquid containing container 100 is installed on the printing apparatus 20. Inspection terminals do not form the contact portion cp described below.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, each terminal 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 includes a contact portion cp. When the liquid containing container 100 is installed in the containing part 4, the contact portion cp should contact the corresponding device-side terminals 410, 420, 430, 440, and 450 among the plurality of device-side terminals 490 of the connecting mechanism 400 of the printing device 20. The contact portion cp of the data terminal 210 is also referred to as the data contact portion cpd. The contact portion cp of the clock terminal 220 is also referred to as the clock contact portion cpc. The contact portion cp of the power terminal 230 is also referred to as the power contact portion cpvd. The contact portion cp of the reset terminal 240 is also referred to as the reset contact portion cpr. The contact portion cp of the ground terminal 250 is also referred to as the ground contact portion cpvs. The contact portion CP is a portion of the liquid containing container 100 that should contact the device-side terminals 410, 420, 430, 440, and 450 when the liquid containing container 100 is installed in the containing part 4. It is located within a single area of ​​each terminal 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250, and is identifiable within the individual liquid containing container 100. The substrate 120 contains a data contact portion CPd, a clock contact portion CPC, a power contact portion CPVD, a reset contact portion CPR, and a ground contact portion CPVS. The connection between the terminal 290 and the device-side terminal 490 of the printing device 20 will be described below. In addition to the aforementioned terminals 210 to 250, other terminals 290 and their corresponding contact portions CP may also exist.

[0041] Data terminal 210 is used to detect whether data terminal 210 is short-circuited with at least one of clock terminal 220, power terminal 230, and reset terminal 240. Specifically, data terminal 210 is used to detect whether data terminal 210 is short-circuited with at least one of clock terminal 220, power terminal 230, and reset terminal 240 as described below. Data terminal 210 is used to detect whether liquid containing container 100 has been installed on printing device 20. Specifically, data terminal 210 is used to detect whether liquid containing container 100 is in the following installed state or the following not installed state.

[0042] Hereinafter, the substrate 120 is viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 5, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line C1 and the second imaginary line C2. In this embodiment, the first imaginary line C1 is a line extending along the first direction FD, and the second imaginary line C2 is a line extending along the second direction SD. In this embodiment, two orthogonal straight lines substantially along the surface 120fa of the substrate 120bd are designated as the first imaginary line C1 and the second imaginary line C2.

[0043] All contacts cp of all terminals 290 of the substrate 120bd on the substrate 120 are projected onto the second imaginary line C2. In this embodiment, the data contact cpd, clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, reset contact cpr, and ground contact cpvs are projected onto the second imaginary line C2. Regarding the projection positions of the contacts cp, the projection position of the data contact cpd is set as swd, the projection position of the clock contact cpc is set as swc, the projection position of the power contact cPVd is set as swvd, the projection position of the reset contact cpr is set as swr, and the projection position of the ground contact cpvs is set as swvs. Each projection position swd, swc, swvd, swr, and swvs is an orthographic projection of each contact cpd, cpc, cPVd, cpr, and cpvs perpendicular to the second imaginary line C2. At this time, all contacts cp are projected at different positions. The data contact cpd, clock contact cpc, power contact ccpd, reset contact cpr, and ground contact ccps are arranged in a parallel manner along the first imaginary line C1 passing through each contact cp, without overlapping or intersecting each other. Furthermore, the first imaginary line C1 passes through the midpoint MP between the two farthest projection positions of all contact cps. In this embodiment, the first imaginary line C1 passes through the midpoint MP between the projection position MP of the contact furthest from the projection position swvs of the ground contact ccps, clock contact cpc, power contact ccpd, and reset contact cpr (swd, swc, swvd, swr). In this embodiment, the first imaginary line C1 passes through the midpoint MP between the projection position swc of the clock contact cpc and the projection position swvs of the ground contact ccps.

[0044] Relative to the first imaginary line C1, one region of the substrate 120bd of the substrate 120 is designated as the first region Rg1, and the other region of the substrate 120bd of the substrate 120 is designated as the second region Rg2. In this embodiment, the first region Rg1 is the region located relative to the first imaginary line C1 in the negative direction of the second direction SD, i.e., the -X direction, and the second region Rg2 is the region located relative to the first imaginary line C1 in the positive direction of the second direction SD, i.e., the +X direction. The first region Rg1 is also one region of the substrate 120 separated from the first imaginary line C1, and the second region Rg2 is also another region of the substrate 120 separated from the first imaginary line C1. Of all the contact portions cp, a portion of the contact portions cpa is disposed in the first region Rg1, and the remaining contact portions cpb are disposed in the second region Rg2. A portion of the contact portion cpa located in region 1 Rg1 includes a data contact portion cpad, a clock contact portion cpc, a power contact portion cPV, and a reset contact portion cpr. The remaining contact portions cpb located in region 2 Rg2 include a ground contact portion cPVs. Separated from the first imaginary line C1, a clock contact portion cpc, a data contact portion cpad, a reset contact portion cpr, and a power contact portion cPVd are arranged on one side, and a ground contact portion cPVs is arranged on the other side. A portion of the contact portions cpa and the remaining contact portions cpb are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the first imaginary line C1. No contact portion cp is provided on the first imaginary line C1.

[0045] Among the plurality of contacts cp, the grounding contact cpvs is located at the end in the positive direction (+X direction) of the second direction SD. Any one of the clock contact cpc, data contact cpd, power contact cPVd, and reset contact cpr is located at the end in the negative direction (-X direction) of the second direction SD among the plurality of contacts cp. This particular contact cp is located on one side of the second direction SD among the plurality of contacts cp. The grounding contact cpvs is located on the other side of the second direction SD among the plurality of contacts cp. In region 1 Rg1, among the contacts cp excluding the ground contact cpvs, the contact cp projected onto the second imaginary line C2 at the position furthest from the projection position swvs of the ground contact cpvs, and the ground contact cpvs located in region 2 Rg2, are spaced Wa along the direction of the second imaginary line C2. In this embodiment, the projection position swc of the clock contact cpc and the projection position swvs of the ground contact cpvs are spaced Wa along the direction of the second imaginary line C2. In this embodiment, the distance between the clock contact cp and the ground contact cpvs in the second direction SD is the distance Wa.

[0046] The data contact cpd, clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, and reset contact cpr are preferably arranged far away from the ground contact cPVs. For example, in the first region Rg1, among the contacts cp excluding the ground contact cPVs, the contact cp that is projected onto the second imaginary line C2 at the position closest to the projection position swvs of the ground contact cPVs, and the ground contact cPVs provided in the second region Rg2, are spaced at least Wa / 2 in the direction along the second imaginary line C2. In this embodiment, in the first region Rg1, among the contacts cpd, cPVd, cpr, and cPVd excluding the ground contact cPVs, the reset contact cpr located on the positive direction side of the second direction SD, and the ground contact cPVs provided in the second region Rg2, are spaced at least Wa / 2 in the second direction SD. For example, in the first region Rg1, among the contacts cp other than the ground contact cpvs, the contact cp projected onto the second imaginary line C2 at the position closest to the projection position swvs of the ground contact cpvs, and the ground contact cpvs provided in the second region Rg2, do not have other contacts cp connected to the device 130 via terminal 290. In this embodiment, in the region Rg1 where the reset contact cpr is located at the end closest to the positive direction of the second direction SD (i.e., the +X direction side), and the ground contact cpvs provided in the second region Rg2, there are no other contacts cp connected to the device 130 via terminal 290. For example, the other contacts cpd, cpc, cPVd, cpr and the ground contact cpvs disposed on the substrate 120 are not provided on the first imaginary line C1.

[0047] At least one of the clock contact CPC, power contact CPVD, and reset contact CPR is disposed on the substrate 120 such that it is projected between the projection position SWD of the data contact CPVD and the projection position SWVS of the ground contact CPVS. Preferably, any two or more of the clock contact CPC, power contact CPVD, and reset contact CPR are disposed on the substrate 120 such that they are projected between the projection position SWD of the data contact CPVD and the projection position SWVS of the ground contact CPVS. In this embodiment, the power contact CPVD and the reset contact CPR are disposed on the substrate 120 such that they are projected between the projection position SWD of the data contact CPVD and the projection position SWVS of the ground contact CPVS.

[0048] The data contact cpd is disposed on the substrate 120 such that it is projected between the projection positions of any two of the contacts cp among the power contact cPVd, the reset contact cPR, and the clock contact CPC. The data contact cpd will not be a contact that is projected at the end of the second imaginary line C2. In this embodiment, the data contact cpd is disposed between the projection positions of the clock contact CPC and the power contact cPVd.

[0049] Either or both of the data contact portion CPD and the reset contact portion CPR are arranged on the substrate 120 such that they are projected between the projection position SWVD of the power contact portion CPVD and the projection position SWC of the clock contact portion CPC. Furthermore, the reset contact portion CPR is arranged such that its projection position SWR is adjacent to the projection position SWVD of the power contact portion CPVD. In this embodiment, the data contact portion CPD is arranged on the substrate 120 such that it is projected between the projection position SWVD of the power contact portion CPVD and the projection position SWC of the clock contact portion CPC. "Arranged adjacent to" does not mean that one contact portion must be closest to another contact portion. Other configurations can be arranged between one contact portion and another contact portion without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0050] The power contact portion cPVd is disposed on the substrate 120 such that its projection position swvd is adjacent to the projection position swd of the data contact portion cPVd.

[0051] In this embodiment, the clock contact portion CPC is disposed on the substrate 120 at the position furthest from the projection position SWVS of the ground contact portion CPVS. Furthermore, the data contact portion CPd, the power contact portion CPVD, and the reset contact portion CPR are disposed in sequence along the second imaginary line C2, projecting from the projection position SWC of the clock contact portion CPC towards the projection position SWVS of the ground contact portion CPVS. The clock contact portion CPC is located at the end furthest from the negative direction of the second direction SD, i.e., the -X direction. The contacts CP other than the clock contact portion CPC are disposed sequentially from the negative direction of the second direction SD, i.e., the -X direction, towards the positive direction, i.e., the +X direction, in the order of data contact portion CPCd, power contact portion CPVD, and reset contact portion CPR. The plurality of contacts cp are arranged in sequence from the -X direction to the +X direction according to their respective projection positions as clock contact cpc, data contact cpd, power contact cpvd, reset contact cpr, and ground contact cpvs.

[0052] The clock contact (cpc), data contact (cpd), power contact (cpvd), reset contact (cpr), and ground contact (cpvs) are arranged in a plurality of rows. The plurality of rows are parallel to the second imaginary line C2 and perpendicular to the first imaginary line C1. In this embodiment, the plurality of contacts (cp) are arranged in two rows perpendicular to the first direction (FD), and the direction of the two rows is parallel to the second direction (SD). The two rows are arranged in the direction along the first imaginary line C1; in this embodiment, it is along the first direction (FD). The two rows are referred to as row 1 (R1) and row 2 (R2). Row 1 (R1) is formed by the clock contact (cpc), power contact (cpvd), and ground contact (cpvs). Row 2 (R2) is formed by the data contact (cpd) and the reset contact (cpr). The data contact cpd and reset contact cpr forming the second row R2, and the clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, and ground contact cPVs forming the first row R1, are arranged in a staggered manner, with the contact cps not aligned along the direction of the first imaginary line C1, forming a so-called sawtooth arrangement. When projected onto the second imaginary line C2, two contact cps on the substrate 120bd that are adjacent to each other form different rows. The data contact cpd and the ground contact cPVs are arranged in different rows. Any one of the clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, and reset contact cpr is arranged such that it is projected between the projection position swd of the data contact cpd and the projection position swvs of the ground contact cPVs. In this embodiment, the reset contact cpr and the power contact cPVd are arranged such that they are projected between the projection position swd of the data contact cpd and the projection position swvs of the ground contact cPVs. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contact portions cp of each terminal 210-250 are arranged to form a first row R1 and a second row R2, but this is not a limitation. For example, the contact portions cp of each terminal 210-250 may also be arranged to form three or four rows. A row may also be formed by one contact portion cp.

[0053] The distance between the grounding contact cpvs and the reset contact cpr is defined as distance Dan. The distance between the data contact cpd and the clock contact cpc is defined as distance Dbn. The distance between the data contact cpd and the grounding contact cpvs is defined as distance Dcn. The distance between the data contact cpd and the reset contact cpr is defined as distance Ddn. The distance between the data contact cpd and the power contact cpvd is defined as Den. In this case, distance Dcn is longer than distance Dbn. Distance Dcn is longer than distance Den. Distance Dcn is longer than distance Ddn. In this embodiment, distance Dbn and distance Den are the same. The distance between the data contact cpd and the contact cp that is furthest from the data contact cpd among the plurality of contacts cp (excluding the grounding contact cpvs) is distance Dbn and distance Den. In this case, distance Dan is longer than distance Dbn and distance Den.

[0054] The clock contact (cpc), reset contact (cpr), and power contact (cpvd) are arranged adjacent to the data contact (cpd) such that they surround the data contact (cpd) between the data contact (cpd) and the ground contact (cpvs). The data contact (cpd) is arranged inside an imaginary circle (Vcr) passing through the clock contact (cpc), reset contact (cpr), and power contact (cpvd), and the clock contact (cpc), reset contact (cpr), and power contact (cpvd) surround the data contact (cpd).

[0055] The imaginary line segment connecting the clock contact (cpc) and the data contact (cpd) is designated as line segment FL (1st line segment). The imaginary line segment connecting the reset contact (cpr) and the data contact (cpd) is designated as line segment SL (2nd line segment). The imaginary line segment connecting the power contact (cpvd) and the data contact (cpd) is designated as line segment TL (3rd line segment). There are no other terminals 290 contacts (cp) on line segment FL that are different from those of the clock contact (cpc) and the data contact (cpd). There are no other terminals 290 contacts (cp) on line segment SL that are different from those of the reset contact (cpr) and the data contact (cpd). There are no other terminals 290 contacts (cp) on line segment TL that are different from those of the power contact (cpvd) and the data contact (cpd).

[0056] In this embodiment, the five terminals 210-250 also have the same positional relationship as the aforementioned contacts cpd, cpc, cPVd, cpr, and cpvs. That is, a data terminal 210, a clock terminal 220, a reset terminal 240, and a power terminal 230 are arranged in the first region Rg1. A ground terminal 250 is arranged in the second region Rg2. No other terminals 290 different from the clock terminal 220 and the data terminal 210 are arranged on the first line segment FL. No other terminals 290 different from the reset terminal 240 and the data terminal 210 are arranged on the second line segment SL. No terminals 290 different from the power terminal 230 and the data terminal 210 are arranged on the third line segment TL.

[0057] As described above, the data terminal 210 is used to detect whether a short circuit has occurred between the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220, the reset terminal 240 and the power terminal 250, and whether the liquid containment container 100 has been installed on the printing device 20. At least a portion of the configuration of the contact portion cp in this invention is set up to achieve this detection.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 6, the device 130 is configured to be disposed on the substrate 120bd. The device 130 includes a processing unit 136. In this embodiment, the device 130 includes a processing unit 136 and a memory unit 138. The device 130 is molded (sealed) from resin 139. Furthermore, the device 130 may also be mounted on the substrate 120bd using other methods.

[0059] The processing unit 136 is, for example, a circuit. The processing unit 136 is connected to terminals 210-250 and controls the signals and voltages input and output to terminals 210-250. The processing unit 136 may also be a circuit with advanced computing functions, such as a CPU. Details of the processing unit 136 will be described below.

[0060] The memory unit 138 is composed of, for example, non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The memory unit 138 stores information related to the liquid container 100. The information related to the liquid container 100 includes, for example, the amount of ink consumed, the color of the ink, the production date of the liquid container 100, and identification information of the liquid container 100. In this embodiment, "1" to "4" are assigned as identification information to the liquid containers 100A to 100D respectively.

[0061] Referring to Figures 7A to 7C, the structure of the bracket 30 and the installation of the liquid containing container 100 on the bracket 30 will be described. Figure 7A shows the liquid containing container 100 installed on the bracket 30. Figure 7B is a first diagram showing the connecting mechanism 400. Figure 7C is a second diagram showing the connecting mechanism 400.

[0062] The bracket 30 includes a receiving section 4 and a print head 5. The receiving section 4 is disposed on the print head 5 and is configured to accommodate multiple liquid receiving containers 100. Inside the receiving section 4, a mounting chamber 65 is formed for mounting the liquid receiving containers 100. In this embodiment, four mounting chambers 65 are provided corresponding to the number of liquid receiving containers 100A to 100D. The print head 5 includes multiple nozzles and multiple piezoelectric elements. Ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle according to the voltage applied to each piezoelectric element, forming ink dots on the printing medium PA. A liquid introduction section 6, a sub-control board 500, and a connecting mechanism 400 are provided in the receiving section 4. The liquid introduction section 6 is disposed on the print head 5 in the usual operating position of the printing system 1000 and introduces ink into the print head 5 from the liquid supply port 104op of the liquid receiving container 100. In this embodiment, four liquid introduction sections 6 are provided corresponding to the number of liquid receiving containers 100A to 100D. A plurality of sub-control board terminals 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 and a sub-control unit 50 are mounted on the sub-control board 500. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the use of a plurality of sub-control board terminals 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, the symbol 590 is used. The plurality of sub-control board terminals 590 are provided for each mounting chamber 65 individually. The plurality of sub-control board terminals 590 are electrically connected to the sub-control unit 50 via wiring of the sub-control board 500. The sub-control unit 50 is configured, for example, as a bracket circuit, and works in conjunction with the main control unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 to perform control associated with the liquid containing container 100.

[0063] The liquid container 100 is installed in the receiving section 4 of the printing apparatus 20 by being inserted in the mounting direction MD. The liquid container 100 is removed from the receiving section 4 by being pulled out in the opposite direction to the mounting direction MD. In this way, the liquid container 100 is detachably installed in the printing apparatus 20. When the liquid container 100 is installed in the receiving section 4, the device 130 is electrically connected to the main control section 40 via the terminal 290, the connection mechanism 400, the sub-control board 500, and the bus 46 shown in FIG. 2.

[0064] As shown in Figures 7B and 7C, the connecting mechanism 400 includes a terminal holding portion 405 and a plurality of contact forming members 403 held in the terminal holding portion 405. The connecting mechanism 400 is provided for each of the liquid containing containers 100A to 100D, that is, for each mounting chamber 65. As shown in Figure 7B, the terminal holding portion 405 has a plurality of slits 301. The contact forming members 403 are conductive and elastic. The contact forming members 403 are embedded in the slits 301. In this embodiment, each connecting mechanism 400 is provided with five contact forming members 403, the same number as the terminals 290. As shown in Figure 7B, the symbols "403A", "403B", "403C", "404D", and "404E" are used to distinguish the use of five contact forming members 403. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting mechanism 400 has nine slits 301, which are arranged at fixed intervals, but in fact, the number can be the same as the number of contact portion forming members 403.

[0065] As shown in FIG7C, the contact forming member 403 is a member that electrically connects the terminal 290 to the sub-control board terminal 590 of the sub-control board 500. The portion of the contact forming member 403 facing the mounting chamber 65 side forms the device-side terminal 490. The device-side terminal 490 includes a contact portion dcp of the device-side terminal 490 that should contact the terminal 290. In this embodiment, regarding the device-side terminal 490, the portion of the contact forming member 403 that is closest to the mounting chamber 65 side, that is, the portion that protrudes most towards the mounting chamber 65 side, contacts the terminal 290 to form the contact portion dcp of the device-side terminal 490. The contact portion dcp of the device-side terminal 490 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the terminal 290 may also contact a portion of the device-side terminal 490 other than the portion that protrudes most towards the mounting chamber 65 side. The portion of the contact forming member 403 that protrudes most towards the sub-control board 500 side forms a relay terminal 439 that contacts the sub-control board terminal 590.

[0066] When distinguishing between the use of device-side terminal 490, the symbols "410", "420", "430", "440", and "450" ​​are used. When distinguishing between the use of relay terminal 439, the symbols "431", "432", "433", "434", and "435" are used. Device-side terminal 410 and relay terminal 431 are formed on contact forming member 403A. Device-side terminal 420 and relay terminal 432 are formed on contact forming member 403B. Device-side terminal 430 and relay terminal 433 are formed on contact forming member 403C. Device-side terminal 440 and relay terminal 434 are formed on contact forming member 403D. Device-side terminal 450 and relay terminal 435 are formed on contact forming member 403E. Device-side terminal 410 is also referred to as device-side data terminal, device-side terminal 420 is also referred to as device-side clock terminal, device-side terminal 430 is also referred to as device-side power terminal, device-side terminal 440 is also referred to as device-side reset terminal, and device-side terminal 450 is also referred to as device-side ground terminal.

[0067] Contact forming member 403A electrically connects data terminal 210 to sub-control board terminal 510. Device-side terminal 410 contacts data terminal 210, and relay terminal 431 contacts sub-control board terminal 510. Contact forming member 403B electrically connects clock terminal 220 to sub-control board terminal 520. Device-side terminal 420 contacts clock terminal 220, and relay terminal 432 contacts sub-control board terminal 520. Contact forming member 403C electrically connects power terminal 230 to sub-control board terminal 530. Device-side terminal 430 contacts power terminal 230, and relay terminal 433 contacts sub-control board terminal 530. Contact forming member 403D electrically connects reset terminal 240 to sub-control board terminal 540. Device-side terminal 440 contacts reset terminal 240, and relay terminal 434 contacts sub-control board terminal 540. The contact forming member 403E electrically connects the grounding terminal 250 to the sub-control board terminal 550. The device-side terminal 450 contacts the grounding terminal 250, and the relay terminal 435 contacts the sub-control board terminal 550.

[0068] When the liquid containing container 100 is installed in the containing part 4, terminals 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 are electrically connected by contacting device-side terminals 410, 420, 430, 440, and 450. Device-side terminals 410, 420, 430, 440, and 450 of the connecting mechanism 400 are electrically connected by contacting sub-control board terminals 590 on the sub-control board 500. Sub-control board terminals 590 of the sub-control board 500 are electrically connected to the sub-control part 50 by wiring. Thus, each terminal 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 is electrically connected to the sub-control part 50.

[0069] Furthermore, the positional relationship of each contact portion cp in the liquid containing container 100, and the positional relationship of each contact portion cp with other elements, such as the first imaginary line C1, also apply to the contact portions dcp of device-side terminals 410-450. The arrangement of each contact portion cp in the liquid containing container 100 is a mirror image of the arrangement of the contact portions dcp of device-side terminal 490. As shown in FIG7B, the contact portion dcp of device-side data terminal 410 is also referred to as device-side data contact portion dcpd. The contact portion dcp of device-side clock terminal 420 is also referred to as device-side clock contact portion dcpc. The contact portion dcp of device-side power terminal 430 is also referred to as device-side power contact portion dcpvd. The contact portion dcp of device-side reset terminal 440 is also referred to as device-side reset contact portion dcpr. The contact portion dcp of device-side ground terminal 450 is also referred to as device-side ground contact portion dcpvs.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 7B, the connecting mechanism 400 is viewed from above. Two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line C1 and the second imaginary line C2. In FIG. 7B, the first imaginary line C1 is along the direction of the first direction FD, and the second imaginary line C2 is along the direction of the second direction SD. In this embodiment, two orthogonal straight lines substantially along the surface of the terminal holding portion 405 are designated as the first imaginary line C1 and the second imaginary line C2.

[0071] The contact portions dcp of all device-side terminals of the connecting mechanism 400 are projected onto the second imaginary line C2. In this embodiment, the device-side data contact portion dcpd corresponding to the data terminal 210, the device-side clock contact portion dcpc corresponding to the clock terminal 220, the device-side power contact portion dcpvd corresponding to the power terminal 230, the device-side reset contact portion dcpr corresponding to the reset terminal 240, and the device-side ground contact portion dcpvs corresponding to the ground terminal 250 are projected onto the second imaginary line C2. Regarding the projection position of the contact portions dcp of the device-side terminals, the projection position of the device-side data contact portion dcpd is set to swd, the projection position of the device-side clock contact portion dcpc is set to swc, the projection position of the device-side power contact portion dcpvd is set to swvd, the projection position of the device-side reset contact portion dcpr is set to swr, and the projection position of the device-side ground contact portion dcpvs is set to swvs. Each projection position swd, swc, swvd, swr, and swvs is an orthographic projection of the contact portion dcp of each device-side terminal perpendicularly to the second imaginary line C2. At this time, the contact portions dcp of all device-side terminals are projected at different positions. The device-side data contact portion dcpd, device-side clock contact portion dcpc, device-side power contact portion dcpvd, device-side reset contact portion dcpr, and device-side ground contact portion dcpvs are projected at different positions. The device-side data contact portion dcpd, device-side clock contact portion dcpc, device-side power contact portion dcpvd, device-side reset contact portion dcpr, and device-side ground contact portion dcpvs are arranged in a parallel manner along the first imaginary line C1 passing through the contact portions dcp of each device-side terminal, without overlapping or intersecting with each other. Furthermore, at this time, the first imaginary line C1 passes through the midpoint MP between the two projection positions farthest apart from each other among the projection positions of the contact portions dcp of all device-side terminals. In this embodiment, the first imaginary line C1 passes through the middle MP of the projection position MP of the device-side data contact dcpd, device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side reset contact dcpr, located at the position furthest from the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact dcpvs. In this embodiment, the first imaginary line C1 passes through the middle MP of the projection position swc of the device-side clock contact dcpc and the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact dcpvs.

[0072] Relative to the first imaginary line C1, one region of the connecting mechanism 400 is designated as the first region Rg1, and the other region of the connecting mechanism 400 is designated as the second region Rg2. In this case, device-side terminals 410, 420, 430, and 440 are disposed in the first region Rg1, and device-side terminals 450 are disposed in the second region Rg2. In this embodiment, the first region Rg1 is the region on the negative direction of the second direction SD, i.e., the -X direction, relative to the first imaginary line C1, and the second region Rg2 is the region on the positive direction of the second direction SD, i.e., the +X direction, relative to the first imaginary line C1. The first region Rg1 is also one region of the connecting mechanism 400 separated from the first imaginary line C1, and the second region Rg2 is also another region of the connecting mechanism 400 separated from the first imaginary line C1. Of all the device-side terminal contacts dcp, a portion of contacts dcpa ​​are located in region 1 Rg1, and the remaining contacts dcpb are located in region 2 Rg2. The portion of contacts dcpa ​​located in region 1 Rg1 includes a device-side data contact dcpd, a device-side clock contact dcpc, a device-side power contact dcpv, and a device-side reset contact dcpr. The remaining contacts dcpb located in region 2 Rg2 include a device-side ground contact dcpvs. Across the first imaginary line C1, the device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side data contact dcpd, device-side reset contact dcpr, and device-side power contact dcpvd are located on one side, and the device-side ground contact dcpvs is located on the other side. A portion of contacts dcpa ​​and the remaining contacts dcpb are asymmetrically arranged relative to the first imaginary line C1. No device-side terminal contacts dcp are provided on the first imaginary line C1.

[0073] As shown in FIG7B, the device-side ground contact dcpvs is disposed at the edge closest to the positive direction (+X direction) of the second direction SD among the contact dcps of the plurality of device-side terminals. The device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side data contact dcpd, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side reset contact dcpr is disposed at the edge closest to the negative direction (-X direction) of the second direction SD among the plurality of device-side terminal contact dcps. The contact dcp of the device-side terminal is located on one side closest to the second direction SD among the plurality of device-side terminal contact dcps. The device-side ground contact dcpvs is located on the other side closest to the second direction SD among the plurality of device-side terminal contact dcps. In the first region Rg1, among the device-side terminal contacts dcp (excluding device-side grounding contacts dcpvs), the contact dcp that is projected to the position furthest from the projection position swvs when projected onto the second imaginary line C2 is spaced Wa from the device-side grounding contacts dcpvs provided in the second region Rg2 along the direction of the second imaginary line C2.

[0074] The device-side data contact dcpd, device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side power contact dcpd, and device-side reset contact dcpr are preferably arranged away from the device-side grounding terminal contact dcpvs. For example, in the first region Rg1, among the contacts dcp of the device-side terminal 490 other than the device-side grounding contact dcpvs, the contact dcp that is projected to the position closest to the projection position swvs when projected onto the second imaginary line C2, and the device-side grounding contact dcpvs provided in the second region Rg2, are spaced at least Wa / 2 in the direction along the second imaginary line C2. For example, in the first region Rg1, among the device-side terminal contacts dcp (excluding device-side grounding contacts dcpvs), the device-side terminal contact dcp projected onto the position closest to the projection position swvs when projected onto the second imaginary line C2, and the device-side grounding contact dcpvs provided in the second region Rg2, there are no other device-side terminal contacts dcp. In this embodiment, in the area between the device-side reset contact dcpr provided in the first region Rg1 on the edge closest to the positive direction of the second direction SD (i.e., the +X direction), and the device-side grounding contact dcpvs provided in the second region Rg2, there are no other device-side terminal contacts dcp. For example, the device-side terminals 410 to 440 and the device-side grounding contact dcpvs are not provided on the first imaginary line C1.

[0075] The contact dcp of at least one device-side terminal among the device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side reset contact dcpr is configured such that its projection is between the projection position swd of the device-side data contact dcpd and the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact dcpvs. Preferably, the contact dcp of any two or more device-side terminals among the device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side reset contact dcpr is configured such that its projection is between the projection position swd of the device-side data contact dcpd and the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact dcpvs.

[0076] The device-side data terminal dcpd is configured such that it is projected between the projection positions of the contact dcp of any two of the device-side terminals: the device-side clock contact dcpc, the device-side power contact dcpvd, and the device-side reset contact dcpr. The device-side data contact dcpd will not be the contact projected onto the outermost end of the second imaginary line C2. In this embodiment, the device-side data contact dcpd is configured such that it is projected between the projection positions of the device-side clock contact dcpc and the device-side power contact dcpvd.

[0077] Either or both of the device-side data contact dcpd and the device-side reset contact dcpr are configured such that they are projected between the projection position swvd of the device-side power contact dcpvd and the projection position swc of the device-side clock contact dcpc. Furthermore, the device-side reset contact dcpr is configured such that its projection position swr is adjacent to the projection position swvd of the device-side power contact dcpvd. In this embodiment, the device-side data contact dcpd is configured such that it is projected between the projection position swvd of the device-side power contact dcpvd and the projection position swc of the device-side clock contact dcpc.

[0078] The device-side power contact dcpr is configured such that its projection position swvd is adjacent to the projection position swd of the device-side data contact dcpd.

[0079] In this embodiment, the device-side clock contact dcpc is configured such that it is projected onto the position furthest from the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact dcpvs. Furthermore, the device-side data contact dcpd, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side reset contact dcpr are configured to be projected sequentially along the second imaginary line C2 from the projection position swc of the device-side clock contact dcpc toward the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact dcpvs. The device-side clock contact dcpc is located at the end furthest from the negative direction of the second direction SD, i.e., the -X direction. The device-side terminal contacts dcp, excluding the device-side clock contact dcpc, are arranged sequentially from the negative direction of the second direction SD, i.e., the -X direction, toward the positive direction, i.e., the +X direction, in the order of device-side data contact dcpd, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side reset contact dcpr. The contacts dcp of a plurality of device-side terminals are arranged in the following order from -X direction to +X direction according to their respective projection positions: device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side data contact dcpd, device-side power contact dcpvd, device-side reset contact dcpr, and device-side ground contact dcpvs.

[0080] The device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side data contact dcpd, device-side power contact dcpvd, device-side reset contact dcpr, and device-side ground contact dcpvs are arranged in a plurality of rows. The plurality of rows are parallel to the second imaginary line C2 and perpendicular to the first imaginary line C1. In this embodiment, the contacts dcp of the plurality of device-side terminals are arranged in two rows perpendicular to the first direction FD, and the direction of the two rows is parallel to the second direction SD. The direction in which the two rows are arranged relative to each other is along the direction of the first imaginary line C1; in this embodiment, it is along the direction of the first direction FD. The two rows are referred to as row 1 R1 and row 2 R2, respectively. Row 1 R1 is formed by the device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side ground contact dcpvs. Row 2 R2 is formed by the device-side data contact dcpd and the device-side reset contact dcpr. The device-side data contact dcpd and device-side reset contact dcpr forming the second row R2, and the device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side ground contact dcpvs forming the first row R1, are arranged in a staggered manner, with the contact dcps not aligned along the direction of the first imaginary line C1, forming a so-called sawtooth arrangement. When projected onto the second imaginary line C2, the contact dcps of two adjacent device-side terminals projected adjacently form different rows. The device-side data contact dcpd and the device-side ground contact dcpvs are arranged in different rows. The contact dcp of any one of the device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side reset contact dcpr is arranged between the projection position swd of the device-side data contact dcpd and the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact dcpvs. In this embodiment, the device-side contact portion dcpr and the device-side power contact portion dcpvd are arranged such that they are projected between the projection position swd of the device-side data contact portion dcpd and the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact portion dcpvs. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contact portions dcp of each device-side terminal 410-450 are arranged to form a first row R1 and a second row R2, but this is not a limitation. For example, the contact portions dcp of each device-side terminal 410-450 may also be arranged in three or four rows. A row may also be formed by the contact portion dcp of one device-side terminal.

[0081] The distance between the device-side grounding contact dcpvs and the device-side reset contact dcpr is defined as distance DAn. The distance between the device-side data contact dcpd and the device-side clock contact dcpc is defined as distance DBn. ​​The distance between the device-side data contact dcpd and the device-side grounding contact dcpvs is defined as distance DCn. The distance between the device-side data contact dcpd and the device-side reset contact dcpr is defined as distance DDn. The distance between the device-side data contact dcpd and the device-side power contact dcpvd is defined as DEn. In this case, distance DCn is longer than distance DBn. ​​Distance DCn is longer than distance DEn. Distance DCn is longer than distance DDn. In this embodiment, distance DBn and distance DEn are the same. The distances between the device-side data contact dcpd and the contact dcp of the plurality of device-side terminals (excluding the device-side ground contact dcpvs), and the contact dcp of the device-side terminal furthest from the device-side data contact dcpd, are distances DBn and DEn. In this case, distance DAN is longer than both distances DBn and DEn.

[0082] An imaginary line segment connecting the device-side clock contact dcpc and the device-side data contact dcpd is designated as line segment fL; an imaginary line segment connecting the device-side reset contact dcpr and the device-side data contact dcpd is designated as line segment sL; and an imaginary line segment connecting the device-side power contact dcpvd and the device-side data contact dcpd is designated as line segment tL. There are no other device-side terminal contacts dcp on line segment fL that are different from the device-side clock contact dcpc and the device-side data contact dcpd. There are no other device-side terminal contacts dcp on line segment sL that are different from the device-side reset contact dcpr and the device-side data contact dcpd. There are no other device-side terminal contacts dcp on line segment tL that are different from the device-side power contact dcpvd and the device-side data contact dcpd.

[0083] Data terminal 210 may also be referred to as terminal 1. Clock terminal 220 may also be referred to as terminal 2 among other terminals. Reset terminal 240 may also be referred to as terminal 3 among other terminals. Power terminal 230 may also be referred to as terminal 4 among other terminals. Ground terminal 250 may also be referred to as terminal 5 among other terminals. Data contact cpd may also be referred to as contact 1. Clock contact cpc may also be referred to as contact 2. Reset contact cpr may also be referred to as contact 3. Power contact cpvd may also be referred to as contact 4. Ground contact cpvs may also be referred to as contact 5. Furthermore, terminals other than terminal 1 may also be referred to as other terminal groups. Terminals 210 to 250, etc., provided on the substrate 120 or liquid containing container 100 may also be referred to as substrate-side terminals or container-side terminals.

[0084] Device-side terminal 410 may also be referred to as the first device-side terminal. Device-side terminal 420 may also be referred to as the second device-side terminal. Device-side terminal 430 may also be referred to as the third device-side terminal. Device-side terminal 440 may also be referred to as the fourth device-side terminal. Device-side terminal 450 may also be referred to as the fifth device-side terminal. The projection position of the first device-side terminal 410 may be referred to as the first projection position. The projection position of the second device-side terminal 420 may be referred to as the second projection position. The projection position of the third device-side terminal 430 may be referred to as the third projection position. The projection position of the fourth device-side terminal 440 may be referred to as the fourth projection position. The projection position of the fifth device-side terminal 450 may be referred to as the fifth projection position.

[0085] A2. Explanation of various states of the printing system: In this invention, the term "installation complete state" refers to a state in which the liquid container 100 is installed on the printing apparatus 20 and there is no short circuit between the terminals 290. As described above, in this invention, the term "liquid container 100 is installed on the printing apparatus 20" means that the liquid container 100 is physically installed on the printing apparatus 20 and the contact portion cp of the terminal 290 is electrically connected to the device-side terminal 490. The installation complete state is a state in which communication is possible between the printing apparatus 20 and the device 130. The term "non-installation complete state" refers to a state in which the liquid container 100 is not installed on the receiving portion 4 of the printing apparatus 20, or a state in which, although the liquid container 100 is installed on the receiving portion 4 of the printing apparatus 20, poor contact occurs between the device-side terminal 490 and the contact portion cp. The term "short circuit state" refers to a situation where, although the liquid container 100 is installed in the receiving section 4 of the printing device 20, a short circuit occurs between the terminals 290. For example, when the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited, it is said that "the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are in a short circuit state".

[0086] "Connection status" refers to any one of (i) installation completed status, (ii) incomplete installation status, and (iii) short circuit status. "Determination of connection status" refers to determining which of the above (i) to (iii) states the liquid containment container 100 is in.

[0087] A3. Electrical and Software Configuration: A3-1. Electrical Configuration: Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system 1000. In Figure 8, when distinguishing the substrate 120 and device 130 of each of the four liquid containing containers 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D, "A", "B", "C", and "D" are marked at the end. Each device 130A to 130D stores identification information of the liquid containing containers 100A to 100D. For example, each device 130A to 130D stores information related to the liquid to be contained in the liquid containing containers 100A to 100D. The identification information is represented by ID = 1 to 4 in Figure 8. The main control unit 40 and the sub-control unit 50 constitute a control unit 39 for controlling the operation of the printing device 20.

[0088] The sub-control unit 50 is electrically connected to the liquid containment containers 100A to 100D via a plurality of wires. These wires include a reset line LRST, a clock line LSCK, a power line LVDD, a data line LSDA, and a ground line LVSS. The reset line LRST, clock line LSCK, power line LVDD, and data line LSDA are independently provided for each of the liquid containment containers 100A to 100D. The ground line LVSS is common to all liquid containment containers 100A to 100D. When distinguishing the wires electrically connected to the corresponding liquid containment containers 100A to 100D, the reset line LRST, clock line LSCK, power line LVDD, and data line LSDA are marked with "1" to "4" at the end. These "1" to "4" correspond to the identification information "1" to "4" of the liquid containment containers 100A to 100D.

[0089] In the sub-control unit 50, the terminal for the output reset signal RST is designated as the main unit terminal HRST, the terminal for the output clock signal SCK is designated as the main unit terminal HSCK, the terminal for the output power supply voltage VDD is designated as the main unit terminal HVDD, and the terminal for the output and input data signals SDA is designated as the main unit terminal HSDA. The main unit terminal HVSS is grounded. Regarding the main unit terminals HSDA, HRST, HSCK, and HVDD, when distinguishing the terminals connected to the corresponding liquid containing containers 100A to 100D, "1" to "4" are marked at the end. These "1" to "4" correspond to the identification information "1" to "4" of the liquid containing containers 100A to 100D. The sub-control unit 50 and the main control unit 40 are electrically connected via bus 46. The secondary control unit 50 transmits various signals and voltages individually to devices 130A to 130D of the liquid containment containers 100A to 100D via a connecting bus 45 that includes lines LRST, LSCK, LVDD, LSDA, and LVSS.

[0090] The reset line LRST is a conductive line used by the control unit 39 to send a reset signal RST to the device 130. The reset signal RST is a signal that makes the request signal RS available. By changing the reset signal RST sent by the control unit 39 to the device 130 from a high level to a low level, the part of the processing unit 136 that accepts the request signal RS becomes an initial state. By changing the reset signal RST from a low level to a high level, it can accept new request signals RS. The clock line LSCK is a conductive line used by the control unit 39 to send a clock signal SCK to the device 130. The clock signal SCK is a signal that alternately repeats the low level and high level at a specific period. The data line LSDA is a conductive line used to transmit and receive the data signal SDA between the control unit 39 and the device 130. The data signal SDA is transmitted and received synchronously with the clock signal SCK in order to achieve synchronization between the control unit 39 and the device 130. For example, the data signal SDA is transmitted and received triggered by the rising or falling of the clock signal SCK. The reset signal RST, the data signal SDA, and the clock signal SCK can be either high or low level. Hereinafter, the high level will be represented by the symbol "H" or "1", and the low level will be represented by the symbol "L" or "0". Furthermore, the host terminal HSDA connected to the data line LSDA is grounded in the sub-control unit 50 via a pull-down resistor. Therefore, when the data signal SDA is not being transmitted or received between the sub-control unit 50 and the device 130, the drive state of the host terminal HSDA of the sub-control unit 50 remains at a low level.

[0091] The grounding wire LVSS is a conductive wire that determines the grounding potential VSS of device 130. The grounding potential VSS is set to, for example, 0 V. The power supply wire LVDD is a conductive wire used by the control unit 39 to supply the power supply voltage VDD, which is the operating voltage, to device 130. The power supply voltage VDD is a voltage higher than a certain threshold. In this embodiment, the power supply voltage VDD is used at a potential of approximately 3.3 V relative to the grounding potential VSS. Furthermore, the potential used for the power supply voltage VDD may also be different depending on the type of device 130.

[0092] Figure 9 shows the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 20 and a liquid containing container 100. The printing apparatus 20 includes a display panel 495, a power supply 441, a main control unit 40, and a secondary control unit 50. The display panel 495 is used to communicate to the user the operating status of the printing apparatus 20, errors in the liquid containing containers 100A to 100D, the ink consumption stored in the device 130, the ink color, production date, and other notifications. When the liquid containing container 100 is in the installed state, the display panel 495 displays, for example, an indication that the liquid containing container 100 has been installed, a notification that the printing system 1000 is ready for printing, and a display of the remaining ink in the liquid containing container 100. The display panel 495 is, for example, provided in the operation unit 70 of Figure 2. The power supply 441 is a general power supply for logic circuits, rated at 3.3 V. The voltage of the power supply 441 is supplied to the secondary control unit 50 and, as needed, to other circuits.

[0093] The main control unit 40 includes a CPU 415 and a device-side first memory unit 416. The CPU 415 controls the operation of the printing apparatus 20 by executing various programs stored in the device-side first memory unit 416. For example, the main control unit 40 controls the operation of the display panel 495 or the operation of the sub-control unit 50. The CPU 415 functions as a determination unit 411 by executing various programs stored in the device-side first memory unit 416. The determination unit 411 includes an installation determination unit 412 and a short-circuit determination unit 414. The installation determination unit 412 determines whether the liquid containing container 100 has been installed. The short-circuit determination unit 414 determines whether a short circuit has occurred between the terminals 290. The sub-control unit 50 includes a switching unit 511 and a device-side second memory unit 516. The switching unit 511 includes a register (not shown) and an analog switch (not shown) connected to the register. If the CPU 415 writes a "1" to the register, the analog switch becomes on. This switches the CPU 415 to the connected state with the substrate 120. If the CPU 415 writes a "0" to the register, the analog switch becomes off. This switches the CPU 415 to the disconnected state with the substrate 120.

[0094] The device-side second memory unit 516 stores determination information. The determination information is used for the determination processing of the connection state described below. The determination information is information that uses the voltage output from the data terminal 210 as a detection value in response to the request signal RS described below. When the determination unit 411 performs the connection state determination processing, it reads the determination information from the device-side second memory unit 516.

[0095] The sub-control unit 50 sends a request signal RS to each device 130A-130D of the liquid containment containers 100A-100D via the connection bus 45. The request signal RS is output from the main terminal HSDA of the sub-control unit 50 and input to each data terminal 210 of the liquid containment containers 100A-100D. The request signal RS contains the instruction that, for each device 130A-130D, the liquid containment container 100A-100D that is the object of the response to the request signal RS can be identified one by one. The determination unit 411 uses the voltage output from each data terminal 210 of the liquid containment containers 100A-100D in response to the request signal RS to determine the connection status of the liquid containment containers 100A-100D. Details of the request signal RS will be described below.

[0096] The processing unit 136 of device 130 communicates with the printing apparatus 20 synchronously with the clock signal SCK input from the printing apparatus 20 to the clock terminal 220 via the data line LSDA. For example, it transmits and receives signals triggered by the rising or falling of the clock signal SCK. The processing unit 136 controls the signals and voltages input and output to terminals 210-250. For example, it outputs response signals FS and SS to data terminal 210 via the data line LSDA according to the request signal RS. The processing unit 136 includes a tri-state buffer. The tri-state buffer has three driving states: a state of outputting a low-level voltage, a state of outputting a high-level voltage, and a high-impedance state. The tri-state buffer is connected to the data terminal 210. Therefore, in this invention, the terms "low level," "high level," and "high impedance" are used to refer to the driving states of the data terminal 210. The memory unit 138 is composed of a memory cell array consisting of a plurality of memory cells arranged in a 2D matrix. The processing unit 136 and the memory unit 138 are connected by bit lines and word lines. The processing unit 136 is electrically connected to the memory unit 138 via terminals 210-250.

[0097] A3-2. Overview of Software Configuration (Connection Status Determination Processing): Referring to Figures 10A and 10B, the connection status determination processing performed by the printing system 1000 will be described. Figure 10A is a flowchart of the processing performed by the printing device 20 in the connection status determination process. Figure 10B is a flowchart of the processing performed by the device 130 in the connection status determination process.

[0098] As shown in FIG10A, in the connection state determination process, the printing device 20 performs the following processing. In step S301, the sub-control unit 50 sends a request signal RS to the device 130 of the liquid containing container 100. Thereafter, the sub-control unit 50 detects the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100. Specifically, in step S302, the sub-control unit 50 detects the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100 at a specific first time t1. In step S303, the sub-control unit 50 detects the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100 at a specific second time t2. In step S304, the sub-control unit 50 detects the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100 at a specific third time t3. The first time t1 to the third time t3 are different time sequences. The voltage detected by the secondary control unit 50 during the first time sequence t1 to the third time sequence t3 is stored as a detection value in the device-side second memory unit 516 of the secondary control unit 50. In step S305, the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 reads the detection value from the device-side second memory unit 516. In step S306, the main control unit 40 determines the connection status based on the detection value detected by the secondary control unit 50 during the first time sequence t1 to the third time sequence t3.

[0099] As shown in FIG10B, in the connection state determination process, device 130 performs the following processing. In step S101, the processing unit 136 of device 130 determines whether a request signal RS has been input from printing device 20 to data terminal 210. When it is determined that a request signal RS has been input to data terminal 210, in step S102, the processing unit 136 of device 130 determines whether it has been requested to respond to printing device 20. When it is determined that it has been requested to respond to printing device 20, in step S103, the processing unit 136 of device 130 outputs a first response signal FS to data terminal 210. After the processing unit 136 of device 130 outputs the first response signal FS, in step S104, it outputs a second response signal SS to data terminal 210. The first response signal FS and the second response signal SS are output from data terminal 210 to printing device 20. When it is determined in step S102 that no response has been requested for the printing device 20, the processing unit 136 of the device 130 ends the processing.

[0100] Referring to Figures 11A to 11D, the outline and output timing of the request signal RS, the first response signal FS, and the second response signal SS are explained. Figure 11A is a timing diagram when the printing device 20 outputs the request signal RS to the data terminal 210. Figure 11B is a timing diagram when the device 130 outputs the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210. Figure 11C shows the details of the first response signal FS. Figure 11D shows the details of the second response signal SS. The timing diagram in Figure 11B is executed after the timing diagram in Figure 11A. In Figures 11A to 11D, "H" indicates that the signal is at a high level, and "L" indicates that the signal is at a low level. The dashed line indicates that the drive state of terminal 290 is high impedance, indicating that no signal is output from terminal 290. Furthermore, the main terminal HSDA of the sub-control unit 50 is grounded via a pull-down resistor. Therefore, the control unit 39 cannot distinguish between a high-impedance drive state of terminal 290, resulting in no signal output from terminal 290, and a low-level voltage output from terminal 290. However, by connecting a pull-up resistor between data terminal 210 and power terminal 230, it can be confirmed that the drive state of data terminal 290 is high-impedance. VDD, RST, SCK, and SDA1-SDA4 shown in Figure 11A represent signals transmitted or received via the corresponding lines LVDD, LRST, LSCK, and LSDA1-LSDA4 through the corresponding terminals 290, or voltages supplied. The periods D1-D9 of the command period CMT, the first response period RT1, and the second response period RT2 represent the unit period for repeating the low and high levels of the clock signal SCK in each period. This unit period of the clock signal SCK is called the "period".

[0101] The timing diagrams shown in Figures 11A and 11B are executed based on a preset timing sequence. A preset timing sequence may include, for example: the timing sequence for starting the printing device 20 and connecting the power supply 441; the timing sequence for changing the liquid container 100; the timing sequence for receiving an instruction from the user; or the timing sequence for when the printing device 20 is not printing and the tray 30 is in the starting position. The following explanation describes an example of execution triggered by the power supply 441 timing sequence.

[0102] As shown in Figure 11A, the control unit 39 first sets the power supply voltage VDD to a high level. After the power supply voltage VDD becomes high and a preset time has elapsed, the control unit 39 changes the reset signal RST from a low level to a high level. After the control unit 39 changes the reset signal RST to a high level, it sends the clock signal SCK to the device 130. After the control unit 39 changes the reset signal RST to a high level, it sends the request signal RS to the device 130. The request signal RS includes the first execution instruction BCC1, the first identification data DB1, the first parity data P1, the second execution instruction BCC2, the second identification data DB2, and the second parity data P2.

[0103] The request signal RS is described in detail. After the control unit 39 sets the reset signal RST to a high level, it sends the first execution instruction BCC1 to devices 130A-130D during cycles D1 and D2 of the instruction period CMT. The first execution instruction BCC1 is a 2-bit data, indicating that the main control unit 40 should perform connection status determination processing. The control unit 39 sets the voltage to a high level during cycle D1 and sets the voltage to a low level during cycle D2, thereby generating the first execution instruction BCC1.

[0104] After the first execution instruction BCC1, the control unit 39 sends the first identification data DB1 to the devices 130A to 130D in cycles D3 to D8. The first identification data DB1 is 6 bits of data that identifies the liquid containers 100A to 100D that have been requested to respond. In the first identification data DB1, corresponding bits are assigned to each device 130A to 130D. In other embodiments, the cycle D3 as the first bit and the cycle D4 as the second bit can be used when the printing apparatus 20 is equipped with 6 liquid containers 100. In the first identification data DB1, the cycle D5 as the third bit corresponds to the liquid container 100D, the cycle D6 as the fourth bit corresponds to the liquid container 100C, the cycle D7 as the fifth bit corresponds to the liquid container 100B, and the cycle D8 as the sixth bit corresponds to the liquid container 100A. The first identification data DB1 sent to device 130A of liquid container 100A is at a high level during period D8 (6th bit), with the remaining bits at a low level. The first identification data DB1 sent to device 130B of liquid container 100B is at a high level during period D7 (5th bit), with the remaining bits at a low level. The first identification data DB1 sent to device 130C of liquid container 100C is at a high level during period D6 (4th bit), with the remaining bits at a low level. The first identification data DB1 sent to device 130D of liquid container 100D is at a high level during period D5 (3rd bit), with the remaining bits at a low level. The request signal RS has different waveforms in each of devices 130A to 130D of liquid containers 100A to 100D.

[0105] After the first identification data DB1, the control unit 39 sends the first parity data P1 to the devices 130A-130D in cycle D9. The first parity data P1 is 1 bit data. In this embodiment, the first parity data P1 is an odd parity bit.

[0106] After the first parity check data P1, the control unit 39 sends a 2-bit second execution instruction BCC2 to devices 130A-130D. The second execution instruction BCC2 is the same data that does not invert the first execution instruction BCC1. After the second execution instruction BCC2, the control unit 39 sends a 6-bit second identification data DB2 to devices 130A-130D. The second identification data DB2 is the same data that does not invert the first identification data DB1. After the second identification data DB2, the control unit 39 sends a 1-bit second parity check data P2 to devices 130A-130D.

[0107] The first execution instruction BCC1, the first identification data DB1, and the first parity check data P1 are also collectively referred to as the first instruction. The second execution instruction BCC2, the second identification data DB2, and the second parity check data P2 are also collectively referred to as the second instruction. During the instruction period CMT, the period during which the control unit 39 sends the first instruction to the device 130 is also referred to as the first instruction period. During the instruction period CMT, the period during which the control unit 39 sends the second instruction to the device 130 is also referred to as the second instruction period. The first instruction and the second instruction are the same data that are not inverted. In other embodiments, the first instruction and the second instruction may also be inverted.

[0108] As described above, in device 130, the power supply voltage VDD is first input from the printing device 20 to the power supply terminal 230. After the power supply voltage VDD is input from the printing device 20 to the power supply terminal 230 in device 130, the reset signal RST changes from a low reset voltage to a high reset voltage, thereby the high reset voltage is input from the printing device 20 to the reset terminal 240. After the high reset voltage is input from the printing device 20 to the reset terminal 240 in device 130, the clock signal SCK is input from the printing device 20 to the clock terminal 220. After the high reset voltage is input from the printing device 20 to the reset terminal 240 in device 130, the request signal RS is input from the printing device 20 to the data terminal 210. Here, the power supply voltage VDD is a high-level voltage higher than the threshold. The reset signal RST is a signal that includes a low reset voltage at a low level and a high reset voltage at a high level higher than the lower reset voltage. The low reset voltage is a voltage lower than the reference reset voltage used as a threshold, and the high reset voltage is a voltage higher than the reference reset voltage used as a threshold. The reference reset voltage serves as the voltage used to determine the high and low levels. The clock signal SCK alternately repeats a low clock voltage for the low level and a high clock voltage for the high level (higher than the lower clock voltage) at a specific period. The low clock voltage is lower than the reference clock voltage used as a threshold, and the high clock voltage is higher than the reference clock voltage used as a threshold. The reference clock voltage serves as the voltage used to determine the high and low levels. Each threshold is, for example, set between the potential of power supply 441 and the ground potential.

[0109] As shown in FIG11B, after the request signal RS is sent from the control unit 39 to the device 130, the device 130, which is requested to respond to the printing apparatus 20, outputs the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210. The first response signal FS and the second response signal SS are used by the printing apparatus 20 to determine that the data terminal 210, the clock terminal 220, the power terminal 230, and the reset terminal 240 are not short-circuited, and that the liquid container 100 has been installed in the printing apparatus 20. The request signal RS has waveforms that individually specify the liquid containers 100A to 100D in the first identification data DB1. When the device 130A to 130D receive the specified request signal RS from the printing apparatus 20, the devices 130A to 130D output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210. The first response signal FS is output during the first response period RT1. The second response signal SS is output during the second response period RT2, which is the period following the first response period RT1.

[0110] During the first response period RT1, the printing apparatus 20 first performs direction switching processing for signals transmitted and received via the data line LSDA in cycles D1 and D2. After the control unit 39 sends the request signal RS to the device 130, it sets the potential of the data line LSDA to 0V in cycle D1, thereby removing the charge from the data line LSDA. Subsequently, in cycle D2, the control unit 39 sets the drive state of the host terminal HSDA of the sub-control unit 50 to high impedance. In this way, the printing apparatus 20 becomes signal input-enabled. On the other hand, after the processing unit 136 of the device 130 receives the request signal RS synchronously with the clock signal SCK, it sets the drive state of each data terminal 210 to high impedance in cycle D1. The purpose is to prevent the output of signals from the data terminals 210 during the period when the control unit 39 of the printing apparatus 20 removes the charge from the data line LSDA. The processing unit 136 of the device 130 also sets the drive state of the data terminals 210 to high impedance in cycle D2. The first two bits of RT1 during the first response period also function as virtual bits to ensure that the number of bits in the request signal RS is the same as the number of bits in the signal during the first response period RT1. The number of cycles of the clock signal SCK constituting the first response period RT1 is the same as the number of cycles of the clock signal SCK synchronized with the request signal RS.

[0111] Next, during periods D5 to D8, the processing unit 136 of each device 130 outputs a first response signal FS to the data terminal 210 in a preset timing sequence. The first response signal FS is output from different processing units 136A to 136D within each cycle of the clock signal SCK. The first response signal FS includes a low-level voltage. As shown in FIG11C, the first response signal FS is a signal output to the data terminal 210 during the period when the clock signal SCK is at a high level. The first response signal FS is at a low level during the period when the clock signal SCK is at a high level. When the voltage input to the clock terminal 220 has changed from a low level to a high level, the processing unit 136 of device 130 outputs the low-level voltage to the data terminal 210.

[0112] As described above, the first response signal FS includes a low first response voltage that is lower than the reference first response voltage, which is used as a threshold. The reference first response voltage is a voltage used as a reference for determining the low level and the high level, and is set, for example, between the voltage of the power supply 441 and the voltage of the ground potential.

[0113] As shown in Figure 11B, the first timing t1, during the first response period RT1, from period D5 to period D8, is set to the period when the clock signal SCK is at a high level. The first timing t1 is set to the period when the first response signal FS is at a low level. As shown in Figure 11C, within one cycle of the clock signal SCK, during the period when the clock signal SCK is at a high level, the device 130 outputs a low-level voltage to the data terminal 210 earlier than the first timing t1.

[0114] As shown in Figure 11B, the period D9 of the first response period RT1 functions as a virtual bit that makes the number of bits in the first instruction period the same as the number of bits in the first response period RT1.

[0115] During the second response period RT2, as shown in FIG11B, the control unit 39 sets the potential of the data line LSDA to 0 V, thereby removing the charge from the data line LSDA. The processing unit 136 of the device 130 sets the drive state of the data terminal 210 to high impedance during period D1. The processing unit 136 of the device 130 also sets the drive state of the data terminal 210 to high impedance during period D2. The first 2 bits of the second response period RT2 also function as virtual bits to make the number of bits of the request signal RS the same as the number of bits of the signal during the second response period RT2. The number of cycles of the clock signal SCK constituting the second response period RT2 is the same as the number of cycles of the clock signal SCK synchronized with the request signal RS.

[0116] Next, during periods D5 to D8, the processing unit 136 of each device 130 outputs the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210 in a preset timing sequence. The second response signal SS is output from different processing units 136A to 136D within each cycle of the clock signal SCK. The second response signal SS includes both low-level and high-level voltages. As shown in FIG11D, the waveform of the second response signal SS is out of phase with the waveform of the clock signal SCK input to the clock terminal 220. The second response signal SS includes a high level during periods when the clock signal SCK is at a low level, and includes a low level during periods when the clock signal SCK is at a high level.

[0117] As described above, the second response signal SS includes a low second response voltage at a low level and a high second response voltage at a high level. The low second response voltage is a voltage lower than the reference second response voltage, which serves as a threshold, and the high second response voltage is a voltage higher than the reference second response voltage, which serves as a threshold. The reference second response voltage is a voltage used as a reference for determining the low level and the high level, for example, set between the voltage of power supply 441 and the voltage of ground potential. The reference second response voltage may be the same as or different from the reference first response voltage. The waveform of the second response signal SS is different from the waveform of the first response signal FS.

[0118] As shown in Figure 11B, during the second response period RT2, the periods D5 to D8 are all set to coincide with the low level of the clock signal SCK. The second timing t2 is set to coincide with the high level of the second response signal SS. During the second response period RT2, the periods D5 to D8 are all set to coincide with the high level of the clock signal SCK. The third timing t3 is set to coincide with the low level of the second response signal SS. As shown in Figure 11D, within one cycle of the clock signal SCK, during the low level period of the clock signal SCK, device 130 outputs a high-level voltage to data terminal 210 earlier than the second timing t2. Within one cycle of the clock signal SCK, during the high level period of the clock signal SCK, device 130 outputs a low-level voltage to data terminal 210 earlier than the third timing t3.

[0119] As shown in Figure 11B, the period D9 of the second response period RT2 functions as virtual bit data that makes the number of bits in the second instruction period the same as that in the second response period RT2.

[0120] In the devices 130A-130D of the liquid containing containers 100A-100D, the output periods of the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS are different. In this embodiment, device 130 outputs the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS within one cycle of the clock signal SCK corresponding to the identification information. As shown in FIG11B, liquid containing container 100A outputs the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to data terminal 210 during the respective cycles D8 of the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2. Liquid containing container 100B outputs the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to data terminal 210 during the respective cycles D7 of the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2. Liquid containing container 100C outputs the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to data terminal 210 during the respective cycles D6 of the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2. During the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2, the liquid containment container 100D outputs the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210 during their respective periods D5.

[0121] As shown in Figure 11B, when a clock signal SCK with a specific number of cycles is input to the clock terminal 220, device 130 switches the drive state of data terminal 210 from high impedance to low level, thereby outputting the first acknowledge signal FS. For example, as shown in Figure 11B, when the clock signal SCK is input to the clock terminal 220 during the first acknowledge period RT1 (cycles D1-D7), device 130A switches the drive state of data terminal 210 from high impedance to low level, thereby outputting the first acknowledge signal FS. Device 130 ends the output of the first acknowledge signal FS by switching the drive state of data terminal 210 from low level to high impedance. For example, as shown in Figure 11B, after outputting the first acknowledge signal FS during the first acknowledge period RT1 (cycle D8), device 130A switches the drive state of data terminal 210 to high impedance, thereby ending the output of the first acknowledge signal FS.

[0122] As shown in Figure 11B, when a clock signal SCK with a specific number of cycles is input to the clock terminal 220, device 130 switches the drive state of data terminal 210 from high impedance to a high level, thereby outputting the second acknowledge signal SS. For example, as shown in Figure 11B, when the clock signal SCK is input to the clock terminal 220 during the second acknowledge period RT2 (cycles D1 to D7), device 130A switches the drive state of data terminal 210 from high impedance to a high level, thereby outputting the second acknowledge signal SS. Device 130 ends the output of the second acknowledge signal SS by switching the drive state of data terminal 210 from a low level to high impedance. For example, as shown in Figure 11B, after outputting the second acknowledge signal SS during the second acknowledge period RT2 (cycle D8), device 130A switches the drive state of data terminal 210 from a low level to high impedance, thereby ending the output of the second acknowledge signal SS.

[0123] As described above, after the request signal RS is input to the data terminal 210, the device 130 outputs a first response signal FS to the data terminal 210, and after outputting the first response signal FS, outputs a second response signal SS to the data terminal 210. When the data terminal 210, clock terminal 220, power supply terminal 230, and reset terminal 240 are not short-circuited, the device 130 performs the following operations. As shown in FIG11C, during a specific first timing t1 when the voltage input to the clock terminal 220 is a high clock voltage, the device 130 outputs a low first response voltage as a first expected value to the data terminal 210. As shown in FIG11D, after the device 130 outputs a low first response voltage, during a second timing t2 when the voltage input to the clock terminal 220 is a low clock voltage, it outputs a high second response voltage as a second expected value to the data terminal 210. As shown in Figure 11D, after the device 130 outputs a high second response voltage, at the third timing t3 when the voltage input to the clock terminal 220 is a high clock voltage, it outputs a low second response voltage as the third expected value to the data terminal 210.

[0124] The first response signal FS consists of a low level. The low level of the first response signal FS indicates that data terminal 210 is not short-circuited with terminals 220, 230, 240, and 250 other than data terminal 210. The second response signal SS consists of a high level and a low level. The high level of the second response signal SS indicates that the liquid container 100 has been installed on the printing device 20. The low level of the second response signal SS indicates that data terminal 210 is not short-circuited with terminals 220, 230, 240, and 250 other than data terminal 210.

[0125] A3-3. Details of Software Configuration (Connection Status Determination Processing): Referring to Figure 12, the connection status determination processing performed by the main control unit 40 will be explained. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an overview of the connection status determination processing performed by the main control unit 40. As shown in Figure 12, the main control unit 40 uses the combination of voltages output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100 during the first time sequence t1 to the third time sequence t3 to determine the connection status. The first time sequence t1 to the third time sequence t3, as explained using Figure 11B above, are allocated to periods D5 to D8 according to the liquid containing containers 100A to 100D. When the expected value of the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100 during time series t1 to t3 is the case that the liquid containing container 100 is in the installed state, the voltage output from the data terminal 210 is at a low level during time series t1, at a high level during time series t2, and at a low level during time series t3. In the first case where the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100 is the same as the expected value, the liquid containing container 100 is in the installed state, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that "a container is present".

[0126] In the second case where the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid container 100 is at a low level from the first time sequence t1 to the third time sequence t3, the liquid container 100 is in an incomplete installation state, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that "no container".

[0127] In the third case where the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100 is high at the first time t1, low at the second time t2, and high at the third time t3, the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that "a short circuit has occurred". When the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited, the voltage of the data terminal 210 is approximately the same as the voltage of the clock terminal 220. Similar to the clock signal SCK in FIG11B, the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containing container 100 is high at the first time t1, low at the second time t2, and high at the third time t3. Thus, when the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited, during the first time series t1 to the third time series t3, the voltage output from the data terminal 210 connected to the device 130 to the control unit 39 of the printing apparatus 20 is configured as follows: the voltage output from the data terminal 210 differs from the first expected value at the first time series t1, differs from the second expected value at the second time series t2, and differs from the third expected value at the third time series t3.

[0128] In the fourth case where the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containment container 100 is at a high level from the first time sequence t1 to the third time sequence t3, the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that "a short circuit has occurred" if at least one of the following conditions is met: the data terminal 210 is short-circuited with the power terminal 230, or the data terminal 210 is short-circuited with the reset terminal 240. In the case of a short circuit between the data terminal 210 and the power terminal 230, or between the data terminal 210 and the reset terminal 240, the voltage of the data terminal 210 is substantially the same as the voltage of the power terminal 230 or the voltage of the reset terminal 240. As shown in FIG11B, during the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2, both the power terminal 230 and the reset terminal 240 are at a high level; therefore, the voltage output from the data terminal 210 of the liquid containment container 100 is at a high level from the first time sequence t1 to the third time sequence t3. Thus, when at least one of the following conditions occurs—when data terminal 210 is short-circuited with power terminal 230, and when data terminal 210 is short-circuited with reset terminal 240—the voltage output from data terminal 210 connected to device 130 to control unit 39 of printing apparatus 20 during time series t1 to t3 is configured as follows: the voltage output from data terminal 210 differs from the first expected value at time series t1, is the same as the second expected value at time series t2, and differs from the third expected value at time series t3.

[0129] As described above, the printing apparatus 20 first detects, at time t1, that the data terminal 210 and terminals 220, 230, 240, and 250 other than the data terminal 210 are not short-circuited. Then, at time t2, it detects that the liquid containing container 100 has been installed on the printing apparatus 20. Furthermore, at time t3, it is confirmed again that the data terminal 210 and terminals 220, 230, 240, and 250 other than the data terminal 210 are not short-circuited. By detecting the voltage output from the data terminal 210 from time t1 to time t3, it can be confirmed that the liquid containing container 100 is in the installed state. As described below, it is also assumed that the short circuit between the data terminal 210 and other terminals 220, 230, 240, and 250 occurs during the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2. By detecting that the data terminal 210 is not short-circuited with other terminals 220, 230, 240, and 250 during the first time sequence t1 before the second time sequence t2 and the third time sequence t3 after the second time sequence t2, the installation completion status of the liquid containing container 100 can be accurately confirmed. Thus, the installation detection mechanism of the liquid containing container 100 and the short-circuit detection mechanism between terminals 290 can be considered as independent components.

[0130] When the printing apparatus 20 detects that the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are not short-circuited, it must be able to distinguish the voltage detected by the printing apparatus 20 when the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited from the voltage detected by the printing apparatus 20 when the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are not short-circuited. Within one cycle of the clock signal SCK, there is a low-level period and a high-level period. In the embodiment where, when the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are not short-circuited, during the low-level period of that one cycle, the device 130 outputs the same voltage as the high-level voltage to the data terminal 210; when the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited, the device 130 also outputs the same voltage as the high-level voltage. As a result, the printing device 20, which detects the output from data terminal 210, cannot distinguish whether data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 are not short-circuited, or whether data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 are short-circuited. During the first timing sequence t1 to the third timing sequence t3, device 130 outputs a voltage different from the voltage of the clock signal SCK to data terminal 210. This allows the printing device 20 to distinguish between the voltage detected when data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 are short-circuited and the voltage detected when they are not short-circuited. The same applies when data terminal 210 is short-circuited with power terminal 230 and when data terminal 210 is short-circuited with reset terminal 240.

[0131] Referring to Figures 13A to 20B, specific examples of the connection status determination process will be described. In the first to ninth examples shown below, a liquid containing container 100A will be used as an example. In the second to ninth examples, the waveform patterns shown in Figures 13A to 20B illustrate examples of the voltage actually observed at terminal 290. The control unit 39 identifies whether the voltage output from data terminal 210 is at a high level or a low level based on a preset threshold.

[0132] (First Example) In the first example, the case where the liquid containing container 100A is in the installed state will be described. Figure 13A is the first timing diagram of the connection state determination process. Figure 13B is the second timing diagram of the connection state determination process. As shown in Figure 13A, during the instruction period CMT, the sub-control unit 50 sends a request signal RS to the device 130A of the liquid containing container 100A. The request signal RS sent to the device 130A sets the bit of period D8 to a high level in order to specify the liquid containing container 100A as the target. As shown in Figure 13B, in the installed state, the sub-control unit 50 detects a low level from the data terminal 210 at the first timing t1 of period D8 in the first response period RT1, a high level at the second timing t2 of period D8 in the second response period RT2, and a low level at the third timing t3 of period D8 in the second response period RT2. In this case, the determination unit 421 of the main control unit 40 determines that the liquid containment container 100A is "containing a container" based on the fact that the expected value and the detected value are the same from the first time sequence t1 to the third time sequence t3.

[0133] (Second Specific Example) In the second specific example, the connection state determination process when a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 will be explained. Figure 14A is the third timing diagram of the connection state determination process. Figure 14B is the fourth timing diagram of the connection state determination process. In Figure 14A, at timing ta before the instruction period CMT, a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 of the liquid containment container 100A. As shown in Figure 14B, the voltage change output from data terminal 210 is the same as the signal from clock terminal 220. The sub-control unit 50 detects a high level from data terminal 210 at the first timing t1 of period D8 during the first response period RT1, a low level at the second timing t2 of period D8 during the second response period RT2, and a high level at the third timing t3 of period D8 during the second response period RT2. In this situation, the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit determines that "a short circuit has occurred".

[0134] (Third Example) In the third example, the connection state determination process when a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 will be described. The difference between the third example and the second example is that after device 130 receives the request signal RS, a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220. Figure 15 is the fifth timing diagram of the connection state determination process. During the first response period RT1 at timing tb, a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 of liquid container 100A. In this case, the signal output from data terminal 210 is the same as the signal from clock terminal 220. In this way, the secondary control unit 50 detects a high level from the data terminal 210 during the first response period RT1 at the first timing t1 of the period D8, the second response period RT2 at the second timing t2 of the period D8, and the third response period RT2 at the third timing t3 of the period D8. In this case, the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that a short circuit has occurred in the liquid containing container 100A.

[0135] (4th Example) The 4th example describes the connection state determination process when a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and power terminal 230. Figure 16A is the 6th timing diagram of the connection state determination process. Figure 16B is the 7th timing diagram of the connection state determination process. In Figures 16A and 16B, at timing ta before the instruction period CMT, a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and power terminal 230 of the liquid containment container 100A. As shown in Figure 16B, the voltage change output from data terminal 210 is the same as the signal from power terminal 230. The sub-control unit 50 detects a high level from data terminal 210 at the 1st timing t1 of period D8 during the 1st response period RT1, at the 2nd timing t2 of period D8 during the 2nd response period RT2, and at the 3rd timing t3 of period D8 during the 2nd response period RT2. In this situation, the data terminal 210 and the power terminal 230 are short-circuited, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that "a short circuit has occurred" in the liquid containment container 100A.

[0136] (Fifth Example) In the fifth example, the connection state determination process when a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and power terminal 230 is explained. The difference between the fifth example and the fourth example is that after device 130 receives the request signal RS, a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and power terminal 230. Figure 17 is the eighth timing diagram of the connection state determination process. During the first response period RT1, at timing tb, a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and power terminal 230 of the liquid containing container 100A. In this case, the signal output from data terminal 210 is the same as the signal from power terminal 230. Therefore, the sub-control unit 50 detects a high level from data terminal 210 at the first timing t1 of period D8 during the first response period RT1, at the second timing t2 of period D8 during the second response period, and at the third timing t3 of period D8 during the second response period. In this situation, the data terminal 210 and the power terminal 230 are short-circuited, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that "a short circuit has occurred" in the liquid containment container 100A.

[0137] (Sixth Example) In the sixth example, the connection state determination process when a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and reset terminal 240 will be explained. Figure 18A is the ninth timing diagram of the connection state determination process. Figure 18B is the tenth timing diagram of the connection state determination process. In Figures 18A and 18B, at timing ta before the instruction period CMT, a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and reset terminal 240 of the liquid containment container 100A. As shown in Figure 18B, the voltage change output from data terminal 210 is the same as the signal from reset terminal 240. Therefore, the sub-control unit 50 detects a high level from data terminal 210 at the first timing t1 of the first response period D8, at the second timing t2 of the second response period D8, and at the third timing t3 of the second response period D8. In this situation, the data terminal 210 and the reset terminal 240 are short-circuited, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that "a short circuit has occurred" in the liquid containment container 100A.

[0138] (Seventh Example) In the seventh example, the connection state determination process when a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and reset terminal 240 is explained. The difference between the seventh example and the sixth example is that after device 130 receives the request signal RS, data terminal 210 and reset terminal 240 are short-circuited. Figure 19 is the eleventh timing diagram of the connection state determination process. During the first response period RT1, at timing tb, a short circuit occurs between data terminal 210 and reset terminal 240 of the liquid containment container 100A. In this case, the signal output from data terminal 210 is the same as the signal from reset terminal 240. In this way, the secondary control unit 50 detects a high level from the data terminal 210 at the first timing t1 of the first response period D8, the second timing t2 of the second response period D8, and the third timing t3 of the second response period D8. In this case, the data terminal 210 and the reset terminal 240 are in a short circuit state, and the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that a short circuit has occurred in the liquid containing container 100A.

[0139] (Eighth Example) In the eighth example, the case where the liquid containing container 100A is not in a fully installed state will be described. Specifically, in the eighth example, the case where the liquid containing container 100A is removed from the housing section 4 before the device 130A receives the request signal RS will be described. Figure 20A is the 12th timing diagram of the connection state determination process. When the liquid containing container 100A is not installed in the housing section 4, the drive state of the main terminal HSDA1 of the sub-control unit 50 becomes a low level due to the connected pull-down resistor. Thereby, the sub-control unit 50 detects a low level at the first timing t1 of the period D8 of the first response period RT1, at the second timing t2 of the period D8 of the second response period RT2, and at the third timing t3 of the period D8 of the second response period RT2. In this situation, the liquid containment container 100A is not in a fully installed state, and the determination unit 421 of the main control unit 40 determines that "there is no container".

[0140] (9th Example) In the 9th example, the case where the liquid containment container 100A is detached from the containment unit 4 during the first response period RT1 will be described. Figure 20B is the 13th timing diagram of the connection state determination process. The sub-control unit 50 detects a low level at the first timing t1 of the period D8 of the first response period RT1, a low level at the second timing t2 of the period D8 of the second response period RT2, and a low level at the third timing t3 of the period D8 of the second response period RT2. In this case, the liquid containment container 100A is not in the installed state, and the determination unit 421 of the main control unit 40 determines that "no container".

[0141] (Other specific examples) In other specific examples, various connection states and the determination results obtained by the determination unit 421 for each connection state will be explained. Figure 20C is a diagram illustrating another specific example of the connection state determination process. In the connection state determination process, when at least one of the detection values ​​of the first time step t1 and the third time step t3 is different from the expected value, the determination unit 411 of the main control unit 40 determines that "a short circuit has occurred".

[0142] Case No. 1 occurs when the data terminal 210 and the clock terminal 220 are short-circuited at a time t earlier than the first time t1. In this case, the substrate 120 outputs a high-level voltage different from the first expected value to the printing apparatus 20 from the data terminal 210 at the first time t1, a low-level voltage different from the second expected value at the second time t2, and a high-level voltage different from the third expected value at the third time t3. In this case, the determination unit 411 determines that "a short circuit has occurred".

[0143] The second scenario refers to a short circuit between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 during time t from the first time t1 to the second time t2. In this scenario, the substrate 120 outputs a low-level voltage from data terminal 210 to the printing apparatus 20 at the first time t1, a low-level voltage different from the second expected value at the second time t2, and a high-level voltage different from the third expected value at the third time t3. In this scenario, the determination unit 411 determines that a short circuit has occurred.

[0144] The third scenario refers to a short circuit between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 during time t from the second time t2 to the third time t3. In this scenario, the substrate 120 outputs a low-level voltage (the same as the first expected value) from data terminal 210 to the printing apparatus 20 at the first time t1, a high-level voltage (the same as the second expected value) at the second time t2, and a high-level voltage (different from the third expected value) at the third time t3. In this scenario, the determination unit 411 determines that a short circuit has occurred.

[0145] Case No. 4 refers to the situation where the short circuit between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 is released during time t from the first time t1 to the second time t2. In this case, the substrate 120 outputs a high-level voltage from data terminal 210 to the printing apparatus 20, which is different from the first expected value at the first time t1, a high-level voltage that is the same as the second expected value at the second time t2, and a low-level voltage that is the same as the third expected value at the third time t3. In this case, the determination unit 411 determines that "a short circuit has occurred".

[0146] The fifth scenario refers to the situation where the short circuit between data terminal 210 and clock terminal 220 is released during time t from the second time t2 to the third time t3. In this scenario, the substrate 120 outputs a high-level voltage different from the first expected value to the printing apparatus 20 from the data terminal 210, outputs a low-level voltage different from the second expected value at the first time t1, outputs a low-level voltage different from the second expected value at the second time t2, and outputs a low-level voltage the same as the third expected value at the third time t3. In this scenario, the determination unit 411 determines that "a short circuit has occurred".

[0147] Case No. 6 occurs at least once, either when the data terminal 210 is short-circuited to the power terminal 230, or when the data terminal 210 is short-circuited to the reset terminal 240, at a time t earlier than the first time t1. In this case, the substrate 120 outputs a high-level voltage from the data terminal 210 to the printing apparatus 20 at the first time t1 that is different from the first expected value, at the second time t2 that is the same as the second expected value, and at the third time t3 that is different from the third expected value. In this case, the determination unit 411 determines that "a short circuit has occurred".

[0148] The situation No. 7 refers to at least one of the following situations: a short circuit occurs between the data terminal 210 and the power supply terminal 230 during time t from the first time t1 to the second time t2; or a short circuit occurs between the data terminal 210 and the reset terminal 240. In this situation, the substrate 120 outputs a low-level voltage (the same as the first expected value) from the data terminal 210 to the printing apparatus 20 during the first time t1, a high-level voltage (the same as the second expected value) during the second time t2, and a high-level voltage (different from the third expected value) during the third time t3. In this situation, the determination unit 411 determines that a short circuit has occurred.

[0149] The situation in No. 8 refers to at least one of the following situations: a short circuit occurs between the data terminal 210 and the power supply terminal 230 during time t from the second time t2 to the third time t3; or a short circuit occurs between the data terminal 210 and the reset terminal 240. In this situation, the substrate 120 outputs a low-level voltage (the same as the first expected value) from the data terminal 210 to the printing apparatus 20 during the first time t1, a high-level voltage (the same as the second expected value) during the second time t2, and a high-level voltage (different from the third expected value) during the third time t3. In this situation, the determination unit 411 determines that a short circuit has occurred.

[0150] Case No. 9 occurs during time t from the first time t1 to the second time t2, when the short circuit between data terminal 210 and power terminal 230 is released, and the short circuit between data terminal 210 and reset terminal 240 is also released. In this case, the substrate 120 outputs a high-level voltage from data terminal 210 to the printing apparatus 20, which is different from the first expected value at the first time t1, a high-level voltage that is the same as the second expected value at the second time t2, and a low-level voltage that is the same as the third expected value at the third time t3. In this case, the determination unit 411 determines that "a short circuit has occurred".

[0151] The situation in No. 10 refers to the situation where, during timing t from the second timing t2 to the third timing t3, the short circuit between data terminal 210 and power terminal 230 is released, and the short circuit between data terminal 210 and reset terminal 240 is also released. In this situation, the substrate 120 outputs a high-level voltage from data terminal 210 to the printing apparatus 20 at the first timing t1, a high-level voltage at the same as the second expected value at the second timing t2, and a low-level voltage at the same as the third expected value at the third timing t3. In this situation, the determination unit 411 determines that "a short circuit has occurred".

[0152] A3-4. Other software configurations: In the first embodiment described above, when device 130 receives a request signal RS, if printing apparatus 20 receives a second printing instruction during printing based on the first printing instruction, it can also output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to data terminal 210 after printing based on the first printing instruction is completed and before printing based on the second printing instruction begins. When device 130 receives a request signal RS, if printing apparatus receives a cleaning instruction for printhead 5, it can also output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to data terminal 210 before performing cleaning. When device 130 receives a request signal RS, it can also output a first response signal FS and a second response signal SS to data terminal 210 when the tray 30 can be moved to a position where the liquid container 100 can be replaced. Furthermore, when the tray 30 has moved from the replacement position to a standby position where the liquid container 100 cannot be replaced, it outputs the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to data terminal 210. The replacement position is, for example, the position of the tray 30 when it is in the initial position.

[0153] The first response signal FS can also be called the first signal. The second response signal SS can also be called the second signal. A low first response voltage can also be called the first low voltage. A high first response voltage can also be called the first high voltage. A low second response voltage can also be called the second low voltage. A high second response voltage can also be called the second high voltage. A low clock voltage can also be called a low voltage. A high clock voltage can also be called a high voltage. A low reset voltage can also be called a low voltage. A high reset voltage can also be called a high voltage.

[0154] A4. Other Embodiments of the First Embodiment: A4-1. Other Embodiment 1 Related to the Substrate: FIG21A is a diagram illustrating the substrate as another embodiment 1. FIG21A shows an example of the arrangement of a plurality of contact portions cp. The arrangement of the data contact portion cpd, clock contact portion cpc, power contact portion cvd, reset contact portion cpr, and ground contact portion cpvs is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and may also be other arrangements as shown in combinations No.1 to No.24 of FIG21A. Combinations No.1 to No.24 are combinations in which the clock contact portion cpc, data contact portion cpd, power contact portion cvd, and reset contact portion cpr are arranged in the first region Rg1, and the ground contact portion cpvs is arranged in the second region Rg2.

[0155] In the above-described combinations of contact cp configurations, up to No.1 to No.18, at least one of the clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, and reset contact cpr is configured such that its projection falls between the projection position swd of the data contact cpc and the projection position swvs of the ground contact cPVs. In the above-described combinations of contact cp configurations, up to No.1 to No.12, any two or more of the clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, and reset contact cpr are configured such that their projection falls between the projection position swd of the data contact cpc and the projection position swvs of the ground contact cPVs. In the above-described combinations of contact cp configurations, in No.1 to No.6 and No.13 to No.18, the data contact cpc is configured such that its projection falls between the projection positions of any two of the power contact cPVd, reset contact cpr, and clock contact cpc. In the above-mentioned combinations of contact portion CP configurations, in Nos. 1, 3, 8, 11, 14, 15, 20, and 23, either or both of the data contact portion CPd and the reset contact portion CPr are arranged such that they are projected between the power contact portion CPvd and the clock contact portion CPC, and the reset contact portion CPr is arranged such that its projection position SWR is adjacent to the projection position SWVD of the power contact portion CPvd. In the above-mentioned combinations of contact portion CP configurations, in Nos. 1, 2, 6-8, 13, 14, 16, 23, and 24, the power contact portion CPvd is arranged such that its projection position SWVD is adjacent to the projection position SWD of the data contact portion CPd. In the above-mentioned combination of contact cp configurations, in No.1, the clock contact cpc is configured such that it is projected onto the position furthest from the projection position swvs of the ground contact cpvs, and the data contact cpd, power contact cpvd, and reset contact cpr are configured such that they are projected sequentially along the second imaginary line C2 from the projection position swc of the clock contact cpc toward the projection position swvs of the ground contact cpvs.

[0156] FIG21B shows the configuration examples shown in No.2 and No.3 of FIG21A. Substrate 120b is the configuration example shown in No.2 of FIG21A. The difference between substrate 120b and substrate 120 shown in FIG5 is that the positional relationship of the clock contact portion CPC and the reset contact portion CPR is reversed. Substrate 120c is the configuration example shown in No.3 of FIG21A. The difference between substrate 120c and substrate 120 shown in FIG5 is that the positional relationship of the power contact portion CPVD and the reset contact portion CPR is reversed.

[0157] The configuration of the contact portion cp shown in Figure 21A can also be applied to the configuration of the data terminal 210, clock terminal 220, power terminal 230, reset terminal 240, and ground terminal 250. The configuration of the contact portion cp shown in Figure 21A can also be applied to the configuration of the device-side terminal 490.

[0158] In the first embodiment described above and Figures 21A and 21B, the ground contact cpvs is disposed in the second region Rg2. However, other contacts besides the ground contact cpvs can also be disposed in the second region Rg2. For example, the data contact cpd, the power contact cpvd, the reset contact cppr, and the ground contact cpvs can be disposed in the first region Rg1, and the clock contact cpc can be disposed in the second region Rg2. For example, the data contact cpd, the clock contact cpc, the power contact cpvd, and the ground contact cpvs can be disposed in the first region Rg1, and the reset contact cppr can be disposed in the second region Rg2. For example, the data contact cpd, the clock contact cpc, the reset contact cppr, and the ground contact cpvs can be disposed in the first region Rg1, and the power contact cpvd can be disposed in the second region Rg2. For example, the clock contact (cpc), power contact (cpvd), reset contact (cpr), and ground contact (cpvs) can be disposed in the first region Rg1, and the data contact (cpd) can be disposed in the second region Rg2. In these embodiments, the arrangement relationship between the contact (cp) disposed in the first region Rg1 and the contact (cp) disposed in the second region Rg2 is the same as in the first embodiment described above.

[0159] A4-2. Other Embodiment 2 Related to the Substrate: FIG22 shows two patterns of substrate 120d and substrate 120e as other embodiment 2. The arrangement of the ground contact portion 250 is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and may be other arrangements. The arrangement of the ground contact portion cpvs of substrate 120d is different from that of substrate 120 shown in FIG5. The ground contact portion cpvs of substrate 120d is arranged in a manner that forms the second row R2. When using substrate 120d, the connection mechanism 400 shown in FIG7A and 7B has device-side terminals corresponding to the ground contact portion cpvs of substrate 120. The number of ground contact portions cpvs is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and may be two or more. The number of ground contact portions cpvs of substrate 120e is different from that of substrate 120 shown in FIG5. Substrate 120e has two ground terminals 250a and 250b, and each includes a ground contact portion cpvs. When using substrate 120e, the connection mechanism 400 shown in Figures 7A and 7B has two device-side terminals corresponding to the two ground terminals 250a and 250b. The arrangement of the data contact cpd, clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, and reset contact cpr of substrate 120e is the same as that of substrate 120 shown in Figure 5. The ground contact cpvs of ground terminal 250a and the ground contact cpvs of ground terminal 250b are arranged at different positions along the direction of the first imaginary line C1. The ground contact cpvs of one ground terminal 250a is arranged to form the second row R2. The ground contact cpvs of the other ground terminal 250b is arranged to form the first row R1.

[0160] A4-3. Other Embodiment 3 Related to the Substrate: FIG23 shows substrates 120f and 120g as two patterns of other embodiment 3. The size of the ground terminal 250 is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and may be other sizes. The ground terminal 250c of substrate 120f and the ground terminal 250d of substrate 120g are larger than the ground terminal 250 shown in FIG5. The ground terminal 250c is formed throughout the first row R1 and the second row R2. The ground terminal 250c is arranged across the central portion CMP of substrate 120f in the direction along the first imaginary line C1. The ground terminal 250d of substrate 120g is further formed throughout the first region Rg1 and the second region Rg2. The ground terminal 250d is arranged across the first imaginary line C1.

[0161] A4-4. Other Embodiment 4 Related to the Substrate: FIG24 shows two patterns of substrates 120ab and 120ac as other embodiment 4. FIG25 shows two patterns of substrates 120ad and 120ae as other embodiment 4. The shape of terminals 210 to 250 is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and may be other shapes. As shown in FIG24, terminals 210 to 250 of substrate 120ab are formed in a manner spanning the first row R1 and the second row R2, and have a shape that is elongated along the first imaginary line C1. In addition to the rectangular portion like terminals 210 to 250 of substrate 120, terminals 210 to 250 of substrate 120 also have a portion that is elongated along the first imaginary line C1. Data terminals 210 of substrate 120ad have a portion that is bent in the direction along the first imaginary line C1 and the second imaginary line C2. The data terminal 210 of the substrate 120ae has a portion that bends in the direction along the first imaginary line C1 and the second imaginary line C2, such that it surrounds a portion of the power terminal 230. Even so, the positional relationship of each contact portion cp of the terminals 210 to 250 is the same as the positional relationship of each contact portion cp shown in FIG5 of the first embodiment described above.

[0162] A4-5. Other Embodiment 5 Related to the Substrate: FIG26 is a diagram illustrating the substrate 120Td as another embodiment 5. The upper part of FIG26 shows the substrate 120Td. The lower part of FIG26 schematically shows the connection mechanism 400Td corresponding to the substrate 120Td. In the substrate 120 of the first embodiment described above, a plurality of contact portions cp are arranged in two rows, but this is not a limitation. In the substrate 120Td, the contact portions are arranged in three rows. The data contact portion cpd and the ground contact portion cpvs form the third row. Thus, although the arrangement of the contact portions cp in the direction along the first imaginary line C1 is different from that in the first embodiment, the projection position on the second imaginary line C2 remains unchanged. When the substrate 120Td is mounted in a direction along the direction of gravity, the clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, and reset contact cpr are arranged on the side closer to the direction of gravity, i.e., the +Z direction side, than the data contact cpc. Furthermore, at least one of the clock contact cpc, power contact cPVd, and reset contact cpr is arranged such that when the contact cp is projected onto the second imaginary line C2, the projection is between the projection position swd of the data contact cpd and the projection position swvs of the ground contact cpvs. The contacts cp other than the data contact cpd and the ground contact cpvs, like those in this embodiment, can also be arranged in a different position than the contacts cp in the first embodiment along the direction of the first imaginary line C1. The positional relationship of each of the above-mentioned contacts cp has the same relationship as that of each contact cp of the device-side terminal 490. When the substrate 120Td is mounted in a direction along the direction of gravity, the device-side clock contact dcpc, the device-side power contact dcpvd, and the device-side reset contact dcpr are positioned closer to the gravity direction side, i.e., the +Z direction side, than the device-side data contact dcpd. Furthermore, at least one of the device-side clock contact dcpc, device-side power contact dcpvd, and device-side reset contact dcpr is positioned such that when the contact dcp is projected onto the second imaginary line C2, the projection is between the projection position swd of the device-side data contact dcpd and the projection position swvs of the device-side ground contact dcpvs.

[0163] A4-6. Other Embodiments Related to the Substrate 6: Figure 27 shows two substrates 120U and 120V as other embodiments related to the substrate 6. The embodiment of the substrate 120bd of substrate 120 is not limited to the first embodiment described above. Substrate 120U is commonly used for four liquid containing containers 100A to 100D. In this case, the four liquid containing containers 100A to 100D can also be integrally formed. Substrate 120U includes a first substrate region 120UA, a second substrate region 120UB, a third substrate region 120UC, and a fourth substrate region 120UD. The first substrate region 120UA is a region where terminals 290 for liquid containing container 100A are disposed. The second substrate region 120UB is a region where terminals 290 for liquid containing container 100B are disposed. The third substrate region 120UC is a region where terminals 290 for liquid containing container 100C are disposed. The fourth substrate region 120UD is a region where terminals 290 for liquid containment containers 100D are disposed. The first substrate region 120UA to the fourth substrate region 120UD can also be considered as separate, independent substrates. On the back surface 120fb of the substrate 120U, four devices 130A to 130D for the four liquid containment containers 100A to 100D are disposed. The terminals 290 of each substrate region 120UA to 120UD are connected to the corresponding devices 130A to 130D via through-holes disposed in a wiring pattern layer (not shown) or in the substrate 120U. Here, a power supply voltage VDD is supplied to each device 130A to 130D via a common power supply terminal 230. In this embodiment, the common power supply terminal 230 is disposed at the terminal 290 of the first substrate region 120UA. Therefore, in substrate 120U, power terminals 230 are not provided in the terminals 290 of the second substrate region 120UB to the fourth substrate region 120UD. As described above, a portion of the terminals 290 can also be used by a plurality of devices 130A to 130D.

[0164] In the first embodiment described above, the substrate 120bd of the substrate 120 is composed of a single component, but is not limited thereto, and may also be composed of a plurality of substrates. In the substrate 120V, the device 130 and the terminal 290 are disposed on different substrates 124a and 124b, rather than a single substrate. The substrate 120V has a first substrate 124a and a second substrate 124b. The first substrate 124a and the second substrate 124b are electrically connected by conductive lines EL or the like. The first substrate 124a and the second substrate 124b are made of different materials. The first substrate 124a is, for example, a rigid substrate, and the second substrate 124b is a sheet substrate. The device 130 is molded onto the front surface 120faa of the first substrate 124a by resin 139. The terminal 290 is disposed on the front surface 120fab of the second substrate 124b.

[0165] A4-7. Other Embodiments Related to the Substrate 7: FIG28 is a diagram showing the substrate 120X of another embodiment related to the substrate. In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG5, there are five types of terminals 290, namely data terminals 210, clock terminals 220, power terminals 230, reset terminals 240, and ground terminals 250, but it is not limited to these, and there may be fewer than five types. For example, the substrate 120X has data terminals 210, clock terminals 220, power terminals 230, and ground terminals 250. The substrate 120X does not have reset terminals 240. In this case, the reset signal RST is generated, for example, in the processing unit 136 of the device 130 using the clock signal SCK. For example, the power terminal 230 may not be provided in the substrate 120X. In this case, the power supply voltage VDD is generated, for example, in the processing unit 136 of the device 130 using the clock signal SCK. For example, a power terminal 230 may be provided in the substrate 120X, but a reset terminal 240 may not be provided. Thus, the terminal 290 in the first embodiment described above may also lack at least one of the reset terminal 240 and the power terminal 230. In this embodiment, the terminals 290 in the substrate 120 other than the ground terminal 250 are referred to as "other terminal groups". In this embodiment, the ground terminal 250 may also be referred to as the first terminal. The data terminal 210 may also be referred to as the second terminal. The clock terminal 220 may also be referred to as the third terminal. The ground contact portion cpvs may also be referred to as the first contact portion. The data contact portion cpd may also be referred to as the second contact portion. The clock contact portion cpc may also be referred to as the third contact portion.

[0166] A4-8. Other embodiments related to the substrate 8: In embodiments of the present invention, the arrangement of the terminals 290 and the contact portion cp may also be an interchange with respect to the first imaginary line C1. Alternatively, the terminals constituting the first row and the terminals constituting the second row may be interchanged.

[0167] A4-9. Other Embodiments of the Liquid Container 1: The liquid container of the present invention is not limited to the liquid container 100 shown in FIG3, and may also be of other configurations. Hereinafter, other embodiments of the liquid container 100 will be described. For the liquid container 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG3 and FIG4, and other embodiments of the liquid container, the same symbols are used to indicate the same configurations, and descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the configuration of the printing device 20, such as the housing section 4, shown in FIG4 is modified according to the configuration of the liquid container.

[0168] FIG29 is a perspective view of a liquid container 100p as another embodiment 1 of a liquid container. The liquid container 100p includes a liquid container body 101, a liquid supply section 104 having a liquid supply port 104op, and a substrate 120. The liquid container body 101 forms an ink chamber 150 for storing ink inside. The liquid supply section 104 is formed on the bottom wall 101wb and communicates with the ink chamber 150. The substrate 120 is disposed at the corner 89 where the third wall 101wb and the second wall 101wr of the liquid container body 101 intersect. After the second container engaging part 320 of the first wall 101wf engages with the recess of the receiving section 4, the liquid container 100p is rotated and moved in the rotational mounting direction RD with the second container engaging part 320 as a fulcrum, thereby mounting it on the receiving section 4. In the installed state, the protruding first container engaging portion 310 of the second wall 101wr engages with the retaining rod of the receiving portion 4. In this embodiment, the installation direction MD includes components of the +Z direction and the -Y direction, and the first direction FD includes both positive and negative components of the Z direction and both positive and negative components of the Y direction.

[0169] A4-10. Another Embodiment 2 of the Liquid Container: FIG30 is a perspective view of a liquid container 100q as another embodiment 2 of the liquid container. FIG31 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the substrate 120 of the liquid container 100q. As shown in FIG30, the liquid container 100q includes a liquid container 101, a liquid supply section 104 having a liquid supply port 104op, and a substrate 120. Inside the liquid container 101, a liquid storage bag (not shown) for storing ink is disposed. The liquid storage bag is flexible and functions as an ink chamber 150. The liquid supply section 104 is disposed in the liquid storage bag and disposed in the opening 424 formed in the front wall 101wf of the liquid container 101. The substrate 120 is disposed at the corner 89a where the second wall 101wr and the fourth wall 101wu of the liquid container 101 intersect. The corner 89a is a recessed portion that is recessed into the inside of the liquid container 101. In this embodiment, the installation direction MD is the -Y direction, and the first direction FD includes both positive and negative components of the Y direction and both positive and negative components of the Z direction.

[0170] A4-11. Another Embodiment 3 of the Liquid Storage Container: FIG32 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container 100r as another embodiment 3 of the liquid storage container. The liquid storage container 100r is mounted in the -Y direction MD. The liquid storage container 100r includes a liquid storage body 101, a liquid supply part 104 having a liquid supply port 104op, and a substrate 120. Inside the liquid storage body 101, a liquid storage bag (not shown) for storing ink is disposed. The liquid storage bag is flexible and functions as an ink chamber 150. The liquid supply part 104 is disposed in the liquid storage bag and disposed in the opening 424 formed in the second wall 101wr of the liquid storage body 101. The substrate 120 is disposed at the corner 89a where the second wall 101wr and the fourth wall 101wu of the liquid storage body 101 intersect. The corner 89a is a recessed portion that is recessed into the inside of the liquid storage body 101. A groove-shaped container-side engaging structure 425 is formed on the third wall 101wb of the liquid container 101. When the liquid container 100r is installed, the container-side engaging structure 425 engages with the protruding device-side engaging structure of the receiving part 4, thereby restricting the movement of the liquid container 100 in the disassembly direction, i.e., the +Y direction. In this embodiment, the installation direction MD is the -Y direction, and the first direction FD includes both positive and negative components of the Y direction and both positive and negative components of the Z direction.

[0171] A4-12. Another embodiment 4 of the liquid containment container: FIG33 is a perspective view of a liquid containment container 100s as another embodiment 4 of the liquid containment container. The liquid containment container 100s is detachably contained in the housing 61 of the printing apparatus 20, which is provided in a pull-out manner, and is installed together with the housing 61 on the printing apparatus 20. The liquid containment container 100s has a liquid containment bag 111 and a connecting member 112 installed at one end of the liquid containment bag 111 in the -Y direction direction. In this embodiment, the liquid containment bag 111 and the connecting member 112 function as a liquid containment body. The liquid containment bag 111 is flexible. On the -Y direction direction side of the liquid containment bag 111, which functions as an ink chamber 150, a liquid supply section 104 with a liquid supply port 104op is provided. The liquid supply section 104 is disposed in the opening 424 formed in the second wall 101wr of the connecting member 112. The substrate 120 is disposed in the recess, i.e., the corner 89a, formed in the second wall 101wr of the connecting member 112. In this embodiment, the mounting direction MD is the -Y direction, and the first direction FD includes both positive and negative components of the Y direction and both positive and negative components of the Z direction.

[0172] A4-13. Another embodiment 5 of the liquid containing container: FIG34 is a perspective view of a liquid containing container 100w as another embodiment 5 of the liquid containing container. In the liquid containing container 100w, the substrate 120 is disposed on the fourth wall 101wu, which is a horizontal plane, in the installed state. The fourth wall 101wu forms the upper wall in the installed state. The liquid containing container 100w, like the liquid containing container 100 shown in FIG3 and FIG4, includes a liquid containing body 101 and a liquid supply part 104 having a liquid supply port 104op. Inside the liquid containing body 101, a flexible liquid containing bag (not shown) is disposed to contain ink. The liquid containing bag functions as an ink chamber 150. The liquid supply part 104 is disposed in the liquid containing bag at the opening 424 formed in the second wall 101wr of the liquid containing body 101. In this embodiment, the installation direction MD is the -Y direction, and the first direction FD is the positive and negative sides of the Y direction.

[0173] A4-14. Another embodiment of the liquid containing container 6: FIG35 is a perspective view of a liquid containing container 100x as another embodiment of the liquid containing container 6. In the liquid containing container 100x, the substrate 120 is disposed on the fifth wall 101wsa, which is a vertical surface, in the installed state. The fifth wall 101wsa forms a side wall in the installed state. The liquid containing container 100x, like the liquid containing container 100 shown in FIG3 and FIG4, includes a liquid containing body 101 and a liquid supply part 104 having a liquid supply port 104op. Inside the liquid containing body 101, a flexible liquid containing bag (not shown) is disposed to contain ink. The liquid containing bag functions as an ink chamber 150. The liquid supply part 104 is disposed in the liquid containing bag at the opening 424 formed in the second wall 101wr of the liquid containing body 101. In this embodiment, the installation direction MD is the -Y direction, and the first direction FD is the positive and negative sides of the Y direction.

[0174] A4-15. Other Embodiment 7 of Liquid Container: FIG36 is a diagram showing a liquid container 100y as another embodiment 7 of the liquid container. As shown in FIG3 and FIG4, the liquid container 100 of the first embodiment described above is integrally formed with the liquid container 101 and the substrate 120, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid container 100y has a liquid container 101ya forming an ink chamber 150 and a base 101yb on which the substrate 120 is mounted. A liquid supply part 104 is formed in the liquid container 101ya. The liquid container 101ya is detachably received in the concave base 101yb. The base 101yb functions as a shell for receiving the liquid container 101ya. An opening 134 for the liquid supply part 104 to pass through is formed on the third wall 101wb of the base 101yb. The liquid container 101ya can be fixed to the base 101yb using a fixing member not shown. The liquid containment body 101ya may not be fixed to the base 101yb.

[0175] A4-16. Other Embodiment 8 of Liquid Containing Container: Figure 37 shows liquid containing containers 100g and 100h as another embodiment 8 of liquid containing containers. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the liquid containing container 100 of the first embodiment described above has a plurality of terminals 290 and devices 130 disposed on a substrate 120bd, but is not limited thereto. In the liquid containing container 100g, the plurality of terminals 290 and devices 130 are disposed directly on the second wall 101wr of the liquid containing body 101 without passing through the substrate 120bd. The plurality of terminals 290 and devices 130 are electrically connected by wiring patterns (not shown). Thus, the liquid containing body 101, the plurality of terminals 290 and devices 130 can also be integrally constructed as the liquid containing container 100g.

[0176] In the liquid containment container 100h, a plurality of terminals 290 are directly disposed on the second wall 101wr of the liquid containment body 101 without passing through the substrate 120bd. The device 130 is disposed on the mounting substrate 120h and disposed on the second wall 101wr of the liquid containment body 101 via the mounting substrate 120h. The plurality of terminals 290 and the device 130 are electrically connected by wiring patterns not shown. Thus, the liquid containment body 101 and the plurality of terminals 290 can also be integrally constructed as the liquid containment container 100h, while the device 130 is constructed separately.

[0177] A4-17. Other Embodiment 9 of Liquid Storage Container: FIG38 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container 100z as another embodiment 9 of the liquid storage container. FIG39 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the substrate 120 of the liquid storage container 100z. The XYZ axis system shown in each figure of the other embodiment 9 is based on the state when the liquid storage container 100z has been inserted into the following storage part of the printing apparatus. When the liquid storage container 100z is installed in the printing apparatus, two installation operations are performed. In this embodiment, the first direction FD has a Y direction component and a Z direction component, and the second direction SD is the X direction. As shown in FIG38, the liquid storage container 100z includes a liquid storage body 101z, a liquid supply part 104 having a liquid supply port 104op, and a substrate 120. The liquid storage body 101z has a storage body 101za that can contain liquid, and a cover member 101zb installed on the storage body 101za. A liquid supply section 104 is disposed at an opening 424, which is formed on the third wall 101wb of the liquid container 101z formed by the cover member 101zb. A substrate 120 is disposed at the corner 89z where the second wall 101wr and the third wall 101wb of the liquid container 101z intersect. The corner 89z is a recessed portion that is recessed into the inner side of the liquid container 101z.

[0178] As shown in Figure 39, the orientation of the substrate 120 is different from that in Figure 5. The data terminal 210 and the reset terminal 240 are located on the -Z side of the clock terminal 220, the power terminal 230 and the ground terminal 250.

[0179] Figure 40 is the first figure illustrating the process of installing the liquid container 100z onto the receiving section 4z of the printing apparatus. Figure 41 is the second figure illustrating the process of installing the liquid container 100z onto the receiving section 4z of the printing apparatus. Figure 42 shows the completed installation state of the liquid container 100z. The receiving section 4z is located in a different location from the print head (not shown). The receiving section 4z and the print head are connected by a liquid flow tube (not shown). The liquid in the liquid container 100z installed in the receiving section 4z is supplied to the print head through the liquid flow tube.

[0180] As shown in Figure 40, regarding the liquid containment container 100z, by moving the liquid containment container 100z in the horizontal direction, i.e., the first installation direction MD1, the liquid containment container 100z is inserted into the installation chamber 65 of the containment part 4z through the loading and unloading opening 474. The first installation direction MD1 is the -Y direction.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 41, the liquid containing container 100z is pushed forward in the first mounting direction MD1, thereby completing the contact between the device-side terminal 490 of the connecting mechanism 400 of the containing part 4z and the terminal 290 of the substrate 120. By pressing the second wall 101wr side of the liquid containing container 100z shown in FIG. 41, the liquid containing container 100z rotates and moves about the rotation fulcrum Rp provided in the containing part 4z in the second mounting direction MD2, which has a gravity component. The second mounting direction MD2 has components in the +Z direction and the +Y direction.

[0182] As shown in FIG42, when the liquid container 100z has completed its rotational movement in the second mounting direction MD2, the liquid supply section 104 of the liquid container 100z is connected to the liquid inlet section 6 of the container section 4z. In this embodiment, both the first mounting direction MD1 and the second mounting direction MD2 are mounting directions MD.

[0183] A4-18. Other embodiments of the liquid containment container 10: In the first embodiment and other embodiments described above, the liquid containment container 100 is an ink cartridge, but it is not limited to this. The liquid containment container 100 may also be a waste liquid containment container, for example. The waste liquid containment container is, for example, a container that contains waste liquid ejected from the nozzle of the print head 5 when the printing apparatus 20 has performed cleaning of the print head 5.

[0184] A4-19. Other Embodiments of the Printing System 1: The printing system of the present invention is not limited to the printing system 1000 shown in FIG1. ​​FIG43 is a diagram showing the printing system 1000A as another embodiment 1 of the printing system. In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG1, a configuration called "on carriage" is adopted, that is, the liquid containing container 100 is mounted on the carriage 30, but it is not limited thereto. A configuration called "off carriage" can also be adopted, that is, the liquid containing container 100 is mounted in a place other than the carriage 30. The printing system 1000A is an off carriage type printing system, which includes a printing device 20A and a liquid containing container 100T. The printing device 20A includes a carriage 30 with a print head 5. The liquid containing container 100T is detachably mounted on a container mounting part 600 located in a place other than the carriage 30. The liquid container 100T, like the liquid container 100 of the first embodiment, includes a liquid container body, a liquid container section with an ink supply port, and a substrate. The printing apparatus 20A, for example, is equipped with liquid containers 100q to 100x as shown in Figures 30 to 35. The printing apparatus 20A, like the printing apparatus 20, performs connection status determination processing.

[0185] A4-20. Another Embodiment 2 of the Printing System: FIG44 is a diagram showing a printing system 1000C as another embodiment 2 of the printing system. In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG1, a receiving part 4 for detachably mounting a liquid receiving container 100 is disposed in the body of the printing apparatus 20, but the position of the receiving part 4 is not limited thereto. In the printing system 1000C shown in FIG45, the receiving part 4C of the printing apparatus 20C is disposed outside the body 201 of the printing apparatus 20C. As shown in FIG7A and FIG7C, the receiving part 4C includes a liquid inlet 6, a connecting mechanism 400, and a sub-control board 500. The liquid inlet 6 and the print head 5 disposed in the body 201 are connected by a flexible liquid flow tube 105. A plurality of liquid flow tubes 105 are provided according to the number of liquid inlet parts 6. The plurality of liquid flow tubes 105 are housed in a protective tube 106. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 20C includes a bus 107 that connects the sub-control board 500 to a main control unit 40 (not shown) located within the main body 201, and transmits and receives various signals. The liquid container 100 shown in FIG44, like the liquid container 100 of the first embodiment described above, includes a liquid container, a liquid supply unit with a liquid supply port, and a board. The printing apparatus 20C, like the printing apparatus 20, performs connection status determination processing.

[0186] A4-21. Other Embodiment 3 of the Printing System: Figure 45 shows a printing system 1000D as another embodiment 3 of the printing system. Similar to the first embodiment described above, the printing system 1000D includes four liquid storage containers 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D, and the printing apparatus 20 shown in Figure 1. The liquid storage containers 100A to 100D can be formed integrally or individually. Liquid is replenished to the liquid storage containers 100A to 100D via an external liquid storage section 814 and a liquid flow pipe 812 disposed outside the printing system 1000D. In Figure 45, the elements in the liquid storage section 814 and the liquid flow pipe 812 corresponding to each liquid storage container 100A to 100D are labeled with "A" to "D" at the end.

[0187] A4-22. Other Embodiment 4 of the Printing System: Figure 46 shows a printing system 1000E as another embodiment 4 of the printing system. The printing system 1000E includes a base 101E having a substrate 120, a liquid container 824 for containing liquid, a liquid flow pipe 822, and a printing apparatus 20 as shown in Figure 1. The base 101E is detachably and freely mounted on the receiving part 4. The liquid flow pipe 822 connects the liquid container 824 to the liquid inlet part 6, and functions as a liquid supply part. The portion of the liquid flow pipe 822 connected to the liquid inlet part 6 functions as a liquid supply port. There are four bases 101E, four liquid flow pipes 822, and four liquid containers 824. In the printing system 1000E, the term "installation completed state" means that the base 101E having the substrate 120 has been installed on the printing apparatus 20, and there is no short circuit between the terminals 290. In this embodiment, "substrate 120 has been mounted on printing apparatus 20" means that substrate 120 has been physically mounted on printing apparatus 20, and the contact portion cp of terminal 290 is electrically connected to device-side terminal 490. Data terminal 210 of substrate 120 is used to detect whether substrate 120 has been mounted on printing apparatus 20. Mounting determination unit 412 of printing apparatus 20 determines whether substrate 120 has been mounted. First response signal RT1 and second response signal RT2 are signals used by printing apparatus 20 to determine whether substrate 120 has been mounted on printing apparatus 20.

[0188] A4-23. Other embodiments related to electrical and software configurations: In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG1, four liquid containing containers 100A to 100D are detachably mounted on the housing section 4, but the number of liquid containing containers 100 detachably mounted on the housing section 4 is not limited to this. Hereinafter, using FIG47A and FIG47B, a timing diagram of the connection state determination process of a printing system 1000 in which six liquid containing containers 100 are detachably mounted on the housing section 4 will be described. The six liquid containing containers 100 may contain, for example, inks of different colors. FIG47A and FIG47B are schematic timing diagrams showing the input and output signals to the terminals 290 of the liquid containing containers 100 in the installed state. FIG47A is a first timing diagram of a printing system 1000 having six liquid containing containers 100A to 100F. Figure 47B is the second timing diagram of the printing system 1000 having six liquid containing containers 100A to 100F. Figure 47A is equivalent to Figure 11A, and Figure 47B is equivalent to Figure 11B. VDD, RST, SCK, SDA1 to SDA6 shown in Figures 47A and 47B represent signals transmitted or received or supplied voltages via the corresponding lines LVDD, LRST, LSCK, and LSDA1 to LSDA6 through the corresponding terminals 290.

[0189] The difference between the request signal RS shown in Figure 47A and the request signal RS shown in Figure 11A is that the bits of the period D4 and D3 of the CMT during the instruction period shown in Figure 47A are allocated to specify the fifth liquid containment container 100E and the sixth liquid containment container 100F. In the request signal RS sent via the data line LSDA5 of the device 130E connected to the liquid containment container 100E, the second bit of the first identification data DB1 is a high level, and the remaining bits are low levels. In the request signal RS sent via the data line LSDA6 of the device 130F connected to the liquid containment container 100F, the first bit of the first identification data DB1 is a high level, and the remaining bits are low levels.

[0190] The timing diagram shown in Figure 47B differs from that shown in Figure 11B in that it includes additional waveforms of the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS corresponding to the liquid containment containers 100E and 100F. During the first response period RT1, device 130E of liquid containment container 100E outputs the first response signal FS to data terminal 210 during period D4, and during the second response period RT2, it outputs the second response signal SS to data terminal 210 during period D4. During the first response period RT1, device 130F of liquid containment container 100F outputs the first response signal FS to data terminal 210 during period D3, and during the second response period RT2, it outputs the second response signal SS to data terminal 210 during period D3.

[0191] Figure 48 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of a printing system 1000 having six liquid containment containers 100A to 100F. In Figure 48, components identical to those shown in Figure 8 are labeled with the same symbols, and descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The difference between the electrical configuration in Figure 48 and that in Figure 8, the lines LSDA, LRST, LSCK, and LVDD, except for the grounding line LVSS, are independently configured for the four liquid containment containers 100A to 100D, while in Figure 48, the lines LRST, LSCK, and LVDD, except for the data line LSDA, are shared by multiple devices 130. Furthermore, the grounding line LVSS in Figure 48 is also shared by devices 130A to 130F for the six liquid containment containers 100A to 100F.

[0192] As shown in Figure 48, the power line LVDD2, electrically connected to the main unit terminal HVDD2 of the sub-control unit 50, is electrically connected to two devices 130B and 130E in the installed state. The reset line LRST2, electrically connected to the main unit terminal HRST2 of the sub-control unit 50, is electrically connected to two devices 130B and 130C in the installed state. The clock line LSCK2, electrically connected to the main unit terminal HSCK2 of the sub-control unit 50, is electrically connected to two devices 130B and 130D in the installed state. The power line LVDD4, electrically connected to the main unit terminal HVDD4 of the sub-control unit 50, is electrically connected to two devices 130C and 130D in the installed state. The reset line LRST4, electrically connected to the main unit terminal HRST4 of the sub-control unit 50, is electrically connected to two devices 130D and 130E in the installed state. When the clock line LSCK4, which is electrically connected to the main unit terminal HSCK4 of the sub-control unit 50, is installed, it is electrically connected to two devices 130C and 130E. The lines LSDA1, LVDD1, LRST1, and LSCK1 electrically connected to device 130A, and the lines LSDA6, LVDD6, LRST6, and LSCK6 electrically connected to device 130F, can be used independently without sharing with other devices 130.

[0193] Regarding the electrical configuration of the printing system 1000 shown in FIG. 48, a portion of the configuration can also be applied to the printing system 1000 shown in FIG. 1, which has four liquid containing containers 100A to 100D. For example, the liquid containing containers 100B to 100E shown in FIG. 48 can be replaced with the liquid containing containers 100A to 100D of the printing system 1000 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the liquid containing containers 100A, 100B, 100E, and 100F shown in FIG. 48 can be replaced with the liquid containing containers 100A to 100D of the printing system 1000 shown in FIG. 1.

[0194] A4-24. Other Embodiments Related to the Device 1: In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG6, the device 130 includes a processing unit 136 and a memory unit 138, but is not limited thereto. FIG49 shows devices 130a and 130b as other embodiments 1 related to the device 130. Device 130a includes a processing unit 136, but does not include a memory unit 138. The memory unit 138 may also be separated from the device 130. In this case, the memory unit 138 is electrically connected to the processing unit 136 of device 130b. Device 130b includes a first processing unit 136a, a second processing unit 136b, and a memory unit 138. The first processing unit 136a is connected to the memory unit 138. The second processing unit 136b is connected to the first processing unit 136a and terminals 210 to 250. In this embodiment, the first processing unit 136a and the second processing unit 136b together function as processing units. Thus, the device 130b may also have a plurality of processing units 136a and 136b.

[0195] A4-25. Other embodiments related to the device 2: In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG11C, the first acknowledge signal FS is output during the entire period when the clock signal SCK is at a high level, but is not limited thereto. For example, the device 130 may also output the first acknowledge signal FS to the data terminal 210 during a portion of the period when the clock signal SCK is at a high level. For example, the device 130 may also output the first acknowledge signal FS first during the period when the clock signal SCK is at a high level, and then set the drive state of the data terminal 210 to high impedance. For example, the device 130 may also output the first acknowledge signal FS including the low level during one cycle of the clock signal SCK, during the period when the clock signal SCK is at a low level and during the period when the clock signal is at a high level.

[0196] A4-26. Other embodiments related to the device 3: In the first embodiment described above, in the connection state determination process, as shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the frequency of the clock signal SCK is fixed, but it can also be variable. For example, the frequency of the clock signal SCK during the second response period RT2 can be set lower than the frequency of the clock signal SCK during the first response period RT1. The second response signal SS contains different voltages. During the second response period RT2, the frequency of the clock signal SCK can also be set lower than that during the first response period RT1, so that the second response signal SS takes longer to be output than the first response signal FS.

[0197] A4-27. Other embodiments related to the device 4: In the first embodiment described above, the processing unit 136 of the device 130 may also sequentially and repeatedly set the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2 during the period when the reset signal RST is at a high level, thereby repeatedly outputting the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS. The processing unit 136 of the device 130 may also output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210 when, after outputting the low level voltage of the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210, the request signal RS is input to the data terminal 210 again.

[0198] A4-28. Other embodiments related to the device 5: In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG11B, the rise and fall of the clock signal SCK are in the same timing sequence as the rise and fall of signals such as the first response signal FS of RT1 during the first response period and the second response signal SS of RT2 during the second response period, but are not limited thereto. For example, the rise and fall of signals such as the first response signal FS of RT1 during the first response period and the second response signal SS of RT2 during the second response period may also be later than the rise and fall of the clock signal SCK.

[0199] A4-29. Other embodiments related to the device 6: In the first embodiment described above, the processing units 136A-136D of devices 130A-130D output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210 during different periods of the clock signal SCK, but this is not limited to this. For example, the processing units 136A-136D of devices 130A-130D may also output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS during the same period of the clock signal SCK. In the connection status determination process, the printing device 20 transmits and receives signals via each data line LSDA1-LSDA4 of each device 130A-130D electrically connected to them. Therefore, even if the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS are output from devices 130A to 130D to data terminal 210 within the same cycle of the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2, the sub-control unit 50 of the printing apparatus 20 can detect the voltage output from data terminal 210 in the first timing t1 to the third timing t3 respectively. In this case, the corresponding bit of the request signal RS during the command period CMT is set to a high level.

[0200] For example, the processing units 136A-136D of devices 130A-130D may output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210 during all cycles D3 to D8 of the first response period RT1 and the second response period RT2. In this case, the first timing t1 may also be set during all cycles D3 to D8 of the first response period RT1. The second timing t2 and the third timing t3 may also be set during all cycles D3 to D8 of the second response period RT2.

[0201] A4-30. Other embodiments of the device 7: In the first embodiment described above, the processing units 136A-136D of devices 130A-130D output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210 during period D8 to period D5 of the first response period, but this is not limited to this. For example, the processing units 136A-136D of devices 130A-130D may also output the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS to the data terminal 210 during period D5 to period D8 of the first response period. In this case, the corresponding bit of the request signal RS during the instruction period CMT is set to a high level.

[0202] A4-31. Other embodiments related to the device 8: In the first embodiment described above, the device 130 inputs a request signal RS to the data terminal 210 and outputs a first response signal FS and a second response signal SS to the data terminal 210. However, the terminal to which the request signal RS is input can also be a terminal other than the data terminal 210. Similarly, the terminal to which the first response signal FS and the second response signal SS are output can also be a terminal other than the data terminal 210. In this case, the device 130 is connected to the terminal.

[0203] B. Other Embodiments: The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented using various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features of embodiments corresponding to the technical features described below may be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above problems, or to achieve some or all of the above objectives. Technical features that are not described as essential elements in this specification may be appropriately deleted. The following embodiments do not necessarily possess all the components of the present invention. The following embodiments only need to possess the minimum configuration sufficient to solve the above problems or achieve the above objectives. The effects corresponding to one embodiment are independent of the effects corresponding to other embodiments unless specifically stated otherwise. In combined embodiments, the effects corresponding to the combined embodiments are achieved.

[0204] (1) According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a substrate is provided, which is mounted on a printing apparatus and configured to contact a plurality of device-side terminals; the printing apparatus includes: a print head; a liquid inlet portion that introduces liquid into the print head; a receiving portion that is provided with the liquid inlet portion and receives a liquid receiving container; and the plurality of device-side terminals, which are provided in the receiving portion. The substrate includes: a substrate, a device disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of terminals disposed on the substrate. The plurality of terminals includes at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal. The first terminal is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that should contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The second terminal is connected to the device and includes a second contact portion that should contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The third terminal is connected to the device and includes a third contact portion that should contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that should contact a corresponding fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that should contact a corresponding fifth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The first terminal... The device is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals. Viewed from above, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first and second imaginary lines. When all contacts of all terminals on the substrate are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contacts are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions furthest apart. Relative to the first imaginary line, one region is designated as the first region, and another region as the second region. A portion of the contacts is disposed in the first region, and the remaining contacts are disposed in the second region. The portion of contacts includes the first, second, third, and fourth contacts, and the remaining contacts include the fifth contact. The portion of contacts and the remaining contacts are asymmetrically arranged relative to the first imaginary line.

[0205] Foreign objects easily accumulate at the contact portions of terminals. For example, foreign objects may sometimes get stuck between device-side terminals. For example, when the terminals of the substrate are positioned on a surface containing the direction of gravity, if a foreign object enters laterally into the substrate from the direction of gravity, it will be intercepted by the contact portions of the terminals and remain there. For example, if the foreign object is a liquid, the liquid tends to accumulate at the contact portions of the terminals due to capillary forces. Therefore, by specifying the arrangement of the contact portions of the terminals, rather than specifying the arrangement of the terminals themselves, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed regardless of the area and shape of the terminals. In this embodiment, regarding the substrate, a first contact portion, a second contact portion, a third contact portion, and a fourth contact portion are arranged in a first region, and a fifth contact portion, which is intended to suppress short circuits with other contact portions, is arranged in a second region. By arranging the contact portions in this way, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed. The reason is that the fifth contact portion is separated from the contact portions of other terminals, ensuring a distance from other contact portions, thus suppressing the possibility of a short circuit between the fifth contact portion and other contact portions. Furthermore, although foreign matter easily accumulates near the contact portions, because the fifth contact portion is kept at a distance from other contact portions, foreign matter accumulated on the fifth contact portion is less likely to reach the contact portions of other terminals compared to a situation where the fifth contact portion is arranged close to other contact portions. Also, foreign matter accumulated on the first to fourth contact portions is less likely to reach the contact portion of the fifth terminal. This point remains the same regardless of the area and shape of the terminal. Examples of foreign matter include conductive liquids such as ink and pet urine; conductive solids such as metal wire, staples, and mechanical pencil lead. Regardless of the actual probability of such foreign matter being generated, as long as the probability is not zero, a short circuit may occur due to foreign matter. In this embodiment, this possibility can be suppressed.

[0206] To suppress short circuits between terminals, a plurality of terminals may include a contact portion that is intended to be isolated from other contacts. When the contact portion intended to be isolated is designated as the fifth contact portion, the first to fourth contacts are disposed in one region, namely the first region, relative to the first imaginary line, and the fifth contact portion is disposed in another region, namely the second region. That is, the contact portion in the first region and the contact portion in the second region are disposed on the substrate in an asymmetrical manner relative to the first imaginary line.

[0207] In this embodiment, all contacts are arranged such that they are projected at different positions along the direction of the second imaginary line. When the direction of the first imaginary line includes the mounting direction, if a foreign object is present, it may be hooked by the device-side terminals during the installation of the liquid containing container onto the printing apparatus, potentially causing a short circuit between the terminals. By arranging all contacts on the substrate in such a way that they are projected at different positions along the second imaginary line, the possibility of a short circuit can be suppressed. Considering the first contact, the contacts other than the first contact are not located on a straight line along the first imaginary line passing through the first contact. The contacts other than the first contact are located along the direction of the second imaginary line. The same positional relationship applies to the contacts other than the first contact. Therefore, the probability of a short circuit occurring in the direction including the direction along the second imaginary line is higher than the probability of a short circuit occurring in the direction along the first imaginary line. By specifying the arrangement of contacts along the direction of the second imaginary line, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed. Alternatively, by arranging all contacts on the substrate in a manner that projects them onto the second imaginary line at different positions, the spacing between contacts on the substrate along the direction of the second imaginary line can be ensured, thereby suppressing the possibility of short circuits between terminals.

[0208] (2) In the above embodiment, at least one of the second, third, and fourth contact portions may be arranged such that it is projected between the projection position of the first contact portion and the projection position of the fifth contact portion. According to this embodiment, at least one of the second, third, and fourth contact portions is arranged such that it is projected between the projection position of the first contact portion and the projection position of the fifth contact portion, thereby creating a certain gap between the first and fifth contact portions in the direction along the second imaginary line. In this way, the first and fifth contact portions can be separated relative to each other in the direction along the second imaginary line, thus suppressing the possibility of a short circuit between the first and fifth terminals.

[0209] (3) In the above embodiment, any two or more of the second, third, and fourth contact portions may be arranged such that they are projected between the projection position of the first contact portion and the projection position of the fifth contact portion. According to this embodiment, two or more other contact portions are arranged between the projection positions of the first and fifth contact portions on the second imaginary line, thereby creating a certain gap between the first and fifth contact portions in the direction along the second imaginary line. This allows the first and fifth contact portions to be relatively separated in the direction along the second imaginary line, thus further suppressing the possibility of a short circuit between the first and fifth terminals.

[0210] (4) In the above embodiment, the first contact portion may also be arranged such that it is projected between the projection positions of any two of the second, third, and fourth contact portions. According to this embodiment, the first contact portion is arranged such that it is projected between the projection positions of any two of the second, third, and fourth contact portions, thereby creating a certain interval between the contact portions arranged to sandwich the first contact portion in the direction along the second imaginary line. In this way, the contact portions can be relatively separated in the direction along the second imaginary line, thus further suppressing the possibility of short circuits occurring between the terminals having the contact portions.

[0211] (5) In the above embodiment, the first contact portion may be a data contact portion, the first terminal may be a data terminal, the second contact portion may be a clock contact portion, the second terminal may be a clock terminal, the third contact portion may be a reset contact portion, the third terminal may be a reset terminal, the fourth contact portion may be a power contact portion, the fourth terminal may be a power terminal, the fifth contact portion may be a ground contact portion, and the fifth terminal may be a ground terminal. According to this embodiment, the possibility of short circuit between the ground terminal and the data terminal, clock terminal, reset terminal, and power terminal can be suppressed.

[0212] (6) In the above embodiment, either or both of the data contact portion and the reset contact portion may be arranged such that they are projected between the projection position of the power contact portion and the projection position of the clock contact portion, and the reset contact portion is arranged such that its projection position is adjacent to the projection position of the power contact portion. The period during which the clock signal is at a low level is longer than the period during which the reset signal is at a low level. That is, the load on the device when the power terminal and the clock terminal are short-circuited is greater than the load on the substrate when the power terminal and the reset terminal are short-circuited. Therefore, it is better to suppress the short circuit between the power terminal and the clock terminal than to suppress the short circuit between the power terminal and the reset terminal. According to this embodiment, a certain distance is generated between the power contact portion and the clock contact portion in the direction along the second imaginary line. In this way, the power contact portion and the clock contact portion can be separated relative to each other in the direction along the second imaginary line, thus further suppressing the possibility of a short circuit between the power terminal and the clock terminal. This can relatively suppress the load on the substrate when a short circuit occurs.

[0213] (7) In the above embodiment, the power contact portion may also be arranged such that its projected position is adjacent to the projected position of the data contact portion. According to this embodiment, the driving capability of the power terminal is higher than that of the data terminal. If the data terminal and the power terminal are short-circuited, the voltage of the data terminal is likely to increase. By setting the contact portion adjacent to the data contact portion as the power contact portion along the direction of the second imaginary line, the short circuit can be quickly detected even when the data terminal and the power terminal are short-circuited.

[0214] (8) In the above embodiment, the clock contact portion may also be arranged such that it is projected onto the position furthest from the projection position of the ground contact portion, and the data contact portion, the power contact portion, and the reset contact portion are arranged to be projected sequentially along the second imaginary line from the projection position of the clock contact portion toward the projection position of the ground contact portion. According to this embodiment, the above-mentioned effects are achieved.

[0215] (9) In the above embodiment, the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion may also be longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the clock contact portion. According to this embodiment, the possibility of a short circuit between the data terminal and the ground terminal is suppressed more than the possibility of a short circuit between the data terminal and the clock terminal.

[0216] (10) In the above embodiment, the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion may also be longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the reset contact portion. According to this embodiment, the possibility of a short circuit between the data terminal and the ground terminal is suppressed more than the possibility of a short circuit between the data terminal and the reset terminal.

[0217] (11) In the above embodiment, the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion may also be longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the power contact portion. According to this embodiment, the possibility of a short circuit between the data terminal and the ground terminal is suppressed more than the possibility of a short circuit between the data terminal and the power terminal.

[0218] (12) In the above embodiment, it is also possible to set the distance between the contact portion projected onto the second imaginary line in the first region (excluding the ground contact portion) that is furthest from the projection position of the ground contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line and the ground contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line to be Wa. In the first region (excluding the ground contact portion), the distance between the contact portion projected onto the second imaginary line that is closest to the projection position of the ground contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line and the ground contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is Wa / 2 or more. According to this embodiment, the distance between the contact portion located on the side closest to the ground contact portion in the first region and the ground contact portion along the direction of the second imaginary line can be maintained at Wa / 2 or more, thereby suppressing the possibility of a short circuit between the ground terminal and terminals other than the ground terminal.

[0219] (13) In the above embodiment, it is also possible that: in the first region, among the contact portions other than the grounding contact portion, there are no other contact portions between the contact portion projected onto the second imaginary line at the position closest to the projection position of the grounding contact portion and the grounding contact portion provided in the second region. According to this embodiment, there are no other contact portions between the contact portion located on the side closest to the grounding contact portion in the first region and the grounding contact portion, thus suppressing the possibility of a short circuit between the grounding terminal and terminals other than the grounding terminal.

[0220] (14) In the above embodiment, it is also possible that there are no other contact portions on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact portion and the clock contact portion. According to this embodiment, even if the data terminal and the clock terminal are short-circuited, the short circuit can be detected in advance.

[0221] (15) In the above embodiment, it is also possible that there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the reset contact. According to this embodiment, even if the data terminal and the reset terminal are short-circuited, the short circuit can be detected in advance.

[0222] (16) In the above embodiment, it is also possible that there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the power contact. According to this embodiment, even if there is a short circuit between the data terminal and the power terminal, the short circuit can be detected in advance.

[0223] (17) In the above embodiment, it is also possible that when the substrate is mounted in the direction along the gravity direction, the clock contact, the power contact, and the reset contact are arranged on the gravity direction side closer to the data contact, and at least one of the clock contact, the power contact, and the reset contact is arranged such that it is projected between the projection position of the data contact and the projection position of the ground contact. According to this embodiment, if a foreign object such as a liquid with high conductivity falls along the gravity direction, before the data terminal and the ground terminal are short-circuited, any terminal having a plurality of other contacts besides the data contact is short-circuited, thereby detecting the short circuit between the data terminal and the terminal including the other contacts, thereby suppressing the possibility of a short circuit between the data terminal and the ground terminal.

[0224] (18) In the above embodiment, the clock contact, the data contact, the power contact, the reset contact, and the ground contact may also be arranged in multiple rows. According to this embodiment, the contact portions can be arranged more efficiently in a limited area.

[0225] (19) In the above embodiment, the plurality of rows may also be composed of two rows, and when projected onto the second imaginary line, the two contact portions on the substrate projected adjacently form different rows. According to this embodiment, the contact portions can be configured more efficiently in a limited area.

[0226] (20) In the above embodiment, the data contact and the ground contact may also be arranged in different rows, and any one of the clock contact, the power contact, and the reset contact may be arranged such that it is projected between the projection positions of the data contact and the ground contact. According to this embodiment, by arranging the ground contact and the data contact in different rows and arranging other contacts therebetween, the possibility of a short circuit between the data terminal and the power terminal can be suppressed. Even if a short circuit occurs between the data terminal and a terminal including other contacts, the short circuit can be easily detected.

[0227] (21) In the above embodiment, the first terminal can also be used to detect whether the substrate has been mounted on the printing apparatus. According to this embodiment, the first terminal can be used to detect whether the substrate has been mounted on the printing apparatus.

[0228] (22) In the above embodiment, the fifth terminal may also be a ground terminal, and the voltage supplied to the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal and the fourth terminal may be a voltage that the device can withstand. The voltage that the device can withstand may be, for example, a voltage lower than the voltage used to drive the print head, a voltage that is substantially the same as the power supply voltage, a voltage lower than the device's withstand voltage, or a voltage that will not damage the device and will not cause malfunction. According to this embodiment, by inputting a voltage that the device can withstand, the possibility of device damage and the possibility of malfunction can be suppressed, and even if a short circuit occurs between at least some of the terminals, the printing apparatus can detect the short circuit.

[0229] (23) In the above embodiment, the first imaginary line may also be a direction along the mounting direction of the substrate mounted on the printing apparatus.

[0230] (24) In the above embodiment, the voltage supplied to the fourth terminal can also be used to drive the device.

[0231] (25) In the above embodiment, the device may also output a signal indicating that the first terminal and the terminals other than the first terminal among the plurality of terminals are not short-circuited, and that the substrate has been mounted on the printing device.

[0232] (26) In the above embodiments, the above device may also store information related to the liquid to be contained in the above liquid containment container.

[0233] (27) According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a substrate is provided, which is mounted on a printing apparatus and configured to contact a plurality of device-side terminals; the printing apparatus includes: a print head; a liquid inlet portion that introduces liquid into the print head; a receiving portion that is provided with the liquid inlet portion and receives a liquid receiving container; and the plurality of device-side terminals, which are provided in the receiving portion. The substrate includes: a substrate, a device disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of terminals disposed on the substrate. The plurality of terminals includes: a first terminal connected to the device and including a first contact portion that should contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and other terminal groups. The other terminal groups include at least: a second terminal connected to the device and including a second contact portion that should contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and a third terminal connected to the device and including a third contact portion that should contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The second terminal is used to detect whether the second terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the other terminal groups other than the second terminal. From a top view, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line. When all contacts of all terminals provided on the substrate are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contacts are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions of all contacts that are furthest apart. Relative to the first imaginary line, one region is designated as the first region, and another region is designated as the second region. A portion of the contacts are disposed in the first region, and the remaining contacts are disposed in the second region. The portion of contacts includes the second and third contacts, and the remaining contacts include the first contact. The portion of contacts and the remaining contacts are asymmetrically arranged relative to the first imaginary line.

[0234] Foreign objects easily accumulate at the contact portions of terminals. For example, foreign objects may sometimes get stuck between device-side terminals. For example, when the terminals of the substrate are positioned on a surface containing the direction of gravity, if a foreign object enters laterally into the substrate from the direction of gravity, it will be intercepted by the contact portions of the terminals and remain there. For example, if the foreign object is a liquid, the liquid tends to accumulate at the contact portions of the terminals due to capillary forces. Therefore, by specifying the arrangement of the contact portions of the terminals, rather than specifying the arrangement of the terminals themselves, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed regardless of the area and shape of the terminals. In this embodiment, regarding the substrate, a second contact portion and a third contact portion are arranged in a first region, and a first contact portion, which is intended to suppress short circuits with a portion of the contact portions, is arranged in a second region. By arranging the contact portions in this way, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed. The reason for this is that the first contact portion is separated from the contact portions of other terminals, ensuring a distance from other contact portions, thus suppressing the possibility of short circuits between the first contact portion and other contact portions. Furthermore, although foreign objects tend to accumulate near the contact points, the distance between the first contact point and other contact points ensures that foreign objects accumulating at the first contact point are less likely to reach other terminals compared to situations where the first contact point is positioned close to other contact points. Similarly, foreign objects accumulating at the second and third contact points are less likely to reach the first terminal. This remains true regardless of the area or shape of the terminal.

[0235] In this embodiment, it is sufficient that other terminal groups include at least the second and third terminals. For example, when other terminal groups only contain the second and third terminals, the number of contacts on the substrate can be reduced. The freedom of arrangement of contacts on the substrate is increased, and the possibility of short circuits between terminals can be further suppressed.

[0236] In order to suppress short circuits between terminals, among the plurality of terminals, there are contacts that are preferably arranged separately from other contacts. When the contact that is preferably separated is designated as the first contact, the second and third contacts are arranged in one region, namely the first region, relative to the first imaginary line, and the first contact is arranged in another region, namely the second region. That is, the contacts in the first region and the contacts in the second region are arranged on the substrate in an asymmetrical manner relative to the first imaginary line.

[0237] In this embodiment, all contacts are arranged such that they are projected at different positions along the direction of the second imaginary line. When the direction of the first imaginary line includes the mounting direction, if a foreign object is present, it may be hooked by the device-side terminals during the installation of the liquid containing container onto the printing apparatus, potentially causing a short circuit between the terminals. By arranging all contacts on the substrate in such a way that they are projected at different positions along the second imaginary line, the possibility of a short circuit can be suppressed. Considering the first contact, the contacts other than the first contact are not located on a straight line along the first imaginary line passing through the first contact. The contacts other than the first contact are located along the direction of the second imaginary line. The same positional relationship applies to the contacts other than the first contact. Therefore, the probability of a short circuit occurring in the direction including the direction along the second imaginary line is higher than the probability of a short circuit occurring in the direction along the first imaginary line. By specifying the arrangement of contacts along the direction of the second imaginary line, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed. Alternatively, by arranging all contacts on the substrate in a manner that projects them onto the second imaginary line at different positions, the spacing between contacts on the substrate along the direction of the second imaginary line can be ensured, thereby suppressing the possibility of short circuits between terminals.

[0238] (28) In the above embodiment, the first contact portion may be a ground contact portion, the first terminal may be a ground terminal, the second contact portion may be a data contact portion, the second terminal may be a data terminal, the third contact portion may be a clock contact portion, and the third terminal may be a clock terminal. According to this embodiment, the possibility of short circuit between the ground contact portion and the data contact portion and the clock contact portion can be suppressed.

[0239] (29) According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a substrate is provided, which is mounted on a printing apparatus and configured to contact a plurality of device-side terminals; the printing apparatus includes: a print head; a liquid inlet portion that introduces liquid into the print head; a receiving portion that is provided with the liquid inlet portion and receives a liquid receiving container; and the plurality of device-side terminals, which are provided in the receiving portion. The aforementioned plurality of device-side terminals include a first device-side terminal, a second device-side terminal, a third device-side terminal, a fourth device-side terminal, and a fifth device-side terminal. Viewed from above, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as a first imaginary line and a second imaginary line. When the projection positions of the contact portions of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth device-side terminals onto the second imaginary line are designated as the first projection position, the second projection position, the third projection position, the fourth projection position, and the fifth projection position, respectively, and when the contact portions of all device-side terminals are projected onto the second imaginary line, the contact portions of all device-side terminals are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through all the device-side terminals. The middle of the two projection positions of the contact portion of the terminal is the farthest from each other. When one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals are disposed in the first region, and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals are disposed in the second region. The portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals includes the contact portions of the first, second, third, and fourth device-side terminals, and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals include the contact portion of the fifth device-side terminal. The portion of the contact portions of the device-side terminals and the remaining contact portions of the device-side terminals are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.The substrate includes: a substrate, a device disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of terminals disposed on the substrate. The plurality of terminals includes at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal. The first terminal is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that, when mounted on the printing apparatus, should contact the first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals of the printing apparatus. The second terminal is connected to the device and includes a second contact portion that, when mounted on the printing apparatus, should contact the second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The third terminal is connected to the device and includes... The device includes a third contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the third device-side terminal corresponding to the third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the fourth device-side terminal corresponding to the fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the fifth device-side terminal corresponding to the fifth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals.

[0240] Foreign objects easily accumulate at the contact points of terminals. For example, foreign objects may sometimes get stuck between device-side terminals. For example, when the terminals of a substrate are positioned on a surface containing the direction of gravity, if a foreign object enters laterally into the substrate from the direction of gravity, it will be intercepted by the contact points of the terminals and remain there. For example, if the foreign object is a liquid, the liquid tends to accumulate at the contact points of the terminals due to capillary forces. Therefore, by specifying the arrangement of the contact points of the terminals, rather than specifying the arrangement of the terminals themselves, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed regardless of the area and shape of the terminals. In this embodiment, regarding the plurality of device-side terminals, a first device-side terminal contact portion, a second device-side terminal contact portion, a third device-side terminal contact portion, and a fourth device-side terminal contact portion are disposed in a first region, and a fifth device-side terminal contact portion, which is intended to suppress short circuits with other contact portions, is disposed in a second region. In the substrate, the first to fifth contact portions are disposed on the substrate in a manner corresponding to the contact portions of the device-side terminals. By arranging the contact portions in this way, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed. The reason for this is that the fifth contact portion is separated from the contact portions of other terminals, ensuring a distance from other contact portions, thus suppressing the possibility of short circuits between the fifth contact portion and other contact portions. Furthermore, although foreign objects easily accumulate near the contact portions, because the fifth contact portion is kept at a distance from other contact portions, foreign objects accumulating at the fifth contact portion are less likely to reach the contact portions of other terminals compared to the case where the fifth contact portion is disposed close to other contact portions. Furthermore, foreign matter collected at the first to fourth contact portions is unlikely to reach the contact portion of the fifth terminal. This remains the same regardless of the area and shape of the terminal. Examples of foreign matter include those similar to those described in the first embodiment. Regardless of the actual probability of such foreign matter being generated, as long as the probability is not zero, a short circuit may occur due to the foreign matter. In this embodiment, this possibility can be suppressed.

[0241] In order to suppress short circuits between terminals, there are contacts among the plurality of terminals that are preferably arranged separately from other contacts. When the contact that is preferably separated is designated as the fifth contact, the first to fourth contacts are arranged in one region, namely the first region, relative to the first imaginary line, and the fifth contact is arranged in another region, namely the second region. That is, the contacts in the first region and the contacts in the second region are arranged in the substrate in an asymmetrical manner relative to the first imaginary line.

[0242] In this embodiment, the contacts corresponding to the contacts of all device-side terminals are arranged such that they are projected at different positions along the direction of the second imaginary line. When the direction of the first imaginary line includes the mounting direction, if there is a foreign object, it may be hooked by the device-side terminals during the installation of the liquid containing container onto the printing apparatus, potentially causing a short circuit between the terminals. By arranging all contacts on the substrate in such a way that the contacts of all device-side terminals are projected at different positions along the second imaginary line, the possibility of a short circuit can be suppressed. Considering the first contact, the contacts other than the first contact are not located on a straight line along the first imaginary line passing through the first contact. The contacts other than the first contact are located along the direction of the second imaginary line. The same positional relationship applies to the contacts other than the first contact. Therefore, the probability of a short circuit occurring in the direction including the direction along the second imaginary line is higher than the probability of a short circuit occurring in the direction along the first imaginary line. By specifying the arrangement of contacts along the direction of the second imaginary line, the possibility of short circuits can be suppressed. Alternatively, by arranging all contacts on the substrate in a manner that projects them onto the second imaginary line at different positions, the spacing between contacts on the substrate along the direction of the second imaginary line can be ensured, thereby suppressing the possibility of short circuits between terminals.

[0243] In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention can also be implemented by means of liquid containment containers, printing systems, use of substrates, use of liquid containment containers, manufacturing methods of substrates or liquid containment containers, etc. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the hardware configuration of the printing system. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the general configuration of the printing system. Figure 3 is a first perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid containing container. Figure 4 is a second perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid containing container. Figure 5 is a first diagram showing the configuration of the substrate. Figure 6 is a second diagram showing the configuration of the substrate. Figure 7A is a diagram showing the liquid containing container mounted on the bracket. Figure 7B is a first diagram showing the connection mechanism. Figure 7C is a second diagram showing the connection mechanism. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing device and one liquid containing container. Figure 10A is a flowchart of the processing performed by the printing device in the connection status determination process. Figure 10B is a flowchart of the processing performed by the device in the connection status determination process. Figure 11A is a timing diagram when the printing device outputs a request signal. Figure 11B is a timing diagram when the device outputs the first response signal and the second response signal. Figure 11C shows the details of the first response signal. Figure 11D shows the details of the second response signal. Figure 12 is a summary diagram of the connection status determination process performed by the main control unit. Figure 13A is the first timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 13B is the second timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 14A is the third timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 14B is the fourth timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 15 is the fifth timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 16A is the sixth timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 16B is the seventh timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 17 is the eighth timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 18A is the ninth timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 18B is the tenth timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 19 is the eleventh timing diagram of the connection status determination process. Figure 20A is the 12th timing diagram of the connection state determination process. Figure 20B is the 13th timing diagram of the connection state determination process. Figure 20C is a diagram illustrating another specific example of the connection state determination process. Figure 21A is a diagram illustrating a substrate as another embodiment 1. Figure 21B is a diagram showing the configuration examples shown in No. 2 and No. 3 of Figure 21A. Figure 22 is a diagram showing two substrates as another embodiment 2. Figure 23 is a diagram showing two substrates as another embodiment 3. Figure 24 is a diagram showing two substrates as another embodiment 4. Figure 25 is a diagram showing two substrates as another embodiment 4. Figure 26 is a diagram illustrating a substrate as another embodiment 5. Figure 27 is a diagram showing two substrates as another embodiment 6. Figure 28 is a diagram showing a substrate as another embodiment 7. Figure 29 is a perspective view of a liquid containing container as another embodiment 1. Figure 30 is a perspective view of a liquid containing container as another embodiment 2.Figure 31 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the substrate of the liquid containing container. Figure 32 is a perspective view of the liquid containing container as another embodiment 3. Figure 33 is a perspective view of the liquid containing container as another embodiment 4. Figure 34 is a perspective view of the liquid containing container as another embodiment 5. Figure 35 is a perspective view of the liquid containing container as another embodiment 6. Figure 36 is a diagram of the liquid containing container as another embodiment 7. Figure 37 is a diagram of the liquid containing container as another embodiment 8. Figure 38 is a perspective view of the liquid containing container as another embodiment 9. Figure 39 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the substrate. Figure 40 is the first diagram illustrating the process of installing the liquid containing container into the receiving section of the printing apparatus. Figure 41 is the second diagram illustrating the process of installing the liquid containing container into the receiving section of the printing apparatus. Figure 42 shows the liquid containing container in its installed state. Figure 43 is a diagram of the printing system as another embodiment 1. Figure 44 is a diagram of the printing system as another embodiment 2. Figure 45 is a diagram of a printing system as an alternative embodiment 3. Figure 46 is a diagram of a printing system as an alternative embodiment 4. Figure 47A is a first timing diagram of a printing system having six liquid containing containers. Figure 47B is a second timing diagram of a printing system having six liquid containing containers. Figure 48 is a schematic diagram of the electrical configuration of a printing system having six liquid containing containers. Figure 49 is a diagram of a device as an alternative embodiment 1.

Claims

1. A substrate mounted on a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a printhead; a liquid inlet portion for introducing liquid into the printhead; a receiving portion having the liquid inlet portion and receiving a liquid receiving container; and a plurality of device-side terminals disposed in the receiving portion; the substrate being configured to contact the plurality of device-side terminals, and comprising: a substrate; a device disposed on the substrate; and a plurality of terminals disposed on the substrate; the plurality of terminals including at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal; the first terminal being connected to the device and including a first contact portion to contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the second terminal being connected to the device and including a second contact portion to contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and the third terminal being connected to the device and including a third contact portion to contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals. The fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that should contact the fourth device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals; the fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that should contact the fifth device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals; from a top view, if two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line, and all contact portions of all terminals provided on the substrate are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contact portions are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions that are furthest apart among the projection positions of all contact portions; When one region is designated as Region 1 and another region as Region 2 relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the contact portions is disposed in Region 1, and the remaining contact portions are disposed in Region 2; the portion of the contact portions includes the first contact portion, the second contact portion, the third contact portion, and the fourth contact portion, and the remaining contact portions include the fifth contact portion; the portion of the contact portions and the remaining contact portions are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.

2. The substrate of claim 1, wherein at least one of the second contact portion, the third contact portion and the fourth contact portion is arranged such that it is projected between the projection position of the first contact portion and the projection position of the fifth contact portion.

3. The substrate of claim 1, wherein any two or more of the second, third and fourth contact portions are arranged such that they are projected between the projection position of the first contact portion and the projection position of the fifth contact portion.

4. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the first contact portion is arranged such that it is projected between the projection positions of any two of the second, third and fourth contact portions.

5. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the first contact portion is a data contact portion, the first terminal is a data terminal, the second contact portion is a clock contact portion, the second terminal is a clock terminal, the third contact portion is a reset contact portion, the third terminal is a reset terminal, the fourth contact portion is a power contact portion, the fourth terminal is a power terminal, the fifth contact portion is a ground contact portion, and the fifth terminal is a ground terminal.

6. The substrate of claim 5, wherein either or both of the data contact portion and the reset contact portion are arranged such that they are projected between the projection position of the power contact portion and the projection position of the clock contact portion, and the reset contact portion is arranged such that its projection position is adjacent to the projection position of the power contact portion.

7. The substrate of claim 5, wherein the power contact portion is arranged such that its projected position is adjacent to the projected position of the data contact portion.

8. The substrate of claim 5, wherein the clock contact portion is arranged in such a way that it is projected at the position furthest from the projection position of the ground contact portion, and the data contact portion, the power contact portion and the reset contact portion are arranged in such a way that they are sequentially projected along the second imaginary line from the projection position of the clock contact portion toward the projection position of the ground contact portion.

9. The substrate of claim 5, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the clock contact portion.

10. The substrate of claim 5, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the reset contact portion.

11. The substrate of claim 5, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the power contact portion.

12. The substrate of claim 5, wherein when the distance between the contact portion in the first region other than the ground contact portion, which is projected to the position furthest from the projection position of the ground contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line, and the ground contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is set to Wa, the distance between the contact portion in the first region other than the ground contact portion, which is projected to the position closest to the projection position of the ground contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line, and the ground contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is Wa / 2 or more.

13. The substrate of claim 5, wherein in the first region, among the contact portions other than the ground contact portion, there are no other contact portions between the contact portion projected onto the second imaginary line at the position closest to the projection position of the ground contact portion and the ground contact portion disposed in the second region.

14. The substrate of claim 5, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the clock contact.

15. The substrate of claim 5, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the reset contact.

16. The substrate of claim 5, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the power contact.

17. The substrate of claim 5, wherein when the substrate is mounted in the direction along the direction of gravity, the clock contact, the power contact and the reset contact are disposed on the side further along the direction of gravity than the data contact, and at least one of the clock contact, the power contact and the reset contact is disposed such that it is projected between the projection position of the data contact and the projection position of the ground contact.

18. The substrate of claim 5, wherein the clock contact, the data contact, the power contact, the reset contact and the ground contact are arranged in a plurality of rows.

19. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the plurality of rows are composed of two rows, and when projected onto the second imaginary line, the two contact portions on the substrate projected adjacently form different rows.

20. The substrate of claim 19, wherein the data contact portion and the ground contact portion are arranged in different rows, and any one of the clock contact portion, the power contact portion and the reset contact portion is arranged such that it is projected between the projection positions of the data contact portion and the ground contact portion.

21. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the first terminal is further used to detect whether the substrate has been mounted on the printing apparatus.

22. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the fifth terminal is a ground terminal, and the voltage supplied to the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal and the fourth terminal is a voltage that the device can withstand.

23. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the first imaginary line is along a direction including the mounting direction of the substrate on the printing apparatus.

24. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the voltage supplied to the fourth terminal is used to drive the device.

25. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the device outputs a signal indicating that the first terminal and the other terminals of the plurality of terminals, excluding the first terminal, are not short-circuited, and that the substrate has been mounted on the printing apparatus.

26. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the device stores information relating to the liquid contained in the liquid containment container.

27. A substrate mounted on a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a printhead; a liquid inlet portion for introducing liquid into the printhead; a receiving portion having the liquid inlet portion and receiving a liquid receiving container; and a plurality of device-side terminals disposed in the receiving portion; the substrate being configured to contact the plurality of device-side terminals, and comprising: a substrate; a device disposed on the substrate; and a plurality of terminals disposed on the substrate; the plurality of terminals comprising: a first terminal connected to the device and including a first contact portion to contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and other terminal groups; the other terminal groups comprising at least: a second terminal connected to the device and including a second contact portion to contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and a third terminal connected to the device and including a third contact portion to contact a corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; The second terminal is used to detect whether it is short-circuited with at least one of the other terminal groups besides the second terminal. From a top view, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first and second imaginary lines. When all contacts of all terminals on the substrate are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contacts are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions furthest apart. Relative to the first imaginary line, when one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region, a portion of the contacts are disposed in the first region, and the remaining contacts are disposed in the second region. The portion of contacts includes the second and third contacts, and the remaining contacts include the first contact. The portion of contacts and the remaining contacts are asymmetrically arranged relative to the first imaginary line.

28. The substrate of claim 27, wherein the first contact portion is a ground contact portion, the first terminal is a ground terminal, the second contact portion is a data contact portion, the second terminal is a data terminal, the third contact portion is a clock contact portion, and the third terminal is a clock terminal.

29. The substrate of claim 28, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the clock contact portion.

30. The substrate of claim 28, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the clock contact.

31. The substrate of claim 28, wherein the other terminal group includes a reset terminal, the reset terminal including a reset contact portion that should contact a corresponding device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals, and the reset contact portion is included in the portion of the contact portion.

32. The substrate of claim 31, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the reset contact portion.

33. The substrate of claim 31, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the reset contact.

34. The substrate of claim 28, wherein the other terminal group includes a power terminal, the power terminal including a power contact portion that should contact a corresponding device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals, and the power contact portion being included in the portion of the contact portion.

35. The substrate of claim 34, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the ground contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the power contact portion.

36. The substrate of claim 34, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the power contact.

37. The substrate of claim 34, wherein the voltage supplied to the power supply terminal is used to drive the device.

38. The substrate of claim 28, wherein in the other terminal group, at least one of the contacts of the terminals other than the data terminals is arranged such that it is projected between the projection position of the data contact and the projection position of the ground contact.

39. The substrate of claim 28, wherein when the distance between the contact portion of the other terminal group in the first region that is projected to the position furthest from the projection position of the ground contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line and the ground contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is set to Wa, the distance between the contact portion of the other terminal group in the first region that is projected to the position closest to the projection position of the ground contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line and the ground contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is Wa / 2 or more.

40. The substrate of claim 28, wherein in the contact portion of the other terminal group in the first region, when projected onto the second imaginary line, there are no other contact portions between the contact portion projected onto the position closest to the projection position of the ground contact portion and the ground contact portion disposed in the second region.

41. The substrate of claim 27, wherein the second terminal is used to detect whether the substrate has been mounted on the printing apparatus.

42. The substrate of claim 27, wherein the voltage supplied to the other terminal groups is a voltage that the device can withstand.

43. The substrate of claim 27, wherein the first imaginary line is along a direction including the mounting direction of the substrate on the printing apparatus.

44. The substrate of claim 27, wherein the device outputs a signal indicating that the second terminal and the other terminals of the plurality of terminals are not short-circuited, and that the substrate has been mounted on the printing apparatus.

45. The substrate of claim 27, wherein the aforementioned device stores information relating to the liquid to be contained in the aforementioned liquid containment container.

46. ​​A substrate mounted on a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a printhead; a liquid inlet portion for introducing liquid into the printhead; a receiving portion having the liquid inlet portion and receiving a liquid receiving container; and a plurality of device-side terminals disposed in the receiving portion; the substrate being configured to contact the plurality of device-side terminals; and the plurality of device-side terminals including a first device-side terminal, a second device-side terminal, a third device-side terminal, a fourth device-side terminal, and a fifth device-side terminal; Viewed from above, if two orthogonal straight lines are designated as a first imaginary line and a second imaginary line, and the projection positions of the contact portions of the first device-side terminal, the second device-side terminal, the third device-side terminal, the fourth device-side terminal, and the fifth device-side terminal projected onto the second imaginary line are respectively designated as the first projection position, the second projection position, the third projection position, the fourth projection position, and the fifth projection position, respectively. When all device-side terminal contacts are projected onto the second imaginary line, the contacts of all device-side terminals are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions that are furthest apart among the projection positions of all device-side terminal contacts; When one region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the device-side terminal contacts are disposed in the first region, and the remaining device-side terminal contacts are disposed in the second region; the portion of device-side terminal contacts includes the contacts of the first, second, third, and fourth device-side terminals, and the remaining device-side terminal contacts include the contacts of the fifth device-side terminal; the portion of device-side terminal contacts and the remaining device-side terminal contacts are arranged asymmetrically relative to the first imaginary line; The substrate includes: a substrate; A device disposed on the aforementioned substrate; and a plurality of terminals disposed on the aforementioned substrate; the plurality of terminals include at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal; the first terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a first contact portion that, when mounted on the aforementioned printing apparatus, should contact the first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals of the aforementioned printing apparatus; the second terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a second contact portion that, when mounted on the aforementioned printing apparatus, should contact the second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the third terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a third contact portion that, when mounted on the aforementioned printing apparatus, should contact the third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fourth terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a fourth contact portion that, when mounted on the aforementioned printing apparatus, should contact the fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals.The fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the corresponding fifth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals.

47. The substrate of claim 46, wherein at least one of the contact portions of the second device-side terminal, the third device-side terminal, and the fourth device-side terminal is arranged such that it is projected between the first projection position and the fifth projection position.

48. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the contact portions of any two or more of the contact portions of the second device-side terminal, the third device-side terminal, and the fourth device-side terminal are arranged such that they are projected between the first projection position and the fifth projection position.

49. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the contact portion of the first device-side terminal is arranged such that it is projected between the projection positions of any two of the contact portions of the second, third, and fourth device-side terminals.

50. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the first contact portion is a data contact portion, the first terminal is a data terminal, the first device-side terminal is a device-side data terminal, the second contact portion is a clock contact portion, the second terminal is a clock terminal, the second device-side terminal is a device-side clock terminal, the third contact portion is a reset contact portion, the third terminal is a reset terminal, the third device-side terminal is a device-side reset terminal, the fourth contact portion is a power contact portion, the fourth terminal is a power terminal, the fourth device-side terminal is a device-side power terminal, the fifth contact portion is a ground contact portion, the fifth terminal is a ground terminal, and the fifth device-side terminal is a device-side ground terminal.

51. The substrate of claim 50, wherein either or both of the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal are arranged such that they are projected between the fourth projection position and the second projection position, and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal is arranged such that its projection position is adjacent to the fourth projection position.

52. The substrate of claim 50, wherein the contact portion of the power supply terminal on the device side is arranged such that its projected position is adjacent to the first projected position.

53. The substrate of claim 50, wherein the contact portion of the device-side clock terminal is arranged in such a way that it is projected at the position furthest from the fifth projection position, and the contact portions of the device-side data terminal, the device-side power terminal, and the device-side reset terminal are arranged in such a way that they are sequentially projected along the second imaginary line in a direction from the second projection position toward the fifth projection position.

54. The substrate of claim 50, wherein the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side ground terminal is longer than the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side clock terminal.

55. The substrate of claim 50, wherein the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side ground terminal is longer than the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal.

56. The substrate of claim 50, wherein the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side ground terminal is longer than the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side power terminal.

57. The substrate of claim 50, wherein when the distance between the device side terminal contact portion (excluding the device side ground terminal contact portion) in the first region, which is projected onto the second imaginary line at the position furthest from the fifth projection position, and the device side ground terminal contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is set to Wa, the distance between the device side terminal contact portion (excluding the device side ground terminal contact portion) in the first region, which is projected onto the second imaginary line at the position closest to the fifth projection position, and the device side ground terminal contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is Wa / 2 or more.

58. The substrate of claim 50, wherein in the first region, among the contacts of the device-side terminals other than the contacts of the device-side grounding terminal, there are no other contacts of the device-side terminals between the contact of the device-side terminal projected at the position closest to the fifth projection position when projected onto the second imaginary line and the contact of the device-side grounding terminal disposed in the second region.

59. The substrate of claim 50, wherein there are no other device-side terminal contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side clock terminal.

60. The substrate of claim 50, wherein there are no other device-side terminal contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal.

61. The substrate of claim 50, wherein there are no other device-side terminal contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side power terminal.

62. The substrate of claim 50, wherein when the substrate is mounted in the direction along the gravity direction, the contact portion of the device-side clock terminal, the contact portion of the device-side power terminal, and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal are disposed further toward the gravity direction side than the contact portion of the device-side data terminal, and at least one of the contact portions of the device-side clock terminal, the device-side power terminal, and the device-side reset terminal is disposed such that it is projected between the first projection position and the fifth projection position.

63. The substrate of claim 50, wherein the contact portions of the device-side clock terminal, the contact portions of the device-side data terminal, the contact portions of the device-side power terminal, the contact portions of the device-side reset terminal, and the contact portions of the device-side ground terminal are arranged in a plurality of rows.

64. The substrate of claim 63, wherein the plurality of rows are composed of two rows, and when projected onto the second imaginary line, the contact portions of the two adjacent device-side terminals are formed in different rows.

65. The substrate of claim 64, wherein the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side ground terminal are arranged in different rows, and the contact portion of any one of the device-side clock terminal, the contact portion of the device-side power terminal, and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal is arranged such that it is projected between the first projection position and the fifth projection position.

66. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the first terminal is further used to detect whether the substrate has been mounted on the printing apparatus.

67. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the fifth terminal is a ground terminal, the fifth device-side terminal is a device-side ground terminal, and the voltage supplied to the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal and the fourth terminal is a voltage that the device can withstand.

68. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the first imaginary line is along a direction including the mounting direction of the substrate on the printing apparatus.

69. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the voltage supplied to the fourth terminal is used to drive the device.

70. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the device outputs a signal indicating that the first terminal and the other terminals of the plurality of terminals, excluding the first terminal, are not short-circuited, and that the substrate has been mounted on the printing apparatus.

71. The substrate of claim 46, wherein the device stores information relating to the liquid contained in the liquid containment container.

72. A liquid containing container installed in a receiving section of a printing apparatus; the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a liquid inlet for introducing liquid into the print head, the receiving section having the liquid inlet, and a plurality of device-side terminals provided in the receiving section; and the liquid containing container comprising: a liquid containing body for containing liquid; a liquid supply section installed in the liquid inlet of the printing apparatus, having a liquid supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid containing body to the liquid inlet; a device; and a plurality of terminals; the plurality of terminals including at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal, the first terminal being connected to the device and including a first contact portion to contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the second terminal being connected to the device and including a second contact portion to contact a corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; The third terminal is connected to the device and includes a third contact portion that should contact the third device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals; the fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that should contact the fourth device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals; the fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that should contact the fifth device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals; from a top view, two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line. When all contact portions of all terminals provided on the liquid containing container are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contact portions are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions of all contact portions that are furthest apart; When one region is designated as Region 1 and another region as Region 2 relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the contact portions is disposed in Region 1, and the remaining contact portions are disposed in Region 2; the portion of the contact portions includes the first contact portion, the second contact portion, the third contact portion, and the fourth contact portion, and the remaining contact portions include the fifth contact portion; the portion of the contact portions and the remaining contact portions are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.

73. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein at least one of the second, third and fourth contact portions is arranged such that it is projected between the projection position of the first contact portion and the projection position of the fifth contact portion.

74. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein any two or more of the second, third and fourth contact portions are arranged such that they are projected between the projection position of the first contact portion and the projection position of the fifth contact portion.

75. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein the first contact portion is arranged such that it is projected between the projection positions of any two of the second, third and fourth contact portions.

76. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein the first contact portion is a data contact portion and the first terminal is a data terminal; the second contact portion is a clock contact portion and the second terminal is a clock terminal; the third contact portion is a reset contact portion and the third terminal is a reset terminal; the fourth contact portion is a power contact portion and the fourth terminal is a power terminal; the fifth contact portion is a ground contact portion and the fifth terminal is a ground terminal.

77. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein either or both of the data contact portion and the reset contact portion are arranged such that their projections fall between the projection position of the power contact portion and the projection position of the clock contact portion, and the reset contact portion is arranged such that its projection position is adjacent to the projection position of the power contact portion.

78. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein the power contact portion is arranged such that its projected position is adjacent to the projected position of the data contact portion.

79. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein the clock contact is arranged to be projected at the position furthest from the projection position of the ground contact, and the data contact, the power contact and the reset contact are arranged to be projected sequentially along the second imaginary line from the projection position of the clock contact toward the projection position of the ground contact.

80. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the grounding contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the clock contact portion.

81. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the grounding contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the reset contact portion.

82. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the grounding contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the power contact portion.

83. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein the distance between the contact portion in the first region other than the grounding contact portion, which is projected to the position furthest from the projection position of the grounding contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line, and the grounding contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is set to Wa; and the distance between the contact portion in the first region other than the grounding contact portion, which is projected to the position closest to the projection position of the grounding contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line, and the grounding contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is Wa / 2 or more.

84. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein in the first region, among the contact portions other than the grounding contact portion, there is no other contact portion between the contact portion projected onto the second imaginary line at the position closest to the projection position of the grounding contact portion and the grounding contact portion disposed in the second region.

85. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the clock contact.

86. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the aforementioned data contact and the aforementioned reset contact.

87. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the power contact.

88. The liquid containment container of claim 76, wherein the clock contact, the data contact, the power contact, the reset contact and the ground contact are arranged in a plurality of rows.

89. The liquid containment container of claim 88, wherein the plurality of rows consists of two rows, and when projected onto the second imaginary line, the two contact portions of the liquid containment container projected adjacently form different rows.

90. The liquid containment container of claim 89, wherein the data contact portion and the ground contact portion are disposed in different rows, and any one of the clock contact portion, the power contact portion and the reset contact portion is disposed such that it is projected between the projection positions of the data contact portion and the ground contact portion.

91. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein the first terminal is further used to detect whether the liquid containment container has been installed on the printing device.

92. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein the fifth terminal is a ground terminal, and the voltage supplied to the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal and the fourth terminal is a voltage that the device can withstand.

93. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein the first imaginary line is along the direction of the component containing the liquid containment container mounted on the printing apparatus.

94. The liquid containment container of claim 72, having a substrate, wherein the substrate has the plurality of terminals and the device described above.

95. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein the voltage supplied to the fourth terminal is used to drive the device.

96. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein the device outputs a signal indicating that the first terminal and the other terminals of the plurality of terminals, excluding the first terminal, are not short-circuited, and that the liquid containment container has been installed on the printing apparatus.

97. The liquid containment container of claim 72, wherein the device stores information relating to the liquid contained in the liquid containment container.

98. A liquid containing container mounted on a receiving portion of a printing apparatus; the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a liquid inlet portion for introducing liquid into the print head, the receiving portion having the liquid inlet portion, and a plurality of device-side terminals disposed on the receiving portion; and the liquid containing container comprising: a liquid containing body for containing liquid; a liquid supply portion mounted on the liquid inlet portion of the printing apparatus, having a liquid supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid containing body to the liquid inlet portion; a device; and a plurality of terminals; the plurality of terminals comprising: a first terminal connected to the device and including a first contact portion to contact a corresponding first device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals of the printing apparatus; and other terminal groups; the other terminal groups comprising at least: The second terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a second contact portion that should contact the corresponding second device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; and the third terminal is connected to the aforementioned device and includes a third contact portion that should contact the corresponding third device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; The second terminal is used to detect whether the second terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the other terminal groups other than the second terminal; In top view, if two orthogonal straight lines are designated as the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line, and all contact portions of all terminals provided on the aforementioned liquid containing container are projected onto the second imaginary line, all contact portions are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions of all contact portions that are furthest apart; When a region is designated as the first region and another region as the second region relative to the first imaginary line, a portion of the contact portions is disposed in the first region and the remaining contact portions are disposed in the second region; the portion of the contact portions includes the second contact portion and the third contact portion, and the remaining contact portions include the first contact portion; the portion of the contact portions and the remaining contact portions are asymmetrically disposed relative to the first imaginary line.

99. The liquid containment container of claim 98, wherein the first contact portion is a grounding contact portion, the first terminal is a grounding terminal, the second contact portion is a data contact portion, the second terminal is a data terminal, the third contact portion is a clock contact portion, and the third terminal is a clock terminal.

100. The liquid containment container of claim 99, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the grounding contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the clock contact portion.

101. The liquid containment container of claim 99, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the clock contact.

102. The liquid containment container of claim 99, wherein the other terminal group includes a reset terminal, the reset terminal including a reset contact portion that should contact a corresponding device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals, and the reset contact portion is included in the portion of the contact portion.

103. The liquid containment container of claim 102, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the grounding contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the reset contact portion.

104. The liquid containment container of claim 102, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the aforementioned data contact and the aforementioned reset contact.

105. The liquid containment container of claim 99, wherein the other terminal group includes a power terminal, the power terminal including a power contact portion that should contact a corresponding device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals, and the power contact portion being included in a portion of the contact portion.

106. The liquid containment container of claim 105, wherein the distance between the data contact portion and the grounding contact portion is longer than the distance between the data contact portion and the power contact portion.

107. The liquid containment container of claim 105, wherein there are no other contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the data contact and the power contact.

108. The liquid containment container of claim 105, wherein the voltage supplied to the power supply terminal is used to drive the device.

109. The liquid containment container of claim 99, wherein at least one of the contacts of the terminals other than the data terminals in the other terminal group is arranged such that it is projected between the projection position of the data contact and the projection position of the ground contact.

110. The liquid containment container of claim 99, wherein the distance between the contact portion of the other terminal group in the first region that is projected to the position furthest from the projection position of the grounding contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line and the grounding contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is set to Wa; and the distance between the contact portion of the other terminal group in the first region that is projected to the position closest to the projection position of the grounding contact portion when projected onto the second imaginary line and the grounding contact portion provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is Wa / 2 or more.

111. The liquid containment container of claim 99, wherein in the contact portion of the other terminal group in the first region, when projected onto the second imaginary line, there are no other contact portions between the contact portion projected onto the position closest to the projection position of the grounding contact portion and the grounding contact portion provided in the second region.

112. The liquid containment container of claim 99, wherein when the liquid containment container is installed in the direction along the direction of gravity, the contacts of the other terminal groups other than the data contact are disposed on the side further along the direction of gravity than the data contact, and the contacts of the other terminal groups other than the data contact are disposed such that they are projected between the projection position of the data contact and the projection position of the grounding contact.

113. The liquid containment container of claim 98, wherein the second terminal is used to detect whether the liquid containment container has been installed on the printing device.

114. The liquid containment container of claim 98, wherein the voltage supplied to the other terminal groups is a voltage that the device can withstand.

115. The liquid containment container of claim 98, having a substrate, wherein the substrate has the plurality of terminals and the device described above.

116. The liquid containment container of claim 98, wherein the first imaginary line is along the direction of the component containing the liquid containment container mounted on the printing apparatus.

117. The liquid containment container of claim 98, wherein the device outputs a signal indicating that the second terminal and the other terminals of the plurality of terminals are not short-circuited, and that the liquid containment container has been installed on the printing apparatus.

118. The liquid containment container of claim 98, wherein the device stores information relating to the liquid contained in the liquid containment container.

119. A liquid containing container installed in a receiving section of a printing apparatus; the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a liquid introducing section for introducing liquid into the print head, the receiving section having the liquid introducing section, and a plurality of device-side terminals provided in the receiving section; wherein the plurality of device-side terminals includes a first device-side terminal, a second device-side terminal, a third device-side terminal, a fourth device-side terminal, and a fifth device-side terminal; Viewed from above, if two orthogonal straight lines are designated as a first imaginary line and a second imaginary line, and the projection positions of the contact portions of the first device-side terminal, the second device-side terminal, the third device-side terminal, the fourth device-side terminal, and the fifth device-side terminal projected onto the second imaginary line are respectively designated as the first projection position, the second projection position, the third projection position, the fourth projection position, and the fifth projection position, When all device-side terminal contacts are projected onto the second imaginary line, the contacts of all device-side terminals are projected at different positions, and the first imaginary line passes through the middle of the two projection positions of the contacts of all device-side terminals that are furthest apart. When, relative to the first imaginary line, one region is designated as region 1 and another region as region 2, a portion of the contacts of all device-side terminals are disposed in region 1, and the remaining contacts of the device-side terminals are disposed in region 2. The portion of the contacts of the device-side terminals includes the contacts of the first, second, third, and fourth device-side terminals, and the remaining contacts of the device-side terminals include the contact of the fifth device-side terminal. The portion of the contacts of the device-side terminals and the remaining contacts of the device-side terminals are arranged asymmetrically relative to the first imaginary line. The liquid containing container includes: a liquid containing body capable of containing liquid. A liquid supply unit, which is installed in the liquid inlet of the printing apparatus, has a liquid supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid container to the liquid inlet; a device; and a plurality of terminals; the plurality of terminals includes at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal; the first terminal is connected to the device and includes a first contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the first device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals of the printing apparatus; the second terminal is connected to the device and includes a second contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the second device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals; the third terminal is connected to the device and includes a third contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the third device-side terminal corresponding to the plurality of device-side terminals.The fourth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fourth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the corresponding fourth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the fifth terminal is connected to the device and includes a fifth contact portion that, when installed in the printing apparatus, should contact the corresponding fifth device-side terminal among the plurality of device-side terminals; the first terminal is used to detect whether the first terminal is short-circuited with at least one of the second, third, and fourth terminals.

120. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein at least one of the contact portions of the second device-side terminal, the third device-side terminal, and the fourth device-side terminal is arranged such that it is projected between the first projection position and the fifth projection position.

121. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein the contact portions of any two or more of the contact portions of the second device-side terminal, the third device-side terminal, and the fourth device-side terminal are arranged such that they are projected between the first projection position and the fifth projection position.

122. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein the contact portion of the first device-side terminal is arranged such that it is projected between the projection positions of the contact portions of any two of the device-side terminals, namely the contact portions of the second, third, and fourth device-side terminals.

123. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein the first contact portion is a data contact portion, the first terminal is a data terminal, the first device-side terminal is a device-side data terminal, the second contact portion is a clock contact portion, the second terminal is a clock terminal, the second device-side terminal is a device-side clock terminal, the third contact portion is a reset contact portion, the third terminal is a reset terminal, the third device-side terminal is a device-side reset terminal, the fourth contact portion is a power contact portion, the fourth terminal is a power terminal, the fourth device-side terminal is a device-side power terminal, the fifth contact portion is a ground contact portion, the fifth terminal is a ground terminal, and the fifth device-side terminal is a device-side ground terminal.

124. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein either or both of the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal are arranged such that they are projected between the fourth projection position and the second projection position, and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal is arranged such that its projection position is adjacent to the fourth projection position.

125. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein the contact portion of the power supply terminal on the device side is arranged such that its projected position is adjacent to the first projected position.

126. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein the contact portion of the device-side clock terminal is arranged to be projected at the position furthest from the fifth projection position, and the contact portions of the device-side data terminal, the device-side power terminal, and the device-side reset terminal are arranged to be projected sequentially along the second imaginary line from the second projection position toward the fifth projection position.

127. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side ground terminal is longer than the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side clock terminal.

128. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side grounding terminal is longer than the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal.

129. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side ground terminal is longer than the distance between the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side power terminal.

130. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein when the distance between the contact portion of the device side terminal (excluding the contact portion of the device side grounding terminal) in the first region, which is projected onto the second imaginary line at the position furthest from the fifth projection position, and the contact portion of the device side grounding terminal provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is set to Wa, the distance between the contact portion of the device side terminal (excluding the contact portion of the device side grounding terminal) in the first region, which is projected onto the second imaginary line at the position closest to the fifth projection position, and the contact portion of the device side grounding terminal provided in the second region along the direction of the second imaginary line is Wa / 2 or more.

131. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein in the first region, among the contacts of the device-side terminals other than the contacts of the device-side grounding terminal, the contact of the device-side terminal projected to the position closest to the fifth projection position when projected onto the second imaginary line, and the contact of the device-side grounding terminal provided in the second region, there are no other contacts of the device-side terminals.

132. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein there are no other device-side terminal contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side clock terminal.

133. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein there are no other device-side terminal contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal.

134. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein there are no other device-side terminal contacts on the imaginary line segment connecting the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side power terminal.

135. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein when the substrate is mounted in the direction along the direction of gravity, the contact portion of the device-side clock terminal, the contact portion of the device-side power terminal, and the contact portion of the device-side reset terminal are disposed further toward the direction of gravity than the contact portion of the device-side data terminal, and at least one of the device-side terminal contacts of the device-side clock terminal, the device-side power terminal, and the device-side reset terminal is disposed such that it is projected between the first projection position and the fifth projection position.

136. The liquid containment container of claim 123, wherein the contact portions of the device-side clock terminal, the contact portions of the device-side data terminal, the contact portions of the device-side power terminal, the contact portions of the device-side reset terminal, and the contact portions of the device-side ground terminal are arranged in a plurality of rows.

137. The liquid containment container of claim 136, wherein the plurality of rows consists of two rows, and when projected onto the second imaginary line, the contact portions of the two adjacent device-side terminals are formed in different rows.

138. The liquid containment container of claim 137, wherein the contact portion of the device-side data terminal and the contact portion of the device-side ground terminal are arranged in different rows, and the contact portion of any one of the device-side terminal contacts of the device-side clock terminal, the device-side power terminal, and the device-side reset terminal is arranged such that it is projected between the first projection position and the fifth projection position.

139. The liquid containment container of claim 119, having a substrate, wherein the substrate has the plurality of terminals and the device described above.

140. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein the first terminal is used to detect whether the liquid containment container has been installed on the printing device.

141. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein the fifth terminal is a ground terminal, the fifth device-side terminal is a device-side ground terminal, and the voltage supplied to the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal and the fourth terminal is a voltage that the device can withstand.

142. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein the first imaginary line is along the direction of the component containing the liquid containment container mounted on the printing apparatus.

143. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein the voltage supplied to the fourth terminal is used to drive the device.

144. The liquid containment container of claim 119, wherein the device outputs a signal indicating that the first terminal is not short-circuited with any of the plurality of terminals other than the first terminal, and that the liquid containment container is installed on the printing apparatus.

145. The liquid containment container as claimed in claim 119, wherein the device stores information relating to the liquid to be contained in the liquid containment container.

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