Electronic device, installation unit, and communication method

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device, an installation unit, and a communication method. An ink cartridge having an RFID tag capable of communicating with the outside is installed in a printing device. A tag communication unit communicates with the RFID tag. A control unit causes the tag communication unit to send a command to the RFID tag for changing the RFID tag to a specific state in which the RFID tag responds only to a specific command, so that the RFID tag becomes a specific state, sends a specific command from the tag communication unit to the RFID tag, and confirms the communication between the RFID tag and the tag communication unit based on the responsiveness of the RFID tag to the specific command.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic device, a mounting unit and a communication method. Background Art

[0002] Some electronic devices such as printing devices are used by installing a mounting unit for holding consumables such as ink.

[0003] As an installation unit used in such an electronic device, there is an installation unit equipped with a tag such as an RFID tag storing information related to consumables. In the electronic device using the installation unit, a tag communication unit capable of sending and receiving information with the tag is provided. In the electronic device, when the installation unit is installed, the tag of the installation unit communicates with the tag communication unit, and information can be read from the tag (see Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-53742). Summary of the invention

[0004] Various commands and response signals are exchanged between the tag communication unit of the electronic device and the tag of the attachment unit as described above.

[0005] For this, the tag of the installation unit has a state of responding to only a part of all commands, that is, specific commands.

[0006] For example, there is a case where a tag is set to respond only to a specific command as an important command so that the important command can be communicated even when the power supplied from the electronic device to the tag is limited for some reason.

[0007] In such a state, in order to communicate a specific command which is an important command, it is desirable to stabilize the communication between the tag and the tag communication unit. If the communication is unstable, the reliability of the electronic device is reduced.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a mounting unit, and a communication method capable of improving reliability.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device, which is equipped with an installation unit having a tag capable of communicating with the outside, and the electronic device comprises: a tag communication unit, which communicates with the tag; and a control unit, which controls the tag communication unit, wherein the control unit causes the tag communication unit to send a command to the tag for changing the tag to a specific state in which the tag only responds to a specific command, so as to put the tag into the specific state, and the control unit causes the tag communication unit to send the specific command to the tag, and confirms the communicability between the tag and the tag communication unit based on the responsiveness of the tag to the specific command.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an installation unit which is installed in an electronic device. The installation unit is characterized in that it has a tag for communicating with the electronic device, and the tag changes to a specific state in which it responds only to specific commands according to commands from the electronic device, and responds to the specific commands sent from the electronic device.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a communication method is provided, characterized in that a tag installed in an installation unit of an electronic device is changed into a specific state in which it responds only to a specific command, the specific command is sent from a tag communication unit of the electronic device to the tag in the specific state, and based on the responsiveness of the tag to the specific command, the communicability between the tag and the tag communication unit is confirmed.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method in an installation unit, wherein the installation unit includes a tag for communicating with an electronic device, and the installation unit is installed in the electronic device. The communication method in the installation unit is characterized in that the tag changes to a state of responding only to specific commands according to commands from the electronic device, and responds to the specific commands sent from the electronic device.

[0013] According to the present invention, the reliability of electronic equipment can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the state transition of an RFID tag.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a sequence diagram for explaining the communication confirmation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, a printing device (equivalent to an electronic device) 1 according to the present embodiment includes a printing unit 2 , an operation panel 3 , four tag communication units 4 , four mounting units 5 , and a control unit 6 .

[0020] The printing unit 2 prints on a sheet conveyed by a conveying unit (not shown). The printing unit 2 includes four inkjet heads 11 .

[0021] The inkjet heads 11 eject ink onto paper to form an image. The four inkjet heads 11 eject ink of different colors (for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow).

[0022] The operation panel 3 displays various input screens and receives input operations from the user. The operation panel 3 includes an input unit including various operation keys, a touch panel, and the like, and a display unit including a liquid crystal display panel and the like (neither of which is shown).

[0023] The tag communication unit 4 communicates with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag (equivalent to a tag) 22 of an ink cartridge (equivalent to an installation unit) 21 described later. The tag communication unit 4 is a reader / writer device that reads information from the RFID tag 22 of the ink cartridge 21 installed in the installation unit 5 and writes information to the RFID tag 22 by wireless communication. The tag communication unit 4 is provided in correspondence with each of the four installation units 5, and is arranged in a manner close to the corresponding installation unit 5.

[0024] The mounting portion 5 is a portion for mounting the ink cartridge 21 in a manner that enables the ink cartridge 21 to be replaced. Each mounting portion 5 can mount one ink cartridge 21. The mounting portion 5 is provided corresponding to each of the four inkjet heads 11, and is used to mount the ink cartridge 21 that holds the color ink ejected by the corresponding inkjet head 11. The four mounting portions 5 are arranged in parallel in the printing device 1.

[0025] The ink cartridge 21 holds ink used in printing by the printing device 1. In addition, the ink cartridge 21 has an RFID tag 22 that can communicate with the outside. When the ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the mounting portion 5, the tag communication unit 4 corresponding to the mounting portion 5 and the RFID tag 22 of the ink cartridge 21 mounted on the mounting portion 5 can communicate.

[0026] The RFID tag 22 has a memory (not shown) that stores various information such as a UID (identifier) ​​inherent to the ink cartridge 21, physical property information of the ink such as the viscosity and surface tension of the ink held by the ink cartridge 21, and information on the remaining amount of ink. The RFID tag 22 reads information from the memory in accordance with various commands sent from the tag communication unit 4, and sends a response signal to the tag communication unit 4.

[0027] The RFID tag 22 is supplied with power from the printing device 1. In a normal state, in which the RFID tag 22 is supplied with power sufficient for communication with the tag communication unit 4 by the printing device 1, the RFID tag 22 operates using the power supplied from the printing device 1. In the normal state, the RFID tag 22 responds to all commands.

[0028] The RFID tag 22 may enter a power-limited state (equivalent to a specific state) in which the power supplied from the printing device 1 is limited. For example, the power supplied from the printing device 1 may be less than the normal state due to some problem, and the RFID tag 22 may enter the power-limited state. In addition, the RFID tag 22 may enter the sleep state, which is one of the power-limited states, because the printing device 1 is in the sleep state or a command from the printing device 1. Here, the power-limited state includes a state in which the power is not supplied from the printing device 1.

[0029] The RFID tag 22 responds only to specific commands in the power-limited state. The specific command is an important command that is expected to be communicated even in a state where the power supplied from the printing device 1 to the RFID tag 22 is limited to a smaller value than in the normal state. Examples of specific commands include a UID acquisition command for the printing device 1 to acquire the UID of the ink cartridge 21. In addition, the RFID tag 22 also responds to the normal state transition command described later in the power-limited state.

[0030] In the power-limited state, the RFID tag 22 operates using its own power, thereby responding to a specific command. Here, the RFID tag 22 has a power storage mechanism for storing power in the normal state. In the power-limited state, the RFID tag 22 uses the stored power, thereby being able to operate using its own power.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the RFID tag 22 can make a state transition between the normal state and the sleep state according to a command from the tag communication unit 4. The state transition based on the command is performed in the communication confirmation process described later.

[0032] When the RFID tag 22 receives a sleep state transition command for changing the RFID tag 22 from the normal state to the sleep state during the communication confirmation process, it changes from the normal state to the sleep state. The RFID tag 22 in the sleep state responds to a specific command. Here, even if a command other than a specific command is sent to the RFID tag 22 in the sleep state, it will not respond to the command. In addition, commands other than the specific command do not include the normal state transition command described later. When the RFID tag 22 receives a normal state transition command for changing the RFID tag 22 from the sleep state to the normal state, it returns from the sleep state to the normal state to respond to the meaning.

[0033] Furthermore, when the RFID tag 22 enters the sleep state as the printing device 1 enters the sleep state, no command is transmitted from the sleep-state printing device 1 , and therefore the RFID tag 22 does not receive and respond to the command.

[0034] The control unit 6 controls the overall operation of the printing device 1. The control unit 6 is configured to include a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, and the like.

[0035] The control unit 6 executes the communication confirmation process at a predetermined timing. The communication confirmation process is a process for confirming the communicability (whether communication is normally performed) between the RFID tag 22 and the tag communication unit 4 when the RFID tag 22 is in the power-limited state.

[0036] In the communication confirmation process, the control unit 6 causes the tag communication unit 4 to send a sleep state transition command to the RFID tag 22 to put the RFID tag 22 into a sleep state. Then, the control unit 6 causes the tag communication unit 4 to send a specific command to the RFID tag 22 in the sleep state, and confirms the communication between the RFID tag 22 and the tag communication unit 4 based on the responsiveness of the RFID tag 22 to the specific command.

[0037] Here, if the communication performance of the RFID tag 22 in the sleep state, which is one of the power-limited states, is normal between the printing device 1 and the ink cartridge 21, then the communication performance in the power-limited states other than the sleep state can be said to be normal. Therefore, in the communication confirmation process, the communication performance in the power-limited state is confirmed by putting the RFID tag 22 in the sleep state.

[0038] Next, refer to Figure 3 The communication confirmation process is explained with a sequence diagram of FIG.

[0039] For example, the communication confirmation process is performed at regular intervals such as when the ink cartridge 21 is installed, when the power of the printing device 1 is turned on, when the power of the printing device 1 is turned off, or at regular intervals of a predetermined time. When performing the communication confirmation process, the communication confirmation process may be performed between the RFID tags 22 of all ink cartridges 21 and the corresponding tag communication units 4, or only between the RFID tags 22 of a part of the ink cartridges 21 and the corresponding tag communication units 4.

[0040] Here, the communication confirmation process between the RFID tag 22 of one ink cartridge 21 and its corresponding tag communication unit 4 will be described.

[0041] exist Figure 3 In step S1 , the control unit 6 transmits a sleep state transition request to the tag communication unit 4 .

[0042] When receiving the sleep state transition request, the tag communication unit 4 transmits a sleep state transition command to the RFID tag 22 in step S2 .

[0043] The RFID tag 22 that has received the sleep state transition command transitions from the normal state to the sleep state. Here, as described above, in the sleep state, the RFID tag 22 operates using its own power.

[0044] When the tag communication unit 4 transmits the sleep state transition command to the RFID tag 22, the tag communication unit 4 responds to the sleep state transition request in step S3. Specifically, the tag communication unit 4 transmits a response signal notifying that the sleep state transition command has been transmitted to the RFID tag 22 to the control unit 6.

[0045] When receiving the response signal, the control unit 6 transmits a specific command transmission request to the tag communication unit 4 in step S4.

[0046] When receiving the specific command transmission request, the tag communication unit 4 transmits the specific command to the RFID tag 22 in step S5 .

[0047] When receiving the specific command, the RFID tag 22 responds to the specific command in step S6. Specifically, the RFID tag 22 transmits a response signal corresponding to the content of the specific command to the tag communication unit 4.

[0048] When receiving the response signal from the RFID tag 22 , the tag communication unit 4 transmits the response signal from the RFID tag 22 to the control unit 6 as a response to the specific command transmission request in step S7 .

[0049] When receiving the response signal, the control unit 6 confirms the responsiveness of the RFID tag 22 to the specific command in step S8. Specifically, the control unit 6 confirms whether the response time, which is the time from the sending of the specific command sending request to the receiving of the response signal to the request, is within the reference time, and confirms whether the processing according to the instruction of the specific command is performed based on the content of the response signal.

[0050] If the response time is within the reference time and the processing according to the instruction of the specific command is performed, the control unit 6 determines that the responsiveness of the RFID tag 22 to the specific command is normal. Otherwise, the control unit 6 determines that the responsiveness of the RFID tag 22 to the specific command is abnormal.

[0051] When it is determined that the responsiveness of the RFID tag 22 to the specific command is normal, the control unit 6 determines that the communication between the RFID tag 22 in the power-limited state and the tag communication unit 4 is normal. When it is determined that the responsiveness of the RFID tag 22 to the specific command is abnormal, the control unit 6 determines that the communication between the RFID tag 22 in the power-limited state and the tag communication unit 4 is abnormal.

[0052] Next, in step S9 , the control unit 6 transmits a normal state transition request to the tag communication unit 4 .

[0053] When receiving the normal state transition request, the tag communication unit 4 transmits a normal state transition command to the RFID tag 22 in step S10 .

[0054] The RFID tag 22 that has received the normal state transition command transitions from the sleep state to the normal state.

[0055] In step S11, the RFID tag 22 responds to the normal state transition command. Specifically, the RFID tag 22 transmits a response signal for notifying that the normal state has been transitioned to the tag communication unit 4.

[0056] When receiving the response signal from the RFID tag 22, the tag communication unit 4 transmits the response signal from the RFID tag 22 to the control unit 6 as a response to the normal state transition request in step S12. Thus, the communication confirmation process ends.

[0057] In the above-mentioned communication confirmation process, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the communication between the RFID tag 22 in the power-limited state and the tag communication unit 4, the control unit 6 causes the display unit of the operation panel 3 to display a notification screen for notifying the user of this fact. Moreover, at this time, the control unit 6 also displays a display urging the user to replace the RFID tag 22 or take other measures to stabilize the communication.

[0058] As described above, in the printing device 1, in the communication confirmation process, the control unit 6 sends a sleep state transition command from the tag communication unit 4 to the RFID tag 22. The RFID tag 22 changes to the sleep state, which is one of the power limit states, according to the sleep state transition command. The control unit 6 sends a specific command from the tag communication unit 4 to the RFID tag 22 in the sleep state. The RFID tag 22 responds to the specific command sent from the tag communication unit 4. The control unit 6 confirms the communication performance between the RFID tag 22 in the power limit state and the tag communication unit 4 based on the responsiveness of the RFID tag 22 to the specific command.

[0059] By checking the communicability between the RFID tag 22 and the tag communication unit 4 in the power-limited state in this manner, if there is an abnormality in the communicability, the abnormality is discovered and measures can be taken to stabilize the communication, thereby improving the reliability of the printing device 1 .

[0060] In addition, since the power-limited state is a state in which only specific commands are responded to, requests for communication of important commands can be responded to even in the power-limited state.

[0061] Furthermore, since the RFID tag 22 in the power-limited state operates using its own power, it is possible to prevent a communication failure due to insufficient power supplied to the RFID tag 22 .

[0062] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is explained that only one specific command is sent in the communication confirmation process, but multiple specific commands can be sent. In this case, as long as there is an abnormality in the responsiveness to the specific command once, it is determined that the communication between the RFID tag 22 and the tag communication unit 4 is abnormal.

[0063] Alternatively, when a specific command is sent multiple times as described above, the specific command may be sent a specified number of times at a specified interval, and whether the RFID tag 22 is a normal product may be determined based on whether the responsiveness is normal. In this case, the interval and number of times of sending the specific command may be set based on the range that the RFID tag 22 can respond to according to the specifications.

[0064] The above-mentioned process of determining whether the RFID tag 22 is a normal product may be performed at an arbitrary timing as a process different from the communication confirmation process. In this case, the command sent to the RFID tag 22 may be a command other than a specific command.

[0065] Furthermore, in the communication confirmation process, a command other than a specific command may be sent from the tag communication unit 4 to the RFID tag 22 that has switched to the sleep state, and when the tag communication unit 4 receives a response signal to the command, it may be determined that interference has occurred.

[0066] Here, as described above, the RFID tag 22 in the dormant state does not respond to commands other than specific commands. Therefore, when the tag communication unit 4 that has sent a command other than a specific command to the RFID tag 22 in the dormant state receives a response signal to the command, it is considered that there is an RFID tag 22 in the normal state among the RFID tags 22 other than the RFID tag 22 corresponding to the tag communication unit 4, and the RFID tag 22 has received the command and responded. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that interference has occurred in the communication between the tag communication unit 4 and the RFID tags 22 other than the RFID tag 22 corresponding to the tag communication unit 4.

[0067] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the RFID tag 22 set to the power limited state uses its own power to operate, but it can also be set to use the power supplied from the printing device 1 when the printing device 1 is supplied with enough power to enable communication even in the power limited state.

[0068] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the power limit state of the RFID tag 22 is described as a state (specific state) in which only a specific command is responded to, but the state in which only a specific command is responded to is not limited to the power limit state. For example, in a structure in which the RFID tag 22 can switch between the FM modulation mode and the AM modulation mode as the communication mode between the RFID tag 22 and the tag communication unit 4, the state in which the RFID tag 22 communicates with the tag communication unit 4 in one communication mode can also be set to a state in which only a specific command is responded to.

[0069] In addition, there may be a plurality of types of states as a state (specific state) in which the RFID tag 22 responds only to a specific command.

[0070] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an inkjet printing device using an ink cartridge is used as an example for description, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any electronic device having a mounting unit having a tag capable of communicating with the electronic device can be applied to the present invention. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a stencil printing device that uses a component formed by winding a master plate (stencil base paper) around a paper tube having a tag mounted thereon as a mounting unit.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the original state of the above-mentioned embodiments. In the implementation stage, the structural elements can be deformed and embodied within the scope of the purpose of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple structural elements disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, several structural elements can also be deleted from all the structural elements shown in the embodiments.

[0072] [Note]

[0073] The present invention has, for example, the following structure.

[0074] (Note 1)

[0075] An electronic device is provided with a mounting unit having a tag capable of communicating with the outside, the electronic device comprising:

[0076] a tag communication unit that communicates with the tag; and

[0077] a control unit, which controls the tag communication unit,

[0078] wherein the control unit causes the tag communication unit to send a command to the tag for causing the tag to change to a specific state in which the tag responds only to a specific command, so that the tag becomes the specific state;

[0079] The control unit causes the tag communication unit to transmit the specific command to the tag, and confirms the communicability between the tag and the tag communication unit based on the responsiveness of the tag to the specific command.

[0080] (Note 2)

[0081] The electronic device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the specific state is a state in which power supplied from the electronic device to the tag is limited.

[0082] (Note 3)

[0083] A mounting unit is mounted on an electronic device, wherein the mounting unit is characterized in that:

[0084] A tag is provided for communicating with the electronic device,

[0085] The tag changes to a specific state in which it responds only to a specific command according to a command from the electronic device, and responds to the specific command sent from the electronic device.

[0086] (Note 4)

[0087] The mounting unit according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the specific state is a state in which power supplied from the electronic device to the tag is limited.

[0088] (Note 5)

[0089] The mounting unit according to Supplementary Note 4 is characterized in that the tag operates using its own power in a state where the power supplied from the electronic device is limited.

[0090] (Note 6)

[0091] A communication method, characterized in that:

[0092] The tag installed in the installation unit of the electronic device is changed to a specific state in which it responds only to a specific command.

[0093] The specific command is transmitted from the tag communication unit of the electronic device to the tag in the specific state, and the communication capability between the tag and the tag communication unit is confirmed based on the responsiveness of the tag to the specific command.

[0094] (Note 7)

[0095] The communication method according to Supplementary Note 6, characterized in that the specific state is a state in which power supplied from the electronic device to the tag is limited.

[0096] (Note 8)

[0097] A communication method in an installation unit, the installation unit having a tag for communicating with an electronic device, the installation unit being installed in the electronic device, the communication method in the installation unit being characterized in that:

[0098] The tag changes to a state of responding only to a specific command according to a command from the electronic device, and responds to the specific command transmitted from the electronic device.

Claims

1. An electronic device, equipped with a mounting unit having a tag capable of communicating with the outside, the electronic device comprising: a tag communication unit that communicates with the tag; and a control unit, which controls the tag communication unit, in, The control unit causes the tag communication unit to transmit a command for causing the tag to transition to a specific state to cause the tag to transition to the specific state, thereby causing the tag to transition to the specific state. The tag, in the specific state, responds to a specific command other than a command for causing the specific state to change, The control unit causes the tag communication unit to transmit the specific command to the tag, and confirms the communicability between the tag and the tag communication unit based on the responsiveness of the tag to the specific command.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The specific state is a state in which the power supplied from the electronic device to the tag is limited.

3. A mounting unit installed in an electronic device, wherein the mounting unit is characterized in that: A tag is provided for communicating with the electronic device, The tag changes to a specific state according to a command from the electronic device, and in the specific state, responds to a specific command other than a command for causing a transition to the specific state, which is sent from the electronic device.

4. The installation unit according to claim 3, characterized in that The specific state is a state in which the power supplied from the electronic device to the tag is limited.

5. The installation unit according to claim 4, characterized in that The tag operates using its own power in a state where the power supplied from the electronic device is limited.

6. A communication method, characterized in that: causing a tag installed in an installation unit of an electronic device to change to a specific state, wherein the tag, in the specific state, responds to a specific command other than a command for changing the specific state, The specific command is transmitted from the tag communication unit of the electronic device to the tag in the specific state, and the communication capability between the tag and the tag communication unit is confirmed based on the responsiveness of the tag to the specific command.

7. The communication method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The specific state is a state in which the power supplied from the electronic device to the tag is limited.

8. A communication method in an installation unit, the installation unit having a tag for communicating with an electronic device, the installation unit being installed in the electronic device, the communication method in the installation unit being characterized in that: The tag changes to a specific state according to a command from the electronic device, and in the specific state, responds to a specific command other than a command for causing a transition to the specific state, which is sent from the electronic device.

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