Memory, liquid storage container, and printing system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a memory, a liquid storage container, and a printing system that suppress a case where an ink-out state is unintentionally written into a storage element. A memory provided in an ink cartridge mounted on a printing device has a storage section that stores ink amount information related to an amount of ink stored and threshold information related to a threshold value of the amount of ink, and a processing section that performs processing based on information received from the printing device and information stored in the storage section. The processing section performs comparison processing that compares the ink amount information and the threshold information in a case where ink-out information indicating that the ink cartridge has become in a state where it cannot be used is received from the printing device, and writes the ink-out information into the storage section in a case where a result of the comparison processing accords with a predetermined write condition, and does not write the ink-out information into the storage section in a case where the write condition is not accorded with.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a memory, a liquid storage container provided with the memory, and a printing system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, a technology is known in which, in a printing system having a liquid storage container such as an ink cartridge and a printing device, an ink depletion sensor provided in the printing device detects an ink depletion state of the liquid storage container, and the printing device writes the ink depletion state in a memory provided in the liquid storage container.

[0003] For example, in Patent Literature 1, a printing device is disclosed in which, in a printing device that transports ink from an ink bag having a storage element, when an untransportable state in which ink cannot be transported from the ink bag to a sub tank is detected by an ink depletion sensor, an ink depletion state is written in the storage element of the ink bag in a case where a predetermined write condition is satisfied. The predetermined write condition is, for example, that a hypothetical ink depletion state is written in the storage element. In a case where the write condition is satisfied, the ink depletion state is written in the storage element, and the transport of ink is stopped in order to prevent dry printing.

[0004] However, in Patent Literature 1, there is a possibility that, although the ink depletion sensor has not detected the untransportable state, a hypothetical ink depletion state or an ink depletion state is unintentionally written in the storage element of the ink bag by the printing device due to a failure of the printing device side such as firmware, the ink depletion sensor, and the like. Therefore, there is a possibility that a problem occurs in which the printing device judges that the ink depletion state and the ink bag becomes unusable even if ink remains in the ink bag. Such a problem can also occur in a case where the printing device provided with a waste ink tank that recovers ink ejected at the time of cleaning of the head writes a full ink state in the storage element of the waste ink tank.

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-163983 SUMMARY

[0006] A memory provided in a liquid storage container mounted on a printing device, the memory having: a storage section that stores ink amount information related to an amount of ink stored in the liquid storage container and threshold information related to a threshold value of the amount of ink; and a processing section that performs processing based on information received from the printing device and information stored in the storage section, the processing section performing comparison processing that compares the ink amount information and the threshold information when detection information indicating that the liquid storage container has become in a state in which it cannot be used is received from the printing device, and writing the detection information into the storage section when a result of the comparison processing meets a predetermined write condition, and not writing the detection information into the storage section when the result of the comparison processing does not meet the write condition.

[0007] A liquid storage container mounted on a printing device and having the above-described memory.

[0008] A printing system having a printing device and a liquid storage container mounted on the printing device and having a memory, the memory having: a storage section that stores ink amount information related to an amount of ink stored in the liquid storage container and threshold information related to a threshold value of the amount of ink; and a processing section that performs processing based on information received from the printing device and information stored in the storage section, the printing device transmitting detection information indicating that the liquid storage container has become in a state in which it cannot be used to the memory, the processing section performing comparison processing that compares the ink amount information and the threshold information when the detection information is received from the printing device, and writing the detection information into the storage section when a result of the comparison processing meets a predetermined write condition, and not writing the detection information into the storage section when the result of the comparison processing does not meet the write condition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 A perspective view showing a hardware configuration of a printing system.

[0010] Figure 2 A block diagram showing functional sections of a printing system.

[0011] Figure 3 A perspective view showing an ink cartridge.

[0012] Figure 4A A diagram for explaining detection of a remaining state of ink performed by a prism.

[0013] Figure 4BFIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining detection of a remaining state of ink implemented by a prism.

[0014] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a printing system.

[0015] Figure 6 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing information stored in a storage.

[0016] Figure 7A FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of a printing device.

[0017] Figure 7B FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of a storage.

[0018] Figure 8 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing information stored in a storage in a second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 9 FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of a storage in the second embodiment.

[0020] Figure 10 FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a part of a printing system in a third embodiment.

[0021] Figure 11 FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing information stored in a storage in the third embodiment.

[0022] Figure 12A FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of a printing device in the third embodiment.

[0023] Figure 12B FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of a storage in the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 13A FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of a printing device in a first modification example.

[0025] Figure 13B FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of a storage in the first modification example.

[0026] Figure 14A FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process of a printing device in a second modification example.

[0027] Figure 14B FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of a storage in the second modification example.

[0028] Figure 15A FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process of a printing device in a third modification example.

[0029] Figure 15B FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process of a storage in the third modification example.

[0030] Figure 16 A block diagram showing information stored in the storage section in the fourth modification.

[0031] Figure 17 A flowchart showing the process of the storage section in the fourth modification.

[0032] Figure 18 A table showing the correspondence between the action state of the printing device and the threshold value in the fifth modification.

[0033] Figure 19 A flowchart showing the process of the storage section in the fifth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] 1. First Embodiment

[0035] Figure 1 A perspective view showing the hardware structure of the printing system 1000 in the first embodiment. Figure 2 A block diagram showing the functional sections of the printing system 1000. In Figure 1 The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction orthogonal to each other are shown in FIG. 1. In the usual use posture of the printing system 1000, the front direction of the printing system 1000 is set as the X direction, and the vertical upward direction is set as the Z direction. In the present embodiment, the coordinate system constituted by the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction is a left-handed coordinate system. The direction opposite to the X direction is referred to as the -X direction. The direction opposite to the Y direction is referred to as the -Y direction. The direction opposite to the Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction.

[0036] The printing system 1000 is provided with a printing device 200 and ink cartridges 300 which are liquid storage containers. The printing device 200 is mounted with the ink cartridges 300 in a detachable manner. Specifically, the printing device 200 is an inkjet printer. The printing device 200 is provided with a carriage 20, a cable 30, a paper feed motor 40, a paper feed roller 45, a carriage motor 50, a carriage drive belt 55, a detection element 90, and a processor 100.

[0037] The carriage 20 is mounted with four ink cartridges 300, and conveys these ink cartridges 300 in the Y direction and the -Y direction. The carriage 20 is provided with a cradle 21 and a print head 22. The cradle 21 is configured so that four ink cartridges 300 can be mounted, and the mounted ink cartridges 300 can be detached. Note that the number of ink cartridges 300 is not limited to four.

[0038] The print head 22 is provided on the -Z direction face of the carriage 20. On the -Z direction face of the print head 22, a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets are provided. Each nozzle is connected to the ink cartridge 300 via a flow path in the carriage 20. The print head 22 is supplied with ink from the ink cartridge 300 via the flow path in the carriage 20, and ejects the ink in the -Z direction from the nozzles. The ink ejected from the nozzles of the print head 22 falls on the print medium PM, and forms an image. In this specification, an "image" includes characters and symbols.

[0039] The cable 30 connects the carriage 20 and the processor 100. The print head 22 of the carriage 20 is controlled by the processor 100 via the cable 30. The memory 352 (refer to Figure 3 ) described later, which is provided on the ink cartridge 300, is controlled by the processor 100 via the cable 30. The printing device 200 is provided with a bus 400 for communicating with the memory 352 of the ink cartridge 300 mounted on the printing device 200. The cable 30 constitutes part of the path of the bus 400. The bus 400 includes a signal line that transmits a clock signal, a signal line for transmitting a reception data signal, and the like.

[0040] The carriage drive belt 55 is a jointless belt. The carriage 20 is fixed to the carriage drive belt 55. The carriage drive belt 55 moves the carriage 20 in the Y direction and the -Y direction by rotating in the forward direction and the reverse direction. The carriage motor 50 rotates the carriage drive belt 55 in the forward direction and the reverse direction.

[0041] The paper feed motor 40 rotates the paper feed roller 45. The paper feed roller 45 is rotated by the paper feed motor 40, and conveys the print medium PM in the X direction.

[0042] The detection element 90 detects the remaining state of the ink housed in the ink cartridge 300. The detection element 90 has a light emitting element 92 and a light receiving element 94, and the light emitting element 92 and the light receiving element 94 are provided side by side in parallel with the Y direction and the -Y direction in which the carriage 20 moves.

[0043] The print medium PM is fed in the X direction by the paper feed roller 45, and the print head 22 provided on the carriage 20 is moved in the Y direction and the -Y direction by the carriage drive belt 55, so that ink ejected from the print head 22 in the -Z direction lands on an arbitrary place on the print medium PM. An image is formed on the print medium PM by the processor 100 controlling the paper feed motor 40, the carriage motor 50, and the print head 22 based on print data. In this specification, the Y direction and the -Y direction in which the carriage 20 is moved are collectively referred to as the "main scanning direction Dl". The X direction and the -X direction in which the print medium PM is fed are collectively referred to as the "sub scanning direction D2".

[0044] Figure 2 The print head 22, the paper feed roller 45, and the processor 100 are omitted from the display in Figure 1 The printing device 200 further has a device-side storage section 190, a display section 210, and an interface section 220.

[0045] The processor 100 is a so-called CPU (Central Processing Unit). The device-side storage section 190 is a semiconductor storage. The device-side storage section 190 is a concept including a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). In the printing device 200, the processor 100 and the device-side storage section 190 as hardware resources cooperate with a control program. Specifically, the processor 100 as a CPU realizes various functions by loading a computer program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing it.

[0046] The display section 210 is controlled by the processor 100 and displays various information. Specifically, the display section 210 is a liquid crystal panel. The interface section 220 transmits information processed by the processor 100 to the outside, and receives information from the outside and transfers it to the processor 100. Specifically, the interface section 220 receives print data from the external computer 600 and transfers it to the processor 100. Further, a signal requesting print data produced by the processor 100 is transmitted to the external computer 600.

[0047] The processor 100 functions as the communication processing section 110 and the main control section 120. The communication processing section 110 performs communication processing between the memory 352 of the ink cartridge 300 via the bus 400. The main control section 120 controls each section of the printing device 200. The main control section 120 also controls the communication processing section 110. The processing performed by the communication processing section 110 and the main control section 120 is described below.

[0048] Figure 3 A perspective view of the ink cartridge 300 is shown. The ink cartridge 300 is mounted on the cradle 21 of the printing device 200, and supplies ink to the print head 22. The ink cartridge 300 is provided with a case 303, an ink storage portion 305, an ink supply port 330, a lever 340, a circuit board 350, and a prism unit 360.

[0049] The case 303 is a substantially rectangular box that constitutes the main body of the ink cartridge 300. The case 303 stores ink inside. The lever 340 is mounted on one face of the substantially rectangular case 303. When the ink cartridge 300 is mounted on the cradle 21, the lever 340 holds the case 303 on the cradle 21. Further, when the ink cartridge 300 is detached from the cradle 21, the lever 340 is operated to release the holding of the case 303 by the cradle 21.

[0050] The ink storage portion 305 is a space provided inside the case 303. The ink storage portion 305 stores ink. The ink supply port 330 sends out the ink stored in the ink storage portion 305 to the printing device 200. The ink supply port 330 is sealed by a film that is not shown. When the ink cartridge 300 is mounted on the cradle 21 of the printing device 200, the film is peeled off.

[0051] The circuit board 350 is provided on the face of the rectangular case 303 on which the lever 340 is provided. The circuit board 350 is provided with a memory 352 and nine terminals 354.

[0052] The nine terminals 354 are provided on the surface of the circuit board 350. In a state where the ink cartridge 300 is mounted on the cradle 21, each of the terminals 354 is connected to a corresponding terminal provided on the cradle 21. As a result, the memory 352 is electrically connected to the processor 100 of the printing device 200 via the terminals 354, the corresponding terminals provided on the cradle 21, and the cable 30. The terminals 354 of the circuit board 350, the terminals of the cradle 21, and the cable 30 constitute a part of a path of a bus 400 for communication between the memory 352 of the ink cartridge 300 mounted on the printing device 200 and the printing device 200. Note that the number of the terminals 354 is not limited to nine.

[0053] The memory 352 is provided on the back surface of the circuit board 350. The memory 352 stores information related to the ink cartridge 300 on which the memory 352 is provided.

[0054] The prism unit 360 has a prism 361 that detects whether or not ink remains in the ink storage portion 305. The prism unit 360 is, for example, a transparent member formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The prism unit 360 is installed with the prism 361 positioned in the ink storage portion 305.

[0055] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a diagram for explaining detection of the remaining state of ink by the prism 361. As Figure 4A and Figure 4B indicated, when the carriage 20 on which the ink cartridge 300 is mounted passes along the main scanning direction D1 over the detection element 90 provided on the printing device 200, light emitted from the light emitting element 92 is incident into the prism 361. In the prism 361, the reflection state of light differs depending on the refractive index of the fluid in contact with the reflecting surface 361f. In Figure 4A , since the ink IK in the ink storage portion 305 exists in contact with the entire surface of the reflecting surface 361f, the light emitted from the light emitting element 92 is transmitted through the reflecting surface 361f and is absorbed in the ink IK. On the other hand, in Figure 4B , since the amount of the ink IK in the ink storage portion 305 is reduced so that the reflecting surface 361f is in contact with air, the light emitted from the light emitting element 92 is reflected by the reflecting surface 361f of the prism 361 and is incident into the light receiving element 94. Thus, by measuring the light incident into the light receiving element 94, it is possible to detect the state in which the amount of ink is reduced.

[0056] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the system structure of the printing system 1000. In Figure 5 , only a part of the structure of each of the printing device 200 and the ink cartridge 300 is shown for easy understanding of the technology.

[0057] The memory 352 of the ink cartridge 300 has a storage portion 356 and a processing portion 358. The storage portion 356 is a nonvolatile memory that can hold information even in a state in which supply of power is not accepted. Specifically, the storage portion 356 has a hardware structure in which word lines and bit lines are arranged in a matrix shape. The processing portion 358 is a CPU that is a processor. The processing portion 358 performs processing based on information received from the printing device 200 and information stored in the storage portion 356. In addition, it is also possible to configure at least a part of the processing portion 358 as a hardware circuit.

[0058] Figure 6Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing information stored in the storage section 356. The storage section 356 stores ink amount information Ii and threshold information It. The ink amount information Ii is information related to the amount of ink accommodated in the ink cartridge 300. In the present embodiment, the ink amount information Ii is information indicating the cumulative amount of ink, i.e., the ink consumption amount Qc, supplied from the ink cartridge 300 to the printing device 200 and consumed by the printing device 200. Each time the printing device 200 performs printing or maintenance, or the like, the processing section 358 receives the amount of ink consumed by the printing device 200 from the printing device 200 and updates the ink amount information Ii.

[0059] The threshold information It is information indicating a threshold value of the amount of ink. In the present embodiment, the threshold information It is information indicating a threshold value Pc of the ink consumption amount Qc. The threshold value Pc of the threshold information It is initially set at the time of factory shipment and is used when the processing section 358 performs the comparison processing Sc described later. The units of the ink consumption amount Qc and the threshold value Pc are both percentages (%) and the case where the amount of ink accommodated in the ink accommodating section 305 is the same as the amount of ink is set to 100%. The threshold information It is set to 90%, for example. Alternatively, the units of the ink consumption amount Qc and the threshold value Pc can be mass (g).

[0060] In the storage section 356, various information is stored in addition to the ink amount information Ii and the threshold information It. The ink depletion information described later is also stored in the storage section 356.

[0061] Figure 7A Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printing device 200. Figure 7B Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing of the storage section 352. The flowchart shown in Fig. 18 is constituted by the flowcharts shown in Figs. 19 and 20. Figure 7A and Figure 7B The flowchart shown in Fig. 21 is constituted by the flowcharts shown in Figs. 22 and 23.

[0062] First, the processing of the printing device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Figure 7A In step S110, the main control section 120 identifies the case where the ink cartridge 300 becomes an ink depletion state. The ink depletion state is a state in which the ink in the ink accommodating section 305 of the ink cartridge 300 is depleted and the printing device 200 cannot perform printing or maintenance and thus becomes unusable. The ink depletion state is detected by the detection element 90 of the printing device 200, as shown in Figs. 24 and 25, for example. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the present embodiment, step S110 includes not only the case where the detection element 90 actually detects the ink depletion state but also the case where the main control section 120 identifies the ink depletion state due to a failure of the firmware in the printing device 200 or a malfunction of the detection element 90.

[0063] In step S120, the main control unit 120 writes ink depletion information, which indicates that the ink cartridge 300 has become ink-depleted, to the device-side storage unit 190 as detection information. For example, the main control unit 120 sets an ink depletion flag in the device-side storage unit 190.

[0064] In step S130, the communication processing unit 110 sends ink depletion information to the memory 352 via the bus 400.

[0065] Alternatively, steps S120 and S130 can be executed simultaneously, or step S120 can be executed after step S130 is executed.

[0066] Next, using Figure 7B ,for Figure 7A The processing of memory 352 after step S130 will be described. In step S210, processing unit 358 receives ink depletion information from printing apparatus 200. In step S220, processing unit 358 reads ink quantity information Ii and threshold information It from storage unit 356. In step S230, processing unit 358 performs a process of comparing ink quantity information Ii and threshold information It. Specifically, it performs a process of comparing the ink consumption amount Qc shown in ink quantity information Ii with the threshold Pc shown in threshold information It. The process performed in step S230 is referred to as comparison process Sc.

[0067] In step S230, the processing unit 358 determines whether the result of the comparison process Sc meets a predetermined write condition. In this embodiment, the write condition is that the ink consumption Qc is greater than or equal to a threshold Pc. If the processing unit 358 determines that the ink consumption Qc is greater than or equal to the threshold Pc, in step S240, the processing unit 358 writes ink depletion information to the storage unit 356. The process performed in step S240 is also referred to as the write process Sw. On the other hand, if the processing unit 358 determines in step S230 that the ink consumption Qc is less than the threshold Pc, in step S250, the processing unit 358 does not write ink depletion information to the storage unit 356. The process performed in step S250 is also referred to as the write restriction process Sr.

[0068] If step S250 is executed, in step S260, the processing unit 358 sends a false transmission notification message to the printing device 200, indicating that the ink depletion information was mistakenly transmitted through the printing device 200.

[0069] Next, return to Figure 7A ,for Figure 7BThe process of the printing device 200 after the step S240 and the step S260 will be described. In the step S140, the communication processing section 110 judges whether or not the mis-sending notification information is received from the memory 352. In the case where the mis-sending notification information is received, in the step S150, the main control section 120 deletes the ink depletion information stored in the device-side storage section 190. Specifically, the ink depletion flag set in the step S120 is released. On the other hand, in the case where the mis-sending notification information is not received, the main control section 120 ends the process.

[0070] According to the present embodiment, since in the step S230, in the case where the processing section 358 judges that the ink consumption amount Qc is equal to or more than the threshold value Pc, the ink in the ink cartridge 300 is consumed by equal to or more than the threshold value Pc, the ink depletion information received from the printing device 200 has a high possibility of being normally sent by the printing device 200. On the other hand, since in the step S230, in the case where the processing section 358 judges that the ink consumption amount Qc is less than the threshold value Pc, the ink in the ink cartridge 300 is not consumed by equal to or more than the threshold value Pc, and thus the ink remains in the ink cartridge 300, the ink depletion information received from the printing device 200 has a high possibility of being mis-sent by the printing device 200. Thus, before the ink depletion information is written in the memory 352, the ink consumption amount Qc indicated by the ink amount information Ii is compared with the threshold value Pc indicated by the threshold value information It, and in the case where the result thereof satisfies the above-mentioned writing condition, the ink depletion information is written in the storage section 356, and in the case where the writing condition is not satisfied, the ink depletion information is not written in the storage section 356, and thus the memory 352 can suppress the case where the ink depletion information is unintentionally written in the memory 352 due to a failure of the printing device 200 such as a firmware or an ink depletion sensor. Further, in the case where the memory 352 judges that the ink consumption amount Qc is less than the threshold value Pc, by limiting the writing of the ink depletion information, the case where the ink depletion information is mis-recorded to cause the ink cartridge 300 to become unusable is suppressed.

[0071] 2. Second Embodiment

[0072] The memory 352 of the second embodiment has the storage section 356a instead of the storage section 356 of the first embodiment.

[0073] Figure 8 A block diagram showing the information stored in the storage section 356a is shown. For the same structural parts as those of the first embodiment, the same numbers are used, and the repeated description is omitted.

[0074] In the second embodiment, the information indicated by the ink amount information Ii and the threshold information It stored in the storage section 356a is different from that in the first embodiment. The ink amount information Ii is information indicating the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 300, that is, the ink remaining amount Qr. The threshold information It is information indicating the threshold value Pr of the ink remaining amount Qr. The units of the ink remaining amount Qr and the threshold value Pr are both percentages (%), and the case where the amount of ink stored in the ink storage section 305 at the time of factory shipment is the same as the amount is set to 100%. The threshold information It is set to 10%, for example. Alternatively, the units of the ink remaining amount Qr and the threshold value Pr can be mass (g).

[0075] Figure 9 A flowchart showing the process of the storage section 352 in the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 23. In addition, since the process of the printing device 200 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The process of the storage section 352 in the second embodiment differs from that in the first embodiment in step S230a. In step S230a, the processing section 358 performs a process of comparing the ink remaining amount Qr indicated by the ink amount information Ii with the threshold value Pr indicated by the threshold information It. The process performed in this step S230a is also referred to as a comparison process Sc, like step S230 in the first embodiment.

[0076] In step S230a, the processing section 358 determines whether the result of the comparison process Sc satisfies a predetermined write condition. The write condition in the present embodiment is that the ink remaining amount Qr is less than the threshold value Pr. In the case where the processing section 358 determines that the ink remaining amount Qr is less than the threshold value Pr, in step S240, the processing section 358 writes the ink depletion information to the storage section 356a. On the other hand, in the case where the processing section 358 determines that the ink remaining amount Qr is the threshold value Pr or more in step S230a, in step S250, the processing section 358 does not write the ink depletion information to the storage section 356a.

[0077] According to the present embodiment, since in step S230a, in the case where the processing section 358 determines that the ink remaining amount Qr is smaller than the threshold value Pr, the ink in the ink cartridge 300 remains only in an amount smaller than the threshold value Pr, the ink depletion information received from the printing device 200 has a high likelihood of being normally transmitted by the printing device 200. On the other hand, since in step S230a, in the case where the processing section 358 determines that the ink remaining amount Qr is the threshold value Pr or more, the ink in the ink cartridge 300 remains in an amount of the threshold value Pr or more, the ink depletion information received from the printing device 200 has a high likelihood of being erroneously transmitted by the printing device 200. Thus, by comparing the ink remaining amount Qr indicated by the ink amount information Ii and the threshold value Pr indicated by the threshold value information It before writing the ink depletion information to the memory 352, and in the case where the result thereof satisfies the above-described writing condition, writing the ink depletion information to the storage section 356a, and in the case where the writing condition is not satisfied, not writing the ink depletion information to the storage section 356a, the memory 352 can suppress the case where the ink depletion information is unintentionally written to the memory 352 due to a failure of the printing device 200 such as the firmware or the ink depletion sensor. Further, in the case where the memory 352 determines that the ink remaining amount Qr is the threshold value Pr or more, by restricting the writing of the ink depletion information, the case where the ink cartridge 300 becomes unusable due to the ink depletion information being erroneously recorded is suppressed.

[0078] 3. Third Embodiment

[0079] Figure 10 Fig. 10 is a view showing a part of the printing system 1000b in the third embodiment. The printing system 1000b in the third embodiment has, in addition to the printing system 1000 shown in Figs. 1 to 9, Figure 1 and Figure 2 a waste ink tank 500 as a liquid storage container, a suction pump 510, and a capping mechanism 520. In the waste ink tank 500, waste ink discharged at the time of maintenance of the print head 22 is collected. At the time of maintenance of the print head 22, the capping mechanism 520 is attached to the nozzle face of the print head 22, and a negative pressure is generated in the capping mechanism 520 by the suction pump 510. The waste ink sucked out is collected into the waste ink tank 500 through a pipe.

[0080] A detection element 90b is provided on the waste ink tank 500. The detection element 90b is an element that detects the amount of waste ink in the waste ink tank 500, and for example, in addition to the detection element having a light emitting element and a light receiving element as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a temperature sensor, an electrode sensor, a sensor that senses the liquid surface, or the like can be used.

[0081] The storage 352 of the third embodiment has a storage section 356b instead of the storage section 356 of the first embodiment.

[0082] Figure 11 A block diagram showing information stored in the storage section 356b is shown. The storage section 356b stores ink amount information Ii and threshold information It. In the present embodiment, the ink amount information Ii is information showing the cumulative amount of waste ink, i.e., waste ink amount Qd, of waste ink discharged from the printing device 200 and recovered into the waste ink tank 500. Each time the printing device 200 performs maintenance or the like, the processing section 358 receives the amount of waste ink discharged from the printing device 200 from the printing device 200 and updates the ink amount information Ii.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the threshold information It is information showing a threshold value Pd of the waste ink amount Qd. The threshold value Pd of the threshold information It is initially set at the time of factory shipment and is used when the processing section 358 performs the comparison processing Sc described later. The waste ink amount Qd and the threshold value Pd are each in percentage (%) and the case where the amount of waste ink that can be accommodated in the waste ink tank 500 is the same as the amount is set to 100%. The threshold information It is set to 90%, for example. Alternatively, the waste ink amount Qd and the threshold value Pd can be in mass (g).

[0084] In the storage section 356b, various information is stored in addition to the ink amount information Ii and the threshold information It. The full ink information described later is also stored in the storage section 356b.

[0085] Figure 12A A flowchart showing the processing of the printing device 200 in the third embodiment is shown. Figure 12B A flowchart showing the processing of the storage 352 in the third embodiment is shown. The flowchart shown in Figure 12A and Figure 12B constitutes a flowchart showing the processing of the printing system 1000b as a whole.

[0086] First, the processing of the printing device 200 is described with reference to Figure 12A In step S110b, the main control section 120 recognizes that the waste ink tank 500 has become a full ink state. The full ink state is a state where the waste ink tank 500 is filled with waste ink and the printing device 200 cannot perform maintenance and thus cannot use the waste ink tank 500. The full ink state is detected by the detection element 90b of the printing device 200, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B. In the present embodiment, step S110b includes not only a case where the detection element 90b actually detects the full ink state but also a case where the main control section 120 recognizes the full ink state due to a failure of firmware in the printing device 200 or a malfunction of the detection element 90b. Figure 10 In step S110b, the main control section 120 recognizes that the waste ink tank 500 has become a full ink state. The full ink state is a state where the waste ink tank 500 is filled with waste ink and the printing device 200 cannot perform maintenance and thus cannot use the waste ink tank 500. The full ink state is detected by the detection element 90b of the printing device 200, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B. In the present embodiment, step S110b includes not only a case where the detection element 90b actually detects the full ink state but also a case where the main control section 120 recognizes the full ink state due to a failure of firmware in the printing device 200 or a malfunction of the detection element 90b.

[0087] In step S120b, the main control section 120 writes, as detection information, ink full information indicating that the waste ink tank 500 has become in the ink full state, to the device side storage section 190. For example, the main control section 120 sets an ink full flag in the device side storage section 190.

[0088] In step S130b, the communication processing section 110 transmits the ink full information to the memory 352 via the bus 400.

[0089] In addition, step S120b and step S130b can be executed at the same time, or step S120b can be executed after step S130b.

[0090] Next, the processing of the memory 352 after step S130b of the second embodiment will be described. Figure 12B The processing of the memory 352 after step S130b of the second embodiment will be described. Figure 12A In step S210b, the processing section 358 receives the ink full information from the printing device 200. In step S220b, the processing section 358 reads out the ink amount information Ii and the threshold information It from the storage section 356b. In step S230b, the processing section 358 executes processing of comparing the ink amount information Ii and the threshold information It. Specifically, processing of comparing the waste ink amount Qd indicated by the ink amount information Ii and the threshold value Pd indicated by the threshold information It is executed. The processing executed in step S230b is also referred to as comparison processing Sc as with step S230 in the first embodiment.

[0091] In step S230b, the processing section 358 judges whether or not the result of the comparison processing Sc satisfies a predetermined write condition. The write condition in the present embodiment is that the waste ink amount Qd is equal to or greater than the threshold value Pd. In the case where the processing section 358 judges that the waste ink amount Qd is equal to or greater than the threshold value Pd, in step S240b, the processing section 358 writes the ink full information to the storage section 356b. The processing executed in step S240b is also referred to as write processing Sw as with step S240 in the first embodiment. On the other hand, in step S230b, in the case where the processing section 358 judges that the waste ink amount Qd is less than the threshold value Pd, in step S250b, the processing section 358 does not write the ink full information to the storage section 356b. The processing executed in step S250b is also referred to as write restriction processing Sr as with step S250 in the first embodiment.

[0092] In the case where step S250b is executed, in step S260b, the processing section 358 transmits, to the printing device 200, mis-transmission notification information notifying of a case where the ink full information is mis-transmitted by the printing device 200.

[0093] Next, returning toFigure 12A ,for Figure 12B The processing of the printing apparatus 200 after steps S240b and S260b will be described. In step S140b, the communication processing unit 110 determines whether a mistransmission notification message has been received from the memory 352. If a mistransmission notification message has been received, in step S150b, the main control unit 120 deletes the full ink information stored in the device-side storage unit 190. Specifically, the full ink flag set in step S120b is deactivated. On the other hand, if no mistransmission notification message has been received, the main control unit 120 terminates the processing.

[0094] According to this embodiment, since in step S230b, when the processing unit 358 determines that the waste ink quantity Qd is above the threshold Pd, waste ink above the threshold Pd is recovered in the waste ink tank 500. Therefore, the possibility that the full ink information received from the printing device 200 is a normal transmission from the printing device 200 is relatively high. On the other hand, since in step S230b, when the processing unit 358 determines that the waste ink quantity Qd is less than the threshold Pd, the waste ink quantity Qd has not reached the threshold Pd. Therefore, waste ink is not fully recovered in the waste ink tank 500, and the possibility that the full ink information received from the printing device 200 is a false transmission from the printing device 200 is relatively high. Therefore, by comparing the waste ink amount Qd shown in the ink quantity information Ii and the threshold Pd shown in the threshold information It before writing the full ink information, and writing the full ink information to the storage unit 356b if the result meets the above-mentioned writing conditions, and not writing the full ink information to the storage unit 356b if the writing conditions are not met, the memory 352 can suppress the situation where full ink information is written to the memory 352 unintentionally due to a malfunction of the printing device 200 such as firmware or a full ink sensor. Furthermore, when the memory 352 determines that the waste ink amount Qd is less than the threshold Pd, it restricts the writing of full ink information, thereby preventing the waste ink tank 500 from becoming unusable due to erroneous recording of full ink information.

[0095] 4. First variation

[0096] Figure 13A A flowchart illustrating the processing of the printing apparatus 200 in the first modified example. Figure 13B This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of memory 352 in the first modified example. Figure 13A as well as Figure 13B The flowchart shown constitutes a flowchart representing the overall processing of the printing system 1000 of the first modified example. The same numbering is used for structural parts that are the same as in the first embodiment, thus omitting repeated descriptions.

[0097] The first modification is that, in the first embodiment, instead of the step S260 of transmitting the misfeed notification information to the printing device 200, the execution result information is transmitted to the printing device 200. The execution result information is information indicating whether or not the ink depletion information is written in the storage section 356.

[0098] Figure 13A the steps S110, S120, S130, Figure 13B the steps S210, S220, S230 in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 13B the case where the processing section 358 determines in the step S230 that the ink consumption amount Qc is equal to or greater than the threshold value Pc and writes the ink depletion information in the storage section 356 in the step S240, the processing section 358 transmits, in the step S261, for example, "1" as the execution result information indicating that the ink depletion information is written in the storage section 356. On the other hand, in the case where the processing section 358 determines in the step S230 that the ink consumption amount Qc is less than the threshold value Pc and does not write the ink depletion information in the storage section 356 in the step S240, the processing section 358 transmits, in the step S262, for example, "0" as the execution result information indicating that the ink depletion information is not written in the storage section 356.

[0099] As shown in Figure 13A the case where the main control section 120 of the printing device 200 receives the execution result information in the step S141, the main control section 120 determines in the step S160, on the basis of the execution result information received from the storage section 352, whether or not the processing section 358 of the storage section 352 writes the ink depletion information in the storage section 356. In the case where it is determined that the ink depletion information is written in the storage section 356, the main control section 120 determines the ink depletion state of the printing system 1000 in the step S161. Specifically, the ink depletion information stored in the device-side storage section 190 is not updated, and it is determined that the ink cartridge 300 becomes unusable. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined in the step S160 that the ink depletion information is not written in the storage section 356, the main control section 120 deletes the ink depletion information stored in the device-side storage section 190 in the step S162. Specifically, the main control section 120 cancels the ink depletion flag set in the step S120.

[0100] According to the present modification example, the printing device 200, although in the case where the ink cartridge 300 becomes in the unusable state is recognized at the stage where the ink depletion information is transmitted to the memory 352, can more correctly perform the control of the printing device 200 by making the determination based on the execution result information received from the memory 352. Further, by the memory 352 transmitting the execution result information to the printing device 200, whether or not the writing is performed is notified to the printing device 200, and further the printing device 200 can perform the appropriate control by receiving the information.

[0101] 5. Second Modification Example

[0102] Figure 14A A flowchart showing the process of the printing device 200 in the second modification example. Figure 14B A flowchart showing the process of the memory 352 in the second modification example. By the flowcharts shown in Figure 14A and Figure 14B A flowchart showing the process of the printing system 1000 as a whole in the second modification example is constituted. For the same structural parts as those of the first embodiment, the same numbers are used, and the repeated explanation is omitted.

[0103] In the second modification example, the printing device 200 performs the process of updating the threshold value information It stored in the storage section 356 of the memory 352 independently of the process of the printing system 1000 shown in the first embodiment. In the present modification example, the case where the printing device 200 performs the maintenance is explained.

[0104] As shown in Figure 14A , in step S170, the main control section 120 performs the maintenance of the print head 22. The maintenance exists in the case where the main control section 120 spontaneously performs it, and in the case where it is performed based on the instruction from the user. In step S171, the main control section 120 generates the execution number information, the maintenance information, and the evaporation amount information. The execution number information is information showing the number of times the main control section 120 performs the maintenance. The execution number information is updated each time the main control section 120 performs the maintenance. The maintenance information is information showing the amount of the ink consumed by the performance of the maintenance by the main control section 120. In the device side storage section 190, the amount of the ink to be consumed according to the kind of the maintenance is stored in advance. The main control section 120 generates the maintenance information by reading out the amount of the ink corresponding to the kind of the maintenance performed from the device side storage section 190. The evaporation amount information is information showing the evaporation amount of the ink evaporated from the ink cartridge 300. The evaporation amount is calculated, for example, from the data classified by the destination country, the temperature data, the season data, the chronological data, and the like, which are not shown, stored in the device side storage section 190.

[0105] In step S172, the main control section 120 generates threshold update information based on the number-of-executions information, the maintenance information, and the evaporation amount information. The main control section 120 generates the threshold update information in a case where the number of executions of maintenance exceeds a predetermined number, in a case where maintenance that consumes more ink is executed, in a case where the cumulative amount of ink consumed due to maintenance exceeds a predetermined amount, in a case where the evaporation amount exceeds a predetermined value, or in a case where a predetermined condition combining these cases is reached, and the like. The threshold update information can be a new threshold value, or a difference from the current threshold value. In step S173, the communication processing section 110 transmits the threshold update information to the storage 352.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 27, in step S270, the processing section 358 receives the threshold update information from the printing device 200. In step S271, the processing section 358 updates the threshold information It stored in the storage section 356 based on the received threshold update information. In a case where the threshold update information is information indicating a new threshold value, the processing section 358 rewrites the threshold information It to the information indicated by the threshold update information. In a case where the threshold update information is a difference from the threshold value Pc indicated by the threshold information It before the update, the processing section 358 calculates a new threshold value, and updates the threshold information It. Figure 14B

[0107] In a case where the processing in Figs. 26 and 27 is ended, and the printing system 1000 executes the processing in the first embodiment, the printing system 1000 executes the processing based on the threshold information It updated in step S271. Figure 14A Figure 14B According to the present modified example, the amount of ink corresponding to the kind of maintenance stored in the device-side storage section 190 of the printing device 200 is predicted to be slightly more than the amount of ink actually consumed due to maintenance in order to prevent dry firing of the ink. The more maintenance is executed, the greater the difference between the actual amount of ink consumed due to maintenance and the amount of ink consumption written to the ink cartridge 300. Thus, the threshold update information is transmitted from the printing device 200 to the storage 352, and the storage 352 updates the threshold information It, so that the writing of the ink depletion information can be correctly performed in accordance with the actual amount of ink.

[0108] Further, although an example of a case where maintenance is executed is described in the present modified example, the same processing can be performed in a case where printing is executed.

[0109] Further, although an example of a case where maintenance is executed is described in the present modified example, the same processing can be performed in a case where printing is executed.

[0110] 6. Third Modified Example

[0111] Figure 15A A flowchart showing the processing of the printing device 200 in the third modified example.​​Figure 15B This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of memory 352 in the third variation. Figure 15A as well as Figure 15B The flowchart shown constitutes a flowchart representing the overall processing of the printing system 1000 of the third variation. For structural parts identical to those in the second variation, the same numbering is used, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0112] The difference between this variation and the second variation is that the memory 352 performs the threshold update information generation step performed by the printing apparatus 200 in the second variation. After generating execution count information, maintenance information, and evaporation amount information in step S171, the printing apparatus 200 sends this information to the memory 352 in step S174.

[0113] In step S272, the processing unit 358 receives execution count information, maintenance information, and evaporation amount information from the printing apparatus 200. In step S273, the processing unit 358 operates in the same way as the main control unit 120 in step S172 of the second variation, generating threshold update information based on the execution count information, maintenance information, and evaporation amount information. In step S274, the processing unit 358 updates the threshold information It stored in the storage unit 356 based on the generated threshold update information.

[0114] According to the third variation, the memory 352, which receives various maintenance information, can automatically update the threshold. Furthermore, it can accurately write ink depletion information based on the actual amount of ink.

[0115] 7. Fourth variation example

[0116] Figure 16 This is a block diagram illustrating the information stored in the storage unit 356c in the fourth modification. The same numbering is used for structural parts identical to those in the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted. The storage unit 356c in the fourth modification differs from the first embodiment in that it stores comparison processing control information Is. The comparison processing control information Is indicates whether the processing unit 358 performs the process described later. Figure 17 The information in step S230 of the comparison processing Sc. The comparison processing control information Is includes comparison processing valid information or comparison processing invalid information. Comparison processing valid information indicates that the processing unit 358 performs comparison processing. Comparison processing invalid information indicates that the processing unit 358 does not perform comparison processing. For example, in the storage unit 356c, comparison processing valid information is stored as "1", and comparison processing invalid information is stored as "0".

[0117] The comparison processing control information Is is set to either the comparison processing valid information or the comparison processing invalid information at the time of factory shipment. Further, the main control section 120 of the printing device 200 transmits either the comparison processing valid information or the comparison processing invalid information as the comparison processing control information Is to the memory 352. The processing section 358 of the memory 352 updates the comparison processing control information Is stored in the storage section 356c to the received comparison processing control information Is in the case where the comparison processing control information Is is received from the printing device 200.

[0118] Figure 17 A flowchart showing the processing of the memory 352 in the fourth modification example. The processing of the memory 352 in the fourth modification example differs from the first embodiment in that the step S215 is executed between the step S210 and the step S220. When the ink depletion information is received from the printing device 200 in the step S210, the processing section 358 judges whether the comparison processing Sc is valid or invalid in the step S215. Specifically, it is confirmed which one of the comparison processing valid information or the comparison processing invalid information is stored in the storage section 356c as the comparison processing control information Is. In the case where the processing section 358 judges that the comparison processing Sc is valid, the processing of the step S220 is executed. That is, the comparison processing Sc is executed. In the case where the processing section 358 judges that the comparison processing Sc is invalid, the processing of the step S240 is executed. That is, the comparison processing Sc is not executed.

[0119] According to the fourth modification example, the memory 352 controls the presence or absence of the execution of the comparison processing Sc based on the comparison processing control information Is received from the printing device 200, and thus can omit the comparison processing Sc without the need for the processing in the case where the respective models of the ink cartridges 300 do not require the comparison processing Sc.

[0120] Further, in the third modification example, the same function as the present embodiment can be executed using the threshold update information. Specifically, by setting the threshold update information in such a manner that the threshold Pc is updated to 0% in percentage units, the ink depletion information can be always written in the step S230. Figure 7B

[0121] 8. Fifth Modification Example

[0122] ​In the first embodiment, whenever the printing apparatus 200 consumes ink, the processing unit 358 of the memory 352 receives the newly consumed ink amount, i.e., the individual consumption amount, from the printing apparatus 200 and updates the ink quantity information Ii in the storage unit 356. In this modified example, when updating the ink quantity information Ii, the processing unit 358 compares the received individual consumption amount with a threshold and determines whether to update based on the comparison result. Furthermore, this threshold is changed according to the operating state of the printing apparatus 200 when ink is consumed. In addition, similar to the first embodiment, the ink quantity information Ii is set as information representing the cumulative amount of ink consumed by the printing apparatus 200, i.e., the ink consumption amount Qc. The processing unit 358 updates the ink quantity information Ii by adding the received individual consumption amount to the ink consumption amount Qc.

[0123] For example, such as Figure 18 As shown, the storage unit 356 of the memory 352 stores a table T1 that establishes a correspondence between the operating state and threshold of the printing apparatus 200. Table T1 contains operating information indicating the operating state of the printing apparatus 200, including ink color information indicating the color of the consumed ink, capacity information indicating the size of the installed ink cartridge 300, maintenance category information related to the maintenance category, color information indicating whether it is color printing or black and white printing, and media size information indicating the size of the printing medium PM. The threshold is determined based on a combination of these information. Furthermore, in... Figure 18 In this diagram, although only black is shown for ink color information and only L-size is shown for volume information, thresholds are similarly determined for other colors and sizes. Individual consumption and thresholds are set as 100% (percentage) for the case where the ink storage unit 305 holds the same amount, and the threshold is set to a value greater than the hypothetical individual consumption in that operating state. Alternatively, individual consumption and thresholds can also be expressed in mass (g). Maintenance category information refers to the operation information used when the printing apparatus 200 performs maintenance such as initial filling or cleaning, while color information and media size information refer to the operation information used when the printing apparatus 200 performs printing. During maintenance, since more ink is consumed compared to printing, the threshold becomes larger. In particular, during initial filling, since a large amount of ink is consumed, the threshold becomes maximum, and thresholds corresponding to the different cleaning intensities are also set. Furthermore, when printing is performed, a threshold corresponding to the size of the printing medium PM is set, and regarding black ink, since the amount of ink used in black and white printing is greater than that used in color printing, the threshold for black and white printing is larger than that for color printing.

[0124] The printing device 200 transmits the individual consumption amount to be consumed and the above-mentioned operation information at the same time as indicating the update of the ink amount information Ii to the storage 352 in a case where an operation of consuming ink such as printing and maintenance is performed. The processing section 358 acquires the transmitted individual consumption amount and operation information, and decides the threshold value corresponding to the operation state based on the acquired operation information and the table Tl, and compares the acquired individual consumption amount with the threshold value. Then, as a result of the comparison, in a case where the acquired individual consumption amount is equal to or more than the threshold value, it is judged that a failure has occurred in the printing device 200, the update of the ink amount information Ii is not implemented, and the update is implemented only in a case where the acquired individual consumption amount is less than the threshold value.

[0125] Figure 19 A flowchart showing the processing of the storage 352 in a case where the indication of the update of the ink amount information Ii is received is shown in FIG. 12. The processing section 358 of the storage 352 performs the operation in accordance with the flow of FIG. 12 when the indication of the update of the ink amount information Ii is received from the printing device 200. Figure 19

[0126] As shown in FIG. 11, in step S310, the processing section 358 acquires the individual consumption amount and the operation information transmitted together with the indication of the update from the printing device 200. Figure 19

[0127] In step S320, the processing section 358 decides the threshold value corresponding to the operation state based on the acquired operation information and the table Tl stored in the storage section 356.

[0128] In step S330, the processing section 358 compares the acquired individual consumption amount with the threshold value, and judges whether the individual consumption amount is less than the threshold value. Then, in a case where the individual consumption amount is less than the threshold value, the processing is transferred to step S340, and in a case where the individual consumption amount is equal to or more than the threshold value, the processing is transferred to step S350.

[0129] In a case where the acquired individual consumption amount is less than the threshold value and the processing is transferred to step S340, the processing section 358 reads out the ink amount information Ii stored in the storage section 356 at this point of time, and updates the ink amount information Ii by adding the acquired individual consumption amount to the ink consumption amount Qc shown by this ink amount information Ii. Then, the updated ink amount information Ii is stored in the storage section 356, and the processing is ended.

[0130] ​​On the other hand, in a case where the acquired individual consumption amount is equal to or more than the threshold value and the process is transferred to step S350, the processing section 358 does not perform the update of the ink amount information Ii, but performs notification to the printing device 200 indicating a case where the transmitted individual consumption amount is an abnormal value, and ends the process. The printing device 200, upon receiving the notification, performs an action corresponding to the notification. For example, the main control section 120 of the printing device 200 performs a recovery sequence for deleting an abnormal state. Or it can be configured such that the main control section 120 displays a message indicating the main cause of the abnormality on the display section 210, and notifies the user in some manner.

[0131] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress a case where the ink amount information Ii is updated based on an erroneous individual consumption amount due to a failure of the printing device 200.

[0132] In addition, it can be configured such that the above-described update control using the threshold value, that is, control for determining whether or not to update the ink amount information Ii based on the comparison result of the individual consumption amount and the threshold value, is invalidated. For example, the processing section 358 can be configured such that, in a case where information indicating that the update control is invalidated is received from the printing device 200 together with an instruction to update the ink amount information Ii, the ink amount information Ii is updated unconditionally without comparison with the threshold value. Or it can be configured such that the update control is performed only in a case where maintenance is performed, and the update control is invalidated in a case where printing is performed.

[0133] Further, the timing at which the printing device 200 instructs the update of the ink amount information Ii can be before the action accompanied by the consumption of ink, or after. However, when configured in a manner where the ink amount information Ii is updated after the action, in a case where an abnormal situation such as a stop of power supply occurs in the middle of the action, it becomes impossible to update, and thus there is a possibility that the stored ink consumption amount Qc becomes significantly less than the actual cumulative consumption amount. Therefore, it is desirable to update before the action based on the assumed individual consumption amount in a case where maintenance in which the consumption amount of ink is relatively large is performed. On the other hand, in a case where printing in which the consumption amount of ink is relatively small is performed, it can be configured in a manner where the ink amount information Ii is updated after the printing based on the actual individual consumption amount.

[0134] Further, it is not limited to a manner where the processing section 358 of the storage 352 performs the update of the ink amount information Ii, that is, the processing of adding the individual consumption amount to the ink consumption amount Qc, but it can be configured in a manner where the printing device 200 acquires the ink amount information Ii from the storage 352, and the printing device 200 updates the ink amount information Ii. In this case, the printing device 200 transmits the updated ink amount information Ii to the storage 352 and causes it to be stored in the storage section 356.

[0135] Further, although in the present modification example, the ink color information, the capacity information, the maintenance category information, the color information, and the medium size information are exemplified as the operation information that influences the determination of the threshold value, the operation information is not limited to these. For example, information indicating an environmental temperature, information indicating the number of days elapsed from the start of use of the ink cartridge 300, or the like can be included. In addition, it can be configured that, in a case where the threshold value is different as appropriate due to the number of days elapsed or a change in the environment, or the like, the threshold values in the table T1 can be updated in accordance with these changes. In this case, the printing device 200 gives an update instruction of the threshold value to the memory 352 and transmits a new threshold value to the memory 352 based on an instruction from the user or a detection result of detecting a change in the environment or the like. Then, the processing section 358 of the memory 352 updates the threshold values of the table T1 stored in the storage section 356 to the received threshold values.

[0136] 9. Other Modes

[0137] Although the first to fifth modification examples are described based on the first embodiment, the first to fifth modification examples can also be applied to the second and third embodiments.

[0138] Although the printing system 1000 in the first embodiment is a so-called on-carriage type in which the ink cartridge 300 is mounted on the carriage 21 of the printing device 200, the printing system 1000 is not limited to this. For example, the disclosure can also be applied to a printing system of a so-called off-carriage type in which the ink cartridge is mounted at a position different from the carriage of the printing device and supplies ink to the printing head via a supply tube.

[0139] The disclosure can also be implemented in various modes other than the printing device, the liquid storage container, and the memory. For example, the disclosure can be implemented by a control method of the printing device, the liquid storage container, or the memory, a computer program that implements the control method, a non-transitory recording medium that records the computer program, or the like.

[0140] The plurality of structural elements of the above-described modes of the present disclosure are not all necessarily required, and in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or in order to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, a change, deletion, replacement with a new structural element, partial deletion of the content of limitation can be appropriately made for part of the plurality of structural elements. In addition, in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or in order to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, part or all of the technical features included in one mode of the above-described present disclosure can also be combined with part or all of the technical features included in other modes of the above-described present disclosure to serve as an independent mode of the present disclosure.

[0141] Symbol explanation

[0142] 20 carriage; 21 bracket; 22 print head; 30 cable; 40 paper feed motor; 45 paper feed roller; 50 carriage motor; 55 carriage drive belt; 90, 90b detection element; 92 light emitting element; 94 light receiving element; 100 processor; 110 communication processing section; 120 main control section; 190 device-side storage section; 200 printing device; 210 display section; 220 interface section; 300 ink cartridge; 303 case; 305 ink storage section; 330 ink supply port; 340 lever; 350 circuit board; 352 memory; 354 terminal; 356, 356a, 356b, 356c storage section; 358 processing section; 360 prism unit; 361 prism; 361f reflecting surface; 400 bus; 500 waste ink tank; 510 suction pump; 520 gland mechanism; 600 computer; 1000, 1000b printing system; D1 main scanning direction; D2 sub-scanning direction; IK ink; Ii ink amount information; It threshold value information; Is comparison processing control information; PM print medium; Qc ink consumption amount; Qr ink remaining amount; Qd waste ink amount; Pc, Pr, Pd threshold value; Sc comparison processing; Sr write limit processing; Sw write processing; T1 table.

Claims

1. A memory provided in a liquid storage container mounted on a printing device, the memory having: a storage section that stores ink amount information related to an amount of ink stored in the liquid storage container and threshold information related to a threshold value of the amount of ink; a processing section that performs processing based on information received from the printing device and information stored in the storage section, the processing section, in a case where detection information indicating that the liquid storage container has become a state in which it cannot be used is received from the printing device, performs comparison processing that compares the ink amount information and the threshold information, and in a case where a result of the comparison processing accords with a predetermined write condition, writes the detection information into the storage section, and in a case where the result of the comparison processing does not accord with the write condition, does not write the detection information into the storage section.

2. The memory according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage container is an ink cartridge that stores the ink supplied to the printing device, the ink amount information is information indicating a cumulative amount of the ink supplied from the liquid storage container to the printing device and consumed by the printing device, i.e., an ink consumption amount, the threshold information is information indicating a threshold value of the ink consumption amount, the detection information is ink depletion information indicating that the liquid storage container has become an ink depletion state, the write condition is that the ink consumption amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

3. The memory according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage container is an ink cartridge that stores the ink supplied to the printing device, the ink amount information is information indicating an amount of the ink remaining in the liquid storage container, i.e., an ink remaining amount, the threshold information is information indicating a threshold value of the ink remaining amount, the detection information is ink depletion information indicating that the liquid storage container has become an ink depletion state, the write condition is that the ink remaining amount is less than the threshold value.

4. The memory according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage container is a waste ink tank that recycles waste ink discharged from the printing device, the ink amount information is information indicating a cumulative amount of the waste ink, i.e., a waste ink amount, the threshold information is information indicating a threshold value of the waste ink amount, the detection information is full ink information indicating that the liquid storage container has become a full ink state, the write condition is that the waste ink amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

5. The memory according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing section, in a case where the detection information is not written into the storage section, transmits, to the printing device, mis-transmission notification information that notifies of a case where the detection information is mis-transmitted by the printing device.

6. The memory according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing section transmits, to the printing device, execution result information indicating whether or not the detection information is written into the storage section.

7. The memory according to claim 1, wherein The processing section updates the threshold information based on threshold update information received from the printing device.

8. A liquid storage container, wherein The liquid storage container is mounted on a printing device, and has the memory described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A printing system that has a printing device and a liquid storage container mounted on the printing device and having a memory, The memory has: a storage section that stores ink amount information related to an amount of ink stored in the liquid storage container and threshold information related to a threshold value of the amount of ink; a processing section that performs processing based on information received from the printing device and information stored in the storage section, The printing device transmits detection information indicating that the liquid storage container has become unusable to the memory, The processing section performs comparison processing that compares the ink amount information and the threshold information, in a case where the detection information is received from the printing device, In a case where a result of the comparison processing matches a predetermined write condition, the detection information is written into the storage section, and in a case where the result of the comparison processing does not match the write condition, the detection information is not written into the storage section.

10. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein The ink amount information is information indicating a cumulative amount of ink supplied from the liquid storage container to the printing device and consumed by the printing device, that is, an ink consumption amount, The threshold information is information indicating a threshold value of the ink consumption amount, The detection information is ink depletion information indicating that the liquid storage container has become in an ink depletion state, The write condition is that the ink consumption amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

11. The printing system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein The printing device stores the detection information in a case where the detection information is transmitted to the memory, The processing section transmits, to the printing device, mis-transmission notification information that notifies of a case where the detection information is mis-transmitted by the printing device, in a case where the detection information is not written into the storage section, The printing device performs processing that deletes the detection information stored in the printing device, in a case where the mis-transmission notification information is received from the memory.

12. The printing system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein The printing device stores the detection information in a case where the detection information is transmitted to the memory, The memory transmits, to the printing device, execution result information indicating whether the detection information is written into the storage section, The printing device determines that the liquid storage container has become unusable, in a case where the execution result information is received and it is determined that the detection information is written into the storage section by the memory, And in a case where the execution result information is received and it is determined that the memory did not write the detection information to the storage section, the detection information stored in the printing device is deleted.

13. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein the printing device transmits threshold update information that updates the threshold information stored in the storage section, the processing section updates the threshold information to the threshold update information in a case where the threshold update information is received.

14. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein the printing device transmits comparison processing control information that indicates whether the processing section performs the comparison processing to the memory, the comparison processing control information includes comparison processing valid information that indicates that the processing section performs the comparison processing or comparison processing invalid information that indicates that the processing section does not perform the comparison processing, the processing section performs the comparison processing when the detection information is received in a case where the comparison processing valid information is received, and does not perform the comparison processing even when the detection information is received in a case where the comparison processing invalid information is received.

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