Printing apparatus and reproduction determination method

Abstract

To provide a printer which provides reference information on a consumable material of a replacement component in determining whether the replacement component can be recycled, and to provide a recycling determination method.SOLUTION: When the first cartridge 100A is attached to the attachment case 27, the controller 30 of the printer 10 acquires information on the first cartridge 100A and updates the history information 50 (S1). When the second cartridge 100A different from the first cartridge 100B is mounted, the controller 30 stores the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 for determining whether or not recycling is possible based on the history information 50 in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S3, S5, S7). As a result, when the second cartridge side 100B is recycled, it is possible to determine whether or not the recycling is possible based on the reference information of the memory 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a technique for managing replacement parts in a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various techniques for managing replacement parts used in printing devices have been proposed. Patent Document 1 listed below describes an information management system in which an image forming device and a management server are connected via a network. Cartridges, which are replacement parts for image forming devices, are equipped with a cartridge storage device that stores cartridge information. The cartridge information includes a reuse flag that indicates whether the cartridge is a recycled, reused cartridge. The reuse flag is set to a value that indicates that the cartridge has been used in a certain image forming device, and then refilled with consumables and reused. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-194004 A (Fig. 3) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, in recent years, there has been a demand for recycling used replacement parts by reloading them with consumables. Among used replacement parts, there are replacement parts that are suitable for recycling and replacement parts that are not suitable for recycling. For example, if replacement parts with different consumable compositions are used in a single printing device, there is a risk that consumables of different compositions will be mixed into the replacement parts. If consumables with different compositions are mixed, there is a risk that the compositions will solidify, which can lead to a problem that the printing quality of the replacement parts cannot be maintained after being recycled.

[0005] This specification has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a printing device and a recycling determination method that provide reference information regarding the consumables of replacement parts when determining whether the replacement parts can be recycled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the printing device of this specification includes a mounting unit to which a first replacement part or a second replacement part that contains consumables can be attached and detached, and a controller, and the controller executes a first acquisition process to acquire information about the first replacement part from the first replacement part when the first replacement part is attached to the mounting unit, and a storage process to store reference information in a memory possessed by the second replacement part when the second replacement part, which is different from the first replacement part, and is based on information about the first replacement part and is used as a reference when determining whether the second replacement part can be recycled. Furthermore, the contents of this specification are not limited to implementation as a printing device, but are also extremely useful when implemented as a remanufacturing determination method for determining whether or not a replacement part can be remanufactured. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the printing device and recycling determination method of the present specification, reference information regarding the consumables of the replacement part can be provided when determining whether the replacement part can be recycled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are external perspective views of a printer 10 according to a first embodiment, in which (A) shows a closed state with a cover 11 closed, and (B) shows an open state with the cover 11 open. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a printer 10 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer 10 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an IC substrate 105 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of equilibrium calculation parameters according to the first embodiment, and the state of ink 101 in the cartridge 100 and the subtank 37. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of cartridge processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart of a playback process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a cartridge process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the printing device of this specification will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the invention of this specification, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this specification. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a printer 10 of this embodiment, with FIG. 1(A) showing a closed state with a cover 11 closed and FIG. 1(B) showing an open state with the cover 11 open. In the following description, the up-down direction 1, left-right direction 2, and front-rear direction 3 are defined based on the direction in which the printer 10 is viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0010] (Printer 10 Overview) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of printer 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, printer 10 is a device that prints images on sheets using an inkjet method, and includes a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 13. Inside housing 13, there are provided a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 16, a transport roller 17, a head 21 having a plurality of nozzles 19, a platen 22 facing head 21, a discharge roller 23, a discharge tray 25, an attachment case 27 to / from which cartridge 100 is attached / detached, a tube 29, a controller 30 (see FIG. 3), and a drive source 31 (see FIG. 3). Tube 29 connects a connection portion 28 of head 21 to a subtank 37 of attachment case 27, which will be described later.

[0011] The drive source 31 includes, for example, a motor and a reduction gear connected to the motor's output shaft, and rotates the feed roller 16, the transport roller 17, the discharge roller 23, etc. The printer 10 drives the drive source 31 to rotate the feed roller 16 and the transport roller 17, thereby transporting the sheet S stored in the paper feed tray 15 to the position of the platen 22. The printer 10 ejects ink 101 supplied from a cartridge 100 attached to an attachment case 27 through a tube 29, through the nozzles 19 of the head 21. For example, the printer 10 includes a carriage that moves back and forth in a main scanning direction that intersects with the direction in which the sheet S is transported by the transport roller 17. The head 21 is mounted on this carriage. The printer 10 ejects ink 101 through the nozzles 19 of the head 21 while moving the carriage from one side to the other in the main scanning direction. As a result, the ink 101 lands on the sheet S supported by the platen 22, printing an image on the sheet S. An image is printed on a partial area (one pass's worth) of the sheet S facing the head 21. Next, the printer 10 causes the transport rollers 17 to transport the sheet S so that the area where the next image is to be printed faces the head 21. The printer 10 alternately repeats these processes to print an image on one sheet S. The printer 10 rotates the discharge rollers 23 to discharge the sheet S on which the image has been printed onto the discharge tray 25. The sheet S discharged onto the discharge tray 25 can be removed from an opening 26 formed in the front surface 13A of the printer 10.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1(B), an opening 13B is formed on the front surface 13A of the housing 13 at the right end in the left-right direction 2. The housing 13 is provided with a cover 11 that switches between an open state (FIG. 1(B)) in which the opening 13B is open and a closed state (FIG. 1(A)) in which the opening 13B is closed. The cover 11 is rotatable relative to the housing 13 around its lower end in the up-down direction 1, and switches between the open state and the closed state. An attachment case 27 (accommodation section 41) is provided in the space inside the housing 13 that extends beyond the opening 13B.

[0013] The printer 10 also has a cover sensor 33 (see FIG. 3). The cover sensor 33 may be, for example, a mechanical sensor such as a switch that the cover 11 engages or disengages, or an optical sensor that blocks or transmits light depending on the position of the cover 11. The cover sensor 33 outputs different signals to the controller 30 (see FIG. 3) depending on the position of the cover 11. For example, the cover sensor 33 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 30 when the cover 11 is placed in a closed position. The cover sensor 33 also outputs a high-level signal, the signal level of which is higher than the low-level signal, to the controller 30 when the cover 11 is placed in a position different from the closed position. This allows the controller 30 to detect the open / closed state of the cover 11 based on the detection signal from the cover sensor 33.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting case 27 includes a contact 35, an attachment sensor 36 (see FIG. 3), a subtank 37 (see FIG. 2), an ink amount sensor 38, and a joint 39 (see FIG. 2). The mounting case 27 can accommodate four cartridges 100, one for each of the four colors: black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). That is, the mounting case 27 includes four contacts 35, attachment sensors 36, subtanks 37, ink amount sensors 38, and joints 39, one for each of the four cartridges 100. These four sets have the same configuration except for the different colors of the ink 101. Therefore, the following description will focus on the configuration of one set. The number of cartridges 100 that can be accommodated in the mounting case 27 is not limited to four, and may be one, five, or more.

[0015] The mounting case 27 is box-shaped and has a storage compartment 41 that stores the mounted cartridge 100. The storage compartment 41 of the mounting case 27 is partitioned by walls that define the top, bottom, left, right, and rear sides, and has an opening 41A formed on the front side. The opening 41A of the storage compartment 41 communicates with the opening 13B of the housing 13. That is, when the cover 11 is opened, the opening 13B exposes the opening 41A of the storage compartment 41 of the mounting case 27 to the outside of the printer 10. The cartridge 100 is inserted rearward in the front-to-rear direction 3 through the opening 13B of the housing 13 and mounted in the mounting case 27. The cartridge 100 is removed through the opening 13B by being pulled forward from the mounting case 27 in the front-to-rear direction 3.

[0016] The cartridge 100 includes a housing 103 and a lid 104. A liquid chamber 103A that stores ink 101 is formed inside the housing 103. The top of the liquid chamber 103A is closed by the lid 104. An IC board 105 on which a memory 110 is mounted is provided on the lid 104. The memory 110 is, for example, a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. Note that the memory 110 is not limited to an EEPROM, and may be another nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory.

[0017] The contact 35 is attached to, for example, the upper wall 41B of the accommodating section 41. The contact 35 is provided at a position that contacts an electrode 111 (see FIG. 3) provided on the IC board 105 of the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 is attached to the attachment case 27. The contact 35 is electrically connected to the controller 30 (see FIG. 3) of the printer 10. The electrode 111 is exposed on the upper surface of the IC board 105 so as to be electrically conductive with the contact 35. That is, when the cartridge 100 is attached to the attachment case 27, the electrode 111 is electrically conductive with the contact 35. The controller 30 acquires information from the memory 110 of the IC board 105 through the contact 35 and the electrode 111. The controller 30 also writes information to the memory 110 of the IC board 105 through the contact 35 and the electrode 111.

[0018] In this specification, the term "acquire" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request. In other words, the process of the controller 30 reading information from the memory 110 without a request is also included in the concept of "the controller 30 acquiring information." Therefore, the term "acquire" is a concept that includes both the case where the controller 30 actively reads information from the memory 110 and the case where the cartridge 100 outputs information from the memory 110 in response to a power supply.

[0019] The mounting sensor 36 is provided, for example, on the upper wall 41B of the accommodation section 41. The mounting sensor 36 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the cartridge 100 is mounted in the mounting case 27. The mounting sensor 36 is, for example, an optical sensor, and outputs a different signal (such as a high-level or low-level signal) to the controller 30 depending on whether or not a rib (not shown) provided on the cartridge 100 is detected. This allows the controller 30 to detect the mounting of the cartridge 100 based on the detection signal of the mounting sensor 36. Note that the method for detecting the mounting of the cartridge 100 is not limited to a method using an optical sensor, and may also be a method using, for example, a gear that rotates in response to the mounting of the cartridge 100.

[0020] The mounting case 27 also includes four sub-tanks 37 corresponding to the four cartridges 100, respectively. The sub-tanks 37 are located further rearward than the rear wall of the storage section 41. The sub-tanks 37 are partitioned by six walls that separate them into upper and lower, left and right, and front and rear, and are capable of storing ink 101. In the following description, when distinguishing between the ink 101 stored in the liquid chamber 103A of the cartridge 100 and the ink 101 stored in the sub-tank 37, the ink 101 stored in the liquid chamber 103A will be referred to as the first ink 101A, and the ink 101 stored in the sub-tank 37 will be referred to as the second ink 101B. When the ink 101 in the two locations is to be referred to collectively, it will be referred to as ink 101.

[0021] An ink amount sensor 38 is provided on the bottom wall of the subtank 37. The ink amount sensor 38 outputs a different signal to the controller 30 depending on whether the amount of second ink 101B stored in the subtank 37 has decreased to less than a predetermined amount. For example, if the amount of second ink 101B is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount and the liquid level of the second ink 101B is above the detection position of the ink amount sensor 38, the ink amount sensor 38 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 30. On the other hand, if the amount of second ink 101B is less than the predetermined amount and the liquid level of the second ink 101B is below the detection position of the ink amount sensor 38, the ink amount sensor 38 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 30. This allows the controller 30 to detect whether the amount of second ink 101B has decreased to less than a predetermined amount based on the detection signal of the ink amount sensor 38.

[0022] This predetermined amount is, for example, an amount that allows printing on several hundred sheets S. Furthermore, for example, when the amount of second ink 101B falls below the predetermined amount, the cartridge 100 becomes empty. Therefore, in the printer 10, the height of the ink 101 liquid level 131 (see FIG. 5) becomes the height of the detection position of the ink amount sensor 38, and even after the cartridge 100 becomes empty, it is possible to print several hundred sheets. As the ink amount sensor 38, for example, an electrode-type ink amount sensor having two electrodes that detects the electrical continuity between the electrodes to detect whether the amount of ink in the subtank 37 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount can be used. Note that the ink amount sensor 38 is not limited to an electrode-type sensor, and other sensors such as an ultrasonic liquid level sensor may also be used.

[0023] An outlet 37A is formed in the rear wall on the rear side of the subtank 37. The outlet 37A is provided at the lower end of the rear wall and is connected to the tube 29. This allows the subtank 37 to communicate with the connection part 28 of the head 21 through the tube 29 from the outlet 37A. In other words, the second ink 101B stored in the subtank 37 is supplied to the head 21 from the outlet 37A through the tube 29.

[0024] An atmosphere communication passage 37B is formed in the upper wall of the subtank 37. The subtank 37 is connected to the outside of the printer 10 through the atmosphere communication passage 37B and is open to the atmosphere. An atmosphere communication passage 104A is formed in the lid 104 of the cartridge 100. The liquid chamber 103A of the cartridge 100 is connected to the outside of the cartridge 100 through the atmosphere communication passage 104A and is open to the atmosphere. The configuration of the atmosphere communication passages 37B and 104A is not particularly limited as long as it allows the subtank 37 and the liquid chamber 103A to be open to the atmosphere. For example, the subtank 37 and the cartridge 100 may be provided with a mechanism (such as a spring or a valve) that opens and closes the atmosphere communication passages 37B and 104A in response to the installation of the cartridge 100 in the installation case 27.

[0025] An inlet 37C is formed at the lower end of the front wall of the subtank 37. The inlet 37C is connected to the housing 103 (liquid chamber 103A) of the cartridge 100 via a joint 39. The joint 39 has, for example, a needle having a flow path for flowing the ink 101, a valve for opening and closing the needle, and a coil spring for biasing the valve. When the cartridge 100 is not attached, the joint 39 uses the biasing force of the coil spring to position the valve to close the flow path, thereby closing the flow path. When the cartridge 100 is attached to the attachment case 27, the valve is moved against the biasing force of the coil spring to open the flow path, thereby connecting the subtank 37 to the liquid chamber 103A of the cartridge 100.

[0026] (Controller 30) As shown in FIG. 3 , the controller 30 includes a CPU 43, a ROM 44, a RAM 45, an EEPROM 46, and an ASIC 47. The ROM 44 stores control programs and other programs used by the CPU 43 to control various operations. The RAM 45 serves as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and other data used by the CPU 43 when executing the control programs, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 46 stores setting information that should be retained even after the power is turned off. For example, the EEPROM 46 stores the remaining ink level Vs (the amount of ink in the subtank 37) and history information 50, which will be described later. The EEPROM 46 is an example of a storage device in this specification. The above-described configurations of the memory and storage device are merely examples. For example, the controller 30 may include a flash memory instead of an EEPROM as a nonvolatile memory. The storage device that stores the history information 50 may be an HDD or SSD, or a combination of multiple storage devices. The storage device that stores the history information 50 may be an external storage medium such as a USB memory, a network storage device, a server, or another external storage device. Therefore, the history information 50 may be stored in a device separate from the printing device. Furthermore, the controller 30 that executes the control program may be referred to simply by its device name. For example, the statement "The controller 30 drives the motor of the drive source 31 through the ASIC 47" may mean "The controller 30 executes the control program in the CPU 43 and controls the drive source 31 through the ASIC 47, thereby driving the motor."

[0027] The ASIC 47 is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, and operates the drive source 31, head 21, etc. The controller 30 drives the motor of the drive source 31 via the ASIC 47, thereby rotating the feed roller 16, the transport roller 17, and the discharge roller 23. The controller 30 also outputs a drive signal to the drive element of the head 21 via the ASIC 47, thereby ejecting ink 101 through the nozzles 19 of the head 21. The ASIC 47 can output multiple types of drive signals depending on the amount of ink to be ejected through the nozzles 19.

[0028] 1 and 3, the printer 10 also includes a touch panel 48 and operation buttons 49. The touch panel 48 and operation buttons 49 output signals to the ASIC 47 in response to user inputs. The touch panel 48 also changes the display content and displays various information under the control of the controller 30. The configuration of the user interface included in the printer 10 described above is an example. For example, the user interface may include a display such as a liquid crystal display and operation buttons 49, but not the touch panel 48.

[0029] The ASIC 47 is also electrically connected to the cover sensor 33, contacts 35, attachment sensor 36, and ink amount sensor 38. The controller 30 accesses the memory 110 on the IC board 105 of the cartridge 100 attached to the attachment case 27 via the contacts 35. The controller 30 also detects the position of the cover 11 via the cover sensor 33. The controller 30 also detects the attachment or detachment of the cartridge 100 via the attachment sensor 36. The controller 30 also detects the amount of second ink 101B in the subtank 37 via the ink amount sensor 38.

[0030] The printer 10 also includes a network IF (abbreviation of interface) 51. The network IF 51 is, for example, a LAN interface. The controller 30 can be connected to a PC, the Internet, a server, etc. via the network IF 51. The network IF 51 is not limited to a wired network IF, and may also be a wireless network IF.

[0031] Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of IC substrate 105. As shown in Fig. 4, IC substrate 105 includes, in addition to memory 110, control unit 112 and signal processing circuit 113. Control unit 112 is connected to memory 110 and is a memory controller that controls writing of information to memory 110 and acquisition of information from memory 110. Signal processing circuit 113 is connected between control unit 112 and electrodes 111 and executes transmission and reception of signals (information) between control unit 112 and electrodes 111.

[0032] The memory 110 of the IC board 105 stores a new product remaining amount initial value 121, a recycled product remaining amount initial value 122, a new product remaining amount 123, a recycled product remaining amount 124, cartridge type information 125, signature information 126, a reset count 127, ID information 128, a new product balance calculation parameter 129, and a recycled product balance calculation parameter 130. For example, the cartridge 100 may be sold by a manufacturer of the cartridge 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as the manufacturer) and used by a user. After that, the cartridge 100 may be collected, disassembled, cleaned, reassembled, inspected, and have information set in the memory 110 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the remanufacturer) and sold as a recycled product. Therefore, in this specification, "recycling" refers to the act of restoring a used replacement part to its initial state so that it can be reused. In the following description, the cartridge 100 sold by the manufacturer will be referred to as a new cartridge 100. Furthermore, the cartridge 100 after being remanufactured by a remanufacturer will be referred to as a remanufactured cartridge 100. Although the manufacturer can also perform the remanufacturing, in the following description, as an example, the cartridge 100 after being remanufactured by the manufacturer will not be referred to as a remanufactured cartridge 100. Here, the cartridge 100 after being remanufactured by the manufacturer is considered to be equivalent to a new product, and will be described as a new cartridge 100. However, the cartridge 100 after being recycled by the manufacturer may be referred to as a recycled cartridge 100. In other words, the processing and handling for recycled cartridges 100 described below may also be performed on cartridges 100 recycled by the manufacturer. Therefore, the entity that performs the recycling is not limited. In the following description, as an example, the manufacturer and the remanufacturer are assumed to be different entities.

[0033] The new product remaining amount initial value 121 is, for example, the initial value of the remaining amount of the first ink 101A in the new cartridge 100, and the recycled product remaining amount initial value 122 is the initial value of the remaining amount in the recycled cartridge 100. The recycled product remaining amount initial value 122 is used as the initial value of the recycled product after the recycling process (see FIG. 7) described below. The new product remaining amount 123 is a value indicating the remaining amount in the new cartridge 100, and the recycled product remaining amount 124 is a value indicating the remaining amount in the recycled cartridge 100.

[0034] Cartridge type information 125 is information indicating the type of cartridge 100. Specifically, cartridge type information 125 is information indicating whether the cartridge 100 is a commercially available cartridge 100 or a cartridge 100 that was packaged with the printer 10. Cartridge type information 125 is also information indicating the composition (color, type, components of ink 101, etc.) of the ink 101 in the cartridge 100. Cartridge type information 125 also includes information indicating, for example, whether the cartridge 100 is manufactured by the manufacturer of the printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as a genuine product) or whether it is manufactured by a company other than the manufacturer (hereinafter referred to as a non-genuine product).

[0035] The signature information 126 is information (such as a hash value) used to authenticate the cartridge 100. The reset count 127 indicates the number of times the cartridge 100 has been played, and is initially set to zero and incremented by one each time the cartridge 100 is played. The ID information 128 is information for individually identifying the cartridge 100 (IC substrate 105), and is set to a unique value (such as a number or letter) for each cartridge 100, for example.

[0036] The new product equilibrium calculation parameter 129 is a parameter for calculating the amounts of the first ink 101A in the cartridge 100 (liquid chamber 103A) and the second ink 101B in the subtank 37 in a new cartridge 100 from the new product remaining amount 123. The recycled product equilibrium calculation parameter 130 is a parameter for calculating the amounts of the first ink 101A and the second ink 101B in a recycled cartridge 100 from the recycled product remaining amount 124.

[0037] A method for calculating the amounts of the first ink 101A and the second ink 101B from the remaining amounts using the equilibrium calculation formula can be, for example, using a known technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-69568. Figure 5 shows examples of parameters for equilibrium calculation and the state of the ink 101 in the cartridge 100 and the subtank 37. For example, if a new cartridge 100 is installed in the storage unit 41 when the subtank 37 is empty, the liquid chamber 103A and the subtank 37 are open to the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication passages 37B and 104A. As shown by the arrows in Figure 5, the first ink 101A flows from the liquid chamber 103A of the cartridge 100 through the joint 39 into the subtank 37 due to a hydraulic head difference. The first ink 101A in the liquid chamber 103A and the second ink 101B in the subtank 37 reach a state of equilibrium when the positions of the liquid levels 131 of the respective inks 101 in the vertical direction 1 (heights of the liquid levels 131) indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 5 are aligned. That is, in the state of equilibrium, movement of the ink 101 between the liquid chamber 103A and the subtank 37 stops. Therefore, even when the cartridge 100 is replaced, movement of the ink 101 occurs until the heights of the liquid levels 131 in the liquid chamber 103A and the subtank 37 are aligned. The relationship between the total amount of ink 101 (first and second inks 101A, 101B) in this state of equilibrium and the amount of ink in the subtank 37 and the liquid chamber 103A can be approximated using a function based on actual measurements.

[0038] 5, the horizontal axis represents the total amount V [ml] of ink 101, and the vertical axis represents the remaining amount Vs [ml], which is the amount of ink stored in the subtank 37. The graph shows an approximate straight line that approximates the actual measured values ​​when the total amount V is changed. In the liquid chamber 103A of this embodiment, for example, the size of the liquid chamber 103A in the vertical direction 1 is different between the lower part where the joint 39 is connected and the part above the position where the joint 39 is connected. Therefore, the relationship between the total amount V and the remaining amount Vs can be expressed by the approximate straight lines of functions F1 and F2 for the two parts with different sizes.

[0039] The function F1 represents the relationship between the total amount V and the remaining amount Vs when the total amount V is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vh, and is expressed, for example, as Vs = a × V + b (a and b are constants). The function F2 represents the relationship between the total amount V and the remaining amount Vs when the total amount V is less than the threshold value Vh, and is expressed, for example, as Vs = c × V + d (c and d are constants). The threshold value Vh is a value corresponding to the total amount V when the liquid level 131 of the first ink 101A stored in the liquid chamber 103A is, for example, at the upper end of the connecting portion of the joint 39. The controller 30 calculates the remaining amount Vs and the remaining amount Vc of the liquid chamber 103A using these two functions F1 and F2. For example, when the total amount V is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vh, i.e., when the liquid level 131 of the first ink 101A is above the connecting portion of the joint 39, the controller 30 calculates the remaining amount Vs using the function F1. Furthermore, when the total amount V is less than the threshold value Vh, the controller 30 calculates the remaining amount Vs using the function F2.

[0040] The approximation line (function) varies depending on the amount of ink initially stored in the cartridge 100 (the initial value of the first ink 101A before use). The graph in FIG. 5 shows a graph in which the initial value is 40 ml, for example. For example, if the total amount V of ink 101 is 30 ml, the remaining amount Vs of the second ink 101B in the subtank 37 is approximately 13 ml, and the remaining amount Vc in the cartridge 100 (liquid chamber 103A) is approximately 17 ml. The new product equilibrium calculation parameters 129 and the recycled product equilibrium calculation parameters 130 are information for specifying, for example, the slopes, intercepts, and threshold values ​​Vh of the above-mentioned functions F1 and F2. The ROM 44 of the printer 10 stores information on the slopes, intercepts, and threshold values ​​Vh of the functions F1 and F2 corresponding to multiple types of initial values. The new product equilibrium calculation parameters 129 and the recycled product equilibrium calculation parameters 130 are information indicating which slopes, etc. to use from the multiple types of slopes, etc. stored in the ROM 44. The controller 30 determines the slope and other parameters to be used based on the new product balance calculation parameters 129 and other parameters of the installed cartridge 100, obtains them from the ROM 44, and uses them to calculate the remaining amount. The controller 30 can determine whether the installed cartridge 100 is a new product by determining whether the reset count 127 is 1 or greater. If the cartridge is a new product, the controller 30 uses the new product balance calculation parameters 129. If the cartridge is a remanufactured product, the controller 30 uses the remanufactured product balance calculation parameters 130. The information on the new product balance calculation parameters 129 and other parameters is merely an example. For example, the new product balance calculation parameters 129 may be information indicating the slope, intercept, and threshold value Vh of the functions F1 and F2. The types and quantities of information stored in the memory 110 shown in FIG. 4 are merely an example. For example, a value indicating the number of times the manufacturer has remanufactured the cartridge (reset count) may be stored in the memory 110 separately from or instead of the remanufacturer's reset count 127. If the cartridge 100 is a cartridge that cannot be recycled, the initial recycled product remaining amount value 122, the recycled product remaining amount 124, the recycled product balance calculation parameter 130, and the reset count 127 corresponding to the recycled product may not be stored in the memory 110.

[0041] (Cartridge processing) Next, the cartridge processing executed by the controller 30 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, if inks 101 of different compositions are mixed into the cartridge 100, making it impossible to print the desired color, print quality will deteriorate. Furthermore, if inks 101 of different compositions mix together, the compositions solidify, and the nozzles 19 become clogged, print quality will deteriorate. The inks 101 have different compositions, for example, if the compounds or components constituting the mixture contained in the ink 101 are different. Therefore, the controller 30 of this embodiment executes the cartridge process shown in FIG. 6 to write information based on information about a previously installed cartridge 100 (first to third reference information IF1, IF2, IF3) to the memory 110 of the cartridge 100 installed subsequently, when there is a risk of ink 101 mixing. Therefore, in the following description, the cartridge 100 previously installed in the printer 10 will be referred to as the first cartridge 100A, and the cartridge 100 installed in the printer 10 after the first cartridge 100A will be referred to as the second cartridge 100B. Furthermore, the first and second cartridges 100A and 100B will be referred to collectively as cartridge 100.

[0042] When a new cartridge 100 is installed, the controller 30 starts the cartridge processing shown in Fig. 6. For example, after the power of the printer 10 is turned on and the CPU 43 executes a control program stored in the ROM 44 to start up the system, if a cartridge 100 is installed that has ID information 128 or a reset count 127 that is different from the ID information 128 or reset count 127 stored before the power was turned off, the controller 30 assumes that a new cartridge 100 has been installed and executes the processing of Fig. 6. Alternatively, when the power is on and the controller 30 detects replacement of the cartridge 100 based on the detection signal of the installation sensor 36, it executes the processing of Fig. 6 for the replaced cartridge 100. The following explanation will be given for the case where the processing of Fig. 6 is started when a second cartridge 100B is installed.

[0043] The condition for starting the process shown in Fig. 6 is not limited to the condition that a new cartridge 100 is installed, and may be another condition, such as the condition that a start instruction is received from the user. The controller 30 manages history information 50 for each of the subtanks 37 corresponding to the four colors, and executes the process shown in Fig. 6 for each. To avoid complication, the following description will be limited to the case where a new cartridge 100 is installed in one of the four subtanks 37. However, even when multiple cartridges 100 are installed at the same time, the same process can be performed by executing the process shown in Fig. 6 for each cartridge 100 installed in each subtank 37.

[0044] When the controller 30 starts the process of FIG. 6, first, in step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, it acquires information from the memory 110 from the installed second cartridge 100B. The controller 30 acquires, for example, all of the information stored in the memory 110 shown in FIG. 4. The controller 30 also updates the history information 50 based on the acquired information (S1). Specifically, the controller 30 writes information necessary for determining whether to write each of the first to third reference information IF1, IF2, and IF3 to the history information 50. The controller 30 updates this history information 50 in S1 every time a new cartridge 100 is installed. Therefore, the history information 50 stores information necessary for determining whether to write the first to third reference information IF1, IF2, and IF3, based on information acquired from the memory 110 of the previously installed first cartridge 100A.

[0045] After executing S1, the controller 30 determines in S2 whether the history information 50 contains a record of the past use of a non-genuine first cartridge 100A. As described above, the cartridge type information 125 in the memory 110 stores information indicating whether the cartridge 100 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. If the cartridge type information 125 of at least one first cartridge 100A among multiple first cartridges 100A previously installed indicates that the first cartridge 100A is a non-genuine product, the controller 30 stores information indicating that a non-genuine product has been installed in the history information 50 in the processing of S1 at that time. Then, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S2 for all second cartridges 100B installed thereafter (S2: YES), writes information indicating that the second cartridge 100 was used in a printer 10 in which a non-genuine first cartridge 100A was previously installed, as first reference information IF1, into the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S3), and executes S4. Note that if the first reference information IF1 is already stored in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B, i.e., if the first reference information IF1 has been written by another printer 10, the controller 30 does not have to write the first reference information IF1. Alternatively, the controller 30 may add the first reference information IF1 to the history information 50 along with the serial information of the printer 10. The same applies to the writing processes (S5, S7) of the second reference information IF2 and the third reference information IF3 described below. Furthermore, if there is no record of a non-genuine product being installed in the history information 50, i.e., if a non-genuine product has never been installed in the past (S2: NO), the controller 30 executes S4.

[0046] A non-genuine cartridge 100 may use ink 101 with a different composition than the ink 101 used in a genuine cartridge. Therefore, if a genuine second cartridge 100B is used after a non-genuine first cartridge 100A has been used, ink 101 with a different composition may adhere to the portion of the second cartridge 100B that connects to the joint 39. If such a second cartridge 100B is collected by the manufacturer and an employee at the manufacturer fills the collected second cartridge 100B with ink 101 for genuine cartridges, the inks 101 with different compositions may be mixed, resulting in a decrease in print quality. Therefore, if a non-genuine first cartridge 100A has been used in the past, the controller 30 writes first reference information IF1 to the subsequent second cartridge 100B. This allows an employee to determine whether or not a cartridge can be recycled by checking whether or not the first reference information IF1 is present.

[0047] Note that if the second cartridge 100B is a non-genuine product, the controller 30 may not write the first reference information IF1 even if it makes a positive determination in S2. The above-described processing contents of S1 and S2 are merely examples. For example, if authentication based on the signature information 126 fails in S1, the controller 30 may determine that the installed cartridge 100 is a non-genuine product and store the installation history of the non-genuine product in the history information 50. Alternatively, the controller 30 may store the installation history of the non-genuine product in the history information 50 when the reset count 127 is 1 or greater, i.e., when a refurbished cartridge 100 is installed. Furthermore, the controller 30 may make a positive determination in S2 when a non-genuine product has been installed a predetermined number of times or more in the past. In other words, the controller 30 may write the first reference information IF1 when a non-genuine product has been used multiple times.

[0048] Next, in S4, the controller 30 determines whether or not ink 101 of a different composition has flowed back. As described above, the controller 30 can calculate the remaining amount Vc of the cartridge 100 and the remaining amount Vs of the subtank 37 based on the new product equilibrium calculation parameters 129 (or recycled product equilibrium calculation parameters 130 if the cartridge is a recycled product) stored in the memory 110. When ink 101 is consumed through copying or printing based on a print command from a PC, the controller 30 calculates and updates the remaining amounts Vc and Vs using the equilibrium calculation formula. For this reason, the controller 30 stores the latest remaining amount Vs in the EEPROM 46.

[0049] As described above, the liquid chamber 103A and the subtank 37 are open to the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication passages 37B and 104A. Therefore, if the liquid level 131 of the second ink 101B in the subtank 37 is higher than the liquid level 131 of the first ink 101A in the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 is installed, the second ink 101B will move from the subtank 37 to the cartridge 100 (liquid chamber 103A) due to the hydraulic head difference, i.e., backflow will occur. In other words, backflow will occur if the subtank 37 contains enough ink Vs (an example of a predetermined threshold value herein) to raise the liquid level 131 of the second ink 101B in the subtank 37 higher than the liquid level 131 of the first ink 101A in the cartridge 100. For example, backflow will occur if an empty cartridge 100 is installed when the second ink 101B is stored in the subtank 37. When backflow occurs, there is a risk that inks 101 of different compositions may mix inside the cartridge 100. For example, the first ink 101A that had adhered (remained) inside the emptied liquid chamber 103A may mix with the backflowing second ink 101B. Also, during regeneration, the second ink 101B remaining in the liquid chamber 103A may mix with the refilled ink 101. Therefore, in S4, the controller 30 determines that backflow has occurred if, for example, the second ink 101B is stored in the subtank 37 and the new product remaining amount 123 (or the recycled product remaining amount 124 if it is a recycled product) stored in the memory 110 of the attached second cartridge 100B is zero. More specifically, when the cartridge 100 is installed, if the remaining amount Vs in the EEPROM 46 is greater than zero (Vs>0) and the new product remaining amount 123 in the memory 110 is zero (Vc=0), the controller 30 determines that a backflow has occurred.

[0050] Furthermore, even if backflow occurs, if the ink 101 in the subtank 37 and the cartridge 100 have the same composition, the ink 101 will not mix within the cartridge 100. For this reason, the controller 30 determines a condition under which ink 101 of a different composition was previously used in the printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as condition A), and a condition under which the composition of the ink 101 previously used in the printer 10 differs from that of the ink 101 in the installed second cartridge 100B (hereinafter referred to as condition B). Even if the determination in S2 is negative and the second cartridge 100B is genuine, the composition will differ if the type of ink 101 (e.g., dye ink, pigment ink, sublimation ink) is different. Furthermore, for example, if the color of the ink 101 is different, the composition will differ.

[0051] As described above, the cartridge type information 125 stores information indicating the composition of the ink 101 (such as color, type, and ingredients of the ink 101). The controller 30 stores the cartridge type information 125 for all first cartridges 100A that have been previously installed in the history information 50 (S1). For example, if only inks 101 of the same composition have been used, the controller 30 stores only the cartridge type information 125 (information on one type) of that ink 101 in the history information 50. On the other hand, if at least two or more types of first inks 101A with different compositions exist among the first inks 101A of the first cartridges 100A that have been previously installed, the controller 30 stores information indicating that (Condition A) is met in the history information 50.

[0052] In S4, the controller 30 compares the cartridge type information 125 of the newly attached second cartridge 100B with the history information 50. If the composition of the first ink 101A stored in the history information 50, i.e., the composition of the first ink 101A of the previously used first cartridge 100A, differs from the composition of the first ink 101A of the newly attached second cartridge 100B, the controller 30 determines that (Condition B) is met. Note that if (Condition B) is met, there is a possibility that ink 101 of a different composition has adhered to the joint 39, and therefore the controller 30 may store information indicating that (Condition A) is met in the history information 50.

[0053] If the controller 30 determines in S4 that at least one of the above-described (Condition A) and (Condition B) is met and that backflow is occurring, it determines that ink 101 of a different composition has backflowed (S4: YES). That is, the controller 30 determines that inks 101 of different compositions may have mixed in the second cartridge 100B. For this reason, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S4 if backflow occurred after ink 101 of a different composition was previously used in the printer 10, or if backflow occurred when ink 101 of a different composition was used for the first time when the second cartridge 100B was installed. If the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S4 (S4: YES), it writes information indicating that second ink 101B of a different composition has backflowed from the subtank 37 to the second cartridge 100B as second reference information IF2 in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S5), and then executes S6.

[0054] Furthermore, if neither (Condition A) nor (Condition B) is satisfied, the controller 30 makes a negative determination in S4 (S4: NO) and executes S6. Furthermore, even if at least one of (Condition A) and (Condition B) is satisfied, if no backflow is occurring, the controller 30 makes a negative determination in S4 (S4: NO).

[0055] The above-described conditions for determining S4 are merely examples. For example, the controller 30 determines that backflow has occurred when the second ink 101B is stored in the subtank 37 and the new product remaining amount 123 or the like stored in the memory 110 of the installed second cartridge 100B is zero. However, the conditions for determining backflow are not limited to this. For example, the controller 30 calculates the total amount V by adding the remaining amount Vc (new product remaining amount 123, etc.) of the second cartridge 100B to the remaining amount Vs stored in the subtank 37 (amount stored in the EEPROM 46). The controller 30 calculates the remaining amount Vs using the calculated total amount V and an equilibrium calculation formula (new product equilibrium calculation parameters 129, etc.). The controller 30 may then determine that backflow has occurred when the calculated remaining amount Vs is less than the remaining amount Vs originally stored in the EEPROM 46 (an example of a predetermined threshold value in this specification). Alternatively, the controller 30 may determine that backflow has occurred when the height of the liquid level 131 based on the remaining amount Vc of the second cartridge 100B is lower than the height of the liquid level 131 based on the remaining amount Vs of the ink stored in the subtank 37 (an example of a predetermined threshold value in this specification). The controller 30 may also determine that backflow has occurred when the remaining amount Vc of the second cartridge 100B (such as the new product remaining amount 123) is lower than the remaining amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 46 by a predetermined threshold value. This threshold value can be set based on the difference in ink volume that causes a head difference between the subtank 37 and the cartridge 100. For example, if the printer 10 is equipped with a liquid level sensor that can detect the height of the liquid level 131 of the second ink 101B stored in the subtank 37, the controller 30 may determine that backflow has occurred based on whether the height detected by the liquid level sensor has dropped.

[0056] Furthermore, the controller 30 determines whether the compositions of the inks 101 are different based on the composition indicated by the cartridge type information 125, but this is not limiting. For example, the controller 30 may determine that new ink 101 and recycled ink 101 are inks 101 with different compositions.

[0057] Next, in S6, the controller 30 determines whether the ink 101 has a different composition. If at least one of (Condition A) and (Condition B) in S4 described above is met, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S6 (S6: YES) and writes information indicating that the cartridge 100 was used in a printer 10 in which an ink 101 of a different composition was used as third reference information IF3 to the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S7). Therefore, even if backflow does not occur, if at least one of (Condition A) and (Condition B) is met, the third reference information IF3 is written to the memory 110. After executing S7, the controller 30 ends the processing shown in FIG. 6. If neither (Condition A) nor (Condition B) is met, the controller 30 makes a negative determination in S6 (S6: NO) and ends the processing shown in FIG. 6.

[0058] The above-described determination conditions for S6 are merely an example. For example, although the controller 30 targets all past first cartridges 100A in the determination processes of S4 and S6, it may also target first cartridges 100A up to a predetermined number of times in the past. For example, the controller 30 may execute the determination processes of S4 and S6 targeting up to several dozen first cartridges 100A that have been used in the past. The same applies to S2 described above.

[0059] (Regarding recycling) Next, the recycling process for the cartridge 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The process shown in FIG. 7 is executed, for example, by an acquisition device used by a remanufacturer that recycles cartridges 100. This acquisition device may have a configuration similar to that of the printer 10. Specifically, the acquisition device may have a controller 30 that executes a control program using a CPU 43, acquires information from the memory 110 of the cartridge 100 attached to the mounting case 27, determines whether or not recycling is possible based on the acquired information, and displays the determination on the touch panel 48. The acquisition device is not limited to the above configuration and may have a different configuration. For example, the acquisition device may have a configuration including a PC and the mounting case 27 that is electrically connectable to the PC. The PC may then acquire information from the memory 110 of the cartridge 100 attached to the mounting case 27 based on a user's operational input, determine whether or not recycling is possible based on the acquired information, and display the determination on its own monitor.

[0060] An operator at the remanufacturer collects cartridges 100 used in printer 10 from users, mounts the collected cartridges 100 in an acquisition device, and causes the acquisition device to execute the processing of Fig. 7. Upon receiving an execution instruction, the acquisition device acquires, in S11 of Fig. 7, the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 written to memory 110 in the cartridge processing of Fig. 6 from memory 110 of the mounted cartridge 100, i.e., the cartridge 100 collected from the user.

[0061] Next, the acquisition device determines whether the collected cartridge 100 can be recycled as is, based on the information acquired in S11 (S12). For example, if all of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 are not stored in the memory 110, the acquisition device determines that the collected cartridge 100 can be recycled as is (S12: YES) and displays a message indicating that the collected cartridge 100 can be recycled (S13). In this case, it is highly likely that the collected cartridge 100 was used in a printer 10 in which a non-genuine product was not used, in which backflow of the ink 101 with a different composition did not occur, and in which no ink 101 with a different composition was used. The cartridge 100 is unlikely to have ink 101 of a different composition adhering to or mixed with the ink 101. Therefore, the cartridge 100 can be sold as a recycled product simply by refilling the cartridge 100 with genuine ink 101. This reduces the number of steps in the recycling process and reduces the costs associated with recycling.

[0062] After checking the display of the acquisition device, the worker, for example, increments the reset count 127 in the memory 110 by one and sets the value of the initial value 122 of the recycled product remaining amount to the recycled product remaining amount 124. The process of incrementing the reset count 127 and the process of setting the initial value 122 of the recycled product remaining amount to the recycled product remaining amount 124 can be performed using the acquisition device or the printer 10. The worker also removes the cartridge 100 from the acquisition device and refills it with ink 101. The worker refills the cartridge 100 with the amount of ink indicated by the initial value 122 of the recycled product remaining amount. This allows the cartridge 100 to be used in the printer 100 as a recycled product with the amount of ink indicated by the initial value 122 of the recycled product remaining amount, and the refilled cartridge 100 can be sold, etc. When the cartridge 100 is installed, the printer 10 can detect that the installed cartridge 100 is a recycled product based on the fact that the reset count 127 is 1 or greater, and can manage the recycled product's ink 101 while decrementing the recycled product remaining amount 124. Furthermore, when the recycled ink 101 runs out, it can be reused as a recycled product by performing the same operations as described above.

[0063] On the other hand, if at least one of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 is stored in the memory 110 in S12, the acquisition device determines that the cartridge cannot be recycled as is (S12: NO) and displays a message indicating that cleaning or material recycling is required (S14). After checking the display on the acquisition device, the worker removes the cartridge 100 from the acquisition device and cleans the cartridge 100.

[0064] For example, in S14, the acquisition device displays which of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 has been stored. This allows the worker to change the recycling operation depending on the type of reference information displayed. If the first reference information IF1 and the third reference information IF3 have been stored, it is possible that ink 101 of a different composition is attached to the portion of the cartridge 100 that connects with the joint 39, but that the ink 101 of a different composition has not flowed into the cartridge 100. Therefore, the worker may clean only this connecting portion, and then refill the ink 101 and set the remaining amount 124 of the recycled product, as with the cartridge 100 for which a positive determination was made in S12 described above. This allows the cartridge 100 to be sold as a recycled product.

[0065] On the other hand, if the second reference information IF2 is stored, there is a possibility that ink 101 of a different composition has been mixed into the cartridge 100. For this reason, the worker may, for example, disassemble the cartridge 100 and recycle each component as material. Alternatively, the worker may disassemble and clean the cartridge 100, and then reassemble it to reuse it as a recycled product. Alternatively, the worker may discard the cartridge 100 as is. This prevents a cartridge 100 that has stored at least one of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 and that may have been contaminated with ink 101 of a different composition from being refilled with ink 101 and sold as a recycled product. This prevents recycled products that have been contaminated with ink 101 and whose print quality cannot be guaranteed from being sold.

[0066] Furthermore, if the worker wishes to sell the cartridge 100 for which a negative determination was made in S12 as a refurbished product, the worker uses an acquisition device or the like to delete the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 stored in the memory 110. This allows the cartridge 100 to be used as a refurbished product without reference information. The above-described content of the refurbishment process is merely an example and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the acquisition device may not display which reference information was stored in S14, but may instead display the work content (cleaning, disassembly, etc.) corresponding to the type of reference information stored in the memory 110. This prevents the worker from making a mistake in the work, such as cleaning only the connection portion even though the second reference information IF2 was stored.

[0067] Incidentally, the relationship between the contents of this specification and the terminology in the first embodiment is as follows: In the first embodiment, the printer 10 is an example of a printing device. The mounting case 27 is an example of an mounting unit. The history information 50 is an example of information relating to a first replacement part. The cartridge 100 is an example of first and second replacement parts. The first cartridge 100A is an example of a first replacement part. The second cartridge 100B is an example of a second replacement part. The ink 101, the first ink 101A, and the second ink 101B are examples of consumables. The new product remaining amount 123 and the recycled product remaining amount 124 are examples of remaining amounts. The first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 are examples of reference information.

[0068] As described above, the first embodiment provides the following effects. (1) When the first cartridge 100A is attached to the attachment case 27, the controller 30 of the printer 10 of this embodiment acquires information about the first cartridge 100A from the first cartridge 100A (S1, an example of the first acquisition process or first acquisition step in this specification). Furthermore, when the second cartridge 100B is attached, the controller 30 stores first to third reference information IF1 to IF3, which are used to determine whether or not recycling is possible based on the information about the first cartridge 100A (history information 50), in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S3, S5, S7, an example of the storage process or storage step in this specification).

[0069] According to this, when the first cartridge 100A is installed, the controller 30 stores information about the first cartridge 100A in the history information 50. Then, when a replacement second cartridge 100B is installed, reference information for determining whether the second cartridge 100B can be recycled is stored in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B based on the history information 50 about the previously installed first cartridge 100A. This makes it possible to determine whether the second cartridge 100B can be recycled (FIG. 7) based on the reference information stored in the memory 110. For example, if ink 101 from a previously used first cartridge 100A is attached to the connecting portion of the cartridge 100 and the ink 101 has a different composition from the ink 101 of the second cartridge 100B, that information can be stored as reference information in the replaced second cartridge 100B. As a result, it is possible to more smoothly determine whether the second cartridge 100B can be recycled.

[0070] Furthermore, in recycled products, mixing of inks 101 with different compositions can be prevented, which can prevent clogging of the nozzles 19 due to the generation of compositions and the inability to print the desired color. As a result, the print quality of recycled products can be maintained. Furthermore, because the cartridge 100 uses parts such as springs and narrow-diameter piping, disassembly, cleaning, drying, and the like increases the workload. In contrast, the reference information can indicate whether inks 101 with different compositions have been mixed, which can reduce the workload of the recycling work, shorten the work time, and reduce the cost of recycled products.

[0071] (2) Furthermore, the history information 50 used to determine the first reference information IF1 is information indicating whether the first cartridge 100A is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. The first reference information IF1 is information indicating that the cartridge 100 was previously used in a printer 10 in which a non-genuine first cartridge 100A was installed. In S1, the controller 30 acquires information indicating whether the first cartridge 100A is a genuine product or a non-genuine product and stores it in the history information 50. When the second cartridge 100B is installed, the controller 30 executes a determination process in S2 (an example of a usage history determination process in this specification) based on the history information 50. When the controller 30 determines that a non-genuine first cartridge 100A was previously used in the printer 10 (S2: YES), the controller 30 stores the first reference information IF1 in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S3).

[0072] This allows the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B to store first reference information IF1 indicating whether a non-genuine cartridge 100 has been used in the printer 10 in which it is installed. This allows second cartridges 100B that have been used in printers 10 with only genuine cartridges installed to be processed separately from second cartridges 100B that have been used in printers 10 with non-genuine cartridges installed when recycling the second cartridge 100B.

[0073] (3) Furthermore, the history information 50 used to determine the second reference information IF2 is information about the ink 101 contained in the first cartridge 100A. The second reference information IF2 is information indicating that a second ink 101B having a different composition has flowed back from the subtank 37 into the second cartridge 100B. In S1, the controller 30 acquires information about the ink 101 contained in the first cartridge 100A and stores it in the history information 50. When the second cartridge 100B is attached to the attachment case 27, the controller 30 acquires information about the remaining amount Vc of the ink 101 contained in the second cartridge 100B (the remaining amount 123 of a new product or the remaining amount 124 of a recycled product) (S1, an example of the second acquisition process of this specification). The controller 30 determines whether a backflow condition has been met, in which the ink 101 in the first cartridge 100A and the ink 101 in the second cartridge 100B have different compositions and the remaining amount of ink in the second cartridge 100B is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (for example, zero) (S4, an example of the backflow determination process of this specification). If the controller 30 determines that the backflow condition has been met (S4: YES), it stores second reference information IF2 in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S5).

[0074] According to this, by providing the subtank 37, even after the first ink 101A in the cartridge 100 runs out, printing can continue with the second ink 101B in the subtank 37. Also, reference information indicating whether the second cartridge 100B has been used in an environment where ink 101 of a different composition backflows is stored in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B. This allows second cartridges 100B in which backflow has not occurred to be processed separately from second cartridges 100B in which backflow has occurred when the second cartridge 100B is being recycled.

[0075] (4) Furthermore, the history information 50 used to determine the third reference information IF3 is information about the ink 101 contained in the first cartridge 100A. The third reference information IF3 is information indicating that the cartridge 100 was used in a printer 10 in which ink 101 of a different composition was used. In S1, the controller 30 acquires information about the ink 101 contained in the first cartridge 100A and stores it in the history information 50. When the second cartridge 100B is attached to the attachment case 27, the controller 30 acquires information about the ink 101 contained in the second cartridge 100B (S1, an example of the second acquisition process herein). The controller 30 determines whether the ink 101 in the first cartridge 100A and the ink 101 in the second cartridge 100B have different compositions (S6, an example of the consumable material type determination process herein). If the controller 30 determines that the composition of the ink 101 is different (S6: YES), it stores the third reference information IF3 in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S7).

[0076] This allows the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B to store reference information as to whether ink 101 of a different composition has been used in the past in the printer 10 in which it is installed. This allows second cartridges 100B that may have ink 101 of a different composition attached or mixed in to be processed separately from second cartridges 100B that are not.

[0077] (6) Also, after the second cartridge 100B removed from the printer 10 is collected, in the recycling process of FIG. 7, the acquisition device reads the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 from the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B, and determines whether the second cartridge 100B can be recycled based on the read reference information (S12, an example of the recycling feasibility determination process in this specification). This makes it possible to determine whether or not the second cartridge 100B can be recycled based on the reference information stored in the memory 110 of the collected second cartridge 100B.

[0078] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present specification will be described. In the first embodiment, the printer 10 did not determine whether the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 for the installed cartridge 100 (first and second cartridges 100A and 100B) was stored in the memory 110. That is, the printer 10 executed a process of writing the reference information to the memory 110 based on the past history information 50, but did not determine whether the reference information was written in the memory 110. In contrast, the printer 10 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it determines whether the reference information is stored in the memory 110. Figure 8 shows a flowchart of cartridge processing in the second embodiment. Note that in the following description, processes similar to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0079] 8, the controller 30 of the second embodiment executes the processes from S1 to S7 in the same way as in the first embodiment. As will be described later, in S2, S4, and S6, the controller 30 determines whether or not a cartridge 100 in which reference information is stored has been mounted in the past based on the history information 50. If the determination in S6 is negative (S6: NO), or after executing S7, the controller 30 determines in S21 whether at least one of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 is stored in the memory 110 of the cartridge 100 (first cartridge 100A or second cartridge 100B) mounted in the mounting case 27.

[0080] If at least one piece of reference information is stored (S21: YES), the controller 30 updates the history information 50 in S22. For example, if reference information was stored in the first cartridge 100A when the first cartridge 100A was previously installed, the controller 30 stores information on the type of reference information (IF1 to IF3) stored in the history information 50. Then, for a second cartridge 100B that is newly installed thereafter, the controller 30 executes processing according to the type of reference information stored in the history information 50 in the determination processes of S2, S4, and S6.

[0081] For example, if information indicating the first reference information IF1 is stored in the history information 50 as information on the type of reference information, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S2 for the second cartridge 100B that is installed thereafter (S2: YES). FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a state in which the processing of the second embodiment is applied. For example, assume that there is a printer 10, which is the printer itself, and another printer 10A other than the printer 10. The other printer 10A may be a printer in the same company or workplace as the printer 10, or may be a printer in a different company or location. The printer 10A is a printer that previously used a non-genuine cartridge 100. When, for example, a genuine first cartridge 100A is installed in this printer 10A, the first reference information IF1 is written to the memory 110 (S31 in FIG. 9). Next, when the genuine first cartridge 100A is removed from printer 10A and installed in printer 10 (S32), the controller 30 of printer 10 writes type information indicating first reference information IF1 into the history information 50 (S22). Then, if the second cartridge 100B is installed after the first cartridge 100A is installed, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S2 (S2: YES) because type information indicating first reference information IF1 is stored in the history information 50, and writes the first reference information IF1 into the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S3). Therefore, even if there is no history of a non-genuine product being installed in the printer 10A and the installed second cartridge 100B is a genuine product, the controller 30 writes the first reference information IF1 into the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B.

[0082] In other words, even if the first cartridge 100A is a genuine product, i.e., even if the cartridge 100 is a cartridge 100 that uses genuine parts such as the IC board 105, a first cartridge 100A used in a printer 10A that uses a non-genuine cartridge 100 will be treated the same as a non-genuine cartridge 100. When the first cartridge 100A having the first reference information IF1 is installed, the controller 30 leaves type information indicating the first reference information IF1 in the history information 50, just as when a non-genuine cartridge 100 is installed. Then, the controller 30 writes the first reference information IF1 to the second cartridge 100B after the first cartridge 100A having the first reference information IF1 is installed, just as when a non-genuine cartridge 100 is installed (S2: YES, S3).

[0083] Similarly, for example, if at least one of the second reference information IF2 and the third reference information IF3 is stored in the history information 50 as information on the type of reference information, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S6 for the second cartridge 100B that was installed thereafter (S6: YES). For example, assume that the printer 10A in FIG. 9 is a printer in which backflow occurred after ink 101 of a different composition was used in the past. In this case, when the genuine first cartridge 100A is installed in the printer 10A, the printer 10A writes the second reference information IF2 to the memory 110 (S31 in FIG. 9). Next, when the genuine first cartridge 100A is removed from the printer 10A and installed in the printer 10 itself (S32), the controller 30 of the printer 10 writes type information indicating the second reference information IF2 into the history information 50 (S22). If the second cartridge 100B is mounted after the first cartridge 100A is mounted, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S6 (S6: YES) because information of the type indicating the second reference information IF1 is stored in the history information 50, and writes the third reference information IF3 to the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B (S7). The same applies if the third reference information IF3 is stored in the memory 110 of the first cartridge 100A.

[0084] Therefore, even if the composition of the first ink 101A indicated by the cartridge type information 125 of the installed second cartridge 100B is the same as the composition of the ink 101 used previously, if a first cartridge 100A in which there is a risk of backflow or the like of second ink 101B of a different composition was installed previously, the controller 30 writes third reference information IF3 to the newly installed second cartridge 100B (S7). As a result, if a first cartridge 100A that has been determined by another printer 10A to be in danger of having ink 101 of a different composition attached or mixed is installed in the own device, the controller 30 writes third reference information IF3 to any subsequent second cartridge 100B, assuming that ink 101 of a different composition has also been used in the own device, by leaving that reference information in the history information 50. Therefore, when a first cartridge 100A in which reference information has been stored even once in the past is mounted, the controller 30 writes reference information corresponding to the reference information held by the first cartridge 100A to all second cartridges 100B mounted thereafter.

[0085] The processing content based on S21 described above is one example. For example, if second reference information IF2 (backflow information) is stored in the history information 50 as information on the type of reference information, the controller 30 may determine in S4 that the second cartridge 100B installed thereafter satisfies the above-described (Condition A). As a result, if the first cartridge 100A in which the second reference information IF2 is stored was installed in the past, the subsequent second cartridge 100B can be processed as if ink 101 of a different composition had been used in the device in the past.

[0086] After executing S22, the controller 30 executes S23. Furthermore, if in S21 it is determined that none of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 has been stored (S21: NO), the controller 30 executes S23. In S23, similar to S12 in FIG. 7, the controller 30 determines whether reproduction is possible as is depending on whether reference information is stored in the memory 110. Therefore, the printer 10 of the second embodiment can execute the processing executed by the acquisition device of the first embodiment.

[0087] 7, if all of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 are not stored in the memory 110, the controller 30 determines that the cartridge can be recycled (S23: YES), and similarly to S13, displays a message indicating that the cartridge can be recycled on the touch panel 48 (S24). This allows the user of the printer 10 to take appropriate action after the installed cartridge 100 has been used, such as placing the cartridge 100 in a collection box or the like. Note that the method of notifying the user whether or not the cartridge can be recycled is not limited to displaying a message, and may also include lighting a lamp indicating whether or not the cartridge can be recycled, or providing an audio notification.

[0088] Furthermore, if at least one of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 is stored in the memory 110 (S23: NO), the controller 30 displays on the touch panel 48, as in S14, a message indicating that cleaning or material recycling is necessary (S25). This allows the user of the printer 10 to discard the installed cartridge 100, for example. That is, by displaying the determination result on the printer 10, recycling determination and action can be taken at the general user level. Note that the controller 30 may perform the processes of S23 to S25 not only when the cartridge 100 is installed, but also when an instruction to do so is received from the user, or when the cartridge 100 runs out of ink, for example.

[0089] After executing S24 or S25, the controller 30 executes a process of uploading information to the server (S26), and ends the process of FIG. 8. For example, the controller 30 associates the determination result of S23 (S24 or S25) with ID information 128 that can identify the cartridge 100, and transmits this information via the network IF 51 to the manufacturer's server or the remanufacturer's server. This allows the server to collect reference information (information indicating whether the cartridge can be remanufactured as is) that is used as a reference when determining whether or not it can be remanufactured, and information that can identify the cartridge 100. An operator at the remanufacturer can determine whether or not the cartridge can be remanufactured as is by comparing the information collected by the server with the ID information 128 of the collected cartridge 100.

[0090] The identification information for identifying the cartridge 100 is not limited to the ID information 128, but may be other information such as the cartridge type information 125, the reset count 127, or the serial number of the cartridge 100. In addition, in S26, the controller 30 may transmit to the server information indicating what reference information is stored in the memory 110 as reference information to be used when determining whether playback is possible. In addition, the controller 30 may execute the process of S26 when, for example, an execution instruction is received from the user.

[0091] The relationship between the contents of this specification and the terminology in the second embodiment is as follows: In the second embodiment, the printer 10A is an example of another printing device. The network IF 51 is an example of a communication unit. The ID information 128 is an example of identification information.

[0092] As described above, the second embodiment described above provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the second embodiment provides the following effects. (1) In S22, the controller 30 stores information indicating that the first cartridge 100A was previously used in another printer 10A that used ink 101 of a different composition in the history information 50. If information on the type of reference information is stored in the history information 50, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S6 and stores third reference information IF3 in the memory 110 (S7), even if the composition of the ink 101 of the installed second cartridge 100B (the composition indicated by the cartridge type information 125) is the same as that previously used in the own device.

[0093] According to this, if the first cartridge 100A, which has been used in another printer 10 that used ink 101 of a different composition, is installed before the second cartridge 100B is installed, even if the ink 101 of the first cartridge 100A and the second cartridge 100B have the same composition, the third reference information IF3 indicating that the second cartridge 100B was used in a printer 10 that used ink 101 of a different composition is stored in the second cartridge 100B. This makes it possible to more strictly exclude the second cartridge 100B to which ink 101 of a different composition may have adhered.

[0094] (2) Furthermore, when the first cartridge 100A is attached to the attachment case 27, the controller 30 determines whether reference information (first to third reference information IF1 to IF3) that is information stored in the memory 110 of the first cartridge 100A by another printer 10A and that serves as a reference when determining whether the first cartridge 100A can be recycled is stored in the memory 110 of the first cartridge 100A (S21, an example of a reference information determination process herein). If at least one piece of reference information out of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 is stored in the memory 110 of the first cartridge 100A in S21 (S21: YES), the controller 30 stores information indicating that the first cartridge 100A for which the reference information is stored was previously attached to its own device (such as information about the type of reference information) in the history information 50 (S22, an example of a history information update process herein).

[0095] With this, even if the use of a non-genuine product, backflow of ink 101, or use of ink 101 with a different composition has never occurred in the own device, it is possible to record in the history information 50 that the first cartridge 100A, which has been used in another printer 10A where such an event has occurred, has been installed in the own device. Even in a situation where only genuine cartridges 100 are used, it is possible to confirm from the history information 50 that a cartridge 100 with a risk of mixed ink 101 has been used in another printer 10A.

[0096] (3) Furthermore, when the second cartridge 100B is attached, the controller 30 stores the first reference information IF1 or the third reference information IF3 in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B based on the history information 50 in steps S2 to S7 (an example of the storage process or storage step in this specification).

[0097] According to this, if the first cartridge 100A, which stores reference information, is installed before the second cartridge 100B is installed, the reference information can be stored in the second cartridge 100B. Even if only genuine products are used, backflow is not occurring, and the ink 101 composition in the first and second cartridges 100A, 100B is the same, if reference information was stored in the previously installed first cartridge 100A, the reference information is stored in the second cartridge 100B. This makes it possible to more strictly exclude second cartridges 100B that may have ink 101 of a different composition attached thereto.

[0098] (4) Furthermore, when the second cartridge 100B is attached, the controller 30 determines whether the second cartridge 100B is suitable for playback based on the history information 50 based on the previously attached first cartridge 100A (S23, an example of the playback determination process of this specification). If the controller 30 determines that the second cartridge 100B is not suitable for playback (S23: NO), it notifies the user that the second cartridge 100B is not suitable for playback (S25, an example of the notification process of this specification). According to this, the printer 10 notifies the user of the printer 10 of the result of the recycling decision based on the history information 50. This makes it possible to prompt the user of the printer 10 to make an appropriate decision (such as collection or disposal) regarding the recycling of the second cartridge 100B.

[0099] (5) Furthermore, the controller 30 updates the history information 50 with the information acquired in S1 and S21 when the first cartridge 100A is mounted (S1, S21, S22, an example of the first acquisition process of this specification). Thereafter, when the second cartridge 100B is mounted, the controller 30 transmits the information on the determination result based on the history information 50 (whether playback is possible, S24, S25) together with the ID information 128 of the second cartridge 100B to the server via the network IF 51 (S26, an example of the server transmission process of this specification). This allows the server to collectively manage the reference information of a plurality of second cartridges 100B. When recycling the second cartridge 100B, it can be determined whether or not it can be recycled based on the reference information stored in the server.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of the printer 10 in each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example. The printer 10 in this specification is not limited to an inkjet printing device, but may also be an electrophotographic printing device. Therefore, the replaceable parts in this specification are not limited to cartridges containing ink, but may also be cartridges containing toner. Furthermore, the consumables in this specification are not limited to ink, but may also be toner. In this case, the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3, etc. may be stored in a memory provided in the toner cartridge. The printing device in this specification may also be a device that performs printing using other printing methods, such as thermal transfer printing or thermal printing. Therefore, the replacement parts and consumables in this specification may include ink ribbons, thermal paper, and components for storing them. Furthermore, the ink 101 may be stored in a container (such as a bottle) other than the cartridge 100. In this case, the container is an example of a replaceable part in this specification. In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is used as the printing device of this specification, but this is not limiting. The printing device of this specification may also be a so-called "multifunction device" that has functions such as a facsimile function, a scanning function, and a copying function. Furthermore, the printer 10 may not be provided with the subtank 37. Furthermore, the replaceable part in this specification is not limited to a component that stores unused consumables, such as cartridge 100, but may also be a used consumable, such as a waste tank that stores used ink 101. For example, printer 10 may be configured with a replaceable waste tank, and waste liquid generated during processes such as cleaning nozzle 19 may be stored in the waste tank. Printer 10 may write reference information, such as whether a non-genuine product has been used in the printer, or whether ink 101 with a different composition has been used, into the memory of the waste tank. This allows the waste liquid disposal method to be changed depending on the reference information when waste liquid is removed from the waste liquid tank and disposed of.

[0101] Furthermore, the printer 10 may not have the network IF 51. The controller 30 may also include a SoC (System on a Chip) instead of or in addition to the ASIC 47. The controller 30 may also include a plurality of ASICs 47 and CPUs 43. The controller 30 may also be configured not to include a CPU 43, but to execute programs for controlling various operations in the ASIC 47.

[0102] Furthermore, the order and processing contents of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are just examples. For example, in the first embodiment, at least one of the determination processes S2, S4, and S6 may be executed, and the reference information may be stored in the memory 110 of the second cartridge 100B. That is, at least one of the first to third reference information IF1 to IF3 may be executed. In the second embodiment, it is determined whether reference information is stored in the first cartridge 100A that was previously installed (S21), and if reference information is stored, the history information 50 is updated (S22), and then it is determined whether reference information is to be stored in the second cartridge 100B that was installed thereafter based on the history information 50 (S2 to S7). However, the controller 30 may execute a process that leaves only the history information 50. That is, when a first cartridge 100A for which reference information has been stored in another printer 10A is installed in the controller 30, the controller 30 updates the history information 50, but does not have to execute a process for a second cartridge 100B that is installed thereafter based on the information (such as information about the type of reference information) stored in the history information 50. Even if the controller 30 only leaves the history information 50, it is extremely effective because the history information 50 can provide information, such as information indicating that a genuine cartridge 100 that may have contained mixed ink 101 of a different composition has been used in the past. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the number of times remanufacturing has been performed is recorded as the reset count 127. However, this is not limitative. For example, the reset count 127 may be set to the number of times remanufacturing (resetting) is permitted. Furthermore, the contents of this specification are not limited to the dependent relationships set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10 Printer (printing device), 10A Printer (other printing device), 27 Mounting case (mounting part), 30 Controller, 37 Subtank, 46 EEPROM (storage device), 50 History information (information regarding first replacement part), 51 Network IF (communication part), 100 Cartridge (first replacement part, second replacement part), 100A First cartridge (first replacement part), 100B Second cartridge (second replacement part), 101 Ink (consumable), 101A First ink (consumable), 101B Second ink (consumable), 110 Memory, 123 New product remaining amount (remaining amount), 124 Recycled product remaining amount (remaining amount), 128 ID information (identification information), IF1 First reference information (reference information), IF2 Second reference information (reference information), IF3 Third reference information (reference information).

Claims

1. a mounting portion to which the first replacement part or the second replacement part containing the consumable material can be attached and detached; A controller; Equipped with The controller a first acquisition process of acquiring information about the first replacement part from the first replacement part when the first replacement part is mounted in the mounting section; a storage process for storing, in a memory of the second replacement part, reference information that is based on information about the first replacement part and serves as a reference when determining whether or not the second replacement part can be remanufactured, when the second replacement part different from the first replacement part is mounted in the mounting section; A printing device that performs

2. The information about the first replacement part includes: information indicating whether the first replacement part is a genuine part or a non-genuine part; The reference information is The information indicates that the replacement part was used in a printing device in which a non-genuine replacement part was previously installed, The controller In the first acquisition process, information indicating whether the first replacement part is a genuine part or a non-genuine part is acquired, The controller executing a usage history determination process that determines whether a non-genuine first replacement part has been used in the printing device in the past, based on the information about the first replacement part obtained in the first acquisition process; The controller 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the usage history determination process determines that the first replacement part, which is a non-genuine part, has been used in the printing device in the past, the storage process stores the reference information in the memory of the second replacement part.

3. The printing device a sub-tank connected to the replacement part attached to the attachment part and configured to accommodate the consumables flowing in from the replacement part; The information about the first replacement part includes: information on consumables contained in the first replacement part; The reference information is information indicating that a consumable material having a different composition has flowed back from the sub-tank to the second replacement part; The controller In the first acquisition process, information on consumables contained in the first replacement part is acquired; The controller a second acquisition process for acquiring information on a remaining amount of consumables contained in the second replacement part when the second replacement part is attached to the attachment section; a backflow determination process for determining whether a backflow condition is established in which the composition of the consumable material of the first replacement part and the composition of the consumable material of the second replacement part are different and the remaining amount of the second replacement part acquired in the second acquisition process is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold; Run The controller 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined in the backflow determination process that a backflow condition is met, the reference information is stored in a memory of the second replacement part in the storage process.

4. The information about the first replacement part includes: information on consumables contained in the first replacement part; The reference information is information indicating that the replacement part is used in the printing device in which a consumable product of a different composition has been used; The controller In the first acquisition process, information on consumables contained in the first replacement part is acquired; The controller a second acquisition process for acquiring information on consumables contained in the second replacement part when the second replacement part is attached to the attachment section; a consumable material type determination process for determining whether the consumable material of the first replacement part and the consumable material of the second replacement part have different compositions; Run The controller 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined in the consumable material type determination process that the composition of the consumable material is different, the reference information is stored in the memory of the second replacement part in the storage process.

5. The information about the first replacement part includes: information indicating that the first replacement part was previously used in another printing device in which a consumable product of a different composition was used; The controller 5. A printing device as described in claim 4, wherein when information regarding the first replacement part is acquired from the first replacement part in the first acquisition process, the reference information is stored in the memory of the second replacement part in the storage process even if the composition of the consumable material is the same in the consumable material type determination process.

6. The controller a reference information determination process for determining, when the first replacement part is mounted in the mounting portion, whether or not reference information that is information stored in a memory of the first replacement part by another printing device and that serves as a reference when determining whether or not the first replacement part can be recycled is stored in the memory of the first replacement part; a history information update process for storing, in a storage device, history information indicating that the first replacement part, in which the reference information is stored, has been mounted in the mounting portion in the past, when it is determined in the reference information determination process that reference information used to determine whether the first replacement part can be remanufactured is stored in a memory of the first replacement part; 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device executes the following.

7. The controller 7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein, when the second replacement part different from the first replacement part is attached to the attachment section, the storage process stores reference information in a memory of the second replacement part, which is used as a reference when determining whether the second replacement part can be recycled based on the history information.

8. The controller a regeneration determination process for determining, when the second replacement part is attached, whether or not the second replacement part is suitable for regeneration based on information about the first replacement part acquired by the first acquisition process; a notification process for notifying the user that the second replacement part is not suitable for remanufacturing when the second replacement part is determined to be not suitable for remanufacturing by the remanufacturing determination process; 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device executes the following.

9. a communication unit capable of communicating with the server; a mounting portion to which the first replacement part or the second replacement part containing the consumable material can be attached and detached; A controller; Equipped with The controller a first acquisition process for acquiring information about the first replacement part when the first replacement part is mounted in the mounting portion; a server transmission process for transmitting, when the second replacement part different from the first replacement part is mounted in the mounting section, reference information based on information about the first replacement part, which is used as a reference when determining whether or not the second replacement part can be remanufactured, together with identification information for identifying the second replacement part, to the server via the communication section; A printing device that performs

10. A recycling determination method for determining whether a replacement part can be recycled using a printing device having a mounting unit to which a first replacement part or a second replacement part that contains a consumable item can be detachably attached, and an acquisition device, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring information about the first replacement part from the first replacement part by the printing device when the first replacement part is mounted in the mounting portion; a storage step of storing, when the second replacement part different from the first replacement part is mounted in the mounting section, reference information based on information about the first replacement part, which is used as a reference when determining whether or not the second replacement part can be recycled, in a memory included in the second replacement part by the printing device; a remanufacturing feasibility determination step of recovering the second replacement part removed from the printing device, reading reference information of the second replacement part from the memory of the second replacement part using the acquisition device, and determining whether the second replacement part can be remanufactured based on the read reference information; A reproduction determination method including:

Images