Printing apparatus and storage method

Abstract

To provide a printer and a storage method capable of effectively utilizing a storage area.SOLUTION: A cartridge 100 having a memory 110 can be attached to a printer 10. The memory 110 of the cartridge 100 is provided with a counter area CA1 and a date area DA1. The controller 30 stores the value of the high-order bit of the bit string indicating the amount of the first ink 101A contained in the cartridge 100 in the counter area CA1, and stores the value of the low-order bit in the counter area DA1 (S32, S36). When a borrow occurs, the controller 30 updates the counter area CA1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification relates to a technique for storing replacement parts for use in a printing device in a memory. [Background technology]

[0002] Various technologies for storing information in memory have been proposed in the past. For example, the consumable memory of a developer cartridge in Patent Document 1 below has a first storage area and a second storage area into which the amount of usage of the developer cartridge can be written. The image forming device determines whether the first storage area or the second storage area is the storage area into which the amount of usage is written, based on the recycling history information of the developer cartridge.

[0003] Repeated writing of information to memory can cause deterioration and lead to errors in the stored information. For this reason, a maximum number of writes is set for memory. The image forming device in Patent Document 1 reduces the number of writes to each storage area by changing the destination where usage data is written based on playback history information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-59119 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Writing to a storage area of ​​a memory can be performed in units of one bit or in units of a bit string consisting of multiple bits. For example, when a memory updates information about the usage amount of a consumable, the information about the usage amount may be written to multiple bits. On the other hand, when updating the information in units of bit strings, even if only the lower-order bits need to be updated, a write process is performed on all bits allocated to store the information, increasing the number of writes to all bits. Therefore, when the number of writes to some bits in the bit string of the storage area where the information is stored reaches its upper limit, there is a risk that the entire storage area allocated to that information will become unusable. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that effectively utilizes storage area when information allocated to multiple bits is repeatedly written to the same storage area for updating.

[0006] The present application has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a printing device and a storage method that can make effective use of storage areas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the printing device of this specification comprises a replacement part, a mounting section to which the replacement part can be attached and detached, and a controller, wherein the replacement part has a storage section capable of storing contents and a memory having a first storage area and a second storage area, and the controller executes a storage process to store the value of the most significant bit of a bit string indicating the amount of the contents stored in the replacement part in the first storage area and the value of the least significant bit in the second storage area. Furthermore, the contents of this specification are not limited to implementation as a printing device, but are also extremely useful when implemented as a storage method in a printing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the printing device and storage method according to the present specification, the storage area can be used effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [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] 3 is a diagram for explaining a storage area for storing the remaining capacity Vc of the memory 110 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of cartridge processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of cartridge processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a storage state when storing data in bit units. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a storage state when data is stored in units of sectors. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing bit values ​​when the remaining amount Vc is updated according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a storage area for storing the remaining capacity Vc of the memory 110 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of a cartridge process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing bit values ​​when the remaining amount Vc is updated according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (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.

[0011] (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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] (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 is to be retained even after the power is turned off. For example, the EEPROM 46 stores the remaining ink level Vs of the subtank 37, which will be described later. Note that the memory configuration described above is merely an example. For example, the controller 30 may include a flash memory instead of an EEPROM as nonvolatile memory. The controller 30, which executes the control programs and other programs, may also be referred to simply by its device name. For example, a description such as "the controller 30 drives the motor of the drive source 31 through the ASIC 47" may also 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."

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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 genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A, a non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B, 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. After being sold by, for example, a manufacturer of the cartridge 100 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the manufacturer) and used by a user, the cartridge 100 can be collected, disassembled, cleaned, reassembled, inspected, and have information set in the memory 110 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "remanufacturer") by the manufacturer or a remanufacturer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "remanufacturer"), and sold as a recycled product. Therefore, "remanufacturing" in this specification refers to the act of returning a used replacement part to its initial state so that it can be reused. In the following explanation, for convenience of explanation, the cartridge 100 at the stage when it is first sold by the manufacturer will be referred to as a new cartridge 100. Furthermore, the cartridge 100 after being remanufactured by the manufacturer will be referred to as a genuine remanufactured cartridge 100. Furthermore, the cartridge 100 after being remanufactured by a remanufacturer will be referred to as a non-genuine remanufactured cartridge 100. Furthermore, when genuine remanufactured products and non-genuine remanufactured products are collectively referred to, they will be referred to as remanufactured products.

[0034] New product remaining amount initial value 121 is, for example, the initial value of the remaining amount of first ink 101A in a new cartridge 100, and recycled product remaining amount initial value 122 is the initial value of the remaining amount in a recycled cartridge 100. New product remaining amount 123 is a value indicating the remaining amount in a new cartridge 100, genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A is a value indicating the remaining amount in a genuine recycled cartridge 100, and non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B is a value indicating the remaining amount in a non-genuine recycled cartridge 100. Note that the non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B is the same as the genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A except that the recycling company is different, and the usage method, etc. are the same.

[0035] The cartridge type information 125 is information indicating the type of cartridge 100. Specifically, the cartridge type information 125 is information indicating whether the cartridge 100 is a commercially available cartridge 100 or a cartridge 100 packaged with the printer 10. The cartridge type information 125 also indicates the color of the ink 101 of the cartridge 100. The cartridge type information 125 also includes information indicating whether the cartridge 100 is a new product, a genuine recycled product, or a non-genuine recycled product. 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 recycled; for example, it is set to zero as an initial value and is incremented by +1 each time the cartridge 100 is recycled. The ID information 128 is information for individually identifying the cartridge 100 (IC substrate 105), and for example, a unique value (such as a number or letter) is set for each cartridge 100.

[0036] The new product balance 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 from the new product remaining amount 123. The recycled product balance calculation parameter 130 is a parameter for calculating the amounts of the first ink 101A and the second ink 101B from the genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A (or non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B) in the recycled cartridge 100. The recycled product remaining amount initial value 122 for the genuine recycled product and the recycled product balance calculation parameter 130 may be stored in the memory 110 separately from the recycled product remaining amount initial value 122 for the non-genuine recycled product and the recycled product balance calculation parameter 130.

[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 checking 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, and if the cartridge is a recycled product, the controller 30 uses the recycled product balance calculation parameters 130. The information on the new product balance calculation parameters 129 and other parameters described above 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 number of pieces of information stored in the memory 110 shown in FIG. 4 are merely an example. For example, if the cartridge 100 is a cartridge that is not to be used for recycling, the initial recycled product remaining amount value 122, genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A, non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B, recycled product balance calculation parameters 130, and reset count 127 corresponding to the recycled product may not be stored in the memory 110.

[0041] (Regarding the storage area of ​​memory 110) As described above, the remaining amount Vc of the first ink 101A in the cartridge 100 is stored and managed in the memory 110. When consumption of the ink 101 occurs in the printer 10, the controller 30 calculates the remaining amounts Vc and Vs using the consumed amount of the ink 101 and the balance calculation formula. Based on the calculation results, the controller 30 updates the remaining amount Vs in the EEPROM 46 and the remaining amount Vc (new product remaining amount 123, etc.) in the memory 110. However, there is an upper limit to the number of times the memory 110 can be rewritten. If the number of rewrites exceeds the upper limit, there is a risk that the data stored in the memory 110 will become unintended data. If data corruption occurs, the controller 30 may erroneously detect an amount of ink that is greater than the actual amount, which could result in air flowing into the head 21, etc.

[0042] The controller 30 also manages the remaining amount Vc in units of a bit string of several bits or several bytes. The controller 30 associates one bit of the bit string with an ink amount such as a few ml, a few μl, a few nl, or a few pl, and represents and manages the remaining amount Vc using a bit string of several bits or several bytes. Meanwhile, if data corruption occurs in any bit value (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a bit value) included in the bit string representing the remaining amount Vc, the lower the bit's value, the smaller the impact on the accuracy of the overall amount of remaining amount Vc. Furthermore, this impact differs depending on the ink amount per bit (associated with one bit). Therefore, the controller 30 stores the bit string representing the remaining amount Vc separately into upper and lower bits, and updates each bit individually, thereby minimizing the impact of data corruption and reducing the number of updates to the upper bits.

[0043] FIG. 6 schematically shows the storage areas in memory 110 that store the remaining amount Vc. As shown in FIG. 6, memory 110 is provided with a storage area MA1 for new products, a storage area MA2 for genuine recycled products, and a storage area MA3 for non-genuine recycled products. The storage area MA1 for new products is a storage area for storing the new product remaining amount 123 of a new product. The storage area MA2 for genuine recycled products is a storage area for storing the genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A of a genuine recycled product. The storage area MA3 for non-genuine recycled products is a storage area for storing the non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B.

[0044] The new product memory area MA1 is provided with a counter area CA1 for storing the upper bits of the remaining amount Vc, a data area DA1 for storing the lower bits of the remaining amount Vc, a backflow data area BFDA1, and a write count counter area RWDA1. The genuine refurbished product memory area MA2 is provided with a counter area CA2 for storing the upper bits, and a backflow data area BFDA2. Each of the upper and lower bits is a bit string of, for example, several tens of bits or several bytes. The number of upper and lower bits is changed depending on the amount of ink that can be stored in the cartridge 100 and the accuracy required for the ink amount.

[0045] In this embodiment, the controller 30 shares the data area DA1 in the new product storage area MA1 as a storage area for storing the lower bits of the remaining amount Vc (new product remaining amount 123, genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A) for both new products and genuine recycled products. Therefore, the genuine recycled product storage area MA2 does not have a data area corresponding to the data area DA1. The genuine recycled product storage area MA2 may also have a data area for storing the lower bits of the remaining amount Vc of the genuine recycled product. The non-genuine recycled product storage area MA3 has a data area DA3 for storing all bits (higher and lower bits) of the remaining amount Vc of the non-genuine recycled product (non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B).

[0046] Counter areas CA1 and CA2 are storage areas that function as decrement counters, allowing only value updates corresponding to subtraction (decrease). For example, the control unit 112 of the IC board 105 allows write commands for subtraction of bit values ​​stored in counter areas CA1 and CA2, but does not accept or, even if accepted, does not execute write commands for addition. This allows counter areas CA1 and CA2 to only decrement values ​​once a bit value has been written. This prevents unauthorized increases in the remaining ink level. The control of counter areas CA1 and CA2 as decrement counter areas may be performed by a device other than the control unit 112, such as the controller 30. Alternatively, writing to counter areas CA1 and CA2 may be restricted by a hardware configuration (logic circuit) to limit the areas to decrements only.

[0047] The write count counter area RWDA1 is a storage area for counting the number of writes to the data area DA1. Similar to the counter areas CA1 and CA2, the write count counter area RWDA1 functions as an addition counter, allowing only updates of values ​​corresponding to additions by the control unit 112. The backflow data areas BFDA1 and BFDA2 are storage areas for storing the backflow amount, which is the amount of ink 101 that has flowed back, when backflow occurs.

[0048] The data areas DA1 and DA3 and the backflow data areas BFDA1 and BFDA2 are storage areas where data can be rewritten, that is, storage areas where bit values ​​can be changed regardless of whether bit values ​​are added or subtracted. Note that the configuration of the storage areas described above is an example. For example, the counter areas CA1 and CA2 and the write count counter area RWDA1 may be data areas where bit values ​​can be changed regardless of whether bit values ​​are added or subtracted, similar to the data areas DA1 and DA3.

[0049] (Cartridge processing) Next, the cartridge processing executed by the controller 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, a flowchart of the controller 30 is illustrated on the left side, and a flowchart of the control unit 112 of the IC board 105 is illustrated on the right side. The controller 30 starts the processing shown in FIG. 7 after, for example, the printer 10 is turned on and the CPU 43 executes a control program stored in the ROM 44 to start the system. The condition for starting the processing shown in FIG. 7 is not limited to the printer 10 being turned on, but may also be, for example, a condition for the printer 10 to return from a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption. The controller 30 also manages the remaining ink levels Vc and Vs for each of the subtanks 37 corresponding to the four colors and executes the processing shown in FIG. 7 for each. To avoid complication, the following description will be limited to a case where a new cartridge 100 is installed in one of the four subtanks 37. However, similar processing can be performed when multiple cartridges 100 are installed simultaneously by executing the processing shown in FIG. 7 for each subtank 37. The following description will also be limited to a case where a new cartridge 100 is installed.

[0050] When the controller 30 starts the processing of FIG. 7, first, in step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, the controller 30 determines whether a new cartridge 100 has been installed. The controller 30 determines whether a new cartridge 100 has been installed by, for example, determining whether the reset count 127 and the ID information 128 match. If the reset count 127 and the ID information 128 of the cartridge 100 before and after the power is turned on and off match, the controller 30 determines that it is the same cartridge 100, and if at least one of them is different, the controller 30 determines that it is a different cartridge 100 (new cartridge 100). Furthermore, when the controller 30 detects the installation or removal of the cartridge 100 based on the detection signal of the installation sensor 36 while the printer 10 is powered on, if the reset count 127 and the ID information 128 of the cartridge 100 before and after the installation or removal match, the controller 30 determines that it is the same cartridge 100, and if at least one of them is different, the controller 30 determines that it is a different cartridge 100 (new cartridge 100).

[0051] The controller 30 repeatedly executes the determination process of S1 until a new cartridge 100 is installed (S1: NO), and when a new cartridge 100 is installed (S1: YES), it authenticates the installed cartridge 100 (S2). The controller 30 obtains information necessary for authentication (e.g., a new product remaining amount initial value 121, a recycled product remaining amount initial value 122, cartridge type information 125, and ID information 128) from the memory 110 of the cartridge 100. When power is supplied from the printer 10 and the control unit 112 of the IC board 105 is started up, the control unit 112 becomes ready to receive commands from the controller 30. For example, when the controller 30 requests information necessary for authentication (S2), the control unit 112 obtains data from the requested address in the memory 110 and outputs the data to the controller 30 (S3).

[0052] The controller 30 calculates a hash value using the acquired authentication information and a predetermined calculation formula, and determines that authentication has been successful if the calculated hash value matches the hash value indicated by the signature information 126 in the memory 110 (S2). If authentication is successful, the controller 30 acquires information other than the authentication information (such as new product equilibrium calculation parameters 129) from the memory 110 (S5, S6). Note that if the hash values ​​do not match and authentication has failed, the controller 30 may issue an error notification or the like. Furthermore, the authentication method is not limited to a method using a hash value, and may also be a method using a private key or a public key, for example.

[0053] Next, the controller 30 determines whether the installed cartridge 100 is a new product (S7). As described above, the cartridge type information 125 includes information indicating whether the cartridge is a new product, a genuine recycled product, or a non-genuine recycled product. In this example, since the cartridge 100 is a new product, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S7 (S7: YES) and obtains the remaining amount Vc from the new product storage area MA1 (S8). In response to a read command from the controller 30, the control unit 112 obtains the new product remaining amount 123 from the new product storage area MA1 and outputs it to the controller 30 (S9).

[0054] Similarly, the controller 30 determines whether the cartridge 100 is a genuine recycled product (S11), and if so (S11: YES), acquires the genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A from the genuine recycled product storage area MA2 or the like in the memory 110 (S12, S13). As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, both new cartridges and genuine recycled cartridges share the data area DA1 in the new cartridge storage area MA1 as the lower bits of the remaining amount Vc. Therefore, in S12, the controller 30 reads the upper bits of the genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A from the counter area CA2 and the lower bits from the data area DA1. Similarly, the controller 30 determines whether the cartridge 100 is a non-genuine recycled product (S15), and if so (S15: YES), acquires the non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B from the non-genuine recycled product storage area MA3 (S16, S17).

[0055] In this example, because the cartridge 100 is a new product, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S7 and a negative determination in S11 and S15, and then executes the next step, S18. In S18, the controller 30 determines whether backflow is occurring due to a head difference between the subtank 37 and the cartridge 100. As described above, the liquid chamber 103A of the cartridge 100 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 head difference causes the second ink 101B to move from the subtank 37 to the cartridge 100 (liquid chamber 103A), i.e., backflow occurs. When backflow occurs, the remaining ink level Vc in the cartridge 100 increases by the amount of backflow compared to before installation. Therefore, in S18, the controller 30 calculates the total amount V by adding, for example, the new product remaining amount 123 read from the memory 110 of the cartridge 100 and the remaining amount Vs stored in the subtank 37 (the remaining amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 46). The controller 30 calculates the remaining amount Vs using the calculated total amount V and the balance calculation formula of the new product balance calculation parameters 129. Then, the controller 30 determines that a backflow has occurred if the calculated remaining amount Vs is less than the remaining amount Vs originally stored in the EEPROM 46.

[0056] 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 balance calculation parameters 129 (or recycled product balance calculation parameters 130 if the cartridge is a recycled product) stored in the memory 110. When ink 101 is consumed by a copy operation using the operation button 49 or printing based on a print command from a PC, the controller 30 calculates and updates the remaining amounts Vc and Vs using the balance calculation formula. For this reason, the controller 30 stores the latest remaining amount Vs (when the previous cartridge 100 was removed) in the EEPROM 46. The controller 30 uses this remaining amount Vs in the EEPROM 46 to determine backflow when a new cartridge 100 is installed.

[0057] The method for determining backflow is not limited to the method using the balance calculation formula described above. For example, the controller 30 may determine the presence or absence of backflow by determining the head difference based on the new product remaining amount 123 read from the memory 110 and the remaining amount Vs in the subtank 37 before installation. Specifically, the controller 30 may determine that backflow has occurred when the height of the liquid level 131 based on the remaining amount Vc in the cartridge 100 (such as the new product remaining amount 123) is lower than the height of the liquid level 131 based on the remaining amount Vs stored in the subtank 37. Alternatively, the controller 30 may determine that backflow has occurred when the remaining amount Vc in the cartridge 100 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Furthermore, for example, if the printer 10 is equipped with a liquid level sensor capable of detecting the height of the liquid level 131 of the second ink 101B 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 decreased.

[0058] Next, the controller 30 determines whether or not consumption of the ink 101 has occurred (S19). For example, when the printer 10 is started up and a check process for the nozzles 19 is performed, the ink 101 is consumed. In addition, ink 101 is consumed when printing is performed based on a copy instruction issued by the operation button 49 or a print instruction issued from a PC. The controller 30 determines whether or not consumption of the ink 101 has occurred between the time the printer 10 is started up and the time S19 is performed, for example.

[0059] Next, in S21, the controller 30 determines whether the backflow data area BFDA1, data area DA1, and counter area CA1 need to be updated. The controller 30 determines whether the backflow data area BFDA1 needs to be updated depending on whether backflow has occurred in S18, etc. Furthermore, if the controller 30 determines in S19 that consumption of ink 101 has occurred, it determines whether the counter area CA1 and data area DA1 need to be updated based on the amount of ink 101 consumed. Details of updating each bit value will be described later using FIG. 11.

[0060] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, in S24, the controller 30 determines whether or not the backflow data area BFDA1 needs to be updated based on the determination result of S21. If an update is necessary (S24: YES), the controller 30 executes a write command to the memory 110 to write the updated backflow amount value to the backflow data area BFDA1 (S25). The backflow amount to be written can be calculated, for example, at the time of installation, from the difference between the remaining amount Vs before installation and the remaining amount Vs calculated using the equilibrium calculation formula after installation. Furthermore, after installation, the backflow amount to be written can be calculated based on the backflow amount before the update and the amount of ink 101 consumed.

[0061] On the other hand, after executing S17, the control unit 112 determines whether or not it has received a write command to the memory 110 from the controller 30 (S27, S33, S37). If the control unit 112 receives the command of S25 (S27: YES), it updates the bit value of the backflow data area BFDA1 based on the command (S28). After executing S28, or if there is no command of S25 (S27: NO), the control unit 112 executes S33.

[0062] Furthermore, the controller 30 determines whether or not updating of the data area DA1 is necessary based on the determination result of S21 (S31). If updating of the lower bits of the new product remaining quantity 123 is necessary (S31: YES), the controller 30 updates the bit values ​​of the data area DA1 as in S25 (S32, S33, S34). After executing S34, or if there is no command of S32 (S33: NO), the control unit 112 executes S37.

[0063] Similarly, the controller 30 determines whether or not updating of the counter area CA1 is necessary based on the determination result of S21 (S35). If updating of the upper bits of the new product remaining quantity 123 is necessary (S35: YES), the controller 30 updates the bit values ​​of the counter area CA1 as in S25 (S36, S37, S38). After executing S38, or if there is no command of S36 (S37: NO), the control unit 112 executes S43.

[0064] Next, the controller 30 determines whether or not it is necessary to update the number of writes in the write count counter area RWDA1 (S40). The controller 30 instructs the control unit 112 to update the data area DA1 in S32, and if the data area DA1 has been updated (S34), the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S40 (S40: YES), updates the write count counter area RWDA1 (S41), and increments the number of writes by one. When the control unit 112 receives a write command from the controller 30 (S43: YES), it updates the counter area CA1 and increments the number of writes by one (S44). In this way, the controller 30 and the control unit 112 update the remaining capacity of the memory 110, etc.

[0065] If the controller 30 determines a negative result in S40 (S40: NO) or executes S41, the controller 30 ends the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8. After the controller 30 ends the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8, it executes the processing from S19 again, for example. Furthermore, if the control unit 112 determines a negative result in S43 (S43: NO) or executes S44, it ends the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8. After the control unit 112 ends the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8, it executes the processing from S27 again, for example. As a result, when the printer 10 is powered on and a printing process or the like is executed, resulting in new consumption of ink 101, the control unit 112 updates the memory 110 and subtracts the remaining amount Vc based on a command from the controller 30. When the controller 30 ends the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8 and resumes the processing from S19, it may read the new product remaining amount 123 from the memory 110 again.

[0066] 7 and 8, the controller 30 also executes the processing from S1 again. When a new cartridge 100 is attached, that is, when the cartridge 100 is replaced while the power is on (S1: YES), the controller 30 ends the processing from S19 described above and executes the processing from S2 onwards. Furthermore, the control unit 112 ends the processing from S27 onwards in accordance with the processing of the controller 30 and executes the processing from S3 onwards. As a result, when the cartridge 100 is replaced while the power is on, the processing from S2 onwards can be executed for the replaced cartridge 100.

[0067] 7 and 8, the case of a new product was described. However, the remaining charge Vc of a recycled product can be similarly processed by updating the genuine recycled product storage area MA2 and the non-genuine recycled product storage area MA3. In the following description of genuine recycled products and non-genuine recycled products, the same content as that of the new product described above will be omitted as appropriate.

[0068] For example, when a manufacturer's worker recycles a cartridge 100 collected from a user as a genuine recycled product, the worker sets the ink amount (remaining amount Vc) of the recycled product remaining amount initial value 122 read from the memory 110 of the collected cartridge 100 to the genuine recycled product remaining amount 124A. At this time, the upper bits of the remaining amount Vc are set in the counter area CA2 of the genuine recycled product memory area MA2, and the lower bits are set in the data area DA1 of the new product memory area MA1. Processing of the collected cartridge 100 can be performed using the printer 10 or a device having functions equivalent to the printer 10. The worker also fills the cartridge 100 with the ink 101 of the ink amount indicated by the recycled product remaining amount initial value 122. The worker also increments the reset count 127 by one. The worker also changes the cartridge type information 125 from new to genuine recycled. This allows the collected cartridge 100 to be sold as a genuine recycled product.

[0069] If a genuine, refurbished product is installed, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S11 (S11: YES), reads the upper bits of the remaining amount Vc from the counter area CA2, and reads the lower bits from the data area DA1 (S12). Furthermore, when storing the reverse amount, the controller 30 stores the reverse amount in the reverse data area BFDA2 of the genuine, refurbished product storage area MA2 in S25. Furthermore, when updating the upper bits, the controller 30 updates the counter area CA2 of the genuine, refurbished product storage area MA2 in S32, and when updating the lower bits, the controller 30 updates the data area DA1 of the new product storage area MA1 in S36. This allows the remaining amount Vc to be managed for genuine, refurbished products in the same way as for new products.

[0070] Furthermore, the controller 30 increments the write count in the write count counter area RWDA1 each time the data area DA1 is updated (S31: YES), as in the case of a new product described above. In this embodiment, the data area DA1 is shared by both new products and genuine recycled products. Meanwhile, the counter areas CA1 and CA2 for the upper bits are dedicated to subtraction to prevent unauthorized increases in the amount of ink 101. Once subtracted to zero, it is difficult to increase the bit value. When recycling, a separate counter area must be set. This prevents the upper bit storage area from being reused before and after recycling, thereby preventing the write count in the counter areas CA1 and CA2 for the upper bits from reaching the upper limit. This upper limit is the upper limit for the number of writes to the memory 110, and is, for example, the number of times that the manufacturer of the memory 110 guarantees stable data storage (i.e., guarantees that data corruption will not occur). Furthermore, as will be described later, even if subtraction of the remaining capacity Vc occurs while using cartridge 100, if only subtraction of the backflow amount or lower bits is required, the upper bits (counter areas CA1, CA2) are not updated. This reduces the number of updates to the upper bits during one use of the product, and more reliably prevents the number of writes to counter areas CA1, CA2 from reaching the upper limit.

[0071] However, if the cartridge 100 is repeatedly refurbished as a genuine refurbished product, changing the storage destination of the counter area for the higher bits each time and continuing to reuse the data area DA1 for the lower bits, the number of writes to the data area DA1 will reach its upper limit. Because the data area DA1 is a lower bit, the impact of data corruption on the overall accuracy of the remaining capacity Vc is smaller than that of the higher bits, but it is preferable to set a certain upper limit. Therefore, the controller 30 manages the number of writes to the data area DA1 using the write count counter area RWDA1. This allows the operator to check the write count in the write count counter area RWDA1 and determine whether to refurbish the cartridge 100 as a genuine refurbished product. For example, if the write count reaches the upper limit or the upper limit plus a predetermined number, the cartridge 100 is discarded without being refurbished. Alternatively, the memory 110 can be replaced or disassembled and the materials reused. This allows the cartridge 100 to be refurbished while managing the number of writes to the data area DA1.

[0072] In addition, the data area DA3 for non-genuine recycled products is a data area that allows addition and subtraction. Therefore, even when a reverse flow occurs or when resetting the non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B to the recycled product remaining amount initial value 122 during playback, the bit value stored in the data area DA3 can be freely changed. For this reason, the non-genuine playback storage area MA3 does not have reverse flow data areas BFDA1 and BFDA2.

[0073] For example, when a worker at a remanufacturing manufacturer remanufactures a cartridge 100 collected from a user as a non-genuine recycled product, the worker sets the recycled product remaining amount initial value 122 to the non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B (data area DA3). The worker also fills the cartridge 100 with the amount of ink 101 indicated by the recycled product remaining amount initial value 122, increments the number in the reset count 127 by one, and changes the cartridge type information 125 to non-genuine recycled product. This allows the collected cartridge 100 to be sold as a non-genuine recycled product.

[0074] If a non-genuine recycled product is installed, the controller 30 makes an affirmative determination in S15 (S15: YES) and reads the non-genuine recycled product remaining amount 124B from the data area DA3 (S16). Furthermore, if a backflow occurs, the controller 30 adds the amount of backflow to the bit value of the data area DA3. Therefore, in the case of a non-genuine recycled product, the controller 30 does not execute the determination of the storage destination as in S21 to S36, but updates the data area DA3 according to the increase or decrease in the ink amount. Note that a write count counter area for managing the number of writes may also be provided in the non-genuine recycled storage area MA3.

[0075] (About updating bit values) Next, the process of updating bit values ​​when backflow or consumption of ink 101 occurs will be described. Figure 9 shows the storage format of bit values ​​in the new product storage area MA1, the genuine recycled product storage area MA2, and the non-genuine recycled product storage area MA3. For example, the new product storage area MA1, the genuine recycled product storage area MA2, and the non-genuine recycled product storage area MA3 are stored in this order from a predetermined address (e.g., address aaaa) in the memory 110, allowing updates to be made bit by bit. With this storage format, both the upper and lower bits can be updated (read and written) in units of bit.

[0076] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when each storage area is managed in units of sectors (pages), updates are required in units of bit strings (sectors) consisting of multiple bits. When the controller 30 updates even one bit of the upper-order bit string, it is necessary to update the bit string including the upper-order bit (such as sector 000X in FIG. 10). As the storage format, either the bit-by-bit storage format shown in FIG. 9 or the sector-by-sector storage format shown in FIG. 10 can be adopted, but the following explanation of updating bit values ​​in FIG. 11 will be given for the case where storage is performed in units of bits as shown in FIG. 9. Note that the storage formats shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are merely examples. For example, in terms of address order, the storage area MA1 for new products may be stored after the storage area MA2 for genuine, refurbished products.

[0077] FIG. 11 shows the state of the bit values ​​when the remaining amount Vc of the cartridge 100 is updated, and the bit values ​​are updated in the order of (1) to (4) in FIG. 11. In the following explanation, as an example of updating the remaining amount Vc, a case where the new product remaining amount 123 (counter area CA1, data area DA1, backflow data area BFDA1) is updated will be explained. Also, FIG. 11 indicates bit values ​​in hexadecimal (0x). Also, in FIG. 11, bit values ​​whose values ​​have been changed from the bit values ​​at the top of the figure are underlined.

[0078] First, for example, suppose that backflow occurs when a new product is attached in S18. As shown in Figure 11(1), the bit value of the new product remaining quantity 123 at the time of attachment is, for example, 0xEC, with 0xE stored in the counter area CA1 of the upper bits, 0xC stored in the data area DA1 of the lower bits, and 0x00 stored in the backflow data area BFDA1.

[0079] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(2), assume that a backflow of a backflow amount (0x13) occurs. In this case, the controller 30 determines in S21 that the backflow data area BFDA1 needs to be updated (S24: YES), and updates the backflow amount (S25). In S25, the controller 30 adds 0x13 to the bit value (0x00) of the backflow data area BFDA1. The new product remaining amount 123 becomes 0xFF (0xEC+0x13).

[0080] Note that even if a backflow occurs, the controller 30 may handle the backflow amount by adding it to the data area DA1 if the amount is such that a carry to the counter area CA1 does not occur. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 11, if the backflow amount is +0x01, +0x02, or the like, and is such that a carry to the counter area CA1 does not occur even if the backflow amount is added to the data area DA1, the controller 30 may add the backflow amount to the data area DA1 (lower bits) without updating the backflow data area BFDA1. Therefore, the controller 30 may update the backflow data area BFDA1 only when a backflow occurs and a carry to the higher bits occurs.

[0081] 7 and 8, the controller 30 executes the process corresponding to (2) above, and then executes the process from S19 in FIG. 7. Then, assume that printing or the like is performed and a predetermined consumption amount (hereinafter referred to as total consumption amount) of ink 101 is consumed. The controller 30 calculates the consumption amount of the remaining amount Vc (new product remaining amount 123) using the total consumption amount and the balance calculation formula (in this case, the formula for the new product balance calculation parameter 129). As shown in FIG. 11(3), assume that the amount of ink consumed as the remaining amount Vc is (-0x11). In this case, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S19 and determines in S21 that the backflow data area BFDA1 needs to be updated. Furthermore, the controller 30 determines that the consumption amount (-0x11) is less than the backflow amount (0x13) stored in the backflow data area BFDA1, and therefore determines that the counter area CA1 and the data area DA1 do not need to be updated. In S25, the controller 30 subtracts the consumption amount from the bit value of the backflow data area BFDA1. The backflow amount stored in the backflow data area BFDA1 becomes 0x02 (0x13-0x11). The new product remaining amount 123 becomes 0xEE (0xFF-0x11).

[0082] After executing the process corresponding to (3) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the controller 30 executes the process from S19 in FIG. 7. When printing or the like is performed again and a predetermined total consumption amount is newly consumed, the controller 30 calculates the consumption amount of the remaining amount Vc using the new total consumption amount and the balance calculation formula. As shown in FIG. 11(4), it is assumed that the amount of ink consumed as the remaining amount Vc is (-0x11). In this case, the controller 30 makes a positive determination in S19 and determines in S21 that the backflow data area BFDA1 needs to be updated. Furthermore, because the consumption amount (-0x11) is greater than the backflow amount (0x02) stored in the backflow data area BFDA1, the controller 30 determines whether the counter area CA1 and the data area DA1 need to be updated (S21).

[0083] The controller 30 calculates the value (0x0F) obtained by subtracting the reverse amount (0x02) from the consumption amount (0x11) and determines whether the calculated value (0x0F) is equal to or less than the value (0x0C) of the lower-order bit. If the calculated value is equal to or less than the value of the lower-order bit, i.e., if no carryover from the upper-order bit occurs, the controller 30 determines to update only the data area DA1 (S21). For example, if the calculated value is (0x0B), the controller 30 updates only the data area DA1 and writes the value (0x01) obtained by subtracting the calculated value (0x0B) from the value (0x0C) of the data area DA1 to the data area DA1 (S36). This eliminates the need to execute S36, reducing the number of writes to the counter area CA1. The controller 30 also sets the reverse amount to zero (0x00) (S25).

[0084] 11(4), the calculated value (0x0F) is greater than the value of the lower-order bits (0x0C), so the controller 30 determines that the counter area CA1 and the data area DA1 need to be updated (S21). The controller 30 subtracts the calculated value (0x0F) from the upper-order bits and the lower-order bits, and updates the counter area CA1 and the data area DA1 with the value (0xDD) after the subtraction (S32, S36). In this case, the controller 30 also sets the backflow amount to zero (0x00) (S25).

[0085] Also, if the consumption amount is (0x12), the value (0x10) obtained by subtracting the reverse amount (0x02) from the consumption amount (0x12) will have a value of zero (0x0) in the lower bits. In this case, the controller 30 may determine that updating the data area DA1 is unnecessary and may update only the counter area CA1. For example, the controller 30 may update only the counter area CA1 with the value (0xD0) obtained by subtracting (0x10) from the upper bits (0xE0). This makes it possible to reduce the number of writes to the data area DA1 without executing S32.

[0086] 8, the controller 30 again executes the process from S19 in FIG. 7, and if new ink 101 is consumed, determines whether or not the counter area CA1 and the data area DA1 need to be updated based on the amount of consumption (S21). For example, if no borrowing occurs, the controller 30 updates only the data area DA1 (S32), and if a borrowing occurs, the controller 30 also updates the counter area CA1 (S36).

[0087] 11 is performed assuming that the backflow amount is 0x00 (zero), the subtraction process of the new product remaining amount 123 can be executed. In this way, the controller 30 determines the storage area to be updated based on the relationship between the backflow amount, consumption amount, lower bits, and borrow, and updates only the necessary storage area, thereby reducing the number of writes to the memory 110.

[0088] (Regarding the remaining Vc display) Furthermore, when displaying the remaining amount Vc of the cartridge 100 on the touch panel 48, the controller 30 takes the backflow amount into consideration. For example, when the cartridge 100 is installed and backflow occurs (S18), the controller 30 updates the backflow data area BFDA1 (S25). Thereafter, when displaying the remaining amount Vc on the touch panel 48, the controller 30 displays the remaining amount Vc of the cartridge 100 by adding the value of the counter area CA1 and the data area DA1, i.e., the values ​​of the upper and lower bits, to the value of the backflow amount stored in the backflow data area BFDA1. Furthermore, when consumption of ink 101 occurs and the backflow amount is subtracted, the controller 30 reduces the displayed remaining amount Vc according to the subtracted amount. This allows the controller 30 to display the remaining amount Vc including the backflow amount. Note that the method of outputting the remaining amount Vc is not limited to displaying it on the touch panel 48. For example, the controller 30 may notify the remaining amount Vc by voice. The controller 30 may also display the remaining amount Vc on the monitor of the PC via a printer driver of the PC connected to the network IF 51. When displaying the remaining amount Vc, the controller 30 may ignore the backflow amount and display the values ​​in the counter area CA1 and the data area DA1 as the remaining amount Vc.

[0089] 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 cartridge 100 is an example of a replacement part. The backflow data areas BFDA1 and BFDA2 are examples of a backflow amount storage area. The counter areas CA1 and CA2 are examples of a first storage area. The data area DA1 is an example of a second storage area. The new product storage area MA1 is an example of the first and second storage areas. The genuine recycled product storage area MA2 and the non-genuine recycled product storage area MA3 are examples of a recycled storage area.

[0090] As described above, the first embodiment provides the following effects. (1) In this embodiment, the memory 110 is provided with counter areas CA1 and CA2 and a data area DA1. The controller 30 stores the value of the most significant bit of the bit string indicating the amount of the first ink 101A contained in the cartridge 100 in the counter areas CA1 and CA2, and stores the value of the least significant bit in the data area DA1 (S32, S36, an example of the storage process in this specification).

[0091] When the ink amount fluctuates, the likelihood that the value of the lower bits will change is higher than the likelihood that the value of the higher bits will change. By separating the storage areas for the higher bits and the lower bits, it is possible to update only the value of the lower bits, which are updated more frequently, contributing to the effective use of storage areas. Furthermore, in the bit string indicating the amount of ink contained in cartridge 100, the lower bits have smaller values ​​than the higher bits. Therefore, even if an error occurs in the lower bits due to an increase in the number of writes, the error in the lower bits has a smaller effect on control than the error in the higher bits. As a result, even if an error occurs in the lower bits, which are written more frequently, the effect of the error can be reduced, and the number of writes to counter area CA1, which stores the higher bits, can also be reduced.

[0092] (2) Furthermore, the controller 30 determines whether or not to update the values ​​of the upper bits of the counter areas CA1 and CA2 depending on the magnitude of the change in the amount of the first ink 101A contained in the cartridge 100 (S21). According to this, when the amount of change in the first ink 101A is small, by updating only the value of the lower bits, it is possible to reduce the number of times the upper bits of the counter areas CA1 and CA2 are written.

[0093] (3) Furthermore, when a change in the amount of the first ink 101A contained in the cartridge 100 causes a carryover from the higher order bits to the lower order bits, the controller 30 updates the values ​​of the higher order bits of the counter areas CA1 and CA2. According to this, by updating the upper bits in accordance with the borrow, the value of the upper bits can be stored more accurately, that is, the ink amount can be stored more accurately.

[0094] (4) Counter areas CA1 and CA2 are counter areas (down counters) that are only allowed to update values ​​corresponding to decreases in ink amount. Data area DA1 is a data area that is only allowed to update values ​​corresponding to increases and decreases in ink amount. This allows counter areas CA1 and CA2 to be areas where only updates to values ​​that decrease the ink amount are permitted, thereby preventing the value of the upper bits from being increased improperly.On the other hand, for data area DA1, by allowing updates to values ​​that both increase and decrease the ink amount, it is possible to control the amount to be increased during backflow or regeneration.

[0095] (5) Furthermore, the memory 110 has backflow data areas BFDA1 and BFDA2 in addition to the counter areas CA1 and CA2 and the data area DA1. When ink 101 flows back from the subtank 37 to the cartridge 100, the controller 30 stores the backflow amount in the backflow data areas BFDA1 and BFDA2. If the ink amount subsequently decreases as printing is performed, the controller 30 prioritizes subtracting the amount from the backflow amount values ​​stored in the backflow data areas BFDA1 and BFDA2, and after the backflow amount has disappeared, executes a process to reduce the value of the ink amount stored in the data area DA1 (see FIG. 11).

[0096] According to this, by providing the subtank 37, it is possible to continue printing with the second ink 101B in the subtank 37 even after the first ink 101A in the cartridge 100 has run out. Furthermore, if backflow occurs from the subtank 37 to the cartridge 100, the backflowed ink 101 can be managed by the amount of backflow. The remaining amount Vc of the ink 101 contained in the cartridge 100 can then be managed taking the amount of backflow into account. When the ink 101 is consumed, the amount of backflow is first subtracted from the amount of backflow, and the remaining amount Vc can be managed.

[0097] (6) When displaying the remaining amount Vc, the controller 30 adds the values ​​of the upper and lower bits to the backflow amounts in the backflow data areas BFDA1 and BFDA2, and displays this value as the remaining amount Vc of the cartridge 100. This makes it possible to display the remaining amount Vc including the amount of ink 101 that has flowed back from the subtank 37 to the cartridge 100 (backflow amount), thereby making it possible to display a more accurate value as the remaining amount Vc.

[0098] (7) Furthermore, the counter area CA1 is a counter area that is only permitted to update values ​​corresponding to decreases in ink volume. In addition to the new product storage area MA1, the memory 110 also has a genuine recycled product storage area MA2 and a non-genuine recycled product storage area MA3. The controller 30 determines whether the cartridge 100 is a recycled product (S11, S15, an example of the recycling determination process of this specification). If the installed cartridge 100 is a recycled product (S11: YES or S15: YES), the controller 30 stores a bit string indicating the ink volume of the recycled product in the genuine recycled product storage area MA2 or the non-genuine recycled product storage area MA3 (S25, S32, S36, an example of the recycling storage process of this specification).

[0099] This allows counter area CA1 to be updated only to decrease the ink volume before recycling, preventing the value of the upper bits from being increased improperly. After recycling, counter area CA1 has been used and is therefore difficult to increase, so ink volume after recycling can be managed by using a storage area MA2 for genuine recycled products and a storage area MA3 for non-genuine recycled products, which are different from those used before recycling.

[0100] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present specification will be described. In the first embodiment, the upper bits are stored in the counter area CA1, which is a down counter. In contrast, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the storage area for storing the upper bits is a data area. Also, in the first embodiment, the controller 30 only performs processing to increase the write count counter area RWDA1, and does not perform processing based on the number of writes indicated by the write count counter area RWDA1. In contrast, the controller 30 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it changes the storage area depending on the number of writes. Figure 12 shows a storage area for storing the remaining capacity Vc of the memory 110 of the second embodiment. Note that in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0101] 12, the new product storage area MA1 of the second embodiment is provided with a higher-order bit area DA4 as a storage area for storing higher-order bits. The higher-order bit area DA4 is an area for storing higher-order bits of a bit string indicating the remaining capacity Vc, and is, for example, a data area in which not only subtraction but also addition of bit values ​​is permitted by the control unit 112. The genuine recycled product storage area MA2 of the second embodiment is, for example, secured with the same storage capacity as the new product storage area MA1, and is a storage area into which the bit values ​​of the new product storage area MA1 are copied and used when the number of writes to the counter area CA1 of the new product storage area MA1 reaches an upper limit.

[0102] Figure 13 shows a flowchart of cartridge processing in the second embodiment, and corresponds to Figure 8 of the first embodiment. Note that the cartridge processing in Figure 7 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so it will be explained using Figure 7. When a genuine, recycled cartridge 100 is attached (S11: YES), the controller 30 reads data from the new product storage area MA1 (S12). Then, until a positive determination is made in S55, which will be described later, the controller 30 uses the new product storage area MA1 as the storage destination for the remaining amount Vc (genuine, recycled product remaining amount 124A) even if the cartridge is a genuine, recycled product.

[0103] 13, the controller 30 determines whether or not it is necessary to update the upper bit area DA4. If it is determined in S21 of FIG. 7 that a borrow has occurred, for example, the controller 30 determines that it is necessary to update the upper bit area DA4 (S51: YES), and updates the bit values ​​of the upper bit area DA4 (S52, S53, S54).

[0104] Furthermore, in S40, the controller 30 determines whether or not it is necessary to update the number of writes indicated by the write count counter area RWDA1. In the second embodiment, the write count counter area RWDA1 is a storage area that stores the number of writes in the counter area CA1. Therefore, when the controller 30 executes S52 to update the upper bit area DA4, it makes a positive determination in S40 (S40: YES) and increments the number of writes in the write count counter area RWDA1 by one (S41). As a result, the number of writes increases by one each time the upper bits of the upper bit area DA4 are updated.

[0105] Next, if the controller 30 makes a negative determination in S40 (S40: NO) or executes S41, the controller 30 determines in S55 whether the number of writes indicated in the write count counter area RWDA1, i.e., the number of writes in the counter area CA1, is equal to or greater than the upper limit number N. As in the first embodiment, this upper limit number N is an upper limit value set by, for example, the manufacturer of the memory 110. If the number of writes is less than the upper limit number N (S55: NO), the controller 30 ends the processing of FIG. 8 and executes the processing from S19. As a result, the number of writes in the counter area CA1 is stored in the write count counter area RWDA1 while a new product or a genuine refurbished product is being used.

[0106] Furthermore, when recycling into a genuine recycled product, an initial value for the genuine recycled product (recycled product remaining amount initial value 122) is set in the upper bit area DA4 and data area DA1 of the new product storage area MA1. In the second embodiment, the upper bit area DA4 of the upper bits is a data area, so it can be used for the new product, subtracted, and then increased again. As described above, even for genuine recycled products, the controller 30 obtains the remaining amount Vc from the new product storage area MA1 (S12) and manages the remaining amount Vc using the new product storage area MA1 (S25, S32, S52).

[0107] The controller 30 then repeats the playback and updating of the remaining capacity Vc. When the number of writes in the write count counter area RWDA1 reaches or exceeds the upper limit N (S55: YES), the controller 30 changes the storage area for storing the remaining capacity Vc. That is, when the number of writes in the counter area CA1 reaches a number that may cause data corruption, the controller 30 changes the storage destination of the upper bits, etc. As shown in FIG. 12, the controller 30 copies the bit values ​​of the new product storage area MA1 (upper bit area DA4, data area DA1, reverse data area BFDA1, write count counter area RWDA1) to the genuine recycled product storage area MA2. The controller 30 uses the genuine recycled product storage area MA2 for managing the remaining capacity Vc thereafter. In this way, by writing the upper bits to the data area and managing the number of writes to the upper bit area DA4 using the write count counter area RWDA1, the controller 30 can reduce the number of writes to the upper bits while changing the storage destination when the upper limit is reached.

[0108] Incidentally, the relationship between the contents of this specification and the terminology in the second embodiment is as follows: In the second embodiment, the upper bit area DA4 is an example of a first storage area; the data area DA1 is an example of a second storage area; the write count counter area RWDA1 is an example of a write count storage area; the genuine refurbished product storage area MA2 is an example of a third storage area; and the upper limit number N is an example of a threshold value.

[0109] 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) The upper bit area DA4 and data area DA1 in the second embodiment are data areas in which updating of values ​​corresponding to increases and decreases in ink amount is permitted. By configuring the upper bit area DA4 and data area DA1 as data areas that can update both the ink amount increase and decrease values, the bit values ​​in the upper bit area DA4 and data area DA1 can be reset when recycling the cartridge 100. Then, the bit value after recycling, i.e., the remaining amount Vc, can be managed using the reset upper bit area DA4 and data area DA1.

[0110] (2) Furthermore, the memory 110 of the second embodiment has a write count counter area RWDA1 for storing the number of writes, and a genuine, refurbished product storage area MA2, in addition to the upper bit area DA4 and the data area DA1. When the controller 30 executes writing to the upper bit area DA4 (S52), it increments the number of writes stored in the write count counter area RWDA1 (S41). When the number of writes is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (upper limit number N) (S55: YES), the controller 30 stores the bit value stored in the new product storage area MA1 in the genuine, refurbished product storage area MA2 (S56), and thereafter manages the bit value in the genuine, refurbished product storage area MA2.

[0111] According to this, when the number of writes reaches or approaches the predetermined upper limit N, the storage area for managing bit values ​​is changed from the new product storage area MA1 to the genuine refurbished product storage area MA2. This changes the storage area used as the number of writes reaches or approaches the upper limit N, thereby preventing errors from occurring in the bit values ​​of the higher-order bits. In the second embodiment, all bit values ​​in the new product storage area MA1 are copied to the genuine refurbished product storage area MA2. However, it is also possible to copy only the higher-order bit area DA4 (higher order bits) and change the storage destination. Furthermore, just as data is copied from the new product storage area MA1 to the genuine refurbished product storage area MA2, if the number of writes to the genuine refurbished product storage area MA2 reaches the upper limit N again during repeated reproduction, the bit values ​​in the genuine refurbished product storage area MA2 may be further copied to another storage area.

[0112] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present specification will be described. In the first embodiment described above, a backflow data area BFDA1 was provided as a storage area for storing the value of the backflow amount. In contrast, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a data area DA6 for storing a carry is provided. FIG. 14 shows bit values ​​when the remaining amount Vc according to the third embodiment is updated. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same contents as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 14, the memory 110 is provided with a data area DA6 for storing carryovers. Note that the data area DA6 may be a storage area that is a part of the data area DA1. As shown in FIG. 14(1), for example, assume that the ink amount stored in the cartridge 100 at the time of installation was (0xEC). Next, for example, as shown in (2) Backflow A, if a backflow amount of (+0x03) occurs after installation, no carryover occurs even if the backflow amount is added to the lower bits. In this case, the controller 30 updates only the data area DA1 and adds the backflow amount to the lower bits.

[0114] On the other hand, as shown in (2) Backflow B, when a backflow amount of (+0x04) occurs, adding the backflow amount to the lower-order bit results in a carry (see the cross in the figure). However, the counter area CA1 for the upper-order bits is a counter area dedicated to subtraction, so addition is not possible. Therefore, the controller 30 adds the backflow amount (+0x04) to the lower-order bit (0x0C) and stores the result of the addition (0x00) in the data area DA1. The controller 30 also stores the bit value of the carry resulting from the addition, i.e., the bit value "+0x1" to be added to the upper-order bit, in the data area DA6. The data area DA6 is, for example, composed of two bits (0x), with the first bit (the bit on the right in FIG. 14) corresponding to the first bit of the upper-order bits (the rightmost bit), and the second bit (the bit on the left in FIG. 14) corresponding to the second bit of the upper-order bits (the second bit from the right).

[0115] Next, a case where ink 101 is consumed after backflow B occurs in Figure 14(2) will be described using (3) and (4). As shown in Figure 14(3), for example, assume that an amount of ink of (-0x02) has been consumed. In this case, the controller 30 updates only data area DA1 and data area DA6 because no borrow occurs when subtracting the consumed amount (-0x02) from the total value (0x10) obtained by adding the carry (0x10) of data area DA6 to the bit value (0x00) of the lower bit. The controller 30 sets data area DA6 to zero and stores the bit value (0x0E) obtained by subtracting the consumed amount (-0x02) from the total value (0x10) in data area DA1.

[0116] Next, as shown in FIG. 14(4), for example, assume that an amount of ink equal to (-0x12) has been consumed. In this case, the controller 30 updates the counter area CA1 and data area DA1 because it is necessary to update the upper and lower bits. The controller 30 writes the value (0xD0) obtained by subtracting (-0x10) from the bit value (0xE0) of the upper bit to the counter area CA1. The controller 30 also writes the value (0x0C) obtained by subtracting (-0x02) from the bit value (0x0E) of the lower bit to the data area DA1. Note that even if a carryover occurs in the consumed amount, such as (0x0F), the controller 30 updates the counter area CA1 and data area DA1. In this way, in the third embodiment, by storing the carryover value in the data area DA6, the remaining amount Vc can be managed without adding it to the counter area CA1.

[0117] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present specification will be described. In the above-described embodiments, a component for storing unused contents, such as the cartridge 100, was employed as the replaceable part of the present specification. However, the replaceable part of the present specification is not limited to this, and may also be a waste tank for storing used contents, such as used ink 101 (waste liquid). For example, the printer 10 of the fourth embodiment is configured with a replaceable waste tank, and waste liquid (an example of a stored content) generated during processes such as checking and cleaning the nozzles 19 is stored in a storage section of the waste tank. The waste tank has a memory for storing the amount of stored waste liquid (hereinafter referred to as the waste liquid amount). The memory stores a bit string indicating the amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid tank. For example, the memory has a counter area (an example of the first storage area of ​​the present specification) indicating the most significant bits of the bit string indicating the amount of waste liquid, similar to the remaining amount Vc of the above-described embodiments, and a data area (an example of the second storage area of ​​the present specification) indicating the least significant bits.

[0118] The counter area is a storage area that can only be added to, and cannot be subtracted from. In this case, for example, when a cleaning process or the like is performed and new waste liquid is generated, the controller 30 increases the amount of waste liquid stored in the memory in accordance with the increase in the amount of waste liquid. The amount of waste liquid increases each time the printer 10 is used. For this reason, in the fourth embodiment, a carry from the lower bits to the higher bits occurs as the amount of waste liquid increases.

[0119] When the amount of waste liquid in the memory is increased, the controller 30 updates only the data area for the lower bits if no carry from the lower bits to the higher bits occurs. Furthermore, when a carry from the lower bits to the higher bits occurs, the controller 30 also updates the counter area. That is, when a carry from the lower bits to the higher bits occurs, the bit value in the counter area dedicated to addition is updated. Even in this fourth embodiment, when the amount of waste liquid increases, the possibility that the value of the lower bits will change is higher than the possibility that the value of the higher bits will change. Separating the storage areas for the higher bits and the lower bits allows only the value of the lower bits, which are updated more frequently, to be updated, contributing to more effective use of the storage area.

[0120] 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 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 replacement part in this specification is not limited to a cartridge containing ink, but may also be a cartridge containing toner. Furthermore, the contents in this specification are not limited to ink, but may also be toner. In this case, a memory provided in the toner cartridge may store a new toner remaining quantity 123, etc., and separate storage areas for the upper and lower bits of the bit string indicating the remaining quantity may be used, and a determination may be made as to whether to update the upper bits in response to the occurrence of a borrow. Furthermore, the printing device in this specification may be a device that performs printing using other printing methods such as thermal transfer printing or thermal printing, etc. Therefore, the replacement parts and storage items 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 addition, in each of the above embodiments, the printer 10 is used as the printing device of this specification, but this is not limited to this. 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, cartridge 100 may be configured such that memory 110 does not store data for recycled products.

[0121] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the controller 30 updated the upper bits (counter area CA1, etc.) when a borrow occurred, but this is not limited to this. For example, the controller 30 may set a consumption amount (for example, -0x0D) that is less than the consumption amount (-0x10) at which a borrow occurs as a threshold, and update the upper bits when an amount of ink equal to or greater than this threshold (0x0D) has been consumed. Furthermore, when the ink 101 is consumed after a backflow occurs, the controller 30 subtracts from the backflow amount first, but it may also subtract from the data area DA1 first. 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. In the above embodiment, 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 the allowable 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]

[0122] 10 printer (printing device), 27 mounting case (mounting portion), 30 controller, 37 subtank, 100 cartridge (replacement part), 101 ink (container), 101A first ink (container), 103A liquid chamber (container), 110 memory, BFDA1, BFDA2 backflow data area (backflow amount storage area), CA1, CA2 counter area (first storage area), DA1 data area (second storage area), DA4 upper bit area (first storage area), RWDA1 write count counter area (write count storage area), MA1 storage area for new products (first and second storage areas), MA2 storage area for genuine remanufactured products (remanufactured storage area, third storage area), MA3 storage area for non-genuine remanufactured products (remanufactured storage area), N upper limit number (threshold).

Claims

1. Replacement parts and a mounting portion to which the replacement part can be attached and detached; A controller; Equipped with The replacement part is a storage section capable of storing items; a memory having a first storage area and a second storage area; and The controller A printing device that executes a storage process that stores the value of the most significant bit of a bit string indicating the amount of the contents contained in the replacement part in the first storage area and stores the value of the least significant bit in the second storage area.

2. The controller 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to update the value of the most significant bit of the first storage area is determined depending on the magnitude of the change in the amount of the contents contained in the replacement part.

3. The controller A printing device as described in claim 2, wherein when a change in the amount of contents contained in the replacement part causes a carry down from the higher bit to the lower bit, or when a carry up from the lower bit to the higher bit occurs, the value of the higher bit in the first memory area is updated.

4. The contained object is The amount decreases as printing is performed. The first storage area a counter area in which only updating of a value corresponding to a decrease in the amount of the contained items is permitted; The second storage area is 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the data area allows updating of values ​​corresponding to increases and decreases in the amount of the stored items.

5. The contained object is The amount decreases as printing is performed. The printing device a sub-tank connected to the replacement part attached to the attachment part and configured to accommodate the contents flowing in from the replacement part, The memory includes: a reverse amount storage area separate from the first storage area and the second storage area; The controller A printing device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the contents flow back from the subtank to the storage section of the replacement part, a backflow amount, which is the amount of the contents that has flowed back, is stored in the backflow amount memory area, and when the amount of the contents decreases as printing is performed, the backflow amount is preferentially subtracted from the value of the backflow amount stored in the backflow amount memory area, and after the backflow amount has disappeared, a process is performed to reduce the value of the amount of the contents stored in the second memory area.

6. The controller A printing device as described in claim 5, wherein when outputting the remaining amount of the contained item, the value obtained by adding the value of the upper bit and the lower bit to the value of the backflow amount stored in the backflow amount memory area is output as the remaining amount of the contained item.

7. The first storage area a counter area in which only an update of a value corresponding to either an increase or a decrease in the amount of the contained items is permitted; The memory includes: a reproduction storage area separate from the first storage area and the second storage area; The controller a refurbishment determination process for determining whether the replacement part is a refurbished product; a regeneration storage process for storing, in the regeneration storage area, a bit string indicating the amount of the contents contained in the replacement part when the regeneration determination process determines that the replacement part is a regenerated product; 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device executes the following.

8. The contained object is The amount increases or decreases depending on the printing execution. The first storage area and the second storage area are 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the data area allows updating of values ​​corresponding to increases and decreases in the amount of the stored items.

9. The memory includes: a write count storage area for storing the number of writes and a third storage area, separate from the first storage area and the second storage area; The controller When writing to the first storage area, the number of writes stored in the number of writes storage area is increased; A printing device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the number of writes reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the value of the upper bit stored in the first memory area is stored in the third memory area, and subsequent management of the value of the upper bit is performed in the third memory area.

10. A storage method for a printing device having a storage unit capable of storing an item and a mounting unit to which a replacement part can be attached and detached, the replacement part having a storage unit capable of storing an item and a memory having a first storage area and a second storage area, A storage method including a storage step of storing the value of the most significant bit of a bit string indicating the amount of the contents contained in the replacement part in the first storage area and storing the value of the least significant bit in the second storage area.

11. 11. The storage method according to claim 10, further comprising determining whether or not to update the value of the most significant bit of the first storage area depending on the magnitude of the change in the amount of the contents contained in the replacement part.

12. 12. The storage method of claim 11, wherein the value of the upper bit of the first storage area is updated when a carry from the upper bit to the lower bit occurs or when a carry from the lower bit to the upper bit occurs due to a change in the amount of contents contained in the replacement part.

13. The contained object is The amount decreases as printing is performed. The first storage area a counter area in which only updating of a value corresponding to a decrease in the amount of the contained items is permitted; The second storage area is 12. The storage method according to claim 10, wherein the data area allows updating of values ​​corresponding to increases and decreases in the amount of the contained items.

14. The contained object is The amount decreases as printing is performed. The printing device a sub-tank connected to the replacement part attached to the attachment part and configured to accommodate the contents flowing in from the replacement part, The memory includes: a reverse amount storage area separate from the first storage area and the second storage area; In the storage method, A storage method according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein when the contents flow back from the subtank to the storage section of the replacement part, a backflow amount, which is the amount of the contents that has flowed back, is stored in the backflow amount storage area, and when the amount of the contents subsequently decreases as printing is executed, the backflow amount is preferentially subtracted from the value of the backflow amount stored in the backflow amount storage area, and after the backflow amount has disappeared, the value of the amount of the contents stored in the second storage area is reduced.

Images