Liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide means for releasing the prohibition of discharging a liquid through a head before a liquid surface in a second liquid chamber reaches a predetermined level after an exchange of a cartridge having a first liquid chamber.SOLUTION: A device releases the prohibition of discharging ink through a head 21 in response to receiving a low level signal output from an attachment sensor 154, and prohibits the discharge of liquid through the head 21 in response to that a lapse time from the moment of receiving the low level signal from the attachment sensor 154 reaches a stand-by time Tw and a high level signal is received from a liquid surface sensor 155.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid discharging device for discharging liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an inkjet printer that includes a detachable main tank, a subtank that stores ink supplied from the attached main tank, and an image recording unit that discharges the ink stored in the subtank to record an image (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, in the inkjet printer, the internal spaces of the main tank and the subtank are open to the atmosphere. Therefore, when the main tank is attached to the inkjet printer, the ink moves by the head pressure so that the liquid levels of the main tank and the subtank are aligned to the same height due to the difference in the head of the internal space of the main tank and the head of the internal space of the subtank (hereinafter referred to as the "head difference"). In addition, in the inkjet printer, when the remaining amount of ink detected by the remaining amount detection sensor falls below a threshold value, the display indicates that the cartridge needs to be replaced or that the ink is empty. In addition, when the ink is empty, the inkjet printer prohibits the discharge of ink through the image recording unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-213162 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the main tank is replaced, ink flows from the main tank to the sub tank. If there is a remaining ink detection sensor that detects the ink in the sub tank, the ink will flow from the main tank to the sub tank, and the detection signal of the remaining ink detection sensor will eventually change. When the detection signal of the remaining ink detection sensor changes, the inkjet printer is considered to release the prohibition on the discharge of ink through the image recording unit. However, if it takes time for the ink to flow from the main tank to the sub tank and for the signal output by the remaining ink detection sensor to change, the prohibition on the discharge of ink will not be released during that time. Therefore, the user may have the impression that they cannot immediately record images after replacing the main tank.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances described above, and its purpose is to provide a means for lifting the prohibition on the discharge of liquid through the head after a cartridge having a first liquid chamber is replaced and before the liquid level in the second liquid chamber reaches or exceeds a predetermined position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A liquid discharging device according to the present invention comprises: an attachment case in which a cartridge is attached, the cartridge having a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path having one end connected to the first liquid chamber and the other end connected to the outside, and a second flow path having one end connected to the first liquid chamber and the other end connected to the outside; a tank having a second liquid chamber, a third flow path having one end connected to the outside and the other end connected to the second liquid chamber, the third flow path constituting, together with the first flow path, a flow path connecting the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is attached to the attachment case; a fourth flow path having one end located below the third flow path and connected to the second liquid chamber; and a fifth flow path having one end connected to the second liquid chamber and the other end connected to the outside; a head connected to the other end of the fourth flow path, a liquid level sensor, an interface, and a controller. The controller receives from the liquid level sensor a first signal output by the liquid level sensor in response to the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber being equal to or higher than a predetermined position, receives from the liquid level sensor a second signal output by the liquid level sensor in response to the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber being less than the predetermined position, accepts a discharge instruction to discharge liquid through the head after receiving the second signal, updates a first count value with a value equivalent to the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged in the discharge instruction, prohibits discharge of liquid through the head in response to the first count value reaching a first threshold, determines that the cartridge has been attached to the mounting case, reads initial information indicating that an initial filling amount of liquid is stored in the first liquid chamber from a cartridge memory possessed by the cartridge via the interface in response to determining that the cartridge has been attached to the mounting case, and lifts the prohibition of discharge of liquid through the head in response to reading the initial information from the cartridge memory.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when the discharge of liquid through the head is prohibited, the prohibition of the discharge of liquid through the head can be lifted before the liquid level sensor outputs a signal indicating that the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is at or above a predetermined level after the cartridge is replaced. Also, when a cartridge that is not new is attached to the attachment case, the prohibition of the discharge of liquid through the head is not lifted.

[0008] (2) The liquid discharging device further includes an alarm, and the controller activates the alarm to perform a first operation in response to the first count value reaching a first threshold value, and cancels the first operation of the alarm in response to reading the initial information from the cartridge memory.

[0009] According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the user that discharging of liquid through the head is prohibited through the first action of the alarm.

[0010] (3) A liquid discharging device according to the present invention comprises: an attachment case in which a cartridge is attached, the cartridge having a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path having one end connected to the first liquid chamber and the other end connected to the outside, and a second flow path having one end connected to the first liquid chamber and the other end connected to the outside; a tank having a second liquid chamber, a third flow path having one end connected to the outside and the other end connected to the second liquid chamber, the third flow path forming, together with the first flow path, a flow path connecting the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is attached to the attachment case; a fourth flow path having one end located below the third flow path and connected to the second liquid chamber; and a fifth flow path having one end connected to the second liquid chamber and the other end connected to the outside; a head connected to the other end of the fourth flow path, a liquid level sensor, an interface, and a controller. The controller receives from the liquid level sensor a first signal output by the liquid level sensor in response to the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber being equal to or higher than a predetermined position, receives from the liquid level sensor a second signal output by the liquid level sensor in response to the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber being less than the predetermined position, accepts a discharge instruction to discharge liquid through the head after receiving the second signal, updates a first count value with a value equivalent to the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged in the discharge instruction, prohibits discharge of liquid through the head in response to the first count value reaching a first threshold, and stores the cartridge in the attachment case. When it is determined that a ridge has been attached and when it is determined that the cartridge has been attached to the attachment case, the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber is read from the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface, and the total amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber is calculated based on the amount of liquid read from the cartridge memory and the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber, and when the calculated total amount is equal to or greater than the amount of liquid that causes the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber to be equal to or greater than a predetermined position, the prohibition on the discharge of liquid through the head is lifted.

[0011] According to the above configuration, even if an initial filling amount of liquid is not stored in the first liquid chamber, when a cartridge in which the first liquid chamber has enough liquid stored therein to raise the liquid level in the second liquid chamber above a predetermined position is attached to the attachment case, the prohibition on the discharge of liquid through the head is lifted before the liquid level sensor outputs a signal indicating that the liquid level in the second liquid chamber has reached a predetermined position or higher.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the liquid discharge device further includes an alarm, and when the calculated total amount is less than the amount of liquid that would cause the liquid level in the second liquid chamber to be equal to or higher than a predetermined position, the controller lifts the prohibition on discharge of liquid through the head and causes the alarm to issue an alarm that the cartridge needs to be replaced.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when a cartridge in which the first liquid chamber does not contain enough liquid to raise the liquid level in the second liquid chamber to a predetermined position or higher is attached to the attachment case, although it is possible to drain the liquid through the head, the user can be notified via an alarm that the cartridge needs to be replaced.

[0014] (5) Preferably, after canceling the prohibition on discharging liquid through the head, the controller accepts a discharge instruction to discharge liquid through the head, updates a second count value with a value corresponding to the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged in the discharge instruction, and prohibits discharging liquid through the head based on the discharge instruction in response to receiving the second signal from the liquid level sensor without receiving the first signal and the second count value reaching a second threshold value. After discharging of liquid through the head is prohibited, the prohibited discharge of liquid through the head is executed in response to receiving the first signal from the liquid level sensor.

[0015] According to the above configuration, after the prohibition on discharging liquid through the head is lifted, the amount of liquid discharged from the head can be limited before the controller receives the first signal from the liquid level sensor. This prevents air from entering the head from the second liquid chamber. Furthermore, when the controller receives the first signal from the liquid level sensor, the prohibited discharge of liquid from the head is executed.

[0016] (6) Preferably, the liquid discharging device further includes a memory, and the controller, in response to receiving the second signal from the liquid level sensor and the second count value reaching the second threshold value, prohibits discharging of liquid through the head, and, in response to a first elapsed time from a time when it was determined that the cartridge was mounted in the mounting case reaching a predetermined time, receiving the second signal from the liquid level sensor, and the second count value reaching the second threshold value, increases the remaining amount of the second liquid chamber stored in the memory to a remaining amount corresponding to the second threshold value. the control unit updates the first value indicating that the remaining amount in the second liquid chamber is equal to or greater than the second threshold value to a second value indicating that the remaining amount in the second liquid chamber is less than the remaining amount corresponding to the second threshold value, and after prohibiting the discharge of liquid through the head, reads out the value stored in the memory in response to determining that the cartridge has been attached to the mounting case, and, provided that the value read from the memory is the second value, lifts the prohibition on the discharge of liquid through the head in response to receiving the first signal from the liquid level sensor, and updates the second value stored in the memory to the first value.

[0017] (7) Preferably, the liquid discharging device further includes an alarm, and the controller causes the alarm to perform a first operation in response to prohibiting discharging of liquid through the head, cancels the first operation of the alarm in response to lifting the prohibition of discharging of liquid through the head, causes the alarm to perform a second operation different from the first operation in response to receiving the second signal from the liquid level sensor and the second count value reaching the second threshold value after canceling the first operation, and and in response to receiving the second signal without receiving the first signal, the alarm is caused to perform the first operation, and after causing the alarm to perform the first operation, in response to determining that the cartridge is attached to the mounting case, a value stored in the memory is read out, and, on condition that the value read from the memory is the second value, the alarm is caused to perform the second operation, and in response to receiving the first signal from the liquid level sensor after causing the second operation, the second operation of the alarm is cancelled.

[0018] According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the user that discharging of liquid through the head is prohibited through the first action of the alarm.

[0019] (8) Preferably, the controller sets the second threshold value in accordance with a second elapsed time from a time when it is determined that the cartridge has been attached to the attachment case for the first time to a time when the controller receives the first signal from the liquid level sensor.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the second threshold value is set according to the second elapsed time from when the liquid flows from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber of the cartridge that is first mounted in the mounting case of the liquid discharge device until the controller receives the first signal from the liquid level sensor, thereby making it possible to set the second threshold value according to individual differences between devices. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, the prohibition on the discharge of liquid through the head can be lifted before the liquid level in the second liquid chamber reaches or exceeds a predetermined level after the cartridge is replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer 10, in which (A) shows a state in which a cover 87 is in a covering position, and (B) shows a state in which the cover 87 is in an exposing position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the structure of the cartridge 200, where (A) is a front perspective view and (B) is a vertical cross-sectional view. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge 200 attached to the attachment case 150. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the printer 10. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the image recording process. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the counting process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the Empty temporary release process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the Empty formal release process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of the image recording process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the tank 160 and the cartridge 200 are in communication with each other, where (A) shows the cartridge empty state, and (B) shows the tank 160 with no remaining amount. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a state in which the tank 160 and the cartridge 200 are in communication with each other, showing a state in which ink is flowing out from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 and the ink level in the tank 160 reaches a predetermined position P. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the waiting time Tw setting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. In addition, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the use posture in which the printer 10 is installed on a horizontal surface so that it can be used, the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the opening 13 of the printer 10 is formed as the front, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the printer 10 is viewed from the front. In this embodiment, in the use posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are perpendicular to each other.

[0024] [Printer 10 Overview] The printer 10 according to this embodiment is an example of a liquid discharging device that records an image on a sheet by an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 14. The printer 10 may also be a so-called "multifunction machine" that has functions such as a facsimile function, a scanning function, and a copying function.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, inside the housing 14 are located a feed tray 15, a feed roller 23, a transport roller 25, a head 21 having a plurality of nozzles 29, a platen 26 facing the head 21, an ejection roller 27, an ejection tray 16, an attachment case 150 to which the cartridge 200 is attached and detached, and a tube 32 that connects the head 21 and the cartridge 200 attached to the attachment case 150.

[0026] The printer 10 drives the feed roller 23 and the transport roller 25 to transport the sheet supported on the feed tray 15 to the position of the platen 26. Next, the printer 10 causes the head 21 to eject ink, which is supplied from the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 through the tube 32, through the nozzle 29. This causes the ink to land on the sheet supported by the platen 26, and an image is recorded on the sheet. The printer 10 then drives the discharge roller 27 to discharge the sheet on which the image has been recorded to the discharge tray 16.

[0027] More specifically, the head 21 may be mounted on a carriage that moves back and forth in a main scanning direction that intersects with the conveying direction of the sheet by the conveying roller 25. Then, the printer 10 may cause the head 21 to eject ink through the nozzles 29 while moving the carriage from one side to the other in the main scanning direction. This causes an image to be recorded on a portion of the sheet facing the head 21 (hereinafter referred to as "one pass"). Next, the printer 10 may cause the conveying roller 25 to convey the sheet so that the area on which the next image is to be recorded faces the head 21. Then, an image is recorded on one sheet by alternately and repeatedly executing these processes.

[0028] In this embodiment, the ejection of ink from the nozzles 29 of the head 21 during image recording is referred to as "ejection", whereas the ejection of ink from the nozzles 29 of the head 21 during purging is not referred to as "ejection", although "ejection" is a concept included in "ejection".

[0029] [Cover 87] As shown in Fig. 1, an opening 85 is formed on the front surface 14A of the housing 14 at the right end in the left-right direction 9. The housing 14 further includes a cover 87. The cover 87 is rotatable between a covered position (position shown in Fig. 1(A)) where the opening 85 is closed and an exposed position (position shown in Fig. 1(B)) where the opening 85 is opened. The cover 87 is supported by the housing 14, for example, near the lower end of the housing 14 in the up-down direction 7 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the left-right direction 9. An attachment case 150 is located in an accommodation space 86 inside the housing 14 that extends beyond the opening 85.

[0030] [Cover sensor 88] The printer 10 has a cover sensor 88 (see FIG. 6). The cover sensor 88 may be, for example, a mechanical sensor such as a switch that the cover 87 contacts or separates, or an optical sensor that blocks or transmits light depending on the position of the cover 87. The cover sensor 88 outputs a signal according to the position of the cover 87 to the controller 130. More specifically, the cover sensor 88 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the cover 87 being located at the covered position. On the other hand, the cover sensor 88 outputs a high-level signal having a higher signal intensity than the low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the cover 87 being located at a position different from the covered position. In other words, the cover sensor 88 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the cover 87 being located at the exposed position.

[0031] [Mounting Case 150] 3, the mounting case 150 includes a contact 152, a rod 153, an attachment sensor 154, a liquid level sensor 155, and a lock pin 156. The mounting case 150 can accommodate four cartridges 200 corresponding to the colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. That is, the mounting case 150 includes four contacts 152, four rods 153, four attachment sensors 154, and four liquid level sensors 155 corresponding to the four cartridges 200. The number of cartridges 200 that can be accommodated in the mounting case 150 is not limited to four, and may be one, or may be five or more. The contact 152 is an example of an interface.

[0032] The mounting case 150 is box-shaped with an internal space that houses the mounted cartridge 200. The internal space of the mounting case 150 is defined by a top wall that defines the upper end, a bottom wall that defines the lower end, a rear wall that defines the rear end in the front-rear direction 8, and a pair of side walls that define both ends in the left-right direction 9. Meanwhile, a position of the mounting case 150 facing the rear wall is an opening 85. That is, the opening 85 exposes the internal space of the mounting case 150 to the outside of the printer 10 when the cover 87 is placed in the exposed position.

[0033] Then, the cartridge 200 is inserted into the mounting case 150 through the opening 85 of the housing 14, and is removed from the mounting case 150. More specifically, the cartridge 200 passes through the opening 85 backward in the front-rear direction 8 and is attached to the mounting case 150. The cartridge 200 removed from the mounting case 150 passes through the opening 85 forward in the front-rear direction 8.

[0034] [Contact 152] The contact 152 is located on the top wall of the attachment case 150. The contact 152 protrudes downward from the top wall toward the internal space of the attachment case 150. The contact 152 is located at a position where it contacts an electrode 248 (described later) of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150. The contact 152 is conductive, and furthermore is elastically deformable in the up-down direction 7. The contact 152 is electrically connected to the controller 130.

[0035] [Rod 153] The rod 153 protrudes forward from the back wall of the mounting case 150. The rod 153 is located above a joint 180, which will be described later, on the back wall of the mounting case 150. During the process of mounting the cartridge 200 to the mounting case 150, the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through an atmospheric vent port 221, which will be described later, of the cartridge 200. When the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214, the atmospheric valve chamber 214, which will be described later, is connected to the atmosphere.

[0036] [Wearing Sensor 154] The mounting sensor 154 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 154 is a sensor for the controller 130 to detect whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 154 includes a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion spaced apart in the left-right direction 9. When the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, a light-shielding rib 245 (described later) of the cartridge 200 is located between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the mounting sensor 154. In other words, the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the mounting sensor 154 are located opposite each other with the light-shielding rib 245 of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 in between.

[0037] The wearing sensor 154 outputs a different signal (in the figure, this is indicated as a "wearing signal") depending on whether or not the light irradiated from the light-emitting unit along the left-right direction 9 is received by the light-receiving unit. For example, the wearing sensor 154 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the received light intensity of the light received by the light-receiving unit being less than the threshold intensity. On the other hand, the wearing sensor 154 outputs a high-level signal having a higher signal intensity than the low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the received light intensity of the light received by the light-receiving unit being equal to or greater than the threshold intensity. The high-level signal is an example of a third signal, and the low-level signal is an example of a fourth signal.

[0038] [Liquid level sensor 155] The liquid level sensor 155 is a sensor for detecting whether or not a detection target portion 194 of the actuator 190, which will be described later, is located at a detection position. The liquid level sensor 155 includes a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion spaced apart in the left-right direction 9. In other words, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the liquid level sensor 155 are located facing each other with the detection target portion 194 located at the detection position in between. The liquid level sensor 155 outputs a different signal (in the figure, this is written as a "liquid level signal") depending on whether or not the light output from the light emitting portion is received by the light receiving portion. For example, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 in response to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving portion being less than a threshold intensity. On the other hand, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high level signal, the signal intensity of which is higher than that of the low level signal, to the controller 130 in response to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving portion being equal to or greater than the threshold intensity. The high-level signal is an example of a second signal, and the low-level signal is an example of a first signal.

[0039] [Lock pin 156] The lock pin 156 is a rod-shaped member extending in the left-right direction 9 at the upper end of the internal space of the mounting case 150 and near the opening 85. Both ends of the lock pin 156 in the left-right direction 9 are fixed to a pair of side walls of the mounting case 150. The lock pin 156 extends in the left-right direction 9 across four spaces capable of accommodating four cartridges 200. The lock pin 156 is for holding the cartridge 200 attached to the mounting case 150 in the attachment position shown in FIG. 5. The cartridge 200 engages with the lock pin 156 when attached to the mounting case 150.

[0040] [Tank 160] The printer 10 includes four tanks 160 corresponding to the four cartridges 200, respectively. The tanks 160 are located further rearward than the back wall of the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. 3, the tank 160 is composed of an upper wall 161, a front wall 162, a lower wall 163, a rear wall 164, and a pair of side walls (not shown). The front wall 162 is composed of a plurality of walls each of which is offset in the front-rear direction 8. A liquid chamber 171 is formed inside the tank 160. The liquid chamber 171 is an example of a second liquid chamber.

[0041] Of the walls constituting the tank 160, at least the wall facing the liquid level sensor 155 has translucency. This allows the light output by the liquid level sensor 155 to pass through the wall facing the liquid level sensor 155. At least a part of the rear wall 164 may be a film welded to the end faces of the upper wall 161, the lower wall 163, and the side walls. In addition, the side walls of the tank 160 may be common to the mounting case 150, or may be independent from the mounting case 150. Furthermore, the tanks 160 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction 9 are separated by a partition wall (not shown). The four tanks 160 generally have the same configuration.

[0042] The liquid chamber 171 communicates with an ink flow path (not shown) through the outlet 174. The lower end of the outlet 174 is defined by a lower wall 163 that defines the lower end of the liquid chamber 171. The outlet 174 is located below the joint 180 (more specifically, the lower end of the through hole 184) in the up-down direction 7. The ink flow path (not shown) that communicates with the outlet 174 communicates with the tube 32 (see FIG. 2). This allows the liquid chamber 171 to communicate with the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 32. That is, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is supplied to the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 32. The ink flow path and tube 32 connected to the outlet 174 is an example of a fourth flow path having one end (outlet 174) connected to the liquid chamber 171 and the other end 33 (see FIG. 2) connected to the head 21.

[0043] The liquid chamber 171 is in communication with the atmosphere through an atmosphere communication chamber 175. More specifically, the atmosphere communication chamber 175 is in communication with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 176 penetrating the front wall 162. The atmosphere communication chamber 175 is in communication with the outside of the printer 10 through an atmosphere communication port 177 and a tube (not shown) connected to the atmosphere communication port 177. That is, the atmosphere communication chamber 175 is an example of a fifth flow path having one end (through hole 176) in communication with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end (atmosphere communication port 177) in communication with the outside of the printer 10. The atmosphere communication chamber 175 is in communication with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port 177 and a tube (not shown).

[0044] [Joint 180] As shown in FIG. 3, the joint 180 includes a needle 181 and a guide 182. The needle 181 is a tube having a flow path formed therein. The needle 181 protrudes forward from a front wall 162 that defines the liquid chamber 171. An opening 183 is formed at the protruding tip of the needle 181. The internal space of the needle 181 communicates with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 184 that penetrates the front wall 162. The needle 181 is an example of a third flow path in which one end (the opening 183) communicates with the outside of the tank 160 and the other end (the through hole 184) communicates with the liquid chamber 171. The guide 182 is a cylindrical member disposed around the needle 181. The guide 182 protrudes forward from the front wall 162 and has an open protruding end.

[0045] A valve 185 and a coil spring 186 are positioned in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 is movable in the front-rear direction 8 between a closed position and an open position in the internal space of the needle 181. When the valve 185 is positioned at the closed position, it closes the opening 183. When the valve 185 is positioned at the open position, it opens the opening 183. The coil spring 186 biases the valve 185 in a direction that moves the valve 185 from the open position to the closed position, i.e., forward.

[0046] [Actuator 190] An actuator 190 is positioned in the liquid chamber 171. The actuator 190 is supported by a support member (not shown) disposed within the liquid chamber 171 so as to be rotatable in the directions of arrows 198 and 199. The actuator 190 can rotate between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the actuator 190 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow 198 from the position indicated by the solid line by a stopper (not shown, for example, the inner wall of the liquid chamber 171). The actuator 190 includes a float 191, a shaft 192, an arm 193, and a detection target portion 194.

[0047] The float 191 is formed of a material having a smaller specific gravity than the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171. The shaft 192 protrudes in the left-right direction 9 from the right and left faces of the float 191. The shaft 192 is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in a support member. This allows the actuator 190 to be supported by the support member so as to be rotatable about the shaft 192. The arm 193 extends substantially upward from the float 191. The detection target portion 194 is located at the protruding tip of the arm 193. The detection target portion 194 is a plate-shaped member extending in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The detection target portion 194 is formed of a material or color that blocks light output from the light-emitting portion of the liquid level sensor 155.

[0048] When the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P, the actuator 190 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 198 by buoyancy and is held at the detection position shown by the solid line in Fig. 3 by a stopper. On the other hand, when the ink level is below the predetermined position P, the actuator 190 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 199 following the descent of the ink level. As a result, the detected portion 194 moves to a position away from the detection position. In other words, the detected portion 194 moves to a position corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171.

[0049] The predetermined position P is at the same height as the axial center of the needle 181 in the vertical direction 7, and at the same height as the center of an ink supply port 234 described below. However, the predetermined position P is not limited to the above-mentioned position as long as it is a position above the outlet 174 in the vertical direction 7. As another example, the predetermined position P may be at the height of the upper end or lower end of the internal space of the needle 181, or may be at the height of the upper end or lower end of the ink supply port 234.

[0050] When the level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P, the light output from the light-emitting portion of the liquid level sensor 155 is blocked by the detection portion 194. As a result, the light from the light-emitting portion does not reach the light-receiving portion of the liquid level sensor 155, and so the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130. On the other hand, when the level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is lower than the predetermined position P, the light output from the light-emitting portion of the liquid level sensor 155 reaches the light-receiving portion, and so the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130. In other words, the controller 130 can detect whether the level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P, based on the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155.

[0051] [Cartridge 200] The cartridge 200 is a container having a liquid chamber 210 (see FIG. 2) capable of storing ink, which is an example of liquid. The liquid chamber 210 is defined by, for example, a resin wall. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the cartridge 200 has a flat shape in which the dimensions in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are greater than the dimensions in the left-right direction 9. The outer shapes of the cartridges 200 storing inks of different colors may be the same or different. At least a part of the walls constituting the cartridge 200 is translucent. This allows the user to visually check the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 from the outside of the cartridge 200.

[0052] The cartridge 200 includes a housing 201 and a supply pipe 230. The housing 201 is composed of a rear wall 202, a front wall 203, an upper wall 204, a lower wall 205, and a pair of side walls 206, 207. The rear wall 202 is composed of a plurality of walls each offset in the front-rear direction 8. The upper wall 204 is composed of a plurality of walls each offset in the up-down direction 7. The lower wall 205 is composed of a plurality of walls each offset in the up-down direction 7.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4B, a liquid chamber 210, an ink valve chamber 213, and an atmospheric valve chamber 214 are formed in the internal space of the cartridge 200. The liquid chamber 210 has an upper liquid chamber 211 and a lower liquid chamber 212. The upper liquid chamber 211, the lower liquid chamber 212, and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are internal spaces of the housing 201. On the other hand, the ink valve chamber 213 is an internal space of the supply tube 230. The liquid chamber 210 stores ink. The atmospheric valve chamber 214 communicates the liquid chamber 210 with the outside of the cartridge 200. The liquid chamber 210 is an example of a first liquid chamber.

[0054] The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 of the liquid chamber 210 are separated in the up-down direction 7 by a partition wall 215 that separates the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 are communicated with each other by a through hole 216 formed in the partition wall 215. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are separated in the up-down direction 7 by a partition wall 217 that separates the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are communicated with each other by a through hole 218 formed in the partition wall 217. The ink valve chamber 213 is also communicated with the lower end of the lower liquid chamber 212 through a through hole 219.

[0055] The atmospheric valve chamber 214 is connected to the outside of the cartridge 200 through an atmospheric communication port 221 formed in the rear wall 202 at the upper part of the cartridge 200. That is, the atmospheric valve chamber 214 is an example of a second flow path in which one end (through hole 218) is connected to the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the upper liquid chamber 211) and the other end (atmosphere communication port 221) is connected to the outside of the cartridge 200. The atmospheric valve chamber 214 is connected to the atmosphere through the atmospheric communication port 221. A valve 222 and a coil spring 223 are also located in the atmospheric valve chamber 214. The valve 222 is movable in the front-rear direction 8 between a closed position and an open position. When the valve 222 is located at the closed position, it closes the atmospheric communication port 221. When the valve 222 is located at the open position, it opens the atmospheric communication port 221. The coil spring 223 biases the valve 222 in a direction to move the valve 222 from the open position to the closed position, that is, backward.

[0056] In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150, the rod 153 enters the atmosphere valve chamber 214 through the atmosphere communication port 221. The rod 153 that has entered the atmosphere valve chamber 214 moves the valve 222, which is in the closed position, forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 223. Then, the valve 222 moves to the open position, thereby connecting the upper liquid chamber 211 to the atmosphere. Note that the configuration for opening the atmosphere communication port 221 is not limited to the above example. As another example, the rod 153 may break through a film that seals the atmosphere communication port 221.

[0057] The supply tube 230 protrudes rearward from the rear wall 202 at the lower part of the housing 201. The protruding end (i.e., the rear end) of the supply tube 230 is open. That is, the ink valve chamber 213 communicates between the liquid chamber 210, which is communicated through the through hole 219, and the outside of the cartridge 200. The ink valve chamber 213 is an example of a first flow path, one end (the through hole 219) of which is communicated with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the lower liquid chamber 212) and the other end (an ink supply port 234 described later) of which is communicated with the outside of the cartridge 200. In addition, a packing 231, a valve 232, and a coil spring 233 are located in the ink valve chamber 213.

[0058] An ink supply port 234 is formed in the center of the packing 231, penetrating in the front-rear direction 8. The inner diameter of the ink supply port 234 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the needle 181. The valve 232 is movable in the front-rear direction 8 between a closed position and an open position. When the valve 232 is located at the closed position, it comes into contact with the packing 231 to close the ink supply port 234. When the valve 232 is located at the open position, it moves away from the packing 231 to open the ink supply port 234. The coil spring 233 biases the valve 232 in a direction to move the valve 232 from the open position to the closed position, i.e., backward. The biasing force of the coil spring 233 is greater than that of the coil spring 186.

[0059] In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150, the supply tube 230 enters the guide 182, and then the needle 181 enters the ink valve chamber 213 through the ink supply port 234. At this time, the needle 181 elastically deforms the packing 231 and comes into liquid-tight contact with the inner circumferential surface that defines the ink supply port 234. When the cartridge 200 is further inserted into the mounting case 150, the needle 181 moves the valve 232 forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 233. In addition, the valve 232 moves the valve 185, which protrudes from the opening 183 of the needle 181, backward against the biasing force of the coil spring 186.

[0060] 5, the ink supply port 234 and the opening 183 are opened, and the ink valve chamber 213 of the supply tube 230 communicates with the internal space of the needle 181. In other words, when the cartridge 200 is attached to the mounting case 150, the ink valve chamber 213 and the internal space of the needle 181 form a flow path that communicates between the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

[0061] Furthermore, when the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150, a part of the liquid chamber 210 and a part of the liquid chamber 171 overlap each other when viewed from the horizontal direction. As a result, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 moves to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the connected supply pipe 230 and joint 180 due to the head difference.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 4, a protrusion 241 is formed on the upper wall 204. The protrusion 241 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The protrusion 241 has a locking surface 242 and an inclined surface 243. The locking surface 242 and the inclined surface 243 are located above the upper wall 204. The locking surface 242 faces forward in the front-rear direction 8 and extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9 (i.e., approximately perpendicular to the upper wall 204). The inclined surface 243 is inclined with respect to the upper wall 204 so as to face upward in the up-down direction 7 and rearward in the front-rear direction 8.

[0063] The locking surface 242 is a surface that comes into contact with the locking pin 156 when the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150. The inclined surface 243 is a surface that guides the locking pin 156 to a position where it comes into contact with the locking surface 242 during the process of attaching the cartridge 200 to the attachment case 150. When the locking surface 242 and the locking pin 156 come into contact with each other, the cartridge 200 is held in the attachment position shown in FIG. 5 against the biasing forces of the coil springs 186, 223, and 233.

[0064] A flat plate-like member is formed so as to extend upward from the upper wall 204 in front of the locking surface 242. The upper surface of this flat plate-like member is an operating section 244 that is operated by the user when removing the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150. When the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 and the cover 87 is located at the exposed position, the operating section 244 can be operated by the user. When the operating section 244 is pressed downward, the cartridge 200 rotates, and the locking surface 242 moves downward from the locking pin 156. As a result, the cartridge 200 can be removed from the mounting case 150.

[0065] A light-shielding rib 245 is formed on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and behind the protrusion 241. The light-shielding rib 245 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The light-shielding rib 245 is formed of a material or color that blocks light output from the light-emitting portion of the mounting sensor 154. The light-shielding rib 245 is located on an optical path from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion of the mounting sensor 154 when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. That is, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the cartridge 200 being mounted in the mounting case 150. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the cartridge 200 not being mounted in the mounting case 150. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 or not by the signal output from the mounting sensor 154.

[0066] An IC board 247 is located on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 between the light-shielding rib 245 and the protrusion 241 in the front-rear direction 8. An electrode 248 is formed on the IC board 247. The IC board 247 also includes a memory (not shown). The electrode 248 is electrically connected to the memory of the IC board 247. The electrode 248 is exposed on the upper surface of the IC board 247 so as to be conductive with the contact 152. That is, when the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150, the electrode 248 is electrically conductive with the contact 152. The controller 130 can read information from the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248, and can write information to the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248.

[0067] The memory of the IC board 247 stores the ink amount Vc and identification information for identifying an individual cartridge 200. When the cartridge 200 is new, an initial ink amount Vc0 is stored in the memory of the IC board 247 as the ink amount Vc. This initial ink amount Vc0 is an example of the maximum liquid amount that indicates the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the cartridge 200. In other words, the initial ink amount Vc0 indicates the amount of ink stored in a new cartridge 200. Hereinafter, the information stored in the memory of the IC board 247 may be collectively referred to as "CTG information." Furthermore, "new" refers to a so-called unused product, and indicates a state in which the ink in the cartridge 200 has never leaked out from the cartridge 200 that has been manufactured and sold.

[0068] The storage area of ​​the memory of the IC substrate 247 has, for example, an area where information is not overwritten by the controller 130, and an area where information can be overwritten by the controller 130. For example, the identification information is stored in the area that is not overwritten, and the ink amount Vc is stored in the area that can be overwritten.

[0069] [Controller 130] 6, the controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135. The ROM 132 stores programs and the like for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 131 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores setting information that should be retained even after the power is turned off. The ROM 132, the RAM 133, and the EEPROM 134 are examples of memories.

[0070] The ASIC 135 is for operating the feed roller 23, the transport roller 25, the discharge roller 27, and the head 21. The controller 130 rotates the feed roller 23, the transport roller 25, and the discharge roller 27 by driving a motor (not shown) through the ASIC 135. The controller 130 also outputs a drive signal to a drive element of the head 21 through the ASIC 135, thereby causing the head 21 to eject ink through the nozzles 29. The ASIC 135 is capable of outputting a plurality of types of drive signals according to the amount of ink to be ejected through the nozzles 29.

[0071] A display 17 and an operation panel 22 are also connected to the ASIC 135. The display 17 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and has a display surface for displaying various information. The display 17 is an example of an alarm. However, specific examples of the alarm are not limited to the display 17, and may be a speaker, an LED lamp, or a combination of these. The operation panel 22 outputs an operation signal to the controller 130 in response to an operation by a user. The operation panel 22 may have, for example, a push button, or a touch sensor superimposed on the display 17.

[0072] Furthermore, the ASIC 135 is electrically connected to a contact 152, a cover sensor 88, an attachment sensor 154, and a liquid level sensor 155. The controller 130 accesses the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 attached to the attachment case 150 through the contact 152. The controller 130 detects the position of the cover 87 through the cover sensor 88. The controller 130 also detects the insertion and removal of the cartridge 200 through the attachment sensor 154. Furthermore, the controller 130 detects through the liquid level sensor 155 whether the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than a predetermined position P.

[0073] The ROM 132 stores a predetermined amount of ink Vsc stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 and a predetermined amount of ink Vcc stored in the liquid chamber of the cartridge 200 when the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high level signal. The predetermined amount of ink Vcc is zero in this embodiment.

[0074] The EEPROM 134 stores various information in association with each of the four cartridges 200 mounted in the mounting case 150, in other words, in association with each of the tanks 160 communicating with the cartridges 200. The various information includes, for example, ink amounts Vc and Vs, which are an example of liquid amounts, a function F, a C_Empty flag, an S_Empty flag, a temporary release flag, a tank empty flag, a count value SN1, a count value SN2, a count value TN, and a threshold value N. th1 and the threshold N th2 , a threshold value Vmin, and a waiting time Tw.

[0075] The ink amount Vc and the identification information are information that are read by the controller 130 from the memory of the IC board 247 via the contacts 152 when the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150. The function F may be stored in the ROM 132 instead of the EEPROM 134. The initial ink amount Vc0 is an example of initial information.

[0076] The ink amount Vc indicates the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200. The ink amount Vs indicates the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. The ink amounts Vc and Vs are calculated, for example, by a function F. The function F is information indicating the correspondence between the total amount of ink Vt, the ink amount Vc, and the ink amount Vc. The ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 are in equilibrium when the positions of the liquid surfaces of the ink in the vertical direction 7 match. That is, in the equilibrium state, the movement of ink between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 stops. For example, the relationship between the total amount of ink Vt and the ink amount Vs can be approximated by the function F. Therefore, when the total amount of ink Vt is calculated, the ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc are obtained. Note that the ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc are not limited to the form of the function F, and may be obtained by a table corresponding to each total amount Vt.

[0077] The count value SN1 is a value corresponding to the ink discharge amount Dh (i.e., the ink amount indicated by the drive signal) that is instructed to be discharged from the head 21 after the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155 changes from a low level signal to a high level signal, and is set to a threshold value N th1 The count value SN1 is a value that is counted up from the initial value "0". Also, the threshold value N th1 corresponds to the volume of the liquid chamber 171 between the vicinity of the upper end of the outlet 174 and the predetermined position P. However, the count value SN1 may be a value that is counted down from a value corresponding to the volume as an initial value. In this case, the threshold value N th1 The count value SN1 is an example of a first count value. th1 is an example of a first threshold value.

[0078] The count value SN2 is a value that corresponds to the ink discharge amount Dh (i.e., the ink amount indicated by the drive signal) that is instructed to be discharged from the head 21 when the S_Empty flag is "OFF" and the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155 is a high level signal, and is set to a threshold value N th2The count value SN2 is a value that is counted up from the initial value "0". Also, the threshold value N th2 is a value corresponding to the product of the average amount of ink discharged from the head 21 during image recording on a unit sheet (one sheet) and the number of unit sheets on which an image can be recorded within a waiting time Tw, which will be described later. However, the count value SN2 may be a value that is counted down from the value corresponding to this product as an initial value. In this case, the threshold value N th2 The count value SN2 is an example of a second count value. th2 is an example of the second threshold. In this embodiment, the threshold N th1 is the threshold N th2 However, the threshold N th1 and threshold N th2 The magnitude relationship is set according to the size of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, the flow rate from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171, the height at which the liquid level sensor 155 detects the ink level, and the like.

[0079] The count value TN is a value equivalent to the ink discharge amount Dh (i.e., the ink amount indicated by the drive signal) that the head 21 is instructed to discharge after the signal output from the attachment sensor 154 changes from a high-level signal to a low-level signal, and is a value that is counted up from an initial value of "0." The count value TN may also be a value that is counted down from an initial value equivalent to the total amount of ink Vt.

[0080] The C_Empty flag is information indicating whether the cartridge 200 is in a cartridge empty state. The C_Empty flag is set to a value "ON" corresponding to the cartridge empty state, or a value "OFF" corresponding to the cartridge not being in an empty state. The cartridge empty state is a state in which ink is not substantially stored in the cartridge 200 (more specifically, the liquid chamber 210). In other words, the cartridge empty state is a state in which ink does not move from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 that is connected to the cartridge 200. In further other words, the cartridge empty state is a state in which the liquid level of the tank 160 that is connected to the cartridge 200 is below a predetermined position P.

[0081] The S_Empty flag is information indicating whether the tank 160 is in an ink-empty state. The S_Empty flag is set to a value of "ON" corresponding to an ink-empty state, or a value of "OFF" corresponding to a non-ink-empty state. The ink-empty state is, for example, a state in which the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 160 (more specifically, the liquid chamber 171) has reached a position near the upper end of the outlet 174. In other words, the ink-empty state is a state in which the count value SN1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value N th1 This is the state. If the head 21 continues to eject ink after the ink-empty state is reached, the ink level in the tank 160 may drop below the upper end of the outlet 174, and air may get into the ink flow path from the tank 160 to the head 21 or into the head 21 (so-called air-in). As a result, the nozzle 29 may not be filled with ink, and ink non-ejection may occur.

[0082] The temporary release flag is information indicating whether the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 has not changed from a high level signal after the cartridge 200 is replaced and both the C_Empty flag and the S_Empty flag are set to "OFF". The temporary release flag is set to a value "ON" corresponding to the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 remaining a high level signal, or a value "OFF" corresponding to the signal having changed to a low level signal. If the head 21 continues to eject ink while the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 remains a high level signal in the temporary release state, there is a possibility that the air-in described above may occur.

[0083] The tank empty flag is information indicating whether the ink level in the ink chamber 171 of the tank 160 has dropped to the upper end of the outlet 174. When the ink level stored in the ink chamber 171 reaches a position near the upper end of the outlet 174, the tank is in an ink empty state. The ink empty state occurs when the count value SN1 is equal to or lower than the threshold value N th1 This is determined based on whether or not it is equal to or higher than this, but taking into consideration an error in the count value SN1 and the position of the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 due to the installation conditions of the multifunction device 10 (inclination from horizontal), it is desirable to set the position of the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 in the ink-empty state to be somewhat higher than the upper end of the outlet 174.

[0084] On the other hand, if the total amount Vt, which is the sum of the amount of ink Vc stored in the replaced cartridge 200 and the amount of ink Vs stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vmin, ink moves from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171, and after a predetermined time has passed, the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 reaches a predetermined position P. If the position of the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 in the ink-empty state is set above the upper end of the outlet 174 by the amount of ink required for the number N of sheets on which image recording can be performed during the predetermined time until the ink level reaches the predetermined position P, then even if ink does not move from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171, the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 will not reach the upper end of the outlet 174 even if image recording is performed on the aforementioned number N of sheets.

[0085] However, in the provisionally released state, if image recording has already been performed for the aforementioned number N of sheets, but formal release has not been performed thereafter, even if the cartridge 200 is subsequently replaced again, there is a risk that the ink level in the ink chamber 171 may have already dropped close to the upper end of the outlet 174. If ink continues to be ejected from the head 21 in this state, the aforementioned air-in will occur. The "OFF" of the tank empty flag is an example of a first value, and "ON" is an example of a second value.

[0086] [Printer 10 Operation] The operation of the printer 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Each process shown in Figures 7 to 10 is executed by the CPU 131 of the controller 130. Note that each process below may be executed by the CPU 131 reading out a program stored in the ROM 132, or may be realized by a hardware circuit mounted on the controller 130. Also, the order of execution of each process below may be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0087] [Image recording processing] 7 in response to a recording instruction being input to the printer 10. The recording instruction is an example of an ejection instruction for causing the printer 10 to execute a recording process for recording an image represented by image data on a sheet. The source from which the recording instruction is obtained is not particularly limited, and for example, a user operation corresponding to the recording instruction may be accepted via the operation panel 22, or may be received from an external device via a communication interface (not shown).

[0088] First, the controller 130 judges the set values ​​of the four S_Empty flags (S11). Then, in response to judging that at least one of the four S_Empty flags is set to "ON" (S11: ON), the controller 130 displays an S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 (S12). The S_Empty notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the corresponding tank 160 is in an ink-empty state and ink cannot be discharged through the head 21. The S_Empty notification screen may include, for example, information indicating the color of ink and the ink amounts Vc and Vs stored in the ink-empty tank 160. Note that in step S12, in response to judging that at least one of the four C_Empty flags is set to "ON", the controller 130 may display the C_Empty notification screen on the display 17 together with the S_Empty notification screen. The operation of the display 17 in S12 is an example of the first operation.

[0089] Furthermore, the controller 130 executes the processes of S13 to S15 for each cartridge 200 corresponding to the S_Empty flag set to "ON". That is, the processes of S13 to S15 are executed for each cartridge 200 of the four cartridges 200 for which the corresponding S_Empty flag is set to "ON". Since the processes of S13 to S15 are common to each cartridge 200, only the processes of S13 to S17 corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be explained.

[0090] First, the controller 130 acquires a signal output by the mounting sensor 154 (S13). Next, the controller 130 determines whether the signal acquired from the mounting sensor 154 is a high level signal or a low level signal (S14). Then, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S13 and S14 at a predetermined time interval until the signal output by the mounting sensor 154 changes from a low level signal to a high level signal and then changes again from a high level signal to a low level signal (S14: No). In other words, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S13 and S14 until the cartridge 200 is removed from the mounting case 150 and a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

[0091] Then, the controller 130 determines whether the tank empty flag is "ON" (S15) in response to acquiring a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then acquiring a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquiring a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154 (S14: Yes). If the tank empty flag is "ON" (S15: Yes), the controller 130 executes the process described later (see FIG. 11). The controller 130 also stores in the EEPROM 134 the time when the controller 130 acquired a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154 and then acquired a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154. Note that instead of storing the time, the controller 130 may operate a timer to measure the time after acquiring a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154. The stored time or the measured time is used in the Empty formal release process described later.

[0092] If the tank empty flag is "OFF" (S15: No), the controller 130 executes the Empty temporary release process (S16). The Empty temporary release process is a process for erasing the C_Empty notification screen and the S_Empty notification screen displayed on the display 17. Details of the Empty temporary release process will be described later with reference to FIG. 9. Then, in response to the completion of the Empty temporary release process, the processes from S11 onwards are executed again.

[0093] If all the S_Empty flags corresponding to all the cartridges 200 are not "ON", i.e., are "OFF", the controller 130 acquires the signals currently being output from the four liquid level sensors 155 (S17). Furthermore, in S17, the controller 130 stores in the RAM 133 information indicating whether the signals acquired from the liquid level sensors 155 are high level signals or low level signals.

[0094] Then, the controller 130 records an image indicated by the image data included in the recording instruction on one sheet (S18). More specifically, the controller 130 causes the feed roller 23 and the conveyance roller 25 to convey the sheet on the feed tray 15, causes the head 21 to eject ink, and causes the ejection roller 27 to eject the one sheet on which the image has been recorded onto the ejection tray 16. That is, the controller 130 permits the ejection of ink through the head 21 when all of the four S_Empty flags are set to "OFF". On the other hand, the controller 130 prohibits the ejection of ink through the head 21 when at least one of the four S_Empty flags is set to "ON".

[0095] Next, the controller 130 acquires signals currently being output from each of the four liquid level sensors 155 in response to recording an image on one sheet in accordance with the recording instruction (S19). Furthermore, similar to S17, the controller 130 stores information indicating whether the signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 155 is a high level signal or a low level signal in the RAM 133 (S19). Then, the controller 130 executes a counting process (S20). The counting process is a process for updating the count values ​​TN, SN1, SN2, the C_Empty flag, and the S_Empty flag based on the signals acquired from the liquid level sensor 155 in S17 and S19. Details of the counting process will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0096] Next, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S11 to S20 until all images specified by the recording instruction are recorded on one sheet (S21: Yes). Then, in response to recording all images specified by the recording instruction being recorded on one sheet (S21: No), the controller 130 determines the setting values ​​of each of the four S_Empty flags and each of the four C_Empty flags (S22, S23).

[0097] The controller 130 causes the display 17 to display an S_Empty notification screen (S24) in response to at least one of the four S_Empty flags being set to "ON" (S22: ON). Furthermore, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display a C_Empty notification screen (S25) in response to all of the four S_Empty flags being set to "OFF" and at least one of the four C_Empty flags being set to "ON" (S22: OFF & S23: ON). The processes of S24 and S25 are an example of activating an alarm.

[0098] The S_Empty notification screen displayed in S24 may be the same as S12. The C_Empty notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the cartridge 200 corresponding to the C_Empty flag set to "ON" has entered a cartridge empty state. The C_Empty notification screen may include, for example, information indicating the color of ink and the ink amounts Vc and Vs stored in the cartridge 200 in the cartridge empty state. On the other hand, in response to all of the four S_Empty flags and the four C_Empty flags being set to "OFF" (S23: OFF), the controller 130 ends the image recording process without executing the processes of S24 and S25.

[0099] Note that a specific example of the discharge instruction is not limited to a recording instruction, and may be a maintenance instruction for instructing maintenance of the nozzles 29, such as purging. The controller 130 executes the same process as in FIG. 7 in response to receiving a maintenance instruction via, for example, the operation panel 22. The differences from the above-described process when receiving a maintenance instruction are as follows. First, in S18, the controller 130 drives a maintenance mechanism (not shown) to discharge ink through the nozzles 29. Furthermore, after executing the counting process, the controller 130 executes the processes from S21 onward without executing the process of S21.

[0100] [Counting process] Next, the counting process executed by the controller 130 in S20 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 8. The controller 130 executes the counting process independently for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the counting process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the counting process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

[0101] First, the controller 130 compares the information indicating the signals of the liquid level sensors 155 stored in the RAM 133 in S17 and S19 (S31). That is, the controller 130 determines whether or not the signals of each of the four liquid level sensors 155 have changed before and after the process of S18 immediately before the count process (S20) is executed.

[0102] The controller 130 updates the count value TN (S32) in response to the fact that both the information stored in the RAM 133 in S17 and S19 indicate a low level signal (i.e., the output of the liquid level sensor 155 has not changed before and after the process of S18) (S31: L→L). That is, the controller 130 counts up the count value TN by a value equivalent to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in the previous S18.

[0103] The controller 130 also calculates the current total amount Vt (S33). First, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after cartridge replacement, which is the sum of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 after the cartridge replacement. The controller 130 then calculates the current total amount Vt by subtracting the ink amount corresponding to the count value TN from the calculated total amount Vt (Vt=Vt-TN). The controller 130 then determines the ink amounts Vc and Vs based on the calculated current total amount Vt and the function F (S33).

[0104] Then, the controller 130 displays the determined total amount Vt and either the ink amount Vc or the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S34). The controller 130 also overwrites the determined ink amount Vc onto the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 (S35).

[0105] Furthermore, the controller 130 assigns "ON" to the C_Empty flag (S36) when the information stored in RAM 133 in S17 indicates a low level signal and the information stored in RAM 133 in S19 indicates a high level signal (i.e., in response to a change in the output of the liquid level sensor 155 before and after the processing of S18 (S31: L→H). The change in the output of the liquid level sensor 155 from a low level signal to a high level signal corresponds to the liquid level in the liquid chamber 171 reaching a predetermined position P during the processing of S18, as shown in FIG. 12(A). Then, from this point on, no ink moves between the cartridge 200 and the tank 160.

[0106] The controller 130 also reads out the predetermined ink amount Vcc (=0) from the ROM 132, and sets the ink amount Vc to the predetermined ink amount Vcc (S37). Similarly, the controller 130 reads out the predetermined ink amount Vsc (corresponding to the volume of the liquid chamber 171 below the predetermined position P) from the ROM 132, and sets the ink amount Vs to the predetermined ink amount Vsc (S37). Since the ink amounts Vc and Vs calculated in the remaining amount update process contain errors, the controller 130 resets the accumulated errors by setting the ink amount Vc to the predetermined ink amount Vcc and the ink amount Vs to the predetermined ink amount Vsc at the timing when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from a low level signal to a high level signal. The controller 130 also calculates the current total amount Vt to be the same value as the ink amount Vs (Vt=Vsc) (S37). When the ink amount Vc becomes zero, the total amount Vt becomes the same value as the ink amount Vs.

[0107] Then, the controller 130 displays the current total amount Vt and either the ink amount Vc or the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S38). In addition, the controller 130 overwrites the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 with the ink amount Vc described above (S39).

[0108] Incidentally, because the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes during the processing of S18, the predetermined ink amount Vsc read out in S37 does not accurately indicate the amount of ink stored in the tank 160 at the moment the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes, but rather indicates the amount of ink immediately before the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes. However, because the difference between these ink amounts is slight, the ink amount Vsc read out in S37 is approximately treated as the ink amount Vs at the point when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes.

[0109] The controller 130 also counts up the count value SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134 by a value equivalent to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in the previous S17 (S40). In other words, the controller 130 starts updating the count value SN1 in response to the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changing from a low level signal to a high level signal. The controller 130 also counts up the count value TN stored in the EEPROM 134 by a value equivalent to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in the previous S18.

[0110] Then, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs (S41). The ink amount Vs calculated above is a value obtained by subtracting the ink amount corresponding to the count value SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134 from the predetermined ink amount Vsc stored in the ROM 132. As described above, after the output of the liquid level sensor 155 becomes a high-level signal, the ink amount Vs is the same value as the current total amount Vt. Also, the ink amount Vc is zero.

[0111] Then, the controller 130 displays either the calculated current total amount Vt or the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S42). After the output of the liquid level sensor 155 becomes a high-level signal, the ink amount Vc is zero, so the controller 130 does not need to overwrite the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200.

[0112] Next, the controller 130 calculates the count value SN1 updated in S40 and the threshold value N th1 Then, the controller 130 compares the count value SN1 updated in S40 with the threshold value N th1 In response to determining that the count value SN1 is less than the threshold value N (S43: No), the count process ends. th1If it is determined that this is the case (S43: Yes), the S_Empty flag is set to "ON" (S44). Then, the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21 in response to the S_Empty flag being set to "ON", and ends the counting process.

[0113] In addition, in response to both of the information stored in the RAM 133 in S17 and S19 indicating a high level signal (S31: H→H), the controller 130 judges whether or not the provisional release flag stored in the EEPROM 134 is "ON" (S45). If the provisional release flag is not "ON" (S45: No), the controller 130 reads out the count value SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134. Then, the controller 130 counts up the read out count value SN1 by a value corresponding to the ink amount instructed to be discharged in the immediately preceding S18, and stores the count value in the EEPROM 134 again. That is, the controller 130 updates the count value SN1 (S40). The controller 130 also updates the count value TN. Next, the controller 130 executes the above-mentioned processes from S41 to S44 using the count value SN1 updated in S40.

[0114] Furthermore, if the provisional release flag is "ON" (S45: Yes), the controller 130 executes an Empty formal release process (S46). The details of the Empty formal release process will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0115] [Empty temporary release process] Next, the Empty temporary release process executed by the controller 130 in S15 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 9. The controller 130 executes the Empty temporary release process independently for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the Empty temporary release process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the Empty temporary release process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

[0116] In the counting process, the controller 130 determines whether the count value SN1 is greater than or equal to a threshold value N th1If this is the case (S43: Yes), the controller 130 sets the S_Empty flag to "ON" (S44) and prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21. In the image recording process, if the controller 130 determines that the S_Empty flag is set to "ON" (S11: ON), the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display an S_Empty notification screen (S12).

[0117] In the above-mentioned state (i.e., the state in which the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21 and causes the display 17 to display the S_Empty notification screen), as shown in FIG. 12(B), the cartridge 200 is in a state in which ink is not flowing out to the tank 160, i.e., the ink amount Vc is zero (Vc=0). Also, in the tank 160, the ink level is below the predetermined position P and has reached a position near the upper end of the outlet 174. Therefore, the user cannot perform image recording unless he replaces the empty cartridge 200 with a new cartridge 200 or a cartridge 200 that has sufficient ink stored therein and the prohibition of the discharge of ink through the head 21 is lifted.

[0118] In the process in which the user is replacing the cartridge 200, the controller 130 acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then acquires a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154 (S14: Yes). Specifically, in the process in which the cartridge 200 is removed from the mounting case 150, the controller 130 acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquires a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154. Next, in the process in which the cartridge 200 is inserted into the mounting case 150, the controller 130 acquires a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154.

[0119] In the Empty temporary release process, the controller 130 reads out the CTG information from the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 and stores it in the EEPROM 134 (S51). If the replaced cartridge 200 is a new one, the initial ink amount Vc0 is stored as the ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247. In addition, the identification information is also read out from the memory of the IC board 247.

[0120] In response to determining that the initial ink amount Vc0 has been read (S52: Yes), the controller 130 executes S56, which will be described later, without executing S53, which will be described later. In response to determining that the initial ink amount Vc0 cannot be read (S52: No), the controller 130 executes S53, which will be described later. "Inability to read the initial ink amount Vc0" means that the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 is not the initial ink amount Vc0, but a value smaller than the initial ink amount.

[0121] The controller 130 compares the total amount Vt, which is the sum of the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 and the ink amount Vs read from the EEPROM 134, with a threshold Vmin (S53). The threshold Vmin corresponds to the total amount when the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is at a predetermined position P. If the calculated total amount Vt is equal to or greater than the threshold Vmin (S53: Yes), the ink moves from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, causing the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 to be equal to or greater than the predetermined position P. On the other hand, if the calculated total amount Vt is less than the threshold Vmin (S53: No), the controller 130 executes S54 and S55.

[0122] In response to determining that the calculated total amount Vt is less than the threshold value Vmin (S53: No), the controller 130 sets the S_Empty flag to "OFF" and releases the prohibition on ink ejection from the head 21 (S54). Note that the C_Empty flag remains set to "ON". The controller 130 then erases the S_Empty notification screen from the display 17 and displays the C_Empty notification screen on the display 17 (S55). The controller 130 then ends the Empty temporary release process.

[0123] If the calculated total amount Vt is less than the threshold value Vmin, even if the ink moves from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 will not exceed the predetermined position P. Therefore, although image recording is possible with the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, the user is notified that the cartridge 200 needs to be replaced.

[0124] In response to determining that the calculated total amount Vt is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vmin (S53: Yes), the controller 130 compares the identification information read from the memory of the IC board 247 with the identification information read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 before replacement (S56). The identification information read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 before replacement is stored in the EEPROM 134. For example, since the cartridge 200 has been replaced with a new cartridge 200, the two pieces of compared identification information are different. The identification information is, for example, the serial number of the cartridge 200.

[0125] Furthermore, the controller 130 ends the Empty temporary release process in response to determining that the two pieces of compared identification information are the same (S56: Yes). Even if the cartridge 200 in which the ink has been consumed and the ink amount Vc in the liquid chamber 210 has become zero is mounted again in the mounting case 150, ink does not move from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, so there is no need to temporarily release the Empty state.

[0126] In response to determining that the two pieces of compared identification information are different (S56: Yes), the controller 130 stores the count values ​​TN, SN1, ink amount Vc, and ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 in another storage area of ​​the EEPROM 134 (S57). The count values ​​TN, SN1, ink amount Vc, and ink amount Vs stored in the other storage area of ​​the EEPROM 134 are used when Empty is not officially released after Empty has been provisionally released, as will be described later.

[0127] After executing S57, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after cartridge replacement (S58). In detail, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs (equal to the total amount Vt) before cartridge replacement based on the count value SN1 before cartridge replacement stored in the EEPROM 134 and the predetermined ink amount Vsc stored in the ROM 132, and stores it in the EEPROM 134. Then, based on the calculated ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc read from the IC board 247 of the replaced cartridge 200, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after cartridge replacement. In other words, the ink amount Vc stored in the ink chamber 210 of the new cartridge 200 is added to the ink amount Vs stored in the ink chamber 171 of the tank 160 immediately before the cartridge 200 is replaced. Therefore, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt as the sum of the ink amount Vc read from the IC board 247 of the replaced cartridge 200 and the ink amount Vs before the cartridge replacement stored in the EEPROM 134 (Vt=Vs+Vc). In addition, the ink amounts Vc and Vs are calculated based on the calculated total ink amount Vt, based on a function F.

[0128] Also, the count values ​​TN and SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134 are reset (S59). As a result, the count values ​​TN and SN1 are each set to their initial values ​​(zero in this case).

[0129] Then, the controller 130 displays the calculated current total amount Vt and either the ink amount Vc or the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S60). The controller 130 also stores the calculated ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 (S61). If the initial ink amount Vc0 is stored as the ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247, the controller 130 overwrites the calculated ink amount Vc to the initial ink amount Vc0. By overwriting the ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247, it becomes possible to determine that the cartridge 200 is not new. Note that in the manufacturing stage, a flag indicating that the cartridge 200 is new may be set to "ON" in the memory of the IC board 247, and when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 even once, the controller 130 may assign "OFF" to the flag, and the controller 130 may determine whether the cartridge 200 is new based on the value of the flag.

[0130] The controller 130 then assigns "OFF" to each of the S_Empty flag and the C_Empty flag (S62). The controller 130 also assigns "ON" to the temporary release flag (S63). In response to all four S_Empty flags being set to "OFF", the controller 130 permits the discharge of ink through the head 21. The controller 130 also erases the S_Empty notification screen and the C_Empty notification screen from the display 17 (S64), and ends the Empty temporary release process.

[0131] [Empty Official Release Process] Next, the details of the Empty formal release process executed by the controller 130 in S46 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Note that the controller 130 executes the Empty formal release process independently for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the Empty formal release process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the Empty release process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

[0132] In the counting process, the controller 130 executes the Empty formal release process in response to judging that the temporary release flag is "ON" (S45: Yes). At this time, the S_Empty flag is "OFF", and the discharge of ink through the head 21 is permitted. Also, the S_Empty notification screen is not displayed on the display 17. Therefore, the user can use the printer 10 in the same manner as in normal use.

[0133] As shown in Fig. 13, when the temporary release flag is "ON", ink moves from the liquid chamber 211 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, and the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is below a predetermined position P. In this state, when the process of S18 is executed, the controller 130 counts up the count value SN2 stored in the EEPROM 134 by a value equivalent to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in the previous S17 (S70). In other words, the controller 130 starts updating the count value SN2 in response to the temporary release flag being set to "ON". The controller 130 also counts up the count value TN stored in the EEPROM 134 by a value equivalent to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in the previous S18.

[0134] Then, the controller 130 calculates the current total amount Vt (S71). First, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after cartridge replacement as the sum of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134. The controller 130 then calculates the current total amount Vt as a value obtained by subtracting the ink amount corresponding to the count value TN from the total amount Vt after cartridge replacement. The controller 130 also determines the ink amounts Vc and Vs based on the calculated current total amount Vt and the function F (S71).

[0135] Then, the controller 130 displays the obtained current total amount Vt and either the ink amount Vc or the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S72). The controller 130 also overwrites the obtained ink amount Vc onto the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 (S73).

[0136] Next, the controller 130 judges whether the output of the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S74). If the controller 130 judges that the output of the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S74: Yes), the controller 130 sets the temporary release flag and the tank empty flag to "OFF" (S75, S76).

[0137] In response to determining that the output of the liquid level sensor 155 is not a low level signal, i.e., a high level signal (S74: No), the controller 130 updates the count value SN2 updated in S70 and the threshold value N th2 and compare (S77).

[0138] Then, the controller 130 checks whether the count value SN2 updated in S70 is equal to or smaller than the threshold value N th2 In response to the determination that the time is less than the predetermined time (S77: No), the controller 134 determines whether or not the standby time Tw has elapsed from the time stored in the EEPROM 134 in the image recording process (the time when the low level signal was acquired after the high level signal was acquired from the mounting sensor) (S78). The standby time Tw is set by a standby time Tw setting process described later.

[0139] If the controller 130 determines that the waiting time Tw has not elapsed since the time stored in the EEPROM 134 (S78: No), it ends the Empty formal release process.

[0140] Furthermore, in response to determining that the standby time Tw has elapsed since the time stored in the EEPROM 134 (S78: Yes), the controller 130 assigns "ON" to the S_Empty flag (S79). Then, in response to the S_Empty flag being set to "ON", the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21. Furthermore, the controller 130 causes an S_Empty notification screen to be displayed on the display 17 (S80).

[0141] In the state of the temporary empty release, the total amount Vt, which is the sum of the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the replaced cartridge 200 and the ink amount Vs in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vmin. However, if the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 is greater than the ink amount actually stored in the cartridge 200, or if the movement of ink from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 is hindered, the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 does not rise to the predetermined position P. In such a case, it is desirable to urge the user to replace the cartridge 200 with a new cartridge 200 or a cartridge 200 that has sufficient ink stored therein, and to prohibit the discharge of ink through the head 21 until the cartridge 200 is replaced again.

[0142] Then, the controller 130 reads out the count values ​​TN, SN1, ink amount Vc, and ink amount Vs stored in another area of ​​the EEPROM 134 (S81), and updates the count values ​​TN, SN1, ink amount Vc, and ink amount Vs currently stored in the EEPROM 134 with these values ​​(S82). That is, the controller 130 adds the count value SN2 to each of the count values ​​TN and SN1 stored in another area of ​​the EEPROM 134, and stores them in the EEPROM 134. The controller 130 also updates the ink amount Vc stored in the EEPROM 134 to zero. Then, the controller 130 assigns "OFF" to the temporary release flag (S83), and ends the Empty formal release process. This ends the Empty temporary release state, and the ink empty state immediately before the Empty temporary release is restored. The updated count value SN1, that is, the sum of the saved count value SN1 and count value SN2, corresponds to the third count value.

[0143] In addition, the controller 130 checks whether the count value SN2 updated in S70 is equal to or smaller than the threshold value N th2 If it is determined that the count value SN2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value N (S77: Yes), the tank empty flag is set to "ON" (S84). th2 If this is the case, then within the specified time until the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 reaches a specified position P, an amount of ink equivalent to the number N of sheets on which image recording can be performed will have been discharged from the head 21.

[0144] Then, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display a screen notifying that ink is flowing from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 (S85). The controller 130 also determines whether or not the standby time Tw has elapsed since the time stored in the EEPROM 134 (S86). If the standby time Tw has not elapsed since the time stored in the EEPROM 134 (S86: No), the controller 130 continues to display the above-mentioned screen on the display 17. That is, the image recording executed in the next S18 is interrupted until the standby time Tw has elapsed since the time stored in the EEPROM 134. The operation executed by the display 17 in S86 is an example of a second operation.

[0145] In response to determining that the standby time Tw has elapsed from the time stored in the EEPROM 134 (S86: Yes), the controller 130 judges whether the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S87). In response to determining that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S87: Yes), the controller 130 executes the processes from S75 to S76 described above and ends the Empty formal release process. Since the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 has become a low level signal, it is determined that ink has moved from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 and the ink level of the ink chamber 171 has reached the predetermined position P by the time the standby time Tw has elapsed from the time stored in the EEPROM 134. This ends the Empty temporary release state.

[0146] On the other hand, if the controller 130 determines that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is not a low level signal, i.e., a high level signal (S87: No), it executes the above-mentioned processes from S79 to S83 and ends the Empty official release process. This ends the Empty temporary release state, and the ink cartridge enters the ink empty state immediately before the Empty temporary release.

[0147] 11 in response to determining that the tank empty flag is "ON" in S15 of the image recording process (S15: Yes). As described above, if the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 is greater than the amount of ink actually stored in the cartridge 200, or if the movement of ink from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 is impeded, the ink level in the ink chamber 171 of the tank 160 will not rise to the predetermined position P. In such a case, it will be necessary to replace the cartridge 200 with a new one or a cartridge 200 in which sufficient ink is stored.

[0148] However, when the tank empty flag is already in the "ON" state, the count value SN2 updated in S70 has already exceeded the threshold value N th2 As described above, even if the cartridge 200 is replaced again, it is not desirable to perform image recording in the Empty temporary release state, since this may cause the above-mentioned air-in. Therefore, if the controller 130 determines that the tank empty flag is "ON" (S15: Yes), it does not execute the Empty temporary release process.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 11, upon determining that the tank empty flag is “ON” (S15: Yes), the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display a screen notifying the user that ink is flowing from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 (S90).

[0150] Then, the controller 130 judges whether the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S91). If the controller 130 judges that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is not a low level signal, that is, a high level signal (S91: No), the controller 130 repeats the process of S91 until the output of the liquid level sensor 155 becomes a low level signal.

[0151] In response to determining that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S91: Yes), the controller 130 calculates Vs (equal to the total amount Vt) before cartridge replacement based on the count value SN before cartridge replacement stored in EEPROM 134 and the ink amount Vsc stored in ROM 132, and stores this in EEPROM 134. Then, based on the calculated ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the replaced cartridge 200, it calculates the total amount Vt after cartridge replacement (S92: Vt=Vs+Vc).

[0152] Then, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs when the movement of ink from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 is completed, based on the calculated total amount Vt and the function F read from the EEPROM 134 (S92).

[0153] Furthermore, the controller 130 resets the count values ​​TN, SN1, and SN2 stored in the EEPROM 134 (S93). As a result, the count values ​​TN, SN1, and SN2 each become the initial value (zero in this case).

[0154] The controller 130 then displays the determined current total amount Vt and either the ink amount Vc or the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S94). The controller 130 also stores the calculated ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247 via the contact 152 (S95).

[0155] Then, the controller 130 assigns "OFF" to each of the provisional release flag, the tank empty flag, the S_Empty flag, and the C_Empty flag (S96, S97, S98). The controller 130 permits the discharge of ink through the head 21 in response to all four S_Empty flags being set to "OFF". The controller 130 also erases the S_Empty notification screen and the C_Empty notification screen from the display 17 (S99) and returns to the process of S17. Therefore, in a situation where the tank empty flag is "ON", that is, if any more ink is discharged through the head 21, the above-mentioned air-in will occur, the ink empty state is released in response to confirmation that the ink level in the ink chamber 171 of the tank 160 has reached the predetermined position P based on the output of the liquid level sensor 155, without provisional release of the ink empty state. This prevents the above-mentioned air-in.

[0156] [Waiting time Tw setting process] Next, the waiting time Tw setting process executed by the controller 130 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 14. The controller 130 executes the waiting time Tw setting process independently for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the waiting time Tw setting process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the waiting time Tw setting process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

[0157] The controller 130 executes a waiting time Tw setting process when the cartridge 200 is mounted for the first time in the mounting case 150 of the multifunction device 10. The controller 130 determines whether the cartridge 200 is mounted for the first time in the mounting case 150 based on conditions such as, for example, that the identification information read from the IC board 247 of the mounted cartridge 200 indicates that it was packed together with the multifunction device 10, and that a flag indicating that an initial ink introduction operation has been performed is not stored in the EEPROM 134 or the like. Based on this determination, the time from when the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is empty until ink flows into the liquid chamber 171 and the liquid level of the ink reaches a predetermined position P is measured.

[0158] 14, the controller 130 stores in the EEPROM 134 the time when the cartridge 200 is first mounted in the mounting case 150, i.e., the time when a high level signal is obtained from the mounting sensor 154 and then a low level signal is obtained from the mounting sensor 154. Then, in response to the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 changing from a high level signal to a low level signal, the controller 130 calculates the time T0 from the time stored in the EEPROM 134 to the time when the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 changes (S101). T0 is an example of the second elapsed time.

[0159] When a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 into the liquid chamber 171, and after a certain period of time, the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 reaches a predetermined position P, causing the liquid level sensor 155 to output a low level signal.

[0160] Next, the controller 130 calculates the difference between the calculated time T0 and a design value Ts previously stored in the EEPROM 134 (|Ts-T0|), and judges whether the calculated difference is within the threshold range X (S102: X≧|Ts-T0|). If the calculated difference is within the threshold range X (S102: Yes), the controller 130 stores the time obtained by adding a predetermined additional time to the time T0 as the waiting time Tw in the EEPROM 134 (S103). If the calculated difference is outside the threshold range X (S102: No), the controller 130 stores the time obtained by adding a predetermined design value Ts to the predetermined additional time as the waiting time Tw in the EEPROM 134 (S104).

[0161] [Effects] According to this embodiment, in an ink-empty state in which discharge of ink through the head 21 is prohibited, the ink-empty state can be released after the cartridge 200 is replaced and before the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal. Furthermore, after the ink-empty state is released, when the elapsed time since the cartridge 200 was replaced reaches the standby time Tw, the ink-empty state is released in which discharge of ink through the head 21 is prohibited. Therefore, even if a cartridge 200 in which the ink chamber 210 does not store enough ink to raise the ink level of the ink chamber 171 of the tank 160 to a predetermined position P or higher is mounted in the mounting case 150, it is possible to prevent air from entering the head 21 from the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

[0162] In addition, when the time elapsed since the cartridge 200 was replaced reaches the waiting time Tw and the cartridge becomes ink-empty, the count value SN2 is added to the count value SN1 until S_Empty is released, and the updated count value SN2 is used.

[0163] Furthermore, in an ink-empty state, the prohibition on discharging liquid through the head can be lifted before the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal after the cartridge 200 is replaced with a new one.

[0164] Furthermore, the S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 can notify the user that the discharge of ink through the head 21 is prohibited.

[0165] Furthermore, even if the cartridge 200 is not replaced with a new one, when the cartridge 200 in which the ink chamber 210 stores enough ink for the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 to reach or exceed the predetermined position P is mounted in the mounting case 150, the ink empty state is released before the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal.

[0166] In addition, when a cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150, in which the ink chamber 210 does not contain enough ink to raise the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 to a predetermined position P or higher, a C_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17, thereby notifying the user that the cartridge 200 needs to be replaced.

[0167] After the ink empty state is released, the sum of the count value SN2 and the count value SN1 becomes equal to or smaller than the threshold value N th2 When the ink level reaches this level, the ink becomes empty, so that it is possible to limit the amount of ink discharged from the head 21 before the controller 130 receives a low level signal from the liquid level sensor 155. This prevents air from entering the head 21 from the liquid chamber 171. When a low level signal is subsequently received from the liquid level sensor 155, the ink empty state is released, so that the discharge of ink from the head 21, which is prohibited, is carried out.

[0168] Furthermore, since the standby time Tw is set based on the elapsed time from when the cartridge 200 is first mounted in the mounting case 150 until the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal, the standby time Tw can be set according to individual differences between devices.

[0169] Furthermore, in the temporary release state, i.e., when the temporary release flag is "ON", the controller 130 assigns "OFF" to the temporary release flag in response to determining that a low level signal has been received from the liquid level sensor 155, and therefore the temporary release state is cancelled in response to the liquid level in the liquid chamber 171 actually reaching or exceeding the predetermined position P after cartridge replacement. Similarly, the no remaining amount flag is also assigned "OFF" in response to the liquid level in the liquid chamber 171 actually reaching or exceeding the predetermined position P after cartridge replacement. As a result, the air-in described above is prevented.

[0170] [Variations] In the embodiment described above, in the Empty temporary release process, a determination is made as to whether the initial ink amount Vc0 is stored in the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150, i.e., whether the cartridge 200 is a new one (S52), and when a non-new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, a determination is made as to whether the total amount Vt, which is the sum of the ink amount Vc in the liquid chamber 210 and the ink amount Vs in the liquid chamber 171, is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vmin (S53). However, S52 to S55 do not necessarily have to be executed. That is, the controller 130 may temporarily release the ink empty state in response to the mounting of the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150. Also, S54 may be executed without executing S52 and S53, or may be executed together with S52 or S53 that has been selectively executed.

[0171] In addition, in the embodiment described above, the ejection of ink through the head 21 is described as image recording onto a sheet, but the ejection of ink through the head 21 may also be a so-called purge in which ink is forcibly ejected from the nozzles 29 of the head 21.

[0172] Also, in the embodiment described above, if the S_Empty flag is "ON", the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21, but the discharge of ink through the head 21 does not necessarily have to be prohibited, and the controller 130 may only display an S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 if the S_Empty flag is "ON". Similarly, if the tank empty flag is "ON", the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21, but the discharge of ink through the head 21 does not necessarily have to be prohibited, and the controller 130 may only display an S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 if the S_Empty flag is "ON". Conversely, if the S_Empty flag is "ON", the controller 130 may only prohibit the discharge of ink through the head 21 without displaying an S_Empty notification screen on the display 17. This at least prevents air-in. Similarly, if the tank empty flag is "ON", the controller 130 may simply prohibit the discharge of ink through the head 21 without displaying the inflow notification screen on the display 17.

[0173] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the controller 130 stores the total amount Vt after the cartridge 200 is replaced in the EEPROM 134, and subtracts the amount of ink corresponding to the count value TN from the total amount Vt to obtain the current total amount Vt; however, instead, the total amount Vt may be updated and stored in the EEPROM 134 each time ink is discharged through the head 21, and when the next ink discharge through the head 21 is performed, the amount of ink for the discharged ink is calculated based on the count value TN, and this is subtracted from the total amount Vt stored in the EEPROM 134 to update the total amount Vt.

[0174] In the embodiment described above, the controller 130 detects whether the detection target portion 194 of the actuator 190 is located at the detection position based on the signal output by the liquid level sensor 15. However, the configuration of the liquid level sensor 155 is not particularly limited as long as the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 can be detected. For example, the controller 130 may be a sensor for optically detecting the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 by using a prism having a reflectance that differs depending on whether the ink is in contact with the rear wall 164 of the liquid chamber 171. The liquid level sensor 155 may be an electrode bar inserted in the liquid chamber 171. The liquid level sensor 155 may be configured to detect whether the liquid level in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 is at or above a predetermined position.

[0175] In addition, in the embodiment described above, when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from a low level signal to a high level signal, the C_Empty flag is set to "ON" and the C_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17. However, instead, when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from a low level signal to a high level signal and the count value SN1 reaches a predetermined threshold value, the C_Empty flag may be set to "ON" and the C_Empty notification screen may be displayed on the display 17.

[0176] Furthermore, the image recording process described above may be performed when the cover 87 is closed or when the printer is turned on, except for the image recording operation, that is, the operations of S11 to S17 except for the operations after S18.

[0177] In the embodiment described above, the controller 130 executes the process shown in S15 in response to acquiring a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then acquiring a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquiring a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154 (S14: Yes). The controller 130 executes the process shown in S15 when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 in which no cartridge 200 exists. That is, the controller 130 may execute the process shown in S15 in response to determining that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Note that the controller 130 acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then acquires a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, which is an example of the controller 130 determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case 150. Another example of the controller 130 determining that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 will be described below.

[0178] For example, the controller 130 receives a low level signal after receiving a high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 reads out the identification information from the memory of the IC board 247 and compares it with the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement stored in the EEPROM 134. In response to determining that the identification information read out from the memory of the IC board 247 and the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134 are different, the controller 130 may execute the process shown in S15. That is, "the controller 130 reads out the identification information from the memory of the IC board 247 and compares it with the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement stored in the EEPROM 134. As a result, it is determined that the identification information read out from the memory of the IC board 247 and the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134 are different" is an example of the controller 130 determining that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. In this case, the controller 130 reads out the identification information from the memory of the IC board 247, compares it with the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement stored in the EEPROM 134, and stores in the EEPROM the time at which it is determined that the identification information read out from the memory of the IC board 247 differs from the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134 as the time to be stored in S15. Alternatively, the time at which a low level signal is received after a high level signal is received from the cover sensor 88 may be stored in the EEPROM in S15.

[0179] Also, for example, the controller 130 receives a low level signal after receiving a high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display a confirmation screen indicating to the user whether a new cartridge 200 has been mounted in the mounting case 150. While the controller 130 is causing the display 17 to display the confirmation screen, the controller 130 receives an input corresponding to the confirmation screen via the operation panel 22. In response to the received input corresponding to the mounting of a new cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150, the controller 130 executes the process shown in S15. That is, "the controller 130 receives a low level signal after receiving a high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display a confirmation screen indicating whether a new cartridge 200 has been mounted in the mounting case 150. While the controller 130 is displaying the confirmation screen on the display 17, the controller 130 receives an input corresponding to the confirmation screen through the operation panel 22. The received input corresponds to the mounting of a new cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150" is an example of the controller 130 determining that the cartridge 200 has been mounted in the mounting case 150. In this case, the controller 130 stores in the EEPROM the time at which the input corresponding to the confirmation screen was received through the operation panel 22 as the time to be stored in S15.

[0180] In addition, the IC substrate 247 is in contact with the contacts 152 to be electrically connected, but instead of this, an information medium and interface that reads and writes data contactlessly using radio waves such as NFC (near field communication) or RFID (radio frequency identification) may be used.

[0181] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, ink is described as an example of a liquid, but the liquid may be, for example, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto paper or the like prior to the ink during image recording, or water for cleaning the head 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 10 Printer (liquid ejection device) 17 Display (alarm) 21 Head 32 Tube (fourth flow path) 130...Controller 132···ROM (memory) 133...RAM (Memory) 134···EEPROM (memory) 150···Mounting case 152...Contact (Interface) 154... Wearable sensor 155 Liquid level sensor 160···Tank 171...Liquid chamber (2nd liquid chamber) 175 Atmospheric communication chamber (5th flow path) 181 Needle (third flow path) 200 Cartridges 210...Liquid chamber (1st liquid chamber) 213 Ink valve chamber (first flow path) 214 Atmospheric valve chamber (second flow path)

Claims

1. a mounting case in which a cartridge having a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored is mounted; a tank having a second liquid chamber for storing the liquid flowing in from the first liquid chamber; a flow path, one end of which is in communication with the second liquid chamber; A head connected to the other end of the flow path; An interface; A liquid ejection device comprising: The above controller is prohibiting discharge of liquid through the head in response to a liquid level in the second liquid chamber being lower than a predetermined level; determining that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case; in response to determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, reading initial information indicating that an initial filling amount of liquid is stored in the first liquid chamber from a cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface; a liquid discharging device that, in response to reading out the initial information from the cartridge memory, releases the prohibition on discharging liquid through the head;

2. It is further equipped with an alarm, The above controller is activating the alarm in a first operation in response to the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber being lower than the predetermined position; 2. The liquid discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the first operation of the alarm is cancelled in response to reading out the initial information from the cartridge memory.

3. a mounting case in which a cartridge having a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored is mounted; a tank having a second liquid chamber for storing the liquid flowing in from the first liquid chamber; a flow path, one end of which is in communication with the second liquid chamber; A head connected to the other end of the flow path; An interface; A liquid ejection device comprising: The above controller is prohibiting discharge of liquid through the head in response to a liquid level in the second liquid chamber being lower than a predetermined level; determining that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case; in response to determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, reading out the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber from a cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface; calculating a total amount of liquid stored in each of the first and second liquid chambers based on the amount of liquid read from the cartridge memory and the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber; The liquid discharging device releases the prohibition on discharging liquid through the head when the calculated total amount is equal to or greater than the amount of liquid at which the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or greater than the predetermined position.

4. It is further equipped with an alarm, The above controller is A liquid discharge device as described in claim 3, wherein, when the calculated total amount is less than the amount of liquid at which the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is located above the specified position, the prohibition on discharge of liquid through the head is lifted and the alarm is activated to notify that the cartridge needs to be replaced.

5. Further comprising a liquid level sensor, The above controller is receiving a first signal from the liquid level sensor in response to the liquid level in the second liquid chamber being equal to or higher than the predetermined level; receiving a second signal from the liquid level sensor in response to the liquid level in the second liquid chamber being lower than the predetermined position; 5. The liquid discharging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a discharge instruction for discharging liquid through the head after receiving the second signal.

6. The above controller is After canceling the prohibition on discharging liquid through the head, a discharge instruction is received to discharge liquid through the head, and a count value is updated with a value corresponding to the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged by the discharge instruction; prohibiting discharge of liquid through the head based on the discharge instruction in response to receiving the second signal from the liquid level sensor without receiving the first signal and the count value reaching a threshold value; The liquid ejection device according to claim 5, further comprising: a liquid ejection unit that, after prohibiting ejection of liquid through the head, executes ejection of liquid through the head that has been prohibited in response to receiving the first signal from the liquid level sensor.

7. The device further includes a memory. The above controller is receiving the second signal from the liquid level sensor and inhibiting discharge of liquid through the head in response to the count value reaching the threshold value; when a first elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case reaches a predetermined time, the second signal is received from the liquid level sensor, and the count value reaches the threshold value, a first value stored in the memory, indicating that the remaining amount in the second liquid chamber is equal to or greater than the remaining amount corresponding to the threshold value, is updated to a second value, indicating that the remaining amount in the second liquid chamber is less than the remaining amount corresponding to the threshold value; after prohibiting the discharge of liquid through the head, in response to determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, reading out the value stored in the memory; A liquid ejection device as described in claim 6, which, upon receiving the first signal from the liquid level sensor, lifts the prohibition on ejecting liquid through the head, and updates the second value stored in the memory to the first value, provided that the value read from the memory is the second value.

8. It is further equipped with an alarm, The above controller is activating a first operation of the alarm in response to prohibiting the discharge of liquid through the head, and canceling the first operation of the alarm in response to lifting the prohibition of the discharge of liquid through the head; after canceling the first operation, when the second signal is received from the liquid level sensor and the count value reaches the threshold value, the alarm is caused to perform a second operation different from the first operation; causing the alarm to perform the first operation in response to the first elapsed time reaching a predetermined time and the second signal being received without receiving the first signal; reading out the value stored in the memory in response to determining that the cartridge has been mounted in the mounting case after the alarm has been activated to perform the first action; A liquid discharge device as described in claim 7, wherein the alarm is caused to perform the second operation on condition that the value read from the memory is the second value, and the second operation of the alarm is cancelled in response to receiving the first signal from the liquid level sensor after the second operation is performed.

9. The above controller is A liquid discharge device as described in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the threshold value is set according to a second elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the cartridge is first attached to the attachment case to the time when the first signal is received from the liquid level sensor.

Images