Memory, cartridge, and printing system

Abstract

To provide a technology that can reduce possibility that a printing device determines that a cartridge installed with a memory is not a regular product on the basis of a verification result of an electronic signature despite that it is a regular product due to data corruption.SOLUTION: A memory stores: manufacturing information including at least the number of refilling times that is the number of times of refilling liquid into a cartridge again after liquid stored in the cartridge is consumed; an electronic signature of manufacturing information; and a first error detection code of manufacturing information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology of a memory attached to a cartridge.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technology of storing a digital signature in a memory attached to a cartridge is known (Patent Document 1). The digital signature signs data stored in the cartridge including an identifier unique to the cartridge.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology, a printer verifies a digital signature, for example, using a hash, that is, determines whether the cartridge is a genuine product manufactured by the intended manufacturer, and if it is not a genuine product, the printer rejects the authentication. In the conventional technology, if the data stored in the memory is damaged, even if the cartridge is a genuine product, it may be determined that it is not a genuine product as a result of verifying the digital signature.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a memory attached to a cartridge is provided. This memory stores at least manufacturing information including the number of refills, which is the number of times of refilling the liquid into the cartridge after the liquid accommodated in the cartridge is consumed, an electronic signature of the manufacturing information, and a first error detection code of the manufacturing information.

[0006] (2) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge comprising: a liquid storage section for storing a liquid; a liquid supply section for supplying the liquid to the liquid storage section; and a memory, wherein the memory stores manufacturing information including at least a refill count, which is the number of times the liquid stored in the cartridge is refilled with the liquid after it has been consumed; a digital signature of the manufacturing information; and a first error detection code for the manufacturing information.

[0007] (3) A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a printing system including the cartridge of the above aspect and a control device, the control device having a calculation unit that calculates a second error detection code from the manufacturing information of the memory, and a comparison / determination unit that compares the first error detection code of the memory with the calculated second error detection code, and the comparison / determination unit verifies the digital signature of the memory when the first error detection code and the second error detection code match. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing the configuration of a cartridge. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view showing the configuration of the cartridge. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a circuit board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the circuit board. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the carriage. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a first view showing the connection mechanism. [Figure 8] A second view showing the connection mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing device together with one cartridge. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a storage unit. [Figure 11]A diagram for explaining the mounting determination. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing the determination process of the cartridge executed by the printing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A. Embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 1000 as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The printing system 1000 includes a printing apparatus 20, a plurality of cartridges 100 detachably mounted on the printing apparatus 20, and a computer 90. The printing apparatus 20 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as a liquid onto a printing medium PA to perform printing. The printing apparatus 20 is connected to the computer 90 via a connector 80 so as to be capable of data communication.

[0010] The printing apparatus 20 includes a sub-scanning feed mechanism, a main-scanning feed mechanism, a head drive mechanism, and a device control unit 40. The sub-scanning feed mechanism includes a paper feed motor 22 and a platen 26, and conveys the printing medium PA in the sub-scanning direction by transmitting the rotation of the paper feed motor 22 to the platen 26. The main-scanning feed mechanism includes a carriage motor 32, a pulley 38, a drive belt 36 stretched between the carriage motor 32 and the pulley 38, and a sliding shaft 34 provided in parallel with the axis of the platen 26. The sliding shaft 34 slidably holds a carriage 30 fixed to the drive belt 36. The rotation of the carriage motor 32 is transmitted to the carriage 30 via the drive belt 36, and the carriage 30 reciprocates in the main-scanning direction, which is the axial direction of the platen 26, along the sliding shaft 34. The head drive mechanism includes the carriage 30. The carriage 30 includes a mounting portion 4 capable of mounting the cartridge 100, a printing head 5 that ejects ink, a liquid introduction portion 6 shown in FIG. 6 described later, a connection mechanism 400 shown in FIG. 6 described later, and a sub-control board 500 shown in FIG. 6 described later. The head drive mechanism drives the printing head 5 of the carriage 30 to eject ink onto the printing medium PA.

[0011] The device control unit 40 controls the above-described respective mechanisms to implement a printing process. The device control unit 40 is electrically connected to a sub-control board 500, which will be described later, of the carriage 30 via a bus 46. The device control unit 40 receives, for example, a user's printing job via a computer 90, and based on the content of the received printing job, controls the above-described respective mechanisms to execute a printing operation. Further, the device control unit 40 performs a mounting determination as to whether or not the cartridge 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 4, and performs data communication with the circuit board 120.

[0012] The mounting portion 4 of the carriage 30 can detachably mount a plurality of cartridges 100. That is, a cartridge 100 that supplies ink as a liquid to the print head 5 is provided on the mounting portion 4 of the carriage 30 so as to be attachable and detachable by a user's operation. In the present embodiment, the number of cartridges 100 that can be mounted on the mounting portion 4 is four. Different colors or types of ink are stored in the four cartridges 100. When the plurality of cartridges 100 are used separately, reference numerals 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D are used. The four cartridges 100A to 100D are respectively mounted at predetermined mounting positions on the mounting portion 4. Note that in other embodiments, the number of cartridges 100 that can be mounted on the mounting portion 4 is not limited to four, and may be less than or more than four. The printing apparatus 20 further includes an operation unit 70 for a user to perform various settings of the printing apparatus 20 and check the status of the printing apparatus 20. The operation unit 70 has a display unit 72 for displaying various information such as the status of the printing apparatus 20.

[0013] Note that in the present embodiment, the printing system 1000 is of a type called "on-carriage" in which the cartridge 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 4 of the carriage 30, but is not limited thereto. For example, the printing system 1000 may be of a type called "off-carriage" in which the cartridge 100 is mounted on a mounting portion located at a location different from the carriage 30.

[0014] The configuration of the cartridge 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing the configuration of the cartridge 100. FIG. 3 is a second perspective view showing the configuration of the cartridge 100. An X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other are attached as necessary from FIG. 2 onward. In FIG. 2, the directions in which the arrows of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis point indicate the positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined as the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively. The directions opposite to the directions in which the arrows of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis point are the negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined as the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. Those that are in the directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis regardless of positive or negative are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. The same applies to the figures and explanations shown hereinafter. The XYZ axes drawn in other figures have corresponding directions to the XYZ axes in FIG. 2. The directions of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis for the cartridge 100 are based on the state in which the printing apparatus 20 is arranged on a horizontal plane parallel to the X direction and the Y direction and the cartridge 100 is mounted on the printing apparatus 20.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the external shape of the cartridge 100 is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge 100 includes a main body 101 that forms an outer shell, and a circuit board 120 attached to the main body 101. The main body 101 includes a front wall 101wf that is a wall on the -Y direction side, and a bottom wall 101wb that is a wall on the +Z direction side. The main body 101 also has a liquid storage portion 150 for storing ink as a liquid. The front wall 101wf intersects, and in this embodiment, is substantially orthogonal to, the bottom wall 101wb. The bottom wall 101wb of the main body 101 includes a liquid supply portion 104 that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage portion 150 to the carriage 30 when the main body 101 is attached to the attachment portion 4 of the carriage 30. The liquid supply portion 104 communicates with the liquid storage portion 150. The opening 104op of the liquid supply portion 104 is sealed by a film 104f. By attaching the cartridge 100 to the carriage 30, the film 104f is broken, and the liquid introduction portion 6 of the carriage 30 shown in FIG. 6 is inserted into the liquid supply portion 104. The ink stored in the liquid storage portion 150 is supplied to the print head 5 of the printing apparatus 20 through the liquid introduction portion 6. As the ink in the liquid storage portion 150 is consumed, air is introduced into the liquid storage portion 150 from an air release hole (not shown).

[0016] Here, the film surface sealed by the film 104f is taken as the open end of the liquid supply unit 104. The Z direction is the direction perpendicular to the open end of the liquid supply unit 104. Also, the +Z direction is the same as the opening direction of the liquid supply unit 104. The X direction is the arrangement direction of the plurality of cartridges 100A to 100D mounted on the carriage 30, and is the width direction of the cartridge 100. In the present embodiment, the Z direction is the direction along the gravitational direction, the +Z direction is the gravitational direction, and the -Z direction is the anti-gravitational direction. Also, the direction in which the cartridge 100 is mounted on the carriage 30 of the printing device 20 is the mounting direction MD, and the direction including the component of the mounting direction MD is the first direction FD. In the present embodiment, the mounting direction MD and the first direction FD are the same direction, which is the +Z direction. Note that in other embodiments, the mounting direction MD and the first direction FD may not be the same direction. The first direction FD is a straight extending direction, and in the present embodiment, it is the opening direction of the liquid supply unit 104. The first direction FD is a direction substantially along the surface 120fa of the circuit board 120. In other embodiments, when the surface 120fa is inclined with respect to the mounting direction MD, the mounting direction MD and the first direction FD are not the same direction but different directions.

[0017] The circuit board 120 is attached to the front wall 101wf of the main body 101. The circuit board 120 includes a terminal group 290 composed of a plurality of terminals. In the present embodiment, nine terminals constituting the terminal group 290 are provided. Details of the terminal group 290 will be described later.

[0018] After the liquid stored in the cartridge 100 is consumed, it is manufactured, that is, reused, for example, by being collected by a merchant and the liquid is refilled into the liquid storage unit 150 again. When the liquid storage unit 150 of the cartridge 100 is refilled with liquid, at least a part of the information stored in the memory of the circuit board 120 is also rewritten. Details of the memory will be described later.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a first diagram showing the configuration of circuit board 120 according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a second diagram showing the configuration of circuit board 120. Circuit board 120 has a terminal group 290 on its front surface 120fa as shown in Fig. 4, and a non-volatile memory 130 on its back surface 120fb as shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 4, terminal group 290 includes a memory terminal group 230 and an attachment detection terminal group 210.

[0020] The memory terminal group 230 is a terminal for the memory 130. The memory terminal group 230 includes a data terminal 235, a clock terminal 232, a power terminal 233, a reset terminal 231, and a ground terminal 234. The data terminal 235 is used to transmit and receive various data between the memory 130 and the printing device 20, such as ink color data and consumption data relating to the consumption amount of the liquid contained in each cartridge 100.

[0021] The attachment detection terminal group 210 includes a first detection terminal 211, a second detection terminal 212, a third detection terminal 213, and a fourth detection terminal 214. The four detection terminals 211 to 214 are arranged at the four corners of the memory terminal group 230.

[0022] Each of the terminals 211, 212, 213, 214, 231, 232, 233, 234, and 235 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and arranged to form two rows perpendicular to the first direction FD. In other words, the two rows are parallel to the second direction SD, which is perpendicular to the first direction FD. The two rows are aligned along the first direction FD. Of the two rows, the row located on the first direction FD side is referred to as the first row R1, and the row located on the opposite side of the first direction FD is referred to as the second row R2. At the center of each of the terminals 211, 212, 213, 214, 231, 232, 233, 234, and 235, there is a contact cp that comes into contact with a device terminal, which will be described later.

[0023] Each of the terminals 211, 212, 213, 214, 231, 232, 233, 234, and 235 of the terminal group 290 is connected to the memory 130 via wiring pattern layers on the front and back surfaces of the circuit board 120 (not shown) or through holes arranged on the circuit board 120.

[0024] The memory 130 shown in FIG. 5 is a NAND-type flash memory. However, in other embodiments, the memory 130 may be a NOR-type flash memory, an EEPROM, or other memory. The memory 130 has a memory control unit 136 and a storage unit 138 composed of multiple memory cells. Each memory cell constituting the storage unit 138 is capable of storing one bit of data. The memory 130 is also capable of data communication with the device control unit 40 of the printing device 20.

[0025] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the state in which the cartridge 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 4 of the carriage 30. Fig. 7 is a first diagram showing the connection mechanism 400. Fig. 8 is a second diagram showing the connection mechanism 400.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, the carriage 30 includes a mounting unit 4, a print head 5, a liquid introduction unit 6, a connection mechanism 400, and a sub-control board 500. The mounting unit 4 forms a mounting chamber 65 into which the cartridge 100 is mounted. The print head 5 includes multiple nozzles and multiple piezoelectric elements. Ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle in response to a voltage applied to each piezoelectric element, forming dots on the print medium PA. The liquid introduction unit 6 is disposed on the print head 5 and supplies ink from the cartridge 100 to the print head 5. In this embodiment, six liquid introduction units 6 are provided, corresponding to the number of cartridges 100A to 100D. The connection mechanism 400 electrically connects the sub-control board 500 to the circuit board 120 of the cartridge 100. Four connection mechanisms 400 are provided, corresponding to the number of cartridges 100A to 100D. As shown in FIG. 8, the sub-control board 500 includes a relay unit 50. The relay unit 50 cooperates with the device control unit 40 to perform control related to the cartridge 100 .

[0027] 6, the cartridge 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 4 of the printing device 20 by being inserted in the mounting direction MD. In this way, the cartridge 100 is removably mounted in the printing device 20. Furthermore, when the cartridge 100 is properly mounted in the printing device 20, the circuit board 120 is electrically connected to the device control unit 40 of the printing device 20 via the connection mechanism 400, the sub-control board 500, and the bus 46.

[0028] 7, the connection mechanism 400 includes a terminal holding portion 405 and a plurality of conductive and elastic contact forming members 403 held by the terminal holding portion 405. The terminal holding portion 405 has a plurality of slits 301. The contact forming members 403 are fitted into the slits 301. In this embodiment, nine contact forming members 403 are provided for each connection mechanism 400, which is the same as the number of terminals in the terminal group 290.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 8 , the contact forming member 403 electrically connects the terminal group 290 and the board terminal 590 of the sub-control board 500. A board terminal 590 is provided for each mounting chamber 65. Nine board terminals 590 are provided, corresponding to the number of terminal groups 290. When distinguishing between the nine board terminals 590, the reference numerals "511," "512," "513," "514," "531," "532," "533," "534," and "535" are used. The portion of the contact forming member 403 that protrudes toward the mounting chamber 65 forms the device terminal 490 that contacts the terminal group 290. The portion of the contact forming member 403 that protrudes toward the sub-control board 500 forms the relay terminal 439 that contacts the board terminal 590. When distinguishing between the nine contact forming members 403, the suffixes "A" to "I" are used. Furthermore, when distinguishing between the nine device terminals 490, the reference symbols "411," "412," "413," "414," "431," "432," "433," "434," and "435" are used. When distinguishing between the nine relay terminals 439, the reference symbols "411a," "412a," "413a," "414a," "431a," "432a," "433a," "434a," and "435a" are used. When distinguishing between the nine board terminals 590, the reference symbols "511," "512," "513," "514," "531," "532," "533," "534," and "535" are used.

[0030] The contact-forming member 403A, which has the device terminal 411 and the relay terminal 411a, electrically connects the first detection terminal 211 and the board terminal 511. The contact-forming member 403B, which has the device terminal 412 and the relay terminal 412a, electrically connects the second detection terminal 212 and the board terminal 512. The contact-forming member 403C, which has the device terminal 413 and the relay terminal 413a, electrically connects the third detection terminal 213 and the board terminal 513. The contact-forming member 403D, which has the device terminal 414 and the relay terminal 414a, electrically connects the fourth detection terminal 214 and the board terminal 514. The contact-forming member 403E, which has the device terminal 431 and the relay terminal 431a, electrically connects the reset terminal 231 and the board terminal 531. The contact-forming member 403F, which has the device terminal 432 and the relay terminal 432a, electrically connects the clock terminal 232 and the board terminal 532. The contact-forming member 403G, which has the device terminal 433 and the relay terminal 433a, electrically connects the power terminal 233 and the board terminal 533. The contact-forming member 403H, which has the device terminal 434 and the relay terminal 434a, electrically connects the ground terminal 234 and the board terminal 534. The contact-forming member 403I, which has the device terminal 435 and the relay terminal 435a, electrically connects the data terminal 235 and the board terminal 535.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printing device 20 together with one cartridge 100. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the storage unit 138. Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining the mounting determination.

[0032] 9, the memory 130 of the circuit board 120 includes a memory control unit 136 and a storage unit 138. The memory control unit 136 controls the operation of the memory 130. For example, the memory control unit 136 writes and reads data to and from the storage unit 138 in response to commands sent from the printing device 20.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, the storage unit 138 has a storage area composed of a plurality of memory cells specified by addresses A0 to An. At least the storage areas of addresses A0 to S6 are rewritable areas where rewriting to new data is possible. In this rewritable area, in addition to reading data, it is set to be able to rewrite data by erasing the data already stored and writing new data. That is, the rewritable area is a read / write area. For example, the memory control unit 136 sets the rewritable area and the read-only area by designating in advance the address of the rewritable area and the address of the read-only area where only reading is possible.

[0034] The storage area specified by addresses A0 to A3 is an area for storing manufacturing information related to the manufacture of the cartridge 100. The area for storing manufacturing information has a storage area for storing the number of refilling times specified by address A0 and a storage area for storing the manufacturing date and month of the cartridge 100 specified by address A1. Further, the area for storing manufacturing information has a storage area for storing the serial number specified by address A2 and a storage area for storing the liquid type accommodated in the cartridge 100 specified by address A3.

[0035] The number of refills is the number of times the liquid contained in the cartridge 100 is refilled into the liquid storage unit 150 of the cartridge 100 after the liquid is consumed. In the storage area of address A0, the number of refills is stored as a value indicating zero at the time of the first manufacture of the cartridge 100, and is updated so that the value increases by one each time the liquid is refilled. The date of manufacture is the date of the first manufacture of the cartridge 100. In the storage area of address A1, the date of manufacture is stored as a value indicating the first manufacture date regardless of whether the liquid has been refilled into the liquid storage unit 150 of the cartridge 100. In other embodiments, the date of manufacture may be the date of the first filling of the liquid into the liquid storage unit 150 of the cartridge 100 or the date of the refill of the liquid. That is, in the storage area of address A1, each time the liquid storage unit 150 of the cartridge 100 is filled with liquid, the date of manufacture may be updated to a new value. The serial number is an identifier for identifying the cartridge 100. In the present embodiment, in the storage area of address A2, the serial number is the same value as at the time of the first manufacture even when the liquid storage unit 150 of the cartridge 100 is refilled with liquid. The liquid type is, for example, information indicating the color of the ink. In the storage area of address A3, the liquid type is updated to a value indicating the type of the filled liquid each time the liquid storage unit 150 of the cartridge 100 is filled with liquid.

[0036] The storage area specified by address A4 is an area for storing the electronic signature of the manufacturing information. The electronic signature is generated using the manufacturing information stored in the storage areas of addresses A0 to A3 and is stored in the storage area of address A4. Specifically, the electronic signature stored in address A4 is information obtained by encrypting the hash value generated by converting the manufacturing information by a hash function with the private key corresponding to the public key. The electronic signature of address A4 is generated and updated using the manufacturing information each time the liquid storage unit 150 of the cartridge 100 is filled with liquid.

[0037] The memory area specified by address A5 is an area for storing the first error detection code of the manufacturing information. In the present embodiment, the first error detection code is a CRC value which is a value for inspection used in Cyclic Redundancy Check. The first error detection code is generated using the manufacturing information stored in the memory areas of addresses A0 to A3 and is stored in the memory area of address A5.

[0038] The memory area specified by address A6 is an area for storing the consumption data of the ink in the cartridge 100. The consumption data is a value indicating, for example, the ratio [%] of the amount of ink consumed [mg] to the initial filling amount [mg] before consumption. The consumption data of address A6 is updated when a command for writing the consumption data is transmitted from the control device 85 of the printing apparatus 20 to the memory control unit 136 of the cartridge 100 to be written each time the printing apparatus 20 consumes a liquid in an amount equal to or more than a predetermined amount from the cartridge 100 by a printing operation or a cleaning operation.

[0039] As described above, the manufacturing information, the electronic signature, the first error detection code, and the consumption data are stored in the rewritable area among the memory areas.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, the sub-control board 500 has a reset signal line LRST, a clock signal line LSCK, a power supply signal line LVDD, a data signal line LSDA, a ground signal line LVSS, a first detection signal line LM1, a second detection signal line LM2, a third detection signal line LM3, and a fourth detection signal line LM4. The reset signal line LRST electrically connects the relay unit 50 to the board terminal 531. The clock signal line LSCK electrically connects the relay unit 50 to the board terminal 532. The power supply signal line LVDD electrically connects the relay unit 50 to the board terminal 533. The ground signal line LVSS electrically connects the relay unit 50 to the board terminal 534. The data signal line LSDA electrically connects the relay unit 50 to the board terminal 535. The first to fourth detection signal lines LM1 to LM4 electrically connect the relay unit 50 to the board terminals 511 to 514. The relay unit 50 is configured with a CPU, a storage device, etc., and relays data and power supplied via the bus 46 and power line, and transmits them to the cartridge 100. Note that in other embodiments, the relay unit 50 may have some of the functions of the device control unit 40, which will be described later.

[0041] The printing device 20 includes the display unit 72, a power supply 440, and a control device 85. The control device 85 includes a device control unit 40 and a relay unit 50. The power supply 440 includes a first power supply 441 that generates a first power supply voltage VDD and a second power supply 442 that generates a second power supply voltage VHV. The first power supply voltage VDD is a normal power supply voltage used in logic circuits and is rated at 3.3 V. The second power supply voltage VHV is a high voltage, rated at 42 V, for example, that is used to drive the print head 5 to eject ink. These voltages VDD and VHV are supplied to the sub-control board 500 and, as necessary, to other circuit and other components.

[0042] The device control unit 40 includes a CPU 415 and a device storage unit 420. The CPU 415 controls the operation of the printing device 20 by executing various programs stored in the device storage unit 420. For example, the device control unit 40 controls the operation of the display unit 72 and the operation of the relay unit 50. Also, the CPU 415 functions as a communication control unit 416, a calculation unit 417, a comparison determination unit 418, and a mounting determination unit 419 by executing various programs stored in the device storage unit 420. Note that at least a part of the functions of the CPU 415 is not limited to software and may be configured by hardware such as a circuit.

[0043] The communication control unit 416 exchanges data with the memory control unit 136 of the memory 130 via the bus 46 and the data signal line LSDA. For example, the communication control unit 416 exchanges data with the memory control unit 136 by transmitting a read command for reading data from the memory 130 to the target memory control unit 136 or transmitting a write command for writing data to the memory 130 to the target memory control unit 136.

[0044] The calculation unit 417 calculates a second error detection code from the manufacturing information of the memory 130 acquired from the memory 130 via the communication control unit 416. The second error detection code is a value generated using the same type of error detection method as the first error detection code, that is, the same algorithm, and in this embodiment, it is a CRC value which is a value for inspection used in cyclic redundancy check.

[0045] The comparison determination unit 418 compares the first error detection code stored at the address A5 of the memory 130 with the second error detection code calculated by the calculation unit 417. Also, the comparison determination unit 418 verifies the electronic signature stored at the address A4 of the memory 130. Specifically, the comparison determination unit 418 acquires the manufacturing information and the electronic signature stored at the addresses A0 to A4 of the memory 130 via the communication control unit 416, and generates a first hash value as a hash value from the acquired manufacturing information by means of a hash function. This hash function is the same function as the hash function used for the electronic signature stored at the address A4 of the memory 130. Further, the comparison determination unit 418 decrypts the acquired electronic signature using the public key to obtain a second hash value as a hash value. Then, the comparison determination unit 418 verifies the electronic signature by comparing the first hash value and the second hash value. If the first hash value and the second hash value match, that is, it can be determined that the verification of the electronic signature has been successful. Note that the comparison determination unit 418 executes the above-described verification of the electronic signature when the first error detection code and the second error detection code match.

[0046] Also, the comparison determination unit 418 executes processing according to the comparison result between the first error detection code and the second error detection code and the verification result of the electronic signature. Details thereof will be described later.

[0047] The mounting determination unit 419 determines whether or not the cartridge 100 is mounted on the mounting unit 4. The first detection terminals 211 to 214 of the circuit board 120 are electrically connected to the mounting determination unit 419 via the corresponding connection mechanism 400, the board terminals 511 to 514, and the like. As shown in FIG. 11, the first detection terminals 211 to 214 of the circuit board 120 are grounded. The electrical wirings connecting the board terminals 511 to 514 and the mounting determination unit 419 are respectively connected to the first power supply voltage VDD of a rated 3.3 V via pull-up resistors.

[0048] In the example shown in FIG. 11, among the first detection terminal 211 to the fourth detection terminal 214 of the circuit board 120, the first detection terminal 211 to the third detection terminal 213 are in a good connection state with the corresponding board terminals 511 to 513. On the other hand, the fourth detection terminal 214 is in a state of poor contact with the corresponding device terminal 414. The voltages of the wirings of the three device terminals 411, 412, and 413 with good connection states are at a low level, while the voltage of the wiring of the device terminal 414 with a poor connection state is at a high level. Therefore, the mounting determination unit 419 can determine the quality of the contact state for each of the four detection terminals 211, 212, 213, and 214 by examining the voltage levels of these respective wirings. In the present embodiment, when the voltage levels of the wirings of each of the four device terminals 411 to 414 are at a low level, the mounting determination unit 419 determines that the cartridge 100 is correctly mounted, and in the case of other states, determines that the cartridge 100 is not correctly mounted.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the determination process of the cartridge 100 executed by the printing apparatus 20. The determination process is executed at a predetermined timing. Examples of the predetermined timing include the first timing when the power of the printing apparatus 20 is turned on, or the second timing when the mounting determination unit 419 determines that at least one of the four cartridges 100 has been newly mounted on the mounting unit 4. Further, the determination process is performed for each of the cartridges 100A to 100D mounted on the mounting unit 4. In the case of the second timing, the determination process may be performed only for the newly mounted cartridge 100.

[0050] In the determination process, first, in step S10, the calculation unit 417 calculates a second error detection code from the manufacturing information of the memory 130 acquired from the memory 130. Next, in step S20, the comparison determination unit 418 compares the first error detection code and the second error detection code, and determines whether the first error detection code and the second error detection code match. The first error detection code is acquired from the memory 130 via the communication control unit 416 in the process prior to step S20 or step S20.

[0051] In the first case where the comparison determination unit 418 determines in step S20 that the first error detection code and the second error detection code do not match, in step S70, the first process related to the first case is executed. The first process is, for example, a process related to the fact that the data stored in the memory 130, specifically the manufacturing information, is damaged. The first process includes a first output process of causing the display unit 72 to display the first information related to the first case. Specifically, the first output process is a process of displaying on the display unit 72 of the printing apparatus 20, as the first information, that data damage has occurred in the memory 130 of the target cartridge 100 and that the target cartridge 100 has not been recognized by the printing apparatus 20 due to the data damage. By the first output process, the user can be prompted to replace the cartridge 100 with a cartridge 100 in which the data of the memory 130 has not been damaged among the cartridges 100 mounted on the mounting unit 4. Note that the comparison determination unit 418 may perform other processes in addition to or instead of the first output process as the first process. Other processes include, for example, a process of prohibiting the use of some of the functions such as the monochrome printing function, the color printing function, and the high-quality printing function of the printing apparatus 20.

[0052] If the comparison determination unit 418 determines in step S20 that the first error detection code and the second error detection code match, it verifies the electronic signature in step S30. In step S30, if the first hash value and the second hash value match, that is, in the second case where the verification of the electronic signature is successful, the comparison determination unit 418 executes a second process related to the second case in step S50. The second process is a process related to the fact that manufacturing information such as the number of refills has been written to the memory 130 by the intended manufacturer. The second process includes a second output process that causes the display unit 72 to display second information related to the second case. The second information is information different from the first information. Specifically, the second output process is a process of displaying, as the second information, on the display unit 72 of the printing apparatus 20 that the verification of the electronic signature for the target cartridge 100 has been successful, that the printing operation is executable, and that the cartridge 100 is correctly mounted on the mounting unit 4. By the second output process, the user can recognize that printing can be executed by the cartridge 100 mounted on the mounting unit 4. Note that the comparison determination unit 418 may perform another process in addition to or instead of the second output process as the second process. As another process, for example, it is a process of accepting an instruction from the user and executing printing without restricting the functions of the printing apparatus 20.

[0053] In step S30, when the first hash value and the second hash value do not match, that is, in the third case where the verification of the electronic signature fails, the comparison determination unit 418 executes a third process related to the third case in step S60. The third process is a process related to the fact that manufacturing information such as the number of refilling times has been written to the memory 130 by an unintended manufacturer. The third process includes a third output process for causing the display unit 72 to display third information related to the third case. The third information is information different from the first information and the second information. Specifically, the third output process is a process of displaying, on the display unit 72 of the printing apparatus 20, as the third information, that the verification of the electronic signature has failed for the target cartridge 100 or that the cartridge 100 has been manufactured by an unintended manufacturer. By the third output process, the user can recognize that the cartridge 100 is not a genuine product. Note that the comparison determination unit 418 may perform another process in addition to or instead of the third output process as the third process. Another process is, for example, a process of prohibiting the printing operation of the printing apparatus 20.

[0054] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, since the memory 130 stores the first error detection code and the electronic signature, the printing apparatus 20 can determine whether there is damage to the manufacturing information, which is the data stored in the memory 130, using the first error detection code. Thereby, before verifying the electronic signature, by determining whether data damage has occurred in the memory 130 using the first error detection code, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the printing apparatus 20 determines that it is not a genuine product based on the verification result of the electronic signature due to data damage even though it is a genuine product. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, before performing the verification of the electronic signature, the printing apparatus 20 determines whether the first error detection code and the second error detection code match in step S20, and performs the verification of the electronic signature in step S30 when they match. Thereby, when there is no damage to the manufacturing information, which is the data stored in the memory 130, in step S20, the electronic signature is verified, so that it is possible to reduce the possibility that the printing apparatus 20 determines that it is not a genuine product based on the verification result of the electronic signature due to data damage even though the memory 130 is a genuine product.

[0055] Also, according to the above embodiment, as in steps S50, S60, and S70 of FIG. 12, the control device 85 can execute the first process, the second process, and the third process related to each of the first case, the second case, and the third case. Also, according to the above embodiment, in the first case, the second case, and the third case, by displaying the information related to each on the display unit 72, the processing result of the comparison determination unit 418 can be notified to the user. In particular, in the first case where the first error detection code and the second error detection code do not match, the printing system 1000 notifies the user that data damage has occurred, etc., and in the third case where the verification of the electronic signature fails, the printing system 1000 notifies the user that the verification of the electronic signature has failed, etc. Thereby, the user can easily grasp whether the error related to the cartridge 100 that has occurred in the printing system 1000 is due to data damage in the memory 130 or due to the failure of the verification of the electronic signature.

[0056] Also according to the above embodiment, the manufacturing information, electronic signature, and first error detection code shown in FIG. 10 are stored in the write-erase area of the storage unit 138. Thereby, when the liquid is refilled into the cartridge 100, the storage area at the same address of the memory 130 can be easily reused to update the information stored in the memory 130.

[0057] B. Other Embodiments: B-1. Other Embodiment 1: In the above embodiment, the manufacturing information shown in FIG. 10 was the refill count, manufacturing date, serial number, and liquid type. However, as long as it has at least the refill count, it may be other information related to the manufacture of the cartridge 100. For example, the manufacturing information may have a value indicating the amount of liquid filled.

[0058] B-2. Other Embodiment 2: In the above embodiment, in the storage unit 138 of the memory 130, each area of the rewritable area and the read-only area is set by specifying in advance the address of the storage unit 138. However, each area may be selectively used using a memory such as a rewritable EEPROM and a memory such as a non-rewritable mask ROM.

[0059] B-3. Other Embodiment 3: In the above embodiment, the first to third information was displayed on the display unit 72 of the printing apparatus 20, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the first to third information may be displayed on the display unit of the computer 90 of the printing system 1000.

[0060] B-4. Other Embodiment 4: The present disclosure is applicable not only to an inkjet printer and its cartridge, but also to a cartridge mounted on any printing apparatus that ejects a liquid other than ink. For example, it is applicable to various printing apparatuses and their cartridges as follows. (1) An image recording apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus (2) A printing device that sprays color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays. (3) A printing device that sprays electrode materials used to form electrodes in organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, surface-emitting displays (Field Emission Displays, FEDs), etc. (4) A printing device that sprays liquid containing bioorganic substances used in biochip manufacturing. (5) Sample printing device as a precision pipette (6) Lubricant printing device (7) Resin liquid printing device (8) A printing device that injects lubricating oil into precision machinery such as watches and cameras. (9) A printing device that sprays transparent resin liquid, such as ultraviolet curing resin liquid, onto a substrate to form minute hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. (10) A printing device that sprays acidic or alkaline etching liquid to etch substrates, etc. (11) A printing device equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects any other minute amount of liquid droplets

[0061] The term "droplet" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a printing device, including droplets, tears, and string-like droplets. The term "liquid" as used herein refers to any material that can be ejected by a printing device. For example, "liquid" refers to any material in its liquid phase, including materials with high or low viscosity, as well as liquid materials such as sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals. The term "liquid" also includes not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, "ink" encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

[0062] C. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the forms described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0063] (1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a memory attached to a cartridge is provided. This memory stores at least manufacturing information including the number of refills, which is the number of times of refilling the liquid into the cartridge after the liquid stored in the cartridge is consumed, an electronic signature of the manufacturing information, and a first error detection code of the manufacturing information. According to the above aspect, since the memory stores the first error detection code and the electronic signature, it is possible to determine whether or not there is damage to the manufacturing information, which is the data stored in the memory, by using the first error detection code by a printing apparatus to which the cartridge is attached. Thereby, before verifying the electronic signature, by determining whether or not data damage has occurred in the memory using the first error detection code, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the printing apparatus determines that it is not a genuine product based on the verification result of the electronic signature even though it is a genuine product due to data damage.

[0064] (2) In the above aspect, it may include a rewritable area in which rewriting to new data is possible, and the manufacturing information, the electronic signature, and the first error detection code may be stored in the rewritable area. According to the above aspect, when the liquid is refilled into the cartridge to which the memory is attached, the memory can be easily reused.

[0065] (3) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a liquid storage section for storing liquid, a liquid supply section for supplying the liquid to the liquid storage section, and a memory. The memory stores manufacturing information including at least the number of refills, which is the number of times the liquid stored in the cartridge is refilled with the liquid after it has been consumed, an electronic signature for the manufacturing information, and a first error detection code for the manufacturing information. According to this aspect, because the memory stores the first error detection code and the electronic signature, it is possible to determine whether the manufacturing information, which is the data stored in the memory, is corrupted using the first error detection code. This reduces the possibility that a printing device will determine that a product is not genuine based on the results of electronic signature verification due to data corruption, even though the product is genuine.

[0066] (4) In the above aspect, the memory may further include a write-erase area in which data can be written and erased, and the manufacturing information, the digital signature, and the first error detection code may be stored in the write-erase area. According to the above aspect, the memory can be easily reused when the cartridge is refilled with liquid.

[0067] (5) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided. This printing system includes the cartridge of the above aspect and a control device. The control device has a calculation unit that calculates a second error detection code from the manufacturing information in the memory, and a comparison determination unit that compares the first error detection code in the memory with the calculated second error detection code. When the first error detection code and the second error detection code match, the comparison determination unit verifies the electronic signature of the memory. According to the above aspect, when the first error detection code and the second error detection code match, that is, when there is no damage to the manufacturing information which is the data stored in the memory, the electronic signature is verified. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the printing device determines that a genuine product is not a genuine product based on the verification result of the electronic signature even though the genuine product is damaged due to data damage in the memory.

[0068] (6) In the above aspect, when the first error detection code and the second error detection code do not match in a first case, the comparison determination unit executes a first process related to the first case. When the verification of the electronic signature is successful in a second case, the comparison determination unit executes a second process related to the second case. When the verification of the electronic signature fails in a third case, the comparison determination unit may execute a third process related to the third case. According to the above aspect, it is possible to execute processes related to each of the first case, the second case, and the third case.

[0069] (7) In the above aspect, further, a display unit is provided. The first process includes a first output process of causing the display unit to display first information related to the first case. The second process includes a second output process of causing the display unit to display second information related to the second case and different from the first information. The third process includes a third output process of causing the display unit to display third information related to the third case and different from the first information and the second information. According to the above aspect, in the first case, the second case, and the third case, by displaying information related to each case on the display unit, the processing result of the comparison determination unit can be notified to the user.

[0070] In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present disclosure can be realized in forms such as a method for manufacturing a memory, a method for controlling a printing system, and the like.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0071] 4... Mounting portion, 5... Print head, 6... Liquid introduction portion, 20... Printing apparatus, 22... Motor, 26... Platen, 30... Carriage, 32... Carriage motor, 34... Sliding shaft, 36... Drive belt, 38... Pulley, 40... Apparatus control unit, 46... Bus, 50... Relay portion, 65... Mounting chamber, 70... Operation unit, 72... Display unit, 80... Connector, 85... Control device, 90... Computer, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D... Cartridge, 101... Main body, 101wb... Bottom wall, 101wf... Front wall, 104... Liquid supply portion, 104f... Film, 104op... Opening, 120... Circuit board, 120fa... Front surface, 120fb... Rear surface, 130... Memory, 136... Memory control unit, 138... Storage unit, 150... Liquid storage portion, 210... Mounting detection terminal group, 211... First detection terminal, 212... Second detection terminal, 213... Third detection terminal, 214... Fourth detection terminal, 230... Memory terminal group, 231... Reset terminal, 232... Clock terminal, 233... Power supply terminal, 234... Ground terminal, 235... Data terminal, 290... Terminal group, 301... Slit, 400... Connection mechanism, 403, 403A to 403I... Contact forming member, 405... Terminal holding portion, 411 to 414, 431 to 453, 490... Apparatus terminal, 411a to 414a, 431a to 435a... Relay terminal, 415... CPU, 416... Communication control unit, 417... Calculation unit, 418... Comparison determination unit, 419... Mounting determination unit, 420... Apparatus storage unit, 440... Power supply, 441... First power supply, 442... Second power supply, 500... Sub-control board, 511 to 514, 531 to 535, 590... Board terminal, 1000... Printing system, FD... First direction, LM1... First detection signal line, LM2... Second detection signal line, LM3... Third detection signal line, LM4... Fourth detection signal line, LRST... Reset signal line, LSCK... Clock signal line, LSDA... Data signal line, LVDD... Power supply signal line, LVSS... Ground signal line, MD... Mounting direction, PA... Print medium, R1... First column, R2... Second column, SD... Second direction

Claims

1. A memory attached to a cartridge, comprising: manufacturing information including at least the number of refills, which is the number of times the liquid stored in the cartridge is refilled after being consumed; an electronic signature of the manufacturing information; a first error detection code of the manufacturing information, and storing the same.

2. The memory according to Claim 1, further comprising: a rewritable area capable of rewriting to new data, wherein the manufacturing information, the electronic signature, and the first error detection code are stored in the rewritable area.

3. A cartridge, comprising: a liquid storage unit for storing a liquid; a liquid supply unit for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage unit; a memory, wherein the memory stores manufacturing information including at least the number of refills, which is the number of times the liquid stored in the cartridge is refilled after being consumed; an electronic signature of the manufacturing information; a first error detection code of the manufacturing information.

4. The cartridge according to Claim 3, wherein the memory further comprises a write-erase area capable of writing and erasing data, wherein the manufacturing information, the electronic signature, and the first error detection code are stored in the write-erase area.

5. A printing system, comprising: the cartridge according to Claim 3 or Claim 4; a control device, wherein the control device has a calculation unit that calculates a second error detection code from the manufacturing information in the memory; a comparison determination unit that compares the first error detection code in the memory with the calculated second error detection code, wherein the comparison determination unit verifies the electronic signature of the memory when the first error detection code and the second error detection code match.

6. The printing system according to Claim 5, wherein the comparison determination unit executes a first process related to the first case when the first error detection code and the second error detection code do not match in a first case; executes a second process related to the second case when the verification of the electronic signature is successful in a second case; executes a third process related to the third case when the verification of the electronic signature fails in a third case.

7. The printing system according to Claim 6, further comprising a display unit. The first process includes a first output process for causing the display unit to display first information related to the first case. The second process includes a second output process for causing the display unit to display second information related to the second case and different from the first information. The third process includes a third output process for causing the display unit to display third information related to the third case and different from the first information and the second information. A printing system.

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