Print system, ink jet printer and ink cartridge

• US 6,497,469 B1
• Filed: 08/31/2000
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Kazuhiro, Shinada, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): HALLACHER, CRAIG ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/652,657
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 347/7, 347/19, 347/49, 347/85, 347/67, 399/12, 399/24, 399/27
• US Class Current: 347/19
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/195 for monitoring ink quality

Abstract

An ink jet printer has an ink jet record head, an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the ink jet record head, the ink cartridge having a semiconductor storage system storing at least the data defining the effectively usable period since the ink cartridge was placed in the printer, and a control system consisting of a CPU, RAM, and ROM for controlling the ink jet record head in response to print data. The control system calculates the effectively usable period based on the elapsed time since the ink cartridge was placed in the printer and the effectively usable a period and updates the effectively usable period stored in the storage system.

Claims

1. An ink jet printer comprising an ink jet record head, and at least one ink cartridge for supplying ink to said ink jet record head, the ink cartridge having a writable or rewritable storage system storing information defining an effectively usable period of the ink cartridge,

wherein the information defining the effectively usable period stored in the storage system is updated by information defining a new effectively usable period, which is obtained through calculation based on an elapsed time period for which the ink cartridge is placed in the printer and the effectively usable period defined by the information stored in the storage system.

2. The ink jet printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information defining the effectively usable period is updated at a constant time interval.

3. The ink jet printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the effectively usable period is modified based on environmental temperature.

4. The ink jet printer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the effectively usable period is prolonged or shortened.

5. The printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information defining the effectively usable period indicates a time point.

6. The printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information defining the effectively usable period indicates a time period.

7. The printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information defining the new effectively usable period is stored in the storage system.

8. An ink jet printer comprising an ink jet record head, and at least one ink cartridge for supplying ink to the ink jet record head,

wherein an effectively usable period of the ink cartridge or an expiration time point of the effectively usable period is calculated based on environmental temperature.

9. The ink jet printer as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ink cartridge has a storage system, and information defining the effectively usable period is stored in the storage system.

10. An ink jet printer comprising an ink jet record head, and at least one ink cartridge for supplying ink to the ink jet record head, the ink cartridge having a storage system storing data defining a fixed expiration date since the ink cartridge was manufactured and data defining an effectively usable period having a variable expiration date,

wherein the effectively usable period corresponds to a quality of the ink;

and

wherein a signal indicative of a status is generated when either the expiration date is exceeded or the effectively usable period expires.

11. The printer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the effectively usable period lasts from a time point at which the ink cartridge was initially placed in the printer.

12. The printer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the effectively usable period lasts from a time point at which the ink cartridge was initially placed in another, different printer.

13. The printer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the effectively usable period lasts from a time point at which a package for the ink cartridge is broken or opened.

14. The ink jet printer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the effectively usable period is modified based on environmental temperature.

15. The ink jet printer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the effectively usable period is prolonged or shortened.

16. An ink cartridge having a storage system, wherein the storage system is provided with at least one memory area capable of storing information defining an expiration of a usable period lasting from a time point at which the ink cartridge was manufactured, and information defining an effectively usable period that lasts from a time point at which use of the ink cartridge was started;

and

wherein the effectively usable period corresponds to a quality of the ink.

17. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 16, wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which the ink cartridge was initially placed in the printer or a printer.

19. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 16, wherein the information defining the effectively usable period is stored so that it can be updated.

18. An ink cartridge having a storage system, wherein the storage system is provided with at least one memory area capable of storing information defining an expiration of a usable period lasting from a time point at which the ink cartridge was manufactured, and information defining an effectively usable period that lasts from a time point at which use of the ink cartridge was started;

and

wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which a package for the ink cartridge was broken or opened.

20. A print system comprising a printer adapted to detachably mount at least one ink cartridge having a first storage system thereon and to execute print through supply of ink from the ink cartridge, and a host device communicatable with the printer, the printer system further comprising;

a time period data recording system, provided in at least one of the printer and the host device, for calculating a time period for which the ink cartridge is placed in the printer, and recording data relating to the time period in the first storage system of the ink cartridge; and

a time period expiration determining system, provided in at least one of the printer and the host device, for recognizing an elapsed time period from a time point at which use of the ink cartridge was started, based on data recorded in the first storage system of the ink cartridge, and determining whether or not an effectively usable period expires based on the elapsed time period.

21. The print system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was initially placed in the printer or a printer.

22. The print system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which a package for the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was broken or opened.

23. The print system as claimed in claim 20, wherein:

the time period data recording system adds the time period for which the ink cartridge is placed in the printer to the previous elapsed time period stored in the first storage system of the ink cartridge to obtain a new elapsed time period, and records the new elapsed time period in the first storage system of the cartridge; and

the time period expiration determining system reads the new elapsed time period from the first storage system of the cartridge, and determines whether or not the effectively usable time period expires based on the new elapsed time period.

24. The print system as claimed in claim 23, wherein:

the printer has a timer activated continuously regardless of whether power for the printer is turned on or off, a second storage system, and a controller for controlling operation of the printer;

the controller serves as the time period data recording system and the time period expiration determining system to execute;

1). obtaining, when the ink cartridge is newly placed in the printer, a placement. date and time from the timer, and recording the placement date and time into the second storage system;

2) calculating, periodically, or at the time of turning off of the power or immediately before the ink cartridge is replaced, a time difference between a current date and time obtained from the timer and the placement date and time recorded in the second storage system;

3) adding the time difference to the elapsed time period already recorded in the first storage system; and

4) over-writing the elapsed time period obtained by the addition on the first storage system.

25. The print system as claimed in claim 20, further comprising;

a notifying system for notifying a user through the printer or the host device of a fact that the effectively usable time period expires if the time period expiration determining system determines that the effectively usable time period expires.

26. The print system as claimed in claim 20, wherein after a determination that the effectively usable period has expired, the printer or host device queries a user as to whether a continued use of the ink cartridge is approved;

and

wherein when the user indicates an approval, continued use of the ink cartridge is permitted, otherwise continued use of the ink cartridge is prohibited.

27. An ink jet printer comprising:

at least one replaceable ink cartridge having a first storage system;

a time period data recording system for calculating a time period for which the ink cartridge is placed in the printer, and recording data relating to the time period in the first storage system of the ink cartridge; and

a time period expiration determining system for recognizing an elapsed time period from a time point at which use of the ink cartridge was started, based on data recorded in the first storage system of the ink cartridge, and determining whether or not an effectively usable period expires based on the elapsed time period.

28. The printer as claimed in claim 27, wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was initially placed in the printer or a printer.

30. The printer as claimed in claim 27, wherein:

the time period data recording system adds the time period for which the ink cartridge is placed in the printer to the previous elapsed time period stored in the first storage system of the ink cartridge to obtain a new elapsed time period, and records the new elapsed time period in the first storage system of the cartridge; and

the time period expiration determining system reads the new elapsed time period from the first storage system of the cartridge, and determines whether or not the effectively usable time period expires based on the new elapsed time period.

31. The printer as claimed in claim 30, further comprising:

a timer activated continuously regardless of whether power for the printer is turned on or off; and

a second storage system,

wherein time period data recording system executes;

1) obtaining, when the ink cartridge is newly placed in the printer, a placement date and time from the timer, and recording the placement date and time into the second storage system;

2) calculating, periodically, or at the time of turning off of the power or immediately before the ink cartridge is replaced, a time difference between a current date and time obtained from the timer and the placement date and time recorded in the second storage system;

3) adding the time difference to the elapsed time period already recorded in the first storage system; and

4) over-writing the elapsed time period obtained by the addition on the first storage system.

32. The printer as claimed in claim 27, further comprising:

a notifying system for notifying a user through the printer or a host device connected to the printer of a fact that the effectively usable time period expires if the time period expiration determining system determines that the effectively usable time period expires.

33. The printer as claimed in claim 32, wherein after the notifying system has notified the user, the printer or host device queries the user as to whether a continued use of the ink cartridge is approved;

and

wherein when the user indicates an approval, continued use of the ink cartridge is permitted, otherwise continued use of the ink cartridge is prohibited.

29. An ink jet printer comprising:

at least one replaceable ink cartridge having a first storage system;

a time period data recording system for calculating a time period for which the ink cartridge is placed in the printer, and recording data relating to the time period in the first storage system of the ink cartridge; and

a time period expiration determining system for recognizing an elapsed time period from a time point at which use of the ink cartridge was started, based on data recorded in the first storage system of the ink cartridge, and determining whether or not an effectively usable period expires based on the elapsed time period;

wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which a package for the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was broken or opened.

34. An ink cartridge adapted to detachably mounted to an ink jet printer,

wherein the ink cartridge has a storage system to which the printer is accessible;

and

wherein the storage system has a memory area for storing data concerning a time period for which the ink cartridge was placed in the printer;

whereby the printer can recognize an elapsed time period from a time point at which use of the ink cartridge was started, based on data recorded in the storage system.

35. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 34, wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was initially placed in the printer or a printer.

36. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 34, wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which a package for the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was broken or opened.

37. A method of managing an effectively usable period of an ink cartridge that is replaceably mounted to a printer and that has a storage system, the method comprising:

a step of calculating a time period for which the ink cartridge is placed in the printer, and recording data relating to the time period in the first storage system of the ink cartridge, the step being executed in at least one of the printer and a host device connected to the printer; and

a step of recognizing an elapsed time period from a time point at which use of the ink cartridge was started, based on data recorded in the first storage system of the ink cartridge, and determining whether or not an effectively usable period expires based on the elapsed time period, the step being executed in at least one of the printer and the host device connected to the printer.

38. The method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was initially placed in the printer or a printer.

39. A method of managing an effectively usable period of an ink cartridge that is replaceably mounted to a printer and that has a storage system, the method comprising:

a step of calculating a time period for which the ink cartridge is placed in the printer, and recording data relating to the time period in the first storage system of the ink cartridge, the step being executed in at least one of the printer and a host device connected to the printer; and

a step of recognizing an elapsed time period from a time point at which use of the ink cartridge was started, based on data recorded in the first storage system of the ink cartridge, and determining whether or not an effectively usable period expires based on the elapsed time period, the step being executed in at least one of the printer and the host device connected to the printer;

wherein the time point at which the use of the ink cartridge was started includes a time point at which a package for the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was broken or opened.

40. A method of checking an ink cartridge, comprising the steps of:

reading effectively usable period information from a first storage system of an ink cartridge placed in a printer or a second storage system of the printer or a host connected to the printer, and at least one of cartridge use information and information defining a current time point respectively from the first or second storage system and a timer system;

obtaining information defining an effectively usable period of the ink cartridge based on the effectively usable period information and at least one of the cartridge use information and the information defining the current time point;

obtaining information defining an elapsed use period based on at least one of the cartridge use information and the information defining the current time point; and

comparing the information defining the effectively usable period with the information defining the elapsed use period, wherein the effectively usable period includes a variable expiration date, which varies depending on use of the ink cartridge.

41. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the effectively usable period information includes information indicative of a time period predetermined and recommended by a manufacturer.

42. The method as claimed in claim 41, wherein the effectively usable period information further includes information indicative of a time point at which the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was initially placed in the printer or a printer.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the effectively usable period information further includes information indicative of a time point at which a package for the ink cartridge was broken or opened.

44. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the effectively usable period information includes information indicative of a time period in relation to each of ambient conditions where the ink cartridge is placed.

45. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the cartridge use information includes information indicative of a time point obtained from the timer system or a timer system.

46. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the cartridge use information includes information indicative of a time period for which the ink cartridge was used from a time point at which the ink cartridge in a brand-new state was initially placed in the printer or a printer or at which a package for the ink cartridge was broken or opened.

47. The method as claimed in claim 44, wherein the cartridge use information includes information indicative of a condition where the ink cartridge was placed.

48. The method as claimed in claim 47, wherein the step of obtaining information defining elapsed use period includes obtaining an expiration time point by elongating or shortening the effectively usable period based on the effectively usable period information and the cartridge use information.

49. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the timer system is provided in one of the ink cartridge, the printer and the host.

50. A method of updating information in a storage system of an ink cartridge placed in the printer, comprising:

the steps of;

obtaining a first time point from the first storage system of the ink cartridge or a second storage system of the printer or a host connected to the printer;

obtaining a second time point from a timer system;

calculating a time difference between the first and second time points;

updating an elapsed time period or remaining time period stored in the first storage system based on the calculated time difference; and

storing the updated elapsed time period or remaining time period in the first storage system.

51. A print system comprising an ink jet record head, and at least one ink cartridge for supplying ink to the ink jet record head, the ink cartridge having a storage system storing data defining a fixed expiration date since the ink cartridge was manufactured and data defining an effectively usable period having a variable expiration date,

wherein the effectively usable period corresponds to a quality of the ink;

and

wherein a signal indicative of a status is generated when either the expiration date is exceeded or an effectively usable period expires.

52. An ink cartridge management method for an ink cartridge having a storage system storing data defining a fixed expiration date since the ink cartridge was manufactured and data defining an effectively usable period having a variable expiration date,

wherein the effectively usable period corresponds to a quality of the ink;

and

wherein a signal indicative of a status in generated when either the expiration date Is exceeded or an effectively usable period expires.