Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-07
2003-03-11
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Reexamination Certificate
active
06530519
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a stencil printer including a consumable as a component for achieving its function, and more particularly to such an image recording apparatus in which the consumable is replaceable.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, in a stencil printer, consumables such as an ink cartridge, a master roll (a roll of a stencil master material) and the like are mounted on the main body to be replaceable. The ink, the stencil master material and the like are properly supplied from the ink cartridge, the master roll and the like in place and function as components of the image recording apparatus. When such consumables are exhausted, they are replaced with new ones and the image recording apparatus can keep its function.
In order to keep the function of the image recording apparatus, it is required that the function of the consumables conforms to the function of the main body.
When the combination of the main body and a consumable is improper, the image recording apparatus cannot work properly and failure of the main body and/or the consumable can be caused. Accordingly, when a consumable is mounted on the main body, it is necessary to determine whether the consumable is applicable to the main body and to inform the operator of the decision by a message or the like.
There have been known various systems for preventing wrong use of a consumable in a stencil printer.
For example, the shape of the ink cartridge and/or the diameter of the paper core of the master roll are changed according to the model of stencil printer (will be referred to as “the mechanical prevention system”, hereinbelow). See registered Japanese Utility Model No. 2571259. As an electric prevention system, there has been known a system in which a plurality of detectors such as switches are provided to be selectively operated when a consumable provided with an actuator which is differently shaped according to the model of the consumable is mounted on the main body and whether the consumable is applicable to the main body is determined by the combination of the detectors operated by the actuator. Further, as disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5(1993)-290227, there has been known a bar code type prevention system in which a different bar code is attached to a consumable according to the model of the consumable while the main body is provided with a bar code reader which reads the bar code on the mounted consumable and determines whether the consumable is applicable to the main body on the basis of the bar code.
However, the mechanical prevention system is disadvantageous in that standardization of consumables cannot be achieved when a wide variety of printers are developed, many different molds are required, additional manhours are required for changing the facilities (jigs) in the manufacturing line, and management of supply of consumables for responsibility of keeping supply of consumables becomes complicated. The electric prevention system is disadvantageous in that the number of varieties of the printers to be developed is limited since the consumable is identified on the basis of the combination of the detectors operated by the actuator and problems similar to those inherent to the mechanical prevention system arise with respect to the shape, the color and the like of the actuator. Further, the bar code type prevention system is disadvantageous in that an expensive bar code reader is required in order to read the bar code at a high accuracy and there is fear of misreading due to stain or the like of the bar code.
Further, when a consumable is replaced, the matching conditions (matching parameters) for matching the consumable with the main body sometimes must be changed, and conventionally, a serviceman or an operator manually adjusts the parameters according to the combination of the main body and the consumable so that the performance of the stencil printer is maximized.
For example, in a stencil printer, when the master roll is changed and the sensitivity to perforation of the stencil master material varies, it is necessary to change energy setting of the stencil master making unit. When the thickness of the stencil master material is changed, it becomes necessary to change setting of the master discharge volume and/or the sensitivities of various master sensors. When the ink cartridge is changed and the viscosity (color) of the ink changes, it becomes necessary to change setting of the printing pressure, setting of the pumping speed, setting of the idle time and setting of the ink quantity sensor.
However, in the case where the matching conditions are manually changed, management and adjustment of the matching conditions must be carried out for each of the models of the printers, which is very troublesome, and when the specifications of the main body and the consumable are both changed, resetting or adjustment of the matching parameters becomes difficult.
Further, it is necessary to display remainder of the consumable so that the operator can know the time at which the consumable is to be replaced. For this purpose, conventionally, detecting means for detecting remainder or consumption of the consumables such as those formed of sensors and/or mechanisms are provided and values detected by the detecting means are displayed on a panel.
However provision of such detecting means adds to the cost and if simplified mechanisms are used, it is difficult to detect at a high accuracy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing observations and description, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus in which prevention of use of an inapplicable consumable, change of setting the matching conditions when a consumable is replaced with a consumable of different properties, display of remainder of a consumable and/or the like can be surely and easily performed.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a main body provided with a control unit and a consumable which is mounted on the main body to be replaceable and forms a component of the image recording apparatus, wherein the improvement comprises that
the consumable is provided with an information memory means in which electronic data representing information on the consumable is stored, and
the control unit of the main body is provided with a data transfer means which is operatively connected to the information memory means when the consumable is mounted on the main body and transfers the electronic data between the main body and the consumable.
The connection between the data transfer means and the data memory means may be established either in contact or non-contact. For example, the connection may be an electric connection, a magnetic connection or by way of radio waves.
It is preferred that the information memory means comprises a nonvolatile memory which holds recorded data for a certain period without supply of power.
It is preferred that the consumable be supplied with the electronic data (representing information on the consumable) recorded in the information memory means in advance, for instance, before the consumable is shipped from the factory.
It is further preferred that the electronic data be collated with corresponding data set in the control unit of the main body when the consumable is mounted on the main body. In this case, it is preferred from the viewpoint of preventing wrong use of the consumable, which can result in unsatisfactory operation and/or failure of the image recording apparatus, that when it is determined that the consumable mounted on the main body is inapplicable as the result of the collation, the control unit stops the image recording apparatus and informs the operator of the fact by a message or the like. Further it is preferred from the viewpoint of preventing deterioration of the performance of the image recording apparatus due to change with time of the consumable that the elect
Caputo Lisa M.
Frech Karl D.
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Riso Kagaku Corporation
Studebaker Donald R.
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