JPH0441278A - recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make setting for operation executed automatically and to prevent therewith erroneous setting by a method wherein amperage of current flowing to a connected unit is detected with a detecting means and judgment is made, based on the detected amperage of the current, with a judging means to determine whether the connected unit is appropriate or not, and when the connected unit is appropriate, setting for operation is made with a setting means in accordance with the kind of the connected unit. CONSTITUTION:A current detector 2 is connected to a power source 1 and detects the electric current supplied to interfaces I/F 3. A control section 5 controls input and output of signals through connectors 4. An MPU 6 judges, based on the values of the detected current and tables stored in a memory 7, whether the connection is made to the interface I/F (1) or the interface I/F (2), and whether the connection is made or not or made in abnormal connection. In the case where the interface I/F is connected, a command is given to the control section 5, and direction and connection for inputoutput buffers 14 are selected so that input and output of signal wires on the connected parts are properly arranged. As the kind of the interface connected is identified by detecting the amperage of load current, and as setting for operation is made in accordance with the identified unit, mistakes in the setting can be prevented by easy detection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording device to which units can be connected.

[Prior Art] Some conventional recording devices are capable of connecting units such as accessories (options). This recording device detects whether a unit is connected using a sensor or by inputting a switch. Then, when a unit was connected, the program was configured to change to the operating mode of that unit.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional example described above, when a unit is connected, appropriate settings must be made consciously, so problems such as the following (1) to (3) arise. was there.

(1) Settings are cumbersome, (2) Settings may be incorrect, and (3) Settings and detection become complicated depending on the number and type of connected devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that solves the above problems.

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a recording device to which units can be connected, a detection means for detecting the amount of current flowing through the connected unit, and a detection means for detecting the amount of current flowing through the connected unit. determination means for determining whether the connected unit is a proper unit based on the amount of current detected by the determination means; The present invention is characterized by comprising a setting means for making settings.

[For use] The detection means detects the amount of current flowing through the connected unit, the determination means determines whether the connected unit is a proper unit based on the amount of current detected by the detection means, and the determination means As a result of the determination, if the unit is appropriate, settings are made by the setting means to operate in accordance with the type.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. This is an example of an inkjet printer, specifically a bubble jet printer, and its structure is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12
d is a so-called multi-nozzle recording head having a plurality of ejection ports, which ejects the recording liquid from the ejection ports based on the state change caused in the recording liquid by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal conversion means to form a flying liquid. It forms drops. Reference numeral 18 denotes an LF motor that drives a conveyance roller provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the recording material in order to flatten the recording surface of the recording material. 17 is a CR motor and a recording head 12a.

12b, 12c, and 12d are mounted on the carriage. 1 is a power source that supplies electric power. 3
is an ink face I/F, which is connected to the main body of the apparatus via a connector 4. 10 is an additional memory.

In FIG. 1, 1 and 3 indicate the same parts as in FIG. 2. 2
is a current detector connected to power supply 1 and connected to interface I
This detects the current supplied to /F3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a control section, which is composed of a human output buffer 14, a decoder 15, and a selector 16, as shown in FIG. 7
The table shown in Table 1 is stored in the memory. 6
is the MPU, and the current value detected by the current detector 2,
Based on the table stored in the memory 7, interface I/F (1) interface I/F (2
), "r not connected", or "abnormal connection". MPU 6 is interface I
/F is connected, it gives a command to the control unit 7 and outputs the human output buffer 1 so that the signal line input/output relationship of the connection part is appropriate.
4 direction and connection (see Table 1)
. 8 is an A/D converter that converts the analog signal from the current detector 2 into a digital signal. Reference numeral 9 denotes a display unit for displaying the determination result by the MPU 6.

Table 1 FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control procedure by the MPU 6.

After turning on the power, a memory check and initialization of the main body of the device are performed in step S1, and after the initialization is completed, step S2 is performed.
At this point, the N current detector 2 detects the load current of the load capacitance section in the control section 5. Then, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the detected current value is zero, that is, it is determined whether or not the connected unit is in a standalone operation mode in which the connection unit is not connected. As a result of the determination, if it is the standalone operation mode, the process moves to step S4, and in step S4, it is displayed that the standalone operation mode is normal.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S3, if a current is detected, that is, if it is not in the standalone operation mode, the process moves to step S5, and in step S5, it is determined whether the detected current value is 200 mA or not, that is, if the current is not in the standalone operation mode. Determine whether it is in I/F (1) operation mode. As a result of the judgment, if the detected current value is 200 mA, the process moves to step S6,
In step S6, I/F (1) operation mode normal is displayed.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S5, if the detected current value is not 200 mA, the process moves to step S7,
In step S7, it is determined whether the detected current value is 300 mA, that is, whether or not the I/F (2) operation mode is set. As a result of the judgment, if the detected current value is 300 mA, the process moves to step S8, and in step S8,
I/FC2) Displays normal operation mode.

On the other hand, as a result of determination in step S7, if the detected current value is 400 mA or more, the process moves to step S9, where an error is displayed on the display unit 9 and the connected interface is Displays that the device cannot be connected to this device.

As described above, in this embodiment, the type of connected interface is determined by detecting the amount of load current, and settings are made according to the type, so detection is easy regardless of the type of connected interface. can be done. Further, since the settings are automatically performed, the user's hassle is reduced. Furthermore, erroneous settings can also be prevented.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
In comparison with the embodiment, the connection unit and the table stored in the memory 7 are different. That is, in the first embodiment, the interface I/
In this embodiment, the additional memory 10 is connected via the connector 11. Further, the table shown in Table 1 was stored in the memory 7 of the first embodiment, but the table shown in Table 2 was stored in the memory 7 of this embodiment.

Table 2 FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control procedure by the MPU 6.

After turning on the power, a memory check is performed in step S5J.
Initialize the main body of the device, and after initialization, step S
At 52, the current detector 2 detects the load current of the load capacitance section in the control section 5.

Then, in step S53, it is determined whether or not the detected current value is zero, that is, it is determined whether or not the unit is in a single operation mode in which the connection unit is not connected. As a result of the judgment,
If it is the standalone operation mode, the process moves to step S54, and in step S54, it is displayed that the standalone operation mode is normal.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S53, if a current is detected, that is, if it is not in the standalone operation mode, the process moves to step S55, and in step S55, it is determined whether or not the detected current value is 100 mA, that is, if the current is not in the standalone operation mode. Additional memory <
1) Determine whether or not it is in operation mode. As a result of the judgment, if the detected current value is roomA, step S56
In step S5B, it is displayed that the operation mode of the expanded memory (1) is normal, and that the capacity of the connected expanded memory is 4 MB.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S55, if the detected current value is not 100+nA, the process moves to step S57, and in step S57, the detected current value is 400+nA.
+nA, that is, whether or not it is the expansion memory (2) operation mode. As a result of the judgment, if the detected current value is 400 mA, the process moves to step 358, and in step 358, the expansion memory (2) displays normal operation mode, and the capacity of the connected expansion memory is 1.
Displays that it is 6MB.

On the other hand, if the detected current value is 600 mA or more as a result of determination in step S57, step S59
In step S59, an error message is displayed on the display section 9, and a message indicating that the connected additional memory cannot be connected to the present device is displayed.

As mentioned above, additional memory (1), additional memory (2)
have different capacities, and the access area varies depending on the capacity, but when an additional memory is connected to the memory board connector, it can operate according to the capacity of the connected additional memory.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This example is the first
In comparison with the embodiment described above, the connection two bits and the table stored in the memory 7 are different. That is, in the first embodiment, the interface I/
In this embodiment, the above-mentioned bubble jet type recording head 12 was connected via the connector I3. Further, the table shown in Table 1 was stored in the memory 7 of the first embodiment, but the table shown in Table 3 was stored in the memory 7 of this embodiment.

Table 3 As shown in FIG. 9, the recording head 12 has a heater Seg,
1 to Seg, 64, 64-bit transistor array 72, 64-bit latch 73, 64-bit, and shift register 74. Head selected, heat enable Bel-Be4
A signal selects one of the four head blocks divided in advance.

Further, the recording head (1) and the recording head (2) are the 10th recording head.
As shown in the figure, the pulse width during heat driving is different. The recording head (1) is driven by "sequential heat," and the recording head (2) is driven by "interlaced double heat."

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control procedure by the MPU 6.

After turning on the power, a memory check is performed in step S81.
Initialize the main body of the device, and after initialization, step S
At 82, the current detector 2 detects the load current of the load capacitance section in the control section 5.

Then, in step S83, it is determined whether or not the detected current value is zero, that is, it is determined whether or not the unit is in a stand-alone operation mode in which the connection unit is not connected. As a result of the judgment,
If it is the standalone operation mode, the process moves to step S84, and in step S84, it is displayed that the standalone operation mode is normal.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S83, if a current is detected, that is, if it is not in the standalone operation mode, the process moves to step S85, and in step S85, it is determined whether or not the detected current value is 100 mA, that is, if the current is not in the standalone operation mode. Recording head (
1) Determine whether or not it is in operation mode. As a result of the judgment, if the detected current value is 100 mA, step 38
6, and in step 386, it is displayed that the recording head (1) operation mode is normal.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S85, if the detected current value is not 100 mA, the process moves to step S87, and in step S87, the detected current value is 150 mA.
It is determined whether the recording head (2) is in the recording head (2) operation mode. As a result of the judgment, the detected current value is 15
If it is 0 mA, the process moves to step 386, and in step 386, it is displayed that the recording head (2) operation mode is normal.

On the other hand, if the detected current value is 200 mA or more as a result of determination in step S87, step S89
In step S89, an error message is displayed on the display section 9, and a message indicating that the connected recording head cannot be connected to the present apparatus is displayed.

Note that the unit of the present invention is an interface.

It is not limited to a memory or a recording head, and may be anything that can be connected to a recording device.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to inkjet recording methods (it is also applicable to electrophotographic methods, thermal recording methods, etc.).

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, since the configuration is configured as described above, settings are automatically performed and erroneous settings can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the printer of the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first illustrated control section, 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the MPU 6 shown in the first figure; FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the MPU 6 shown in the fifth figure; 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the recording head 13 shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the MPU 6 shown in FIG. FIG. 1O is a timing chart showing an example of drive timing of head (1) and head (2). DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Power supply, 2... Current detector, 3... Interface I/F, 4... I/F connector part, 5... Control part, 6... MPU. 7...Memory, 8...A/D converter, 9...Display section, 10...Extension memory, 11...Extension memory connector section, 12...Recording head, 13...Recording Herad connector part. Figure 5 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) In a recording device to which units can be connected, there is a detection means for detecting the amount of current flowing through the connected unit, and a method for determining whether the connected unit is appropriate based on the amount of current detected by the detection means. The present invention is characterized by comprising a determination means for determining whether the unit is suitable or not, and a setting means for making settings for operating in accordance with the type of the unit if the determination result of the determination means indicates that the unit is appropriate. Recording device. 2) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the type of the unit if the unit is suitable as a result of the determination by the determination means, and for displaying that fact if the unit is inappropriate. 3) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines that the unit is not connected when no current is detected. 4) In claim 1, a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink are provided for each corresponding ejection port, the ink is caused to undergo a state change due to heat, and the ink is ejected from the ejection ports based on the state change. 1. A recording apparatus comprising a recording head having thermal energy generating means for forming flying droplets.