Patent Publication Number: US-11020977-B2

Title: Printer and method for controlling printer

Description:
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2019-009994, filed Jan. 24, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a printer and a method for controlling the printer. 
     2. Related Art 
     In the related art, there is known an ink cartridge including information storage medium configured to store ink information about ink. For example, JP 2017-56651 A discloses a printer, in which an ink cartridge having an IC chip as an information storage medium is loaded, communicating with the IC chip to write ink information indicating consumption amount of ink of the ink cartridge in the IC chip. 
     An ink cartridge such as that described in JP 2017-56651 A may include an information storage medium configured to perform wireless communication in a non-contact manner with the printer. When a printer includes a plurality of ink cartridges of this type, the printer may perform wireless communication with a wrong information storage medium that is not to be processed, and may execute processing related to ink information with the wrong information storage medium. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect for resolving the above-described issue provides a printer including an ink cartridge holding unit configured to hold a plurality of ink cartridges each including an ink storage section configured to store an ink and an information storage medium configured to store ink information about the ink stored in the ink storage section, a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication in a non-contact manner with the information storage medium of the ink cartridge held by the ink cartridge holding unit, and a controller configured to control the wireless communication unit, in which the information storage medium is configured to store identification information that identifies the information storage medium, and the controller is configured to acquire, via the wireless communication unit, the identification information from the information storage medium of each of the plurality of ink cartridges held by the ink cartridge holding unit, and to execute, based on the identification information that is acquired, processing related to the ink information to the information storage medium of each of the plurality of ink cartridges via the wireless communication unit. 
     In the printer, the controller may be configured to perform, when acquiring the identification information from the information storage medium of each of the plurality of ink cartridges, wireless communication with the information storage media one by one via the wireless communication unit. 
     The printer may include a wireless communication blocking unit configured to block wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and the information storage medium, in which the controller may be configured to cause, when acquiring the identification information from the information storage medium, the wireless communication blocking unit to block wireless communication between the information storage medium other than an information storage medium from which the identification information is to be acquired and the wireless communication unit. 
     The printer may include a carriage configured to move in a cross direction crossing a transport direction in which a print medium is transported, in which the carriage may be provided with the ink cartridge holding unit, the ink cartridge holding unit holds a plurality of ink cartridges aligned in the cross direction, and in which the controller may be configured to cause, when acquiring the identification information from the information storage medium, the carriage to move, and to acquire the identification information from the information storage medium of the ink cartridge that moved along with movement of the carriage to a position that allows for wireless communication with the wireless communication unit. 
     Another aspect for resolving the above-described issue is a method for controlling a printer, the printer including an ink cartridge holding unit configured to hold a plurality of ink cartridges each including an ink storage section configured to store an ink and an information storage medium configured to store ink information about the ink stored in the ink storage section, a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication in a non-contact manner with the information storage medium of the ink cartridge held by the ink cartridge holding unit, and a controller configured to control the wireless communication unit, in which the information storage medium stores identification information that identifies the information storage medium, and the controller acquires the identification information from the information storage medium of each of the plurality of ink cartridges held by the ink cartridge holding unit via the wireless communication unit, and executes, based on the identification information that is acquired, processing related to the ink information to the information storage medium of each of the plurality of ink cartridges via the wireless communication unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an external perspective view illustrating a printer according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of a printer. 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a configuration of a main portion of an ink cartridge holding unit. 
         FIG. 4  is an external perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge. 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory view illustrating a blocking member. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of a printer. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printer according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a first embodiment is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 , an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are illustrated as three axes perpendicular to one another, for convenience of explanation. Each of the arrows indicating an axial direction has a tip end side as a plus side and a base end side as a minus side. 
     In each of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 , a Z axis direction, which is a direction parallel to the Z-axis, indicates a vertical direction. Hereinafter, the direction toward the plus side in the Z-axis direction is referred to as upward, and the direction toward the minus side in the Z-axis direction is referred to as downward. An X-axis direction, which is a direction parallel to the X-axis, is a horizontal direction. hereinafter, the direction toward the plus side in the X-axis direction is referred to as leftward, and the direction toward the minus side in the X-axis direction is referred to as rightward. A Y-axis direction, which is a direction parallel to the Y-axis, is a front-back direction. Hereinafter, the direction toward the plus side in the Y-axis direction is referred to as frontward, and the direction toward the minus side in the Y-axis direction is referred to as backward. 
       FIG. 1  is an external perspective view illustrating a printer  1 .  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the printer  1 . 
     The printer  1  is a printing apparatus configured to discharge an ink in an ink-jet scheme onto a print medium M to print an image on a print surface of the print medium M, and is a large format printer configured to perform printing onto the print medium M having a relatively large size. 
     As the print medium M, high-quality paper, cast paper, art paper, coat paper, synthetic paper, or a film, cloth, or the like composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) or the like can be used, for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the printer  1  includes a transport unit  4 . The transport unit  4  is supported by a pedestal  2  including a plurality of casters  21  at the lower ends. 
     The transport unit  4  includes a feeding section  41  configured to feed the print medium M to a body  3  from a roll body R 1  that the print medium M having an elongated size is wound in a roll shape, and a winding section  42  configured to wind the print medium M onto which printing has been performed, the print medium M having been fed from a discharge port at the front of the body  3  by the feeding section  41 . The transport unit  4  is configured to transport, when printing is performed, the print medium M in a transport direction HY in a roll-to-roll scheme with the feeding section  41  and the winding section  42 . The transport direction HY corresponds to the frontward from the printer  1 . 
     The feeding section  41  is provided backward from the body  3  having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is supported by the pedestal  2 . The feeding section  41  is loaded with the roll body R 1  in a replaceable manner. The feeding section  41  is configured to rotate the roll body R 1  counterclockwise in  FIG. 2  to unwind the print medium M from the roll body R 1 , to supply the print medium M to a printing unit  5 . 
     The winding section  42  is provided frontward from the body  3 . The winding section  42  includes a pair of holders  422  that clamp and support a winding roller  421  for forming a roll body R 2 . A holder  422   a  of the holders  422  is provided with a mechanism such as a motor that causes the winding roller  421  to rotate. The winding section  42  causes the winding roller  421  to rotate counterclockwise in  FIG. 2 , to wind up the print medium M onto which printing has been performed around the winding roller  421  to form the roll body R 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the transport unit  4  includes a transport roller pair  43  configured to transport the print medium M in the transport direction HY clamping the print medium M in a transport path HK between the feeding section  41  and the winding section  42 . The transport roller pair  43  includes a transport driving roller  431  for rotational driving disposed downward of the transport path HK, and a transport driven roller  432 , disposed upward of the transport path HK, rotationally driven by the rotation of the transport driving roller  431 . The transport driven roller  432  is configured to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the transport driving roller  431 . The transport roller pair  43  transports the print medium M in the transport direction HY by the transport driving roller  431  and the transport driven roller  432  clamping the print medium M. 
     The printer  1  includes, frontward from the transport roller pair  43  inside the body  3 , the printing unit  5  configured to discharge an ink onto the print medium M to print an image onto the print surface of the print medium M. 
     The printing unit  5  includes a carriage  52  configured to move reciprocatively in a cross direction KY crossing the transport direction HY in which the print medium M is transported along a guide shaft  51  installed inside the body  3  that is supported by the pedestal  2 . The guide shaft  51  is installed extending in the vertical direction of the printer  1 . Accordingly, the carriage  52  moves reciprocatively in the horizontal direction of the printer  1 . 
     The carriage  52  is mounted with an ink jet head  53 . Note that the carriage  52  may be mounted with various devices in addition to the ink jet head  53 . 
     The ink jet head  53  includes a plurality of nozzle rows aligned in the cross direction KY crossing the transport direction, where in each of the plurality of nozzle rows, a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge an ink are aligned in the transport direction HY at a face facing the print surface of the print medium M. The ink jet head  53  of the first embodiment includes four nozzle rows corresponding to four colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), respectively, to discharge an ink of the four colors. 
     The ink jet head  53  is configured to discharge an ink onto the print surface of the print medium M, where the ink is supplied from an ink cartridge  20  held by an ink cartridge holding unit  10  to the ink jet head  53 . The ink cartridge holding unit  10  and the ink cartridge  20  will be described later in detail. 
     Note that the ink discharged from the ink jet head  53  is not limited to the ink of the colors described above, and may be, for example, ink of colors such as light cyan, light magenta, orange, green, gray, light gray, white, and metallic. Moreover, a liquid discharged from the ink jet head  53  may be a liquid other than an ink such as a pre-coating liquid without being limited to an ink. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , between the feeding section  41  and the winding section  42 , a support member  60  having a support face  60   a  that supports the print medium M to be convex upward is provided. The support member  60  is constituted by assembling a plurality of members having a prescribed shape, the member being formed by a bending processing of a plate material made of sheet metal or the like. 
     The support member  60  includes a feeding support section  61  that supports the print medium M fed out from the roll body R 1  at a position rearward from the printing unit  5 , a printing support section  62  provided at a position facing the printing unit  5  to support a portion that serves as a part to become a print region of the print medium M, and a discharging support section  63  that supports the print medium M onto which printing has been performed at a position forward from the printing unit  5 . 
     The feeding support section  61  includes a support face  61   a  including an inclined transport face increases height as approaching forward, which forms the transport path HK between the feeding section  41  and the printing unit  5 . The print medium M fed out from the roll body R 1  is transported to the printing unit  5  in a state supported by the support face  61   a.    
     Further, the printing support section  62  includes a support face  62   a  that is parallel to a surface through which nozzles of the ink jet head  53  open, in a state where a prescribed gap is created from the surface through which the nozzles open. 
     The discharging support section  63  forms the transport path HK between the printing unit  5  and the winding section  42 , and extends being curved to be convex forward while lowering height as approaching forward. The discharging support section  63  includes a support face  63   a  that supports the print medium M in a state of curving the print medium M. The support sections  61 ,  62 , and  63  are arranged in a state that the respective support faces  61   a ,  62   a , and  63   a  continuously connect to one another in a substantially planar manner. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a preheater  71 , a platen heater  72 , and a support face afterheater  73   a  that are configured to heat the support face  60   a  are provided on a back side of the support member  60 . 
     More specifically, the preheater  71  configured to heat the support face  61   a  is installed on a back side of the feeding support section  61 . The preheater  71  is configured to preheat the print medium M over the support face  61   a . Further, the platen heater  72  configured to heat the support face  62   a  facing the printing unit  5  is installed on a back side of the printing support section  62 . Moreover, an afterheater  73  configured to heat the support face  63   a  is installed on a back side of the discharging support section  63 . The support face afterheater  73   a  is configured to heat the print medium M over the support face  63   a  to dry an ink. The preheater  71 , the platen heater  72 , and the support face afterheater  73   a  thus heat the print medium M to rapidly dry and fix the ink onto the print medium M, to enhance the print quality, preventing bleeding, blur, and the like. 
     A print surface afterheater  73   b  that is attachable to and detachable from the body  3  is provided at a position facing the support face afterheater  73   a  with the discharging support section  63  interposed in between. The print surface afterheater  73   b  is configured to apply heat onto the print surface of the print medium M located over the discharging support section  63 . This allows the ink to be rapidly dried and cured, thus further enhancing the print quality. 
     A tensioning mechanism  81  configured to apply tension to the print medium M is provided downward from a frond end portion of the discharging support section  63 . The tensioning mechanism  81  includes a tension roller  82  that comes in contact with the print medium M between the discharging support section  63  and the winding section  42  to apply a pressing force against the print medium M. The tension roller  82  is rotatably supported on tip end portions of a pair of arm members  83 , where the base end portions of the pair of arm members  83  are pivotally supported with respect to the pedestal  2 . The tension roller  82  has an axial length that is longer in the width direction than a width of the print medium M. At a front lower zone of the discharging support section  63 , the print medium M is wound on the roll body R 2  in a state where a tension is applied to the print medium M in accordance with the weight of the tension roller  82 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the printer  1  includes the ink cartridge holding unit  10  downward from an operation panel  9 . 
       FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a configuration of a main portion of the ink cartridge holding unit  10 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a state where the ink cartridge holding unit  10  holds four ink cartridges  20  of ink cartridges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D. 
     The ink cartridges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D illustrated in  FIG. 3  each store an ink of different color. For example, the ink cartridge  20 A stores cyan ink, the ink cartridge  20 B stores magenta ink, the ink cartridge  20 C stores yellow ink, and the ink cartridge  20 D stores black ink. The ink cartridges  20  are loaded to and held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10  to supply ink to the ink jet head  53  mounted on the carriage  52  through a non-illustrated ink tube. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the ink cartridge holding unit  10  is configured such that the ink cartridges  20  can be inserted into and removed from the ink cartridge holding unit  10 . The ink cartridge holding unit  10  includes engagement portions  110 A,  110 B,  110 C, and  110 D for engaging the ink cartridges  20  that are inserted, to hold the ink cartridges  20  with the ink cartridge holding unit  10 . Each of the engagement portions  110 A,  110 B,  110 C, and  110 D is correspondingly engaged with each of the ink cartridges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D. 
     Here, the ink cartridge  20  will be described below. 
       FIG. 4  is an external perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the ink cartridge  20 . 
     The ink cartridge  20  includes an ink pack  210  configured to store an ink, an ink flow member  220  that causes an ink stored in the ink pack  210  to flow out, and a case  230  that houses the ink pack  210 . The ink pack  210  corresponds to an example of an ink storage section. 
     The case  230 , which is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a top face  230 A, a bottom face  230 B, and three side faces  230 C, houses the ink pack  210 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the side faces  230 C are arranged standing from the bottom face  230 B such that a side face  2311  and a side face  2313  are adjoined to a side face  2312  to face each other, and the side face  2311  and the side face  2313  face each other. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the top face  230 A is disposed to face the bottom face  230 B and to be adjoined to the side faces  230 C. This allows the case  230  to form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that has an interior space. 
     The ink pack  210 , which has a bag-like form that ink impermeable films are jointed to each other, stores an ink thereinside. The ink pack  210  is fixed inside the case  230  by a prescribed method. An opening portion  213  that is coupled with the ink flow member  220  is formed in the ink pack  210 . 
     The ink flow member  220 , which is a block body formed of, for example, a resin, is coupled to the ink pack  210  to seal the opening portion  213  formed in the ink pack  210 . The ink flow member  220  is fixed to an opening portion  231  of the case  230  with the ink pack  210  being housed in the case  230 . An ink flow outlet  221  that causes an ink to flow out is formed in the ink flow member  220 . The ink cartridge  20  is inserted into and removed from the ink cartridge holding unit  10  such that the ink flow member  220  faces a back face of the ink cartridge holding unit  10 . When the ink cartridge  20  is held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10 , the ink flow outlet  221  of the ink pack  210  is inserted with a supply needle for supplying an ink to the printer  1 . The ink stored in the ink pack  210  is then supplied to the printer  1  through the supply needle that is inserted into the ink flow outlet  221 . 
     An IC chip  300  is provided at the bottom face  230 B of the case  230 . The IC chip  300  corresponds to an example of an information storage medium. The IC chip  300  is mounted with components such as a communication circuit configured to perform wireless communication in accordance with a prescribed communication standard, a memory device configured to store information in a non-volatile manner, and a control circuit configured to control the components of the IC chip  300 . The IC chip  300  is configured to store ink information IJ about the ink stored in the ink pack  210  that is provided. The ink information IJ includes, for example, information such as ink consumption amount information indicating consumption amount of ink consumed by printing, ink remaining amount information indicating remaining amount of ink in the ink pack  210 , and ink color information indicating a color of ink stored in the ink pack  210 . 
     Returning to the description of  FIG. 3 , the ink cartridge holding unit  10  includes a blocking member  30  downward from the ink cartridge  20 , and includes an access unit  105  downward from the blocking member  30 . The access unit  105  corresponds to an example of a wireless communication unit. 
     Each of blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D is provided at a position corresponding to each of the ink cartridges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D. Each of the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D moves in the front-back direction in response to a driving of a blocking member drive motor  106 A, which will be described later, to switch the state to one of a blocking state or a blocking stop state. Each of the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D is formed of, for example, a material of magnetic body, and blocks, when the state is the blocking state, wireless communication between the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  corresponding to each of the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D, and the access unit  105 . 
       FIG. 5  is an explanatory view illustrating the blocking member  30 . 
       FIG. 5  schematically illustrates the interior of the ink cartridge holding unit  10  that holds the ink cartridges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D. 
     Further,  FIG. 5  illustrates a case where the blocking members  30 A,  30 B, and  30 C of the four blocking members  30  are in the blocking state, and the blocking member  30 D is in the blocking stop state. 
     The blocking state represents a state where the wireless communication between the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  and the access unit  105  is blocked.  FIG. 5  exemplifies a state where the blocking member  30  is located directly downward from the IC chip  300 , as the blocking state. 
     The blocking stop state represents a state where the wireless communication between the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  and the access unit  105  is not blocked. In other words, the blocking stop state represents a state of the blocking member  30  where the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  can perform wireless communication with the access unit  105 .  FIG. 5  exemplifies a state where the blocking member  30  is not located directly downward from the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20 , as the blocking stop state. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the blocking members  30 A,  30 B, and  30 C are in the blocking state. Accordingly, each of IC chips  300 A,  300 B, and  300 C cannot perform wireless communication with the access unit  105 . On the other hand, in  FIG. 5 , the blocking member  30 D is in the blocking stop state. Accordingly, an IC chip  300 D can perform wireless communication with the access unit  105 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the IC chip  300  of the first embodiment is configured to perform wireless communication in a non-contact manner with the printer  1  via the access unit  105 . This provides an advantage described below. In a configuration in which the IC chip  300  and the printer  1  communicates with each other while being in contact with each other, a contact failure may occur due to a certain factor. When the contact failure occurs, the printer  1  interrupts printing, and thus time required for the printing is prolonged. In addition, when the contact failure occurs, the ink remaining amount information may not be properly written, and the IC chip  300  may store, as information, remaining amount of ink that is different from the actual remaining amount of ink in the ink pack  210 . However, the IC chip  300  of the first embodiment, which performs wireless communication in a non-contact manner with the printer  1 , can avoid the prolonged printing time due to a contact failure, and can prevent the remaining amount of ink that the IC chip  300  stores as information from becoming estranged from the actual remaining amount of ink in the ink pack  210 . 
     Note that a configuration such as shape, thickness, or the like of the blocking member  30  is properly determined and employed with a previously conducted test, simulation, or the like, such that wireless communication between the IC chip  300  corresponding to the blocking member  30  and the access unit  105  may be blocked in case being the blocking state. Further, the position of the blocking member  30  in the front-back direction in the blocking state has been properly determined by a previously conducted test, simulation, or the like, such that wireless communication between the IC chip  300  corresponding to the blocking member  30  and the access unit  105  may be blocked. In addition, the position of the blocking member  30  being in the blocking stop state in the front-back direction has been properly determined by a previously conducted test, simulation, or the like, such that wireless communication between the IC chip  300  corresponding to the blocking member  30  and the access unit  105  may not be blocked. 
     First, a functional configuration of the printer  1  will be described below. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the functional configuration of the printer  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the printer  1  includes a printer controller  100 , a printer communication unit  101 , an input section  102 , a display unit  103 , a transport unit  4 , a printing unit  5 , a heating unit  104 , the access unit  105 , a wireless communication blocking unit  106 , and the ink cartridge holding unit  10 . The printer controller  100  corresponds to an example of a controller. 
     The printer controller  100  includes a processor  110  configured to execute arithmetic processing such as that of a CPU, a ROM  121 , or a RAM  122  to control the components of the printer  1 . The controller  100  is configured to execute, by cooperation of hardware and software, processing, for example, that the processor  110  reads out a control program  121 A stored in the ROM  121  to the RAM  122 . 
     The processor  110  is configured to read out and execute the control program  121 A stored in the ROM  121  to control the components of the printer  1 . 
     The ROM  121  is configured to store data in a non-volatile manner. The ROM  121  stores various data in a non-volatile manner in addition to the control program  121 A to be executed by the processor  110 . 
     The RAM  122  is configured to temporarily store various data. The RAM  122  functions as a work area of the processor  110 . 
     The printer controller  100  is constituted by the processor  110  and a printer storage unit  120 . The printer storage unit  120  is a storage device configured to store, in a non-volatile manner, the control program  121 A to be executed by the processor  110  and various data. The printer storage unit  120  is constituted by a semiconductor storage element such as a flash ROM, or the like. The printer storage unit  120  may include the RAM  122  constituting a work area of the processor  110 . 
     The printer communication unit  101  includes a communication hardware that accords with a prescribed communication standard. The printer communication unit  101  is configured, controlled by the printer controller  100 , to communicate with an external apparatus in accordance with the prescribed communication standard. Examples of the external apparatus configured to communicate with the printer communication unit  101  include a host computer configured to send image data, and print data having undergone various processings on the image data, to the printer  1 . 
     The input section  102  includes input means such as an operation switch and a touch panel provided in the printer  1 . The input section  102  is configured to detect an operation of a user on the input means and to output the operation to the printer controller  100 . The printer controller  100  is configured to execute processing corresponding to an operation on the input means, based on an input from the input section  102 . 
     The display unit  103  includes a plurality of LEDs, a display panel, and the like. The display unit  103  is configured, controlled by the printer controller  100 , to perform, in a prescribed manner, turning on/off of the LEDs, displaying of information on the display panel, and the like. 
     The transport unit  4  has configurations related to the transport of the print medium M, such as the feeding section  41 , the winding section  42 , and the transport roller pair  43 , which are described above. The transport unit  4  is configured, controlled by the printer controller  100 , to transport the print medium M in the transport direction HY. 
     The printing unit  5  includes configurations related to the printing onto the print medium M, such as the carriage  52 , the ink jet head  53  mounted on the carriage  52 , a drive circuit configured to drive the ink jet head  53 , and a carriage drive motor configured to cause the carriage  52  to scan in the cross direction KY crossing the transport direction HY. The printing unit  5  is configured, controlled by the printer controller  100 , to cause an image to be printed onto the print surface of the print medium M. 
     The heating unit  104  includes the preheater  71 , the platen heater  72 , and the afterheater  73 , which are described above. The heating unit  104  is configured, controlled by the printer controller  100 , to heat the print medium M being transported. 
     The access unit  105  includes a communication hardware that accords with a prescribed short-range wireless communication standard. The access unit  105  is configured, controlled by the printer controller  100 , to perform wireless communication with the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit in accordance with the prescribed short-range wireless communication standard. The access unit  105 , which is provided at a position at which the access unit  105  does not come in contact with the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10 , performs wireless communication in a non-contact manner with the IC chip  300 . 
     The wireless communication blocking unit  106  has a configuration for blocking wireless communication between the access unit  105  and the IC chip  300 , such as the blocking member drive motor  106 A and the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D. The wireless communication blocking unit  106  drives the blocking member drive motor  106 A, in accordance with the control of the printer controller  100 , to cause each of the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D to be in the blocking state or the blocking stop state. 
     The ink cartridge holding unit  10  is configured to hold the plurality of ink cartridges  20  each including the IC chip  300 . 
     The IC chip  300  includes a chip controller  301  and a chip communication unit  303 . 
     The chip controller  301  includes a control circuit mounted on the IC chip  300 , and a chip storage unit  302 . The chip controller  301  is configured to execute, by cooperation of hardware and software, processing to control the components of the IC chip  300 . 
     The chip storage unit  302  is constituted by a non-volatile memory device. The chip storage unit  302  is configured to store various data in a rewritable manner. The chip storage unit  302  stores a chip ID  302 A in addition to the ink information IJ. The chip ID  302 A corresponds to an example of identification information. The chip ID  302 A is information that identifies the IC chip  300 . The chip ID  302 A is a unique value for the ink cartridge  20 . 
     The chip communication unit  303  includes hardware in accordance with a prescribed short-range wireless communication standard. The chip communication unit  303  is configured, controlled by the chip controller  301 , to perform wireless communication with the access unit  105  of the printer  1  in accordance with the prescribed short-range wireless communication standard. 
     Next, an operation of the printer  1  will be described below. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer  1 . In the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 7 , it is assumed that the ink cartridge holding unit  10  holds the ink cartridges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D. It is also assumed that the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D are in the blocking state at the start timing of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     The printer controller  100  of the printer  1  determines whether the printer  1  is powered on (step S 1 ). 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined that the printer  1  has been powered on (step S 1 : YES), controls the wireless communication blocking unit  106  to cause the state of the blocking member  30  of any one of the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D to be in the blocking stop state (step S 2 ). 
     For example, the printer controller  100 , when causing the blocking member  30  to be in the blocking stop state in the order of the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D, controls, in the first processing of the step S 2 , the wireless communication blocking unit  106  to cause only the blocking member  30 A to be in the blocking stop state. 
     The printer controller  100 , when caused any one of the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D to be in the blocking stop state, controls the access unit  105  to perform wireless communication with the IC chip  300 , to read out the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ stored in the chip storage unit  302  (step S 3 ). 
     In step S 3 , three blocking members  30  out of the four blocking members  30  are in the blocking state, and the remaining one blocking member  30  is in the blocking stop state. Accordingly, in step S 3 , the printer controller  100  reads out the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ from one certain IC chip  300  out of the IC chips  300 A,  300 B,  300 C, and  300 D. 
     Next, the printer controller  100  causes the printer storage unit  120  to store the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ that are read out from the IC chip  300  (step S 4 ). In step S 4 , the printer controller  100  associates the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ that are read out with each other, and causes the printer storage unit  120  to store the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ. 
     Next, the printer controller  100  determines whether the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ have been read out from the IC chip  300  of each of the plurality of ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10  (step S 5 ). That is, the printer controller  100  determines whether the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ have been read out from all of the IC chips  300 A,  300 B,  300 C, and  300 D. 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined as negative in step S 5 , controls the wireless communication blocking unit  106  to cause the blocking member  30  in the blocking stop state to be in the blocking state, and to cause one of the blocking members  30  that are not in the blocking stop state to be in the blocking stop state (step S 6 ). 
     For example, the printer controller  100 , when having caused only the blocking member  30 A to be in the blocking state in case when the blocking member  30  is caused to be in the blocking stop state in the order of the blocking members  30 A,  30 B,  30 C, and  30 D, causes the blocking member  30 A to return to be in the blocking state and causes only the blocking member  30 B to be in the blocking stop state, in the first processing of the step S 6 . 
     The printer controller  100 , when having executed the processing of step S 6 , causes the processing to return to step S 3 , and controls the access unit  105  to read out the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ from the IC chip  300 . 
     Returning to the description of step S 5 , the printer controller  100 , when determined that the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ have been read out from the IC chip  300  of each of the plurality of ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10  (step S 5 : YES), executes the processing of step S 7 . 
     As such, the printer controller  100 , when reading out the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ from the IC chip  300  of each of the plurality of ink cartridges  20 , performs wireless communication with the IC chip  300  one by one with the access unit  105 . This allows the printer controller  100  to avoid acquiring the chip IDs  302 A and the ink information IJ simultaneously from the plurality of IC chips  300 , and allows the printer storage unit  120  to properly administrate the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ without being led to a wrong corresponding relationship, for example. 
     Specifically, the printer controller  100 , when reading out the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ from the IC chip  300  of each of the plurality of ink cartridges  20 , causes the wireless communication blocking unit  106  to block wireless communication between the IC chip  300  from which reading out is not performed and the access unit  105 . This allows the printer controller  100  to cause the access unit  105  and the IC chip  300  to perform wireless communication with each other in a one-to-one manner, and the printer controller  100  can be reliably prevented from acquiring the chip IDs  302 A and the ink information IJ simultaneously from the plurality of IC chips  300  due to collision or the like. 
     Returning to the description of the flowchart in  FIG. 7 , the printer controller  100 , when determined as positive in step S 5 , controls the wireless communication blocking unit  106  to cause all of the blocking members  30  to be in the blocking stop state (step S 7 ). 
     Next, the printer controller  100  determines whether to start printing (step S 8 ). For example, the printer controller  100 , when received the print data from an external apparatus such as a host computer via the printer communication unit  101 , determines as positive in step S 8 . 
     Note that the print data received from the external apparatus via the printer communication unit  101  are data having undergone resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, rasterization processing, command addition processing, and the like, on the image data indicating an image to be printed onto the print medium M. Note that the printer controller  100  may receive the above-described image data from the external apparatus, and perform these processings on the image data to generate print data. In this case, the printer controller  100  determines as positive in step S 8 , triggered by the reception of the image data. 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined to start printing (step S 8 : YES), calculates, based on print data referenced when performing printing, consumption amount of ink for each of the ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10  (step S 9 ). 
     Next, the printer controller  100  determines, for each of the ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10 , whether the consumption amount of ink as calculated is less than the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge  20  (step S 10 ). In step S 10 , the printer controller  100  references the ink information IJ stored in the printer storage unit  120  to compare the consumption amount of ink as calculated with the remaining amount of ink indicated by the ink remaining amount information included in the ink information IJ. 
     Next, the printer controller  100  determines whether the consumption amount of ink for all of the ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10  is less than the remaining amount of ink in step S 10  (step S 11 ). 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined that the consumption amount of ink for all of the ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10  is less than the remaining amount of ink (step S 11 : YES), controls the transport unit  4 , the printing unit  5 , and the heating unit  104  to start printing (step S 12 ). 
     On the other hand, the printer controller  100 , when determined that the consumption amount of ink for at least one of the plurality of ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10  is not less than the remaining amount of ink (step S 10 : NO), notifies an occurrence of an ink shortage (step S 13 ). The notification aspect may be displaying of information by the display unit  103 , or may be sending of information by the printer communication unit  101 . 
     Next, the printer controller  100 , when starts printing, determines whether the printing has been terminated (step S 14 ). 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined the printing has been terminated (step S 14 : YES), calculates current remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge  20  for each of the ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10  (step S 15 ). 
     Next, the printer controller  100 , for each of the ink cartridges  20 , writes the ink remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of ink as calculated in the IC chip  300  (step S 16 ). 
     In step S 16 , the printer controller  100  writes the ink remaining amount information in the IC chip  300  for each of the ink cartridges  20 , using the chip ID  302 A of the IC chip  300 . 
     For example, the printer controller  100 , when writing the ink remaining amount information in the IC chip  300 A, causes the access unit  105  to send a combination of the chip ID  302 A of the IC chip  300 A and the ink remaining amount information to the IC chips  300 A,  300 B,  300 C, and  300 D. The chip controller  301  of each of the IC chips  300  receives the combination to compare the chip ID  302 A included in the combination with the chip ID  302 A stored in the chip storage unit  302 . The chip controller  301  of each of the IC chips  300 , when the chip IDs  302 A as compared coincide with each other, updates the ink remaining amount information included in the combination to the ink remaining amount information included in the ink information IJ stored by the chip storage unit  302 . On the other hand, the chip controller  301  of each of the IC chips  300 , when the chip IDs  302 A as compared do not coincide with each other, discards the combination as received. Accordingly, the IC chip  300 A updates the remaining amount of ink, while the chips  300 B,  300 C, and  300 D do not update the remaining amount of ink. 
     As such, the printer controller  100  writes, based on the chip ID  302 A, the ink remaining amount information in each of the IC chips  300  of the plurality of ink cartridges  20 . The printer controller  100 , which writes the remaining amount of ink based on the chip ID  302 A, can write proper remaining amount of ink in each of the plurality of IC chips  300  without writing wrong ink remaining amount information in an IC chip  300 . 
     Returning to the description of the flowchart in  FIG. 7 , the printer controller  100 , upon writing the remaining amount of ink, causes the processing to return to step S 8 . 
     In the above-described operation of the printer  1 , reading out of the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ from each of the IC chips  300  is triggered by the power on of the printer  1 . However, it suffices that the timing of the reading out of the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ be before starting of the printing. Thus, for example, the printer controller  100  may execute the processes of step S 2  through step S 7  after determined as positive in step S 8 . 
     Further, in the above-described operation of the printer  1 , all of the blocking members  30  are caused to be in the blocking stop state before starting of the printing. It suffices that the timing of causing all of the blocking members  30  to be in the blocking stop state be before performing of the processing in step S 15  without being limited to before starting of the printing. 
     Further, in the above-described operation of the printer  1 , an example is given in which the remaining amount of ink is written in the IC chip  300  after printing is performed. The processing related to the ink information IJ executed based on the chip ID  302 A is not limited to the writing of the remaining amount of ink. For example, the printer  1  may write the consumption amount of ink, or may read out the ink information IJ, as a processing related to the ink information IJ executed based on the chip ID  302 A. 
     As described above, the printer  1  includes the ink cartridge holding unit  10  configured to hold the plurality of ink cartridges  20  each including the ink pack  210  configured to store an ink and the IC chip  300  configured to store ink information IJ about the ink stored in the ink pack  210 , the access unit  105  configured to perform wireless communication in a non-contact manner with the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10 , and the printer controller  100 . The IC chip  300  is configured to store the chip ID  302 A. The printer controller  100  is configured to acquire, via the access unit  105 , the chip ID  302 A from the IC chip  300  of each of the plurality of ink cartridges  20  held by the ink cartridge holding unit  10 , and configured to execute, based on the chip ID  302 A as acquired, processing related to the ink information IJ with the IC chip  300  of each of the plurality of ink cartridges  20  via the access unit  105 . 
     According to the above configuration, the printer controller  100 , in order to execute the processing related to the ink information IJ based on the chip ID  302 A, can select each of the plurality of IC chips  300  to execute the processing related to the ink information IJ. Accordingly, the printer controller  100  can properly execute the processing related to the ink information IJ for each of the plurality of IC chips  300  without writing wrong ink remaining amount information in an IC chip  300 , for example. 
     The printer controller  100  is configured to perform, when acquiring the chip ID  302 A from the IC chip  300  of each of the plurality of ink cartridges  20 , wireless communication with the IC chip  300  one by one via the access unit  105 . 
     According to the above configuration, the printer controller  100  can avoid acquiring the chip IDs  302 A simultaneously from the plurality of IC chips  300 . Accordingly, the printer controller  100  can be prevented from acquiring the chip IDs  302 A in a duplicated manner, and can prevent the chip ID  302 A and information from being led to a wrong corresponding relationship when associating information with the chip ID  302 A, to thus properly administrate the plurality of IC chips  300 . 
     The printer  1  includes the wireless communication blocking unit  106  that can block wireless communication between the access unit  105  and the IC chip  300 . The printer controller  100  is configured to cause, when acquiring the chip ID  302 A from the IC chip  300 , the wireless communication blocking unit  106  to block wireless communication between the IC chip  300  other than an IC chip  300  from which the chip ID  302 A is to be acquired and the access unit  105 . 
     According to the above configuration, the printer controller  100  can cause the access unit  105  and the IC chip  300  to perform wireless communication with each other in a one-to-one manner, and can be reliably prevented from acquiring the chip IDs  302 A simultaneously from the plurality of IC chips  300  due to collision or the like. Accordingly, the printer controller  100  can be reliably prevented from acquiring the chip IDs  302 A in a duplicated manner, and can reliably prevent the chip ID  302 A and information from being led to a wrong corresponding relationship when associating information with the chip ID  302 A, to thus properly administrate the plurality of IC chips  300 . 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printer  1  according to a second embodiment. 
     The printer  1  according to the second embodiment is the printer  1  of on-carriage type in which a plurality of ink cartridges  20  can be mounted on a carriage  52 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the printer  1  is provided with a guide shaft  51  extending in a cross direction KY crossing the transport direction HY in which a print medium M is transported at a position facing a printing support section  62 . The carriage  52  is provided on the guide shaft  51  to be reciprocally movable along the guide shaft  51  via a non-illustrated drive mechanism. That is, the carriage  52  is reciprocally movable in the cross direction KY along the guide shaft  51 . 
     The carriage  52 , when the printer  1  does not perform printing, is located at a standby position TI at which the carriage  52  is caused to stand by. The standby position TI is included in a non-print region A 1 . The non-print region A 1  is a region in which the ink jet head  53  does not discharge an ink in the cross direction KY, and is a region located on the direction KY 1  side of the cross direction KY from a print region A 2  and a non-print region A 3 . The side of the non-print region A 1  in the cross direction KY is referred to as full side or FULL side. Note that the print region A 2  is a region that is interposed between the non-print regions A 1  and A 3  in the cross direction KY, in which the ink jet head  53  can discharge an ink. The non-print region A 3  will be described later. The non-print region A 1  is provided with a mechanism configured to load a cap for preventing an occurrence of discharge failure to the ink jet head  53  when the carriage  52  is located at the standby position TI. The non-print region A 1  may further be provided with a mechanism configured to perform maintenance such as cleaning or flushing on the ink jet head  53 . Note that the carriage  52  being located at the standby position TI represents that at least, a nozzle row located farthest in the direction KY 2  among the nozzle rows included in the ink jet head  53  is located in the non-print region A 1 . 
     The carriage  52 , when the printer  1  starts printing, moves from the standby position TI to a print start position II. The print start position II is a position at which the carriage  52  is located when printing is started. The print start position II is included in the non-print region A 3 . The non-print region A 3  is a region in which the ink jet head  53  does not discharge an ink in the cross direction KY, and is a region located on the direction KY 2  side of the cross direction KY from the print region A 2  and the non-print region A 1 . The side of the non-print region A 3  in the cross direction KY is referred to as home side or HOME side. The carriage  52  being located at the print start position II represents that at least, a nozzle row located farthest in the direction KY 1  among the nozzle rows included in the ink jet head  53  is located in the non-print region A 1 . 
     The carriage  52  is mounted with the ink jet head  53 . The carriage  52  is also provided with the ink cartridge holding unit  10 . The ink cartridge holding unit  10  holds the ink cartridges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D aligned in the cross direction KY. In  FIG. 8 , the carriage  52  is mounted with the ink cartridge  20  such that the IC chip  300  is located, at the carriage  52 , downstream of the transport direction HY. 
     The printer  1  is provided with the access unit  105  downstream of the transport direction HY from the carriage  52 . The access unit  105  perform wireless communication in a non-contact manner with the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  located at a communication position TSI at which wireless communication is possible with the access unit  105 . The access unit  105  is provided at a suitable position, to enable performing wireless communication with only the ink cartridge  20  located at the communication position TSI. This position is determined in advance by a previously conducted test, simulation, or the like. Note that the access unit  105  may be provided upstream of the transport direction HY from the carriage. In case of the above configuration, the ink cartridge holding unit  10  of the carriage  52  holds the ink cartridge  20  such that the IC chip  300  is located, at the carriage  52 , upstream of the transport direction HY. 
     Next, an operation of the printer  1  of the second embodiment will be described below. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer  1  according to the second embodiment. In the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a processing being identical to the processing in  FIG. 7  is denoted by an identical step number and description of the identical processing will not be given. 
     In the description of the flowchart in  FIG. 9 , it is assumed that the ink cartridge holding unit  10  holds the ink cartridges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D. It is also assumed that the carriage  52  is located at the standby position TI at the start timing of the flowchart in  FIG. 9 . 
     The printer controller  100  of the printer  1 , when determined that the printer  1  has been powered on (step S 1 : YES), determines whether to start printing (step SA 1 ). 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined to start printing (step SA 1 : YES), causes the carriage  52  to start moving from the standby position TI to the print start position II (step SA 2 ). 
     The printer controller  100  determines whether the ink cartridge  20 A is located at the communication position TSI at which wireless communication is possible with the access unit  105  (step SA 3 ). That is, the printer controller  100  determines whether the ink cartridge  20  provided closest to the home side is located at the communication position TSI at which wireless communication is possible with the access unit  105 . Note that the communication position TSI in the cross direction KY and the position of the ink cartridge  20 A at the carriage  52  are determined in advance, and the printer controller  100  can easily execute the determination in step SA 3 . 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined that the ink cartridge  20  provided closest to the home side is located at the communication position TSI (step SA 3 : YES), causes the carriage  52  to stop moving, and causes the access unit  105  to read out the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ from the IC chip  300  (step S 4 ). 
     Next, the printer controller  100  causes the printer storage unit  120  to store the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ as read out (step S 5 ). 
     Next, the printer controller  100  determines whether the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ have been read out from the IC chip  300 D of the ink cartridge  20 D (step SA 4 ). That is, the printer controller  100  determines whether the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ have been read out from the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  located closest to the full side. 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined as negative in step SA 4 , causes the carriage  52  to restart moving to the print start position II (step SA 5 ). Next, the printer controller  100  determines whether the ink cartridge  20  located neighboring the IC chip  300  from which the reading out has been performed in step S 4  is located at the communication position TSI (step SA 6 ). Note that the communication position TSI in the cross direction KY and a distance between the respective ink cartridges  20  are determined in advance, and the printer controller  100  can easily execute the determination in step SA 6 . 
     The printer controller  100 , when determined as positive in step SA 6 , causes the processing to return to step S 4 , to read out the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ. 
     With reference to step SA 4 , the printer controller  100 , when determined as positive in step SA 4 , causes the carriage  52  to move to the print start position II (step SA 7 ). Then, the printer controller  100  executes processings subsequent to step S 9 . 
     The printer controller  100 , when terminated the printing and calculated the current remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge  20 , causes the carriage  52  to move and writes the ink remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of ink as calculated in the IC chip  300  for each of the ink cartridges  20  (step SA 8 ). 
     In step SA 8 , the printer controller  100 , in case when the carriage  52  is located at the print start position II when printing is terminated, causes the carriage  52  to move to the standby position TI. The printer controller  100 , during the above movement, writes the ink remaining amount information, for each of the ink cartridges  20 , by causing the access unit  105  to wirelessly communicate with the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  located at the communication position TSI. The writing herein is performed based on the chip ID  302 A, as in step S 16  of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 7 . This allows even the printer  1  of on-carriage type to provide an advantage as in the first embodiment 
     As described above, the printer  1  of the second embodiment includes the carriage  52  provided with the ink cartridge holding unit  10 . The ink cartridge holding unit  10  holds the plurality of ink cartridges  20  aligned in the cross direction KY. The printer controller  100 , when acquiring the chip ID  302 A from the IC chip  300 , causes the carriage  52  to move in the cross direction KY, and acquires the chip ID  302 A from the IC chip  300  of the ink cartridge  20  that moved along with movement of the carriage  52  to the communication position TSI at which wireless communication is possible with the access unit  105 . 
     According to the above configuration, even with the printer  1  of on-carriage type, the printer controller  100  can avoid acquiring the chip IDs  302 A simultaneously from the plurality of IC chips  300 . Accordingly, the printer controller  100  can be reliably prevented from acquiring the chip IDs  302 A in a duplicated manner, and can reliably prevent the chip ID  302 A and information from being led to a wrong corresponding relationship when associating information with the chip ID  302 A, to thus properly administrate the plurality of IC chips  300 . In addition, because of the proper administration of the plurality of IC chips  300 , even with the printer  1  of on-carriage type, the printer controller  100  can properly execute processing related to the ink information IJ for each of the plurality of IC chips  300 . 
     Note that the above-described embodiments merely represent one aspect of the present disclosure, and any variation and application are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, in the first embodiment described above, a configuration is exemplified in which the IC chip  300  is provided at the bottom face  230 B, and the position at which the IC chip  300  is provided may be located at, for example, the side face  2312  without being limited to the bottom face  230 B. Note that the access unit  105  is provided at a position that allows for wireless communication with the IC chip  300  depending on the positions at which the IC chip  300  is provided. 
     In addition, for example, in the first embodiment described above, a configuration is exemplified in which the blocking member  30  is provided for each of the ink cartridges  20 . However, it suffices that the blocking member  30 , when the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ are acquired, have a configuration in which the IC chip  300  and the access unit  105  can perform wireless communication with each other in a one-to-one manner, where the number of the blocking members  30  included in the printer  1  is, but not limited to, four. It also suffices that the shapes and arrangement of the blocking members  30  and the aspect of blocking by the blocking members  30  be configured such that the IC chip  300  and the access unit  105  can perform wireless communication with each other in a one-to-one manner when the chip ID  302 A and the ink information IJ are acquired, without being limited to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Further, for example, in the above-described embodiments, the configuration is exemplified in which the IC chip  300  is provided outside the ink cartridge  20 , a configuration may be employed in which the IC chip  300  is provided inside the ink cartridge  20 . 
     Further, for example, in the above-described embodiments, the colors of the ink discharged from the ink jet head  53  is described as four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and the colors of the ink discharged from the ink jet head  53  may be further more or less than four. Further, the nozzle rows as provided is not limited to four rows. Further, the number of the ink cartridges  20  that can be held by the printer  1  may be further more or less without being limited to four. 
     Further, for example, when the above-described method for controlling the printer  1  is enabled by using a computer included in the printer  1  or an external apparatus coupled to the printer  1 , it is also possible to configure the present disclosure by aspects of a program executed by the computer to enable the above method, a storage medium configured to store the program in a computer readable manner, or a transmission medium configured to transmit the program. 
     Further, although a case is exemplified in which a function of the printer controller  100  is enabled by one unit of the processor  110 , the function may be enabled by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips. 
     Moreover, for example, the processing units illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9  are obtained by being divided depending on processing mainly executed in the unit to make the processing easily recognizable. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited by how the processing units are divided and what the processing units are named. The processing units may be divided into further more number of processing units depending on the processing mainly executed in the unit, and may be divided such that a single processing unit includes further more number of processings. Further, the processing order may be replaced as appropriate within a range that does not violate the gist of the present disclosure. 
     Further, each of the functional units illustrated in  FIG. 6  indicates a functional configuration, where a specific implementation configuration is not particularly limited. In other words, hardware that individually corresponds to each of the functional units is not necessarily implemented, and a configuration is possible as a matter of course in which a single processor executes a program to enable functions of a plurality of functional units. Further, in the above-described embodiments, some of the functions enabled by software may be configured by hardware, or some of the functions enabled by hardware may be enabled by software. In addition, specific detailed configurations of other components of the printer  1  may be modified as desired without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. 
     Moreover, for example, although in the above-described embodiments, the printer  1  is exemplified as a large format printer, the configuration of the printer is not limited as long as being an ink jet printer to which the ink cartridge  20  described above can be loaded.