Patent Description:
In the related art, for example, as described in <CIT>, a consumable of a recording apparatus enabling recycling or reusing of a consumable once used, from standpoints of environmental protection and ecology, is known. In <CIT>, a cartridge is mentioned as an example of the consumable.

<CIT> discloses an image forming apparatus including a judging unit that judges whether a replacement part attached to the image forming apparatus needs replacement based on consumption information indicative of how much the replacement part has been consumed. The replacement part includes a storage unit that stores therein information including identification information unique to the replacement part. When the judging unit judges that the replacement part needs replacement, a reading unit reads the identification information from the replacement part, and an encrypting unit encrypts a predetermined piece of information in the replacement part based on the identification information read by the reading unit.

<CIT> discloses a process cartridge which can be attached/detached to/from a color laser beam printer provided with a memory for storing functional information for the use of the cartridge. The memory is provided with a region <NUM> for recording a cumulative using time for showing the service condition of the cartridge and a region <NUM> for storing the information for showing the number of the recycling times of the memory as the information for showing the memory service condition of the memory. In the color laser beam printer, the cumulative using time of the region <NUM> is updated on the basis of the using time of the cartridge. When the cartridge is used for recycling, it is decided whether the recycling of the memory is possible or not based on the number of the recycling times stored in the region <NUM>.

<CIT> discloses a printing apparatus comprising a print unit that performs printing using a consumable, a determiner that determines that a remaining amount of the consumable in a container housing the consumable is lower than an amount, and a controller that, upon a condition where it is determined that the remaining amount of the consumable is less than the amount and it is determined that order information for the consumable is yet to be transmitted, causes the order information of the consumable to be transmitted, and causes a memory provided in the container to store information indicating that the order information has been sent, wherein, if the information indicating that the order information has been sent is not stored in the memory, the controller determines that the order information is yet to be transmitted.

<CIT> discloses a management server of the management system receiving event information related to the replacement of a toner bottle mounted on a printing apparatus. After receiving event information, if the received event information is an alarm indicating the detection of a failure in a memory tag of the toner bottle, the management server generates a preliminary delivery alarm that provides an instruction to deliver the toner bottle.

As described in <CIT>, when intending to reuse the consumable of the recording apparatus, the reusing is usually performed at a dedicated recycling factory. At the recycling factory, after used consumables in which consumable materials such as ink and toner are empty are collected, the consumables are made as recycled products (reused products) by re-dispensing consumable materials into the respective consumable so that users can use the products.

On the other hand, in recent years, a configuration is suggested in which, in order to properly and efficiently manage a consumable material in a consumable in a recording apparatus, a consumable memory is provided on the consumable-side, a communication unit is provided on a recording apparatus main body-side and various information is transmitted and received between the communication unit and the consumable memory by communication. In this case, the consumable memory stores use amount information representing, for example, a remaining amount and a used amount of the internal consumable material. As the consumable is mounted on the main body of the recording apparatus and the remaining amount of the consumable material is reduced, communication is performed from the communication unit in the main body of the recording apparatus to the consumable memory at an appropriate timing, so that the use amount information stored in the consumable memory is updated. As a result, in the consumable after use, the remaining amount represented by the use amount information in the consumable memory is almost zero.

When performing the above-described reusing for the consumable provided with such a consumable memory, the consumable is refilled with the consumable material by the re-dispensing described above. For this reason, it is necessary to perform initialization, such as returning the use amount information to a content corresponding to the filled state, i.e., for example, a <NUM>% notation representing a full state.

However, since an amount of the consumable material required for re-dispensing may differ depending on a type and a size of the consumable, and the required communication specification and the like may differ depending on the specification of the consumable memory, a processing burden at the recycling factory may increase. In particular, in order to widely spread the reuse of consumables, it is necessary for as many waste disposal companies as possible to handle the recycling at the recycling factory. However, depending on the scale, capacity and the like of the disposal companies, there is a risk that the increase in the processing burden will be a hamper.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a recording apparatus, a consumable for a recording apparatus, and an information processing method capable of reducing a processing load on a consumable memory at a recycling factory. The invention is defined in the appended independent claims. Further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is a recording apparatus including: a main body of the recording apparatus; and a consumable configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the recording apparatus, in which the consumable has at least a consumable memory that stores use amount information of a consumable material included in the consumable and recycling history information of the consumable, in which the main body of the recording apparatus has a communication unit configured to communicate with the consumable memory, and a processor, and in which the processor is configured to perform: first acquisition processing of acquiring the recycling history information from the consumable memory of the consumable mounted on the main body of the recording apparatus by communication via the communication unit; and determination processing of determining whether or not to perform initialization processing of initializing a value of the use amount information stored in the consumable memory, according to the acquired recycling history information.

In the aspect, the use amount information of the consumable and the recycling history information of the consumable are stored in the consumable memory. The use amount information in the stored contents is processed by the initiative of the recording apparatus-side.

By performing the first acquisition processing, the processor of the recording apparatus communicates with the consumable memory of the consumable mounted on the main body of the recording apparatus via the communication unit, and acquires the recycling history information.

The processor performs the determination processing of determining whether or not to perform the initialization processing of initializing the value of the use amount information stored in the consumable memory, based on the acquired recycling history information. When it is determined to perform the initialization processing, the initialization processing of the value of the use amount information in the consumable memory is performed.

In the recording apparatus of the first aspect, the recycling history information includes: a first information part representing whether the consumable is a recycled product with a recycling history or a brand-new product without the recycling history; and a second information part representing whether the consumable is an initialized recycled product with an initialization history of the use amount information or an uninitialized recycled product without the initialization history, in a case where the consumable is the recycled product.

In the recording apparatus of the first aspect, the processor is configured to determine not to perform the initialization processing in the determination processing, in a case where the acquired recycling history information represents that the consumable is the initialized recycled product or that the consumable is the brand-new product.

In the recording apparatus of the first aspect, the processor is configured to determine to perform the initialization processing in the determination processing, in a case where the acquired recycling history information represents that the consumable is the uninitialized recycled product.

In the recording apparatus of the first aspect, the consumable has a controller configured to control reading and writing of information with respect to the consumable memory, in which the consumable memory has: a first storage area in which the recycling history information is stored; and a second storage area in which the use amount information is stored, in which the main body of the recording apparatus further has a main body memory that stores a use amount initial value of each of a plurality of types of the consumables in a recycling completion state, and in which the processor is further configured to perform first initialization command transmission processing of transmitting, to the controller via the communication unit, a first initialization command for writing the use amount initial value acquired from the main body memory to the second storage area of the consumable memory to initialize the value of the use amount information.

In the recording apparatus of the first aspect, in which the consumable memory further has a third storage area in which capacity information of the corresponding consumable is stored, and in which the processor is further configured to: transmit, to the controller via the communication unit, a first transmission command for reading out and transmitting the recycling history information and the capacity information from the first storage area and the third storage area of the consumable memory, to acquire the recycling history information and the capacity information transmitted from the controller in response to the first transmission command, in the first acquisition processing; perform second acquisition processing of acquiring, from the main body memory, the use amount initial value corresponding to the capacity information acquired from the controller of the consumable memory; and transmit, to the controller via the communication unit, the use amount initial value acquired from the main body memory in the second acquisition processing, in the first initialization command transmission processing.

In the recording apparatus of the first aspect, the consumable has a controller configured to control reading and writing of information with respect to the consumable memory, the consumable memory has: a first storage area in which the recycling history information is stored; a second storage area in which the use amount information is stored; and a fourth storage area in which a use amount initial value of the corresponding consumable in a recycling completion state is stored, and the processor is further configured to: transmit, to the controller via the communication unit, a second transmission command for reading out and transmitting the recycling history information and the use amount initial value from the first storage area and the fourth storage area of the consumable memory, to acquire the recycling history information and the use amount initial value transmitted from the controller in response to the second transmission command, in the first acquisition processing; and perform second initialization command transmission processing of transmitting, to the controller via the communication unit, a second initialization command for writing the acquired use amount initial value to the second storage area of the consumable memory to initialize the value of the use amount information.

In the recording apparatus of the first aspect, the consumable has a controller configured to control reading and writing of information with respect to the consumable memory, the consumable memory has: a first storage area in which the recycling history information is stored, a second storage area in which the use amount information is stored; and a fourth storage area in which a use amount initial value of the corresponding consumable in a recycling completion state is stored, and the processor is further configured to: transmit, to the controller via the communication unit, a third transmission command for reading out and transmitting the recycling history information from the first storage area of the consumable memory, to acquire the recycling history information transmitted from the controller in response to the third transmission command, in the first acquisition processing; and perform third initialization command transmission processing of transmitting, to the controller via the communication unit, a third initialization command for reading out the use amount initial value stored in the fourth storage area of the consumable memory and writing the read use amount initial value to the second storage area of the consumable memory to initialize the value of the use amount information, in a case of acquiring the recycling history information.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is a consumable for a recording apparatus, the consumable configured to be detachably attached to a main body of the recording apparatus and comprising a consumable memory configured to communicate with the recording apparatus and a controller configured to control reading and writing of information with respect to the consumable memory, in which the consumable memory has: first storage area in which recycling history information of the consumable is stored, the recycling history information including a first information part representing whether the consumable is a recycled product with a recycling history or a brand-new product without the recycling history, and a second information part representing whether the consumable is an initialized recycled product with an initialization history of use amount information of a consumable material included in the consumable or an uninitialized recycled product without the initialization history, in a case where the consumable is the recycled product; a second storage area in which the use amount information is stored; and any one storage area of a third storage area in which capacity information of the consumable is stored and a fourth storage area in which a use amount initial value of the consumable in a recycling completion state is stored, and in which the controller is configured to perform use amount information writing processing of writing a predetermined use amount initial value to the second storage area, in response to receiving a command transmitted from the recording apparatus.

In the consumable for the recording apparatus of the second aspect, in response to receiving a first transmission command transmitted from the recording apparatus, the controller is configured to read out the recycling history information and the capacity information from the first storage area and the third storage area, to transmit the read recycling history information and the read capacity information to the recording apparatus, and in response to receiving a first initialization command as the command, the controller is configured to write the use amount initial value included in the first information command and corresponding to the capacity information to the second storage area, to initialize a value of the use amount information.

In the consumable for the recording apparatus of the second aspect, in response to receiving a second transmission command transmitted from the recording apparatus, the controller is configured to read out the recycling history information and the use amount initial value from the first storage area and the fourth storage area, to transmit the read recycling history information and the read use amount initial value to the recording apparatus, and in response to receiving a second initialization command as the command, the controller is configured to write the use amount initial value included in the second initialization command to the second storage area, to initialize a value of the use amount information.

In the consumable for the recording apparatus of the second aspect, in response to receiving a third transmission command transmitted from the recording apparatus, the controller is configured to read out the recycling history information from the first storage area, to transmit the read recycling history information to the recording apparatus, and in response to receiving a third initialization command as the command, the controller is configured to read out the use amount initial value stored in the fourth storage area and write the read use amount initial value to the second storage area, to initialize a value of the use amount information.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method of performing predetermined processing on use amount information of a consumable material included in a consumable and recycling history information of the consumable, the use amount information and the recycling history information being stored in a consumable memory provided to the consumable configured to be detachably attached to a main body of a recording apparatus, the information processing method including the steps of: acquiring the recycling history information from the consumable memory by communication; and determining whether or not to perform initialization processing of initializing a value of the use amount information stored in the consumable memory, according to the acquired recycling history information.

In the information processing method, the recycling history information includes: a first information part representing whether the consumable is a recycled product with a recycling history or a brand-new product without the recycling history; and a second information part representing whether the consumable is an initialized recycled product with an initialization history of the use amount information or an uninitialized recycled product without the initialization history, in a case where the consumable is the recycled product, and it is determined not to perform the initialization processing in the determination step, in a case where the acquired recycling history information represents that the consumable is the initialized recycled product or that the consumable is the brand-new product.

In the information processing method, it is determined to perform the initialization processing in the determination step, in a case where the acquired recycling history information represents that the consumable is the uninitialized recycled product.

According to the first to third aspects, since the recording apparatus identifies the recycling history of consumable and the value of the use amount information is accordingly initialized as appropriate, it is not necessary to initialize the use amount information at the recycling factory, and it is sufficient to perform the simple processing of just updating the recycling history information. According to the first to third aspects, it is possible to reduce the processing load at the recycling factory.

According to the first to third aspects, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the consumable memory at the recycling factory.

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

A schematic configuration of a complex machine <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in <FIG>, and a detailed configuration of an ink cartridge <NUM> provided to the complex machine <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Note that, the complex machine <NUM> is an example of a main body of a recording apparatus. The ink cartridge <NUM> is an example of a consumable for the recording apparatus.

As shown in <FIG>, the complex machine <NUM> includes a scanner unit <NUM>, a printing unit <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, a mounting detecting sensor <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, and a cover sensor <NUM>. The scanner unit <NUM>, the printing unit <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the storage device <NUM>, the display unit <NUM>, the operation unit <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM>, the mounting detecting sensor <NUM>, the cover sensor <NUM>, and the communication interface <NUM> are connected to each other via a bus <NUM>.

The storage device <NUM> includes a volatile storage device <NUM> and a non-volatile storage device <NUM>. The storage device <NUM> is an example of the main body memory. The volatile storage device <NUM> is, for example, a DRAM. The non-volatile storage device <NUM> is, for example, a flash memory. The non-volatile storage device <NUM> has a consumable-related information storage area <NUM> for storing consumable-related information relating to the ink cartridge <NUM>, a program storage area <NUM>, and a storage area <NUM> of a use amount initial value table, which will be described later.

The consumable-related information storage area <NUM> has a type information storage area 231A, a use amount information storage area 231B, and a use history information storage area 231C. These functions will be described later.

A variety of programs are stored in the program storage area <NUM>, and the various programs include an operation program for the complex machine, including a print processing program relating to execution of an information processing method of the present embodiment based on flowcharts in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, which will be described later. The print processing program is stored in advance in the program storage area <NUM>, as firmware, for example.

The display unit <NUM> is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor and can display various information about consumables. The operation unit <NUM> is a device configured to receive an operation made by a user. The user can input various instructions to the complex machine <NUM> by operating the operation unit <NUM>. The communication interface <NUM> is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other apparatuses, and is connected to a network NT.

The scanner unit <NUM> is configured to optically read a document, which is a reading target, by using a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or a CMOS, thereby generating scan data representing a scanned image.

The printing unit <NUM> is configured to print an image on a sheet being conveyed by a predetermined method while taking out and conveying the sheet in a sheet feeding tray by a conveying mechanism (not shown). In the below, a case where printing is performed by an inkjet method will be described as an example. The printing unit <NUM> is configured to form an image on the sheet by using ink of the ink cartridge <NUM> detachably mounted on a cartridge holder <NUM>, according to a print job transmitted from a mobile terminal <NUM> or a print job generated by itself based on an operation on the operation unit <NUM>. Note that, the entire combination of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM> and the complex machine <NUM> is an example of the recording apparatus.

Specifically, the printing unit <NUM> has an inkjet head mounted on a carriage, and printing is performed by the inkjet head ejecting the ink while the carriage moves the inkjet head in a main scanning direction. Note that, specifically, the ink cartridges <NUM> of respective ink colors of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink and black ink are included. However, for sake of convenience, unless otherwise specified, they are simply referred to as "ink cartridge <NUM>" without distinction.

The mounting detecting sensor <NUM> is, for example, a connector that conducts with an electrode of the ink cartridge <NUM> when the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM>, for example. The processor <NUM> can identify whether the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM>, based on a detection result of the mounting detecting sensor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> is a device configured to perform data processing, and is, for example, a CPU. Note that, the processor <NUM> is an example of a processor in the main body of the recording apparatus. By executing the print processing program stored in the program storage area <NUM>, the processor <NUM> is configured to perform various processing shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, which will be described later, including data communication to the cartridge <NUM>. The details of the processing contents of the processor <NUM> will be described later.

The cartridge holder <NUM> is provided with an opening/closing cover (not shown) that can be opened/closed, and when the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted or demounted with respect to the cartridge holder <NUM>, the opening/closing cover is opened, and after the mounting or demounting, the opening/closing cover is closed. The opened state and the closed state of the opening/closing cover are detected by the cover sensor <NUM> by a known method, and the corresponding detection signals are input to the processor <NUM>.

Note that, the processor <NUM> may be configured to identify whether the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM>, based on the detection result by the cover sensor <NUM>, instead of the mounting detecting sensor <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> is, for example, a terminal or the like, and is electrically connected to the cartridge memory <NUM> via electrodes 65A to 65C of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the ink cartridge <NUM> includes a cartridge chip <NUM>, which is a so-called IC chip.

The cartridge chip <NUM> is a printed circuit board (PCB), and includes a substrate <NUM>, electrodes 65A to 65C, a cartridge memory <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. Note that, the cartridge memory <NUM> is an example of the consumable memory.

The substrate <NUM> is a printed wiring board (PWB), and is made of glass epoxy, paper phenol, or the like. The substrate <NUM> is attached to a surface of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

The electrodes 65A to 65C are formed on the substrate <NUM>. These electrodes 65A to 65C function as an interface for communicating with the communication unit <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM>.

In a state where the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM>, the respective electrodes <NUM> contact and are electrically connected to respective contact points 142A to 142C of the communication unit <NUM>. Specifically, the electrode 65A contacts and is electrically connected to the contact point 142A, the electrode 65B contacts and is electrically connected to the contact point 142B, and the electrode 65C contacts and is electrically connected to the contact point 142C. Note that, the number of the electrodes <NUM> is determined according to the number of the contact points <NUM> of the communication unit <NUM>, and is not limited to three.

The cartridge memory <NUM> has a volatile storage area <NUM> and a non-volatile storage area <NUM> that is an EEPROM of a non-volatile semiconductor memory.

The non-volatile storage area <NUM> has a first storage area <NUM>, a second storage area <NUM>, a third storage area <NUM>, a program storage area <NUM>, and a number-of-initializations count value storage area <NUM>. A variety of programs are stored in the program storage area <NUM>, and the various programs include a program for the ink cartridge <NUM>, including an information processing program relating to execution of the information processing method of the present embodiment based on flowcharts in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, which will be described later. The first to third storage areas <NUM> to <NUM> and the number-of-initializations count value storage area <NUM> will be described later. Note that, the non-volatile storage area <NUM> may also be configured by a non-volatile semiconductor memory other than EEPROM, for example, a magnetic resistance memory.

The volatile storage area <NUM> may also be a volatile semiconductor memory, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM.

Note that, in the volatile storage area <NUM> or the non-volatile storage area <NUM>, a latch circuit or a magnetic memory may also be adopted instead of the semiconductor memory.

The controller <NUM> has a writing function to a predetermined address of the cartridge memory <NUM> when a predetermined signal is detected at the electrode 65A.

In addition, the controller <NUM> has a function of, when the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> reads out information about the ink cartridge <NUM> stored in the cartridge memory <NUM> via the electrode 65B and the contact point 142B, transmitting the information about the ink cartridge <NUM> from the cartridge memory <NUM> to the electrode 65B.

The controller <NUM> is configured by an electronic circuit having the above functions, and is configured to perform various processing shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, which will be described later, including data communication to the complex machine <NUM>. The electronic circuit is configured by an electronic component mounted on at least one of a front surface or a back surface of the substrate <NUM> and a patterned wiring formed on at least one of the front surface or the back surface of the substrate <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is electrically connected to the electrodes 65A, 65B and 65C and the cartridge memory <NUM>.

Note that, the controller <NUM> is not limited to the electronic circuit, and may be provided with, for example, a CPU capable of performing calculations, thereby realizing the above functions.

The processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> can acquire various information from the cartridge memory <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> connected via the communication unit <NUM> and the electrodes 65A to 65C. Note that, hereinafter, in the present specification, the processing "acquisition" by the processor <NUM> represents processing of writing information in a non-volatile storage area to a volatile area such as a DRAM, for example. The same applies to the controller <NUM>. Thereby, the processor <NUM> can identify a type of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM>, based on the acquired information. The identification result is associated with a cartridge ID and a model number of the ink cartridge <NUM> by the processor <NUM>, and is stored at any time in the type information storage area 231A of the consumable-related information storage area <NUM>.

At this time, in the complex machine <NUM>, an ink remaining amount or an ink used amount of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM> is acquired at any time by the processing of the processor <NUM> by a known method. Then, when the ink remaining amount decreases and reaches a predetermined remaining amount threshold value, or when the ink used amount increases and reaches a predetermined used amount threshold value, it is possible to display on the display unit <NUM> that the ink cartridge <NUM> should be replaced. This makes it convenient for the user to replace the ink cartridge <NUM>.

Note that, the ink remaining amount and the ink used amount are collectively referred to as "use amount" as appropriate below, and the information representing the same is referred to as "use amount information". The use amount information acquired as described above can be written to the cartridge memory <NUM> by processing, which will be described later. In this case, the processor <NUM> can identify how much the use amount of the ink cartridge <NUM> is, based on the information acquired via the communication unit <NUM> while the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM>. The identification result, i.e., the use amount information of the ink cartridge <NUM> is associated with the cartridge ID and the model number by the processor <NUM>, which is then stored at any time in the use amount information storage area 231B of the consumable-related information storage area <NUM>.

Further, when the ink remaining amount or the ink used amount, i.e., the use amount information of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the cartridge holder <NUM> is acquired at any time, as described above, the processor <NUM> stores the history in the use history information storage area 231C, as the use history information.

In the above configuration, the feature of the present embodiment is a processing aspect of the information stored in the cartridge memory <NUM> when performing reusing of the ink cartridge <NUM>. An outline thereof will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

That is, as described above, when performing reusing of the ink cartridge <NUM> once used, the recycling processing is usually performed at a dedicated recycling factory. As shown in <FIG> as Comparative Example, when a brand-new ink cartridge <NUM> ((a) in <FIG>) is used with being mounted on a printing apparatus P including the complex machine <NUM> or the like ((b) in <FIG>) and the ink is empty and used up, the ink cartridge is collected and recovered at the recycling factory. At the recycling factory, the ink is re-dispensed into each ink cartridge <NUM> ((c) in <FIG>), and the ink cartridge is shipped again as a recycled product that can be used again by the user ((d) in <FIG>).

On the other hand, when the use amount information of ink is stored in the cartridge memory <NUM> as described above, the use amount information stored in the cartridge memory <NUM> is updated as appropriate as the ink cartridge <NUM> is used and the remaining amount of ink decreases. As a result, in the ink cartridge <NUM> after use, the remaining amount represented by the use amount information in the cartridge memory <NUM> is almost zero. When the ink cartridge <NUM> collected in this state is subjected to recycling at the recycling factory, the ink cartridge <NUM> is refilled with ink by the re-dispensing. For this reason, it is necessary to initialize the use amount information at the recycling factory, such as returning the use amount information to the content corresponding to the filled state, i.e., for example, a <NUM>% notation representing a full state (refer to (c) in <FIG>).

In the specification of the present application, "initialization" means "the initial value of the use amount information is written as an amount of ink that can be used again as a recycled product".

In addition, this initialization is not limited to writing the same value of the use amount information as that at the time of the first factory shipment as described above, and it is sufficient when a value of an amount that can be used again as a recycled product is written. For example, a value corresponding to <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>% of the value at the time of the factory shipment, which is less than a value of the use amount information at the time of the first factory shipment, may be written as the value at the time of initialization.

Further, the value at the time of initialization does not have to completely match an amount of ink actually filled. For example, the ink cartridge <NUM> may be filled with ink of an amount exceeding the value at the time of initialization.

However, since an amount of the ink required for re-dispensing may differ depending on a type and a size of the ink cartridge and the required communication specification and the like may differ depending on the specification of the cartridge memory <NUM>, a processing burden at the recycling factory may increase. In particular, in order to widely spread the reuse of consumables, it is necessary for as many waste disposal companies as possible to handle the recycling at the recycling factory. However, depending on the scale, capacity and the like of the disposal companies, there is a risk that the increase in the processing burden will be a hamper.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the recycling history information is newly stored in the cartridge memory <NUM>. The recycling history information is information representing whether the ink cartridge <NUM> has been subjected to the recycling in the past. In the shown example, in the brand-new ink cartridge <NUM>, "0x00" representing "no recycling history" is stored in the cartridge memory <NUM> ((a) in <FIG>). In this state, the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus P and used ((b) in <FIG>), and is collected at a recycling factory after being used as described above. At the remanufacturing factory, unlike Comparative Example shown in <FIG>, the ink is re-dispensed, but the processing relating to the use amount information is not performed. Instead, at the recycling factory, the recycling history information is updated from the above-described "0x00" to "0x01" representing "there is a recycling history" that recycling has been performed ((c) in <FIG>), and is then shipped. ((d) in <FIG>).

Unlike the initialization of the use amount information described above, since the updating of the recycling history information is not affected by the type and size of the ink cartridge <NUM>, the specification of the cartridge memory <NUM>, and the like, and just changes the information from "no recycling history" to "there is a recycling history", the burden on the recycling factory-side can be small.

In the present embodiment, when the recycled and shipped ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the printing apparatus P, the use amount information is initialized in the printing apparatus P ((b) in <FIG>). At this time, in the printing apparatus P, the use amount information of the ink cartridge <NUM> is initialized only when the recycling history information is "0x01" of "there is a recycling history" (<FIG> --> <FIG>), and in the case of "0x00" of "no recycling history", the use amount information is not updated (<FIG> --> <FIG>). Thereby, the use amount information is not initialized when the brand-new ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted, and the use amount information is initialized only when the ink cartridge <NUM> recycled at the recycling factory is mounted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the initialization of the use amount information is performed on the printing apparatus P-side, and the recycling factory updates only the recycling history information, so that it is possible to reduce the processing load on the recycling factory-side.

In order to realize the above method, the processing performed by the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> and the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> of the present embodiment will be described sequentially with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

First, the processing performed by the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> will be described with reference to the flowcharts of <FIG>. Note that, in the following description, the description of each processor is omitted as appropriate, and "in the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM>", "by the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM>", and the like may be simply described as "in the complex machine <NUM>", "by the complex machine <NUM>" and the like.

In <FIG>, first, in the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM>, a first transmission command is transmitted to the ink cartridge <NUM> (step S5). The first transmission command is a command for instructing the controller <NUM> to read out and transmit the recycling history information and the capacity information from the first storage area <NUM> and the third storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>, respectively. The capacity information is information representing the maximum storage capacity of ink in the corresponding ink cartridge <NUM>. In this example, there are three types of sizes of the ink cartridge <NUM>, and as the capacity information corresponding to each size, three types of "standard", "large capacity", and "extra large capacity" from the small capacity to the large capacity are prepared in advance. Information of any of "standard", "large capacity", and "extra large capacity" is stored in the cartridge memory <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

In step S10, in the processor <NUM>, the recycling history information and the capacity information transmitted from the ink cartridge <NUM> in response to the first transmission command in step S5 are received and acquired. The processing performed by the processor <NUM> in steps S5 and S10 is an example of the first acquisition processing.

In step S15, in the processor <NUM>, it is determined whether the recycling history information acquired in step S10 is "0x00" representing "no recycling history" or "0x81" representing "use amount initialization completed" (which will be described later in detail). When the recycling history information is "0x00" or "0x81", it is determined Yes to end the flow. That is, in this case, it is determined in step S15 that the initialization of the use amount information in step S30, which will be described later, is not executed. When the recycling history information is neither "0x00" nor "0x81", No is determined and the processing proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, in the processor <NUM>, it is determined whether the recycling history information acquired in step S10 is "0x01" representing "there is a recycling history". When the recycling history information is not "0x01", No is determined, and after predetermined error processing is performed in step S25, this flow ends. When the recycling history information is "0x01", it is determined Yes to proceed to step S30. That is, in this case, it is determined in step S20 that the initialization of the use amount information in step S30, which will be described later, is executed.

In steps S15 and S20, it is determined whether the initialization of the use amount information of step S30 is executed according to the value of the recycling history information acquired in step S10. Therefore, steps S15 and S20 are examples of the determination step, and the processing performed by the processor <NUM> in steps S15 and S20 is an example of the determination processing.

In step S30, initialization command transmission processing for instructing the initialization of the use amount information is performed. The detailed contents of step S30 are shown in the flowchart of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, first, in step S32, the use amount initial value table stored in the use amount initial value table storage area <NUM> of the non-volatile storage device <NUM> is retrieved by using the capacity information acquired in step S10.

<FIG> shows an example of the use amount initial value table. As shown, in this table, the use amount initial value to be set when re-dispensing the ink to the ink cartridge <NUM> is associated with each content of the capacity information of the ink cartridge <NUM>. In this example, the above-described capacity information "standard" is associated with the use amount initial value <NUM>[ml], the capacity information "large capacity" is associated with the use amount initial value <NUM>[ml], and the capacity information "extra large capacity" is associated with the use amount initial value <NUM>[ml].

In the processor <NUM>, the use amount initial value table shown in <FIG> is retrieved and the contents thereof are referred to, so that a use amount initial value in the recycling completion state corresponding to the capacity information acquired in step S10 is acquired (step S34). The processing performed by the processor <NUM> in steps S32 and S34 is an example of the second acquisition processing.

In step S36, in the processor <NUM>, a first initialization command is transmitted to the ink cartridge <NUM>. The first initialization command is a command for instructing the controller <NUM> to write the use amount initial value acquired in step S34 to the second storage area <NUM> to initialize the value of the use amount information, to update the recycling history information in the first storage area <NUM> from "0x01" to "0x81" and to perform an increment of increasing the number of initializations stored in the number-of-initializations count value storage area <NUM> by <NUM>. Note that, the number of initializations of the count value storage area <NUM> is set to <NUM> in the brand-new ink cartridge <NUM>, for example, at the time of manufacturing. The processing performed by the processor <NUM> in step S36 is an example of the first initialization command transmission processing.

When step S36 is completed, the processing returns to <FIG> and the flow of <FIG> ends.

Processing performed by the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. As in the above case, in the following description, "in the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>", "by the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>", and the like may be simply described as "in the ink cartridge <NUM>", "by the ink cartridge <NUM>", and the like.

In <FIG>, first, in the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>, it is determined whether the first transmission command transmitted from the complex machine <NUM> in step S5 of <FIG> is received. When the first transmission command is received, it is determined Yes to proceed to step S60.

In step S60, by the controller <NUM>, the recycling history information is read out from the first storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>, the capacity information is read out from the third storage area <NUM>, and these information are transmitted to the complex machine <NUM>.

In step S65, in the controller <NUM>, it is determined whether the first initialization command transmitted from the complex machine <NUM> in step S36 of <FIG> is received. When the first initialization command is received, it is determined Yes to proceed to step S70.

In step S70, by the controller <NUM>, as a part of the writing processing, the use amount initial value received and acquired in step S65 is written to the second storage area <NUM>, whereby the value of the use amount information in the second storage area <NUM> is initialized.

The processing in which the controller <NUM> executes step S70 is an example of the use amount information writing processing. In addition, the processing performed by the processor <NUM> in step S36 of <FIG> and the processing performed by the controller <NUM> in step S70 of <FIG> are examples of the initialization processing. Further, step S36 in <FIG> and step S70 in <FIG> are examples of the initialization step.

In step S75, by the controller <NUM>, the recycling history information in the first storage area <NUM> is updated to "0x81".

As described above, the recycling history information of the brand-new ink cartridge <NUM> is "0x00". The recycling history information of the ink cartridge <NUM> recycled at the recycling factory is "0x01". When the ink cartridge <NUM> after recycling is mounted on the complex machine <NUM>, the recycling history information is set to "0x81" in step S75.

The end "<NUM>" of the recycling history information "0x00" of the brand-new ink cartridge <NUM> and the end "<NUM>" of the recycling history information "0x01" and "0x81" of the ink cartridge <NUM> after recycling represent whether the ink cartridge is a brand-new product without a recycling history or a recycled product with a recycling history. The ends "<NUM>" and "<NUM>" are examples of the first information part.

The third "<NUM>" of the recycling history information "0x01" of the ink cartridge <NUM> after recycling at the recycling factory, and the third "<NUM>" of the recycling history information[0x81] of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the complex machine <NUM> after recycling represent whether there is an initialization history of the use amount information when there is a recycling history. The thirds "<NUM>" and "<NUM>" are examples of the second information part, the ink cartridge <NUM> after recycling at the recycling factory is an example of an uninitialized recycled product, and the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the complex machine <NUM> after recycling and subjected to the initialization of the use amount information in step S75 is an example of the initialized recycled product.

In step S80, by the controller <NUM>, the number-of-initializations count value stored in the number-of-initializations count value storage area <NUM> is increased only by one.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ink use amount information and the recycling history information of the ink cartridge <NUM> are stored in the cartridge memory <NUM>. Of the stored contents, the use amount information is processed by the initiative of the complex machine <NUM>-side.

By executing step S5 and S10, the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> communicates with the cartridge memory <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the complex machine <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>, and acquires the recycling history information.

Based on the acquired recycling history information, steps S15 and S20 are executed by the processor <NUM>, and it is determined whether or not to perform the initialization processing of initializing the value of the use amount information stored in the cartridge memory <NUM>. When it is determined to perform the initialization processing, the value of the use amount information of the cartridge memory <NUM> is initialized in steps S36 and S70.

According to the present embodiment, since the complex machine <NUM> identifies the recycling history of the ink cartridge <NUM> and the value of the use amount information is accordingly initialized as appropriate, it is not necessary to perform the initialization of the use amount information at the recycling factory, and it is sufficient to perform the simple processing of just updating the recycling history information. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the processing load at the recycling factory.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in particular, the content of the recycling history information stored in the cartridge memory <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> includes the end "<NUM>" or "<NUM>", which is the first information part, and the end "<NUM>" or "<NUM>", which is the second information part.

The first information represents whether the ink cartridge <NUM> is a recycled product with a recycling history or a brand-new product without a recycling history. The second information represents whether the ink cartridge <NUM> is an initialized recycled product with an initialization history of the use amount information or an uninitialized recycled product without the initialization history when the ink cartridge <NUM> is a recycled product.

According to the present embodiment, since the recycling history information includes both the information about the presence/absence of the recycling history and the information about the presence/absence of the initialization of the use amount information accompanying the recycling, it is possible to securely reduce the processing load at the recycling factory, as compared to a case where these information are separately divided.

In addition, in the present embodiment, particularly, when the acquired recycling history information represents that the ink cartridge <NUM> is an initialized recycled product or that the ink cartridge <NUM> is a brand-new product, the processor <NUM> determines not to perform the initialization processing.

When the ink cartridge <NUM> is a brand-new product, the value of the use amount information has been initialized at the manufacturing factory at the time of manufacturing, so that it is not necessary to re-initialize the use amount information in the complex machine <NUM> on which the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted. When the ink cartridge <NUM> is an initialized recycled product, the value of the use amount information has been initialized at the recycling factory, so that it is not necessary to re-initialize the use amount information in the complex machine <NUM> on which the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted.

According to the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is a brand-new product or an initialized recycled product, it is possible to appropriately handle the ink cartridge without unnecessary processing.

Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, when the acquired recycling history information represents that the ink cartridge <NUM> is an uninitialized recycled product, the processor <NUM> determines to perform the initialization processing.

In the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is an uninitialized recycled product, the use amount information is re-initialized in the complex machine <NUM>, unlike the case where the ink cartridge <NUM> is a brand-new product or an initialized recycled product.

According to the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is an uninitialized recycled product, the value of the use amount information is initialized, so that the processing load at the recycling factory can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, the ink cartridge <NUM> is provided with the controller <NUM> configured to control the information reading and writing with respect to the cartridge memory <NUM>, and the updating of the use amount information using the initial value of the use amount information is finally performed by the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> (step S36).

In the present embodiment, the initialization command transmission processing is performed by step S36 executed by the processor <NUM>. In the storage device <NUM>, the use amount initial value of each type of the ink cartridge <NUM> in the recycling completion state is stored. The first initialization command is transmitted to the controller <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>, so that the initialization processing of initializing the value of the use amount information by writing
the use amount initial value acquired from the storage device <NUM> to the second storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM> by the controller <NUM> is performed (step S70).

According to the present embodiment, since the initialization processing of initializing the value of the use amount information is performed using the use amount initial value stored in the storage device <NUM>, the storage capacity of the cartridge memory <NUM> can be reduced, as compared to a case where the use amount initial value is stored in the cartridge memory <NUM>.

Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, the capacity information of the ink cartridge <NUM> is stored in the third storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> acquires the capacity information transmitted from the controller <NUM>, based on the first transmission command in steps S5 and S10, accesses the storage device <NUM>, based on the capacity information (step S32), and refers to the use amount initial values of the various ink cartridges <NUM> stored in advance in the storage device <NUM> to acquire the corresponding use amount initial value in step S34.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the initialization processing by referring to the use amount initial values of the various ink cartridges <NUM> stored in the storage device <NUM> and acquiring and writing an appropriate use amount initial value to the second storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>. Even when the product lineup or capacity information of the ink cartridge <NUM> changes, it is sufficient to appropriately correct or update the stored content of the storage device <NUM> on the complex machine <NUM>-side, so that it is possible to smoothly deal with the change.

Note that, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and, for example, modified embodiments such as (<NUM>), (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) below are also included in the technical scope. The modified embodiments will be sequentially described below. The parts equivalent to the above embodiment are denoted with the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof are appropriately omitted or simplified.

<FIG> and <FIG> are functional block diagrams corresponding to <FIG> and <FIG> of the above embodiment, showing the configurations of the complex machine <NUM> and the ink cartridge <NUM> in the present modified embodiment.

The configuration shown in <FIG> is the same as that in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the non-volatile storage area <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> is newly provided with a fourth storage area <NUM>. In the present modified embodiment, the use amount initial value to be set at the time of recycling completion of the ink cartridge <NUM> is stored in advance in the fourth storage area <NUM>. When acquiring the recycling history information from the cartridge <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> also acquires the use amount initial value described above. The processor <NUM> transmits a second initialization command to the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>, thereby causing the controller <NUM> to write the acquired use amount initial value to the second storage area <NUM>.

The processing performed by the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> and the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> of the present embodiment so as to implement the above method of the present modified embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

First, the processing performed by the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> will be described with reference to a flowchart of <FIG> corresponding to <FIG>.

In <FIG>, steps S7 and S11 are newly provided, in place of steps S5 and S10 in <FIG>.

First, in step S7, in the processor <NUM>, a second transmission command is transmitted to the ink cartridge <NUM>. The second transmission command is a command for instructing the controller <NUM> to read out and transmit the recycling history information and the use amount initial value from the first storage area <NUM> and the fourth storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>. In the fourth storage area <NUM>, specific numerical information such as <NUM>[ml], <NUM>[ml], <NUM>[ml] and the like is stored in conformity to the size of the ink cartridge <NUM>, the maximum storage capacity of the ink, and the like.

In step S11, in the processor <NUM>, the recycling history information and the use amount initial value transmitted from the ink cartridge <NUM> in response to the second transmission command in step S7 are received and acquired. The processing performed by the processor <NUM> in steps S7 and S11 is an example of the first acquisition processing of the present modified embodiment. Thereafter, in steps S15 to S30, the equivalent processing to that of the above embodiment is performed.

The detailed contents of the initialization command transmission processing performed in step S30 in the present modified embodiment are shown in a flow of <FIG> corresponding to <FIG>.

In <FIG>, steps S32 and S34 of <FIG> are deleted, and step S37 is newly provided in place of step S36.

In step S37, in the processor <NUM>, a second initialization command is transmitted to the ink cartridge <NUM>. The first initialization command is a command for instructing the controller <NUM> to write the use amount initial value acquired in step S11 to the second storage area <NUM> to initialize the value of the use amount information, to update the recycling history information in the first storage area <NUM> from "0x01" to "0x81" and to perform an increment of increasing the number of initializations stored in the number-of-initializations count value storage area <NUM> by <NUM>. Step S37 is an example of the initialization step, and the processing performed by the processor <NUM> in step S37 is an example of the second initialization command transmission processing.

When step S37 is completed, the processing returns to <FIG> and the flow of <FIG> ends.

The processing performed by the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge machine <NUM> will be described with reference to a flowchart of <FIG> corresponding to <FIG> in the above embodiment.

In <FIG>, steps S57, S61 and S67 are newly provided, in place of steps S55, S60 and S65 in <FIG>.

First, in step S57, in the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>, it is determined whether the second transmission command transmitted from the complex machine <NUM> in step S7 of <FIG> is received. When the second transmission command is received, it is determined Yes to proceed to step S61.

In step S61, by the controller <NUM>, the recycling history information is read out from the first storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>, the use amount initial value is read out from the fourth storage area <NUM>, and these information are transmitted to the complex machine <NUM>.

In step S67, in the controller <NUM>, it is determined whether the second initialization command transmitted from the complex machine <NUM> in step S37 of <FIG> is received. When the second initialization command is received, it is determined Yes to proceed to step S70.

In step S70, the similar processing to <FIG> is performed, and by the controller <NUM>, the use amount initial value received and acquired in step S67 is written to the second storage area <NUM>, whereby the value of the use amount information in the second storage area <NUM> is initialized.

In the present modified embodiment, the processing in which the controller <NUM> executes step S70 is an example of the use amount information writing processing. In addition, in the present modified embodiment, the processing performed by the processor <NUM> in step S37 of <FIG> and the processing performed by the controller <NUM> in step S70 of <FIG> are examples of the initialization processing. Further, step S37 in <FIG> and step S70 in <FIG> are examples of the initialization step. The processing contents of steps S75 and S80 are similar to those in <FIG>, and the descriptions thereof are omitted. After step S80, this flow ends.

In the present modified embodiment, the similar effects to the above embodiment are obtained.

In the present modified embodiment, by executing steps S7 and S11, the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> communicates with the cartridge memory <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the complex machine <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>, and acquires the recycling history information.

Based on the acquired recycling history information, steps S15 and S20 are executed by the processor <NUM>, and it is determined whether or not to execute step S37 of initializing the value of the use amount information stored in the cartridge memory <NUM>. When it is determined to execute step S37 based on the recycling history information, the value of the use amount information of the cartridge memory <NUM> is initialized by the processor <NUM> in step S37.

According to the present modified embodiment, as in the above embodiment, it is not necessary to perform the initialization of the use amount information at the recycling factory, and it is sufficient to perform the simple processing of just updating the recycling history information, so that it is possible to reduce the processing load at the recycling factory.

In addition, in the present modified embodiment, the initialization command transmission processing is performed in step S37 executed by the processor <NUM>.

In the fourth storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>, the use amount initial value of the ink cartridge <NUM> ina the recycling completion state is stored. The processor <NUM> transmits the second transmission command to the controller <NUM> in steps S7 and S11, and acquires the use amount initial value read out and transmitted from the fourth storage area <NUM> by the controller <NUM> based on the second transmission command (step S11). In step S37, the second initialization command is transmitted from the processor <NUM> to the controller <NUM>, so that the initialization processing of initializing the value of the use amount information by writing the acquired use amount initial value to the second storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM> by the controller <NUM> is performed (step S70).

According to the present embodiment, since the initialization processing of the value of the use amount information is performed using the use amount initial value stored in advance in the fourth storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>, the processing on the complex machine <NUM>-side can be simplified.

(<NUM>) In a case of transmitting a command to copy data from the complex machine to the cartridge.

The processing performed by the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> so as to implement the above method of the present modified embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of <FIG> corresponding to <FIG> of the modified embodiment of the above (<NUM>).

In <FIG>, steps S9 and S13 are newly provided, in place of steps S7 and S11 in <FIG>.

First, in step S9, in the processor <NUM>, a third transmission command is transmitted to the ink cartridge <NUM>. The third transmission command is a command for instructing the controller <NUM> to read out and transmit the recycling history information from the first storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM>.

In step S13, in the processor <NUM>, the recycling history information transmitted from the ink cartridge <NUM> in response to the third transmission command in step S9 is received and acquired. The processing performed by the processor <NUM> in steps S9 and S13 is an example of the first acquisition processing of the present modified embodiment. Thereafter, in steps S15 to S30, the equivalent processing to that of the above embodiment and the modified embodiment of the above (<NUM>) is performed.

In <FIG>, step S38 is newly provided, in place of step S37 in <FIG>.

In step S38, in the processor <NUM>, a third initialization command is transmitted to the ink cartridge <NUM>. The third initialization command is a command for instructing the controller <NUM> to copy the stored content of the fourth storage area <NUM> to the second storage area <NUM> to initialize the value of the use amount information, to update the recycling history information in the first storage area <NUM> from "0x01" to "0x81" and to perform an increment of increasing the number of initializations stored in the number-of-initializations count value storage area <NUM> by <NUM>. Step S38 is an example of the initialization step, and the processing performed by the processor <NUM> in step S38 is an example of the third initialization command transmission processing.

When step S38 is completed, the processing returns to <FIG> and the flow of <FIG> ends.

The processing performed by the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge machine <NUM> will be described with reference to a flowchart of <FIG> corresponding to <FIG> of the modified embodiment of the above (<NUM>).

In <FIG>, steps S59, S63 and S69 are newly provided, in place of steps S57, S61 and S67 in <FIG>. In addition, instead of step S70 in <FIG>, step S70' conforming to step S70 is provided.

First, in step S59, in the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>, it is determined whether the third transmission command transmitted from the complex machine <NUM> in step S9 of <FIG> is received. When the third transmission command is received, it is determined Yes to proceed to step S63.

In step S63, by the controller <NUM>, the recycling history information is read out from the first storage area <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM> and is transmitted to the complex machine <NUM>.

In step S69, in the controller <NUM>, it is determined whether the third initialization command transmitted from the complex machine <NUM> in step S38 of <FIG> is received. When the third initialization command is received, it is determined Yes to proceed to step S70'.

In step S70', by the controller <NUM>, the use amount initial value stored in the fourth storage area <NUM> is read out, and as a part of the writing processing, the value is copied to the second storage area <NUM>, so that the value of the use amount information in the second storage area <NUM> is initialized.

In the present modified embodiment, the processing in which the controller <NUM> executes step S70' is an example of the use amount information writing processing. In addition, in the present modified embodiment, the processing performed by the processor <NUM> in step S38 of <FIG> and the processing performed by the controller <NUM> in step S70' of <FIG> are examples of the initialization processing. Further, step S38 in <FIG> and step S70' in <FIG> are examples of the initialization step.

The processing contents of steps S75 and S80 are similar to those in <FIG> and <FIG>, and the descriptions thereof are omitted. After step S80, this flow ends.

In the present modified embodiment, by executing steps S9 and S13, the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> communicates with the cartridge memory <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> mounted on the complex machine <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>, and acquires the recycling history information.

Based on the acquired recycling history information, steps S15 and S20 are executed by the processor <NUM>, and it is determined whether or not to execute step S38 of initializing the value of the use amount information stored in the cartridge memory <NUM>. When it is determined to execute step S38 based on the recycling history information, the value of the use amount information of the cartridge memory <NUM> is initialized by the processor <NUM> in step S38.

In addition, in the present modified embodiment, particularly, the processor <NUM> transmits the third transmission command to the controller <NUM> of the cartridge memory <NUM> by steps S9 and S13, thereby acquiring the recycling history information read out and transmitted from the first storage area <NUM> by the controller <NUM> based on the third transmission command (step S13). When the recycling history information is acquired, the processor <NUM> executes step S38 to transmit the third initialization command to the controller <NUM>, so that the initialization processing of initializing the value of the use amount information by reading out the use amount initial value stored in the fourth storage area <NUM> and copying and writing the same to the second storage area <NUM> by the controller <NUM> is performed (step S70').

According to the present embodiment, the value of the use amount information is initialized by simply copying the use amount initial value stored in advance in the cartridge memory <NUM>, so that the processing on the complex machine <NUM>-side can be further simplified.

Note that, in the above embodiment and the respective modified embodiments, the command is transmitted from the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> to the controller <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>, so that the controller <NUM> reads out and writes information with respect to the cartridge memory <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the processor <NUM> of the complex machine <NUM> may be configured to read out and write information with respect to the cartridge memory <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM> and the electrodes 65A to 65C without going through the controller <NUM>.

In this case, steps S5, S7 and S9 described above are omitted, and in subsequent steps S10, S11 and S13, each information is directly acquired from the cartridge memory <NUM> by the processor <NUM>. Further, in steps S36, S37 and S38, the processor <NUM> directly writes the use amount initial value to the second storage area <NUM>, instead of outputting the first to third initialization commands to the controller <NUM> and causing the controller <NUM> to write the use amount initial value to the second storage area <NUM>. The same applies to the updating of the recycling history information and the incrementing of the number-of-initializations count value. That is, in these cases, the initialization processing of initializing the value of the use amount information in the second storage area <NUM> is performed by the processor <NUM>.

Further, in the above case, the controller <NUM> may be omitted in the ink cartridge <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may directly read out and write information with respect to the cartridge memory <NUM> via the electrodes 65A to 65C.

Claim 1:
A consumable (<NUM>) for a recording apparatus, the consumable configured to be detachably attached to a main body (<NUM>) of the recording apparatus and comprising a consumable memory (<NUM>) configured to communicate with the recording apparatus and a controller (<NUM>) configured to control reading and writing of information with respect to the consumable memory (<NUM>),
wherein the consumable memory (<NUM>) has:
a first storage area (<NUM>) in which recycling history information of the consumable (<NUM>) is stored, the recycling history information including a first information part representing whether the consumable (<NUM>) is a recycled product with a recycling history or a brand-new product without the recycling history, and a second information part representing whether the consumable (<NUM>) is an initialized recycled product with an initialization history of use amount information of a consumable material included in the consumable (<NUM>) or an uninitialized recycled product without the initialization history, in a case where the consumable (<NUM>) is the recycled product, wherein the amount of remaining consumable material or remaining life time or the amount of used consumable material or time used is referred to as "use amount" and the information representing the "use amount" is referred to as "use amount information" and wherein "initialization" means that an initial value of the use amount information is written as an amount of consumable material or lifetime that can be used again as a recycled product;
a second storage area (<NUM>) in which the use amount information is stored; and
any one storage area of a third storage area (<NUM>) in which capacity information of the consumable (<NUM>) is stored and a fourth storage area (<NUM>) in which a use amount initial value of the consumable (<NUM>) in a recycling completion state is stored, and
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to perform use amount information writing processing of writing a predetermined use amount initial value to the second storage area (<NUM>), in response to receiving a command transmitted from the recording apparatus.