Abstract:
Semiconductor memory devices 10 are each furnished with a memory array 100 having an EEPROM array 101 and a mask ROM array 102. Identifying information for identifying each semiconductor memory device 10 is stored at the beginning three addresses of the EEPROM array 101. 8-bit data relating to ink level is stored at the ninth address to sixteenth address of the EEPROM array 101. The seventeenth address to the twenty-fourth address of the EEPROM array 101 is provided with a usage history information storage area for storing 8-bit usage history information that is rewriteable under certain conditions.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device 10 sets a pass-through flag to ON when the top address of a write-prohibited area is passed. When a request to write data to a write-restricted area WRA is received, the semiconductor memory device 10 determines whether or not the pass-through flag is set to ON, and if the pass-through flag is not set to ON, the semiconductor memory device 10 executes writing of the data to the write-restricted area. On the other hand, if the pass-through flag is set to ON, the semiconductor memory device 10 does not execute writing of the data to the write-restricted area.
Abstract:
Control circuit 30 determines whether or not all ink cartridges CA1 through CA6 are attached in the home position based on cartridge out signals COO. Control circuit 30 carries out communication with memory devices 21 through 26 and determines the presence or absence of communication malfunctions. When a communication malfunction develops in one of memory devices 21 through 26, control circuit 30 determines if a communication malfunction is caused by ink cartridge 30 being detached and identifies detached ink cartridge CA using identifying information. When all of ink cartridges CA1 through CA6 are attached, control circuit 30 determines which of memory devices 21 through 26 has developed a communication malfunction and identifies ink cartridge CA in which a communication malfunction has developed using identifying information.
Abstract:
A plurality of small loop antenna cells 61, 62 and 63 are magnetically coupled to an antenna coil 8 of a non-contact type data carrier 3. In the plurality of small loop antenna cells, the directions of the magnetic moments of the signals transmitted to the non-contact type data carrier 3 are opposite to each other, the sum of the magnetic moments generated from all the small loop antenna cells 61 to 63 is zero and a conductor forming a short ring pattern 67 is provided collectively for the plurality of small loop antenna cells. Thus, imbalance caused between the small loop antenna cells 61 to 63 can be compensated for by the short ring pattern 67.
Abstract:
Online support is given for operation of a device. First, a client system equipped with the device is connected to a user support server that gives online support for operation of the device. Next, the client system transmits device information for which the device model can be specified and use environment information indicative of an operation environment of the device to the user support server system. Finally, using the information transmitted to the user support server system, the device support information for supporting operation of the device that the client system has is generated, and the device support information is transmitted to the client system.
Abstract:
An ink cartridge has a memory controller that controls a series of processing that involves rewriting data into a memory. The memory stores information regarding the ink cartridge, for example, a residual quantity of ink in the ink cartridge. A control unit of a printer gives the ink cartridge an instruction including a specified address to execute an operation of rewriting the data in the memory (either an operation of erasing the existing data from the memory or an operation of writing data into the memory). In response to the given instruction, the memory controller rewrites the data at the specified address in the memory and sends back a response signal or an acknowledgement representing completion of the rewriting operation, together with address-related information corresponding to the specified address. The control unit receives the address-related information and verifies whether data has been rewritten correctly at a right address. This arrangement ensures a sufficiently high reliability in the operation of rewriting data into the memory.
Abstract:
An ink filling apparatus is constituted by an access unit (61) for reading an amount of ink consumed in an ink cartridge (10) which needs to be refilled from a storage unit (15) provided on the relevant cartridge and a filling controlling unit (60) for determining an amount of ink on the basis of the data. Ink in an amount corresponding to the amount of ink consumption stored in the storage unit of the ink cartridge (10) is filled by a filling apparatus (66).
Abstract:
An ink filling apparatus is constituted by an access unit (61) for reading an amount of ink consumed in an ink cartridge (10) which needs to be refilled from a storage unit (15) provided on the relevant cartridge and a filling controlling unit (60) for determining an amount of ink on the basis of the data. Ink in an amount corresponding to the amount of ink consumption stored in the storage unit of the ink cartridge (10) is filled by a filling apparatus (66).
Abstract:
A control circuit 30 that controls writing of data to storage devices 21-28 and reading of data from storage devices 21-28 transmits a clock signal SCK and a reset signal RST to storage devices 21-28 via a clock signal line CL and a reset signal line RL. Of the data transmitted by control circuit 30, first data SDA1, a data sequence intended for the storage devices 21, 23, 25, 27 of the first group, is supplied via a first data signal line DL1 to the storage devices 21, 23, 25, 27 of the first group. Second data SDA2, a data sequence intended for the storage devices 22, 24, 26, 28 of the second group, is supplied via a second data signal line DL2 to the storage devices 22, 24, 26, 28 of the second group.
Abstract:
In an ink jet printer with a print head having two nozzle rows arranged at different positions in a main scanning direction, that is, a 0th nozzle row and a 1st nozzle row, with regard to each color ink, common driving waveforms are used to drive both the 0th nozzle row and the 1st nozzle row. The driving waveforms are periodically and successively output in a specific cycle where a plurality of driving waveforms are allocated to each pixel. A specific relation between the driving waveforms and a pixel is regulated individually for the respective nozzle rows using two latch signals. For example, in the case of nozzles included in the 0th nozzle row, dots are created in a certain pixel with driving signals S1 through S4. In the case of nozzles included in the 1st nozzle row, on the other hand, dots are created in a certain pixel with driving signals S3 through S6. Regulating the interval between the two latch signals enables the positions of dots in the main scanning direction formed by the respective nozzle rows to be finely adjusted in the unit of a driving signal. This arrangement effectively prevents a positional misalignment of dots in the main scanning direction.