Seiko Epson Corporation

Yusuke Torigoe

Satoshi Shinada

Toshio Kumagai

Takahiro Naka

Hikonosuke Uwai

Satoru Orii

Yuki Togawa

Yoshiharu Hamaguchi

An ink cartridge which has an IC memory for holding information about the cartridge. At the time the ink cartridge is to be installed in a printing apparatus, its insertion is inhibited at a position before installation by a lock mechanism. In this state, the information in the IC memory is read out via a first electrode terminal located on the cartridge side and connected to the IC memory and the propriety of the installation of the ink cartridge to the apparatus is determined. When the ink cartridge is determined to be appropriate, the lock mechanism is unlocked and the ink cartridge can be installed into the printing apparatus. When the ink cartridge is installed in the printing apparatus, data is exchanged between the printing apparatus and the IC memory via a second electrode terminal connected to the IC memory.

Ink cartridge, ink-jet type printing apparatus using the same, and ink cartridge change control method in the apparatus

The present invention provides a printing method and the like with which high-quality and high-speed printing is possible. The printing method includes: a step of performing pre-communication with an external device before print data are obtained from the external device; a step of obtaining print data from the external device; a step of setting print conditions according to the content of the pre-communication; and a step of printing a medium based on the print data according to the print conditions that have been set.

Printing apparatus and printing method for performing pre-communication with an external device

Ink cartridge, ink jet type printing apparatus using the same, and ink cartridge change control method in the apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Nagano-ken, Japan

Yusuke Torigoe