EP1332875A2 - Printer or other automatic printing system with additonal control unit and said control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Printer (1) comprises printhead (2), refillable or exchangeable ink reservoirs (41-44), an electronic device (6) for printing, a communication system (8) as a control device to perform transmitting, blocking, and processing of different signals, pulses and information. An Independent claim is also included for controller for printer.

Description

The invention relates to a printer or other printing system, in particular for automatic registration, writing or drawing systems or as an EDP output unit, preferably as an ink jet, drop-on-demand or continuous jet printer or printing system at least one control device, a print head, a print electronics and a refillable and / or exchangeable ink tank or tank system, and a control device therefor.

Printers or printing systems with at least one print head, printing electronics and with an ink tank or tank systems are already known, for example, from [1.] DE 199 56 702 A1 and from [2.] EP 1 180 912 A2 .
The interchangeable ink tanks are equipped with memory chips as coding systems that contain certain basic data, such as information on tank type, ink color, date of manufacture, make and the like, and transmit them to the printer electronics or receive them from them and, if necessary, save them.
A disadvantage of such systems is that the respective memory chip of the ink tank, usually once, is written with print data by the printer electronics and the printer electronics sends a blocking command to the memory chip from a certain point in time in order to abort the printing process. A chip described in this way then makes the ink tank unusable, so that it has to be replaced by a new tank with a blank chip. Refilling the empty-printed tank means that further use is no longer possible, since the chip is (mostly irreversibly) locked and transmits the "cartridge empty" signal to the printer. Refilling does not change the information stored on the chip and its general locking function.

There are also [3] known systems in which the data lines between the printer electronics and the memory chip of an ink tank can be switched off, if necessary, in order to stop a further data flow in this way, if necessary. The data lines are practically cut, completely blocked or physically cut through. However, it is a disadvantage of such systems that usually all data lines, for example also those for the level information, which are passed from the printer to the ink tank and vice versa, are completely blocked. As a result, the fill level indicator in the printer display is and remains static, up to date, with the data line not yet blocked. This "frozen information" thus does not provide a current ink level in the ink tank and therefore no - actually necessary - warning about low or even critical ink levels in the tank.
A remedy for the use of such a system and a consequent lack of information is achieved in that the user receives control of the ink level in the tank only by temporarily removing the tank from the printer and then weighing the tank. This process is not only time-consuming, but it also requires considerable experience and sensitivity in handling and in the know-how to determine the actual ink content. Despite all the effort and care, this always remains an estimate. Due to frequent installation and removal of the ink tanks, the corresponding seals and the contacts on the tank and possibly also on the printer itself are strained. As a result, leakage, contact errors and / or transmission interference cannot be ruled out.
It is important to know the ink level, since the associated print head may be irreversibly damaged if the tank is empty. In such a case, it is also not excluded that, despite the replacement of a defective printhead by a new one, further problems arise since air can have entered the hose package of the ink feed and a new destruction of the new printhead is also preprogrammed. This often results in a printer or even production downtime for several days, not to mention the expensive service costs.

In general, it should be noted that ink cartridges or ink tanks, or with other consumables that are equipped with memory chips in order to Products in the upper price range. With every change e.g. of Ink tanks, the user must have a complete ink tank, i.e. next to the ink also requires a case, ink bag, valves, electronics, etc. buy and dispose of, although these hardware elements are usually are still good and could easily be used multiple times.

The object of the invention is therefore to design or modify printers or other automatically operating printing systems, such as ink-jet, drop-on-demand or continuous ink-jet printers, in such a way that it is simple for the user and way is made possible to use refilled or other ink tanks or possibly other spare parts.

The solution of this object is achieved by the allocation of a control device as a communication system, preferably for electronic signals, as included in claim 1 and by a control device according to claim 7, refinements and advantageous developments are included in the further claims.

Through proposed solutions, existing material, such as empty written tanks, hose systems, or other consumables if necessary reusable, what to conserve resources, through reduced waste leads and also usually saves the user considerable costs.

Such a control device or communication system enables this Users e.g., usually electronically, refilled ink tanks, or other consumables, which may be with a memory chip or other Labels, codes or data fields are provided again in the use the appropriate printer system and, if necessary, use it several times.

A particular advantage when using a proposed control device or the communication system lies in the possibly differentiated treatment of different data lines with the data and signals transmitted therein. The signals can in particular be stopped, edited, controlled and / or manipulated by the communication system, so that, for example, current and actual level information of the ink in the ink tank is looped through and / or visualized, which was previously not possible with refilled ink tanks and cartridges.
A proposed control unit, as a communication system 8, which is designed here as a communication element 81 and is connected in the data lines 7 between the printer electronics 6 and the tank system 4, will be explained in more detail with reference to the following schematic illustration.
The figure shows a printer, or a printer system 1, into which a proposed control device as communication system 8 into the data line 7 between printer electronics 6 and memory chip 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. Of the ink tank 41 associated with these data lines 71, 42, 43, 44, ff. Was used. It should be noted that, for reasons of clarity, only a limited data line 7 is shown as a chip line 71 between printer electronics 6 and the ink tank 41 and another as a hose line 72 to the hose system 3 or to the print head carriage 21. Other reading devices, scanners, scanners for optical fields 52, EAN codes 52, level gauges 54, tank identifiers 55 etc. and / or other control devices are, of course, connected or connectable to the pressure electronics 6, if necessary via data lines 7 ff., Provided that the data transfer is not carried out at all and if necessary in total, by infrared, ultrasound, laser optics, radio or other "wireless" transmission aids.
Data lines run, for example, as chip lines 71 via the control unit, which is designed as a compact communication element 81, from the printing electronics 6 to the tank system 4. Data lines, referred to as hose lines 72, connect the printer electronics 6 to a memory chip of the hose system 3 on the printhead carriage 21, which is shown here as hose identifier 56, and possibly with, the hoses 31, 32, 33, 34, ff. associated with hose identifiers 56 '. These memory chips, or these hose identifiers 56, 56 ', can also be arranged at any other point in the hose system 3, for example in its connection area on or to the tank system 5. An energy line 73 can also be present for the internal or external power supply of various devices components.

The communication element 81 shown consists of, preferably a plurality of, signal bodies 86 as display elements, such as an LED lighting element for each line for visualizing current operating states in the printing system 1, one or more pulse generators 85, such as buttons or switches, for manual or automatic pulses for start desired actions or to be able to carry out resets or other "reset functions" manually or automatically. In addition, in the communication system 8, or in the communication element 81, connection electronics 83 and a storage element 84 are included as important parts for the appropriate treatment and, if necessary, for storing data which the tank system 4, the hose system 3 and / or other, possibly, also monitoring consumable parts. The connection electronics 83 and the memory element 84 are preferably a total, generally writable and / or programmable, "microcontroller", possibly with read / write functions, which on the one hand is set in the factory or preprogrammed, on the other hand, if necessary, can be individually programmed by the user himself using a PC or laptop, but can also be programmed automatically by the printer and adapted to the current functional states and parameters as required. If a power supply to the controller is required, this can be done externally or by own energy sources or, as is usually the case, via the printer-internal data line 7, which can also include power lines 73 for supplying power to various components.
As an example, the figure shows that data lines 7 are present, via which the data can be “looped through”, interrupted, blocked, simulated and / or manipulated in any form. Such data lines 7 can both chip lines 71 between printer controller 6 and memory chips 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. From tank 41 or from the other tanks 42, 43, 44, ff. Or hose lines 72 to hose system 3 and / or to Printhead carriage 21 or power lines 73 and / or other lines. The hose system 3 with its individual ink hoses 31, 32, 33, 34, ff. Connects the print head 2, or the print head carriage 21 and the print nozzles 22, to the corresponding ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff.

When printing itself, the printing electronics 6 sends the necessary control data e.g. via a print data line 23 to the print head 2, for needs-based Activation of the relevant print nozzles 22 and for ink output by them. A memory chip of the hose system 3 protrudes as hose identifier 56, 56 ' the, here referred to as hose lines 72, data lines with the Printer electronics 6 in connection. Each of the data lines 7 and 71, 72, ff. can have a specific data flow direction and depending on the requirement Signals, or impulses or data in one direction, in the other direction or transmit and / or block in both directions or unhindered and let pass unaffected.

If a communication system 8 or a communication element 81 is connected to the data line 7 ff. And a refilled ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Is inserted into this printing system 1, the user can, if necessary, before reinserting it , at the push of a button on the reset button 85, or possibly also by other impulses, certain default data for the fill level of a new ink tank or a partially empty ink tank 41, 42, 4 3, 44, ff. are transmitted to the pressure electronics 6. The printing electronics 6 may then reset the circuit to 100%, ie fully filled, and the printing process can be started.
During this printing process, signals or data are usually transmitted from the printer electronics 6 to the memory chips 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff., 56, 56 ', ff. And / or queried by them. When the communication system 8 is used, this system takes over the chip functions and generally communicates exclusively with the printing electronics 6 instead of the memory chips 6. All signals S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6, ff in this case transmitted from the printing electronics 6 to the communication system 8 and from there not, as originally provided, passed on to the chip 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. The communication system 8 transmits all of the data required for further printing to the printer electronics 6 instead of the memory chip 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. For the user, when printing with the communication system 8 or with the communication element 81 used, there is no difference to printing systems without such a communication element 81.
The printer 1 works properly and without problems.
Instead of chips 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff., Optical fields 52, EAN codes 53, mechanical, optical or other systems for level measurement 54 or other coding aids can also be used in the context of coding systems 5 if the corresponding reading and / or writing devices are available for this purpose and the printing electronics 6 responds to this. If necessary, the communication system 8 is then to be adapted accordingly.
The replacement and / or refilling of empty or partially empty ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Can be carried out using proposed control devices or communication systems 8 or communication elements 81 for printers, as described, for example, in [1] DE 199 12 620 or are known from [2.] DE 101 16 429, but also in other printing systems with comparable construction, technology and electronics.
Preferably, before inserting new or refilled ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, etc. into the printer, the previously described resetting of the default data takes place, which are stored in communication systems 8 or in communication element 81. The communication system 8 or the communication element 81 then simulates the printer 1, during operation and / or before starting work, possibly the presence of a new and fully filled original ink tank or a functional partially empty tank and the printer or its printing electronics 6 gives the green light for incoming print jobs and processes them, although it may be a used and / or user-refilled ink tank, the memory chip 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. may be missing or already described in such a way that it would send out the signal "cartridge missing", "cartridge empty", "used up", or "defective" if it were connected directly to the printer electronics 6 and communicated without a communication system 8.
However, due to the interposed communication system 8, this "interference signal" does not reach the printer electronics 6. Instead, the communication system 8 passes on the necessary, possibly internally stored, work data from its own databases to the printer electronics 6.

Below is some information and tasks for the memory chip (s) 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. 56, 56 ', which is shown during printing is continuously supplied with data, e.g. to to recognize when a falls below certain critical ink levels. If the ink level falls below a certain value or level, the chip 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. described with information that makes the cartridge 41, ff. unusable. Any printing process will then, possibly immediately before the state: "tank empty", automatically canceled.

The data lines 7, 71, 72, between the printing electronics 6 and the memory chips 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff., 56, as used, for example, in the prior art, transmit signals, pulses, data and / or information of various types , all of which are referred to in this document as "signals".
Examples of signals as known from the prior art are described below.
Signal "S-1": "hose type signal", for identifying the hose system 3, which forms the ink supply line from the tank system 3 to the print head 2. Identification is expedient here, since a confusion of individual tubes or tube systems such as pigment inks and / or dye inks may have to be excluded. Information about defective hoses may also be transmitted. The information flow direction usually runs from the hose system 3 to the pressure electronics 6.
Signal "S-2": "hose time signal", for data acquisition of the operating time of the hose system. This signal usually passes through a data transfer through the hose lines 72, from the pressure electronics 6 to the chip 56, 56 'on the hose system 3, 21 in both directions.
Signal "S-3": "tank type signal", for identifying the type of ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff., For example the tank type, the date of manufacture, the batch number and / or the ink color. This data flows from the tank system 3 to the pressure electronics 6 via the chip lines 71.
Signal "S-4": "fill level target signal", for computational fill level determination in the ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Here, the amount of ink consumed is calculated by the printing electronics 6, from the number of ink droplets generated and their volume. The information flow here runs via the chip line 71 from the pressure electronics 6 to the chips 51, ff. Of the ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff and is stored there.
Signal "S-5": "actual level signal", for or from the level measurement of the real ink level in the ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. A critical ink level can be spoken of from, for example, 34% residual ink quantity. This signal or the corresponding data are queried and processed or taken into account by the printing electronics 6 via the chip line 71.

The following shows how, for example, these signals S-1 to S-5 from the Communication element 8 "treated", or let through, blocked, simulated and / or manipulated.

Signal "S-1" = "looped through": The "hose type signal" serves to identify the hose system 3 which forms the ink supply line from the tank system 4 to the print head 2 and the signal "S-2" = "looped through", the "hose Time signal ", is used for data acquisition of the operating time of the hose system 3. These two signals are usually only" looped through "by the communication system 8, that is to say passed through unfiltered, since they are generally required or important, both with regard to the ink assignment and for safety reasons. The signals S-1 and S-2 are therefore not blocked. The data and information about the hose system 3, its types, age and operating hours are thus usually passed on directly. The communication element 8 therefore only forwards this information, as well as information about a new or different hose system 3 inserted into the printer 1, for example when changing from pigment inks to solvent inks or from aqueous inks to, for example, alcoholic inks. Signal 3 = "simulated": The "tank type signal" for identifying the type of ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Is possibly simulated by the communication system 8, since the information or data for identifying the ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff are necessary for the function of printer 1 and printer 1 does not print without such identification data. This data is therefore stored in the communication element 81 and, instead of the “real chip data”, it is forwarded to the printing electronics 6 as simulated information.
Signal 4 = "manipulated": The "fill level setpoint signal" for calculating the fill level in the ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Is manipulated or "blocked" as required. Since only the information about the current real fill level is important and not the data of the amount of ink consumed by the printer or the number of print droplets, this data is intercepted and blocked in the communication element 81 and possibly stored and kept ready. Instead, adequate (manipulated) information about the fill level is passed on to the printing electronics 6 as required. A data or information exchange about the amount of ink possibly used thus only takes place between the printer electronics 6 and the communication system 8, but not between the printer electronics 6 and chip 51, or ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. This prevents this that the printing electronics 6 sends a lock command to the chip 51, ff. of the ink tank 41, ff. As a result, it is possible that ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Can also be used in printer 1, which were previously blank-printed and would in themselves be unusable, since the information "unusable" or "blocked" that is contained in the chips 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. Of the tanks 5 was written, no longer penetrates to the printer electronics 6. Signal "S-5" = "looped through": The "actual level signal" for real, or current, level measurement of the real ink level in the ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff., On the other hand, may only be "looped through" because "Real-time conditions" should be used here. This is another example of data that may not be blocked. The current level measurement, for example a level measurement in the ink tank, is usually very important, since it should be avoided in any case that the system is written blank.
The data on the current fill level are usually queried, accepted and processed by the printing electronics 6. This ensures that in the case of an incompletely filled ink tank, the level indicator is corrected and, when the ink level is critical, the printing electronics 6 stops printing processes in order to prevent air from getting into the hose system 3 or even into the print head 2 or that the print head 2 is overheated ,

In the event that, with the communication element 81 inserted in the printer 1, the printer 1 receives the message directly from the tank system 5 that the fill level or level has reached a critical level, the printer switches off. If the empty ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Is to be refilled, the user removes it from the printer 1 in a conventional manner and refills it outside of the printer 1. The control indicator 86 assigned to the tank lights up or flashes on the communication element 81. By pressing the button 85 or the like, which is arranged in the housing of the communication element 81, a "reset" can take place, which reports to the printing electronics 6 that a full, ready-to-use ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff Color is in printer 1. At the same time, the droplet counter for calculating the amount of ink consumed is set to zero. The refilled tank can then be used.
It is then possible to print normally, as with a new or as with an original tank and with a memory chip 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff.

If the communication element 81 is installed in the printer 1 and connected into the data line 7, it reads the current ink levels of all ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. From the memory chips 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff. and accepts them as initial or basic values in its memory 84. This data is then used for further communication.
If the communication element 81 is installed in the printer 1 at a time when partially emptied ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Are installed, the data of the partially emptied tanks are adopted.
If new tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, etc. are in printer 1 at the time of installation, their data are taken over by the communication element.

Does the memory 84 of the communication element 81 have the data of 100% filled ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. taken over as reference data, and will reset the system with "reset", so in this case the individual Ink tanks should be refilled before the system is put into operation to prevent the printing electronics 6 from having data, after which sufficient ink supply is available, although a tank 41, 42, 43, 44, ff is empty.

If necessary, it can be particularly advantageous that the communication element 81 is already implemented in the printing system 1 before the chips 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff., Which may be present on the ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, ff have been described by the printing electronics 6.
As a result, ink tanks 41, 42, 43, 44, et seq. That have been refilled, but just "unwritten", can often be identified as new and unused, or recognized and (once only) used normally, even afterwards the removal of the communication element 81 or in the case of printers of the same system without a communication system 8.

It is particularly advantageous if the communication system 8 and the system therein built-in electronics 83, 84 with the associated software designed and is built up that this can be easily re-programmed to others Printer models can be customized.

The small dimensions of the housing in which the electronics of the communication element 81 are installed enables installation in or on the printer housing. The installation can be carried out by the customer without tools and aids, for example by means of plug connections as connection systems 82. No changes or conversions are usually required on the printer 1 due to the installation. Retrofitting or expanding the communication element 81 is also possible without problems and may not leave any change characteristics.
An external energy supply is generally not required for the operation of the communication system 8 or of the communication element 81, since the usually available energy systems, possibly via energy lines 73, can be used and are sufficient for this.

The present invention thus relates to a printer or other printing system, in particular for automatic registration, writing or drawing systems or as an EDP output unit, preferably as an ink jet, drop-on-demand or continuous jet printer or printing system , with at least one print head 2, a refillable and / or exchangeable ink tank or tank system 4, a print electronics 6 and possibly a control device, a communication system 8 being arranged in or on the printer 1 as a - possibly additional - control device for transmitting, blocking and / or for processing various signals S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6, ff., or impulses, information and / or any other data.
The communication system 8 and / or its connection system 82 should in this case preferably be arranged between the pressure electronics 6 and an ink tank 41, 42, 43, 44 or the tank system 4, it being possible for a connection system 82 of the communication system 8 to have detachable plug-in or screw connections and within the can be arranged between the pressure electronics 6 and the tank or tank system 4 extending data lines 7, 71. In addition, the connection system 82 of the communication system 8, or its detachable connections, should be within the between the printing electronics 6 and a memory chip 51, 511, 512, 513, 514 of the tank system 4 and / or within that between the print head 2 and the ink tank or tank system 4 extending hose system 3, or its data lines 7, 72 may be arranged.
For proper functioning, the communication system 8 should have means and devices for looping through, influencing; Creation and / or for blocking various signals, pulses, information and / or data that flow between the ink tank or the tank system 4 and / or the hose system 3 and the pressure electronics 6. The purpose of this is for the communication system 8 to be permanently or as required as an activator, simulator, blocking device and / or as a manipulator for or of signals (n.) With respect to the pressure electronics 6 and / or a coding system 5, 5 'of an ink tank or a tank system 4 and / or a hose system 3 ), Impulses, data and / or other information.

According to the invention, the communication system 8 can also be implemented in a, possibly additional, control device for a printer 1, which has means and / or devices for generating, transmitting, blocking and / or processing signals S-1, S-2, S -3, S-4, S-5, S-6, .ff., Or of pulses, data and / or other information and that with, preferably easily detachable, connections 82, with at least one connection electronics 83, at least one memory element 84, with one or more pulse generators or reset buttons 85, with signal bodies 86 and / or with further means and / or devices, with which it signals S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S- 5, S-6, ff., Or can transmit, block and / or process impulses, data and / or information. Such a control device or communication system 8 is advantageously designed as a detachable and interchangeable component, which is designed as a mobile, easily installed or removable communication element 81 and detachable connections 82 and, if appropriate, Velcro or adhesive tapes, screws, pins and / or has other fastening means 87 with which it can be attached or detachably attached to or in the printer, if necessary.
The control unit may also have signals S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6, ff., Or impulses, data and / or information stored, which may require a new one , ie signal or simulate unused ink tank 4, an unused hose package 3 and / or another unused spare part. Such signals S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6, ff., Or impulses, data and / or information should be activated and / or called up manually or preferably also automatically his.
It is particularly advantageous if the control unit, as connection electronics 83 and / or as storage element 84, has a writable and / or programmable "microcontroller", possibly with read / write functions, which is set, preprogrammed, individually programmed and / or by the printer can be programmed and, if necessary, adapted to the current functional states and demand parameters of printer 1.
If the control device also contains information or data for identification of the ink tank 4 used, or data of a coding system 5 or of memory chips 51, 511, 512, 513, 514, etc. stored and can pass on if necessary, for identification of the one used Ink tanks 4, 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. And / or the hose systems 3 used or their coding 5 'for the hose system used and / or the ink tanks 4, 41, 42, 43, 44, ff. Used as input - and are identical as initial information, this allows special and / or specially treated or equipped components to be simulated.
As a result, components that are not entirely "system-compliant" can then be used.

1 printer / printing system, 2 printhead

21

Printhead carriage

22

pressure nozzles

23

Pressure data line

3 hose system

31

Ink tube from 2 to 41

32

Ink tube from 2 to 42

33

Ink tube from 2 to 43

34

Ink tube from 2 to 44

4 ink tank / tank system

41

Tank-1 with first (e.g. black) ink

42

Tank-2 with second (e.g. magenta) ink,

43

Tank-3 with third (e.g. cyan) ink

44

Tank-4 with fourth (e.g. yellow) ink

5, 5 'coding (s) / coding system

51

Memory chip (s),

511

Chip from tank 41,

512

Chip from tank 42,

513

Chip from tank 43,

514

Chin from tank 44

52

optics field

53

EAN coding

54

level measurement

55

tank identifier

56, 56 '

Tube identifier (s)

6 printing electronics 7 data line (s)

71

chip line

72

hose

73

power line

8 Communication system / (possibly additional) control unit

81

communication element

82

Connections / connection system

83

connection electronics

84

storage element

85

Pulse / Reset button

86

signal devices

87

fastener

S = signals:

S-1 = hose type signal,

S-2 = hose time signal,

S-3 = tank type signal / ink color signal,

S-4 = level desired signal,

S-5 = actual level signal,

S-6 ...

Claims (17)

Printer or other printing system, in particular for automatic registration, writing or drawing systems or as an EDP output unit, preferably as an ink jet, drop-on-demand or continuous jet printer or printing system, with at least one print head (2 ), a refillable and / or exchangeable ink tank or tank system (4), pressure electronics (6) and possibly a control device, characterized in that a communication system (8) is arranged in or on the printer (1) as a - possibly additional - control device is for transmitting, blocking and / or processing various signals (S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S -...), or impulses, information and / or otherwise any data. A printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication system (8) and / or its connection system (82) is arranged between the printing electronics (6) and the ink tank (41, 42, 43, 44,) or the tank system (4). Printer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection system (82) of the communication system (8) has detachable plug-in or screw connections and within the data line (s) running between the pressure electronics (6) and the tank or tank system (4) ( 7, 71) is arranged. Printer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection system (82) of the communication system (8) has detachable connections and within the between the printing electronics (6) and a memory chip (51, 511, 512, 513, 514) of the tank system ( 4) and / or within the hose system (3) running between the print head (2) and the ink tank or tank system (4), or its data line (s) (7, 72). Printer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication system (8) has means and devices for looping through, influencing, creating and / or blocking various signals, pulses, information and / or data that exist between the ink tank or the tank system (4) and / or the hose system (3) and the pressure electronics (6) flow. Printer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication system (8) has means and / or devices with which it is compared to the printing electronics (6) and / or a coding system (5, 5 ') of an ink tank or a tank system (4) and / or a hose system (3) can act permanently or as required as an activator, simulator, blocking device and / or as a manipulator for or of signals (s), pulses, data and / or other information. Control device for a printer according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it is designed as a communication system (8) and has means and / or devices for generating, transmitting, blocking and / or processing signals (S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S -5, S -...), or of impulses, data and / or other information. Control device according to claim 7, characterized in that it is designed as a communication element (81) and connections (82), a connection electronics (83), a memory element (84), one or more pulse generators or reset buttons (85), signal body (86) and / or has further means and / or devices with which signals (S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S -...) or impulses, data and / or information are transmitted , blocked and / or edited. Control device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the communication system (8) or the communication element (81) is designed as a detachable and easily replaceable component. Control unit according to Claim 9, characterized in that it is designed as a mobile, easily installable or removable communication element (81) and has detachable connections (82) and, if appropriate, fastening means (87). Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are signals (S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S -...), or pulses, data and / or information has stored or has, which signal or simulate a new, ie unused ink tank (4), an unused hose package (3) and / or another unused spare part. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has means and / or devices with which the signals (S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5,) stored in the communication element (81) S -...), or impulses, data and / or information can be activated and / or called up manually or automatically. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a writable and / or programmable "microcontroller" as connection electronics 83 and / or as storage element 84. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a writable and / or programmable "microcontroller" with read / write functions as connection electronics 83 and / or as storage element 84, which is set, preprogrammed, individually programmed and / or by the The printer can be programmed and, if necessary, adapted to the current functional states and demand parameters. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains information or data for identification of the ink tank (4) used stored. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains information or data from a coding system (5, 5 ') or from memory chips (51, 511, 512, 513, 514, ff.) For identifying the ink tank (4, 41, 42, 43, 44, ff.) And / or the hose systems used (3) contains stored. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information or data of a coding (5 ') for the hose system (3) and / or the ink tanks (4, 41, 42, 43, 44, ff) used as input and are identical as output information.

Images