CN101612836B - Printer and printing system - Google Patents
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- CN101612836B CN101612836B CN 200910148880 CN200910148880A CN101612836B CN 101612836 B CN101612836 B CN 101612836B CN 200910148880 CN200910148880 CN 200910148880 CN 200910148880 A CN200910148880 A CN 200910148880A CN 101612836 B CN101612836 B CN 101612836B
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Abstract
A printing system and a printer used in a printing system that acquires from a printer data relating to how much ink or other recording material was used manages the ink cartridges or other recording material cartridges individually while maintaining the reliability of data acquired from the printer. The printer (240) calculates the amount of ink used only for printing as a number of discharged ink shots, and sends this shot count with the printer serial number and ink cartridge ID to a server (220). The server (220) saves the shot count, printer serial number, ink cartridge ID, and an error correction code as status information. The server (220) or server upstream from the server (220) can reliably determine the number of ink shots used by the printer (240) only for printing from this status information.
Description
The application is dividing an application of the application for a patent for invention 200610137457.2 of submitting on October 25th, 2006, and therefore requires as follows the priority in first to file:
The Japanese patent application 2005-316284 that on October 31st, 2005 submitted;
The Japanese patent application 2005-363318 that on December 16th, 2005 submitted.
Technical field
The present invention relates generally to a kind of printer and print system, more specifically, relates to a kind of printer and print system of using the print cartridge of storage ink, ink powder or other recording materials.
Background technology
Printer such as ink-jet printer and laser printer through on recording medium, placing or melting the recording materials such as ink or ink powder, comes print text, image or other content on common paper, speciality paper or other recording medium usually.Ink or ink powder are stored in usually and can freely be installed on the printer or from the print cartridge that printer disassembles.When the ink in the print cartridge in using the process of printer or ink powder exhaust, can add ink or ink powder through only changing print cartridge.
Printer manufacturer also is provided at ink or the ink powder print cartridge that uses in its printer to the end user usually, therefore also sells the print cartridge that is filled with ink or ink powder usually.
Recently, the Fare Collection System (print system) that manufacturer's exploitation makes new advances is used for coming printer user charge according to the amount of ink that consumes or ink powder rather than the print cartridge that sells separately.
For example, the open 2000-309147 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application has instructed a kind of Fare Collection System, and wherein, printer has been stored about each ID the consumption information of consumptive material (for example how consumes toner and used how many paper).When request, printer sends to data processing terminal with this consumption information, and data processing terminal calculates the printer usage charges according to this consumption information according to predetermined formula.
The open 2004-90517 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application has instructed a kind of ink-jet printer, has the pay imformation administrative unit that is used to manage the ink consumption.This pay imformation administrative unit is calculated consumption of ink according to the size and the quantity of the ink droplet of printhead injection.
The open 2002-36582 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application discloses a kind of Fare Collection System, and wherein, ink-jet printer uses optical sensor to measure how many inks of residue in the ink cartridge, and calculates the ink consumption according to how many inks of residue.The data processing equipment that links to each other with this ink-jet printer obtains and has used the relevant data of how many inks (below abbreviate " ink consumption " as) from ink-jet printer, and data that will be relevant with the ink consumption send to the server of service centre through network.Then, the charge module of on the server of service centre, moving is consulted the ink Fee Schedule, calculates charge amount according to the ink consumption, and the user is charged.
Yet, when actual installation and when using these Fare Collection Systems, following problem can appear.
Top Fare Collection System is a plurality of users' of management a plurality of printers and a plurality of print cartridge usually, therefore need a kind ofly can discern the system that each printer and each print cartridge obtain ink consumption information.
Yet, using in the transaction of this Fare Collection System in reality, Fare Collection System operator (side of printer or print cartridge is provided) often is in different positions with actual printer user.Under the situation of ink-jet printer, this need form a kind of system, wherein, only comes the user is charged to the actual ink that from the particular ink box that the operator provides to the user, consumes.
For the user from remote location obtains the ink usage data reliably, also must improve the reliability of obtaining data from printer, for example, realize through the mistake that prevents to transmit in the data.
In the operation of this Fare Collection System, the operator of Fare Collection System must know at the residing remote location of user how to use ink cartridge, reclaims the ink cartridge that exhausts in time, and keeps the new ink cartridge that is filled with ink to the user being provided.Therefore, the Systems Operator must store reliably the relevant accurate information of which ink cartridge newly has been installed with the ink cartridge that exhausts and in printer.
Be positioned at service centre and handle the server that calculates and to be used to receive and store the ink cartridge data that receive from printer.Yet if the server of service centre is lost the ink cartridge data for some reason, the operator can not obtain the data of the used ink cartridge of user.In addition, if because can not obtain the ink cartridge data from printer, then the operator can not know when collect the ink cartridge that exhausts, and therefore can not the ink cartridge that fill up be provided to the user when needed.This obviously can cause transaction issues.
Summary of the invention
A kind of printer and print system according to one aspect of the invention are managed a plurality of print cartridges independently; And the printer system that obtains the data relevant from printer with the consumption of the recording materials of for example ink and so on, the reliability of the ink cartridge data that keep obtaining from printer.
Printer according to a further aspect of the invention and print system can be operated print system under the situation that need not be written into ink tank information.
(1) first aspect of the present invention is a kind of printer, can link to each other communicatedly with data processing equipment, is used for coming document image according to the order that receives from data processing equipment, and this printer comprises:
Data storage cell is used for stored information;
The print cartridge installation unit is used to install the print cartridge of stored record material;
The print cartridge control module is used for reading the print cartridge identification number from the memory device that is positioned at print cartridge, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell;
Send the data generation unit, be used to produce status information, said status information comprises the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell; And
Transmitting element is used for status information is sent to data processing equipment.
(2) second aspect of the present invention is the printer according to first aspect present invention, also comprises:
Data storage cell is used for the device id of storaging mark printer;
Recording materials consumption computing unit only is used for calculating to have used how many recording materials to the image record, and it is stored in data storage cell; And
Send the data generation unit, produce status information, the amount that said status information comprises the print cartridge identification number, is stored in the device id in the data storage cell and is used for the recording materials of image record.
(3) third aspect of the invention is according to the present invention first or the printer of second aspect; Wherein, when in the print cartridge installation unit, print cartridge being installed, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number; And the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of new installation.
(4) fourth aspect of the present invention be according to the present invention first to the third aspect any one printer; Wherein, When the recording materials amount in the print cartridge is less than or equal to predeterminated level; The print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and writes down this print cartridge identification number, as the print cartridge that uses up recording materials.
(5) the 5th aspect of the present invention is any one printer in first to fourth aspect according to the present invention; Wherein, When transmitting element when data processing equipment sends status information; The reservation of print cartridge control module is stored in the identification number in the data storage cell, and the transmission state of the print cartridge that the print cartridge identification number that sends is identified is set to expression and has sent, and will send state storage in data storage cell.
(6) the 6th aspect of the present invention is the printer according to fifth aspect present invention; Wherein, The print cartridge control module is deleted the print cartridge identification number that the transmission state is set to represent the print cartridge that sent from data storage cell, and the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that will newly install stores data storage cell into.
(7) the 7th aspect of the present invention printer that is the 5th or the 6th aspect according to the present invention wherein, to the print cartridge identification number, is provided with memory limitations in data storage cell, and
If when storage print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications and all be not set to expression and send, then print cartridge control module error process process.
(8) eight aspect of the present invention is any one printer in first to the 7th aspect according to the present invention, wherein:
Print cartridge is stored multiple recording materials; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the said multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell.
(9) the 9th aspect of the present invention is first printer to eight aspect according to the present invention, wherein:
Recording materials are inks; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit is confirmed used quantity of ink through the printer serial number that sprays is counted.
(10) the tenth aspect of the present invention is the printer according to nineth aspect present invention, and wherein, the quantity of ink that recording materials consumption computing unit will not be used to make printhead can spray ink is as the part of ink consumption.
(11) the of the present invention the tenth is a kind of print system on the one hand, comprising:
Data processing equipment; And
Printer can link to each other with data processing equipment communicatedly, is used for coming document image according to the order that receives from data processing equipment, and this printer comprises:
Data storage cell is used for stored information;
The print cartridge installation unit is used to install the print cartridge of stored record material;
The print cartridge control module is used for reading the print cartridge identification number from the memory device that is positioned at print cartridge, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell;
Send the data generation unit, be used to produce status information, said status information comprises the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell; And
Transmitting element is used for status information is sent to data processing equipment.
(12) the 12 aspect of the present invention is the print system of in the tenth one side of the present invention, describing, and wherein, printer also comprises:
Data storage cell is used for the device id of storaging mark printer;
Recording materials consumption computing unit, how many recording materials are used for calculating has only be used for the image record, and it is stored in data storage cell; And
Send the data generation unit, produce status information, the amount that said status information comprises the print cartridge identification number, is stored in the device id in the data storage cell and is used for the recording materials of image record.
(13) the 13 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 11 or the 12, and wherein, data processing equipment comprises the state acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to send status information and receives the status information from printer.
(14) the 14 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the of the present invention the 13, and wherein, the state acquiring unit keeps the error correcting code of data reliability to add status information to being used for.
(15) the 15 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in any in aspect the of the present invention the 11 to the 14, wherein:
When terminal device links to each other with data processing equipment through network and data processing equipment during to terminal device transmission status information,
Terminal device calculates the recording materials usage charges according to this status information.
(16) the 16 aspect of the present invention is the print system of in the tenth one side of the present invention, describing; Wherein, Data processing equipment comprises recording materials consumption acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to use how many recording materials, and obtains from printer and to have used how many recording materials.
(17) the 17 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in any in aspect the of the present invention the 11 to the 16; Wherein, When in the print cartridge installation unit, print cartridge being installed; The print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of new installation.
(18) the tenth eight aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in any in aspect the of the present invention the 11 to the 17; Wherein, When the recording materials amount in the print cartridge is less than or equal to predeterminated level; The print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and writes down this print cartridge identification number, as the print cartridge that uses up recording materials.
(19) the 19 aspect of the present invention is the print system of in the present invention's the 11 to the tenth eight aspect, describing in any; Wherein, When transmitting element when data processing equipment sends status information; The reservation of print cartridge control module is stored in the identification number in the data storage cell, and the transmission state of the print cartridge that the print cartridge identification number that sends is identified is set to expression and has sent, and will send state storage in data storage cell.
(20) the 20 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 19; Wherein, The print cartridge control module is deleted the print cartridge identification number that the transmission state is set to represent the print cartridge that sent from data storage cell, and the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that will newly install stores data storage cell into.
(21) the of the present invention the 20 on the one hand is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 19 or the 20, wherein, to the print cartridge identification number, memory limitations is set in data storage cell, and
If when storage print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications and all be not set to expression and send, then print cartridge control module error process process.
(22) the 22 aspect of the present invention is the print system of in the present invention the 11 to the 20 on the one hand, describing in any, wherein:
Print cartridge is stored multiple recording materials; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the said multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell.
(23) the 23 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 11 to the 22, wherein:
Recording materials are inks; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit is confirmed used quantity of ink through the printer serial number that sprays is counted.
(24) the 24 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 23, and wherein, the quantity of ink that recording materials consumption computing unit will not be used to make printhead can spray ink is as the part of ink consumption.
[effect of the present invention]
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, and printer sends the print cartridge identification number to data processing equipment.Data processing equipment or can confirm that with the terminal device that is connected the data processing equipment upper reaches which in a plurality of print cartridges reality used.As a result, the Systems Operator can know reality has been used which print cartridge that offers the user, and can only charge to the user to the actual part of using.
Data processing equipment as used herein is not special restriction, as long as data processing equipment can and be controlled printer with printer communication.For example, data processing equipment can be server, be used to control the general purpose terminal equipment or the computer (for example PC) of printer or be used to control the POS terminal of printer prints magazine, receipt, bill, reward voucher, label or other medium.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, and printer is to data processing equipment transmitting apparatus identification number and only be used for the recording materials amount that image writes down.If there are a plurality of printers to link to each other with data processing equipment, data processing equipment or the terminal device that is connected the data processing equipment upper reaches can be confirmed that each printer only is used for printing and use how many recording materials.When in according to the Fare Collection System that has used how many recording materials to come client is charged, using a plurality of printer; Can confirm the recording materials consumption individually to each printer; Can collect and tabulate, and can come the user is charged according to the recording materials consumption from the data of all printers.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, and printer is to data processing equipment transmitting apparatus identification number and only be used to recording materials amount and the print cartridge identification number printed.When a plurality of printers linked to each other with data processing equipment, data processing equipment or the terminal device that is connected the data processing equipment upper reaches can be known and which print cartridge be installed in each printer and consumed how many recording materials.Therefore, even when the recording materials Fare Collection System is followed the tracks of the recording materials of a plurality of printers, also can confirm to have used how many recording materials from each print cartridge.
In addition, through collecting and tabulated data from all printers, the recording materials Fare Collection System can determine whether to exist and offer the user but the print cartridge that is not used.Can also determine whether to exist the print cartridge of unusual use, although for example should exhaust when still using print cartridge when recording materials.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system; When in the print cartridge installation unit, print cartridge being installed; The print cartridge control module of printer reads the print cartridge identification number, and the conduct of storage print cartridge identification number is the print cartridge of installation newly, and the print cartridge identification number is sent to data processing equipment.Therefore data processing equipment can confirm reliably which print cartridge has been installed in which printer.Data processing equipment can also know when print cartridge moves on to another printer from a printer.
When the recording materials Fare Collection System comprises a plurality of printer; The recording materials Fare Collection System can be confirmed the consumption of each print cartridge; And, can determine whether reliably that the print cartridge that provides is not installed in the printer as yet through the data of receiving from all printer interface are tabulated.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system; When the recording materials amount in the print cartridge that in the print cartridge installation unit, uses drops to when being lower than predeterminated level; The print cartridge control module of printer reads the print cartridge identification number; And the print cartridge identification number is deposited with in the data storage cell,, and after a while the print cartridge identification number is sent to data processing equipment as the print cartridge of sky.Therefore data processing equipment can know reliably when which print cartridge has been used up recording materials (that is, becoming empty).
In addition; When the recording materials Fare Collection System comprises a plurality of printer; The recording materials Fare Collection System can be confirmed the consumption of each print cartridge, and through the data of receiving from all printer interface are tabulated, can determine whether not return as yet the print cartridge that exhausts recording materials (for empty) reliably.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system; The print cartridge control module of printer keeps the print cartridge identification number that sends to data processing equipment in data storage cell; Rather than delete this print cartridge identification number; And through adding the print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number that storage is read from the storage device of the print cartridge of new installation in data storage cell.
If because some problems; For example data processing equipment collapse after receiving the print cartridge identification number; Lost the print cartridge identification number that data processing equipment received afterwards; Then because printer has still been stored the print cartridge identification number that sends to data processing equipment, data processing equipment can obtain required print cartridge identification number again through sending the request of transmission to printer once more.More specifically, because therefore the print cartridge identification number always by printer or data processing equipment storage, even the print system existing problems can not lost the print cartridge identification number yet, and can keep stable print system operation.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system; Printer keeps the print cartridge identification number that sends to data processing equipment in data storage cell; Rather than deletion print cartridge identification number, and the transmission state of the print cartridge identification number that sends is set to " sending " state.Therefore can distinguish print cartridge identification number that has sent and the print cartridge identification number that does not send.More specifically; Printer can be distinguished and be stored in the data storage cell and must remain on the print cartridge identification number of (promptly by write-protected) in the data storage cell and send to data processing equipment and therefore can be wiped free of (promptly not write-protected) print cartridge identification number if desired owing to be not sent to data processing equipment as yet, and therefore can avoid with the print cartridge identification number that newly reads add and storage (rewriting) to the address of having stored write-protected print cartridge identification number.
Utilize according to a further aspect of the invention printer and print system, printer is wiped the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that (or rewriting) transmission state is set to send, then the print cartridge identification number that newly reads of storage.Therefore, limited and must store the print cartridge identification number that exceeds this memory capacity the time when the memory capacity that can be used for storing the print cartridge identification number in the data storage cell, also can use the present invention.Therefore the present invention can with owing to printer uses for each printer that uses different print cartridges to store a plurality of print cartridge identification numbers in the multiple color together.In addition; As long as be no more than the memory capacity of data storage cell; Just can be retained in the memory, make data processing equipment can repeatedly obtain the print cartridge identification number that had before received as required by the print cartridge identification number that printer will send to data processing equipment.
Utilize according to a further aspect of the invention printer and print system, if cartridge identifier is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications and all be not set to expression and send, printer error process process then.If because the memory capacity that some problems make the print cartridge identification number of in memory cell, storing be sent to data storage cell before the data processing equipment becomes full, then can the error process process, and do not delete or overwriting data.Therefore, can the print cartridge identification number that not be sent to data processing equipment as yet be stored in the memory reliably.Can give the user with error reporting, make the user repair or check that this printer operates to keep print system reposefully.
Utilize according to a further aspect of the invention printer and print system; Each print cartridge has been stored multiple recording materials; Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the multiple recording materials each; And the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell, and after a while this information is sent to data processing equipment.Even when each print cartridge comprises multiple recording materials, therefore data processing equipment also can confirm the recording materials consumption reliably.
When with a plurality of printer service recorder material Fare Collection System; Can confirm the consumption of every kind of recording materials in each print cartridge; And, can confirm from each print cartridge, to use which kind of recording materials maximum through the data of receiving from all printer interface are tabulated with adding up.When changing print cartridge subsequently, can use how many print cartridges is provided according to every kind of recording materials.If use different print cartridges for every kind of recording materials, the print cartridge that more comprises the most frequently used recording materials can be provided.When in a print cartridge, having stored multiple recording materials, the print cartridge that has larger capacity for recording materials more commonly used can be provided optionally.
Utilize according to a further aspect of the invention printer and print system, recording materials are inks, and recording materials consumption computing unit is confirmed the ink consumption according to the printer serial number that sprays.Therefore, through printer serial number is counted, can confirm only to be used to the quantity of ink of printing reliably.As a result, can come reliably the user to be charged to the quantity of ink that is actually used in printing.
Recording materials are not limited to ink, and can be ink powders for example.
Be not used to make printer to keep the ink of normal running conditions to be used as the part of ink consumption consumption according to the recording materials consumption computing unit in printer of the present invention and the print system, the said ink that makes printer keep normal running conditions promptly consumes and is used for cleaning operation, recovers nozzle that stops up or the ink of filling the Mo Zhu path.As a result, can calculate the ink that is actually used in printing reliably.
In print system according to the present invention, data processing equipment has the state acquiring unit, is used to ask printer transmission status information and receives status information from printer.Therefore, printer can send status information to data processing equipment in response to the request from the state acquiring unit when hoping.
The status information that state acquiring unit in the print system according to a further aspect of the invention adds the error correcting code that is used for keeping data reliability to reception.If after producing, changed status information, then, can when receiving, detect the existence that changes by data processing equipment through using error correcting code through some mode.When in the recording materials Fare Collection System, using print system of the present invention; Then can improve from the reliability of the status information of printer reception; Can avoid owing to garble or distort the change that causes, and can improve the reliability of recording materials Fare Collection System.
Utilization is sent to the terminal device that to print system provide the print cartridge supplier of print cartridge safeguarded with status information from data processing equipment through network according to print system of the present invention, and terminal device calculates the recording materials usage charges according to this status information.Therefore, the print cartridge supplier can come the printer user to charge to the amount of using.Therefore, through obtaining status information from printer and sending this information to the print cartridge supplier, reality and highly reliable recording materials Fare Collection System can be provided.
Data processing equipment in the print system according to a further aspect of the invention has recording materials consumption acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to use how many recording materials and obtains from printer used how many recording materials.Therefore, hope to know to have used how many recording materials by the printer report, and confirmed when having used how many recording materials when data processing equipment by data processing equipment.
In conjunction with accompanying drawing, through the following explanation of reference and claim, more easily understanding and cognition other purpose of the present invention and achievement.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is to use the block diagram of the ink Fare Collection System that comes the ink consumption is charged according to printer of the present invention and print system.
Fig. 2 is the outside oblique view of printer according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 opens the outside oblique view with the printer of showing printer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two protecgulums.
Fig. 4 is mounted in the oblique view according to the ink cartridge of installing in the printer of the present invention.
Fig. 5 shows the block diagram of the electronics setting of shop server and printer.
Fig. 6 is the functional block diagram of the inter-process of shop server and printer.
Fig. 7 schematically shows the storage area in the data storage cell.
Fig. 8 schematically shows ink cartridge ID storage area.
Fig. 9 is a flow chart of describing the process of when printer energising or installation ink cartridge, carrying out.
Figure 10 is a flow chart of describing the process of when ink cartridge uses up ink, carrying out.
Figure 11 is the flow chart that is used in the process of ink cartridge ID storage area storage ink cartridge ID.
Figure 12 is the flow chart of charge state information collection process.
Figure 13 A to Figure 13 D shows the example of the black pearl counting the charge status information that is received from master server by printer manufacturer.
Figure 14 is the table of the ink cartridge ID of printer manufacturer from the charge status information that master server (X of company) receives.
The specific embodiment
With reference to accompanying drawing the preferred embodiment according to printer of the present invention and print system is described below.To the Fare Collection System that uses printer and print system, describe the embodiment according to printer of the present invention and print system of the print cartridge that uses storage ink, ink powder or other recording materials in detail below.
Fig. 1 shows use according to printer of the present invention and the print system block diagram with the ink Fare Collection System that comes to used quantity of ink the user is charged.Fig. 2 is the outside oblique view according to the printer of this embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3 is that protecgulum is opened the outside oblique view with the printer of showing printer, and Fig. 4 is mounted in the oblique view of the ink cartridge in the printer in this embodiment of the invention.
Ink Fare Collection System notion
In ink Fare Collection System according to this embodiment of the invention; Terminal device 100 management that printer manufacturer (supplier who comprises the print cartridge of recording materials (for example ink or ink powder)) is moved are filled with the print cartridge as the ink of recording materials to the X of company 200 (print cartridge user) supply; Wherein the X of company 200 has bought a plurality of color inkjet printers 240; And through the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer, the quantity of ink that is used for printer according to printer 240 has been paid the ink expense.
In this ink Fare Collection System, the X of company 200 sends reward voucher and obtains the company of advertising income according to the reward voucher number that sends to specific products.The X of company 200 the Y of company 400 (the for example client of the X of company 200) have or a plurality of shops 410 to 440 of managing in shop server (data handling system) 220,230 has been installed and a plurality of printers 240 of buying from printer manufacturer (for the sake of simplicity, in Fig. 1, only show in shop 410 and 420 shop server and printer).Each printer 240 can link to each other with shop server 220,230 through LAN communicatedly.
The Y of company 400 is supermarket or other retailer in this example.Printer 240 can be the printer that is used to print receipt, but in this embodiment of the invention, is described to different types of printer.More specifically, printer 240 is installed in each shop 410 to 440 near each POS terminal, as the printer that is used for print out coupons.For example, each printer 240 is arranged to according to the instruction that is installed in the shop server 220,230 in the identical shop, sends the reward voucher that is linked with the specialities information of importing from the POS terminal.POS terminal operator by the Y400 of company gives client with the reward voucher that sends then.
Printer manufacturer in this ink Fare Collection System comes to comprise the ink cartridge (below be called " print cartridge ") of ink to the X of company supply according to demand.The terminal device 100 that can be moved by printer manufacturer comes forecast demand according to user's ink consumption.Printer 240 is installed in the cashier that has the POS terminal among the Y of company 400.The ink cartridge that the X of company 200 is provided is installed in the printer 240.Be positioned at the scanner scanning bar code (comprising the product code that is attached on each product) at POS terminal, shop server 220,230 obtains and the corresponding product information of each product code then, determines whether to exist the coupon information that will print.If there is the coupon information that will print, then server sends suitable print data to send reward voucher to printer 240.Shop server 220,230 in each shop 410 to 440 is regularly collected the information relevant with the ink consumption from each printer 240 that links to each other, and this information is sent to master server 210.
Ink Fare Collection System according to this embodiment of the invention is only charged to the quantity of ink that is used for print out coupons or other content.Not that the ink that is used to print comprises the ink that for example cleaning process, print head recovery process and ink feed complement operation are consumed, comprise that a part of safeguarding as print-head nozzle is used for the ink of flooding nozzle and from the ink of nozzle sucking-off.More specifically, can be free of charge from the ink that operation consumed that printhead sprays ink for making.Therefore, the advantage of native system is that the X of company 200 need be for not being that the ink that is used for print out coupons is paid.
Printer setup
Next the setting of the printer 240 among this embodiment of the present invention is described.
The printer 240 according to this embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 and 3 is color printers, uses the ink of multiple different colours to come as print image on the coil paper of recording medium and send reward voucher.
As shown in Figure 2, have power switch 3, coil paper lid 5 and ink cartridge hatchcover 7 from left to right in the front of printer casing 2 according to the printer 240 of this embodiment of the invention, printer casing 2 comprises that anterior top panel 2a and printer casing cover 2b.Be a plurality of LED lights 6 on power switch 3, be used for to the user report information relevant with printer modes.Coil paper cover each of 5 box ink cartridge hatchcovers 7 can be on the hinge (not shown) of the bottom that is positioned at each lid rotation forward, to open and close.
Open coil paper lid 5 and just opened paper cabin 13, wherein as shown in Figure 3, stored coil paper 11 as printing paper.When opening coil paper like this and cover 5, can change coil paper 11.
Open ink cartridge hatchcover 7 and just can get into print cartridge cabin 15, and can load or change the ink cartridge 20 in the print cartridge cabin 15.
As shown in Figure 4, two locating holes 26 are formed on the bottom of 21a at the back side of ink cartridge 20.When in the print cartridge cabin 15 that ink cartridge 20 is loaded into printer 240, by the locating hole that on the alignment pin (not shown), slides 26 direct ink boxes 20 and remain on the appropriate location.Also the middle of 21a forms ink feed opening 21b overleaf, and through these ink feed openings 21b three kinds of inks in the ink cartridge 20 offered printer 240.
Be arranged on discarded ink recovery opening 28 between the locating hole 26 be used to reclaim be used for that printhead cleans, discarded ink that the recovery of plug nozzle and ink feed replenish, promptly be not to be used to print by printer 240 but to be used to make printer to keep print conditions to make the ink that can spray ink from printhead.Through this discarded ink recovery opening 28, discarded ink recovery is arrived ink cartridge 20.Therefore ink cartridge 20 according to this embodiment of the invention had both used the ink tank that acts on the supply ink, also with acting on the discarded ink tank of collecting and holding discarded ink.
Relation between shop server and the printer
Describe according to the shop server 220 (230) of the print system of this embodiment of the invention and the relation between the printer 240 with reference to figure 5 and 6 below.
Fig. 5 shows the schematic block diagram of the electronics setting of shop server 220 (230) and printer 240.
As shown in Figure 5, the major part of shop server 220 (comprising shop server 230 and other server) is CPU 221, ROM 222 (nonvolatile memory), RAM 223 (volatile memory), the hard disk drive 224 as mass-memory unit, input equipment 225 and communication interface 226.221 operations are stored in operating system and the software application in the hard disk drive 224 as CPU, and will order the result who sends to printer 240 with print data through communication interface 226, shop server 220 (230) control printers 240.
Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of having described the internal procedure of shop server 220 (230) and printer 240.
The printer process
The operation of printer 240 is at first described.As shown in Figure 6, printer 240 has receiving element 301 and reception buffer 302.Receiving element 301 receives the order and the print data of sending from shop server 220.Order and print data that reception buffer 302 temporary receiving elements 301 receive.The data that the reception buffer of command interpretation unit interprets then 320 receives, and, control command is sent to control command buffer 304 through direct memory access (DMA) (DMA), and print data is sent to print buffer.
The print data of print buffer 305 bufferings is used for printing by print data generating unit 306 conversions then, stores the corresponding dot pattern data of arrangement of nozzles with printhead 247 with generation and in print buffer.For example, this dot pattern data is 2 bit gradation grade data, and whether does not spray (1) from the ink of the nozzle ejection of printhead 247 in expression, perhaps according to (2) point, (3) medium dots or (4) a little bigger injection.
Read the control command data of control command buffer 304 buffering by main control unit 308, carry out for example making the advance process of specific range of paper according to control command.
Black pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 (recording materials consumption computing unit) is next described.
China ink pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 is that unit counts the quantity of ink that sprays from printhead 247 with the point, as the printer serial number of every kind of color ink according to the dot pattern data that is stored in the print data in the print buffer 305 or produces from print data.The quantity of ink that sprays from printhead 247 is according to the size of each point and difference is little, medium or big and difference according to each point promptly.Each size conversion that China ink pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 will be put is corresponding black pearl counting, and calculates and sprayed how many black pearls.Then, the black pearl counting that calculated of black pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 is stored in the data storage cell 312.Also store the accumulation China ink pearl counting that begins from the particular point in time of for example changing 20 times of ink cartridge.
309 pairs of China ink pearl analysis of accounts unit spray with the quantity of ink of printing at coil paper 11 from printhead 247 to be counted; With the point is the black pearl counting that unit converts every kind of color into; And consumption is not used to guarantee that quantity of ink that printhead can spray ink is used as the part of ink consumption, be used to guarantee ink that printhead can spray ink be included in the ink that sprays from printhead 247 during the rinsed, by ink absorption mechanism (not shown) from printhead 247 ink absorbed and the ink that is used for the recovery and the ink load operation of plug nozzle.
Next excess ink analytic unit 310 is described.
Excess ink analytic unit 310 calculates amount of ink remaining in ink cartridge 20 to each color.In the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20, stored the value of representing residual ink amount in the ink cartridge 20 to each color.
When refilling ink to print cartridge; Store specific initial value; And arbitrarily the time, can add the ink total amount that is used to make it possible to spray ink through deduct the quantity of ink that is used to print from this initial value from printhead; Calculate residual ink amount, be used to make it possible to comprise as stated the ink that recovery and ink load operation by flushing, ink absorption and other clean operation and plug nozzle are consumed from the ink total amount that printhead sprays ink.
Alternatively, can from total ejecting ink pearl counting, calculate the excess ink level.The excess ink level can also be expressed as the ratio with initial value.Utilize print cartridge control module 311 the excess ink level of calculating to be stored in the data storage cell 312 in the memory device 27 with ink cartridge 20 at predetermined instant then.When the excess ink level is less than or equal to predeterminated level, think that print cartridge is empty (level of " using up ink ").
Next print cartridge control module 311 is described.
Print cartridge control module 311 is to be used for controlling from the memory device 27 of the ink cartridge 20 that is installed in printer 240 reading data and writing control unit for data to memory device 27.Be linked by print cartridge control module 311 operation that is moved and the print cartridge ID that reads from the ink cartridge of installing, as following further described.
Next come data of description memory cell 312 with reference to figure 7 and Fig. 8.
Fig. 7 schematically shows the storage area in the data storage cell 312.
As shown in Figure 7, data storage cell 312 has printer sequence number storage area 312a, excess ink storage area 312b, the black pearl counting storage area 312c of accumulation and ink cartridge ID storage area 312d.
Printer sequence number storage area 312a storage print machine sequence number (device id), this printer sequence number are the one numbers that is used to distinguish this printer 240 and other printer of identical or different model.
Excess ink storage area 312b is stored in amount of ink remaining in the current print cartridge that is carried in the printer.
The total number of the black pearl that only being used to of accumulating that 312c accumulation of black pearl counting storage area and store ink pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 counted prints.
The ID of the ID of the new ink cartridge of installing of ink cartridge ID storage area 312a storage and the empty ink cartridge of replacing.
Fig. 8 schematically shows the ink cartridge ID storage area of data storage cell 312.
Ink cartridge ID storage area 312d stores the ID of empty ink cartridge of ID and replacing of the ink cartridge of new installation respectively, and is arranged to these two kinds of ID of storage.Below ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is described as having limited capacity and is used to store the ink cartridge identification number; If but use mass-memory unit for data storage cell 312, then ink cartridge ID storage area 312a can be configured and have no specific memory capacity limit.
Ink cartridge ID storage area 312d comprises indexing unit 312e, ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f and ink cartridge state storage unit 312g.
The ink cartridge ID that ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f storage is read from memory device 27 by print cartridge control module 311.
Ink cartridge state storage unit 312g is new or old with the ink cartridge state storage.The ink cartridge status indication is used to confirm that whether the ink cartridge ID that reads from ink cartridge is the ID of the ink cartridge used up of ID number of the ink cartridge installed for the first time or ink.
In this embodiment of the present invention, ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is arranged at each print cartridge control module 311 when memory device 27 reads ink cartridge ID, stores the data from presumptive address (for example 0000h) successively.
Send data generation unit 313 and send request in response to charge state from shop server 220 (230); Obtain pay imformation in the data storage cell 312 that is stored in printer 240 (below be called " charge state "); To produce the charge status information; Perhaps send request, produce the black pearl count information of accumulation, and information requested is returned shop server 220 (230) in response to the black pearl counting of accumulation.
This charge state comprises the new ink cartridge ID that is stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d and the ID of empty ink cartridge.Also can comprise printer sequence number and excess ink information.
Accumulate black pearl count information and only comprise the accumulation China ink pearl counting (perhaps from accumulating the excess ink level of black pearl counting conversion) that is used to print.
Comprise that this charge status information and the information of the black pearl count information of accumulation can be used as the charge status information alternatively.When shop server 220 (230) sends the transmission request in this case, send data generation unit 313 and return the information that comprises the charge status information and accumulate black pearl count information, as the charge status information of request.
When receiving the charge status information when sending request, send data generation unit 313 this information is compiled as single transmitting element, add verification and improving data reliability, and return results, as the charge status information.Same give the black pearl counting of accumulation add verification with, return the black pearl count information of accumulation.The charge status information that will produce through transmitting element 314 then or accumulate black pearl count information and send to shop server 220 (230).
Send data generation unit 313 and be not limited to send the charge status information, and can send printer sequence number, excess ink level, the black pearl counting of accumulation, new ink cartridge ID and the empty ink cartridge ID that installs successively with a piece.Can also combine with other data that only comprise the black pearl counting of accumulation and send ink cartridge ID, thereby, improve transmitting efficiency through only sending essential information.
The processing of shop server
Shop server 220 (230) can be carried out various processing through operating system and software application that operation is stored on the hard disk drive 224.Fig. 6 shows printer 240 that a kind of use is positioned at the shop and obtains that reward voucher is printed and the system of charge status information.Shop server 220 (230) comprises communication unit 321, reward voucher image storage unit 322, reward voucher selected cell 323, black pearl information acquisition unit 324 (recording materials consumption acquiring unit), charge state acquiring unit 325 and charge state storage unit 326.
The view data of a plurality of reward vouchers that reward voucher image storage unit 322 storage can be printed by printer 240.
Select the appropriate image data in the view data of a plurality of reward vouchers of reward voucher selected cell 323 from be stored in reward voucher image storage unit 322.For example, when being triggered by the POS terminal of accomplishing transaction, the reward voucher selected cell 323 in the present embodiment is carried out selection course.
More specifically, reward voucher selected cell 323 is selected the view data of the reward voucher that the specialities with purchase of customer are linked.Through communication unit 321 selected view data is sent to printer 240, reward voucher is printed and sent to printer 240 then.As a result, when the receipt printer (not shown) that links to each other with the POS terminal sends sales check, sent the reward voucher relevant successively, made and to give client with receipt with reward voucher with the product of purchase of customer.Through giving client with reward voucher, the Y of company 400 hopes to lure into that client comes once more and buys other thing.Can send the reward voucher view data to be used for printing to printer 240 from shop server 220 (230).
China ink pearl information acquisition unit 324 request printers 240 send the black pearl count information of accumulation, and according to from the more order of high-level applications (not shown), send the black pearl count information of accumulation through communication unit 321 to printer 240 and send request.When sending the black pearl count information of accumulation send request after when printer 240 receives the black pearl count information of accumulation, the black pearl count information of accumulation is passed to the application program of this information of request.Also will accumulate black pearl count information reception receipt and return to printer 240.Also will accumulate black pearl count information is stored in the charge state storage unit 326.
Charge state acquiring unit 325 request printers 240 send the charge status information, and when more the high-level applications (not shown) is indicated, send the charge status informations through communication unit 321 to printer 240 and send request.When sending the charge status information send request after when printer 240 receives the charge status information, the state acquiring unit 325 of the charging status information of will charging passes to application program.The status information of also will charging receives receipt and returns to printer 240.Information in the charge status information that receives is explained and is stored in the charge state storage unit 326.
When the information in the status information of will charging stores charge state storage unit 326 into; Charge state acquiring unit 325 storage print machine sequence numbers, excess ink horizontal data, the black pearl counting of accumulation, new ink cartridge ID and old ink cartridge ID; As single record, no matter be that the form with single or mask data receives the charge status information.
China ink pearl information acquisition unit 324 and charge state acquiring unit 325 add verification and or other error correcting code to total black pearl count information and charge status information.This error correcting code is designed to guarantee the integrality of particular-data unit, and through for example obtain verification with or the binary system of all data with calculate.Use error correcting code whether for example to make it possible to verify and revised the terminal device 100 whether data or data correctly are sent to printer manufacturer,, then can carry out retransmitting or other error processing procedure if the value of making is different by other certain process.
More specifically, through adding error correcting code to the charge status information, charge state acquiring unit 325 has been avoided distorting, and has been improved data reliability through detecting the mistake in the data that receive.
In this example, add this error correcting code to the charge status information by the charge state acquiring unit of shop server 220 (230) 325, but the present invention is not limited to this.For example, the transmission data generation unit 313 of printer 240 can add error correcting code to the charge status information, makes the charge status information that comprises error correcting code send to shop server 220 (230) from printer.
Printer reads ink cartridge ID, situation 1: when print cartridge is installed
Next with reference to the flow chart among the figure 9 process that when in printer 240, ink cartridge 20 being installed, is used to read ink cartridge ID is described.Fig. 9 is a flow chart of describing the process of when printer energising or installation ink cartridge, moving.
When in printer 240, new ink cartridge 20 being installed, print cartridge control module 311 reads ink cartridge ID from the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20.
More specifically; When printer 240 energising or the sensor 248 of uncapping detect ink cartridge hatchcover 7 and close (step S1 returns " being "); Read the excess ink level value (step S2) in the memory device 27 that is stored in ink cartridge 20, and with its compare with the excess ink level value in being stored in data storage cell 312 (step S3).
If two excess ink level values are identical, confirm that then the ink cartridge of current installation is identical with energising or replacing ink cartridge ink cartridge before.
If the excess ink level value is inequality; Then the ink cartridge of current installation is different with the ink cartridge of energising or the installation before of installation ink cartridge, and print cartridge control module 311 will be stored the conduct ID (step S4) of ink cartridge newly from the ink cartridge ID that ink cartridge memory device 27 reads.
After the new ink cartridge ID of storage, the excess ink level value of storing among the excess ink storage area 312b of print cartridge control module 311 with data storage cell 312 is updated to the value (step S5) that reads from the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20.As a result, it is identical to be stored in the excess ink level value that excess ink level value and printer 240 in the ink cartridge 20 stored.
Print cartridge control module 311 also increases and updates stored in the installation counter in the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20.Therefore in ink cartridge 20, upgraded the information that the number of times of ink cartridge 20 is installed in the printer that is illustrated in.Printer 240 can also read the value of this installation counter, and when the installation counter is the value that between the normal operating period, should not occur, carries out suitable error processing procedure, the notice that for example will go wrong shop server 220,230.
Printer reads ink cartridge ID, situation 2: when print cartridge is sky
Next the process that reads of ink cartridge ID when printer 240 ink inside boxes are empty (using up the state of ink) is described with reference to the flow chart among Figure 10.Figure 10 is a flow chart of having described the process of when ink cartridge becomes empty, carrying out.
In this embodiment of the present invention, excess ink analytic unit 310 confirms whether ink cartridge is empty.Excess ink analytic unit 310 calculates the residual ink amount of every kind of color in the ink cartridge 20; To obtain the excess ink level value; And if for any color, the excess ink level value is less than or equal to predetermined value, confirm that then ink cartridge is in the state that uses up ink.
If for any one color; The excess ink level value is less than or equal to predeterminated level (step S11 returns " being "); Then printer 240 utilizes and sends data generation unit 313; Use up the state of ink to shop server 220 (230) reports, and make LED light 6 flickers on printer 240 outsides, change the mode (step S12) of ink cartridge 20 as the prompting user.
Print cartridge control module 311 reads ink cartridge ID from the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20 then, and the ink cartridge ID that reads is stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d of data storage cell 312, as the ID (step S13) of empty ink cartridge.
Storage ink cartridge ID: when ink cartridge is installed and when print cartridge uses up ink
Further describe the ink cartridge ID storing process of carrying out among the step S13 among the step S4 and Figure 10 among Fig. 9 with reference to figure 8 and 11.
Step S4 among Fig. 9 is the process that is used for storage ink cartridge ID when ink cartridge is installed.Figure 11 is a flow chart of describing the process among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d that ink cartridge ID is stored in.Ink cartridge identification number (ID) memory capacity of supposing ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is less, is confined to 20 ink cartridge ID.
In this example, when in ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, having stored four ink cartridge ID, new ink cartridge is installed in print cartridge cabin 15.More specifically; In the example depicted in fig. 8; When 0000h, 0001h and 0010h place have stored new ink cartridge ID20060701001,20060705045 and 20060803104 in the address; And when 0011h had stored at the place ink cartridge ID 20060701001 that uses up ink in the address, installation ink cartridge ID was 10060803285 new ink cartridge.
Whether print cartridge control module 311 confirms in ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, to have enough spaces to store the ink cartridge ID that reads from memory device 27 then.If (step S51 returns " being ") arranged, then store the ink cartridge ID (step 52) of the new ink cartridge of installing.More specifically, the 0100h place, address in ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f writes ink cartridge ID10060803285, and " newly " or other specific markers are write the respective field among the ink cartridge state storage unit 312g.
Yet; If step S51 confirms not have the space can use (step S51 returns " denying "); Then whether print cartridge control module 311 is provided with mark " r " through inspection in indexing unit 312e, determines whether to have sent 20 ink cartridge ID that are stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d.If be provided with all 20 marks " r " (step S53 returns " being "); Then wipe one of 20 ink cartridge ID that sent, and the ink cartridge ID that will newly be installed in the ink cartridge in the print cartridge cabin 15 stores ink cartridge ID storage area 312d (step S54) into.
For example, can be according to FIFO (FIFO), which among 20 ink cartridge ID that sent selection delete, and makes to delete ink cartridge ID the earliest, and identical address is arrived in new ink cartridge ID storage (rewriting).Use example shown in Figure 8; Therefore wipe the value of address 0000h place storage in each memory cell; The ink cartridge ID of the ink cartridge of newly installing is write identical address 0000h among the ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f, and " newly " write the identical address among the ink cartridge state storage unit 312g.
If 20 marks " r " (step S53 returns " denying ") are not set in step S53, problem then occurred.So print cartridge control module 311 reporting errors, and carry out suitable error processing procedure (step S55).More specifically; If will not be stored in as yet that ink cartridge ID among the ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f sends to shop server 220 and memory capacity is full; Through run-time error processing procedure rather than rewrite memory, can store the ink cartridge ID that is not sent to shop server 220 as yet reliably and they can all of a sudden not be wiped free of.Can also inform that storage of subscriber data unit 312 goes wrong, make the user can let printer manufacturer repair or check printer, move reposefully to keep print system.
Next ink cartridge ID storing process when print cartridge uses up ink among the step S13 of Figure 10 is described.As shown in Figure 8, when the ink cartridge in being installed in print cartridge cabin 15 used up ink, print cartridge control module 311 read ink cartridge ID " 20060705045 ", and whether have living space among definite ink cartridge ID storage area 312d available.If (the 0101h place in the address in this example) (step S51 returns " being ") arranged; Then 0101h place, address stores this ink cartridge ID 20060705045 (step S52) in ink cartridge ID storage area 312f, and " old " write the identical address among the ink cartridge state storage unit 312g.
If there is not available memory space (step S51 returns " denying "); Then print cartridge control module 311 has determined whether to send 20 ink cartridge ID that store among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d through whether being provided with mark " r " among the check mark unit 312e.If be provided with all 20 marks " r " (step S53 returns " being "); Wipe one of 20 ink cartridge ID that sent, and the ink cartridge ID that will newly be installed in the ink cartridge in the print cartridge cabin 15 stores ink cartridge ID storage area 312d (step S54) into.In this case, also preferably come to confirm to delete among 20 ink cartridge ID that sent which, make deletion ink cartridge ID the earliest, and identical address is arrived in ink cartridge ID that will be new storage (rewriting) according to FIFO (FIFO).
When ink cartridge arrival used up the state of ink, shop server 220 (230) stopped to print from printer 240, up to having changed ink cartridge.When the user changed ink cartridge after the ID that has stored the print cartridge that uses up ink, order shown in Figure 9 made printer 240 distinguish new ink cartridge, and if new ink be not for empty yet, restart to print.
Replace deletion to send to the ink cartridge ID of shop server 220, this embodiment of the present invention is through adding ID to memory, and the new ink cartridge ID that will read from the memory device 27 of ink cartridge is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d.The result; For example; If after receiving ink cartridge ID, lose the ink cartridge ID that shop server 220 is received owing to shop server 220 collapses; Because the ink cartridge ID that has sent still is stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d on the printer, send request so can send another to printer by shop server 220, come to obtain again required print cartridge ID.
More specifically, because printer 240 is all stored ink cartridge ID with shop server 220, even print system goes wrong, print system also can stably be operated, and can not lose ink cartridge ID.
In addition, when in ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, not having available memory space, be provided with the ink cartridge ID the earliest that sends mark " r " through deleting successively, according to the new print cartridge ID of FIFO sequential storage.Therefore the present invention can be used for the print system using different ink cartridges thereby read and store ink cartridge ID continually for every kind of color.
Through process described below, in shop server, collect and be stored in the ink cartridge ID in the printer 240 like this, and Final Report is given the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer then.Ink cartridge ID collection process is described below.
Obtain the charge status information from printer
In response to the order that comes from shop server 220 (230), will comprise that the charge status information of total black pearl counting sends to shop server 220 (230) from printer 240.As stated; The charge status information comprises printer sequence number, excess ink level, total black pearl counting, the ink cartridge ID of new ink cartridge and the ink cartridge ID that uses up the print cartridge of ink, and shop server 220 (230) is organized into the charge status information reporting with this information with error correcting code.Locate at the fixed time then, on master server 210, collect the charge status information, and the charge status information reporting on the master server 210 is given the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer periodically.The terminal device 100 (printer manufacturer) of printer manufacturer can be confirmed the situation of ink consumption He each ink cartridge 20 of printer 240 then.
Further describe the process of collecting the charge status information with reference to the flow chart among Figure 12 below.
At first; Each printer 240 uses black pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 to count total printer serial number; And utilize excess ink analytic unit 310 and print cartridge control module 311; Collection is stored in all the ink cartridge ID among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, comprises the ink cartridge 20 and the print cartridge 20 that uses up ink of new installation, has so just collected charge status information (step S21).
Shop server 220 (230) sends the charge status information through all printers 240 in the shop and sends request, locates at the fixed time to collect charge status information (step S31) from each printer 240.
When printer 240 receives the charge status information when sending request (step S22), printer 240 reads the required information of report charge state from data storage cell 312, and adds verification and to produce charge status information (step S23).The charge status information that transmission data generation unit 313 will produce through transmitting element 314 then sends to shop server 220 (230) (step S24).
When shop server 220 (230) receives charge during status information (step S32) from printer 240; If do not comprise in the charge status information that receives verification with; Server adds the data reliability of error correcting code with the charge status information guaranteeing to receive, and temporary this information (step S33).After step S33, shop server 220 (230) sends the affirmation (step S34) of the reception of confirming the charge status information to printer 240.
When printer 240 receives the affirmation of charge status information (step S25), the ink cartridge of the transmission ID that printer 240 is stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is set to send (step S26).More specifically, printer 240 is provided with in indexing unit 312e and sends mark " r ".
Refer again to Fig. 8; Before will be provided with the ink cartridge ID20060701001,20060705045,20060803104 and 20060701001 that sends mark " r " and send to shop server; Yet when sending the charge status information, all the ink cartridge ID of 0000h 0101h to the address from the address (comprising these four ID that before sent and new ink cartridge ID10060803285 and 20060705045) and print cartridge status indication all are sent to shop server 220.Receive the charge status information when confirming when printing 240 subsequently from shop server 220 (230), printer 240 is at the address 0100h that has stored new ink cartridge ID 10060803285 and 20060705045 and 0101h transmission mark " r " is set among the indexing unit 312e.
Through the transmission mark is set when having confirmed the reception of charge status information like this, printer 240 can confirm easily whether the ink cartridge ID of storage is ink cartridge ID that has sent or the ink cartridge ID that does not send as yet.As a result, printer 240 can also be avoided all of a sudden writing new ink cartridge ID at the place, address of the ink cartridge ID that does not send as yet.Since printer 240 with write-protect address among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d (address of sending mark " r " is not set) but separate with write address (being provided with the address of sending mark " r "), so can control writing more accurately to data storage cell 312.
In step S26, be directed against the ink cartridge ID that sends and be provided with after the transmission mark, printer 240 returns step S21, collects the charge status information, and repeating step S22 to S26.As a result, receive the charge status information each time and send when asking, printer 240 sends the charge status informations to shop server 220 (230), adds and any ink cartridge ID that reads subsequently of storage.
In the scheduled time of shop server 220 (230) after printer 240 is collected the charge status information, master server 210 sends request (step S41) to the charge status information that the charge status information is sent in all shop server 220 (230) requests of sending.
When receiving charge status information transmission request (step S35), shop server 220,230 sends the charge status information (step S36) of storage to master server 210.When master server 210 receives charge during status information (step S42) from shop server 220,230, master server 210 storage charge status informations.As a result, as long as printer 240 operate as normal, that is, only if particular printer 240 goes wrong or printer 240 cuts out, otherwise master server 210 is just collected the charge status information from all printers 240.
When the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer was asked, the operator of company's X place master server 210 or master server 210 sent the charge status information (step S43) of collecting from all printers to printer manufacturer or the used terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.The status information of can onlinely will charging electronically sends to the used terminal device of printer manufacturer 100, perhaps can the charge status information be recorded the recordable data storage medium such as CD or DVD that sends printer manufacturer to.As a result, all charge status informations of storage have been sent out or have sent to printer manufacturer or the specified terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer on the master server 210.
Need be once requiring just to handle request from the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.For example, alternatively, the X of company 200 can gather the charge status information according to predetermined monthly plan, and sends monthly charge status information every month certain day to the specified terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.
Because error correcting code is automatically added to the charge status information on the shop server 220 (230) in this charge state information collection model; If so between the transmission period between the specified terminal device 100 of master server 210 and printer manufacturer, make a mistake; Error in data can be detected, and the accuracy of data can be guaranteed.Owing to distort the mismatch between the content that causes error correcting code and charge status information, distort and suitably handle so also can detect.
The tabulation of printer manufacturer
The terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer uses black pearl counting and ink cartridge id information in the charge status information to various objectives.
Black pearl counting is at first described.
For example, how many inks Mo Zhu counting expression each printer 240 every month has used, and charge is based on this China ink pearl counting.
The black pearl counting of the terminal device 100 that Figure 13 A to 13D shows printer manufacturer from the charge status information that the master server 210 of the X of company 200 receives.For succinctly, in the Fare Collection System that is up to three printers, use the present invention in this example.Figure 13 A shows from introducing the ink Fare Collection System and begins the black pearl counting tabulated data to the time period on July 1st, 2006, and Figure 13 B to 13D shows the black pearl counting tabulated data in the time period of in August in 2006 each month on the 1st.For succinctly, in Figure 13 A to 13D, total black pearl counting is not shown, and shows the total black pearl counting of all colours of combination as an example to every kind of color.
Shown in Figure 13 A, two printers when on July 1st, 2006, have been used.The total black pearl counting of " previous counting " among Figure 13 in each form when being last the tabulation, and owing to just introduce Fare Collection System, so in Figure 13 A, be 0." counting that receives " is based on the charge status information that receives from master server 210 (X of company) when the specified terminal device 100 of consumption charge (tabulation) cycle inprinter manufacturer, and " difference " is the difference that the counting that receives deducts previous counting." current counting " is that the black pearl that each printer 240 of knowing according to the counting that receives on the current tabulation date with the specified terminal device of printer manufacturer 100 uses is counted corresponding value, and equates with the counting that receives usually.Should " current counting " can become the previous counting on tabulation basis next time.
The accumulation China ink pearl counting that each printer 240 storage begins to calculate from operation, and should the black pearl counting of accumulation to specified terminal device 100 reports of printer manufacturer on each tabulation date.As a result, in each form, represent ink consumption from the previous tabulation date to the current tabulation date by " difference ".
Therefore, the sum that these differences that obtained to each printer 240 are counted representes that in the past once tabulation is to total ink consumption of the X of company 200 that this time tabulates.Therefore the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer can multiply by this total ink consumption through the ink cost with every black pearl, confirms in the past the charge amount of once tabulation to tabulation this time (that is, when consumption charge in the cycle).The terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer will send to the X of company 200 based on the bill of this charge amount then, and the X of company 200 is to the listed amount of printer manufacturer payment.
Data form among Figure 13 B shows the printer number to be increased than the printer number of reporting among Figure 13 A to some extent.This is because the X of company has added new printer to print system, and sends the black pearl counting that is loaded with the new corresponding printer sequence number of printer with the charge status information.Therefore add new printer record to data form, and the total number of the black pearl of reporting according to all printers that comprise new printer comes client is charged based on this information.
If particular printer 240 is not reported the charge status information for some reason, for example printer 240 cuts out when report data, then shown in Figure 13 C, this printer be recorded as blank.Therefore the difference field also is blank (equaling 0), be not included in the tale, and when the current counting of this printer 240 in consumption charge cycle be previous counting.
When shown in Figure 13 D; When receiving the charge status information of same printer 240 during the status information of report charge next time; The counting that receives is the total black pearl counting in two charge cycles, and adds the ink consumption of previous not report or charge to current charge amount.
Even these data are collected and tabulation process has been guaranteed when printer 240 is positioned at away from printer manufacturer, the ink consumption that printer manufacturer also can be directed against each printer 240 reliably comes client is charged.If in special time period, do not receive the charge status information, perhaps can go wrong, and can start inquiry from particular printer 240.
Next ink cartridge ID is described.
Indicate ink cartridge with the ink cartridge ID that sends of charge status information and be installed in the printer 240 with whether being determined, and whether continue to have used ink cartridge till it uses up ink.
Figure 14 shows the ink cartridge ID of printer manufacturer specified terminal device 100 from the charge status information that master server 210 (X of company 200) receives.
In form shown in Figure 14, store the ink cartridge ID that is transported to the ink cartridge of the X of company 200 by printer manufacturer with the ship date of the transportation record of being held according to the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.Write down whether used ink cartridge according to the ink cartridge ID that comprises in the charge status information that receives.More specifically, as the ink cartridge ID of the ink cartridge that receives new installation or when using up the ink cartridge ID of ink cartridge of ink, ink cartridge ID is stored in " date of using first " and " using up the date of ink " field.The date of use can be the approaching date with the date that uses up ink first, and if in the charge status information, comprise the date of collecting the charge status informations from printer 240, then can the record data collection date.
In addition; If ink cartridge ID that the terminal device of printer manufacturer 100 is received and date and the ink cartridge ID and the date that had before received are complementary; Then terminal device 100 is known and has been received ink cartridge ID and date; Therefore ignore this ink cartridge ID and date, and only write down ink cartridge ID and the date that receives for the first time.
Through this ink cartridge data form of such editor, the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer can confirm to be transported to from printer manufacturer the state of the ink cartridge of the X of company.
Except initial introduction, the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer can be predicted from ink cartridge with adding up and be transported to cycle and the final collection of printer manufacturer between the use, as the data of collecting and tabulating.Even can investigate then depart from this cycle and use or print cartridge empty the ink cartridge that also do not reclaim of printer manufacturer, to determine whether existing problems.
To the ink cartridge that in single print cartridge, comprises multiple color ink, described this embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to only comprise a kind of ink cartridge of color ink.
Be that example has been described the present invention also with ink-jet printer and ink cartridge; But the present invention is not limited to this; And for example replace black pearl counting, can be used for laser printer and powder box through the value of using predetermined actuation duration and so on for example can convert toner usage to.
The printer maintenance
Charge when counting, discern each printer, promptly discern the sequence number of each printer, so that total printer serial number of each printer 240 is counted according to black pearl.Each printer 240 has also been counted the printer serial number since using printer 240 first with accumulating, and if remove the tale buffer, the tale since using printer first will be lost.
If printer 240 need keep in repair; This maintenance must be changed and comprise storage print machine sequence number and the flash ROM of Mo Zhu counting and the control circuit board of other memory device; Then preferably from the circuit board of changing, read the charge status information that comprises printer sequence number, Mo Zhu counting, ink cartridge ID, and it is write the new boards of installation.
Although in conjunction with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, should be noted that for a person skilled in the art various changes and modification are conspicuous.Only if these changes and modification depart from the scope of the invention that accompanying claims limits, otherwise should be understood that these changes and modification are also contained in the scope of the present invention that accompanying claims limits.
Claims (24)
1. a printer can link to each other with data processing equipment communicatedly, is used for coming document image according to the order that receives from data processing equipment, and said printer comprises:
Data storage cell is used for stored information;
The print cartridge installation unit is used to install the print cartridge of stored record material;
The print cartridge control module is used for reading the print cartridge identification number from the memory device that is positioned at print cartridge, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell;
Send the data generation unit, be used to produce status information, said status information comprises the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell; And
Transmitting element is used for status information is sent to data processing equipment,
Wherein, the print cartridge control module increases progressively and is updated in the installation counter of being stored in the memory device of print cartridge,
When transmitting element sent status information, the print cartridge control module was stored the print cartridge identification number that comprises in the status information of being sent in data storage cell, and the predetermined state of the print cartridge that the print cartridge identification number is sent out is stored as to send and finishes.
2. printer according to claim 1 also comprises:
Data storage cell is used for the device id of storaging mark printer;
Recording materials consumption computing unit, how many recording materials are used for calculating has only be used for the image record, and it is stored in data storage cell; And
Send the data generation unit, produce status information, the amount that said status information comprises the print cartridge identification number, is stored in the device id in the data storage cell and is used for the recording materials of image record.
3. printer according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, when in the print cartridge installation unit, print cartridge being installed, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of new installation.
4. printer according to claim 1, wherein, when the recording materials quantitative change in the print cartridge when being less than or equal to predeterminated level, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and writes down this print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge that has used up as recording materials.
5. printer according to claim 1; Wherein, When transmitting element when data processing equipment sends status information; The print cartridge control module keeps and to be stored in the print cartridge identification number in the data storage cell, is set to send state by the transmission state of the print cartridge of the print cartridge identification number sign of sending, and will sends state storage in data storage cell.
6. printer according to claim 5; Wherein, The print cartridge control module is deleted the print cartridge identification number that the transmission state is set to send the print cartridge of state from data storage cell, and the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that will newly install stores data storage cell into.
7. according to claim 5 or 6 described printers, wherein,, memory limitations is set in data storage cell to the print cartridge identification number, and
If when storage print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications all are not set to send state, then print cartridge control module error process process.
8. printer according to claim 1, wherein:
Print cartridge is stored multiple recording materials; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the said multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell.
9. printer according to claim 1, wherein:
Recording materials are inks; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit is confirmed used quantity of ink through the printer serial number that sprays is counted.
10. printer according to claim 9, wherein, the quantity of ink that recording materials consumption computing unit will not be used to make printhead can spray ink is counted the part of ink consumption.
11. a print system comprises:
Data processing equipment; And
Printer can link to each other with data processing equipment communicatedly, is used for coming document image according to the order that receives from data processing equipment, and said printer comprises:
Data storage cell is used for stored information;
The print cartridge installation unit is used to install the print cartridge of stored record material;
The print cartridge control module is used for reading the print cartridge identification number from the memory device that is positioned at print cartridge, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell;
Send the data generation unit, be used to produce status information, said status information comprises the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell; And
Transmitting element is used for status information is sent to data processing equipment,
Wherein, the print cartridge control module increases progressively and is updated in the installation counter of being stored in the memory device of print cartridge,
When transmitting element sent status information, the print cartridge control module was stored the print cartridge identification number that comprises in the status information of being sent in data storage cell, and the predetermined state of the print cartridge that the print cartridge identification number is sent out is stored as to send and finishes.
12. print system according to claim 11, wherein, printer also comprises:
Data storage cell is used for the device id of storaging mark printer;
Recording materials consumption computing unit, how many recording materials are used for calculating has only be used for the image record, and it is stored in data storage cell; And
Send the data generation unit, produce status information, the amount that said status information comprises the print cartridge identification number, is stored in the device id in the data storage cell and is used for the recording materials of image record.
13. according to claim 11 or 12 described print systems, wherein, data processing equipment comprises the state acquiring unit, is used to ask printer transmission status information and receives the status information from printer.
14. print system according to claim 13, wherein, the state acquiring unit adds error correcting code in the status information to.
15. print system according to claim 11, wherein:
When terminal device links to each other with data processing equipment through network and data processing equipment during to terminal device transmission status information,
Terminal device calculates the recording materials usage charges according to this status information.
16. print system according to claim 11, wherein, data processing equipment comprises recording materials consumption acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to send the information of having used how many recording materials, and obtains the information of having used how many recording materials from printer.
17. print system according to claim 11, wherein, when in the print cartridge installation unit, print cartridge being installed, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of new installation.
18. print system according to claim 11, wherein, when the recording materials quantitative change in the print cartridge when being less than or equal to predeterminated level, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and writes down this print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge that has used up as recording materials.
19. print system according to claim 11; Wherein, When transmitting element when data processing equipment sends status information; The print cartridge control module keeps and to be stored in the print cartridge identification number in the data storage cell, is set to send state by the transmission state of the print cartridge of the print cartridge identification number sign of sending, and will sends state storage in data storage cell.
20. print system according to claim 19; Wherein, The print cartridge control module is deleted the print cartridge identification number that the transmission state is set to send the print cartridge of state from data storage cell, and the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that will newly install stores data storage cell into.
21. according to claim 19 or 20 described print systems, wherein,, memory limitations is set in data storage cell to the print cartridge identification number, and
If when storage print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications all are not set to send state, then print cartridge control module error process process.
22. print system according to claim 11, wherein:
Print cartridge is stored multiple recording materials; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the said multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell.
23. print system according to claim 11, wherein:
Recording materials are inks; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit is confirmed used quantity of ink through the printer serial number that sprays is counted.
24. print system according to claim 23, wherein, the quantity of ink that recording materials consumption computing unit will not be used to make printhead can spray ink is counted the part of ink consumption.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
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| JP2005-316284 | 2005-10-31 | ||
| JP2005316284 | 2005-10-31 | ||
| JP2005316284A JP4742815B2 (en) | 2005-10-31 | 2005-10-31 | Printer, printer system, and accounting method |
| JP2005363318A JP4742847B2 (en) | 2005-12-16 | 2005-12-16 | Printer, printer system, and accounting method |
| JP2005363318 | 2005-12-16 | ||
| JP2005-363318 | 2005-12-16 |
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| CN 200610137457 Division CN100522625C (en) | 2005-10-31 | 2006-10-25 | Printer and printing system |
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| CN101612836B true CN101612836B (en) | 2012-10-24 |
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| CN 200610137457 Active CN100522625C (en) | 2005-10-31 | 2006-10-25 | Printer and printing system |
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| JP2011198128A (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2011-10-06 | Seiko Epson Corp | Method, apparatus and program for processing image |
| JP2012006229A (en) * | 2010-06-24 | 2012-01-12 | Seiko Epson Corp | Liquid ejecting apparatus and control method therefor |
| JP5614143B2 (en) * | 2010-07-21 | 2014-10-29 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Information processing system, printing apparatus, and information processing method |
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| JP5765009B2 (en) * | 2011-03-30 | 2015-08-19 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM |
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| JP6623869B2 (en) * | 2016-03-16 | 2019-12-25 | 株式会社リコー | Device management system, device management device, program, and device management method |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN1958293A (en) | 2007-05-09 |
| CN100522625C (en) | 2009-08-05 |
| JP2007118490A (en) | 2007-05-17 |
| CN101612836A (en) | 2009-12-30 |
| JP4742815B2 (en) | 2011-08-10 |
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