JP2002127572A - Printer, control method for printer, and recording medium having control method recorded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printer, a control method for printer and a recording medium having the control method of printer recorded therein applicable to a printer, a facsimile, a copy machine, or the like, in order to simplify the managing work and the confirming work for expendables in correspondence with the use environment, convenience of a user, or the like. SOLUTION: When the residual quantity of expendables decreases below a specified level, expendables are ordered automatically according to an operation mode set by a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a method of controlling the printing apparatus, and a recording medium on which the method of controlling the printing apparatus is recorded, and can be applied to, for example, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, a copying apparatus, and the like. According to the present invention, when the remaining amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount, a user can automatically order consumables by setting an operation mode, thereby coping with a use environment, user's convenience, and the like. To simplify the management and confirmation of consumables.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in printers such as printers, facsimile machines, and copiers, expendable supplies such as toner, ink, and paper are appropriately replenished and used.

[0003]

In such a printing apparatus, the remaining amount of consumables is detected, and when the remaining amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount based on the result of the detection, a predetermined amount is supplied via a telephone line or the like. By automatically ordering the consumables to the supplier, the management work and the confirmation work of the consumables can be simplified.

[0004] However, in this type of printing apparatus, if the consumables are automatically ordered in this way because of the use in various environments and various reasons for the user, the usability is rather high. May be worse.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and a printing apparatus and a printing apparatus capable of simplifying the management and confirmation of consumables in accordance with the environment of use, the convenience of the user, and the like. And a recording medium on which the control method of the printer and the control method of the printing apparatus are recorded.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus, a method of controlling the printing apparatus, or a recording medium storing the method of controlling the printing apparatus. In the case where the consumables are less than the predetermined remaining amount and the operation mode is the operation mode for automatically ordering the consumables, the communication means is controlled to supply the consumables to a predetermined supplier. Make an order.

According to the first, eighth, or eleventh aspect of the present invention, the consumable supplies are reduced to a predetermined remaining amount or less, and the operation mode is an operation mode for automatically ordering consumable supplies. By controlling the communication means and ordering consumables from a predetermined ordering party, it is possible to automatically order consumables by setting this operation mode. By changing the setting of this operation mode as necessary, consumables can be automatically ordered in accordance with the use environment, user's convenience, etc., and thereby the use environment, user's convenience Accordingly, the management work and the confirmation work of the consumables can be simplified.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a consumable supply ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this consumables ordering system 1, printers 2A and 2A having a line connection function 3 are provided.
B, 2C,... Are connected to an ordering server 5 via a network 4 such as the Internet by a public line or a network 4 by a dedicated line, and each printer 2A, 2B,.
... 2C,...

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the ordering server 5 is constituted by a computer constituting a plurality of modules and a response module 6 constituted by communication means.
Printers 2A, 2B, 2
Data exchange between C,...
Acquire device codes from A, 2B, 2C,..., And accept orders for consumables.

The customer management table 7 is a management table of a customer who receives supplies of consumables by the consumable supplies ordering system 1, and includes printer information necessary for specifying the consumables to be ordered and shipping of the consumables. The system is constructed by recording customer information, information necessary for accounting processing of consumables sent, information on purchase history of consumables, and the like for each customer.

The device user verification module 8 accesses the customer management table 7 based on the result of data exchange between the response module 6 and each of the printers 2A, 2B, 2C,... To authenticate the communication target. Thereby, the device user collation module 8 specifies the user and the printer related to the order. Further, the device user verification module 8 updates the record of the customer management table 7 with the order information obtained from the response module 6, and notifies the order verification module 9 of the access result of the customer management table and the order information. When such a series of processing is completed, the printers 2A, 2A
After informing B, 2C,... Of the completion of the process, it instructs the response module 6 to disconnect the line.

The order matching module 9 updates the record of the order sending table 10 in response to the notification from the device user matching module 8. Here, the ordered goods delivery table 10 is a table for managing order slips and the like of consumables related to the order, and the supplier server 5 notifies the record of the ordered goods delivery table 10 to the distribution center, the consumables supplier, and the like. Then, the consumables, which are the ordered items 11, are delivered to the supplier.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 2A. Note that the printers 2B and 2C have substantially the same configuration as the printer 2A, and thus redundant description will be omitted. The printer 2A sends and receives various data to be printed to and from the personal computer 22 via the interface (IF) 21. The printer mechanism 23 is a mechanism relating to printing, and includes a paper feed mechanism, a head mechanism, a drive mechanism for these mechanisms, and the like. The driving unit 24 is a central processing unit (CPU)
The printer mechanism 23 is driven by the control of the printer 25, whereby various text data and image data supplied from the personal computer 22 via the interface 21 are printed on paper. Further, the printer mechanism 23 detects a failure of the paper feeding mechanism, a failure of the head due to nozzle clogging, and the like by a predetermined self-diagnosis function, and notifies the central processing unit 25 of the failure.

The display section 26 is constituted by a liquid crystal display panel for displaying various menus and the like relating to such printing. The touch panel 27 is a transparent sheet-like touch sensor disposed on a liquid crystal display panel constituting the display unit 26, and is configured to notify the central processing unit 25 of an operation of a menu displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. I have. This allows the printer 2A to execute various setting operations and the like.

The modem 28 is connected to the network 4 under the control of the communication control unit 29 to exchange data with a desired communication target. The communication control unit 29 controls data exchange in the modem 28, and in the consumables ordering system 1, notifies the central processing unit 25 of the connection with the ordering server 5, and further controls the operation of the modem 28. Various data output from the central processing unit 25 is transmitted to the order receiving server 5. Thus, in the printer 2A, it is possible to order consumables from the order receiving server 5.

The consumable part measuring section 30 is constituted by an optical sensor disposed on a paper cartridge of the printer mechanism 23, an ink remaining amount detecting mechanism disposed on an ink cartridge containing ink, and the like. The remaining amount of paper and ink remaining are detected and notified to the central processing unit 25.

The central processing unit 25 secures a work area in a random access memory (RAM) 32 and processes various data input via the interface 21 in accordance with a processing procedure recorded in a read only memory (ROM) 31. This controls the overall operation. Further, in this series of processing, the central processing unit 25 configures the apparatus information table 33A by recording a series of information relating to the order of consumables in the EEPROM 33, and updates the apparatus information table 33A as necessary. Similarly, a consumable item order is recorded in the EEPROM 33 to form a history table 33B.
Update 3B.

Here, the device information table 33A includes identification data for identifying the printer 2A, identification data for identifying the consumables to be ordered, data for identifying the ordering server 5, which is the ordering destination, and the processing mode for ordering. It is recorded and configured. Also, the history table 33B
Is composed of a record of orders for consumables, a record of replacement of corresponding consumables, and a record of the remaining amount of consumables. The central processing unit 25 uses the EEPROM 3
According to the record of No. 3, the consumables can be ordered from the order receiving server 5, and the record of the order can be left.

On the other hand, the read only memory 31 has a judgment table 31A for judging the remaining amount of consumables.
Is recorded. Central processing unit 2
5 determines the remaining amount of paper and the remaining amount of ink detected by the consumables measuring unit 30 based on the record in the determination table 31A. Then, it is made to order consumables.

When ordering consumables in this way,
The central processing unit 25 operates the touch panel 27 by a user, for example, when the printer 2A is installed,
A predetermined order processing menu is displayed on the display unit 26. FIG.
Is a plan view showing the menu screen. The central processing unit 25 displays a large button in the upper half of the display screen, and displays a message in this button, "Do you want to order consumables automatically? In addition, two buttons are displayed below this button,
The messages "Order automatically" and "Notify each time" are displayed.

The central processing unit 25 displays this menu screen for a predetermined time, and if no touch operation is performed on the touch panel 27 by the user during this time, the order processing mode is set to the automatic order cancel mode. On the other hand, when the button displaying the message of "order automatically" is pressed, the central processing unit 25 sets the order processing mode to the automatic order mode. When the button displaying the message "Notify every time ordering" is pressed, central processing unit 25 sets the ordering processing mode to the ordering mode by confirmation.

Here, the automatic ordering mode is a processing mode in which when the amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount, the ordering server 5 is automatically accessed to order consumables. The order mode by confirmation is a processing mode for notifying the user when the amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount, and for ordering consumables according to the user's instruction. The automatic order stop mode is a mode for notifying the user when the amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than the predetermined remaining amount, and is a processing mode for entrusting the order to the user.

The central processing unit 25 executes processing such as ordering according to the remaining amount of the consumables detected by the consumables measuring unit 30 in accordance with the processing mode set as described above. .

Thus, the central processing unit 25
When the automatic ordering mode or the ordering mode for confirmation is selected on the display of this screen, a supplier setting screen for each consumable is displayed, and the input of the supplier setting screen is accepted, and the data of the supplier server 5 is received. This data is acquired, and this data is added to the device information table 33A.

FIGS. 1 and 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the central processing unit 25 relating to this order processing. The central processing unit 25 executes this processing procedure at a constant cycle based on time measurement by a built-in timer.
That is, the central processing unit 25 proceeds from step SP1 to step SP2, where the consumables measuring unit 30 detects the remaining amounts of ink and paper. Subsequently, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP3, where it determines whether or not the remaining amount is sufficient based on the record in the determination table 31A.

The central processing unit 25 executes this step S
If a positive result is obtained in P3, step SP4
(FIG. 6). Here, it is determined whether or not the consumables have been replenished by determining whether or not the remaining amount of the consumables has increased from the record in the history table 33B. If a negative result is obtained here, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step S
Moving to P5, the remaining amount of consumables is recorded and the history table 33 is recorded.
After updating B, the process moves to step SP6 and ends this processing procedure.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP4, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP7, records that the remaining amount and the consumables have been updated, and updates the history table 33B. Step SP6
To end this processing procedure.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP3, it means that either the ink or the paper has become equal to or less than the predetermined remaining amount, and the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP8. It is determined from the record in the history table 33B whether these consumables have already been ordered. Here, if a positive result is obtained, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP4 (FIG. 6).

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP8, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP9.
Then, it is determined whether or not the mode is the automatic order mode. If a positive result is obtained here, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step S
The process proceeds to P10, where the order processing described later is executed to order the consumables from the order receiving server 5. Further following step SP1
In 1, after recording the order of the consumables in the history table 33B, the process proceeds to step SP4. Accordingly, when the user sets the automatic order mode, the central processing unit 25 automatically orders consumables when the remaining amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP9, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP1.
Move to 2. Here, the central processing unit 25 displays on the display unit 26 a message indicating that consumables are running low and an order is required. Subsequently, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP13, where it determines whether or not the operation mode is the confirmation operation mode. Here, if a negative result is obtained, in this case, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP4 because of the automatic order cancel mode.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP13, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP13.
In step 14, the menu of the order is displayed on the display unit 26, and it is determined whether or not the menu of the order is pressed by the user. If a negative result is obtained here, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP4. On the other hand, when the user presses the order menu, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP10 and executes the order processing. Thereby, the central processing unit 25 orders consumables after confirmation by the user when the mode is set to the ordering mode by the user. The system simply warns of consumption of consumables and does not order consumables.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an order processing procedure. The central processing unit 25 executes step SP21.
The process proceeds from step SP22 to step SP22 to control the modem 28 via the communication control unit 29 to connect to the network 4. Subsequently, the central processing unit 25 proceeds to step SP2
3 and sends the identification data for identifying the printer 2A recorded in the device information table 33A to the ordering server 5
In step SP24, identification data for identifying the consumable is transmitted to order the consumable.

Subsequently, in step SP25, the central processing unit 25 receives the collation of the consumables pertaining to the order and the consignment destination of the consumables by the supplier server 5, and then waits for a shipping instruction in step SP26. When the dispatch instruction is completed in the supplier server 5 in the subsequent step SP27, the central processing unit 25 receives a processing completion notification from the supplier server 5 in the subsequent step SP28. When the central processing unit 25 receives the processing completion notification in this manner, in the following step SP29, it drives the printer mechanism 23 to print out the contents of the order, and then moves to step SP30 to end this processing procedure.

FIG. 8 is a printed matter showing the contents of the order printed by the processing in step SP29. Thus, in the printer 2A, order management can be executed based on printed matter.

Further, when a failure is notified from the printer mechanism 23, the central processing unit 25 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 26. At this time, the central processing unit 25 also displays a menu as to whether or not to make a maintenance call. When the user instructs a maintenance call by operating this menu, the central processing unit 25 requests a predetermined maintenance center to repair under the control of the communication control unit 29. I do. At this time, the central processing unit 25 also transmits various data indicating the status of the failure and records a series of these processes in the history table 33B.

During normal operation, the central processing unit 25
A predetermined menu is displayed on the display unit 26, and when the predetermined menu is selected by the user, as shown in FIG. To display. Thus, the printer 2A can manage not only the management based on the printed material but also the order of the consumables via the display unit 26 as necessary. The central processing unit 25
In step S, the above-described step S
When a consumable item is ordered by the process of P10, a requested button is displayed on this display to notify the user. Also, in step SP7 of the same processing procedure, when the history table is updated by replenishment of consumables, the requested check is deleted.

(1-2) Operation of First Embodiment In the above configuration, in the printer 2A or the like according to the consumable supplies ordering system 1 (FIGS. 4 and 5), an order is placed on a menu screen at the time of installation or the like. Accept the setting of the processing mode. In this setting, when the user selects the automatic ordering mode for automatically ordering consumables, the printer 2A (FIG. 1) determines the remaining amount of ink and the remaining amount of paper detected by the consumables measuring unit 30. When the amount becomes equal to or less than the fixed amount, the consumable item is ordered by accessing the ordering server 5 under the control of the communication control unit 29 (FIGS. 2 and 3). As a result, in the consumables ordering system 1, the consumables can be replenished without any management and confirmation of the consumables on the user side, and the usability of the user can be improved accordingly.

On the other hand, if the user selects the ordering mode based on confirmation, the printer 2A notifies the user when the amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than the predetermined remaining amount. Consumables are ordered 5. Thus, for example, a user who separately manages the use of consumables can surely manage consumables, thereby improving usability.

On the other hand, if the user selects the automatic order cancel mode, the printer 2A
When the amount of the consumables becomes equal to or less than the predetermined remaining amount, the user is notified and entrusted to the user to order the consumables. Also, in the ordering mode by confirmation, even if the user does not give an order, the order of the consumables is left to the user. Thus, for example, even a user who uses an extremely small amount of consumables can arrange consumables as needed.

Thus, in the printer 2A, consumables can be arranged in accordance with the environment of use, the convenience of the user, etc., and the work of managing and checking the consumables can be simplified.

In order to order consumables in this way, when the printer 2A accesses the ordering server 5, the consumables ordering system 1 authenticates the printer 2A, accepts an order for consumables, and receives consumables and delivery. The previous authentication is performed (FIG. 7). Further, shipment of the consumables is arranged, and when the arrangement is completed, completion of the order is notified to the printer 2A.

In the printer 2A, this notification is recorded in the history table 33B. In the printer 2A, this order record prevents repeated ordering of consumables. Further, the completion of the order is notified to the user by printing (FIG. 8), and the record of the order is displayed by selecting the menu by the user (FIG. 9). After that, when consumables are replenished by monitoring consumables,
The history table 33B is updated, which also prevents repeated orders.

(1-3) Effects of the First Embodiment According to the above configuration, when the remaining amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than the predetermined remaining amount, the consumables are automatically set by the operation mode set by the user. By placing an order, expendable supplies can be ordered in accordance with the environment of use, the convenience of the user, etc., and the work of managing and checking the expendable supplies can be simplified.

At this time, the order of the consumables is recorded, and when the replenishment of the consumables is detected, the record is updated, so that repeated orders can be prevented.

(2) Second Embodiment In this embodiment, instead of setting the order processing mode in advance, the user sets the order processing mode each time the consumable becomes less than a predetermined remaining amount. Accept. In the printer according to this embodiment, the central processing unit has the same configuration as the printer 2A according to the first embodiment, except that the processing related to the setting of the order processing mode is different. Here, duplicate description is omitted.

That is, in this embodiment, when the remaining amount of ink among the consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the central processing unit displays a menu shown in FIG. Accept the settings of The central processing unit executes order processing in various modes according to the order processing mode set in this manner, similarly to the central processing unit according to the first embodiment.

When the remaining amount of paper among the consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the central processing unit displays a menu shown in FIG. 11, and accepts the setting of the order processing mode by the user's selection on this display. The central processing unit executes order processing in various modes according to the order processing mode set in this manner, similarly to the central processing unit according to the first embodiment.

As in this embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by accepting the setting of the processing mode every time the remaining amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount.

(3) Third Embodiment In this embodiment, the setting of the order processing mode is received for each consumable. In the printer according to this embodiment, the central processing unit has the same configuration as that of the printer 2A according to the first embodiment except that the processing related to the setting of the order processing mode is different. Here, duplicate description is omitted.

That is, in this embodiment, the central processing unit displays a menu screen shown in FIG. 12 by selecting a predetermined menu, for example, at the time of installation. Here, on this menu screen, the setting method of the ink order processing mode is displayed at the top, followed by the setting method of the paper order processing mode. Further, a setting method of the photo paper order processing mode is displayed, and a menu of numbers (not shown) is displayed. The central processing unit accepts the selection of each consumable item by the menu of the numbers, and accepts the setting of the order processing mode for the selected consumable item by pressing the buttons A and B.

When the order processing mode is set by this menu, the central processing unit displays a confirmation screen shown in FIG. Note that the display shown in FIG. 13 is a case where the A button, the B button, and the A and B buttons are selected for the ink, paper, and photo paper in the menu shown in FIG. 12, respectively. By pressing the button A following the operator of the numeral 3, the order processing procedure described above with reference to FIG. 7 is executed to place an order.

On the other hand, FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a display when the remaining amount of the ink becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount when the user selects the menu for confirming the order of the ink every time the order is placed. It is. In this case, after notifying the user of the lack of ink, the central processing unit orders ink by pressing the A button. In this display, the central processing unit also displays the setting status of the processing mode for the other consumables, so that the user can confirm other settings.

As shown in the third embodiment, if the processing mode is set for each consumable item, the consumable item can be ordered and the consumable item can be ordered in accordance with the usage environment and the user's convenience. Management work and confirmation work can be simplified.

(4) Fourth Embodiment In this embodiment, the central processing unit receives the setting of the remaining amount, which is the timing of ordering consumables. Here, in setting the remaining amount, the remaining amount is set based on the amount of ink and the number of sheets, and the remaining available number of days based on the average usage amount detected from the usage history is used. Various setting methods are conceivable, such as setting of the remaining amount by designation.

If the remaining amount can be set separately, consumables can be ordered according to the usage environment and the user's convenience, and the work of managing and checking the consumables can be further simplified. Can be.

(5) Fifth Embodiment In this embodiment, when ordering consumables, the central processing unit notifies a system configuration such as a driver according to a request from an ordering server. The ordering server notifies the printer of the drivers and the like that have not been upgraded by the notification of the system configuration, and the printer downloads these drivers and the like automatically or by the user's confirmation according to the setting of the user. .

According to this embodiment, in addition to consumables, a driver or the like for upgrading can be appropriately provided by the user's selection, and the usability of the user can be further improved.

(6) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the case where consumables are ordered directly from the printer to the ordering server has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The computer may be used by connecting to a computer, and many of the computers may be connected to a line, so that consumables may be ordered from the ordering server via the computer. By doing so, it is possible to automatically order consumables even in a printer or the like having no communication function such as a modem. In this case, the computer constitutes communication means for ordering consumables.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of ordering consumables relating to ink and paper has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be widely applied to the case where toner is ordered by applying the method.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to various printing apparatuses such as a facsimile apparatus and a copying apparatus. Can be.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the remaining amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount, the user can automatically order the consumables by setting an operation mode to use the consumables. According to the environment, the user's convenience, etc., the operation of managing and checking the consumables can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a central processing unit in a printer of a consumable supplies ordering system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a consumable goods ordering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an order receiving server in the consumable goods ordering system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a printer in the consumable goods ordering system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a setting screen of the printer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure following FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an order processing in the processing procedure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a printing result upon completion of an order.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a display screen used for confirming an order.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a display screen of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a display screen for ordering a sheet in comparison with FIG.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a setting screen of a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a plan view showing a setting confirmation display on the setting screen of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view for explaining ordering on the setting screen of FIG. 12;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Consumable supplies ordering system, 2A ~ 2C ... Printer,
5: ordering server, 22: personal computer, 33B: history table, 25: central processing unit, 30: consumables measuring unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Shinobu Hidaka 6-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 HH03 HJ08 HK11 HQ01 HQ17 HV13 HV14 HV32 2H027 DC18 DD02 EC06 EJ13 EJ15 FA30 GB03 HB01 HB16 HB17 ZA07

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An operation mode setting means for setting an operation mode, and a control means for controlling a communication means for performing data communication with a communication object via a predetermined line. Wherein the control means is configured to determine that the amount of the consumable becomes less than or equal to a predetermined remaining amount based on a detection result of the remaining amount detecting means, and the operation mode set by the operation mode setting means is automatically changed to a consumable In the case of the operation mode of ordering the consumables, the printing apparatus controls the communication means to order the consumables from a predetermined ordering party. 2. The control means according to claim 1, wherein said consumable supplies are reduced to a predetermined remaining amount or less according to a detection result of said remaining amount detecting means, and an operation mode set by said operation mode setting means is confirmed by a user. In the case of the operation mode for ordering consumables, after warning a user of consumption of consumables via a predetermined warning unit, the communication unit is controlled by a predetermined operation by the user, and the predetermined The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein consumables are ordered. 3. The control means according to claim 1, wherein said consumables have a predetermined remaining amount or less according to a result of detection by said remaining amount detecting means, and wherein the operation mode set by said operation mode setting means controls consumption of consumables. The method according to claim 1, wherein in an operation mode for warning a user, the order of the consumables under control of the communication unit is stopped, and the user is warned of consumption of the consumables via a predetermined warning unit. The printing device according to the above. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising remaining amount setting means for setting the predetermined remaining amount. 5. The control unit records the order of the consumables in a predetermined recording unit, and updates the record of the recording unit when the replenishment of the consumables is detected by the remaining amount detecting unit. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is printing ink or toner. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is printing paper. 8. A remaining amount detecting step for detecting a remaining amount of the consumable, and an operation mode setting step for receiving an operation mode setting, wherein the consumption is detected based on the remaining amount detection result detected in the remaining amount detecting step. In the case where the number of articles is less than a predetermined remaining amount and the operation mode set in the operation mode setting step is an operation mode for automatically ordering consumables, the communication means is provided to a predetermined order destination by a predetermined communication means. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising ordering consumables. 9. An operation mode set in the operation mode setting step, wherein the operation mode set in the operation mode setting step orders an expendable item in accordance with a user's confirmation. In the case of the operation mode in which, after warning the user of the consumption of the consumables via a predetermined warning unit, the communication unit responds to a predetermined operation by the user and orders the consumables to a predetermined supplier. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: 10. The operation mode set in the operation mode setting step warns a user of consumption of consumables when the amount of the consumables detected in the remaining amount detection step is less than a predetermined remaining amount. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in the case of the operation mode, the ordering of the consumables by the communication unit is stopped, and the user is warned of the consumption of the consumables via a predetermined warning unit. Control method. 11. A recording medium on which a control method of a printing apparatus is recorded, wherein the control method includes: a remaining amount detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of a consumable; and an operation mode setting step of receiving an operation mode setting. When the amount of the consumable becomes less than or equal to a predetermined remaining amount according to the remaining amount detection result detected in the remaining amount detecting step, the operation mode set in the operation mode setting step automatically orders the consumable. A recording medium storing a control method of the printing apparatus, wherein the consumable is ordered to a predetermined supplier via a predetermined communication means in a case of the operation mode. 12. When the amount of the consumables detected in the remaining amount detecting step is equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount, the operation mode set in the operation mode setting step orders consumables according to a user's confirmation. Operating mode,
12. The consumable item is ordered to a predetermined supplier by the communication unit in response to a predetermined operation by the user after warning a user of consumption of the consumable item via a predetermined warning unit. A recording medium recording the control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 1. 13. The operation mode set in the operation mode setting step warns a user of consumption of consumables when the amount of the consumables detected in the remaining amount detection step is less than a predetermined remaining amount. 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in the case of the operation mode, the ordering of the consumables by the communication unit is stopped, and the user is warned of the consumption of the consumables via a predetermined warning unit. A recording medium recording a control method.