JP2004185121A - Ink cartridge information display method, printer host, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform display matched to the use state by a user in a printing system which displays information related to an ink cartridge to the user on the basis of the ink residual quantity of the ink cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: In this method, a computer executes the processing of accepting and storing the stock number of ink cartridges and a reference value to the stock number; the processing of acquiring the information related to the ink residual quantity of the ink cartridge; the processing of determining whether or not the ink residual quantity of the ink cartridge is the reference value of ink residual quantity set according to a predetermined rule or less, and the processing of displaying, when the ink residual quantity of the ink cartridge is the reference value of ink residual quantity or less, and the stock number of ink cartridges is a reference value of stock number or less, a screen showing that the ink residual quantity of the ink cartridge is the reference value of ink residual quantity or less on a screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for presenting information to a user based on the remaining amount of consumables in a printing system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to enable a user to easily purchase consumables, particularly an ink cartridge, in a printing apparatus such as a printer, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163,873 discloses an ink cartridge in which the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge falls below a first threshold. The document describes that a screen for prompting purchase of an ink cartridge is displayed, and a Web page where the ink cartridge can be purchased can be accessed from this screen.
[0003]
If the user does not replace the ink cartridge, for example, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge falls below a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, the Web cartridge on which the ink cartridge can be purchased is re-purchased. It describes that a screen that allows access to a page and that prompts purchase of an ink cartridge is displayed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-123384 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the ink cartridge cannot perform printing when the remaining amount of the ink is exhausted, many users often purchase a spare ink cartridge in advance.
[0006]
If there is enough spare ink cartridge, it is sufficient to know that the ink level has run out when the ink level runs out, so it is not always necessary for the user to display a screen that prompts the user to purchase an ink cartridge. .
[0007]
On the other hand, if there is no spare ink cartridge, or if there is not enough, it is convenient to display a screen prompting the user to purchase an ink cartridge when the remaining amount of ink is low.
[0008]
For this reason, it is desirable to perform the display in accordance with the usage status of the user.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system that displays information about an ink cartridge to a user based on the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge, so as to provide a display suitable for the user's usage.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To solve the above problems, according to the present invention,
A program executed by a computer connected to a printer that performs printing using an ink cartridge,
A process of receiving and storing the number of ink cartridge stocks and a reference value for the number of stocks;
A process of acquiring information on the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge;
Processing for determining whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than a reference value for the remaining amount of ink set according to a predetermined rule;
When the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink and the number of stocks of the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the number of stocks, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is A program is provided which causes a computer to execute a process of displaying a screen indicating that the value is equal to or less than a reference value.
[0011]
According to the present invention, even when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is lower than the reference value, if the number of stocks is larger than the reference value, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is lower than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink. Since the screen indicating the fact is not displayed, the trouble of displaying the screen which is not necessarily required can be eliminated.
[0012]
On the other hand, when the number of stocks is equal to or less than the reference value, a screen indicating that the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink is displayed, so that useful information for the user is presented. Will be.
[0013]
Further, it may be determined whether or not the ink cartridge has been replaced. If it is determined that the ink cartridge has been replaced, the computer may be further executed to reduce the stored number of stored ink cartridges by one.
[0014]
This saves the user the trouble of resetting the number of stocks.
[0015]
Further, the screen indicating that the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink may include an option for receiving an instruction to purchase the ink cartridge online.
[0016]
Thus, the purchase procedure of the ink cartridge can be performed before the ink remaining amount is exhausted.
[0017]
According to the present invention,
A printer host connected to a printer that performs printing using an ink cartridge,
Means for receiving and storing the number of ink cartridge stocks and a reference value for the number of stocks;
Means for acquiring information about the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge;
Means for determining whether the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than a reference value for the remaining amount of ink set according to a predetermined rule,
When the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink and the number of stocks of the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the number of stocks, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is Means for displaying a screen indicating that the value is equal to or less than the reference value, and a printer host, and
An ink cartridge information display method in a computer connected to a printer that performs printing using an ink cartridge,
Receiving and storing the ink cartridge stock number and a reference value for the stock number;
Obtaining information about the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge;
Determining whether the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge is equal to or less than a reference value for the ink remaining amount set according to a predetermined rule;
When the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink and the number of stocks of the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the number of stocks, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is Displaying a screen indicating that the value is equal to or less than the reference value.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the present invention. The printing system 1 including the computer 30 and the printer 10 is connected to a computer network, for example, the Internet 70, and uses various services provided on the Internet 70, for example, browses Web pages, Can be transmitted and received.
[0020]
A Web server 60 is connected to the Internet 70, and a Web site is opened. The Web site opened by the Web server 60 provides a service that allows users to apply for the purchase of consumables of the printer 10, for example, ink cartridges, online. The printing system 1 holds a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) of a Web page for applying for purchase of consumables, and displays a screen for accessing the Web page when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is low. Thus, the user is prompted to apply for a purchase.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of the printing system 1 including the computer 30 and the printer 10.
[0022]
The computer 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 for performing processing based on various programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32 for temporarily storing data and programs, various data for controlling the computer 30, A ROM (Read Only Memory) 33 in which application programs and the like are stored in a nonvolatile manner in advance, and an interface 34 for transmitting and receiving data to and from peripheral devices such as the connected printer 10 are provided. In this embodiment, the computer 30 functions as a printer host.
[0023]
The computer 30 includes a display device 21 such as a color display, an input device 22 such as a mouse and a keyboard, a media reading device 23 that reads data from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, an internal or external auxiliary storage device 24, Further, the communication control device 25 for connecting to the Internet 70 is connected. However, the configuration of the computer 30 is not limited to this.
[0024]
The printer 10 is, for example, an ink jet type color printer. 2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet type color printer includes a plurality of ink cartridges in which a housing is filled with ink, and performs printing by spraying the ink from a print head onto a print medium such as recording paper.
[0025]
The printer 10 includes an interface 11 that controls communication with the computer 30 such as reception of data, a CPU 12 that performs processing based on various programs, a RAM 13 that temporarily stores print data, and the like, and a printer that controls the printer 10. ROM 14 in which various data, various programs, and the like are stored in a nonvolatile manner in advance, a print head for discharging ink, a carriage driving mechanism for driving a carriage on which the print head is mounted, a paper feed mechanism, and paper supply / discharge of a print medium A print engine 15 including a paper supply / discharge mechanism for performing processing. However, the configuration of the printer 10 is not limited to this.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the print engine 15. As shown in the drawing, the print engine 15 supports a carriage 101 on which a plurality of ink cartridges 107 (107a to 107g) are mounted, an inkjet print head 110 supported by the carriage 101, and a carriage 101. , A carriage mechanism 120 for reciprocating in the line direction, and a paper feed mechanism 130 for feeding the paper P.
[0027]
The carriage mechanism 120 has a timing belt 121 connected to the carriage 101, and a carriage motor 123 that reciprocates the timing belt 121. The carriage motor 123 causes the carriage 101 to reciprocate in the paper width direction of the recording paper P while being guided by the guide member 104 via the timing belt 121.
[0028]
An ink jet print head 110 is attached to a surface of the carriage 101 which faces the recording paper P, in the example shown in FIG. The print head 110 is held on the carriage 101. The print head 110 receives ink supply from the ink cartridge 107, discharges ink droplets on the recording paper P in accordance with the movement of the carriage 101, forms dots, and prints images, characters, and the like on the recording paper P.
[0029]
The ink cartridges 107a to 107g are independent of each other, and the ink storage chamber formed in each ink cartridge is filled with black (K) or color ink. The color ink can be, for example, any of cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), yellow (Y), and dark yellow (DY). Note that one ink cartridge 107 may be filled with a plurality of colors of ink.
[0030]
In this embodiment, seven ink cartridges 107 can be mounted on the carriage 101, and black (K) or color ink cartridges 107 can be mounted on each mounting position. It has become.
[0031]
The mounting positions of the respective ink cartridges 107 are predetermined. For example, among the seven mounting positions, six mounting positions include yellow (Y), light magenta (LM), magenta (M), and light cyan (LC). ), Cyan (C), and black (K). Then, it is determined that one of the black (K) and dark yellow (DY) ink cartridges is mounted on the remaining one mounting position. Dark yellow (DY) is a color ink for improving the quality of printing, and is not always necessary depending on the purpose of printing, the type of printing medium, and the like. This is to enable selective mounting with black (K).
[0032]
In the print head 110, nozzle openings (not shown) corresponding to the seven ink cartridges are arranged in rows.
[0033]
Each ink cartridge 107 has a storage element. This storage element stores information indicating the color of the ink filled in the ink cartridge 107 and information indicating the remaining amount of the ink. Further, information regarding the type, version, manufacturer, manufacturing time, and the like of the ink cartridge 107 may be further stored.
[0034]
The connection terminal of the storage element is exposed, and is electrically connected to the electrode provided on the carriage 101 when the ink cartridge 107 is mounted on the printer 10. As a result, information such as the ink color and the remaining ink amount can be exchanged between each ink cartridge 107 and the printer 10. The storage element can be configured by, for example, an EEPROM including a memory cell, a read / write control unit, an address counter, and the like.
[0035]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a characteristic functional configuration constructed on the printing system 1. In the figure, a print control unit 310 for controlling print processing in the print system 1 and a Web browser unit 320 for performing processing for accessing a Web page are built on the computer 30, and an actual printer is built on the printer 10. A print execution unit 210 for performing a printing process and an ink cartridge management unit 220 are constructed.
[0036]
A print control unit 310 includes a print data generation unit 311 that generates print data for a document to be printed and an ink monitor unit that presents information to a user based on the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 107 mounted on the printer 10. 312 and a communication unit 313 that communicates with the printer 10.
[0037]
The print data generation unit 311 performs a rasterization process, a color conversion process, and the like on a document to be printed to generate print data.
[0038]
The ink monitor unit 312 acquires the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 107 attached to the printer 10 at the time of printing or the like. Then, when the remaining amount of ink in any one of the ink cartridges is equal to or less than a threshold (hereinafter, referred to as a “target threshold”) determined by a predetermined rule, the user sets the number of stocks of the ink cartridge. When the number becomes equal to or less than the number (hereinafter referred to as “target stock number”), an ink monitor screen prompting the user to purchase an ink cartridge is displayed on the display device 21.
[0039]
Therefore, the ink monitor unit 312 manages the number of stocks of each ink cartridge and the number of target stocks held by the user. These are, for example, recorded in a file and stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 or the like. In the following, a description will be given assuming that the information is recorded in the ink cartridge stock information file 330.
[0040]
As the initial value of the stock number of each ink cartridge, the setting of the number of each ink cartridge held by the user at a certain point in time is received from the user and recorded in the ink cartridge stock information file 330. Thereafter, when it is detected that the ink cartridge 107 has been replaced, the number of ink cartridge stocks related to the replacement recorded in the ink cartridge stock information file 330 is automatically reduced by one.
[0041]
The target stock quantity is set by the user in units of, for example, black ink and color ink. However, the number of target stocks may be set for each ink color, or one target stock may be commonly applied to all ink cartridges.
[0042]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the ink monitor screen. In this figure, an ink monitor screen 500 includes a monitor display column 501 for visually displaying the remaining amount of ink in each ink cartridge 107 and displaying the number of stocks in each ink cartridge, and a column 502 for explaining the remaining amount of ink. , An “online purchase” button 503, a “notify later” button 504, a “close” button 505, and a “stock number setting” button 506.
[0043]
When the ink monitor screen 312 receives the click of the “online purchase” button 503 on the ink monitor screen 500, the ink monitor unit 312 notifies the web browser unit 320 of the URL of the web page for applying for the purchase of the consumables. Then, the Web browser unit 320 accesses a Web page for applying for purchase of consumables, so that the user can apply for purchasing an ink cartridge online. The URL of the Web page for purchasing consumables is held inside or outside of the ink monitor unit 312 so that the ink monitor unit 312 can refer to the URL.
[0044]
When the ink monitor unit 312 receives a click of the “notify later” button 504 on the ink monitor screen 500, the ink monitor unit 312 temporarily closes the ink monitor screen 500. Then, the target threshold is reset.
[0045]
That is, in the present embodiment, a plurality of values can be set as the target threshold value of the remaining ink amount, which is a reference for the ink monitor unit 312 to display the ink monitor screen 500. The values that can be set as the target threshold can be, for example, four values of 20%, 10%, 5%, and 0%. The set target threshold is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the computer 30 in a nonvolatile manner. However, the value and the number of values that can be set as the target threshold are not limited to these.
[0046]
For the sake of simplicity, a case where the number of ink cartridges is one and the number of target stocks is one will be described as an example for simplicity.
[0047]
When the target threshold value is set to 20% and the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 107 becomes 20%, the ink monitor unit 312 displays the above-described ink monitor screen 500 to urge the purchase of the ink cartridge. Upon receiving a click of the “notify later” button 504 on the ink monitor screen 500, the ink monitor unit 312 closes the ink monitor screen 500 and sets 10% that is one step lower than 20% as the target threshold.
[0048]
Then, when the ink is further consumed and the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 107 becomes 10%, the ink monitor screen 500 is displayed again to urge the purchase of the ink cartridge. Hereinafter, each time the "notify later" button 504 is clicked, the target threshold is reset by one step until it reaches 0%.
[0049]
When the stock number of the ink cartridge is larger than the target stock number, the target threshold value is reset without displaying the ink monitor screen 500 every time the remaining ink amount becomes equal to or less than the target threshold value.
[0050]
The setting of the target threshold including the case where there are a plurality of ink cartridges, that is, the case where the remaining ink amount differs for each ink color will be described later.
[0051]
Upon receiving a click on the “close” button 505 on the ink monitor screen 500, the ink monitor unit 312 closes the ink monitor screen 500. In this case, the target threshold is not changed. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 107 is not replaced, the ink monitor screen 500 is displayed again at the time of next printing execution or the like.
[0052]
When the ink monitor section 312 receives a click on the “stock number setting” button 506 on the ink monitor screen 500, the ink monitor section 312 displays the stock number setting screen on the display device 21.
[0053]
FIG. 6 shows an example of the stock number setting screen 600. As shown in the figure, the stock quantity setting screen 600 includes a stock quantity setting field 601 for an ink cartridge, a target stock quantity setting field 602, an “OK” button 603, and a “cancel” button 604.
[0054]
The number of stocked ink cartridges is set for each ink cartridge. That is, when the ink cartridges are independent for each ink color, the number of ink cartridges to be set is set for each ink color, and when a plurality of ink colors are filled in one ink cartridge, The ink colors are put together and the number of stocks is set with one ink cartridge.
[0055]
In this example, the number of target stocks is set in units of black ink and color ink. However, as described above, a common number of target stocks is set for each ink cartridge or for all ink cartridges. You may.
[0056]
The ink monitor unit 312 records and stores the number of ink cartridges and the number of target stocks set on the stock number setting screen 600, for example, in a file.
[0057]
In the present embodiment, when the ink monitor unit 312 detects that the ink cartridge 107 has been replaced, the user automatically updates the ink cartridge stock information file 330 to a value obtained by reducing the number of stocks by one. There is no need to reset the number of stocks. However, if the number of stocks increases after purchasing a new ink cartridge 107 or the like, the number of stocks is reset on the stock number setting screen 600.
[0058]
When setting the number of ink cartridges and the number of target stocks, the user can call and set the ink monitor screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 by a predetermined operation, for example, a printer driver menu operation.
[0059]
The print control unit 310 is built on the computer 30 by the CPU 31 executing a printer driver program read by the RAM 32 on an operating system that controls the computer 30. The printer driver program for this can be distributed by recording it on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, for example. Then, by reading this recording medium with the media reading device 23, a printer driver program can be installed in the computer 30. Further, for example, it can be installed via the Internet 70.
[0060]
Web browser section 320 performs a process for accessing a Web page on Internet 70 specified by the URL. The Web browser unit 320 can be constructed by executing general-purpose Web browser software on the computer 30.
[0061]
The print execution unit 210 constructed on the printer 10 performs an actual print process based on print data sent from the computer 30.
[0062]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 manages ink information including remaining ink data of each ink cartridge 107 mounted on the printer 10. The ink cartridge management unit 220 reads information from the storage element of the ink cartridge 107 and updates the ink information. Then, in response to a request from the computer 30, the ink information is transmitted.
[0063]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 can calculate the ink ejection amount by multiplying the weight of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles provided in the print head 110 by the number of times the ink droplets are ejected. The remaining ink amount is calculated by subtracting the ink consumption amount based on the ink ejection amount and the ink suction amount sucked and consumed for cleaning the print head 110 from the ink filling amount of the ink cartridge 107. Can be.
[0064]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 reads the stored ink remaining amount data from the storage element of the ink cartridge 107 and writes the data in the RAM 13 when the power of the printer 10 is turned on. Then, the content of the RAM 13 is updated with the calculated latest ink remaining amount as ink remaining amount data. In the case where information regarding the type, version, manufacturer, manufacturing time, and the like of the ink cartridge 107 is recorded in the storage element of the ink cartridge 107, such information may be written into the RAM 13 when the power is turned on.
[0065]
The calculated latest ink remaining amount is written in each storage element of the ink cartridge 107 after the power-off operation of the printer 10 is performed. Alternatively, for example, writing may be performed each time one printing is completed.
[0066]
The remaining ink amount can be expressed, for example, as a percentage based on the amount of ink filled in the new ink cartridge 107. In this case, the ink remaining amount in the initial state when the ink cartridge 107 is filled with ink is 100%, and decreases to 0% as the printing process is executed. Of course, the expression method of the remaining ink amount is not limited to the percentage.
[0067]
Next, the setting of the target threshold value performed by the ink monitor unit 312 of the print control unit 310 built in the computer 30 in this embodiment will be further described.
[0068]
The ink monitor unit 312 acquires the remaining amount of each ink cartridge 107 from the ink cartridge management unit 220 of the printer 10 and stores the remaining amount for each ink color on, for example, the RAM 32. Further, the ink monitor unit 312 divides the ink colors of the ink cartridge 107 into some groups, and sets and manages a target threshold value for each group. Of course, instead of being divided into groups, target thresholds may be independently set and managed for each cartridge, as in the related art.
[0069]
The method of grouping is arbitrary, but here, the case where all the ink colors are treated as one group (first example) and the case where the ink colors are divided into black ink and color inks other than black (second example) Example) will be described as an example. In the first example, the ink monitor unit 312 sets one target threshold to manage the remaining amount of ink, and in the second example, sets the target threshold of black ink and the target threshold of color ink. The remaining amount of ink is managed. The set target threshold is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 in a nonvolatile manner, for example. Note that the target threshold may be stored for each ink cartridge, and may be changed in association with each group to manage the target threshold for each group.
[0070]
FIG. 7 shows the remaining amount of each ink color managed by the ink monitor unit 312 and the target threshold.
[0071]
FIG. 7A shows the target threshold value of the first example. In the first example, since all the ink colors are treated as one group, the target threshold value to be managed is one. At this time, as shown in parentheses, the same target threshold value may be set for each ink color, and may be changed in conjunction with each other. FIG. 7B shows a target threshold value of the second example. In the second example, since the groups are divided into black ink and color ink, the target threshold is managed for each group. At this time, as shown in parentheses, the same target threshold value may be set for each color ink, and may be changed in conjunction with each other.
[0072]
FIG. 7C shows the remaining amount of each ink color. The ink monitor unit 312 manages the remaining amount of each of the seven ink colors in percentage.
[0073]
As described above, for example, in a case where the printer 10 is used with six colors of ink by mounting black (K) ink instead of dark yellow (DY) ink, as shown in FIG. As described above, the sum of the remaining amounts of the two inks for the black (K) ink may be treated as the remaining amount of the black (K) ink.
[0074]
Next, the processing of the ink monitor unit 312 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is performed when the computer 30 acquires the status of the printer 10. The timing at which the computer 30 acquires the status of the printer 10 can be, for example, when printing is started based on a print command from the user, when a printer status acquisition command is received from the user, or the like.
[0075]
The ink monitor unit 312 acquires the remaining ink amount of each ink cartridge 107 from the ink cartridge management unit 220 of the printer 10 (S101).
[0076]
Next, it is determined whether a target threshold is set (S102). Once set, the target threshold is normally set because it is stored in a nonvolatile manner. However, it is not set immediately after the printer driver or the like is installed, and needs to be newly set. Therefore, in the process (S102), it is determined whether the target threshold has been set.
[0077]
As a result, if the target threshold is not set, the target threshold is set for each group (S103). In setting the target threshold, first, for each group, the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 107 included in the group, which has the smallest remaining amount, is extracted. Then, of the values that can be taken as the target threshold, the maximum value that is less than the remaining amount is set as the target threshold of the group.
[0078]
For example, it is assumed that possible values for the target threshold are 20%, 10%, 5%, and 0% as described above.
[0079]
In the first example, it is assumed that cyan is the minimum value at 18% of the remaining amounts of ink in the ink cartridges 107 for seven colors. In this case, a value less than 18% and a maximum value of 10% is set as the target threshold.
[0080]
Further, in the second example, it is assumed that the remaining amount of ink in the black ink cartridge 107 is 80%, and that the amount of magenta in the remaining amount of color ink is 8%, which is the minimum value. In this case, the target threshold for black ink is set to 20%, and the target threshold for color ink is set to 5%.
[0081]
Next, the ink monitor unit 312 determines whether or not the ink remaining amount value is held (S104). For example, if the status has not yet been acquired from the printer 10 since the computer 30 was started, the remaining ink value is not recorded. Judge whether or not.
[0082]
As a result, if the remaining ink value is not held, the remaining ink amount for each color acquired in the process (S101) is stored (S108).
[0083]
On the other hand, when the remaining ink value is held, it is determined whether or not there is an ink cartridge 107 whose remaining ink amount acquired in the process (S101) is larger than the stored remaining ink value. (S105).
[0084]
As a result, when there is an ink cartridge 107 whose remaining ink amount obtained in the process (S101) is larger than the stored remaining ink value, it is determined that the ink cartridge 107 has been replaced. The ink cartridge stock information file 330 is updated by reducing the stock number of the ink cartridge by one (S106).
[0085]
Then, the target threshold is reset (S107). In the process of resetting the target threshold value, for the group including the ink cartridge 107 that has been determined to be replaced, the lowest remaining amount of the ink remaining in the ink cartridges 107 included in the group is extracted. When the one with the smallest remaining amount is extracted, among the possible values of the target threshold value, the value that is less than the remaining amount and the largest value is set as the target threshold value of the group. Thereafter, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 107 determined to have been replaced is stored (S108).
[0086]
Next, the ink monitor unit 312 determines, for each group, whether or not the remaining amount of ink in any one of the ink cartridges 107 is equal to or less than the target threshold (S109).
[0087]
That is, in the first example, assuming that the target threshold is set to 20%, it is checked whether the remaining ink amount of each ink cartridge 107 is 20% or less. Further, in the second example, if the target threshold value of black ink is set to 10% and the target threshold value of color ink is set to 5%, the remaining ink amount of black ink is 10% or less. It is checked whether the remaining amount of each color ink is 5% or less.
[0088]
As a result, when the ink remaining amount of any of the ink cartridges 107 is not less than the target threshold value, printing is executed, and the ink remaining amount value is updated based on the ink amount consumed in the printing (S114). , And the process ends.
[0089]
On the other hand, if there is an ink cartridge 107 whose remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the target threshold, the ink monitor unit 312 refers to the ink cartridge stock information file 330 and determines that the number of ink cartridges whose amount is equal to or less than the target threshold is equal to the target. It is determined whether the number is equal to or less than the number of stocks (S110).
[0090]
As a result, if the number of ink cartridges that have become equal to or less than the target threshold value is equal to or less than the target stock number (S110: Y), it is necessary to urge the user to purchase the ink cartridges. 500 is displayed on the display device 21 (S111).
[0091]
At this time, a column 502 describing the remaining amount of ink displays a description of the ink cartridges that have fallen below the target threshold. If there are a plurality of ink cartridges that have become equal to or less than the target threshold, a description of each ink cartridge is displayed.
[0092]
A column 501 for visually displaying the remaining amount of ink in each of the ink cartridges displays the remaining amount of ink in each of the ink cartridges 107 based on the stored remaining amount of ink. The stock number of each ink cartridge is displayed based on the file 330. Thereby, the user can grasp the remaining ink amount and the number of stocks even for the ink cartridges having the remaining ink amount equal to or larger than the target threshold value.
[0093]
When the click of the “notify later” button 504 is received on the screen 500 (S112: Y), the ink monitor unit 312 changes the target threshold for each group (S113).
[0094]
The change of the target threshold is a value that is less than the remaining amount of ink that is equal to or less than the target threshold among the possible values of the target threshold for the group including the ink cartridge 107 whose remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the target threshold. To the value of. Usually, the target threshold is changed to a value one step lower.
[0095]
In the first example, when the target threshold value is 20%, the remaining amount of cyan ink among all the ink cartridges 107 becomes 20%, and the remaining amount of ink in the other ink cartridges 107 exceeds 20%. I do. At this time, the target threshold value applied to all the ink cartridges 107 is changed to 10% regardless of the remaining amount of ink in the other ink cartridges 107. This can prevent the ink monitor screen 500 from being displayed frequently.
[0096]
Further, in the second example, when the target threshold value of the black ink is 10% and the target threshold value of the color ink is 20%, the remaining amount of the black ink is 8%, and the remaining amount of the ink of the color ink cartridge is Suppose that all were more than 20%. At this time, the black ink target threshold is changed to 5%, and the color ink target threshold is not changed.
[0097]
After that, printing is executed, the remaining ink value is updated based on the amount of ink consumed in printing (S114), and the process ends.
[0098]
If the target threshold is already 0%, the remaining amount of ink is 0%, and therefore, for example, processing for interrupting printing can be performed.
[0099]
On the other hand, when the “purchase” button 503 or the “close” button 505 is clicked on the ink monitor screen 500 (S112: N), after performing the respective processes, the printing is executed and the printing is consumed. The remaining ink value is updated based on the ink amount (S114), and the process ends.
[0100]
The present invention can also be applied to a network printing system including a plurality of computers 30 and the printer 10.
[0101]
In this case, for example, the ink cartridge stock information file 330 is recorded on one computer 30 of the plurality of computers 30, and the other computers 30 refer to the ink cartridge stock information file 330. This makes it possible to centrally manage the number of stocked ink cartridges.
[0102]
At this time, in order to ensure consistency between the actual number of ink cartridge stocks and the number of stocks recorded in the ink cartridge stock information file 330, for example, only the computer 30 that has recorded the ink cartridge stock information file 330 needs to store the ink cartridge stock information. Preferably, the file 330 can be updated. Alternatively, for example, the computer 30 that first detects that the ink cartridge has been replaced may update the number of stocks in the ink cartridge stock information file 330.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of the printing system 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a print engine 15;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration constructed on the printing system 1.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of an ink monitor screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a stock quantity setting screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a remaining amount of each ink color managed by the ink monitor unit 312 and a target threshold.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an ink monitor unit 312.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 printing system, 10 printer, 11 interface, 15 print engine, 21 display device, 22 input device, 23 media reading device, 24 auxiliary storage device, 25 communication control device, 30 computer, 34 interface, 60 server, 70 internet, 101 Carriage, 104 guide member, 107 ink cartridge, 110 print head, 120 carriage mechanism, 121 timing belt, 123 carriage motor, 210 print execution unit, 220 ink cartridge management unit, 310 print control unit, 311 print data generation unit, 312 ink Monitor unit, 313 communication unit, 320 browser unit

Claims (6)

A program executed by a computer connected to a printer that performs printing using an ink cartridge,
A process of receiving and storing the number of ink cartridge stocks and a reference value for the number of stocks;
A process of acquiring information on the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge;
Processing for determining whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than a reference value for the remaining amount of ink set according to a predetermined rule;
When the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink and the number of stocks of the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the number of stocks, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is A program for causing a computer to execute a process of displaying a screen indicating a value equal to or less than a reference value. In the program according to claim 1, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge has been replaced, and when it is determined that the ink cartridge has been replaced, the computer is further caused to execute a process of reducing the stored number of ink cartridges by one. Features program. The program according to claim 1,
A program for displaying a screen indicating that the remaining amount of ink in an ink cartridge is equal to or less than a reference value for the remaining amount of ink includes an option for receiving an instruction to purchase the ink cartridge online. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 1 is recorded. A printer host connected to a printer that performs printing using an ink cartridge,
Means for receiving and storing the number of ink cartridge stocks and a reference value for the number of stocks;
Means for acquiring information about the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge;
Means for determining whether the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than a reference value for the remaining amount of ink set according to a predetermined rule,
When the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink and the number of stocks of the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the number of stocks, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is Means for displaying a screen indicating that the value is equal to or less than the reference value. An ink cartridge information display method in a computer connected to a printer that performs printing using an ink cartridge,
Receiving and storing the ink cartridge stock number and a reference value for the stock number;
Obtaining information about the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge;
Determining whether the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge is equal to or less than a reference value for the ink remaining amount set according to a predetermined rule;
When the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the remaining amount of ink and the number of stocks of the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the reference value for the number of stocks, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is Displaying a screen indicating that the value is equal to or less than the reference value.

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