JP2007230043A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system which can print a supply information list even under a state in which there is some sort of trouble in a supply or other functional sections, and a normal printing is impossible. <P>SOLUTION: When a supply near end is generated (S110; Y), a supply information list is printed. In this case, a paper discharging process is not executed (S111), and at the point when a supply end is generated (S112; Y), the paper discharging process is executed (S113), and then, an error process is performed (S114). In this case, as a method for keeping the printed supply information list without performing the paper discharging process, a method wherein a path which is not used at the present time from among carrying paths in this printing system is temporarily used can be considered. For example, a double-sided carrying unit, a double-sided inverting unit or a finisher's stack or the like can be utilized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system capable of printing a supply information list even in a state where printing is not normally possible.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, or a facsimile machine used in an office or the like, if a device is used for a certain period or a certain number of times, it is necessary to inevitably supply various supplies such as toner. Therefore, various techniques have been proposed in which this supply information is appropriately presented to the user, and the device is temporarily unavailable due to lack of the supply information.
The following invention can be given as such a technique.
JP 2001-117448 A JP 2003-054092 A

By the way, conventionally, a supply information list has been printed and the status of each supply has been presented to the user. In such a case, there is no particular problem as long as the apparatus is in a state where normal printing is possible, but there are cases where the printing process cannot be executed in a state where there is some inconvenience in the supply.
However, the user really wants to know the supply status not only when printing is possible, but rather when the supply has some inconvenience, it accurately knows the supply status. Is what you want.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that can print a supply information list even in a state where there is some inconvenience in a supply or other functional parts, and printing is normally impossible.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided printing comprising image forming means for forming an image of predetermined data, and presentation means for printing a supply information list and presenting the status of each supply to the user by the image forming means. The system includes a toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of black toner and each color toner, and if the result of detection by the toner remaining amount detecting means is that there is no remaining black toner, the presenting means The present invention is characterized in that the state of each supply is presented to the user using other color toners.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided printing comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a display unit that prints a supply information list and presents the status of each supply to the user by the image forming unit. The system includes a toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of black toner and each color toner, and if the result of detection by the toner remaining amount detecting means is that there is no remaining amount of color toner, the presenting means In addition, the state of each supply is presented to the user using black toner.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided printing comprising image forming means for forming an image of predetermined data and presentation means for printing a supply information list and presenting the status of each supply to the user by the image forming means. The system further comprises a toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of black toner and each color toner, and the color of the toner having the largest remaining amount is determined according to the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting means. The presenting means presents the state of each supply to the user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided printing comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a display unit that prints a supply information list and presents the status of each supply to the user by the image forming unit. The system comprises a remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of each supply, and when the remaining amount detecting means detects that the near end immediately before each supply is ended, the presenting means A supply information list is printed.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus further includes a designation unit that designates a certain period / number of sheets, and the remaining amount detection unit is in a near end immediately before each supply is ended. The printing system is characterized in that the presentation unit prints the supply information list after elapse of a predetermined period / number of sheets designated by the designation unit.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount detecting means discharges a supply information list when each supply is ended.
In the invention according to claim 7, in the invention according to claim 6, when the remaining amount detecting means detects that the near end has been released before detecting that each supply has ended, The apparatus further comprises a discarding unit that discards the printed supply information list without discharging it.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the remaining amount detecting means performs a discharge notification for discharging a supply information list when each supply is ended. A paper notification means is further provided.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a display unit that prints a supply information list and presents the status of each supply to the user by the image forming unit. In the system, when the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of each supply and the remaining amount detecting means detect that the near end immediately before each supply is ended, the presenting means supplies the supply information. Storage means for storing the supply information list as an accumulated document when the list cannot be printed, and the presentation means is stored in the storage means when the list is ready for printing. The supply information list is printed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided printing comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a presentation unit that prints a supply information list and presents the status of each supply to the user by the image forming unit. In the system, when the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of each supply and the remaining amount detecting means detect that the near end immediately before each supply is ended, the presenting means supplies the supply information. A storage unit that stores the supply information list as an accumulated document when the list cannot be printed, and the presenting unit supplies the supply stored in the storage unit from another printable system. An information list is printed.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a display unit that prints a supply information list and presents the status of each supply to the user by the image forming unit. In the system, when the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of each supply and the remaining amount detecting means detect that the near end immediately before each supply is ended, the presenting means supplies the supply information. A transfer storage means for storing the supply information list as an accumulated document in another printing system when the list cannot be printed, and the presenting means from the other printable system, The supply information list stored in the transfer storage means is printed.

In the printing system according to the first aspect, even when the black toner is empty, the supply information list is printed with the other color toner, so the period during which the supply information cannot be acquired can be shortened.
In the printing system according to the second aspect, since the supply information list is printed with the black toner even when the color toner is empty, the period during which the supply information cannot be acquired can be shortened.
In the printing system according to claim 3, since the supply information list is printed with the toner color having the largest remaining amount, the consumption amount of each toner color can be made uniform to reduce the number of replacements. it can.

In the printing system according to claim 4, since the supply information list is printed when the near end is reached, the supply immediately before the supply end list cannot be printed. Information can be acquired.
In the printing system according to the fifth aspect, the supply information list is not printed immediately when the near end is reached, but the supply information list is specified after how long / number of sheets is printed. Can be acquired.
In the printing system according to claim 6, since the supply information list is printed when the near end is reached but not discharged, the sheet is discharged when the end is reached, so the supply information is acquired when it is really necessary. can do. In addition, it is possible to avoid the risk of losing the supply information list printed in advance.
8. The printing system according to claim 7, wherein the supply information list is printed when the near end is reached but is not discharged, and the near end is canceled before the end, the printed supply information list is printed. Is discarded without being discharged, the discharge waiting supply information list that is no longer needed can be discarded.
In the printing system according to claim 8, since the supply information list is printed when the near end is reached, but the discharge notification is not performed, and the discharge notification is performed when the end is reached. Information can be acquired.

10. The printing system according to claim 9, further comprising means for creating a stored information list even when the supply information list cannot be printed, and printing the stored supply information list when printing becomes possible. Therefore, the possibility that supply information cannot be acquired can be reduced.
In the printing system according to claim 10, even if the supply information list cannot be printed, it is created as an accumulated document and printed from another printable system, thereby reducing the possibility that supply information cannot be acquired. be able to.
12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein even if the supply information list cannot be printed, it is created as an accumulated document in another printing system and printed from another printable system. The possibility of not being able to be reduced can be reduced.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser printer according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described using an example of a laser printer.
The laser printer 1 includes a controller 2, an operation panel 4, and a printer engine 13.
The controller 2 includes a host interface 5, a program ROM (read-only memory) 6, a network interface 16, a panel interface 8, a font ROM 7, a hard disk drive (HDD) 17, a CPU (central processing unit) 9, a RAM (random memory). (Access memory) 10, NVRAM 11, engine interface 12, and option RAM 14.
The host interface 5 is connected to the host machine 3, the network interface 16 is connected to the network 15, the panel interface 8 is connected to the operation panel 4, and the engine interface 12 is connected to the printer engine 13.

The controller 2 is a generic name of a control mechanism that converts print data from the host machine 3 into video data and outputs it to the printer engine 13 according to the control mode set at that time and the control code from the host machine 3 or the network 15. is there.
The modules constituting the controller 2 will be described below. The host interface (I / F) 5 is an interface for control signals and data from the host machine 3 to the laser printer 1 and status signals from the laser printer 1 to the host machine 3.
The network interface (I / F) 16 is an interface for control signals and data from the network 15 to the laser printer 1 and status signals from the laser printer 1 to the network 15.

The CPU 9 processes data (print data, control data) from the host machine 3 according to the program ROM 6, and the RAM 10 manages the work memory when the CPU 9 processes, data from the host machine 3 in units of pages, and temporarily stores them. And a buffer memory for converting the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern and storing video data.
The HDD (mass storage device) 17 stores a large amount of data. It is also used as a place to store documents of the stored document printing function for storing print documents received from the host machine 3 and printing them later.
The NVRAM 11 is a non-volatile RAM for storing data to be retained even when the power is turned off, and the program ROM 6 stores a program for processing and managing data in the controller 2 and controlling peripheral modules. Has been. Further, the font ROM 7 has various types of fonts used for printing.
The engine interface (I / F) 12 is an interface for control signals and video signals from the controller 2 to the printer engine 13 and status signals from the laser printer 1 to the controller 2.

The printer engine 13 creates an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member by a video signal and a control signal from the controller 2, develops it, feeds transfer paper from a paper feed unit, transfers and fixes it, and forms an image. .
The operation panel 4 includes a display unit that indicates the state of the laser printer 1 and a switch unit that switches the mode, font, and the like of the laser printer 1.
A panel interface (I / F) 8 is an interface between the controller 2 and the operation panel 4.

Next, an outline of data processing in this embodiment will be described.
The print data sent from the host machine 3 through the host interface 5 is analyzed by the CPU 9 according to the data analysis program on the program ROM 6. Then, it is divided into print data and print control data (SP, CR, LF, HT, VT,...) And others. The print data and print control data are temporarily stored in the reception buffer on the RAM 10. This is the reception process.
Then, the received data once stored is taken out one by one by the control program on the program ROM 6 and processed. For example, if the extracted data is a character code, an intermediate code including a print position, a print size, a character code, font information, and the like is created and stored in an intermediate buffer provided on the RAM 10.
If the command is a control code, escape sequence, or the like, a predefined process is performed on them. For example, if the print position is specified, the next character code position is set to the specified position, or if the font is changed, the font information of the next character code is specified. The process is performed such as changing to a new font.

In this way, when the print command from the host machine 3 is processed or the processed data exceeds one page, the intermediate code stored in the intermediate buffer is converted into video data in accordance with the control program. Process. This is the drawing process.
When the conversion is completed, the controller 2 issues a print start command to the printer engine 13 through the engine interface 12 and transfers video data in synchronization therewith. This is the output process.
The print data from the host machine 3 is printed via the printer engine 13 in the series of flows as described above.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus (copier) to which the present embodiment is applied.
As shown in this figure, the copying machine includes a fixing unit, a screen reversing unit, a photosensitive unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a waste toner bottle, a fixing oil unit, a toner bottle, and a screen conveying unit.

Next, the electrophotographic process will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the laser printer, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining image forming processing.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the laser printer removes the electric charge of the exposed part by irradiating a charged photosensitive member with a laser beam, and attaches positive toner to the remaining part of the electric charge. A development process for creating a drawn image, and a transfer process for transferring the toner adhering to the photosensitive member to the recording medium by bringing the recording medium close to the developed photosensitive member and applying a charge from the recording medium side. An image is formed (printed) through a fixing process in which the toner transferred to the recording medium is fixed to the recording medium. This image formation by development, transfer, and fixing processes is called an electrophotographic process.

Next, maintenance of the photoconductor will be described.
(1) Function of photoconductor The photoconductor of the electrophotographic process brushes the toner remaining on the photoconductor after charging, laser beam exposure, development process up to toner adhesion, and transfer process of transferring the toner to a recording medium. Then, it is removed (cleaned) with a magnetic brush, a blade, etc., the charge remaining on the photoreceptor is removed, and the next image formation is started.
(2) Deterioration of photoconductor The surface of the photoconductor is worn by repeated development, transfer, cleaning, and charge removal, resulting in high-quality photoconductive deterioration and wear marks such as scratches. In addition to not being able to form a correct image, there are cases in which a phenomenon that causes a failure, such as abnormal toner consumption or paper jam, is likely to occur. Therefore, replacement is required according to deterioration of the photoreceptor. Depending on the device, if the photosensitive member needs to be replaced, the printing operation is restricted, such as stopping printing.

(3) Detection of photoconductor degradation The degree of photoconductor degradation is determined from the accumulated drive time of the motor that operates the photoconductor. Judgment and detection of the situation approaching. The accumulated driving time is stored in a non-volatile memory or the like so that total operation can be performed even when the power is turned off and unused.
(4) Notification of photoconductor status The detected photoconductor replacement and detection information about the photoconductor replacement are displayed on the host computer via the operation panel of the image forming apparatus or information communication means such as the Web to notify the user. .
(5) Photoconductor status display In addition to notifying the detection information of the photoconductor, the accumulated drive time is converted into the number of printed sheets, and the printed page counter from the previous replacement is hosted by an information communication means such as an operation panel or Web. By displaying various information of the computer and the image forming apparatus as a list on an information sheet to be printed, the progress of deterioration can be delayed in more detail by predicting the replacement time of the photosensitive member or changing the usage method.
Here, as an example of delaying the progress of deterioration by changing the method of use, there are photoconductors for each of the four colors C / M / Y / K, and a color laser printer capable of printing by operating a development process for only the colors used If the number of printed sheets on the photoconductor for Y is larger than the counter for other colors, for example, red that mixes Y and M, such as red letters, red cells, and red stamps, is replaced with pink that uses only M. By changing the color to not use Y inside, or by laying out and editing the characters and cells that use red on one page, the operation of the Y development process is reduced, and the Y photoconductor is driven. For example, the time (number of printed sheets counter) can be reduced.

Next, the processing procedure of the embodiment of the present invention will be described using a flowchart.
The present embodiment relates to supply information list printing in a printing system (FIG. 6, step 10). The supply information list printing instruction is automatically instructed as a part of the operation of the control program of the printing system when instructed directly from the operation panel 4 of the printing system or from the host computer via the network 15. There are cases.

First, a method for using toner in the printing process of this embodiment will be described.
Conventionally, in the case of a printing system that prints a supply information list with black toner, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, if the black toner is empty when printing is performed (step 20; N), the printing process is executed. Therefore, error processing is executed (step 22). If black toner is present (step 20; Y), printing is performed using black toner (step 21).
However, in the processing of this embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, even if the black toner is empty (Step 30; N), if the color toner is not empty (Step 32; Y), the color toner is used. The supply information list is printed (step 33). If the black toner is not empty (step 30; Y), printing is performed with the black toner (step 31). Therefore, error processing is executed only when the black toner and the color toner are empty (step 32; N). Step 34).
Also, when printing with color toners, printing is not performed with only one type of toner, but if possible, printing is performed with a color as close to black as possible using a plurality of toners.

Conventionally, in the case of a printing system that prints a supply information list with color toner, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, if the color toner is empty at the time of printing (step 40; N), the printing process is performed. Since it cannot be executed, error processing is executed (step 42), and printing with color toner is executed only when there is color toner (step 40; Y) (step 41).
However, in the processing of this embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, even if the color toner is empty (step 50; N), if the black toner is not empty (step 52; Y), the black toner is used. A supply information list is printed (step 53). If the color toner is not empty (step 50; Y), since printing is performed with the color toner (step 51), error processing is executed only when both the color toner and the black toner are empty (step 52; N). Step 54).

Furthermore, as another embodiment of the present invention, a printing system in which printing is performed with toner having the largest remaining amount of toner can be considered.
Conventionally, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, when there is toner (step 60; Y), printing is performed (step 61), and when the toner is empty (step 60; N), error processing is performed. (Step 62).
On the other hand, in the process of this embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, when a print request for the supply information list is generated, the remaining amount of each toner color is checked (step 70), and all the toners are empty. If there is (step 71; Y), error processing is executed and the processing is terminated (step 73). If all the toners are not empty (step 71; N), the printing process is executed with the toner with the largest remaining amount (step 72).
Further, as an embodiment different from the above-described embodiment, an embodiment may be considered in which printing is performed using a plurality of toners according to the remaining amount, instead of printing only with the toner having the largest remaining amount. It is done. For example, in the case where C is 60%, M is 40%, and Y is 20%, an embodiment in which toner is used according to the ratio can be considered. In this case, an embodiment in which toner below a certain standard (for example, 20% or less) is not used can be considered.

Next, the execution timing of the printing process of the present invention will be described.
Conventionally, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, when a supply information list print request is generated in a state where normal printing is possible, print processing can be executed without any problem, but in a state where a supply end has occurred (step 80; Y), there are many cases where it is desired to obtain supply information, and even if a print request for the supply information list is generated in such a state, it is often the case that the print process cannot be executed because the supply end state has already occurred. It was. In such a case, it was only possible to display an error (step 81) and stop the printing process.
However, in the processing of this embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, when the supply near end occurs (step 90; Y), the control program of the printing system automatically prints the supply information list. (Step 91) When a supply end occurs (Step 92; Y), even if error processing is performed (Step 93), paper that has already been printed can be acquired.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, since it is possible to set the period / number of sheets from the occurrence of near end to the printing of the supply information list (step 100), the state closer to the supply end can be set. A supply information list can be printed. That is, after setting the period / number of sheets after the near end (step 100) and the supply near end (step 101; Y), it is determined whether the supply information list has been printed (step 102). As a result, in the case of a supply end (step 103; Y), error processing is performed (step 104). On the other hand, when the supply information list has not been printed (step 102; N) and the set period / number of sheets has elapsed (step 105; Y), the supply information list is printed (step 106).

As another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16, the supply information list is printed when the supply near end occurs (step 110; Y), but the paper discharge process is not executed ( In step 111), when a supply end occurs (step 112; Y), paper discharge processing is executed (step 113), and then error processing is performed (step 114).
Here, as a method of storing the printed supply information list without performing the paper discharge process, a method of temporarily using a path that is not currently used among transport paths in the printing system can be considered. For example, a duplex conveying unit, a duplex reversing unit, a finisher stack, or the like can be used. If a supply end does not occur before the supply information list is discharged (step 112; N), and it becomes necessary to use those transport paths (step 115; Y), another is possible if possible. Move to the transport path (step 116; Y). For example, before executing duplex printing, the supply information list stored in the duplex conveyance unit is moved to the finisher stack. If it is impossible to move to another transport path (step 116; N), the supply information list may be discharged at that time (step 113).

  In the above embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, a supply near end occurs (step 120; Y), and the supply information list is printed (step 121), but before the supply end occurs ( Step 122; N), it is also conceivable that the supply near end is released by filling or exchanging the supply (Step 125; N). In such a case, the supply information list can be discarded (step 126). As a method of discarding the printed supply information list without performing paper discharge processing, it is easy to make one of a plurality of paper discharge destinations dedicated to disposal. It is also possible to install a shredder at the paper discharge destination.

As another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18, when a near-end occurs (step 130; Y), the supply information list is printed, but the discharge notification is not executed (step 131). ) When a supply end occurs (step 132; Y), a paper discharge notification is executed (step 133), and then error processing is performed (step 134). When the supply notification of the supply information list is received by the user, a supply end has occurred.
In this embodiment, a supply near end occurs (step 130; Y), and a supply information list is printed (step 131), but before a supply end occurs (step 132; N), the supply is filled or If the supplier end is canceled after the replacement (step 135; N), an embodiment may be considered in which the delivery notification is not executed.

Next, as another embodiment of the present invention, a case where an accumulated document printing function is used will be described.
Conventionally, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19, when a print request for a supply information list is generated in a state where normal printing is possible (step 140; Y), the printing process can be executed without any problem (step 141). If a supply information list print request occurs in an impossible state (step 140; N), an error process is executed and the process ends (step 142). The non-printable state includes not only the supply end but also a case due to an error in another functional part.
However, in the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20, even when a print request for the supply information list occurs in a state where printing is not possible (step 150; N), the supply information list is created as an accumulated document. (Step 152), and when the printer is ready for printing (step 153; Y), the supply information list can be printed (step 151).

In the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21, the supply information list created as an accumulated document is linked with another printing system (step 172), and other prints in a printable state are printed. It is also possible to print using the system (step 173).
Furthermore, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22, even if the stored document cannot be created in this printing system (such as an HDD failure or no HDD installed), the stored document is created in another printing system. (Step 192) It is also possible to print using another printing system in a printable state (step 193).

It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the laser printer which concerns on a present Example. 1 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus (copier) to which an embodiment is applied. It is the figure which showed the internal structure of the laser printer. It is a figure explaining the image formation process of a laser printer. It is a figure explaining the image formation process of a laser printer. It is the flowchart which showed the processing procedure of supply information list printing. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the printing system which prints the conventional supply information list with black toner. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printing system that prints a supply information list according to the embodiment with color toner. It is the flowchart which showed the processing procedure of the printing system which prints the conventional supply information list with a color toner. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printing system that prints black toner when the color toner is empty in the supply information list according to the embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the printing system which prints the conventional supply information list with a toner. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printing system that prints a supply information list according to the present embodiment with toner having the most remaining amount. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence when the supply end generate | occur | produced in the printing system which prints the conventional supply information list. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for printing a supply information list at the time of a supply near end in the printing system for printing a supply information list according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for setting a period / number of sheets from the occurrence of near end to the printing of a supply information list in a printing system for printing a supply information list according to an embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for printing a supply information list when a supply near end occurs in a printing system for printing a supply information list according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a supply information list is printed and a supply near end is canceled in the printing system for printing a supply information list according to the present embodiment. In the printing system which prints the supply information list according to the present embodiment, when the supply near end occurs, the supply information list is printed, and when the supply end occurs, a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing a paper discharge notification. is there. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the printing system which prints the conventional supply information list. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a supply information list is created as an accumulated document in a printing system for printing a supply information list according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for printing using another printing system in a printable state in the printing system for printing the supply information list according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for creating an accumulated document in another printing system in the printing system for printing the supply information list according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Laser printer 2 Controller 3 Host machine 4 Operation panel 5 Host interface (I / F)
6 Program ROM
7 Font ROM
8 Panel interface (I / F)
9 CPU
10 RAM
11 NVRAM
12 Engine interface (I / F)
13 Printer Engine 14 Option RAM
15 Network 16 Network interface (I / F)
17 Hard disk drive (HDD)

Claims (11)

A printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a presentation unit that prints a supply information list by the image forming unit and presents the status of each supply to a user.
A toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of black toner and each color toner;
As a result of detection by the toner remaining amount detecting means, when there is no remaining black toner, the presenting means presents the status of each supply to the user using other color toner. A printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a presentation unit that prints a supply information list by the image forming unit and presents the status of each supply to a user.
A toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of black toner and each color toner;
As a result of the detection by the toner remaining amount detecting means, when there is no color toner remaining, the presenting means presents the status of each supply to the user using black toner. A printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a presentation unit that prints a supply information list by the image forming unit and presents the status of each supply to a user.
A toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of black toner and each color toner;
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the presenting means presents the status of each supply to the user in the color of the toner having the largest remaining amount in accordance with the detection result by the toner remaining amount detecting means. A printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a presentation unit that prints a supply information list by the image forming unit and presents the status of each supply to a user.
It has a remaining amount detection means for detecting the remaining amount of each supply,
A printing system, wherein the presenting means prints a supply information list when the remaining amount detecting means detects that a near end immediately before each supply is ended. It further comprises a designation means for designating a certain period / number of sheets,
When the remaining amount detection means detects that each supply has become a near end immediately before being ended, the presentation means prints a supply information list after a certain period / number of sheets designated by the designation means has elapsed. The printing system according to claim 4. 6. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the remaining amount detecting unit discharges a supply information list when each supply is ended. If the remaining amount detecting means detects that the near end has been released before detecting that each supply has ended, the discarding means for discarding the printed supply information list without discharging it. The printing system according to claim 6, further comprising: 6. The discharge amount notifying means for notifying that the supply information list is discharged at the time when each supply is ended, the remaining amount detecting means further comprising discharge notification means. Printing system. A printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a presentation unit that prints a supply information list by the image forming unit and presents the status of each supply to a user.
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of each supply;
When the remaining amount detecting means detects that each supply has become near-end immediately before being ended, the supply information list is stored when the presenting means cannot print the supply information list. Storage means for storing as a document,
The printing system, wherein the presenting unit prints the supply information list stored in the storage unit when printing is possible. A printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a presentation unit that prints a supply information list by the image forming unit and presents the status of each supply to a user.
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of each supply;
When the remaining amount detecting means detects that each supply has become near-end immediately before being ended, the supply information list is stored when the presenting means cannot print the supply information list. Storage means for storing as a document,
The printing system, wherein the presentation unit prints the supply information list stored in the storage unit from another printable system. A printing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of predetermined data; and a presentation unit that prints a supply information list by the image forming unit and presents the status of each supply to a user.
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of each supply;
When the remaining amount detecting means detects that each supply has become near-end immediately before being ended, the supply information list is stored when the presenting means cannot print the supply information list. Transfer storing means for storing in a printing system as a document,
The printing system, wherein the presentation unit prints the supply information list stored in the transfer storage unit from the other printable system.

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