JP4013759B2 - Print control apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An ink jet printer includes a plurality of ink cartridges filled with ink in a housing, and performs printing by spraying the ink from a print head onto a print medium such as recording paper. The ink filled in the ink cartridge is consumed by the printing process, and printing cannot be executed when the ink remaining in the ink cartridge runs out.
[0003]
For this reason, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge decreases, the user needs to prepare a new ink cartridge. At this time, since the ink cartridges that can be mounted differ for each printer model, the user must purchase an ink cartridge indicated by a predetermined model number corresponding to the printer to be used.
[0004]
Conventionally, a user has purchased an ink cartridge corresponding to a printer to be used depending on the model number of the ink cartridge. However, it is difficult to check the model number at a store. A symbol image designed with flowers, birds, accessories, etc. is assigned to the model number, and the symbol image is printed on an ink cartridge package so that the user can purchase it at the store with reference to the symbol image.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The symbol image printed on the package is easy to identify when directly contrasted with the sample symbol image, but there is no sample and the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge to be purchased is stored in an ambiguous manner. In some cases, there is a risk of getting lost at the store.
[0006]
For this reason, if a sample of the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge to be purchased can be easily obtained, it is convenient to compare at the store.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily obtain a sample of a symbol image assigned to a cartridge to be purchased.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention,
A printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
A print control apparatus is provided that outputs a command for causing the printing apparatus to print an image pre-assigned to the cartridge based on an instruction from a user.
[0009]
Thereby, the user can print the sample of the symbol image assigned to the cartridge to be purchased by the printing apparatus.
[0010]
Moreover, according to the present invention,
A printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
According to an instruction from a user, a print control apparatus is provided that transmits an e-mail including an image pre-assigned to the cartridge to a predetermined transmission destination.
[0011]
Thereby, the user can receive the sample of the symbol image assigned to the cartridge to be purchased by e-mail.
[0012]
Here, the screen for accepting an instruction from the user can be displayed when the remaining amount of the image forming medium of the cartridge becomes a predetermined value or less.
[0013]
In this way, the user can purchase the cartridge before the image forming medium runs out.
[0014]
In the case where the printing apparatus performs printing using a plurality of cartridges,
The instruction from the user includes information for specifying the cartridge,
Outputs a command for causing the printing apparatus to print an image pre-assigned to the specified cartridge, or sends an e-mail including an image pre-assigned to the specified cartridge to a predetermined destination Can be sent.
[0015]
This makes it possible to selectively acquire a necessary cartridge image.
[0016]
Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, according to this invention,
A program executable in a printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
Processing for outputting a command for causing the printing apparatus to print an image pre-assigned to the cartridge;
A program for causing a print control apparatus to execute a process for displaying a screen for receiving an instruction to output the command from a user, and a printing apparatus for performing printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium A program executable in a print control device connected to
Processing for sending an email containing an image pre-assigned to the cartridge to a predetermined destination;
There is provided a program that causes a print control apparatus to execute processing for displaying a screen for accepting an instruction to send the e-mail from a user.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system 1 configured by including a computer 30 and a printer 10.
[0019]
The computer 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 that performs processing based on various programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32 that temporarily stores data, programs, and the like, various data for controlling the computer 30, and a startup time For example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33 in which a program for storage is stored in a non-volatile manner, and an interface 34 for controlling transmission / reception of data to / from a peripheral device such as the connected printer 10. In this embodiment, the computer 30 functions as a print control apparatus.
[0020]
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, a built-in or external auxiliary storage device 24, And the communication control apparatus 25 for connecting to the internet 70 is connected. However, the configuration of the computer 30 is not limited to this.
[0021]
The printer 10 is, for example, an ink jet color printer. An ink jet type color printer includes a plurality of ink cartridges filled with ink as an image forming medium in a casing, and performs printing by spraying the ink from a print head onto a print medium such as a recording sheet.
[0022]
The printer 10 includes an interface 11 that controls communication with the computer 30 such as data reception, a CPU 12 that performs processing based on various programs, a RAM 13 that temporarily stores print data and the like, and a printer 10 that controls the printer 10. ROM 14 in which various data, various programs and the like are stored in advance in a nonvolatile manner, a print head for ejecting ink, a carriage drive mechanism for driving a carriage on which the print head is mounted, a paper feed mechanism, and a print medium supply / discharge And 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.
[0023]
In this embodiment, the print engine 15 of the printer 10 can be equipped with six ink cartridges having different ink colors. Yellow (Y), light magenta (LM), Printing is performed using six colors of magenta (M), light cyan (LC), cyan (C), and black (K). For this reason, nozzle openings corresponding to six ink cartridges are arranged in the print head for each row (not shown). However, the number of ink cartridges attached to the printer 10 is not limited to this. Further, instead of dividing the ink cartridge for each ink color, a plurality of ink colors, for example, color ink colors may be stored in one ink cartridge so that two ink cartridges of black and color can be mounted. .
[0024]
Each ink cartridge includes a storage element. The storage element stores information representing the color of ink filled in the ink cartridge and information representing the remaining amount of ink.
[0025]
The connection terminal of the storage element is exposed, and when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printer 10, information such as ink color and ink remaining amount can be exchanged between each ink cartridge and the printer 10. It has become. The memory element can be constituted by, for example, an EEPROM provided with a memory cell, a read / write controller, an address counter, and the like.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration of the present embodiment constructed on the printing system 1. In this figure, a print control unit 310 for controlling printing processing in the printing system 1 and a network control unit 320 for exchanging information via the Internet 70 are constructed on the computer 30. Includes a print execution unit 210 that performs an actual print process, an ink cartridge management unit 220 that manages information about the mounted ink cartridge, and an image data storage unit 230 that stores image data corresponding to the model number of the ink cartridge. Is built.
[0027]
The print control unit 310 built on the computer 30 provides information to the user based on the print data generation unit 311 that generates print data for the document to be printed and the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge mounted on the printer 10. Is provided with an ink monitor unit 312 for presenting information and a communication unit 313 for communicating with the printer 10.
[0028]
The print data generation unit 311 generates print data by performing rasterization processing, color conversion processing, and the like for the document to be printed.
[0029]
The ink monitor unit 312 acquires the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge mounted on the printer 10 when printing is performed. When the ink remaining amount is lower than the value determined by a predetermined rule, the ink monitor indicates that the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge has become equal to or less than the reference value and prompts the user to replace the ink cartridge. A screen showing information on the screen and the purchase of the ink cartridge is displayed on the display device 21. Details of these screens will be described later.
[0030]
The print control unit 310 is constructed on the computer 30 by the CPU 31 executing the printer control program read by the RAM 32 on the operating system that controls the computer 30. The printer control program for this purpose can be distributed by recording it on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Then, a printer control program can be installed in the computer 30 by reading the recording medium with the media reader 23. For example, it can also be installed via the Internet 70.
[0031]
However, the ink monitor unit 312 may be constructed on the computer 30 by a printing apparatus monitoring program independent of the printer control program.
[0032]
The network control unit 320 includes a mail processing unit 320a that controls transmission / reception of mail on the Internet 70, and a Web processing unit that performs processing for accessing a Web page on the Internet 70 specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locators). 320b. These are constructed on the computer 30 by the CPU 31 executing, for example, a general-purpose mail software program or a Web browser software program.
[0033]
A print execution unit 210 constructed on the printer 10 performs an actual print process based on print data sent from the computer 30.
[0034]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 manages ink information including ink remaining amount data of each ink cartridge mounted on the printer 10. The ink cartridge management unit 220 reads information from the storage element of the ink cartridge and updates the ink information. Ink information is transmitted in response to a status request from the computer 30.
[0035]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 can calculate the ink discharge amount by multiplying the weight of the ink droplets discharged from the nozzles provided in the print head and the number of ink droplet discharges. The remaining amount of ink can be calculated by subtracting the ink consumption amount from the ink filling amount of the ink cartridge based on the ink ejection amount and the ink suction amount consumed by the cleaning of the print head and the like. .
[0036]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 reads the remaining ink amount data stored from the storage element of the ink cartridge and writes it in the RAM 13 when the printer 10 is powered on. Then, the contents of the RAM 13 are updated with the calculated latest ink remaining amount as ink remaining amount data. In the case where information on the type, version, manufacturer, manufacturing time, etc. of the ink cartridge is recorded in the storage element of the ink cartridge, such information may be written in the RAM 13 when the power is turned on.
[0037]
The calculated latest ink remaining amount is written in each storage element of the ink cartridge after the printer 10 is turned off. Alternatively, for example, writing may be performed every time printing is completed.
[0038]
The remaining ink amount can be expressed, for example, as a percentage based on the amount of ink filled in a new ink cartridge. In this case, the ink remaining amount in the initial state where the ink cartridge is filled with ink is 100%, and decreases to 0% as the printing process is executed. Of course, the method for expressing the remaining ink amount is not limited to a percentage.
[0039]
The image data storage unit 230 stores image data of the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge of the model number corresponding to the printer 10. The image data storage unit 230 can be configured by the ROM 14, for example.
[0040]
When the printer 10 performs printing using a plurality of ink cartridges for each color or divided into black and color, a method of assigning a separate symbol image to each ink cartridge and each ink cartridge There is a method of assigning the same symbol image and expressing the ink color with the color of the symbol image. The present invention can be applied to any method.
[0041]
When the same symbol image is assigned to each ink cartridge and the ink color is expressed by the color of the symbol image, the symbol image image data stored in the image data storage unit 230 includes: It is desirable to include information for identifying the color, for example, characters indicating the color, the cartridge model number, and the like.
[0042]
Next, processing of the printing system 1 when the remaining amount of ink in any of the ink cartridges is reduced will be described.
[0043]
For example, the ink monitor unit 312 of the computer 30 acquires the status information of the printer 10 from the printer 10 when printing is started based on the user's print command and when a printer status acquisition command is received from the user. The status information of the printer 10 includes information regarding the remaining amount of ink in each ink cartridge installed in the printer 10.
[0044]
The ink monitor unit 312 of the computer 30 displays a warning screen 500 as shown in FIG. 3 on the display device 21 when there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. Encourage replacement of ink cartridges that are low.
[0045]
In FIG. 3, a warning screen 500 includes a field 501 for displaying information relating to ink cartridge replacement, a coping method button 502 for displaying an ink cartridge replacement method, a close button 503, and an ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge. For displaying a symbol image assigned to each ink cartridge, a column 505 for displaying a symbol image assigned to each ink cartridge, an ink order button 506 for selecting an ink cartridge ordering method, and detailed information about each ink cartridge. Cartridge information button 507.
[0046]
The example of the column 505 for displaying symbol images in this drawing shows a case where a separate symbol image is assigned to each ink cartridge. When the same symbol image is assigned to each ink cartridge and the ink color is expressed by the color of the symbol image, the same symbol image is displayed with a color corresponding to the ink color of the ink cartridge.
[0047]
The symbol image of each ink cartridge displayed in the symbol image display field 505 can be displayed by acquiring the image data of each symbol image from the image data storage unit 230 of the printer 10. Alternatively, the display image data of each symbol image may be stored in advance in the ink monitor unit 312.
[0048]
When the ink monitor unit 312 receives a click on the ink order button 506 on the warning screen 500, the ink monitor unit 312 displays an ink order selection screen 520 as shown in FIG. 4 on the display device 21. On this screen 520, the user can perform processing according to the ink cartridge ordering method and obtain information on ordering the ink cartridge. Specifically, when ordering on a web page, the user can access the web where ink cartridges can be ordered, and when ordering by fax, order fax paper can be printed and ordered by telephone. In that case, the telephone number of the ordering party is displayed. Since these have already been proposed, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0049]
In this embodiment, when purchasing at a store, the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge is printed or the symbol image is transmitted by e-mail so that the ink cartridge corresponding to the printer 10 can be easily identified. can do.
[0050]
The user can bring the symbol image printed on the paper to the store, or display the symbol image on the mobile phone with the mail destination as a portable terminal device, for example, a mobile phone, so that the ink corresponding to the printer 10 can be displayed. The cartridge can be easily identified and purchased.
[0051]
In FIG. 4, an ink order selection screen 520 includes a column 521 for displaying the remaining ink amount of each ink cartridge, a column 522 for displaying the model number of each ink cartridge, and a column for displaying a symbol image assigned to each ink cartridge. 523, a field 524 for displaying information related to ordering of each ink cartridge, for example, information indicating necessity of ordering based on the remaining amount of ink, a field 525 for instructing printing of symbol images or mail transmission, and an ink Web order button 526 for accessing a web page where cartridges can be purchased, Fax order button 527 for printing an order sheet for ordering ink cartridges by fax, and telephone order for displaying the telephone number of the ordering party Button 528 and the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge A print / send button 529 for printing or emailing, and a close button 530.
[0052]
In the column 525 for instructing printing or mail transmission of the symbol image on the screen 520, the user checks the column for instructing printing or transmission displayed in the area corresponding to the ink cartridge related to the purchase, and print / A send button 520 can be clicked.
[0053]
When the ink monitor unit 312 receives a click on the print / send button 520, the ink monitor unit 312 instructs the printer 10 to print the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge in which the column for instructing printing is checked. When a plurality of printing instruction fields are checked, each symbol image is instructed to be printed.
[0054]
At this time, since the printer 10 holds the image data for printing the symbol image in the image data storage unit 230, it is necessary to send the image data of the symbol image from the print control unit 310 of the computer 30 to the printer 10. Instead, it is sufficient to send a command for specifying and printing a symbol image.
[0055]
As a result, the printer 10 outputs a printing result as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user can acquire the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge to be purchased. The user can easily discriminate and purchase a target ink cartridge by bringing the printing result to a store.
[0056]
When the same symbol image is assigned to each ink cartridge and the ink color is expressed by the color of the symbol image, the symbol image to be printed has information for identifying the color, for example, It is desirable to include characters indicating colors, cartridge model numbers, and the like.
[0057]
When the ink monitor unit 312 receives a click on the print / send button 520, the ink monitor unit 312 uses the mail processing unit 320 a of the network control unit 320 for the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge in which the column for sending is checked. And send it by e-mail.
[0058]
The mail transmission destination at this time is registered in the ink monitor unit 312 in advance. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for registering a mail transmission destination. For example, when the printer control program for constructing the print control unit 310 is installed, the print control unit 310 displays a screen for registering a mail transmission destination as shown in FIG. Prompt for input. Then, the received mail address is stored and set as a transmission destination when mail is transmitted. Further, even after installation, the screen for registering the mail transmission destination shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 21 in accordance with an instruction for changing the setting by a user through a predetermined menu operation or the like, and the transmission destination setting is performed. To accept.
[0059]
The symbol image of the ink cartridge to be included in the mail to be sent can be acquired from the image data storage unit 230 of the printer 10. Alternatively, the display image data of each symbol image may be stored in advance in the ink monitor unit 312.
[0060]
As a result, the mobile phone that has received the mail displays a symbol image as shown in FIG. The user can acquire the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge to be purchased by this display, and can easily determine and purchase the target ink cartridge at the store.
[0061]
When the same symbol image is assigned to each ink cartridge and the ink color is expressed by the color of the symbol image, the symbol image to be printed has information for identifying the color, for example, It is desirable to include characters indicating colors, cartridge model numbers, and the like.
[0062]
In the above embodiment, the case where the printer 10 stores image data for printing a symbol image in the image data storage unit 230 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 8, an image for printing a symbol image is used. The data may be stored only in the image data storage unit 312a of the ink monitor unit 312 of the computer 30.
[0063]
In this case, when the ink monitor unit 312 receives a click on the print / send button 520, the ink monitor unit 312 transmits to the printer 10 the image data of the symbol image assigned to the ink cartridge in which the column for instructing printing is checked. To instruct printing.
[0064]
In the above-described embodiments, the ink cartridge has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a toner cartridge filled with toner as an image forming medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration constructed on the printing system 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink order selection screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing result.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mobile phone that displays received mail.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for registering a mail transmission destination.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another example of a functional configuration constructed on the printing system 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 printing system, 10 printer, 11 interface, 12 CPU, 13 RAM, 14 ROM, 15 print engine, 21 display device, 22 input device, 23 media reading device, 24 auxiliary storage device, 25 communication control device, 30 computer, 31 CPU, 32 RAM, 33 ROM, 34 interface, 70 Internet, 210 print execution unit, 220 ink cartridge management unit, 230 image data storage unit, 310 print control unit, 311 print data generation unit, 312 ink monitor unit, 312a image data Storage unit, 313 communication unit, 320 network control unit, 320a mail processing unit, 320b Web processing unit

Claims (4)

A printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
Based on the instruction from the user includes information for identifying the cartridge, to print the model number of the cartridge identified as the symbol image that has been previously assigned to the cartridge specified on one sheet of paper to the printing apparatus Means for outputting a command for
For each of the cartridges, a column for displaying the remaining amount of the image forming medium, a column for displaying the symbol image with a color corresponding to the color of the acquired image forming medium of the cartridge, and an object to be printed in the command A screen for accepting an instruction from the user when the remaining amount of the image forming medium of the cartridge is equal to or less than a predetermined value,
The identified cartridge is
The cartridge is designated in the column for designating the cartridge;
A printing control apparatus characterized by the above. A printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
Based on an instruction from the user including information for specifying the cartridge, an e-mail including a symbol image pre-assigned to the specified cartridge and the model number of the specified cartridge is determined in advance by the user's instruction. Means for transmitting to a designated destination ;
A field for displaying the remaining amount of image forming medium for each cartridge, a field for displaying the symbol image with a color corresponding to the color of the image forming medium of the acquired cartridge, and a target included in the e-mail And a means for displaying a screen for accepting an instruction from the user when the remaining amount of the image forming medium in the cartridge is equal to or less than a predetermined value. ,
The identified cartridge is
The cartridge is designated in the column for designating the cartridge;
A printing control apparatus characterized by the above. A program executable in a printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
Based on the instruction from the user includes information for identifying the cartridge, to print the model number of the cartridge identified as the symbol image that has been previously assigned to the cartridge specified on one sheet of paper to the printing apparatus Processing to output a command for
For each of the cartridges, a column for displaying the remaining amount of the image forming medium, a column for displaying the symbol image with a color corresponding to the color of the acquired image forming medium of the cartridge, and an object to be printed in the command And a column for designating a cartridge to be executed, causing the print control apparatus to execute processing for displaying a screen for receiving an instruction to output the command from the user ,
The identified cartridge is
The cartridge is designated in the column for designating the cartridge;
A program characterized by A program executable in a printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
Based on an instruction from the user including information for specifying the cartridge, an e-mail including a symbol image pre-assigned to the specified cartridge and the model number of the specified cartridge is determined in advance by the user's instruction. Processing to send to the specified destination,
A field for displaying the remaining amount of image forming medium for each cartridge, a field for displaying the symbol image with a color corresponding to the color of the image forming medium of the acquired cartridge, and a target included in the e-mail A process for displaying a screen for accepting an instruction to send the e-mail from a user , and a column for designating a cartridge to be used .
The identified cartridge is
The cartridge is designated in the column for designating the cartridge;
A program characterized by

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