JP4742847B2 - Printer, printer system, and accounting method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer , a printer system including the printer, and a charging method , and more particularly, to a printer , a printer system, and a charging method for charging according to the amount of recording material used such as ink and toner.

  In general, printers such as inkjet printers and laser printers record images such as characters and pictures on paper by fixing recording materials such as ink and toner on the surface of plain paper and exclusive paper. It is a recording device. A cartridge filled with ink or toner is detachably attached to this type of image recording apparatus. When the ink or toner in the cartridge runs out due to the use of ink or toner, the ink or toner is replenished by attaching a new cartridge.

  Usually, a printer manufacturer that provides a printer sells a cartridge filled with ink or toner used in the printer to a user. That is, in general, a printer model sells a cartridge filled with ink or toner, and a business model that earns income according to the number of cartridges sold.

  On the other hand, in recent years, there has been a proposal for a new business model in which a user is charged for the amount of ink or toner used instead of selling a cartridge.

  For example, in the billing system described in Patent Document 1, the ink jet printer measures the ink remaining amount in the ink tank using an optical sensor, and calculates the ink usage based on the ink remaining amount. The host computer connected to the ink jet printer acquires data relating to the ink usage amount from the ink jet printer, and transmits data relating to the ink usage amount to the service center server via the network. Then, the service center server calculates the charge amount from the ink usage amount while referring to the ink amount charging table by the charging module provided therein, and charges the user.

JP 2002-36582 A

  However, there are some problems to be solved when actually trying to operate the above-described charging system.

  In the billing system, a plurality of printers and a plurality of ink cartridges are managed at the same time, so how to identify each printer and each ink cartridge and acquire the amount of ink used while distinguishing it from other printers and ink cartridges. It is necessary to provide a realistic system.

  In actual operation of the billing system, the operator (provider of the printer or cartridge) and the actual user of the printer are often separated from each other. Therefore, in the case of an inkjet printer, even if the operator and the user of the actual printer are away from each other, the operator knows the usage status of the ink cartridge in the remote place and the user can The ink cartridge that has become the ink end from the side must be collected to ensure that a new ink cartridge is provided. For this purpose, it is necessary to accurately and reliably hold data relating to an ink cartridge that has become an ink end or an ink cartridge that is provided by the operator and is newly installed in the printer.

  For example, in a charging system that transmits data relating to an ink cartridge acquired from a printer of a user at a remote location to a service center server via a communication network, the data is received for some reason after the service center server receives the data relating to the ink cartridge. If the data regarding the ink cartridge is lost, the operator cannot grasp the usage status of the shipped ink cartridge. In addition, when the operator cannot grasp the usage status of the ink cartridge, it is not possible to grasp the collection time of the ink cartridge that has become an ink end, and the user side provides a new ink cartridge at an appropriate time. Therefore, the business operation may be hindered, and the operation of the ink charging system itself becomes impossible.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in a printer system that acquires data relating to a recording material cartridge such as an ink cartridge from a printer, the recording material cartridge whatever the circumstances of the printer system occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer system capable of stably operating a printer system without losing data on the printer and a printer used in the printer system.

The present invention is achieved by the following configurations.
A printer that is communicably connected to an information processing apparatus and performs image recording in response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus,
An ink cartridge mounting portion on which a storage element storing an ink cartridge identification number is mounted, and an ink cartridge storing ink is detachably mounted;
A print control unit for fixing the ink on a predetermined sheet and recording an image;
An information storage unit for memorize a device identification number identifying the printer,
Based on the dot pattern data generated based on the print data, the ink amount discharged from the print head is counted as the number of shots in dot units, thereby calculating the number of ink shots used only for the image recording, and the ink use amount calculating unit that memorize the information storage unit,
From the storage element of the mounted ink cartridge for each reading the ink cartridge identification number, the ink cartridge remembers the identification number in the information storage unit, further, the ink cartridge in which the ink is equal to or less than Jo Tokoro wherein the ink cartridge identification number, the time to memorize in the information storage unit as an ink cartridge is the ink end, the ink cartridge identification number of the mounted ink cartridge, the ink cartridge identifying the ink cartridge has become the ink end stored in the information storage unit having a status storage unit to distinguish and store the number, further, the ink cartridge memorize in the memory device to count the number of times the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion A control unit;
Generates the information storage unit to memorize has been that the ink end and become the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge identification number, billing status information including the ink shot count used only in the device identification number and the image recording, the A transmission information generation and transmission unit for transmitting to the information processing device,
The ink cartridge control unit, when the billing status information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, which corresponds to transmit ink cartridge identification number of the ink cartridges has become the ink end, whether sent or not The printer stores the transmission information shown in the information storage unit as transmitted.
The installed ink cartridge is a newly installed ink cartridge,
The transmission information generation / transmission unit generates accounting status information including an ink cartridge identification number of the newly installed ink cartridge and transmits the charging status information to the information processing apparatus.
Further, the information storage section, move the ink cartridge identification number of an ink cartridge wherein became ink cartridge identification numbers of the installed ink cartridge and the ink end is capable predetermined number Symbol 憶,
The ink cartridge control unit, when storing ink cartridge identification numbers of the information the ink cartridge identification number in the storage unit is said predetermined number Symbol 憶 ink cartridges that are further newly mounted state, the information storage portion wherein the transmission information is deleted one of the set ink cartridge identification number to sent, characterized in that it memorize the ink cartridge identification number of the newly mounted ink cartridge in the information storage unit of.
Further, the ink cartridge control unit, in a state where the ink cartridge identification number in the information storage unit is the predetermined number Symbol 憶, the transmission information of the SL 憶 has been that the ink cartridge identification number both transmission If it is not stored as completed, an error is determined.
An information processing device;
A printer system including a printer that is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus and that records an image in response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus;
The printer is
An ink cartridge mounting portion on which a storage element storing an ink cartridge identification number is mounted, and an ink cartridge storing ink is detachably mounted;
A print control unit for fixing the ink on a predetermined sheet and recording an image;
An information storage unit for memorize a device identification number identifying the printer,
Based on the dot pattern data generated based on the print data, the ink amount discharged from the print head is counted as the number of shots in dot units, thereby calculating the number of ink shots used only for the image recording, and the ink use amount calculating unit that memorize the information storage unit,
From the storage element of the mounted ink cartridge for each reading the ink cartridge identification number, wherein the ink cartridge identification number to memorize in the information storage unit, further, the ink cartridge in which the ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount wherein the ink cartridge identification number, the time to memorize in the information storage unit as an ink cartridge is the ink end, the ink cartridge identification number of the mounted ink cartridge, the ink cartridge identifying the ink cartridge has become the ink end stored in the information storage unit having a status storage unit to distinguish and store the number, further, the ink cartridge memorize in the memory device to count the number of times the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion A control unit;
Generates the information storage unit to memorize has been that the ink end and become the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge identification number, billing status information including the ink shot count used only in the device identification number and the image recording, the A transmission information generation and transmission unit for transmitting to the information processing device,
When the charging status information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, the ink cartridge control unit corresponds to the ink cartridge identification number of the transmitted ink cartridge that is the ink end, and indicates whether or not the transmission has been performed. Store the transmission information in the information storage unit as transmitted,
The information processing apparatus includes a charging status acquisition unit that requests the printer to transmit charging status information and acquires the charging status information from the printer.
The installed ink cartridge is a newly installed ink cartridge,
The transmission information generation / transmission unit generates accounting status information including an ink cartridge identification number of the newly installed ink cartridge and transmits the charging status information to the information processing apparatus.
The accounting status information is transferred from the information processing apparatus to a cartridge supplier that supplies the ink cartridge via a network.
The cartridge supplier charges the user of the printer based on the charging status information for the use price of the ink.
Also, a charging method for charging the price according to the number of ink shots of ink used only for image recording performed by the printer,
And performing image recording by fixing the ink on the predetermined paper,
A step of memorize a device identification number identifying the printer,
Based on the print data or the dot pattern data generated based on the print data, the number of ink shots used only for the image recording is determined by counting the amount of ink ejected from the print head as the number of shots in dot units. a step of calculating the Symbol 憶,
Wherein the ink has a memory element is provided for storing ink cartridge identification number to the ink cartridges stored, it reads the ink cartridge ID number from the storage element of the mounted ink cartridge, remembers, further, ink the identification number of the ink cartridge in which the ink is equal to or less than Jo Tokoro amount, when stored as an ink cartridge is the ink end, the ink cartridge identification number of the mounted ink cartridge, which has become the ink end Distinguishing and storing the ink cartridge identification number of the cartridge ;
A step of memorize by counting the number of times the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion,
Billing status information can be generated and communicated based on the device identification number stored in the information storage unit, the number of ink shots used only for the image recording, and the ink cartridge identification number of the ink cartridge that became the ink end Transmitting to an information processing device connected to
When the billing status information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, the transmission status information corresponding to the ink cartridge identification number of the ink cartridge that has become the transmitted ink end is transmitted as the transmission information indicating whether the transmission has been completed or not. billing method characterized by comprising the steps of: storing in the information storage unit.

  According to the printer and the printer system of the present invention, the recording material cartridge newly read from the storage element provided in the recording material cartridge without deleting the recording material cartridge identification number that has already been transmitted to the information processing apparatus is stored. An identification number is added and stored in the information storage unit. Therefore, even if the information processing apparatus loses the received recording material cartridge identification number for some reason after the information processing apparatus receives the recording material cartridge identification number, the information processing apparatus crashes the storage unit. Since the recording material cartridge identification number transmitted to the printer remains on the printer side, the necessary recording material cartridge identification number can be acquired if the information processing apparatus makes a transmission request to the printer again. In other words, since the recording material cartridge identification number is always held in either the printer or the information processing apparatus, the printer system can be stably maintained without losing the recording material cartridge identification number even if any situation occurs in the printer system. It is possible to operate.

  In the present invention, the “information processing apparatus” is not particularly limited as long as it can be controlled while communicating with the printer, and controls a plurality of computers and servers that control the printer, or controls the printer one-on-one. It may be a general-purpose terminal device, a computer (so-called PC, etc.), or a POS terminal that controls a receipt printer. The timing at which the printer transmits predetermined information to the information processing apparatus is when the information processing apparatus requests transmission to the printer or when the printer enters a predetermined state.

  The printer of the present invention is configured to hold the recording material cartridge identification number transmitted to the information processing apparatus in a stored state without deleting it, and to set the predetermined status of the transmitted recording material cartridge identification number to transmitted. Therefore, the transmitted recording material cartridge identification number can be distinguished from the untransmitted recording material cartridge identification number. That is, the printer is in a state (storage protection state) in which the recording material cartridge identification number stored in the information storage unit has not yet been transmitted to the information processing apparatus and must be stored in the information storage unit. Since it has already been transmitted to the information processing apparatus and can be managed separately from the state that does not necessarily need to be stored (the storage protection release state), the recording material cartridge identification number that is erroneously in the storage protection state The newly read recording material cartridge identification number is not added and stored (overwritten) at the stored location.

  In the printer and printer system of the present invention, the charging status information transmitted to the information processing apparatus includes the apparatus identification number and the cartridge identification number together with the amount of recording material used only for image recording. Therefore, even when multiple printers are connected to the information processing device, which recording material cartridge is mounted on each printer at which timing in the information processing device or the upstream system connected to the information processing device You can know what was done. Therefore, even when multiple printers are applied to the recording material billing system, it is possible to grasp the status of individual recording material cartridges and to operate by collecting the data collected from all printers. Whether there is a recording material cartridge that is provided by the user but not used by the user, or is there a recording material cartridge that is used abnormally based on the information obtained I can understand how.

  According to the printer and the printer system of the present invention, the printer calculates the amount of the recording material used only for image recording, and the information processing apparatus displays the amount of the recording material together with the apparatus identification number and the recording material cartridge identification number. Send to. Therefore, in the information processing apparatus or the upstream system connected to the information processing apparatus, it is possible to reliably grasp the amount of the recording material used only for image recording by the printer.

  Further, in the printer and printer system of the present invention, the amount of recording material used only for image recording is transmitted to the information processing apparatus together with the apparatus identification number, so that a plurality of printers are connected to the information processing apparatus. However, in the information processing apparatus or the upstream system connected to the information processing apparatus, it is possible to grasp how much ink is used by each printer for each printer. Therefore, even when a plurality of printers are applied to a charging system (hereinafter referred to as a recording material charging system) according to the use of the recording material, it is possible to grasp the status of each printer and to determine all printers. By collecting the data collected from the above, it is possible to appropriately charge according to the use of the recording material.

In the printer and printer system of the present invention, when the recording material cartridge control unit reads the recording material cartridge identification number when the recording material cartridge is installed in the recording material cartridge mounting unit, information is recorded as the newly installed recording material cartridge. It is stored in the storage unit and transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Therefore, the information processing apparatus can reliably grasp when the recording material cartridge is attached to the printer.
In addition, when a plurality of printers are applied to the recording material billing system, the status of each recording material cartridge can be grasped, and the operator side can collect the data collected from all the printers. It is possible to ascertain whether there is any recording material cartridge that is provided but not mounted.

In the printer and printer system of the present invention, the recording material cartridge control unit sets the recording material cartridge identification number when the recording material cartridge in the recording material cartridge mounting unit is used and the internal recording material becomes a predetermined value or less. It is read and stored as a recording material end recording material cartridge in the information storage unit, and then transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Therefore, the information processing apparatus can reliably grasp when the recording material in the recording material cartridge has been used (when it has become empty).
In addition, when a plurality of printers are applied to the recording material billing system, the usage status of each recording material cartridge can be grasped and the data collected from all the printers can be aggregated to obtain the recording material. Even if the recording material in the cartridge is used (empty), it is possible to reliably grasp whether there is a recording material cartridge that is not returned from the user side.

  Further, in the printer and printer system of the present invention, the printer is one of the recording material cartridge identification numbers after being transmitted to the information processing apparatus even when a predetermined number of recording material cartridge identification numbers are stored in the information storage unit. Since the newly-recorded recording material cartridge identification number is stored after the printer has been deleted, the printer can read more than a predetermined number of recording material cartridge identification numbers. Accordingly, the present invention can be applied to a case where the number of recording material cartridge identification numbers to be read increases in a printer of a type in which a plurality of different cartridges are mounted for each color. Further, since the printer continues to store the recording material cartridge identification numbers that have already been transmitted until the predetermined number is exceeded, the information processing apparatus can identify the recording material cartridges that have been read in the past as necessary until the predetermined number is exceeded. It is possible to get the number as many times as you like.

  Further, in the printer and printer system of the present invention, if a predetermined number of recording material cartridge identification numbers are stored in the information storage unit but all of them are not set to be transmitted, error processing is performed. Since it is set, it is possible to notify the user of an abnormality in the information storage unit. Therefore, the user can smoothly operate the printer system by taking a response such as requesting the printer manufacturer for repair or inspection.

Further, in the printer and printer system of the present invention, the recording material cartridge stores a plurality of recording materials, and the recording material use amount calculation unit stores the recording material used only for the image recording for each of the plurality of recording materials. The amount is calculated, stored in the information storage unit, and then transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Therefore, even when a plurality of recording materials are provided in the recording material cartridge, the information processing apparatus can reliably grasp the usage status thereof.
In addition, when multiple printers are applied to the recording material billing system, the usage status of each recording material in each recording material cartridge can be grasped, and the data collected from all printers can be aggregated. This makes it possible to statistically understand which recording material is used more in the recording material cartridge, and the number of recording materials to be provided will be changed according to the degree of usage of the recording material that will be used in the future. This makes it easier to take action.

In the printer and printer system of the present invention, when the recording material is ink, the recording material use amount calculation unit counts the number of ink shots to obtain the ink use amount. Thus, by counting the number of ink shots, the amount of ink used only for image recording can be reliably calculated. Therefore, it is possible to actually execute ink charging according to the actual amount of ink used.
The recording material is not limited to ink, and for example, toner or the like may be used.

  In the printer and printer system of the present invention, the recording material usage amount calculation unit uses the ink amount used in an operation for enabling ink to be ejected from the print head, such as a cleaning operation, a clogging recovery operation, or an ink filling operation. Is not counted as ink usage. Therefore, it is possible to reliably calculate the amount of ink used only for image recording.

  According to the printer system of the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes a charging status acquisition unit that requests the printer to transmit charging status information and acquires the charging status information from the printer. Therefore, the printer can transmit the charging status as charging status information to the information processing apparatus at an arbitrary timing in response to a request from the charging status acquisition unit.

  According to the printer system of the present invention, the charging status acquisition unit generates charging status information by adding a reliability guarantee value for maintaining the reliability of the received charging status information to the charging status information. Therefore, even if the accounting status information generated at the time of reception by the information processing device has been changed for some reason in the subsequent handling process, the presence or absence of the change can be detected with reference to the reliability guarantee value. it can. Therefore, when this printer system is applied to the recording material billing system, the reliability of the billing status information acquired from the printer is improved, and data change or data tampering due to an error during transmission / reception is prevented in advance. It becomes possible to improve the reliability of the accounting system.

  Further, according to the printer system of the present invention, the charging status information is transferred from the information processing apparatus to the cartridge supplier (operator) that supplies the recording material cartridge via the upper network, and the cartridge supplier Based on the status information, a charge for using the recording material is charged to the user of the printer. As described above, it is possible to provide a realistic and highly reliable recording material charging system by acquiring the charging status information from the printer and transferring it to the group of the cartridge supplier.

  Further, the information processing apparatus in the printer system of the present invention includes a recording material usage amount acquisition unit that requests transmission of the amount of recording material used in the printer and acquires the amount of recording material used from the printer. It is characterized by. Therefore, even if you want to know the amount of recording material used other than the timing to acquire information linked to the recording material billing system, such as the billing status information, by issuing an instruction to the printer from this recording material usage amount acquisition unit, The usage amount of the recording material is notified to the information processing apparatus at any time, and confirmation or the like can be performed on the information processing apparatus side.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a printer and a printer system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In particular, an embodiment of a charging system using a printer and a printer system according to the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire ink billing system that charges for the amount of ink used by using the printer and printer system of this embodiment. 2 is an external perspective view showing the printer of this embodiment, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the inside by opening two front covers, and FIG. 4 is attached to the printer of this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows an ink cartridge.

(Ink billing system overview)
The ink billing system according to the present embodiment performs recording with respect to a company X (cartridge user) 200 in which a printer manufacturer (recording material (ink, toner, etc.) cartridge supplier) 100 has purchased a plurality of color ink jet printers 240. Ink 200 as a material is supplied in a cartridge, and Company X 200 is a business model that pays an ink fee to the printer manufacturer 100 according to the amount of ink used for printing in each printer 240.

  In this ink billing system, Company X 200 is a company that issues coupons related to merchandise, for example, and obtains advertising revenue in accordance with the amount of coupons issued. The X company 200 includes in-store servers (information processing devices) 220 and 230 and printer manufacturers 100 from a plurality of stores 410 to 440 owned or managed by the Y company 400 (for example, a customer of the X company 200). A plurality of purchased printers 240 are installed (in FIG. 1, in-store servers and printers are shown only in stores 410 and 420 for the sake of simplicity). The printer 240 is communicably connected to the in-store servers 220 and 230 via the LAN.

  The Y company 400 is a retail store such as a supermarket, for example, and the printer 240 is separate from the receipt printer, and is installed near the counters in the stores 410 to 440 where the POS terminals are installed. The The printer 240 may be the same as the receipt printer, but will be described as a separate one in the present embodiment. The printer 240 is configured to issue a coupon ticket or the like in conjunction with specific product information input from a POS terminal in response to an instruction from the in-store servers 220 and 230 disposed in the same store. The issued coupon is handed to the customer by the person in charge of POS terminal of Y company 400.

  The main server 210 is installed inside the company X 200 and is connected to each store server 220, 230 in each store 410 to 440 so as to be able to communicate via a public line such as the Internet or a telephone line, or a dedicated line. Has been. The main server 210 is related to the merchandise information and the merchandise information to the in-store servers 220 and 230, and transmits original data used for printing coupons and the like output from the printer 240. 230 is configured to collect information such as the type and number of coupons issued by the printer 240 from 230.

  In this ink billing system, the printer manufacturer 100 provides an ink cartridge (recording material cartridge) containing ink in advance to Company X according to demand. The X company 200 installs the ink cartridge in the printer 240 and installs the printer 240 in the POS terminal counter of the Y company 400. When the bar code including the product code affixed to the product at the POS terminal is read by the scanner, the in-store servers 220 and 230 acquire the product information corresponding to the product code, and there is coupon information to be printed, the printer 240 Issue the ticket by sending the print data corresponding to. Then, the in-store servers 220 and 230 installed in the respective stores 410 to 440 periodically collect information on the ink usage from each connected printer 240 and transmit the information to the main server 210.

  Thereafter, the company X 200 stores the information on the ink usage of each printer 240 collected in the main server 210 in a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and submits it to the printer manufacturer 100. . Of course, information regarding the amount of ink used may be transmitted from the X company 200 to the printer manufacturer 100 via the Internet or the like. Then, the printer manufacturer 100 aggregates the information on the ink usage amount submitted from the X company 200 and periodically charges the company X for the ink usage amount. Further, in this ink billing system, the ink is finished and the ink is in an end state, and all the removed empty ink cartridges are collected by the printer maker 100 through the collection path decided by the printer maker 100 and the X company 200. The The printer manufacturer 100 refills the collected ink cartridge with ink and passes it to the X company 200.

  The ink billing system according to the present embodiment is configured to impose a billing obligation only on the amount of ink used for issuing coupons. For example, the ink used for the flushing operation during nozzle maintenance of the print head Ink used by ink suction, etc., ink used for cleaning operation, clogging recovery operation, or ink filling operation, that is, ink used in connection with operation for enabling ink to be ejected from the print head There is no charge for the amount. Therefore, for Company X 200, when issuing a coupon, it is possible to issue a high-quality coupon ticket with high expressive power using an inkjet printer without being aware of the cost of ink that is not directly used. There are benefits.

(Printer configuration)
Next, the printer 240 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer 240 of this embodiment performs image recording (multi-color printing) on roll paper as a recording medium using a plurality of types of color inks. It is a printing apparatus which issues a coupon ticket.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 240 of this embodiment has a power switch 3, a roll paper cover 5, and a mounting portion opening / closing cover in order from the left side on the front surface of the printer case 2 composed of the front upper panel 2a and the case cover 2b. 7 is arranged. A plurality of LED lamps 6 for notifying the user of the printer status are provided above the power switch 3. Each of the roll paper cover 5 and the mounting portion opening / closing cover 7 is provided so as to be openable and closable forward via a hinge (not shown) provided in the lower portion.

  When the roll paper cover 5 is opened, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper storage unit 13 that stores the roll paper 11 that is printing paper is opened. In this state, the roll paper 11 can be replaced. On the other hand, when the mounting portion opening / closing cover 7 is opened, the cartridge mounting portion 15 is opened, and the ink cartridge 20 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion 15.

  The ink cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is one in which three color ink packs of yellow, cyan, and magenta are packaged in a cartridge case 21. In the case of the printer 240 according to the present embodiment, in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the mounting portion opening / closing cover 7, the ink cartridge 20 in the cartridge mounting portion 15 is slid and mounted from a cartridge replacement position (to be described later) to a cartridge use position. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, two positioning holes 26 and 26 are formed in the lower portion of the back surface 21 a of the ink cartridge 20. When the ink cartridge 20 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15 of the printer 240, a positioning pin (not shown) slides in the positioning holes 26 and 26 while guiding it, and the position of the ink cartridge 20 is fixed. In addition, three ink supply ports 21b are opened at the center of the back surface 21a, and the three colors of ink in the ink cartridge 20 are supplied to the printer 240 through the ink supply ports 21b.

  In addition, between the positioning holes 26 and 26, waste ink used to enable ink to be ejected from the print head, such as cleaning, clogging recovery, or ink filling, is not used for printing by the printer 240. A waste ink recovery port 28 for recovery is provided. Waste ink is collected in the ink cartridge 20 through the waste ink collection port 28. That is, the ink cartridge 20 of this embodiment serves not only as an ink tank that supplies ink but also as a waste ink tank that stores waste ink.

  In addition, a storage element 27 is embedded and disposed in one side surface 21c of the ink cartridge 20 with the surface of the connection terminal 27a exposed. The storage element 27 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores therein information such as an ink cartridge ID (cartridge identification information) for identifying the ink cartridge, and via a connection terminal 27a formed on the exposed surface. Data is read from and written to the storage element 27 from the printer 240 by being electrically connected to a connection terminal (not shown) provided on the cartridge mounting portion 15 side of the printer 240.

(Relationship between in-store server and printer)
Next, the relationship between the in-store server 220 (230) and the printer 240 constituting the printer system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the in-store server 220 (230) and the printer 240.
As shown in FIG. 5, the in-store server 220 (same for the server 230) mainly includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222 as a nonvolatile memory, a RAM 223 as a volatile memory, an HDD 224 as a large-scale storage device, and an input. A device 225 and a communication interface 226 are provided. The in-store server 220 (230) controls the printer 240 by outputting various commands and print data to the printer 240 via the communication interface 226 while the CPU 221 executes the operating system and application programs stored in the HDD 224. To do.

  The printer 240 mainly includes a CPU 241, a flash ROM 242 that is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, a RAM 243 that is a volatile memory, a communication interface 244, and a print control unit that records an image by ejecting ink onto the roll paper 11. 245, a paper transport mechanism 246, a print head 247, a cover opening / closing sensor 248 for detecting opening / closing of the roll paper cover 5 and the mounting unit opening / closing cover 7, and a cartridge mounting unit 15 to which the ink cartridge 20 is mounted. Yes. The printer 240 receives various commands and print data by communicating with the in-store server 220 (230) via the communication interface 244 while the CPU 241 executes the firmware stored in the flash ROM 242. Then, based on various commands and print data, the print control unit 245 drives the print head 247 while conveying the roll paper 11 via the paper conveyance mechanism 246 to execute printing on the roll paper 11 and issues a coupon. .

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing internal processing of the in-store server 220 (230) and the printer 240.

(Processing in the printer)
First, the printer 240 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 240 includes a receiving unit 301 that receives various commands and print data transmitted from the in-store server 220, and various commands received by the receiving unit 301. And a reception buffer 302 for temporarily storing print data. The data received by the reception buffer 302 is analyzed by the command analysis unit 303 and transferred to the control command buffer 304 in the case of a control command, and transferred to the print buffer in the case of print data by DMA transfer or the like.

  The print data temporarily stored in the print buffer 305 is subjected to data expansion processing by the print data generation unit 306 and is converted into data. Finally, dot pattern data corresponding to the nozzle array of the print head 247 is generated and printed. Stored in the buffer. This dot pattern data is, for example, 2-bit gradation information data. The ink ejected from each nozzle of the print head 247 is (1) not ejected, (2) small dots, (3) medium dots, (4) Indicates which of the large dots corresponds.

  The print control unit 307 drives the print head 247 based on the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 305, and creates a coupon ticket by forming an image on the roll paper 11.

  On the other hand, the control command data temporarily stored in the control command buffer 304 is read by the main control unit 308, and processing corresponding to the control command such as paper cutting is executed.

Next, the shot number analysis unit (recording material usage amount calculation unit) 309 will be described.
The shot number analysis unit 309 determines the amount of ink ejected from the print head 247 for each color based on the print data stored in the print buffer 305 or the dot pattern data generated based on the print data. Count as. The amount of ink used by the print head 247 varies depending on the small dot, medium dot, and large dot. The shot number analysis unit 309 calculates how many shots have been discharged from each dot in terms of the number of shots. The number of shots calculated by the shot number analysis unit 309 is stored in the information storage unit 312. At this time, it is stored as the cumulative number of shots.

  Note that the shot number analysis unit 309 counts the ink amount corresponding to the ink ejection from the print head 247 accompanying printing on the roll paper 11 as the number of shots for each color in units of dots. Ink discharged from the print head, such as ink discharged from the print head 247, ink sucked from the print head 247 by an ink suction means (not shown), ink used from the clogging recovery operation or ink filling operation, can be discharged from the print head. Therefore, the used ink amount is not counted for the used ink amount. Even when the ink cartridge 20 reaches the ink end, the ink may remain in the ink cartridge 20, but the process for counting the remaining ink is not performed. Only when ink is actually ejected onto the roll paper 11 and used for printing, the number of shots is counted.

Next, the ink remaining amount analysis unit 310 will be described.
The ink remaining amount analysis unit 310 calculates and obtains the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 20 for each color. The storage element 27 of the ink cartridge 20 stores the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 20 for each color. Ink used for printing, cleaning operation such as flushing and ink suction, clogging recovery operation, or ink filling operation based on a predetermined initial value when newly installed, in order to enable ink to be ejected from the print head The remaining amount of ink at the present time is obtained by subtracting the amount of ink used. As the ink remaining amount, an ink amount converted from the number of shots can be used. Further, the remaining amount of ink may be a ratio value with respect to the initial value. The obtained ink remaining amount is stored in the information storage unit 312 at a predetermined timing, and is also stored in the storage element 27 of the ink cartridge 20 via the cartridge control unit 311.

Next, the cartridge control unit (recording material cartridge control unit) 311 will be described.
The cartridge control unit 311 is a control unit that controls reading of information from the storage element 27 of the ink cartridge 20 mounted on the printer 240 and writing of information to the storage element 27. Various processes of the cartridge control unit 311 will be described in detail later in connection with the ID reading of the ink cartridge.

Next, the information storage unit 312 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The information storage unit 312 is an area for storing various information of the printer 240, and is formed in a predetermined area in the flash ROM 242, for example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing each storage area in the information storage unit.
The information storage unit 312 includes a printer serial number storage area 312a for storing a printer serial number (device identification number) for identifying the printer 240 from other printers of the same type or different types, and the currently installed ink cartridge. Ink remaining value storage area 312b for storing the remaining ink value, cumulative ink shot storage area 312c for storing the cumulative ink shot count counted by the shot number analysis unit 309, the ID of the newly installed ink cartridge, and ink end An ink cartridge ID storage area 312d for storing the ID of the replaced ink cartridge is provided.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge ID storage area in the information storage unit.
In the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, a newly installed ink cartridge ID and an ink cartridge ID which has become an ink end are stored separately, and a predetermined number (20 in this embodiment) is combined with the two IDs. The ink cartridge ID is stored in the memory.

  The ink cartridge ID storage area 312d has a flag unit 312e and a cartridge control unit 311 in which a flag (status) “r” is set for determining whether the ink cartridge ID is transmitted to the in-store server 220 (230). Determines whether the ink cartridge ID storage unit 312f that stores the ink cartridge ID read from the storage element 27 and the read ink cartridge ID is a newly installed ink cartridge or an ink cartridge that has become an ink end. An ink cartridge status storage unit 312g for storing the status “NEW” or “OLD” of the ink cartridge to be used is provided.

  In the present embodiment, each time the cartridge control unit 311 reads the ink cartridge ID from the storage element 27, the cartridge control unit 311 stores the ink cartridge ID from the predetermined address (for example, “0000h”) in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d. Yes. The ink cartridge ID storage process will be described in detail later.

  The transmission information generation / transmission unit 313 collects information related to charging (hereinafter, charging status) stored in the information storage unit 312 of the printer 240 in response to a charging status transmission request command from the in-store server 220 (230). Billing status information is generated, or cumulative ink shot number information is generated in response to the cumulative ink shot number transmission request command, and the information is returned to the in-store server 220 (230). Here, the charging status includes the printer serial number of the printer, the remaining ink value, the cumulative number of ink shots, and the newly installed ink cartridge ID and ink end cartridge ID stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d. All ink cartridge IDs are included.

  Here, in the case of a charging status transmission request command, the transmission information generation / transmission unit 313 combines these pieces of information into one and adds a checksum to improve the reliability of this information. And The cumulative ink shot number is also added to the cumulative ink shot number information by adding a checksum. The generated accounting status information or accumulated ink shot number information is transmitted to the in-store server 220 (230) via the transmission unit 314.

  The transmission information generation / transmission unit 313 does not transmit one accounting status information, but the printer serial number of the printer, the remaining ink value, the cumulative number of ink shots, the newly installed ink cartridge ID, and the ink end ink. It is possible to divide each cartridge ID and transmit sequentially.

(Processing in the store server)
In the store server 220 (230), various processes can be realized by executing an operating system and application programs stored in the HDD 224. From the viewpoint of coupon printing using the printer 240 and acquisition of the billing status, as shown in FIG. 6, a transmission / reception unit 321, a coupon image storage unit 322, a coupon selection unit 323, a shot information acquisition unit (amount of recording material used) Acquisition unit) 324, charging status acquisition unit 325, and charging status storage unit 326.

The transmission / reception unit 321 is a terminal driver that communicates with the printer 240, and an upstream application or API (Application Program Interface) via a port for communication with the printer 240 (here, a LAN port). In response to the instruction, various commands and print data are transmitted to the printer 240, and information is received from the printer 240.

  The coupon image storage unit 322 stores image data corresponding to a plurality of coupons printed by the printer 240.

  The coupon selection unit 323 selects corresponding image data from image data corresponding to a plurality of coupons stored in the coupon image storage unit 322. Here, for example, the selection process can be configured to be triggered by the payment made by the POS terminal.

  Specifically, for example, it is configured to select image data corresponding to a coupon related to a specific product purchased by a customer. The selected image data is transmitted to the printer 240 via the transmission / reception unit 290, printed by the printer 240, and a coupon is issued. Thereby, almost simultaneously with the receipt of the receipt by the POS terminal, a coupon related to the product purchased by the customer is issued by the printer 240, and the coupon can be handed to the customer together with the receipt. By handing the coupon to the customer, the company Y 400 can expect the effect of attracting customers when the customer visits the store again. The coupon image data may be transmitted from the in-store server 220 (230) to the printer 240 for printing.

  The shot information acquisition unit 324 is an API that requests the printer 240 to transmit information on the cumulative number of ink shots. The shot information acquisition unit 324 receives the printer 240 via the transmission / reception unit 321 in response to an instruction from a host application program (not shown). Is sent a cumulative ink shot number transmission request command. When the cumulative ink shot number information is received from the printer 240 after the cumulative ink shot number transmission request command is transmitted, the cumulative ink shot number information is transferred to the requested application program.

  The accounting status acquisition unit 325 is an API that requests the printer 240 to transmit the accounting status, and transmits the accounting status to the printer 240 via the transmission / reception unit 321 in response to an instruction from an upper application program (not shown). Send a request command. When the accounting status information is received from the printer 240 after the accounting status transmission request command is transmitted, a receipt confirmation of the accounting status information is transmitted to the printer 240, and various information in the received accounting status information is stored in the accounting status storage unit 326. To do.

  Here, the billing status acquisition unit 325 stores various information in the billing status information in the billing status storage unit 326 even when it is received as a single piece of information. Also, the printer serial number of the printer, the ink remaining value, the cumulative number of ink shots, the newly installed ink cartridge ID, and the ink cartridge ID of the ink end are combined into one accounting status information.

Here, the accounting status acquisition unit 325 gives a reliability guarantee value such as a checksum to the accounting status information for each data. This reliability guarantee value is data for guaranteeing the data inside the package data, and is obtained, for example, by an operation such as obtaining the sum of binary representations of all data. By using this reliability guarantee value, it is possible to verify whether the value has been changed in the subsequent processing, and whether the transmission / reception has been performed correctly in the subsequent transmission / reception. Etc. In other words, the charging status acquisition unit 325 is configured to add a reliability guarantee value to the charging status information to prevent falsification and to detect the presence or absence of an error so as to improve data reliability.
Although it has been described that the reliability guarantee value is added to the charging status information by the charging status acquisition unit 325 in the in-store server 220 (230), the invention is not limited to this. The information generation / transmission unit 313 may add a reliability guarantee value to the billing status information and send the billing status information with the reliability guarantee value to the in-store server 220 (230).

(Ink cartridge ID reading by printer 1: cartridge loaded)
Next, the ink cartridge ID reading process when the ink cartridge 20 is mounted in the printer 240 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the power is turned on or when a cartridge is mounted.

When a new ink cartridge 20 is installed in the printer 240, the cartridge control unit 311 reads the ID of the ink cartridge from the storage element 27 of the ink cartridge 20.
Specifically, when the printer 240 is first turned on, or when the cover opening / closing sensor 248 detects that the mounting portion cover 7 is closed (step S1: Yes), the storage element 27 of the ink cartridge 20 is used. The ink remaining amount value stored therein is read (step S2), and it is checked whether it matches the ink remaining amount value stored in the information storage unit 312 (step S3).

  Here, if the two remaining ink values match, it is determined that the currently installed ink cartridge is the same as before the power is turned on or before the ink cartridge is installed.

  On the other hand, if the two remaining ink values do not match, the currently installed ink cartridge has a different ink cartridge inserted before power-on or before the ink cartridge is installed, and the cartridge control unit 311 The read ink cartridge ID is stored as newly installed (step S4).

  The ink cartridge ID storage process in step S4 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing for storing the ink cartridge ID in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d.

  The cartridge control unit 311 determines whether or not there is an empty area for storing the ink cartridge ID read from the storage element 27 in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d. If there is an empty area (step S51: Yes), the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is empty. The ink cartridge ID newly installed in the area is stored (step S52). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when a new ink cartridge with the ink cartridge ID “100608803285” is newly installed in the cartridge mounting unit 15, the ink cartridge ID “100608803285” is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage unit 312 f at the address “0100h”. And “NEW” is stored in the cartridge status storage unit 312g.

  On the other hand, if there is no free area in step S21 (step S51: No), the cartridge control unit 311 flags whether the 20 ink cartridge IDs stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d are set to have been transmitted. The determination is made based on whether the flag “r” of the unit 312e is set. If all 20 flags “r” are set (step S53: Yes), any of the 20 transmitted ink cartridge IDs is deleted, and the newly installed ink cartridge ID in the cartridge mounting unit 15 is set. The data is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d (step S54).

  When deleting any of the 20 transmitted ink cartridge IDs, for example, the oldest ink cartridge ID can be deleted first. In the case of FIG. 8, after the address “0000h” stored first is deleted, the newly installed ink cartridge ID is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage unit 312f at the address “0000h”, and the cartridge status storage unit 312g is stored. Stores “NEW”.

  On the other hand, if the flag “r” is not set for all 20 in step S23 (step S53: No), it is possible that there is some problem, and the cartridge control unit 311 determines that there is an error. Then, error processing is executed (step S55).

  After storing the newly installed ink cartridge ID, the cartridge control unit 311 reads the remaining ink value from the storage element 27 of the installed ink cartridge 20, and the ink in the information storage unit 312 is read with the read remaining ink value. The remaining ink value stored in the remaining value storage area 312b is updated (step S5 in FIG. 9). Thus, synchronization between the ink remaining value in the ink cartridge 20 and the ink remaining value stored in the printer 240 is achieved. The error between the actual remaining ink amount and the remaining ink value that occurs at this time depends on the number of significant digits of the two remaining ink values. However, for example, even when the remaining ink value stored in the storage element 27 of the ink cartridge 20 has a value rounded down to the nearest decimal point, the error is about 1% at the maximum, and this is not a problem in practice.

  At the same time, the cartridge controller 311 increments the attachment number counter set in the storage element 27 of the ink cartridge 20 by one. By this operation, information in the ink cartridge 20 is updated as to how many times the ink cartridge 20 has been installed in the printer.

(Ink cartridge ID reading by printer 2: ink end)
Next, the ink cartridge ID reading process at the time of ink end in the printer 240 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of ink end.

  In the present embodiment, the ink remaining amount analyzing unit 310 determines ink end. The ink remaining amount analysis unit 310 calculates the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 20 for each color to obtain an ink remaining amount value. When this ink remaining amount value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value for at least one color, It is configured to determine that it is an end.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the ink remaining amount analysis unit 310 first monitors whether or not the ink remaining amount value is equal to or less than a predetermined value for at least one color (step S11).

  This predetermined value is not a physical ink end (the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 20 is 0) in consideration of an error between the ink remaining amount value of the ink remaining amount analysis unit 310 and the actual ink remaining amount value. For example, it is conceivable to set the value so that the ink end is determined when the actual ink remaining amount value in the ink cartridge 20 reaches several percent. By setting in this way, the ink end occurs before the ink actually runs out, so that the ink is prevented from being ejected by the print head 247 and the inflow of air into the print head 247 can be avoided.

  When the ink remaining amount value is equal to or less than a predetermined value for at least one color (step S11: Yes), the printer 240 notifies the in-store server 220 (230) of the ink end via the transmission information generation / transmission unit 313. At the same time, the LED lamp 6 on the outer surface of the printer 240 is blinked to prompt the user to replace the ink cartridge 20 (step S12).

  In parallel with step S 12, the cartridge control unit 311 reads the ink cartridge ID in the storage element 64 of the ink cartridge 20, and ink-reads the read ink cartridge ID in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312 d of the information storage unit 312. The stored ink cartridge ID is stored (step S13).

  The ink cartridge ID storing process in step S13 is also performed according to the flow shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the ink cartridge reading process when the cartridge is mounted.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cartridge control unit 311 reads the ink cartridge ID “200660705045” that is the ink end mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 15, an empty area is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312 d. If there is an empty area (here, address 0101h) (step S51: Yes), the ink cartridge ID “200660705045” is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage unit 312f at address “0101h” (step S51h). S52), “OLD” is stored in the cartridge status storage unit 312g.

  On the other hand, if there is no free area in step S51 (step S51: No), the cartridge control unit 311 flags whether the 20 ink cartridge IDs stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d are set to have been transmitted. The determination is made based on whether the flag “r” of the unit 312e is set. When all 20 flags “r” are set (step S53: Yes), any of the 20 transmitted ink cartridge IDs is deleted, and the ink end that has been mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 15 is obtained. The ink cartridge ID is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d (step S54).

  Also in this case, when deleting any of the 20 transmitted ink cartridge IDs, the oldest ink cartridge ID is set to be deleted first. In the case of FIG. 8, the first stored address is stored. After the address “0000h” is deleted, the ink cartridge ID that is the ink end is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage unit 312f at the address “0000h”, and “OLD” is stored in the cartridge status storage unit 312g.

  When the ink end is reached, the in-store server 220 (230) prohibits printing using the printer 240 until the ink cartridge is replaced. When the user replaces the ink cartridge after storing the ink cartridge ID that has become the ink end, the sequence shown in FIG. 9 operates, and a new ink cartridge is recognized by the printer 240. If the ink cartridge is not the ink end, Printing is resumed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the ink cartridge ID of the newly installed ink cartridge and the ink cartridge ID serving as the ink end are deleted without deleting the ink cartridge ID already transmitted to the in-store server 220 (230). Is stored in the printer 240 as information. If there is no empty area in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, the oldest ink cartridge ID among the ink cartridge IDs stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is deleted and stored. It is possible to cope with a case where more than one ink cartridge is mounted and each of them is read. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the ink cartridge is different for each color and the number of read ink cartridge IDs is increased.

  The ink cartridge IDs stored in the printer 240 in this manner are collected in the in-store server by the process described below, and finally notified to the printer manufacturer 100. The ink cartridge ID collection process will be described below.

(Collect billing status from printer)
Information related to charging and the charging status are transmitted from the printer 240 to the in-store server 220 (230) in response to an instruction from the in-store server 220 (230). As described above, the charging status includes the printer serial number of the printer, the remaining ink amount, the cumulative number of ink shots, the newly installed ink cartridge ID, and the ink cartridge ID of the ink end. The in-store server 220 (230) collects the billing status information with a reliability guarantee value. The charging status information is collected in the main server 210 at a predetermined timing, and the charging status information collected in the main server 210 is periodically transmitted to the printer manufacturer 100. As a result, the printer manufacturer 100 can grasp the amount of ink used in each printer 240 and the status of each ink cartridge 20.

This process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining collection of charging status.
First, each printer 240 becomes the newly installed ink cartridge 20 and the ink end through the ink remaining amount analysis unit 310 and the cartridge control unit 311 while accumulating the number of shots through the shot number analysis unit 309. All the ink cartridge IDs stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d including the ink cartridge 20 are collected, that is, the charging status is collected (step S21).

  The in-store server 220 (230) transmits a charging status transmission request to all the printers 240 in the store in order to collect the charging status from each printer 240 at a predetermined timing (step S31).

  Upon receiving the charging status transmission request (step S22), each printer 240 collects the charging status stored in the information storage unit 312 and generates charging status information including a checksum (step S23). Then, the transmission information generation / transmission unit 313 transmits the accounting status information generated via the transmission unit 314 to the in-store server 220 (230) (step S24).

  Thereafter, when the in-store server 220 (230) receives the charging status information from the printer 240 (step S32), it adds a reliability guarantee value for maintaining the reliability of the data to the received charging status information and stores it (step S32). Step S33). When the reliability guarantee value is added to the billing status information in step S33, the in-store server 220 (230) transmits a receipt confirmation of the billing status information to the printer 240 (step S34).

  Upon receiving the receipt confirmation of the billing status information (step S25), the printer 240 sets all ink cartridge IDs in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d to have been transmitted (step S26). That is, the transmitted flag “r” is set in the flag section 312e of the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d.

  In the case of FIG. 8, the printer 240 has all the ink cartridges stored in the addresses “0000h” to “0101h” even if the flag “r” is already set in the addresses “0000h” to “0011h”. The ID and cartridge status are transmitted to the in-store server 220. When the printer 240 receives the receipt confirmation of the charging status information from the in-store server 220 (230), the addresses “0100h” and “0101h” in which the newly read ink cartridge IDs “100608803285” and “20060705045” are stored are stored. The newly sent flag “r” is set in the flag portion 312e.

  In this way, by setting the transmitted flag when receiving the reception confirmation, the printer 240 can easily determine whether the stored ink cartridge ID is the transmitted ink cartridge ID or the untransmitted ink cartridge ID. Therefore, the newly read ink cartridge ID is not written where the untransmitted ink cartridge ID is stored by mistake. That is, the printer 240 can manage the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d separately for addresses in the write protection state and addresses in the write protection release state, so that the writing process in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312 can be performed appropriately. Is possible.

  After all the ink cartridge IDs are set as transmitted in step S26, the operation of the printer 240 returns to step S21 again, collects the charging status, and repeats steps S22 to S26. Thus, every time the printer 240 receives a charging status transmission request, the printer 240 transmits the charging status information to the in-store server 220 (230), and then stores the read ink cartridge ID.

  Further, the main server 210 sends a charging status information transmission request for requesting transmission of charging status information at a predetermined timing after the charging status information is acquired from the printer 240 by the in-store server 220 (230). 230) (step S41).

  Then, when the in-store servers 220 and 230 receive the accounting status information transmission request (step S35), the in-store servers 220 and 230 transmit the accounting status information to be stored to the main server 210 (step S36). When the main server 210 receives the charging status information from the in-store server 220 (230) (step S42), the main server 210 stores the charging status information. As a result, as long as the printer 240 is operating correctly except for special circumstances such as a failure of the printer 240 and power-off of the printer 240, the charging status information of all the printers 240 is collected in the main server 210.

Then, in response to a request from the printer manufacturer 100, the X server operator operating the main server 210 or the main server 210 provides the collected charging status information of all printers to the printer manufacturer 100 (step S43). This provision form may be an online transmission form or a form in which charging status information is recorded on a recording medium such as a recordable CD or a recordable DVD and mailed. As a result, all charging status information stored in the main server 210 is transmitted to the printer manufacturer 100.
Requests from the printer maker 100 are not made at any time, but an arrangement is made in advance so that charging status information is transmitted on a monthly basis, and the company X 200 determines the charging status of that month by a predetermined date every month. Information may be transmitted to the printer manufacturer 100.

  In the charging status information collection model described above, the reliability guarantee value is automatically added to the charging status information in the in-store server 220 (230). Even if the part is broken, the correctness can be guaranteed. In addition, even if the data is altered by malicious intent, the reliability guarantee value and the contents of the billing status information do not match, so that it is possible to detect the presence of alteration and take appropriate measures.

(Aggregation work at the printer manufacturer)
In the printer manufacturer 100, two of the charging status information, the number of ink shots and the ink cartridge ID, are used independently for different purposes.

First, the number of ink shots will be described.
The number of ink shots indicates how much ink is used per month for each printer 240, and charging is performed according to the number of ink shots.

  FIG. 13 is an example in which the number of ink shots is collected in the charging status information received by the printer manufacturer 100 from the main server 210 (company X 200). In this figure, for the sake of simplicity, the case where the printer is applied to a maximum of three ink charging systems is shown. FIG. 13A shows ink from the start of ink charging system operation to July 1, 2006. FIG. 13 (b) to FIG. 13 (d) show the total data of the number of ink shots per month from August 1, 2006. Further, in FIG. 11, for the sake of simplification of description, not the accumulated value for each color but the number obtained by adding the accumulated values of each color is used as the number of shots.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, two printers are used as of July 1, 2006. “Previous value” in the table indicates a value at the time of the previous aggregation, and is 0 because it is the operation start time here. The “currently received value” is a value based on the charging status information received by the printer manufacturer 100 from the main server 210 (Company X 200) in the current aggregation, and the “difference” is “currently received value−previous value” Is required. Further, the “current value” is a value corresponding to the number of ink shots used by each printer 240 that is known by the printer manufacturer 100 at the time of the current aggregation, which is obtained in consideration of the currently received value. It is the same value received this time. This “current value” becomes the “previous value” that is the reference in the next aggregation.

  Here, in each printer 240, the number of ink shots calculated from the start of operation is accumulated, and the accumulated value is provided to the printer manufacturer 100 at each time of counting. The amount of ink used up to the sum of the values appears in “Difference” in the table.

  Therefore, the total sum of the differences obtained for each printer 240 is the total ink amount used by Company X 200 from the previous aggregation to the current aggregation. Therefore, the printer manufacturer 100 determines the charge amount from the previous aggregation to the current aggregation by multiplying the total ink amount by the ink unit price per shot. Thereafter, the printer manufacturer 100 sends an invoice based on the charged amount to the company X, and the payment is made from the company X 200 to the printer manufacturer 100 based on the invoice.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the number of one printer is increased as compared with FIG. This is because the number of ink shots accompanied by the printer serial number corresponding to the new printer is transmitted together with the billing status information because one new printer has been introduced at Company X. The printer is reflected in the table, and charging is performed based on the number of ink shots including the new printer.

  Here, for some reason, for example, when a certain printer 240 is powered off at the time of counting and charging status information corresponding to the printer 240 cannot be obtained, the current receipt is received as shown in FIG. The value you entered will be blank. In this case, the difference column is also blank (that is, 0) and is not counted in the current aggregation, and the “current value” of the printer 240 in the current aggregation is the same as the “previous value”.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13D, when the charging status information is obtained from the corresponding printer 240 in the next aggregation, the “currently received value” is a total value for two aggregations. Therefore, the billing according to the amount of ink used that could not be billed last time is billed together in the current billing.

By performing the totaling work in this way, even when the printer 240 is arranged at a remote location far from the printer manufacturer 100, it is possible to make a charge according to the amount of ink used by each printer 240 with certainty.
If the charging status does not arrive from a certain printer 240 over a long period of time, it can be investigated that some problem has occurred.

Next, the ink cartridge ID will be described.
The ink cartridge ID sent together with the billing status information indicates whether or not the corresponding ink cartridge has been securely attached to the printer 240 and whether or not the ink cartridge has been used until the ink end is continuously reached.

  FIG. 14 is a table summarizing the ink cartridge ID portion of the charging status information received by the printer manufacturer 100 from the main server 210 (Company X 200).

  In the table shown in FIG. 14, first, the ink cartridge IDs of the ink cartridges shipped to the company X by the printer maker 100 are listed together with the shipping date based on the shipping records remaining in the printer maker 100. When the ink cartridge ID in the billing status information, specifically, the newly installed ink cartridge ID and the ink cartridge ID at the ink end is received, whether or not each ink cartridge has been used is determined. It is described as “cartridge use start date” and “ink end date”. The “ink cartridge use start date” and “ink end date” may be rough for the time being. For example, the date counted from the printer 240 may be included in the billing status information, and the date may be recorded. Good. Note that if the received ink cartridge ID matches the previously received ink cartridge ID, the printer manufacturer 100 ignores the already received ink cartridge ID and reflects only the first received ink cartridge ID. It should be reflected in the list.

  The printer manufacturer 100 can indirectly grasp the status of the ink cartridges shipped from the printer manufacturer 100 to the company X by creating the tabulation table regarding the ink cartridges in this way.

For example, as the printer manufacturer 100 aggregates the data except for the initial stage of introduction, the cycle from when the ink cartridge is shipped to being used and finally collected by the printer manufacturer 100 is statistical. Predictable. Investigate and investigate the cause of ink cartridges that have been shipped but are not used outside this cycle or have not been collected despite being in the ink end. Is possible.
In this example, an example in which multi-color inks are configured by one common ink cartridge has been described, but an ink cartridge that is different for each color can be implemented in the same manner as in this example.
In this example, an example of an ink jet printer and an ink cartridge has been described. However, in a laser printer and a toner cartridge, instead of the number of shots in this example, a value that can be converted into a toner usage amount such as a predetermined energization time unit is used. By using it, it is possible to carry out similarly to this example.

(About printer repair)
As described above, in charging based on the number of ink shots, the number of ink shots is cumulatively counted for each printer 240, and therefore, the identification of each printer, that is, the printer serial number is important. In each printer 240, since the number of ink shots is counted based on the cumulative value from the start of use, if the cumulative value is cleared at a certain time, the cumulative information from the start of use is lost. End up.

  Therefore, when the control board consisting of a flash ROM or the like storing the printer serial number or the number of ink shots is replaced when repairing the printer 240, the printer serial number, the number of ink shots, and the ink cartridge ID are changed from the board before the replacement. It is preferable to read the charging status including the information and write the information on a new control board.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an entire ink billing system that performs ink billing using a printer and a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a printer according to an embodiment. It is the external appearance perspective view which opened the two front covers of the printer of this embodiment, and showed the inside. It is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge attached to the printer of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of an in-store server and a printer. It is a functional block diagram showing internal processing of the in-store server and the printer. It is the schematic diagram which showed each storage area in an information storage part. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge ID reading area. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when power is turned on or when a cartridge is mounted. 10 is a flowchart for describing processing for storing an ink cartridge ID in an ink cartridge ID storage area. It is a flowchart explaining the process at the time of an ink end. It is a flowchart explaining collection of charging status. This is an example in which the number of ink shots is collected from the charging status information received by the printer manufacturer from the main server. 10 is a table summarizing an ink cartridge ID portion of charging status information received by a printer manufacturer from a main server (Company X).

Explanation of symbols

20 Ink cartridge 100 Printer manufacturer 200 Company X 210 Main server 220, 230 In-store server 240 Printer 307 Print control unit 309 Shot number analysis unit 310 Ink remaining amount analysis unit 311 Cartridge control unit 312 Information storage unit 312a Printer serial number storage area 312b Ink remaining amount storage area 312c Cumulative ink shot number storage area 312d Ink cartridge ID storage area 313 Transmission information generation / transmission unit 324 Shot information acquisition unit 325 Charging status acquisition unit 326 Charging status storage unit 400 Y company

Claims (8)

A printer that is communicably connected to an information processing apparatus and performs image recording in response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus,
An ink cartridge mounting portion on which a storage element storing an ink cartridge identification number is mounted, and an ink cartridge storing ink is detachably mounted;
A print control unit for fixing the ink on a predetermined sheet and recording an image;
An information storage unit for memorize a device identification number identifying the printer,
Based on the dot pattern data generated based on the print data, the ink amount discharged from the print head is counted as the number of shots in dot units, thereby calculating the number of ink shots used only for the image recording, the ink use amount calculating unit that memorize the information storage unit,
From the storage element of the mounted ink cartridge for each reading the ink cartridge identification number, the ink cartridge remembers the identification number in the information storage unit, further, the ink cartridge in which the ink is equal to or less than Jo Tokoro wherein the ink cartridge identification number, the time to memorize in the information storage unit as an ink cartridge is the ink end, the ink cartridge identification number of the mounted ink cartridge, the ink cartridge identifying the ink cartridge has become the ink end stored in the information storage unit having a status storage unit to distinguish and store the number, further, the ink cartridge memorize in the memory device to count the number of times the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion A control unit;
Generates the information storage unit to memorize has been that the ink end and become the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge identification number, billing status information including the ink shot count used only in the device identification number and the image recording, the A transmission information generation and transmission unit for transmitting to the information processing device,
The ink cartridge control unit, when the billing status information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, which corresponds to transmit ink cartridge identification number of the ink cartridges has become the ink end, whether sent or not The printer stores the transmission information shown in the information storage unit as transmitted.   The installed ink cartridge is a newly installed ink cartridge,
  The printer according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information generation / transmission unit generates charging status information including an ink cartridge identification number of the newly installed ink cartridge and transmits the charging status information to the information processing apparatus. The information storage unit, move the ink cartridge identification number of an ink cartridge wherein became ink cartridge identification numbers of the installed ink cartridge and the ink end is capable predetermined number Symbol 憶,
The ink cartridge control unit, when storing ink cartridge identification numbers of the information the ink cartridge identification number in the storage unit is said predetermined number Symbol 憶 ink cartridges that are further newly mounted state, the information storage portion claims wherein the transmission information is deleted one of the set ink cartridge identification number to sent, characterized in that it memorize the ink cartridge identification number of the newly mounted ink cartridge in the information storage unit Item 2. The printer according to Item 1 . The ink cartridge control unit, in a state where the ink cartridge identification number in the information storage unit is the predetermined number Symbol 憶, as the transmission information are both transmitted in the SL 憶 has been that the ink cartridge identification number If not stored, the printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is determined that the error. An information processing device;
A printer system including a printer that is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus and that records an image in response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus;
The printer is
An ink cartridge mounting portion on which a storage element storing an ink cartridge identification number is mounted, and an ink cartridge storing ink is detachably mounted;
A print control unit for fixing the ink on a predetermined sheet and recording an image;
An information storage unit for memorize a device identification number identifying the printer,
Based on the dot pattern data generated based on the print data, the ink amount discharged from the print head is counted as the number of shots in dot units, thereby calculating the number of ink shots used only for the image recording, and the ink use amount calculating unit that memorize information storage unit,
From the storage element of the mounted ink cartridge for each reading the ink cartridge identification number, the ink cartridge remembers the identification number in the information storage unit, further, the ink cartridge in which the ink is equal to or less than Jo Tokoro wherein the ink cartridge identification number, the time to memorize in the information storage unit as an ink cartridge is the ink end, the ink cartridge identification number of the mounted ink cartridge, the ink cartridge identifying the ink cartridge has become the ink end stored in the information storage unit having a status storage unit to distinguish and store the number, further, the ink cartridge memorize in the memory device to count the number of times the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion A control unit;
Generates the information storage unit to memorize has been that the ink end and become the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge identification number, billing status information including the ink shot count used only in the device identification number and the image recording, the A transmission information generation and transmission unit for transmitting to the information processing device,
When the charging status information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, the ink cartridge control unit corresponds to the ink cartridge identification number of the transmitted ink cartridge that is the ink end, and indicates whether or not the transmission has been performed. Store the transmission information in the information storage unit as transmitted,
The information processing apparatus includes a charging status acquisition unit that requests the printer to transmit charging status information and acquires the charging status information from the printer.   The installed ink cartridge is a newly installed ink cartridge,
  The printer system according to claim 5, wherein the transmission information generation / transmission unit generates charging status information including an ink cartridge identification number of the newly installed ink cartridge and transmits the charging status information to the information processing apparatus. The billing status information is transferred from the information processing apparatus to a cartridge supplier that supplies the ink cartridge via a network.
6. The printer system according to claim 5 , wherein the cartridge supplier charges the user of the printer based on the billing status information. A charging method for charging a price according to the number of ink shots of ink used only for image recording performed by a printer,
And performing image recording by fixing the ink on the predetermined paper,
A step of memorize a device identification number identifying the printer,
Based on the dot pattern data generated based on the print data, by counting the amount of ink ejected from the print head as the number of shots in dot units, and calculates the ink shot count used only in the image recorder 憶 And steps to
Wherein the ink has a memory element is provided for storing ink cartridge identification number to the ink cartridges stored, it reads the ink cartridge ID number from the storage element of the mounted ink cartridge, remembers, further, ink the identification number of the ink cartridge in which the ink is equal to or less than Jo Tokoro amount, when stored as an ink cartridge is the ink end, the ink cartridge identification number of the mounted ink cartridge, which has become the ink end Distinguishing and storing the ink cartridge identification number of the cartridge ;
A step of memorize by counting the number of times the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion,
Billing status information can be generated and communicated based on the device identification number stored in the information storage unit, the number of ink shots used only for the image recording, and the ink cartridge identification number of the ink cartridge that became the ink end Transmitting to an information processing device connected to
When the billing status information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, the transmission information corresponding to the ink cartridge identification number of the ink cartridge that has transmitted the ink end is stored as transmitted. A billing method comprising the steps of:

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