CN100522625C - Printer and printing system - Google Patents
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- CN100522625C CN100522625C CN 200610137457 CN200610137457A CN100522625C CN 100522625 C CN100522625 C CN 100522625C CN 200610137457 CN200610137457 CN 200610137457 CN 200610137457 A CN200610137457 A CN 200610137457A CN 100522625 C CN100522625 C CN 100522625C
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Abstract
A printer 240 calculates the amount of ink used only for printing as a number of discharged ink shots, and sends this shot count with the printer serial number and ink cartridge ID to a server 220 . The server 220 saves the shot count, printer serial number, ink cartridge ID, and an error correction code as status information. The server 220 or server upstream from the server 220 can reliably determine the number of ink shots used by the printer 240 only for printing from this status information.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates generally to a kind of printer and print system, more specifically, relates to a kind of printer and print system of using the print cartridge of storage ink, ink powder or other recording materials.
Background technology
Printer such as ink-jet printer and laser printer by placing or the recording materials of thawing such as ink or ink powder, comes print text, image or other content on common paper, speciality paper or other recording medium usually on recording medium.Ink or ink powder are stored in usually and can freely be installed on the printer or from the print cartridge that printer disassembles.When the ink in the print cartridge in using the process of printer or ink powder exhaust, can add ink or ink powder by only changing print cartridge.
Printer manufacturer also is provided at ink or the ink powder print cartridge that uses in its printer to the end user usually, therefore also sells the print cartridge that is filled with ink or ink powder usually.
Recently, the Fare Collection System (print system) that manufacturer exploitation makes new advances is used for coming printer user is charged according to the ink that consumes or the amount of ink powder rather than the print cartridge that sells separately.
For example, the open 2000-309147 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application has instructed a kind of Fare Collection System, and wherein, printer has been stored about each ID the consumption information of consumptive material (for example how consumes toner and used how many paper).When request, printer sends to data processing terminal with this consumption information, and data processing terminal calculates the printer usage charges according to this consumption information according to predetermined formula.
The open 2004-90517 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application has instructed a kind of ink-jet printer, has the pay imformation administrative unit that is used to manage the ink consumption.This pay imformation administrative unit is calculated consumption of ink according to the size and the quantity of the ink droplet of printhead injection.
The open 2002-36582 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application discloses a kind of Fare Collection System, and wherein, ink-jet printer uses optical sensor to measure how many inks of residue in the ink cartridge, and calculates the ink consumption according to how many inks of residue.The data processing equipment that links to each other with this ink-jet printer obtains and has used the relevant data of how many inks (below abbreviate " ink consumption " as) from ink-jet printer, and data that will be relevant with the ink consumption send to the server of service centre by network.Then, the charge module of moving on the server of service centre is consulted the ink Fee Schedule, calculates charge amount according to the ink consumption, and the user is charged.
Yet, when actual installation and when using these Fare Collection Systems, following problem can appear.
Above the Fare Collection System usually a plurality of users' of management a plurality of printers and a plurality of print cartridge, therefore need a kind ofly can discern the system that each printer and each print cartridge obtain ink consumption information.
Yet, using in the transaction of this Fare Collection System in reality, Fare Collection System operator (side of printer or print cartridge is provided) often is in different positions with actual printer user.Under the situation of ink-jet printer, this need form a kind of system, and wherein, only the ink that consumes from the particular ink box that the operator provides to the user at reality comes the user is charged.
For the user from remote location obtains the ink usage data reliably, also must improve the reliability of obtaining data from printer, for example, realize by the mistake that prevents to transmit in the data.
In the operation of this Fare Collection System, the operator of Fare Collection System must know at the residing remote location of user how to use ink cartridge, reclaims the ink cartridge that exhausts in time, and keeps providing the new ink cartridge that is filled with ink to the user.Therefore, the Systems Operator must store reliably the relevant accurate information of which ink cartridge newly has been installed with the ink cartridge that exhausts and in printer.
Be positioned at service centre and handle the server that calculates and to be used to receive and store the ink cartridge data that receive from printer.Yet if the server of service centre is lost the ink cartridge data for some reason, the operator can not obtain the data of the used ink cartridge of user.In addition, because if can not obtain the ink cartridge data from printer, then the operator can not know when collect the ink cartridge that exhausts, and therefore can not provide the ink cartridge that fills up to the user when needed.This obviously can cause transaction issues.
Summary of the invention
A kind of printer and print system according to one aspect of the invention are managed a plurality of print cartridges independently, and the printer system that obtains the data relevant from printer, keep the reliability of the ink cartridge data obtained from printer with the consumption of the recording materials of for example ink and so on.
Printer according to a further aspect of the invention and print system can be operated print system not needing to be written under the situation of ink tank information.
(1) a first aspect of the present invention is a kind of printer, can link to each other communicatedly with data processing equipment, is used for coming document image according to the order that receives from data processing equipment, and this printer comprises:
Data storage cell is used for stored information;
The print cartridge installation unit is used to install the print cartridge of stored record material;
The print cartridge control module is used for reading the print cartridge identification number from the memory device that is positioned at print cartridge, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell;
Send the data generation unit, be used to produce status information, described status information comprises the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell; And
Transmitting element is used for status information is sent to data processing equipment.
(2) a second aspect of the present invention is the printer according to first aspect present invention, also comprises:
Data storage cell is used for the device id of storaging mark printer;
Recording materials consumption computing unit only is used for calculating to have used how many recording materials at the image record, and it is stored in data storage cell; And
Send the data generation unit, produce status information, the amount that described status information comprises the print cartridge identification number, is stored in the device id in the data storage cell and is used for the recording materials of image record.
(3) a third aspect of the present invention is according to the present invention first or the printer of second aspect, wherein, when in the print cartridge installation unit print cartridge being installed, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of new installation.
(4) a fourth aspect of the present invention be according to the present invention first to the third aspect any one printer, wherein, when the recording materials amount in the print cartridge is less than or equal to predeterminated level, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and write down this print cartridge identification number, as the print cartridge that uses up recording materials.
(5) a fifth aspect of the present invention is any one printer in first to fourth aspect according to the present invention, wherein, when transmitting element when data processing equipment sends status information, the print cartridge control module keeps the identification number that is stored in the data storage cell, the transmission state of the print cartridge that the print cartridge identification number that sends is identified is set to expression and has sent, and the transmission state is stored in the data storage cell.
(6) a sixth aspect of the present invention is the printer according to fifth aspect present invention, wherein, the print cartridge control module is deleted the print cartridge identification number that the transmission state is set to represent the print cartridge that sent from data storage cell, and the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that will newly install stores data storage cell into.
(7) a seventh aspect of the present invention is the printer of the 5th or the 6th aspect according to the present invention, wherein, at the print cartridge identification number, memory limitations is set in data storage cell, and
If when storage print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications and all be not set to expression and send, then print cartridge control module error process process.
(8) a eighth aspect of the present invention is any one printer in first to the 7th aspect according to the present invention, wherein:
Print cartridge is stored multiple recording materials; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the described multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell.
(9) a ninth aspect of the present invention is first printer to eight aspect according to the present invention, wherein:
Recording materials are inks; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit is determined used quantity of ink by the printer serial number that sprays is counted.
(10) a tenth aspect of the present invention is the printer according to ninth aspect present invention, and wherein, the quantity of ink that recording materials consumption computing unit will not be used to make printhead can spray ink is as the part of ink consumption.
(11) a eleventh aspect of the present invention is a kind of print system, comprising:
Data processing equipment; And
Printer can link to each other communicatedly with data processing equipment, is used for coming document image according to the order that receives from data processing equipment, and this printer comprises:
Data storage cell is used for stored information;
The print cartridge installation unit is used to install the print cartridge of stored record material;
The print cartridge control module is used for reading the print cartridge identification number from the memory device that is positioned at print cartridge, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell;
Send the data generation unit, be used to produce status information, described status information comprises the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell; And
Transmitting element is used for status information is sent to data processing equipment.
(12) a twelveth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in a eleventh aspect of the present invention, and wherein, printer also comprises:
Data storage cell is used for the device id of storaging mark printer;
Recording materials consumption computing unit, how many recording materials are used for calculating has only be used for the image record, and it is stored in data storage cell; And
Send the data generation unit, produce status information, the amount that described status information comprises the print cartridge identification number, is stored in the device id in the data storage cell and is used for the recording materials of image record.
(13) a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 11 or the 12, and wherein, data processing equipment comprises the state acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to send status information and receives status information from printer.
(14) a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, and wherein, the state acquiring unit keeps the error correcting code of data reliability to add status information to being used for.
(15) a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in any in aspect the of the present invention the 11 to the 14, wherein:
When terminal device link to each other with data processing equipment by network and data processing equipment when terminal device sends status information,
Terminal device calculates the recording materials usage charges according to this status information.
(16) a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in a eleventh aspect of the present invention, wherein, data processing equipment comprises recording materials consumption acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to use how many recording materials, and obtains from printer and to have used how many recording materials.
(17) a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in any in aspect the of the present invention the 11 to the 16, wherein, when in the print cartridge installation unit, print cartridge being installed, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of new installation.
(18) a eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in any in aspect the of the present invention the 11 to the 17, wherein, when the recording materials amount in the print cartridge is less than or equal to predeterminated level, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and write down this print cartridge identification number, as the print cartridge that uses up recording materials.
(19) a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in any in the present invention's the 11 to the tenth eight aspect, wherein, when transmitting element when data processing equipment sends status information, the print cartridge control module keeps the identification number that is stored in the data storage cell, the transmission state of the print cartridge that the print cartridge identification number that sends is identified is set to expression and has sent, and the transmission state is stored in the data storage cell.
(20) a twentieth aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 19, wherein, the print cartridge control module is deleted the print cartridge identification number that the transmission state is set to represent the print cartridge that sent from data storage cell, and the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that will newly install stores data storage cell into.
(21) the of the present invention the 20 on the one hand is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 19 or the 20, wherein, at the print cartridge identification number, memory limitations is set in data storage cell, and
If when storage print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications and all be not set to expression and send, then print cartridge control module error process process.
(22) the 22 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in any in the present invention the 11 to the 20 on the one hand, wherein:
Print cartridge is stored multiple recording materials; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the described multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell.
(23) the 23 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 11 to the 22, wherein:
Recording materials are inks; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit is determined used quantity of ink by the printer serial number that sprays is counted.
(24) the 24 aspect of the present invention is the print system of describing in aspect the present invention the 23, and wherein, the quantity of ink that recording materials consumption computing unit will not be used to make printhead can spray ink is as the part of ink consumption.
[effect of the present invention]
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, and printer sends the print cartridge identification number to data processing equipment.Data processing equipment or can determine that with the terminal device that is connected the data processing equipment upstream which in a plurality of print cartridges reality used.As a result, the Systems Operator can know reality has been used which print cartridge that offers the user, and the part that can only use at reality is charged to the user.
Data processing equipment as used herein is not special restriction, as long as data processing equipment can and be controlled printer with printer communication.For example, data processing equipment can be a server, the POS terminal that is used to control the general purpose terminal equipment or the computer (for example PC) of printer or is used to control printer prints magazine, receipt, bill, reward voucher, label or other medium.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, and printer is to data processing equipment transmitting apparatus identification number and only be used for the recording materials amount that image writes down.If there are a plurality of printers to link to each other with data processing equipment, data processing equipment or the terminal device that is connected the data processing equipment upstream can be determined that each printer only is used for printing and use how many recording materials.When in according to the Fare Collection System that has used how many recording materials to come client is charged, using a plurality of printer, can determine the recording materials consumption individually at each printer, can collect and tabulate, and can come the user is charged according to the recording materials consumption from the data of all printers.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, and printer is to data processing equipment transmitting apparatus identification number and only be used to recording materials amount and the print cartridge identification number printed.When a plurality of printers linked to each other with data processing equipment, data processing equipment or the terminal device that is connected the data processing equipment upstream can be known and which print cartridge be installed in each printer and consumed how many recording materials.Therefore, even when the recording materials Fare Collection System is followed the tracks of the recording materials of a plurality of printers, also can determine to have used how many recording materials from each print cartridge.
In addition, by collecting and tabulated data from all printers, the recording materials Fare Collection System can determine whether to exist and offer the user but the print cartridge that is not used.Can also determine whether to exist the print cartridge of unusual use, although for example should exhaust when still using print cartridge when recording materials.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, when in the print cartridge installation unit, print cartridge being installed, the print cartridge control module of printer reads the print cartridge identification number, and the conduct of storage print cartridge identification number is the print cartridge of installation newly, and the print cartridge identification number is sent to data processing equipment.Therefore data processing equipment can determine reliably which print cartridge has been installed in which printer.Data processing equipment can also know when print cartridge moves on to another printer from a printer.
When the recording materials Fare Collection System comprises a plurality of printer, the recording materials Fare Collection System can be determined the consumption of each print cartridge, and, can determine whether reliably that the print cartridge that provides is not installed in the printer as yet by the data of receiving from all printer interface are tabulated.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, when the recording materials amount in the print cartridge that uses in the print cartridge installation unit drops to when being lower than predeterminated level, the print cartridge control module of printer reads the print cartridge identification number, and the print cartridge identification number is deposited with in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of sky, and after a while the print cartridge identification number is sent to data processing equipment.Therefore data processing equipment can know reliably when which print cartridge has been used up recording materials (that is, becoming empty).
In addition, when the recording materials Fare Collection System comprises a plurality of printer, the recording materials Fare Collection System can be determined the consumption of each print cartridge, and by the data of receiving from all printer interface are tabulated, can determine whether not return as yet the print cartridge that exhausts recording materials (for empty) reliably.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, the print cartridge control module of printer keeps the print cartridge identification number that sends to data processing equipment in data storage cell, rather than delete this print cartridge identification number, and by adding the print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number that storage is read from the storage device of the print cartridge of new installation in data storage cell.
If because some problems, for example data processing equipment collapse after receiving the print cartridge identification number, lost the print cartridge identification number that data processing equipment received afterwards, then because printer has still been stored the print cartridge identification number that sends to data processing equipment, data processing equipment can obtain required print cartridge identification number again by sending the request of transmission to printer once more.More specifically, because therefore the print cartridge identification number always by printer or data processing equipment storage, even the print system existing problems can not lost the print cartridge identification number yet, and can keep stable print system operation.
Utilization is according to printer of the present invention and print system, printer keeps the print cartridge identification number that sends to data processing equipment in data storage cell, rather than deletion print cartridge identification number, and the transmission state of the print cartridge identification number that sends is set to " sending " state.Therefore can distinguish print cartridge identification number that has sent and the print cartridge identification number that does not send.More specifically; printer can be distinguished and be stored in the data storage cell and must remain on the print cartridge identification number of (promptly by write-protected) in the data storage cell and send to data processing equipment and therefore can be wiped free of (promptly not write-protected) print cartridge identification number if desired owing to be not sent to data processing equipment as yet, and the print cartridge identification number that therefore can avoid newly reading adds and storage (rewriting) to the address of having stored write-protected print cartridge identification number.
Utilize according to a further aspect of the invention printer and print system, printer is wiped the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that (or rewriting) transmission state is set to send, then the print cartridge identification number that newly reads of storage.Therefore, limited and must store the print cartridge identification number that exceeds this memory capacity the time when the memory capacity that can be used for storing the print cartridge identification number in the data storage cell, also can use the present invention.Therefore the present invention can with owing to printer uses together for each printer that uses different print cartridges to store a plurality of print cartridge identification numbers in the multiple color.In addition, as long as be no more than the memory capacity of data storage cell, just can be retained in the memory, make data processing equipment can repeatedly obtain the print cartridge identification number that had before received as required by the print cartridge identification number that printer will send to data processing equipment.
Utilize according to a further aspect of the invention printer and print system, if cartridge identifier is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications and all be not set to expression and send, printer error process process then.If because the memory capacity that some problems make the print cartridge identification number of storing in memory cell be sent to data storage cell before the data processing equipment becomes full, then can the error process process, and do not delete or overwriting data.Therefore, the print cartridge identification number that is not sent to data processing equipment as yet can be stored in the memory reliably.Can give the user with error reporting, make the user repair or check that this printer operates reposefully to keep print system.
Utilize according to a further aspect of the invention printer and print system, each print cartridge has been stored multiple recording materials, recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell, and after a while this information is sent to data processing equipment.Even when each print cartridge comprises multiple recording materials, therefore data processing equipment also can determine the recording materials consumption reliably.
When with a plurality of printer service recorder material Fare Collection System, can determine the consumption of every kind of recording materials in each print cartridge, and, can determine from each print cartridge, to use which kind of recording materials maximum by the data of receiving from all printer interface are tabulated with adding up.When changing print cartridge subsequently, can use how much provide print cartridge according to every kind of recording materials.If use different print cartridges for every kind of recording materials, the print cartridge that more comprises the most frequently used recording materials can be provided.When in a print cartridge, having stored multiple recording materials, can optionally provide the print cartridge that has larger capacity for recording materials more commonly used.
Utilize according to a further aspect of the invention printer and print system, recording materials are inks, and recording materials consumption computing unit is determined the ink consumption according to the printer serial number that sprays.Therefore, by printer serial number is counted, can determine only to be used to the quantity of ink of printing reliably.As a result, can come reliably the user to be charged at the quantity of ink that is actually used in printing.
Recording materials are not limited to ink, and can be ink powders for example.
Consumption is not used to make printer to keep the ink of normal running conditions to be used as the part of ink consumption according to the recording materials consumption computing unit in printer of the present invention and the print system, the described ink that makes printer keep normal running conditions promptly consumes and is used for cleaning operation, recovers nozzle that stops up or the ink of filling the Mo Zhu path.As a result, can calculate the ink that is actually used in printing reliably.
In print system according to the present invention, data processing equipment has the state acquiring unit, is used to ask printer transmission status information and receives status information from printer.Therefore, printer can send status information to data processing equipment in response to the request from the state acquiring unit when wishing.
The status information that state acquiring unit in the print system according to a further aspect of the invention adds the error correcting code that is used for keeping data reliability to reception.If after producing, changed status information, then, can when receiving, detect the existence that changes by data processing equipment by using error correcting code by some mode.When in the recording materials Fare Collection System, using print system of the present invention, then can improve from the reliability of the status information of printer reception, can avoid owing to garble or distort the change that causes, and can improve the reliability of recording materials Fare Collection System.
Utilization is sent to the terminal device that to print system provide the print cartridge supplier of print cartridge safeguarded with status information from data processing equipment by network according to print system of the present invention, and terminal device calculates the recording materials usage charges according to this status information.Therefore, the print cartridge supplier can come printer user is charged at the amount of using.Therefore, by obtaining status information from printer and sending this information to the print cartridge supplier, can provide reality and highly reliable recording materials Fare Collection System.
Data processing equipment in the print system according to a further aspect of the invention has recording materials consumption acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to use how many recording materials and obtains from printer used how many recording materials.Therefore, wish to know to have used how many recording materials by the printer report, and confirmed when having used how many recording materials when data processing equipment by data processing equipment.
In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, by the following explanation of reference and claim, more easily understanding and cognition other purpose of the present invention and achievement.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is to use the block diagram that comes ink Fare Collection System that the ink consumption is charged according to printer of the present invention and print system.
Fig. 2 is the outside oblique view of printer according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 opens outside oblique view with the printer of showing printer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two protecgulums.
Fig. 4 is mounted in the oblique view according to the ink cartridge of installing in the printer of the present invention.
Fig. 5 shows the block diagram of the electronics setting of shop server and printer.
Fig. 6 is the functional block diagram of the inter-process of shop server and printer.
Fig. 7 schematically shows the storage area in the data storage cell.
Fig. 8 schematically shows ink cartridge ID storage area.
Fig. 9 is a flow chart of describing the process of carrying out when printer energising or installation ink cartridge.
Figure 10 is a flow chart of describing the process of carrying out when ink cartridge uses up ink.
Figure 11 is the flow chart that is used in the process of ink cartridge ID storage area storage ink cartridge ID.
Figure 12 is the flow chart of charge state information collection process.
Figure 13 A to Figure 13 D shows the example of the black pearl counting the charge status information that is received from master server by printer manufacturer.
Figure 14 is the table of the ink cartridge ID of printer manufacturer from the charge status information that master server (X of company) receives.
The specific embodiment
Below with reference to accompanying drawing preferred embodiment according to printer of the present invention and print system is described.At the Fare Collection System that uses printer and print system, describe the embodiment according to printer of the present invention and print system of the print cartridge that uses storage ink, ink powder or other recording materials in detail below.
Fig. 1 shows use according to printer of the present invention and the print system block diagram with the ink Fare Collection System that comes at used quantity of ink the user is charged.Fig. 2 is the outside oblique view according to the printer of this embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3 is that protecgulum is opened the outside oblique view with the printer of showing printer, and Fig. 4 is mounted in the oblique view of the ink cartridge in the printer in this embodiment of the invention.
Ink Fare Collection System notion
In ink Fare Collection System according to this embodiment of the invention, the print cartridge that is filled with as the ink of recording materials is supplied in terminal device 100 management that printer manufacturer (supplier who comprises the print cartridge of recording materials (for example ink or ink powder)) is moved to the X of company 200 (print cartridge user), wherein the X of company 200 has bought a plurality of color inkjet printers 240, and by the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer, the quantity of ink that is used for printer according to printer 240 has been paid the ink expense.
In this ink Fare Collection System, the X of company 200 sends reward voucher and obtains the company of advertising income according to the reward voucher number that sends at specific products.The X of company 200 the Y of company 400 (for example client of the X of company 200) have or a plurality of shops 410 to 440 of managing in shop server (data handling system) 220,230 has been installed and a plurality of printers 240 of buying from printer manufacturer (for the sake of simplicity, in Fig. 1, only show in shop 410 and 420 shop server and printer).Each printer 240 can link to each other with shop server 220,230 communicatedly by LAN.
The Y of company 400 is supermarket or other retailer in this example.Printer 240 can be the printer that is used to print receipt, but is described to different types of printer in this embodiment of the invention.More specifically, printer 240 is installed in each shop 410 to 440 near each POS terminal, as the printer that is used for print out coupons.For example, each printer 240 is arranged to according to the instruction that is installed in the shop server 220,230 in the identical shop, sends the reward voucher that is linked with the specialities information of importing from the POS terminal.POS terminal operator by the Y400 of company gives client with the reward voucher that sends then.
Printer manufacturer in this ink Fare Collection System comes to comprise the ink cartridge (below be called " print cartridge ") of ink to the X of company supply according to demand.The terminal device 100 that can be moved by printer manufacturer comes forecast demand according to user's ink consumption.Printer 240 is installed in the cashier that has the POS terminal among the Y of company 400.The ink cartridge that the X of company 200 is provided is installed in the printer 240.Be positioned at the scanner scanning bar code (comprising the product code that is attached on each product) of POS terminal, shop server 220,230 obtains and the corresponding product information of each product code then, determines whether to exist the coupon information that will print.If there is the coupon information that will print, then server sends suitable print data to send reward voucher to printer 240.Shop server 220,230 in each shop 410 to 440 is regularly collected the information relevant with the ink consumption from each printer 240 that links to each other, and this information is sent to master server 210.
Ink Fare Collection System according to this embodiment of the invention is only charged at the quantity of ink that is used for print out coupons or other content.Not that the ink that is used to print comprises the ink that for example cleaning process, print head recovery process and ink feed complement operation are consumed, comprise that a part of safeguarding as print-head nozzle is used for the ink of flooding nozzle and from the ink of nozzle sucking-off.More specifically, can be free of charge from the ink that operation consumed that printhead sprays ink for making.Therefore, the advantage of native system is that the X of company 200 does not need for not being that the ink that is used for print out coupons is paid.
Printer setup
Next the setting of the printer 240 among this embodiment of the present invention is described.
The printer 240 according to this embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 and 3 is color printers, uses the ink of multiple different colours to come as print image on the coil paper of recording medium and send reward voucher.
As shown in Figure 2, have power switch 3, coil paper lid 5 and ink cartridge hatchcover 7 from left to right in the front of printer casing 2 according to the printer 240 of this embodiment of the invention, printer casing 2 comprises anterior top panel 2a and printer casing lid 2b.Be a plurality of LED lights 6 on power switch 3, be used for to the user report information relevant with printer modes.Coil paper cover each of 5 box ink cartridge hatchcovers 7 can be on the hinge (not shown) of the bottom that is positioned at each lid rotation forward, to open and close.
Open coil paper lid 5 and just opened paper cabin 13, wherein as shown in Figure 3, stored coil paper 11 as printing paper.When opening coil paper like this and cover 5, can change coil paper 11.
Open ink cartridge hatchcover 7 and just can enter print cartridge cabin 15, and can load or change ink cartridge 20 in the print cartridge cabin 15.
As shown in Figure 4, form two locating holes 26 in the bottom of the back side of ink cartridge 20 21a.When in the print cartridge cabin 15 that ink cartridge 20 is loaded into printer 240, by the locating hole 26 direct ink boxes 20 that on the alignment pin (not shown), slide and remain on the appropriate location.Also the middle of 21a forms ink feed opening 21b overleaf, and by these ink feed openings 21b three kinds of inks in the ink cartridge 20 offered printer 240.
Be arranged on discarded ink recovery opening 28 between the locating hole 26 be used to reclaim be used for that printhead cleans, discarded ink that the recovery of plug nozzle and ink feed replenish, promptly be not to be used to print by printer 240 but to be used to make printer to keep print conditions to make the ink that can spray ink from printhead.By this discarded ink recovery opening 28, discarded ink recovery is arrived ink cartridge 20.Therefore ink cartridge 20 according to this embodiment of the invention had both used the ink tank that acts on the supply ink, also with acting on the discarded ink tank of collecting and holding discarded ink.
Relation between shop server and the printer
Describe according to the shop server 220 (230) of the print system of this embodiment of the invention and the relation between the printer 240 below with reference to Fig. 5 and 6.
Fig. 5 shows the schematic block diagram of the electronics setting of shop server 220 (230) and printer 240.
As shown in Figure 5, the major part of shop server 220 (comprising shop server 230 and other server) is CPU 221, ROM 222 (nonvolatile memory), RAM 223 (volatile memory), the hard disk drive 224 as mass-memory unit, input equipment 225 and communication interface 226.221 operations are stored in operating system and the software application in the hard disk drive 224 as CPU, and will order the result who sends to printer 240 with print data by communication interface 226, shop server 220 (230) control printers 240.
Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of having described the internal procedure of shop server 220 (230) and printer 240.
The printer process
The operation of printer 240 is at first described.As shown in Figure 6, printer 240 has receiving element 301 and reception buffer 302.Receiving element 301 receives order and the print data that sends from shop server 220.Order and print data that reception buffer 302 temporary receiving elements 301 receive.The data that the reception buffer of command interpretation unit interprets then 320 receives, and, control command is sent to control command buffer 304 by direct memory access (DMA) (DMA), and print data is sent to print buffer.
The print data of print buffer 305 bufferings is used for printing by print data generating unit 306 conversions then, stores the corresponding dot pattern data of arrangement of nozzles with printhead 247 with generation and in print buffer.For example, this dot pattern data is 2 bit gradation level data, and whether does not spray (1) from the ink of the nozzle ejection of printhead 247 in expression, perhaps according to (2) point, (3) medium dots or (4) a little bigger injection.
Print control unit 307 drives printhead 247 according to the dot pattern data that is stored in the print buffer 305, to form image and produce reward voucher on coil paper 11.
Read the control command data of control command buffer 304 buffering by main control unit 308, carry out for example making the advance process of specific range of paper according to control command.
Black pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 (recording materials consumption computing unit) is next described.
China ink pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 is that unit counts the quantity of ink that sprays from printhead 247 with the point, as the printer serial number of every kind of color ink according to the dot pattern data that is stored in the print data in the print buffer 305 or produces from print data.The quantity of ink that sprays from printhead 247 is according to the size of each point and difference is little, medium or big and difference according to each point promptly.Each size conversion that China ink pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 will be put is corresponding black pearl counting, and calculates and sprayed how many black pearls.Then, the black pearl counting that calculated of black pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 is stored in the data storage cell 312.Also store the accumulation China ink pearl counting that begins from the particular point in time of for example changing 20 times of ink cartridge.
309 pairs of China ink pearl analysis of accounts unit spray with the quantity of ink of printing at coil paper 11 from printhead 247 to be counted, with the point is the black pearl counting that unit is converted to every kind of color, and consumption is not used to guarantee that quantity of ink that printhead can spray ink is used as the part of ink consumption, be used to guarantee ink that printhead can spray ink be included in the ink that sprays from printhead 247 during the nozzle rinse, by ink absorption mechanism (not shown) from printhead 247 ink absorbed and the ink that is used for the recovery and the ink load operation of plug nozzle.
Next excess ink analytic unit 310 is described.
Excess ink analytic unit 310 calculates amount of ink remaining in ink cartridge 20 at each color.In the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20, stored the value of residual ink amount in the expression ink cartridge 20 at each color.
When refilling ink to print cartridge, store specific initial value, and arbitrarily the time, can add the ink total amount that is used to make it possible to spray ink by deduct the quantity of ink that is used to print from this initial value from printhead, calculate residual ink amount, be used to make it possible to comprise as mentioned above the ink that recovery and ink load operation by flushing, ink absorption and other clean operation and plug nozzle are consumed from the ink total amount that printhead sprays ink.
Alternatively, can from the black pearl counting of total injection, calculate the excess ink level.The excess ink level can also be expressed as the ratio with initial value.Then predetermined instant utilize print cartridge control module 311 to be stored in the excess ink level of calculating in the data storage cell 312 and the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20 in.When the excess ink level is less than or equal to predeterminated level, think that print cartridge is empty (level of " using up ink ").
Next print cartridge control module 311 is described.
Print cartridge control module 311 is to be used for controlling from the memory device 27 of the ink cartridge 20 that is installed in printer 240 reading data and writing control unit for data to memory device 27.Be linked by print cartridge control module 311 operation that is moved and the print cartridge ID that reads from the ink cartridge of installing, as following further described.
Next come data of description memory cell 312 with reference to figure 7 and Fig. 8.
Fig. 7 schematically shows the storage area in the data storage cell 312.
As shown in Figure 7, data storage cell 312 has printer sequence number storage area 312a, excess ink storage area 312b, the black pearl counting storage area 312c of accumulation and ink cartridge ID storage area 312d.
Printer sequence number storage area 312a storage print machine sequence number (device id), this printer sequence number are the one numbers that is used to distinguish this printer 240 and other printer of identical or different model.
Excess ink storage area 312b is stored in amount of ink remaining in the current print cartridge that is carried in the printer.
The total number of the black pearl that only being used to of accumulating the 312c accumulation of black pearl counting storage area and store that black pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 counted prints.
The ID of the ID of the new ink cartridge of installing of ink cartridge ID storage area 312a storage and the empty ink cartridge of replacing.
Fig. 8 schematically shows the ink cartridge ID storage area of data storage cell 312.
Ink cartridge ID storage area 312d stores the ID of the empty ink cartridge of the ID of ink cartridge of new installation and replacing respectively, and is arranged to these two kinds of ID of storage.Below ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is described as having limited capacity and is used to store the ink cartridge identification number, if but use mass-memory unit for data storage cell 312, then ink cartridge ID storage area 312a can be configured to have no specific memory capacity limit.
Ink cartridge ID storage area 312d comprises indexing unit 312e, ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f and ink cartridge state storage unit 312g.
The ink cartridge ID that ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f storage is read from memory device 27 by print cartridge control module 311.
Ink cartridge state storage unit 312g is stored as the ink cartridge state new or old.The ink cartridge status indication is used to determine that whether the ink cartridge ID that reads from ink cartridge is the ID of the ink cartridge used up of ID number of the ink cartridge installed for the first time or ink.
In this embodiment of the present invention, ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is arranged at each print cartridge control module 311 when memory device 27 reads ink cartridge ID, stores the data from presumptive address (for example 0000h) successively.
Send data generation unit 313 and send request in response to charge state from shop server 220 (230), obtain pay imformation in the data storage cell 312 that is stored in printer 240 (below be called " charge state "), to produce the charge status information, perhaps send request in response to the black pearl counting of accumulation, produce the black pearl count information of accumulation, and information requested is returned shop server 220 (230).
This charge state comprises the new ink cartridge ID that is stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d and the ID of empty ink cartridge.Also can comprise printer sequence number and excess ink information.
Accumulate black pearl count information and only comprise the accumulation China ink pearl counting (perhaps from accumulating the excess ink level of black pearl counting conversion) that is used to print.
The information that comprises this charge status information and the black pearl count information of accumulation can be used as the charge status information alternatively.When shop server 220 (230) sends the transmission request in this case, send data generation unit 313 and return the information that comprises the charge status information and accumulate black pearl count information, as the charge status information of request.
When receiving the charge status information when sending request, send data generation unit 313 this information is compiled as single transmitting element, add verification and improving data reliability, and return results, as the charge status information.Same give the black pearl counting of accumulation add verification and, return the black pearl count information of accumulation.The charge status information that will produce by transmitting element 314 or accumulate black pearl count information and send to shop server 220 (230) then.
Send data generation unit 313 and be not limited to send the charge status information, and can send printer sequence number, excess ink level, the black pearl counting of accumulation, new ink cartridge ID and the empty ink cartridge ID that installs successively with a piece.Can also combine with other data that only comprise the black pearl counting of accumulation and send ink cartridge ID, thereby, improve transmitting efficiency by only sending essential information.
The processing of shop server
Shop server 220 (230) can be carried out various processing by operating system and software application that operation is stored on the hard disk drive 224.Fig. 6 shows printer 240 that a kind of use is positioned at the shop and obtains that reward voucher is printed and the system of charge status information.Shop server 220 (230) comprises communication unit 321, reward voucher image storage unit 322, reward voucher selected cell 323, black pearl information acquisition unit 324 (recording materials consumption acquiring unit), charge state acquiring unit 325 and charge state storage unit 326.
Communication unit 321 communicates with printer 240, and according to instruction from upstream application or API (API), to order and print data sends to printer 240, and by the port (being the LAN port in this example) that is used for communicating with printer 240 from printer 240 reception information.
The view data of a plurality of reward vouchers that reward voucher image storage unit 322 storage can be printed by printer 240.
Select suitable view data in the view data of a plurality of reward vouchers of reward voucher selected cell 323 from be stored in reward voucher image storage unit 322.For example, when being triggered by the POS terminal of finishing transaction, the reward voucher selected cell 323 in the present embodiment is carried out selection course.
More specifically, reward voucher selected cell 323 is selected the view data of the reward voucher that the specialities with purchase of customer are linked.By communication unit 321 selected view data is sent to printer 240, reward voucher is printed and sent to printer 240 then.As a result, when the receipt printer (not shown) that links to each other with the POS terminal sends sales check, sent the reward voucher relevant successively, made and to give client with receipt with reward voucher with the product of purchase of customer.By giving client with reward voucher, the Y of company 400 wishes to lure into that client comes once more and buys other thing.Can send the reward voucher view data to be used for printing to printer 240 from shop server 220 (230).
China ink pearl information acquisition unit 324 request printers 240 send the black pearl count information of accumulation, and according to from the more order of high-level applications (not shown), send the black pearl count information of accumulation by communication unit 321 to printer 240 and send request.When sending the black pearl count information of accumulation send request after when printer 240 receives the black pearl count information of accumulation, the black pearl count information of accumulation is passed to the application program of this information of request.Also will accumulate black pearl count information reception receipt and return to printer 240.Also will accumulate black pearl count information is stored in the charge state storage unit 326.
Charge state acquiring unit 325 request printers 240 send the charge status information, and when more the high-level applications (not shown) is indicated, send the charge status informations by communication unit 321 to printer 240 and send request.When sending the charge status information send request after when printer 240 receives the charge status information, the state acquiring unit 325 of the charging status information of will charging passes to application program.The status information of also will charging receives receipt and returns to printer 240.Information in the charge status information that receives is explained and is stored in the charge state storage unit 326.
When the information in the status information of will charging stores charge state storage unit 326 into, charge state acquiring unit 325 storage print machine sequence numbers, excess ink horizontal data, the black pearl counting of accumulation, new ink cartridge ID and old ink cartridge ID, as single record, no matter be that the form with single or mask data receives the charge status information.
China ink pearl information acquisition unit 324 and charge state acquiring unit 325 add verification and or other error correcting code to total black pearl count information and charge status information.This error correcting code is designed to guarantee the integrality of particular-data unit, and by for example obtaining verification and or the binary system of all data and calculating.Use error correcting code whether for example to make it possible to verify and revised the terminal device 100 whether data or data correctly are sent to printer manufacturer,, then can carry out retransmitting or other error processing procedure if the value of making is different by other certain process.
More specifically, by adding error correcting code to the charge status information, charge state acquiring unit 325 has been avoided distorting, and has been improved data reliability by detecting the mistake in the data that receive.
In this example, add this error correcting code to the charge status information by the charge state acquiring unit 325 of shop server 220 (230), but the present invention is not limited to this.For example, the transmission data generation unit 313 of printer 240 can add error correcting code to the charge status information, makes the charge status information that comprises error correcting code send to shop server 220 (230) from printer.
Printer reads ink cartridge ID, situation 1: when print cartridge is installed
Next with reference to the flow chart among the figure 9 process that is used to read ink cartridge ID when in printer 240 ink cartridge 20 being installed is described.Fig. 9 is a flow chart of describing the process of moving when printer energising or installation ink cartridge.
When in printer 240 new ink cartridge 20 being installed, print cartridge control module 311 reads ink cartridge ID from the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20.
More specifically, when printer 240 energising or the sensor 248 of uncapping detect ink cartridge hatchcover 7 and close (step S1 returns "Yes"), read the excess ink level value (step S2) in the memory device 27 that is stored in ink cartridge 20, and with its compare with the excess ink level value in being stored in data storage cell 312 (step S3).
If two excess ink level values are identical, determine that then the ink cartridge of current installation is identical with energising or replacing ink cartridge ink cartridge before.
If the excess ink level value is inequality, then the ink cartridge of current installation is different with the ink cartridge of energising or the installation before of installation ink cartridge, and print cartridge control module 311 will be stored the conduct ID (step S4) of ink cartridge newly from the ink cartridge ID that ink cartridge memory device 27 reads.
After the new ink cartridge ID of storage, the excess ink level value of storing among the excess ink storage area 312b of print cartridge control module 311 with data storage cell 312 is updated to the value (step S5) that reads from the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20.As a result, it is identical to be stored in the excess ink level value that excess ink level value and printer 240 in the ink cartridge 20 stored.
Print cartridge control module 311 also increases and updates stored in installation counter in the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20.Therefore in ink cartridge 20, upgraded the information that the number of times of ink cartridge 20 is installed in the printer that is illustrated in.Printer 240 can also read the value of this installation counter, and when the installation counter is the value that should not occur between the normal operating period, carries out suitable error processing procedure, the notice that for example will go wrong shop server 220,230.
Printer reads ink cartridge ID, situation 2: when print cartridge is sky
Next the process that reads of ink cartridge ID when printer 240 ink inside boxes are empty (using up the state of ink) is described with reference to the flow chart among Figure 10.Figure 10 is a flow chart of having described the process of carrying out when ink cartridge becomes empty.
In this embodiment of the present invention, excess ink analytic unit 310 determines whether ink cartridge is empty.Excess ink analytic unit 310 calculates the residual ink amount of every kind of color in the ink cartridge 20, to obtain the excess ink level value, if and for any color, the excess ink level value is less than or equal to predetermined value, determine that then ink cartridge is in the state that uses up ink.
If for any one color, the excess ink level value is less than or equal to predeterminated level (step S11 returns "Yes"), then printer 240 utilizes and sends data generation unit 313, use up the state of ink to shop server 220 (230) reports, and make LED light 6 flickers on printer 240 outsides, change the mode (step S12) of ink cartridge 20 as the prompting user.
Print cartridge control module 311 reads ink cartridge ID from the memory device 27 of ink cartridge 20 then, and the ink cartridge ID that reads is stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d of data storage cell 312, as the ID (step S13) of empty ink cartridge.
Storage ink cartridge ID: when ink cartridge is installed and when print cartridge uses up ink
Further describe the ink cartridge ID storing process of carrying out among the step S13 among the step S4 and Figure 10 among Fig. 9 with reference to figure 8 and 11.
Step S4 among Fig. 9 is the process that is used for storage ink cartridge ID when ink cartridge is installed.Figure 11 is a flow chart of describing the process among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d that ink cartridge ID is stored in.Ink cartridge identification number (ID) memory capacity of supposing ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is less, is confined to 20 ink cartridge ID.
In this example, when in ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, having stored four ink cartridge ID, new ink cartridge is installed in print cartridge cabin 15.More specifically, in the example depicted in fig. 8, when having stored new ink cartridge ID20060701001,20060705045 and 20060803104 at address 0000h, 0001h and 0010h place, and when having stored the ink cartridge ID20060701001 that uses up ink at address 0011h place, installation ink cartridge ID is 10060803285 new ink cartridge.
Whether print cartridge control module 311 determines to have in ink cartridge ID storage area 312d enough spaces to store the ink cartridge ID that reads from memory device 27 then.If (step S51 returns "Yes") arranged, then store the ink cartridge ID (step 52) of the new ink cartridge of installing.More specifically, the 0100h place, address in ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f writes ink cartridge ID10060803285, and " newly " or other specific markers are write respective field among the ink cartridge state storage unit 312g.
Yet, if step S51 determines not have the space can be with (step S51 returns "No"), then print cartridge control module 311 determines whether to have sent 20 ink cartridge ID that are stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d by checking whether be provided with mark " r " in indexing unit 312e.If be provided with all 20 marks " r " (step S53 returns "Yes"), then wipe one of 20 ink cartridge ID that sent, and the ink cartridge ID that will newly be installed in the ink cartridge in the print cartridge cabin 15 stores ink cartridge ID storage area 312d (step S54) into.
For example, can be according to FIFO (FIFO), which among 20 ink cartridge ID that sent selection delete, feasible deletion ink cartridge ID the earliest, and new ink cartridge ID is stored (rewriting) arrive identical address.Use example shown in Figure 8, therefore wipe the value of address 0000h place storage in each memory cell, the ink cartridge ID of the ink cartridge newly installed is write identical address 0000h among the ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f, and " newly " write identical address among the ink cartridge state storage unit 312g.
If 20 marks " r " (step S53 returns "No") are not set in step S53, problem then occurred.So print cartridge control module 311 reporting errors, and carry out suitable error processing procedure (step S55).More specifically, if will not be stored in as yet that ink cartridge ID among the ink cartridge ID memory cell 312f sends to shop server 220 and memory capacity is full, by run-time error processing procedure rather than rewrite memory, can store the ink cartridge ID that is not sent to shop server 220 as yet reliably and they can unexpectedly not be wiped free of.Can also inform that storage of subscriber data unit 312 goes wrong, make the user can allow printer manufacturer repair or check printer, move reposefully to keep print system.
Next ink cartridge ID storing process when print cartridge uses up ink among the step S13 of Figure 10 is described.As shown in Figure 8, when the ink cartridge in being installed in print cartridge cabin 15 used up ink, print cartridge control module 311 read ink cartridge ID " 20060705045 ", and whether have living space among definite ink cartridge ID storage area 312d available.If (in this example at address 0101h place) (step S51 returns "Yes") arranged, this ink cartridge of 0101h place, address storage ID 20060705045 (step S52) in ink cartridge ID storage area 312f then, and " old " write identical address among the ink cartridge state storage unit 312g.
If there is not available memory space (step S51 returns "No"), then print cartridge control module 311 has determined whether to send 20 ink cartridge ID that store among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d by whether being provided with mark " r " among the check mark unit 312e.If be provided with all 20 marks " r " (step S53 returns "Yes"), wipe one of 20 ink cartridge ID that sent, and the ink cartridge ID that will newly be installed in the ink cartridge in the print cartridge cabin 15 stores ink cartridge ID storage area 312d (step S54) into.In this case, also preferably come to determine to delete among 20 ink cartridge ID that sent which, make deletion ink cartridge ID the earliest, and identical address is arrived in ink cartridge ID that will be new storage (rewriting) according to FIFO (FIFO).
When ink cartridge arrival used up the state of ink, shop server 220 (230) stopped to print from printer 240, up to having changed ink cartridge.When the user changed ink cartridge after the ID that has stored the print cartridge that uses up ink, order shown in Figure 9 made printer 240 distinguish new ink cartridge, and if new ink be not for empty yet, restart to print.
Replace deletion to send to the ink cartridge ID of shop server 220, this embodiment of the present invention is by adding ID to memory, and the new ink cartridge ID that will read from the memory device 27 of ink cartridge is stored in the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d.The result, for example, if after receiving ink cartridge ID, lose the ink cartridge ID that shop server 220 is received owing to shop server 220 collapses, because the ink cartridge ID that sent still is stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d on the printer, send request so can send another to printer, obtain required print cartridge ID again by shop server 220.
More specifically, because printer 240 and shop server 220 are all stored ink cartridge ID, even print system goes wrong, print system also can stably be operated, and can not lose ink cartridge ID.
In addition, when in ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, not having available memory space, be provided with the ink cartridge ID the earliest that sends mark " r " by deleting successively, according to the new print cartridge ID of FIFO sequential storage.Therefore the present invention can be used for the print system using different ink cartridges thereby read and store ink cartridge ID continually for every kind of color.
By process described below, in shop server, collect the ink cartridge ID that is stored in like this in the printer 240, and Final Report is given the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer then.Ink cartridge ID collection process is described below.
Obtain the charge status information from printer
In response to the order that comes from shop server 220 (230), will comprise that the charge status information of total black pearl counting sends to shop server 220 (230) from printer 240.As mentioned above, the charge status information comprises printer sequence number, excess ink level, total black pearl counting, the ink cartridge ID of new ink cartridge and the ink cartridge ID that uses up the print cartridge of ink, and shop server 220 (230) is organized into the charge status information reporting with this information with error correcting code.Locate at the fixed time then, on master server 210, collect the charge status information, and periodically the charge status information reporting on the master server 210 is given the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.The terminal device 100 (printer manufacturer) of printer manufacturer can be determined the situation of ink consumption He each ink cartridge 20 of printer 240 then.
Further describe the process of collecting the charge status information below with reference to the flow chart among Figure 12.
At first, each printer 240 uses black pearl analysis of accounts unit 309 to count total printer serial number, and utilize excess ink analytic unit 310 and print cartridge control module 311, collection is stored in all the ink cartridge ID among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d, comprise the ink cartridge 20 and the print cartridge 20 that uses up ink of new installation, so just collected charge status information (step S21).
Shop server 220 (230) sends the charge status information by all printers 240 in the shop and sends request, locates at the fixed time to collect charge status information (step S31) from each printer 240.
When printer 240 receives the charge status information when sending request (step S22), printer 240 reads the required information of report charge state from data storage cell 312, and adds verification and to produce charge status information (step S23).The charge status information that transmission data generation unit 313 will produce by transmitting element 314 then sends to shop server 220 (230) (step S24).
When shop server 220 (230) receives charge during status information (step S32) from printer 240, if do not comprise in the charge status information that receives verification and, server adds the data reliability of error correcting code with the charge status information guaranteeing to receive, and temporary this information (step S33).After step S33, shop server 220 (230) sends the affirmation (step S34) of the reception of confirming the charge status information to printer 240.
When printer 240 receives the affirmation of charge status information (step S25), the ink cartridge of the transmission ID that printer 240 is stored among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d is set to send (step S26).More specifically, printer 240 is provided with in indexing unit 312e and sends mark " r ".
Refer again to Fig. 8, before will be provided with the ink cartridge ID20060701001,20060705045,20060803104 and 20060701001 that sends mark " r " and send to shop server, yet when sending the charge status information, all ink cartridge ID from address 0000h to address 0101h (comprising these four ID that before sent and new ink cartridge ID10060803285 and 20060705045) and print cartridge status indication all are sent to shop server 220.Receive the charge status information when confirming when printing 240 subsequently from shop server 220 (230), printer 240 is in to be provided with among the indexing unit 312e at the address 0100h that has stored new ink cartridge ID 10060803285 and 20060705045 and 0101h and sends mark " r ".
By the transmission mark is set when having confirmed the reception of charge status information like this, printer 240 can determine easily whether the ink cartridge ID of storage is ink cartridge ID that has sent or the ink cartridge ID that does not send as yet.As a result, printer 240 can also be avoided unexpectedly writing new ink cartridge ID at the place, address of the ink cartridge ID that does not send as yet.Since printer 240 with write-protect address among the ink cartridge ID storage area 312d (address that sends mark " r " is not set) but and write address (being provided with the address that sends mark " r ") separate, so can control writing more accurately to data storage cell 312.
Be provided with at the ink cartridge ID that sends in step S26 and send after the mark, printer 240 returns step S21, collects the charge status information, and repeating step S22 to S26.As a result, receive the charge status information each time and send when asking, printer 240 sends the charge status informations to shop server 220 (230), adds and any ink cartridge ID that reads subsequently of storage.
In the scheduled time of shop server 220 (230) after printer 240 is collected the charge status information, master server 210 sends request (step S41) to the charge status information that all shop servers 220 (230) send request transmission charge status information.
When receiving charge status information transmission request (step S35), shop server 220,230 sends the charge status information (step S36) of storage to master server 210.When master server 210 receives charge during status information (step S42) from shop server 220,230, master server 210 storage charge status informations.As a result, as long as printer 240 operate as normal, that is, unless particular printer 240 goes wrong or printer 240 cuts out, otherwise master server 210 is just collected the charge status information from all printers 240.
When the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer was asked, the operator of company's X place master server 210 or master server 210 sent the charge status information (step S43) of collecting from all printers to printer manufacturer or the used terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.The status information of can onlinely will charging electronically sends to the used terminal device of printer manufacturer 100, perhaps the charge status information can be recorded and will send the recordable data storage medium such as CD or DVD of printer manufacturer to.As a result, all charge status informations of storage have been sent out or have sent to printer manufacturer or the specified terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer on the master server 210.
Need be once the request that requires just to handle from the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.For example, alternatively, the X of company 200 can gather the charge status information according to predetermined monthly plan, and sends monthly charge status information every month certain day to the specified terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.
Because error correcting code is automatically added to the charge status information on the shop server 220 (230) in this charge state information collection model, if so between the transmission period between the specified terminal device 100 of master server 210 and printer manufacturer, make a mistake, error in data can be detected, and the accuracy of data can be guaranteed.Since distort with cause error correcting code and the charge status information content between mismatch, distort and suitably handle so also can detect.
The tabulation of printer manufacturer
The terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer uses black pearl counting and ink cartridge id information in the charge status information at various objectives.
Black pearl counting is at first described.
For example, how many inks Mo Zhu counting expression each printer 240 every month has used, and charge is based on this China ink pearl counting.
The black pearl counting of the terminal device 100 that Figure 13 A to 13D shows printer manufacturer from the charge status information that the master server 210 of the X200 of company receives.For simplicity, in the Fare Collection System that is up to three printers, use the present invention in this example.Figure 13 A shows from introducing the ink Fare Collection System and begins black pearl counting tabulated data to the time period on July 1st, 2006, and Figure 13 B to 13D shows the black pearl counting tabulated data in the time period of in August in 2006 each month on the 1st.For simplicity, in Figure 13 A to 13D, total black pearl counting is not shown, and shows the total black pearl counting of all colours of combination as example at every kind of color.
As shown in FIG. 13A, two printers when on July 1st, 2006, have been used.The total black pearl counting of " previous counting " among Figure 13 in each form when being last the tabulation, and owing to just introduce Fare Collection System, so in Figure 13 A, be 0." counting that receives " is based on the charge status information that receives from master server 210 (X of company) when the specified terminal device 100 of consumption charge (tabulation) cycle inprinter manufacturer, and " difference " is the difference that the counting that receives deducts previous counting." current counting " is to count corresponding value with the specified terminal device of printer manufacturer 100 according to the black pearl that each printer 240 known to the counting that receives on the current tabulation date uses, and equates with the counting that receives usually.Should " current counting " can become the previous counting on tabulation basis next time.
The accumulation China ink pearl counting that 240 storages of each printer begin to calculate from operation, and on each tabulation date this accumulates black pearl counting to specified terminal device 100 reports of printer manufacturer.As a result, in each form, represent from the ink consumption on extremely current tabulation date on previous tabulation date by " difference ".
Therefore, the sum of these differences counting that is obtained at each printer 240 represents that in the past once tabulation is to total ink consumption of the X of company 200 that this time tabulates.Therefore the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer can multiply by this total ink consumption by the ink cost with every black pearl, determines in the past the charge amount of once tabulation to tabulation this time (that is, when consumption charge in the cycle).The terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer will send to the X of company 200 based on the bill of this charge amount then, and the X of company 200 is to the listed amount of printer manufacturer payment.
Data form among Figure 13 B shows the printer number to be increased to some extent than the printer number of reporting among Figure 13 A.This is because the X of company has added new printer to print system, and sends the black pearl counting that is loaded with the new corresponding printer sequence number of printer with the charge status information.Therefore add new printer record to data form, and the total number of the black pearl of reporting according to all printers that comprise new printer comes client is charged based on this information.
If particular printer 240 is not reported the charge status information for some reason, for example printer 240 cuts out when report data, then shown in Figure 13 C, this printer be recorded as blank.Therefore the difference field also is blank (equaling 0), be not included in the tale, and when the current counting of this printer 240 in consumption charge cycle be previous counting.
When shown in Figure 13 D, when receiving the charge status information of same printer 240 during the status information of report charge next time, the counting that receives is the total black pearl counting in two charge cycles, and adds the ink consumption of previous not report or charge to current charge amount.
Even this data are collected and tabulation process has been guaranteed when printer 240 is positioned at away from printer manufacturer, printer manufacturer also can be reliably comes client is charged at the ink consumption of each printer 240.If in special time period, do not receive the charge status information, perhaps can go wrong, and can start inquiry from particular printer 240.
Next ink cartridge ID is described.
Indicate ink cartridge with the ink cartridge ID that sends of charge status information and be installed in the printer 240 with whether being determined, and whether continue to have used ink cartridge till it uses up ink.
Figure 14 shows the ink cartridge ID of printer manufacturer specified terminal device 100 from the charge status information that master server 210 (X of company 200) receives.
In form shown in Figure 14, store the ink cartridge ID that is transported to the ink cartridge of the X of company 200 by printer manufacturer with the ship date of the transportation record of being held according to the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer.Write down whether used ink cartridge according to the ink cartridge ID that comprises in the charge status information that receives.More specifically, as the ink cartridge ID of the ink cartridge that receives new installation or when using up the ink cartridge ID of ink cartridge of ink, ink cartridge ID is stored in " date of Shi Yonging first " and " using up the date of ink " field.The date of Shi Yonging can be the approaching date with the date that uses up ink first, and if in the charge status information, comprise the date of collecting the charge status informations from printer 240, then can the record data collection date.
In addition, if ink cartridge ID that the terminal device of printer manufacturer 100 is received and date and the ink cartridge ID and the date that had before received are complementary, then terminal device 100 is known and has been received ink cartridge ID and date, therefore ignore this ink cartridge ID and date, and only write down ink cartridge ID and the date that receives for the first time.
By this ink cartridge data form of such editor, the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer can determine to be transported to from printer manufacturer the state of the ink cartridge of the X of company.
Except initial introduction, the terminal device 100 of printer manufacturer can predict from ink cartridge with adding up and be transported to cycle and the final collection of printer manufacturer between the use, as collecting and the data of tabulation.Even can investigate then depart from this cycle and do not use or the print cartridge sky ink cartridge that also do not reclaim of printer manufacturer, to determine whether existing problems.
At the ink cartridge that in single print cartridge, comprises multiple color ink, described this embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to only comprise a kind of ink cartridge of color ink.
Be that example has been described the present invention also with ink-jet printer and ink cartridge, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example replace black pearl counting, can be used for laser printer and powder box by the value of using predetermined actuation duration and so on for example can convert toner usage to.
The printer maintenance
Charge when counting, discern each printer, promptly discern the sequence number of each printer, so that total printer serial number of each printer 240 is counted according to black pearl.Each printer 240 has also been counted the printer serial number since using printer 240 first cumulatively, and if remove the tale buffer, the tale since using printer first will be lost.
If printer 240 need keep in repair, this maintenance must be changed and comprise storage print machine sequence number and the flash ROM of Mo Zhu counting and the control circuit board of other memory device, then preferably from the circuit board of changing, read the charge status information that comprises printer sequence number, Mo Zhu counting, ink cartridge ID, and it is write the new boards of installation.
Although in conjunction with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, should be noted that for a person skilled in the art various changes and modification are conspicuous.Unless these changes and modification depart from the scope of the invention that claims limit, otherwise should be understood that these changes and modification are also contained in the scope of the present invention that claims limit.
Claims (22)
1. a printer can link to each other communicatedly with data processing equipment, is used for coming document image according to the order that receives from data processing equipment, and described printer comprises:
Data storage cell is used for stored information;
The print cartridge installation unit is used to install the print cartridge of stored record material;
The print cartridge control module is used for reading the print cartridge identification number from the memory device that is positioned at print cartridge, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell;
Send the data generation unit, be used to produce status information, described status information comprises the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell; And
Transmitting element is used for status information is sent to data processing equipment,
Wherein, when the recording materials quantitative change in the print cartridge when being less than or equal to predeterminated level, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and writes down this print cartridge identification number, as the print cartridge that uses up recording materials.
2. printer according to claim 1 also comprises:
Data storage cell is used for the device id of storaging mark printer;
Recording materials consumption computing unit, how many recording materials are used for calculating has only be used for the image record, and it is stored in data storage cell; And
Described transmission data generation unit produces status information, the amount that described status information comprises the print cartridge identification number, is stored in the device id in the data storage cell and is used for the recording materials of image record.
3. printer according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, when in the print cartridge installation unit print cartridge being installed, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of new installation.
4. printer according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, when transmitting element when data processing equipment sends status information, the print cartridge control module keeps the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell, the transmission state of the print cartridge that the print cartridge identification number that sends is identified is set to expression and has sent, and the transmission state is stored in the data storage cell.
5. printer according to claim 4, wherein, the print cartridge control module is deleted the print cartridge identification number that the transmission state is set to represent the print cartridge that sent from data storage cell, and the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that will newly install stores data storage cell into.
6. printer according to claim 4 wherein, at the print cartridge identification number, is provided with memory limitations in data storage cell, and
If when storage print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications and all be not set to expression and send, then print cartridge control module error process process.
7. printer according to claim 1 and 2, wherein:
Print cartridge is stored multiple recording materials; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the described multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell.
8. printer according to claim 1 and 2, wherein:
Recording materials are inks; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit is determined used quantity of ink by the printer serial number that sprays is counted.
9. printer according to claim 8, wherein, the quantity of ink that recording materials consumption computing unit will not be used to make printhead can spray ink calculates the part as the ink consumption.
10. print system comprises:
Data processing equipment; And
Printer can link to each other communicatedly with data processing equipment, is used for coming document image according to the order that receives from data processing equipment, and described printer comprises:
Data storage cell is used for stored information;
The print cartridge installation unit is used to install the print cartridge of stored record material;
The print cartridge control module is used for reading the print cartridge identification number from the memory device that is positioned at print cartridge, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell;
Send the data generation unit, be used to produce status information, described status information comprises the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell; And
Transmitting element is used for status information is sent to data processing equipment,
Wherein, when the recording materials quantitative change in the print cartridge when being less than or equal to predeterminated level, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and writes down this print cartridge identification number, as the print cartridge that uses up recording materials.
11. print system according to claim 10, wherein, printer also comprises:
Data storage cell is used for the device id of storaging mark printer;
Recording materials consumption computing unit, how many recording materials are used for calculating has only be used for the image record, and it is stored in data storage cell; And
Described transmission data generation unit produces status information, the amount that described status information comprises the print cartridge identification number, is stored in the device id in the data storage cell and is used for the recording materials of image record.
12. according to claim 10 or 11 described print systems, wherein, data processing equipment comprises the state acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to send status information and receives status information from printer.
13. print system according to claim 12, wherein, the state acquiring unit adds error correcting code in the status information to.
14. according to claim 10 or 11 described print systems, wherein:
When terminal device link to each other with data processing equipment by network and data processing equipment when terminal device sends status information,
Terminal device calculates the recording materials usage charges according to this status information.
15. print system according to claim 10, wherein, data processing equipment comprises recording materials consumption acquiring unit, is used to ask printer to use how many recording materials, and obtains from printer and to have used how many recording materials.
16. according to claim 10 or 11 described print systems, wherein, when in the print cartridge installation unit print cartridge being installed, the print cartridge control module reads the print cartridge identification number, and the print cartridge identification number is stored in the data storage cell, as the print cartridge of new installation.
17. according to claim 10 or 11 described print systems, wherein, when transmitting element when data processing equipment sends status information, the print cartridge control module keeps the print cartridge identification number that is stored in the data storage cell, the transmission state of the print cartridge that the print cartridge identification number that sends is identified is set to expression and has sent, and the transmission state is stored in the data storage cell.
18. print system according to claim 17, wherein, the print cartridge control module is deleted the print cartridge identification number that the transmission state is set to represent the print cartridge that sent from data storage cell, and the print cartridge identification number of the print cartridge that will newly install stores data storage cell into.
19. print system according to claim 17 wherein, at the print cartridge identification number, is provided with memory limitations in data storage cell, and
If when storage print cartridge identification number, the print cartridge identification number is stored and reaches memory limitations and all transmission status indications and all be not set to expression and send, then print cartridge control module error process process.
20. according to claim 10 or 11 described print systems, wherein:
Print cartridge is stored multiple recording materials; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit calculates in the described multiple recording materials each, and the recording materials amount that will only be used for the image record is stored in data storage cell.
21. according to claim 10 or 11 described print systems, wherein:
Recording materials are inks; And
Recording materials consumption computing unit is determined used quantity of ink by the printer serial number that sprays is counted.
22. print system according to claim 21, wherein, the quantity of ink that recording materials consumption computing unit will not be used to make printhead can spray ink calculates the part as the ink consumption.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
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| JP2005316284A JP4742815B2 (en) | 2005-10-31 | 2005-10-31 | Printer, printer system, and accounting method |
| JP2005316284 | 2005-10-31 | ||
| JP2005363318 | 2005-12-16 |
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| CN 200910148880 Division CN101612836B (en) | 2005-10-31 | 2006-10-25 | Printer and printing system |
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Also Published As
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| JP4742815B2 (en) | 2011-08-10 |
| CN1958293A (en) | 2007-05-09 |
| CN101612836A (en) | 2009-12-30 |
| CN101612836B (en) | 2012-10-24 |
| JP2007118490A (en) | 2007-05-17 |
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