JP2002067450A - Printer, its control method and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer, its control method and an information recording medium whereby a maintenance work, a failure analysis, etc., are facilitated by integrating and storing the number of times of driving various replaceable parts of the printer or devices, etc., for each replaced part. SOLUTION: A printing process part of this printer prints characters or figures. A setting part sets replaceable parts operating in association with the printing process part, operating parts such as devices or the like, and consumable parts. A counting process part counts the number of times of using or the number of times of driving replaceable parts or devices, etc. A detecting process part detects that the replaceable part or the device is set to the setting part. A nonvolatile storage part stores counted values to a predetermined region, preserves time information at the time when the detecting process part detects that the replaceable part or the device is replaced correspondingly to the counted value, and stores the counted value of a new part or a device to a new region.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method thereof, and an information recording medium. In particular, the amount of replaceable parts or device functions, such as the amount of ink used for printing, the number of uses of a cutter that cuts paper or other print media, and the number of prints of a print head, is stored in nonvolatile memory. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which can be used for maintenance and management, a control method for the printing apparatus, and an information recording medium on which a program for realizing these is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Printing apparatuses (printers) are widely used as apparatuses for printing characters and figures on printing media such as paper. Such a printer is connected to an external information processing device, for example, a host computer, and the host computer transmits data for printing characters and graphics and data for controlling the printer itself to the printer. On the other hand, the printer can transmit data such as its own status to the host computer. Such printers use ink to print characters and graphics.
Ink jet printers use replaceable ink cartridges, and dot impact printers and thermal transfer printers use replaceable ink ribbons. Further, printers using roll paper are also generally used in POS printers. The ink cartridge, ink ribbon, and roll paper are printer consumables. Among these consumables, for example, statistics on the amount of ink used by the ink supply unit are important as information for cost reduction, maintenance, operation, and management of a printer, or development of a new product. In addition to this, the printer includes an operating component or an operating device (operating device) such as an inkjet head, a dot impact head, or a cutter device.
May also be interchangeably mounted.

For example, in a printer used for an accounting device such as a cash register, a facsimile device, or the like, it is necessary to cut printed paper in an appropriate unit (such as a transaction unit or a page unit). For this reason, there are printers that make the cutter blade or the cutter device replaceable. There is also a demand for acquiring statistics such as the number of times of use of the cutter blade or the cutter device. In addition, such replaceable parts or devices include a print head. The print head, particularly the ink jet head, is sometimes treated as a consumable item, and the information on the number of times of use is important for these as well. In a conventional printer, the amount (the amount of ink used, the number of cuts, the number of times of ink ejection, etc.) relating to the functions of such replaceable parts such as the ink supply unit, cutter blade, and ink jet head is one of the following two types. Was memorized. The total amount of operation since the printer started use, or the amount of operation of components currently used. These information are stored in a flash EEPROM (Electrical
It was stored in a non-volatile storage device provided in the printer, such as a ly Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a hard disk.

[0004]

However, in the conventional printer, only one kind of information as described above can be obtained for each operating component function unit. For this reason, it was hard to say that sufficient information needed for meticulous maintenance and operation could be obtained. In addition, in order to obtain statistics on the amount of service life of a part or device, a replacement part,
Alternatively, it is important to know how much each device has been operated.

Further, the replacement time of these parts or devices, the period of use, and the like can be used as useful information. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is replaceable, such as the amount of ink used for printing, the number of uses of a cutter for cutting a print medium such as paper, the number of times of printing of a print head, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of storing a plurality of operation amounts of various functional units in a non-volatile manner to be useful for maintenance, a control method therefor, and an information recording medium recording a program for realizing these.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a print processing unit for printing characters or figures, a replaceable component used in cooperation with the print processing unit, or a mounting unit for mounting a device, and the replaceable component. Or a detection processing unit that detects whether the device has been removed from the mounting unit, or has been newly mounted or replaced, a non-volatile storage unit that stores information in a plurality of areas, a component, or A measurement processing unit that measures an amount related to the function of the device, a storage processing unit that stores at least an amount related to the function measured by the measurement processing unit in a predetermined area of the storage unit, and at least date information out of time information. And a storage processing unit, wherein the storage processing unit detects that the replaceable component or device has been replaced by the detection processing unit. In the case of replacement parts, or the amount related to the function measured so far of the device, the time information having at least the date of attachment or removal, or the time of replacement obtained from the time information acquisition unit corresponds to the time information. In addition, the printing apparatus is sequentially stored in a nonvolatile storage unit.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is further provided with a replaceable part or a use limit value storage unit for storing a use limit value indicating a standard of the use limit amount or the number of times related to the function of the device. A signal output unit that outputs a signal indicating the use limit amount or the number of times related to the function of the component or the device approaches or reaches the use limit value, and obtains time information when the signal is output. A printing apparatus characterized in that time information including at least date information obtained from a copy unit and a replaceable part or device are stored in a nonvolatile storage unit in association with each other.

Further, a print processing section for printing characters or figures, replaceable parts operating in cooperation with the print processing section, or a mounting section for mounting a device, and a nonvolatile storage for storing information in a plurality of areas. Unit, a control method of a printing apparatus including a time information obtaining unit capable of obtaining at least date information, wherein the replaceable part or device is removed from the mounting unit, newly mounted on the mounting unit, or replaced. Detecting that a component or a replaceable part or device has been newly installed or replaced by the detection step, the amount related to the function of the part starting from this. And when the removal, installation, or replacement of a part or device is detected, Of at least the date information, and the integrated amount measured before the detection step is stored in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile storage unit in association with the date information for each replaced part or device. And a step of controlling the printing apparatus. Further, the control method of the printing apparatus of the present invention further shows an indication of a use limit amount relating to a function of a replaceable part or a device, a use limit value stored in a predetermined storage unit, and the integrated measurement amount. Comparing with
When the measured value approaches or reaches the usage limit,
Outputting a signal for a warning, and, when outputting the signal, having a step of storing time information including at least date information at that time and information identifying a part or a device in association with each other. Characteristic control method.

Further, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a printing apparatus, comprising the steps of: receiving, from an external device, a command requesting notification of a quantity relating to a function of a replaceable part or a device; Notifying the external device of an amount related to one or a plurality of functions.

According to the control method of a printing apparatus of the present invention, a command for requesting printing of an amount related to a function is received from an external device, and a printing process is performed on the amount related to one or more functions stored in a storage unit. The method further includes a step of notifying the copy unit and a step of printing out by the print processing unit.

A program for realizing the printing apparatus and the control method of the present invention can be stored in an information recording medium such as a compact disk, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape, and a semiconductor memory. Further, a program for controlling the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus of the present invention is
Placed on a W (World Wide Web) server computer,
From here, the operator can appropriately download the program, store it in the printing apparatus or the information processing apparatus, update the program, and cause the printing apparatus or the information processing apparatus to execute the program.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below are for explanation, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each of these elements or all elements are replaced with equivalents, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. (Printing Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the printer of the present invention.

In the following embodiment, for convenience of explanation,
Ink jet head with ink cartridge will be described as a replaceable part or device,
As other replaceable parts or devices,
For example, the same method can be applied to an ink supply unit such as an ink ribbon, a print head such as an inkjet head, a paper cutting device, and even roll paper, and those skilled in the art can easily adopt these embodiments. And these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

The printer 101 includes a host computer 1
50 and an interface 102 for transmitting and receiving data. The host computer 150 incorporates a program for controlling the printer, called a printer driver, together with an application program such as document creation software. The host computer 150 receives a print command from the application program, converts the print command into data suitable for the printer, and converts the data into data suitable for the printer. In addition to controlling transmission, various signals or data from the printer can be received and interpreted, and necessary information can be provided to the user via the host computer 150. When the host computer 150 transmits data, the interface 10
2 receives this, and the reception buffer in the RAM 103 stores this data. The CPU 110 interprets the data stored in the reception buffer, and if this is a print command, expands the print image in the print buffer in the RAM 103, and prints the print head, platen, A print processing unit 1 including a paper feed mechanism, a print head drive IC, a motor drive circuit, various sensor circuits (all not shown), and the like.
05 is operated to print characters and figures on paper.

The printer 101 has a real-time clock 108 as a time data generator, and a CPU 110
Is a main component, and can acquire time information such as predetermined date and time information necessary for maintenance management. The LCD panel 109 is a device mounted on an operation panel (not shown) and visually outputting various information.

An ink-jet head 120 with an ink cartridge is used as a replaceable part. The ink-jet head is equipped with a memory 121 in which ink management information of the ink cartridge or information such as a serial number is stored. It is mounted on the mounting part via the connector 122a. In the embodiment, an example using one inkjet head is shown. However, when a plurality of heads are mounted, the configuration is the same, and for example, a black ink head and a color ink head may be mounted.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, by identifying the serial number recorded in the memory, even if the ink jet head 120 is replaced when the power of the printer 101 is turned off, the replacement can be easily detected. It is possible. That is, the manufacturing number is used as an ID number for specifying the head.

In the case of a replaceable part or device having no memory, a command for replacing the part is transmitted from the host computer 150 to the printer 101 or an operation panel (not shown) provided in the printer 101. If the printer 101 is configured to replace the components after the operation of the printer 101, the replacement of the functional unit can be detected by these transmissions and operations.

The area 104a is a predetermined area of the ROM 104, and stores a use limit value such as an amount or a number of times which is a reference of a use limit relating to a function of a replaceable part or a device. Functions as a storage unit. In the embodiment, it is stored in the ROM 104,
The data may be stored in a nonvolatile memory such as the flash EEPROM 111. Each unit operates under the control of the CPU 110, and the control program is stored in the ROM 104.
The programs stored in M104 are sequentially executed. RO
The program stored in M104 can be updated as appropriate. Here, the CPU 110 and the interface 102 function as a transmission / reception processing unit in cooperation with the RAM 103, and the CPU 110 functions as a detection processing unit, a storage area acquisition processing unit, a measurement processing unit, and a storage processing unit in cooperation with other components. I do. In addition, Flash EEPROM 1
Reference numeral 11 functions as a storage unit, and internally includes a use count counter area, a counter value holding area, and the like.

It should be noted that a flash EEPROM is used as a storage unit.
Instead of the OM 111, another non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk can be used. Further, the host computer 150 connected via the interface 102 can be used as a storage unit. These embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(Control Process of Printing Apparatus) FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage state of the number-of-uses counter area and the counter value holding area of the ink jet head in the flash EEPROM 111, and the time information acquisition unit uses a real-time clock (RTC). 3) shows an example of maintenance management using time information of the flash EEPROM 111.
In the form of a table.

As an example, an ink-jet head with a black ink cartridge with an ink cartridge (black head) and an ink-jet head with a three-color ink cartridge (color head) in which three color inks are sealed in separate tanks and integrated. ) Is used.

A table 501 shows the use status of the black head, and a table 502 shows the use status of the color head. 501a and 502a indicate the respective production numbers, and 501b and 502b indicate the respective discharge times.
01c, 502c indicate the date of attachment, 501d, 50
2d indicates the date of removal.

With respect to the black head, the first head was mounted on July 4, 1999, used 3.5 million times, was removed on September 13, 1999, and the second head was removed. The head was installed on the same day in 1999,
Removed on the day, indicating that the third head is currently in use. The currently used area functions as a usage counter area, and the area of the head already removed functions as a counter value holding area.

The use status of the color head is as follows. The first head was mounted on July 4, 1999, removed on December 27, 1999, and the second head was mounted on the same day and Indicates that it is in use. That is, the date data of “00.00.00” indicates that attachment / detachment has not been performed.

Such data shown in the table is stored as maintenance data in the flash EEPROM 111 in association with the use number counter area (ejection number counter area in the case of the ink jet head) and other data areas. It is configured to be readable.

The present embodiment further includes the following additional functions.

Reference numerals 501e and 502e indicate that a warning date (Warning Date) is recorded to indicate that the ink in the ink cartridge is out of ink. For example, the standard ink capacity when viewed from the number of ejections of this ink cartridge is 4000 × 1000.
At the time of discharge, the number of discharges that should give a warning is about 80% of 3
If 200 × 1000 times, the area 10 of the ROM 104
In 4a, a value of 3200 is stored, and when the value of the number-of-discharges counter area becomes close to or equal to or exceeds this value, the user is prompted to replace the head with the cartridge. Thus, a warning is issued via an output device such as the LCD panel 109. LCD panel 109
However, if it can display characters, it may be specifically displayed as character information. For example, in the case of a display device such as an LED, the display may blink the LED. Furthermore,
Warning by alarm sound is also possible.

When such a warning is displayed,
In synchronization with this, the date of the warning is recorded in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile storage unit.

This information can be easily transferred to the host computer by the above-described notification processing, and the user can use a predetermined function of the printer driver for controlling the printer incorporated in the host computer. Thereby, the date when the warning was received last time can be confirmed at any time. With this, even if you forget to replace a new ink cartridge or a head with a cartridge,
It is possible to read out from the host computer and issue a warning again by the function of the printer driver. Further, by storing such information in the printer, even if the information is connected to a plurality of computers via a network, the data of the printer can be read from each computer and used.

In the above embodiment, the number of ejections is counted as the substantial amount of ink consumption. However, the number of ejections can be counted not as the number of ejections but as the amount of ink ejection corresponding to print data. is there. In a toner type page printer, it is possible to count the number of printed sheets. Further, in a printer using an ink jet head, more accurate data on the amount of ink used can be obtained by integrating the amount of ink used when the ink is ejected for cleaning the head.
It is also possible to provide a plurality of components or devices for integrating the number of uses, the amount of use, the number of operations, and the like. In this case, the presence or absence of each component or device is detected and the flash E is detected.
By preparing a usage counter area for each component or device separately in the EPROM 111, it is possible to obtain, for example, data on the consumption or operation amount of two functional components such as an ink supply unit and a cutter blade of a cutting device.

Further, the above-mentioned warning indicates that the remaining amount of the ink is low. The function of confirming the expiration date stored in the memory on the ink cartridge and issuing a warning based on this date is also added. It is also possible.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state in which the data in the table of FIG. 2 is stored in the flash EEPROM 111.

Reference numeral 171 denotes a black head data area storing black head data, 172 denotes a color head data area storing color head data,
173 indicates a black head ID storage area indicating the ID number of the currently used black head, and 174 indicates a color head ID storage area indicating the ID number of the currently used color head. Reference numerals 181 and 182 indicate the number of each head, and an address management data area (not shown) indicating each storage address is provided.

As described above, the data of the heads used in the past are stored in the flash EEPROM 111 as history information.

When the memory mounted on the ink jet head is a rewritable memory, the use history information of the head can be written in the memory. In this case, the head can be collected at the time of recycling, and information on the state of use can be collected for use in future product development.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method for controlling a printer according to the present invention using such an ink jet head.

Step S501 is a step of detecting whether or not the head has been replaced, and is usually executed when the power of the printer is turned on. In this case, the ID number of the head, for example, the manufacturing number is read from the memory mounted on the head and compared with the stored current ID number. If they are the same, step S of the normal printing process
Move to 505.

If they are not the same, it is determined that the head has been replaced, and a new ID number is assigned to the flash EEPROM.
Is stored as update data in the area 173 (step S5).
02), time data at that time, for example, at least date data, is obtained from the real-time clock 108 (step S503). The date when the head has been removed (UnloadedDate),
And the day when the new head was mounted (LoadedDa
te) is stored in a predetermined area.

The area which has been used as the ejection number counter is reserved as it is as a storage area, an area for a new ejection number counter for a new head is secured, and this counter area is cleared (step S50).
5). With the above, it is detected whether or not the head has been replaced, and
The allocation of the new counter area ends.

Next, the printer proceeds to a check process as to whether or not normal processing is necessary (step S506), and if necessary, normal processing such as data reception and printing is executed (step S510). Among them, as described above, when the head is driven, the temporary counter always counts the number of ejections.

When the normal processing is completed, the value of the temporary counter is checked, and it is checked whether or not the temporary counter has exceeded 1,000 times, and if it has exceeded, the value of the ejection counter is incremented (step S50).
8). Further, the value of the temporary counter is reduced by 1000 (step S509), checked again, and the same processing is performed until the value becomes 1000 or less, and the process returns to step S501.

In this embodiment, the removal is detected based on whether the ID numbers are the same. However, for simplification, it is also possible to check whether the ID has been actually removed only by checking whether the ID can be read. is there.

The time information acquisition unit uses a real-time clock (RTC), but it is also possible to transmit date or time data from a host computer and use this data. In this case, the CPU 110 and the interface 102 function as a time information acquisition unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. The printer uses the ink jet printer shown in FIG.

After the cartridge replacement check process (step S601), the printing process (step S602), and the ejection number counting process (step S603), the ejection number is set to RO.
It is checked whether it is within the limit stored in the predetermined area 104a of M104 (step S604), and in the case of Yes, the process returns to the start and performs other processing. If No, it is checked whether a warning has already been issued (step S60).
5). This can be determined by the following steps as to whether date information is recorded at the warning date.
If no warning has been issued, a warning is displayed on the LCD panel 109 (step S606). In synchronization with this, the date information is stored in the flash EEPROM 11 for storing the warning date.
1 in a predetermined area.

(Process of notifying operation amount) As shown in FIG.
A plurality of data areas 1 in the flash EEPROM 111
The usage history information, such as the number of times the inkjet head has been used, stored in the host computer 150, is stored in the host computer 150.
In many cases, it is often desired to utilize this for various maintenance operations, ink or head improvement, and cost reduction. Hereinafter, a notification process for transferring such information on the number of times of use from the printer 101 to the host computer 150 will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an operation section (inkjet head).
9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a notification process for transmitting to the host computer 150 the operation amount (the number of times ink has been ejected) or head use history information such as a head replacement date. The notification process is performed by, for example, the host computer 1
It is activated when the data transmitted from the command 50 is a command to “notify the operation amount”. As an escape sequence of such a command, for example, the following can be adopted. Here, “0x” is a prefix indicating that it is a hexadecimal number. 0x1b 0x68 [ESC h] The notification process is started when the CPU 110 detects that this command has been received. As an example, it is assumed that information on all the heads used so far is requested from the host computer.

When the notification process is started, first, the CPU 1
10 obtains the address of the corresponding head data from the data in the areas 173 and 174 of the flash EEPROM 111 where the current head ID is stored (step S401). Next, data such as the number of times of use, the date of attachment, the date of removal, and the like stored in the current head data areas 175 and 176 of the obtained address are acquired (step S402), and the acquired data is transmitted to the host computer 150 (step S402). S403). Further, the address is decremented (decreased) by a predetermined value to obtain the addresses of the immediately preceding head data areas 177 and 178 (step S40).
4). Next, the address is compared with the address at the beginning of storage stored separately, and it is checked whether the processing has been completed for all head data (step S40).
5). If completed (step S405; Ye
s), this processing ends. If the processing has not been completed (Step S405; No), the process returns to Step S402. In the above-described embodiment, the data stored in each of the head data areas 171 and 172 is transmitted and notified to the host computer 150. However, the print processing unit 105 is driven to print the data on paper. You may. In addition, the notification process can be started by operating the operation panel (not shown) of the printer 101 or the like. The maintenance staff can obtain information necessary for maintenance by looking at the operation amount (the number of uses) transmitted to the host computer 150 and the printed operation amount (the number of uses).

Through this control step, the user can determine whether or not the consumables of the printer being used can be used without any problems for the time being.

Further, it is possible to check that the warning process has been executed by simultaneously transferring the data on the date when the above-described warning process was performed.

Further, all data such as the date of replacement of the ink cartridges used so far, the date of warning, etc. are simultaneously transferred to the host computer and displayed, so that the number of ink cartridges currently used can be used later. The user can be provided with the above information and information such as how many days have passed since the warning date.

The steps showing the control method for controlling the printing apparatus described above can be recorded as a program on an information recording medium and used.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are obtained. The amount of ink used for printing,
Past components whose operation amount of the replaceable function unit has been replaced, such as the number of times the cutter used to cut paper or other print media and the number of times the print head has been printed, can also be saved in the non-volatile storage device and used for maintenance management. It is possible to provide a printing apparatus and a control method thereof.

Further, by storing date data of exchangeable parts or devices, the data is read out for convenience, and detailed usage data of operating parts, consumables, etc. is collected, so that detailed maintenance of the printing apparatus can be performed. Can help. For example, by applying this to a POS printer in a store or the like, data such as how many ink cartridges have been consumed in one month can be read through a host computer and used for inventory management of cartridges.

Further, by collecting such data from many sites, it can be used for new product development and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a storage state of a use count counter area, a counter value holding area, and the like of an inkjet head.

FIG. 3 shows data in a flash EEPROM
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state stored in M111.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for controlling a printing apparatus according to the present invention using an inkjet head.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a notification process for transmitting usage history information to a host computer 150;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 printer 102 interface 103 RAM 104 ROM 105 print processing unit 111 flash EEPROM 110 CPU 150 host computer 120 inkjet head 121 memory 122 head mounting unit

Claims (21)

[Claims] (A) a print processing unit for printing characters or figures; (b) a mounting unit for mounting replaceable parts or devices used in cooperation with the print processing unit; and (c). A detection processing unit that detects that the replaceable component or device is mounted or replaced on the mounting unit, (d) a non-volatile storage unit that stores information in a plurality of areas, (e) the component, Or (f) a storage processing unit that accumulates and measures an amount related to the function of the device; (f) a storage processing unit that stores at least the amount related to the function measured by the measurement processing unit in a predetermined area of the storage unit; A) a time information acquisition unit that acquires at least date information from the time information, wherein the storage processing unit detects that the replaceable component or device has been replaced by the detection processing unit. In the case of having been replaced, the amount related to the function of the replaced part or device measured so far is associated with time information having at least the date of attachment or replacement obtained from the time information acquisition unit. A printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus sequentially stores the data in the nonvolatile storage unit. 2. The printing apparatus further comprises: (h) a use limit value storage unit that stores a use limit value indicating a guideline of a use limit amount or a number of times relating to the function of the replaceable part or device. A) a signal output unit that outputs a signal indicating when the use limit amount or the number of times related to the function of the replaceable part or device approaches or reaches the use limit value, and outputs the signal. The time information including at least the date information obtained from the time information acquisition unit and the replaceable component or device are stored in the storage unit in association with each other. Printing device. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the replaceable component or device is an ink cartridge, an amount related to the function is the number of ink ejections, and the integrated measurement processing unit is an ejection number counter. Any one of to 2
A printing device according to claim 1. 4. The replaceable part or device is an ink cartridge which supplies ink for printing a character or a graphic by the print processing unit, and the amount relating to the function is substantially ink. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the integration is performed based on the supplied amount. 5. The replaceable part or device is a print head for printing a character or a graphic, and the print processing unit drives a replaceable print head mounted on the mounting unit. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a character or a graphic is printed, and an amount related to the function is integrated by the number of times of driving when printing the character or the graphic. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component or the device is an operation component or an operation apparatus related to a printing operation of the printing apparatus. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component or the device is a consumable of the printing apparatus. 8. The printing device further includes a notification processing unit, wherein the notification processing unit is configured to respond to a predetermined operation of the printing device and to store one or more functions related to one or more functions stored in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the print processing unit notifies the print processing unit of information about the print processing unit, and the print processing unit prints out the information. 9. The printing apparatus has a transmission / reception processing unit for connecting to an external device and transmitting / receiving data, and the notification processing unit responds to a predetermined command from the external device to store the data in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information related to an amount related to one or more functions stored in the printer is transmitted to the external device. 10. The external device is a host computer, and the notification processing unit is related to one or a plurality of operation amounts stored in the storage unit in response to a predetermined command from the host computer. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transmission / reception processing unit notifies the transmission / reception processing unit to transmit information to the host computer, and the transmission / reception processing unit transmits the information to the host computer. 11. The printing apparatus has a time information acquisition unit that acquires at least date information from among the time information at the time of replacement of the replaceable part or device, and the storage processing unit stores the date information in the time information. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit stores the information in the storage unit in association with an amount related to the function at the time of replacement. 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the time information obtaining section obtains time information from a real-time clock built in the printing apparatus. 13. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the printing apparatus is connected to a host computer, and the time information acquisition unit is a communication control unit that acquires time information from the host computer. 14. A print processing unit for printing characters or figures, a replaceable part operating in cooperation with the print processing unit, or a mounting unit for mounting a device, and a nonvolatile storage for storing information in a plurality of areas. A method of controlling a printing apparatus including a time information acquiring unit capable of acquiring at least date information, comprising: (a) determining whether the replaceable part or device has been removed from the mounting unit or newly mounted on the mounting unit; Or (b) detecting that the replaceable part or device has been newly installed or replaced by the detecting step, (C) removing, installing, or replacing the component or the device; And (d) obtaining at least date information from among the time information at the time of the detection, and (d) the date information for each component or device whose integrated amount measured before the detection step has been replaced. Storing the data in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile storage unit in association with the above. 15. The control method further includes the steps of: providing an indication of a use limit amount relating to the function of the replaceable part or device, using a use limit value stored in a predetermined storage unit,
Comparing the integrated measurement amount; and, when the measurement amount approaches or reaches a use limit value, outputting a signal for warning; and outputting the signal, at least date information at that time. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of storing the time information including the information and the information specifying the component or the device in association with each other. 16. The replaceable function unit is an ink cartridge that supplies ink for printing characters or graphics by the print processing unit, and the amount related to the function is integrated by the amount of ink supplied. The method according to claim 14, wherein the control is performed. 17. The exchangeable function unit is a print head for printing characters or graphics, and the print processing unit drives an exchangeable print head attached to the attachment unit. The method according to claim 14, wherein a character or a graphic is printed, and the operation amount is integrated by the number of times of driving when printing the character or the graphic. 18. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving a command requesting notification of an operation amount from an external device; and notifying the external device of one or more operation amounts stored in the storage unit. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: 19. The method of controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: receiving a command for requesting printing of an operation amount from an external device; and notifying the one or more operation amounts stored in the storage unit to the print processing. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a step of notifying a unit and a step of printing out by the print processing unit. 20. Any one of claims 14 to 19
An information recording medium which records the steps of the control method described in the paragraph as a program for controlling a printing apparatus. 21. The information recording medium according to claim 20, wherein the information recording medium is a compact disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape, or a semiconductor memory. Information recording medium on which the program of the above is recorded.