JP2004109477A - Printing system with function of preventing unsealing of toner seal and packaging material from being forgotten, and program for preventing unsealing from being forgotten - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a function of preventing unsealing from being forgotten and having a good cost performance. <P>SOLUTION: After printing instructions are inputted by a user, a means 113 for confirming and displaying the effect that the toner seal and the packaging member are unsealed is called by a printer driver 110, messages for making the user confirm the unsealing of the toner seal and the packaging member are outputted to a display device 30. After the user confirms that the toner seal and the packaging material are unsealed and the input operation is performed, next, a confirmation display continuity selecting means 114 is called, then, messages for making the user select whether the user calls the means 113 thereafter is outputted to the display device 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print processing apparatus that performs data print processing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An example of a conventional toner seal and a device for preventing forgetting to open a packaging material is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-056657. This conventional toner seal unforgetting prevention system includes a toner cartridge, a toner cartridge packing plate, and a handle for opening the toner seal.
[0003]
In this toner seal and packing material unforgetting prevention device, the handle for unsealing the toner seal is fixed to the packaging plate of the toner cartridge, and if the packaging plate is removed from the process cartridge, the sealing member is also pulled out and developed. The toner supply part of the container is reliably opened.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-056657 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, this prior art forget-opening prevention device has a problem that the printer toner needs to be specially crafted, so that it becomes cost-effective.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective function for preventing forgetting to open.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a print processing system for performing data print processing according to the present invention includes a display device for displaying information to a user, a printer device to which a toner cartridge including a toner seal and a packing material is attached, The display device includes an opening confirmation display means for displaying a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and the packing material. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from noticing that the toner seal and the packing material are attached to the toner cartridge and forgetting to open the toner seal and the packing material. Here, the unsealing confirmation display means may display a message for confirming the unsealing when a printing command is input by the user or when the printer driver is installed.
[0008]
The print processing system preferably includes means for a user to select and set whether to display the message. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the message from being repeatedly displayed.
[0009]
The toner cartridge stores information that can identify a new / used product, and the opening confirmation display means displays a message for confirming the opening when the toner cartridge is new. Also good. As a result, the message is displayed only when the toner cartridge is new and the toner seal and the packing material need to be opened.
[0010]
In addition, the program for preventing the user from forgetting to open the toner seal and the packaging material according to the present invention includes a step of displaying a message on the display device for allowing the user to confirm the opening of the toner seal and the packaging material.
[0011]
A printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention is a printing instruction apparatus that causes a printer apparatus to which a toner cartridge including a toner seal and a packing material is mounted to perform a printing process, and a display apparatus that displays information to a user. The display device includes an opening confirmation display means for displaying a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and the packing material.
[0012]
Moreover, it is preferable that the opening confirmation display means displays a message for confirming the opening when a printing command is input by a user.
[0013]
Further, it is preferable that the opening confirmation display means displays a message for confirming the opening when the printer driver is installed.
[0014]
In addition, it is preferable that the print instruction apparatus further includes means for a user to select and set whether to display the message.
[0015]
The print instructing device further includes a determining unit that determines whether the toner cartridge is new or used based on information received from the printer device, and the opening confirmation display unit is When it is determined that the toner cartridge is new, it is preferable to display a message for confirming the opening.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
First embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to the first embodiment. The print processing system is roughly divided into a printer device 20 that performs printing, a computer (central processing unit: processor: data processing device) 100 that includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) and performs various processes, and a user that stores information. An input device 40 for inputting and a display device 30 for displaying information from the computer 100 are configured. The input device 40 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.
[0018]
In the computer of FIG. 1, functional blocks realized by the computer 100 are depicted. The computer 100 includes a printer driver 110, and the printer driver 110 includes a setting storage unit 112, a toner seal / packaging material opening confirmation display unit 113, and a confirmation display continuation selection unit 114. These means are realized by a program.
[0019]
Next, the operation of the print processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0020]
First, when a print command is input from the input device 40 to the printer driver 110, the printer driver 110 reads a message display necessity setting from the setting storage unit 112, and the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display unit 113 It is determined whether or not to execute (step A1).
[0021]
Next, when it is determined that the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display unit 113 is to be executed, the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display unit 113 is called by the printer driver 110, and the user seals the toner seal and packing material. A message for confirming the opening is output to the display device 30 and waits for the user to reply using the input device 40 (step A2).
[0022]
When the user confirms the opening of the toner seal and the packaging material, and an input is made to notify the completion of the confirmation, the confirmation display continuation selection means 114 is subsequently called, and the calling of the toner seal and the packaging material opening confirmation display means 113 will continue to be called A message for allowing the user to select whether or not to perform the operation is output to the display device 30, and the user waits for selection information to be input using the input device 40 (step A3). If the input selection information is information for selecting not to display the message from the next time onward, the confirmation display continuation selection unit 114 stores the setting for invalidating the message display in the setting storage unit 112. (Step A4), and then the printer driver 110 starts the printing process. On the other hand, when the selection information is information for selecting to display the message from the next time onward, the printer driver 110 starts the printing process without changing the setting in the setting storage unit 112.
[0023]
Next, a specific display example will be described with reference to FIG.
[0024]
When printing is instructed, the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 113 reads out and refers to the confirmation display setting in the setting storage unit 112. In this example, since the confirmation display setting is “display valid” setting, the printer driver 110 permits the execution of the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 113 (step A1). Accordingly, a confirmation message for confirming that the toner seal has been pulled out is output to the display device 30 by the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 113. FIG. 3 shows an example of an output message screen (step A2 notation). In this display, when the user presses a button labeled “Confirm” using the input device 40, information indicating the completion of confirmation is input to the printer driver 110.
[0025]
Next, the confirmation display continuation selection unit 114 outputs a selection screen for selecting continuation of the confirmation display to the display device 30. FIG. 3 shows an example of the output selection screen (step A3 notation). In the example shown in the figure, since it is selected not to continue the display, the confirmation display setting in the setting storage unit 112 is switched to “display invalid” and stored (step A4). After the setting storage is completed, an instruction for a printing operation is given to the printer device 20.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 113 displays a message for allowing the user to confirm whether or not the toner seal has been opened on the display means, so that the toner seal and packing material are not opened. Printing in the state can be prevented in advance. Since the message is displayed on the display device 30, the user must check the message before actually printing, and notice the presence of the toner seal and the packing material without reading the notes such as the manual. Because.
[0027]
Further, in this embodiment, by displaying the toner seal and the opening confirmation message of the packing material, packing of the process cartridge to be packed in the printer apparatus at the time of shipment can be simplified, and the cost of the packing material can be reduced. This is because it is not necessary to pack the process cartridge in consideration of forgetting to open the toner seal and the packing material, so that the toner seal and the packing material can be mounted on the printer device in a state where it is not directly visible from the outside and shipped. .
[0028]
Second embodiment.
Next, a print processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in the first embodiment, when a print command is input to the computer, a message for confirming the opening of the toner seal and the packing material is displayed. In this embodiment, the above message is displayed when a printer driver is installed in the computer.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to the second embodiment.
[0030]
As in the first embodiment, the print processing system according to the present embodiment includes an input device 40, a display device 30, a computer 200, and a printer device 20.
[0031]
The computer 200 is connected to a recording medium 250 on which a printer driver installation program 251 is recorded. The recording medium 250 is a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or other recording medium. The printer driver installation program 251 controls the operation of the computer 200 when the printer driver 210 is read from the storage medium 250 to the computer 200.
[0032]
The printer driver 210 installed by this program includes a toner seal and a packing material opening confirmation display unit 213. The toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 213 outputs a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and packing material to the display device 30, and the user has completed the confirmation based on the input result from the input device 40. Detect that.
[0033]
Next, the operation of the print processing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0034]
First, the printer driver 210 is loaded into the computer 200 by the printer driver installation program 251 and the printer driver 210 is installed (step B1). Next, the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 213 is called, and a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and packing material is output to the display device 30 (step B2). The user confirms the opening of the toner seal and the packing material by viewing this display. Information indicating that the user has confirmed using the input device 40 is input. When this information is input to the printer driver 210 from the input device 40, the installation process of the printer driver 210 is terminated.
[0035]
As in this embodiment, when the printer driver 210 is installed, the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display unit 213 displays a message for allowing the user to check whether the toner seal and packing material are opened. Even if displayed, it is possible to prevent printing in a state where the toner seal and the packing material are not opened.
[0036]
Third embodiment.
Next, a print processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The print processing system according to the third embodiment has both the functions of the first embodiment and the functions of the second embodiment.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to the third embodiment.
[0038]
As in the second embodiment, the print processing system according to the present embodiment includes an input device 40, a display device 30, a computer 300, and the printer device 20. The computer 300 records a printer driver installation program. Connected to the recording medium 350. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the printer driver installed by this program includes toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means and confirmation display continuation selection means. The recording medium 350 is a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or other recording medium.
[0039]
The printer driver installation program is read from the recording medium 350 into the computer 300 and controls the operation of the computer 300. The computer 300 executes the following processing under the control of the printer driver installation program, that is, the same processing as the processing by the computers 100 and 200 in the first and second embodiments.
[0040]
First, when a message display condition is satisfied when the printer driver is installed, a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and the packing material is output to the display device 30. Then, the input of the confirmation of completion of confirmation from the input device 40 is performed, and the installation of the printer driver is ended.
[0041]
If the message display condition is satisfied by the print command to the printer device 20 and the confirmation display setting of the setting storage unit stored in the storage medium 350 is valid, the confirmation of opening of the toner seal and the packing material is performed. A message is output to the display device 30. When the confirmation completion input is performed from the input device 40 by the user, a message asking whether to continue displaying the confirmation message is output to the display device 30 and the input device 40 waits for an answer input by the user. When selection of “display invalid” is input, this setting is recorded in the setting storage unit of the storage medium 350. When “display valid” is selected or after the setting storage unit is changed, the printer apparatus 20 is instructed to execute a printing operation.
[0042]
As in this embodiment, when the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means operates when the printer driver is installed in the computer 300 and further operates when a print command is input, the toner seal and the packing material are not opened. It is possible to more reliably prevent printing at the same time.
[0043]
Fourth embodiment.
Next, a print processing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the print processing system according to the fourth embodiment, the difference from the first to third embodiments is that the printer driver determines whether the toner cartridge is new or used, and is new. In addition, the toner seal and the packing confirmation process are performed.
[0044]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to the fourth embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the print processing system according to the present embodiment includes an input device 40, a display device 30, a computer 400, and a printer device 500. The computer 400 realizes the function of the printer driver 410, and the printer driver 410 includes a toner seal / packaging material opening confirmation display unit 413 and a new toner cartridge determination unit 414.
[0045]
The toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 413 outputs a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and packing material to the display device 30, and the user has completed the confirmation based on the input result from the input device 40. Detect that. Further, the toner cartridge new article determining means 414 determines whether the currently installed toner cartridge 600 is new or used based on new article / used article discriminating data 611 described later. Then, the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 413 is called.
[0046]
The printer device 500 includes a printer control unit 510 that controls the operation of the printer device 500 and a toner cartridge 600 that can be attached to and detached from the printer device 500. The toner cartridge 600 includes a non-volatile memory 610. The non-volatile memory 610 includes new / used product distinction data 611 that can identify whether the toner cartridge 600 is new or used. It is remembered. In the present embodiment, the new / used product distinction data 611 is described on the assumption that the number of printed page counters (new product = 0, used product> 0), but whether the toner cartridge 600 is new or not is described. The data format is not limited as long as it can be distinguished, and may be flag format data (new product = '0', used product = '1') or the like.
[0047]
Next, processing performed by the print processing system of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0048]
When a print command is input by the user, the toner cartridge new article determining unit 414 issues a command for determining whether the toner cartridge 600 currently mounted on the printer device 500 is new or used. The data is output to the printer control unit 510 of the apparatus 500. When this command is input, the printer control unit 510 reads the new / used product distinction data 611 from the nonvolatile memory 610 of the toner cartridge 600 and outputs it to the toner cartridge new product determining means. Then, the toner cartridge new article determining means 414 determines whether the currently installed toner cartridge 600 is new or used based on the new article / used article distinction data 611 (step C1). .
[0049]
If it is determined in step C1 that the product is new, the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 413 is called, and the toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means 413 allows the user to confirm the opening of the toner seal and packing material. Is output to the display device 30 and waits for input of confirmation completion by the user (step C2). When the user inputs confirmation completion, the instructed printing is subsequently executed (step C3). Finally, the printer control unit 510 updates the new / used product distinction data 611 (step C4).
[0050]
In the present embodiment, as described above, the toner cartridge stores information that can identify a new / used product. By reading this information, the toner cartridge is new and the toner seal and the packaging material are opened. Messages can be displayed only when necessary.
[0051]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within an equivalent range.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, since a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and the packaging material is displayed on the display device, printing due to forgetting to open the toner seal and the packaging material can be prevented in advance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the print processing system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of the print processing system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a print processing system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a print processing system according to a fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Printer device, 30 Display device, 40 Input device, 100, 200, 300, 400 Computer, 110, 210, 410 Printer driver, 112 Setting storage unit, 113, 213, 413 Toner seal and packing material opening confirmation display means, 114 Confirmation display continuation selection means, 414 Toner cartridge new article determination means, 500 printer device, 510 printer control unit, 600 toner cartridge, 610 nonvolatile memory, 611 new article / used article distinction data.

Claims (11)

A print processing system for printing data,
A display device for displaying information to the user;
A printer device to which a toner cartridge including a toner seal and a packing material is mounted;
An opening confirmation display means for displaying a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and the packing material on the display device;
A print processing system. The print processing system according to claim 1,
The opening confirmation display means displays a message for confirming the opening when a printing command is input by a user. The print processing system according to claim 1,
The opening confirmation display means displays a message for confirming the opening when a printer driver is installed. The print processing system according to claim 2,
The print processing system further comprises means for a user to select and set whether to display the message. The print processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The toner cartridge stores information capable of identifying a new / used product,
The opening confirmation display means displays a message for confirming the opening when the toner cartridge is new. A program for preventing forgetting to open the toner seal and packing material,
A program for preventing forgetting to open, comprising a step of displaying a message on a display device in order to make a user confirm opening of a toner seal and a packing material. A print instructing device that causes a printer device to which a toner cartridge including a toner seal and a packing material is mounted to perform a printing process,
A display device for displaying information to the user;
An opening confirmation display means for displaying a message for allowing the user to confirm opening of the toner seal and the packing material on the display device;
A printing instruction apparatus. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 7,
The opening confirmation display means displays a message for confirming the opening when a printing command is input by a user. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 7,
The opening confirmation display means displays a message for confirming the opening when a printer driver is installed. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 8,
The printing instruction apparatus further comprises means for a user to select and set whether to display the message. The print instruction apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
A determination means for determining whether the toner cartridge is new / used based on information received from the printer device;
The opening instruction display means displays a message for confirming the opening when the determination means determines that the toner cartridge is new.

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