JP2005096250A - Recording agent residual quantity display device, and display method of recording agent residual quantity - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display an ink residual quantity by effectively utilizing a limited screen size. <P>SOLUTION: The ink residual quantity of each color of an ink cartridge 44 is detected and managed by an ink residual quantity managing part 60. A residual quantity display control part 70 carries out two kinds of residual quantity display of different display sizes on the basis of the newest ink residual quantity. One is an ink residual quantity enlarged display screen G1 of a large display size. The ink residual quantity of each color is displayed stepwise in units of 10% on the screen G1. The other is an ink residual quantity icon G2 of a small display size. The icon G2 displays the ink residual quantity of each color by three steps. The icon G2 is always displayed at a display 21 under an operation state by the user. The user can grasp an outline of the ink residual quantity via the icon G2 without carrying out a special operation. The user can confirm details by calling the ink residual quantity enlarged display screen G1 from an ink residual quantity menu. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a recording agent remaining amount display device that displays a remaining amount of recording agent such as an ink remaining amount in an ink cartridge, and a recording agent remaining amount display method.

For example, an inkjet printer includes ink cartridges for each color of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), and performs printing by ejecting ink supplied from each ink cartridge from a dedicated nozzle for each color. When ink runs out, printing cannot be performed halfway. Therefore, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is notified to the user by monitoring the remaining amount of ink on the host computer connected to the printer or by changing the stop position of the ink cartridge according to the remaining amount of ink. (Patent Document 1). The user can also visually check the remaining amount of ink through a remaining amount confirmation window provided in the ink cartridge.
JP 2003-72105 A

  When monitoring the remaining ink level on the host computer side, the user can check the current remaining ink level by, for example, displaying the remaining ink level by opening the utility screen of the printer driver or the printer property screen. . However, since the remaining amount of ink is not displayed in the normal use state, the user cannot easily confirm what the current remaining amount of ink is. Also, when using the ink cartridge remaining amount confirmation window, the user cannot confirm the remaining amount of ink without opening the printer housing and viewing the ink cartridge. That is, the user can confirm the remaining ink amount only after consciously performing a special operation. Therefore, it is easy for the user to check the remaining amount of ink, which may be inconvenient for arranging a new ink cartridge.

  In recent years, complex printers that can print an image read from a memory card or an image taken from a scanner without using a host computer are also used. Such a multifunction machine has a printing function and a scanner function, and also has a user interface for exchanging information with the user. However, since the display mounted on the multifunction peripheral is limited by the size of the printer housing, the screen size tends to be small. It is necessary to perform various print settings and the like on such a limited screen. Therefore, in the multi-function peripheral, it is necessary to display the remaining amount of ink while ensuring operability for performing main operations (setting operations such as the print mode and the number of prints).

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a recording agent remaining amount that can achieve both effective use of a limited display area and display of the remaining amount of ink. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device and a display method of a remaining amount of recording agent. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a recording agent remaining amount display device and a recording agent remaining amount display method capable of easily confirming the remaining amount of ink in a normal state and also grasping details of the remaining amount of ink. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, a recording agent remaining amount display device according to the present invention includes a remaining amount management unit that manages a remaining amount of a recording agent, and a recording agent that is based on the remaining amount of the recording agent that is managed by the remaining amount management unit. A remaining amount display control means for displaying the remaining amount, and the remaining amount display control means displays the remaining amount of recording agent on a plurality of remaining amount display screens each having a different display size with display accuracy corresponding to each display size. Is displayed.

  The remaining amount management means can determine the remaining amount of the recording agent by detecting the consumption amount of the recording agent based on the printing process and subtracting the recording agent consumption amount from the initial value of the recording agent, for example. Alternatively, the remaining amount of the recording material can be directly detected using a remaining amount detection sensor such as an optical sensor or a capacitance sensor. The remaining amount display control means has a plurality of remaining amount display screens with different display sizes, and displays the remaining amount of the recording agent with display accuracy corresponding to the display size. Here, examples of the display size include the screen size of the display. By displaying the remaining amount of the recording agent with display accuracy corresponding to the display size, the remaining amount of the recording agent can be displayed using the display area effectively.

In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount display control means decreases the display accuracy as the display size decreases.
That is, the remaining amount of the recording agent is displayed so that the display accuracy becomes coarser as the display size becomes smaller and the display accuracy becomes higher as the display size becomes larger.

In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount display control means always displays the remaining amount display screen having the smallest display size among the remaining amount display screens of the respective display sizes.
By always displaying the remaining amount display screen with the smallest display size, the user can check the remaining amount of the recording agent on a daily basis. Here, since the display accuracy decreases as the display size becomes smaller, it is impossible to know the accurate remaining amount of the recording material on the remaining amount display screen with a smaller display size. However, by constantly displaying the remaining amount display screen with a small display size, it is possible to easily and quickly grasp the tendency of the recording agent remaining amount.
Here, the constant display includes not only the case of always displaying but also the case of substantially always displaying. Displaying substantially constantly indicates, for example, that the display is always performed in a situation where the user can use it. For example, a remaining amount display screen with a small display size is always displayed in a situation where the user can perform various menu operations and the like (under an operation state). In a situation where the user does not perform various menu operations, for example, when the screen saver is activated, there is no need to display a remaining amount display screen with a small display size.

In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount display control means switches the remaining amount display screen having the largest display size from the remaining amount display screens of the respective display sizes to other parameter display screens based on the screen switching instruction. Display.
As described above, the remaining amount display screen having the largest display size displays the remaining amount of the recording material with the highest display accuracy. Therefore, after grasping the approximate tendency of the remaining amount of the recording material through the remaining amount display screen of the minimum display size, the user switches to the remaining amount display screen of the maximum display size by issuing a screen switching instruction, and accurately The remaining amount of recording agent can be confirmed. For example, display resources such as a liquid crystal display and an organic or inorganic EL (Electronic Luminescent) display are used for displaying other parameters in addition to displaying the remaining amount of the recording agent. Examples of other parameter display screens include selection of a print mode and designation of setting values in each print mode. Even while such other parameters are displayed, a remaining amount display screen of the minimum display size is displayed together. Since the remaining amount display screen that is always displayed has a small display size, it does not affect the display of other parameters. The user can always grasp the tendency of the remaining amount of the recording agent while displaying other parameters.

In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount display control unit displays the remaining amount display screens having different display sizes on the same display unit.
That is, by using the same display means composed of a liquid crystal display, an EL display, a plasma display, etc., the remaining amount display with different display accuracy can be achieved without increasing the cost by displaying the remaining amount display screen of multiple sizes. It can be performed. However, in some cases, the remaining amount display screens with different display accuracy can be displayed on different display means.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount management unit outputs an alarm signal when the remaining amount of the recording agent is equal to or less than a predetermined value set in advance, and the remaining amount display control unit is predetermined based on the alarm signal. An alarm is notified about a recording agent having a recording agent remaining amount less than or equal to the value.

In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount display screen with the smallest display size is configured as an icon element.
That is, by visualizing the miniature of the recording agent remaining amount display object as a graphic, it is possible to grasp the outline of the remaining recording agent with a small display size.

  A printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention performs printing by detachably attaching a recording agent tank and discharging a predetermined amount of the recording agent supplied from the recording agent tank toward a predetermined position of the printing paper. A print head and a display for displaying information related to printing are provided. Further, the printing apparatus displays the remaining amount of the recording agent on the display based on the remaining amount management unit that detects and manages the remaining amount of the recording agent in the recording agent tank, and the remaining amount of the recording agent managed by the remaining amount management unit. A remaining amount display control unit for controlling the remaining amount, and the remaining amount display control unit includes a first remaining amount display screen displayed in a reduced size on the display and a second remaining amount display screen displayed in an enlarged manner on the display. The remaining amount display screen is controlled, and the display accuracy of the first remaining amount display screen is set to be coarser than the display accuracy of the second remaining amount display screen.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording agent remaining amount display method includes a step of detecting a remaining amount of recording agent and a step of constantly displaying the detected remaining amount of recording agent on a display with a preset low display accuracy. And a step of determining whether or not a display accuracy switching instruction is input, and if a switching instruction is input, the detected recording agent remaining amount is displayed with a display accuracy set higher than a low display accuracy. And a step of displaying on the screen.

  A computer program according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a remaining amount management function for detecting and managing a remaining amount of a recording agent, and constantly displaying the detected remaining amount of the recording agent on a predetermined small screen with a predetermined low accuracy. When a function and a display accuracy switching instruction are input, the computer is caused to display a detected recording agent remaining amount on a predetermined large screen with higher accuracy than low accuracy.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, as described below, the remaining amount display icon is always displayed under an operation state by the user so that an approximate tendency of the remaining amount of ink can be easily confirmed, and the user can further confirm the details of the remaining amount of ink. Is desired, the remaining amount of ink is displayed with higher accuracy.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment. As will be described later, the printer 1 includes an operation panel 10, a scan mechanism 30, a print mechanism 40, and a main control unit 50. In other words, the printer 1 includes at least a scanner function that reads an image from a document and converts it into digital data, and a printer function (copy function) that prints the read digital data on printing paper. Further, although not shown, the printer 1 has a function of receiving and printing image data from a computer device such as a digital camera or a personal computer. In addition, the printer 1 can also read and print image data from a removable memory device (not shown), or write the image data read by the scanner function into the memory device. Since these functions are not the gist of the present invention, the description thereof is omitted.

  The operation panel 10 is provided on the surface of the printer 1 in consideration of visibility and operability, and is a man-machine interface including an information input unit 10A and an information output unit 10B. The information input unit 10A includes, for example, various buttons to be described later and a plurality of information input means for the print menu 12. The information output unit 10B includes, for example, a display 21 and the like. Details of the operation panel 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The scan mechanism 30 is provided on the upper part of the printer 1, for example. The scanning mechanism 30 includes a light source 31, a light receiving unit 32, and a scanning unit 33 for moving the light receiving unit 32 in a predetermined direction. The scanning mechanism 30, the document table 35 and the document table cover 34, which will be described later, and the scanner control unit 51 constitute a scanner device. The light receiving unit 32 can be composed of, for example, a plurality of line CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) each having RGB color filters. However, the type of color filter is not limited to RGB. The light from the light source 31 is reflected on the surface of the document and becomes reflected light including the object color. The reflected light reaches the light receiving unit 32 through a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like, and is converted into an electric signal by the light receiving unit 32. The optical system structure of the scanner device is not limited to the above, and various types can be adopted. For example, a CCD shorter than the image reading surface of the document table 35 and a reduction optical system including a plurality of reflecting mirrors and lenses may be used, or a CCD having substantially the same length as the image reading surface may be used. Alternatively, it may be configured using a spectroscopic element such as a diffraction grating.

  The print mechanism 40 is provided at the lower part of the printer 1, for example. The print mechanism 40 includes a print head 41, a scanning unit 42 for moving the print head 41 in a predetermined direction, a paper transport unit 43 that transports print paper, and an ink cartridge 44 that supplies ink of each color to the print head 41. And. The print mechanism 40, a paper feed tray 45 and a paper discharge tray 46, which will be described later, and a printer control unit 55 constitute, for example, a color ink jet type printer apparatus. The print head 41 includes, for example, a large number of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets of each color such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and drive elements that eject ink droplets from the nozzles. The scanning unit (carriage) 42 includes a carriage motor and the like, and reciprocates the print head 41 in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the printing paper conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). The paper transport unit 43 includes a paper edge detection sensor, a paper feed motor, and the like, and transports printing paper by a predetermined amount. The print mechanism 40 can be configured as, for example, a serial type print engine that can print character by character or a line type print engine that can print line by line.

  The ink cartridge 44 is configured for each color. In other words, it is composed of an ink cartridge filled with cyan ink, an ink cartridge filled with magenta ink, an ink cartridge filled with yellow ink, and an ink cartridge filled with black ink. Replenishment is possible. The ink cartridge 44 has a rewritable nonvolatile memory (cartridge memory) such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), for example. Etc. are stored.

  The main control unit 50 is configured as a microcomputer system including, for example, an arithmetic processing device (CPU or the like), a memory device (ROM, RAM or the like), an input / output circuit, and the like. The main control unit 50 can also include a dedicated hardware circuit (ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) for executing a specific process, and the main control unit 50 is a scanner control unit 51 as described later. A scan data storage unit 52, an image processing unit 53, a print image data storage unit 54, a printer control unit 55, a remaining ink management unit 60, and a remaining amount display control unit 70. Each function is realized by a hardware circuit or software, or by cooperation of the hardware circuit and software.

  The scanner control unit 51 is for controlling the scanner function. For example, when execution of printing is instructed by either a color copy button 11A or a monochrome copy button 11B, which will be described later, the scanner control unit 51 drives the scan mechanism 30 to read the image of the document placed on the document table 35. Make it. The scanner control unit 51 stores the read image data (scan data) in the scan data storage unit 52. The scan data storage unit 52 is composed of a memory device such as a RAM, for example.

  The image processing unit 53 reads the scan data stored in the scan data storage unit 52 and performs predetermined image processing, thereby generating image data for printing. The print image data generated by the image processing unit 53 is stored in the print image data storage unit 54. The print image data storage unit 54 can be configured by a memory device such as a RAM, for example. The image processing unit 53 drives the print head 41 by performing, for example, color conversion processing from the RGB color system to the CMYK color system, enlargement processing, reduction processing, rotation processing, various correction processing, halftone processing, and the like. Print image data to be generated is generated. The printer control unit 55 acquires print image data from the print image data storage unit 54, transfers the print image data to the print head 41, and executes predetermined printing. The printer control unit 55 also controls the operations of the scanning unit 42 and the paper transport unit 43.

  The ink remaining amount management unit 60 detects and manages the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 44 for each color. The remaining ink management unit 60 includes, for example, an initial value acquisition function 61 for acquiring an initial value (initial filling amount), an ink consumption calculation function 62 for calculating ink consumption, and an ink remaining amount based on the initial value and the ink consumption. An ink remaining amount calculating function 63 for calculating the amount; Various methods for managing the remaining amount of ink can be employed. In this embodiment, for example, the ink consumption is calculated based on the number of ejections and the ejection amount of ink droplets, and the ink consumption is subtracted from the previous ink remaining amount (initial filling amount in the case of a new cartridge). Calculate the remaining amount. The calculated latest ink remaining amount is updated and stored in the cartridge memory. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which the remaining amount of ink is directly measured using a sensor such as an optical sensor or a capacitive sensor can be employed.

  The remaining amount display control unit 70 includes an enlarged display unit 71, a reduced display unit 72, a display switching unit 73, and display accuracy storage units 74 and 75. The enlarged display unit 71 is a function for causing the display 21 to display an ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 indicating the remaining ink amount with a predetermined display accuracy (for example, in units of 10%). The reduced display portion 72 is a function that always displays the remaining ink amount icon G2 representing the remaining ink amount on the display 21 under the operation state. The ink remaining amount icon G2 displays the ink remaining amount in units of 1/3, for example. The display switching unit 73 causes the display 21 to output the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 based on the screen switching signal input from the operation panel 10. Further, the display switching unit 73 always displays the ink remaining amount icon G2 on the display 21 when the operation state by the user is entered. The display accuracy storage unit 74 stores display accuracy used for the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1. The other display accuracy storage unit 75 stores the display accuracy used for the remaining ink icon G2. By the remaining amount display control unit 70, an ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 and an ink remaining amount icon G2 having different display accuracy are displayed on the display 21. In the embodiment, four colors of CMYK are illustrated as ink colors, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other inks such as light cyan and light magenta may be added.

  Next, the external configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the document table cover 34 is closed. A scanning mechanism 30 is provided above the printer 1, and a printing mechanism 40 is provided below the printer 1. An operation panel 10 is provided on the upper front side of the printer 1. Further, a paper feed tray 45 is provided on the back side of the printer 1, and a paper discharge tray 46 is provided on the lower front side of the printer 1. As described above, the printer 1 is configured as a multifunction machine in which the scan mechanism 30 and the print mechanism 40 are built in the same housing.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the document table cover 34 is opened. When the document table cover 34 is opened, a document table 35 appears above the printer 1. For example, the document table 35 is formed in a flat plate shape from a transparent glass material, and a light source 31 and a light receiving unit 32 are disposed below the document table 35. The user aligns the document on the document table 35, places the document 2 downward, closes the document table cover 34, and instructs to start scanning. When the reading of the image is completed, the user opens the document table cover 34, removes the document 2 from the document table 35, and places a new document 2 on the document table 35.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the operation panel 10. In the central part of the operation panel 10, a display 21 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device is provided. This display 21 has a display capability of, for example, 7 rows and 16 columns (full-width). On one side (right side in the figure) of the display 21, various buttons 11A to 11C related to execution instructions (start relation) and various buttons 13A to 13E related to menu operations are arranged. On the other side of the display 21 (left side in the figure), various buttons 14A to 14E for selecting various processing modes that can be executed stand-alone, a paper feed / discharge button 15, a power button 16, An error notification lamp 22 is provided.

  The function of each button will be described. The color copy button 11A is used to instruct the execution of color copy. The monochrome copy button 11B is used to instruct execution of monochrome copy. The color copy button 11A and the monochrome copy button 11B realize both an execution instruction function for instructing the start of a copy operation and a selection function for selecting the type of image to be copied (color image or monochrome image). . The stop button 11C is for ending the process. The menu button 13A is used to select a menu to be displayed on the display 21. The enter button 13B is for confirming the selected instruction content. The cancel button 13C cancels the selected instruction content. The cross key button 13 </ b> D is used to switch the display contents of each item of the menu displayed on the display 21.

  The printer 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of processing modes such as local copy, memory card printing, film printing, and scanning. The copy button 14A is used to select a local copy. The memory card print button 14B is used to select a mode in which image data is read out from a memory card mounted on the printer 1 and printed. The film print button 14C selects a mode in which an image is read from a film such as a 35 mm film or a slide film and printed. The scan mode button 14D is a button for selecting a mode in which an image read from an original is recorded on a memory card attached to the printer 1 or transmitted to a host computer. The various setting buttons 14E perform, for example, contrast adjustment of the display 21, cleaning of the print head 41 and nozzle check, detailed display of the remaining ink amount, replacement of the ink cartridge, and the like. The paper feed / discharge button 15 instructs a paper feed operation and a paper discharge operation. The power button 16 controls power supply to the printer 1. The lamp 22 is used to alert the user by turning on the lamp when an error occurs.

  In FIG. 4, an N-up printing menu is displayed on the display 21. N-up printing is a mode in which a plurality of images are read by a scanner, and the plurality of images are allocated and printed on one printing sheet. Here, it should be noted that the ink remaining amount icon G2 is displayed on the upper right of the screen even when the N-up printing menu that is not the ink remaining amount display menu is displayed. As will be described later, the ink remaining amount icon G2 is always displayed on the display 21 under operation states such as copy printing and various setting menus.

  Reference is now made to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the enlarged display screen G1 for the remaining amount of ink is displayed. FIG. 5A shows a state in which “various setting menus” are displayed on the display 21. In the various setting menus, various sub-menus such as liquid crystal contrast adjustment, head cleaning, nozzle check, ink remaining amount, and ink cartridge replacement can be selected as shown in the figure. Here, the menu screen includes a title display unit M1 that displays a menu title, a main display unit M2 that displays submenus and specific contents, and a message display unit M3 that displays various messages addressed to the user. The The remaining ink icon G2 is displayed on the right side of the title display portion M1.

  The user can grasp at a glance the outline of the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 44 by viewing the ink remaining amount icon G2 displayed on the title display portion M1. In the illustrated example, it can be seen that the remaining amount of the black ink (K) is insufficient as compared with the inks of other colors. Since the display accuracy of the ink remaining amount icon G2 is as low as 1/3 unit, it is possible to grasp the tendency that the remaining amount of black ink is insufficient, but it is not possible to grasp how much it actually is.

  Therefore, the user who desires the details of the remaining ink amount selects the “ink remaining amount” menu from various setting menus, and displays the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 as the main display 21 as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the display unit M2. The ink remaining amount enlargement display screen G1 includes, for example, the name of each color, a bar indicating the remaining ink amount of each color, and a scale of the remaining amount bar (for example, 100%, 50%, 0%). Yes. On the ink remaining amount enlargement display screen G1, the ink remaining amount is displayed in units of 10%, that is, in 10 levels. Therefore, the user can check the remaining amount of ink with an accuracy about three times higher than the display accuracy of the remaining ink icon G2. Here, the relationship between the actual ink remaining amount and the display stage will be described. On the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1, the actual ink remaining amount is rounded up and displayed. For example, when the actual ink remaining amount is 81%, the remaining amount of ink is displayed on the enlarged ink remaining display screen G1 as 90%.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the remaining amount of black ink is 10%. The ink whose remaining ink amount is reduced to 10% is at a warning level called an ink low state. Therefore, the black ink bar in the ink-low state blinks to alert the user. In addition, a warning message such as “Black ink is low” is displayed on the message display portion M3. In the ink remaining amount icon G2, the ink bar in the ink low state blinks.

  Even in the ink remaining amount menu display state shown in FIG. 5B, the ink remaining amount icon G2 is displayed on the right side of the title display portion M1. By displaying the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 and the ink remaining amount icon G2 at the same time, the user can confirm the display correspondence between the screen G1 and the icon G2 having different display accuracy, and convenience is increased. . That is, the user can confirm at a glance the correspondence relationship between the rough ink level indicated by the ink level icon G2 and the more detailed ink level indicated on the enlarged ink level display screen G2. Specifically, for example, even when the ink remaining amount icon G2 is displayed as full (magenta M), the user can recognize again that the actual ink remaining amount is 80%.

  Next, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing details of the remaining ink icon G2. In FIG. 6, “photo copy (L size)” which is one of the print menus is displayed, and a remaining ink icon G2 is also displayed in the title display portion M1 of the photo copy menu. As shown in the upper side of the drawing, the ink remaining amount icon G2 displays the ink remaining amount in units of 1/3, that is, in three stages, such as 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3.

  Here, the relationship between the actual ink remaining amount and the display stage will be described. When the ink remaining amount is in the range of 39% to 10%, it is displayed as “1/3”. When the remaining amount of ink is in the range of 79% to 40%, “2/3” is displayed. When the remaining amount of ink is in the range of 100% to 80%, “3/3” is displayed. Note that a numerical value such as “3/3 (100% to 80%)” shown on the upper side in FIG. 6 is not displayed as a part of the remaining ink icon G2. The ink remaining amount icon G2 of this embodiment includes only a plurality of bars each indicating the remaining amount of ink of each color.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of the remaining ink management process. This ink remaining amount management process is performed at a predetermined timing (for example, print job unit, page unit, print object unit, etc.). First, the remaining ink management unit 60 monitors whether or not the ink cartridge 44 has been replaced (S1). When the ink cartridge 44 is replaced (S1: YES), the ink remaining amount management unit 60 acquires an initial filling amount for each color of ink (S2). This initial filling amount can be obtained by reading from a cartridge memory provided in the ink cartridge 44. Alternatively, when the initial filling amount for each cartridge model number is stored in the memory of the printer 1 in advance, it can be obtained by reading from the local memory. On the other hand, if the ink cartridge 44 has not been replaced (S1: NO), the latest (immediately previous) ink remaining amount is acquired from the cartridge memory (S3). The remaining amount of ink can be stored in the memory inside the printer without being stored in the cartridge memory.

  Then, the ink consumption accompanying printing is calculated (S4). For example, if the number of bullets ejected from ink droplets and the amount of ink per ink droplet are known, the amount of ink consumed can be obtained by integrating the number of bullets ejected and the amount ejected. Then, the ink consumption amount can be calculated by subtracting the ink consumption amount from the initial filling amount (S2) or the latest ink remaining amount (S3) (S5). The calculated latest ink remaining amount is updated and stored in either the cartridge memory or the memory inside the printer (S6).

  Next, the ink remaining amount management unit 60 determines whether or not the calculated ink remaining amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 10%) set in advance (S7). If the ink remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (S7: YES), the process returns to S1. On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount is less than the predetermined value (S7: NO), it is determined that the ink is in the low state, and an alarm signal is output (S8). In response to this alarm signal, the remaining amount display control unit 70 blinks the ink color bar in the ink-low state or displays a warning message.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of the remaining ink amount display process. First, the remaining amount display control unit 70 determines whether or not the user is in an operation state (S11). Here, the operation state means a state in which a setting operation for shifting to the operation state of each mode is possible. Specifically, for example, a copy mode operation state, a copy menu operation state, a memory card print mode operation state, a scan mode operation state, a film print mode operation state, and various setting mode operation states are included. Examples of states other than the operation state include a state immediately after the printer 1 is started, a special menu state, a screen saver start state, and the like.

  When the printer 1 is placed in various operation states (S11: YES), the remaining amount display control unit 70 acquires the latest ink remaining amount from the ink remaining amount managing unit 60 (S12), and displays the ink remaining amount icon G2. It is displayed on the title display part M1 of the display 21 (S13). Next, it is determined whether or not the mode has been shifted from the various setting menus to a mode for checking the remaining ink level (S14). If the display does not shift to the ink level menu, that is, if another menu is displayed (S14: NO), the process returns to S11 and the display of the ink level icon G2 is continued.

  On the other hand, when the display is shifted to the ink remaining amount menu (S14: YES), the remaining amount display control unit 70 acquires the latest ink remaining amount from the ink remaining amount managing unit 60 (S15), and the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1. Is displayed on the main display portion M2 of the display 21 (S16). At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, an ink remaining amount icon G2 is also displayed. When the detailed ink remaining amount confirmation by the user is finished and the ink remaining amount menu is finished (S17: YES), the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 is deleted from the display 21 (S18). The display 21 displays menus of other modes. Here, even when the display screen is switched, the ink remaining amount icon G2 is continuously displayed on the title display unit M1 as long as it is in the operation state by the user.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 that displays the remaining ink amount in steps of 10% and the remaining ink amount that displays the remaining ink amount in steps of 1/3. Since the icon G2 is provided, the remaining amount of ink can be displayed by effectively using the display 21 having a limited screen size.

  In addition, the ink remaining amount icon G2 having a small display size makes the display accuracy rough, and the display accuracy is increased on the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 having a large display size. Therefore, the ink remaining amount can be displayed with an accuracy corresponding to the display size. . Therefore, the user can grasp the approximate state and tendency of the remaining amount of ink for each color simply by looking at the remaining ink amount icon G2, and confirm the details of the remaining amount of ink for each color on the enlarged ink remaining amount display screen G1. And convenience increases.

  Further, since the ink remaining amount icon G2 is constantly displayed on the display 21 under the operation state by the user, the user can easily check the outline of the ink remaining amount without performing a special operation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a situation such as forgetting to purchase a new ink cartridge 44. The ink that is in the inclaw state is notified to the user by flashing a bar or a warning message. However, there are cases where the ink cartridge store is closed or a new ink cartridge 44 cannot be obtained quickly due to delivery date or the like. .

  In particular, in the multi-function printer 1 as in the present embodiment, not all functions are disabled at the moment when a certain color of ink has run out, and a printing function with a color that has run out of ink cannot be used. It only becomes. Printing capable of printing with only other colors can be performed, and other modes such as storing an image captured by a scanner in a memory card can be executed. Therefore, the general user's awareness of running out of ink is not so high. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the ink remaining amount is confirmed only before the start of the first printing, and the remaining ink amount is neglected during the remaining printing.

  Therefore, it is desirable to check the remaining amount of ink frequently on a regular basis. However, as the confirmation of the remaining amount of ink is accompanied by a special operation, the operation barrier increases and the confirmation becomes easy to neglect. However, in this embodiment, since the ink remaining amount icon G2 is always displayed, the user can confirm the outline of the ink remaining amount consciously or unconsciously from the usual time without any special operation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of occurrence of a new cartridge arrangement delay.

  Furthermore, since the ink remaining amount enlarged display screen G1 and the ink remaining amount icon G2 share the display 21 with the menus of other modes, it is not necessary to prepare a special display for displaying the remaining amount.

In addition, embodiment of this invention mentioned above is an illustration for description of this invention, and is not the meaning which limits the scope of the present invention only to those embodiment. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, instead of the ink remaining amount icon G2, for example, a bar in which a plurality of LED lamps are arranged can be used.
In the embodiment, the remaining ink amount is displayed as a bar graph. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be displayed in another form such as a pie graph.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view of the printer with the document table cover closed. FIG. 2 is an external view of the printer with a document table cover open. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an operation panel. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of an ink remaining amount enlargement display screen. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of an ink remaining amount icon. 5 is a flowchart illustrating ink remaining amount management processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating ink remaining amount display processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 2 ... Original, 10 ... Operation panel, 10A ... Information input part, 10B ... Information output part, 11A ... Color copy button, 11B ... Monochrome copy button, 11C ... Stop button, 12 ... Print menu, 13A ... Menu Button, 13B ... Enter button, 13C ... Cancel button, 13D ... Cross key button, 14A ... Copy button, 14B ... Memory card print button, 14C ... Film print button, 14D ... Scan mode button, 14E ... Various setting buttons, 15 ... Paper discharge button, 16 ... Power button, 21 ... Display, 22 ... Lamp, 30 ... Scanning mechanism, 31 ... Light source, 32 ... Light receiving part, 33 ... Scanning part, 34 ... Document table cover, 35 ... Document table, 40 ... Print Mechanism 41 ... print head 42 ... scanning unit 43 ... paper transport unit 44 ... IN Cartridge 45 ... paper feed tray 46 ... paper discharge tray 50 ... main control unit 51 ... scanner control unit 52 ... scan data storage unit 53 ... image processing unit 54 ... print image data storage unit 55 ... printer Control unit 60 ... Ink remaining amount management unit 61 ... Initial value acquisition function 62 ... Ink consumption calculation function 63 ... Ink remaining amount calculation function 70 ... Remaining amount display control unit 71 ... Enlarged display unit 72 ... Reduced display section 73 ... Display switching section 74, 75 ... Display accuracy storage section, G1 ... Ink remaining amount enlarged display screen, G2 ... Ink remaining amount icon, M1 ... Title display section, M2 ... Main display section, M3 ... Message Display section

Claims (10)

A remaining amount management means for managing the remaining amount of the recording agent;
A remaining amount display control unit for displaying the remaining amount of the recording agent based on the remaining amount of the recording agent managed by the remaining amount managing unit,
The remaining amount display control means displays the remaining amount of recording agent on a plurality of remaining amount display screens having different display sizes with display accuracy corresponding to each display size. Display device.   The recording agent remaining amount display device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount display control unit decreases the display accuracy as the display size decreases.   The recording agent remaining amount display device according to claim 2, wherein the remaining amount display control unit always displays a remaining amount display screen having the smallest display size among the remaining amount display screens of the respective display sizes.   The said remaining amount display control means switches and displays the remaining amount display screen with the largest display size among the remaining amount display screens of each display size with another parameter display screen based on a screen switching instruction. The recording agent remaining amount display device according to claim 1.   The recording agent remaining amount display device according to claim 4, wherein the remaining amount display control unit displays the remaining amount display screens having different display sizes on the same display unit. The remaining amount management means outputs an alarm signal when the remaining amount of the recording agent falls below a predetermined value set in advance,
6. The recording agent remaining amount display device according to claim 5, wherein the remaining amount display control means notifies an alarm for a recording agent having a recording agent remaining amount equal to or less than the predetermined value based on the alarm signal.   The recording agent remaining amount display device according to claim 6, wherein the remaining amount display screen having the smallest display size is configured as an icon element. A recording agent tank that is detachably attached, a print head that performs printing by discharging a predetermined amount of the recording agent supplied from the recording agent tank toward a predetermined position of the printing paper, and information related to printing are displayed. In a printing apparatus provided with a display for
A remaining amount management means for detecting and managing the remaining amount of the recording agent in the recording agent tank;
Based on the remaining amount of the recording agent managed by the remaining amount management means, and a remaining amount display control means for displaying the remaining amount of the recording agent on the display,
The remaining amount display control means controls two types of remaining amount display screens, a first remaining amount display screen reduced on the display and a second remaining amount display screen enlarged on the display. The printing apparatus is configured to display a display accuracy of the first remaining amount display screen that is set to be coarser than that of the second remaining amount display screen. Detecting the remaining amount of the recording agent;
Continuously displaying the detected recording agent remaining amount on a display with a preset low display accuracy;
Determining whether a display accuracy switching instruction has been input; and
When the switching instruction is input, displaying the detected recording agent remaining amount on the display with a display accuracy set higher than the low display accuracy;
A recording agent remaining amount display method characterized by comprising: A remaining amount management function for detecting and managing the remaining amount of the recording agent;
A function of constantly displaying the detected recording agent remaining amount on a predetermined small screen with a predetermined low accuracy;
When a display accuracy switching instruction is input, a function of displaying the detected recording agent remaining amount on a predetermined large screen with higher accuracy than the low accuracy;
A computer program for realizing a computer.

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