JP2007245501A - Printing device, printing information-giving method, and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which can notify the user of a residual paper count that guarantees the number of positively printable paper sheets, by a cartridge storing a coloring agent therein. <P>SOLUTION: In an ink-jet printer, if a printed paper count reaches a printing guaranteed paper count that is an upper limit of a printable paper count, printing by using the ink cartridge in which the printing guaranteed paper count is set, is not carried out. On the other count, if the printed paper count does not reach the printing guaranteed paper count, images are printed on recording paper sheets S by using the ink cartridge, and the residual paper count N is obtained based on the printed paper count, followed by displaying a residual paper count information displaying image plane 80 which is provided with a residual paper count display section 80b exhibiting the relationship between the printing guaranteed paper count and the residual paper count, on a display section 62. The residual paper count display section 80b is indicated by a plurality of blocks obtained by partitioning an area indicative of the printing guaranteed paper count at every predetermined paper count, and the blocks corresponding to the obtained residual paper count are displayed in a color different from the color of the blocks corresponding to the printed paper count. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing notification method, and a program thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printing apparatus, an apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink and presents information regarding the remaining amount of ink to a user has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 manages the amount of ink consumed in printing performed in the past as usage amount information, and calculates the printable number of sheets for each sheet calculated based on the usage amount information. And display it on the display unit.
JP 2002-283670 A (FIG. 15)

  However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the printable number of printable sheets after the present is obtained based on the usage amount information relating to past printing, and the obtained printable number of sheets is displayed. When printing is performed under conditions different from those performed in the past, the displayed number of printable sheets may differ from the actual number of printed sheets. There is a demand for the user to know the number of prints that can be made with the cartridge, such as a plan to print a predetermined number of sheets, and to ensure that the expected number of prints is secured. It is hoped to do.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides a printing apparatus, a printing notification method, and a program thereof capable of notifying a user of the remaining number of sheets that can be printed more reliably by a cartridge containing a colorant. The purpose is to do.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A printing unit capable of printing an image on a print medium using a cartridge in which a print guarantee number which is the upper limit of the number of printable sheets containing the colorant is set;
Informing means capable of informing information on the remaining number of printable sheets by the cartridge;
When the number of printed sheets printed by the printing unit has reached the guaranteed printing number, the printing unit is not printed using the cartridge, and when the number of printed sheets has not reached the guaranteed printing number, the printing unit is An image is printed on the printing medium using a cartridge, the remaining number of printable sheets is determined based on the printed number of printed sheets, and the information on the calculated remaining number is notified. Control means for informing the means;
It is equipped with.

  In this printing apparatus, when the number of printed sheets has reached the guaranteed number of prints that is the upper limit of the number of printable sheets, printing is not performed using a cartridge that contains a colorant and has a set number of guaranteed prints. When the number of printed sheets has not reached the guaranteed number of prints, the cartridge is used to print an image on a print medium, and the remaining number of printable sheets is determined from the printed number of printed sheets. Information on the obtained remaining number of sheets is notified. In this way, printing is performed using a cartridge in which the guaranteed number of prints is set until the number of printed sheets reaches the guaranteed number of prints, and information on the remaining number obtained from the guaranteed number of printed sheets and the number of printed sheets is notified. It is. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of the remaining number of sheets that can be printed more reliably by the cartridge containing the colorant. Here, “notifying the information on the remaining number of sheets” means not only informing the information on the remaining number of sheets itself but also informing the information on the remaining number of sheets indirectly by notifying the information on the number of printed sheets. Including.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention comprises storage means for storing the remaining number of sheets, and acquisition means capable of acquiring a notification command for notifying the remaining number of sheets to the notification means, and the control means includes the printing means When the image is printed on the print medium using the cartridge, the remaining number of sheets is reduced and stored in the storage unit. When the acquisition unit acquires the notification command, the remaining number of sheets is stored from the storage unit. The information related to the remaining number of sheets may be notified to the notification means based on the read result. In this way, since the remaining number of sheets is stored in the storage means, information regarding the remaining number of sheets can be managed relatively easily. Here, “storing the remaining number of sheets” means not only storing the remaining number of sheets itself, but also indirectly storing the remaining number of sheets by storing a printed number that can be calculated by subtracting from the guaranteed number of printed sheets. Including remembering. At this time, the storage means may be a storage element provided in the cartridge. In this way, since the remaining number of sheets is stored in the storage element provided in the cartridge, the cartridge and the remaining number of the cartridge can be reliably linked.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the information on the remaining number of sheets, the control unit can recognize the information on the remaining number of sheets in a manner capable of recognizing the relationship between the guaranteed print number and the remaining number of sheets. The notification means may be notified. In this way, the user can recognize the remaining number of printable sheets for the guaranteed number of prints, which is the upper limit for printing. At this time, the notification means is display means capable of displaying an image, and the control means corresponds to the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the number of printed sheets among the areas for displaying the print guaranteed number of areas. By displaying the area to be displayed on the display unit in a different manner, the information on the remaining number of sheets may be displayed on the display unit in a manner in which the relationship between the guaranteed number of prints and the remaining number of sheets can be visually recognized. In this way, the remaining number can be visually recognized by the image. In addition, since the remaining number of sheets and the number of printed sheets are displayed in different areas, the user can visually recognize the relationship between the guaranteed number of printed sheets and the remaining number of sheets relatively quickly compared to reading characters. At this time, the control means may cause the display means to display the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the area corresponding to the number of printed sheets in different colors. This makes it easier to visually recognize the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the area corresponding to the number of printed sheets. At this time, when the display means displays the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the area corresponding to the number of printed sheets on the display means in different modes, the predetermined number of the areas for displaying the guaranteed number of prints are displayed. Of the plurality of blocks divided every time, the block corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the block corresponding to the number of printed sheets may be displayed on the display unit in different modes. In this way, it is easy to distinguish and display the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the area corresponding to the number of printed sheets using blocks. At this time, the control means may cause the display means to display in a manner that the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets is reduced in the area for displaying the guaranteed printing number as the number of printed sheets increases. In this way, when printing is performed, the remaining number of sheets is reduced and displayed, so that the user can easily grasp the progress of the remaining number of sheets.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit grasps the remaining amount of the colorant accommodated in the cartridge, and when the remaining amount of the colorant falls below a predetermined first remaining amount or the remaining number of sheets is predetermined. A message indicating that the number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge is low, the notifying means is informed so that the remaining amount of the colorant reaches a predetermined second remaining amount or the remaining number of sheets. After the predetermined second remaining number of sheets is reached, a message indicating that printing cannot be performed with the cartridge is notified to the notifying unit, and the printing unit may not be printed using the cartridge. In this way, the user can grasp the decrease in the remaining number of printable sheets and the remaining amount of the colorant by the message. Also, after the remaining amount of the colorant reaches the predetermined second remaining amount, printing is not performed on the cartridge, thereby preventing the printing means from being damaged due to use in a state where the remaining amount of the colorant is low. Since the remaining number of sheets reaches the predetermined second remaining number of sheets, printing from the start of printing to the second remaining number of sheets can be ensured by not performing printing with the cartridge. Here, the “second remaining number of sheets” may be set to a number that can ensure printing of the guaranteed number of prints.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing unit may print a photographic image on the printing medium using a cartridge containing ink as the colorant. In this way, since the photographic image is printed, the amount of colorant consumed for printing the image is smaller than that in which printing of characters and photographic printing is mixed, and the cartridge is stored in advance in the cartridge. The amount of the colorant to be performed can be grasped relatively appropriately. Moreover, when printing a photograph, beautiful printing can be performed using ink as a colorant.

The printing notification method of the present invention includes:
A printing unit capable of printing an image on a printing medium using a cartridge that contains a colorant and has a guaranteed number of prints that is the upper limit of the number of printable sheets, and information on the remaining number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge can be notified. A printing notification method for controlling a printing apparatus provided with notification means by computer software,
(A) When the number of printed sheets printed by the printing unit has reached the guaranteed printing number, the printing unit is not printed using the cartridge, and when the number of printed sheets has not reached the guaranteed printing number, the printing is performed. Causing the means to print an image on the print medium using the cartridge;
(B) obtaining the remaining number, which is the printable number of prints, based on the number of printed sheets printed in the step (a), and notifying the notifying means of information relating to the obtained remaining number When,
Is included.

  In this printing notification method, when the printed number of printed sheets has reached the guaranteed number of prints that is the upper limit of the number of printable sheets, the printing is not performed using the cartridge in which the colorant is stored and the guaranteed number of prints is set. When the number of printed sheets has not reached the guaranteed number of prints, the cartridge is used to print an image on a print medium, and the remaining number of printable sheets is determined from the printed number of printed sheets. Information on the obtained remaining number of sheets is notified. In this way, printing is performed until the number of printed sheets reaches the number of guaranteed prints using the cartridge in which the number of guaranteed prints is set, and information on the remaining number obtained from the guaranteed number of printed sheets and the number of printed sheets is notified. To do. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of the remaining number of sheets that can be printed more reliably by the cartridge containing the colorant. In this printing notification method, various aspects of the above-described printing apparatus may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described printing apparatus may be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the above-described print notification method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the print notification method described above is executed. can get.

  Next, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the ink jet printer 20 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the ink cartridge 50, and FIG. 3 is an explanation of cartridge information 54 a stored in the storage element 54. 4 and 4 are explanatory diagrams of the operation panel 60. FIG. The ink jet printer 20 according to the present embodiment is configured as a so-called photographic printer using, for example, a photographic image taken with a digital camera or the like as a printing image and using a photographic size paper as the recording paper S. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 50 in which the guaranteed number of prints, which is a predetermined upper limit of the number of printable sheets, and the recording sheet S with the guaranteed number of prints are sold as a set. The ink cartridge 50 and the recording paper S that are sold as a set can be used. The ink jet printer 20 is set so that printing cannot be performed with the ink cartridge 50 even if ink remains after the printing with the guaranteed number of prints is completed. It is assumed that the user purchases the set in which printing of a predetermined number of sheets is guaranteed, sets the ink cartridge 50 and the recording paper S in the inkjet printer 20, and executes printing. In the present embodiment, a function that disables printing with the cartridge after printing of the guaranteed number of prints is completed is called a “shutoff function”, and a function that disables printing with the cartridge is referred to as “shutoff”. ".

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 20 of the present embodiment includes a printer mechanism 21 that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet S that is conveyed from the back to the front of the platen 40, and a drive motor. The paper feed mechanism 31 including the paper feed roller 35 driven by the machine 33, the capping device 41 formed at one end of the platen 40, the operation panel 60 for inputting various instructions by the user, and the entire inkjet printer 20 are controlled. And a controller 70.

  The printer mechanism 21 includes a carriage 22 that reciprocates left and right along a guide 28 by a carriage belt 32, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), red (R), blue (B), and black ( K) ink cartridges 50 that can individually store ink of each color and can supply ink to the carriage 22, and a print head 24 that applies pressure to each ink supplied from the ink cartridge 50. As the carriage 22 is driven by the carriage motor 34a, the carriage belt 32 laid between the carriage motor 34a attached to the right side of the mechanical frame 48 and the driven roller 34b attached to the left side of the mechanical frame 48 is driven. Move. Here, a so-called off-carriage type in which the ink cartridge 50 is not mounted on the carriage 22 is employed. The print head 24 is provided in the lower part of the carriage 22, and each color is applied from a nozzle 23 provided on the lower surface of the print head 24 by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. Ink is ejected. The print head 24 may employ a method in which ink is pressurized by bubbles generated by applying voltage to a heating resistor (for example, a heater) to heat the ink. A linear encoder 25 that detects the position of the carriage 22 is disposed on the rear surface of the carriage 22, and the position of the carriage 22 can be managed using the linear encoder 25.

  The ink cartridge 50 is detachably attached to the mechanical frame 48, and as shown in FIG. 2, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow containing a dye or pigment as a colorant in water as a solvent. (Y), red (R), blue (B), and black (K) ink containers 52a to 52f, each containing ink used for printing, and the waste ink discharged by the cleaning process are absorbed and stored. And a storage element 54 that stores information on the ink cartridge 50 and the like. The ink cartridge 50 can supply ink to the carriage 22 by driving a supply pump (not shown) via a supply tube 29 connected between the ink supply ports 51a to 51f and the carriage 22 (see FIG. 1). . The storage element 54 is a readable / writable nonvolatile IC memory, and when the ink cartridge 50 is mounted on the main body, the output terminal 55 provided on the surface thereof and the connection terminal 47 provided on the main body are connected, Information can be read from and written to the storage element 54. The storage element 54 stores cartridge information 54a that is information about the ink cartridge 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge information 54a includes the guaranteed number of prints that is the maximum number of sheets that are guaranteed to be printed with the cartridge, the number of printed sheets that have been printed with the cartridge so far, The difference between the guaranteed number of sheets and the number of printed sheets, the remaining number of sheets that can be printed with the cartridge, the maximum corresponding to each of the ink containers 52a to 52f (C, M, Y, R, B, K) Ink amount (L1max to L6max), consumed ink amount by printing up to now, difference value between maximum ink amount and consumed ink amount, ink remaining amount that is current ink remaining amount, maximum absorption in waste liquid pad 53 The maximum amount of waste liquid (Wmax) that is possible, the amount of waste liquid that has been absorbed by the waste liquid pad 53 up to now, and the difference between the maximum amount of waste liquid and the amount of waste liquid. Effluent permissible amount and the like are included is an amount representing how ability. Here, the guaranteed number of prints is set to 100, and each of the ink containers 52a to 52f is filled with the above-described maximum ink amount as an ink amount necessary for maintenance such as printing and cleaning of the guaranteed number of prints. Has been. The amount of ink required for printing the guaranteed number of prints is determined as an amount of ink required for printing a standard photographic image plus a predetermined margin for safety.

  The capping device 41 is provided at a position off the right side in FIG. 1 from the printable region of the platen 40, and includes a casing that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and has an upper portion opened. The capping device 41 is also used when sealing the print head 24 in order to prevent the print head 24 from drying out during a printing pause or the like. Further, a suction pump 42 is connected to the capping device 41, and when the suction pump 42 is operated, a negative pressure is generated in the internal space of the capping device 41. By generating this negative pressure when the capping device 41 seals the nozzle 23, the ink in the print head 24 is forcibly sucked out. The ink sucked out by the suction pump 42 is absorbed by the waste liquid pad 53 of the ink cartridge 50 through the waste liquid tube 43 and the waste liquid inlet 53a as waste ink. The capping device 41 performs a so-called flushing operation in which ink droplets are ejected periodically or at a predetermined timing regardless of print data in order to prevent the ink from drying and solidifying at the tip of the print head 24. Also used when doing.

  The operation panel 60 is a device for a user to input various instructions to the inkjet printer 20, and as shown in FIG. 4, a display unit 62 that displays characters, figures, or symbols according to the various instructions. In addition, an operation unit 64 for performing various operations is provided. The display unit 62 includes a liquid crystal panel that displays a color image. The operation unit 64 includes a cursor key 64a that is pressed when the user moves a cursor that selects a process, a character, and the like, a determination key 64b that is pressed when a process selection is determined, and various settings. A setting key 64c to be pressed, a return key 64d to be pressed when canceling, a print execution key 64e to be pressed when printing the selected image, and the like are arranged. The remaining number information display screen 80 will be described later in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 70 is provided on a main board 49 attached to the back surface of the mechanical frame 48, and is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 72. The ROM 73 stores various processing programs; A RAM 74 that temporarily stores and saves data, a flash memory 75 that can write and erase data, an interface (I / F) 79 that exchanges information with external devices, and an input / output (not shown) And a port. The ROM 73 stores a print / display control routine described later. The RAM 74 is provided with a print buffer area, and print data transmitted from the user PC 90 is temporarily stored in the print buffer area. The flash memory 75 stores cartridge information similar to the above-described cartridge information 54a of the currently installed ink cartridge 50 in preparation for removal and re-installation of the ink cartridge 50. A signal from the storage element 54 and a signal from the operation panel 60 are input to the controller 70 via an input port (not shown), and a print job output from the user PC 90 is input via the I / F 79. Is done. The controller 70 outputs a control signal to the print head 24, a control signal to the drive motor 33, a drive signal to the carriage motor 34a, an operation control signal to the suction pump 42, and the like via an output port (not shown). In addition, the print status information to the user PC 90 is output via the I / F 79.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet printer 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print / display control routine executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the ROM 73 and executed by the CPU 72 after the ink jet printer 20 is turned on. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 first determines whether or not the ink jet printer 20 has just been turned on, or whether or not the opened cartridge cover (not shown) has been closed (step S100). ). This determination is to determine whether or not there is a possibility that the ink cartridge 50 has been replaced. Whether or not the cartridge cover is closed is determined based on a signal from a contact-type sensor (not shown). When at least one of the ink jet printer 20 is turned on and the cartridge cover is closed, the CPU 72 considers that the ink cartridge 50 may have been replaced, and the storage element of the ink cartridge 50 The remaining number N, the remaining ink amount L, and the allowable amount W of waste liquid are read from the cartridge information 54a stored in 54 (step S110), and it is determined whether or not the cartridge 50 has been replaced (step S120). To determine whether or not the ink cartridge 50 has been replaced, the cartridge information stored in the flash memory 75 is read out, and each numerical value included is stored in the storage element 54 and stored in the flash memory 75. It is based on whether or not it matches what is present. When it is determined that the ink cartridge 50 has been replaced, the CPU 72 writes the content read in step S110 into the flash memory 75 (step S130). As described above, when the ink cartridge 50 is replaced, the cartridge information stored in the storage element 54 and the cartridge information stored in the flash memory 75 are the same.

  After step S130, or immediately after the power of the inkjet printer 20 is turned on in step S100 and when it is determined that the opened cartridge cover is not closed, or in step S120, the ink cartridge 50 is replaced. When it is determined that the ink cartridge 50 has not been printed, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 50 is in a printable state (step S140). Whether or not the ink cartridge 50 is in a printable state is determined based on the cartridge information stored in the flash memory 75 if the remaining number N of ink cartridges 50 is not 0 or the remaining amount L of ink remains. Or by determining whether the waste liquid allowable amount W is not zero. When it is determined that the ink cartridge 50 is not in a printable state, a warning message indicating that the ink cartridge 50 cannot be printed is displayed on the display unit 62 as shown in FIG. 7 (step S240).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S140 that the ink cartridge 50 is in a printable state, it is determined whether there is a print instruction (step S150). Whether or not there is a print instruction is determined based on whether or not print data has been received from the user PC 90 or whether or not the print execution key 64e has been pressed. When it is determined that there is no print instruction, the CPU 72 performs the above-described processing of steps S100 to S140. When it is determined that there is a print instruction, the CPU 72 notifies the user of the current use status of the ink cartridge 50, so The remaining printable number N of the guaranteed number of sheets is displayed on the display unit 62 in such a manner that the relationship between the guaranteed print number and the remaining number of sheets can be visually recognized (step S160). Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge information stored in the flash memory 75 is read, and the remaining number information display screen 80 created based on the read information is displayed on the display unit 62. The remaining number information display screen 80 includes a title display unit 80a for displaying the title of the screen, a remaining number display unit 80b displayed in a manner in which the relationship between the guaranteed number of prints and the remaining number is visible, the current status, and the like. Is provided with a message display section 80c that informs the user by text. In the remaining number display portion 80b, rectangular blocks corresponding to a predetermined ratio (here, 10%) of the guaranteed number of prints are arranged above and below, and the blocks corresponding to the remaining number are colored to correspond to the number of printed sheets. The block to be displayed is set to be displayed in white above the block corresponding to the remaining number of sheets. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the remaining number N is between 11 and 20, the remaining number display portion 80b is displayed so that the two blocks from the bottom are colored. It has become. Further, in the remaining number display portion 80b, when the number of printed sheets increases, the number of blocks corresponding to the remaining number N among the blocks that display the guaranteed printing number in the area is displayed. For this reason, it is easy for the user to grasp the state of decrease in the remaining number N due to the use of the ink cartridge 50. In this way, the remaining number of print-guaranteed sheets is displayed in an area in a gauge shape, so that the user can quickly visually recognize the rough usage status.

  After displaying the remaining number information display screen 80 on the display unit 62 in step S160, the CPU 72 determines whether the remaining number N is equal to or less than the threshold value Nend, whether the remaining ink amount L is equal to or less than the threshold value Lend, or It is determined whether the waste liquid allowable amount W is equal to or less than the threshold value Wend (step S170). These threshold values Nend, Lend, and Wend are threshold values for notifying the user that printing cannot be performed with the ink cartridge 50. Here, the threshold value Nend is set to a value of the remaining number of sheets N when all of the guaranteed printing number Nmax are printed, that is, a value of 0, and the threshold value Lend is a predetermined margin for the amount of ejection of all ink of the maximum ink amount Lmax. , And the threshold value Wend is set to the value of the waste liquid allowable amount W when all the ink of the maximum waste liquid amount Wmax is absorbed, that is, the value 0. In addition, the determination whether or not the ink remaining amount L is equal to or less than the threshold Lend is performed for each ink remaining amount L using the thresholds L1end to L6end provided for each color. When it is determined that any one of the remaining number N is equal to or less than the threshold value Nend, the remaining ink amount L is equal to or less than the threshold value Lend, and the allowable waste liquid amount W is equal to or less than the threshold value Wend, the CPU 72 Assuming that no further printing can be performed with the ink cartridge 50 being used, a warning message to that effect is displayed on the message display portion 80c of the remaining number information display screen 80 as shown in FIG. 7 (step S240).

  On the other hand, in step S170, it is determined that none of the conditions that the remaining number N is equal to or less than the threshold value Nend, the remaining ink amount L is equal to or less than the threshold value Lend, and the allowable waste liquid W is equal to or less than the threshold value Wend. In some cases, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the remaining number N is smaller than the threshold value Nlow, whether or not the remaining amount L of ink is smaller than the threshold value Llow, or whether the allowable amount of waste liquid W is smaller than the threshold value Wlow (step). S180). These threshold values Nlow, Llow, and Wlow are threshold values for notifying the user that the number of printable sheets of the ink cartridge 50 has decreased, and can be set to arbitrary values. Here, the threshold value Nlow is determined to be 20% of the guaranteed print number Nmax, the threshold value Llow is determined to be 20% of the maximum ink amount Lmax, and the threshold value Wlow is set to 20% of the maximum waste liquid amount Wmax. It has been established. In addition, it is determined whether or not the ink remaining amount L is smaller than the threshold value Llow for each ink remaining amount L using threshold values L1low to L6low provided for each color. When it is determined that any one of the conditions that the remaining number N is smaller than the threshold value Nlow, the remaining ink amount L is smaller than the threshold value Llow, and the waste liquid allowable amount W is smaller than the threshold value Wlow, the CPU 72 As shown in FIG. 6, a warning message indicating that the number of sheets that can be printed by the ink cartridge 50 is reduced is displayed on the message display section 80c of the remaining number information display screen 80 (step S190).

  After it is determined in step S180 that the remaining number N is smaller than the threshold value Nlow, the remaining ink amount L is smaller than the threshold value Llow, and the allowable amount W of waste liquid is smaller than the threshold value Wlow, or After displaying the caution message on the message display unit 80c in step S190, the CPU 72 executes a print process for the print data instructed to be printed (step S200). Specifically, the CPU 72 drives the drive motor 33 to rotate the paper feed roller 35 and the like to convey the recording paper S to a printable area on the platen 40 and bitmap the print data in the print buffer of the RAM 74. The image is developed into an image, and the voltage to the print head 24 is controlled to print the developed data on the recording paper S. At this time, the carriage motor 34a is driven to move the carriage 22 in the carriage movement direction, and for example, the carriage 22 is moved to the capping device 41 at regular intervals to execute the flushing process and the cleaning process.

  As described above, when the printing process for one page is completed, the CPU 72 calculates the ink amount of each color used in the current printing and updates the carriage information such as the remaining number N, the remaining ink amount L, and the allowable amount W of waste liquid. (Step S210). Here, the cartridge information 54a stored in the storage element 54 and the cartridge information stored in the flash memory 75 are updated. The remaining number N is updated by subtracting 1 from the previous remaining number. Further, the remaining amount L of ink is required for the printing process and the flushing process calculated by multiplying the number of dots of ink ejected by the printing process or flushing process on the recording paper S and the ink amount corresponding to the dot. The consumed ink amount calculated by multiplying the consumed ink amount, the number of steps by which the suction pump 42 is driven, and the ink amount corresponding to the number of steps is updated by subtracting from the previous ink remaining amount. . The waste liquid allowable amount W is updated by calculating the current amount of waste liquid introduced to the waste liquid pad 53 by the flushing process and the cleaning process calculated in the same manner as described above, and subtracting the current waste liquid amount from the previous waste liquid allowable amount W. To do.

  Subsequently, the CPU 72 determines whether or not all print processing of the print data has been completed (step S220). When it is determined that the print processing has not ended, the processing of steps S160 to S220 is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S220 that the printing process has been completed, or after a warning message is displayed on the message display unit 80c in step S240, the CPU 72 determines whether the power is turned off (step S230). . When the power is not turned off, the processing of steps S100 to S230 is executed, and when the power is turned off, this routine is terminated. As described above, when it is determined in step S140 that the printing is not possible, or when the remaining number N is equal to or less than the threshold value Nend in step S190, the printing process with the ink cartridge 50 is not performed.

  It should be noted that the guaranteed number of prints should be guaranteed by storing in the ink cartridge 50 the amount of ink including the amount consumed by the printing process, cleaning process, and flushing process of the guaranteed number of prints. When the ink remaining amount L becomes less than the threshold Lend or the waste liquid pad 53 becomes full and the guaranteed number of prints cannot be printed and the ink cartridge 50 cannot be used, the user can use the ink cartridge 50. Mail or bring it to a service center. In the service center, the cartridge information 54a stored in the storage element 54 is read, and a fee corresponding to the number of sheets that could not be printed is returned to the user. Thereby, the guarantee of the number of printable sheets is further secured.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The display unit 62 of the present embodiment corresponds to display means of the present invention, the printer mechanism 21 corresponds to printing means, the controller 70 corresponds to control means and acquisition means, and the storage element 54 and the flash memory 75 serve as storage means. Equivalent to. Further, the ink of the present embodiment corresponds to the colorant of the present invention, the recording paper S corresponds to the printing medium, the threshold Llow corresponds to the first remaining amount, the threshold Nlow corresponds to the first remaining number of sheets, The threshold Lend corresponds to the second remaining amount, and the threshold Nend corresponds to the second remaining number. In the present embodiment, an example of the print notification method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the inkjet printer 20.

  According to the ink jet printer 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, when the printed number of printed sheets reaches the guaranteed number of prints that is the upper limit of the number of printable sheets, the ink cartridge 50 in which the guaranteed number of prints is set is used. Printing is not performed, and when the number of printed sheets has not reached the guaranteed number of printed sheets, an image is printed on the recording paper S using the ink cartridge 50, and the remaining number N is obtained based on the printed number of printed sheets. Information about the obtained remaining number N is displayed on the display unit 62. In this way, printing is performed using the ink cartridge 50 in which the guaranteed number of prints is set until the number of printed sheets reaches the guaranteed number of prints, and the remaining number obtained from the guaranteed number of prints and the number of printed sheets of the ink cartridge 50 Information about N is displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the user of the remaining number N that can be printed more reliably by the ink cartridge 50. Further, since the remaining number information display screen 80 is displayed on the display unit 62, the user can visually recognize the remaining number by the image.

  Further, when displaying the information on the remaining number N, a block corresponding to the remaining number N and a block corresponding to the printed number among a plurality of blocks obtained by dividing an area for displaying the guaranteed printing number for each predetermined number of sheets. Since the relationship between the guaranteed number of prints and the remaining number N is displayed on the display unit 62 in a visually recognizable manner by displaying in different colors, the currently printable remaining number corresponding to the upper limit number of prints determined in the ink cartridge 50 The user can easily visually recognize the number N. In addition, since the remaining number of sheets and the number of printed sheets are displayed in different areas, the user can visually recognize the relationship between the guaranteed number of printed sheets and the remaining number of sheets N more quickly than when reading characters. Furthermore, since the remaining number of sheets and the number of printed sheets are displayed in different colors, it is easier for the user to visually recognize the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the area corresponding to the number of printed sheets. Furthermore, the relationship between the guaranteed number of prints and the remaining number of sheets is displayed in a gauge shape using a block, so that the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the area corresponding to the printed number of sheets can be distinguished and displayed.

  Furthermore, since the remaining number N is stored in the storage element 54 and the flash memory 75, information regarding the remaining number can be managed relatively easily. Further, since the cartridge information (remaining number N or the like) is stored in the storage element 54 provided in the ink cartridge 50, the ink cartridge 50 and the remaining number of the ink cartridge 50 can be reliably associated with each other. Further, when the number of printed sheets increases, the guaranteed number of prints is displayed on the display unit 62 so that the number of blocks corresponding to the remaining number N in the area display area is reduced. It is easy to grasp the decrease in the number N.

  Furthermore, when the ink remaining amount L is less than the threshold value Llow, or when the remaining number N is less than the threshold value Nlow, a message indicating that the number of printable sheets with the ink cartridge 50 has decreased is displayed on the display unit 62, and the ink remaining amount is displayed. When the amount L reaches the threshold Lend or the remaining number N reaches the threshold Nend, a message indicating that printing cannot be performed with the ink cartridge 50 is displayed on the display unit 62, and the printer mechanism 21 uses the ink cartridge 50. In order to prevent printing from being performed, the user can grasp a decrease in the remaining number N and the remaining amount of ink L by a message, and after the ink remaining amount L reaches the threshold Lend, It is caused by using the ink cartridge 50 in a state where the remaining amount of ink is low because printing is not performed. It is possible to prevent damage to the print head 24, the after when the residual number N has reached the threshold value Nend can be reliably secured printing print guaranteed number by not perform printing with the ink cartridge 50. In addition, since the photographic image is printed on the recording paper S using the ink cartridge 50, the amount of ink consumed for printing the image is more variable than that in which printing of characters and photographic printing is mixed. Since it is small, a relatively appropriate amount of ink can be stored in the ink cartridge 50 in advance, and a beautiful print can be performed by printing a photograph using the ink.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the remaining number information display screen including the remaining number display unit 80b in which rectangular blocks in which the predetermined ratio of the guaranteed number of prints does not change until printing of the guaranteed number of prints is completed are arranged above and below. Although 80 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 8, when the remaining number N is less than a predetermined ratio (for example, 10%) of the guaranteed number of prints (in this case, less than 10 sheets), the print is guaranteed. The remaining number information display screen 81 having a remaining number display section 81b in which 10% of the number of sheets is full scale and a rectangular block in units of one sheet is vertically arranged may be displayed. In this way, the remaining number N immediately before the shut-off can be finely recognized.

  In the above-described embodiment, the remaining number information display screen 80 including the remaining number display unit 80b in which rectangular blocks corresponding to a predetermined ratio of the guaranteed number of prints are vertically arranged is displayed. As shown in the figure, a remaining number information display screen 82 including a remaining number display portion 82b displayed with a number having the guaranteed number of prints as a denominator and the remaining number N as a numerator may be displayed. In this way, the user can recognize the print guarantee number and the remaining number N in detail. Alternatively, as the information on the remaining number N, the remaining number N when the guaranteed printing number is 100% may be displayed as a percentage by area display or as a percentage by text display. Even in this case, the user can visually recognize the remaining number of printable sheets with respect to the upper limit number of printable sheets.

  In the above-described embodiment, the remaining number information display screen 80 including the remaining number display unit 80b in which the number of colored blocks corresponding to the remaining number N decreases as the number of printed sheets increases is displayed. As shown in FIG. 10, an upper limit is set to the number of blocks corresponding to the guaranteed number of prints, and a printed number display section 83b is provided in which the number of colored blocks corresponding to the number of printed sheets increases as the number of printed sheets increases. The remaining number information display screen 83 may be displayed. Even in this case, the non-colored blocks correspond to the remaining number N, and the remaining number N can be visually recognized indirectly from the number of the non-colored blocks. The user can easily visually check the remaining printable remaining number of sheets. It should be noted that it may be provided with a printed number display portion 83b displayed as a number with the guaranteed number of prints as the denominator and the printed number as a numerator.

  In the embodiment described above, the remaining number N is displayed on the remaining number information display screen 80 in which the relationship between the guaranteed printing number and the remaining number N is visible. However, only the remaining number N may be displayed. At this time, the remaining number N may be displayed as a number. Even in this case, it is possible to notify the user of the remaining number N that can be reliably printed by the cartridge.

  In the above-described embodiment, information on the remaining number N is displayed on the display unit 62 to notify the user. However, the inkjet printer 20 includes a speaker (not shown), and the information on the remaining number N is converted into sound. And it is good also as what alert | reports to a user by outputting the converted audio | voice from this speaker. In this way, the remaining number of sheets can be audibly notified to the user by voice.

  In the embodiment described above, the cartridge information 54a including the guaranteed number of prints, the number of printed sheets, the remaining number of sheets, the maximum ink amount, the consumed ink amount, the remaining ink amount, the maximum waste liquid amount, the waste liquid amount, the waste liquid allowable amount, and the like is stored. Although stored in the element 54, cartridge information including either one of the printed number and the remaining number, one of the consumed ink amount and the remaining ink amount, and one of the waste liquid amount and the waste liquid allowable amount. May be stored in the storage element 54. For example, if one of the printed number and the remaining number can be grasped, the other can be calculated by the difference from the guaranteed number of prints. In this way, the cartridge information 54a can be simplified.

  In the embodiment described above, the cartridge information 54a is stored in both the storage element 54 and the flash memory 75, but either one may be omitted. In this way, memory consumption can be suppressed. At this time, in consideration of the association between the ink cartridge 50 and the cartridge information 54a, it is preferable to omit the storage of the cartridge information in the flash memory 75.

  In the above-described embodiment, the remaining number display portion 80b is displayed on the display unit 62 after the print instruction is given in step S150. However, for example, a user display instruction corresponding to pressing of the setting key 64c is acquired. Sometimes, the remaining number display section 80b may be displayed on the display section 62. In this way, the user can check the remaining number N when desired.

  In the embodiment described above, the ink remaining amount L is grasped, and the message display and the shut-off are executed based on the ink remaining amount L. However, the ink remaining amount L is grasped and the message display and the shut off based on the ink remaining amount L are performed. The off execution process may be omitted. In this way, the process can be simplified.

  In the embodiment described above, the ink cartridge 50 is provided with the waste liquid pad 53, and the waste liquid pad 53 absorbs the waste ink and cleans the main body side. However, the waste liquid tank is provided on the main body side, and the ink cartridge 50 is provided with the waste liquid pad. 53 may not be provided. At this time, in the embodiment described above, the waste liquid allowable amount W is grasped and the message display and the shut-off are executed based on the waste liquid allowable amount W. However, the message based on the grasp of the waste liquid allowable amount W and the waste liquid allowable amount W is used. The display and shutoff execution processing may be omitted. In this way, the process can be simplified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the remaining number information display screen 80 including the remaining number display unit 80b is displayed on the display unit 62. However, the remaining number information display screen 80 may be displayed on the display of the user PC 90. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the off-carriage type printer mechanism 21 in which the ink cartridge 50 is mounted on the main body is used. However, an on-carriage type printer mechanism in which the ink cartridge 50 is mounted on the carriage 22 may be used. At this time, in step S100, it may be determined that the ink cartridge 50 may be replaced when a cartridge replacement button (not shown) is pressed.

  In the embodiment described above, normal printing has been described. For example, printer maintenance such as a nozzle check printing process for checking the ink discharge state from the nozzles and a gap adjustment printing process for adjusting the distance from the print head 24 to the platen 40. When the printing process is performed using the ink cartridge 50, the remaining number N may not be updated in step S210. This is because printing in the printer maintenance process is not scheduled by the user but is performed for the convenience of the printer. In this way, it is possible to ensure printing of the guaranteed number of prints scheduled by the user.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an inkjet printer 20. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of cartridge information 54a stored in a storage element 54. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the operation panel. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print / display control routine. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a remaining number information display screen 80. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a remaining number information display screen 80. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the remaining number information display screen 81. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the remaining number information display screen. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a remaining number information display screen 83. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  20 Inkjet printer, 21 Printer mechanism, 22 Carriage, 23 Nozzle, 24 Print head, 25 Linear encoder, 28 Guide, 29 Supply tube, 31 Paper feed mechanism, 32 Carriage belt, 33 Drive motor, 34a Carriage motor, 34b Driven roller , 35 paper feed roller, 40 platen, 41 capping device, 42 suction pump, 43 waste liquid tube, 47 connection terminal, 48 mechanical frame, 49 main board, 50 ink cartridge, 51a to 51f ink supply port, 52a to 52f ink container, 53 Waste liquid pad, 53a Waste liquid inlet, 54 Storage element, 54a Cartridge information, 55 Output terminal, 60 Operation panel, 62 Display section, 64 Operation section, 64a Cursor key, 64b Enter key, 64 Setting key, 64d return key, 64e print execution key, 70 controller, 72 CPU, 73 ROM, 74 RAM, 75 flash memory, 79 interface (I / F), 80-83 remaining number information display screen, 80a title display section, 80b, 81b, 82b Remaining number display section, 80c Message display section, 83b Printed number display section, 90 User PC, S Recording paper.

Claims (11)

A printing unit capable of printing an image on a print medium using a cartridge in which a print guarantee number which is the upper limit of the number of printable sheets containing the colorant is set;
Informing means capable of informing information on the remaining number of printable sheets by the cartridge;
When the number of printed sheets printed by the printing unit has reached the guaranteed printing number, the printing unit is not printed using the cartridge, and when the number of printed sheets has not reached the guaranteed printing number, the printing unit is An image is printed on the printing medium using a cartridge, the remaining number of printable sheets is determined based on the printed number of printed sheets, and the information on the calculated remaining number is notified. Control means for informing the means;
Printing device with The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
Storage means for storing the remaining number of sheets;
Acquisition means capable of acquiring a notification command for informing the notification means of the remaining number of sheets;
With
When the control unit causes the printing unit to print an image on the print medium using the cartridge, the remaining number is reduced and stored in the storage unit, and when the acquisition unit acquires the notification command, Reading the remaining number of sheets from the storage means and causing the notifying means to notify the information on the remaining number of sheets based on the read result;
Printing device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit is a storage element provided in the cartridge.   The control means causes the notifying means to notify the information relating to the remaining number of sheets in a manner capable of recognizing the relationship between the guaranteed print number and the remaining number of sheets when notifying the notifying means of the information related to the remaining number of sheets. Item 4. The printing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The notification means is a display means capable of displaying an image,
The control means displays the remaining area by displaying the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the area corresponding to the number of printed sheets in a different manner from among the areas for displaying the guaranteed number of printed sheets. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein information relating to the number of sheets is displayed on the display unit in a manner in which a relationship between the guaranteed number of prints and the remaining number of sheets is visible.   When the display means displays the area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and the area corresponding to the number of printed sheets in a different manner on the display means, the control means divides the area for displaying the print guarantee number for each predetermined number of sheets. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein among the plurality of blocks, a block corresponding to the remaining number of sheets and a block corresponding to the number of printed sheets are displayed on the display unit in different modes.   7. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein when the number of printed sheets increases, the display unit displays the guaranteed number of prints on the display unit in such a manner that an area corresponding to the remaining number of sheets is reduced. Printing device. The control means grasps the remaining amount of the colorant contained in the cartridge, and when the remaining amount of the colorant falls below a predetermined first remaining amount or the remaining number of sheets falls below a predetermined first remaining number of sheets. The notification means notifies the message that the number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge is small, and when the remaining amount of the colorant reaches a predetermined second remaining amount, or the remaining number of sheets is a predetermined second remaining number of sheets. The notification means informs the message that printing cannot be performed with the cartridge after reaching the printer and does not cause the printing means to perform printing using the cartridge.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints a photographic image on the print medium using a cartridge containing ink as the colorant. A printing unit capable of printing an image on a printing medium using a cartridge that contains a colorant and has a guaranteed number of prints that is the upper limit of the number of printable sheets, and information on the remaining number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge can be notified. A printing notification method for controlling a printing apparatus provided with notification means by computer software,
(A) When the number of printed sheets printed by the printing unit has reached the guaranteed printing number, the printing unit is not printed using the cartridge, and when the number of printed sheets has not reached the guaranteed printing number, the printing is performed. Causing the means to print an image on the print medium using the cartridge;
(B) obtaining the remaining number, which is the printable number of prints, based on the number of printed sheets printed in the step (a), and notifying the notifying means of information relating to the obtained remaining number When,
A printing notification method including:   A program for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the print notification method according to claim 10.

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