JP2007304650A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (8)

A printing system comprising a printing unit in the form of an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording head for ejecting ink, the printing unit being shared by a plurality of users,
A storage unit that is provided in an ink tank that stores the ink that is detachably held in the printing unit, and that stores a usage amount of the ink corresponding to each of the plurality of users;
Presenting means for presenting information relating to the amount of ink used stored in the storage means;
Erasing means for instructing erasure of the information when the ink tank is replaced;
A printing system characterized by comprising: The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a non-volatile memory that holds rewritable storage contents. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a computer connected to the printing unit, wherein the amount of ink used is acquired from the storage unit in response to a request from the computer, and the information is presented. Or the printing system of Claim 2 . A printing data supply unit that operates to supply print data to the printing unit, and a unit that authenticates the user for permitting the operation of the printing data supply unit and the printing unit are integrated in the printing unit. printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the. Wherein based on the ink usage information, the printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of said plurality of users so as to calculate the amount to be paid. It said presenting means, the printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is possible to present to the ratio of the amount of ink used for each of the plurality of users to the graph . The printing unit uses a plurality of types of inks having different colors, and the information is stored and presented for each of the plurality of types of inks. printing system according to any one of claims 6. Information relating to usage of the plurality of kinds of ink each of which uses a plurality of users, the information relating to the proportion of the respective ink usage to the total amount of usage of the plurality of kinds of inks, said plurality of types Information relating to the ratio of the amount of ink used by each of the plurality of users to the total amount of ink used, information relating to changes in the amount of ink used of the plurality of types, and the information about each of the plurality of types of ink The printing system according to claim 7 , wherein at least one piece of information related to a change in usage amount by each of a plurality of users can be presented as auxiliary information.