JP2008108099A - Print system and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system, capable of reporting to a user that the exchange or replenish time of consumable goods such as toner is nearing at a time suitable to the use environment. <P>SOLUTION: Each host device (device for transmitting print data to the printer) constituting the print system is adapted so that the user of each host device can designate the time of displaying a warning window for consumable goods (S204: YES, S205, and S208). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing apparatus.

  As is well known, a general page printer that is commercially available in recent years is a device that has a function of notifying the user when the time for replacement of a toner cartridge approaches (for example, see Patent Document 1). ing.

  However, the above-described function of the existing page printer notifies the user that the replacement timing of the toner cartridge is approaching when the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge is less than a predetermined remaining amount. It has become. For this reason, when an existing page printer is used in an environment where the frequency of use is high (an environment where the number of printed sheets per day is large), a notification that the above-mentioned function is hardly useful (the toner cartridge replacement time is approaching) is given. The device cannot be operated by ordering a toner cartridge.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-167267

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a printing apparatus and a printing system that perform a warning notification (confirmation that the replacement and replenishment time is approaching) regarding consumables such as toner, in a form that does not cause the above problems. It is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing system that can be operated.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a printing system including a printing device and a plurality of host devices is used as a printing device, and the remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of consumables in the own device is sent to other devices. A device having a remaining amount information transmitting means for transmitting is used, and a warning notification indicating the remaining amount of consumables to which a warning notification is to be set, which is set by the user as each host device, is stored. The remaining amount of consumables indicated by the remaining amount storage means and the remaining amount information received from the printing device is the consumption indicated by the warning notification consumable amount remaining stored in the warning notification consumable amount remaining storage means. In the case where the amount is less than the remaining amount, a system using an apparatus including warning notification means for outputting information for notifying the user to that effect is used.

  In the printing system of the present invention having such a configuration, the remaining amount of consumables for which the warning notification means of each host device functions (outputs information) can be designated for each host device. For this reason, if this printing system is installed in an office or the like, the warning notification means of the host device used by the person in charge of consumable supplies will promptly supply the consumables when the information is output by the warning notification means. If an order is placed, the warning notification means of the host device used by each general user does not function (the remaining amount of consumables). A working environment that works only when the amount is extremely low can be realized.

  When the printing system of the present invention is realized, the consumable item can be used as toner, the remaining amount of the consumable item for warning notification can be set as information specifying the remaining amount of toner to be notified of the warning by the number of printable sheets. When the printing system of the present invention is realized as such a system, the average amount of toner required for printing one sheet from the amount of toner actually consumed at the time of each past printing is changed. The average toner consumption rate management means for calculating and managing the average toner consumption rate is an apparatus further provided, and the average toner consumption rate managed by the average toner consumption rate management means is the warning notification means of the host device. The remaining amount of toner indicated by the remaining amount information received from the printer using the warning notification consumable amount remaining storage means stored in the warning notification consumable amount remaining storage means It can be used as a means for determining whether or not the number is less than.

  Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes a warning notification consumable remaining amount storage means for storing a warning notification consumable remaining amount indicating a remaining amount of consumable to be notified of warning, and a warning notification consumable remaining amount storage. Means for changing the warning notification consumables remaining amount stored in the means to the warning notification consumables remaining amount specified by the user, and the remaining amount of consumables in the own device is stored in the warning notification consumables remaining amount storage A warning notification means for outputting information for notifying the user when the remaining amount of consumables stored in the means is less than the remaining amount of consumables indicated.

  That is, the printing apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which a user (such as an administrator of the printing apparatus) can specify the remaining amount of consumables for which the warning notification unit functions. For this reason, once this printing device is installed in an office or the like, a warning notification consumables remaining amount corresponding to the installation environment (frequency of use of the printing device) is set in the warning notification consumables remaining amount storage means. When the notification means functions, an environment in which consumables can be ordered can be realized.

  The warning notification means of the printing apparatus according to the present invention is such that “the remaining amount of consumables in the self-device indicates the warning notification consumables remaining amount stored in the warning notification consumables remaining amount storage means”. It is only necessary to be a means for notifying the user that “the amount is less than the remaining amount”. For example, the warning notification means is displayed on the LCD provided in the housing of the apparatus, “the remaining amount of consumables in the device itself is stored in the warning notification consumables remaining storage means. The means for displaying that the amount is less than the remaining amount of consumables or the host device stores the remaining amount of consumables in its own device in the warning notification consumables remaining amount storage unit. Warning notice The remaining amount of consumables is less than the remaining amount of consumables ”can be displayed.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, an outline of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system in which a printing apparatus 10 and a plurality of host apparatuses 30 are connected to a network.

  The printing apparatus 10 constituting this printing system is an apparatus including a control unit 11, a control panel 12, and a print engine 13.

  The control panel 12 is a unit provided on the casing of the printing apparatus 10 as an interface unit between the user and the printing apparatus 10 (control unit 11). The control panel 12 is a unit composed of an LCD, a plurality of buttons (push button switches), and the like.

  The print engine 13 is an engine that is used with a K toner cartridge (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a toner cartridge). The print engine 13 can detect the remaining amount of toner in the K toner cartridge and output the detection result.

  The control unit 11 is a unit that performs a print control process for causing the print engine 13 to print content according to the received print data, a status information transmission process (details will be described later), and the like. The control unit 11 is a unit composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, ASIC, RTC (real time clock), various interface circuits, and the like.

  Each host device 30 constituting the printing system is a device in which the printer driver 20 and the monitor program 25 are installed in a normal computer. The printer driver 20 installed in each host device 30 is a program for generating print data for the printing device 10. The monitor program 25 monitors the state of the printing apparatus 10, and when the printing apparatus 10 is in an abnormal state, a dialog box indicating that fact (contents of the abnormal state) pops up on the display of the host device 30. This is a program to be displayed.

  Based on the above, the configuration and operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically below.

  First, the configuration and operation of the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

  The printing apparatus 10 is an apparatus that is manufactured in a state where various operation parameters (initial values thereof) including a warning notification toner remaining amount are stored on the HDD of the control unit 11. The warning notification toner remaining amount is information that defines the remaining amount of toner that gives a warning (notifies the user that the toner cartridge replacement time is approaching) by the number of printed sheets.

  And the control part 11 of the printing apparatus 10 is comprised as a unit which starts the process of the procedure shown in FIG. 2, if the printing apparatus 10 is started.

  That is, the control unit 11 first stores the print history information for the most recent week, the print history information for the most recent month, the print history information for the most recent year, and all the print history information stored in the HDD. From this, an average toner consumption rate (average value of the amount of toner required for printing on one sheet) for each period is calculated and stored (step S101). Here, the printing history information is information including the printing date, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner consumption (the difference in the remaining amount of toner before and after printing) stored in the HDD in the process of step S106 described later. .

  Thereafter, the control unit 11 enters a state of monitoring whether print data, an average toner consumption rate request, or a status information request is received (step S102). Although details will be described later, the average toner consumption rate request and the status information request whose reception is monitored in step S102 are information transmitted by the monitor program 25. The average toner consumption rate request is information including average period designation information indicating “recent week”, “recent month”, “recent year” or “all”.

  Although not shown in the flowchart, the control unit 11 is a unit that also starts processing for monitoring the pressing of various buttons on the control panel 12 after the processing of step S101 is completed. When a predetermined button on the control panel 12 is pressed, the printing apparatus 10 (part consisting of the control panel 12 and the control unit 11) is operated on the HDD by operating various buttons on the control panel 12. This unit is a unit that starts processing for functioning as a device that can change the value of any of the operating parameters.

  When receiving the print data (step S102; print data), the control unit 11 performs a print control process (step S105) for causing the print engine 13 to print the content according to the print data. In this print control process, every time printing on one sheet is completed, the current toner remaining amount (the toner remaining amount acquired from the print engine 13) is changed to the toner remaining amount indicated by the warning notification toner remaining amount [ = Average toner consumption rate (calculated from all print history information in this embodiment) × warning notification toner remaining amount) is determined, and the current toner remaining amount is When the remaining amount of warning notification toner is less than the remaining amount of toner, a message indicating that the toner state is low and a message that the toner cartridge replacement time is approaching are displayed on the control panel 12. The process of displaying on the LCD is performed.

  The control unit 11 that has finished the print control process stores the print history information including the print date, the number of printed sheets, and the toner consumption (the difference in the remaining amount of toner before and after printing) in the HDD (step S106). The state is such that reception of print data or the like is monitored (step S102).

  When the control unit 11 receives an average toner consumption rate request (step S102; average toner consumption rate request), the control unit 11 determines an average toner consumption rate corresponding to the average period designation information included in the average toner consumption rate request ( After having returned to the transmission source of the average toner consumption rate request (the one already calculated in the processing of step S101) (step S103), the print data and the like are monitored (step S102).

  When the control unit 11 receives a status information request (step S102; status information request), the controller 11 stores toner state information indicating the stored toner state (information indicating whether the toner state is a low state). ), Status information including the remaining amount of toner, information indicating an error that has occurred, information indicating whether printing is in progress, or the like is returned to the transmission source of the status information request (step S104), and then the print data Or the like (step S102).

  Next, the configuration and operation of the host device 30 (functions of the printer driver 20 and the monitor program 25) will be described.

  The printer driver 20 installed in the host device 30 is a program having the same function as an existing printer driver.

  On the other hand, the monitor program 25 is a program in which some functions are added to the existing monitor pro program.

  Specifically, the monitor program 25 is a program that displays a notification setting dialog box having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 as a dialog box for performing various settings when a predetermined operation is performed.

  The “Monitor printer during printing” check box on this notification setting dialog box is a check box that causes the monitor program 25 to be executed when printing (when using the printer driver 20). is there. Check the “Notify on error”, “Notify on warning”, and “Notify when printing finished” check boxes for error notification (error window pop-up), This is a check box in which a warning notification (warning window pop-up display) and a print end notification (print end notification window pop-up display) are performed. Note that these items (check boxes) are also provided on the notification setting dialog box displayed by the existing monitor program.

  On the other hand, the warning notification toner remaining amount setting item 26 and the toner consumption rate calculation period setting item 27 are items that are not provided on the notification setting dialog box displayed by the existing monitor program, and the toner consumption rate calculation period. The setting item 27 is an item that can be selected from “1 week”, “1 month”, “1 year”, and “all”. The warning notification toner remaining amount setting item 26 is an item (item for which numerical information can be input) that can set the warning notification toner remaining amount. Note that. The warning notification toner remaining amount setting item 26 is an item that does not require the warning notification toner remaining amount to be set.

  Then, when “monitoring printer during printing” and “notify when warning” are set, the monitor program 25 will display FIG. 4 when the printer driver 20 starts operation. It is a program that starts processing of the indicated procedure.

  That is, when the printer driver 20 starts operating, the monitor program 25 first sets “OFF” to the toner warning notification flag, which is a parameter that is referred to and updated in the processing of steps S207 and S208 described later (step S201). ). Next, the monitor program 25 represents average period designation information (“Recent 1 week”, “Recent 1 month”, “Recent 1 year” or “All” according to the set value of the toner consumption rate calculation period setting item 27. By transmitting an average toner consumption rate request including (information), processing for obtaining the average toner consumption rate from the printing apparatus 10 (step S202) is performed.

  Thereafter, the monitor program 25 starts a loop process of steps S203 to S209, and first performs a process of acquiring status information from the printing apparatus 10 by transmitting a status information request (step S203).

  Next, the monitor program 25 determines whether or not a warning notification toner remaining amount (warning remaining amount in the figure) is set (step S204). If the warning notification toner remaining amount is not set (step S204). NO), a process of determining whether the toner state is a low state from the value of the toner state information in the status information (step S206). When the warning notification toner remaining amount is set (step S204; YES), the monitor program 25 sets the remaining amount of toner in the status information, the set value of the warning notification toner remaining amount, and the process of step S202. Whether or not the toner state is low based on the average toner consumption rate acquired in (whether “warning notification toner remaining amount setting value × average toner consumption rate> toner remaining amount in status information” is satisfied). ) Is performed (step S206).

  The monitor program 25 that has completed the processing in step S205 or S206 determines whether or not the condition that “the toner state is low and the toner warning notification flag is OFF” is satisfied (step S207). If the condition is not satisfied (step S207; NO), the process waits for the specified time to elapse (step S209; the specified time elapses), and then executes the processing after step S203 again. To do.

  If the condition that “the toner state is low and the toner warning notification flag is OFF” is satisfied while repeating such processing (step S207; YES), the monitor program 25 After the value of the toner warning notification flag is changed to “ON”, processing for displaying the toner warning window having the configuration shown in FIG. 5 on the display of the host device (step S208) is performed.

  The monitor program 25 monitors the operation of the toner warning window while performing the loop processing of steps S203 to S209 (the state of monitoring the occurrence of another warning). When printing is completed (step S209; printing completed), the processing in this figure is terminated.

  As is clear from the above description, the printing system according to this embodiment can print the remaining amount of toner for which the toner warning window (FIG. 6) is displayed on the display of each host device 30 for each host device 30. The system can be specified by the number of sheets (warning notification toner remaining amount). For this reason, if this printing system is installed in an office or the like, the toner cartridge ordering person uses the toner device as soon as possible on the display of the host device 30 (when the toner warning window is displayed. When the cartridge is ordered, a toner warning window is displayed at the timing when the toner cartridge arrives before the toner cartridge becomes empty, and the toner warning window is almost displayed on the display of the host device 30 of each user. Is displayed (the toner warning window is not displayed until the toner runs out), and a work environment can be realized.

<Deformation>
The printing system described above can be variously modified. For example, when it is not necessary to change the timing at which the toner warning window is displayed for each user, the toner warning window is displayed from the existing monitor program (only the toner status information in the status information) instead of the monitor program 25. Program to decide whether or not to do).

  Further, the monitor program 25 is transformed into a program in which the warning notification toner remaining amount has to be set (or a default value is used when the warning notification toner remaining amount is not set), and printing is performed. The device 10 may be modified to a device that does not determine whether the toner state is a low state (a device that transmits status information that does not include toner state information).

  In addition, the printing system can specify the display timing of the toner warning window in terms of the number of printable days instead of the number of printable sheets, or a system in which the warning notification toner remaining amount relating to each user is stored on the printing apparatus 10 side (printing) It is also possible to change to a system in which the printing apparatus 10 that recognizes the user from the data and performs the process of FIG.

  The above-described printing system is a system in which the monitor program 25 periodically collects status information from the printing apparatus 10, but when the printing apparatus 10 detects that the toner state becomes a low state, It is also possible to use a device that notifies the host device 30 to that effect, and the monitor program 25 may be a program that monitors the notification from the printing device 10.

  Further, the printer driver 20 may be provided with a function as the monitor program 25, a printing system capable of color printing based on the above-described technology, and a warning notification regarding other consumables (paper). Of course, it is possible to manufacture a printing system that can specify the display timing.

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a control unit in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the notification setting dialog box which the monitor program which concerns on embodiment displays. The flowchart for demonstrating the function of the monitor program which concerns on embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the toner warning window which the monitor program which concerns on embodiment displays.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus, 11 Control part, 12 Control panel 13 Print engine, 20 Printer driver, 25 Monitor program

Claims (4)

A printing system including a printing device and a plurality of host devices,
The printing device is
A device having a remaining amount information transmitting means for transmitting remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of consumables in the own device to another device,
Each of the plurality of host devices is
Warning notification consumables remaining amount storage means for storing the remaining amount of consumables to be warned and set by the user;
The remaining amount of the consumables indicated by the remaining amount information received from the printing apparatus is the remaining amount of consumables indicated by the warning notification consumables remaining amount stored in the warning notification consumables remaining amount storage unit. And a warning notification means for outputting information for notifying the user of the fact when the number is less than the printing system. The consumable is toner;
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount of consumables for warning notification is information that defines a remaining amount of toner for which a warning notification is to be made, by the number of printable sheets. The printing device is
An apparatus further comprising an average toner consumption rate management means for calculating and managing an average toner consumption rate, which is an average toner amount required for printing one sheet, from a toner amount actually consumed at each past printing And
The warning notification means of the host device is
Using the average toner consumption rate managed by the average toner consumption rate management unit, the remaining amount of toner indicated by the remaining amount information received from the printing apparatus is the warning notification consumable item remaining amount storage unit. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the warning notification consumable remaining amount stored in is a means for determining whether the consumable remaining amount is less than the remaining consumable amount. Warning notification indicating the remaining amount of consumables to which a warning notification is to be made, and a warning notification consumables remaining amount storage means for storing the remaining amount of consumables;
Changing means for changing a warning notification consumables remaining amount stored in the warning notification consumables remaining amount storage means to a warning notification consumables remaining amount designated by a user;
If the remaining amount of consumables in the device is less than the remaining amount of consumables indicated by the warning notification consumables remaining amount stored in the warning notification consumables remaining amount storage means, the user is informed. And a warning notification means for outputting information for notification to the printer.