JP2010061694A - Printer consumable purchasing system, and program used in the system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer for a user to purchase easily a consumable, a computer readable recording medium written in with a consumable purchasing assist program, and a consumable information providing method in a selling side database site. <P>SOLUTION: The consumable purchase assist program is built in a computer 500 connected to a printer, and includes a purchase source information acquiring step of acquiring purchase source information containing at least seller information of the consumable required for printing by the printer 400, or/further purchase condition information, via a network 220, a classification information acquiring step of acquiring classification information of the consumable, from the printer, and a consumable information display step of displaying contents of the purchase source information and the classification information, on a screen of the computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus consumable purchasing system and a program used in the system.

  Conventionally, in a printing apparatus such as a printer, copying machine, facsimile, etc., when the remaining amount of a colored body cartridge such as an ink cartridge, an ink sublimation film cartridge, a toner cartridge, and an ink ribbon cartridge is rare and empty, A warning indicating this is displayed on the display unit of the printing apparatus or the display of a computer connected to the printing apparatus.

  In addition, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, some conventional printing apparatuses print a warning including the model number of an ink cartridge (colored body cartridge) on print paper. As shown in Patent Document 2, when it is detected that the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge (colored body cartridge) has become scarce in the facsimile apparatus, the ordering party stored in the number storage means of the facsimile apparatus is set to auto order. Some also dial.

Japanese Patent No. 2891910 JP 7-322032 A

  According to the technique in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge becomes scarce, the printer outputs a warning letter on which the model number is printed. Therefore, the user checks and notes the model number of the ink cartridge. Although it has the advantage that it can save time and labor, it has the following problems.

  That is, since the warning is printed using a small amount of remaining ink, the ink that is originally required in the cartridge is further reduced, and print paper is wasted. In addition, when the above warning letter is printed when normal printing is started or during printing, the throughput of the original printing operation is not only reduced, but the warning letter is mixed in the normal printed document. As a result, the user may not be aware that a warning letter has been printed.

  On the other hand, according to the technique in Patent Document 2, although the problems in Patent Document 1 such as a further decrease in the ink in the remaining ink cartridge and wasteful consumption of print paper do not occur, the following problems occur. Have.

  That is, when it is detected that the remaining amount of ink has become scarce, an automatic dialing is performed to a predetermined customer, so even if the user already has the ink cartridge stock, the ink cartridge is automatically ordered. It happens that the situation is against the user's will.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and provides a printing apparatus consumables purchasing system that allows a user to check the degree of consumption of printing apparatus consumables and perform a consumable purchasing procedure. And to provide a program used in the system.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a first printing apparatus consumable purchasing system according to the present invention includes:
A printing device for printing on a print medium;
Display means capable of displaying information relating to the printing apparatus;
Control means for displaying on the display means a status screen indicating the degree of consumption of the consumables used in the printing apparatus, and displaying at least a delivery purchase button for requesting delivery purchase of the consumables in the status screen; It is provided with.

  In this printing apparatus consumable purchasing system, a status screen indicating the degree of consumption of the printing apparatus consumable is displayed on the display means, and at least a delivery purchase button for requesting delivery purchase of the consumable is displayed in the status screen. To do. Here, “delivery purchase” means delivery of purchased consumables. According to this system, when a user decides to purchase a consumable after confirming the degree of consumption of the consumable on the status screen, he / she purchases and delivers the consumable by pressing the delivery purchase button on the status screen. It is convenient because it can be received.

  The “printing device” means not only a normal printer but also a general device that prints on a printing medium such as a facsimile machine and a copying machine. Examples of the “consumables used in the printing apparatus” include colorant cartridges (ink cartridges, toner cartridges, ink sublimation cartridges, or ink ribbon cartridges), print sheets set in cassettes, paper feed rubber rollers, and the like. Among these, when the print paper in the cassette becomes empty, the print paper is replaced with a cassette filled with print paper, or the print paper is replenished to the cassette. “Consumable consumption level” means the remaining amount of ink when the consumable is an ink cartridge among the colored cartridges, the remaining amount of toner when it is a toner cartridge, and the remaining amount of film or ink density when it is an ink sublimation cartridge. In the case of an ink ribbon cartridge, it is the ink ribbon remaining amount or ink density.

The second printing apparatus consumables purchasing system of the present invention includes:
A printing device for printing on a print medium;
Display means capable of displaying information relating to the printing apparatus;
A status screen showing the degree of consumption of the consumables used in the printing apparatus is displayed on the display means, and at least a storefront purchase button for calling up information on sellers handling the consumables (seller information) is displayed on the status screen. And a control means for displaying inside.

  In this printing apparatus consumables purchasing system, a status screen indicating the degree of consumption of the consumables of the printing apparatus is displayed on the display means, and at least a storefront purchase button for calling seller information is displayed in the status screen. Here, “shop purchase” means purchasing consumables at a store. According to this system, when a user decides to purchase consumables after confirming the degree of consumption of the consumables on the status screen, the seller can help purchase the store by pressing the store purchase button on the status screen. This is convenient because information can be obtained and it can be decided at which dealer based on the information.

A third printing apparatus consumable purchasing system according to the present invention includes:
A printing device for printing on a print medium;
Display means capable of displaying information relating to the printing apparatus;
A status screen showing the degree of consumption of the consumables used in the printing apparatus is displayed on the display means, and a plurality of options related to the purchase mode of the consumables are displayed in the status screen or the plurality of options are called. Control means for displaying an option call button for displaying in the status screen.

  In this printing apparatus consumables purchase system, a status screen indicating the degree of consumption of the consumables of the printing apparatus is displayed on the display means, and a plurality of options related to the purchase mode of the consumables are displayed in the status screen or a plurality of them. In the former, the user selects a purchase mode that suits his / her choice from a plurality of options displayed on the status screen and wears it out. In the latter case, the user turns on the option call button displayed in the status screen and displays a plurality of choices on the display means, and then he / she makes his own choice from among the plurality of choices. The consumable item can be purchased by selecting a purchase mode. This is also convenient because the user only has to confirm whether or not to purchase consumables after confirming the extent of consumption on the status screen. The option call button may be a button that immediately calls a plurality of options, or may be a button that calls a plurality of options via some information source or information site.

A fourth printing apparatus consumable purchasing system according to the present invention includes:
A printing device for printing on a print medium;
Display means capable of displaying information relating to the printing apparatus;
Based on the remaining amount of consumables used in the printing apparatus, it is determined whether or not replenishment of the consumables is necessary. And a control means for displaying an option call button for calling the plurality of options on the display means.

  In this printing apparatus consumable purchasing system, if it is determined that the consumable needs to be replenished based on the remaining amount of the consumable, a plurality of options regarding the purchase mode of the consumable is displayed on the display means, or they are displayed. In order to display an option call button for calling a plurality of options on the display means, in the former case, the user selects a purchase mode that suits his / her choice from among a plurality of options displayed on the display means and supplies the consumable item. In the latter case, after the user turns on the option call button displayed on the display means and displays a plurality of options on the display means, the purchase mode that suits his / her intention from among the plurality of options You can purchase the consumables. In addition, when there is a need for replenishment of consumables, multiple choices are automatically displayed or an option call button is displayed. This is convenient for the user because it is only necessary to decide whether or not to purchase the product.

  The remaining amount of consumables may be determined in any way. For example, when the consumable is ink, the ink consumption is calculated by counting the number of ejected ink dots, and the original ink You may obtain | require by subtracting ink consumption from quantity.

  Here, the control means determines whether or not the consumable item needs to be replenished based on the remaining amount of the consumable item, and if it is determined that the consumable item needs to be replenished, the consumable item is consumed. A status screen showing the degree is displayed on the display means, and a plurality of options regarding the purchase mode of the consumables are displayed in the status screen, or an option call button for calling the plurality of options is displayed in the status screen. You may comprise so that it may display on. In this way, the user can purchase the consumable item by selecting the purchase mode that suits his / her intention after checking the necessity of replenishment on the status screen and confirming the necessity of replenishment.

  In the third or fourth printing apparatus consumable purchasing system according to the present invention, the control means determines that the consumable needs to be replenished when the remaining amount of the consumable falls below or below a predetermined threshold. You may comprise. In this way, since it can be determined that replenishment is necessary when the remaining consumables are low, it is possible to appropriately determine the replenishment time.

  In the third or fourth printing apparatus consumable purchasing system according to the present invention, when the option call button is selected, the control unit connects to a predetermined server via the network, and the plurality of options are selected from the server. You may comprise so that the displayed screen may be acquired and displayed on the said display means. In this way, for example, when a predetermined Web server publishes a Web page on the Internet that allows one purchase mode to be selected from a plurality of purchase modes for the consumable item, the Web page is displayed. By using this system, the system can be constructed relatively easily.

  In the third or fourth printing apparatus consumable purchasing system of the present invention, when the option call button is selected, the control unit displays the plurality of options on the display unit, and then selects the plurality of options. When any one of the options is selected, it may be configured to connect to a predetermined server via a network, obtain a screen corresponding to the option from the server, and display the screen on the display unit. In this way, for example, if there are Web pages on the Internet that sell the same consumables in a different purchase mode as those Web pages that sell the consumables in a certain purchase mode, This system can be constructed relatively easily by using the Web page. When the option call button is selected, a plurality of options may be displayed on the display unit immediately, but a plurality of options may be displayed on the display unit via some information source or information site. As the latter, once connected to a certain website, when a country, a language, or the like is selected on the website, a plurality of choices of the corresponding language may be displayed.

  In the third or fourth printing apparatus consumable purchasing system according to the present invention, a plurality of options relating to the consumable purchasing mode are a delivery purchase button for requesting delivery purchase of the consumable and a sales handling the consumable. It may be a plurality of options including an over-the-counter purchase button for calling up information on the seller (seller information). In this way, the user can select the purchase mode that suits his / her own circumstances according to the circumstances at the time, considering and considering the advantages and disadvantages of delivery purchase and store purchase.

  In a form in which a delivery purchase button is displayed, the control means acquires an ordering screen for ordering the consumable item from a predetermined server via a network when the delivery purchase button is selected, and displays the display. You may comprise so that it may display on a means. In this way, the user can purchase consumables through online shopping with a simple operation.

  In a form in which an ordering screen is displayed if a delivery purchase button is selected, the control means, if the delivery purchase button is selected, a sales condition input field for inputting sales condition information as the ordering screen or You may comprise so that the screen containing the sales condition disclosure column for disclosing sales condition information may be acquired from a predetermined server via a network and displayed on the display means. Here, “sales conditions” include, for example, a consumable product model number, price, tax, shipping fee, delivery destination, delivery method, and the like. In addition, the “sales condition input field” is a sales condition to be presented by the user, for example, delivery destination, delivery method, etc., and “sales condition disclosure field” is a sales condition to be presented by the seller, For example, in addition to the consumable item model number, price, tax, shipping fee, etc., the presence / absence of inventory regarding the consumables and the presence / absence of an empty container collection service may be mentioned.

  In a form in which an ordering screen is displayed if a delivery purchase button is selected, the control means is a search key information input field for inputting self-location search key information as the ordering screen if the delivery purchase button is selected. Is acquired from a predetermined server via a network and displayed on the display means, and the server transmits the self-location search key information input in the search key information input field to the server, so that the server Location-dependent sales condition information extracted based on location search key information may be received and displayed on the display means. Here, “self-location search key information” refers to key information for searching for a user's location, such as a postal code (Zip code) or an area code. “Location-dependent sales condition information” refers to information on sales conditions that vary depending on the location. For example, if the tax is different for each location, information about the tax, and if the postage is different for each location. Is information about the shipping cost. In this way, the user can easily obtain information on sales conditions that vary depending on his / her location.

  In the form in which the storefront purchase button is displayed, the control means, when the storefront purchase button is selected, acquires a screen for providing the seller information from a predetermined server via the network, and displays it on the display means. You may comprise so that it may display. In this way, the user can easily obtain information on the seller (including the store) handling the consumables.

  In a form in which a screen for providing seller information is displayed when the storefront purchase button is selected, the seller information may include at least one of address information and map information for specifying the seller location. In this way, the user can select a place close to his / her location from among the sellers handling the consumables, for example.

  In the form of displaying a screen for providing seller information if the storefront purchase button is selected, the control means performs self-location search as a screen for providing the seller information if the storefront purchase button is selected. A screen including a search key information input field for inputting key information is acquired from a predetermined server via a network and displayed on the display means, and the self-location search key information input in the search key information input field is displayed on the server The location-dependent seller information extracted by the server based on the self-location search key information may be received and displayed on the display means. Here, “self-location search key information” is as described above, and “location-dependent seller information” is information related to seller information depending on the location. For example, the seller location is the location of the user. Information on the seller who is the same as or close to is included. In this way, the user can easily obtain merchant information depending on his / her location.

  In the printing apparatus consumable purchasing system of the present invention, it is preferable that the consumable is a colored cartridge. Of the consumables used in the printing apparatus, the colored cartridge is one of the most frequently used, and is suitable for this system.

  In the printing apparatus consumables purchasing system of the present invention, the printing apparatus, the display means, and the control means may be configured as separate bodies, but the display means and the control means may be incorporated in the printing apparatus. Alternatively, a part of various means may be built in the printing apparatus and the rest may be configured separately from the printing apparatus, or other various means may be appropriately combined and placed in a single housing.

  A program for causing a computer to function as control means constituting the printing apparatus consumable purchasing system of the present invention is usually recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or HDD that can be read by the CPU of the computer. Is read and executed by the CPU. For this reason, such a program is used in order to exhibit the effect of the printing apparatus consumables purchasing system described above, and is highly useful.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a detailed functional block diagram of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating whole operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the status screen. 6 is a flowchart showing a cartridge ordering assist sequence. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part in step S411. It is a figure which shows the menu which judges a user's eligibility. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part in step S414. It is a figure which shows the display of the display part for judgment whether "in-stock information" is contained. It is a figure which shows the display of a display part when pointing a "stock check" soft button. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display part when seller information is downloaded from a consumable goods supplier database site. It is a figure which shows the display state of the list of "the prefecture name", "23 wards", and "city name" when a user points to Kanto area. The figure which shows the display state of the "shop name" list corresponding to the said "city name" when "23 city" is pointed and the specific "city name" is pointed out from the list of 23 wards displayed by this is there. It is a figure which shows the display state of the address of a "store name", a map, sales conditions, a "reserve" soft button, and a "no reservation" soft button when a specific "store name" is pointed from a "store name" list. It is a figure which shows the display state of an "end" soft button and a "print" soft button when a "reservation" soft button is pointed. It is a main flowchart of 2nd Embodiment. It is a main flowchart (continuation) of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of an automatic starting process routine. It is a status screen when the remaining amount of ink exceeds a threshold value. It is explanatory drawing showing transition of a web page. It is explanatory drawing of an ink purchase dialog (at the time of automatic starting). It is a status screen when the black ink remaining amount is equal to or less than a threshold value. It is explanatory drawing showing the top page of the other aspect of a web page. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink purchase dialog (when a how-to button is on). FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a detailed functional block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof. The printing apparatus consumable purchasing system in this embodiment is configured as a printing apparatus 100 housed in one housing. The printing apparatus 100 has a network function and is configured to be connectable to a network (Internet) 220 via a public line 210. Connected to the network 220 is a consumable supplier database site 600. The consumables vendor database site 600 is shown as a Web server 620 provided with a storage device 610 in FIG. 1, but it may actually be a so-called home page established on a network.

  The printing apparatus 100 is an apparatus for printing an image taken by, for example, a digital camera, and includes a central processing unit 110, an image capturing unit 120, an image developing unit 130, a printer unit 140, a communication unit 150, A user interface unit 160 and a memory unit 170 are included.

  The central processing unit 110 is an arithmetic device including a CPU, and fulfills a function of executing various programs recorded in the memory unit 170.

  The image capturing unit 120 includes a memory card slot 121 and an image input unit 122 that inputs image data G_DATA from the memory card slot 121. A memory card 124 for a digital camera is inserted into the memory card slot 121. The image input unit 122 takes in the image data G_DATA in a format such as JPEG from the memory card 124 and stores it in the image data area 1711 in the RAM 171 of the memory unit 170.

  In response to a print request from the user, the image expansion unit 130 converts the image data G_DATA stored in the image data area 1711 into print data P_DATA, and stores it in the print data area (print buffer) 1712 of the RAM 171.

  The printer unit 140 includes a carriage drive unit 141, a print head drive unit 143, and a print paper conveyance control unit 145. A print head 144 is mounted on the carriage 142, and the carriage drive unit 141 reciprocates the carriage along a platen (not shown). The print head drive unit 143 sends a drive signal to the print head 144 in cooperation with the movement of the carriage 142 by the carriage drive unit 141 and the conveyance of the print sheet by the print sheet conveyance control unit 145, and the memory unit 170 described above. The image related to the print data P_DATA stored in the RAM 171 is printed on a print sheet. An ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage 142. The ink cartridge 900 includes an IC memory 901, and an ink remaining amount information area 902 and a type information area 903 are allocated to the IC memory 901. Ink remaining amount information REST detected by the central processing unit 110 is written in the ink remaining amount information area 902. When a cartridge that does not have an IC memory is mounted, the remaining ink amount information REST can be written in the nonvolatile memory 172 described above. The IC memory 901 may record cartridge purchase source information and / or type information, and addresses of acquisition sources thereof. In this case, when the ink cartridge 900 is mounted on the printer (when the ink cartridge 900 is mounted on the carriage 142), purchase source information, type information, an acquisition destination address, and the like may be written in an appropriate memory in the printer. Good. In the present embodiment, the purchase source information includes seller information and at least one of sales condition information and purchase form information. In the ink remaining amount information area 902, ink remaining amount information REST for the ink cartridge 900 detected by the central processing unit 110 is written as will be described later. In the type information area 903, type information ST of the ink cartridge 900 detected by the central processing unit 110 is written as will be described later.

  The communication unit 150 issues a purchase source information acquisition request BS_REQ for the ink cartridge to the vendor database site 600 (see FIG. 1) via the communication network 220, and purchase source information BS from the seller database site 600. Can be obtained.

  The user interface unit 160 includes a display unit 161 and an operation unit 162. The display unit 161 includes a liquid crystal display panel that displays a low ink level warning, a paper out warning, cleaning information, and the like, an LED indicator, and the like. The operation unit 162 includes a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like, and can perform display mode switching and various reset operations.

  The memory unit 170 includes a RAM 171 and a nonvolatile memory 172. As described above, the image data area 1711 and the print data area 1712 are allocated in the RAM 171. In the nonvolatile memory 172, a purchase source information area 1721 and a program storage area 1724 are allocated. In the purchase source information area 1721, as described above, purchase source information BS (including seller information DEAL and sales condition information TERM) is written. The program storage area 1724 stores various programs that are appropriately read and executed by the CPU. Specifically, in addition to the printer control program, an ink remaining amount detection program, a cartridge type detection program, a cartridge ordering assistance program, a cartridge replacement assistance program, and a database site access program (including the above-described consumable information acquisition program) are written. Yes.

  As for the remaining amount of ink, the central processing unit 110 updates the remaining ink amount information REST stored in the remaining ink amount information area 902 every time a predetermined amount of ink is consumed. As described above, the IC memory 901 is attached to the ink cartridge 900, and the central processing unit 110 can obtain the type information ST of the ink cartridge 900 by acquiring the type information ST of the ink cartridge 900. it can.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and various display screen examples. Note that print data P_DATA is stored in the image data area 1711 of the memory unit 170. The print data P_DATA is created by the image expanding means 130 expanding the image data G_DATA from the memory card 124 inserted in the memory card slot 121 as described above.

  In FIG. 3, when there is a print command from the user for the image relating to the print data P_DATA, the central processing unit 110 determines whether or not the value of the remaining ink amount information REST for the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the first threshold value N1. It is judged (S10). The first threshold value N1 is set to be smaller than a second threshold value N2 described later. Note that the value indicated by the ink remaining amount information REST is set so that the value decreases as the ink remaining amount decreases. Here, the value of the ink remaining amount information REST is the sum of the ink amount obtained by counting the ink droplets ejected from the print head and the ink amount ejected from the print head using a suction unit (not shown) during cleaning. Thus, a value obtained by calculating the ink use amount can be adopted (the ink remaining amount is a value obtained by subtracting the ink use amount from the ink amount when the cartridge is not used).

  Specifically, the central processing unit 110 refers to the value of the remaining ink amount information REST stored in the remaining ink amount information area 902 in the IC memory 901, and immediately determines the remaining ink amount in the ink cartridge 900 as the ink amount. It is determined whether or not the amount of the cartridge needs to be replaced, that is, whether or not the value of the remaining ink amount information REST recorded in the remaining ink amount information area 902 is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value N1. To do.

  When the value of the remaining ink information REST is not less than or equal to the first threshold value N1, it is further determined whether or not it is less than or equal to the second threshold value N2 (S20). That is, the central processing unit 110 refers to the value of the remaining ink amount information REST stored in the remaining ink amount information area 902, and the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 900 is such that the ink cartridge should be replaced soon ( For example, it is determined whether or not the value of the remaining ink amount information REST recorded in the remaining ink amount information area 902 is equal to or less than the second threshold value N2. .

  When the value of the remaining ink amount information REST is not less than or equal to the second threshold value N2, the central processing unit 110 starts the printing process (S50), but the value of the remaining ink amount information REST is equal to the second threshold value N2. When it is below, that is, when the value of REST is larger than N1 and smaller than N2, it is determined whether or not execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence is rejected (S30). The rejection of the execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence is registered in a non-illustrated non-volatile storage area (non-volatile register R), and is performed when the user has already prepared ink cartridge stock at hand, for example. If the execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence is not rejected, a message such as “The remaining amount of ink cartridge has been reduced. The assist sequence will be executed” is displayed and a cartridge ordering assist sequence (cartridge ordering described later) is displayed. While the assist program is activated (S40), the printing process in step S50 is started. On the other hand, if the execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence is rejected, the printing process in step S50 is started without starting the cartridge ordering assist sequence. The amount of remaining ink information REST is updated every time one page is printed by the printing process in step S50 (S60), and it is determined whether there is a next page to be printed (S70). If so, the process returns to step S10, and if not, the process ends. The ink remaining amount information REST may be updated for each page as described above, but each time the value of the ink remaining amount information REST is decreased by a predetermined amount, every print of a predetermined number of lines, or a predetermined number of pages. May be performed for each print, or may be performed for each print job. The ink remaining amount information REST is updated by the CPU of the central processing unit 110.

  On the other hand, if the value of the remaining ink amount information REST is equal to or less than the first threshold value N1 in step S10, a cartridge replacement warning such as “Ink cartridge needs to be replaced” is displayed (S80). The warning display in step S80 is displayed on the display unit 161 of the user interface unit 160.

  After the cartridge replacement warning in step S80, printing is interrupted (S90), but the subsequent processing differs depending on whether the user desires to replace the ink cartridge 900 or not (S100).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 161 in steps S80 to S100, and a warning with a comment “Color ink is low. Please replace. Color ink cartridge model: XXXY02”. It is a status screen including display A1. In FIG. 4, graphics A2 representing the ink cartridge and the ink remaining state are displayed, and a “handling method” soft button A3 and a “close” soft button A4 are further provided. The branching in step S100 described above depends on whether the “handling method” soft button A3 or the “close” soft button A4 is pointed.

  If the user does not wish to replace the ink cartridge 900 (for example, in FIG. 4, when the user selects the “Close” soft button A4), the process is passed to step S50, the print process is performed, and the user If the user wishes to replace the ink cartridge 900 (for example, in FIG. 4, when the user selects the “handling method” soft button A3), a cartridge replacement assist sequence (cartridge replacement assist program) is started (S110).

  The cartridge replacement assist sequence shows the procedure in graphics or the like to a user who is unfamiliar with ink cartridge replacement.When the user exits the sequence, the user wishes to stop the cartridge replacement and resume printing. There is a case where the cartridge is replaced as originally intended (S120).

  In step S120, if the user does not replace the cartridge finally, printing is resumed, and the process is passed to step S50. If the user replaces the ink cartridge, the process proceeds to step S120. It returns to S10. In the cartridge replacement assist sequence, whether or not the ink cartridge has been replaced is determined, for example, by referring to the serial number of the ink cartridge recorded in the IC memory 901 by the central processing unit 110 in FIG. be able to.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail the process of step S40 in FIG. In FIG. 5, when the cartridge ordering assist program is started, first, an instruction from the user as to whether or not to continue the cartridge ordering assist sequence is waited (S410). When there is a command to continue the cartridge ordering assist sequence from the user, the user further waits for an instruction from the user as to whether or not the user wishes to purchase delivery (S411). If there is a command to stop the cartridge ordering assist sequence from the user, the rejection of execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence is registered in the register R (not shown) (S420).

  Specifically, a menu for allowing the user to select whether delivery purchase or store purchase is desired is displayed on the display unit 161 of the user interface unit 160.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram (status screen) showing a display example of the display unit 161 in step S411, and a display with a comment “Color ink replacement time is approaching. Color ink cartridge model number: XXXY02”. B1, graphics B2 indicating the ink cartridge and the ink remaining state, a “delivery purchase” soft button B3, a “shop purchase” soft button B4, and a cancel button B5 are provided. Here, when the cancel button B5 is pointed, this message is not displayed thereafter, and the rejection of the execution of the cartridge assist sequence is registered in step S420 described later, and the process is passed to step S50 in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, when any one of the “delivery purchase” soft button B3 and the “store purchase” soft button B4 is pointed, a menu for determining the user's eligibility shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. 7 includes an “execute” soft button C3, a “return” soft button C4, and an “ID acquisition” soft button C5 in addition to the ID input field C1 and the password input field C2. When the password is correct and the “execute” soft button C3 is pointed, the process proceeds to the next step. When the ID or password is incorrect and the “execute” soft button C3 is pointed, not shown. A comment such as “Incorrect ID or password” is displayed, and it is not possible to proceed to the next step. When the “RETURN” soft button C4 is pointed, the screen of FIG. 6 is restored. An unregistered user can become a regular registered user by pointing to the “ID acquisition” soft button C5.

  If the user desires delivery purchase, the printing apparatus 100 is connected to the consumables vendor database site 600 (see FIG. 1) (S412). When this connection is made, the type information ST is sent to the site (S413). Thereafter, the printing apparatus 100 acquires the seller information DEAL and the sales condition information TERM from the consumables supplier database site 600 and displays them on the display unit (S414).

  The seller information DEAL includes various conditions such as the seller name and availability, and the sales condition information TERM includes the sales price, whether to collect used ink cartridges, delivery time, etc. Various conditions are included.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram (status screen) showing a display example of the display unit 161 in step S414. In addition to the display B1 in FIG. 8, “I want an empty container collection service”, “I want” radio button D1, and “I don't want” radio button D2, the display unit 161 displays a “Search” soft button D3, “ The “Return” soft button D4 is displayed. In this case, when the “desired empty container collection service” radio button D1 is activated and the “execute search” soft button D3 is pointed, the display of the display unit 161 is changed to a screen shown in FIG. It should be noted that data indicating whether or not an empty container collection service is desired can be registered in a predetermined register in advance.

  Next, it is determined whether or not “in stock information” is included in the seller information DEAL (S415). If the inventory information is included in the seller information DEAL, processing is performed according to whether there is an order request from the user or whether the order is rejected (S416), and the inventory information is included in the seller information DEAL. If not, processing is performed according to whether there is a reservation request from the user or there is a reservation rejection (S418).

  When an ordering request is made in step S416, purchase information BUY (immediate delivery) is sent to the consumables vendor database site 600 (S417), and the rejection of execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence is registered in the register R (not shown). The process is passed to step S50 in FIG.

  In addition, when a reservation request is made in step S418, purchase information BUY (reservation) is sent to the consumables vendor database site 600 (S419), and the rejection of execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence is registered in a predetermined register R. Then, the process is passed to step S50 in FIG.

  If no order request is made in step S416 (order rejection is made), or if a reservation request is not made in step S418 (reservation is rejected), whether or not to reject the future execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence? (That is, it is determined whether or not the future execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence has been rejected) (S421). Here, when the future execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence is rejected, the rejection of the execution of the assist sequence is registered in a predetermined register R (S420), and when the rejection is not rejected, the registration is not performed. The process is passed to step S50 in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display on the display unit 161 for determining whether “in-stock information” is included. The display unit 161 displays a display B1 in FIG. 9, a dialog box E1 indicating a list of “sellers”, a “stock check” soft button E2, and a “return” soft button E3. When the user points to the “stock check” soft button E2, the seller displayed in the dialog box E1 is searched for stock. Here, when there is a stock, the display of the display unit 161 is a screen including a display B1, a “order” soft button F1, and a “return” soft button F2, as shown in FIG. 9 may be provided with a “cancel” soft button, and when the “cancel” soft button is pointed, the process may return to step S410 described above.

  On the other hand, if the user wishes to purchase in-store at step S411, the user connects to the consumables supplier database site 600 (S422), and sends the type information ST and the resident area information REG to the site (S423). Thereafter, the seller information DEAL is obtained from the consumables vendor database site 600 and displayed on the display unit 161 (S424).

  Thereafter, the user is made to determine whether or not to make a reservation request (S425), and when the reservation request is made, the reservation information is sent to the seller address (for example, mail address) (S426), and the above-described step S420. When the reservation is rejected, the reservation information is not transmitted, and the process allows the user to determine whether or not to reject the future execution of the cartridge ordering assist sequence (ie, cartridge ordering). In order to determine whether or not future execution of the assist sequence has been rejected), it is passed to step S421.

  In the present embodiment, the display shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 can be performed on the display unit 161 in steps S423 to S425. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display unit 161 when the seller information DEAL is downloaded from the consumables vendor database site 600. Also in FIG. 11, the display B1 with a comment “Color ink replacement time is approaching. Color ink cartridge model number: XXXY02” shown in FIG. A map G1 for designating is displayed. As shown in FIG. 12, when the user points to, for example, the Kanto region of this map, the “city name” and “administrative name” of the Kanto region (“23 wards” and “city name” in FIG. 16) When the list H1 is displayed and further points to "23 wards", a list of 23 wards appears although not shown. When a predetermined ward is selected from this list, a “store name” list I1 corresponding to the “ward name” is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Then, when a specific “store name” is pointed out from the “store name” list I1 in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 14, the display B1, the address of the specific “store name”, a map, sales conditions (here Then, the “Reserve” soft button J1 and the “Return” soft button J2 are displayed together with the presence or absence of the collection service and the presence or absence of stock. When the user points to the “Reserve” soft button J1 in FIG. 14, the “Display” soft button K1, the “Cancel” soft button K2, and “Print” are displayed on the display unit 161 as shown in FIG. The soft button K3 can be displayed. When the “END” soft button K1 is pointed, the process is transferred to the above-described step S426. When the “PRINT” soft button K3 is pointed, the print process is interrupted and displayed in FIG. 14 or FIG. , A map, a store address, etc. are printed.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the present invention will be described. The printing apparatus 100 (especially the printer unit 140) of the present embodiment corresponds to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the display unit 161 of the user interface unit 160 corresponds to a display unit, and the central processing unit 110 corresponds to a control unit.

  According to the present embodiment described above in detail, a status screen indicating the degree of consumption of an ink cartridge that is a consumable item of the printing apparatus 100 is displayed on the display unit 161, and there are a plurality of options regarding the purchase mode of the ink cartridge. In order to display the “delivery purchase” button or the “store purchase” button on the status screen, the user selects a purchase mode that suits his / her choice from among the multiple options displayed on the status screen, and supplies the consumable item. Can be purchased. In particular, the user can select the purchase mode that suits his / her own needs according to the circumstances at the time, considering and considering the merits and demerits of delivery purchase and over-the-counter purchase.

  In addition, it is convenient because the user only has to determine whether or not to purchase the ink cartridge after confirming the degree of consumption with the graphics B2 indicating the ink cartridge and the remaining ink state on the status screen.

  Further, when the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge becomes equal to or less than the predetermined second threshold value N2, it is determined that the ink cartridge needs to be replenished, and the cartridge ordering assist sequence (S40, see FIG. 5) is started. Can determine the replenishment time appropriately.

  Furthermore, when the “delivery purchase” button is selected, an order screen (FIGS. 7 to 10) for ordering an ink cartridge is acquired from the Web server 620 and displayed on the display unit 161, so that the user can simply Ink cartridges can be purchased through online shopping. At this time, whether or not the “empty container collection service” is desired (see FIG. 8) is provided as the sales condition input field, and “collection service: yes” (see FIG. 9) is provided as the sales condition disclosure field. Therefore, it is convenient for the user. On the other hand, when the “store purchase” button is selected, screens (FIGS. 11 to 14) for providing seller information are acquired from the Web server 620 and displayed on the display unit 161, so that the user can easily obtain the seller information. Can be used as a guide to where to buy the consumables. At this time, since the seller information includes at least one of address information for identifying the seller location and map information, the user can change his / her location from among the sellers handling the consumables, for example. You can choose a nearby place. Note that the user points to the Kanto region on the map G1 in FIG. 11, which corresponds to the input of the self-location search key information.

[Second Embodiment]
Since the present embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment and is different from the first embodiment only in the operation, the operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19 to 24 based on the flowcharts of FIGS. .

  When a user issues a print command from the operation unit 162 of the user interface unit 160, the central processing unit 110 reads out and executes the main flow program. First, the remaining amount of black ink and each color ink is read (step S500), and then it is determined whether or not a reference remaining amount value is set in a predetermined area of the IC memory 901 of the ink cartridge 900 (step S502). This reference remaining amount value is in the reset state at the time of initial setting, and when the check box “Prohibit automatic start until ink replacement” is selected on the ink ordering screen in the automatic start processing described later, the remaining ink amount at that time Is set, and if set, automatic startup is prohibited. That is, it can be determined whether the automatic activation prohibition or the automatic activation prohibition is canceled depending on whether the reference remaining amount value is set or reset.

  If the reference remaining amount value is in the reset state in step S502, since automatic activation is not prohibited, it is determined whether each ink remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step S504). If the ink remaining amount is less than or equal to the threshold value, an automatic activation process routine, which will be described in detail later, is executed (step S506), then a printing process for one page is executed (step S546), and then each ink remaining amount Is updated (step S548), and it is determined whether or not a page that has not been printed remains (step S550). If it remains, the process returns to step S500, and if it does not remain, the program ends.

  On the other hand, if all the remaining ink amounts exceed the threshold value in step S504, it is determined that ink replacement is not necessary, and the status screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display unit 161 (step S512). The status screen displays a message field L1 for displaying various messages based on the current ink remaining amount, a black ink remaining amount meter L2 that displays the remaining amount level of black ink in a tank, and the remaining amount of color ink. The meter-displayed color ink remaining amount meter L3, an OK button L4 that is turned on when instructing execution of printing processing, and an order button L5 that is turned on when ordering ink are displayed. Here, since any remaining ink level is at a level that does not hinder printing, “ready for printing” is displayed in the message field L1.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the OK button L4 has been turned on (step S514). If the OK button L4 has been turned on, the processing from step S546 described above is performed, and if the OK button L4 has not been turned on, the order button L5. Is checked (step S516). If the order button L5 is not turned on, the process returns to step S514. If the order button L5 is turned on, the Internet is connected (step S518), and the Web server 620 is returned. To obtain a Web page having a delivery purchase button and a storefront purchase button and display it on the display unit 161, exchange data with the Web server 620 (step S520), and then disconnect the Internet connection (step S522). ), The processing after step S546 is performed.

  Here, the data transmission / reception with the Web server 620 in step S520 will be briefly described. The connected Web server 620 is an ink purchase site, and the printing apparatus 100 first acquires and displays the top page P1 shown in FIG. This top page P1 has an input field for the model name of the printing apparatus 100. The model name is automatically transmitted from the printing apparatus 100 to the Web server 620 at the beginning of the connection, and the display unit is displayed in the input state. 161 is displayed on the screen. In addition, the Web server 620 refers to the automatically transmitted model name and searches for the model number of black ink and the model number of color ink and returns the model number, so that the model number is displayed on the top page P1, and the black ink, color A delivery purchase button is displayed for each ink and both inks, and one store purchase button is displayed.

  When the user selects the delivery purchase button on the top page P1, the printing apparatus 100 transmits it to the Web server 620, acquires the page P2 from the Web server 620, and displays it. On this page P2, a sales price corresponding to the ink is displayed, and a zip code input field and a delivery method selection field are displayed. When the user inputs a postal code in the postal code input field, inputs a delivery method in the delivery method selection field, and selects a recalculation button, the printing apparatus 100 transmits each data to the Web server 620, and the Web server 620 transmits the data. An update screen including the tax according to the postal code area, the postage according to the delivery method and the total amount is acquired and displayed. Thereafter, when the user selects an order button, the printing apparatus 100 transmits it to the Web server 620, acquires and displays a login screen including an input field for an ID and a password from the Web server 620, and then places an order. Thus, the user can shop the ink cartridge online with a simple operation.

  On the other hand, when the user selects the storefront purchase button on the top page P1, the printing apparatus 100 transmits it to the Web server 620, acquires the page P3 from the Web server 620, and displays it. On this page P3, a model name is displayed, and a country name selection field and a postal code input field are displayed. When the user inputs a country name in the country name selection field, inputs a zip code in the zip code field, and selects a search button, the printing apparatus 100 transmits each data to the web server 620 and acquires the page P4 from the web server 620. And display. On this page P4, stores around the postal code area in the country are listed and displayed. Each store has a map button. When the map button is clicked, the location of the store is displayed on the map. In this way, the user can visit the desired store and purchase the ink cartridge at the store by using this map.

  If there is an ink remaining amount equal to or less than the threshold value in step S504, an automatic start processing routine (step S506) for automatically displaying an ink purchase dialog is executed. 18 will be described. First, an ink purchase dialog (see FIG. 21) including a delivery purchase button L6, a storefront purchase button L7, a next prohibition check box L8, and a close button L9 is displayed on the display unit 161 (step S600). Then, it is determined whether or not the close button L9 is turned on (step S602). If it is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the delivery purchase button L6 or the storefront purchase button L7 is turned on (step S604). If not, the process returns to step S602, and if the delivery purchase button L6 or the storefront purchase button L7 is turned on, it connects to the Internet (step S606), connects to the Web server 620 and is turned on (delivery purchase button L6). Alternatively, a Web page corresponding to the storefront purchase button L7) is acquired and displayed on the display unit 161, data is transmitted to and received from the Web server 620 (step S608), and then the Internet connection is disconnected (step S610), and step S600. Return to. Specifically, in step S608, if the delivery purchase button is turned on in step S604, the page P2 of FIG. 20 is acquired and displayed, and if the storefront purchase button is turned on, the page P3 of FIG. 20 is acquired. To display. Each page is as described above. On the other hand, if the close button L9 is turned on in step S602, it is determined whether or not the next prohibition check box L8 is checked (step S612). If it is checked, the current ink remaining amount is determined as the reference remaining amount value. (Step S614), and this routine is terminated. Thereafter, when a print command is issued, since the reference remaining amount value is set in step S502, the automatic activation processing routine is not executed. If the next prohibition check box L8 is not checked in step S612, this routine is finished as it is (that is, the reference remaining amount value is in the reset state). Thereafter, when a print command is issued, the reference remaining amount value is in a reset state in step S502. Therefore, if there is an ink remaining amount equal to or less than the threshold value, an automatic activation processing routine is executed.

  If the reference remaining amount value is set in step S502, the current ink remaining amount is compared with the reference remaining amount value (step S508), and if the former exceeds the latter, the automatic start processing routine is executed. It is determined that the ink has been changed later, the reference remaining amount value is reset to cancel the prohibition of the automatic activation processing routine (step S523), and then the printing processing and the like after step S546 are executed. As a result, when the remaining amount of ink below the threshold value occurs again, the automatic activation process routine is executed. On the other hand, if the current ink remaining amount is less than or equal to the reference remaining amount value in step S508, it is determined whether or not there is an ink remaining amount that is less than or equal to the threshold value among the ink cartridges (step S510). If not, the processing from step S512 described above is executed. If there is an ink remaining amount equal to or less than the threshold value, it is considered that the ink needs to be replaced, and the status screen shown in FIG. Step S524, see FIG. 17). The status screen displays a message field L1 for displaying various messages based on the current ink remaining amount, a black ink remaining amount meter L2 that displays the remaining amount level of black ink in a tank, and the remaining amount of color ink. Meter-displayed color ink remaining amount meter L3, an OK button L4 that is turned on when instructing execution of printing processing, an order button L5 that is turned on when ordering ink, and a how-to that is turned on when knowing how to deal with the problem ) Button L10. Here, since the remaining black ink level may interfere with printing, a message “Black ink has been reduced” is displayed in the message field L1, and the black ink remaining amount meter L2 displays A formation mark (!) Is displayed.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the OK button L4 has been turned on (step S526). If the OK button L4 has been turned on, the processing from step S546 described above is performed. If the OK button L4 has not been turned on, the order button L5. Is turned on (step S528), and if the order button L5 is turned on, the processing from step S518 described above is performed. At this time, the top page P1 of FIG. 20 may be acquired and displayed, but only the ink whose remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the threshold (black ink here) may be displayed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the order button L5 is not turned on in step S528, it is determined whether or not the how-to button L10 is turned on (step S530). If the order button L10 is not turned on, the process returns to step S526 again, and the how-to button L10. Is turned on, an ink purchase dialog including a delivery purchase button L11, a storefront purchase button L12, a utility activation button L13, and a close button L14 is displayed on the display unit 161 (see step S532, FIG. 24).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the close button L14 is turned on (step S534). If it is turned on, the processing from step S546 described above is performed. If it is not turned on, whether or not the utility start button L13 is turned on is determined. Judgment is made (step S536). If the utility start button L13 is turned on, a guidance processing routine that discloses the procedure for replacing the ink cartridge is executed (step S545, details are omitted), and then the processing after step S546 described above is performed. If not, it is determined whether or not the delivery purchase button L11 or the storefront purchase button L12 is turned on (step S538). If neither is turned on, the process returns to step S534, and the delivery purchase button L11 or the storefront purchase button L12 is turned on. If it is connected to the Internet (step S540), a web page corresponding to the button (delivery purchase button L6 or store purchase button L7) connected to the web server 620 and turned on is acquired and displayed on the display unit 161. , Send / receive data to / from Web server 620 -Up S542), then disconnect the Internet connection (step S544), the flow returns to step S534. In step S542, the same process as in step S608 described above may be executed.

  According to the present embodiment described above in detail, a status screen indicating the degree of consumption of an ink cartridge that is a consumable item of the printing apparatus 100 is displayed on the display unit 161, and there are a plurality of options regarding the purchase mode of the ink cartridge. In order to display the order button L5 and the how-to button L10, which are option call buttons for calling the “delivery purchase” button and the “store purchase” button, on the status screen, the user turns on these buttons L5 and L10 displayed in the status screen. Then, after displaying the “delivery purchase” button and the “store purchase” button on the display unit 161, it is possible to purchase the ink cartridge by selecting a purchase mode that suits the user's intention. In particular, the user can select the purchase mode that suits his / her own needs according to the circumstances at the time, considering and considering the merits and demerits of delivery purchase and over-the-counter purchase.

  Further, the user confirms the degree of consumption with the black ink remaining amount meter L2 indicating the ink cartridge and the ink remaining amount state on the status screen and the color ink remaining amount meter L3 displaying the remaining amount of color ink, and then confirms the ink cartridge. It is convenient because you only have to decide whether or not to purchase.

  Further, when the ink cartridge needs to be replenished, a “delivery purchase” button or a “store purchase” button is automatically displayed by an automatic activation processing routine (see FIG. 18), which is convenient for the user. Further, once the automatic activation processing routine is performed, automatic activation can be prohibited until the ink is replaced by the user's intention, which is also convenient for the user.

  Furthermore, when the “delivery purchase” button is selected, an ordering screen (page P2 in FIG. 20) for ordering ink cartridges is obtained from the Web server 620 and displayed on the display unit 161. Ink cartridges can be purchased through online shopping. In addition, since the tax corresponding to the area of the postal code is displayed by entering the postal code that is the self-location search key information when the delivery purchase button is selected, the user varies depending on his / her location. You can easily know the amount of tax. On the other hand, when the “store purchase” button is selected, a screen (page P4 in FIG. 20) for providing seller information is acquired from the Web server 620 and displayed on the display unit 161, so that the user can easily obtain the seller information. Can be used as a guide to where to buy the consumables. Further, when the storefront purchase button is selected, by inputting the country name or zip code as the self-location search key information, the seller information whose seller location is the same as or close to the own location can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus consumables purchasing system according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 26 is a block diagram thereof. As shown in FIG. 25, the printing apparatus consumable purchasing system 300 according to this embodiment includes a printing apparatus 400 and a personal computer 500 to which the printing apparatus 400 is connected. In FIG. 25, the personal computer 500 has a network function, and the personal computer 500 is configured to be connectable to the public line 210 and the network 220. On the network 220, a consumable supplier database site 600 is connected. The consumables vendor database site 600 is shown as a Web server 620 provided with a storage device 610 in FIG. 25, but may be a so-called home page established on a network.

  The printing apparatus 400 includes a central processing unit 410, a printer unit 420, and a memory unit 430. The central processing unit 410 is an arithmetic device including a CPU, and fulfills a function of executing various programs recorded in the memory unit 430. The printer unit 420 includes a carriage drive unit 421, a print head drive unit 423, and a print paper conveyance control unit 425. A print head 424 is mounted on the carriage 422, and the carriage drive unit 421 reciprocates the carriage along a platen (not shown). The print head drive unit 423 sends a drive signal to the print head 424 in cooperation with the movement of the carriage 422 by the carriage drive unit 421 and the conveyance of the print paper by the print paper conveyance control unit 425, and the memory unit 430 described above. The image related to the print data P_DATA stored in the RAM 431 is printed on a print sheet. An ink cartridge 900 is mounted on the carriage 422. The ink cartridge 900 includes an IC memory 901, and an ink remaining amount information area 902 and a type information area 903 are allocated in the IC memory 901. Ink remaining amount information REST detected by the central processing unit 410 is written in the ink remaining amount information area 902. In the type information area 903, type information (type number) ST of the ink cartridge 900 detected by the central processing unit 410 is written. When a cartridge that does not have an IC memory is mounted, the remaining ink amount information REST can be written in the nonvolatile memory 432 described above. The memory unit 430 includes a RAM 431 having a print data (P_DATA) area and a non-volatile memory 432 having a program storage area (including a printer control program, an ink remaining amount detection program, and a cartridge type detection program).

The personal computer 500 includes a central processing unit 510, a communication unit 520, a user interface unit 530, a memory unit 540, a hard disk device 550, and a port 560. The central processing unit 510 is an arithmetic device including a CPU, and fulfills a function of executing various programs recorded in the memory unit 540. The communication unit 520 may issue a purchase source information acquisition request BS_REQ for the ink cartridge to the seller database site 600 via the communication network 220, and acquire the purchase source information BS from the seller database site 600. it can. The user interface unit 530 includes a display unit 531 and an operation unit 532. The display unit 531 is a computer display, and the operation unit 532 is usually composed of a keyboard or soft buttons on the computer display. The memory unit 540 includes a RAM 541 and a nonvolatile memory 542, as in a normal computer.
A purchase source information area 551 and a program storage area 552 are allocated to the hard disk device 550. In the purchase source information area 551, purchase source information BS (including seller information DEAL and sales condition information TERM) is written. In addition to the printer driver, the program storage area 552 stores a cartridge ordering assistance program, a cartridge replacement assistance program, and a database site access program (including the consumable information acquisition program described above).

  The printing apparatus 400 and the personal computer 500 can communicate with each other via the port 440 and the port 560. For example, the printing apparatus 400 loads the print data P_DATA from the hard disk device 550 of the personal computer 500 to store the memory. The ink remaining amount information REST stored in the ink remaining amount information region 902 of the IC memory 901 can be sent to the personal computer 500 while being stored in the print data region of the RAM 431 of the unit 430.

  The present embodiment may be operated in the same manner as the first embodiment, or may be operated in the same manner as the second embodiment. That is, the central processing unit 410 of the printing apparatus 400 and the central processing unit 510 of the personal computer 500 cooperate to perform processing according to each flowchart, and display a display screen similar to that in the first or second embodiment on the display unit 531. To do.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various forms can be adopted as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention. For example, if there is a stock of ink cartridges, that fact can be registered in the printing apparatus 100, and it is determined whether or not there is stock when the remaining amount of ink falls below a threshold. A message prompting ink replacement may be simply displayed on the screen.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printing apparatus, 110 ... Central processing part, 120 ... Image capture part, 121 ... Memory card slot, 122 ... Image input part, 124 ... Memory card, 140 ... Printer unit 141 Carriage drive unit 142 Carriage 143 Print head drive unit 144 Print head 145 Print paper conveyance control unit 150 Communication unit 160 ... User interface unit, 161 ... Display unit, 162 ... Operation unit, 170 ... Memory unit, 172 ... Non-volatile memory, 210 ... Public line, 220 ... Network, 600 ... Consumables distributor database site, 610 ... Storage device, 620 ... Web server, 900 ... Ink cartridge, 901 ... IC memory, 902 ... ink remaining amount information area, 903 ... type information area, 1711 ... image data area, 1712 ... print data area, 1721 ... purchase source information area, 1724 ... Program storage area.

Claims (18)

A printing device for printing on a print medium;
Display means capable of displaying information relating to the printing apparatus;
Control means for displaying on the display means a status screen indicating the degree of consumption of the consumables used in the printing apparatus, and displaying at least a delivery purchase button for requesting delivery purchase of the consumables in the status screen; A printing apparatus consumable purchasing system characterized by comprising: A printing device for printing on a print medium;
Display means capable of displaying information relating to the printing apparatus;
A status screen showing the degree of consumption of the consumables used in the printing apparatus is displayed on the display means, and at least a storefront purchase button for calling up information on sellers handling the consumables (seller information) is displayed on the status screen. A printing device consumables purchasing system, comprising: a control means for displaying in the printer. A printing device for printing on a print medium;
Display means capable of displaying information relating to the printing apparatus;
A status screen showing the degree of consumption of the consumables used in the printing apparatus is displayed on the display means, and a plurality of options related to the purchase mode of the consumables are displayed in the status screen or the plurality of options are called. And a control means for displaying an option call button for displaying in the status screen. A printing device for printing on a print medium;
Display means capable of displaying information relating to the printing apparatus;
Based on the remaining amount of consumables used in the printing apparatus, it is determined whether or not replenishment of the consumables is necessary. And a control means for displaying an option call button for calling the plurality of options on the display means. The printing device consumables purchasing system according to claim 4,
The control means determines whether or not replenishment of the consumable item is necessary based on the remaining amount of the consumable item, and if it is determined that replenishment of the consumable item is necessary, represents the degree of consumption of the consumable item. A status screen is displayed on the display means, and a plurality of options related to the consumable purchase mode are displayed in the status screen, or an option call button for calling the plurality of options is displayed in the status screen. Printing device consumables purchasing system. A printing device consumable purchasing system according to claim 4 or 5,
The control means determines that replenishment of the consumable item is necessary when the remaining amount of the consumable item becomes less than or less than a predetermined threshold value. It is a printing apparatus consumables purchase system in any one of Claims 3-6,
When the option call button is selected, the control unit connects to a predetermined server via the network, acquires a screen on which the plurality of options are displayed from the server, and displays the screen on the display unit. Product purchase system. It is a printing apparatus consumables purchase system in any one of Claims 3-6,
The control means displays the plurality of options on the display means when the option call button is selected, and then selects one of the options from the plurality of options, via a network. A printing apparatus consumables purchasing system that connects to the server and acquires a screen corresponding to the option from the server and displays the screen on the display means. A printing apparatus consumables purchasing system according to any one of claims 3 to 8,
The plurality of options related to the purchase mode of the consumables include a delivery purchase button for requesting delivery purchase of the consumables and a storefront purchase button for calling information (seller information) regarding a seller handling the consumables. Multiple-option printing device consumables purchase system. A printing device consumable purchasing system according to claim 1 or 9,
When the delivery purchase button is selected, the control means acquires an ordering screen for ordering the consumables from a predetermined server via a network and displays the ordering screen on the display means. . A printing device consumable purchasing system according to claim 1, 9 or 10,
When the delivery purchase button is selected, the control means displays a screen including a sales condition input field for inputting sales condition information or a sales condition disclosure field for disclosing sales condition information as the ordering screen. A printing apparatus consumable purchasing system that acquires from a predetermined server via the printer and displays it on the display means. A printing device consumable purchasing system according to claim 11,
In the sales condition disclosure column, at least one of the presence / absence of inventory related to the consumables and the presence / absence of an empty container collection service is disclosed. It is a printing apparatus consumables purchase system in any one of Claims 1 and 9-12,
When the delivery purchase button is selected, the control means displays a screen including a search key information input field for inputting self-location search key information as an ordering screen for ordering the consumables via a network. Location dependence extracted by the server based on the self-location search key information obtained from the server, displayed on the display means, and transmitted to the server the self-location search key information input in the search key information input field A printing apparatus consumable purchasing system for receiving information on sales conditions and displaying it on the display means. It is a printing apparatus consumables purchase system in any one of Claims 2 and 9-13,
When the store purchase button is selected, the control unit acquires a screen for providing the seller information from a predetermined server via a network and displays the screen on the display unit. 15. The printing apparatus consumable purchasing system according to claim 14,
The seller information includes at least one of address information and map information for specifying a seller location. A printing device consumable purchasing system according to any one of claims 2 and 9 to 15,
When the store purchase button is selected, the control means displays a screen including a search key information input field for inputting self-location search key information as a screen for providing the seller information from a predetermined server via a network. The location-dependent sales acquired by the server based on the self-location search key information by acquiring and displaying on the display means and transmitting the self-location search key information input in the search key information input field to the server A printing apparatus consumables purchasing system that receives information about the user and displays the information on the display means. It is a printing apparatus consumables purchase system in any one of Claims 1-16,
The consumable item is a colored body cartridge.   The program for functioning a computer as a control means which comprises the printing apparatus consumables purchasing system in any one of Claims 1-17.

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