JP2010146033A - Status monitor program, information processor for performing status program, and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a status monitor program for attaining a new display method concerning the output of an image forming material remaining amount inside a printing device, and also to provide an information processor for performing the status program, and the printing device. <P>SOLUTION: When the amount of yet-to-be-loaded is one or more in a composite machine (S106:Yes, S114) concerning an ink cartridge storing ink, only a case with substantially no ink remaining amount is registered in a database as an ink remaining amount display timing. When the amount of yet-to-be-loaded is zero (S106:No, S114 not performed), a case with substantially no ink remaining amount and a case with an ink remaining amount being equal to or less than a prescribed amount are registered as the ink remaining amount display timing (S116). The control part of a personal computer controls whether information to indicate the ink remaining amount is output or not, in response to the ink remaining amount display timing registered in the database. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for monitoring the remaining amount of liquid ink, ink ribbon, toner and other image forming materials in a printing apparatus and displaying the status.

  Many techniques for monitoring the remaining amount of ink or toner in a cartridge mounted on a printing apparatus and executing various processes in accordance with the remaining amount state have been proposed. For example, when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge is less than a reference value, a technique has been proposed in which a low ink level is displayed on a display unit of a printer and a warning is given to the user (for example, Patent Document 1).

It has been proposed that a consumable ordering system that accesses an ordering server and orders consumables when the remaining amount of ink becomes a predetermined amount or less. Specifically, in the printer related to the consumables ordering system, it is detected when the setting of the ordering processing mode is received on the menu screen at the time of installation or the like and the user selects the automatic ordering mode for automatically ordering consumables. When the remaining amount of ink falls below a predetermined amount, the consumables are ordered by accessing the ordering server. In the consumables ordering system, when the printer 2A accesses the ordering server in order to place the consumables in this way, the printer 2A is authenticated, and further, the consumables order is received and the consumables and the delivery destination are authenticated. Is executed, the shipment of the consumables is arranged, and when the arrangement is completed, the completion of the order is notified to the printer. In the printer, this notification is recorded in the history table. The user can also select the order cancellation mode. In this case, when the remaining amount of ink falls below a predetermined amount, a warning about the consumption of consumables is given (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-168043 A JP 2002-127572 A

  By the way, whenever the remaining amount of the image forming material such as ink, ink ribbon, and toner in the printing apparatus becomes a predetermined state (below the predetermined amount), the fact that the state has been output is output to the user. This is preferable in this respect. However, there may be a case where the remaining amount of the image forming material is output a plurality of times and the user does not need to understand the state.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a status monitor program capable of realizing a new display method for outputting the remaining amount of image forming material in a printing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus that execute the status program. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is a container that stores an image forming material, and indicates each remaining amount of image forming material in the printing apparatus according to the number of containers that are not attached to the printing apparatus. Whether or not to output information is controlled.

  A first problem-solving means that reflects the present invention is a status monitor program that can be read by a control device that monitors the remaining amount of image forming material in a printing apparatus, and the control device stores the image forming material. Detected by a count means for acquiring the number of containers not attached to the printing apparatus, a registration means for registering the number of containers acquired by the count means in a database, and a remaining amount detection sensor. When the remaining amount of the image forming material that has been satisfied satisfies the following condition 1 and condition 2, and a remaining amount state detecting means for detecting that the remaining state of the image forming material is in the first state and the second state, The first information indicating the presence is output to the output means, and when the following conditions 1 and 3 are satisfied, the second information indicating the second state is functioned as an output control means that does not output to the output means. It is because of the status monitor program.

Condition 1: The number of containers registered in the database is the first condition. Condition 2: The remaining amount detected by the remaining amount state detecting means is the first state. Condition 3: The remaining amount state detecting means. The detected remaining amount is in the second state.

  According to this, when the number of storage units that store the image forming material and are not attached to the printing apparatus is the first number, it indicates that the remaining amount of the image forming material is in the second state. The second information is not output. Therefore, the number of times of output of information indicating the remaining amount of the image forming material can be reduced.

  The second problem solving means is a status monitor program of the first problem solving means, and when the control device satisfies the condition 2 and the following condition 4, the first information is output to the output means, When the condition 3 and the following condition 4 are satisfied, a status monitor program for causing the second information to function as the output control unit is output to the output unit.

  Condition 4: the number of containers registered in the database is the second number

  According to this, when the number of storage units that store the image forming material and are not attached to the printing apparatus is the second number different from the first number, the remaining amount of the image forming material is the second. The 2nd information which shows that it is in a state can be outputted appropriately. Note that the first information indicating that the remaining amount of the image forming material is in the first state is output regardless of the number of storage devices that store the image forming material and are not attached to the printing apparatus. Is done.

  A third problem solving means is a status monitor program of the first problem solving means, wherein the control device outputs the second information to the output means when the condition 3 and the following condition 5 are satisfied. A command acquisition means for acquiring an output designation for specifying the output, and if the condition 2 and the following condition 5 are satisfied, the first information is output to the output means, and the condition 3, the following conditions 5 and 6 are satisfied If the second information is output to the output means, and the condition 3, the following condition 5 and condition 7 are satisfied, the status monitor for functioning as the output control means that does not output the second information to the output means It is a program.

Condition 5: The number of containers registered in the database is the second number Condition 6: The output designation is acquired by the command acquisition means Condition 7: The output designation is not acquired by the command acquisition means

  According to this, when the number of storage units that store the image forming material and are not attached to the printing apparatus is the second number different from the first number, the remaining amount of the image forming material is the second. Whether or not to output the second information indicating the state can be designated, and appropriate output according to the designated state can be realized. The output of the first information indicating that the remaining amount of the image forming material is in the first state is the same as the second problem solving means.

  A fourth problem solving means is a status monitor program according to any one of the first to third problem solving means, wherein the control device is supplied with an exchange signal indicating that a storage device is attached to the printing device. An exchange signal acquisition means for acquiring and a status monitor program for causing the number of storage units registered in the database to function as the registration means for reducing by 1 when the exchange signal is acquired by the exchange signal acquisition means.

  According to this, it is possible to appropriately manage the number of storage containers that store the image forming material and are not attached to the printing apparatus. In addition, when the number of storage devices decreases, the number of storage devices automatically decreases, so the management burden on the user can be reduced.

  The fifth problem solving means is a status monitor program according to any one of the first to fourth problem solving means, wherein the control device sells on the Internet a container that stores the image forming material. Ordering means for placing an order for the storage device with respect to the server, and the counting means for acquiring the number of storage devices from the order quantity information of the storage devices transmitted from the sales server in response to the ordering by the ordering means. It is a status monitor program for making it function as.

  According to this, it is possible to appropriately manage the number of storage containers that store the image forming material and are not attached to the printing apparatus. In addition, since the number of containers automatically increases when the number of containers increases, the management burden on the user can be reduced.

  The sixth problem solving means is a status monitor program according to any one of the first to fifth problem solving means, wherein the first number is one or more storage units and the second number is storage. The first state is a state in which the remaining amount of the image forming material is substantially zero, and the second state is a state in which the remaining amount of the image forming material is larger than that in the first state. It is characterized by that.

  According to this, when the number of containers that are not loaded in the printing apparatus is one or more, which is the container that stores the image forming material, in other words, for example, the container that is not loaded is in stock. In the case of (storage), the image forming material is not output until the remaining amount of the image forming material becomes substantially zero, and therefore the number of times of outputting the information indicating the remaining amount of the image forming material can be reduced. In the case where an unmounted container is owned as a stock, even if the remaining amount of image forming material becomes substantially zero and printing becomes impossible, it is possible to appropriately cope with the stock container.

  A seventh problem solving means includes a recording medium on which the status monitor program of any one of the first to sixth problem solving means is recorded, reads the status monitor program from the recording medium, and reads the read status monitor program. An information processing apparatus comprising: a control device to be executed. According to this, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of realizing the specific function.

  The eighth problem-solving means includes a recording medium on which any one of the first to sixth problem-solving means is recorded, the status monitor program read from the recording medium, and the read status monitor program And a control device that executes the printing device. A printing apparatus capable of realizing the above specific function can be provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a status monitor program capable of realizing a new display method for displaying the remaining amount of image forming material in a printing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus that execute the status program.

  Embodiments for implementing the above problem solving means reflecting the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The above-mentioned problem solving means is not limited to the configuration described below, and various configurations can be adopted in the same technical idea.

(System configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system 10. The printing system 10 includes an inkjet-type multifunction peripheral 200 and a plurality of personal computers 100A, 100B, and 100C, and each apparatus is communicably connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 20. The multi-function device 200 receives print data transmitted from the personal computer 100A and the like, executes print processing on the print data, and scan data generated by executing scan processing based on the scan request from the personal computer 100A via the LAN 50. For example, it transmits to the personal computer 100A.

  The LAN 50 is connected to the Internet 70 via the router 60. In the Internet 70, there is a purchase site (sales server on the Internet 70) 80 that sells ink cartridges 2302 to be installed in the multifunction device 200 (connected).

  First, the configuration of the multifunction device 200 will be described. The multifunction device 200 includes a multifunction device 200 that controls its own device, a storage unit 220 that stores a program for executing predetermined processing, a printing unit 230 that actually prints print data, and a document placement. A scanner unit that scans a document placed in the unit (not shown in FIG. 1), a remaining amount detection sensor 250 that detects the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 2302, a monitor 260 that displays various information, and a multifunction device 200 includes an operation unit 270 serving as an interface for inputting data (commands) to 200, and a network I / F 280 connected to the LAN 50. The multifunction device 200 includes a CPU that executes arithmetic processing, a ROM that stores various programs, and a RAM as a work area. The storage unit 220 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM) or a hard disk. The printing unit 230 includes an ink cartridge 2302 that stores (contains) ink, and has an inkjet configuration. The printing unit 230 supports color printing. Therefore, the ink cartridges 2302 of four colors (black (BK), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C)) are combined into the multifunction device 200 ( The printing unit 230) is mounted.

  Various processes are executed by the CPU configuring the multi-function device 200 executing programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 220 on the RAM. For example, print processing is executed on print data received by the network I / F 280. Further, data indicating the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 2302 detected by the remaining amount detection sensor 250 is transmitted to the personal computer 100A via the network I / F 280. The CPU accesses data on the RAM to execute these processes. Therefore, the CPU executes various programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 220 on the RAM, thereby executing various processes, thereby configuring various functional units.

  Next, the configuration of the personal computers 100A, 100B, and 100C will be described. Since the personal computers 100B and 100C have the same configuration as the personal computer 100A, description thereof is omitted. The personal computer 100A includes a control unit 110 that controls the device itself, a hard disk (indicated as “HDD” in FIG. 1; hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 120, a monitor 130, and an operation unit that includes a keyboard or a mouse. 140 and a network interface (described as “network I / F” in FIG. 1, hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”) 150 connected to the LAN 50.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU that executes arithmetic processing, a ROM that stores various programs, and a RAM as a work area. The HDD 120 has an OS (Operating System) 1202 and a browser program (described as “browser” in FIG. 1; hereinafter referred to as “browser”) 1204 as application software for browsing Web pages on the Internet 70, for example. Is stored. The HDD 120 also has a printer driver program (hereinafter referred to as “printer driver”) for controlling the printing unit 230 for the multifunction device 200 and a scanner driver program (hereinafter referred to as “scanner driver”) for controlling the scanner unit 240. A driver program 1206 including at least one of the above is stored. Further, the HDD 120 monitors the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 2302 mounted on the multifunction device 200 and displays the status monitor program 1208 on the monitor 130, the OS 1202, the browser 1204, the driver program 1206, the status monitor. A database 1210 (for example, a registry provided by the OS) that manages each setting data of the program 1208 is stored.

  The CPU constituting the control unit 110 executes the OS 1202 and various programs 1204 to 1208 on the RAM based on the database 1210 stored in the ROM and the HDD 120, thereby executing various processes, thereby configuring various functional units. (For example, count means, remaining amount state detection means, display control means). Based on the execution of the status monitor program 1208, the number of ink cartridges that are not installed in the multifunction device 200, specifically, the stocked ink cartridge (hereinafter referred to as “uninstalled quantity”) is acquired. The remaining amount of ink is monitored (monitored), the display timing of the remaining amount of ink (ink remaining amount display timing) is set, and the remaining amount of ink is displayed on the monitor 130 at the set timing. Further, for example, the remaining ink level display timing (see FIG. 4) of the multifunction device 200 set by executing the status monitor program 1208 is registered in the database 1210 as a function of the OS 1202. Further, based on the execution of the browser 1204, for example, a Web page on the Internet 70 is downloaded, predetermined data is received from a server on the Internet (for example, the purchase site 80), and the predetermined data is transmitted. . Further, based on the execution of the printer driver, print data is generated from a file to be printed created by an editor program (not shown in the storage unit 120 of the personal computer 100A in FIG. 1). When this print data is printed by the printing unit 230 of the multifunction device 200, the ink in the ink cartridge 2302 is consumed.

(Driver program installation process)
FIG. 3 shows a flow of driver program installation processing. Along with the installation of the driver program 1206, a status monitor program 1208 for monitoring functions (components) related to the installed driver program 1206 is also installed. Specifically, when the printer driver is installed, a status monitor program 1208 for monitoring the state of the printing unit 230 is installed. When the scanner driver is installed, a status monitor program 1208 for monitoring the scanner unit 240 is installed. In this process, a recording medium such as a CD storing the driver program 1206 and the status monitor program 1208 is set in the personal computer 100A, and the control unit 110 executes an installation start program included in the recording medium on the RAM. Be started.

  The control unit 110 that has activated this activation program first stores the installation program in the HDD 120 of the personal computer 100A. Subsequently, the control unit 110 executes an installation function selection process based on the installation program stored in the HDD 120 (S100), and the process proceeds to S102. That is, the control unit 110 displays a dialog for selecting the driver program 1206 to be installed on the monitor 130, and obtains and inputs an instruction for selecting the driver program 1206 input by the user via the operation unit 140 based on this dialog. The driver program 1206 selected based on the received instruction is specified. Then, it is determined whether or not the user has selected a printer driver. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the printer driver is included in the driver program 1206 specified by the processing of S100 (S102). As a result of the determination, if the printer driver is not selected (no printer driver is included) (S102: No), the control unit 110 moves the process to S116.

  On the other hand, when the printer driver is selected in S102 (the printer driver is included) (S102: Yes), the control unit 110 executes a process of displaying the ink cartridge order screen on the monitor 130 (S104). ). Specifically, the control unit 110 reads data indicating an ink cartridge order screen from the HDD 120 onto a RAM constituting the controller 120, and displays the ink cartridge order screen on the monitor 130 based on this data. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an ink cartridge ordering screen 300 displayed on the monitor 130 in S104. The ink cartridge ordering screen 300 includes a message prompting for the preparation of a spare ink cartridge in preparation for the consumption of ink stored in the ink cartridge 2302, which is a consumable item, and the purchase site 80 (see FIG. 1) in response to this message. Is connected to (accessed) and includes a check box 302 that is selected when an ink cartridge purchase procedure is executed, and a check box 304 that is selected when the purchase procedure is not executed. In addition, the ink cartridge ordering screen 300 includes a “return” button 306 for inputting an instruction for returning the process to the previously executed S100, and an instruction for shifting to the process according to the selection by the check boxes 302 and 304. "Next" button 308 and "Cancel" button 310 for inputting an instruction to end the driver program installation process. Note that, in a state where neither of the check boxes 302 and 304 is selected, the “next” button 308 is, for example, in a gray-out state and adopts a configuration that cannot be pressed.

  When the user selects one of the check boxes 302 and 304 via the operation unit 140 in accordance with the display of the ink cartridge ordering screen 300 in S104, and presses the “Next” button 308, the control unit 110 Determines which of the check boxes 302 and 304 is selected (S106). When the instruction input via the operation unit 140 is the “return” button 306, the control unit 110 proceeds to S100 as described above, and when the instruction is the “cancel” button 310, the process ends. To do.

  If the check box 304 has been selected as a result of the determination in S106 (S106: No), the control unit 110 shifts the process to S108, and executes a process of displaying an ink remaining amount display timing selection screen. Specifically, the control unit 110 reads data indicating the ink remaining amount display timing selection screen from the HDD 120 onto the RAM constituting the device, and displays the ink remaining amount display timing selection screen on the monitor 130 based on the data. . And the control part 110 transfers a process to S116. In this case, S114 described later is not executed. Therefore, in the database 1210, “0” in the default state is registered as it is as the quantity (uninstalled quantity) of the purchased ink cartridge 2302.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the ink remaining amount display timing selection screen displayed on the monitor 130 in S112. An ink remaining amount display timing selection screen 400 includes a message for prompting selection of the remaining ink amount display timing, a check box 402 that is selected when displaying that when the remaining ink amount is 50% or less, A check box 404 that is selected to display when the ink remaining amount is 10% or less, and a check box 406 that is selected to display when the ink remaining amount is almost exhausted. including. The check box 406 is selected in the default state. This is because the ink cartridge 2302 must be replaced when the ink remaining amount is substantially “0”. Further, the ink remaining amount display timing selection screen 400 performs processing according to the selection by the “return” button 408 and the check boxes 402, 404, and 406 for inputting an instruction to return the processing to the previously executed S 100. A “next” button 410 for inputting an instruction for shifting and a “cancel” button 412 for inputting an instruction for ending the driver program installation process are included.

  If the check box 302 is selected as a result of the determination in S106 (S106: Yes), the control unit 110 executes a connection process to the purchase site 80 on the Internet 70 indicated by a predetermined address (S110). . Specifically, a predetermined browser 1204 stored in the HDD 120 is activated and connected (accessed) to the purchase site 80 based on the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the purchase site 80 stored in advance. In the process of S110, the control unit 110 receives predetermined data from the purchase site 80, displays a screen based on this data on the monitor 130, and identifies the ink cartridge 2302 by a user operation via the operation unit 140. For example, the model name (model number) and purchase quantity of the ink cartridge 2302 are received. The model name (model number) and purchase quantity input by the user via the operation unit 140 are acquired, the network I / F 150 is controlled, and the acquired model name (model number) and purchase quantity are set with the purchase site 80 as the destination. Send data containing Then, the control unit 110 stores the data (hereinafter referred to as “Purchase”) of the confirmed purchase quantity returned from the purchase site 80 according to the data including the model name (model number) and the purchase quantity transmitted in the process of S110. It is determined whether or not “quantity data” has been received (S112). If it has not been received as a result of the determination, it waits until it is received (S112: No).

  When the purchase quantity data is received (S112: Yes), the control unit 110 counts the number of ink cartridges 2302 that are not attached to the multifunction device 200 (printing unit 230) indicated by the purchase quantity data received in S112 (uninstalled quantity). Is registered in the database 1210 (S114), and the process proceeds to S116. The unmounted quantity is “2” if the purchased quantity of the ink cartridge 2302 is two, and “1” if the purchased quantity is one. A configuration in which the user can directly input the unmounted quantity via the operation unit 140 can also be adopted. This is because the ink cartridge 2302 may be purchased outside the purchase site 80. In step S116, the control unit 110 registers the remaining ink amount display timing in the database 1210.

  S116 will be described in detail. When the determination in S106 is negative (S106: No), the control unit 110 selects the check box selected according to the ink remaining amount display timing selection screen 400 displayed on the monitor 130 in S112. Ink remaining amount display timings according to 402, 404, and 406 are registered in the database 1210. For example, when the check boxes 404 and 406 are selected, the control unit 110 sets the ink remaining amount display timing as “when the ink remaining amount becomes 10% or less” and “when the ink remaining amount is almost exhausted (approximately 0). Is registered in the database 1210. As a result, the unmounted quantity “0” (registered in the default state) and “when it becomes 10% or less” and “when it almost disappears” are registered in the database 1210 as the ink remaining amount display timing. When only the check box 406 is selected, the control unit 110 registers, in the database 1210, only when the ink remaining amount is “nearly exhausted (when it is substantially 0)” as the ink remaining amount display timing. As a result, in the database 1210, “0” is registered as the unmounted quantity (registered in the default state), and “when almost no ink” is registered as the ink remaining amount display timing.

  If the determination in S106 is affirmative (S106: Yes), the control unit 110 registers, in the database 1210, a case where the ink remaining amount is almost exhausted as the ink remaining amount display timing. As a result, in the database 1210, a value of 1 or more as an unmounted quantity, for example, “2” (registered in S114), and “when there is almost no ink” are registered (for example, “10”). "When it becomes less than%" is not registered.) Note that the control unit 110 executes the processes of S306 to S310 of the ink remaining amount display process (see FIG. 7) described later according to the registration state of the database 1210.

  Note that the control unit 110 encrypts the database 1210 in which the unmounted quantity and the ink remaining amount display timing are registered in S114 and S116. As a result, falsification of the database 1210 can be prevented.

  After executing S116, the control unit 110 executes the installation process of the driver program 1206 selected in S100 on the HDD 120 and monitors the functions (components) related to the selected driver program 1206. The monitor program 1208 is installed in the HDD 120 (S118). When the installation of the driver program 1206 and the status monitor program 1208 is completed, the control unit 110 ends the driver program installation process.

(Ink cartridge replacement process)
FIG. 5 shows a flow of ink cartridge replacement processing. This process is based on the status monitor program 1208 that monitors the printing unit 230 installed together with the printer driver as the driver program 1206. When the power of the personal computer 100A is turned on, the control unit 110 activates the OS 1202 and activates the monitoring status monitor program 1208 of the printing unit 230. Hereinafter, the status monitor program 1208 for monitoring of the printing unit 230 is referred to as a “printer status monitor program”.

  First, the control unit 110 receives data indicating that the ink remaining amount is almost exhausted (substantially “0” state) in an ink remaining amount display process (see FIG. 7), which will be described later. At this timing, the network I / F is controlled to inquire about whether or not the ink cartridge 2302 has been replaced with the multifunction device 200 (S200). In response to the inquiry in S200, the control unit 110 determines whether an ink replacement signal transmitted from the multifunction device 200 has been received (S202). As a result of the determination, if the ink replacement signal has not been received, the control unit 110 stands by until it is received (S202: No). On the other hand, when the ink replacement signal is received (S202: Yes), the control unit 110 shifts the process to S204.

  In step S <b> 204, the control unit 110 determines whether an unmounted quantity is registered in the database 1210. As a result of the determination, if the unmounted quantity is not registered (S204: No), the control unit 110 ends the ink cartridge replacement process. On the other hand, when the unmounted quantity is registered (S204: Yes), the control unit 110 subtracts the quantity of the ink cartridge 2302 newly installed in the multifunction device 200 (printing unit 230) from the unmounted quantity ( S206). Specifically, the unmounted quantity registered in the database 1210 is “−1”, and this is registered (updated) in the database 1210 as a new unmounted quantity.

  Thereafter, the control unit 110 executes a process for displaying a message regarding ink cartridge replacement on the monitor 130 (S208). Specifically, data indicating a message relating to ink cartridge replacement is read from the HDD 120 onto the RAM constituting itself, and a message based on this data is displayed on the monitor 130 (S208). For example, a screen 500 including a message as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. Then, the control unit 110 ends the ink cartridge replacement process on condition that the user presses the “OK” button 502 constituting the screen displayed in S208 via the operation unit 140.

(Remaining ink display process)
FIG. 7 shows a flow of the remaining ink amount display process. This process is also based on the status monitor program 1208 as in the above-described “ink cartridge replacement process”.

  First, after starting the printer status monitor program, the control unit 110 controls the network I / F at a predetermined timing, and executes a process of inquiring the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 2302 to the multifunction device 200. (S300). Then, in response to the inquiry, it is determined whether or not data indicating the remaining ink amount transmitted from the multifunction device 200 has been received (S302). As a result of the determination, if data indicating the remaining ink amount is not received, the control unit 110 waits until it is received (S302: No). On the other hand, when data indicating the remaining ink amount is received (S302: Yes), the control unit 110 stores the received data on the RAM, and the process proceeds to S304. As described above, the four-color ink cartridge 2302 is attached to the multifunction device 200 (printing unit 230). Therefore, the data indicating the remaining ink amount includes information on the remaining ink amount of each color.

  In step S304, the control unit 110 reads the ink remaining amount display timing from the database 1210 onto the RAM, and acquires the ink remaining amount display timing. Then, the control unit 110 executes a process of determining whether or not to display the remaining ink level based on the remaining ink level indicated by the data received in S302 and the remaining ink level display timing acquired in S304 ( S306). As a result of the determination, if the condition for displaying the remaining ink amount is not satisfied (S308: No), the control unit 110 ends the remaining ink amount display process. On the other hand, when the condition for displaying the remaining ink amount is satisfied (S308: Yes), the control unit 110 shifts the process to S310.

  The determination in S308 will be described in detail. For example, the remaining ink amount received in S302 and stored in the RAM is 10% remaining, and “when the ink remaining amount display timing becomes 10% or less” is acquired in S304. If yes, the determination in S308 is affirmed (S308: Yes). Further, when the ink remaining amount received in S302 and stored in the RAM is approximately 0%, and “almost gone (approximately 0)” is acquired as the ink remaining amount display timing in S304, the process proceeds to S308. The determination is affirmed (S308: Yes). On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink received in S302 and stored in the RAM is 40%, and “when it becomes 10% or less” is acquired as the remaining ink amount display timing in S304, the determination in S308 is performed. Is denied (S308: Yes). If the remaining amount of ink received in S302 and stored on the RAM is 10%, and “substantially disappeared (substantially 0)” is acquired as the remaining ink amount display timing in S304, the process proceeds to S308. The determination is denied (S308: Yes).

  Note that the remaining ink level display timing read from the database 1210 in S304 is registered in the database 1210 in S116 of the driver program installation process shown in FIG. In S <b> 304, if “almost no longer (approximately 0)” is acquired from the database 1210 as the ink remaining amount display timing, the unmounted quantity is registered in the database 1210 as follows, for example. That is, if S106 of the driver program installation process shown in FIG. 2 is affirmed (S106: Yes) and S114 is executed, a value of 1 or more is registered in the database 1210 as an unregistered quantity. On the other hand, if S106 in FIG. 2 is denied (S106: No) and S114 is not executed, 0 is registered in the database 1210 as the unregistered quantity. Further, when “when 10% or less” is acquired as the ink remaining amount display timing, 0 is registered as an unmounted quantity in the database 1210 (S106 of FIG. 2: No, S114 not executed / “ The same applies to “when it falls below 50%”).

  In addition, as described above, the ink cartridge 2302 of four colors is attached to the printing unit 230. The control unit 110 executes the determination of S308 for each of the four colors. Therefore, if the condition for displaying the remaining ink amount is satisfied even for one color, the determination in S308 is affirmed (S308: Yes), and if the condition for displaying the remaining ink amount is not satisfied for all colors, the process proceeds to S308. The determination is affirmed (S308: No).

  In S310, the control unit 110 executes a remaining ink amount display process. Specifically, the control unit 110 reads data indicating a remaining ink amount display screen corresponding to the remaining ink amount from the HDD 120 onto the RAM, and displays the remaining ink amount display screen based on the data. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a remaining ink amount display screen displayed on the monitor 130 in S310. The ink remaining amount display screen 600 includes an ink remaining amount display field 602 indicating the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 2302 attached to the multifunction device 200 together with the model name of the multifunction device 200. Since the printing unit 230 has ink cartridges 2302 for four colors (black (BK), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C)), the ink remaining amount display field 602 includes The remaining amount of ink is displayed. In the state of FIG. 8, the black ink remaining amount is almost eliminated (substantially 0).

  The ink remaining amount display screen 600 includes a connection button 604 that is pressed when connecting (accessing) to the purchase site 80 of the ink cartridge on the Internet 70. The connection button 604 is associated with the URL of the purchase destination site 80, and the control unit 110 that detects the pressing of the connection button 604 activates the browser 1204 stored in the HDD 120 and accesses the purchase destination site 80. To do.

  The control unit 110 displaying the ink remaining amount display screen 600 on the monitor 130 determines whether or not a connection request to the purchase site 80 is input, in other words, the user presses the connection button 604 via the operation unit 140. Then, it is determined whether or not a connection request based on this pressing has been acquired (S312). If the connection request is not input as a result of the determination (S312: No), the control unit 110 ends the remaining ink amount display process. On the other hand, when a connection request is input (S312: Yes), the control unit 110 activates the browser 1204, accesses the purchase destination site 80 based on the URL associated with the connection button 604 (S314), and continues. After executing S316 and S318, the ink remaining amount display process is terminated. Each process of S314 to S318 is the same as S110 to S114 of the driver program installation process shown in FIG. 2 described above, and details thereof are omitted.

  The control unit 110 executes S300 again at a predetermined timing after the ink remaining amount display process is completed. That is, the remaining ink amount display process is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing.

(Modification)
The configuration of the present embodiment described above can be configured as follows, and the same advantageous effect as that of the present embodiment described above can be obtained by the configuration of this modification.

  (1) In the above description, the configuration in which the ink remaining amount is displayed on the monitor 130 has been described as an example (see S310 of the ink remaining amount display processing shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8), but other configurations are employed. You can also. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration for outputting by voice. Moreover, it can also transmit to the predetermined | prescribed apparatus connected so that communication was possible. Furthermore, it can also be set as the structure which combined display, audio | voice output, and transmission. In addition, about the case where it displays, it can also display in aspects other than the display aspect of FIG. For example, a predetermined light source (lamp, LED) or the like can be blinked or lit.

  (2) In the above description, the MFP 200 including the inkjet printing unit 230 has been described as an example. However, the MFP 200 including the printing unit 230 according to other methods may be used. For example, the MFP 200 may include an electrophotographic printing unit 230 that uses toner as an image forming material. In such a case, the toner is stored (contained) in the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge is attached to the multifunction device 200. The remaining amount detection sensor 250 detects the remaining amount of toner. In addition, the MFP 200 including the thermal transfer printing unit 230 using an ink ribbon as an image forming material may be used. In such a case, the ink ribbon is stored in the ink ribbon cartridge. The remaining amount detection sensor 250 detects the ink ribbon remaining amount.

  (3) In the above description, the ink as the image forming material has been described as being stored in the ink cartridge 2302. However, other configurations are possible. For example, a container in which an inkjet head that forms part of the inkjet printing unit 230 is integrally formed may be used. In such a case, when the ink remaining amount is almost exhausted, the entire container in which the inkjet head is integrally configured is replaced.

  (4) In the above description, the configuration in which each process is executed by the control unit 110 of the personal computer 100A has been described as an example. However, the control unit 210 of the multi-function device 200 may independently execute each process. In such a case, the multi-function device 200 stores a database independent of the OS 1202 in the storage unit 220, and stores a program for each process in the ROM and the storage unit 220 constituting the control unit 210, and executes them. To do.

  In the configuration of the modified example (4), the printer driver installation process shown in FIG. 2 is executed as follows. That is, in the configuration of the modification (4), S102 in FIG. 2 is omitted. That is, the driver program 1206 is a program that is installed in a device that uses the multifunction device 200 and is not necessary for the multifunction device 200 itself. Therefore, only the status monitor program is installed. Here, the installation of the status monitor program is performed by executing a program (a program in a preinstalled state) 2202 stored in the storage unit 220.

  Also, S200, S202, S300, and S302 in FIG. 7 are omitted. In other words, the target device for each inquiry is the multifunction device 200 itself. Each process corresponding to each process performed between the personal computer 100 </ b> A and the multifunction device 200 in the embodiment is executed by the control unit 210 inside the multifunction device 200. For example, the control unit 210 of the multifunction device 200 acquires the ink remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection sensor 250 and the user operation via the operation unit 270 and registers the ink registered in the database stored in the storage unit 220. Based on the remaining amount display timing, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of ink should be displayed on the monitor 260 (see S308 in FIG. 7).

  (5) In the driver program installation process shown in FIG. 2 described above, when the unmounted quantity is 1 or more (see S106 in FIG. 2: Yes, S114), S108 (see FIG. 2) is not executed, in other words. For example, the configuration in which S108 is executed only when the unmounted quantity becomes 0 (106 in FIG. 2: No, S114 not executed) is adopted. However, for example, when the purchase quantity is small and the unmounted quantity registered in the database 1210 is smaller than a predetermined value (quantity), the same processing as S108 is performed, and the acquired ink remaining amount display timing is displayed in the database 1210. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for registering (see S116 in FIG. 2).

  According to the configuration of the modification (5), for example, when the unmounted quantity “1” is registered in the database 1210 (S106: Yes in FIG. 2), the ink remaining amount display timing is received. Specifically, for example, a screen including information included in the remaining ink amount display timing selection screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the monitor 130 after the process of S112 is completed, and the remaining ink amount display timing is received from the user. . In this case, the process of S116 is executed in the same manner as when the determination of S106 is negative (S106: No). When “when 10% or less” is registered in the database 1210, when the remaining ink amount becomes 10% or less, the remaining ink display screen 600 is displayed on the monitor 130 (S304 to S304 in FIG. 7). (See S310). Even in the configuration of the modification example (5), as the remaining ink amount display timing, for example, when “when the remaining amount becomes 10% or less” is not registered, even if the remaining ink amount becomes 10% or less, The ink remaining amount display screen 600 is not displayed on the monitor 130.

  (6) In the ink remaining amount display process shown in FIG. 5 described above, S208 is executed after S206, and this process is terminated. However, after the execution of S206, when the unmounted quantity becomes 0 (the ink cartridge 2302 not mounted in the multifunction device 200 is 0), the control unit 110 performs S108 of the printer driver installation process shown in FIG. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the same process is executed, and then the same process as S116 in FIG. Further, the control unit 110 may be configured to execute the same processing as S104 to S116 of the printer driver installation processing shown in FIG.

  In the configuration of the modification example (6), for example, the ink cartridge 2302 is purchased at the purchase site 80 (for example, see S106 in FIG. 2: Yes, S110). Is effective when the remaining ink level display screen (see FIG. 8) is to be displayed only when the remaining ink level is almost exhausted. In such a case, the ink cartridge 2302 to be mounted next does not exist at the user's hand even if the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 2302 mounted on the multifunction device 200 is almost exhausted. As a result, printing is disabled. For example, if the registration in the database 1210 can be updated so that the remaining ink level display screen 600 is displayed when the remaining ink level is 10% or less, the user can be updated when the remaining 10% or less is displayed. Based on the displayed ink remaining amount display screen 600, it can be recognized that the remaining ink amount is 10% or less, and a new ink cartridge 2302 can be prepared in advance.

  (7) In the ink remaining amount display process shown in FIG. 7 described above, the process is terminated after S318. However, after executing S318, the same process as S108 of the printer driver installation process shown in FIG. 2 may be executed, and thereafter, the same process as S116 of FIG. 2 may be executed. That is, in the ink remaining amount display process shown in FIG. 7, the ink remaining amount display timing can be selected, and the selected ink remaining amount display timing can be registered in the database 1210 (see FIG. 1). In this case, the ink remaining amount display timing registered in S116 of FIG. 2 is updated to the new ink remaining amount display timing selected in the ink remaining amount display process of FIG. Then, the control unit 110 again executes the processes of S304 to S306 according to the ink remaining amount display timing newly registered in the database 1210 in this ink remaining amount display processing executed at a predetermined timing.

  The configuration of the modified example (7) is effective in the following case, for example. That is, before the new registration according to the modification (7), the ink cartridge 2302 has not been purchased at the purchase site 80 (for example, refer to S106: No, S110 in FIG. 2), and the unmounted quantity in the database 1210 When it is not registered (for example, S114 in FIG. 2 is not executed) and the remaining amount of ink becomes 10% or less, an ink remaining amount display screen (see FIG. 8) is displayed (for example, S108 in FIG. 2). And FIG. 4). In such a case, the ink cartridge 2302 is owned (stored as inventory) by purchasing an unmounted ink cartridge 2302 at the purchase site 80, and the ink remaining amount is almost eliminated with respect to the ink remaining amount display timing. This is because there are some users who think that it is sufficient to display (output) only in such a case.

The figure which shows the outline | summary of the system in embodiment of this invention, and the functional block of the printing apparatus and personal computer which comprise a system. The figure which shows the flow of the printer driver installation process in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the ink cartridge order screen in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the ink remaining amount display timing selection screen in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the ink cartridge replacement | exchange process in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the screen containing the message regarding ink cartridge replacement | exchange in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the processing flow of the ink remaining amount display process in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the ink remaining amount display screen in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100A, 100B, 100C PC 200 MFP 110, 210 Control unit 120, 220 Storage unit 1208 Status monitor program 2202 Program 130, 260 Monitor 230 Printing unit 2302 Ink cartridge 250 Remaining amount detection sensor 600 Ink remaining amount display screen

Claims (8)

A status monitor program readable by a control device that monitors the remaining amount of image forming material in the printing apparatus,
The control device;
A container that stores the image forming material, and a counting unit that acquires the number of containers that are not attached to the printing apparatus;
Registration means for registering the number of containers acquired by the counting means in a database;
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the image forming material detected by the remaining amount detecting sensor is in the first state and the second state;
When the following condition 1 and condition 2 are satisfied, the first information indicating the first state is output to the output means, and when the following condition 1 and condition 3 are satisfied, the second state is indicated. A status monitor program for functioning as output control means for not outputting the second information to the output means.
Condition 1: The number of containers registered in the database is the first condition. Condition 2: The remaining amount detected by the remaining amount state detecting means is the first state. Condition 3: The remaining amount state detecting means. The detected remaining amount is in the second state. The control device;
As the output control means for outputting the first information to the output means when the condition 2 and the following condition 4 are satisfied, and outputting the second information to the output means when the condition 3 and the following condition 4 are satisfied. The status monitor program according to claim 1 for functioning.
Condition 4: the number of containers registered in the database is the second number The control device;
In the case where the condition 3 and the following condition 5 are satisfied, command acquisition means for acquiring an output designation for designating output of the second information to the output means;
When the condition 2 and the following condition 5 are satisfied, the first information is output to the output means, and when the condition 3, the following condition 5 and the condition 6 are satisfied, the second information is output to the output means, 2. The status monitor program according to claim 1, wherein when the condition 3, the following condition 5 and condition 7 are satisfied, the status monitor program causes the second information to function as the output control unit that does not output the output unit.
Condition 5: The number of containers registered in the database is the second number Condition 6: The output designation is acquired by the command acquisition means Condition 7: The output designation is not acquired by the command acquisition means The control device;
Exchange signal acquisition means for acquiring an exchange signal indicating that a container is mounted on the printing apparatus;
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein when the exchange signal is acquired by the exchange signal acquisition unit, the number of storage units registered in the database is reduced by 1 to function as the registration unit. 5. Status monitor program. The control device;
Ordering means for placing an order for the container with respect to a sales server on the Internet that sells the container storing the image forming material;
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, in response to the ordering by the ordering unit, the counting unit obtains the number of containers from the order quantity information of containers transmitted from the sales server. The status monitor program according to item 1. The first number has one or more containers,
The second number has 0 storage units,
In the first state, the remaining amount of the image forming material is substantially zero.
The status monitor program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second state is a state in which a remaining amount of the image forming material is greater than that of the first state. A recording medium recording the status monitor program according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a control device that reads the status monitor program from the recording medium and executes the read status monitor program. A recording medium recording the status monitor program according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A printing apparatus comprising: a control device that reads the status monitor program from the recording medium and executes the read status monitor program.

Images