JP2010231428A - Control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control program which makes a controller function so as to prevent consumables from being wastefully disposed when disconnecting a device, such as a printer and the controller. <P>SOLUTION: When the controller is directed to disconnect association of the connected device with a device driver, the information indicating the remaining amount of the consumables used in the device being released is obtained by performing an information acquisition step, and based on the information obtained in such a manner, the information regarding the consumables is output from an output device by performing an information output step. Thus, when the association of the device with the device driver is released, since the information corresponding to the remaining amount of the consumables used in the device is output, a user can determine how to handle the consumables so that the wasteful disposing of the consumables can be avoided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control program executed by an apparatus connected to a device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting the remaining amount of ink in an ink cartridge mounted on a printer and displaying the maximum number of sheets that can be printed without running out of ink based on the detection result. .

JP 2002-283670 A

  By the way, a printer that is connected to a personal computer (control device) and used is eventually discarded after being disconnected from the connected personal computer for reasons such as replacement or disposal. At this time, the ink cartridge (consumable) attached to the printer to be discarded is often discarded together with the printer even if ink remains inside. Therefore, the remaining ink is wasted, which is not preferable in terms of resource saving.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a control program for causing a control device to function so as not to waste a consumable when a connection between a device such as a printer and the control device is released. The purpose is that.

  In order to achieve this object, the control program according to claim 1 is connectable to one or a plurality of devices that perform predetermined operations using consumables, and is associated with the connected devices. A program for causing a control device including a device driver and an output device to execute an operation of using the consumable for the device, the device connected to the control device, and the device driver, Based on the information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating the remaining amount of the consumables used in the device to be canceled, and the information acquired in the information acquisition step, when cancellation of the association is instructed, And an information output step of outputting information on the consumables from the output device.

  The control program according to claim 2 is the control program according to claim 1, further comprising a comparison step of comparing a remaining amount of the consumable with a predetermined amount based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step. The information output step uses the consumable used in the device to be released when it is determined in the comparison step that the remaining amount of the consumable is greater than a predetermined amount. Information indicating that it is possible is output from the output device.

  The control program according to claim 3 searches the control program according to claim 2 to determine whether another device capable of using the consumable used in the device to be released is connected to the control device. A search step to be executed by the control device, and the information output step includes a step of searching for another device that can use the consumable when another device that can use the consumable is detected in the search step. Device information is output from the output device.

  The control program according to claim 4 further includes a comparison step of comparing the remaining amount of the consumables with a predetermined amount based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step according to the control program according to claim 1. In the output step, when it is determined in the comparison step that the remaining amount of the consumable item is less than a predetermined amount, information for inquiring whether there is an unused consumable item is output from the output device.

  The control program according to claim 5 can use the unused consumables in the control program according to claim 4 when a predetermined instruction is given after the inquiry information is output in the information output step. A search step for searching whether another device is connected to the control device is further executed by the control device, and the information output step includes a step of using the unused consumables in the search step. When the device is detected, information on other devices that can use the unused consumables is output from the output device.

  The control program according to claim 6 is the control program according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the search step further searches for a remaining amount of consumables used by the other device, and the information In the output step, when another device that can use the consumable is detected in the search step, the information on the other device is used as the information for identifying the other device and the other device. Output from the output device in a form that can be associated with information indicating the remaining amount of consumables.

  A control program according to claim 7 is the control program according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a database for storing information on a device that performs a predetermined operation using a consumable is connected to the control device. A second search step of searching for a type of device that can use the consumables used in the device to be released from the database, further causing the control device to execute, In the information output step, when the type of device that can use the consumable is detected in the second search step, the information indicating the type of device that can use the consumable is output from the output device. Is.

  The control program according to claim 8 searches the control program according to claim 7 to determine whether another device capable of using the consumable used in the device to be released is connected to the control device. The search step is further executed by the control device, and the search step is executed by the control device prior to the second search step, and the second search step is performed in the search step. The search is performed when no other device that can use the consumable is detected.

  According to the control program of the first aspect, when the association between the device and the device driver is canceled, information according to the remaining amount of the consumables used in the device is output. This makes it possible to determine how to handle the consumables and to avoid wasteful disposal of the consumables.

  According to the control program of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the control program of claim 1, when the remaining amount of consumables used in the device is larger than a predetermined amount, the consumables are used. Since the information indicating that it is possible is output, there is an effect that the user can recognize that the consumable can be used. The “predetermined amount” in claim 2 is intended to include the case where the amount is zero (that is, the consumable is empty).

  According to the control program of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the control program according to the second aspect, when the remaining amount of consumables used in the device exceeds a predetermined amount, the consumables are used. Since information on other possible devices is output, there is an effect that the user can recognize that the consumable can be used on other devices.

  According to the control program of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the control program of claim 1, when the remaining amount of consumables used in the device is less than a predetermined amount, the unused consumption Since there is an inquiry about whether there is a consumable, the user can recognize that there is an unused consumable, and there is an effect that wasteful disposal of consumable can be avoided. Note that “an amount smaller than a predetermined amount” in claim 4 is intended to include a case where the amount is zero.

  According to the control program of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the control program according to the fourth aspect, when there is a predetermined instruction after the inquiry, information on other devices that can be used by unused consumables is stored. Since it is output, there is an effect that the user can recognize that an unused consumable can be used.

  According to the control program of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the control program according to the third or fifth aspect, the information of the other device indicates the information for identifying the other device and the remaining amount of the consumable item. Since the information is output in a form that can be associated with the information, there is an effect that the user can assist in determining the reuse destination of the consumables.

  According to the control program of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the control program according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the consumables used in the device to be released can be used from the database. Therefore, there is an effect that the user can recognize the type of device that can use the consumable.

  According to the control program of claim 8, in addition to the effect of the control program of claim 7, the search step is executed prior to the second search step. The device can be used effectively as a device for using the consumables used in the device to be released, the device is not turned on, or the device is not connected to the network. Even if the search cannot be performed by the method, it is possible to make the user recognize the type of device that can use the consumables.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a system including a personal computer having an uninstaller according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the uninstallation process performed with a personal computer. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the screen displayed on LCD with execution of the uninstall process of FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a system 100 including a personal computer having an uninstaller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The system 100 includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 10, a printer 20, and a Web server 60.

  1 illustrates the system 100 including one PC 10 and four printers 20, but the number of PCs 10 and printers 20 connected to the system 100 is not limited. That is, the system 100 can include one or more PCs 10 and one or more printers 20. When a plurality of printers 20 are included in the system 100, the plurality of printers 20 may all be of the same model model (that is, all have the same function), or may be of different model models. You may do it. Reference numerals 20a and 20b in FIG. 1 are convenient codes for distinguishing the printer 20 to be uninstalled from other printers 20 in an uninstallation process (see FIG. 2) described later.

  In the system 100, when one PC 10 activates the uninstaller 14b functioning as the control program of the present invention for the purpose of releasing the connection with the one printer 20, it is attached to the printer 20 (20a) to be uninstalled. The remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 31 is detected, and information corresponding to the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 31 is displayed on the LCD 16.

  The PC 10, the printer 20, and the Web server 60 are connected to each other via a local area network (hereinafter referred to as “LAN”) line 1. One PC 10 in the system 100 can share and use four printers 20 included in the system 100 via the LAN line 1.

  The PC 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the Web server 60 via the router 40 and the Internet 50. The Web server 60 is managed by the manufacturer of the printer 20 and publishes a site for providing information on various printers including the printer 20 and consumables such as ink cartridges. The PC 10 can acquire information on various printers from the Web server 60 and display the information on a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 16.

  The PC 10 is connected to the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the hard disk (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 14, the input device 15 such as a keyboard and a mouse, the LCD 16 as a display device, and the LAN line 1. LAN interface (hereinafter referred to as “LAN I / F”) 17 which is an interface. These units are connected to each other via an input / output port 18.

  The CPU 11 is a microprocessor that executes various programs stored in the ROM 12, and the ROM 12 is a read-only memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 11, constants and tables that are referred to when the programs are executed. is there. The RAM 13 is a readable / writable memory having a work area for temporarily storing variables and the like when the CPU 11 executes various programs.

  The HDD 14 is a readable / writable memory that stores (saves) various programs executed by the PC 10 and various data files. The HDD 14 of this embodiment stores a printer driver 14a, an uninstaller 14b, and a status monitor 14c.

  When an application (not shown) executes printing, the printer driver 14a converts the image data into print data (print command) corresponding to the printer 20 set as the output destination, and converts the converted print data to the output destination. This is a program for outputting to the printer 20.

  In the printer driver 14a, different programs depending on the model and function of the printer 20 are prepared by a manufacturer in a storage medium packed in the printer 20, the Web server 60, or the like. The printer driver 14a is read from the storage medium or the Web server 60 according to an acquisition request by the user, stored in the HDD 14, and then set to be usable (that is, installed) on the PC 10 according to an installation request by the user.

  The printer driver 14a is set in association with one printer 20 at the time of installation. The printer 20 associated in this way is set as an output destination printer by the printer driver 14a. The association between the printer driver 14a and the printer 20 can also be performed after the printer driver 14a is installed in the PC 10.

  The uninstaller 14b is a program for uninstalling (deleting) the printer driver 14a installed in the PC 10. The uninstaller 14b activates and executes an uninstall process (see FIG. 2) described later when a user uninstall request is input to the PC 10.

  The status monitor 14 c is a program for receiving status information such as the operation status of the printer 20 and the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 31 (ink remaining amount) from the printer 20 and displaying the received information on the LCD 16. Normally, when printing is executed by an application and processing by the printer driver 14a is activated, the status monitor 14c is automatically activated by the printer driver 14a. In the present embodiment, when the user inputs an uninstallation request to the PC 10, the process by the status monitor 14c is activated together with the activation of the uninstallation process (FIG. 2).

  The uninstaller 14b and the status monitor 14c are installed in the PC 10 together with the printer driver 14a. Accordingly, one uninstaller 14b for uninstalling the printer driver 14a is stored in the HDD 14 for one printer driver 14a. In addition, one status monitor 14 c for obtaining status information of the printer 20 associated with the printer driver 14 a is stored in the HDD 14 for one printer driver 14 a.

  The printer 20 (20a, 20b) includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an operation key 24 as an input device, an LCD 25, a printing unit 26, an ink remaining amount sensor 27, a cartridge interface (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge I”). / F ”) 28 and LAN I / F 29. These units are connected to each other via the input / output port 30.

  The CPU 21 is a microprocessor that executes various programs stored in the ROM 22, and the ROM 22 is a read-only memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 21, constants and tables that are referred to when the programs are executed. is there. The RAM 23 is a readable / writable memory having a work area for temporarily storing variables and the like when the CPU 21 executes various programs.

  The printing unit 26 is configured by an ink jet printer for performing printing on a printing paper set at a predetermined paper feeding position (not shown) based on an instruction from the CPU 21. The printing unit 26 includes a mounting unit (not shown) that detachably mounts the ink cartridge 31, a print head (not shown) that discharges ink supplied from the ink cartridge 31 onto printing paper, and the print head. A carriage (not shown) mounted, a carriage motor (not shown) for reciprocating the carriage, and a paper transport motor (not shown) for transporting printing paper are provided.

  The ink remaining amount sensor 27 is a sensor (for example, an optical sensor) that detects the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 31 attached to the attachment portion. The ink remaining amount sensor 27 is provided for each ink color (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, black) stored in the ink cartridge 31.

  The cartridge I / F 28 is an interface for performing wireless communication with a wireless IC tag (not shown) built in the ink cartridge 31.

  The ink cartridge 31 is a consumable that contains color ink therein and is consumed as the color ink is supplied to a print head (not shown) of the printing unit 26. The ink cartridge 31 has a built-in wireless IC tag (not shown). In this wireless IC tag, information (for example, model number, color profile, etc.) relating to the ink cartridge is stored.

  Next, processing for uninstalling the printer driver 14a installed in the PC 10 in the system 100 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. For the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the invention, the description will be made assuming that one ink cartridge 31 is attached to the printer 20 (that is, one color).

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an uninstall process executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 10, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a screen displayed on the LCD 16 when the uninstall process shown in FIG. 2 is executed. is there.

  The uninstall process shown in FIG. 2 starts when the user inputs an uninstall request to the PC 10, and first checks the remaining ink level of the cartridge 31 mounted in the printer 20a to be uninstalled (S1). In the process of S1, information on the remaining amount of ink detected by the remaining ink sensor 28 is acquired by the process by the status monitor 14c, and the remaining ink level is confirmed.

  After the process of S1, it is confirmed whether or not the remaining amount of ink is a predetermined value (for example, 5% of the full amount) or more (S2). If the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (S2: Yes), a printer that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a is searched from the LAN line 1 (S3).

  In the search process of S3, for example, the printer 20b is inquired about the model number of the ink cartridge 31 attached to the printer 20b and the remaining ink amount, and the search is performed based on the reply. The printer 20b that has received the inquiry returns the model number of the installed ink cartridge 31, the ink remaining amount, and the position in the LAN line 1 (in this embodiment, the IP address and the node name).

  As another example of the search process of S3, the search is performed by transmitting the model number of the ink cartridge 31 attached to the printer 20a to the printer 20b and making the printer 20b determine it. In this case, the printer 20b returns the result of the determination, the remaining ink amount of the mounted ink cartridge 31, and the position in the LAN line 1.

  As yet another example of the search processing in S3, a table in which the model number of the ink cartridge that can be used in the printer 20a and the model model (model number) of the printer that can use the ink cartridge of each model number is associated with the uninstaller 14b. Alternatively, search by comparing the model number of the ink cartridge 31 installed in the status monitor 14c in advance with the printer 20a and the model model of the printer 20b located at a predetermined position in the LAN line 1 with reference to the above table. I do. When a printer 20b that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a is detected by this search, the remaining amount of ink is detected (inquiry) to the detected printer 20b. The table may be stored in a predetermined storage area of the printer 20a.

  After executing the search process of S3, it is confirmed whether or not a printer 20b that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a exists in the LAN line 1 (S4). When it is determined that there is a printer 20b that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a (S4: Yes), a list 82 of printers 20b that can use the same ink cartridge (see FIG. 3A) is displayed on the LCD 16. Display (S5).

  Here, a list 82 of printers 20b that can use the same ink cartridge will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the process of S5 described above is executed, a window 81 including a list 82 is displayed on the LCD 16.

  The list 82 includes a column 82a for displaying the model model of the printer 20b and a column 82b for displaying the node name of the printer 20b for each printer 20b detected that the same ink cartridge as that of the printer 20a can be used. And a column 82c for displaying the IP address of the printer 20b and a column 82d for displaying the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 attached to the printer 20b.

  A user who visually recognizes this list 82 (that is, a user who desires to uninstall the printer driver 14a for the printer 20a) has a sufficient ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20a, and the ink cartridge of the printer 20 It can be recognized that there is a printer 20b capable of using 31 in the LAN line 1. Therefore, when the printer driver 14a is uninstalled and removed from the printer 20a LAN line 1, the printer for installing the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20a and reusing it from the printers 20b displayed in the list 82. Can be reviewed and selected by the user.

  In this list 82, the positions (node names and IP addresses) of the printers 20b that can use the same ink cartridge are displayed in the columns 82b and 82c, so the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20a is reused (reused). In this case, it is easy to specify the printer 20b to be reused.

  In the list 82, the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 31 is displayed in the column 82d for each detected printer 20b. For this reason, the detected printer 20b and the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20b can be associated with each other on a one-to-one basis, which can assist the user in selecting the printer 20b to be reused. For example, a cartridge with a small amount of remaining ink (for example, 10% or less of the full amount) needs to be replaced at an early stage. Therefore, the user re-installs the printer 20b equipped with the cartridge 31 with a small amount of remaining ink. It can be selected as a printer to be used.

  Returning to FIG. After the process of S5, the printer driver 14a is uninstalled (S6), and the uninstall process of FIG. 2 is terminated. As the printer driver 14a is uninstalled, various programs associated with the printer driver 14a, such as the corresponding uninstaller 14b and status monitor 14c, are also uninstalled.

  On the other hand, as a result of checking in the process of S4, when it is determined that there is no printer in the LAN line 1 that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a (S4: No), the Web server 60 is accessed, The printer model that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a is searched (S7). After executing the search process of S7, a list 84 of printer model models that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a (see FIG. 3B) is displayed on the LCD 16 (S8), and then the printer driver 14a is uninstalled. Is executed (S6), and the uninstallation process of FIG. 2 is terminated.

  Here, a list 84 of printer model models that can use the same ink cartridge will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the process of S8 described above is executed, a window 83 including a list 84 is displayed on the LCD 16.

  The list 84 includes a column 84a for displaying the model model of each printer model detected as being usable with the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a, and a column 84b for displaying the specifications of the model model. , 84c, 84d. Specifically, the column 84b is a column for displaying the printing speed of the detected model model, the column 84c is a column for displaying the print resolution, and the column 84d is whether double-sided printing is possible. This is a column for displaying. The list 84 may include a column for displaying the price of the detected model.

  A user who visually recognizes the list 84 recognizes that the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20a has a sufficient amount of remaining ink and that there is a printer (model model) that can use the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20. be able to. Therefore, when the printer driver 14a is uninstalled and then removed from the printer 20a LAN line 1 and discarded, the printer for installing the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20a from the model model displayed in the list 84 and reusing it. Can be considered by the user.

  In the list 84, the specifications of the model model are displayed in the columns 84b to 84d for each detected model model, so the user purchases the contents of the columns 84b to 84d as the reuse destination of the ink cartridge of the printer 20a. Can be used to assist in selecting the printer (model model) to be used. That is, since the user's desired specifications and desired price range can be determined from the contents of the columns 84b to 84d, it is desired which printer to purchase as a printer to be reused for the ink cartridge of the printer 20a. The user can select according to the height of the spec to be performed and the budget.

  Returning to FIG. As a result of the confirmation in S2, if the remaining ink amount is less than the predetermined value (S2: No), the user is inquired about inventory confirmation (S9). This inquiry is made by displaying the display 86 (see FIG. 3C) on the LCD 16.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3C, the display 86 for inquiring stock confirmation will be described. As shown in FIG. 3C, when the process of S9 described above is executed, a window 85 including a display 86 is displayed on the LCD. By making the display 86 visually recognized by the user, the presence of an unused ink cartridge stored as a spare for the ink cartridge 31 to be mounted on the printer 20a is shown to the user from the display content (that is, the displayed wording). It can remind you.

  In the window 85, buttons 87 and 88 for inputting the user's intention are displayed together with the display 86. After the window 85 is displayed, the user operates the input device 15 to select either the button 87 or the button 88 and inputs his / her intention. The button 87 is a button 87 for inputting an intention to check inventory, and the button 87 is a button 88 for inputting an intention not to check inventory.

  Returning to FIG. After the process of S9, it is confirmed whether or not an intention to check inventory has been input (S10). As a result of checking in the process of S10, if the intention to check the stock is input, that is, if the button 87 is selected (S10: Yes), the process proceeds to S3, and S3, S4: Yes, S5. A process that flows in the order of S6 or a process that flows in the order of S3, S4: No, S7, S8, S6 is executed.

  That is, when the user inputs an intention to check the inventory, the printer that can use the ink cartridges in stock (that is, unused ink cartridges) is searched from the LAN line 1, and the inventory is stored in the LAN line 1. If there is no printer that can use this ink cartridge, the model of the printer that can use the stock ink cartridge is searched from the Web server 60.

  On the other hand, if the intention of not confirming the stock is input, that is, if the button 88 is selected (S10: No), the printer driver 14a is uninstalled (S6), and the uninstall process of FIG. 2 is performed. finish.

  As described above, when the uninstaller 14b is activated on the PC 10, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 mounted on the printer 20a to be uninstalled is detected, and a predetermined amount (for example, full amount) is detected in the ink cartridge 31. If the remaining ink amount is 5% or more, the list 82 (see FIG. 3A) or the list 84 (see FIG. 3B) is displayed on the LCD 16. Displaying the list 82 or the list 84 on the LCD 16 to allow the user to visually recognize the user that the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20a to be uninstalled has sufficient ink remaining and can be reused. Can do.

  On the other hand, if the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 is less than the predetermined amount, a display 86 for inquiring stock confirmation is displayed on the LCD 16, so that the unused ink cartridge 31 used in the printer 20 a to be uninstalled The user can be prompted to confirm (stock).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, information corresponding to the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 attached to the printer 20a is output to the LCD 16 at the timing when the printer driver 14a for the printer 20a is uninstalled. Thus, when the printer driver 14a is uninstalled for the purpose of discarding the printer 20a, how to remove the ink cartridge 31 mounted on the printer 20a or the unused ink cartridge 31 before the printer 20a is discarded. It is possible to make the user determine whether to handle the ink cartridge 31 and to avoid the waste of these ink cartridges 31 being discarded.

  In particular, when a reusable amount of ink remains in the ink cartridge 31 or when an unused ink cartridge 31 remains in stock, the destination (or reuse destination) in the LAN line 1 If there is a printer model 20b that can be used or a model model of a printer that can be used, a list 81 and a list 84 are presented to the user. Therefore, it is easy for the user to determine the next usage destination of the ink cartridge 31, and the ink cartridge 31 can be used effectively.

  Here, according to the uninstall process of this embodiment (see FIG. 2), the process of searching for a printer that can use the ink cartridge 31 from within the LAN line 1 (the process of S3) Since this process is executed prior to the search process (S7 process), the printer 20b in the LAN line 1 can be used effectively as the usage destination of the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20a.

  Note that the uninstaller 14b of this embodiment is an example of the control program of the present invention. Further, the printer 20 of the present embodiment is an example of a device in the present invention. Further, the ink cartridge 31 of the present embodiment is an example of a consumable item in the present invention. Further, the PC 10 of the present embodiment is an example of a control device. In addition, the LCD 16 of this embodiment is an example of an output device.

  Moreover, the process of S1 of this embodiment is an example of the information acquisition step of this invention. Moreover, the process of S5, S8, S9 of this embodiment is an example of the information output step of this invention. Moreover, the process of S2 of this embodiment is an example of the comparison step of this invention. Moreover, the process of S3 of this embodiment is an example of the search step of this invention. The web server 60 of this embodiment is an example of the database of the present invention. Moreover, the process of S7 of this embodiment is an example of the 2nd search step of this invention.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when the user requests to uninstall the printer driver 14a, the remaining amount of ink is checked during the uninstall process (see FIG. 2) executed by the uninstaller 14b. It was configured to perform search and display according to the amount. Instead, the status monitor 14c may be configured to execute the processes of S1 to S5 and S7 to S10 in the uninstall process of FIG. That is, when there is an uninstall request by the user, the status monitor 14c executes the processes of S1 to S5, S7 to S10 in the order according to the situation, and after the process of S5, S8, or S10: No, the uninstaller It may be configured to instruct execution of uninstallation to 14b and the uninstaller 14b to execute the process of S6. Note that when the status monitor 14c is caused to execute the processes of S1 to S5 and S7 to S10, the status monitor 14c corresponds to the control program of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the user requests to uninstall the printer driver 14a, the remaining amount of ink is checked and the search and display corresponding to the remaining amount are performed during the uninstall process in FIG. It was configured as follows. Instead, when a user inputs an instruction to delete a physical port or logical port for which connection with the printer 20 is set in the printer driver 14a to the PC 10, a predetermined program (for example, the status monitor 14c) It is good also as a structure which performs the process of S1-S5 of FIG. 2, and S7-S10 in the order according to a condition.

  In the above embodiment, 5% of the full amount is exemplified as the threshold value (predetermined value) for determining the ink remaining amount in S2 of the uninstall process, but this numerical value can be set as appropriate. The threshold may be zero. That is, in S2, it may be configured to confirm whether or not the ink cartridge 31 is empty.

  In the above embodiment, the list 82 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the LCD 16 in S5 of the uninstall process. However, the information displayed on the LCD 16 by the process of S5 is limited to the list 82. It is not a thing. For example, when a printer 20b that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a is detected by the search in S3, only the number of detected printers 20b may be displayed on the LCD 16. Also, in the list 82 illustrated in FIG. 3A, two types of node names (column 82b) and IP addresses (column 82c) are displayed as information indicating the position of the printer 20b that can use the same ink cartridge. However, only one of the information may be displayed. Alternatively, it may be configured to acquire and display information that can identify a device (printer) such as a MAC address.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 20b in the LAN line 1 that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a after checking and comparing the remaining amount of ink (that is, the processing in S1 and S2) in the uninstall process. However, when the printer 20b that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a is detected from the LAN line 1, the process of S5 is executed first. In addition, it may be configured to execute the processing of S1 and S2.

  In the above embodiment, the uninstall process (see FIG. 2) has been described on the assumption that one ink cartridge 31 is attached to the printer 20 (that is, one color). When there are a plurality of cartridges 31 (that is, for a plurality of colors), the remaining ink amount of each ink cartridge 31 is detected at S1, and at least one of the plurality of ink cartridges 31 exceeds a predetermined value at S2. If there is a remaining amount of ink cartridge 31, the process may be shifted to S3.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the uninstall process, a printer that can use the ink cartridge 31 is detected after executing the process of searching for a printer that can use the ink cartridge 31 from the LAN line 1 (the process of S3). In the case where there is no such model, a process of searching for a model model from the Web server 60 (process of S7) is executed. Instead, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, a search from the Web server 60 is executed along with a search from the LAN line 1, and both results (ie, the list 82 and the list 82) are executed. The list 84) may be displayed on the LCD 16 at the same time. Further, it is possible to perform a search only from the Web server 60 without performing a search from within the LAN line 1.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it was set as the structure which searches a model model from the Web server 60 in S7 in an uninstallation process. As the search processing in S7, instead of the search from the Web server 60, or in addition to the search from the Web server 60, as another example of the search processing in S3, the above-described table (the ink cartridges that can be used in the printer 20a) is used. A table in which model numbers and printer model models that can use the ink cartridges of each model number are associated with each other to search for printer model models that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the process of inquiring the user for inventory confirmation (the process of S9) is executed when the remaining ink amount is less than the predetermined value in S2 (that is, in the case of S2: No). Even when the remaining amount of ink exceeds a predetermined value (that is, in the case of S2: Yes), a process of inquiring the user for inventory confirmation may be executed.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 20 connected to the LAN line 4 has been described as an ink jet printer. However, the printer 20 may be a laser printer. When the printer 20 is a laser printer, the toner cartridge corresponds to the consumable item of the present invention. Therefore, when the printer driver 14a is uninstalled, the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge is confirmed, and search and display corresponding to the remaining amount are performed.

  In the above embodiment, information (list 82, list 84, display 86) corresponding to the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 is displayed on the LCD 16. However, as an output form of the information, the display on the LCD 16 or the like is displayed. Not only the display on the device but also the output of sound from a sound output device such as a speaker may be used.

10 PC
14a printer driver 14b uninstaller 14c status monitor 20 printer 31 ink cartridge 100 system

Claims (8)

A device driver and an output that can be connected to one or a plurality of devices that perform a predetermined operation using a consumable, and cause the associated device to execute an operation that uses the consumable among the connected devices A control program for causing a control device including the device to execute the program,
In the control device,
An information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating a remaining amount of the consumable used in the device to be released when an instruction to release the association between the connected device and the device driver is given;
An information output step for causing the output device to output information on the consumable based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step. Based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step, the control device further performs a comparison step of comparing the remaining amount of the consumables with a predetermined amount,
In the information output step, when it is determined in the comparison step that the remaining amount of the consumable is greater than a predetermined amount, the consumable used in the device to be released is usable. The control program according to claim 1, wherein the information to be output is output from the output device. A search step for searching whether another device that can use the consumables used in the device to be released is connected to the control device;
In the information output step, when another device that can use the consumable is detected in the search step, information on the other device that can use the consumable is output from the output device. The control program according to claim 2. Based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step, further comprising a comparison step of comparing the remaining amount of the consumables with a predetermined amount;
In the information output step, when it is determined in the comparison step that the remaining amount of the consumable item is less than a predetermined amount, information for inquiring whether there is an unused consumable item is output from the output device. The control program according to claim 1. A search step for searching whether another device that can use the unused consumable is connected to the control device when a predetermined instruction is given after the inquiry information is output in the information output step. Is further executed by the control device,
In the information output step, when another device that can use the unused consumable is detected in the search step, information on the other device that can use the unused consumable is sent from the output device. The control program according to claim 4, wherein the control program is output. The searching step further searches the remaining amount of consumables used by the other device,
In the information output step, when another device that can use the consumables is detected in the search step, the information on the other device is changed to the information for identifying the other device and the other device. 6. The control program according to claim 3, wherein the output program outputs the information from the output device in a form that can be associated with information indicating a remaining amount of consumables that are being used. When a database that stores information on a device that performs a predetermined operation using a consumable is connected to the control device, the consumable used in the device to be released from the database. A second search step of searching for a device type that can be used by the control device,
In the information output step, when the type of device that can use the consumable is detected in the second search step, the information indicating the type of device that can use the consumable is output from the output device. The control program according to claim 2, wherein the control program is a program. A search step for searching whether another device that can use the consumables used in the device to be released is connected to the control device;
The search step is executed by the control device prior to the second search step,
8. The control program according to claim 7, wherein the second search step performs the search when no other device that can use the consumable is detected in the search step.

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