JP2010231429A - Controller, program and control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controller, a program and a control system to effectively use consumables used in a certain device considering the relation between the consumables used in the device and consumables usable in the other device. <P>SOLUTION: When confirming the remaining amount of the consumables used in one device among the plurality of devices connected to the controller, since the information on the other device which can use the consumables used in the above one of the devices is output, a user can know the device which can use the consumables and make it as a useful aid for effectively using the consumables used in the above one of the devices. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device, a program, and a control system.

  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

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the relationship between consumables used in one printer and consumables that can be used in other printers. The used ink cartridge could not be used effectively by another printer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is used in a certain device in consideration of the relationship between consumables used in a certain device and consumables usable in another device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device, a program, and a control system that can make effective use of existing consumables.

  In order to achieve this object, a control device according to claim 1 is connected to a plurality of devices that perform predetermined operations using consumables and has an output device, and includes a plurality of devices. A remaining amount confirmation unit for confirming the remaining amount of the consumables used in the first device, and when the remaining amount of the consumables is confirmed by the remaining amount confirmation unit, Search means for searching whether there is another device that can use the consumables used in the one device, and used in the first device whose remaining amount is confirmed by the search means When other devices that can use the consumables that have been used are detected, an output execution unit that outputs information on the other devices from the output device is provided.

  The control device according to claim 2 is the control device according to claim 1, wherein the search unit is configured to search for consumables used by another device that can use the consumables used by the first device. The output execution means further searches the remaining amount, and when the search means detects another device that can use the consumables used in the one device, the output execution means Is output from the output device in a form in which information for identifying the other device and information indicating the remaining amount of consumables used in the other device can be associated with each other. is there.

  The control device according to claim 3 is the control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is further connected to a database for storing information on a device that performs a predetermined operation using consumables, and the search means If no other device that can use the consumable used by the first device whose remaining amount has been confirmed is detected, it is used by the device to be released from the database. A second search unit that searches for a type of device that can use the consumables, and the output execution unit uses the consumables used in the first device by the second search unit. And a second output executing means for outputting information indicating the detected device type from the output device when a possible device type is detected.

  The control device according to claim 4 is connected to a connection device that performs a predetermined operation using the consumables and a database that stores information relating to a device that performs the predetermined operation using the consumables. A remaining amount confirmation unit for confirming a remaining amount of the consumables used in the connected device, and when the remaining amount of the consumables is confirmed by the remaining amount confirmation unit, A third search means for searching for a type of device that can use the consumables used in the device to be released from the database, and the search means used by the connected device. And a third output executing means for outputting information indicating the detected device type from the output device when the type of device that can use the consumable is detected.

  The control device according to claim 5 is the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the search means determines that the remaining amount of the consumable item is greater than a predetermined amount by the remaining amount confirmation means. If so, the search is performed.

  A program according to a sixth aspect is a program for causing a computer to realize the functions as the confirmation unit, the search unit, and the output execution unit in the control device according to the first or fourth aspect.

  The control system according to claim 7 is a system including a plurality of devices that perform predetermined operations using consumables, and a control device that is connected to the plurality of devices and has an output device. The control device is configured to check a remaining amount of the consumables used by one of the plurality of devices, and to check a remaining amount of the consumables using the remaining amount checking unit. In the case of performing the search, a search unit that searches for a device that can use the consumables used in the one device among the plurality of devices, and the remaining amount is obtained by the search unit. An output execution means for outputting information on the other device from the output device when another device capable of using the consumable used in the confirmed first device is detected; Yes.

  9. The control system according to claim 8, wherein a connection device that performs a predetermined operation using consumables, a database that stores information relating to a device that performs a predetermined operation using consumables, the connection device, and the database And a control device having an output device, the control device comprising: a remaining amount confirmation means for confirming a remaining amount of the consumable used in the connection device; and When the remaining amount of the consumable is confirmed by the remaining amount confirming means, a search means for searching for a device type that can use the consumable used in the device to be released from the database. And when the type of device that can use the consumables used in the connected device is detected by the search means, Information indicating a kind and an output execution unit configured to output from the output device.

  According to the control device of claim 1, when the remaining amount of the consumables used in one device among the plurality of devices connected to the control device is confirmed, the one device Since information on other devices that can use the consumables that are used is output, the user can grasp the devices that can use the consumables, and the consumables that are used by the one device. There is an effect that it can be useful assistance in effectively utilizing the product.

  According to the control device according to claim 2, in addition to the effect produced by the control device according to claim 1, the user can grasp the device that can use the consumable and the remaining amount of the consumable in the device. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide more useful assistance in effectively using the consumables used in the one device.

  According to the control device according to claim 3, in addition to the effect produced by the control device according to claim 2, it is used by one device that has confirmed the remaining amount among a plurality of devices connected to the control device. Even if a device that can use the consumables used is not detected, the type of device that can use the consumables used in one device is searched from the database and displayed. There is an effect that such a search result can be usefully assisted in effectively utilizing the consumables used in the one device.

  According to the control device according to claim 4, when the remaining amount of consumables used in one device connected to the control device is confirmed, the remaining device is used from the database. Since the type of device that can use the consumables that are used is searched, the user can use this search result as a useful aid in effectively using the consumables used in the one device. There is an effect that can be done.

According to the control device according to claim 5, in addition to the effect produced by the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Since the search is performed when it is determined by the remaining amount confirmation means that the remaining amount of the consumable is greater than the predetermined amount, the remaining amount of the consumable used in the one device that has performed the remaining amount confirmation is sufficiently large. There is an effect that the user can grasp whether or not the amount is usable.

  According to the program of the sixth aspect, the same effect as that of the control apparatus according to the first or fourth aspect can be obtained. According to the control system of the seventh aspect, the same effect as that of the control apparatus according to the first aspect is obtained. According to the control system of the eighth aspect, the same effect as that of the control apparatus according to the fourth aspect is obtained.

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 in S8, a list 84 of printer model models (see FIG. 3B) that can use the same ink cartridge as the printer 20a 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, the PC 10 according to the present embodiment confirms the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 mounted on the printer 20a to be uninstalled when the user inputs an uninstall request for the printer driver 14a. At the same time, another printer 20b that can use the ink cartridge 31 is searched from within the LAN line 1, and the result is displayed as a list 82 (see FIG. 3A) or a list 84 (see FIG. 3B). It is displayed on the LCD 16.

  By displaying the list 82 or the list 84 on the LCD 16 and making the user visually recognize the printer 20b that can use the ink cartridge 31 of the printer 20a in which the remaining ink amount is confirmed, and the model model that can use the cartridge 31 It can be reported to the user. Therefore, it is useful as auxiliary information for effectively utilizing the ink cartridge 31 used in one printer 20 (the printer 20a in this embodiment).

  Note that the PC 10 of this embodiment is an example of a control device. The printer 20 of the present embodiment is an example of a device and a connection 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. In addition, the LCD 16 of this embodiment is an example of an output device.

  Moreover, the process of S1 and S2 of this embodiment is an example of the remaining amount confirmation of this invention. Moreover, the process of S3 of this embodiment is an example of the search means of this invention. Moreover, the process of S5 of this embodiment is an example of the output execution means 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 means and the 3rd search means of this invention. Moreover, the process of S8 of this embodiment is an example of the 2nd output execution means and the 3rd output execution means of this invention.

  Moreover, the uninstaller 14b of this embodiment is an example of the program of this invention. Moreover, the system 100 of this embodiment is an example of the control system 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.

  Alternatively, when the user inputs an instruction (request) for confirming the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 31 mounted on the printer 20, the status monitor 14c performs the processing of S1 to S5 and S7 to S10 in the order corresponding to the situation. It may be configured to execute and terminate after the processing of S5, S8, or S10: No. 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 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 (S7 process) 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 control device having an output device connected to a plurality of devices that perform predetermined operations using consumables,
A remaining amount confirmation means for confirming a remaining amount of the consumable used in one of the plurality of devices;
When the remaining amount of the consumable is confirmed by the remaining amount confirmation means, is there any other device that can use the consumable used in the one device among the plurality of devices? A search means for searching for,
When the search means detects another device that can use the consumables used in the one device whose remaining amount is confirmed, information on the other device is output from the output device. And an output execution means. The search means further searches the remaining amount of consumables used by other devices that can use the consumables used in the one device,
When the search means detects another device that can use the consumables used in the one device, the output execution means displays the information of the other device as the other device. 2. The information output from the output device in a form capable of associating information for specifying the information with information indicating the remaining amount of consumables used in the other device. Control device. The control device is further connected to a database that stores information on devices that perform predetermined operations using consumables,
If no other device that can use the consumables used in the first device whose remaining amount has been confirmed is detected by the search means, the device to be released from the database Second search means for searching for a device type that can use the consumables used in
The output execution means includes
When the second search means detects a device type that can use the consumables used in the first device, information indicating the detected device type is output from the output device. The control device according to claim 2, further comprising second output execution means for outputting. A control device having an output device connected to a connection device that performs a predetermined operation using a consumable and a database that stores information on a device that performs a predetermined operation using a consumable,
A remaining amount confirmation means for confirming the remaining amount of the consumables used in the connected device;
When checking the remaining amount of the consumable by the remaining amount checking means, a search is made for a type of device that can use the consumable used in the device to be released from the database. 3 search means;
When the search means detects a device type that can use the consumables used in the connected device, the information indicating the detected device type is output from the output device. And an output execution means.   5. The control according to claim 1, wherein the search unit performs the search when the remaining amount confirmation unit determines that the remaining amount of the consumable is greater than a predetermined amount. apparatus.   The program for making a computer implement | achieve the function as the said confirmation means in the control apparatus of Claim 1 or 4, the said search means, and the said output execution means. A control system comprising a plurality of devices that perform predetermined operations using consumables, and a control device connected to the plurality of devices and having an output device,
The control device includes:
A remaining amount confirmation means for confirming a remaining amount of the consumable used in one of the plurality of devices;
When the remaining amount of the consumable is confirmed by the remaining amount confirmation means, is there any other device that can use the consumable used in the one device among the plurality of devices? A search means for searching for,
When the search means detects another device that can use the consumables used in the one device whose remaining amount is confirmed, information on the other device is output from the output device. And an output execution means. A connection device that performs a predetermined operation using a consumable, a database that stores information on a device that performs a predetermined operation using a consumable, and the output device connected to the connection device and the database A control system comprising a control device,
The control device includes:
A remaining amount confirmation means for confirming the remaining amount of the consumables used in the connected device;
Search for searching for types of devices that can use the consumables used in the device to be released from the database when checking the remaining amount of the consumables by the remaining amount checking means Means,
When the search unit detects the type of device that can use the consumables used in the connected device, the output execution unit outputs information indicating the type of the detected device from the output device. And a control system.

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