JP2016129974A - Printer and print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily determine whether to replace a cartridge and add ink.SOLUTION: A printer has a printing execution unit that discharges ink stored in a storage unit to execute printing, a consumption acquisition unit that acquires an ink consumption in the printing executed by the printing execution unit on the basis of a print job, a residual quantity acquisition unit that acquires an ink residual quantity in the storage unit, a display unit that displays information, and a display control unit that displays an ink consumption and an ink residual quantity on the display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing technique for performing printing by discharging ink.

  Patent Document 1 describes an ink jet printer that performs printing using ink ejected from nozzles. This printer has a total display screen showing device information. The amount of ink used in the total period specified by the user (1 day, 1 week, 1 month) is calculated from the number of print stages and the character size, and displayed as a total. Display on the screen.

JP 2007-181957 A

  By the way, some users have a need to easily determine whether or not ink cartridge replacement or ink replenishment is necessary before starting printing to be executed. However, the technique of Patent Document 1 cannot be said to sufficiently meet such user needs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique that allows a user to easily determine whether or not cartridge replacement or ink replenishment is necessary.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to the present invention acquires a print execution unit that executes printing by discharging ink stored in a storage unit, and an ink consumption amount of ink stored in the storage unit. A consumption amount acquisition unit, a remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires the remaining ink amount in the storage unit, a display unit that displays information, and a display control unit that displays the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount on the display unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention includes a printer that executes printing by discharging ink stored in a storage unit, and a control device that controls the printer. A consumption acquisition unit that acquires the ink consumption stored in the storage unit by the execution unit, a remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires the remaining ink amount in the storage unit, a display unit that displays information, an ink consumption amount and an ink remaining amount A display control unit for displaying the amount on the display unit.

  In the present invention (printer, printing system) configured as described above, the ink consumption by printing executed based on the print job is acquired, and the ink remaining amount in the cartridge is acquired. Then, the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount are displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user can estimate the amount of ink required for printing scheduled to be executed by checking the ink consumption amount of printing executed in the past on the display unit, and compare the result with the remaining ink amount on the display unit. It is possible to easily determine whether the cartridge needs to be replaced.

  Various specific modes for acquiring the ink consumption are conceivable. For example, the consumption amount acquisition unit may configure the printer so as to acquire the amount of ink consumed by printing executed after the reference time as the ink consumption amount.

  Further, the printer may be configured to include an input operation unit that can perform an input operation, and the consumption acquisition unit sets the reference time point according to the content of the input operation to the input operation unit. Accordingly, the reference time point can be arbitrarily set by operating the input operation unit. As a result, it becomes possible to respond more accurately to the needs of users.

  In addition, the consumption amount acquisition unit can set a plurality of reference time points corresponding to different timings, acquires the ink consumption amount from each of the plurality of reference time points, and the display control unit receives from each of the plurality of reference time points. The printer may be configured to display the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount on the display unit. As a result, the amount of ink consumed from a plurality of different reference time points can be grasped, and information that can be used by the user in estimating the amount of ink required for printing to be executed is enhanced. As a result, the user can more accurately grasp the amount of ink required for the scheduled printing.

  The printing execution unit holds a plurality of storage units, and the consumption amount acquisition unit can set the reference time points independently of each other for at least two or more storage units of the plurality of storage units. The ink consumption from the corresponding reference time is acquired for each unit, the remaining amount acquisition unit acquires the remaining ink amount for each storage unit, and the display control unit displays the ink consumption and the remaining ink amount for each storage unit. The printer may be configured to display on the screen. In such a configuration, the reference time points can be set independently of each other for at least two or more storage units, and a wider range of user needs can be met.

  The printing execution unit holds a plurality of storage units, and the consumption acquisition unit can set a common reference time for at least two or more specific storage units among the plurality of storage units and the specific storage unit For other storage units, the reference time point can be set independently of the specific storage unit, the ink consumption from the corresponding reference time point is acquired for each storage unit, and the remaining amount acquisition unit stores the ink remaining for each storage unit. The printer may be configured such that the display control unit acquires the amount and the display unit displays the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount for each storage unit. In such a configuration, a common reference time point can be set for at least two or more specific storage units, and a reference time point can be set independently of the specific storage units for other storage units to meet a wider range of user needs. Is possible.

  Further, the consumption amount acquisition unit may configure the printer so as to set the reference time point according to the contents of the print job. In such a configuration, the reference time point for giving the timing for starting acquisition of the ink consumption is set according to the content of the print job, so that the ink consumption required for printing the content is displayed on the display unit. . Therefore, it is possible to estimate the amount of ink required for the printing scheduled for execution while taking into account the contents of printing that required the ink consumption displayed on the display unit, and to grasp the ink amount required for the printing scheduled for execution more accurately. be able to.

  Specifically, the consumption amount acquisition unit configures the printer to set the reference time according to the timing at which printing based on the print job is started when the number of printed sheets indicated by the print job is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. May be. Alternatively, the consumption amount acquisition unit may configure the printer to set the reference time point according to the timing at which printing based on the print job is started when a specific color ink is used in printing indicated by the print job. good.

  Incidentally, various specific modes for displaying the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount on the display unit are conceivable. For example, the display control unit may configure the printer so that the ink consumption and the ink remaining amount are displayed together in the same window. Alternatively, the display control unit may configure the printer so that the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount are separately displayed in different windows.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer to which the present invention can be applied. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a display typically. The flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement which an arithmetic unit performs. The flowchart which shows an example of a reference | standard time setting process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing process. The figure which shows an example of the display content of an ink status window. The figure which shows the display content of the ink status window concerning a 1st modification. The figure which shows the display content of the ink status window 7 concerning a 2nd modification. The figure which shows the display content of the ink status window concerning a 3rd modification. The figure which shows the further various modification of an ink status window. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer to which the present invention can be applied. In FIG. 1, for example, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or USB (Universal
In addition to the printer 1, a recording medium 10 such as a serial bus) memory is also written. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes an engine unit 3 that is a mechanical configuration of the printer 1 and a controller 5 that is an electrical configuration that controls the engine unit 3. The engine unit 3 of the printer 1 ejects ink onto a web by an ink jet method, and has the same mechanical configuration as the printer disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-180805 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-997. It has a configuration.

  The engine unit 3 includes a cartridge holding unit 31 that detachably holds an ink cartridge 311 that is an ink storage unit. A plurality of ink cartridges 311 can be attached to the cartridge holding unit 31. These ink cartridges 311 store inks of different colors, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) inks in the present embodiment. Further, the engine unit 3 includes a print head 33 that ejects ink from a nozzle by an inkjet method, and the print head 33 ejects the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 311 onto the web. Printing is thus executed.

  The engine unit 3 includes a maintenance unit 35 that performs maintenance of the print head 33. Maintenance includes capping, cleaning and wiping. Capping is a process of covering the print head 33 with a cap. This capping can suppress an increase in the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles of the print head 33. Cleaning is a process of forcibly discharging ink from the nozzles of the print head 33 by generating a negative pressure in the cap while capping the print head 33. By this cleaning, ink with increased viscosity, bubbles in the ink, and the like can be removed from the nozzles of the print head 33. Wiping is a process of wiping the surface (nozzle formation surface) where nozzle openings are arranged in the print head 33 with a wiper. By this wiping, the ink can be wiped from the nozzle forming surface of the print head 33.

  Further, the engine unit 3 has a display 37 (FIG. 2). Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display. The display 37 is provided with a touch panel, and functions as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that displays information indicating the state of the printer 1 to the user and accepts an input operation from the user. As shown in FIG. 2, an ink status window 7, a reference time setting button 701, and a print button 702 are displayed on the display 37. In addition, instead of the touch panel provided on the display 37, a button or the like may be operated by a separate operation unit, or a pointer may be operated.

  In the ink status window 7, an indicator 71 indicating the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc of the ink cartridge 311 is displayed for each color. In each indicator 71, a remaining amount display bar 73 indicating the ink remaining amount Dr of the corresponding color ink cartridge 311 and a consumption amount display bar 75 indicating the ink consumption amount Dc from the reference time of the corresponding color ink cartridge 311 are combined. Displayed. The remaining amount display bar 73 has a length corresponding to the ink remaining amount Dr in the ink cartridge 311 of the corresponding color, and expands and contracts in the vertical direction of the display 37 according to the increase or decrease of the ink remaining amount Dr. Specifically, when the ink remaining amount Dr of the ink cartridge 311 decreases, the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73 decreases, and when the ink remaining amount Dr of the ink cartridge 311 increases, the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73 increases. The consumption amount display bar 75 has a length corresponding to the ink consumption amount Dc in the ink cartridge 311 of the corresponding color, and extends in the vertical direction of the display 37 as the ink consumption amount Dc increases from the reference time point. . Specifically, when the ink consumption amount Dc of the ink cartridge 311 is increased, the lower end of the consumption amount display bar 75 is lowered. Incidentally, the upper end of the consumption amount display bar 75 coincides with the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73 at the reference time point, and the lower end of the consumption amount display bar 75 coincides with the upper end of the current remaining amount display bar 73. At this time, the remaining amount display bar 73 and the consumption amount display bar 75 change at the same rate with respect to the change in the ink amount. That is, the amount that the length of the remaining amount display bar 73 changes when the remaining amount of ink Dr changes, and the length of the consumption amount display bar 75 changes when the amount of ink consumption Dc changes. The amount is the same.

  A reference time setting button 701 and a print button 702 are buttons for the user to perform an input operation. Specifically, the reference time point setting button 701 is a button for setting a reference time point indicating the timing for starting measurement of ink consumption, and the print button 702 is a button for executing print processing.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. The controller 5 includes an arithmetic unit 51 and a storage unit 53. The arithmetic unit 51 is a computer composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and comprehensively controls the operation of the printer 1. The storage unit 53 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various programs and data.

  The storage unit 53 stores the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc of each color ink cartridge 311. Further, the storage unit 53 stores a print program Pp for causing the printer 1 to execute printing. The print program Pp is provided in a form recorded in the recording medium 10 so as to be readable by a computer, and is installed in the storage unit 53 in advance. When the arithmetic unit 51 executes the printing program Pp, the print control unit 511, the remaining amount control unit 513, the consumption control unit 515, and the input / output control unit 517 are built in the arithmetic unit 51.

  When the user touches the print button 702 displayed on the display 37, the input / output control unit 517 generates a print job and outputs it to the print control unit 511. Then, the print control unit 511 controls the print head 33 according to the print job, so that the print process is executed. The arithmetic unit 51 measures the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc in parallel with the printing process. As described above, the ink remaining amount Dr is the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 311, and the ink consumption amount Dc is the ink consumption amount from the reference time point in the ink cartridge 311. The remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc are obtained individually for each ink cartridge 311 and stored in the storage unit 53.

  Next, details of the operation executed by the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation executed by the arithmetic unit according to the printing program, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the reference time setting process, and FIG. 5 shows an example of the printing process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the display contents of the ink status window, and particularly shows the display contents at each timing Ta1 to Ta2.

  In step S110, it is determined whether there is a request for setting a reference time corresponding to the timing at which measurement (acquisition) of ink consumption is started. In other words, the user can make a reference time setting request to the input / output control unit 517 by performing an input operation that touches the reference time setting button 701 displayed on the display 37. In step S110, the input / output control unit 517 confirms whether or not the setting request has been input. When there is a reference time setting request (“YES” in step S110), the arithmetic unit 51 executes a reference time setting process (FIG. 4) in step S120.

  In this reference time setting process, the input / output control unit 517 notifies the consumption control unit 515 that there is a request for setting the reference time (step S121). Upon receiving this notification, the consumption amount control unit 515 resets the ink consumption amount Dc of each ink cartridge 311 (step S122). Specifically, the consumption control unit 515 resets the ink consumption Dc stored in the storage unit 53 to zero for each ink cartridge 311 and displays the remaining amount at the upper end of the consumption display bar 75 at that time. The upper end 73t of the bar 73 is set (timing Ta1). Since the ink consumption Dc is reset to zero, the consumption display bar 75 does not appear in the ink status window 7 at the timing Ta1. When the reference time point setting process is completed in this manner, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S130, the input / output control unit 517 confirms whether there is a print request from the user. Specifically, the input / output control unit 517 determines whether or not there is a print request by determining whether or not the user has performed an input operation that touches the print button 702 displayed on the display 37. When there is a print request, the arithmetic unit 51 executes the print process in step S140.

  In this printing process, the print control unit 511 starts control of the print head 33 based on the print job, and the print head 33 starts discharging ink supplied from each ink cartridge 311 (step S141). When the ejection of ink from the print head 33 is started in this way, the arithmetic unit 51 starts measuring the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc for each ink cartridge 311, and according to the measurement (acquisition) result of the storage unit 53. Each of the storage and the display on the display 37 is updated (steps S142 to S146). That is, the remaining amount control unit 513 measures the remaining ink amount Dr of each ink cartridge 311 (step S142), and rewrites the remaining ink amount Dr stored in the storage unit 53 with the measured value in step S142 (step S143). In addition, the consumption control unit 515 measures the ink consumption Dc of each ink cartridge 311 (step S144), and rewrites the ink consumption Dc stored in the storage unit 53 to the measurement value in step S144 (step S145). Then, the input / output control unit 517 updates the remaining amount display bar 73 and the consumption amount display bar 75 of the display 37 based on the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc stored in the storage unit 53 (step S146).

  Incidentally, various specific methods for measuring (acquiring) the remaining ink amount Dr are conceivable. For example, the remaining ink amount Dr can be obtained based on the result of calculating the amount of ink used up to the time of measurement from the print job. Alternatively, the remaining ink amount Dr can be obtained based on the result of detecting the ink level in the ink cartridge 311 using an optical sensor, a float sensor, or the like. The ink consumption amount Dc can be obtained, for example, from the difference between the remaining ink amount Dr at the reference time point (time point in step S122) and the remaining ink amount Dr at the measurement time point. More specifically, in step S122 of the reference time setting process of FIG. 4, the ink consumption Dc is reset, and the ink remaining amount Dr at the reset time (that is, timing Ta1) is set as the reference ink remaining amount Dr. Remember as. The ink consumption amount Dc can be obtained from the difference between the remaining ink amount Dr at the time of measurement in step S142 and the reference ink remaining amount Dr. Alternatively, the amount of ink actually ejected can be obtained by counting the number of ejections with respect to the amount of ejection per one time.

  In step S147, it is determined whether printing has been completed. If printing continues ("NO" in step S147), the process returns to step S141. That is, steps S142 to S146 are repeatedly executed until printing is completed. Therefore, during printing, the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc are repeatedly measured (steps S143 and S144), and the display content of the ink status window 7 is updated each time this measurement is performed (step S146). Therefore, for example, at the timing Ta2 (FIG. 6) when printing ends, the ink status window 7 displays the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc at the time of the latest measurement (acquisition), the remaining amount display bar 73 and the consumption amount, respectively. It is displayed by a quantity display bar 75.

  When printing is completed (“YES” in step S147), the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. In step S150, the arithmetic unit 51 determines whether or not there is a request to turn off the printer 1. If there is no request for power off (in the case of “NO” in step S150), the process returns to step S110. That is, steps S110 to S140 are repeatedly executed until there is a request to turn off the power. On the other hand, if there is a request to turn off the power (in the case of “YES” in step S150), the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the ink consumption amount Dc by printing executed according to the print job is measured, and the ink remaining amount Dr in the ink cartridge 311 is measured. Then, the ink consumption amount Dc and the ink remaining amount Dr are displayed on the display 37. Therefore, the user can estimate the ink amount required for the printing scheduled to be executed by checking the ink consumption amount Dc due to the printing executed in the past on the display 37, and compare the result with the ink remaining amount Dr on the display 37. Thus, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the ink cartridge 311 needs to be replaced.

  Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the user sets the reference time point at the timing Ta1 (steps S110 and S120), and then starts printing a predetermined amount (steps S130 and S140). When the predetermined amount of printing is completed, the contents corresponding to the timing Ta2 in FIG. At this timing Ta2, the ink consumption amount Dc indicated by the consumption amount display bar 75 of the ink status window 7 corresponds to the amount of ink consumed by the predetermined amount of printing. Thus, the user can know the amount of ink consumed in actual printing by checking the consumption amount display bar 75. In addition, the ink status window 7 shows the remaining ink amount Dr along with the ink consumption amount Dc. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether or not the ink cartridge 311 needs to be replaced by comparing the ink consumption amount Dc and the ink remaining amount Dr. For example, when the same predetermined amount of printing is performed again, the remaining amount display bar 73 is longer than the consumption amount display bar 75 for Y (yellow), C (cyan), and K (black). There is no possibility of running out of ink during printing, and it can be determined that the ink cartridge 311 need not be replaced. On the other hand, for M (magenta), since the remaining amount display bar 73 is shorter than the consumption amount display bar 75, ink may run out during reprinting, and it is better to replace the ink cartridge 311. Can be judged good.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the amount of ink consumed by printing executed after the reference time is measured (acquired) as the ink consumption amount Dc. In addition, a display 37 having a touch panel on which the user can perform an input operation is provided, and a reference time point is set according to the content of the input operation on the touch panel of the display 37. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily set the reference time by operating the touch panel of the display 37. Therefore, if the user sets a reference time point before executing printing for which the user wants to know the ink consumption amount Dc and checks the consumption amount display bar 75 after the end of printing, the user knows the ink consumption amount Dc associated with the printing. be able to. In this way, it is possible to more accurately meet the needs of users.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the printer 1 corresponds to an example of the “printer” of the present invention, the engine unit 3 corresponds to an example of the “print execution unit” of the present invention, and the ink cartridge 311 corresponds to the “printer” of the present invention. The consumption amount control unit 515 corresponds to an example of the “consumption amount acquisition unit” of the present invention, the ink consumption amount Dc corresponds to an example of the “ink consumption amount” of the present invention, and the remaining amount The control unit 513 corresponds to an example of the “remaining amount acquisition unit” of the present invention, the ink remaining amount Dr corresponds to an example of the “remaining ink amount” of the present invention, and the display 37 corresponds to the “display unit” or “ It corresponds to an example of “input operation unit”, the input / output control unit 517 corresponds to an example of “input / output control unit” of the present invention, and the time point when the ink consumption Dc of the storage unit 53 is reset is the “reference time point” of the present invention. "And the ink status Indou 7 corresponds to an example of the "window" of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made to the above-described one without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, for example, various modifications can be made to the display mode of the ink consumption amount Dc in the ink status window 7. Subsequently, these modified examples will be described. In the following, the description will be focused on the difference between each modification and the above embodiment, but it goes without saying that each modification has the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the display contents of the ink status window according to the first modified example, and particularly shows the display contents at each timing Tb1 to Tb4. Specifically, the “Timing Tb1” column of FIG. 7 shows the display content of the ink status window 7 at the time (reference time) when the ink consumption amount Dc is reset in Step S112. In the column of “Tb2” to “timing Tb4”, display contents at the timings Tb2 to tb4 of the ink status window 7 that change with the printing after setting the reference time are shown.

  In particular, FIG. 7 shows a case where printing is interrupted at timing Tb2 and the M (magenta) ink cartridge 311 is replaced at subsequent timing Tb3. As shown in the column “Timing Tb 3” in FIG. 7, the M (magenta) remaining amount display bar 73 becomes the maximum length that can be displayed in the indicator 71 as the ink cartridge 311 is replaced. At this time, even if the user who wants to know the ink consumption Dc required when the interrupted printing is completed, the reference time point is not reset even if the ink cartridge 311 is replaced. Therefore, the length of the consumption display bar 75 does not change. However, it is considered that ink consumed at a fast pace that requires replacement during printing is also consumed at a fast pace after cartridge replacement. For this reason, it is preferable to secure an extendable range of the consumption amount display bar 75 in the indicator 71. Therefore, as shown in the column of “Timing Tb3” in FIG. 7, the input / output control unit 517 shifts the consumption amount display bar 75 upward in accordance with the replacement of the ink cartridge 311, so that the consumption amount display bar 75. Is matched with the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73. Thereby, the extendable range of the consumption amount display bar 75 is secured below the indicator 71.

  When printing resumes after the replacement of the ink cartridge 311 and the ink consumption of the ink cartridge 311 progresses, the lower end of the consumption amount display bar 75 is moved to the lower end of the indicator 71 as shown in the column “Timing Tb4” in FIG. The consumption display bar 75 may expand as it reaches. In such a case, the input / output control unit 517 displays a warning to the user indicating that the corresponding consumption display bar 75 cannot be further expanded. In the example of FIG. 7, the warning display is executed by changing the hatching of the corresponding consumption display bar 75. However, the warning display may be performed by changing the color of the consumption display bar 75 or blinking.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display contents of the ink status window 7 according to the second modified example, and particularly shows the display contents at each timing Tc1 to Tc4. Specifically, the column of “Timing Tc1” in FIG. 8 shows the display content of the ink status window 7 at the time when the ink consumption amount Dc is reset in Step S112 (reference time), and “Timing Tc1” in FIG. In the column of “Tc2” to “timing Tc4”, display contents at the timings Tc2 to tc4 of the ink status window 7 that change with the printing after the setting of the reference time point are shown.

  Similar to the first modified example, also in the second modified example, printing is interrupted at timing Tc2, and M (magenta) ink cartridge 311 is replaced at subsequent timing Tc3. However, in the first embodiment, the ink cartridge 311 is replaced with a full ink cartridge, whereas in the second embodiment, the ink cartridge 311 is replaced with a slightly used ink cartridge (the column “timing Tc3”). ). Also in the second embodiment, with the replacement of the ink cartridge 311, the input / output control unit 517 causes the consumption amount display bar 75 so that the upper end of the consumption amount display bar 75 coincides with the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73. Are shifted upward (in the column of “timing Tc3”). When the lower end of the consumption amount display bar 75 reaches the lower end of the indicator 71, the input / output control unit 517 displays a warning for the user ("Timing Td3" field).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the display contents of the ink status window according to the third modified example, and particularly shows the display contents at each timing Td1 to Td5. Since the configuration of the indicator 71 for each color is the same, the configuration of the Y (yellow) indicator 71 will be described here, and the description of the other colors will be omitted. In the third modification, two reference time points can be set for each ink cartridge 311, and the ink consumption amount Dc from each reference time point is measured. Correspondingly, on the indicator 71, two consumption amount display bars 75A and 75B indicating the ink consumption amount Dc from different reference time points are displayed for each ink cartridge 311.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, at the timing Td1, two consumption display bars 75A and 75B, which are the results of measuring the ink consumption Dc of the Y (yellow) ink cartridge 311 from different reference points, are displayed. When the user sets the reference time corresponding to the consumption display bar 75A, the timing Td2 at that time is newly set as the reference time. As a result, after timing Td2, the result of measuring the ink consumption Dc from timing Td2 is shown as a consumption display bar 75A. Further, when the user sets the reference time corresponding to the consumption amount display bar 75B, the timing Td4 at that time is newly set as the reference time. As a result, after timing Td4, the result of measuring the ink consumption Dc from timing Td4 is shown as a consumption display bar 75B.

  That is, in the third embodiment, the consumption control unit 515 can set a plurality of reference time points corresponding to different timings for each ink cartridge 311, and set the ink consumption amount Dc from each of the plurality of reference time points to the ink cartridge. Measure every 311. In response to this, the input / output control unit 517 displays the ink consumption amount Dc from each of the plurality of reference time points for each ink cartridge 311. As a result, the user can grasp the ink consumption Dc from a plurality of different reference time points, and the information that can be used by the user in estimating the ink amount required for printing to be executed in the future is enriched. As a result, the user can more accurately grasp the amount of ink required for printing to be performed in the future.

  For example, consider a case where 100 copies of image A are printed continuously with 100 copies of image B different from image A. In this case, the user sets the reference time point of the consumption amount display bar 75A immediately before starting the printing of the image A, and before the printing of the image A is finished and the printing of the image B starts, the consumption amount display bar An operation such as setting a reference time of 75B can be performed. Thus, when the printing of the images A and B is completed, the consumption amount display bar 75A indicates the ink consumption amount Dc required for printing both the images A and B, and the consumption amount display bar 75B indicates the image B. The ink consumption Dc required for printing is shown. Accordingly, when the user prints both images A and B in the future, the user can estimate the necessary ink amount from the consumption amount display bar 75A, and when printing the image B, the user can estimate from the consumption amount display bar 75B. The required amount of ink can be estimated. Alternatively, the user can estimate the required ink amount from the difference between the consumption display bars 75A and 75B when printing the image A in the future. In this way, the user can more accurately grasp the amount of ink required for printing to be performed in the future.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing various other modified examples of the ink status window. In each indicator 71 in FIG. 10A, the consumption amount display bar 75 has the same width as the remaining amount display bar 73 in the horizontal direction of the display 37. In each indicator 71 in FIG. 10B, an arrow 76 indicating the position of the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73 at the reference time is displayed. In such a modification, the distance between the arrow 76 and the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73 indicates the ink consumption Dc. Each indicator 71 in FIG. 10C includes a horizontal line 771 indicating the position of the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73 at the reference time point, and an arrow 772 indicating the distance from the horizontal line 771 to the upper end of the remaining amount display bar 73. Is displayed. In such a modification, the length of the arrow 772 indicates the ink consumption amount Dc. Further, in each indicator 71 in FIG. 10D, the consumption display bar 75 is displayed so that the lower end of the consumption display bar 75 coincides with the lower end of the remaining amount display bar 73.

  In the above embodiment, a common reference time point is set for the plurality of ink cartridges 311 (step S122), and the ink consumption amount Dc of the plurality of ink cartridges 311 is measured from the common reference time point. It was. However, among the four-color ink cartridges 311, for example, the reference time points of the K (black) ink cartridges 311 and the reference time points of the other color (Y, M, C) ink cartridges 311 can be set independently of each other. In this way, the consumption control unit 515 may be configured. In such a case, the consumption amount control unit 515 measures the ink consumption amount Dc from the corresponding reference time for each ink cartridge 311. That is, the ink consumption Dc of each color ink cartridge 311 is measured from the reference time set for the color ink cartridge 311. On the other hand, the ink consumption amount Dc of the K (black) ink cartridge 311 is measured from the reference time set for the K (black) ink cartridge 311 independently of the color ink. In such a configuration, the reference time points can be set independently of each other for at least two or more ink cartridges 311 and a wider range of user needs can be met. In this example, the K (black) reference time is set independently of the color reference time. However, when white or metallic is used, these reference time points are independent of the color reference time. It may be configured to be able to set.

  At this time, the reference time points of the color ink cartridges 311 may be set independently of each other. Alternatively, each color ink cartridge 311 may be configured to set a common reference time point. In such a case, the consumption control unit 515 sets a common reference time for three color ink cartridges 311 (specific cartridges) out of the four ink cartridges 311. On the other hand, the consumption control unit 515 sets the reference time point independently for the K (black 9 ink cartridge 311, independent of the color ink cartridge 311. With such a configuration, the common color ink cartridge 311 has a common reference point. The reference time can be set, and the reference time can be set independently for the other ink cartridges 311 to meet a wider range of user needs.Here, a common reference is used for the three ink cartridges 311. Although the case of setting the time point is illustrated, the number of ink cartridges 311 for setting a common reference time point may be two or four or more.

  In the above embodiment, the consumption control unit 515 sets the reference time point according to the user's input operation. However, it may be configured such that the consumption control unit 515 can independently set the reference time point regardless of the user's input operation. Specifically, the consumption control unit 515 may be configured to analyze the contents of the print job and set the reference time point according to the analysis result. In such a configuration, the reference time point for giving the timing for starting the measurement of the ink consumption Dc is set according to the content of the print job, and the ink consumption Dc required for printing the content is displayed on the display 37. Therefore, the user can estimate the amount of ink required for printing to be executed in the future while taking into account the content of printing that requires the ink consumption amount Dc displayed on the display 37, and more accurately grasp the ink amount. be able to.

  Specifically, the consumption control unit 515 may set the reference time point according to the timing at which printing based on the print job is started when the number of printed sheets indicated by the print job is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. In such a configuration, the user can confirm on the display 37 the amount of ink required for printing a predetermined number of sheets or more. Further, the consumption control unit 515 may set the reference time point according to the timing at which printing based on the print job is started when ink of a specific color (for example, white) is used in printing indicated by the print job. Alternatively, when the print job indicates that the images A and B illustrated above are printed 100 copies at a time, the consumption control unit 515 starts printing the image A and starts printing the image B. The reference time may be set at the timing. Furthermore, the user can set the print job conditions (the number of prints, the ink color used for printing, the image content), etc., which trigger the setting of the reference time, in the consumption control unit 515 via the touch panel of the display 37. It may be configured.

  In the above embodiment, the input / output control unit 517 displays the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc as the remaining amount display bar 73 and the consumption amount display bar 75 together with the same ink status window 7. . However, the input / output control unit 517 may display the ink consumption amount Dc and the ink remaining amount Dr separately in different windows. Specifically, a window indicating the remaining amount display bar 73 indicating the remaining ink amount Dr and a window indicating the ink consumption amount Dc may be separately displayed on the display 37.

  In the above embodiment, the function of the controller 5 is built in the printer 1. However, as shown in FIG. 11, a part of the controller 5 may be provided separately from the printer 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied. The printing system 100 includes a printer 1 and a control device 8. The control device 8 is a personal computer, and controls printing by the printer 1 by communicating with the printer 1 via a wire or wirelessly. In the printing system 100, a configuration excluding the print control unit 511 among the configurations of the controller 5 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be mounted on the control device 8. In such a configuration, the ink status window 7 is displayed on the display 81 of the control device 8, and the user can execute an input operation on the input / output control unit 517 via the input device 83 (such as a keyboard) of the control device 8. Incidentally, FIG. 11 illustrates the case where a personal computer is caused to function as the control device 8. However, a mobile terminal device such as a laptop personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet may function as the control device 8.

  Further, in the printer 1 including the maintenance unit 35 as described above, maintenance may be performed during printing. In such maintenance, ink suction from the print head 33 is executed as appropriate, and ink consumption occurs. Therefore, when measuring the remaining ink amount Dr and the ink consumption amount Dc, ink consumption associated with maintenance may be taken into consideration. That is, when ink is consumed due to maintenance, the ink remaining amount Dr is reduced by the amount consumed, and the ink consumption amount Dc is increased. Incidentally, when the ink level is detected by the sensor, the ink consumption associated with the maintenance may be obtained from the detected value of the sensor. On the other hand, in a configuration in which the amount of ink used for printing is calculated from a print job, the amount of ink consumed for maintenance cannot always be obtained directly. In such a case, for example, a result obtained experimentally in advance for the amount of ink consumed for maintenance may be used. Further, when measuring the remaining amount of ink, the amount evaporated over time may be taken into consideration. In addition to the value calculated from the ink consumption from the print job or the value calculated from the amount of ink actually ejected and the amount of ink consumed during maintenance, the remaining amount of ink is the amount evaporated over time. You may add.

  Moreover, although the ink cartridge which can be attached and detached was demonstrated as an example as an ink storage part, it is not limited to this. It is good also as a structure which can replenish ink with respect to the tank which can store ink. The tank may be fixed or detachable.

  In the above embodiment, the remaining amount display bar 73 and the consumption amount display bar 75 are arranged in the vertical direction of the display 37. However, the remaining amount display bar 73 and the consumption amount display bar 75 may be arranged in the horizontal direction of the display 37.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 3 ... Engine part, 311 ... Ink cartridge, 37 ... Display, 513 ... Residual amount control part, 515 ... Consumption control part, 517 ... Input / output control part, 7 ... Ink status window, 8 ... Computer, 10 ... Recording medium, 100 ... Print system, Dc ... Ink consumption, Dr ... Remaining ink, Pp ... Print program

Claims (12)

A print execution unit that executes printing by discharging the ink stored in the storage unit;
A consumption acquisition unit for acquiring the ink consumption of the ink stored in the storage unit;
A remaining amount acquisition unit for acquiring the remaining amount of ink in the storage unit;
A display for displaying information to the user;
A printer comprising: a display control unit configured to display the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount on the display unit.   The printer according to claim 1, wherein the consumption amount acquisition unit acquires the amount of ink consumed by printing executed after a reference time as the ink consumption amount. It has an input operation unit that can execute input operations.
The printer according to claim 2, wherein the consumption amount acquisition unit sets the reference time according to the content of an input operation to the input operation unit. The consumption amount acquisition unit can set a plurality of the reference time points corresponding to different timings, acquires the ink consumption amount from each of the plurality of reference time points,
The printer according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount from each of the plurality of reference time points on the display unit. The printing execution unit holds a plurality of the storage units,
The consumption amount acquisition unit can set the reference time point independently for at least two or more of the plurality of storage units, and the ink from the reference time point corresponding to each of the storage units. Get consumption,
The remaining amount acquisition unit acquires the ink remaining amount for each storage unit;
The printer according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount on the display unit for each storage unit. The printing execution unit holds a plurality of the storage units,
The consumption acquisition unit can set the common reference time for at least two or more specific storage units among the plurality of storage units and from the specific storage unit for the storage units other than the specific storage unit The reference time point can be set independently, and the ink consumption from the reference time point corresponding to each storage unit is acquired,
The remaining amount acquisition unit acquires the ink remaining amount for each storage unit;
The printer according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount on the display unit for each storage unit.   The printer according to claim 1, wherein the consumption amount acquisition unit sets the reference time point according to the content of a print job.   The printer according to claim 7, wherein the consumption amount acquisition unit sets the reference time point according to a timing at which printing based on the print job is started when the number of printed sheets indicated by the print job is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.   The printer according to claim 7, wherein the consumption amount acquisition unit sets the reference time point according to a timing at which printing based on the print job is started when ink of a specific color is used in printing indicated by the print job. .   The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the display control unit displays the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount together in the same window.   The printer according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit separately displays the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount in different windows. A printer that performs printing by discharging ink stored in a storage unit;
A control device for controlling the printer,
The controller is
A consumption measuring unit for acquiring the ink consumption of the ink stored in the storage unit;
A remaining amount acquisition unit for acquiring the remaining amount of ink in the storage unit;
A display for displaying information;
And a display control unit configured to display the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount on the display unit.

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