JP2017094590A - Printing processing system and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing processing system capable of making a difference between an estimated ink residual amount and an ink residual amount in an ink tank small, and a printer and the like.SOLUTION: A printing processing system 100 includes: a processing unit 110 performing update processing of ink estimated amount information being information used for estimating an ink amount of an ink tank to which ink can be replenished from an outside of a printer; and a storage unit 130 storing the ink estimated amount information. Further, the processing unit 110 receives a selected value selected by a user out of a plurality of candidate values, and performs the update processing with the selected value received as an initial value of the ink estimated amount information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a print processing system, a printing apparatus, and the like.

  Conventionally, an ink jet printer is known as an example of a printing apparatus (a liquid consuming apparatus or a liquid ejecting apparatus). An ink jet printer can perform printing on a print medium by ejecting ink from a print head onto a print medium such as printing paper. The ink jet printer includes an ink tank as a liquid container for storing ink, and supplies the stored ink to a print head to perform printing. In this type of ink jet printer, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, ink can be replenished from an external ink bottle to an ink tank of a printing apparatus, and ink stored in the ink tank is stored. An apparatus for detecting the remaining amount is known.

  For example, in the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the estimated ink remaining amount (estimated ink remaining amount) becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the actual ink amount in the ink tank rises above the predetermined value. A screen is displayed for the user to check whether the ink is down or down, and the estimated ink remaining amount is updated based on the input information. Specifically, when it is determined that the current ink level level has reached a position corresponding to a given scale provided in the ink tank based on the estimated ink remaining amount in the ink tank, A screen for allowing the user to input whether the ink level is above or below a given scale is displayed, and the estimated ink remaining amount is updated based on the input information.

  For example, the printer disclosed in Patent Document 2 can replenish ink from a plurality of ink bottles to the ink tank of the printing apparatus. Then, the replenished ink amount is accumulated to update the ink stock amount.

JP2013-152585A JP 2014-058098 A

  The amount of ink actually consumed from the ink tank varies depending on the usage environment (such as ambient temperature and humidity) of the printing apparatus and individual differences of the printing apparatus. Therefore, there is a difference between the estimated ink remaining amount (count value) and the actual ink remaining amount in the ink tank. This difference increases due to the fact that the printing apparatus is in a printing environment in which ink tends to evaporate, the number of print jobs input to the printing apparatus increases, and the number of head cleaning instructions increases. Therefore, before the estimated ink remaining amount becomes 0%, the actual ink remaining amount becomes 0%, and there is a possibility that idling occurs. Accordingly, in order to prevent such idle driving, it is desirable that the estimated ink remaining amount matches the actual ink remaining amount.

  In the inventions of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, it is assumed that ink is replenished from the ink bottle until the ink tank is full. That is, the printing apparatus resets the estimated ink remaining amount to 100% in response to an instruction from the user that ink has been replenished. Therefore, when the ink is replenished to a given remaining amount of 100% or less of the capacity of the ink tank (for example, the remaining amount of ink is 50%) without filling the ink tank, the estimated ink remaining amount is accurately set. Could not be updated.

  However, in an actual usage scene, it is not always necessary to fill up the ink tank. For example, when a plurality of printing apparatuses are used at the same time, rather than filling up the ink tank of one printing apparatus, the ink tanks of other printing apparatuses are not emptied. There is a case where it is desired to distribute equally to a plurality of printing apparatuses. Even in such a case, it is necessary to match the estimated ink remaining amount with the actual ink remaining amount in order to prevent idling.

  According to some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a print processing system, a printing apparatus, and the like that can reduce the difference between the estimated ink remaining amount and the ink remaining amount in the ink tank.

  One aspect of the present invention provides a processing unit that performs an update process of ink estimated amount information used to estimate the amount of ink in an ink tank that can be replenished with ink from the outside of a printing apparatus, and the estimated ink amount information. A storage unit that stores the selected value selected by a user from among a plurality of candidate values, and the received estimated value is used as an initial value of the estimated ink amount information to estimate the ink. The present invention relates to a print processing system that performs the update processing of quantity information.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in a print processing system using an ink tank capable of replenishing ink from the outside, a selection value selected by a user from a plurality of candidate values is received, and the received selection value is stored in the ink tank. The ink estimated amount information is updated using the initial value of the ink estimated amount information used for estimating the ink amount. As a result, the difference between the estimated ink remaining amount and the ink remaining amount in the ink tank can be reduced.

  Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the processing unit performs a process of notifying the user of first candidate values to N-th (N is an integer of 2 or more) candidate values as the plurality of candidate values. The update process of the estimated ink amount information may be performed using the selection value selected by the user from the first candidate value to the Nth candidate value as the initial value.

  Accordingly, the estimated ink amount information may be updated based on the selection value selected by the user as a candidate value that appropriately indicates the state of the ink in the ink tank from among the N candidate values. It becomes possible.

  In the aspect of the invention, each candidate value of the plurality of candidate values may be a value representing the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank.

  Accordingly, it is possible to estimate the ink remaining amount in the ink tank based on the ink remaining amount in the ink tank confirmed by the user.

  In the aspect of the invention, the processing unit may receive the selection value input by the user as a numerical value, and perform the update process of the ink estimated amount information using the received selection value as the initial value. Good.

  As a result, it becomes possible for the user to directly input a numerical value that is closer to the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank.

  In the aspect of the invention, the processing unit may perform a menu screen display process for the user to input the selection value.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prompt the user to input a selection value used when performing the estimation process of the estimated ink amount information.

  In the aspect of the invention, the processing unit may determine that the ink consumption represented by the estimated ink amount information is greater than or equal to a first threshold value, or the ink represented by the estimated ink amount information. When it is determined that the remaining amount is equal to or less than the second threshold, the display process of the menu screen for inputting the selection value may be performed.

  Thereby, for example, it is possible to prompt the user to replenish ink and estimate the remaining ink amount after replenishing ink, or to reestimate the correct remaining ink amount even when ink replenishment is not performed.

  In the aspect of the invention, the processing unit may determine that the ink consumption is greater than or equal to a third threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, or the remaining ink level is greater than the second threshold value. When it is determined that the value is equal to or smaller than the fourth threshold value, the print stop process may be performed.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ink idling.

  In the aspect of the invention, the processing unit may perform the update process of the estimated ink amount information when an input of the selection value by the user is received on the menu screen.

  Thereby, when there is an input of the selection value by the user, the update processing of the ink estimation amount information is performed, and when there is no input of the selection value by the user, the update processing of the ink estimation amount information is not performed. It becomes possible.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the ink consumption amount represented by the estimated ink amount information is equal to or greater than a first threshold, or the remaining ink amount represented by the estimated ink amount information is the second. The menu screen for inputting the selection value is determined when the selection value is input by the user on the menu screen when the selection value is input by the user. When the update process of the estimated ink amount information is performed and it is determined that the ink consumption amount is equal to or greater than a third threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, or the fourth ink amount is smaller than the second threshold value. If it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the threshold value, printing stop processing may be performed.

  Accordingly, for example, according to the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank, it is possible to prompt the user to replenish ink, stop printing, or the like.

  In the aspect of the invention, the ink tank has a plurality of scales, and the processing unit displays the menu screen on which the plurality of candidate values corresponding to the plurality of scales are displayed. Processing may be performed, and the update processing may be performed using the selection value selected by the user from the plurality of candidate values as the initial value.

  This makes it easier for the user to read the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank, making it possible to select and input a value closer to the actual remaining amount of ink.

  In the aspect of the invention, the ink tank may have an ink replenishing port capable of replenishing the ink from the outside.

  Accordingly, it is possible to refill ink into the ink tank from the ink replenishing port when the remaining amount of ink is reduced while maintaining airtightness in the ink tank.

  In the aspect of the invention, the processing unit may display the menu screen when it is detected that the cover opening / closing unit of the ink replenishing port is opened.

  Thereby, for example, when the user replenishes ink, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank can be estimated again.

  Another aspect of the invention relates to a printing apparatus including the print processing system, the ink tank, and a printing unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration example of a print processing system according to the embodiment. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an ink tank unit portion with an ink tank unit cover removed. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink tank and a relationship between the ink tank and other components in the inkjet printer. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an ink bottle. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of examples of menu screens. Explanatory drawing of the several scale provided in the ink tank. Explanatory drawing of the display process of the menu screen according to ink remaining amount. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of another example of the menu screen. The flowchart explaining the flow of a process of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration example when the print processing system is provided outside the printing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. In addition, this embodiment demonstrated below does not unduly limit the content of this invention described in the claim. In addition, all the configurations described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

1. Outline In the following, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) will be described as an example of a printing apparatus to which the print processing system of the present embodiment is applied. The printer includes an ink tank as a liquid container for storing ink, supplies the stored ink to the print head, and discharges the ink from the print head to perform printing on a print medium such as a print sheet. Such a printer performs a printing operation while estimating the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink tank. When the estimated ink remaining amount (hereinafter referred to as the estimated ink remaining amount) becomes 0%, printing is stopped to prevent ink from being emptied.

  However, the amount of ink actually consumed from the ink tank (hereinafter referred to as ink consumption) varies depending on, for example, the usage environment such as the ambient temperature and humidity of the printing apparatus and individual differences of the printing apparatus. Therefore, there is a difference between the estimated ink remaining amount and the actual ink remaining amount in the ink tank. This difference increases due to the presence of the printing apparatus in a printing environment where ink tends to evaporate, an increase in the number of print jobs input to the printing apparatus, and an increase in head cleaning instructions. Therefore, before the estimated ink remaining amount becomes 0%, the actual ink remaining amount becomes 0%, and there is a possibility that idling occurs. Therefore, in order to prevent such idle driving, it is desirable that the estimated ink remaining amount matches the actual ink remaining amount.

  Therefore, in the print processing system of the present embodiment described below, it is possible to reduce the difference between the estimated ink remaining amount and the ink remaining amount in the ink tank.

  Printers can be roughly classified into two types depending on the configuration of the ink tank. One is to replace the ink together with the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge having the ink tank is detachably attached to the printer and the ink in the ink tank runs out.

  The other is that the ink tank is fixedly provided in the printer, and when the ink in the ink tank runs out, for example, the user of the printer pours the ink in the external ink bottle into the ink tank, It is for replenishing ink.

  The printer of this embodiment employs a form in which ink is replenished from the latter ink bottle. For example, printers disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above are known as printers that employ the latter ink replenishment method.

  For example, in the printer of Patent Document 1, after adopting the above-described ink replenishment method, a menu screen is displayed for the user to check whether the estimated ink remaining amount is up or down. . More specifically, the printer of Patent Document 1 calculates the soft count value by performing a soft count of consumed ink droplets, and obtains the estimated ink remaining amount in the ink tank based on the soft count value. However, as described above, the estimated ink remaining amount may deviate from the amount of ink actually remaining in the ink tank. For this reason, the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided at a position corresponding to a given ink remaining amount in the ink tank when it is determined that the obtained estimated ink remaining amount has reached a given ink remaining amount (predetermined value). A menu screen is displayed that allows the user to input whether the current ink level is above or below the given scale. If the ink level is below the scale, the user is immediately prompted to replenish ink to prevent idle shots, and the estimated ink remaining amount is updated to 100%. On the other hand, if the ink level is above the scale, the estimated ink remaining amount is set to 5% to prompt the user to use up the ink in the current ink tank without prompting the user to replenish the ink. Update. Here, when the ink liquid level is above the scale, the reason for not prompting ink replenishment is based on the premise that all the ink in one ink bottle is replenished in one ink replenishment. Because it is. That is, in the invention of Patent Document 1, when all the ink in one ink bottle cannot be replenished, replenishment of ink is not prompted.

  For example, in the printer of Patent Document 2, ink can be replenished from a plurality of ink bottles to the ink tank of one printing apparatus, and the replenished ink amount is accumulated to update the ink stock amount.

  As described above, in the invention of Patent Document 1, it is assumed that ink is replenished from the ink bottle until the ink tank is full. The same applies to the invention of Patent Document 2. Therefore, when the ink is replenished to a given remaining amount of 100% or less of the capacity of the ink tank (for example, the remaining amount of ink is 50%) without filling the ink tank, the estimated ink remaining amount is accurately set. Could not be updated.

  On the other hand, in an actual usage scene, it is not always necessary to fill the ink tank. For example, a case where a plurality of printing apparatuses are used simultaneously can be considered. In this case, rather than filling up the ink tanks of one printing device, the ink in the ink bottles is equalized with respect to a plurality of printing devices so that the ink tanks of the other printing devices do not become empty. If you want to distribute to. Even in such a case, it is necessary to make the estimated ink remaining amount and the actual ink remaining amount coincide with each other in order to inform the user that the remaining ink amount is low before the idle driving occurs.

  Therefore, the print processing system according to the present embodiment makes it possible to reduce the difference between the estimated ink remaining amount and the ink remaining amount in the ink tank when an ink tank capable of replenishing ink from the outside is provided. .

  For example, FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the print processing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a processing unit 110 that performs update processing of ink estimation amount information, and a storage unit 130 that stores ink estimation amount information.

  Here, the estimated ink amount information is information used to estimate the amount of ink in the ink tank 400 that can be replenished with ink from outside the print processing system (printing apparatus). The ink tank 400 is, for example, as shown in FIGS. For example, the estimated ink amount information is estimated information of ink consumption, estimated information of the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank, and the like. More specifically, the estimated ink amount information may be, for example, a specific numerical value of the estimated ink consumption amount or the estimated ink remaining amount, an index associated with the estimated ink consumption amount or the estimated ink remaining amount, or the like. It may be.

  Then, the processing unit 110 receives a selection value selected by the user from a plurality of candidate values, and performs an update process of the ink estimation amount information using the received selection value as an initial value of the ink estimation amount information. The processing unit 110 includes an input receiving unit 111, an update processing unit (calculation unit) 113, and a notification processing unit (display processing unit) 115.

  A specific example will be described. For example, in the present embodiment, when the processing unit 110 determines that the estimated ink remaining amount is equal to or less than a given ink remaining amount (for example, 5%) as in an ink tank IT3 in FIG. Menu screens such as those shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B and FIGS. 7A and 7B are displayed. This menu screen indicates that the ink in the ink tank IT3 is low. For example, a user who has viewed the screen supplies ink in the ink bottle IB as shown in FIG. And refill with ink. Further, the user selects and inputs a value corresponding to the ink injection amount from among a plurality of candidate values (20%, 50%, 100%) displayed on the menu screen of FIG. 10A, for example. At this time, for example, when the estimated ink remaining amount is 5% and the ink injection amount is 20%, the estimated ink remaining amount is updated to 25%. Thereby, the estimated ink remaining amount can be brought close to the ink remaining amount after ink replenishment.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7A, after ink replenishment, the user reads the ink liquid level and selects and inputs the read value from a plurality of candidate values (5%, 20%, 100%). For example, when the estimated ink remaining amount is 5% and the remaining ink amount is 50%, the estimated ink remaining amount is updated to 50%. Thereby, the estimated ink remaining amount can be brought close to the ink remaining amount read by the user.

  According to the present embodiment, the difference between the estimated ink remaining amount and the ink remaining amount in the ink tank can be reduced in this way.

  As a result, the actual ink consumption varies depending on, for example, the printing device usage environment (ambient temperature, humidity, etc.), usage status (number of print jobs, number of head cleanings, etc.), individual differences in the printing device, etc. However, it is possible to accurately estimate the ink consumption or the ink remaining amount. As a result, the occurrence of ink idling can be suppressed.

  Further, unlike the above-described Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the ink remaining amount is not reduced even when the ink tank is not filled up and the ink is replenished to a given ink remaining amount of 100% or less of the capacity of the ink tank. Can be estimated accurately. For this reason, for example, the ink in one ink bottle is equally distributed and replenished to the ink tanks of a plurality of printing apparatuses, so that ink shortage hardly occurs in any printing apparatus of the plurality of printing apparatuses. Can do.

2. Schematic Configuration Example of Printing Apparatus Hereinafter, an inkjet printer 600 (hereinafter referred to as a printer) will be described as an example of a printing apparatus (liquid consuming apparatus or liquid ejecting apparatus) to which the present embodiment is applied. A system configuration example of the printer 600 is shown in FIG. A printer (printing apparatus) 600 includes the print processing system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, a printing unit 200, a display unit 300, an ink tank 400, and an operation unit 500. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the printer 600 performs printing by discharging the ink 34 stored in the ink tank 400 from the print head 17 to a print medium such as the paper 12. Here, the ink tank 400 corresponds to a liquid container, and the ink 34 corresponds to a liquid stored in the liquid container. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the vertical and horizontal scales of members or portions may be expressed differently from actual ones for convenience of description and illustration.

2.1 Overall Configuration Example First, the overall configuration of the printer 600 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printer 600 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, XYZ axes which are coordinate axes orthogonal to each other are attached. In addition, the XYZ axes similar to those shown in the following figures are attached as necessary. In each of the XYZ axes, the direction of the arrow indicates a positive direction (positive direction), and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow indicates a negative direction (negative direction). In a state where the printer 600 is used, the printer 600 is arranged on a horizontal plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis. In the usage state of the printer 600, the Z-axis is an axis orthogonal to a horizontal plane, and the −Z-axis direction is a vertically downward direction. Further, the surface in the + Y axis direction of the printer 600 is referred to as a front surface, and the surface in the −Y axis direction is referred to as a rear surface.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a printer 600 as a printing apparatus in the present embodiment includes an ink tank unit 20, a display unit 300, an operation unit 500, and a paper discharge unit 11. Further, the printer 600 includes a case 14, and the case 14 constitutes a part of the outer shell of the printer 600. Inside the case 14, a mechanism unit (printing unit 200) (not shown) of the printer 600 is accommodated. The mechanism unit is a mechanism part that executes a printing operation in the printer 600.

  On the front surface of the printer 600, an operation unit 500, a paper discharge unit 11, and a display unit (display panel) 300 are arranged. The operation unit 500 includes a power button and a setting button. When the printer 600 includes a touch panel, the touch panel serves as both the operation unit 500 and the display unit 300. The printing unit 200 includes a control unit (not shown) mounted on the control board and the print head 17 (see FIG. 5). The control unit operates the above-described mechanism unit based on an instruction or the like input from the operation unit 500 and performs printing on the paper 12 by conveying the paper 12 and driving the print head 17. The printed paper 12 is discharged from the paper discharge unit 11.

2.2 Configuration Example of Ink Tank Unit Next, the configuration of the ink tank unit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the ink tank unit 20 with the ink tank unit cover 21 removed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank unit 20 includes an ink tank unit cover 21 and an ink tank unit bottom 22, and is installed outside the case 14. A plurality of ink tanks 400 can be stored in the ink tank unit 20. As shown in FIG. 5, each ink tank 400 stores ink 34 to be used for printing. When the printer 600 performs printing, the ink 34 is supplied from the ink tank 400 to the print head 17.

  The ink tank 400 is at least partially formed of a permeable material, and the stored ink 34 can be visually recognized from the outside. The ink tank unit cover 21 includes a permeable window 24 at a position facing a permeable portion of the ink tank 400 to be stored. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the amount of ink 34 in the ink tank 400 from the outside of the printer 600 through the window 24.

  The ink tank unit cover 21 has a cover opening / closing part 430 that can be opened and closed. FIG. 3 illustrates a state where the cover opening / closing part 430 is closed. When the cover opening / closing part 430 is opened, the ink replenishing port 420 of each ink tank 400 shown in FIG. 4 is exposed, and the user can refill ink from an ink bottle as shown in FIG. 6, for example. Note that one cover opening / closing unit 430 may be provided for each of the plurality of ink tanks as in the example of FIG. 3, or may be provided for each ink tank 400 of the plurality of ink tanks. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ink tank unit 20 includes an ink tank unit bottom 22 and an ink tank unit cover 21 that surrounds the ink tank 400. The ink tank unit 20 is fixed to the printer 600 and installed.

  The ink tank unit 20 faces the ink tank unit bottom 22 and can be mounted with a plurality of ink tanks 400 arranged side by side. In the present embodiment, four ink tanks 400 are mounted. The four ink tanks 400 store different types of ink 34 (color, material, etc.). One of the four ink tanks 400 is larger in size than the other, and can store more ink 34. Therefore, for example, the large-sized ink tank 400 stores the black ink 34 that is frequently used, and the other ink tanks 400 individually store the ink 34 such as yellow, magenta, and cyan. .

2.3 Configuration Example of Ink Tank Next, the configuration of the ink tank 400 and the connection with the printer 600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the ink tank 400 and the association between the ink tank 400 and other components in the printer 600.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ink tank 400 is a container having a hollow inside, and the ink 34 can be stored in the hollow portion. Further, the ink tank 400 includes an ink replenishing port 420 that can replenish (inject) the ink 34 from the outside on the surface in the vertically upward direction (Z-axis direction) (see FIGS. 4 and 5). For this reason, when the storage amount of the ink 34 decreases, the ink 34 can be refilled from the ink replenishment port 420 to the ink tank 400. Usually, a cap member (not shown) is airtightly attached to the opening of the ink replenishing port 420. The user of the printer 600 can replenish the ink 34 into the ink tank 400 through the ink replenishing port 420 by removing the cap member.

  Each ink tank 400 is formed of at least a part of a permeable outer wall. In this embodiment, a part of the outer wall in the X-axis direction is transmissive. On this outer wall surface, there is a mark 31 (see FIG. 4) that serves as a guide for the amount of ink, and the user can use this mark 31 as a mark to replenish ink.

  Further, the ink tank 400 includes an ink supply unit 33 that sends the stored ink 34 to the print head 17.

  The ink supply unit 33 is provided in a portion corresponding to the lower part of the ink tank 400 in a state where the ink tank 400 is attached to the printer 600. The ink 34 injected into the ink tank 400 from the ink replenishing port 420 is stored in the hollow portion and sent out from the ink supply unit 33 to the print head. On the other hand, a tube 18 as an ink transfer path is fixedly disposed in the printer 600. One end of the tube 18 is connected to the ink supply unit 33, and the other end of the tube 18 is connected to the print head 17. As a result, the ink 34 in the ink tank 400 is transferred to the print head 17 via the tube 18 and used for printing.

  The ink tank unit 20 is arranged so that the ink supply unit 33 is joined to the tube 18 in a state where the ink tank 400 is mounted on the printer 600.

  As described above, when the ink tank 400 is attached to the ink tank unit 20, the ink supply unit 33 is joined to the tube 18. As a result, the ink 34 stored in the ink tank 400 is used in the printer 600.

3. Next, the method of this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, as described above, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 400 is estimated by performing soft counting. However, when this process is performed, for example, an initial value such as the remaining amount of ink is required. For example, at the time of the initial estimation, the estimated ink remaining amount at the timing can be obtained by subtracting the ink consumption obtained by performing the soft count from the initial value of the ink remaining amount. From the second time onward, the estimated ink remaining amount is updated by subtracting the ink consumption obtained by performing a soft count from the previous estimated timing to the current estimated timing from the estimated ink remaining amount obtained at the first estimation. To go. In the present embodiment, the process for obtaining the estimated ink remaining amount in this way is referred to as an update process of the estimated ink amount information.

  In this embodiment, the processing unit 110 performs a process of notifying the user of the first candidate value to the Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) candidate values as a plurality of candidate values, and the first candidate The ink estimated amount information is updated using the selection value selected by the user from the value to the Nth candidate value as an initial value.

  For example, each candidate value of the plurality of candidate values is a value that represents the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 400.

  For example, the processing unit 110 performs display processing of a menu screen (selection menu screen or numerical value input screen) for the user to input a selection value as processing for notifying the user of a plurality of candidate values. Then, the processing unit 110 performs an update process of the estimated ink amount information when an input of a selection value by the user is accepted on the menu screen.

  A specific example is shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a menu screen (selection menu screen) that displays a plurality of ink remaining amount candidate values. Specifically, an option with 5% ink remaining is displayed as an option for the first candidate value, an option with 20% remaining ink is displayed as an option for the second candidate value, and an option with the third candidate value is displayed. As an option for a remaining ink level of 50%. Although only three candidate values are displayed in FIG. 7A, other options (for example, 70% ink remaining, 100% ink, etc.) are scroll-displayed by operating the scroll bar SB with the operation unit 500. can do. Further, the number of candidate values is not limited to three.

  In the example of FIG. 7A, the user reads the remaining ink amount remaining in the ink tank 400, and selects a value closest to the read ink remaining amount from the displayed candidate values. input. At this time, the input receiving unit 111 receives the input selection value. Then, the update processing unit 113 performs an update process of the ink estimated amount information using the input selection value as an initial value of the ink estimated amount information.

  Accordingly, the user can select a candidate value that appropriately indicates the state of the ink in the ink tank from among the N candidate values notified to the user. Then, the update processing unit 113 can update the ink estimated amount information based on the selection value selected by the user.

  In addition, by displaying the remaining ink amount as each candidate value of a plurality of candidate values, the estimated ink remaining amount is determined based on the remaining ink amount in the ink tank confirmed by the user (information indicating the remaining state of ink in a broad sense). The amount can be obtained. In addition, estimation processing of ink estimation amount information can be performed based on information such as ink consumption state (for example, ink consumption amount) or ink replenishment state (for example, ink replenishment amount) described later. It is.

  Furthermore, by displaying the menu screen as shown in FIG. 7A, it is possible to prompt the user to input a selection value used when performing the estimation process of the ink estimation amount information. Further, by displaying the candidate value on the menu screen, it becomes possible for the user to easily input the selection value.

  Then, by performing an update process when a selection value is input on the menu screen, it is possible to perform an update process of the estimated ink amount information based on a user instruction (intention). In other words, when there is no instruction from the user, it is possible not to perform the update process of the estimated ink amount information. For example, as will be described later, when the user replenishes ink when the menu screen is displayed, the ink estimated amount information is not immediately updated, but the replenishment of ink is completed and the user inputs a selection value. After that, the ink estimated amount information can be updated.

  In the example of FIG. 7A, the user selects and inputs a selection value from among a plurality of displayed candidate values. However, in order to increase the number of options, as shown in FIG. A specific numerical value may be input. That is, when a menu screen (numerical value input screen) as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed, the input accepting unit 111 accepts a selection value input by the user as a numerical value. Then, the update processing unit 113 performs an update process of the estimated ink amount information using the received selection value as an initial value. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 7B, the user can input the remaining ink amount in the ink tank 400 in the range of 0% to 100% on the menu screen. In this case, it can be said that the plurality of candidate values described above are each value (integer) from 0% to 100%.

  As a result, it becomes possible for the user to directly input a numerical value that is closer to the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank. As a result, the ink estimated amount information can be updated more accurately.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of scales 410 are set in each ink tank 400. Each scale of the plurality of scales 410 is associated with each value of a plurality of candidate values displayed on the menu screen such as FIG. 7A described above. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, a scale indicating the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 400 is provided as the plurality of scales 410. For example, when the height of the ink liquid level is the same as that of a certain scale provided in the ink tank 400, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 400 is the remaining amount indicated by the scale. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 8, the ink tank 400 is provided with scales of 0%, 5%, 20%, 50%, 75%, and 100% indicating the remaining amount of ink. The 100% scale is the mark 31 described above. When the ink liquid level is the same as the mark 31, the ink tank 400 is filled with 100% ink.

  In this case, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 8, the processing unit 110 performs display processing of a menu screen on which a plurality of candidate values corresponding to the plurality of scales 410 are displayed. The ink estimation amount information is updated using the selected value as an initial value.

  This makes it easier for the user to read the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 400, and it becomes possible to select and input a value closer to the actual remaining amount of ink. As a result, the ink estimated amount information can be updated more accurately.

  Next, the operation of the processing unit 110 according to the ink consumption amount or the ink remaining amount, the display timing of the menu screen, and the like will be described.

  When the processing unit 110 determines that the ink consumption amount represented by the estimated ink amount information is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, or the remaining ink amount represented by the estimated ink amount information is equal to or less than the second threshold value. If it is determined, a menu screen display process for inputting a selection value is performed. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the ink low state is reached with the remaining ink, the menu screens such as FIGS. 7A and 7B are displayed. The ink low state is a state where the ink consumption amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold in a certain ink tank, or a state where the ink remaining amount is less than or equal to the second threshold.

  Here, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, the actual ink remaining amount in the ink tank IT1 is 100%, the actual ink remaining amount in the ink tank IT2 is about 35%, and the actual ink remaining amount in the ink tank IT3. Is about 3%, and the actual ink remaining amount in the ink tank IT4 is 0%. As a result of obtaining the estimated ink remaining amount, it is determined that the ink remaining amount in the ink tanks IT2 to IT4 is equal to or less than the second threshold value.

  Here, the first threshold is a threshold for the ink consumption. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the first threshold is set to 95% of the ink consumption. The second threshold value is a threshold value for the ink remaining amount. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the second threshold value is set to 5% of the ink remaining amount. In the example of FIG. 9, when the ink consumption becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold, the remaining amount of ink simultaneously becomes equal to or less than the second threshold. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made. Is possible.

  As described above, since it is determined that the estimated ink remaining amounts of the ink tanks IT2 and IT3 are equal to or smaller than the second threshold value, the menu screens (IM1, IM2) for notifying the ink low state are displayed. This is shown in FIG.

  First, the ink tank IT3 will be described in detail. In the ink tank IT3, as a result of the estimation process using the soft count, it is determined that the estimated ink remaining amount is less than or equal to the second threshold value (5% or less). As shown in FIG. 9, the ink in the ink tank IT3 actually The remaining amount is 5% or less. That is, the estimated ink remaining amount is correctly obtained without much difference from the actual ink remaining amount in the ink tank. Then, a menu screen IM1 as shown in FIG. 7A or 7B is displayed on the display unit 300. In this case, since ink should be replenished to the ink tank IT3, the user replenishes ink to the ink tank IT3 from the ink bottle IB as shown in FIG. Then, the user selects and inputs a selection value corresponding to the ink remaining amount after ink replenishment from the menu screen IM1.

  Thus, the update processing unit 113 can update the estimated ink remaining amount to a value after ink replenishment.

  In this case, a screen as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B may be displayed as the menu screen IM1. In the menu screen (selection menu screen) shown in FIG. 10A, an option representing an ink injection amount (ink replenishment amount) is displayed as an option representing a plurality of candidate values. On the other hand, in the menu screen (numerical value input screen) shown in FIG. 10B, the user can input the ink injection amount numerically as in the menu screen of FIG. 7B described above. In this case, for example, the maximum injection amount of ink is set to 100 ml or the like, and values that can be input are values up to the maximum injection amount. That is, in the case of FIG. 10B, it can be said that the plurality of candidate values displayed on the menu screen described above are each value (for example, an integer) from 0 to the maximum injection amount (for example, 100 ml). The ink injection amount input on the menu screens of FIGS. 10A and 10B is the amount of ink replenished (injected) into the ink tank by the user after the menu screen is displayed. When the ink injection amount is input, the update processing unit 113 adds the input ink injection amount to the estimated ink remaining amount to update the estimated ink remaining amount.

  This makes it possible to correct the estimated ink remaining amount so that it substantially matches the ink remaining amount after ink replenishment.

  Next, the ink tank IT2 will be described in detail. In the ink tank IT2, as a result of the estimation process by the soft count, it is determined that the estimated ink remaining amount is less than or equal to the second threshold (5% or less). However, as shown in FIG. The remaining amount of ink is about 35%, which is larger than the second threshold value. In other words, the obtained estimated ink remaining amount greatly deviates from the actual ink remaining amount in the ink tank. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 300 displays the menu screen IM2 as shown in FIG. 7A or 7B, or FIG. 10A or 10B, as in the case of the ink tank IT3 described above. Is done. However, in this case, the ink tank IT2 is not always replenished with ink. For example, it is assumed that the user decides not to replenish ink this time because there is still room before the ink low state is reached. In this case, in order to bring the estimated ink remaining amount closer to the actual ink remaining amount, the user selects a value close to the current ink remaining amount in the ink tank IT2 via the displayed menu screen IM2. And input.

  As a result, when the estimated ink remaining amount is significantly different from the actual ink remaining amount, it is possible to correct the estimated ink remaining amount.

  As described above, when the estimated ink remaining amount is equal to or smaller than the second threshold value or when the estimated ink consumption amount is equal to or larger than the first threshold value, the user is confirmed whether the estimated ink remaining amount is correct. It becomes possible to do. When the user determines that the estimated ink remaining amount is correct, the user can replenish ink and update the estimated ink remaining amount to a value after ink replenishment. Further, when the user determines that the estimated ink remaining amount is incorrect, the user can correct the estimated ink remaining amount.

  Further, the processing unit 110 determines that the ink consumption amount is equal to or greater than the third threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, or that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value that is less than the second threshold value. In this case, a print stop process is performed.

  Here, the third threshold is a threshold for the ink consumption. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the third threshold is 100% of the ink consumption. The fourth threshold value is a threshold value for the ink remaining amount. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the fourth threshold value is set to 0% of the ink remaining amount. In the example of FIG. 9, when the ink consumption becomes equal to or greater than the third threshold value, the remaining ink amount simultaneously becomes equal to or less than the fourth threshold value. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made. Is possible. Further, the ink consumption amount may be 100% or more, but the range that the remaining amount of ink can take is in the range of 0% to 100%.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank IT4 matches the fourth threshold (0%) (that is, the ink consumption matches the third threshold (100%)). . Therefore, unlike the ink tank IT2 and the ink tank IT3, the menu screen IM3 notifying the ink low state is displayed instead of displaying the menu screen notifying the ink low state.

  Here, the printing stop process is a process in which the processing unit 110 outputs a command to stop the printing operation to the printing unit 200.

  When the printing stop process is performed, printing is not resumed unless the user replenishes ink and inputs the remaining ink amount or the ink injection amount. Therefore, the user replenishes the ink and inputs the ink remaining amount or the ink injection amount via the menu screen IM3 as shown in FIG. 7A or 7B, or FIG. 10A or 10B. The input receiving unit 111 receives the input ink remaining amount or ink injection amount, and the update processing unit 113 updates the estimated ink remaining amount.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ink idling.

  In addition, the menu screen described above may be displayed not only when the remaining ink amount becomes the second threshold value or less, but also when the user performs an operation. For example, the processing unit 110 displays a menu screen when it is detected that the cover opening / closing unit 430 of the ink replenishing port 420 is opened.

  This makes it possible to update the estimated ink remaining amount when the user replenishes ink.

4). Processing Flow Hereinafter, the processing flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the processing unit 110 determines whether or not there is an ink consumption operation (S101). For example, when printing or cleaning is performed, it is determined that there is an ink consumption operation. On the other hand, when none of these operations are performed, it is determined that there is no ink consumption operation.

  When the processing unit 110 determines that there is an ink consumption operation, as described above, the update processing unit 113 updates the ink consumption amount based on the soft count value and stores the ink consumption amount in the main memory ( The data is stored in the storage unit 130 (S102). In the flowchart of FIG. 11, processing using ink consumption is described, but the ink consumption can be replaced with the remaining amount of ink as described above.

  On the other hand, when there is no ink consumption operation or after the ink consumption has been updated, the processing unit 110 determines whether or not it is necessary to determine whether or not a printing operation is possible (steps S104 to S106) (S103). For example, if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous determination of whether or not the printing operation was possible, it is determined that the determination of whether or not the printing operation is necessary is unnecessary. In this case, the process returns to step S101 and the process is repeated.

  The processing unit 110 determines that it is necessary to determine whether or not the printing operation is permitted when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous timing of determining whether or not the printing operation is possible. In this case, the update processing unit 113 reads the ink consumption amount from the main body memory 130 (S104). Then, the update processing unit 113 determines whether or not the ink consumption is 95% or more (S105), and if it is determined that the ink consumption is less than 95%, the process returns to step S101.

  When the update processing unit 113 determines that the ink consumption is 95% (the first threshold described above) or more, the ink consumption is 95% or more and 100% (the third threshold described above). ) Is determined (S106). When the update processing unit 113 determines that the ink consumption is 95% or more and less than 100%, the notification processing unit 115 displays an ink-low message on the display unit 300 (S107), and ink is displayed to the user. Encourage replenishment. Then, the processing unit 110 determines whether or not the ink is replenished (S110), and maintains the display state in step S107 until the ink is replenished. The determination of whether or not ink has been replenished in step S110 is made based on input information input by the user via the operation unit, for example. The input information at this time is information indicating that the user has refilled ink, for example.

  On the other hand, if the update processing unit 113 determines that the ink consumption is 100% or more, the printing is stopped (S108), and the notification processing unit 115 displays a no-ink message on the display unit 300 ( (S109), the user is prompted to replenish ink. Then, the processing unit 110 determines whether or not ink has been replenished (S110 '), and maintains the display state in step S109 until ink is replenished. The determination of whether or not ink has been replenished in step S110 'is performed based on input information input by the user via the operation unit, for example. The input information at this time is information indicating that the user has refilled ink, for example.

  In step S110 and step S110 ′, when the processing unit 110 determines that the ink has been replenished, the notification processing unit 115 displays an ink replenishment amount selection menu screen as shown in FIG. 10A or 10B. The information is displayed on the display unit 300 (S111).

  Thereafter, the input receiving unit 111 determines whether or not the input of the ink replenishment amount has been received (S112), and if it is determined that the input has been received, the update processing unit 113 is based on the received ink replenishment amount. The ink consumption (initial value of the estimated ink amount information) is updated (S113), and the process returns to step S101. If it is determined in step S112 that the input of the ink replenishment amount has not been received, the state where the menu screen is displayed is maintained. The above is the processing flow of this embodiment.

  However, the processing of the present embodiment is not limited to the flow of the flowchart of FIG. 11, and various modifications can be made as described above. For example, in steps S107, S109, and S111 in FIG. 11, the display screen for the ink-low message, the display screen for the no-ink message, and the selection menu screen are displayed separately, but these may all be displayed on the same screen. Good. For example, in steps S107 and S109, a selection menu screen may be displayed, and information notifying the ink low state or the ink out state may be displayed in the screen.

  In steps S110 and S110 ′, the process waits until ink is replenished, but when the user decides not to replenish ink (for example, when the user inputs no ink replenishment via the operation unit). Even if the ink is not replenished as described above, the process may proceed to step S111. Or you may complete | finish a process. Steps S110 and S110 'may be omitted.

5. Modified Example Next, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described. In the example of FIG. 2 described above, the print processing system 100 is included in the printing apparatus 600, but the print processing system 100 may be provided outside the printing apparatus 600 as shown in FIG. For example, in the example of FIG. 12, the print processing system 100 is realized by a PC or a server, and is connected to the printing apparatus 600 by communication. In this case, the display unit 300 is, for example, a monitor, and the operation unit 500 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. Then, the processing unit 110 of the print processing system 100 outputs operation instruction information to the printing unit 200 of the printing apparatus 600 via the network, and the printing unit 200 performs various operations based on the received operation instruction information. Other detailed operations are the same as in the above-described example. Note that the functions of the print processing system 100 may be realized by distributed processing between the PC or server and the printing apparatus 600.

  In the present embodiment, the ink container that stores the ink to be replenished to the ink tank is the ink bottle of FIG. 6, but the ink container is not limited to this. For example, a pouch made of a flexible material may be used.

  In addition, the print processing system, the printing apparatus, and the like according to the present embodiment may realize part or most of the processing by a program. In this case, a print processing system, a printing apparatus, and the like according to the present embodiment are realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program. Specifically, a program stored in a non-temporary information storage device is read, and a processor such as a CPU executes the read program. Here, an information storage device (device readable by a computer) stores programs, data, and the like, and functions as an optical disk (DVD, CD, etc.), HDD (hard disk drive), or memory (card type). It can be realized by memory, ROM, etc. A processor such as a CPU performs various processes according to the present embodiment based on a program (data) stored in the information storage device. That is, in the information storage device, a program for causing a computer (an apparatus including an operation unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit) to function as each unit of the present embodiment (a program for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit). Is memorized.

  In addition, the print processing system and the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment may include a processor and a memory. The processor here may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the processor is not limited to the CPU, and various processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can be used. The processor may be a hardware circuit based on ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The memory stores instructions that can be read by a computer. When the instructions are executed by the processor, the units such as the print processing system and the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment are realized. The memory here may be a semiconductor memory such as an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or may be a register or a hard disk. In addition, the instruction here may be an instruction of an instruction set constituting the program, or an instruction for instructing an operation to the hardware circuit of the processor.

  Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as described above, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without departing from the novel matters and effects of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention. For example, a term described at least once together with a different term having a broader meaning or the same meaning in the specification or the drawings can be replaced with the different term in any part of the specification or the drawings. The configurations and operations of the print processing system and the printing apparatus are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Paper discharge part, 12 ... Paper, 14 ... Case, 17 ... Print head, 18 ... Tube,
20 ... Ink tank unit, 21 ... Ink tank unit cover,
22 ... bottom of ink tank unit, 24 ... window, 31 ... mark, 33 ... ink supply,
34 ... Ink, 100 ... Print processing system, 110 ... Processing unit, 111 ... Input receiving unit,
113 ... Update processing unit, 115 ... Notification processing unit, 130 ... Storage unit (memory), 200 ... Printing unit,
300 ... Display unit, 400 ... Ink tank, 420 ... Ink replenishing port, 430 ... Cover opening / closing unit,
500 ... operation unit, 600 ... printing device (printer, inkjet printer)

Claims (13)

A processing unit that performs an update process of the estimated ink amount information used to estimate the amount of the ink in the ink tank that can be replenished with ink from the outside of the printing apparatus;
A storage unit for storing the estimated ink amount information;
Including
The processor is
Printing that receives a selection value selected by a user from a plurality of candidate values, and performs the update process of the ink estimated amount information by using the received selected value as an initial value of the ink estimated amount information. Processing system. In claim 1,
The processor is
As the plurality of candidate values, a process of informing the user of first candidate value to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) candidate values,
The printing process, wherein the update process of the estimated ink amount information is performed using the selection value selected by the user from the first candidate value to the Nth candidate value as the initial value. system. In claim 2,
Each candidate value of the plurality of candidate values is
A print processing system, wherein the print processing system is a value representing a remaining amount of ink in the ink tank. In claim 1,
The processor is
The printing processing system, wherein the selection value input by the user as a numerical value is received, and the update processing of the estimated ink amount information is performed using the received selection value as the initial value. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The processor is
A print processing system, wherein a display process of a menu screen for the user to input the selection value is performed. In claim 5,
The processor is
When it is determined that the ink consumption amount represented by the estimated ink amount information is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, or when the remaining ink amount represented by the estimated ink amount information is equal to or less than the second threshold value In addition, the display processing of the menu screen for inputting the selection value is performed. In claim 6,
The processor is
When it is determined that the ink consumption is greater than or equal to a third threshold greater than the first threshold, or when it is determined that the ink remaining amount is less than or equal to a fourth threshold less than the second threshold, A print processing system that performs a print stop process. In any of claims 5 to 7,
The processor is
A print processing system that performs the update process of the estimated ink amount information when an input of the selection value by the user is accepted on the menu screen. In claim 5,
When it is determined that the ink consumption amount represented by the estimated ink amount information is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, or when the remaining ink amount represented by the estimated ink amount information is equal to or less than the second threshold value And performing the display process of the menu screen for inputting the selection value,
In the menu screen, when the input of the selection value by the user is accepted, the update process of the estimated ink amount information is performed,
When it is determined that the ink consumption is greater than or equal to a third threshold greater than the first threshold, or when it is determined that the ink remaining amount is less than or equal to a fourth threshold less than the second threshold, A print processing system that performs a print stop process. In any one of Claims 5 thru | or 9,
The ink tank has a plurality of scales,
The processor is
Performing the display processing of the menu screen on which the plurality of candidate values corresponding to the plurality of scales are displayed;
The print processing system, wherein the update process is performed using the selection value selected by the user from the plurality of candidate values as the initial value. In any of claims 5 to 10,
The ink tank is
A printing processing system comprising an ink replenishing port capable of replenishing the ink from outside. In claim 11,
The processor is
The print processing system, wherein the menu screen is displayed when it is detected that the cover opening / closing part of the ink replenishing port is opened. A print processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The ink tank;
A printing section;
A printing apparatus comprising:

Images