JP2021026296A - Display control device, display control method, and display control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology that allows easy acquisition of information for grasping the cause of a reduction in the remaining amount of a coloring agent.SOLUTION: A control unit included in a display control device executes storage control processing, first display processing, selection processing, and second display processing. The first display processing makes a graph of the relationship between a plurality of periods included from a past time point to the current time point and the remaining amounts of a plurality of coloring agents that are changed in each of the plurality of periods and displays the graph on a display unit. The selection processing selects one coloring agent and one period corresponding to one designated graph. The second display processing displays, on the display unit, usage state information on the state of usage of the one coloring agent in the at least one period selected in the selection processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a display control device, a display control method, and a display control program.

Patent Document 1 describes that the change with time of the remaining amount of the colorant is shown by a line graph, and the replacement time of the cartridge is predicted by using the approximate straight line obtained from the change of the remaining amount of the colorant shown by the line. ing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-1233311

However, there is a problem that the user of the image forming apparatus cannot grasp how the remaining amount of the colorant is reduced due to the use of the colorant only by the change with time of the remaining amount of the colorant. It was.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to provide a technique that can easily obtain information for grasping the cause of the decrease in the remaining amount of the colorant.

The display control device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a display unit, an input unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to execute a memory control process, a first display process, a selection process, and a second display process. The memory control process acquires consumables information used for specifying or estimating the remaining amount of each of the colorants of a plurality of colors used in the image forming apparatus each time a predetermined acquisition condition is satisfied. Store in the storage unit. The first display process is based on the consumables information stored in the storage unit by the memory control process, and is a plurality of periods included from a past time point to the present time point and a plurality of color colorants changed in each of the plurality of periods. The relationship with each remaining amount is graphed for each of the colorants of a plurality of colors, and the graph display area including the plurality of graphs is displayed on the display unit. In the selection process, an operation of designating at least one location on any one of a plurality of graphs in the graph display area displayed on the display unit by an input operation on the input unit is performed. When done, one color colorant corresponding to one designated graph and at least one period corresponding to at least one location on the designated graph are selected. In the second display process, usage status information regarding the usage status of the colorant of one color in at least one period selected by the selection process is displayed on the display unit.

According to the display control device configured in this way, when an input operation in the input unit performs an operation of designating at least one location on the graph for any one of the plurality of graphs. One color colorant and at least one period are selected. In this case, usage status information regarding the usage status of the colorant of one color in at least one selected period is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user can respond to the desired period by simply performing a simple operation of designating at least one location corresponding to the desired period in the graph corresponding to the colorant of one color for which the usage status information is to be known. You can know the usage information to be used.

A display control method executed by the control unit in the display control device, a display control program for causing the control unit to execute each of the above processes in the display control device, a computer-readable recording medium for storing the control program, and an image. An information processing device capable of communicating with the forming device and including the display control device, an image forming system including the information processing device and an image forming device including the display control device, and the display control device. Image forming devices and the like are also new and useful.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the information acquisition process. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the information storage process. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the first part of the first display process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the second part of the first display process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the second display process. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a graph display window. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a graph display window and a pop-up window. FIG. 8B is an enlarged explanatory view showing a pop-up window in FIG. 8A. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the graph display window and the pop-up window. FIG. 9B is an enlarged explanatory view showing a pop-up window in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of the graph display window and the pop-up window. FIG. 10B is an enlarged explanatory view showing a pop-up window in FIG. 10A. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pop-up window including two ink level objects.

Next, the above-mentioned display control device, display control method, and display control program will be described with reference to exemplary embodiments.
[Image processing system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10 (for example, a personal computer) and an image forming device 20 (for example, a multifunction device). The information processing device 10 and the image forming device 20 are each connected to the LAN 30, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the LAN 30.

The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The control unit 11 includes a CPU. The control unit 11 executes processing and control according to a program stored in the storage unit 12, which is a non-transitional substantive recording medium, and realizes various functions included in the information processing device 10. However, the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to those realized by executing the program, and some or all of them may be realized by using one or more hardware.

The storage unit 12 includes a semiconductor memory typified by, for example, a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, a flash memory, or the like. The storage unit 12 stores various software and data. In the present embodiment, the display control program 12A is stored as software in the storage unit 12. The display control program 12A is a program for executing display control processing (more specifically, information acquisition processing, information storage processing, first display processing, and second display processing) described later. The display unit 13 includes a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display) and is configured to display various images.

The input unit 14 includes an input device (for example, a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard) and an input controller that processes input from the input device. The user can input various commands to the information processing apparatus 10 by the input operation in the input unit 14. The communication unit 15 includes a network interface controller conforming to the LAN standard. The communication unit 15 may be configured to be able to communicate via either a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. Further, the communication unit 15 may be configured with a communication interface conforming to a communication standard other than the LAN standard (for example, a USB standard).

The image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, an input unit 24, a communication unit 25, a printing unit 26, and a cartridge detection unit 27. The control unit 21 includes a CPU. The control unit 21 executes processing and control according to a program stored in the storage unit 22 which is a non-transitional substantive recording medium, and realizes various functions included in the image forming apparatus 20. However, the various functions realized by the control unit 21 are not limited to those realized by executing the program, and some or all of them may be realized by using one or more hardware.

The storage unit 22 includes a semiconductor memory typified by, for example, a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, a flash memory, or the like. The storage unit 22 stores software and data for controlling each unit of the image forming apparatus 20. The display unit 23 includes a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display) and is configured to display various images. The input unit 24 includes an input device for receiving various input operations. The input unit 24 of the present embodiment includes a transparent touch panel as an input device. This transparent touch panel is arranged so as to be superimposed on the display device of the display unit 23.

The printing unit 26 is configured to be able to print an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium. In the case of the present embodiment, the printing unit 26 includes an inkjet printing mechanism. The communication unit 25 includes a network interface controller conforming to the LAN standard. The communication unit 25 may be configured to be able to communicate via either a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. Further, the communication unit 25 may be configured with a communication interface conforming to a communication standard other than the LAN standard (for example, a USB standard).

The cartridge detection unit 27 is configured to be able to detect the attachment / detachment of the cartridge 28. The cartridge 28 contains a colorant (ink in this embodiment) used for printing. In the case of the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 has a color printing function and a monochrome printing function, and four cartridges 28 containing colorants of four colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) can be mounted. It is configured in. When the cartridge 28 corresponding to each of the four colorants is mounted, the cartridge detection unit 27 is configured to output a mounting signal indicating that fact to the control unit 21.

Further, the image forming apparatus 20 includes four sub tanks 29 corresponding to each of the four cartridges 28. When the cartridge 28 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 20, the colorant contained in the cartridge 28 is supplied to the sub tank 29. At the time of printing by the printing unit 26, the colorant stored in the sub tank 29 is supplied to the recording head 26A provided in the printing unit 26. By providing such a sub tank 29, even if the remaining amount of the colorant stored in the cartridge 28 is exhausted, printing can be continued until the remaining amount of the colorant stored in the sub tank 29 is exhausted. .. Further, since the cartridge 28 can be replaced during the period during which printing is continued using the colorant in the sub tank 29, it is possible to prevent or suppress a period during which printing is not possible during the replacement period of the cartridge 28. be able to.

[Information acquisition process]
Next, the information acquisition process executed by the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The information acquisition process shown in FIG. 2 is a process executed by the control unit 11 when the control unit 11 detects that an event to be processed has occurred. When the information acquisition process is started, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an event that the cartridge 28 has been replaced has been acquired, as shown in FIG. 2 (S110). When it is determined in S110 that the event that the cartridge 28 has been replaced has been acquired (S110: YES), the control unit 11 stores the replacement date and time of the cartridge 28 in the storage unit 12 (S120), and performs the information acquisition process. finish.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S110 that the event that the cartridge 28 has been replaced has not been acquired (S110: NO), whether or not the control unit 11 has acquired the event that printing has been performed by the image forming apparatus 20. Is determined (S130). Specifically, when the control unit 11 obtains the print completion notification indicating that the printing is completed from the image forming apparatus 20, it determines that the printing has been performed by the image forming apparatus 20. When it is determined in S130 that the event that printing has been performed by the image forming apparatus 20 has been acquired (S130: YES), the control unit 11 adds the number of current print pages to the cumulative number of print pages of each color to perform cumulative printing. The number of pages is updated, and the cumulative printing ink usage of each color is added to the current printing ink usage to update the cumulative printing ink usage of each color (S140). After finishing S140, the information acquisition process is finished.

When it is determined in S130 that the event that printing has been performed by the image forming apparatus 20 has not been acquired (S130: NO), the control unit 11 cleans the printing mechanism (more specifically, the recording head 26A). It is determined whether or not the event that has been executed has been acquired (S150). Specifically, when the cleaning completion notification is obtained from the image forming apparatus 20, the control unit 11 determines that the cleaning has been performed by the image forming apparatus 20. When it is determined in S150 that the event that cleaning has been performed has been acquired, the control unit 11 adds the current cleaning number to the cumulative cleaning number of each color to update the cumulative cleaning number of each color (S160). Specifically, since the colorant of each color is consumed during cleaning, the number of times of cleaning is counted for each color of the colorant consumed in cleaning. In addition, cleaning may be performed manually or automatically, so the number of executions in each case is counted by distinguishing between these cases. When S160 is finished, the information acquisition process is finished.

If it is determined in S150 that the event that cleaning has been performed has not been acquired (S150: NO), the control unit 11 executes another process (S170). The process executed in S170 is a process corresponding to the occurrence of an event other than the carriage replacement, printing, and cleaning. However, since this process has little relevance to the main parts of the present disclosure, further description will be omitted.

[Information storage processing]
Next, the information storage process executed by the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The information storage process shown in FIG. 3 is a process for accumulating the information acquired by the above-mentioned information acquisition process on a daily basis. The information storage process is a process executed by the control unit 11 when the control unit 11 detects that a predetermined time has arrived. When the information storage process is started, the control unit 11 determines whether or not it is the periodic acquisition date and time, as shown in FIG. 3 (S210). The periodic acquisition date and time is a time that can be arbitrarily set by the user, but may be set to 0:00 every day, for example.

When it is determined in S210 that it is the periodic acquisition date and time (S210: YES), the control unit 11 uses the date and time, the ink remaining amount of each color, the cumulative cleaning count of each color << automatic >>, and the cumulative cleaning count of each color << as consumable information. Manual >>, the cumulative number of pages to be printed for each color and the cumulative printing ink usage for each color are stored in the storage unit 12 (S220). As mentioned above, the cumulative number of cleanings for each color << automatic >> and the cumulative number of cleanings for each color << manual >> are divided into these cases because cleaning may be performed manually or automatically. It means the number of times counted separately. When S210 is finished, the information storage process is finished.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S210 that it is not the periodic acquisition date and time (S210: NO), the control unit 11 executes another process (S230). The process executed in S230 is a process corresponding to the arrival of a time other than the periodic acquisition date and time. However, since this process has little relevance to the main parts of the present disclosure, further description will be omitted. When S230 is finished, the information storage process is finished.

[First display process]
Next, the first display process executed by the control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The first display process is a process executed when the user commands an information display regarding the image forming apparatus 20 by an input operation in the input unit 14. When the first display process is started, the control unit 11 sets the graph display start date to the M month D day (S310). In S310, for example, based on the current time, the month six months before this month is set as M month, and the first day of that month is set as D day. However, it is an example that M month is "6 months before this month", and it may be other than "6 months before" (for example, 9 months or 12 months before), or some months ago. It may be possible for the user to arbitrarily set whether or not. Further, it is an example that the D day is set to "1st day", and the user may arbitrarily set the number of days in each month.

Subsequently, the control unit 11 sets M February D2 day after a certain period from M month D day (S310). In S310, for example, based on the M month D day, M2 month is set as the month following the M month, and D2 day is set as 1 day. That is, the fixed period referred to in S310 does not have to be a fixed time in a strict sense, and may include a period of one month on the calendar (for example, a period that can be any of 28 days to 31 days). It is a concept that includes. However, it is an example that MFebruary D2 is one month later as described above, and it may be other than one month later (for example, two months later on a monthly basis or 30 days later on a daily basis). The user may arbitrarily set the number of days to be set.

Subsequently, the control unit 11 determines whether or not M February D2 is before the present (S330). In S330, when it is determined that MFebruary D2 is earlier than the present (S330: YES), the control unit 11 sets "ink of each color" at the start and end of the period from M month D to M February D2. Record the "remaining amount" (S340). Subsequently, the control unit 11 determines that "the number of cleanings within the period << manual >> for each color" and "the number of cleanings within the period for each color" within the period due to the difference before and after the total period from M month D day to M February D2 day. "Automatic", "Number of prints within the period of each color" and "Ink usage during printing of each color" are calculated (S350).

Subsequently, the control unit 11 calculates the average coverage within the period from the M month D day to the M February D2 day and the ISO conversion number of sheets (S360). The average coverage is calculated by "(cumulative printing ink usage during the period) / (cumulative printing pages during the period) / (ink usage when printing on A4 paper with 100% coverage)". The ISO conversion number is calculated by "(cumulative printing ink usage within the period) / (ISO conversion reference ink usage)".

Subsequently, the control unit 11 sets the M February D2 day set in S320 to a new M month D day (S370), and returns to S320. As a result, in S320, a new M February D2 date is set based on the new M month D date set in S370. In S330, it is determined whether or not the new M February D2 set in S320 is before the present. Therefore, S320-S370 is repeatedly executed while S330 determines that MFebruary D2 is earlier than the present.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S330 that M February D2 is after the present (S330: NO), the process proceeds to S440 in FIG. 5, and the control unit 11 starts the period from M month D to the present. The "remaining amount of ink of each color" at the end is recorded (S440). Subsequently, the control unit 11 "cleans each color within the period << manual >>" and "cleans each color within the period << automatic >>" within the period due to the difference before and after the total period from the M month D day to the present. , "Number of prints within the period of each color" and "Ink usage during printing of each color" are calculated (S450). Subsequently, the control unit 11 calculates the average coverage within the period from the M month D day to the present and the ISO conversion number (S460). The formula for calculating the average coverage and the number of ISO-converted sheets is the same as that for S360.

Subsequently, the control unit 11 performs "number of cleanings within the period of each color << manual >>", "number of cleanings within the period of each color << automatic >>", and "number of prints within the period of each color" from M month D day to M February D2 day. And "Ink usage during printing for each color" are calculated (S470). The predicted value calculated in S470 is "(cumulative count value of each item from M month D day to the present) x (number of days from M month D day to M February D2 day) / (M month D day) for each item. The number of days from to the present) ”.

Subsequently, the control unit 11 has, in S480, based on the consumables information organized in S310-S470, a plurality of periods included from the past time point to the present time point, and four colors changed in each of the plurality of periods. The relationship with the remaining amount of each colorant is graphed for each of the four colorants, and the graph display area including the four line graphs is displayed on the display unit 13 (S480). When S480 is finished, the first display process is finished.

When S480 is executed, the graph display window 51 including the graph display area as illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 13. In FIG. 7, for the convenience of expressing the graph as a black-and-white binary image, four line graphs are drawn separately with line thicknesses and line types (solid lines and broken lines) different from each other. However, the actual line graph is composed of a color image, and the four line graphs are represented by the line of the same color as the ink. This makes it possible for the user who sees the graph to intuitively understand which color of ink each polygonal line corresponds to. The four polygonal lines shown in FIG. 7 are thick solid lines, thick broken lines, thin solid lines, and thin broken lines in order from the top in the figure, and correspond to each color of black, magenta, cyan, and yellow in order from the top. doing.

The vertical axis of the graph shows the remaining amount of ink with the total value of the capacity of the cartridge 28 and the capacity of the sub tank 29 as 100%. In the case of the present embodiment, the cartridge 28 and the sub tank 29 corresponding to the black ink have a larger capacity than the cartridge 28 and the sub tank 29 corresponding to other colors. Therefore, even if the remaining amount of ink on the graph is the same, the remaining amount of black ink and the remaining amount of other colors in that case are larger than the remaining amount of black ink when the absolute amounts are compared. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates the period from the graph display start date set in S310 to the present or later.

[Second display processing]
Next, the second display process executed by the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The second display process is a process executed when the user performs an input operation on the input unit 14 and an operation for pointing to a portion included in the graph display area is detected. As an example of the pointing operation, for example, an operation of pointing a point included in the graph display area with the mouse cursor can be mentioned. For example, if a part included in the graph display area is pointed by the tip of the mouse cursor and the mouse is clicked in that state, it may be determined that the part pointed by the tip of the mouse cursor is pointed. In addition, it is optional whether or not to make a judgment triggered by a click. For example, a part included in the graph display area is set to be pointed by the tip of the mouse cursor, and when a predetermined judgment time elapses in that state, the mouse It may be determined that the point pointed by the tip of the cursor is pointed.

When the second display process is started, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the input operation in the input unit 14 is an operation for pointing to a line in the graph (S510). In S510, in the graph display area as illustrated in FIG. 7, an operation of designating one point on the graph (that is, an operation of pointing) is performed on any one of the four line graphs. Judge whether or not.

In S510, when it is determined that the operation is to point to the line of the graph (S510: YES), the control unit 11 sets the colorant of one color corresponding to the specified graph on the designated graph based on the point location. The period corresponding to the designated portion of is selected (S520). For example, if the line of the graph corresponding to the yellow ink is pointed and the point is included in the range corresponding to the period 2019/1 / 1-1 / 31, in S520, the yellow ink and the period 2019/1/1 1-1 / 31 is selected.

Subsequently, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the period selected by S520 is the latest period (S530). The latest period is a period including the current time point, and in the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, the period after 3/1 is the latest period. When it is determined in S530 that the period is not the latest (S530: NO), the control unit 11 displays the usage status information regarding the usage status of the colorant of one color in one period selected by S520 on the display unit 13. (S540).

When S540 is executed, as shown in FIG. 8A, a pop-up window 53 is displayed on the display unit 13 in addition to the graph display window 51 displayed by S480. As shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 8B, the pop-up window 53 contains text objects such as a display target period, the number of manual cleanings during that period, the number of automatic cleanings, the number of prints, the average coverage, and the number of ISO-converted prints. included. Further, the pop-up window 53 includes an ink remaining amount object 54, which is an image object indicating a change in the ink remaining amount.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 8 (A), the mouse cursor 55 points to the line graph corresponding to the yellow ink, and the point points are within the range corresponding to the period 1/1-1/31. Therefore, in S540, the information group to be displayed in the pop-up window 53 is extracted from the consumables information organized in the first display process, and the text object and the text object and the text object are based on the extracted information. Create an image object. The generated object is arranged in the pop-up window 53, and is displayed on the display unit 13 as a window separate from the graph display window 51.

Among the text objects arranged in the pop-up window 53, some text objects are displayed in a different manner from the text objects other than the part of the text objects. In the case of the pop-up window 53 illustrated in FIG. 8B, only the text object "812 sheets" indicating the number of prints is displayed in a manner different from that of other text objects.

In FIG. 8B, for the convenience of expressing as a black-and-white binary image, the text object "812 sheets" is shaded to show that the display mode is different from that of other texts. However, since the actual pop-up window 53 is a color image, the text object "812 sheets" is red, and the other text objects are black, so that the display mode is different.

That is, the different display modes referred to here may be any display mode in which the user can distinguish and identify two or more display modes. As such different display modes, in addition to the presence or absence of shading and the difference in color as described above, for example, constant lighting and blinking, difference in background color, difference in brightness, normal display and reverse display, etc. are adopted. It is possible, and two or more of these can be used in combination.

In the case of the present embodiment, when the ink usage status in the period to be displayed is different from other periods, a text object indicating information presumed to be the cause (hereinafter, also referred to as cause information). Is displayed in a manner different from that of other text objects. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 8B, the remaining amount of ink in the period to be displayed is sharply reduced as compared with other periods. Therefore, comparing the data of the same item between the display target period and other periods, if there is an item whose numerical value in the display target period is excessive or insufficient compared to the other period, that item Change the display mode of the text object for the item.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 8B, the number of printed sheets in the display target period is "812 sheets", and this number of sheets is larger than that of the other periods. Therefore, by setting the display mode of the text object "812 sheets" to a display mode different from that of other text objects, the display mode is set so that the user can easily pay attention to it. As a result, when the user feels that the amount of ink consumed during the display target period is higher than usual, he / she can easily notice that one of the causes is the large number of printed sheets.

Since various criteria for determining whether or not to change the display mode can be considered, a desired criteria may be adopted for each item. To give a specific example, for example, if a plurality of periods are relatively compared with each other and the display mode of the top two is changed for the period in which the numerical value is the largest or the smallest, for example, the latest six. It is possible to know when the most over or under period of a period such as a month is. Alternatively, if it is an item for which you want to set a target upper limit value or a target lower limit value, you can easily set a period in which the target was achieved and a period in which the target could not be achieved by changing the display mode for the period exceeding the target value. You will be able to grasp it.

FIG. 9A is an example of a pop-up window 61 displayed when the mouse cursor 55 points to a period different from that of FIG. 8A. FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of the pop-up window 61 illustrated in FIG. 9A. The pop-up window 61 includes a text object and an ink remaining amount object 62 similar to the pop-up window 53. In this example, the display mode of the text object corresponding to the number of automatic cleanings and the average coverage is different from the others. For users who saw this display, the reason why the remaining amount of ink decreased during the display period was that the number of automatic cleanings was large and that there were many opportunities to print printed matter with high average coverage. Can be easily inferred. After finishing S540, the second information display process shown in FIG. 6 is finished.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S530 that the period is the latest (S530: YES), the control unit 11 provides usage status information regarding the usage status of one color colorant in one period selected by S520, and the current and subsequent usage status information. The usage amount prediction information of is displayed on the display unit 13 (S550). When S550 is executed, as shown in FIG. 10A, a pop-up window 63 is displayed on the display unit 13 in addition to the graph display window 51 displayed by S480.

In this pop-up window 63, as shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 10 (B), in addition to the same information as the pop-up window 53 illustrated in FIG. 8 (B) and the like, a display field "when used at this pace" is displayed. Is added, and a text object is displayed showing the estimated number of cleanings and the number of prints to be reached at the end of the coming period. The predicted value displayed here is the value calculated in S470. Further, in the pop-up window 63, the ink remaining amount object 64 shows the change in the ink remaining amount up to the present with a solid line arrow, and the prediction of the change in the ink remaining amount after the present time is indicated by a broken line arrow. Therefore, the user who sees the display related to these predictions can know the guideline as to when the cartridge 28 needs to be replaced and when printing can be continued by using the sub tank 29. After finishing S550, the second information display process shown in FIG. 6 is finished.

If it is determined in S510 that the operation was not to point the line of the graph (S510: NO), the control unit 11 executes another process (S560), and performs the second information display process shown in FIG. finish. The process executed in S560 is, for example, a process corresponding to an operation of pointing to a place other than the line of the graph. However, since this process has little relevance to the main parts of the present disclosure, further description will be omitted.

In the pop-up windows 53, 61, 63 described above, an example in which one ink remaining amount object 54, 62, 64 is displayed is shown, but when the cartridge 28 is replaced, the pop-up window illustrated in FIG. 11 is illustrated. Like 65, the two ink remaining objects 66 and 67 corresponding to the cartridge 28 before replacement and the cartridge 28 after replacement may be displayed. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to more intuitively understand the amount of ink consumed during the display target period, unlike the case where only the ink remaining amount object corresponding to the replaced cartridge 28 is displayed. Will be able to.

[effect]
According to the information processing apparatus 10 configured in this way, an operation of designating at least one location on the graph is performed on any one of the plurality of graphs by the input operation in the input unit 14. Then, pop-up windows 53, 61, 63, 65 including usage status information as illustrated in FIGS. 8 (B), 9 (B), 10 (B), and 11 are displayed on the display unit 13. .. Therefore, the user can correspond to the desired period by simply performing a simple operation of designating one place corresponding to the desired period in the graph corresponding to the one color colorant for which the usage status information is to be known. You can know the usage status information.

Further, in the case of the information processing apparatus 10, if the selected period includes at least one period in which the usage status of the colorant of one color is different from the other periods, it is used. The cause information that is presumed to be the cause of the situation different from other periods is displayed in a mode different from the information other than the cause information. Therefore, the user can easily pay attention to the cause information and can easily grasp the cause of the difference in the usage status of the colorant.

Further, in the case of the information processing apparatus 10, when the selected period is the latest period, in addition to the usage status information corresponding to the latest period, the usage amount for predicting the usage amount of the colorant after the current time point. The prediction information is displayed on the display unit 13. Therefore, the user can consider the timing of replenishing the colorant by looking at the usage amount prediction information.

Further, in the case of the information processing apparatus 10, the display unit 13 can display the predicted time when the remaining amount of the colorant contained in each of the cartridge 28 and the sub tank 29 is predicted to be exhausted. Therefore, the user can know when to replace the cartridge 28 and when the replacement of the cartridge 28 is delayed and printing can be continued.

Further, in the case of the information processing apparatus 10, how the remaining amount of the colorant contained in each of the cartridge 28 and the sub tank 29 changes between the start time and the end time of the period other than the latest period. An ink remaining amount object indicating whether or not the information has been processed is displayed on the display unit 13. Therefore, the user can know the past usage status of the cartridge 28 and the sub tank 29.

In the embodiment described above, the information processing device 10 corresponds to an example of the display control device referred to in the present disclosure. The information acquisition process and the information storage process executed by the control unit 11 correspond to an example of the memory control process referred to in the present disclosure. S520 executed by the control unit 11 corresponds to an example of the selection process referred to in the present disclosure.

[Other Embodiments]
Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modifications.

Although the information processing device 10 has been illustrated as an example of the display control device referred to in the present disclosure, the technique of the present disclosure can be applied to a device different from the information processing device 10. For example, the image forming apparatus 20 described above may have a configuration corresponding to the display control apparatus referred to in the present disclosure.

Further, in the above embodiment, one pop-up window is displayed when the line of the line graph is pointed, but two or more pop-up windows may be displayed. For example, if you point to a line on a line chart to display one popup window and then point to another point on the line of the line chart, the older pop-up window is usually closed and a new one. It suffices if it is configured so that the pop-up window corresponding to the point is opened. On the other hand, even if another point is pointed on the line of the line graph, the old pop-up window may remain open and an additional pop-up window corresponding to the new point may be opened. In this case, each pop-up window may be configured to display a button for closing the window and close the window when the button is clicked. Alternatively, display a pinning button in the pop-up window to prevent the window from being closed so that when the pinning button is clicked, only the target window is not closed. It may be configured.

Further, in the above embodiment, the printing unit 26 including the printing mechanism of the inkjet method is illustrated, but the printing method is not limited to the inkjet method, and for example, the printing unit including the printing mechanism of the electrophotographic method may be used. When the printing unit is provided with an electrophotographic printing mechanism, toner may be used as the colorant instead of the ink exemplified in the above-described embodiment.

In addition, a plurality of functions possessed by one component in the said embodiment may be realized by a plurality of components. One function possessed by one component may be realized by a plurality of components. Further, a plurality of functions possessed by the plurality of components may be realized by one component. One function realized by a plurality of components may be realized by one component. Further, a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted.

[Supplement]
The display control device in one aspect of the present disclosure may further have the following configuration.
(A) The first display process may include a process of displaying a graph display area including a plurality of line graphs corresponding to the plurality of colorants as a plurality of graphs on the display unit. The selection process corresponds to one designated line graph when an operation of designating at least one location on the line graph is performed on any one line graph included in the plurality of line graphs. It may include a process of selecting a colorant and at least one period corresponding to at least one location on a designated line graph.

According to the display control device configured in this way, the colorant for which the usage status information is displayed can be displayed by simply performing a simple operation of designating at least one location on the line graph for one line graph. You can choose the color and duration of.

(B) The second display process is performed when at least one period selected by the selection process includes at least one period in which the usage status of the colorant of one color is different from the other periods. , The process of displaying the cause information presumed to be the cause whose usage status is different from other periods may be displayed in a mode different from the information other than the cause information.

According to the display control device configured in this way, when at least one period in which the usage status of the colorant of one color is different from the other periods is included in at least one selected period. Is displayed in a manner different from the information other than the cause information, that is, the cause information that is presumed to be the cause whose usage status is different from that of other periods. Therefore, the user can easily pay attention to the cause information and can easily grasp the cause of the difference in the usage status of the colorant.

(C) In the second display process, when the latest period, which is the period up to the current time point, is included in at least one period selected by the selection process, the usage status corresponding to the latest period. In addition to the information, a process of displaying the usage amount prediction information for predicting the usage amount of the colorant after the current time point on the display unit may be included.

According to the display control device configured in this way, in addition to the above-mentioned usage status information, the above-mentioned usage amount prediction information is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user can consider the timing of replenishing the colorant by looking at the usage amount prediction information.

(D) The image forming apparatus may include a plurality of cartridges and a plurality of sub tanks. The cartridge contains colorants of a plurality of colors, and is replaced when the stored colorants are exhausted. The sub tank temporarily stores the colorants supplied from each of the plurality of cartridges, and supplies the stored colorants to the printing system. The second display process is added to the usage information corresponding to the latest period when the latest period, which is the period up to the current time, is included in at least one period selected by the selection process. Therefore, a process of displaying the predicted time when the remaining amount of the colorant contained in each of the cartridge and the sub tank is predicted to be exhausted may be displayed on the display unit.

According to the display control device configured in this way, the predicted time when the remaining amount of the colorant contained in each of the cartridge and the sub tank is predicted to be exhausted can be displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user can know when to replace the cartridge and when printing can be continued even if the replacement of the cartridge is delayed.

(E) The image forming apparatus may include a plurality of cartridges and a plurality of sub tanks. The cartridge contains colorants of a plurality of colors, and is replaced when the stored colorants are exhausted. The sub tank temporarily stores the colorants supplied from each of the plurality of cartridges, and supplies the stored colorants to the printing system. The second display process is performed on a period other than the latest period when at least one period selected by the selection process includes a period other than the latest period, which is the period up to the current time point. May include a process of displaying on the display unit information indicating how the remaining amount of the colorant contained in each of the cartridge and the sub tank has changed between the start time and the end time of the period.

According to the display control device configured in this way, information indicating how the remaining amount of the colorant contained in each of the cartridge and the sub tank changes between the start time and the end time of the period to be displayed. Is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user can know the past usage status of the cartridge and the sub tank.

(F) The image forming apparatus may include a plurality of cartridges in which a plurality of colorants of each color are contained and are replaced when the remaining amount of the stored colorants is exhausted. The memory control process is that the cartridge is replaced, the image forming apparatus executes printing, the printing mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus is cleaned, and the information acquisition date and time are set in advance. Of these, at least one may be set as an acquisition condition, and a process of acquiring consumables information and storing it in a storage unit may be included each time the acquisition condition is satisfied.

1 ... Image processing system, 10 ... Information processing device, 20 ... Image forming device, 11,21 ... Control unit, 12, 22 ... Storage unit, 12A ... Display control program, 13, 23 ... Display unit, 14, 24 ... Input Units, 15, 25 ... Communication unit, 26 ... Printing unit, 26A ... Recording head, 27 ... Cartridge detection unit, 28 ... Cartridge, 29 ... Sub tank, 30 ... LAN, 51 ... Graph display window, 53, 61, 63, 65 … Pop-up window, 55… Mouse cursor.

Claims (9)

Display and
Input section and
Memory and
Control unit and
It is a display control device equipped with
The control unit
Consumables information used to specify or estimate the remaining amount of each of the colorants of a plurality of colors used in the image forming apparatus is acquired every time a predetermined acquisition condition is satisfied, and stored in the storage unit. Memory control processing to make
Based on the consumables information stored in the storage unit by the memory control process, the plurality of periods included from the past time point to the present time point and the colorants of the plurality of colors changed in each of the plurality of periods. The first display process of graphing the relationship with the remaining amount for each of the plurality of colorants and displaying the graph display area including the plurality of graphs on the display unit.
By the input operation in the input unit, in the graph display area displayed on the display unit, an operation of designating at least one location on the graph for any one of the plurality of graphs can be performed. A selection process that, when performed, selects a colorant of one color corresponding to the designated graph and at least one period corresponding to at least one location on the designated graph. ,
The second display process of displaying the usage status information regarding the usage status of the colorant of the one color in the at least one period selected by the selection process on the display unit.
A display controller that is configured to run. The display control device according to claim 1.
The first display process includes a process of displaying the graph display area on the display unit, which includes a plurality of line graphs corresponding to the plurality of colorants as the plurality of graphs.
In the selection process, when an operation of designating at least one location on the line graph is performed on any one line graph included in the plurality of line graphs, the designated line graph is displayed. A process of selecting a corresponding one color colorant and at least one period corresponding to the at least one location on the one designated line graph.
Display control device. The display control device according to claim 1 or 2.
The second display process includes, in the at least one period selected by the selection process, at least one period in which the usage status of the one-color colorant is different from the other periods. Including a process of displaying cause information presumed to be a cause whose usage status is different from that of the other period in a mode different from information other than the cause information.
Display control device. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The second display process corresponds to the latest period when the latest period, which is the period up to the current time point, is included in the at least one period selected by the selection process. In addition to the usage status information, a process of displaying usage amount prediction information for predicting the usage amount of the colorant after the current time point on the display unit is included.
Display control device. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The image forming apparatus
A plurality of cartridges in which the colorants of the plurality of colors are contained and replaced when the remaining amount of the colorants contained in the colorants are exhausted.
A plurality of sub-tanks for temporarily storing the colorant supplied from each of the plurality of cartridges and supplying the stored colorant to the printing system.
With
The second display process corresponds to the latest period when the latest period, which is the period up to the current time point, is included in the at least one period selected by the selection process. In addition to the usage status information, the display includes a process of displaying on the display unit the predicted time when the remaining amount of the colorant contained in each of the cartridge and the sub tank is expected to run out.
Display control device. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The image forming apparatus
A plurality of cartridges in which the colorants of the plurality of colors are contained and replaced when the remaining amount of the colorants contained in the colorants are exhausted.
A plurality of sub-tanks for temporarily storing the colorant supplied from each of the plurality of cartridges and supplying the stored colorant to the printing system.
With
The second display process is the latest period when the at least one period selected by the selection process includes a period other than the latest period, which is the period up to the current time point. For periods other than the above, information indicating how the remaining amount of the colorant contained in the cartridge and the sub tank has changed between the start time and the end time of the period is displayed on the display unit. Including processing to do
Display control device. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The image forming apparatus
A plurality of cartridges in which the colorants of the plurality of colors are contained, and which are replaced when the remaining amount of the colorants contained in the colorants is exhausted.
With
In the memory control process, the cartridge is replaced, the image forming apparatus executes printing, the printing mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus is cleaned, and predetermined information acquisition is performed. The acquisition condition includes at least one of the date and time, and each time the acquisition condition is satisfied, the consumables information is acquired and stored in the storage unit.
Display control device. A display control method executed by the control unit in a display control device including a display unit, an input unit, a storage unit, and a control unit.
Consumables information used to specify or estimate the remaining amount of each of the colorants of a plurality of colors used in the image forming apparatus is acquired every time a predetermined acquisition condition is satisfied, and stored in the storage unit. To let and
Relationship between a plurality of periods included from a past time point to a present time point and the remaining amount of each of the plurality of color colorants changed in each of the plurality of periods based on the consumables information stored in the storage unit. Is graphed for each of the plurality of color colorants, and a graph display area including the plurality of graphs is displayed on the display unit.
By the input operation in the input unit, in the graph display area displayed on the display unit, an operation of designating at least one location on the graph for any one of the plurality of graphs can be performed. When done, selecting one color colorant corresponding to the designated one graph and at least one period corresponding to the at least one location on the designated one graph.
Displaying usage status information regarding the usage status of the one-color colorant in the selected at least one period on the display unit, and
Display control method including. In a display control device including a display unit, an input unit, a storage unit, and a control unit,
In the control unit
Consumables information used to specify or estimate the remaining amount of each of the colorants of a plurality of colors used in the image forming apparatus is acquired every time a predetermined acquisition condition is satisfied, and stored in the storage unit. Memory control processing to make
Based on the consumables information stored in the storage unit by the memory control process, the plurality of periods included from the past time point to the present time point and the colorants of the plurality of colors changed in each of the plurality of periods. The first display process of graphing the relationship with the remaining amount for each of the plurality of colorants and displaying the graph display area including the plurality of graphs on the display unit.
By the input operation in the input unit, in the graph display area displayed on the display unit, an operation of designating at least one location on the graph for any one of the plurality of graphs can be performed. A selection process that, when performed, selects a colorant of one color corresponding to the designated graph and at least one period corresponding to at least one location on the designated graph. ,
The second display process of displaying the usage status information regarding the usage status of the colorant of the one color in the at least one period selected by the selection process on the display unit.
A display control program that executes.

Images