JP2021037617A - Consumable management device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the conditions under which a printing operation is interrupted or temporarily stopped during replenishment or replacement of a consumable.SOLUTION: A consumable management device 10 includes: an ink residual transition storage part 12 which stores residual transition data indicating a residual of each consumable reducing along with execution of printing, in association with elapsed time, for a plurality of consumables of the same kind used in a printer 1; an ink consumption management part 11 which calculates a consumption rate of each of the consumables by using the residual transition data read from the ink residual transition storage part 12 when a residual of a predetermined consumable has reduced to a predetermined lower limit, and determines a replacement priority for each of the consumables according to the consumption rate of each of the consumables; and an ink replacement notification part 15 which notifies a notification device of a preferential order of replacement work of each of the consumables in accordance with the replacement priorities of each of the consumables.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for managing consumables of an image forming apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for predicting the degree of consumption of consumables over time and determining the replacement priority of consumables.

In Patent Document 1, in order to prevent printing interruption due to running out of ink, printing is started only when the planned ink consumption amount of the print target data is smaller than the remaining amount of ink in the printing device, and printing is performed in other cases. Disclose a technology that prohibits the use of ink cartridges and encourages replacement of ink cartridges.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-194872

However, in the case of mass printing such as leaflet printing using roll paper, the estimated amount of ink consumed during printing is significantly larger than the remaining amount of ink in the printing apparatus, and the technique of Cited Document 1 is applied to the mass printing printing technique. It is inherently difficult to divert it to.

In the case of mass printing, for example, since a plurality of pages are continuously printed on a paper surface having a length of several kilometers, a continuous printing technique that does not interrupt the printing operation is required. In addition, a large amount of ink is required for mass printing. Therefore, in mass printing, it is necessary to replenish or replace ink or printing paper without interrupting or pausing the printing operation.

In this regard, a method of performing the work based on the replenishment / replacement notification notified when the ink amount reaches the lower limit can be considered. However, the work time for ink replacement and the like differs for each user, and even when the ink amount reaches the lower limit value, the ink is not always emptied immediately. In other words, in mass printing, the judgment factors related to ink replacement are uncertain, and there is a problem that it is difficult to replenish or replace consumables such as ink and printing paper without interrupting or pausing the printing operation. It was.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve a situation in which a printing operation is interrupted or paused when replenishing or replacing consumables.

In order to solve the above problems, the consumables management device according to the present invention reduces the remaining amount of each consumable that decreases with the execution of the printing process for a plurality of consumables of the same type used in the image forming device over time. A storage unit that stores the remaining amount transition data shown correspondingly, and when the remaining amount of the predetermined consumables drops to a predetermined lower limit value, the remaining amount transition data read from the storage unit is used to each of the above. A management unit that calculates the consumption rate of consumables and determines the replacement priority of each consumable based on the consumption rate of each consumable, and replacement of each consumable according to the replacement priority of each consumable. It is characterized by including a notification unit that notifies the notification device of the priority order of work.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the printing operation is interrupted or paused when replenishing or replacing consumables.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the consumables management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the consumables management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the ink remaining amount transition data and the ink exchange work state. It is a figure which shows the example of the ink remaining amount transition data. It is a figure which shows the example of the approximate curve. It is a figure which shows the example of the analysis result of the ink exchange history and the ink exchange work.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Printing device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing device 1 according to the present embodiment. The printing device 1 is a printer that performs mass printing using roll paper. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a consumables management device 10, an ink cartridge 21, a spare ink tank 22, an ink supply unit 23, a printing paper 24, and a printing paper transport. Unit 25, image forming unit 26, first ink remaining amount detecting unit 27, second ink remaining amount detecting unit 28, ink remaining amount output unit 29, operation panel 31, signal light 32, speaker 33. , Equipped with.

[Functions other than consumables management device]
First, the functions of each functional unit other than the consumables management device 10 will be described.

The ink cartridge 21 is a container filled with ink, is portable, and is detachably attached to the printing apparatus 1. For example, the ink cartridge 21 is four ink cartridges filled with inks of each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black).

The spare ink tank 22 is a container for spare ink, and is formed on the ink path between the ink cartridge 21 and the image forming unit 26. The spare ink tank 22 fills the inside of the tank with the ink output from the ink cartridge 21, and when the ink in the ink cartridge 21 is exhausted, the ink inside the tank is supplied.

The ink supply unit 23 has a function of supplying the ink of the ink cartridge 21 to the image forming unit 26 by controlling the pressure in the ink path to a positive pressure or a negative pressure. Further, the ink supply unit 23 further has a function of supplying the ink of the spare ink tank 22 to the image forming unit 26 when the ink in the ink cartridge 21 is exhausted.

The printing paper 24 is roll paper. For example, the printing paper 24 is an A2 size roll paper having a width of 420 mm and a length of 20 km.

The printing paper transport unit 25 has a function of transporting the printing paper 24 to the image forming unit 26 at a constant speed. For example, the printing paper transport unit 25 is a transport belt or the like.

The image forming unit 26 has a function of forming image data to be printed on the surface of the printing paper 24 by ejecting ink onto the printing paper 24 while synchronizing with the conveying speed of the printing paper 24. For example, the image forming unit 26 is an inkjet head or the like that ejects ink onto printing paper.

The first ink remaining amount detecting unit 27 has a function of detecting the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 21.

The second ink remaining amount detecting unit 28 has a function of detecting the ink remaining amount in the spare ink tank 22.

The ink remaining amount output unit 29 has a function of outputting the ink remaining amount value of each color ink detected by the first ink remaining amount detecting unit 27 and the second ink remaining amount detecting unit 28 to the operation panel 31. For example, the ink remaining amount output unit 29 periodically outputs the ink remaining amount value (%) of each color ink of CMYK in the ink cartridge 21.

The operation panel (notification device) 31 is a touch display for setting the number of prints, the print density, and the like, and executing or stopping the print process. Further, the operation panel 31 has a function of displaying the ink remaining value of each color ink output from the ink remaining amount output unit 29 in a color-coded manner for each ink.

The signal light 32 (notification device) has a function of visually notifying the state of the printing device 1 and the printing operation to the outside, such as when a jam occurs, the printing paper runs out, or the front door of the printing device 1 is open. To be equipped. For example, the signal light 32 lights green during normal operation and blinks red when ink is exhausted.

The speaker 33 (notifying device) has a function of aurally notifying the state of the printing device 1 and the printing operation to the outside. For example, the speaker 33 emits a buzzer sound when the ink is depleted.

In addition to the above-mentioned functional units (21 to 29, 31 to 33), the printing device 1 has a receiving unit that receives a print job from the outside of the printing device 1, a print job storage unit that stores the print job, and a RIP for the print job. It also includes an image conversion unit and the like that perform processing (Raster Image Processor) and color conversion processing and output the bitmap image generated by those processing to the image forming unit 26. Since the print job is RGB color digital data created by an external application and cannot be printed as it is, the image conversion unit can read the image forming unit 26 and can print using ink in CMYK colors. Convert to a bitmap image.

[Functions of consumables management device]
Next, the function of the consumables management device 10 will be described. The consumables management device 10 is a computer that manages the ink consumption status, notifies the ink replacement, manages the ink replacement status, and the like in the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the consumables management device 10 according to the present embodiment includes an ink consumption management unit 11, an ink remaining amount transition storage unit 12, an ink replacement management unit 13, and an ink replacement history storage unit 14. , Ink exchange notification unit 15.

The ink consumption management unit (management unit) 11 acquires the ink remaining value of each color ink detected by the first ink remaining amount detecting unit 27 and the second ink remaining amount detecting unit 28, respectively, and obtains the ink remaining amount value of each acquired color ink. It has a function of managing the ink remaining amount value in association with the printing time and storing it in the ink remaining amount transition storage unit 12 as the ink remaining amount transition data.

Further, when the ink remaining amount of the predetermined color ink drops to a predetermined lower limit value (for example, 10%), the ink consumption management unit (management unit) 11 displays the ink remaining amount transition data from the ink remaining amount transition storage unit 12. Is read out, the consumption rate of each color ink is calculated using the read ink remaining amount transition data, and the replacement priority of each color ink is determined based on the calculated consumption rate of each color ink.

For example, the ink consumption management unit (management unit) 11 has a first ink remaining amount detecting unit 27 that has an ink remaining amount after the color ink A that has previously detected that there is no ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 21. When the second ink remaining amount detecting unit 28 predicts that the color ink B that has detected the absence is detected that the remaining amount of ink in the spare ink tank 22 is exhausted first, the color detected first. Even during the ink cartridge replacement work of ink A, it is recommended to change the ink replacement order so as to give priority to the ink cartridge replacement work of the color ink B detected later. This suppresses the situation where the printing operation is interrupted or paused when replenishing or replacing consumables.

Further, the ink consumption management unit (management unit) 11 has a function of determining the replacement priority of each color ink by further using the ink remaining amount of each color ink in addition to the consumption speed of each color ink. For example, when the consumption rate of the color ink A is faster than that of the color ink B, a recommended method of preferentially replacing the ink cartridge of the color ink A can be considered. However, when the ink remaining amount of the color ink A is significantly larger than that of the color ink B, the ink of the color ink B may be exhausted first. In this case, it is recommended to preferentially replace the ink cartridge of the color ink B having a slow consumption rate.

In addition, the ink consumption management unit (management unit) 11 further uses actual data (for example, replacement time, replacement start timing, etc.) of the time required for replacement of each color ink in addition to the consumption speed of each color ink. It has a function to determine the ink replacement priority. The actual data related to the replacement of each color ink is stored in the ink replacement history storage unit 14. For example, it is necessary to immediately replace a predetermined color ink, and it may be desirable to consume the expensive color ink or the color ink having a small number of stocks to the end as much as possible. In addition, the exchange time varies depending on the user's experience. Therefore, for example, it is recommended to preferentially replace the ink cartridge for the color ink that requires a short replacement time or the color ink that has an early replacement start timing.

Further, the ink consumption management unit (management unit) 11 extracts a plurality of fixed points (for example, three) having different times from each other from the ink remaining amount transition data for the predetermined color ink, and approximates the extracted fixed points along the plurality of fixed points. A function to obtain a line and calculate the consumption rate of the color ink, the depletion time until the color ink is depleted from the spare ink tank 22, and the depletion time using the approximate straight line when the obtained approximate line is an approximate straight line. To be equipped.

Further, in the ink consumption management unit (management unit) 11, when the approximate line obtained above is an approximate curve, specifically, the variation of each tangent line (each consumption speed, each slope) at a plurality of extracted fixed points is equal to or greater than the threshold value. In the case of, it has a function of newly obtaining an approximate curve connecting a plurality of consumption speeds at different times and calculating the consumption speed of consumables based on the new approximate curve. Specifically, the ink consumption management unit (management unit) 11 has the latest fixed point in time among the plurality of extracted fixed points, and a predetermined printing unit (for example, printing 1) from the latest fixed point. A new approximate curve connecting a plurality of the latest fixed points (for one page or one printing surface) and a plurality of (for example, three) fixed points is newly obtained, and the consumption rate and depletion of color ink are used using the new approximate straight line. Calculate the time and depletion time.

The ink remaining amount transition storage unit (storage unit) 12 indicates the ink remaining amount of each color ink, which decreases with the execution of the printing process, for each color ink used in the printing device 1, according to the passage of time. It has a function to store the ink so that it can be read.

The ink replacement management unit 13 has a function of managing replenishment / replacement of the ink cartridge 21. For example, the ink replacement management unit 13 replenishes the ink in the ink cartridge 21, or replaces the ink cartridge 21, the date when the ink cartridge 21 is replaced, the ink cartridge removal time (replacement start time), the installation time (replacement end time), and the replacement. Time, replacement start timing, validity information of working time, etc. are associated and managed in chronological order for each color ink, and stored in the ink replacement history storage unit 14 as ink replacement history data.

The ink exchange history storage unit 14 has a function of readablely storing the above-mentioned ink exchange history data indicating the results of ink exchange.

The ink replacement notification unit (notification unit) 15 has a function of notifying the operation panel 31, the signal light 32, and the speaker 33 of the priority order of the replacement work of each color ink according to the replacement priority of each color ink. For example, the ink replacement notification unit 15 superimposes and displays a cartridge image of a color ink having a high replacement priority on a cartridge image of a color ink having a low replacement priority on the display of the operation panel 31. In addition, the ink replacement notification unit 15 may additionally display the cartridge image of the color ink having a high replacement priority in parallel with the cartridge image of the color ink having a low replacement priority, or make the color distinguishable. It may be changed and displayed, or it may be displayed as a message indicating that the exchange order has been changed or the exchange priority has been changed.

[Operation of consumables management device]
Next, the operation of the consumables management device 10 will be described. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a processing flow of the consumables management device 10. FIG. 3 shows the ink remaining amount transition data and the ink replacement work status used in this operation example.

The consumables management device 10 notifies the user during the ink replacement work of the replacement of the ink cartridge replacement order based on the ink consumption speed or the like in order to suppress the interruption or suspension of the printing operation. Specifically, when the remaining amount of ink falls below the threshold value of the ink cartridge 21, it is necessary to replace the ink, but even in that case, the ink is not exhausted immediately. On the other hand, if it takes time to replace the ink, the ink that consumes a large amount of ink may become less than the threshold value and be exhausted during that time. Therefore, when the ink consumption falls below the threshold, the time and time from the transition of the ink consumption to the depletion are estimated, and it is determined whether there is any other ink below the threshold or depleted within that time or by the time, and the ink is consumed more. If there is a significant amount of ink, the replacement of the ink is given priority and displayed.

Step S1;
First, the ink consumption management unit 11 acquires the ink remaining value of the ink cartridge 21 of each color ink from the first ink remaining amount detecting unit 27, and the acquired ink remaining value is the threshold value of the ink cartridge 21 (for example, 10). %) Is determined. If it falls below the threshold value of the ink cartridge 21, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it does not fall below the threshold value of the ink cartridge 21, step S1 is repeated until the threshold value falls below the threshold value.

Step S2;
When the ink remaining value falls below the threshold value of the ink cartridge 21, the ink consumption management unit 11 replaces the ink cartridge of the target color ink (hereinafter, the target color ink) in order to prompt the replacement of the color ink below the threshold value (hereinafter, the target color ink). Note) is generated to indicate the notification information. For example, the ink consumption management unit 11 generates notification information in which the ink cartridge remaining amount of the target color ink is “low”. Then, the ink exchange notification unit 15 notifies the operation panel 31 and the signal light 32 of the notification information. After that, the operation panel 31 displays an image (for example, an image blinking yellow) prompting the replacement of the ink cartridge of the target color ink. The signal light 32 blinks yellow.

Step S3;
Next, the ink consumption management unit 11 refers to the ink remaining amount transition data of the ink remaining amount transition storage unit 12, extracts three different fixed points from the ink remaining amount transition data of the target color ink, and extracts the three extracted points. Find an approximate line along a fixed point.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of ink remaining amount transition data. The horizontal axis is the transport distance of the printing paper, but it may be the time axis as in FIG. The remaining amount of ink in Y is plotted with a cross mark, and the remaining amount of ink in B is plotted with a diamond mark. The ink consumption management unit 11 sets each transport distance point of about 2 km, 8 km, and 15 km as a fixed point position on the x-axis, and sets each ink remaining amount corresponding to them as a fixed point position on the y-axis, and sets each of the three fixed points. The quadratic curve (y = ax ² + bx + c) is obtained using the coordinates S1 (x ₁ , y ₁ ), S2 (x ₂ , y ₂ ), and S3 (x ₃ , y _3). Since Y is consumed linearly, its quadratic curve is almost a straight line (approximate straight line). On the other hand, the quadratic curve of K is a curve (approximate curve).

Step S4;
Next, the ink consumption management unit 11 calculates each tangent line (slope) at the three fixed points using the approximate line obtained in step S3. For example, the ink consumption management unit 11 differentiates the quadratic curve (y = ax ² + bx + c) obtained in step S3 at each of the coordinates S1 to S3 of the three fixed points, so that each inclination at each of the three fixed points ( Δx) is calculated respectively.

Step S5;
Next, the ink consumption management unit 11 determines whether or not the variation of the slopes (Δx) of the three fixed points calculated in step S3 is less than the threshold value. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, since the quadratic curve of Y is a substantially straight line (approximate straight line), the variation in the slopes of the three fixed points is less than the threshold value. On the other hand, since the quadratic curve of B is a curve having a high curvature (approximate curve), the variation in the slopes of the three fixed points is equal to or greater than the threshold value. If the variation in the slopes of the three fixed points is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S7, and if the variation is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S6.

Step S6;
When the variation in the slopes of the three fixed points is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the ink consumption management unit 11 changes two of the three fixed points and newly obtains an approximate line from the three new fixed points. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge replacement order is determined using an approximate line indicating the ink consumption rate, but if it is an approximate straight line indicating a linear consumption rate, the ink depletion time and the depletion time can be predicted almost accurately. Although possible, it is difficult to predict in the case of an approximate curve. Therefore, the ink consumption management unit 11 newly obtains an approximate curve in order to improve the prediction accuracy of the ink depletion time and the like.

Specifically, the ink consumption management unit 11 considers that the fluctuation of the inclination seen from a bird's-eye view is large, and sets the latest fixed point S3 in time, which more accurately represents the ink consumption tendency, as a reference point. The ink consumption management unit 11, as shown in FIG. 5 enlarged dashed line frame in FIG. 4, the fixed point S3 is a reference point _(x 3, _{y 3)} of the front 2akm _(x 3 -2a, y ₍ x ₃ -2a)) is set as the fixed point S1', and (x _3- a, y (x _3- a)) in the foreground is set as the fixed point S2', and the coordinates of each of the new three fixed points combined with the fixed point S3 of the reference value. Recalculate the quadratic curve from. In addition, "a" of "front 2akm" and "front akm" is, for example, the length of one printing surface in the sub-scanning direction (the direction in which the roll paper is conveyed).

Step S7;
Next, the ink consumption management unit 11 uses the approximate line (approximate straight line) obtained in step S3 or the new approximate line (approximate curve) obtained in step S6 to transfer the target color ink from the spare ink tank 22. Calculate the depletion time and depletion time until depletion. Both the approximate straight line and the approximate curve are quadratic curves.

Step S8;
Next, the ink consumption management unit 11 acquires the ink remaining value of the ink cartridge 21 of the target color ink from the first ink remaining amount detecting unit 27, and determines whether or not the acquired ink remaining value is zero. To do. If the ink remaining amount value of the ink cartridge 21 is zero, the process proceeds to step S9, and if the ink remaining amount value is not zero, step S8 is repeated until the ink remaining amount value becomes zero.

Step S9;
When the ink remaining amount value of the ink cartridge 21 is zero, there is a high possibility that the ink consumption of the spare ink tank 22 will start and the ink will run out. Therefore, the ink consumption management unit 11 replaces the ink cartridge of the target color ink (warning). ) Is generated. For example, the ink consumption management unit 11 generates notification information in which the ink cartridge remaining amount of the target color ink is “none”. Then, the ink exchange notification unit 15 notifies the operation panel 31, the signal light 32, and the speaker 33 of the notification information. After that, the operation panel 31 displays an image (for example, an image blinking red) prompting the replacement of the ink cartridge of the target color ink. The signal light 32 blinks red. The speaker 33 emits a buzzer sound.

Step S10;
Next, the ink consumption management unit 11 inquires of the ink replacement management unit 13 about the start status of ink cartridge replacement, and determines whether or not the replacement of the ink cartridge of the target color ink has been started based on the inquiry result. When the replacement of the ink cartridge of the target color ink is started, the process proceeds to step S11, and when the replacement is not started, step S10 is repeated until the replacement is started.

Here, the case of Y and K color inks will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of Y, the ink consumption management unit 11 notifies the ink replacement (caution) at the time t1 when the ink remaining amount value falls below the threshold value of the ink cartridge 21. Then, the ink consumption management unit 11 obtains an approximate line (approximate straight line) representing the consumption rate of Y, and calculates the depletion time t6 until Y is depleted from the spare ink tank 22. After that, the ink consumption management unit 11 notifies the ink replacement (warning) at the time t2 when the ink remaining amount value of the ink cartridge 21 becomes zero.

Similarly, in the case of K, the ink consumption management unit 11 notifies the ink replacement (caution) at the time t3 when the ink remaining amount value falls below the threshold value of the ink cartridge 21. Then, the ink consumption management unit 11 obtains an approximate line (approximate curve) representing the consumption rate of K, and calculates the depletion time t5 until K is depleted from the spare ink tank 22. After that, the ink consumption management unit 11 notifies the ink replacement (warning) at the time t4 when the ink remaining amount value of the ink cartridge 21 becomes zero.

Hereinafter, the current processing time is set to time t4. Further, it is assumed that the ink replacement work of Y is started at time t2.

Step S11;
Next, the ink consumption management unit 11 acquires the ink remaining value of the ink cartridge 21 of each color ink from the first ink remaining amount detecting unit 27, and other color inks other than the target color ink (hereinafter, other target color inks). It is determined whether or not the ink remaining value of the ink cartridge 21 according to the above is zero. If the ink remaining amount value of the ink cartridge 21 related to the other target color ink is also zero, the process proceeds to step S12 in order to prevent the printing operation from being interrupted or paused. If the ink remaining amount value is not zero, the process proceeds to step S14. move on.

Step S12;
Next, the ink consumption management unit 11 determines the ink replacement priority using the ink consumption speed of the target color ink and the other target color ink, that is, the ink depletion time and the depletion time. For example, the ink consumption management unit 11 compares the depletion time of the target color ink and the other target color ink, and the depletion time of the other target color ink detected later is higher than the depletion time of the target color ink detected earlier. Judge whether it is early or not. If the exhaustion time of the other target color ink detected later is earlier, the process proceeds to step S13, and if the exhaustion time of the other target color ink detected later is later, the process proceeds to step S14.

Step S13;
If the exhaustion time of the other target color ink detected later is earlier, the ink consumption management unit 11 indicates that the ink replacement order is changed because it is necessary to prioritize the replacement work of the ink cartridge of the other target color ink. Generate broadcast information. Then, the ink exchange notification unit 15 notifies the operation panel 31, the signal light 32, and the speaker 33 of the notification information. After that, the operation panel 31 superimposes and displays the cartridge image of the other target color ink having a high replacement priority on the cartridge image of the target color ink having a low replacement priority. Further, the signal light 32 lights a color with high urgency. The speaker 33 emits a louder buzzer sound.

For example, in the case of FIG. 3, the replacement work of Y was started at time t2, and the ink remaining value of the ink cartridge 21 of K became zero during the replacement work of Y at time t4. At this time, the ink consumption management unit 11 compares the depletion time t6 of Y and the depletion time t5 of K, and since K is depleted earlier (depletion time t5> depletion time t6), the replacement work of Y is interrupted. However, it is recommended to change the order of the replacement work so that the replacement work of K is performed first. As a result, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the printing operation is interrupted or paused.

In addition, the ink consumption management unit 11 may determine the replacement priority based on the magnitude of the ink depletion time instead of the ink depletion time. Further, the ink replacement notification unit 15 may additionally display the cartridge image of the color ink having a high replacement priority in parallel with the cartridge image of the color ink having a low replacement priority, or may change the color. It may be displayed, or it may be displayed as a message indicating that the exchange order has been changed or the exchange priority has been changed.

Step S14;
Finally, the ink replacement management unit 13 adds information regarding replenishment / replacement of the ink cartridge to the ink replacement history data of the ink replacement history storage unit 14. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the ink replacement history and the analysis result of the ink replacement work. The ink replacement history is, for example, No (item number), date, replacement start time, replacement end time, ink type, and replacement start timing. The analysis result of the ink replacement work is the validity of the time required for the ink replacement work, and is added based on the comparison result between the actual replacement work time obtained from the ink replacement history and the standard time required for the replacement work. .. In this operation example, the replacement work of Y is started first, the replacement work of K is performed during the replacement work, and then the replacement of Y is completed. The exchange history in which the exchange start / end time of K is within the exchange time of Y is No. It is newly stored as 4.

[Modification 1]
In the present embodiment, the ink replacement priority is determined by using the ink consumption rate (ink depletion time and depletion time). On the other hand, even when the ink consumption speed is high, if the ink remaining amount is large, it is not necessary to give priority to the subsequent replacement work until the earlier replacement work is interrupted. Therefore, the ink consumption management unit 11 may determine the ink replacement priority according to the size of the ink remaining amount of the target color ink.

[Pattern 1]
When the ink level is low, a pattern in which the replacement priority is immediately replaced can be considered. For example, when the ink remaining value of Y falls below the threshold value, if the ink remaining amount of K is close to the threshold value and the consumption speed of K is faster than Y, the replacement work of K is prioritized.

[Pattern 2]
If the amount of ink remaining is large, a pattern in which the replacement priority is changed later can be considered. For example, when the remaining amount of ink in Y falls below the threshold value and the remaining amount of ink in K is significantly larger than the threshold value, the replacement work of Y is notified first. After that, when the ink remaining amount of K is below the threshold value and the consumption speed of K is faster than Y, the replacement work of K is prioritized.

[Modification 2]
In the present embodiment, the ink replacement priority is determined by using the ink consumption rate (ink depletion time and depletion time). On the other hand, the ink replacement work differs depending on the user's experience, the ink inventory status, and the like. Therefore, the ink consumption management unit 11 may determine the ink replacement priority by utilizing the ink replacement history data related to the ink replacement. For example, from the ink replacement history data, it is possible to learn the time required for the replacement work, the time from the detection of the decrease in the remaining amount of ink to the start of the replacement work, the time for continuing printing without replacing the consumables, and the like. Therefore, the ink consumption management unit 11 may determine the ink replacement priority based on the learning data.

[Modification 3]
In this embodiment, ink has been described as an example of consumables. In addition to the ink, the consumables may be, for example, a plurality of roll papers or a plurality of general-purpose papers having different paper colors, paper qualities, or sizes.

[Modification example 4]
The consumables management device 10 may be mounted on a client device on the cloud capable of communicating with the printing device 1 instead of the printing device 1. In that case, the consumables management device 10 receives the data necessary for managing the consumables from the printing device 1 and transmits the notification information to the printing device 1.

[Other]
The printing device 1 and the consumables management device 10 described in this embodiment can be realized by an existing printing machine and computer provided with a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, an input / output interface, and the like. It is also possible to construct the operation of the consumables management device 10 as a program, install it on a computer and execute it, or distribute it via a communication network. The printing device 1 is an example of an image forming device. The encapsulation and sealing device attached to the printing device 1 can also be included in the target device.

[effect]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the consumables management device 10, the ink remaining amount transition storage unit 12 reduces the ink residue of each color ink used in the printing device 1 as the printing process is executed. The remaining amount transition data indicating the amount corresponding to the passage of time is stored, and when the ink consumption management unit 11 reduces the ink remaining amount of the predetermined color ink to a predetermined lower limit value, the remaining amount transition data is stored. The consumption speed of each color ink is calculated using the ink, the replacement priority of each color ink is determined based on the calculated consumption speed of each color ink, and the ink replacement notification unit 15 replaces each color ink according to the replacement priority of each color ink. Since the priority order of work is notified to the operation panel 31, the signal light 32, and the speaker 33, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the printing operation is interrupted or paused when replenishing or replacing consumables. For example, the user can preferentially replace the ink having the faster consumption speed based on the priority order of the replacement work displayed on the operation panel 31, so that the notification information (error information, etc.) when there is no ink remaining can be used. It is possible to reduce the downtime of the printing operation based on the printing operation.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the ink consumption management unit 11 determines the replacement priority of each color ink by further using the ink remaining amount of each color ink in addition to the consumption speed of each color ink, so that consumables can be replenished. It is possible to reliably and appropriately suppress the situation where the printing operation is interrupted or paused in the replacement.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the ink consumption management unit 11 determines the replacement priority of each color ink by further using the actual data of the time required for replacement of each color ink in addition to the consumption speed of each color ink. It is possible to reliably and appropriately suppress the situation where the printing operation is interrupted or paused when replenishing or replacing consumables.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the variation of each consumption rate at a plurality of different times is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the ink consumption management unit 11 obtains an approximate curve connecting the plurality of consumption rates at different times, and uses the approximate curve. Since the consumption rate of a predetermined color ink is calculated based on this, it is possible to more reliably and appropriately suppress the situation where the printing operation is interrupted or paused in the replenishment / replacement of consumables.

[Additional Notes]
This application discloses the following inventions.

(Appendix 1)
A storage unit that stores remaining amount transition data that indicates the remaining amount of each consumable that decreases with the execution of printing processing for a plurality of consumables of the same type used in the image forming apparatus in accordance with the passage of time.
When the remaining amount of the predetermined consumable has decreased to the predetermined lower limit value, the consumption rate of each of the consumables is calculated using the remaining amount transition data read from the storage unit, and the consumption rate of each of the consumables is calculated. Based on the management department that determines the replacement priority of each consumable item,
A notification unit that notifies the notification device of the priority order of replacement work of each consumable according to the replacement priority of each consumable.
A consumables management device characterized by being equipped with.

(Appendix 2)
The management department
The consumables management device according to Appendix 1, wherein the replacement priority of each consumable is determined by further using the remaining amount of each consumable in addition to the consumption rate of each consumable.

(Appendix 3)
The management department
The description in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the replacement priority of each consumable is determined by further using the actual data of the time required for replacement of each consumable in addition to the consumption rate of each consumable. Consumables management device.

(Appendix 4)
The management department
When the variation of each consumption speed at a plurality of different times is equal to or greater than the threshold value, an approximate curve connecting a plurality of consumption speeds at different times is obtained, and the consumption speed of a predetermined consumable is calculated based on the approximate curve. The consumables management device according to any one of Appendix 1 to 3.

1 ... Printing device 10 ... Consumables management device 11 ... Ink consumption management unit 12 ... Ink remaining amount transition storage unit 13 ... Ink replacement management unit 14 ... Ink replacement history storage unit 15 ... Ink replacement notification unit 21 ... Ink cartridge 22 ... Spare Ink tank 23 ... Ink supply unit 24 ... Printing paper 25 ... Printing paper transport unit 26 ... Image forming unit 27 ... 1st ink remaining amount detection unit 28 ... 2nd ink remaining amount detection unit 29 ... Ink remaining amount output unit 31 ... Operation Panel 32 ... Signal light 33 ... Speaker

Claims (4)

A storage unit that stores remaining amount transition data that indicates the remaining amount of each consumable that decreases with the execution of printing processing for a plurality of consumables of the same type used in the image forming apparatus in accordance with the passage of time.
When the remaining amount of the predetermined consumable has decreased to the predetermined lower limit value, the consumption rate of each of the consumables is calculated using the remaining amount transition data read from the storage unit, and the consumption rate of each of the consumables is calculated. Based on the management department that determines the replacement priority of each consumable item,
A notification unit that notifies the notification device of the priority order of replacement work of each consumable according to the replacement priority of each consumable.
A consumables management device characterized by being equipped with. The management department
The consumables management device according to claim 1, wherein the replacement priority of the consumables is determined by further using the remaining amount of the consumables in addition to the consumption rate of the consumables. The management department
The invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in addition to the consumption rate of each consumable, the actual data of the time required for replacement of each consumable is further used to determine the replacement priority of each consumable. Consumables management device. The management department
When the variation of each consumption rate at a plurality of different times is equal to or greater than the threshold value, an approximate curve connecting a plurality of consumption rates at different times is obtained, and the consumption rate of a predetermined consumable is calculated based on the approximate curve. The consumables management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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