JP2021150697A - Program, communication terminal, communication system, printer, and cartridge propriety confirmation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a program for making it possible, before a cartridge storing print material is mounted on a printer, to notify a user of propriety of the cartridge.SOLUTION: A printer program performs WiFi direct communication with a terminal program of a communication terminal. The terminal program acquires printer information from a printer through the WiFi direct communication and acquires picture data generated by a camera photographing a cartridge. The terminal program transmits the acquired printer information and picture data to a server (S28). The server, on the basis of the acquired picture data and printer information, determines whether or not the cartridge shown by the picture data is suitable for the printer shown by the printer information and generates propriety information (S29 to S32). The terminal program receives the propriety information transmitted by the server (S33) and makes the received propriety information be displayed on a touch panel (S36, S37).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a program implemented by a communication terminal, a communication terminal implementing the program, a communication system provided with the communication terminal, and a printer.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system including a digital multifunction device and a server. The digital multifunction device is equipped with a toner container. The toner container has an IC chip that stores identification information. The digital multifunction device reads the identification information from the IC chip and transmits the read identification information to the server. The server authenticates whether or not the toner container is appropriate based on the received identification information. When the server determines that it is appropriate, it sends a notification that the authentication is possible and the data associated with the identification information to the digital multifunction device. The digital multifunction device notifies the notification and the data.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-18102

With the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to determine whether or not the toner container is appropriate until the toner container is mounted on the digital multifunction device. If an improper toner container is installed in the digital multifunction device, poor quality toner may flow into the digital multifunction device. Poor quality toner causes the failure of the digital multifunction device.

The present invention provides a technique capable of notifying a user whether or not a cartridge for storing printing materials such as toner and ink is appropriate before being mounted on a printer such as a digital multifunction device. The purpose.

Various disclosures are made herein. The program of the disclosure example is implemented in a communication terminal including a display, a communication interface, a camera, and a CPU. The program is a printer information acquisition process for acquiring printer information from a printer communicating through the communication interface, and photographic data generated by the camera for imaging, which is photographic data for acquiring photographic data generated by imaging the cartridge. The acquisition process, the suitability information acquisition process for acquiring the suitability information indicating whether or not the cartridge indicated by the photo data is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information, and the suitability information based on the printer information and the photo data. Is executed by the CPU in the first display process of displaying the above on the display.

The program of the disclosure example acquires suitability information indicating whether or not the cartridge indicated by the photo data is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information, based on the photo data generated by imaging the cartridge and the printer information. Then, the program displays the acquired suitability information on the display. Therefore, the program according to the present invention can notify the user whether or not the cartridge is appropriate before the cartridge is mounted on the printer.

It is a functional block diagram of a printer 11, a communication terminal 12, and a server 13. It is a part of the processing executed by the printer program 34, the terminal program 47, and the server program 55. It is another part of the processing executed by the printer program 34, the terminal program 47, and the server program 55. It is yet another part of the processing performed by the printer program 34, the terminal program 47, and the server program 55. It is a figure which shows the management database. (A) is a diagram showing a first screen, (B) is a diagram showing a second screen, and (C) is a diagram showing a third screen. (A) is a diagram showing an error notification screen, and (B) is a diagram showing a first notification screen. (A) is a diagram showing a second notification screen, and (B) is a diagram showing a completion confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the process which the printer program 34, the terminal program 47, and the server program 55 execute in the modification 1. It is a figure which shows the process which the printer program 34 and the server program 55 execute in the modification 2. It is a figure which shows the process which the printer program 34, the terminal program 47, and the server program 55 execute in the modification 3.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It goes without saying that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, the execution order of each process described later can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Alternatively, a part of the processing described later can be omitted as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the communication system 10 including the communication terminal 12 and the server 13 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The communication system 10 is a system used by the user of the printer 11. The printer 11 is a printer in which a cartridge 15 for storing printing materials such as ink and toner is mounted and used. The user of the printer 11 uses the communication system 10 to confirm whether or not the cartridge 15 to be mounted on the printer 11 is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11. This will be described in detail below.

The printer 11 includes a CPU 21 which is a central processing unit, a printer memory 22, a touch panel 23, a printing unit 24, a scanner unit 25, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as a communication I / F) 26, and a cartridge interface. A 27 (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge I / F) and a communication bus 28 are provided. The CPU 21, the printer memory 22, and the communication bus 28 are realized by a pattern circuit board, an IC, a microcomputer, a resistor, a capacitor, a diode, a coil, or the like mounted on the pattern circuit board. The same applies to the CPU 41 and the terminal memory 42 described later, and the CPU 51 and the server memory 52 described later.

The communication bus 28 is connected to the CPU 21, the printer memory 22, the touch panel 23, the printing unit 24, the scanner unit 25, the communication I / F26, and the cartridge I / F27. That is, the CPU 21 which is a computer or a controller can read information and data from the printer memory 22 through the communication bus 28, and can store the information and data in the printer memory 22. Further, the CPU 21 can display an image on the touch panel 23 through the communication bus 28, and can accept the user's input through the touch panel 23. Further, the CPU 21 can drive the printing unit 24 to print an image on the sheet and drive the scanner unit 25 to scan the image through the communication bus 28. In addition, the CPU 21 can send and receive information and data through the communication bus 28 and the communication I / F 26. Further, the CPU 21 can read information and data from the CTG memory 17 described later through the communication bus 28 and the cartridge I / F 27, and can store the information and data in the CTG memory 17.

The touch panel 23 has a display 31 and a transparent plate-shaped touch sensor 32 superimposed on the display 31. The display 31 displays an image corresponding to the input image data. The touch sensor 32 outputs position information indicating the touched position. The touch sensor 32 is an example of the first input interface.

The printing unit 24 is a unit that prints an image on a sheet by using a recording method such as an inkjet recording method or a laser recording method. That is, the printer 11 may be an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or another type of printer. Hereinafter, an example in which the printer 11 is an inkjet printer will be described.

The scanner unit 25 is a device that scans an image on a sheet and outputs image data. That is, the printer 11 is a multifunction device having a printing function, a scanning function, and a copying function. The printer 11 may have only a printing function. Further, the printer 11 may further have other functions such as a fax function.

The communication I / F 26 is an interface for performing wired communication and wireless communication. Wired LAN can be mentioned as a wired communication. Examples of wireless communication include wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and WiFi Direct. The printer 11 can perform at least WiFi direct communication by the communication I / F26. The printer 11 communicates with the communication terminal 12 described later by WiFi direct communication through the communication I / F 26. If only one of the printer 11 and the communication terminal 12 has a function of performing WiFi direct communication, and the other has a function of performing WiFi wireless communication, the printer 11 and the communication terminal 12 will be connected. WiFi direct communication can be performed between them. In the following, at least the printer 11 is described as having a communication I / F 26 capable of WiFi direct communication. That is, it is assumed that the printer 11 establishes the WiFi direct communication communication from the communication terminal 12. Details will be described later. The communication I / F 26 is an example of the first communication interface.

The cartridge I / F 27 is an interface for communicating with the memory (hereinafter, referred to as CTG memory) 17 of the IC chip 16 included in the cartridge 15 described later. The cartridge I / F27 has an electrode or an antenna, or a light emitting diode and a photodiode. On the other hand, the IC chip 16 has an electrode or an antenna, or a light emitting diode and a photodiode. That is, the printer 11 communicates with the IC chip 16 through the electrodes, communicates with the IC chip 16 using the radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna, or communicates with the IC chip 16 using the light emitted by the light emitting diode. .. The CPU 21 reads information and data from the CTG memory 17 of the IC chip 16 through the cartridge I / F 27, or stores the information and data in the CTG memory 17. The CTG memory is an example of a cartridge memory.

The printer 11 may be a printer capable of only monochrome printing, or may be a so-called color printer capable of monochrome printing and color printing. When the printer 11 is a color printer, the printer 11 can be equipped with four cartridges 15 for storing, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black printing materials. In that case, the printer 11 includes a plurality of cartridges I / F27. One cartridge I / F 27 corresponds to one cartridge 15 that stores a printing material of one color.

The cartridge 15 has a resin case and an IC chip 16 attached to the case. The CTG memory 17 of the IC chip 16 stores the model number, CTG identification information, and remaining amount information. The CTG identification information is a serial number or the like that individually identifies the cartridge 15. The remaining amount information is information indicating the amount of printing material stored in the cartridge 15. The CTG memory 17 of the IC chip 16 of the unused cartridge 15 stores the initial remaining amount value, which is the amount of the printing material when the amount is full, as the remaining amount information. The remaining amount information is updated by the printer program 34 described later each time the printing material is used.

A logo is attached to the case of the cartridge 15. The logo is a character or graphic indicating the manufacturer of the cartridge 15. The logo may be affixed to the case by engraving on the mold that forms the case, may be affixed to the case by engraving, or a sticker with the logo printed may be affixed to the case. May be attached to the case. The logo may be attached to, for example, only one of a pair of main surfaces of a case having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, or may be attached to both of the pair of main surfaces.

A QR code (registered trademark) is attached to the case of the cartridge 15. The QR code is attached to the case, for example, by attaching a sticker on which the QR code is printed to the case. The QR code may be attached to only one of the pair of main surfaces of the case, or may be attached to both of the pair of main surfaces, for example.

The QR code indicates the URL that the web server publishes on the Internet 14. The information downloaded by the URL includes information such as type information indicating the type of the cartridge 15 and a model name of a printer that can use the cartridge 15. The type information includes, for example, the model number of the cartridge 15, color information indicating the color of the printing material such as ink and toner stored in the cartridge 15, and printing material information indicating the type of the printing material such as water-soluble ink and solvent-based ink. It also includes size information indicating the size of cartridges such as normal cartridges and large-capacity cartridges. For example, when a QR code is imaged by a camera mounted on a communication terminal, the reading program mounted on the communication terminal downloads information from a web server using the URL indicated by the QR code, and the type information indicated by the downloaded information or Display the model name on the touch panel. That is, the QR code has a function of providing information such as the type of the cartridge 15 to the user. The communication system 10 manages the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 by using this QR code. Details will be described later.

The printer memory 22 has a ROM 27, a RAM 29, an EEPROM 30, and a buffer (not shown). The printer memory 22 may include a portable storage medium such as a USB memory installed in a slot provided in the printer 11.

The EEPROM 30 stores printer identification information, history information, model names, and the like. The printer identification information is information that individually identifies the printer 11, such as a serial number and a MAC address. The history information is information in which CTG identification information, remaining amount information, color information, and the like are associated with each other. The CTG identification information and color information of the history information are read from the CTG memory 17 of the IC chip 16 of the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 and stored in the printer memory 22. That is, the history information is information indicating the history of the cartridge 15 used in the printer 11. The history information may include the date when the cartridge 15 was attached to the printer 11.

The ROM 27 stores the operating system OS 33 and the printer program 34. The RAM 29 is a calculation area when the OS 33 or the printer program 34 is executed by the CPU 21, and temporarily stores information and data.

The ROM 27 or EEPROM 30 stores screen data (not shown) indicating a home screen, a first screen, a second screen, or the like. The first screen, the second screen, and the like will be described later.

Further, the ROM 27 or the EEPROM 30 stores the SSID and password used for WiFi direct communication. The SSID and password will be described later.

The printer program 34 performs processes such as a history registration process for storing history information in the printer memory 22, a print process for causing the print unit 24 to execute printing, and an update process for updating the remaining amount information and history information after the print process is executed. To execute.

More specifically, the printer program 34 executes the history registration process when, for example, the cartridge 15 is replaced. Specifically, when the printer program 34 determines that the cartridge 15 is mounted on the printer 11, the printer program 34 reads the model number, CTG identification information, and remaining amount information from the CTG memory 17 through the cartridge I / F 27, and reads the model number and CTG identification. The information, the remaining amount information, and the date of attachment are stored in the printer memory 22.

The printer program 34 executes the print process based on the fact that the print data is input through, for example, the communication I / F 26. Specifically, the printer program 34 drives the print unit 24 based on the input print data to print the image indicated by the print data on the sheet.

The printer program 34 executes the update process based on the execution of the print process. Specifically, the printer program 34 counts the amount of printing material used in the printing process, and uses the count value and the remaining amount information included in the history information or the remaining amount information stored in the CTG memory 17. Then, the remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount after the execution of the printing process is calculated. Then, the printer program 34 updates the remaining amount information of the history information and the remaining amount information stored in the CTG memory 17 based on the calculated remaining amount information. The update process is executed for each cartridge 15 of each color.

The printer program 34 further executes a process (FIGS. 2 and 4) for the user to confirm whether or not the cartridge 15 to be mounted on the printer 11 is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11. The details of this process will be described later.

The communication terminal 12 is a device that has a wireless communication function and can be carried by a user. That is, the communication terminal 12 is a so-called mobile terminal. The communication terminal 12 is, for example, a smartphone (registered trademark) or a tablet.

The communication terminal 12 includes a CPU 41 which is a central processing unit, a terminal memory 42, a touch panel 43, a camera 44, a communication I / F 45, and a communication bus (not shown). The CPU 41, the terminal memory 42, the touch panel 43, the camera 44, and the communication I / F 45 are connected to the communication bus. The configuration of the touch panel 43 is the same as the configuration of the touch panel 23 described above. CUP 41 is an example of the first CPU and the first controller. The touch panel 43 is an example of a display, an input interface, and a second input interface.

The communication I / F 45 is an interface having a function of wirelessly communicating with a base station for mobile communication, a WiFi access point, and the like. The communication terminal 12 communicates with the server 13 described later through the communication I / F 45, the mobile communication network, and the Internet 14, and communicates with the printer 11 through the communication I / F 45. The communication I / F 45 is an example of a communication interface, a first communication interface, and a second communication interface.

The camera 44 has an image pickup device such as a CCD or CMOS, and is a device that generates photographic data by imaging.

The terminal memory 42 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, a buffer, and the like. The terminal memory 42 stores the operating system OS 46, the terminal program 47, the imaging program 48, and the terminal ID (not shown). The terminal program 47 and the imaging program 48 are so-called application programs. The terminal ID is information that individually identifies the communication terminal 12, such as a MAC address or an IP address.

The imaging program 48 is a program that receives a user's instruction through the touch panel 43 and drives the camera 44 according to the received user's instruction to cause the camera 44 to generate photographic data.

The terminal program 47 is a program that executes a process (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) for the user to confirm whether or not the cartridge 15 to be mounted on the printer 11 is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11. The details of this process will be described later. The terminal program 47 is an example of the program and the first program.

The terminal program 47 has a URL published by the server 13. The URL may be incorporated in the terminal program 47 in advance, or may be registered in the terminal program 47 by the user. The terminal program 47 communicates with the server 13 using the above URL. The URL published by the server 13 is an example of the designated URL.

Further, the terminal program 47 has screen data showing a first notification screen (FIG. 7 (B)), a second notification screen (FIG. 8 (A)), an end confirmation screen (FIG. 8 (B)), and the like. The terminal program 47 inputs screen data to the touch panel 43 through the OS 46, and displays the first notification screen or the like on the touch panel 43.

In addition, the terminal program 47 has user identification information. For example, the terminal program 47 accepts and acquires the input of user identification information when it is downloaded to the communication terminal 12. The user identification information is a user name, a user ID, or the like. The user name is an individual name, an organization name, or the like.

The OS 46 provides a sharing function to other programs such as the terminal program 47. The terminal program 47 acquires photographic data from the imaging program 48 by using the sharing function of the OS 46. Details will be described later.

The server 13 is a so-called web server that publishes a URL on the Internet 14. The server 13 is, for example, a server operated by the manufacturer of the printer 11, a rental server for which the manufacturer has the title of use, and the like.

The server 13 includes a CPU 51, which is a central processing unit, a server memory 52, and a communication I / F 53. The communication I / F 53 is connected to the Internet 14. The server 13 communicates with the communication terminal 12 through the communication I / F 53 and the Internet 14. The CPU 51 is an example of the second CPU and the second controller. The communication I / F 53 is an example of the second communication interface.

The server memory 52 is a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a buffer, or the like. The server memory 52 stores the operating system OS 54, the server program 55, and the management database. The management database may be stored in the memory of the so-called storage server. In this case, the memory of the storage server is a part of the server memory 52 of the server 13. The server program 55 is an example of a program and a second program. The terminal program 47 and the server program 55 are examples of programs.

The management database is a database that manages the cartridge 15 used in the printer 11. The management database has a plurality of columns and a plurality of records (rows), as shown in FIG. Each column has item names "printer identification information", "model name", "user identification information", "type (color)", "CTG usage order", "CTG identification information", "presence / absence of logo", and "appropriate". "Information", "QR information", "chip information", etc. are attached respectively.

The printer identification information is registered in the field of the column with the item name "printer identification information". In the field of the column with the item name "model name", the model name of the printer 11 indicated by the printer identification information is registered. User identification information is registered in the field of the column with the item name "user identification information". The color of the printing material stored in the cartridge 15 is registered in the field of the column with the item name "type (color)". For example, when the type of printer 11 indicated by the model name of the record is a color printer, "black", "cyan", "magenta", and "yellow" are the columns with the item name "type (color)". Registered in the field.

In the field of the column with the item name "CTG usage order", the usage order of the cartridge 15 in the printer 11 is registered. In the field of the column with the item name "CTG identification information", the CTG identification information of the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 is registered. In the field of the column with the item name "presence / absence of logo", "yes" or "no" indicating whether or not the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 has a logo is registered. "Yes" indicates that there is a logo. "None" indicates that there is no logo.

In the field of the column to which the item name "appropriate information" is attached, "appropriate" or "inappropriate" indicating whether or not the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11 is registered. “Appropriate” indicates that the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11. “Inappropriate” indicates that the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 is a cartridge that is not suitable for the printer 11.

In the field of the column with the item name "QR information", QR information which is the information indicated by the QR code attached to the case of the cartridge 15 used for the printer 11 is registered. In the field of the column with the item name "chip information", chip information which is information stored in the CTG memory 17 of the IC chip 16 of the cartridge 15 used for the printer 11 is registered.

The management database may further have columns with item names other than those described above. For example, the management database may have a column with the item name "photo data". In the field of the column with the item name "photo data", photographic data indicating an image of the cartridge 15 captured by the camera 44 of the communication terminal 12 is registered.

Item name "Printer identification information", "Model name", "User identification information", "Type (color)", "CTG usage order", "CTG identification information", "Presence / absence of logo", "Appropriate information", " The "QR information", "chip information", "photo data" and the like are registered in the management database by the server program 55. Item name "Printer identification information", "Model name", "User identification information", "Type (color)", "CTG usage order", "CTG identification information", "Presence / absence of logo", "Appropriate information", " The timing at which "QR information", "chip information", photo data, etc. are registered in the management database will be described later.

Hereinafter, the processes executed by the printer program 34, the terminal program 47, and the server program 55 when the user confirms whether or not the cartridge 15 to be mounted on the printer 11 is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11 will be described from FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.

The printer program 34 implemented by the printer 11 determines whether or not there is an amount of printing material capable of printing when an execution instruction for printing is input or periodically at predetermined time intervals (S11). .. For example, the printer program 34 determines that there is no printing material based on the remaining amount of history information stored in the printer memory 22 being less than the threshold value stored in advance in the printer memory 22 (S11: No). , It is determined that there is a printing material based on the remaining amount information being equal to or higher than the threshold value (S11: Yes). When the printer 11 is a color printer, the printer program 34 determines whether or not there is a printing material for each color.

When the printer program 34 determines that there is no printing material (S11: No), the printer program 34 displays the CTG exchange screen on the display 31 (S12). Specifically, the printer program 34 reads the screen data indicating the CTG exchange screen from the printer memory 22, inputs the read screen data to the display 31, and displays the CTG exchange screen on the display 31. The printer program 34 also displays the first screen, the second screen, and the like on the display 31 in the same manner.

The CTG replacement screen is a screen that prompts the user to replace the cartridge. The CTG replacement screen has, for example, the text "There is no ink. Please replace the cartridge." The user removes the cartridge 15 from which the printing material has been used up from the printer 11 according to the CTG exchange screen.

The printer program 34 determines whether or not the cartridge 15 has been removed from the printer 11 (S13). The determination in step S13 is executed periodically, for example, at predetermined intervals. The printer program 34 determines that the cartridge 15 has not been removed from the printer 11 by being able to access the CTG memory 17 through the cartridge I / F27, for example (S13: No), and cannot access the CTG memory 17, so that the cartridge 15 is not accessible. Is determined to have been removed from the printer 11 (S13: Yes). The printer 11 may be provided with a mounting sensor that detects whether or not the cartridge 15 is mounted. In that case, the printer program 34 determines whether or not the cartridge 15 has been removed from the printer 11 based on the detection signal output by the mounting sensor.

The printer program 34 repeatedly executes the process of step S13 until the cartridge 15 is removed from the printer 11 (S13: No). When the printer program 34 determines that the cartridge 15 has been removed from the printer 11 (S13: Yes), the printer program 34 displays the first screen on the display 31 (S14).

The first screen is a screen for asking the user whether or not to confirm whether or not the new cartridge 15 to be mounted on the printer 11 is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11. More specifically, the cartridge 15 manufactured by a person who is not related to the manufacturer of the printer 11 may store an inappropriate printing material that causes a malfunction in the printer 11 when used in the printer 11. Further, when the printer 11 is an inkjet printer that can use, for example, a cartridge 15 that stores water-based ink, the cartridge 15 that stores solvent-based ink is a cartridge 15 that is not suitable for the printer 11. If such a cartridge 15 is erroneously mounted on the printer 11, inappropriate printing material will flow into the printer 11. That is, the printer 11 is contaminated with an inappropriate printing material. The first screen asks whether or not to confirm whether or not the new cartridge 15 to be replaced is an appropriate cartridge 15 for storing an appropriate printing material before the new cartridge 15 to be replaced is attached to the printer 11. This is the screen for inquiring to the user.

On the first screen, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), the characters "Confirm the suitability of the cartridge", the characters "Do you want to confirm the suitability of the ink cartridge before replacement?", And the "Yes" icon. And with a "No" icon. The user selects the "Yes" icon when confirming the suitability of the cartridge 15, and selects the "No" icon when not confirming the suitability of the cartridge 15.

When the printer program 34 determines that the "No" icon is selected on the first screen (S15: No), the printer program 34 ends the process. Although not shown in the flowchart, when the printer program 34 determines that the new cartridge 15 has been attached to the printer 11 after the "No" icon is selected, the above-mentioned history registration process and print process are performed. Execute update processing, etc.

When the printer program 34 determines that the "Yes" icon is selected on the first screen (S15: Yes), the printer program 34 executes the processes after step S17. Before explaining the processing after step S17, the processing of step S16 will be described. When the printer program 34 determines that there is a printing material in step S11 (S11: Yes), it determines whether or not the confirmation mode is selected (S16). For example, the user causes the display 31 to display the confirmation mode selection screen via one or a plurality of screens from the home screen displayed on the display 31. The confirmation mode selection screen has, for example, the characters "Do you want to confirm the suitability of the ink cartridge?", The "Yes" icon, and the "No" icon. The printer program 34 determines that the confirmation mode has been selected based on the selection of the “Yes” icon on the confirmation mode selection screen (S16: Yes). The user selecting the confirmation mode on the confirmation mode selection screen, or the user selecting the "Yes" icon on the first screen is an example of the first step.

When the printer program 34 determines that the confirmation mode is not selected (S16: No), the printer program 34 ends the process. When the printer program 34 determines that the confirmation mode has been selected (S16: Yes), the printer program 34 executes the processes after step S17. That is, when the cartridge 15 is replaced, the user can confirm the suitability of the cartridge 15 to be mounted on the printer 11, and the new cartridge 15 purchased before the printing material stored in the cartridge 15 is used up. You can also check the suitability.

Next, the processing after step S17 will be described. The printer program 34 displays the second screen on the display 31 (S17). The second screen is a screen instructing the user to start the terminal program 47 of the communication terminal 12.

On the second screen, as shown in Fig. 6 (B), select the characters "Launch app" and "OK" after launching the mobile app. , A "OK" icon, and a "Cancel" icon. When confirming the suitability of the cartridge 15, the user selects the "OK" icon after starting the terminal program 47 (application) of the communication terminal 12. The user selects the "Cancel" icon if he / she does not confirm the suitability of the cartridge 15. Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, when the printer program 34 determines that the "Cancel" icon is selected on the second screen, the printer program 34 returns to the previous screen display. Specifically, the printer program 34 causes the display 31 to display the first screen or the confirmation mode selection screen.

The terminal program 47 executes the communication establishment process through the OS 46 based on the fact that it has been started (S21) (S22). On the other hand, the printer program 34 turns on the WiFi direct function (S18) and executes the communication establishment process (S19) based on the determination that the "OK" icon is selected on the first screen.

The communication establishment process is a process for establishing WiFi direct communication between the printer 11 and the communication terminal 12. The communication establishment process will be briefly described. The printer memory 22 of the printer 11 stores the SSID and the password. The user registers the SSID and password displayed on the display 31 of the printer 11 in the terminal program 47 of the communication terminal 12. That is, the terminal program 47 associates the SSID entered by the user with the password and stores them in the terminal memory 42. The printer program 34 transmits a beacon including the SSID through the communication I / F 26. The terminal program 47 transmits the response information including the password associated with the SSID included in the received beacon and the terminal ID through the communication I / F 45. The printer program 34 temporarily stores the received terminal ID in the RAM 29 or EEPROM 30 of the printer memory 22 and communicates based on the fact that the password included in the received response information matches the password stored in the printer memory 22. Confirmation information is transmitted through communication I / F26. The terminal program 47 temporarily stores the SSID in the RAM or the like of the terminal memory 42 based on the reception of the communication confirmation information. The printer program 34 and the terminal program 47 use the terminal ID temporarily stored in the printer memory 22 and the SSID temporarily stored in the terminal memory 42 to perform WiFi direct communication according to the WiFi communication protocol. The above-mentioned method for establishing communication is an example.

Since the printer 11 establishes communication with the communication terminal 12 by WiFi direct communication, it is possible to establish communication between the printer 11 and the communication terminal 12 even if the printer 11 is not connected to the LAN. Further, since the printer 11 has a function of performing WiFi direct communication, even if the communication terminal 12 has a function of performing WiFi communication and does not have a function of performing WiFi direct communication, the printer 11 It is possible to establish communication between the communication terminal 12 and the communication terminal 12.

The printer program 34 determines whether or not communication has been established with the communication terminal 12 (S20). When the printer program 34 determines that communication with the communication terminal 12 has not been established (S20: No), the printer program 34 displays an error notification screen on the display 31 (S23). For example, if the terminal program 47 is not implemented in the user's communication terminal 12, or if the user has not started the terminal program 47, communication is not established between the printer 11 and the communication terminal 12, and an error notification screen is displayed. Is displayed on the display 31. As shown in FIG. 7A, the error notification screen has the characters "Communication could not be established" and the "OK" icon. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer program 34 ends the process in response to the selection of the "OK" icon on the error notification screen. The printer program 34 may display the second screen again on the display 31 in response to the selection of the "OK" icon on the error notification screen.

When the printer program 34 determines that the communication with the communication terminal 12 has been established (S20: Yes), the printer program 34 transmits the command and the printer information to the communication terminal 12 through the communication I / F 26 (S24). The printer information includes printer identification information, model name, and history information.

The terminal program 47 of the communication terminal 12 receives commands and printer information through the communication I / F 45 (S24). The terminal program 47 stores the printer information in the terminal memory 42 according to the received command (S25). The process of step S24 in which the terminal program 47 receives the printer information is an example of the printer information acquisition process and the history information acquisition process.

Next, the terminal program 47 acquires photo data by using the sharing function provided by the OS 46 (S26, S27). Briefly, the terminal program 47 inputs to the OS 46 a command having a terminal program ID which is a program ID assigned to the OS 46 by the OS 46 and an imaging program ID assigned to the imaging program 48 by the OS 46. The OS 46 activates the imaging program 48 indicated by the imaging program ID of the command (S26), and delivers the terminal program ID to the activated imaging program 48. The activated imaging program 48 performs imaging according to the input of the user and acquires photographic data. Specifically, the user captures the entire cartridge 15 including the logo and the QR code with the camera 44. The imaging program 48 acquires the photographic data of the cartridge 15 generated by the camera 44 by imaging. The imaging program 48 passes the acquired photo data and the terminal program ID to the OS 46. The OS 46 transfers the transferred photo data to the terminal program 47 indicated by the terminal program ID. The terminal program 47 acquires the photographic data generated by the imaging of the cartridge 15 from the OS 46 (S27). The processing of steps S26 and S27 in which the terminal program 47 acquires photo data is an example of the photo data acquisition processing. The user taking an image of the cartridge 15 with the camera 44 is an example of the second step.

Since the terminal program 47 acquires photographic data using the sharing function of the OS 46, the user activates the imaging program 48 to perform imaging, and the photographic data generated by the imaging is designated by, for example, the terminal program 47. It is not necessary to move the photo data to a folder or the like and have the terminal program 47 acquire the photo data. That is, the terminal program 47 can reduce the time and effort of the user by using the sharing function.

The terminal program 47 waits until the photo data is acquired (S27: No). When the terminal program 47 determines that the photo data has been acquired (S27: Yes), the server 13 makes an HTTP request including the terminal ID, the command, the printer information, the photo data, and the user identification information, as shown in FIG. Sends through communication I / F45 to the URL published by (S28). Hereinafter, the transmission of information or data through the communication I / F 45 to the URL published by the server 13 by the communication terminal 12 will be described simply as "transmitting to the server 13." The process of step S28 in which the terminal program 47 transmits the HTTP request including the printer information and the photo data to the server 13 is an example of the first transmission process and the fifth transmission process.

The server program 55 of the server 13 receives the HTTP request transmitted by the communication terminal 12 through the communication I / F 53 (S28). The process of step S28 in which the server program 55 receives the HTTP request including the photo data is an example of the first reception process.

The server program 55 executes the process of step S29 according to the command included in the received HTTP request. Specifically, the shape data and the QR information are acquired based on the photographic data included in the received HTTP request. The acquisition of shape data and the acquisition of QR information will be described in detail below.

First, the acquisition of QR information will be described. As described above, the photographic data includes an image showing a QR code (hereinafter, also referred to as a QR image). The server program 55 acquires the URL published on the Internet 14 by the web server from the QR image. The server program 55 has a so-called QR reading program as a subprogram that acquires information such as a URL from the QR code. Alternatively, the server program 55 passes the QR image to the QR reading program implemented by the server 13 and acquires the URL from the QR reading program. The server program 55 sends a request to the acquired URL and acquires the type information indicating the type of the cartridge as QR information (S29). The web server and the server 13 that provide the QR information may be the same server.

Next, the shape data will be described. The server program 55 acquires CTG shape data indicating the shape of the cartridge 15 and logo shape data indicating the shape of the logo based on the acquired photographic data. The CTG shape data is data indicating all or part of the outline of the cartridge 15 or all or part of the shape of the cartridge 15. The shape of the cartridge 15 means a figure showing the shape inside the outline. The logo shape data is data indicating all or part of the outline of the logo, or all or part of the shape of the logo. The server program 55, for example, performs binarization processing on the photographic data and then performs edge processing to extract an outline and acquire CTG shape data and logo shape data (S29). The shape shown by the CTG shape data is an example of the first shape. The shape indicated by the logo shape data is an example of the second shape.

The server program 55 determines whether or not the acquired CTG shape data and logo shape data match the first judgment image and the second judgment image indicated by the judgment image data stored in the server memory 52, and the acquired QR information. It is determined whether or not the cartridge 14 indicated by is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11 indicated by the acquired printer information (S30). The first determination image is data showing the shape of the cartridge 15 that fits the printer 11 indicated by the printer information. The server memory 52 stores the first determination image for each type of the cartridge 15. Specifically, the server memory 52 stores a correspondence table in which the type information indicating the type of the cartridge 15 and the first determination image are associated with each other. The second judgment image is data showing an appropriate logo shape. When there are a plurality of types of logos, for example, the server memory 52 stores a correspondence table in which the type information indicating the type of the cartridge 15 and the type of the logo and the second determination image are associated with each other. The first judgment image is the entire outer shape of the cartridge 15, a characteristic part, and the like. The second judgment image is the entire outer shape of the logo, a characteristic part, and the like. The shape shown by the first judgment image is an example of the first basic shape. The shape shown by the second judgment image is an example of the second basic shape.

The server program 55 determines, for example, that the shape of the cartridge 15 indicated by the CTG shape data acquired in step S29 matches the first determination image according to the matching rate being equal to or greater than the first threshold value. Further, the server program 55 determines that the logo shape indicated by the logo shape data acquired in step S29 matches, depending on whether the match rate between the logo shape and the second determination image is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. Further, in the server program 55, the shape of the cartridge 15 indicated by the CTG shape data matches the first determination image, the logo shape indicated by the logo shape data matches the second determination image, and the QR information is displayed. Based on the fact that the indicated cartridge 14 is a cartridge suitable for the printer 11 indicated by the printer information, it is determined that they match (S30: Yes). In the server program 55, the shape of the cartridge 15 indicated by the CTG shape data does not match the first determination image, the logo shape indicated by the logo shape data does not match the second determination image, or the cartridge indicated by the QR information. It is determined that 14 does not match based on the fact that the cartridge does not match the printer 11 indicated by the printer information (S30: No). The server program 55 has the above-mentioned first threshold value in advance. Further, the method of determining whether or not they match is not limited to the method using the first threshold value.

If the server program 55 determines in step S30 that they do not match (S30: No), the server program 55 generates suitability information indicating "inappropriate" (S31). If the server program 55 determines in step S30 that they match (S30: Yes), the server program 55 generates suitability information indicating “suitable” (S32). The server program 55 returns the HTTP response including the command, the generated suitability information, and the type information to the communication terminal 12 through the communication I / F 53 (S33). The type information is the type information indicated by the QR information acquired in step S29. Specifically, the type information is the above-mentioned color information, printing material information, size information, and the like. The processes of steps S31 and S32 in which the server program 55 generates the suitability information are an example of the suitability information generation process. The process of step S33 in which the server program 55 returns the HTTP response including the suitability information to the communication terminal 12 is an example of the second transmission process.

Further, the server program 55 temporarily stores the terminal ID, printer information, suitability information, photo data, etc. received in step S28 in the terminal memory 42 in association with each other (S34). "Temporary memory" means that it is not registered in the management database. The server program 55 registers the terminal ID and the like temporarily registered in the terminal memory 42 in the management database in step S42.

The terminal program 47 of the communication terminal 12 receives the HTTP response transmitted by the server 13 through the communication I / F 45 (S33). The process of step S33 in which the terminal program 47 receives the HTTP response including the suitability information is an example of the suitability information acquisition process, the first reception process, and the second reception process.

The terminal program 47 determines whether the received suitability information indicates “appropriate” or “inappropriate” according to the command included in the received HTTP response (S35). When the terminal program 47 determines that the received suitability information indicates "suitable" (S35: suitability), the terminal program 47 displays the first notification screen on the display 31 (S36).

As shown in FIG. 7B, the first notification screen has the characters "It is a proper ink cartridge. Please install the ink cartridge in the printer." And the "OK" icon. The user selects the "OK" icon after confirming that the cartridge 15 to be replaced is an appropriate cartridge on the first notification screen.

When the terminal program 47 determines that the received suitability information indicates "inappropriate" (S35: unsuitable), the terminal program 47 displays the second notification screen on the display 31 (S37). As shown in Fig. 8 (A), the second notification screen is "The ink cartridge is not proper. Using this ink cartridge may cause a malfunction of the printer. Do you want to use it?" It has characters, a "use" icon, and a "not use" icon. When using the cartridge 15 to be replaced, the user selects the "use" icon and attaches the cartridge 15 to the printer 11. When the cartridge 15 to be replaced is not used, the user selects the "not used" icon to attach another cartridge 15 to the printer 11. The processing of steps S36 and S37 in which the terminal program 47 displays the first notification screen or the second notification screen on the display 31 is an example of the first display processing and the display processing. It is an example of the third step that the user activates the terminal program 47 to execute the processes of steps S36 and S37.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal program 47 determines whether the icon selected on the second notification screen is the “used” icon or the “not used” icon (S38). The process of step S38 in which the terminal program 47 accepts the user's selection of the "use" icon or the "not use" icon is an example of the selection acceptance process.

When the terminal program 47 determines that the selected icon is an "not used" icon (S38: not used), the terminal program 47 generates selection information indicating "not used" (S39). When the terminal program 47 determines that the selected icon is the "use" icon (S38: use), or determines that the "OK" icon is selected on the first notification screen, the terminal program 47 selects "use". Generate information (S40). The terminal program 47 generates an HTTP request including a command, a terminal ID, and the generated selection information, and transmits the generated HTTP request to the server 13 (S41). The process of step S41 in which the terminal program 47 transmits the HTTP request including the selection information to the server 13 is an example of the second transmission process.

The server program 55 of the server 13 receives the HTTP request transmitted by the communication terminal 12 through the communication I / F 53 (S41). The server program 55 executes the process of step S42 according to the command included in the received HTTP request. Specifically, the server program 55 specifies the suitability information or the like having a terminal ID that matches the received terminal ID, and specifies the suitability information or the like temporarily stored in the server memory 52 in step S34, and the specified suitability information or the like. And the selection information is registered in the management database (Fig. 5).

More specifically, the server program 55 determines whether or not a record having printer identification information that matches the printer identification information temporarily stored in the server memory 52 in step S34 is registered in the management database. When the server program 55 determines that a record having printer identification information matching the printer identification information temporarily stored in the server memory 52 is registered in the management database, the server program 55 generates a sub-record in the record having the printer identification information. , CTG usage order, temporarily stored type information, CTG identification information, presence / absence of logo, suitability information, QR information, photo data, etc. are registered in the generated sub-record. The CTG usage order is generated as a serial number by the server program 55 and registered in the management database.

Further, in the server program 55, for example, in step S30 described above, the logo is attached to the cartridge 15 based on the fact that the matching rate between the logo shape indicated by the logo shape data and the second determination image is less than the second threshold value. Judge that it is not done, and specify the presence or absence of the logo as "none". On the other hand, the server program 55 specifies the presence / absence of the logo as “yes” based on the match rate being equal to or higher than the second threshold value. The server program 55 registers the presence / absence of the specified logo in the management database.

Further, when the server program 55 determines that the sub-record having the CTG identification information that matches the CTG identification information of the history information is not included in the specified record, the server program 55 generates a sub-record, and the generated sub-record contains the history information. Register the CTG identification information of. If the history information includes the date when the cartridge 15 is mounted on the printer 11, the date may be registered in the generated sub-record.

When the server program 55 determines that the record having the printer identification information matching the printer identification information temporarily stored in the server memory 52 is not registered in the management database, the server program 55 generates a new record and generates it. The temporarily stored printer identification information, model name, user identification information, type information, CTG identification information, presence / absence of logo, suitability information, QR information, history information, photo data, etc. are registered in the recorded record. The registration of chip information in the management database is performed in step S55 described later.

If the selection information included in the HTTP request received by the server program 55 in step S41 indicates "not used", the process of step S42 for registering the suitability information and the like in the management database may be skipped. That is, the cartridge 15 that has not been used in the printer 11 does not have to be managed in the management database. However, the cartridge 15 that has not been used in the printer 11 may also be managed by the management database.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the printer program 34 of the printer 11 determines whether or not the cartridge 15 is mounted on the printer 11 (S51). The printer program 34 waits until the cartridge 15 is mounted on the printer 11 (S51: No). When the printer program 34 determines that the cartridge 15 is mounted on the printer 11 (S51: Yes), the printer program 34 transmits the chip information including the type information, the CTG identification information, and the remaining amount information stored in the CTG memory 17 through the cartridge I / F27. Read and acquire (S52).

On the other hand, the terminal program 47 of the communication terminal 12 transmits a command instructing to transmit the chip information to the printer 11 through the communication I / F 26 using the WiFi direct communication established in step S19 (S525). ). Upon receiving the command, the printer program 34 of the printer 11 transmits the command, chip information, and printer identification information to the communication terminal 12 through the communication I / F 26 using WiFi direct communication (S53). The command transmitted by the terminal program 47 to the printer 11 is an example of request information. The chip information is an example of cartridge information. The process of step S525 in which the terminal program 47 transmits a command to the printer 11 is an example of the third transmission process.

The terminal program 47 of the communication terminal 12 receives the command, the printer identification information, and the chip information transmitted by the printer 11 through the communication I / F 45 (S53). The process of step S53 in which the terminal program 47 receives the chip information is an example of the second reception process.

The terminal program 47 generates an HTTP request including the printer identification information and the chip information, the command, and the terminal ID according to the received command, and transmits the generated HTTP request to the server 13 (S54). The process of step S54 in which the terminal program 47 transmits the HTTP request including the chip information to the server 13 is an example of the fourth transmission process.

The server program 55 of the server 13 receives the HTTP request transmitted by the communication terminal 12 through the communication I / F 53 (S54). The server program 55 registers the chip information in the management database according to the command included in the received HTTP request (S55). More specifically, the server program 55 specifies a record having the same printer identification information as the received printer identification information in the management database, and registers the chip information in the specified record (S55).

The records registered in the management database will be described in more detail below. In the management database shown in FIG. 5, the sub-record in which "black" is registered in the column of the item "type (color)" and "1" or "2" is registered in the column of "CTG usage order" is , The data of the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 before the suitability of the cartridge 15 is confirmed by the terminal program 47 is shown. The CTG identification information registered in the sub-record is the CTG identification information included in the history information included in the printer information received by the server program 55 in step S28.

In the management database, the sub-record in which "black" is registered in the column of the item "type (color)" and "3", "4" or "5" is registered in the column of "CTG usage order" is a terminal. The data of the cartridge 15 whose suitability of the cartridge 15 is confirmed by the program 47 is shown. Then, the sub-record in which "3" is registered in the column of "CTG usage order" indicates that the cartridge 15 suitable for the printer 11 is mounted on the printer 11 and used. On the other hand, the sub-record in which "4" or "5" is registered in the column of "CTG usage order" indicates that the cartridge 15 unsuitable for the printer 11 is mounted on the printer 11 and used. In addition, the sub-record in which "5" is registered in the "CTG usage order" column is illegally imitated up to the logo because the presence or absence of the logo is "yes" and the suitability information is "inappropriate". Indicates that it is a copy product. That is, in the management database, it is possible to manage whether or not the cartridge 15 suitable for the printer 11 is used and whether or not an illegal copy product is used. In addition, the management database can also manage CTG identification information, chip information, and photographic data (not shown in FIG. 5) of illegally copied products.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal program 47 of the communication terminal 12 transmits the chip information to the server 13 and then displays the end confirmation screen on the display 31 (S56). On the end confirmation screen, as shown in Fig. 8 (B), the characters "Do you want to end the ink cartridge confirmation? Do you want to continue?", "Continue" icon, and "Exit" icon are displayed. Have. When replacing a plurality of cartridges 15, such as a cartridge 15 for storing magenta ink and a cartridge 15 for storing black ink, the user selects the "Continue" icon after the confirmation of one cartridge 15 is completed. do. If there is no other cartridge 15 to be confirmed, the user selects the "Exit" icon.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal program 47 determines whether the icon selected on the end confirmation screen is the “continue” icon or the “end” icon (S57). When the terminal program 47 determines that the selected icon is the "continue" icon (S57: continue), the terminal program 47 re-executes the processes after step S26 (FIG. 2). When the terminal program 47 determines that the selected icon is the "end" icon (S57: end), the terminal program 47 notifies the printer 11 that the WiFi direct communication is disconnected (S58), and executes the communication disconnection process (S59). ), End the process. Specifically, the terminal program 47 discards the SSID temporarily stored in the RAM of the terminal memory 42.

On the other hand, the printer program 34 of the printer 11 executes a communication disconnection process for discarding the terminal ID temporarily stored in the RAM 29 or the EEPROM 30 based on the notification transmitted by the communication terminal 12 being received through the communication I / F 26. , The WiFi direct function is turned off (S60), and the process ends.

[Action and effect of the embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the terminal program 47 implemented by the communication terminal 12 transmits the photo data and the printer information generated by the imaging of the cartridge 15 to the server 13, so that the cartridge 15 indicated by the photo data has the printer information. Acquires suitability information indicating whether or not the printer is suitable for the printer 11. The terminal program 47 causes the display 31 to display the first notification screen (FIG. 7 (B)) or the second notification screen (FIG. 8 (A)) including the acquired suitability information. Therefore, the terminal program 47 can notify the user whether or not the cartridge 15 is suitable for the printer 11 before the cartridge 15 is mounted on the printer 11. As a result, printing material that causes a failure of the printer 11 is prevented from accidentally flowing into the printer 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal program 47 transmits printer information and photo data to the server 13, receives the suitability information returned by the server 13, and acquires the suitability information. Therefore, the terminal program 47 does not need information for determining suitability based on the printer information and the photographic data. As a result, the program size of the terminal program 47 is reduced, and the program size of the terminal program 47 can be made smaller than or equal to the program size defined by the communication terminal 12. In addition, the processing load on the terminal program 47 is reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal program 47 transmits selection information indicating the user's selection of whether to use the inappropriate cartridge 15 or not to the server 13. Therefore, the server 13 can manage whether the cartridge 15 suitable for the printer 11 is used for the printer 11 or the cartridge 15 unsuitable for the printer 11 is used for the printer 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal program 47 transmits the chip information stored in the CTG memory 17 of the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11 to the server 13. Therefore, the server 13 can manage the chip information stored in the CTG memory 17 of the improper cartridge 15, such as an illegal copy product.

Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal program 47 acquires the history information from the printer 11 and transmits it to the server 13. Therefore, the cartridge 15 used in the printer 11 before the suitability is confirmed by the terminal program 47 can also be managed by the server 13.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the cartridge 15 is appropriate by using the shape of the logo in addition to the shape of the cartridge 15. Therefore, the suitability of the cartridge 15 is judged more accurately than the case where the suitability of the cartridge 15 is judged by the shape of the cartridge 15 without using the shape of the logo. Further, the server 13 can manage whether or not an illegal copy product imitating the logo is used in the printer 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal program 47 acquires photo data by using the sharing function provided by the OS 46. Therefore, the time and effort required for the user to operate the terminal program 47 is reduced as compared with the case where the terminal program 47 does not use the sharing function.

[Modification 1]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the server program 55 determines the suitability of the cartridge 15 has been described. In this modification, an example in which the terminal program 47 determines the suitability of the cartridge 15 will be described.

The processes executed by the printer program 34, the terminal program 47, and the server program 55 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same processing as that described in the embodiment is given the same step number as that in the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the configurations and processes other than the configurations and processes described below are the same as the configurations and processes described in the embodiments.

The printer program 34 of the printer 11 executes the processes of steps S11 to S20 and S23. Then, the terminal program 47 of the communication terminal 12 executes the processes of steps S21 and S22. That is, the communication of WiFi direct communication is established between the printer 11 and the communication terminal 12. Then, the printer program 34 transmits the printer information to the communication terminal 12 by the established WiFi direct communication (S24). Next, the terminal program 47 that has received the printer information executes the processes of steps S25 to S27 and S29 to S32. That is, the terminal program 47 acquires the photographic data obtained by capturing the image of the cartridge 15, acquires the shape data and the QR information from the acquired photographic data, and obtains the acquired shape data and the QR information and the first judgment image and the second judgment image. Is used to determine the suitability of the cartridge 15 shown in the photographic data and generate suitability information. The first determination image and the second determination image are stored in advance in the terminal memory 42 of the communication terminal 12.

Next, the terminal program 47 executes the processes of steps S34 to S40. That is, the terminal program 47 temporarily stores the generated suitability information and the like in the terminal memory 42, inquires the user whether or not to use the cartridge 15 which has been judged to be suitability, accepts the user's judgment on the inquiry, and receives the selection information. Generate.

On the other hand, the printer program 34 executes the processes of steps S51, S52, and S53. That is, the printer program 34 reads the chip information from the CTG memory 17 of the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11, and transmits the read chip information and the printer identification information to the communication terminal 12.

The terminal program 47 generates an HTTP request including received chip information, printer identification information, suitability information temporarily stored in the terminal memory 42, and a command, and transmits the generated HTTP request to the server 13. (S61). The process of step S61 in which the terminal program 47 transmits the HTTP request including the suitability information to the server 13 is an example of the second transmission process.

The server program 55 of the server 13 sets the printer identification information, the chip information, the suitability information, and the like included in the HTTP request in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment based on the command included in the HTTP request transmitted by the communication terminal 12. Register in the management database (S62).

The terminal program 47 executes the processes of steps S56 to S58 after transmitting the HTTP request to the server 13 (S61). On the other hand, the printer program 34 executes the process of step S60. That is, the user is inquired as to whether or not to continue the confirmation of the cartridge 15, and the process is terminated or continued.

[Action and effect of variant 1]
In this modification, as in the embodiment, the terminal program 47 can notify the user whether or not the cartridge 15 is suitable for the printer 11 before the cartridge 15 is mounted on the printer 11. As a result, printing material that causes a failure of the printer 11 is prevented from accidentally flowing into the printer 11.

Further, in this modification, since the suitability of the cartridge 15 is determined by the terminal program 47, it is possible to notify the user whether or not the cartridge 15 is suitable for the printer 11 without the server 13.

Further, in this modification, since the terminal program 47 transmits the suitability information and the chip information to the server 13, even if the terminal program 47 determines the suitability of the cartridge 15, the server manages the suitability information and the chip information. It can be done at 13.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the photographic data generated by the imaging of the cartridge 15 is transmitted to the server 13 has been described. In this modified example, scan image data generated by the scanner unit 25 of the printer 11 and generated by scanning the cartridge 15 will be transmitted to the server 13. The printer program 34 in this modification is an example of the program.

The communication system of this modification is composed of a printer 11 and a server 13. The printer 11 is connected to the Internet 14 via a LAN and a gateway device such as a router. That is, the printer 11 can communicate with the server 13 through the LAN, the gateway device, and the Internet 14.

Hereinafter, the processes executed by the printer program 34 and the server program 55 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same processing as that described in the embodiment is given the same step number as that in the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the configurations and processes other than the configurations and processes described below are the same as the configurations and processes described in the embodiments.

The printer program 34 of the printer 11 executes the processes of steps S11 to S16, and then displays the third screen on the display 31 (S71). The third screen is a screen instructing the user to scan the cartridge 15.

On the third screen, as shown in FIG. 6C, the characters "scan the ink cartridge" and the characters "scan the ink cartridge with the side with the logo and QR code facing down." , "OK" icon and "Cancel" icon. The user selects the "OK" icon or the "Cancel" icon on the third screen. Depending on the selection of the "OK" icon, the user sets the cartridge 15 in the scanner unit and scans the cartridge 15. The scanner unit 25 scans the cartridge 15 and generates scanned image data.

As shown in FIG. 10, the printer program 34 determines whether the icon selected by the user on the third screen is the "OK" icon or the "Cancel" icon (S72). When the printer program 34 determines that the "Cancel" icon is selected (S72: Cancel), the printer program 34 ends the process. When the printer program 34 determines that the "OK" icon is selected (S72: OK), the printer program 34 waits until the scanned image data generated by the scanner unit 25 is acquired (S73: No).

The printer program 34 generates an HTTP request including a command, printer information, and the scanned image data in response to the acquisition of the scanned image data (S73: Yes), and sends the generated HTTP request to the URL published by the server 13. Is transmitted via communication I / F26 (S74). That is, the printer program 34 transmits the generated HTTP request to the server 13. The URL published by the server 13 is stored in advance in the printer memory 22 of the printer 11 by a user or the like. The process of step S73 in which the printer program 34 acquires the scanned image data is an example of the image data acquisition process. The process of step S74 in which the printer program 34 transmits the HTTP request including the scanned image data to the server 13 is an example of the transmission process.

The server program 55 of the server 13 executes the processes of steps S29 to S32 according to the command included in the received HTTP request. That is, the server program 55 acquires the shape data and the QR information from the scan image data included in the HTTP request, and uses the acquired shape data and the QR information and the first judgment image and the second judgment image to obtain the scan image data. Determines the suitability of the cartridge 15 indicated by the above and generates suitability information. Then, the server program 55 generates an HTTP response including the generated suitability information, the command, and the type information, and returns the generated HTTP response to the printer 11 (S75). Further, the server program 55 temporarily stores the suitability information and the like in the server memory 52 (S34).

The printer program 34 receives the HTTP response returned by the server 13 through the communication I / F 26 (S75). Then, the printer program 34 executes the processes of steps S35 to S40. That is, the printer program 34 asks the user whether or not to use the cartridge 15, accepts the user's selection as to whether or not to use the cartridge 15, and generates selection information. Then, the printer program 34 generates an HTTP request including a command, printer identification information, and selection information, and transmits the generated HTTP request to the server 13 through the communication I / F 26 (S76). The process of step S75 in which the printer program 34 receives the HTTP response including the suitability information is an example of the suitability information reception process. The process of step S36 or S37 in which the printer program 34 displays the suitability information on the display 31 is an example of the display process.

The server program 55 receives the HTTP request transmitted by the printer 11 through the communication I / F 53 (S76). The server program 55 registers the suitability information and the like temporarily stored in the server memory 52 in the management database according to the command included in the received HTTP request (S42).

The printer program 34 executes the processes of steps S51 and S52 after executing the process of step S76. That is, the printer program 34 reads the chip information from the CTG memory 17 of the IC chip 16 of the cartridge 15 mounted on the printer 11. Then, the printer program 34 generates an HTTP request including the read chip information, the printer identification information, and the command, and transmits the generated HTTP request to the server 13 (S77).

The server program 55 registers the received chip information in the management database in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment according to the command included in the received HTTP request (S55).

After executing the process of step S77, the printer program 34 causes the display 31 to display an end confirmation screen having the same contents as the end confirmation screen shown in FIG. 8 (B) (S78). The user selects the "end" icon or the "continue" icon on the end confirmation screen. As shown in FIG. 10, the printer program 34 determines whether the icon selected by the user on the end confirmation screen is the "end" icon or the "continue" icon (S79). When the printer program 34 determines that the selected icon is the "continue" icon (S79: continue), the printer program 34 re-executes the processes after step S73. When the printer program 34 determines that the selected icon is the "end" icon (S79: end), the printer program 34 ends the process.

[Action and effect of variant 2]
In this modification, as in the embodiment, the printer program 34 can notify the user whether or not the cartridge 15 is suitable for the printer 11 before the cartridge 15 is mounted on the printer 11. As a result, printing material that causes a failure of the printer 11 is prevented from accidentally flowing into the printer 11.

Further, also in this modification, the server 13 can manage whether the proper cartridge 15 is used for the printer 11 or the inappropriate cartridge 15 is used.

[Modification 3]
In this modification, an example in which the terminal program 47 is downloaded to the communication terminal 12 based on the QR code attached to the cartridge 15 will be described.

In this modification, the terminal memory 42 of the communication terminal 12 stores a QR code reading program. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

The processes executed by the printer program 34, the terminal program 47, and the server program 55 will be described below with reference to FIG. Note that the same processing as that described in the embodiment is given the same step number as that in the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the processing other than the processing described below is the same as the configuration and processing described in the embodiment.

The printer program 34 of the printer 11 executes the processes of steps S11, S12, S13, and S16, and then displays a fourth screen (not shown) on the display 31 (S81). The fourth screen has, for example, the characters "Please read the QR code of the ink cartridge with the reading application of the communication terminal", the "Yes" icon, and the "No" icon. When confirming the suitability of the cartridge 15, the user selects the "Yes" icon, activates the reading application, and captures the QR code of the cartridge 15 with the camera 44. The user selects the "No" icon if he / she does not confirm the suitability of the cartridge 15.

The printer program 34 determines whether the icon selected on the fourth screen is a "yes" icon or a "no" icon (S82). When the printer program 34 determines that the selected icon is a "No" icon (S82: No), the printer program 34 ends the process.

When the user selects the "Yes" icon on the fourth confirmation screen, the reading program is started by the user (S83). The activated reading program acquires the QR image data generated by the camera 44 by capturing the QR code of the cartridge 15. Then, the reading program transmits an HTTP request to the URL of the server 13 indicated by the QR image data (S85).

The server program 55 of the server 13 that has received the HTTP request transmitted by the communication terminal 12 generates an HTTP response including the terminal program 47, and returns the generated HTTP response to the communication terminal 12 (S86). The process of step S86 in which the server program 55 returns the HTTP response including the terminal program 47 to the communication terminal 12 is an example of the download process.

The communication terminal 12 installs and starts the terminal program 47 included in the HTTP response returned by the server 13 (S87). If the terminal program 47 is not downloaded to the communication terminal 12, the user can recognize that the cartridge 15 is not an appropriate cartridge 15 because the terminal program 47 is not downloaded.

On the other hand, when the user starts the reading program and downloads the terminal program 47, the user selects the "Yes" icon on the fourth screen. When the printer program 34 determines that the "Yes" icon is selected on the fourth screen (S82: Yes), the printer program 34 executes the processes after step S18. On the other hand, the terminal program 47 downloaded and started by the communication terminal 12 executes the processes after step S21. The process of step S28 in which the server program 55 receives the HTTP request including the photo data is an example of the reception process. The process of step S33 in which the server program 55 transmits the HTTP response including the generated suitability information to the communication terminal is an example of the transmission process. The process of step S42 in which the server program 55 registers the suitability information in the management database is an example of the registration process.

[Action and effect of variant 3]
In this modification, the server program 55 can notify the user of the suitability of the cartridge 15 by using the terminal program 47 downloaded to the communication terminal 12, and is registered in the management database by using the terminal program 47. It is possible to collect printer information and suitability information.

[Other variants]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the printer 11 and the communication terminal 12 communicate with each other by WiFi direct communication has been described. However, the printer 11 and the communication terminal 12 may communicate with each other via a LAN. Specifically, the printer 11 is connected to a LAN having an access point. The communication terminal 12 communicates with the printer 11 through the access point and the LAN, and acquires printer information, chip information, and the like from the printer 11.

The terminal program 47 described in the above-described embodiment or modification may be a plug-in program.

10 ... Communication system 11 ... Printer 12 ... Communication terminal 13 ... Server 15 ... Cartridge 17 ... CTG memory 21 ... CPU
22 ... Printer memory 25 ... Scanner unit 26 ... Communication I / F
27 ... Cartridge I / F
31 ... Display 34 ... Printer program 41 ... CPU
42 ... Terminal memory 43 ... Touch panel 44 ... Camera 45 ... Communication I / F
46 ... OS
47 ... Terminal program 48 ... Imaging program 51 ... CPU
52 ... Server memory 53 ... Communication I / F
55 ... Server program

Claims (16)

A program implemented in a communication terminal including a display, a communication interface, a camera, and a CPU.
The printer information acquisition process for acquiring printer information from the printer communicating through the communication interface, and
Photo data acquisition processing for acquiring photographic data generated by imaging of a cartridge, which is photographic data generated by the camera.
Based on the printer information and the photographic data, a suitability information acquisition process for acquiring suitability information indicating whether or not the cartridge indicated by the photo data is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information, and
A program that causes the CPU to execute a first display process for displaying the suitability information on the display. The suitability information acquisition process is
The first transmission process of transmitting the printer information and the photographic data to the server through the communication interface, and
The program according to claim 1, further comprising a first reception process of receiving the suitability information transmitted by the server through the communication interface. The suitability information acquisition process is
It is determined that the shape indicated by the photographic data is suitable based on the coincidence between the shape indicated by the photographic data and the basic shape stored in the terminal memory of the communication terminal, and the shape indicated by the photographic data and the basic shape do not match. The program according to claim 1, further comprising a process of acquiring the suitability information by determining the suitability based on the above. The program according to claim 3, wherein the CPU further executes a second transmission process of transmitting the suitability information and the printer information to the server through the communication interface. Based on the suitability information indicating that the cartridge indicated by the photographic data is not suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information, the communication terminal is provided with selection information indicating selection of whether or not to use the cartridge. Selection acceptance processing accepted through the interface and
The program according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the CPU further executes a second transmission process of transmitting the selection information to the server through the communication interface. A third transmission process of transmitting request information indicating a request for transmitting cartridge information stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge mounted on the printer to the printer through the communication interface.
A second reception process for receiving the cartridge information transmitted by the printer, and
The program according to any one of claims 2, 4, and 5, which causes the CPU to further execute a fourth transmission process of transmitting the cartridge information to the server through the communication interface. History information stored in the printer memory of the printer, which is composed of cartridge information acquired from the cartridge memory of the past cartridge mounted on the printer, is acquired through the communication interface. Information acquisition processing and
The program according to any one of claims 2, 4, 5, and 6, wherein the CPU further executes a fifth transmission process of transmitting the history information to the server through the communication interface. The suitability information acquisition process is
A process of acquiring the first shape, which is the shape of the whole or part of the cartridge, and the second shape, which is the shape of the whole or part of the logo composed of characters and figures written on the cartridge, based on the photographic data. When,
Based on the fact that the first shape matches the first basic shape stored in the terminal memory of the communication terminal, and the second shape matches the second basic shape stored in the terminal memory. The suitability information is acquired by determining that it is suitable and determining that it is unsuitable based on the fact that the first shape does not match the first basic shape or the second shape does not match the second basic shape. The program of claim 1 or 3, comprising processing. The photo data acquisition process is
Claims 1 to 8 include a process of activating an imaging program implemented by the communication terminal using a sharing function provided by an OS implemented by the communication terminal and acquiring photographic data generated by the imaging program. The program described in any of. A communication terminal that implements any of the programs of claims 1 to 9. A first program implemented in a communication terminal having a display, a first communication interface, a camera, and a first CPU,
A program including a second communication interface and a second program implemented on a server having a second CPU.
The first program is
The printer information acquisition process for acquiring printer information from the printer communicated through the first communication interface, and
Photo data acquisition processing for acquiring photographic data generated by imaging of a cartridge used in a printer, which is photographic data generated by the camera.
The first CPU is made to execute the first transmission process of transmitting the printer information and the photographic data to the server through the first communication interface.
The second program is
The first reception process of receiving the printer information and the photographic data through the second communication interface, and
Based on the received printer information and the photographic data, a suitability information generation process for generating suitability information indicating whether or not the cartridge indicated by the photo data is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information, and a suitability information generation process.
The second CPU is made to execute the second transmission process of transmitting the generated suitability information to the communication terminal through the second communication interface.
The first program is
The second reception process of receiving the suitability information through the first communication interface, and
A program for causing the first CPU to execute a display process for displaying the received suitability information on the display. A communication terminal having a display, a first communication interface, a camera, and a first controller,
A communication system including a second communication interface and a server having a second controller.
The first controller is
The printer information acquisition process for acquiring printer information from the printer communicated through the first communication interface, and
Photo data acquisition processing for acquiring photographic data generated by imaging of a cartridge used in a printer, which is photographic data generated by the camera.
The first transmission process of transmitting the printer information and the photographic data to the server through the first communication interface is executed.
The second controller is
The first reception process of receiving the printer information and the photographic data through the second communication interface, and
Based on the received printer information and the photographic data, a suitability information generation process for generating suitability information indicating whether or not the cartridge indicated by the photo data is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information, and a suitability information generation process.
The second transmission process of transmitting the generated suitability information to the communication terminal through the second communication interface is executed.
The first controller is
The second reception process of receiving the suitability information through the first communication interface, and
A communication system that executes a display process of displaying the received suitability information on the display. A printer having a first communication interface and a first input interface, having a printer used by mounting a cartridge, a display, a second communication interface, a second input interface, and a camera, and implementing a terminal program. This is a method for confirming the suitability of a cartridge using a communication terminal and a server having a third communication interface.
The first step of enabling the communication function with the communication terminal through the first communication interface, and
The second step of activating the terminal program and imaging the cartridge with the camera,
Photo data generated by imaging and printer information acquired from the printer by the communication terminal through the second communication interface are transmitted to the server using the communication terminal, and the suitability information returned by the server. A third step of displaying the suitability information indicating whether or not the cartridge indicated by the photographic data is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information on the communication terminal, and a method of confirming the suitability of the cartridge provided. A program implemented in a printer equipped with a display, a communication interface, a memory, a scanner, and a CPU.
An image data acquisition process for acquiring scan image data generated by scanning a cartridge used in a printer, which is scan image data generated by the scanner.
A transmission process of transmitting the printer information stored in the memory and the scanned image data to the server through the communication interface.
The suitability information reception process of receiving the suitability information transmitted by the server and indicating whether or not the cartridge indicated by the scanned image data is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information is received through the communication interface.
A program that causes the CPU to execute a display process for displaying the suitability information on the display. A printer that implements the program according to claim 14. A server equipped with a communication interface, server memory, and CPU, which is a program implemented in the server that publishes a specified URL.
A download process for causing the communication terminal to download the terminal program through the communication interface based on a request transmitted by the communication terminal that captures the code indicating the designated URL by the camera.
The information and data transmitted by the terminal program downloaded to the communication terminal, the printer information acquired by the terminal program from the printer, and the photographic data generated by the camera of the communication terminal by imaging the cartridge. Receive processing to receive and
Based on the received printer information and the photographic data, a suitability information generation process for generating suitability information indicating whether or not the cartridge indicated by the photo data is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information, and a suitability information generation process.
A transmission process of transmitting the generated suitability information to the communication terminal through the communication interface, and
A program that causes the CPU to execute a registration process for storing the suitability information and the printer information in the server memory.

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