JP4103548B2 - Program, printer host and ink remaining amount management method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for managing the remaining amount of consumables in a printing system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to allow a user to easily purchase consumables, particularly ink cartridges, in a printing apparatus such as a printer, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, when the remaining ink level of an ink cartridge falls below a predetermined first threshold value, the ink cartridge Is displayed, and a Web page where an ink cartridge can be purchased can be accessed from this screen.
[0003]
When the user does not replace the ink cartridge, for example, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge falls below a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, a Web that can purchase the ink cartridge again. It is described that a screen prompting the purchase of an ink cartridge that can access the page is displayed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-123384 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, an ink cartridge is composed of a black ink cartridge filled with black ink and a color ink cartridge filled with a plurality of color inks such as cyan, magenta, and yellow in one ink cartridge. Is described assuming two cases. For this reason, in a color ink cartridge including a plurality of ink colors, whether to display a screen for accessing a web page where the ink cartridge can be purchased based on whether or not the ink color with the smallest remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value. It was enough to judge.
[0006]
In recent years, in order to improve the quality of color printing, a printing system in which the number of color inks is increased and printing is performed using, for example, black ink and six color inks has been put into practical use.
[0007]
In such a printing system, in order to improve the convenience for the user, not all the color inks are accommodated in one cartridge, but one ink cartridge is filled with one color ink and each is made independent. The format is often adopted. In this case, a printing system that performs printing with black ink and six color inks includes a total of seven ink cartridges.
[0008]
In a printing system equipped with a large number of ink cartridges, if the screen for accessing a web page where ink cartridges can be purchased is displayed based on the same standard as before, a plurality of ink remaining amounts for each ink cartridge are set. It will be displayed every time the threshold value is reached or less, which is bothersome for the user.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to improve a user's feeling of use in a printing system that prompts the user to purchase an ink cartridge based on the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A program for causing a computer to function as a printer host connected to a printer that performs printing using a plurality of ink cartridges,
The computer,
Ink remaining amount acquisition means for acquiring the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge;
Ink remaining amount storage means for storing the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge;
Whether or not there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount has increased by comparing the remaining ink amount acquired by the remaining ink amount acquiring unit with the remaining ink amount stored in the remaining ink amount storing unit. Determination means for determining whether or not
A reference value setting unit that is commonly applied to the plurality of ink cartridges and sets a reference value for determining that the remaining amount of ink is low;
A warning is displayed when the remaining ink level of any of the plurality of ink cartridges falls below the reference value. And accepting instructions from users Function as a warning display,
The reference value setting means includes
When an instruction from a user is received by the warning display means, or When it is determined by the determination means that there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount has increased, the smallest one of the remaining ink amounts of the plurality of ink cartridges is extracted, and among the values that can be taken as the reference value, Select the maximum value that is less than the remaining amount of extracted ink and use it as the reference value
It is a program characterized by this.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the present invention. A printing system 1 including a computer 30 and a printer 10 is connected to a computer network, for example, the Internet 70, and uses various services provided on the Internet 70, for example, browsing of Web pages, electronic information Can be transmitted and received.
[0018]
A Web server 60 is connected to the Internet 70 to open a Web site. The Web site established by the Web server 60 provides a service for applying online for the purchase of consumables of the printer 10, such as ink cartridges. The printing system 1 holds a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) of a Web page for consumables purchase application. For example, when the remaining amount of the ink cartridge decreases, a screen for accessing this Web page is displayed. Thus, the user is prompted to apply for purchase.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of the printing system 1 configured by including the computer 30 and the printer 10.
[0020]
The computer 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 that performs processing based on various programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32 that temporarily stores data, programs, and the like, various data for controlling the computer 30, and a startup time For example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33 in which a program for storage is stored in a non-volatile manner, and an interface 34 for controlling transmission / reception of data to / from a peripheral device such as the connected printer 10. In this embodiment, the computer 30 functions as a printer host.
[0021]
The computer 30 includes a display device 21 such as a color display, an input device 22 such as a mouse and a keyboard, a media reading device 23 that reads data from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a built-in or external auxiliary storage device 24, And the communication control apparatus 25 for connecting to the internet 70 is connected. However, the configuration of the computer 30 is not limited to this.
[0022]
The printer 10 is, for example, an ink jet color printer. An ink jet color printer includes a plurality of ink cartridges filled with ink in a casing, and performs printing by spraying the ink from a print head onto a print medium such as a recording sheet.
[0023]
The printer 10 includes an interface 11 that controls communication with the computer 30 such as data reception, a CPU 12 that performs processing based on various programs, a RAM 13 that temporarily stores print data and the like, and a printer 10 that controls the printer 10. ROM 14 in which various data, various programs and the like are stored in advance in a nonvolatile manner, a print head for ejecting ink, a carriage drive mechanism for driving a carriage on which the print head is mounted, a paper feed mechanism, and a print medium supply / discharge And a print engine 15 including a paper supply / discharge mechanism for performing processing. However, the configuration of the printer 10 is not limited to this.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the print engine 15. As shown in the figure, the print engine 15 supports a carriage 101 for mounting a plurality of ink cartridges 107 (107a to 107g), an ink jet print head 110 supported by the carriage 101, and the carriage 101. A carriage mechanism 120 that reciprocates in the line direction and a paper feed mechanism 130 that feeds the paper P are provided.
[0025]
The carriage mechanism 120 includes a timing belt 121 connected to the carriage 101 and a carriage motor 123 that reciprocates the timing belt 121. The carriage motor 123 reciprocates the carriage 101 in the paper width direction of the recording paper P while being guided by the guide member 104 via the timing belt 121.
[0026]
An ink jet print head 110 is attached to the carriage 101 on the surface facing the recording paper P, and in the example shown in the drawing, the lower surface. The print head 110 is held on the carriage 101. The print head 110 is supplied with ink from the ink cartridge 107, ejects ink droplets onto the recording paper P in accordance with the movement of the carriage 101, forms dots, and prints images, characters, and the like on the recording paper P.
[0027]
The ink cartridges 107a to 107g are independent of each other, and an ink storage chamber formed in each ink cartridge is filled with black (K) or color ink. The color ink can be, for example, cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), yellow (Y), or dark yellow (DY).
[0028]
In this embodiment, seven ink cartridges 107 can be mounted on the carriage 101, and a black (K) or color ink cartridge 107 can be mounted at each mounting position. It is like that.
[0029]
The mounting positions of the ink cartridges 107 are determined in advance. For example, six of the seven mounting positions have yellow (Y), light magenta (LM), magenta (M), and light cyan (LC). ), Cyan (C), and black (K) in this order. The remaining one mounting position is determined so that either black (K) or dark yellow (DY) ink cartridges are mounted. This is dark yellow (DY), which is a color ink for improving the quality of printing, and is not always necessary depending on the purpose of printing, the type of printing medium, and the like, and is frequently used at the discretion of the user. This is to enable selective mounting with black (K).
[0030]
In the print head 110, nozzle openings (not shown) corresponding to seven ink cartridges are arranged for each column.
[0031]
Each ink cartridge 107 includes a storage element. This storage element stores information indicating the color of ink filled in the ink cartridge 107 and information indicating the remaining amount of ink. Further, information regarding the type, version, manufacturer, manufacturing time, etc. of the ink cartridge may be further stored.
[0032]
The storage element has a connection terminal exposed, and is electrically connected to an electrode provided on the carriage 101 when the ink cartridge 107 is mounted on the printer 10. Accordingly, information such as ink color and ink remaining amount can be exchanged between each ink cartridge 107 and the printer 10. The memory element can be constituted by, for example, an EEPROM provided with a memory cell, a read / write controller, an address counter, and the like.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration constructed on the printing system 1. In this figure, a print control unit 310 that controls printing processing in the printing system 1 and a Web browser unit 320 that performs processing for accessing a Web page are constructed on a computer 30. A print execution unit 210 and an ink cartridge management unit 220 that perform print processing are constructed.
[0034]
The print control unit 310 includes a print data generation unit 311 that generates print data for a document to be printed, and an ink monitor unit that presents information to the user based on the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 107 mounted on the printer 10. 312 and a communication unit 313 that performs communication with the printer 10.
[0035]
The print data generation unit 311 generates print data by performing rasterization processing, color conversion processing, and the like for the document to be printed.
[0036]
The ink monitor unit 312 acquires the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 107 attached to the printer 10 when printing is performed. If the remaining amount of ink is below a threshold value (hereinafter referred to as “target threshold value”) determined by a predetermined rule, it indicates that the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge has become equal to or less than the reference value. An ink monitor screen that prompts the user to purchase a cartridge is displayed on the display device 21.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the ink monitor screen. In this figure, an ink monitor screen 500 includes a column 501 for visually displaying the remaining amount of ink in each ink cartridge, a column 502 for describing the remaining amount of ink, a “purchase” button 503, and a “notify later” button. 504 and a “close” button 505.
[0038]
When the ink monitor unit 312 receives a click on the “purchase” button 503 on the ink monitor screen 500, the ink monitor unit 312 notifies the web browser unit 320 of the URL of the web page for consumable purchase purchase application. Then, the Web browser unit 320 accesses a Web page for consumables purchase application, so that the user can apply for purchase of the ink cartridge online. The URL of the web page for consumable purchase purchase is previously held inside or outside the ink monitor unit 312 so that the ink monitor unit 312 can refer to it.
[0039]
When the ink monitor unit 312 receives a click on the “notify later” button 504 on the ink monitor screen 500, the ink monitor screen 500 is once closed. Then, the target threshold is reset.
[0040]
In other words, in this embodiment, the ink monitor unit 312 can set a plurality of values as the target threshold value for the remaining amount of ink that serves as a reference for displaying the ink monitor screen 500. For example, four values of 20%, 10%, 5%, and 0% can be set as the target threshold value. The set target threshold value is stored in a nonvolatile manner in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the computer 30 or the like. However, the value and the number of values that can be set as the target threshold are not limited to these.
[0041]
For simplicity, a case where there is one ink cartridge, that is, a case where the remaining amount of ink of one color should be considered will be described as an example. When 20% is set as the target threshold value, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 107 reaches 20%, the ink monitor unit 312 displays the above-described ink monitor screen 500 and prompts the purchase of the ink cartridge. When the click of the “notify later” button 504 is received on the ink monitor screen 500, the ink monitor unit 312 closes the ink monitor screen 500 and sets 10%, which is one step lower than 20%, as the target threshold value.
[0042]
When ink is further consumed and the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 107 reaches 10%, the ink monitor screen 500 is displayed again to prompt the purchase of the ink cartridge. Thereafter, each time a “notify later” button 504 is received, the target threshold value is reset by one step until it reaches 0%.
[0043]
The setting of the target threshold value including a case where there are a plurality of ink cartridges, that is, a case where the ink remaining amount differs for each ink color will be described later.
[0044]
The ink monitor unit 312 closes the ink monitor screen 500 when the click of the “close” button 505 is accepted on the ink monitor screen 500. In this case, the target threshold is not changed. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 107 is not replaced, the ink monitor screen 500 is displayed again when the next printing is executed.
[0045]
The print control unit 310 is constructed on the computer 30 when the CPU 31 executes the printer driver program read by the RAM 32 on the operating system that controls the computer 30. The printer driver program for this purpose can be distributed by recording it on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The printer driver program can be installed in the computer 30 by reading the recording medium with the media reader 23. For example, it can also be installed via the Internet 70.
[0046]
The Web browser unit 320 performs processing for accessing a Web page on the Internet 70 specified by the URL. The web browser unit 320 can be constructed by executing general-purpose web browser software on the computer 30.
[0047]
A print execution unit 210 constructed on the printer 10 performs an actual print process based on print data sent from the computer 30.
[0048]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 manages ink information including ink remaining amount data of each ink cartridge 107 mounted on the printer 10. The ink cartridge management unit 220 reads information from the storage element of the ink cartridge 107 and updates the ink information. Ink information is transmitted in response to a request from the computer 30.
[0049]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 can calculate the ink discharge amount by multiplying the weight of the ink droplets discharged from the nozzles provided in the print head 110 and the number of ink droplet discharges. The remaining amount of ink is calculated by subtracting the ink consumption amount based on the ink discharge amount and the ink suction amount consumed by the cleaning of the print head 110 from the ink filling amount of the ink cartridge 107. Can do.
[0050]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 reads the remaining ink amount data stored from the storage element of the ink cartridge 107 and writes it in the RAM 13 when the printer 10 is powered on. Then, the contents of the RAM 13 are updated with the calculated latest ink remaining amount as ink remaining amount data. In the case where information regarding the type, version, manufacturer, manufacturing time, and the like of the ink cartridge 107 is recorded in the storage element of the ink cartridge 107, such information may be written into the RAM 13 when the power is turned on.
[0051]
The calculated latest ink remaining amount is written in each storage element of the ink cartridge 107 after the printer 10 is turned off. Alternatively, for example, writing may be performed every time printing is completed.
[0052]
The remaining ink amount can be expressed, for example, as a percentage based on the amount of ink filled in a new ink cartridge. In this case, the ink remaining amount in the initial state in which the ink cartridge 107 is filled with ink is 100%, and decreases to 0% as the printing process is executed. Of course, the method for expressing the remaining ink amount is not limited to a percentage.
[0053]
Next, setting of the target threshold value performed by the ink monitor unit 312 of the print control unit 310 built in the computer 30 will be further described.
[0054]
The ink monitor unit 312 acquires the remaining amount of each ink cartridge 107 from the ink cartridge management unit 220 of the printer 10 and stores the remaining amount for each ink color, for example, on the RAM 32. The ink monitor unit 312 divides the ink color of the ink cartridge 107 into several groups, and sets and manages a target threshold value for each group.
[0055]
The method of grouping is arbitrary, but here, when all the ink colors are handled as one group (first example), and when the ink colors are divided into black ink and color ink other than black (second case) Example). In the first example, the ink monitor unit 312 sets one target threshold value to manage the remaining amount of ink. In the second example, the ink monitor unit 312 sets a target threshold value for black ink and a target threshold value for color ink. The remaining amount of ink is managed. For example, the set target threshold value is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 in a nonvolatile manner.
[0056]
FIG. 6 shows the remaining amount of each ink color managed by the ink monitor unit 312 and the target threshold value.
[0057]
FIG. 6A shows the target threshold value of the first example. In the first example, since all ink colors are handled as one group, the target threshold value to be managed is one. At this time, as shown in parentheses, the same target threshold value may be set for each ink color, and may be changed in conjunction. FIG. 6B shows the target threshold value of the second example. In the second example, since the groups are divided into black ink and color ink, the target threshold is managed for each group. At this time, as shown in parentheses, the same target threshold value may be set for each color ink, and may be changed in conjunction.
[0058]
FIG. 6C shows the remaining amount of each ink color. The ink monitor unit 312 manages the remaining amount of ink for each of the seven ink colors as a percentage.
[0059]
As described above, for example, when the printer 10 is used with six colors of ink when black (K) ink is attached instead of dark yellow (DY) ink, it is shown in FIG. Thus, the total value of the remaining amounts of the two inks for black (K) ink may be handled as the remaining amount of black (K) ink.
[0060]
Next, processing of the ink monitor unit 312 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is performed when the computer 30 acquires the status of the printer 10. The timing at which the computer 30 acquires the status of the printer 10 can be, for example, when printing starts based on the user's print command, when the printer status acquisition command is received from the user, or the like.
[0061]
The ink monitor unit 312 acquires the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge 107 from the ink cartridge management unit 220 of the printer 10 (S101).
[0062]
Next, it is determined whether a target threshold is set (S102). The target threshold value is normally set because it is stored in a nonvolatile manner once set. However, it is not set immediately after installing the printer driver or the like and needs to be set anew, so it is determined whether or not the target threshold has been set in the process (S102).
[0063]
As a result, when the target threshold is not set, the target threshold is set for each group (S103). In setting the target threshold, first, for each group, the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridges included in the group is extracted. Then, among the values that can be taken as the target threshold value, the maximum value that is less than the remaining amount is set as the target threshold value for the group.
[0064]
For example, it is assumed that possible values for the target threshold are 20%, 10%, 5%, and 0% as described above.
[0065]
In the first example, it is assumed that cyan is 18% of the remaining amount of ink in the seven-color ink cartridges, which is the minimum value. In this case, a value of less than 18% and a maximum value of 10% is set as the target threshold value.
[0066]
Further, in the second example, it is assumed that the black ink cartridge has an ink remaining amount of 80%, and magenta is 8% of the color ink remaining amount, which is the minimum value. In this case, the target threshold for black ink is set to 20%, and the target threshold for color ink is set to 5%.
[0067]
Next, the ink monitor unit 312 determines whether or not the ink remaining amount value is held (S104). For example, if the status has not yet been acquired from the printer 10 after the computer 30 is started, the ink remaining amount value is not recorded, so whether the ink remaining amount value is retained in the process (S104). Judge whether.
[0068]
As a result, when the ink remaining amount value is not held, the ink remaining amount for each color acquired in the processing (S101) is stored (S107).
[0069]
On the other hand, if the ink remaining amount value is held, it is determined whether there is an ink cartridge having a larger amount of remaining ink acquired in the process (S101) than the stored ink remaining amount value (S101). S105).
[0070]
As a result, if there is an ink cartridge having a larger amount of remaining ink acquired in the process (S101) than the stored ink remaining value, it is determined that the ink cartridge has been replaced and set. The target threshold is reset (S106). In the target threshold resetting process, for the group including the ink cartridge that has been determined to be replaced, the smallest remaining ink amount of the ink cartridges included in the group is extracted. Of the values that can be taken as the target threshold, the maximum value that is less than the remaining amount is set as the target threshold of the group. Thereafter, the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge determined to have been replaced is stored (S107).
[0071]
Next, the ink monitor unit 312 determines whether the ink remaining amount of any one of the ink cartridges is equal to or less than the target threshold value for each group (S108).
[0072]
In other words, in the first example, if the target threshold value is set to 20%, it is checked whether the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge is 20% or less. In the second example, if the target threshold value for black ink is set to 10% and the target threshold value for color ink is set to 5%, the remaining ink amount for black ink is 10% or less. Whether or not the color ink is 5% or less is checked for each color ink.
[0073]
As a result, if none of the ink cartridges has the ink remaining amount equal to or lower than the target threshold value, printing is executed, and the ink remaining amount value is updated based on the ink amount consumed in printing (S112). The process ends.
[0074]
On the other hand, when there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the target threshold, the ink monitor unit 312 displays the ink monitor screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 on the display device 21 (S109).
[0075]
At this time, in the column 502 for explaining the remaining ink amount, an explanation of the ink cartridge that is equal to or less than the target threshold is displayed. If there are a plurality of ink cartridges that are equal to or less than the target threshold value, an explanation of each ink cartridge is displayed.
[0076]
The column 501 for visually displaying the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge displays the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge based on the stored ink remaining amount value. As a result, the user can grasp the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount is equal to or more than the target threshold value.
[0077]
When the user clicks the “notify later” button 504 on the screen 500 (S110: Y), the ink monitor unit 312 changes the target threshold value in units of groups (S111).
[0078]
The change of the target threshold value is a value that is less than the remaining ink level that is less than or equal to the target threshold value among the values that can be taken as the target threshold value for the group including the ink cartridge that has the remaining ink level less than or equal to the target threshold value Change to a value. Usually, the target threshold is changed to a value one step lower.
[0079]
In the first example, it is assumed that when the target threshold is 20%, the remaining amount of cyan ink is 20% among all the ink cartridges, and the remaining ink amount of other ink cartridges is more than 20%. At this time, the target threshold value applied to all ink cartridges is changed to 10% regardless of the remaining amount of ink in other ink cartridges. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ink monitor screen 500 from being frequently displayed.
[0080]
In the second example, when the black ink target threshold is 10% and the color ink target threshold is 20%, the remaining amount of black ink is 8%, and the remaining amount of ink in the color ink cartridge is Suppose all were over 20%. At this time, the target threshold value for black ink is changed to 5%, and the target threshold value for color ink is not changed.
[0081]
Thereafter, printing is executed, the remaining ink value is updated based on the amount of ink consumed in printing (S112), and the process is terminated.
[0082]
If the target threshold value is already 0%, the remaining amount of ink is 0%. Therefore, for example, a process for interrupting printing can be performed.
[0083]
On the other hand, when the “Purchase” button 503 or the “Close” button 505 is clicked on the ink monitor screen 500 (S110: N), after performing each processing, printing is performed and consumed by printing. The remaining ink value is updated based on the ink amount (S112), and the process ends.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of the printing system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the print engine 15;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration constructed on the printing system 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink monitor screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a remaining amount of each ink color managed by an ink monitor unit 312 and a target threshold value.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the ink monitor unit 312;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 printing system, 10 printer, 11 interface, 15 print engine, 21 display device, 22 input device, 23 media reading device, 24 auxiliary storage device, 25 communication control device, 30 computer, 34 interface, 60 server, 70 Internet, 101 Carriage, 104 guide member, 107 ink cartridge, 110 print head, 120 carriage mechanism, 121 timing belt, 123 carriage motor, 210 print execution unit, 220 ink cartridge management unit, 310 print control unit, 311 print data generation unit, 312 ink Monitor unit, 313 communication unit, 320 browser unit

Claims (5)

A program for causing a computer to function as a printer host connected to a printer that performs printing using a plurality of ink cartridges,
The computer,
An ink remaining amount acquiring means for acquiring the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge; an ink remaining amount storing means for storing the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge;
Whether or not there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount has increased by comparing the remaining ink amount acquired by the remaining ink amount acquiring unit with the remaining ink amount stored in the remaining ink amount storing unit. Determination means for determining whether or not
A reference value setting unit that is commonly applied to the plurality of ink cartridges and sets a reference value for determining that the remaining amount of ink is low;
When the remaining amount of ink in any of the plurality of ink cartridges is equal to or less than the reference value, the warning display unit displays a warning and functions as a warning display unit that receives an instruction from the user .
The reference value setting means includes
When the warning display means receives an instruction from a user, or when the determination means determines that there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount has increased, the minimum ink amount among the plurality of ink cartridges A program that extracts a value that is less than the extracted remaining ink amount and that can be taken as the reference value and selects the maximum value as the reference value. The program according to claim 1 ,
The warning display means includes
A program that includes an option for receiving an instruction to purchase an ink cartridge online on a screen indicating that the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge has become equal to or less than a reference value. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 1 or 2 is recorded. A printer host connected to a printer that performs printing using a plurality of ink cartridges;
An ink remaining amount acquiring means for acquiring the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge; an ink remaining amount storing means for storing the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge;
Whether or not there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount has increased by comparing the remaining ink amount acquired by the remaining ink amount acquiring unit with the remaining ink amount stored in the remaining ink amount storing unit. Determination means for determining whether or not
A reference value setting unit that is commonly applied to the plurality of ink cartridges and sets a reference value for determining that the remaining amount of ink is low;
Warning display means for displaying a warning and receiving an instruction from the user when the remaining amount of ink in any of the plurality of ink cartridges is equal to or less than the reference value;
The reference value setting means includes
When the warning display means receives an instruction from a user, or when the determination means determines that there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount has increased, the minimum ink amount among the plurality of ink cartridges A printer host comprising: extracting a value of the printer, and selecting a maximum value that is less than the extracted remaining ink amount from the possible values as the reference value and setting the reference value as the reference value. A method of managing the remaining amount of ink in a computer connected to a printer that performs printing using a plurality of ink cartridges,
The computer
Storage means for storing the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge;
An ink level acquisition step for acquiring the ink level of each ink cartridge;
By comparing the ink remaining amount acquired in the ink remaining amount acquiring step with the ink remaining amount stored in the storage means, it is determined whether or not there is an ink cartridge having an increased ink remaining amount. A determination step;
A reference value setting step that is commonly applied to the plurality of ink cartridges and sets a reference value for determining that the remaining amount of ink is low;
A warning display step of displaying a warning and receiving an instruction from a user when the remaining amount of ink in any of the plurality of ink cartridges is equal to or less than the reference value;
The reference value setting step includes:
When an instruction from a user is received in the warning display step, or when it is determined in the determination step that there is an ink cartridge whose remaining ink amount has increased, the minimum ink amount among the plurality of ink cartridges A method for managing the remaining amount of ink, wherein a value that is less than the extracted remaining ink amount and that is the maximum is selected from the values that can be taken as the reference value and used as the reference value.

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