JP6776720B2 - Program and information processing terminal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program of an information processing terminal that displays the remaining amount of consumables used by an image processing apparatus for image processing operations.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a client PC that displays a status screen showing the status of an image processing device on a display. More specifically, the client PC described in Patent Document 1 acquires the ink remaining amount of the image processing device to be displayed on the status screen from the image processing device when local communication is possible, and when local communication is not possible. Obtained from the information processing server.

JP-A-2015-118613

The client PC described in Patent Document 1 is premised on being able to communicate with an image processing device or an information processing server, and cannot display a status screen when communication is not possible. Further, since the client PC must acquire the ink remaining amount in real time in order to display the status screen, there is a problem that the communication load is high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is a program of an information processing terminal capable of appropriately displaying the remaining amount of consumables of an image processing device without acquiring status information in real time. Is to provide.

Various disclosures are made herein. The program, which is one of the disclosure examples, can be read by an information processing terminal including a communication interface, an input interface, a display, and a memory. The program receives a reception process for receiving status information through the communication interface from an image processing device that executes an image processing operation using consumables, and the status information received in the reception process is stored in the memory as history information. The information processing terminal is repeatedly executed with the first storage process to be stored. The status information is information indicating the remaining amount of the consumables mounted on the image processing device. The program is attached to the image processing device based on the history information stored in the memory in response to receiving the first instruction operation for instructing the display of the remaining amount of the consumables through the input interface. The information processing terminal is made to execute an estimation process for estimating the current remaining amount of the consumables and a first display process for displaying a status screen indicating the remaining amount estimated by the estimation process on the display. ..

According to the above configuration, the current remaining amount of consumables can be estimated from the history information based on a plurality of status information received in the past, and the status screen showing the estimated remaining amount can be displayed. As a result, the remaining amount of consumables of the image processing device can be appropriately displayed without acquiring the status information in real time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the system 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of the MFP10, and FIG. 2B shows a block diagram of the information processing terminal 50. 3A and 3B are examples of data stored in the memory 62, in which FIG. 3A shows an achievement list and FIG. 3B shows a history list. FIG. 4A shows the status list, and FIG. 4B shows the progress of calculating the history record from the status list. FIG. 5 shows an example of the latest status record read in S41. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the polling process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the main process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the status display process. 9A and 9B show an example of display on the display 53, in which FIG. 9A shows a main screen and FIG. 9B shows a device selection screen. 10A and 10B are display examples of the status screen, in which FIG. 10A corresponds to the status record of FIG. 5A and FIG. 10B corresponds to the status record of FIG. 5B. 11A and 11B are display examples of the status screen, in which FIG. 11A corresponds to the status record of FIG. 5C and FIG. 11B corresponds to the status record of FIG. 5D.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. 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.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the system 100 according to the present embodiment. The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes MFPs (abbreviations for Multi Function Peripheral) 10A and 10B (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as “MFP10”), an information processing terminal 50, and a server 80. It is composed of and. The MFP 10, the information processing terminal 50, and the server 80 can communicate with each other via a communication network. Specific examples of the communication network are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the Internet 101, a wired LAN, a wireless LAN 102, or a combination thereof.

The MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 belong to the wireless LAN 102. That is, the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 can communicate with each other via an access point (not shown) of the wireless LAN 102. Further, the wireless LAN 102 is connected to the Internet 101 through the router 102A. Further, the server 80 is connected to the Internet 101. That is, the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 can communicate with the server 80 from the router 102A via the Internet 101.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the MFP 10 includes a printer 11, a scanner 12, a fax unit 13, a display 23, an input I / F 24, a communication I / F 25, a CPU 31, and a memory 32. It mainly includes a communication bus 33. The components constituting the MFP 10 are connected to each other through the communication bus 33. The MFP 10 is an example of an image processing device. In this embodiment, the MFP 10A is identified by the device ID "MFP-A" and the MFP 10B is identified by the device ID "MFP-B". The device ID is an example of device identification information.

The printer 11 executes a printing operation of recording an image represented by image data on a sheet. As the recording method of the printer 11, a known method such as an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The scanner 12 executes a scanning operation of reading an image recorded on a document and generating image data. The FAX unit 13 executes a FAX transmission operation of transmitting image data by FAX to an external device and a FAX reception operation of receiving image data by FAX from the external device.

The MFP 10 may include at least one of a printer 11, a scanner 12, and a fax unit 13. That is, the configurations of the MFPs 10A and 10B may be the same or different. The printer 11, the scanner 12, and the FAX unit 13 are examples of the image processing unit. The print operation, scan operation, fax transmission operation, and fax reception operation are examples of image processing operations.

Although not shown, the printer 11 includes a mounting portion on which an ink cartridge is mounted. Then, the printer 11 records an image on the sheet using the ink stored in the ink cartridge. Ink cartridges are an example of consumables used in printing operations. In the present embodiment, an example in which an ink cartridge in which black ink is stored is attached to and detached from the mounting portion will be described, but a plurality of ink cartridges in which inks of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, and yellow) are stored are used. It may be removable.

That is, the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge gradually decreases each time the printer 11 executes a printing operation. Then, when the ink stored in the ink cartridge is exhausted, the printer 11 can no longer execute the printing operation. In other words, in order for the printer 11 to further perform the printing operation, the ink cartridge that has run out of ink is removed from the mounting portion, and a new ink cartridge in which ink is stored is mounted in the mounting portion (that is, the ink cartridge). Need to be replaced).

Further, the printer 11 detects the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge mounted on the mounting portion (hereinafter, referred to as “remaining amount of ink”), and sends a remaining amount signal indicating the detected remaining amount of ink to the CPU 31. It is equipped with a remaining amount sensor that outputs to. The remaining amount signal indicates, for example, the current remaining amount of ink as a percentage, assuming that the remaining amount of ink in a new ink cartridge is 100%. That is, the CPU 31 can grasp the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge mounted on the mounting portion. The remaining amount sensor is realized by, for example, an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, a software sensor, or a combination thereof.

Further, the printer 11 includes a mounting sensor that detects that the ink cartridge has been mounted on the mounting portion and outputs a mounting signal indicating that the ink cartridge has been mounted to the CPU 31. The CPU 31 stores the mounting date / time information indicating the mounting date / time of the ink cartridge in the memory 62 in response to the output of the mounting signal from the mounting sensor. The mounting date / time information is, for example, the current date / time acquired from a system clock (not shown). When the mounting date / time information is already stored in the memory 32, the CPU 31 overwrites the mounting date / time information already stored in the memory 32 with the new mounting date / time information. The mounting sensor is realized, for example, by an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, or a combination thereof.

The input I / F 24 is a user interface that accepts input operations by the user. Specifically, the input I / F 24 has a button, and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed button to the CPU 31. Further, the input I / F 24 may have a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display 23. The operation of designating an object displayed on the display screen of the display 23 and the operation of inputting a character string or a number string are examples of user operations. The “object” is, for example, a character string, an icon, a button, a link, a radio button, a check box, a pull-down menu, or the like displayed on the display 23.

The input I / F24 realized as a touch sensor outputs position information indicating a position on the display screen touched by the user. The term "touch" in the present specification includes all operations of bringing the input medium into contact with the display screen. Further, even if the input medium does not touch the display screen, the "hover" or "floating touch" that brings the input medium close to the position where the distance from the display screen is very small is used as the above-mentioned concept of "touch". May be included. Further, the input medium may be a user's finger, a stylus, or the like. The user operation of tapping the position of the icon displayed on the display 23 is an example of the designation operation for designating the icon.

The communication I / F 25 is an example of a communication interface for communicating with an external device through a communication network. That is, the MFP 10 transmits various information to the information processing terminal 50 and the server 80 through the communication I / F 25, and receives various information from the information processing terminal 50 and the server 80 through the communication I / F 25. The specific communication procedure of the communication I / F25 is not particularly limited, but for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance) can be adopted.

The CPU 31 controls the overall operation of the MFP 10. The CPU 31 acquires various programs to be described later from the memory 32 and executes them based on various signals output from the input I / F 24 and various information acquired from the external device through the communication I / F 25. That is, the CPU 31 and the memory 32 form an example of the controller.

The OS 34 and the device program 35 are stored in the memory 32. The device program 35 may be a single program or a collection of a plurality of programs. Further, the memory 32 stores data or information necessary for executing the device program 35. The memory 32 is composed of, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, an HDD, a portable storage medium such as a USB memory attached to and detached from the MFP 10, a buffer included in the CPU 31, or a combination thereof.

The memory 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes recording media such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM. The non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, the electric signal that carries the program downloaded from the server on the Internet 101 is a signal medium that can be read by a computer, which is a kind of medium that can be read by a computer, but can be read by a non-transitory computer. Not included in storage media.

Various functions are implemented in the device program 35 of the MFPs 10A and 10B. The device program 35 is at least equipped with a function of causing the printer 11 to execute a print operation, a function of causing the scanner 12 to execute a scan operation, and a function of causing the FAX unit 13 to execute a FAX transmission operation and a FAX reception operation. Further, the device program 35 may be equipped with a manual ordering function, an automatic ordering function, and an information notification function, which will be described later.

The device program 35 causes the printer 11 to execute a print operation in response to receiving print instruction information from the information processing terminal 50 through the communication I / F 25. That is, the printer 11 records the image indicated by the print data included in the print instruction information on the sheet. Then, the device program 35 adds the number of sheets on which the image is recorded by the printing operation to the number of sheets indicated by the cumulative number information stored in the memory 62. Further, the device program 35 resets the cumulative number of sheets information in response to the output of the mounting signal from the mounting sensor. That is, the cumulative number of sheets information indicates the number of sheets recorded by using the ink cartridge mounted on the mounting portion at the mounting date and time indicated by the mounting date and time information.

The manual ordering function is a function of requesting the server 80 to ship a new ink cartridge according to a user's instruction. That is, the device program 35 transmits the first ordering information to the server 80 through the communication I / F25 in response to receiving the user operation instructing the execution of the manual ordering function through the input I / F24. The first ordering information is information that requests that the ink cartridge instructed by the user be shipped to the destination indicated by the destination information. The first ordering information includes, for example, a consumable ID (for example, a model number) that identifies the ink cartridge of the MFP 10A, and account information stored in the memory 62. The destination information is registered in advance in the server 80 in association with the account information.

The automatic ordering function is a function that automatically requests the server 80 to ship a new ink cartridge when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge becomes less than the threshold value. For example, the device program 35 repeatedly acquires the remaining amount signal output from the remaining amount sensor at a predetermined time interval, and compares the ink remaining amount indicated by the acquired remaining amount signal with the threshold value (for example, 10%). .. Then, the device program 35 transmits the second order information to the server 80 through the communication I / F 25 in response to the determination that the ink remaining amount is less than the threshold value. The second ordering information is information for requesting that an ink cartridge of the same type as the ink cartridge for which it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is less than the threshold value is shipped to the destination indicated by the destination information. The information included in the second ordering information may be the same as the first ordering information.

Further, the device program 35 receives the order acceptance information from the server 80 through the communication I / F 25 as a response of the first order information or the second order information. The order acceptance information is information indicating that the order for the ink cartridge has been accepted. The order acceptance information includes, for example, the scheduled date information indicating the scheduled date when the ink cartridge that has received the order arrives at the destination indicated by the destination information. Then, the device program 35 stores the scheduled date information included in the order acceptance information in the memory 62.

Further, the device program 35 switches the set value of the ordering flag stored in the memory 32. The order flag is an example of order information indicating that a new ink cartridge has been ordered. The order flag is set with a first value "ON" indicating that the ink cartridge has been ordered, or a second value "OFF" indicating that the ink cartridge has not been ordered. Then, the device program 35 sets the first value "ON" in the order flag in response to receiving the order acceptance information. Further, the device program 35 sets the second value “OFF” in the ordering flag and deletes the scheduled date information from the memory 62 in response to the output of the mounting signal from the mounting sensor.

The information notification function is a function of transmitting status information to the information processing terminal 50. The device program 35 transmits the status information to the information processing terminal 50 through the communication I / F 25, for example, in response to receiving the status request information from the information processing terminal 50 through the communication I / F 25. However, the timing of transmitting the status information is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and may be, for example, a timing preset in the device program 35.

The status information includes at least the mounting date / time information, the remaining amount information, the order flag, and the cumulative number of sheets information. Further, the status information further includes the scheduled date information when the first value "ON" is set in the order flag. The remaining amount information indicates the remaining amount of ink indicated by the remaining amount signal output from the remaining amount sensor when the status request information is received. The mounting date / time information, the order flag, the scheduled date information, and the cumulative number of sheets information are information stored in the memory 32 at the time of receiving the status request information.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the information processing terminal 50 mainly includes a display 53, an input I / F 54, a communication I / F 55, a CPU 61, a memory 62, and a communication bus 63. The display 53, the input I / F 54, the communication I / F 55, the CPU 61, the memory 62, and the communication bus 63 included in the information processing terminal 50 are the display 23, the input I / F 24, the communication I / F 25, and the CPU 31 included in the MFP 10. Since the configuration is the same as that of the memory 32 and the communication bus 33, the description thereof will be omitted. The information processing terminal 50 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, or the like. The information processing terminal 50 is identified by the terminal ID "Term-A" which is an example of the terminal identification information. The memory 62 stores the OS 64 and the terminal program 65.

The terminal program 65 is a so-called status monitor that notifies the user of the status of the MFP 10. That is, the terminal program 65 receives the status information from the MFP 10 through the communication I / F 55, and displays the status of the MFP 10 indicated by the received status information on the display 53. Further, the terminal program 65 further has a function of instructing the MFP 10 to perform a print operation, a scan operation, or a fax transmission operation.

The memory 62 can store the achievement list shown in FIG. 3A. The achievement list can include one or more achievement records. The actual record shows the content of the print operation executed by the MFP 10. The actual record includes, for example, print date / time information, device ID, and actual number of sheets information. The print date / time information indicates the print date / time when the print instruction information is transmitted. The device ID identifies the MFP 10 to which the print instruction information is transmitted. The actual number of sheets information is an example of the number of sheets information indicating the number of sheets on which an image is recorded by the printing operation according to the print instruction information.

Further, the memory 62 can store the history list shown in FIG. 3 (B) and the status list shown in FIG. 4 (A). The history list contains one or more history records. The status list contains one or more status records. The memory 62 stores, for example, a plurality of history lists and a plurality of status lists associated with each of the MFPs 10A and 10B. It is assumed that the history list shown in FIG. 3 (B) and the status list shown in FIG. 4 (A) are associated with the MFP 10A.

The history record is information obtained by aggregating a plurality of status information received from the MFP 10 for each aggregation period. The history record includes, for example, period information and consumption information. The period information indicates the aggregation period, which is the range of the reception date and time of the status information to be aggregated. The aggregation period is specified by, for example, an aggregation date, an aggregation start time, and an aggregation end time. The aggregation period of this embodiment is 12 hours from 8:00 to 20:00 and 12 hours from 20:00 to 8:00 the next day. The consumption amount information is an example of historical information indicating the amount of ink consumed during the aggregation period (hereinafter, referred to as "aggregated consumption amount"). The total consumption amount is obtained by totaling the ink remaining amount of the status information received within the total period. The status record includes the status information received from the MFP 10 and the reception date / time information indicating the reception date / time of the status information.

Although not shown, the memory 62 can store the designated device ID. The designated device ID is a device ID of the MFP 10 (hereinafter, may be referred to as “designated device”) designated by the user among a plurality of MFPs capable of communicating through the communication network. The designated device ID is an example of designated device information. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the device ID “MFP-A” of the MFP 10A is stored in the memory 62 as the designated device ID.

The server 80 is a server that provides a so-called WEB shopping service. More specifically, the server 80 ships the designated consumables to the designated destination in response to a request from the MFP 10. The server 80 may be configured by one server, or may be configured by a plurality of servers. Further, in the process from the receipt of the request by the server 80 to the shipment of the consumables, the work by the worker (for example, the work of taking out the specified consumables from the warehouse, the work of packing the taken out consumables, etc.) is performed. Needless to say, it may be intervened.

First, as a preliminary preparation, the server 80 receives payment information and destination information from the MFP 10. The payment information is, for example, a credit card number. Next, the server 80 generates account information that uniquely identifies the received payment information and destination information. Next, the server 80 associates the received payment information and the destination information with the generated account information and stores them in the server memory. Next, the server 80 transmits the generated account information to the MFP 10 to which the payment information and the destination information are transmitted.

Next, in response to receiving the first ordering information or the second ordering information, the server 80 reads out the payment information and the destination information associated with the account information included in the received ordering information from the server memory. Next, the server 80 setstles the price of the consumable item indicated by the consumable item ID included in the received order information ordered by using the read payment information. Next, the server 80 instructs the worker to send the consumables indicated by the consumables ID to the destination indicated by the destination information. Then, the server 80 transmits the order acceptance information indicating the expected arrival date of the consumables instructed to be shipped to the MFP 10.

The operation of the system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

The flowchart of the present specification basically shows the processing of the CPU 31 according to the instruction described in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "estimation", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "specification", and "control" in the following description represent the processes of CPUs 31 and 61. There is. The processing by the CPUs 31 and 61 also includes hardware control via the OSs 34 and 64. Further, the "data" in the present specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Then, data having the same substantial meaning and content but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in the present specification.

[Polling process]
First, the terminal program 65 of the information processing terminal 50 continuously executes the polling process, for example, during the period in which it is started. The polling process is a process of repeatedly receiving status information from the MFP 10 every time a predetermined first time (for example, 60 sec) elapses. The polling process is executed not only when the terminal program 65 is executed in the foreground but also when it is executed in the background, for example. The details of the polling process will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the terminal program 65 transmits status request information to the MFP10A identified by the designated device ID “MFP-A” stored in the memory 62 via the communication I / F55 (S11). The status request information is information for instructing the designated device to transmit the status information. Then, the terminal program 65 receives the status information from the MFP 10A through the communication I / F55 as a response to the status request information (S12: Yes). The process of S12 is an example of the reception process.

Next, the terminal program 65 registers the status record including the status information received in S12 and the reception date / time information indicating the current date / time acquired from the system clock (not shown) in the status list (S13). Next, the terminal program 65 determines whether or not the status information received in the latest S12 is the status information received for the first time in the current aggregation period (S14). In other words, the terminal program 65 determines whether or not the aggregation end time (8 o'clock / 20 o'clock) has passed between the previous S12 and the current S12.

Next, the terminal program 65 re-executes the processing after S11 at the timing when the first time has elapsed from the previous S11 in response to the determination that the aggregation end time has not elapsed (S14: No). Further, the terminal program 65 does not execute the processes of S13 and S14 according to the fact that the status information is not received by the time when the predetermined time elapses after the status request information is transmitted (S12: No). , The processing after S11 is executed again at the timing when the first time has elapsed from the previous S11.

Then, the terminal program 65 registers the history record corresponding to the most recently completed aggregation period in the history list according to the determination that the aggregation end time has passed (S14: Yes). The process of S15 is an example of the first storage process. Hereinafter, the details of the processing of S15 will be described by taking as an example the case where the aggregation end time “7/4 20:00” has passed while the status record shown in FIG. 4A is registered in the status list.

First, as shown in FIG. 4B, the terminal program 65 extracts the initial ink remaining amount, the final ink remaining amount, and the number of replacements from the plurality of status records registered in the status list. The initial ink remaining amount is the ink remaining amount “20%” of the status information received at the beginning of the aggregation period “7/4 8:00 to 20:00”. The final ink remaining amount is the ink remaining amount “80%” of the status information received at the end of the aggregation period “7/4 8:00 to 20:00”. The number of exchanges is the number of times the wearing date and time have changed "once" in the two status information adjacent in time.

Next, the terminal program 65 calculates the total consumption amount by the initial ink remaining amount-the final ink remaining amount + the number of exchanges x 100. In the example of FIG. 4B, the total consumption amount is “40%”. Then, the terminal program 65 provides the period information indicating the aggregation date "7/4", the aggregation start time "8 o'clock", and the aggregation end time "20:00", and the consumption amount information indicating the total consumption amount "40%". Register the history record to be included in the history list.

[Main processing]
Further, the terminal program 65 executes the main process in response to being activated by a user operation through the input I / F 54, for example. The main process includes a process of switching the designated device, a process of causing the designated device to execute an image processing operation, and a process of displaying the status of the designated device on the display 53. Further, the terminal program 65 shall execute the polling process shown in FIG. 6 in parallel with the main process. The details of the main process will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

First, the terminal program 65 causes the display 53 to display the main screen shown in FIG. 9A (S21). The main screen includes a [print] icon 111, a [status] icon 112, and a switching icon 113. The [Print] icon 111 corresponds to an instruction to cause the designated device to execute the print operation. The [status] icon 112 corresponds to an instruction to display the status of the designated device on the display 53. The switching icon 113 corresponds to an instruction to switch the designated device. A character string of "unselected" is described in the switching icon 113 when the designated device is not specified. Then, the terminal program 65 accepts a user operation on the main screen through the input I / F 54 (S22, S23, S24).

Next, the terminal program 65 searches for MFPs 10A and 10B capable of communicating through the communication I / F55, for example, in response to receiving the designation of the switching icon 113 through the input I / F54 (S22: Yes) (S25). Since the search method of the communicable MFPs 10A and 10B is already well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted, but the search can be performed using, for example, SNMP (abbreviation of Simple Network Management Protocol). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the MFPs 10A and 10B have been discovered.

Next, the terminal program 65 causes the device selection screen shown in FIG. 9B to be displayed on the display 53 (S26). The device selection screen includes device icons 121 and 122. The device icons 121 and 122 correspond to the MFPs 10A and 10B found in step S25. Further, the device IDs 121 and 122 of the corresponding MFPs 10A and 10B are described in the device icons 121 and 122. Then, the terminal program 65 accepts the user operation for the device selection screen through the input I / F 54 (S27).

Next, the terminal program 65 determines the MFP 10A corresponding to the device icon 121 as the designated device (S28) in response to the reception of the designation of the device icon 121 through the input I / F 54 (S27: Yes). The tap of the device icon 121 is an example of a third instruction operation for instructing the change of the designated device ID. The process of S28 is an example of the update process.

More specifically, the terminal program 65 stores the device ID “MFP-A” of the MFP 10A in the memory 62 as the designated device ID. When the designated device ID is already stored in the memory 62, the terminal program 65 overwrites the designated device ID already stored in the memory 62 with a new designated device ID. In the process of overwriting the designated device ID, the already stored designated device ID is an example of the first identification information, and the new designated device ID is an example of the second identification information.

Next, the terminal program 65 causes the main screen to be displayed again on the display 53 (S21). The main screen displayed here is different from FIG. 9A in that the designated device ID “MFP-A” is described in the switching icon 113, and is common to FIG. 9A in other points. Next, the terminal program 65 receives, for example, the designation of the [print] icon 111 through the input I / F 54 (S23: Yes), and causes the MFP 10A indicated by the designated device ID stored in the memory 62. The print instruction information is transmitted through the communication I / F55 (S29). The process of S29 is an example of the operation instruction process.

The print instruction information is an example of the operation instruction information for instructing the designated device to execute the print operation. The print instruction information includes, for example, print data to be the target of the print operation and condition information indicating execution conditions (for example, sheet size, number of copies, etc.) of the print operation. The print data and condition information are specified by the user, for example, through the input I / F 54. The tapping of the [Print] icon 111 is an example of a second instruction operation for instructing the execution of the image processing operation.

On the other hand, although not shown, the apparatus program 35 of the MFP 10A receives print instruction information from the information processing terminal 50 through the communication I / F 25. Then, the device program 35 causes the printer 11 to execute a print operation according to the received print instruction information. That is, the printer 11 records the image indicated by the print data on the sheet according to the execution conditions indicated by the condition information. Then, the device program 35 adds the number of sheets on which the image is recorded in the current printing operation to the number of sheets indicated by the cumulative number of sheets information stored in the memory 62.

Further, the terminal program 65 registers the achievement record corresponding to the print instruction information transmitted in S29 in the achievement list (S30). That is, the terminal program 65 registers the actual record including the print date and time information indicating the current date and time acquired from the system clock (not shown), the designated device ID "MFP-A", and the actual number of sheets information in the actual result list. The actual number of sheets information is, for example, the product of the number of images indicated by the print data and the number of copies indicated by the condition information. The process of S30 is an example of the second storage process. Then, the terminal program 65 causes the main screen to be displayed again on the display 53 (S11).

Next, the terminal program 65 executes the status display process in response to the reception of the designation of the [status] icon 112 through the input I / F 54 (S24: Yes), for example (S31). The status display process is a process of displaying the status of the designated device on the display 53. The tapping of the [Status] icon 112 is an example of the first instruction operation for instructing the display of the remaining amount of consumables. The details of the status display process will be described with reference to FIG.

[Status display processing]
First, the terminal program 65 reads out the status record having the latest reception date / time indicated by the reception date / time information among the plurality of status records included in the status list (S41). In other words, the terminal program 65 reads the status record including the status information received in the latest S12 from the status list. Next, the terminal program 65 determines whether or not the information processing terminal 50 can communicate with the designated device (S42). The process of S42 is an example of the first determination process.

The terminal program 65 determines that the information processing terminal 50 can communicate with the designated device according to the status information received from the designated device in the polling process. Therefore, the terminal program 65, for example, sets the difference between the reception date and time of the read status record and the current date and time (hereinafter, referred to as "elapsed time") and a predetermined second time (for example, 180 sec). Compare. Then, the terminal program 65 may determine that the information processing terminal 50 can communicate with the designated device when the elapsed time is less than the second time (S42: Yes). On the other hand, the terminal program 65 may determine that the information processing terminal 50 cannot communicate with the designated device when the elapsed time is the second hour or more (S42: No).

As an example, the terminal program 65 has an elapsed time (60 sec) of less than the second hour, for example, in response to reading the status record shown in FIG. 5A at the current date and time “7/11 11:01”. That is, it is determined that communication with the designated device is possible (S42: Yes). Then, the terminal program 65 displays the status screen shown in FIG. 10A on the display 53 based on the status information read in the latest S41 (S43). The process of S43 is an example of the second display process.

The status screen shown in FIG. 10A shows the message "MFP-A: Online" corresponding to the ability to communicate with the designated device MFP10A and the remaining amount information of the status information read in the latest S41. It includes a corresponding "ink remaining amount: 70%" message, a "[OK] print is possible" message corresponding to the fact that the MFP10A can execute a print operation, and an [OK] icon 130. Then, the terminal program 65 ends the status display process in response to receiving the designation of the [OK] icon 130 through the input I / F 54 (S44: Yes).

As another example, the terminal program 65 has a second elapsed time (7200 sec), for example, in response to reading the status record shown in FIG. 5 (B) at the current date and time “7/11 13:00”. It is determined that communication with the designated device is impossible for more than an hour (S42: No). Next, the terminal program 65 compares the ink remaining amount indicated by the remaining amount information of the status information read in the latest S41 with the predetermined threshold remaining amount (for example, 5%) (S45). The threshold remaining amount is an example of the lower limit value of the ink remaining amount required to execute the printing operation. The process of S45 is an example of the second determination process.

Next, the terminal program 65 reads in the latest S41 in response to the determination that the ink remaining amount "2%" in FIG. 5B is less than the threshold remaining amount "5%" (S45: Yes). Based on the status information, the status screen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the display 53 (S43). The status screen shown in FIG. 10B shows the "MFP-A: offline" message corresponding to the inability to communicate with the MFP 10A and the "ink" corresponding to the remaining amount information of the status information read in the latest S41. "Remaining amount: 2%" message, "Order: Completed" message corresponding to the order flag "ON", "Arrival schedule: 7/13" message corresponding to the scheduled date information, and [OK] icon 130 And include.

As another example, the terminal program 65 has an elapsed time (10800 sec) second, for example, in response to reading the status record shown in FIG. 5 (C) at the current date and time “7/11 14:00”. It is determined that communication with the designated device is impossible for more than an hour (S42: No). Further, the terminal program 65 is included in the achievement list and the history list according to the determination that the ink remaining amount "85%" in FIG. 5C is equal to or more than the threshold remaining amount "5%" (S45: No). The current remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge mounted on the MFP 10A is estimated based on the record (S46). The process of S46 is an example of the estimation process.

More specifically, the terminal program 65 records the actual record that the print date and time indicated by the print date and time information is after the attachment date and time "7/8 16:00" indicated by the attachment date and time information of the status information read in the latest S41. , Read from the achievement list. Further, the terminal program 65 reads a history record one week ago (that is, period information "7/4 8:00 to 20:00") and including the current time from the history list. Then, the terminal program 65 substitutes the information contained in the records read in S41 and S46 into the following equation 1 to calculate the estimated ink remaining amount.

Estimated ink level = ink level
-Aggregate consumption x {(Current time-Aggregation start time) / Aggregation period}
× {(cumulative number of pages-actual number of pages) / cumulative number of pages}
... (Equation 1)

The “ink remaining amount” is the ink remaining amount “85%” indicated by the remaining amount information of the status information read in the latest S41. The "aggregated consumption" is the aggregated consumption indicated by the consumption information of the history record read one week before, that is, the aggregated period including the current time "14:00" on the same day of the week as the current date and time "7/11". The amount is "40%". The "aggregation start date and time" is the aggregation start time "8 o'clock" of the read history record. The “aggregation period” is the length “12 hours” of the aggregation period indicated by the period information. The "cumulative number of pages" is the number of pages "70 pages" indicated by the cumulative number of pages information of the read status information. The "actual number of pages" is the total value "35 pages" of the number of sheets indicated by the actual number information of the read actual record.

That is, the terminal program 65 calculates 85-40 × {(14-8) / 12} × {(70-35) / 70} = 75% as the estimated ink remaining amount. The value calculated in the second row of the above equation 1 is an example of the estimated consumption amount of consumables from the latest S11. Further, the value calculated in the third row of the above formula 1 is a sheet recorded by a terminal different from the information processing terminal 50 among the number of sheets on which an image is recorded using the ink cartridge mounted on the MFP 10A. It is the ratio of the number of sheets. That is, when the cumulative number of pages and the actual number of pages do not match, the terminal program 65 determines that there is a terminal other than the information processing terminal 50 that instructs the MFP 10A to perform a print operation, and the estimated consumption amount is the third line. Multiply. The cumulative number of pages is an example of the number of first sheets, and the actual number of pages is an example of the number of second sheets.

Next, the terminal program 65 causes the status screen shown in FIG. 11A to be displayed on the display 53 based on the ink remaining amount estimated in S46 (S47). The status screen shown in FIG. 11A shows the "MFP-A: offline" message corresponding to the inability to communicate with the MFP10A and the "(last reception:) corresponding to the reception date and time of the last received status information. 7/11 11:00) ”,“ Ink level: 75% ”corresponding to the ink level estimated in S46,“ * Ink level is an estimated value * ”, and [OK] includes the icon 130. The process of S47 is an example of the first display process.

As yet another example, the terminal program 65 has an elapsed time (10800 sec), for example, in response to reading the status record shown in FIG. 5 (D) at the current date and time “7/11 14:00”. It is determined that communication with the designated device is impossible for 2 hours or more (S42: No). Next, the terminal program 65 determines that the ink remaining amount “95%” in FIG. 5 (D) is equal to or greater than the threshold remaining amount “5%” (S45: No), and 95-40 × {((S45: No)). 14-8) / 12} × {(35-35) / 35} = 95% is calculated as the estimated ink remaining amount.

Then, the terminal program 65 displays the status screen shown in FIG. 11B on the display 53 (S47). In the status screen shown in FIG. 11B, the message "remaining amount of ink: 95%" is different from that in FIG. 11A, and the others are common to FIG. 11A. That is, when the cumulative number of pages and the actual number of pages match, the terminal program 65 determines that there is no terminal other than the information processing terminal 50 that instructs the MFP 10A to perform the print operation, and the status received in the latest S11. The ink remaining amount "95%" indicated by the remaining amount information of the information is estimated to be the current ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge mounted on the MFP 10A.

[Action and effect of this embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, when the elapsed time from receiving the latest status information to the present is less than the second hour (S42: Yes), the status screen showing the ink remaining amount indicated by the status information is displayed. Display it. On the other hand, when the elapsed time is the second hour or more (S42: No), the current ink level is estimated from the history records based on the plurality of status information received in the past, and the status screen showing the estimated ink level is displayed. Display it. As a result, the ink remaining amount of the designated device can be appropriately displayed without acquiring the status information in real time.

As an example, even when the information processing terminal 50 is not connected to the wireless LAN 102 to which the MFP 10A belongs (for example, the information processing terminal 50 is located outside the reception range of the beacon signal output from the access point), the remaining amount of ink in the MFP 10A can be measured. It can be displayed properly. As another example, even when the first time, which is the transmission interval of the status request information, is set to be extremely long (for example, 12 hours), the ink remaining amount of the MFP 10A is appropriate until the next status information is received. Can be displayed on.

However, "cannot communicate with the designated device" refers to, for example, the case where the communication I / F 55 and the access point of the wireless LAN 102 cannot be connected, and may be distinguished from the state in which the power supply of the designated device is OFF. That is, the terminal program 65 may distinguish between the case where the communication I / F 55 cannot be connected to the access point in S11 and the case where the response to the status request information transmitted in S11 cannot be received.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the estimated ink remaining amount is calculated based on the history records in which the usage status of the MFP10A is similar among the plurality of history records stored in the history list, so that the current ink of the MFP10A is calculated. The accuracy of estimating the remaining amount is improved. The aggregation period of history records is not limited to the above example. As another example of the aggregation period, it may be a weekday (Monday to Friday) and a holiday (Saturday, Sunday, public holiday). That is, the length of the aggregation period may be different for each history record.

Further, according to the above embodiment, for example, when the ink cartridge ordering function is implemented in the MFP 10A, the user is made to recognize whether or not the ink cartridge has been ordered and the expected arrival date of the new ink cartridge. be able to.

On the other hand, when the ink remaining amount indicated by the status information read in S41 is already below the lower limit value required for executing the MFP 10A, the remaining ink indicated by the latest status information is not received after that. It can be considered that the quantity has not changed. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, it is desirable to execute the estimation process only when the ink remaining amount indicated by the latest status information is equal to or more than the lower limit value.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when a plurality of terminals instruct the MFP 10A to perform a print operation, as shown in FIG. 11A, the information processing terminal 50 is based on the total consumption amount shown in the history record. Reduce the contribution rate. As a result, the accuracy of estimating the current remaining amount of ink is improved. On the other hand, when the information processing terminal 50 is the only terminal that instructs the MFP 10A to perform a print operation, it can be determined that the ink is not consumed during the period when the information processing terminal 50 is not communicating with the MFP 10A. Therefore, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 11B, the ink remaining amount indicated by the latest status information may be estimated as the current ink remaining amount.

However, the method of determining whether or not a terminal other than the information processing terminal 50 instructs the MFP 10A to perform a print operation is not limited to the above example. For example, when the designated device ID is updated from "MFP-B" to "MFP-A" in S28, the terminal program 65 transmits deletion instruction information to the MFP10B through the communication I / F55, and the MFP10A through the communication I / F55. Registration instruction information may be sent to. The deletion instruction information is information instructing to delete the terminal ID "Term-A" from the terminal information described later. The registration instruction information is information instructing to register the terminal ID "Term-A" in the terminal information. That is, the deletion instruction information and the registration instruction information include the terminal ID. The process of transmitting the deletion instruction information is an example of the first notification process, and the process of transmitting the registration instruction information is an example of the second notification process.

On the other hand, the memory 32 of the MFP 10 can store terminal information. The terminal information includes a terminal ID of a terminal that may transmit print instruction information to the MFP 10. Then, the device program 35 deletes the terminal ID included in the deletion instruction information from the terminal information in response to receiving the deletion instruction information from the information processing terminal 50 through the communication I / F 25. On the other hand, the device program 35 adds the terminal ID included in the registration instruction information to the terminal information in response to receiving the registration instruction information from the information processing terminal 50 through the communication I / F 25. Then, the device program 35 transmits the status request information including the terminal information in response to the reception of the status request information.

Then, the terminal program 65 may determine the presence or absence of a terminal instructing the MFP 10A to perform a print operation based on the terminal information of the latest status information. That is, the terminal program 65 determines that there is another terminal that instructs the MFP 10A to perform a print operation according to the terminal information including a plurality of terminal IDs. On the other hand, the terminal program 65 determines that there is no other terminal that instructs the MFP 10A to perform the print operation because the terminal information includes only the terminal ID "Term-A". As a result, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of another terminal that instructs the MFP 10A to perform a print operation without performing a complicated calculation as in the above equation 1.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ink cartridge has been described as an example of consumables, but the specific example of the consumable is not limited to the ink cartridge. For example, other examples of consumables used for printing operations include a toner cartridge in which toner is stored, a drum cartridge in which a drum is stored, and the like. Further, as another example of consumables used for the scanning operation, a roller for transporting a document and the like can be mentioned. That is, the consumables according to the present embodiment correspond to all items that are gradually worn down with the operation of the MFP10, and the MFP10 cannot execute the operation as the wear progresses.

Further, in the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 of the above-described embodiment, each process executed by the controller of the present invention is realized by executing various programs stored in the memories 32 and 62 by the CPUs 31 and 61. Explained. However, the configuration of the controller is not limited to this, and a part or all of the controller configuration may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit.

Further, the present invention can be realized not only as the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50, but also as a program for causing the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 to execute processing. Then, the program may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium may include a memory mounted on a server that can be connected to the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 through a communication network, in addition to a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and the like. Then, the program stored in the memory of the server may be distributed as information or a signal indicating the program through a communication network such as the Internet 101.

10 ... MFP
11 ... Printer 12 ... Scanner 13 ... FAX unit 23, 53 ... Display 24, 54 ... Input I / F
25, 55 ... Communication I / F
31,61 ... CPU
32, 62 ... Memory 35 ... Device program 50 ... Information processing terminal 60 ... Terminal program 80 ... Server

Claims (13)

A program that can be read by an information processing terminal including a communication interface, an input interface, a display, and a memory.
The program
Reception processing for receiving status information through the communication interface from an image processing device that executes image processing operations using consumables.
The information processing terminal is repeatedly executed with the first storage process of storing the status information received in the reception process in the memory as history information, and the status information is the consumable item attached to the image processing device. Information that indicates the remaining amount of
The program
In response to receiving the first instruction operation for instructing the display of the remaining amount of the consumable item through the input interface.
Based on the history information stored in the memory, an estimation process for estimating the current remaining amount of the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and an estimation process.
The status screen indicating the remaining amount estimated by the estimation process, a first display processing to be displayed on said display,
The information processing terminal is made to execute the first determination process of determining whether or not communication with the image processing device is possible through the communication interface.
In response to the determination that communication is not possible in the first determination process, the information processing terminal is made to execute the estimation process and the first display process.
In response to the determination that communication is possible in the first determination process, the information is the second display process for displaying the status screen indicating the remaining amount of the consumables indicated by the status information received most recently on the display. Let the processing terminal execute it
The program causes the information processing terminal to repeatedly execute the reception process and the first storage process every time the first time elapses.
The program is used in the first determination process.
It is determined that communication with the image processing device is impossible according to the elapsed time from the latest execution of the reception process being the second time or more, which is longer than the first time.
A program described in which it is determined that communication with the image processing device is possible according to the elapsed time from the latest execution of the reception process being less than the second time. A program that can be read by an information processing terminal including a communication interface, an input interface, a display, and a memory.
The program
Reception processing for receiving status information through the communication interface from an image processing device that executes image processing operations using consumables.
The information processing terminal is repeatedly executed with the first storage process of storing the status information received in the reception process in the memory as history information, and the status information is the consumable item attached to the image processing device. Information that indicates the remaining amount of
The program
In response to receiving the first instruction operation for instructing the display of the remaining amount of the consumable item through the input interface.
Based on the history information stored in the memory, an estimation process for estimating the current remaining amount of the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and an estimation process.
The status screen indicating the remaining amount estimated by the estimation process, a first display processing to be displayed on said display,
The information processing terminal is made to execute the first determination process of determining whether or not communication with the image processing device is possible through the communication interface.
In response to the determination that communication is not possible in the first determination process, the information processing terminal is made to execute the estimation process and the first display process.
In response to the determination that communication is possible in the first determination process, the information is the second display process for displaying the status screen indicating the remaining amount of the consumables indicated by the status information received most recently on the display. Let the processing terminal execute it
The status information is
Ordering information indicating that the new consumables have been ordered, and
It is possible to include scheduled date information indicating the expected arrival date of the consumable.
The program displays a status screen that further indicates the scheduled arrival date indicated by the scheduled date information in the first display process and the second display process when the status information received most recently includes the order information. A program to be displayed on the display. The program causes the information processing terminal to repeatedly execute the reception process and the first storage process every time the first time elapses.
The program is used in the first determination process.
It is determined that communication with the image processing device is impossible according to the elapsed time from the latest execution of the reception process being the second time or more, which is longer than the first time.
The program according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that communication with the image processing device is possible according to the elapsed time from the latest execution of the reception process being less than the second time. The program
In the first storage process, the status information received during the aggregation period is aggregated for each of the plurality of aggregation periods specified by the aggregation start time and the aggregation end time, and the consumption amount of the consumables in the aggregation period is calculated. The history information shown is stored in the memory.
In the estimation process
Based on the history information corresponding to the aggregation period including the current time, the estimated consumption amount of the consumables since the latest reception process was executed is calculated.
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which estimates the current remaining amount of the consumable by subtracting the estimated consumable amount from the remaining amount of the consumable indicated by the status information received most recently. The program
In the first storage process, the status information received on the aggregation date is aggregated for each of the plurality of aggregation dates, and the history information indicating the consumption amount of the consumables on the aggregation date is stored in the memory.
In the estimation process
Based on the history information corresponding to the aggregation day on the same day of the week as today, the estimated consumption amount of the consumables since the latest reception process was executed is calculated.
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the current remaining amount of the consumable is estimated by subtracting the estimated consumable amount from the remaining amount of the consumable indicated by the status information received most recently. The program
In response to receiving the second instruction operation instructing the execution of the image processing operation through the input interface, the operation instruction information instructing the execution of the image processing operation is transmitted to the image processing apparatus through the communication interface. Let the information processing terminal execute the operation instruction processing,
In the estimation process, in response to the determination that there is no terminal other than the information processing terminal that instructs the image processing device to perform the image processing operation, the residue of the consumable item indicated by the status information received most recently. The program according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the amount is estimated to be the current remaining amount of the consumable. The image processing operation is a printing operation of recording an image on a sheet.
The status information is
Mounting date and time information indicating the date and time when the consumable was mounted on the image processing device, and
Includes cumulative number information indicating the number of sheets on which an image was recorded using the consumables mounted on the date and time indicated by the mounting date and time information.
The program
In response to the acceptance of the second instruction operation, the information is the second storage process for storing the number information indicating the number of sheets on which an image is recorded in the print operation according to the operation instruction information in the memory. Let the processing terminal execute it
In the estimation process, the number of first sheets indicated by the cumulative number information of the status information received most recently and the second number information indicated by the number information stored in the memory after the date and time indicated by the mounting date and time information. The program according to claim 6, wherein it is determined that there is no other terminal instructing the image processing operation according to the number of sheets matching. In the estimation process, the program calculates the estimated consumption amount by multiplying the consumption amount of the consumable item specified by the history information by (the number of first sheet sheets − the number of second sheet sheets) / the number of first sheet sheets. The program according to claim 7 for calculation. The status information includes terminal information indicating a terminal capable of instructing the image processing device of the transmission source to perform the image processing operation.
The memory stores designated device information that identifies one of the plurality of image processing devices that can communicate through the communication interface.
The program
In response to receiving the third instruction operation for instructing the change of the designated device information through the input interface.
An update process for updating the designated device information stored in the memory from the first identification information to the second identification information, and
The first notification process of transmitting the deletion instruction information instructing to delete the terminal identification information that identifies the information processing terminal from the terminal information to the image processing device identified by the first identification information through the communication interface. When,
The information processing terminal is provided with a second notification process of transmitting registration instruction information instructing the terminal identification information to be included in the terminal information to the image processing device identified by the second identification information through the communication interface. Let it run
In the reception process, the status information including the terminal information is received from the image processing device identified by the designated device information.
The program according to any one of claims 6 to 8, which determines whether or not there is a terminal instructing the image processing apparatus to perform the image processing operation based on the terminal information of the status information received most recently in the estimation process. .. The program
In response to the acceptance of the first instruction operation, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the consumables indicated by the status information received most recently is less than the lower limit value required for executing the image processing operation. 2 Make the information processing terminal execute the judgment process,
In response to the determination in the second determination process that the value is equal to or greater than the lower limit, the information processing terminal is made to execute the estimation process and the first display process.
A second display process for displaying a status screen indicating the remaining amount of the consumables indicated by the most recently received status information on the display in response to the determination that the value is less than the lower limit in the second determination process. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the information processing terminal is executed. The status information is
Ordering information indicating that the new consumables have been ordered, and
It is possible to include scheduled date information indicating the expected arrival date of the consumable.
The program displays a status screen that further indicates the scheduled arrival date indicated by the scheduled date information in the first display process and the second display process when the latest received status information includes the order information. The program according to claim 1, which is displayed on a display. Communication interface and
Input interface and
With the display
With memory
An information processing terminal equipped with a controller
The controller
Reception processing for receiving status information through the communication interface from an image processing device that executes image processing operations using consumables.
The status information received in the reception process is repeatedly executed as the first storage process of storing the status information in the memory as history information, and the status information indicates the remaining amount of the consumables mounted on the image processing device. Information
The controller
In response to receiving the first instruction operation for instructing the display of the remaining amount of the consumable item through the input interface.
Based on the history information stored in the memory, an estimation process for estimating the current remaining amount of the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and an estimation process.
The status screen indicating the remaining amount estimated by the estimation process, a first display processing to be displayed on said display,
The first determination process for determining whether or not communication with the image processing device is possible through the communication interface is executed.
In response to the determination that communication is not possible in the first determination process, the estimation process and the first display process are executed.
In response to the determination that communication is possible in the first determination process, the second display process for displaying the status screen indicating the remaining amount of the consumables indicated by the status information received most recently on the display is executed. ,
The reception process and the first storage process are repeatedly executed in the information processing terminal every time the first time elapses.
In the first judgment process
It is determined that communication with the image processing device is impossible according to the elapsed time from the latest execution of the reception process being the second time or more, which is longer than the first time.
An information processing terminal that determines that communication with the image processing device is possible according to the elapsed time from the most recent execution of the reception process being less than the second time . Communication interface and
Input interface and
With the display
With memory
An information processing terminal equipped with a controller
The controller
Reception processing for receiving status information through the communication interface from an image processing device that executes image processing operations using consumables.
The status information received in the reception process is repeatedly executed as the first storage process of storing the status information in the memory as history information, and the status information indicates the remaining amount of the consumables mounted on the image processing device. Information
The controller
In response to receiving the first instruction operation for instructing the display of the remaining amount of the consumable item through the input interface.
Based on the history information stored in the memory, an estimation process for estimating the current remaining amount of the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and an estimation process.
The first display process of displaying the status screen showing the remaining amount estimated by the estimation process on the display, and
The first determination process for determining whether or not communication with the image processing device is possible through the communication interface is executed.
In response to the determination that communication is not possible in the first determination process, the estimation process and the first display process are executed.
In response to the determination that communication is possible in the first determination process, the second display process for displaying the status screen indicating the remaining amount of the consumables indicated by the status information received most recently on the display is executed. ,
The status information is
Ordering information indicating that the new consumables have been ordered, and
It is possible to include scheduled date information indicating the expected arrival date of the consumable.
In the first display process and the second display process when the most recently received status information includes the order information, a status screen further indicating the expected arrival date indicated by the scheduled date information is displayed on the display. Information processing terminal.