JPH11198474A - Image recorder and computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance operability by providing a means for counting the accumulated number of page of recorded sheets, and a means for detecting the residual amount of a recording agent thereby indicating the rough number of pages to be recorded before the recording agent runs out. SOLUTION: A facsimile 100 records receiving image information, image information read out by means of a scanner 2, an image information transferred from a personal computer 200 onto a recording sheet using a plotter 4. A residual quantity of toner detecting section 6 detects residual quantity of toner every time when an image is recorded and a number of page counting section 7 counts the accumulated number of recording sheets on which the image is recorded. When toner near end is detected based on the output from the detecting section 6, a CPU 17 stores total number of recorded pages counted at the counting section 7 in an RAM 15. When toner end is detected, the count of recorded pages after detection of near end is presented on a display section 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and a computer apparatus, and more particularly, to an image recording apparatus and an interface for consuming a recording agent each time an image to be recorded is recorded on recording paper and performing image recording. The present invention relates to a computer device connected to an image recording device via the computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image recording apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and a printer, a toner is used as a recording agent. The toner is consumed every time an image is recorded on recording paper.

[0003] Generally, toner is mounted on an image recording apparatus in the form of a toner cartridge. If the toner in the toner cartridge is completely exhausted (toner end), image recording cannot be performed, and it is necessary to replace the toner cartridge with a new toner cartridge.

For this reason, when the toner in the toner cartridge is completely exhausted and the toner is in an end-of-toner state, an out-of-toner warning lamp is turned on to notify a user that the toner is completely exhausted. Many image recording apparatuses prompt the user to replace the toner cartridge.

However, even if the user is warned of running out of toner after the toner in the toner cartridge has completely run out, a certain amount of time is required for ordering a new toner cartridge or the like. If the warning is issued for the first time when is completely exhausted, the user cannot prepare a new toner cartridge in time, so that image recording cannot be performed.

For this reason, before the toner in the toner cartridge is completely exhausted (toner end), when a certain amount of toner still remains in the toner cartridge (toner near end), an out-of-toner warning lamp is blinked. However, image recording is still possible, but an image recording apparatus that notifies the user that the time for complete toner exhaustion is imminent is imminent and gives a grace period to prepare a new toner cartridge is available. Many.

[0007]

However, in an image recording apparatus, there is a demand from users who wants to use up as much toner as possible in order to reduce running costs. On the other hand, although the user can know that the toner end state has been reached or the toner end state has been reached, the number of pages of images that can be recorded from the time the toner end state to the toner end state is reached. There has not been a standard for grasping about.

For this reason, even when the toner near end state is reached, a situation occurs in which the image recording apparatus cannot be used to record an image without preparing a new toner cartridge, or a new toner cartridge is used after the toner near end state. Even after preparing the cartridge, always pay attention to the fact that the recorded image is faded or recorded as a blank sheet without noticing that the toner end state has been reached, and also when the toner end state is reached. However, there is a problem that it is not easy to use and maintenance is not good.

The above problem is not limited to an electrophotographic image recording apparatus using a toner as a recording agent, and an image to be recorded is recorded on recording paper such as an ink jet type image recording apparatus using an ink as a recording agent. In an image recording apparatus that performs image recording by consuming a recording agent every time, the same can occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image recording apparatus capable of presenting to a user an indication of the number of pages of an image that can be recorded until the recording material is almost exhausted after the recording agent is almost exhausted. And a computer device.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus consumes a recording material every time an image to be recorded is recorded on recording paper and performs image recording. A recording page number counting means for counting the total number of pages of the image-recorded recording paper, a remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the recording agent, and the remaining amount detecting means detecting a first remaining amount. Display means for displaying and outputting information on the number of pages counted by the number-of-recorded-pages counting means until a second remaining amount corresponding to running out of the recording material less than the first remaining amount is detected. It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus for recording an image by consuming a recording agent every time an image to be recorded is recorded on the recording sheet, wherein the total number of pages of the image-recorded recording sheet is counted. Means for counting the number of pages to be recorded, remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording agent, and recording less than the first remaining amount after the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount. Recording means for recording and outputting, on a recording sheet, information on the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting means until the second remaining amount corresponding to the running out of the agent is detected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus connected to a computer via an interface while consuming a recording agent every time an image to be recorded is recorded on recording paper. Recording page number counting means for counting the total number of pages of image-recorded recording paper;
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording material, and a second amount corresponding to running out of the recording material less than the first remaining amount after the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount. Transfer means for transferring information on the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting means until the remaining amount is detected, to the computer device via the interface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer device connected to an image recording device via an interface, wherein the image recording device is the same as that of the third aspect, and the image recording device is connected to the image recording device. From the detection of the first remaining amount transferred by the remaining amount detecting means transferred via the interface to the detection of the second remaining amount corresponding to the running out of the recording material smaller than the first remaining amount. Receiving means for receiving information on the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting means, and display means for displaying the information received by the receiving means.

[0015]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a facsimile apparatus 100 as an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a facsimile apparatus 100
Are a scanner 2, a document sensor 3, a plotter 4, a paper sensor 5, a toner remaining amount detecting unit 6, a recording page number counting unit 7, an operation display unit 8, an image memory 9, a parameter memory 10, a battery 11, a clock circuit 12, Centronics interface 13, character generator 14, RAM1
5, a ROM 16, a CPU 17, an encoding / decoding unit 18, a communication control unit 19, a modem 20, a network control unit 21, and a system bus 22.

The scanner 2 has 3.85 lines / mm, 7.7
This is for obtaining image information by reading a document image at a predetermined reading line density such as book / mm and 15.4 book / mm. The document sensor 3 is for detecting the presence or absence of a document and for detecting the occurrence of document jam. Plotter 4
Prints out received image information on recording paper in accordance with its line density, records image information read by the scanner 2 on recording paper in accordance with its line density (copy operation), This is for recording and outputting the image information transferred from the personal computer 200 to the recording paper. The plotter 4 is of an electrophotographic type. The toner contained in a toner cartridge (not shown) is formed on a photoconductor, adheres to an electrostatic latent image, and is transferred and fixed on recording paper.
Record the image on the recording paper.

The paper sensor 5 is for detecting the position of the recording paper on which an image is recorded by the plotter 4 and for detecting the occurrence of a recording paper jam. The toner remaining amount detecting unit 6 detects the remaining amount of toner in the plotter 4 and notifies the CPU 17 when the remaining amount of toner is completely exhausted (toner end). When no remaining toner remains (toner near end), this is notified to the CPU 17. The recording page number counting unit 7 counts the total number of pages of the image recorded by the plotter 4 and notifies the CPU 17 of the number.

The operation display unit 8 is provided with a numeric keypad, a start key, a one-touch dial key, and various other keys for designating a destination facsimile number, and has a display such as a liquid crystal display device. It displays the operating state of the device to be notified and various messages.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the arrangement configuration of the operation display unit 8 not shown except for the parts related to the present embodiment.
In the figure, a numeric keypad 8a is used to directly specify a transmission destination fax number or the like, or to specify by a speed dial. [Yes] key 8b and [No] key 8c are keys for allowing the user to make various selections of determination or cancellation. [Stop] key 8d
Is for instructing forcible stop of various operations. The [Start] key 8e is for instructing the start of a facsimile transmission operation or the start of a copy operation. [Function] key 8f is used to register a one-touch dial, abbreviated dial, a function for setting user parameters, a function other than the function of the facsimile machine 1 as a standard facsimile machine, a time-specified transmission, a department code specified transmission, and the like. The function can be called and executed by depressing the [function] key 8f and inputting a number corresponding to each function with the numeric keypad 8a.

The cursor key group 8g is a [down arrow] key 8g.
d, [left arrow] key 8gl, [right arrow] key 8gr, and [up arrow] key 8gu. The [DOWN ARROW] key 8gd and the [UP ARROW] key 8gu are used to scroll the display content displayed on the display 8h up and down in response to the depression of each key. [Left arrow] key 8
The gl and [right arrow] keys 8gr are used to select items, functions, and the like displayed on the display 8h in response to depression of each key.

The display 8h displays the operating state of the apparatus to be notified to the user and various messages.
The indicator lamp 8i is for indicating the toner near end by blinking and for indicating the toner end by constantly lighting.

Returning to FIG. 1, the image memory 9 temporarily stores image information read by the scanner 2 and image information transferred from the personal computer 200 via the Centronics interface 13 described later as a file for memory transmission. Until the stored or received image information is recorded by the plotter 4 or transferred to the personal computer 200,
It is for temporarily storing as a file. The parameter memory 10 is backed up by a battery 11 and stores user parameters such as a system setting state and one-touch dial registration contents. The stored contents are retained even when the apparatus is powered off. The clock circuit 12 is for measuring the current date and time and performing a timer operation.

The Centronics interface 13
An interface paired with the Centronics interface 34 of the personal computer (personal computer: PC) 200 as the computer device according to the embodiment of the present invention, which serves as an interface for performing local communication between the facsimile device 100 and the personal computer 200. It is.

The character generator 14 stores a font table in which font data is associated with character codes such as alphabets, numbers, kana characters, symbols, and kanji. The CPU 17 converts a character string into image information. Refer to the character generator 14. RA
M15 is a random access memory used as a work area of the CPU 17. The ROM 16 has a CPU 17
Is a read-only memory in which a control program for controlling each unit of the apparatus is stored. CPU 17 is RO
RAM according to the control program written in M16
15 is used as a work area to control each part of the apparatus.

The encoding / decoding unit 18 converts the transmission image data into an MH encoding system conforming to G3 facsimile,
A predetermined decoding method corresponding to the MH coding method, the MR coding method, the MMR coding method, and the like, while receiving and compressing the image data by a predetermined coding method such as the R coding method and the MMR coding method. Is used for decoding and decompression. The communication control unit 19 controls the modem 20 and the network control unit 21 to
This is for controlling facsimile communication. The modem 20 modulates data transmitted to a line via the network control unit 21 and demodulates a communication signal received from the public network via the network control unit 21. Also, the modem 20
Also transmits a DTMF signal corresponding to the input dial number. The network control unit 21 is connected to the line, and under the control of the communication control unit 19, closes / releases the DC loop of the line, detects the polarity reversal of the line, detects the release of the line, detects the dial tone, and sets the busy tone ( It controls connection to a line, such as detection of a tone signal (such as busy), detection of a call signal, etc., and generation of a dial pulse. The system bus 22
These are signal lines through which each section exchanges data.

Next, a block configuration of a personal computer 200 as a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, a personal computer 200 includes a keyboard control unit 31, an MPU 32, an RS-232C interface 33, a Centronics interface 34,
It comprises a display control unit 35, a ROM 36, a RAM 37, a hard disk device 38, and a system bus 39, and has a keyboard 40, a display monitor 50, and a mouse device 60 as a pointing device as peripheral devices. .

The keyboard control unit 31 includes a keyboard 40
The control is performed to decode the key operation input from the MPU 32 and notify the MPU 32 of the key operation. The MPU 32 is a microprocessor that controls each unit of the device. RS-232
The C interface 33 is connected to the mouse device 60.
This is for receiving information on the movement direction and the movement amount output in response to the movement from the device and information on whether or not the button is pressed, and notifying the MPU 32 of the information.

The Centronics interface 34
A pair with the centronics interface 13 of the facsimile apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 serves as an interface for the facsimile apparatus 100 and the personal computer 200 to exchange data with each other.

The display control unit 35 generates an image signal to the display monitor 50 in accordance with an instruction from the MPU 32. The display monitor 50 visually displays an image signal from the display control unit 35. The ROM 36 is a read-only memory in which a program describing a control procedure of the MPU 32 is stored. The RAM 37 is a random address memory serving as a work area of the MPU 32. The hard disk drive 38
A program in which the control procedure of the MPU 32 is described, and various data are stored as files. A correspondence table between character codes and font data is stored as a font file for displaying characters on the display monitor 50 or the like. doing. The system bus 39 is a signal line through which the above-described units exchange data.

The facsimile apparatus 100 described above is
The plotter 4 records the received image information, the image information obtained by reading the original with the scanner 2, and the image information transferred from the personal computer 200 on the recording paper. Each time an image is recorded by the plotter 4, the amount of toner decreases, the remaining amount is detected by the toner remaining amount detecting unit 6, and the total number of pages of the image recorded on the recording sheet is calculated by the recording sheet page number counting unit. Counted by 7.

FIG. 4 shows a procedure for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the facsimile apparatus 100.

In FIG. 3, the CPU 17 monitors the detection of the toner near end by the toner remaining amount detection unit 6 (No loop of the judgment 101), and when the toner near end is detected (Yes of the judgment 101), the operation is started. The indicator lamp 8i of the display unit 8 is flickered to indicate to the user that the toner is about to run out (process 102), and the total number of pages counted by the recording page number counting unit 7 when the toner near end is detected is detected. The recording page number is read from the recording page number counting section 7 as the toner near end page number and stored in the RAM 15 (process 103).

Then, the CPU 17 further monitors that the toner end is detected by the toner remaining amount detecting section 6 (No loop of the judgment 104), and when the toner end is detected (Yes of the judgment 104), the operation is performed. The indicator lamp 8i of the display unit 8 is constantly turned on from the blinking state to indicate to the user that the toner has run out (process 105).
The total number of recording pages counted by the recording page number counting section 7 at the time when the toner end is detected is read out from the recording page number counting section 7 as the toner end page number, and is read out.
It is stored in the AM 15 (process 106).

Then, a process of outputting information on the number of printable pages between the toner near end and the toner end is performed (process 10).
7).

The first, second and third embodiments of the process 107 for outputting the number of recordable pages between the toner near end and the toner end in the process 107 will be described below in order.

First, the procedure for outputting the number of recordable pages information between toner near end and toner end according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG.
The character generator 14 is referred to based on the toner near-end page number and the toner end page number stored in the character generator 14 and the date and time when the toner near-end and toner end occurred, which are read from the clock circuit 12. Creates a noticeable page number notification image information between toner near end / toner end of a predetermined format (process 2)
01), and output it to the display 8h of the operation display section 8 (process 202).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the image information indicating the number of recordable pages between the toner near end and the toner end which is displayed and output on the display 8h in the process 202.

In the same figure, the image information output as <toner near end / end-history of total number of recorded pages>
It is configured by associating the date and time when each state of toner near end or toner end occurs with the total number of recording pages in each state. The total number of recording pages at toner near end (5432) and the total number of recording pages at toner end The difference (135) from the number (5567) is also described for reference.

As a result, it is possible to present to the user an indication of the number of pages that can be recorded between the toner near end and the toner end. Also, by describing the toner near end and the occurrence date and time of the toner end, it is possible to present to the user an indication of a period required from the transition to the toner near end state to the toner end state.

The procedure for detecting the remaining amount of toner shown in FIG.
Each time a toner end occurs and the toner cartridge of the plotter 4 is replaced, the process is repeated. The toner near end and the toner end generated for each successively replaced donor cartridge are shown in FIG. By cumulatively describing the number history>, the change in the number of pages that can be recorded between the toner near end and the toner end can be presented to the user, and the number of pages that can be recorded between the toner near end and the toner end can be more reliably determined. A guide can be presented to the user. The same applies to the period required from the toner near end state to the toner end state. Note that the <toner near-end / end-total number of recorded pages history> displayed on the display 8h is the [up arrow] key 8
gu and [down arrow] key 8gd can be used to scroll up and down for reference.

Next, a procedure for outputting information on the number of printable pages between the toner near end and the toner end according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG.
The character generator 14 is referred to based on the toner near-end page number and the toner end page number stored in the character generator 14 and the date and time when the toner near-end and toner end occurred, which are read from the clock circuit 12. Creates information about the number of recordable pages between toner near end and toner end in a predetermined format.
01), and prints out on a recording paper by the plotter 4 (process 302).

FIG. 8 shows an example of the image information indicating the number of recordable pages between the toner near end and the toner end which is recorded and output on the recording paper in the process 302.

In the figure, the image information output as <Toner near-end / end-total recorded page number history report> includes the date and time when each state of toner near end or toner end occurred, the total number of recorded pages in each state, and the like. The difference (135) between the total number of recorded pages at the toner near end (5432) and the total number of recorded pages at the toner end (5567) is also shown for reference.

As a result, it is possible to present to the user an indication of the number of pages that can be recorded between the toner near end and the toner end. Also, by describing the toner near end and the occurrence date and time of the toner end, it is possible to present to the user an indication of a period required from the transition to the toner near end state to the toner end state. Also, by recording on recording paper,
Posting and filing are possible.

The procedure for detecting the remaining amount of toner shown in FIG.
Each time a toner end occurs and the toner cartridge of the plotter 4 is replaced, the process is repeated. However, regarding the toner near end and the toner end generated for each successively replaced donor cartridge, the <Toner near end / end-total recording page> in FIG. Number history report>, the change in the number of pages that can be recorded between toner near end / toner end can be presented to the user,
It is possible to present a more reliable guide to the user regarding the number of pages that can be recorded between the toner near end and the toner end. After the toner near end,
The same applies to the period required to reach the toner end state.

Next, a procedure for outputting information on the number of printable pages between toner near end and toner end according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG.
The character generator 14 is referred to based on the toner near end page number and the toner end page number stored in the clock generator 12 and the date and time when the toner near end and toner end are read out from the clock circuit 12. Creates information about the number of pages that can be recorded between toner near end and toner end in a predetermined format.
01), and output (transmit) to the personal computer (PC) 200 via the Centronics interface 13 (process 40).
2).

In the personal computer 200, the facsimile machine 1
In correspondence with the toner near-end / toner end recordable page number information output processing procedure according to the third embodiment of FIG. 9 in FIG. 9, the toner near-end / toner end recordable page number information reception processing procedure illustrated in FIG. Do.

In FIG. 10, the MPU of the personal computer 200
32 monitors whether or not the recordable page number notification image information is received from the facsimile apparatus 100 via the Centronics interface 34 (No loop of the judgment 501),
When the recordable page number notification image information is received corresponding to the process 402 in FIG. 9 (Yes in the judgment 501), the received recordable page number notification image information is displayed and output on the display 50 (process 502).

FIG. 11 shows the display 50 in the process 502.
9 shows an example of the image information indicating the number of recordable pages between the toner near end and the toner end, which is displayed and output in FIG.

In the figure, the image information output as <toner near end / end-history of total number of recorded pages>
It is configured by associating the date and time when each state of toner near end or toner end occurs with the total number of recording pages in each state. The total number of recording pages at toner near end (5432) and the total number of recording pages at toner end The difference (135) from the number (5567) is also described for reference.

Thus, the user can be provided with an indication of the number of pages that can be recorded between the toner near end and the toner end. Also, by describing the toner near end and the occurrence date and time of the toner end, it is possible to present to the user an indication of a period required from the transition to the toner near end state to the toner end state. Further, by displaying the information on the display 50 of the personal computer 200, the <toner near-end / end-total recorded page number history> can be referred to without the user having to go to the installation location of the facsimile apparatus 100.

The procedure for detecting the remaining amount of toner shown in FIG.
Each time a toner end occurs and the toner cartridge of the plotter 4 is replaced, the process is repeated. The toner near end and the toner end generated for each successively replaced donor cartridge are shown in FIG. By cumulatively describing the number history>, the change in the number of pages that can be recorded between the toner near end and the toner end can be presented to the user, and the number of pages that can be recorded between the toner near end and the toner end can be more reliably determined. A guide can be presented to the user. The same applies to the period required from the toner near end state to the toner end state. The <toner near-end / end-total recorded page number history> shown in FIG. 11 can be closed at any time by clicking the “OK” button with the mouse device 60.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus which is one of image recording apparatuses. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image recording apparatuses such as a copying machine and a printer may be used. The same can be applied to the apparatus.

In the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic image recording apparatus using a toner as a recording agent. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An image recording apparatus, such as an ink jet type image recording apparatus, which consumes a recording agent every time image recording is performed and performs image recording, can be similarly applied.

In the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to the configuration in which the facsimile apparatus 100 and the personal computer 200 exchange information via the Centronics interface. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
If the interface allows the facsimile apparatus 100 and the personal computer 200 to exchange information, a SCSI interface, RS-232C interface, L
The present invention can be similarly applied to a configuration in which information is exchanged via another interface such as an AN interface.

[0062]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, after the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount, the second remaining amount corresponding to running out of the recording material smaller than the first remaining amount is detected. In order to display and output the information on the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting means until the remaining amount is detected, the recording material reaches the first remaining amount indicating that the printing material is almost exhausted. It is possible to present to the user an indication of the number of pages of an image that can be recorded before the second remaining amount indicating the cut-out, which leads to an improvement in usability and an improvement in maintainability.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, after the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount, the second remaining amount corresponding to the running out of the recording material smaller than the first remaining amount. In order to record and output the information on the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting means on the recording paper until the recording paper number is detected, the first remaining amount indicating that the recording material is about to run out is reached,
It is possible to present to the user an indication of the number of pages of an image that can be recorded before the second remaining amount indicating that the recording material has run out, and it is possible to obtain an effect of improving usability and improving maintainability. Also, to record on recording paper,
There is also an advantage that information about the number of pages can be posted or filing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount, the second remaining amount corresponding to the running out of the recording material smaller than the first remaining amount. In order to transfer the information on the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting means to the computer device through the interface until the recording page number is detected, the first remaining amount indicating that the recording material is almost exhausted and After that, the number of pages of images that can be recorded until the second remaining amount, which indicates that the recording material has run out, is used as a guide for the number of pages of the image, without sending the user to the installation location of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus can present the information to the user, and the effect of further improving the usability and the maintainability can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect, after the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount, the recording material smaller than the first remaining amount is detected. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein information about the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting means is displayed until the second remaining amount corresponding to the exhaustion is detected. An indication of the number of pages of an image that can be recorded from when the first remaining amount indicates the remaining amount of the recording material to when the second remaining amount indicates the running out of the recording agent, Without sending the user to
The computer device according to the present invention enables presentation to the user, and the operability is further improved and the maintainability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement configuration of an operation display unit of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a personal computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a toner remaining amount detection processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a toner near-end / toner-end recordable page number information output processing procedure according to the first embodiment in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of image information on the number of recordable pages between toner near end and toner end which is displayed and output according to the processing procedure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a toner near-end / toner-end recordable page number information output processing procedure according to the second embodiment in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of image information indicating the number of printable pages between toner near end and toner end, which is recorded and output on recording paper according to the processing procedure of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a toner near-end / toner-end recordable page number information output processing procedure according to the third embodiment in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process of receiving the number of recordable pages between toner near end and toner end performed by the personal computer according to the embodiment of the present invention in accordance with the processing procedure of FIG. 9 in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows a processing procedure.

11 is a diagram showing an example of image information of the number of recordable pages between toner near end / toner end, which is displayed and output on the display according to the processing procedure of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Scanner 3 Document sensor 4 Plotter 5 Paper sensor 6 Toner remaining amount detecting section 7 Number of recorded pages detecting section 8 Operation display section 8a Numeric keypad 8b [Yes] key 8c [No] key 8d [Stop] key 8e [Start] key 8f [ Function] key 8g Cursor key group 8gd [Down arrow] key 8gl [Left arrow] key 8gr [Right arrow] key 8gu [Up arrow] key 8h Display 8i Indicator lamp 9 Image memory 10 Parameter memory 11 Battery 12 Clock circuit 13 Centronics Interface 14 Character generator 15 RAM 16 ROM 17 CPU 18 Encoding / decoding unit 19 Communication control unit 20 Modem 21 Network control unit 22 System bus 31 Keyboard control unit 32 MPU 33 RS-232C interface 34 Tronics I / F 35 display control unit 36 ROM 37 RAM 38 hard disk drive 39 system bus 40 keyboard 50 display monitor 60 mouse device 100 facsimile apparatus 200 PC

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/00 106 H04N 1/00 106B

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus which consumes a recording material every time a recording target image is recorded on recording paper and performs image recording, wherein: a recording page number counting means for counting a total number of pages of the image-recorded recording paper; A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording agent, and after the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount,
The second amount corresponding to the recording material running out less than the first remaining amount.
A display unit for displaying and outputting information on the number of pages counted by the number-of-recorded-pages counting unit until the remaining amount is detected. 2. An image recording apparatus which consumes a recording agent every time a recording target image is recorded on recording paper and performs image recording, wherein: a recording page number counting means for counting a total number of pages of the image-recorded recording paper; A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording agent, and after the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount,
The second amount corresponding to the recording material running out less than the first remaining amount.
A recording unit for recording and outputting information on the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting unit to a recording sheet until the remaining amount of the recording paper is detected. 3. An image recording apparatus connected to a computer device via an interface while consuming a recording agent each time an image to be recorded is recorded on recording paper. Recording page number counting means for counting the number of pages, remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording agent, and after the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount,
The second amount corresponding to the recording material running out less than the first remaining amount.
An image recording apparatus, comprising: transfer means for transferring information about the number of pages counted by the recording page number counting means until the remaining amount of the recording paper is detected to the computer device via the interface. 4. A computer device connected to an image recording device via an interface, wherein the image recording device is the one according to claim 3, and is transferred from the image recording device via the interface. In addition, the number of the recorded pages may be changed between the time when the remaining amount detecting means detects the first remaining amount and the time when the second remaining amount corresponding to running out of the recording material smaller than the first remaining amount is detected. A computer device comprising: a receiving unit that receives information on the number of pages counted by the counting unit; and a display unit that displays the information received by the receiving unit.