JP4120417B2 - Printing control apparatus, printing apparatus monitoring program, and printing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An ink jet printer includes a plurality of ink cartridges filled with ink in a housing, and performs printing by spraying the ink from a print head onto a print medium such as recording paper. The ink filled in the ink cartridge is consumed by the printing process, and printing cannot be executed when the ink remaining in the ink cartridge runs out.
[0003]
For this reason, the host computer connected to the printer displays a warning screen when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge installed in the printer falls below a predetermined amount, and informs the user that the remaining amount of ink has decreased. Notice.
[0004]
In recent years, in addition to a warning screen, displaying an ink cartridge ordering screen has been put into practical use so that a user can easily purchase an ink cartridge.
[0005]
On the ink cartridge ordering screen, for example, a button for accessing a web page where the ink cartridge can be purchased, a button for printing an order sheet for ordering the ink cartridge by fax, and a telephone number of the ordering party are displayed. Buttons for printing, information for specifying the ink cartridge, or a button for sending by e-mail, etc. are arranged, and the user clicks these buttons arranged on the screen so that the ink cartridge is selected. Information useful for purchasing or purchasing ink cartridges can be acquired.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The host computer acquires printer status information including ink remaining amount information of the ink cartridge through two-way communication with the printer. Then, based on the acquired ink remaining amount information, it is determined whether the ink remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.
[0007]
The communication for acquiring the status information of the printer is performed by sending a status information acquisition request from the host computer to the printer when executing the printing process based on the print command from the user.
[0008]
In other words, since the execution of printing is a trigger, even if the ink remaining in the ink cartridge installed in the printer is low, the screen for ordering the ink cartridge is displayed unless printing is actually performed. Do not show.
[0009]
For this reason, there is a desire to display an ink cartridge ordering screen without executing printing on the host computer.
[0010]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that an ink cartridge ordering screen can be displayed without executing printing.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the input means included in the printing apparatus has been operated; and when the monitoring means detects that the input means has been operated, output image data for displaying information relating to the purchase of the cartridge An image output means for performing printing.
[0012]
In order to output image data for displaying information related to the purchase of the cartridge triggered by the operation of a predetermined input unit of the printing apparatus, the user can perform an ink cartridge ordering screen without executing printing. Can be displayed.
[0013]
Here, when outputting the image data, the image output unit acquires information on the remaining amount of the image forming medium from the printing apparatus, and stores information based on the acquired information on the remaining amount of the image forming medium in the cartridge. Can be included in the information about purchases.
[0014]
Thereby, the user can acquire information on which cartridge should be purchased.
[0015]
The screen displayed by the image data for displaying the information related to the purchase of the cartridge can be used by the printing apparatus, an instruction to access a web page where the cartridge can be ordered, an instruction to print the cartridge order sheet, and the like. An area for receiving at least one of an information print instruction for specifying a cartridge and an information mail transmission instruction for specifying a cartridge usable in the printing apparatus can be included.
[0016]
Thereby, the convenience of ordering a cartridge can be improved.
[0017]
In addition, the monitoring unit can monitor whether or not the input unit included in the printing apparatus has been operated by communicating with the printing apparatus regularly or irregularly.
[0018]
The second aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A printing apparatus management program executable in an information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
Monitoring means for monitoring whether the input means provided in the printing apparatus is operated;
When the monitoring unit detects that the input unit has been operated, the information processing apparatus is configured to construct an image output unit that outputs image data for displaying information related to the purchase of the cartridge. It is a management program.
[0019]
Here, it is desirable that the monitoring unit is resident on the information processing apparatus.
[0020]
The third aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows:
A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus that includes an input unit and performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium; and a print control apparatus to which a display device is connected,
The printing system further includes a control unit that causes the display device to display a screen for displaying information related to the purchase of the cartridge when an input unit included in the printing device is operated.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system 1 configured by including a computer 30 and a printer 10.
[0023]
The computer 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 that performs processing based on various programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32 that temporarily stores data, programs, and the like, various data for controlling the computer 30, and a startup time For example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33 in which a program for storage is stored in a non-volatile manner, and an interface 34 for controlling transmission / reception of data to / from a peripheral device such as the connected printer 10. In this embodiment, the computer 30 functions as a print control apparatus.
[0024]
The computer 30 includes a display device 21 such as a color display, an input device 22 such as a mouse and a keyboard, a media reading device 23 that reads data from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a built-in or external auxiliary storage device 24, And the communication control apparatus 25 for connecting to the internet 70 is connected. However, the configuration of the computer 30 is not limited to this.
[0025]
The printer 10 is, for example, an ink jet color printer. An ink jet type color printer includes a plurality of ink cartridges filled with ink as an image forming medium in a casing, and performs printing by spraying the ink from a print head onto a print medium such as a recording sheet.
[0026]
The printer 10 includes an interface 11 that controls communication with the computer 30 such as data reception, a CPU 12 that performs processing based on various programs, a RAM 13 that temporarily stores print data and the like, and a printer 10 that controls the printer 10. ROM 14 in which various data and various programs are stored in a nonvolatile manner, a print head that ejects ink, a carriage drive mechanism that drives a carriage on which the print head is mounted, a paper feed mechanism, and a print medium supply / discharge process The print engine 15 includes a feed / discharge mechanism to be performed, and an operation button group 52 that functions as input means for receiving an instruction from the user. However, the configuration of the printer 10 is not limited to this.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which the printer 10 is viewed from above.
[0028]
As shown in the figure, an opening 44 is formed in the housing 40 of the printer 10 so that the inside of the printer 10 can be seen from the opening 44. A cover 46 covering the opening 44 is attached to the printer 10. The cover 46 is supported by the housing 40 so as to be freely opened and closed by an opening / closing support portion 48. Normally, the cover 46 is closed so as to cover the opening 44. However, when the ink cartridge is replaced, the cover 46 is opened as shown in FIG.
[0029]
Inside the printer 10, a guide rail 41 and a carriage 42 that moves on the guide rail 41 in the main scanning direction are provided. The carriage 42 is moved by driving a carriage motor (not shown) and transmitting the driving force to the carriage 42 via a timing belt.
[0030]
An ink cartridge filled with ink as an image forming medium is mounted on the carriage 42 for each color. In this embodiment, the printer 10 can be equipped with seven ink cartridges, and each ink cartridge is filled with yellow (Y), light magenta (LM), magenta (M), and light cyan (LC). , Cyan (C), light yellow (LY), and black (K) are used for printing. For this reason, nozzle openings corresponding to seven ink cartridges are arranged in each row in the print head (not shown). However, the number of ink cartridges attached to the printer 10 is not limited to this. Further, instead of dividing the ink cartridge for each ink color, a plurality of ink colors, for example, color ink colors may be stored in one ink cartridge so that two ink cartridges of black and color can be mounted. .
[0031]
Each ink cartridge includes a storage element. The storage element stores information representing the color of ink filled in the ink cartridge and information representing the remaining amount of ink.
[0032]
The connection terminal of the storage element is exposed, and when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printer 10, information such as ink color and ink remaining amount can be exchanged between each ink cartridge and the printer 10. It has become. The memory element can be constituted by, for example, an EEPROM provided with a memory cell, a read / write controller, an address counter, and the like.
[0033]
The casing 40 displays, as the operation button group 52, a power button 52a for turning the printer 10 on and off, an ink cartridge replacement button 52b for instructing replacement of the ink cartridge, and an ink cartridge ordering screen. And an ink cartridge ordering button 52c.
[0034]
Each operation button 52 or a part of the operation buttons 52 has a built-in light-emitting device so as to indicate the state of the printer 10 or the like. For example, the power button 52a is lit when the power is turned on, and the ink cartridge replacement button 52b blinks when the remaining amount of ink in any of the ink cartridges becomes a predetermined amount or less.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration of the present embodiment constructed on the printing system 1. In this figure, a print control unit 310 for controlling printing processing in the printing system 1 and a network control unit 320 for exchanging information via the Internet 70 are constructed on the computer 30. Is constructed of a print execution unit 210 that performs an actual print process, an ink cartridge management unit 220 that manages information about the mounted ink cartridge, and an operation button processing unit 230 that processes an operation on the operation button 52 from the user. Is done.
[0036]
The print control unit 310 constructed on the computer 30 acquires information about the status of the printer 10 and the print data generation unit 311 that generates print data for the document to be printed, and performs processing based on the acquired information. And a printer monitor unit 312 to perform.
[0037]
When the print data generation unit 311 receives a print command from the user, the print data generation unit 311 generates print data by performing rasterization processing, color conversion processing, and the like on the document to be printed.
[0038]
When executing printing, the printer monitor unit 312 sends a status information acquisition request to the printer 10 and acquires status information including ink remaining amount information of the ink cartridge. When the ink remaining amount is lower than the value determined by a predetermined rule, the screen indicates that the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge has become equal to or less than the reference value, and prompts the user to replace the ink cartridge. An ink cartridge ordering screen showing information related to the purchase of the ink cartridge is displayed on the display device 21.
[0039]
The printer monitor unit 312 communicates with the operation button processing unit 230 of the printer 10 periodically or irregularly regardless of the execution of printing, and determines whether the ink cartridge order button 52c of the printer 10 has been pressed. Monitor. When it is detected that the ink cartridge order button 52c is pressed, status information is acquired from the printer 10. Then, an ink cartridge ordering screen is displayed on the display device 21. As described above, the printer monitor unit 312 is preferably constructed on the computer 30 as a so-called resident program in order to monitor the state of the printer 10.
[0040]
A print control unit 310 including a print data generation unit 311 and a printer monitor unit 312 runs on the computer 30 when the CPU 31 executes a printer control program read by the RAM 32 on the operating system that controls the computer 30. Built. The printer control program for this purpose can be distributed by recording it on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Then, a printer control program can be installed in the computer 30 by reading the recording medium with the media reader 23. For example, it can also be installed via the Internet 70.
[0041]
However, the printer monitor unit 312 may be constructed on the computer 30 by a printer monitor program independent of the printer control program.
[0042]
The network control unit 320 includes a mail processing unit 320a that controls transmission / reception of mail on the Internet 70, and a Web processing unit that performs processing for accessing a Web page on the Internet 70 specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locators). 320b. These are constructed on the computer 30 by the CPU 31 executing, for example, a general-purpose mail software program or a Web browser software program.
[0043]
A print execution unit 210 constructed on the printer 10 performs an actual print process based on print data sent from the computer 30.
[0044]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 manages ink information including ink remaining amount data of each ink cartridge mounted on the printer 10. The ink cartridge management unit 220 reads information from the storage element of the ink cartridge and updates the ink information. Ink information is transmitted in response to a status request from the computer 30.
[0045]
Further, the ink cartridge management unit 220 informs the user by blinking the ink cartridge replacement button 52b when the remaining amount of ink in one of the ink cartridges is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.
[0046]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 can calculate the ink discharge amount by multiplying the weight of the ink droplets discharged from the nozzles provided in the print head and the number of ink droplet discharges. The remaining amount of ink can be calculated by subtracting the ink consumption amount from the ink filling amount of the ink cartridge based on the ink ejection amount and the ink suction amount consumed by the cleaning of the print head and the like. .
[0047]
The ink cartridge management unit 220 reads the remaining ink amount data stored from the storage element of the ink cartridge and writes it in the RAM 13 when the printer 10 is powered on. Then, the contents of the RAM 13 are updated with the calculated latest ink remaining amount as ink remaining amount data. In the case where information on the type, version, manufacturer, manufacturing time, etc. of the ink cartridge is recorded in the storage element of the ink cartridge, such information may be written in the RAM 13 when the power is turned on.
[0048]
The calculated latest ink remaining amount is written in each storage element of the ink cartridge after the printer 10 is turned off. Alternatively, for example, writing may be performed every time printing is completed.
[0049]
The remaining ink amount can be expressed, for example, as a percentage based on the amount of ink filled in a new ink cartridge. In this case, the ink remaining amount in the initial state where the ink cartridge is filled with ink is 100%, and decreases to 0% as the printing process is executed. Of course, the method for expressing the remaining ink amount is not limited to a percentage.
[0050]
The operation button processing unit 230 detects that any one of the operation buttons 52 has been pressed, and performs processing corresponding to the pressed operation button 52. For example, when the power button 52a is pressed, processing such as initialization is performed, and when the ink cartridge replacement button 52b is pressed, processing for ink cartridge replacement such as movement of the carriage 42 is performed. Further, when the ink cartridge order button 52c is pressed, the printer monitor unit 312 of the computer 30 is notified that the ink cartridge order button 52c has been pressed in response to an inquiry.
[0051]
Next, processing of the printer monitor unit 312 of the computer 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0052]
The printer monitor unit 312 of the computer 30 communicates with the operation button processing unit 230 of the printer 10 regularly or irregularly to monitor the printer 10 (S101).
[0053]
When it is detected that the ink cartridge order button 52c has been pressed (S102: Y), a status information acquisition request is sent to the printer 10 to acquire the status information of the printer 10 (S103). The status information of the printer 10 includes information regarding the remaining amount of ink in each ink cartridge installed in the printer 10.
[0054]
Based on the acquired ink remaining amount information, an ink cartridge ordering screen 520 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display device 21 (S104). On this screen 520, the user can place an order for an ink cartridge or obtain information on ordering an ink cartridge. Specifically, when ordering on a web page, the user can access the web where ink cartridges can be ordered, and when ordering by fax, order fax paper can be printed and ordered by telephone. In that case, the telephone number of the ordering party is displayed. In addition, when purchasing at a store, information for specifying an ink cartridge can be printed or transmitted to a predetermined address by e-mail so that the ink cartridge corresponding to the printer 10 can be easily identified.
[0055]
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to call up a screen for ordering ink cartridges by operating the printer 10 without executing printing.
[0056]
In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is provided with the independent ink cartridge ordering button 52c. However, this button is omitted, for example, when the ink cartridge replacement button 52b is blinking, or in a normal state. In this state, when the ink cartridge replacement button 52b is pressed, or when pressed for a predetermined time or more, the same processing as when the ink cartridge ordering button 52c is pressed may be performed.
[0057]
In the above embodiments, the ink cartridge has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a toner cartridge filled with toner as an image forming medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the printer 10 is viewed from above.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration constructed on the printing system 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink cartridge ordering screen.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the printer monitor unit 312;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 printing system, 10 printer, 11 interface, 12 CPU, 13 RAM, 14 ROM, 15 print engine, 21 display device, 22 input device, 23 media reading device, 24 auxiliary storage device, 25 communication control device, 30 computer, 31 CPU, 32 RAM, 33 ROM, 34 interface, 41 guide rail, 42 carriage, 52a power button, 52b ink cartridge replacement button, 52c ink cartridge ordering button, 70 Internet, 210 print execution unit, 220 ink cartridge management unit, 230 operation Button processing unit, 310 print control unit, 311 print data generation unit, 312 printer monitor unit, 320 network control unit, 320a mail processing unit, 320b Web processing unit

Claims (8)

A printing system configured to include a printing device that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium, and one or more printing control devices to which a display device is connected,
  The printing apparatus includes:
  Input means for receiving input for cartridge ordering;
  Notification means for notifying the input received by the input means in response to an inquiry from the print control device;
With
  The print control device includes:
  Inquiry means for inquiring whether the input means has accepted the input to the printing device;
  When the input received by the input unit is notified to the inquiry unit, status information acquisition unit that acquires status information about the status of the printing device from the printing device;
  Image output means for outputting image data for displaying information related to the purchase of the cartridge based on the status information;
A printing system comprising: A printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
Inquiry means for inquiring of the printing apparatus whether or not the input means included in the printing apparatus has received an input for ordering a cartridge;
An image output unit that outputs image data for displaying information related to the purchase of the cartridge when the inquiry unit is notified of an input accepted by the input unit. The print control apparatus according to claim 2,
The image output means acquires information relating to the remaining amount of the image forming medium from the printing apparatus when outputting image data, and information based on the acquired information relating to the remaining amount of the image forming medium relates to the purchase of the cartridge. A printing control apparatus characterized by being included in information . The print control apparatus according to claim 2,
On the screen displayed by the image data for displaying information related to the purchase of the cartridge, an instruction to access a web page where the cartridge can be ordered, an instruction to print the cartridge order sheet, and a cartridge usable in the printing apparatus are displayed. An area for receiving at least one of an information print instruction for specifying and an information mail transmission instruction for specifying a cartridge usable in the printing apparatus is included. apparatus. In the printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The inquiring unit monitors whether or not the input unit for ordering a cartridge included in the printing apparatus has received the input by communicating with the printing apparatus periodically or irregularly. apparatus. A printing apparatus management program executable in an information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing using a cartridge filled with an image forming medium,
  Inquiry means for inquiring of the printing apparatus whether or not the input means included in the printing apparatus has received an input for ordering a cartridge;
  When the inquiry means is notified of the input accepted by the input means, the cartridge A printing apparatus management program that causes an information processing apparatus to construct image output means for outputting image data for displaying information relating to purchase of a wedge. The printing apparatus management program according to claim 6,
A print management program characterized in that the inquiry means is resident on an information processing apparatus . The print management program according to claim 6 or 7,
The image output means acquires information relating to the remaining amount of the image forming medium from the printing apparatus when outputting image data, and information based on the acquired information relating to the remaining amount of the image forming medium relates to the purchase of the cartridge. A printing apparatus management program which is included in information .

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