Printing system

Abstract

The invention provides a printing system capable of easily reusing a cartridge. A printing system includes: a printing material cartridge that accommodates a printing material and has an identification unit that records identification information for identifying the printing material cartridge; a printing device having a cartridge mounting portion on which the printing material cartridge is mounted, a device reading portion formed inside the cartridge mounting portion and optically reading the identification portion, and a device storage portion; and a server device having a server storage unit and communicably connected to the printing device, the device storage unit and the server storage unit respectively storing the identification information and the number of refills of the printing material cartridge so as to associate with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology of a printing system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a structure in which, in a cartridge detachably mounted on a mounting portion of a liquid ejecting device, a circuit board including a storage device is mounted in a housing forming an outer shell of the cartridge (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the prior art, since the circuit substrate is installed in the outer shell of the cartridge, when the used cartridge is reused, the circuit substrate cannot be easily removed. As a result, the cartridge cannot be easily reused.

[0004] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 098287 Summary of the invention

[0005] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes: a printing material box that stores printing materials and has an identification unit that records identification information for identifying the printing material box; a printing device that has a box mounting unit for mounting the printing material box, a device reading unit formed inside the box mounting unit and optically reading the identification unit, and a device storage unit; a server device that has a server storage unit and is connected to the printing device in a communicative manner, and the device storage unit and the server storage unit respectively store the identification information and the number of times the printing material box is refilled in a corresponding relationship. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 A diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system.

[0007] Figure 2 It is the front view of the box installation part.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the box mounting portion when viewed from the second side wall side of the device on the -X direction side.

[0009] Figure 4 A side view of a printing material box.

[0010] Figure 5 It is the front view of the printing material box.

[0011] Figure 6 A diagram showing a printing material box and a box mounting portion during insertion.

[0012] Figure 7A diagram showing a printing material box and a box installation portion in a state where installation is completed.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the main control device.

[0014] Fig. 9 A block diagram showing the detailed structure of the server device.

[0015] Fig.10 A block diagram showing the detailed structure of the refilling device.

[0016] Fig.11 The present invention is a flowchart showing a consumption value management method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A. Implementation method:

[0018] A-1. Structure of printing system:

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the printing system 1. Figure 1 In the figure, the XYZ axes are depicted as three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. The directions pointed to by the arrow marks of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are the positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are set as the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively. The directions opposite to the directions pointed to by the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are set as the negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are set as the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. The directions that do not involve positive and negative along the directions of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are called the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively.

[0020] In the present embodiment, when the printing system 1 is in use, the X-axis and the Y-axis are axes along the horizontal plane, and the Z-axis is an axis along the direction of gravity. That is, the use state of the printing system 1 refers to a state in which the printing system 1 is set on a horizontal plane. In the following, the direction of gravity is set as the -Z direction, and the direction of anti-gravity is set as the +Z direction. The direction from the front surface side toward the rear surface side of the printing system 1 is set as the -Y direction, and the direction from the rear surface side toward the front surface side of the printing system 1 is set as the +Y direction. In addition, when observing the printing system 1 from the -Y direction side serving as the front surface side, the direction from the right surface side toward the left surface side of the printing system 1 is set as the +X direction, and the direction from the left surface side toward the right surface side is set as the -X direction. The same is true for the drawings and descriptions shown thereafter.

[0021] The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10, a printing material box 4 for storing printing materials supplied to the printing device 10, a server device 8 connected to the printing device 10 in a communicable manner, and a refilling device 9 connected to the server device 8 in a communicable manner. The printing material box 4 has an identification unit as image information. In the present embodiment, the identification unit is a QR code (registered trademark, omitted hereinafter) as an example of a matrix-type two-dimensional code. In the identification unit, identification information for identifying the printing material box 4 and a destination address of the server device 8 are recorded. The identification information is, for example, a box ID assigned to each printing material box 4 in order to distinguish between a plurality of printing material boxes 4. The identification information may also be a manufacturing lot number of the printing material box 4. The destination address of the server device 8 is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing the server device 8.

[0022] A-2. Structure of printing device:

[0023] The printing device 10 is a device that ejects printing material onto a medium P such as printing paper, resin film, or cloth to print images or text. In the present embodiment, the printing device 10 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as a printing material from a head 22. The ink may be any ink of various liquid compositions such as water-based ink, oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot melt ink. In addition, the printing material is not limited to liquid, and may also be a powdered toner.

[0024] The printing device 10 includes a cartridge mounting portion 6 for mounting the printing material cartridge 4 , a main control device 3 , a drive mechanism 17 , a carriage 20 , and a head 22 including a nozzle for ejecting the printing material supplied from the printing material cartridge 4 .

[0025] On the box mounting portion 6, a printing material box 4 is installed in a detachable manner. The box mounting portion 6 has a device front wall 606 located on the +Y direction side. The device front wall 606 has an insertion and extraction opening 674 as an entrance and exit of the printing material box 4 to the storage chamber 600. The printing material box 4 is installed by being inserted into the storage chamber 600 of the box mounting portion 6 through the insertion and extraction opening 674. In the present embodiment, the insertion direction DI of the printing material box 4 relative to the box mounting portion 6 is the -Y direction from the front surface side to the rear surface side of the printing device 10. In addition, the removal direction DO of the printing material box 4 installed in the box mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction in the opposite direction to the insertion direction DI. In addition, in the present embodiment, four printing material boxes 4 are installed one each corresponding to the four colors of ink, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, that is, a total of four printing material boxes 4K, 4C, 4M, and 4Y are installed in the box mounting portion 6, respectively. The printing material cartridges 4K, 4C, 4M, 4Y are arranged in the X direction in which the right and left surfaces of the printing device 10 face each other. The type, number, and arrangement of the printing material cartridges 4 installed in the cartridge installation portion 6 are not limited thereto.

[0026] In the installation completed state where the printing material box 4 is installed in the box mounting portion 6, the ink as the printing material is supplied to the head 22 provided on the carriage 20 via the tube 24 as the liquid circulation tube. The tube 24 is provided for each type of ink. In the present embodiment, the ink is supplied to the head 22 from the liquid storage bag (not shown) of the printing material box 4 by introducing the pressurized fluid from the printing device 10 into the printing material box 4. In addition, the method of supplying the ink from the printing material box 4 to the head 22 is not limited thereto. The ink may also be supplied to the head 22 by being sucked from the printing material box 4 by utilizing the pump mechanism of the printing device 10, for example.

[0027] The head 22 is provided with nozzles according to the type of ink. The ink is ejected from the nozzles toward the medium P. In the present embodiment, the printing device 10 is a so-called "non-carriage loading type" printer in which the cartridge mounting portion 6 is not linked to the movement of the carriage 20. In addition, the technology disclosed in the present invention can also be applied to a so-called "carriage loading type" printer in which the cartridge mounting portion 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and the cartridge mounting portion 6 moves together with the carriage 20.

[0028] The main control device 3 controls the operation of each unit of the printing device 10 and exchanges signals with the server device 8. The function of the main control device 3 will be described in detail later.

[0029] The carriage 20 moves the head 22 relative to the medium P. The drive mechanism 17 moves the carriage 20 back and forth based on a control signal from the main control device 3. The drive mechanism 17 includes, for example, a timing belt 18 and a drive motor 19. The power of the drive motor 19 is transmitted to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 18, so that the carriage 20 moves back and forth in the X direction, which is the main scanning direction. In addition, the printing device 10 includes a conveying mechanism (not shown) for moving the medium P in the +Y direction, which is the sub-scanning direction. When printing is performed, the medium P is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the conveying mechanism, and the printed medium P is output to the front surface cover 11.

[0030] A-3. Detailed structure of the box installation part:

[0031] Figure 2 It is a front view of the box installation part 6. Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cartridge mounting portion 6 when viewed from the second side wall 605 of the device on the -X direction side. The cartridge mounting portion 6 is mounted according to the type of the printing material cartridge 4. In the present embodiment, the printing device 10 includes four cartridge mounting portions 6K, 6C, 6M, 6Y in which four printing material cartridges 4K, 4C, 4M, 4Y are mounted, respectively.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, each cartridge mounting portion 6 has a storage chamber 600 for storing the printing material cartridge 4. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, in the present embodiment, the storage chamber 600 is roughly in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. For the box mounting portion 6, the X direction is the width direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. The box mounting portion 6 has a device rear wall 601, a device upper wall 602, a device bottom wall 603, a device first side wall 604, a device second side wall 605, and a device front wall 606 as six walls 601 to 606 forming the storage chamber 600. In addition, in the present disclosure, "wall" refers to the concept of a wall composed of multiple walls in addition to a single wall.

[0033] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 3As shown, the device front wall 606 forms an insertion and extraction opening 674 for allowing the printing material box 4 to pass through when inserting the printing material box 4 into the storage chamber 600 or removing the printing material box 4 from the storage chamber 600. The device rear wall 601 is opposite to the device front wall 606 in the Y direction and forms a wall on the -Y direction side of the storage chamber 600. The device front wall 606 and the device rear wall 601 are respectively walls that are substantially perpendicular to the horizontal planes along the X direction and the Y direction when the printing system 1 is in use. The device upper wall 602 forms a wall on the +Z direction side of the storage chamber 600. The device bottom wall 603 is opposite to the device upper wall 602 in the Z direction and forms a wall on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 600. The device upper wall 602 and the device bottom wall 603 intersect with the device rear wall 601 and the device front wall 606, respectively. The device upper wall 602 and the device bottom wall 603 are respectively walls that are substantially parallel to the horizontal planes along the X direction and the Y direction when the printing system 1 is in use. In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, the first side wall 604 of the device forms a wall on the +X direction side of the storage chamber 600. The second side wall 605 of the device is opposite to the first side wall 604 of the device in the X direction, and forms a wall on the -X direction side of the storage chamber 600. The first side wall 604 of the device and the second side wall 605 of the device intersect with the rear wall 601 of the device, the front wall 606 of the device, the upper wall 602 of the device, and the bottom wall 603 of the device, respectively. The first side wall 604 of the device and the second side wall 605 of the device are walls that are substantially perpendicular to the horizontal planes along the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, when the printing system 1 is in use. In addition, in the present disclosure, "intersecting" and "intersecting" refer to any of the following states (i) to (iii).

[0034] (i) The state in which two structural elements intersect and actually intersect each other;

[0035] (ii) a state where, if one structural element is extended, it intersects with another structural element;

[0036] (iii) A state in which the mutual components intersect when the mutual components are extended.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the cartridge mounting portion 6 further includes a restriction mechanism 69 , a first device-side positioning portion 682 , a second device-side positioning portion 684 , a printing material introduction portion 63 , a pressurizing portion 686 , and a device reading portion 65 .

[0038] Restriction Agency 69 Pass with Figure 1 The printing material box 4 shown is engaged, thereby restricting the printing material box 4 from moving to the +Y direction side as the removal direction DO when the printing material box 4 is installed. Figure 3As shown, the limiting mechanism 69 is arranged on the upper wall 602 of the device. The limiting mechanism 69 is an operating lever, and has an operating portion 691, a device side limiting portion 692, a spring member 698 and a rotating shaft portion 699. The operating portion 691 is exposed to the outside of the box installation portion 6 in a manner that allows the user to operate. The operating portion 691 is located at one end of the limiting mechanism 69. The device side limiting portion 692 is located at the other end of the limiting mechanism 69. The device side limiting portion 692 is a protrusion protruding from the side of the upper wall 602 of the device to the side of the storage chamber 600. The spring member 698 applies force to the device side limiting portion 692 so that the device side limiting portion 692 is arranged at the storage chamber 600 side which is the inner side of the box installation portion 6.

[0039] The first device side positioning portion 682 and the second device side positioning portion 684 are columnar components extending from the device rear wall 601 to the +Y direction as the removal direction DO. The first device side positioning portion 682 is a positioning component that is paired with the first box side positioning portion 482 described later of the printing material box 4. In the present embodiment, the first device side positioning portion 682 is located on the device upper wall 602 side compared to the central portion in the Z direction as the height direction of the box mounting portion 6. The second device side positioning portion 684 is a positioning component that is paired with the second box side positioning portion 484 described later of the printing material box 4. In the present embodiment, the second device side positioning portion 684 is located on the device bottom wall 603 side compared to the pressurizing portion 686 in the Z direction. In addition, the number and position of the device side positioning portions 682 and 684 on the box mounting portion 6 are not limited thereto.

[0040] The printing material introduction section 63 is connected to the printing material supply section 43 by being inserted into the printing material supply section 43 described later of the printing material box 4. Ink as the printing material supplied from the printing material supply section is introduced into the printing material introduction section 63. Specifically, ink is introduced into the printing material introduction section 63 through an opening formed at a top end portion 63a which is an end portion on the +Y direction side of the printing material introduction section 63. The ink introduced into the printing material introduction section 63 passes through the printing material introduction section 63. Figure 1 The flow is conducted through the tube 24 shown to the head 22. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the printing material introduction part 63 is a flow channel tube having a flow channel for ink flow formed therein, and is a cylindrical member extending from the device rear wall 601 in the +Y direction as the removal direction DO. In this embodiment, the central axis CL of the printing material introduction part 63 is parallel to the Y axis. Figure 2As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the printing material introduction part 63 is formed at the center of the box mounting part 6 in the X direction as the width direction and the Z direction as the height direction, but the formation position of the printing material introduction part 63 is not limited thereto. In addition, the printing material introduction part 63 may be, for example, a flow channel needle having a flow channel for ink to flow formed therein.

[0041] Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The pressurizing portion 686 shown is used to Figure 1 The head 22 shown is a cylindrical component through which a pressurized fluid for supplying ink contained in the printing material box 4 flows. The pressurized fluid is, for example, pressurized air, and is generated by a pressurizing mechanism (not shown) provided in the printing device 10. The pressurizing portion 686 supplies pressurized fluid into the printing material box 4 when the printing material box 4 is in the installed state. In the present embodiment, the pressurizing portion 686 extends from the rear wall 601 of the device to the +Y direction side which is the removal direction DO. In addition, although in the present embodiment, the pressurizing portion 686 is formed between the printing material introduction portion 63 and the second positioning portion 684 on the device side in the Z direction which is the height direction of the box mounting portion 6, the formation position of the pressurizing portion 686 is not limited thereto.

[0042] The device reading unit 65 optically reads the identification unit of the printing material box 4 and analyzes the read identification unit. Thus, the device reading unit 65 obtains the identification information recorded in the identification unit and the destination address of the server device 8. In the present embodiment, the device reading unit 65 is a QR code reader. The device reading unit 65, for example, includes a photographing unit (not shown) such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor that photographs the identification unit, and a processing unit (not shown) that processes the photographed image. The processing unit, for example, performs binarization processing on the photographed image including the identification unit to generate a binary image. Then, the processing unit decodes the code as the identification unit contained in the binary image according to the standard of the predetermined code, thereby obtaining the identification information recorded in the identification unit and the destination address of the server device 8. The device reading unit 65 is connected to the main control device 3 in a communicable manner. The device reading unit 65 sends the obtained identification information and the destination address of the server device 8 to the main control device 3. In addition, at least part of the functions of the device reading unit 65 may be executed by the main control device 3 .

[0043] The device reading section 65 is formed at a position where the identification section can be optically read during the insertion of the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6. In the present embodiment, the device reading section 65 is formed between the device-side first positioning section 682 and the device upper wall 602 in the Z direction. That is, the device reading section 65 is formed inside the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0044] A-4. Detailed structure of printing material box:

[0045] Figure 4 It is a side view of the printing material box 4. Figure 4 , there is shown a state when the printing material box 4 is observed from the first side wall 404 side of the box. Figure 5 It is a front view of the printing material box 4. Figure 5 The state when the printing material box 4 is viewed from the box rear wall 401 side is shown. Figure 6 4 is a diagram showing the printing material box 4 and the box installation portion 6 at a point in time before the printing material box 4 is installed in the process of inserting the printing material box 4 into the box installation portion 6. Figure 6 , a state in which the printing material cartridge 4 is inserted to the center of the storage chamber 600 in the Y direction along the insertion direction DI is schematically illustrated. Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the printing material box 4 and the box installation portion 6 in a state where installation is completed. Figures 4 to 7 In each of the drawings, the XYZ axes of the printing material box 4 in the installed state are marked. Figure 7 In the figure, the printing material introduction section 63 and the printing material supply section 43 are omitted.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, the printing material cartridge 4 includes a housing 40, a printing material storage portion 450, a printing material supply portion 43, and a fluid receiving portion 46. Figure 4 As shown, the outer shape of the printing material box 4 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. For the printing material box 4, the X direction is the width direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. In this embodiment, for the outer shape of the printing material box 4, the size in the Y direction is the largest, and the size in the Z direction and the size in the X direction decrease in sequence.

[0047] The housing 40 is a frame body forming the outer shell of the printing material box 4. The housing 40 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the housing 40 includes a box front wall 406, a box rear wall 401, a box upper wall 402, a box bottom wall 403, a box first side wall 404 and a box second side wall 405. Figure 4As shown, the box front wall 406 forms a wall on the +Y direction side of the housing 40. The box rear wall 401 is opposite to the box front wall 406 in the Y direction and forms a wall on the -Y direction side of the housing 40. The box rear wall 401 is a wall located on the insertion direction DI side of the printing material box 4 inserted from the box mounting portion 6. Figure 7 As shown, the box front wall 406 and the box rear wall 401 are walls that are substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane along the X direction and the Y direction when the printing material box 4 is installed.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the box rear wall 401 has a configuration hole 434 configured with a printing material supply unit 43, and a configuration recess 461 configured with a fluid receiving unit 46. The configuration hole 434 is a hole that penetrates the box rear wall 401 in the thickness direction of the box rear wall 401 along the Y direction. In this embodiment, the configuration hole 434 is configured in the box rear wall 401 at a position including the center of the X direction as the width direction of the printing material box 4 and the Z direction as the height direction of the printing material box 4. The configuration recess 461 is configured in the box rear wall 401, which is closer to the -Z direction side and the -X direction side than the configuration hole 434. At least the -Y direction side of the configuration recess 461 is open.

[0049] The box upper wall 402 forms a wall on the +Z direction side of the housing 40. The box bottom wall 403 is opposite to the box upper wall 402 in the Z direction and forms a wall on the -Z direction side of the housing 40. The box upper wall 402 and the box bottom wall 403 intersect with the box rear wall 401 and the box front wall 406, respectively. The box upper wall 402 and the box bottom wall 403 are walls that are substantially parallel to the horizontal planes along the X direction and the Y direction when the printing material box 4 is installed.

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, the first side wall 404 of the box forms a wall on the +X direction side of the housing 40. The second side wall 405 of the box is opposite to the first side wall 404 of the box in the X direction, and forms a wall on the -X direction side of the housing 40. The first side wall 404 of the box and the second side wall 405 of the box respectively intersect with the box rear wall 401, the box upper wall 402, the box bottom wall 403 and the box front wall 406. The first side wall 404 of the box and the second side wall 405 of the box are walls that are substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane along the X direction and the Y direction when the printing material box 4 is installed.

[0051] Figure 5The printing material storage section 450 shown is a container for storing printing materials. The printing material storage section 450 is arranged at the inner side of the housing 40. In the present embodiment, the printing material storage section 450 is an ink bag formed by a flexible bag-shaped film. The volume of the printing material storage section 450 decreases along with the consumption of ink. In addition, the structure of the printing material storage section 450 is not limited to this. The printing material storage section 450 only needs to be a structure capable of storing printing materials, and for example, it can also be formed by the internal space of the housing 40.

[0052] Figure 5 The printing material supply unit 43 shown is a member for supplying ink as a printing material stored in the printing material storage unit 450 to the printing material introduction unit 63 of the cartridge installation unit 6. A supply port 431 is provided at one end of the printing material supply unit 43, and the supply port 431 supplies the printing material to the printing device 10 by causing the ink stored in the printing material storage unit 450 to flow outward. The printing material supply unit 43 is connected to the printing material storage unit 450 via the supply port 431. In the present embodiment, the supply port 431 is arranged in the arrangement hole 434.

[0053] Figure 5 The fluid receiving portion 46 shown in the figure makes the outside and the inside of the housing 40 communicate with each other. The fluid receiving portion 46 receives the pressurized fluid supplied from the pressurizing portion 686. The fluid receiving portion 46 is a cylindrical member extending from the bottom surface 465 of the recessed portion on the +Y direction side in the configuration recessed portion 461 toward the -Y direction. Figure 7 As shown, the fluid receiving portion 46 is connected to the pressurizing portion 686 by being inserted into the pressurizing portion 686 of the box mounting portion 6 when the printing material box 4 is installed. Thus, the fluid receiving portion 46 receives the pressurized fluid supplied from the pressurizing portion 686. The pressurized fluid supplied to the fluid receiving portion 46 is introduced into the housing 40 and pressurizes the inside of the housing 40, thereby pressurizing the printing material storage portion 450 from the outside. Thus, the ink stored in the printing material storage portion 450 is supplied to the printing material introduction portion 63 via the supply port 431. In addition, according to the structure of the printing material storage portion 450, the printing material box 4 may also be provided with an atmosphere communication hole or the like that connects the inside of the housing 40 with the outside, instead of the fluid receiving portion 46.

[0054] like Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the printing material box 4 further includes a box-side restricting portion 492 , a box-side first positioning portion 482 , a box-side second positioning portion 484 , and an identification portion 45 .

[0055] like Figure 7As shown, the box side restriction portion 492 is a recessed portion that receives the protruding device side restriction portion 692 protruding toward the storage chamber 600. When the printing material box 4 is installed, the device side restriction portion 692 is engaged with the box side restriction portion 492. Figure 6 As shown, during the insertion of the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6, the device-side restricting portion 692 and the cartridge-side restricting portion 492 are not engaged with each other but maintain a positional relationship of not interfering with each other.

[0056] like Figure 7 As shown, the first positioning portion 482 on the box side is a hole that can accommodate the first positioning portion 682 on the device side. In other words, the first positioning portion 482 on the box side is formed at a position corresponding to the first positioning portion 682 on the device side. The second positioning portion 484 on the box side is a hole that can accommodate the second positioning portion 684 on the device side. In other words, the second positioning portion 484 on the box side is formed at a position corresponding to the second positioning portion 684 on the device side. In addition, as shown Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, although in this embodiment, the device side positioning parts 682, 684 are convex parts, and the box side positioning parts 482, 484 are concave parts that receive the device side positioning parts 682, 684, it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to set the box side positioning parts 482, 484 as convex parts, and the device side positioning parts 682, 684 as concave parts that receive the box side positioning parts 482, 484 during the insertion process of the printing material box 4 into the box mounting part 6.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, the identification unit 45 is a code having a pattern and a shape formed by the arrangement and configuration pattern of a plurality of light color units B and a plurality of dark color units D. As described above, in the present embodiment, the identification unit 45 is a QR code, and records the identification information J for identifying the printing material box 4 and the destination address of the server device 8. The identification unit 45 is formed at a position where it can be optically read by the device reading unit 65 formed inside the box installation unit 6 during the insertion process of the printing material box 4 into the box installation unit 6. The position where the identification unit 45 can be optically read refers to, for example, Figure 6 As shown in the figure, during the insertion process of the printing material box 4 into the box installation part 6, the position opposite to the device reading part 65 is in the optical axis direction DL of the lens which is the reading direction when the device reading part 65 reads the identification part 45. In the present embodiment, the optical axis direction DL of the lens is the Y direction. Moreover, the identification part 45 is formed on the box upper wall 402 side and the box second side wall 405 side in the box rear wall 401 of the printing material box 4. In other words, the supply port 431 and the identification part 45 are formed on the forming surface which is the same surface. In addition, the type and forming position of the identification part 45 are not limited to this.

[0058] A-5. How to disassemble and assemble the printing material box:

[0059] like Figure 6 As shown, when the printing material box 4 is installed on the box mounting portion 6, the user pushes the printing material box 4 along the insertion direction DI from the plug-in opening 674 toward the storage chamber 600 in a state where the box rear wall 401 and the device rear wall 601 are opposite to each other. As a result, the printing material box 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 600 from the plug-in opening 674. At this time, the device-side first positioning portion 682 is stored in the box-side first positioning portion 482. The device-side second positioning portion 684 is stored in the box-side second positioning portion 484. As a result, the positioning of the printing material box 4 relative to the box mounting portion 6 can be achieved, so that the movement of the printing material box 4 in the X direction and the Z direction orthogonal to the insertion direction DI can be restricted.

[0060] Furthermore, when the distance between the identification portion 45 and the device reading portion 65 in the Y direction reaches the focal length FL of the device reading portion 65 during the insertion of the printing material box 4 into the box installation portion 6, the identification portion 45 is read by the device reading portion 65. The identification information J obtained by optically reading the identification portion 45 by the device reading portion 65 is output to the main control device 3. In addition, the focal length FL may be made variable by a variable focus lens or the like.

[0061] like Figure 7 As shown, by further pushing the printing material box 4 in the insertion direction DI, the box side restriction portion 492 reaches the position of the device side restriction portion 692. As a result, the device side restriction portion 692 rotates toward the -Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side, with the rotation shaft portion 699 as the center due to the force of the spring member 698. As a result, the device side restriction portion 692 moves toward the storage chamber 600 side and is received by the box side restriction portion 492, and the device side restriction portion 692 and the box side restriction portion 492 are engaged. In the above manner, the printing system 1 is in the installation completion state in which the installation of the printing material box 4 to the box installation portion 6 is completed.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, when removing the printing material box 4 installed on the box installation part 6, the user presses the operating part 691 to the -Z direction side to enter the pressed state. As a result, the printing material box 4 and the device side restriction part 692 are in a non-interfering state during the process of removing the printing material box 4 from the box installation part 6. Next, the user pulls out the printing material box 4 along the removal direction DO. As a result, the printing material box 4 is removed from the storage chamber 600 via the insertion and extraction opening 674. In addition, at least a part of the disassembly and installation operation of the printing material box 4 relative to the box installation part 6 can also be implemented mechanically.

[0063] A-6. Detailed structure of the main control device:

[0064] Figure 8 : is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the main control device 3. The main control device 3 includes a device communication unit 34, a device storage unit 33, and a device CPU 31. The main control device 3 is connected to the device reading unit 65 and the server device 8 via the device communication unit 34 so as to be able to communicate.

[0065] The device storage unit 33 is a storage unit provided in the main control device 3. The device storage unit 33 includes, for example, a RAM (Random-Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a rewritable non-volatile memory, and the like. The device storage unit 33 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the printing device 10, and the identification information J obtained by reading the identification unit 45 using the device reading unit 65, and the destination address A of the server device 8. In addition, the device storage unit 33 stores the consumption value V and the number of refills N in a manner corresponding to the identification information J. The consumption value V is a value indicating the consumption amount of the printing material consumed by printing. The number of refills N is the number of times the printing material box 4 is refilled by replenishing the printing material to the printing material storage unit 450 of the used printing material box 4 that has been collected or replacing the printing material storage unit 450. The number of refills N stored in the device storage section 33 is updated every time the insertion of the printing material cassette 4 is detected so as to be equal to the number of refills N stored in the server storage section.

[0066] The device CPU 31 expands the program stored in the device storage unit 33 to function as a job control unit 311, a device transmission unit 312, a device acquisition unit 313, a consumption value calculation unit 314, and an execution unit 315 for controlling the printing job of the printing device 10. In addition, at least part of the functions of the device CPU 31 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

[0067] The device transmission unit 312 transmits the identification information J acquired by reading the identification unit 45 with the device reading unit 65 to the server device 8 using the destination address A of the server device 8 .

[0068] The device acquisition unit 313 acquires the refill count N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit as the storage unit of the server device 8. The specific cartridge 4 is the printing material cartridge 4 identified by the identification information J transmitted by the device transmission unit 312 and is the printing material cartridge 4 installed in the cartridge installation unit 6.

[0069] The consumption value calculation unit 314 calculates the consumption value V. For example, the consumption value calculation unit 314 calculates the consumption value V by multiplying the number of times the printing material is ejected from the head 22 by the amount of the printing material ejected each time. In this case, the consumption value calculation unit 314 is a software counter that manages the consumption of the printing material in the printing material storage unit 450 using the amount of the printing material ejected from the head 22 by printing. Therefore, the consumption value V is a software count value representing the amount of the printing material ejected from the time when the counting starts to the current time point. The consumption value calculation unit 314 stores the calculated consumption value V in the device storage unit 33 in a manner of establishing a corresponding relationship with the identification information J.

[0070] In addition, the consumption value calculation unit 314 may calculate the consumption value V by calculating the remaining amount of the printing material stored in the printing material storage unit 450. In this case, the consumption value calculation unit 314 calculates the remaining amount of the printing material stored in the printing material storage unit 450 using, for example, the output value of a light sensor such as a prism sensor that optically detects the remaining amount of the printing material stored in the printing material storage unit 450. Then, the consumption value calculation unit 314 calculates the consumption value V by subtracting the remaining amount from the full capacity of the printing material storage unit 450. In addition, the device storage unit 33 may store the remaining amount of the printing material stored in the printing material storage unit 450 in a manner corresponding to the identification information J instead of the consumption value V. In this case, the printing device 10 includes a remaining amount calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of the printing material stored in the printing material storage unit 450.

[0071] The execution unit 315 compares the number of refills N of the specific box 4 acquired by the device acquisition unit 313, that is, the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit, with the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the device storage unit 33. And, when the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit and the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 are inconsistent, the first process and the second process are executed. The first process is a process of updating the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 so that the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 and the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit become equal. The second process is a process of resetting the consumption value V of the specific box 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 to a predetermined initial value. In addition, the initial value of the consumption value V may be zero or any predetermined value other than zero.

[0072] A-7. Detailed structure of the server device:

[0073] Fig. 9 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the server device 8. The server device 8 manages the number of refills N of the printing material cartridge 4 installed in the cartridge installation unit 6 of the printing device 10. The server device 8 is, for example, a cloud server. The server device 8 includes a server communication unit 84, a server storage unit 83, and a server CPU 81. The server device 8 is connected to the printing device 10 and the refill device 9 via the server communication unit 84 in a communicable manner.

[0074] The server storage unit 83 is a storage unit provided in the server device 8. The server storage unit 83 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, etc. The server storage unit 83 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the server device 8. In addition, the server storage unit 83 stores the identification information J and the number of refills N in a corresponding relationship.

[0075] The server CPU 81 expands the program stored in the server storage unit 83, thereby functioning as a times management unit 811 and a server transmission unit 812. When the times management unit 811 obtains the identification information J from the refill device 9, it adds 1 to the number of times N of refilling the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit 83. Thus, the times management unit 811 causes the server storage unit 83 to store the latest number of times N of refilling. When the server transmission unit 812 obtains the identification information J from the printing device 10, it transmits the number of times N of refilling the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 to the printing device 10. In addition, at least a part of the functions of the server CPU 81 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

[0076] A-8. Detailed structure of the refilling device:

[0077] Fig.10 : is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the refilling device 9. The refilling device 9 refills the printing material cartridge 4 by replenishing the printing material into the printing material storage section 450 of the collected used printing material cartridge 4 or replacing the printing material storage section 450. In the present embodiment, the refilling device 9 includes a refilling section 95 and a refilling control device 90.

[0078] The refilling unit 95 refills the printing material box 4 under the control of the refilling control device 90. The refilling unit 95 includes, for example, a fixing unit 951, a storage unit 952, a replenishing unit 953, and a refilling reading unit 954. The fixing unit 951 mounts and fixes the printing material box 4. The storage unit 952 stores the printing material replenished to the printing material box 4. The replenishing unit 953 replenishes the printing material stored in the storage unit 952 to the printing material box 4 fixed to the fixing unit 951. The refilling reading unit 954 optically reads the identification unit 45 of the refilled printing material box 4 to obtain the identification information J recorded on the identification unit 45 and the destination address A of the server device 8.

[0079] The refill control device 90 includes a refill communication unit 94, a refill storage unit 93, and a refill CPU 91. The refill control device 90 is connected to a refill unit 95 and a server device 8 via the refill communication unit 94 in a communicable manner. The refill storage unit 93 is a storage unit provided in the refill device 9. The refill storage unit 93 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, etc. The refill storage unit 93 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the refill device 9.

[0080] The refill CPU 91 expands the program stored in the refill storage unit 93 to function as a refill control unit 911 and a refill transmission unit 912. The refill control unit 911 controls the operation of the refill unit 95. The refill transmission unit 912 transmits the identification information J of the refilled printing material box 4 to the server device 8 when the printing material box 4 is refilled by the refill unit 95. In addition, at least a part of the functions of the refill CPU 91 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

[0081] A-9. Consumption value management method:

[0082] Fig.11 2 is a flowchart showing a consumption value management method. The consumption value management method is a method for appropriately managing the consumption value V by calculating the consumption value V in consideration of the number of refills N. Fig.11 The consumption value management method shown is repeatedly executed, for example, every time the insertion of the printing material cartridge 4 is detected again.

[0083] If the answer of step S101 is "Yes", that is, if the insertion of the printing material cartridge 4 is detected, in step S102, the device reading section 65 of the printing device 10 optically reads the identification section 45 of the printing material cartridge 4 inserted into the cartridge installation section 6. In step S103, the device reading section 65 analyzes the identification section 45 to obtain the identification information J and the destination address A of the server device 8. In step S104, the device transmission section 312 transmits the identification information J obtained by optically reading the identification section 45 by the device reading section 65 to the server device 8 using the destination address A of the server device 8. In addition, when the specific cartridge 4 is installed in the cartridge installation section 6 for the first time, the number of times N of refilling the specific cartridge 4 is not stored in the device storage section 33. In this case, for example, the execution section 315 sets the number of times N of refilling the specific cartridge 4 to 0 and stores it in the device storage section 33.

[0084] In step S105 , when the server transmission unit 812 of the server device 8 acquires the identification information J from the printing device 10 , it transmits the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 to the printing device 10 .

[0085] In step S106, the device acquisition unit 313 of the printing device 10 acquires the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83. In step S107, the execution unit 315 checks whether the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 and the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 are consistent.

[0086] If step S107 is "yes", that is, if the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 matches the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33, step S108 is executed. In step S108, the consumption value calculation unit 314 continues to count the consumption value V.

[0087] On the other hand, if the answer of step S107 is "No", that is, if the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 is inconsistent with the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33, step S109 is executed. In step S109, the execution unit 315 updates the number of refills N stored in the device storage unit 33 by executing the first process so that the number of refills N stored in the device storage unit 33 becomes equal to the number of refills N stored in the server storage unit 83. In step S110, the execution unit 315 resets the consumption value V of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 to the initial value by executing the second process. In step S111, the consumption value calculation unit 314 recounts the consumption value V from the initial value.

[0088] According to the above embodiment, the printing material box 4 is provided with the identification portion 45 having the identification information J recorded thereon. If this method is adopted, the printing device 10 can obtain the identification information J by optically reading the identification portion 45 during the insertion of the printing material box 4 into the box mounting portion 6. Thus, it is not necessary to install the circuit substrate having the identification information J recorded thereon on the housing 40 forming the outer shell of the printing material box 4, but it can be replaced by the identification portion 45 having the identification information J recorded thereon. In other words, the used printing material box 4 can be reused without performing the operation of removing the circuit substrate from the printing material box 4. Therefore, the printing material box 4 can be easily reused.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the server device 8 can manage the number of refills N of each printing material cartridge 4 by storing the identification information J and the number of refills N in a manner of establishing a corresponding relationship. The printing device 10 can obtain the identification information J and the destination address A of the server device 8 by optically reading the identification unit 45 during the insertion of the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge installation unit 6. Since the server device 8 and the printing device 10 are connected to each other in a communicable manner, the printing device 10 sends the identification information J to the server device 8, so that the server device 8 can send the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 to the printing device 10. Thus, the printing device 10 can obtain the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83. Furthermore, when the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 does not match the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33, the printing device 10 can perform the following processing. The printing device 10 can update the refill count N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 so that the refill count N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 becomes equal to the refill count N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83. Therefore, by making the server storage unit 83 store the latest refill count N in advance, even when the recognition unit 45 having no storage unit is installed on the printing material cartridge 4 instead of the circuit board having the storage unit capable of storing the refill count N, the refill count N can be appropriately managed.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the printing device 10 can calculate the consumption value V of the specific box 4 and store the consumption value V in the device storage unit 33. Furthermore, when the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 is inconsistent with the number of refills N of the specific box 4 stored in the device storage unit 33, the printing device 10 can perform the following processing. In this case, the printing device 10 can reset the consumption value V of the specific box 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 to an initial value. If this method is adopted, the printing device 10 can recount the consumption value V of the specific box 4 after refilling from the initial value. Therefore, by allowing the server storage unit 83 to store the latest number of refills N in advance, the consumption value V can be properly managed in the printing device 10.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, by making the server storage unit 83 store the latest number of refills N in advance, the consumption value V can be reset to the initial value at an appropriate time according to the number of refills N stored in the server storage unit 83. Thus, when the printing material box 4 in use is reinstalled on the box installation unit 6, the possibility that the consumption value V is not accurately counted can be reduced by resetting the consumption value V to the initial value. Therefore, when the printing material box 4 in use is reinstalled on the box installation unit 6, it is possible to avoid the situation where it is judged that there is no remaining amount of printing material and the printing work cannot be performed. Thus, the printing device 10 can be continuously used.

[0092] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, even when the printing device 10 is not connected to the server device 8 and is used in an offline manner, the printing device 10 can be connected to the server device 8 in a communicable manner, so that the printing device 10 can execute the following processing. In this case, the printing device 10 can update the refill count N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 by sending the refill count N from the server device 8. Therefore, even when the printing device 10 is temporarily used in an offline manner, the consumption value V can be appropriately managed in the printing device 10.

[0093] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, when the refilling device 9 refills the specific box 4, it is possible to send the identification information J of the refilled specific box 4 to the server device 8. Moreover, the server device 8 and the refilling device 9 are connected together in a manner capable of communication. Therefore, when the server device 8 obtains the identification information J from the refilling device 9, it is possible to add 1 to the number of times N of refilling the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit 83. Thus, the server device 8 can keep the number of times N of refilling the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 in the latest state. Therefore, by sending the number of times N of refilling the specific box 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 to the printing device 10 and comparing it with the number of times N of refilling the specific box 4 stored in the device storage unit 33, it is possible to determine whether to reset the consumption value V to the initial value. Therefore, the consumption value V can be appropriately managed in the printing device 10.

[0094] B. Other implementations:

[0095] B-1. Other implementations 1:

[0096] In other embodiments, the printing system 1 may include an input device instead of the refilling device 9. The input device is a device for the user to input the identification information J of the refilled printing material box 4. The input device is, for example, any device among a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard that accepts input from the user. Even in such a manner, by sending the identification information J of the refilled printing material box 4 from the input device to the server device 8, the number of times N of refilling the refilled printing material box 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 can be increased by 1.

[0097] B-2. Other implementations 2:

[0098] In other embodiments, the device storage unit 33 and the server storage unit 83 may store other information in a manner corresponding to the identification information J instead of the consumption value V or in addition to the consumption value V. The other information is, for example, at least one of the state information and the inherent information. The state information is information that changes according to the use of the printing material box 4. The state information is, for example, the device ID of the printing device 10 in use and the date and time when the device reading unit 65 reads the identification unit 45. The inherent information is information determined at the time when the printing material box 4 is manufactured. The inherent information is, for example, the capacity of the printing material storage unit 450, the type of printing material, and the manufacturing date and time of the printing material box 4. If such a method is adopted, various information can be managed in a manner corresponding to the identification information J in addition to the number of refills N.

[0099] C.Other methods:

[0100] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various structures within the scope of its main purpose. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the above-mentioned effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various modes described in the invention summary can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, as long as the technical feature is not described as a necessary technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0101] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a printing system can be provided. The printing system includes: a printing material box that stores printing materials and has an identification unit that records identification information for identifying the printing material box; a printing device that has a box mounting unit for mounting the printing material box, a device reading unit that is formed inside the box mounting unit and optically reads the identification unit, and a device storage unit; a server device that has a server storage unit and is connected to the printing device in a communicative manner, and the device storage unit and the server storage unit respectively store the identification information and the number of times the printing material box is refilled in a corresponding manner. According to this embodiment, the printing material box has an identification unit that records the identification information. If this embodiment is adopted, the printing device can obtain the identification information by optically reading the identification unit during the insertion of the printing material box into the box mounting unit. As a result, it is not necessary to mount the circuit substrate that records the identification information on the shell that forms the outer shell of the printing material box, but it can be replaced by the identification unit that records the identification information.

[0102] (2) In the above-mentioned method, it can also be set that the printing device further includes: a device sending unit, which sends the identification information obtained by optically reading the identification unit using the device reading unit to the server device; a device acquisition unit, which acquires the refilling number stored in the server storage unit for a specific box, and the specific box is the printing material box that is identified based on the identification information sent by the device sending unit; an execution unit, which executes the first process and the second process when the refilling number obtained by the device acquisition unit is inconsistent with the refilling number of the specific box stored in the device storage unit; and a consumption value calculation unit, which calculates the consumption value representing the specific box. The server device further includes a server sending unit, which sends the number of refills of the specific box stored in the server storage unit to the printing device when the identification information is obtained from the printing device. The first processing is to update the number of refills of the specific box stored in the device storage unit so that the number of refills of the specific box stored in the device storage unit becomes equal to the number of refills of the specific box stored in the server storage unit, and the second processing is to reset the consumption value of the specific box stored in the device storage unit to an initial value. According to this method, the printing device can calculate the consumption value of the specific box and store the consumption value in the device storage unit. In addition, when the number of refills of the specific box stored in the server storage unit is inconsistent with the number of refills of the specific box stored in the device storage unit, the printing device can reset the consumption value of the specific box stored in the device storage unit to the initial value. If this method is adopted, the printing device can re-count the consumption value of the specific box after refilling from the initial value. Therefore, by making the server storage unit store the latest number of refills in advance, the consumption value can be appropriately managed in the printing device.

[0103] (3) In the above-mentioned aspect, it is also possible to further include a refilling device, the refilling device being connected to the server device in a communicable manner, the refilling device including a refilling transmission unit, the refilling transmission unit transmitting the identification information of the refilled printing material box to the server device when the printing material box is refilled, and the server device further including a number management unit, the number management unit increasing the number of times of refilling the specific box stored in the server storage unit by 1 when the identification information is obtained from the refilling device. According to this aspect, the refilling device can transmit the identification information of the refilled specific box to the server device when the specific box is refilled. Furthermore, the server device and the refilling device are connected in a communicable manner. Therefore, when the server device obtains the identification information from the refilling device, it can increase the number of times of refilling the specific box stored in the server storage unit by 1. As a result, the server device can keep the number of times of refilling the specific box stored in the server storage unit in the latest state. Therefore, by sending the number of refills of the specific box stored in the server storage unit to the printing device and comparing it with the number of refills of the specific box stored in the device storage unit, it is possible to determine whether to reset the consumption value to the initial value. Therefore, the consumption value can be appropriately managed in the printing device.

[0104] The multiple structural elements of each of the above-mentioned methods of the present disclosure are not all necessary structural elements. In order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, some of the multiple structural elements can be appropriately changed, deleted, replaced with new other structural elements, and part of the limited content can be deleted. In addition, in order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, part or all of the technical features included in one of the above-mentioned methods of the present disclosure can also be combined with part or all of the technical features included in other methods of the present disclosure as an independent method of the present disclosure.

[0105] The present disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than the printing system, for example, in the form of a method for manufacturing a printing system, a method for controlling a printing system, a computer program for implementing the control method, a non-transitory recording medium recording the computer program, and the like.

[0106] Explanation of symbols

[0107] 1…printing system; 3…main control device; 4, 4K, 4M, 4C, 4Y…printing material box; 6, 6K, 6M, 6C, 6Y…box installation portion; 8…server device; 9…refilling device; 10…printing device; 11…front cover; 17…driving mechanism; 18…timing belt; 19…driving motor; 20…slide; 22…head; 24…tube; 31…device CPU; 33…device storage portion; 34…device communication portion; 40…housing; 43…printing material supply portion; 45…identification portion; 46…fluid receiving portion; 63…printing material introduction portion; 63 a…top end of the printing material introduction part; 65…device reading part; 69…limiting mechanism; 81…server CPU; 83…server storage part; 84…server communication part; 90…refill control device; 91…refill CPU; 93…refill storage part; 94…refill communication part; 95…refill part; 311…work control part; 312…device sending part; 313…device acquisition part; 314…consumption value calculation part; 315…execution part; 401…box rear wall; 402…box upper wall; 403…box bottom wall; 404…box first side wall; 405…box second side wall; 406…box front wall; 431…supply port; 434…configuration hole; 450…printing material storage portion; 461…configuration recess; 465…recess bottom surface; 482…box side first positioning portion; 484…box side second positioning portion; 492…box side restriction portion; 600…storage chamber; 601…device rear wall; 602…device upper wall; 603…device bottom wall; 604…device first side wall; 605…device second side wall; 606…device front wall; 674…insertion and extraction opening; 682…device side first positioning portion; 684…device side second positioning portion; 686…pressing portion; 691…operating unit; 692…device-side limiting unit; 698…spring member; 699…rotating shaft unit; 811…number management unit; 812…server sending unit; 911…refilling control unit; 912…refilling sending unit; 951…fixing unit; 952…storage unit; 953…supplementing unit; 954…refilling reading unit; A…destination address; B…light unit; CL…center axis; D…dark unit; DI…insertion direction; DL…optical axis direction; DO…removal direction; FL…focal distance; J…identification information; N…number of refills; P…medium; V…consumption value.

Claims

1. A printing system comprising: A printing material box that stores printing materials and has an identification portion that records identification information for identifying the printing material box; a printing device having a cartridge mounting portion for mounting the printing material cartridge, a device reading portion formed inside the cartridge mounting portion and optically reading the identification portion, and a device storage portion; a server device having a server storage unit and connected to the printing device in a communicable manner; The device storage unit and the server storage unit respectively store the identification information and the number of times the printing material box is refilled in a corresponding relationship.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: The printing device further comprises: a device transmitting unit configured to transmit the identification information acquired by optically reading the identification unit using the device reading unit to the server device; a device acquisition unit that acquires the number of refills stored in the server storage unit with respect to a specific box, wherein the specific box is the printing material box identified based on the identification information transmitted by the device transmission unit; an execution unit that executes a first process and a second process when the number of refills acquired by the device acquisition unit and the number of refills of the specific box stored in the device storage unit do not match; a consumption value calculation unit that calculates a consumption value indicating the consumption amount of the specific cartridge and stores the consumption value in the device storage unit, The server device further includes a server sending unit that, when acquiring the identification information from the printing device, sends the number of refills of the specific box stored in the server storage unit to the printing device. The first process is a process of updating the number of refills of the specific box stored in the device storage unit so that the number of refills of the specific box stored in the device storage unit becomes equal to the number of refills of the specific box stored in the server storage unit. The second process is a process of resetting the consumption value of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage section to an initial value.

3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein: A refilling device is further provided, the refilling device being connected to the server device in a communicable manner, The refilling device includes a refilling transmission unit, and when the printing material box is refilled, the refilling transmission unit transmits the identification information of the refilled printing material box to the server device. The server device further includes a number management unit that, when acquiring the identification information from the refill device, increases the number of times by one to the number of times of refilling the specific box stored in the server storage unit.

Images