Printing apparatus, control method, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention discloses a printing apparatus, a control method, a storage medium, and a computer program product. The invention provides a technology capable of acquiring printing time according to a power supply state of a power storage unit. A printing apparatus includes a power storage unit capable of storing power supplied via a USB cable, and capable of operating using the power supplied from the power storage unit, the printing apparatus including: a printing unit configured to print on a printing medium; and a notification unit configured to provide a notification of a charging time for charging the power storage unit with power supplied from the USB cable and a time based on a printing time for printing the printing medium by the printing unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a printing device, a control method, a storage medium and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printing device that uses power stored in a power storage unit for printing is known. In this printing device, during a printing operation, printing is performed using power stored in the power storage unit. However, in a case where the amount of stored power drops to or below a certain level, the printing operation is stopped to charge the power storage unit. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-125996 discloses a technique for calculating the number of remaining sheets to be printed and the remaining printing time during which printing is performed, and the conditions for the calculation include the time when the power storage unit can be driven.

[0003] However, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-125996 does not take into account the power supply state to the power storage unit when the power storage unit is charged, and therefore the calculated printing time may differ from the actual printing time. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a technique that can acquire the printing time according to the power supply state to the power storage unit.

[0005] A printing device, comprising a power storage unit capable of storing power supplied via a USB cable and capable of operating using the power supplied from the power storage unit, the printing device comprising: a printing unit configured to print on a printing medium; and a notification unit configured to provide a notification of a charging time for charging the power storage unit using the power supplied from the USB cable and a printing time based on a time at which the printing unit prints on the printing medium.

[0006] According to the present invention, the printing time can be acquired based on the power supply state to the power storage unit.

[0007] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system.

[0009] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a printing apparatus.

[0010] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power supply system of a printing apparatus.

[0011] Figure 4It is a schematic configuration diagram of the printing section.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a schematic configuration diagram of the reading section.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a table showing the power supply amount for each connection standard.

[0014] Figure 7 is a table showing the execution capabilities of each operation type according to the connection standard.

[0015] Figure 8 : is a flowchart showing the content of the startup notification process.

[0016] 9A to 9C 2 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed in the startup notification process.

[0017] Fig.10 is a flowchart showing the contents of notification processing during a printing operation.

[0018] Fig.11 It is shown Fig.10 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed during a notification process of .

[0019] Fig.12 is a flowchart showing the contents of notification processing during a copy operation.

[0020] Fig.13 4 is a flowchart of a read time notification process which is a subroutine of the notification process.

[0021] Fig.14 This is a flowchart of the print time notification process which is a subroutine of the notification process.

[0022] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C is a diagram showing an example of a display screen and a notification screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of a printing device, a control method, a storage medium, and a computer program product will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all feature combinations described in the embodiments are essential for the solution to the problem to be solved by the present invention. In addition, the positions and shapes of the constituent elements described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these.

[0024] First embodiment

[0025] First, refer to Figures 1 to 9C A printing apparatus according to a first embodiment is described.

[0026] Printing System

[0027] Figure 1 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a printing system including a printing device according to the present embodiment. The printing system 12 including the printing device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the printing device 10 that ejects ink to perform printing and a PC terminal 16 as an external device connected to the printing device 10 via a local area network 14. The printing system 12 includes a wireless LAN access point 18, and the printing device 10 can be connected to the local area network 14 by wirelessly connecting to the wireless LAN access point 18. The printing system 12 also includes a router 22 for connecting the local area network 14 to the Internet 20 and a cloud server 24 connected to the Internet 20. Therefore, the printing device 10 and the PC terminal 16 can communicate with the cloud server 24 connected to the Internet 20 via the router 22.

[0028] The printing device 10 includes a universal serial bus (USB) interface 214 (see Figure 2 ), and is configured to be connectable to various devices. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 includes a USB interface 214 into which a USB cable can be inserted and removed, and can be connected to the PC terminal 16 via a USB cable 28. This allows the printing apparatus 10 to operate using power supplied from the PC terminal 16 via the USB cable.

[0029] The printing system 12 can also use a smartphone 30 as an external device. In this case, the smartphone 30 and the printing apparatus 10 are connected via a USB cable 32, and the printing apparatus 10 can operate with power supplied from the smartphone 30. Furthermore, in the printing system 12, the printing apparatus 10 and a USB power adapter 34 are connected via a USB cable 36, and the printing apparatus 10 can operate with power supplied from a commercial power source. Although not shown, the printing apparatus 10 can be connected to a mobile battery via a USB cable, and can operate with power supplied from the mobile battery.

[0030] A wireless LAN infrastructure mode connection 38 is utilized between the smartphone 30 and the printing device 10 on one side and the wireless LAN access point 18 on the other side. The printing device 10 has a mode in which the printing device 10 operates as a wireless LAN access point. In the case where the printing device 10 operates as an access point, the smartphone 30 can be directly connected (direct connection 40) to the printing device 10. The smartphone 30 can also be connected to the cloud server 24 connected to the Internet 20 via the mobile phone network 42.

[0031] In the case where the printing apparatus 10 is connected to the PC terminal 16 and the smartphone 30 via a USB cable, data communication between the printing apparatus 10 as one party and the PC terminal 16 and the smartphone 30 as the other party may utilize a USB interface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The printing apparatus 10 operates using power supplied from the PC terminal 16 and the smartphone 30 connected via a USB cable, and data communication may also be performed by utilizing a wireless LAN or short-range wireless communication. Figure 1 The printing system 12 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a printing system provided with the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, and may have Figure 1 For example, instead of the wireless LAN access point 18 and the router 22, one constituent element having these functions (such as a router having an access point function) may be used.

[0032] Configuration of the control system of the printing device

[0033] Next, the configuration of the control system of the printing apparatus 10 will be described. Figure 2 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the printing apparatus 10. The printing apparatus 10 includes a main board 202 that controls the entire printing apparatus 10, a reading section 204 that reads an original, a printing section 206 that prints on a print medium, and an operation panel 208 that can be operated by a user. The printing apparatus 10 also includes a wireless LAN unit 210 for connecting to a wireless LAN, a short-range wireless communication unit 212 for short-range wireless communication, and a USB interface 214 that can be connected to a USB cable.

[0034] The main board 202 includes a CPU 216 in the form of a microprocessor, a program memory 218 in the form of a ROM, a data memory 220 in the form of a RAM, and a nonvolatile memory 222 capable of retaining stored information even when no power is supplied. The main board 202 also includes a reading section control circuit 224 for controlling the reading section 204, a printing section control circuit 226 for controlling the printing section 206, and an operation section control circuit 228 for controlling the operation panel 208. The main board 202 also includes a wireless LAN communication control circuit 230 for controlling the wireless LAN unit 210, and a short-range wireless communication control circuit 232 for controlling the short-range wireless communication unit 212. The main board 202 also includes a USB communication control circuit 234 for controlling the drive of the USB interface 214, and a power supply control circuit 236 for controlling the amount of power supplied from the USB interface 214. The respective constituent elements provided in the main board 202 are connected to each other via an internal bus 238.

[0035] The CPU 216 operates using the data memory 220 as a work area based on the control program stored in the program memory 218 and the information held in the data memory 220. In addition, by writing various setting values ​​and data and the like to the nonvolatile memory 222, the CPU 216 can continue to operate based on the setting values ​​and data written in the nonvolatile memory 222 when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off. As the nonvolatile memory 222, for example, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory and the like can be used.

[0036] The CPU 216 controls the reading section 204 via the reading section control circuit 224 to read the original and store the read data as image data in the data memory 220. The CPU 216 also controls the printing section 206 via the printing section control circuit 226 to print the image data stored in the data memory 220 on a print medium based on the print data obtained by image processing. In addition, the CPU 216 controls the operation section control circuit 228 to display the status of the printing apparatus 10 on the display section 240 provided on the operation panel 208, display a menu of selectable functions, and accept operations from the user.

[0037] The CPU 216 controls the wireless LAN unit 210 via the wireless LAN communication control circuit 230 to perform wireless LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. The CPU 216 also controls the short-range wireless communication unit 212 via the short-range wireless communication control circuit 232 to detect the connection with other short-range wireless communication terminals and send and receive data to and from other short-range wireless communication terminals. The CPU 216 also operates the USB interface 214 via the USB communication control circuit 234 to perform USB communication with other terminal devices (external devices) connected via a USB cable. The CPU 216 also controls the power supply control circuit 236 to grasp and control the amount of power supplied from the USB interface 214 and the amount of power stored in the power supply control circuit 236.

[0038] Configuration of power supply system of printing equipment

[0039] Next, the configuration of the power supply system of the printing apparatus 10 will be described. Figure 32 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply system of the printing device 10. The power supply control circuit 236 includes an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) 302 capable of storing and supplying power, and a charger IC 304 that controls input current, etc. The power supply control circuit 236 also includes a DC-DC (boost) 306 as a boost circuit for boosting the voltage from the charger IC 304, and a DC-DC (buck) 308 as a buck circuit for bucking the voltage output from the DC-DC 306. The power supply control circuit 236 also includes a motor driver 310 that drives the motors in the reading section 204 and the printing section 206, and a motor driver 310 that drives the reading head 504 (see Figure 5 ) and print head 404 (see Figure 4 )'s head driver 312.

[0040] The printing apparatus 10 is configured to be driven by inputting the power supply VBAT from the EDLC 302 to the charger IC 304, and the power supply control is performed by the power supply system via the charger IC 304. That is, the printing apparatus 10 is configured to operate using the power supplied from the EDLC 302. Specifically, the charger IC 304 outputs the power supplied from the EDLC 302 to the DC-DC (boost) 306. The voltage boosted by the DC-DC 306 is used by the motor driver 310 to drive the motors of the reading section 204 and the printing section 206. The voltage boosted by the DC-DC 306 is used by the head driver 312 to drive the reading head 504 of the reading section 204 and the printing head 404 of the printing section 206. In the power supply control circuit 236, the voltage boosted by the DC-DC 306 is used to drive a relatively large load. In addition, the power boosted by the DC-DC 306 is input to the DC-DC 308 to generate a logic power supply voltage used by the ASIC 314, ROM 316, and DDR 318. Incidentally, the ASIC 314 is a custom IC including the CPU 216 and peripheral circuits.

[0041] The charger IC 304 is an IC having functions of performing control of input current from the USB interface 214, charge control of the EDLC 302, and protection of the EDLC 302 from abnormal operation. The charger IC 304 is capable of communicating with the ASIC 314 connected via a control serial bus 320. The control serial bus 320 forms a part of the internal bus 238. In the present embodiment, communication between the charger IC 304 and the ASIC 314 is performed by a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) system.

[0042] Since the charger IC 304 cannot perform USB enumeration processing (hereinafter referred to as "enumeration processing"), the enumeration processing is performed in the ASIC 314 connected to the charger IC 304. For example, in a case where the PC terminal 16 is connected to the USB interface 214, the ASIC 314 performs the enumeration processing with the PC terminal 16, and outputs an instruction to the charger IC 304 based on the processing result to control the change of the charging current of the EDLC 302.

[0043] The charger IC 304 determines the input current corresponding to the supply source external device (such as the PC terminal 16 or the smart phone 30). In the present embodiment, for example, the judgment (BC judgment) of compliance with the USB battery charging (USB-BC) standard and the judgment (CC judgment) of compliance with the USB power transmission (USB-PD) standard are performed. The ASIC 314 that has received the results of the BC judgment and the CC judgment from the charger IC 304 determines the threshold values ​​of the charging current, full charge and over discharge voltage, etc. of the charger IC 304, and sets these threshold values ​​in the charger IC 304. As described above, in the present embodiment, the charger IC 304 is used as a charging section that charges the EDLC 302.

[0044] The EDLC 302 is a storage battery, and in response to an instruction from the ASIC 314, the charger IC 304 performs charging control, and supplies power from the power supply VBAT to the DC-DC 306, the motor driver 310, and the head driver 312. The printing apparatus 10 charges the EDLC 302 using power supplied from an external device connected via the USB interface 214. In the present embodiment, power is supplied from the PC terminal 16, the smartphone 30, the USB power adapter 34, and a mobile battery (not shown) connected to the printing apparatus 10 as an external device. Specifically, the power supply voltage VBAT of the EDLC 302 can be transmitted from the charger IC 304 to the ASIC 314. For example, in the case where the power supply voltage VBAT of the EDLC 302 drops during the printing operation of the printing apparatus 10, the ASIC 314 stops the printing operation and instructs the charger IC 304 to perform charging control until the power supply voltage VBAT of the EDLC 302 reaches a specific threshold. The ASIC 314 then resumes the printing operation in the case where the ASIC 314 receives notification from the charger IC 304 that the power supply voltage VBAT has reached a certain threshold value. As described above, in the present embodiment, the EDLC 302 functions as a power storage section that stores electric power.

[0045] Configuration of the printing unit in the printing device

[0046] Next, the configuration of the printing section 206 in the printing apparatus 10 will be described. Figure 4is a schematic configuration diagram of the printing section 206. The printing section 206 includes a conveying section 402 that conveys the printing medium M in the Y direction and a print head 404 that ejects ink onto the printing medium M conveyed by the conveying section 402 to perform printing. The printing section 206 also includes a carriage 406, wherein the print head 404 is mounted on the carriage 406, and the carriage 406 is movable in a direction (X direction) that intersects (orthogonal in the present embodiment) with the conveying direction (Y direction) in which the printing medium M conveyed by the conveying section 402 is conveyed. In addition, the printing apparatus 10 includes a maintenance section 408 that can perform maintenance processing to satisfactorily maintain and restore the ink ejection performance of the nozzles that eject ink in the print head 404.

[0047] The print head 404 is configured to be able to eject a plurality of different types of ink. A plurality of nozzles ejecting corresponding inks are arranged in parallel along a direction intersecting with the X direction and form a nozzle array. In the present embodiment, the print head 404 is configured to be able to eject four types of ink: black (K) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. It should be noted that the types and quantities of ink ejected from the print head 404 are not limited to the above types and quantities.

[0048] The carriage 406 is slidably provided on a guide shaft 410 extending in the X direction, and is connected to a carriage motor 414 via a belt 412. This allows the carriage 406 to reciprocate in the X direction by driving the carriage motor 41. Therefore, the print head 404 mounted on the carriage 406 is configured to be movable (scanned) from one side to the other side and from the other side to one side in the X direction via the carriage 406.

[0049] During the printing operation, by applying a driving pulse to the print head 404 while causing the carriage 406 to scan in the X direction, ink is ejected from the print head 404 onto the print medium M. As a result, printing is performed on the print surface Mp of the print medium M for one scan. The carriage 406 is provided with a detection section 416 capable of detecting the print surface Mp of the print medium M. This allows the printing apparatus 10 to detect the print surface Mp using the detection section 416 while moving the carriage 406, and monitor the printing result produced by the print head 404 on the print surface Mp.

[0050] The conveying section 402 includes a conveying roller 418 for conveying the printing medium M and a conveying motor 420 for driving the conveying roller 418 . Figure 4The conveying roller 418 is shown not to be in contact with the printing medium M in the Z direction for ease of understanding. However, in reality, the printing medium M abuts against the conveying roller 418 in the Z direction. In the conveying section 402, the conveying motor 420 is driven to convey the printing medium M in the Y direction through the conveying roller 418. In the case of job-based printing on the printing medium M, a printing operation is performed in which ink is ejected from the print head 404 to perform one scan of the printing medium M conveyed to the printing start position by the conveying section 402. Thereafter, a conveying operation is performed in which the printing medium M is conveyed by the conveying section 402 by a predetermined amount, and then the printing operation is performed again. As described above, the printing device 10 performs job-based printing on the printing medium by alternately and repeatedly performing the printing operation of one scan and the conveying operation of a predetermined amount.

[0051] The maintenance section 408 is arranged in the X direction within the moving area where the carriage 406 moves and outside the printing area where the print head 404 prints on the print medium M. The maintenance section 408 includes a cover section 422 that abuts (covers) the print head 404 to protect the nozzle face 404a of the print head 404. Although detailed description and illustration are omitted, the maintenance section 408 includes various known maintenance members, such as a suction section that generates negative pressure inside the cover section 422 and a wiping section that wipes the nozzle face 404a. In the print head 404, the nozzle face 404a is a face that faces the print face Mp of the transported print medium M, and is a face on which nozzles for ejecting ink are formed.

[0052] In the case of capping using the capping portion 422, the print head 404 moves to a position (a standby position described later) where the nozzle surface 404a faces the capping portion 422 of the maintenance portion 408 (see Figure 4 ), and then the covering portion 422 is raised. In the present embodiment, the print head 404 waits at a standby position where the nozzle face 404a faces the covering portion 422 when no printing operation is performed. Covering after the job-based printing is completed can protect the nozzle face 404a and suppress the evaporation of the liquid component of the ink from the nozzle and the thickening of the ink in the nozzle due to evaporation. It should be noted that even in the case of such covering, the performance of ejecting ink from the nozzle will be reduced. For this reason, the maintenance unit 408 performs maintenance processing based on, for example, input from the user via the operation panel 208 to satisfactorily maintain and restore the ejection performance. In the present embodiment, the maintenance unit 408 includes the covering portion 422. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the covering portion 422 can be provided separately from the maintenance portion including the suction portion and the wiping portion.

[0053] Configuration of reading section in printing device

[0054] Next, the configuration of the reading section 204 in the printing apparatus 10 will be described. Figure 5is a schematic configuration diagram of the reading section 204. The reading section 204 includes a placing section 502 on which the original document S can be placed, a reading head 504 which can read the original document S placed on the placing section 502, and a cover section 506 which presses the original document S placed on the placing section 502 toward the placing section 502. The placing section 502 is formed of a transparent material such as glass, and the original document S placed on the placing section 502 can be read by the reading head 504 via the placing section 502.

[0055] The reading head 504 extends a length corresponding to the length of the original S in the X direction that can be read by the reading section 204. The reading head 504 is also slidably provided on a guide rail 508 extending in the Y direction, and is connected to a scanner motor 512 via a belt 510. This allows the reading head 504 to reciprocate in the Y direction by the drive of the scanner motor 512.

[0056] When the reading section 204 reads the original S, first, in a state where the original S is arranged on the arrangement section 502, the cover section 506 presses the original S toward the arrangement section 502. Next, when an instruction to start the reading operation is given from the operation panel 208, the reading head 504 moves from one side to the other side in the Y direction, and reads the original S arranged on the arrangement section 502 via the arrangement section 502. The read image data is subjected to analysis processing or image processing, etc., and is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. The reading section 204 may be configured to be able to automatically read a plurality of originals, for example, using an automatic document feeder (ADF).

[0057] Connection Standards

[0058] Next, the connection standard between the printing apparatus 10 and an external power source (external device) will be described. Figure 6 This is a table showing the power supply amount for each connection standard.

[0059] BC1.2 is based on the USB-BC (Battery Charging) standard and defines a method for electrically determining a charging USB port (CDP) by using the D+ and D- signal lines used for data communication of the USB port. In addition, in the case of a standard USB port that is not a charging port, after the detection is completed, communication based on the USB standard is performed, and the USB version can be determined during this process.

[0060] In addition, the Power Delivery standard is also defined for USB Type-C, and notification of the amount of power supply can be provided through communication via the CC pin. It should be noted that the Power Delivery standard also allows the supply power voltage to be controlled from 5V to 48V. However, Figure 6 The maximum power is shown as a value in the case where 5 V is supplied.

[0061] Ability to perform various types of operations according to connection criteria

[0062] Next, a description will be given of the capability of executing various operations executable by the printing apparatus 10 according to the connection standard. Figure 7 is a table showing capabilities to execute various operations executable by the printing device 10 according to the connection standard. Hereinafter, “a table showing capabilities to execute various operations executable by the printing device according to the connection standard” will also be referred to as “a table showing execution capabilities” as appropriate.

[0063] Figure 7 The type of operation that can be performed by the printing device 10 (operation type) and the type of power supply standard ( Figure 6 The combination of the connection standard in the example (i) shows the ability to perform the operation. In the printing device 10, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 The table showing the execution capabilities shown may be held as table data in the program memory 218, or may be implemented as a program code as a discriminant code.

[0064] The operation types include a copy operation of printing a read original, a print operation of printing based on print data, a read operation of reading an original, and a maintenance operation of the print head 404. In the maintenance operation, for example, ink is forcibly sucked out from a nozzle for ejecting ink, ink that does not contribute to printing is ejected into a cover portion 422 for protecting a head formed with nozzles, and a surface formed with nozzles is wiped. In the case of performing the maintenance operation, power is consumed for driving a pump for suction, ejecting ink, and moving a wiper for wiping, etc.

[0065] The operation type also includes a capping operation of protecting the print head 404 with the capping portion 422. The capping portion 422 protects the surface of the print head 404 where the nozzles are formed, thereby suppressing the ink from drying or sticking in the nozzles, and also suppressing the print head 404 from moving and being damaged due to vibration when the printing device 10 is carried. During the capping operation, power is consumed to drive the motor for moving the print head 404 to the standby position and pressing the capping portion 422 toward the print head 404. However, compared with the maintenance operation, only the capping operation can suppress power consumption. Figure 7 , the power consumed generally increases as the operation type is closer to the top of the table.

[0066] exist Figure 7, the execution capability of each operation type is indicated by the levels of "○", "Δ" and "×". "○" indicates that by the combination of the operation type and the power supply standard type, the amount of power required for the operation is less than the power supply capability (i.e., the amount of power supplied via the USB cable), so the amount of power stored in the EDLC 302 will not be exhausted during the operation (or will not drop to or below a certain level). It should be noted that the "amount of power supplied via the USB cable" is the "amount of power supplied from the terminal device connected via the USB cable". Therefore, the operation marked with "○" indicates that the operation can be performed continuously. "Δ" indicates that the amount of power required for the operation is equal to or greater than the power supply capability (i.e., the amount of power supplied via the USB cable), so the amount of power stored in the EDLC 302 is exhausted during the operation (or drops to or below a certain level). Therefore, the operation can be performed by stopping and charging the EDLC 302.

[0067] For this reason, the △ " " cannot be performed continuously, but can be performed conditionally, such as intermittently with an appropriate charging rest period. "×" indicates that the power required for the operation is significantly higher than the power supply capacity, and even if the EDLC 302 is charged, the operability will be significantly reduced, which is impractical.

[0068] Start notification processing

[0069] In the above configuration, in the case of starting after the printing apparatus 10 is connected to an external device (external power source) via a USB cable, a start notification process is performed to provide a notification of the printing time of each print medium according to the amount of power supplied from the USB cable. In other words, the printing apparatus 10 enters a start waiting state by connecting to the USB interface 214 via the USB cable and receiving power supply from the power supply control circuit 236 that has received power supply from the USB interface. From this state, in the case where the user operates the operation panel 208 and presses a start button (not shown), the start notification process starts. Alternatively, the printing apparatus 10 can also be automatically started in the case where the power supply control circuit 236 accepts power supply and charges the EDLC 302 to start the start notification process.

[0070] Figure 8 1 is a flowchart showing detailed processing contents of a startup notification process for providing notification of a printing time for each printing medium according to the power supply amount of the USB cable when the printing apparatus 10 is started up. Figure 8 The series of steps shown in the flowchart in FIG. 2 are performed by CPU 216 expanding the program code stored in program memory 218 to data memory 220 and executing the program code. Alternatively, Figure 8Part or all of the functions of the steps in the flowchart may be executed by hardware such as an ASIC or a circuit, etc. In this specification, reference numerals in the description of the processing in the flowchart represent the steps in the flowchart.

[0071] In the case where the startup notification process starts, first, in S802, the CPU 216 obtains information related to power supply (hereinafter also referred to as "power supply information") from the USB interface 214. In the present embodiment, the power supply information includes the connection standard and the power supply amount. In the case of starting the printing device 10, the ASIC 314 performs an enumeration process with the external device connected to the USB interface 214 via the USB cable. Based on the result of the enumeration process, an instruction is output to the charger IC 304 to control the change of the charging current of the EDLC 302. The charger IC 304 determines whether the USB-BC standard or the USB-PD standard is used. Therefore, the charger IC 304 or the ASIC 314 can know the amount of power supplied from the USB interface 214. Therefore, in S802, the amount of power supplied from the USB interface 214 obtained by the charger IC 304 or the ASIC 314 is obtained. The power supply information from the USB interface 214 can also be configured to be obtained only from the charger IC 304. Accordingly, in S802, the power supply information obtained in the enumeration process is used. As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 216 (which may include the charger IC 304 and the ASIC 314) functions as an acquisition section that acquires the power supply information from the USB cable.

[0072] Next, in S804, the CPU 216 obtains the print time of each print medium according to the power supply status from the USB interface 214. In S804, the print time T0 of each print medium is obtained based on the print speed in the printing device 10 and the power supply information obtained in S802. In S804, first, the print time Tb as a reference for each print medium is calculated, for example, based on the print speed Fb measured by the method for measuring the print productivity of the printing device defined in ISO / IEC24734. It should be noted that the print speed Fb in the printing device 10 is measured, for example, when the printing device 10 is shipped from the factory, and the measured value is set in advance as the print speed Fb. Based on the table showing the execution capability (see Figure 7 ) determines the printing time to be notified corresponding to the symbol representing the ability to perform the operation type "printing operation" based on the power supply information acquired in S802.

[0073] Specifically, in the case where the symbol representing the execution capability is "○", since the printing operation can be continuously performed by the power supply via the USB cable, the printing operation can be completed within the printing time Tb. Therefore, in this case, the printing time T0 to be notified, that is, the printing time for each printing medium is the calculated printing time Tb (printing time T0 = printing time Tb). In addition, in the case where the symbol representing the execution capability is "×", even the conditional printing operation cannot be performed. Therefore, in this case, the printing time T0 to be notified is not calculated.

[0074] In the case where the symbol representing the execution capability is "Δ", a conditional printing operation is performed by the power supply from the EDLC 302. That is, an inactive period caused by charging is inserted, and the printing operation is performed intermittently. Therefore, the printing time T0 to be notified is obtained by, for example, adding the operation extension time TE to the printing time Tb to correspond to the inactive period caused by charging (that is, the charging time) (printing time T0 = printing time Tb + operation extension time TE). The operation extension time TE is, for example, the charging time until the charging of the EDLC 302 is completed to a certain extent. The certain extent is, for example, the amount of electric power required for the printing operation of printing a predetermined amount of printing media. The charging time is stored in a storage area such as a data memory 220, for example, according to the power supply information. As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 216 is used as an acquisition unit that acquires the printing time T0 by adding the operation extension time TE corresponding to the charging time to the printing time Tb according to the power supply information.

[0075] Subsequently, in S806, the CPU 216 displays the notification screen 902 (see FIG. 9A ) based on the acquired printing time T0 on the display section 240 of the operation panel 208. 9A to 9C ) and end the startup notification process. Here, reference 9A to 9C A notification screen 902 notified in the startup notification process is described. 9A to 9C 2 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen notified in the startup notification process. Fig.9A The notification screen is shown when the symbol representing the execution capability is "○". Fig. 9B The notification screen is shown when the symbol representing the executed skill is "Δ", and Fig. 9C The notification screen is shown when the symbol representing the execution capability is “×”.

[0076] In S806, a notification screen 902 is displayed on the display section 240. The notification screen 902 displays a display message 904 that displays the print time for each print medium, a note that relatively indicates the print time, and a countermeasure for executing a print operation, etc., and a connection status 906 that provides a notification of the power supply status. As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 216 functions as a notification section that provides a notification of the print time by displaying a notification screen that provides a notification of the print time on the display section 240.

[0077] In S806, when it is determined that the printing time T0 is the printing time Tb, a message 904 is displayed to show that the printing time of each printing medium is the printing time Tb and that printing can be performed within the usual time as the relative printing time (see Fig.9A ). It should be noted that the display message 904 is only required to display at least the printing time of each printing medium, and a comment related to the printing operation changed according to the power supply information acquired in S802 can be appropriately added. In addition, in the connection status 906, for example, the connection standard: Power Delivery 3.0 and the power supply amount (supplied power): 15W are displayed based on the power supply information acquired in S802.

[0078] In S806, when it is determined that the printing time T0 is the printing time Tb + the operation extension time TE, the display message 904 displays a message indicating that the printing time for each printing medium is the printing time Tb + the operation extension time TE. The display message 904 also displays a message indicating that printing is performed for a longer time than the usual time as the relative printing time (see Fig. 9B ). In addition, in the connection status 906, for example, based on the power supply information acquired in S802, the connection standard: Charging USB port (CDP) power supply amount (supplied power): 7.5W is displayed.

[0079] In S806, in the case where the printing time T0 is not calculated, the display message 904 displays a message stating that the amount of supplied power is too low to print and a note prompting to connect to an external device with a larger amount of supplied power as a countermeasure (see Fig. 9C ). In addition, in the connection status 906, for example, based on the power supply information acquired in S802, the connection standard: USB 3.1 and the power supply amount (supplied power) 4.5 W are displayed. In this case, for example, an icon (an exclamation mark in this embodiment) is displayed near the display message 904 to attract the user's attention.

[0080] Function and effect

[0081] As described above, the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment acquires power supply information from an external device connected via a USB cable at startup, and acquires the printing time T0 of each printing medium during the printing operation based on the acquired power supply information. Specifically, in the printing apparatus 10, in a case where the combination of the connection standard, the power supply time, and the printing operation allows a continuous printing operation, the printing time in the case of printing at the set printing speed is acquired as the printing time T0. In a case where the combination of the connection standard, the power supply time, and the printing operation allows an intermittent printing operation, a value obtained by adding a time corresponding to the charging time for the EDLC 302 to be charged to the printing time in the case of printing at the set printing speed is acquired as the printing time T0. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can acquire a value corresponding to the power supply state as the printing time of each printing medium.

[0082] Second embodiment

[0083] Next, we will refer to Fig.10 and Fig.11 Description of a Printing Apparatus According to a Second Embodiment In the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used for constituent elements identical to or corresponding to those of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0084] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the remaining printing time required for the printing operation being executed is acquired and notified according to the power supply state.

[0085] Print Mode

[0086] The printing device 10 according to the present embodiment can print in a plurality of printing modes. The printing modes include, for example, a high-speed mode with a high printing speed but a low printing quality, a standard mode with a standard level of printing speed and printing quality, and a high-quality mode with a high printing quality but a low printing speed. The power consumption in these printing modes decreases in the order of the high-speed mode, the standard mode, and the high-quality mode. That is, in the high-speed mode with a high printing speed, the power consumption is large, and in the high-quality mode with a low printing speed, the power consumption is small.

[0087] Notification Processing

[0088] When a job is input and an instruction to start printing is provided, in parallel with the execution of the printing operation based on the job, the printing device 10 according to the present embodiment performs notification processing to provide notification of the remaining printing time required for the printing operation being executed (i.e., the time until the printing operation ends). Fig.10 Detailed processing content of notification processing for providing notification of remaining printing time is shown in FIG. Fig.10The series of steps shown in the flowchart in FIG. 2 are performed by CPU 216 expanding the program code stored in program memory 218 into data memory 220 and executing the program code. Alternatively, Fig.10 Part or all of the functions of the steps in may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or circuit.

[0089] At startup Fig.10 In the case of notification processing in the job, first, in S1002, the CPU 216 obtains power supply information from the USB interface 214. Since the specific processing content of S1002 is the same as the specific processing content of S802 described above, its description will be omitted. It should be noted that, for example, in the case where the power supply information has been obtained from the USB interface 214 in the startup notification processing, the already obtained power supply information is obtained in S1002. Then, in S1004, the CPU 216 obtains the print mode set in the job. In the present embodiment, in the job, any one of the high-speed mode, the standard mode, and the high-quality mode is set as the print mode during printing.

[0090] Next, in S1006, the CPU 216 obtains the remaining number of scans Sr (the number of scans of the print head 404) for the print medium being printed. In S1006, first, the number of scans Sa required to print one print medium is obtained based on the settings in the job (such as the size of the print medium, etc.). Next, the number of scans Sd that have been performed on the print medium being printed is obtained from the data memory 220. The number of scans Sd that have been performed on the print medium being printed is stored in the data memory 220. The number of scans Sd that have been performed during printing is monitored by, for example, the printing section control circuit 226, and the value is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. Then, the number of scans Sd that have been performed on the print medium being printed is subtracted from the number of scans Sa required to print one print medium to calculate the remaining number of scans Sr for the print medium being printed.

[0091] Thereafter, in S1008, the CPU 216 acquires the total number of scans Ss for the print media that have not yet been printed based on the setting in the job. In S1008, a value obtained by multiplying the number of print media that have not yet been printed by the number of scans Sa required to print one print medium is acquired as the total number of scans Ss. The number of print media that have not yet been printed is obtained by subtracting the number of print media that have been printed from the number of sheets to be printed corrected by the job. It should be noted that the number of print media that have been printed is held in a storage area such as the data memory 220, for example, based on monitoring by the printing section control circuit 226.

[0092] After acquiring the total number of scans Ss of the print medium that has not yet been printed, in S1010, the CPU 216 acquires the time Tr required for the remaining scans. In S1010, the CPU 216 first adds the remaining number of scans Sr of the print medium being printed acquired in S1006 to the total number of scans Ss of the print medium that has not yet been printed acquired in S1008 to acquire the total number of scans St required for the remaining printing. Next, the CPU 216 acquires the time T1 required for one scan based on the print mode acquired in S1004. In the printing device 10, the time required for one scan set for each of the high-speed mode, the standard mode, and the high-quality mode is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. Thereafter, the CPU 216 multiplies the total number of scans St by the time T1 required for one scan to acquire the time Tr required for the remaining scan.

[0093] Next, in S1012, the CPU 216 acquires the number of charging times Nc required for the remaining printing. In S1012, the number of charging times Nc required for the remaining printing is acquired based on the power consumption E1 required for one scan and the power supply information acquired in S1002. Figure 7 In the table of execution capabilities in S1002, when the ability to execute the printing operation in the power supply information acquired in S1002 is "○", the number of charging times Nc is "0" because the printing operation can be continuously executed without charging. Figure 7 In the table of execution capabilities in S1002, in the case where the capability to execute the printing operation in the power supply information acquired in S1002 is "Δ", charging is required, and the printing operation is intermittently performed. Therefore, in this case, in order to obtain the number of charging times Nc, first, based on the power consumption E1, the power supply amount in the power supply information, and the information related to the EDLC 302 (storage amount and capacity), the number of scans Sc requiring the charging operation is obtained. In the printing device 10, the power consumption required for one scan set for each of the high-speed mode, the standard mode, and the high-quality mode is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. Thereafter, the total number of scans St required for the remaining printing is divided by the number of scans Sc requiring the charging operation to obtain the number of charging times Nc required for the remaining printing.

[0094] Thereafter, in S1014, the CPU 216 acquires the charging time Tc required for the remaining printing. In S1014, first, the charging time required for one charging operation is acquired in the EDLC 302. The charging time is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. Next, the acquired charging time is multiplied by the number of charging times Nc required for the remaining printing to acquire the charging time Tc required for the remaining printing.

[0095] In S1016, the CPU 216 acquires the remaining printing time Tr1 by adding the remaining scanning required time Tr acquired in S1010 to the remaining charging time Tc required for printing acquired in S1014. As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 216 functions as an acquisition section that acquires the remaining printing time Tr1 by adding the remaining charging time Tc required for printing to the remaining scanning required time Tr based on the power supply information. Thereafter, in S1018, the CPU 216 displays the notification screen 1102 (see FIG. 1103 ) based on the remaining printing time Tr1 acquired in S1016 on the display section 240 of the operation panel 208. Fig.11 ). It should be noted that in S1018, in the case where the notification screen 1102 is already displayed on the display unit 240, the notification screen 1102 is updated.

[0096] Here, we will refer to Fig.11 Description of the notification screen 1102. Fig.11 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen for providing notification of the remaining printing time Tr1. The notification screen 1102 displays a display message 1104 stating that printing is in progress. The notification screen 1102 also displays the connection standard and the power supply amount as a connection state 1106 based on the power supply information acquired in S1002. In addition, the notification screen 1102 displays a message stating that the time until printing is completed is the remaining printing time Tr1 acquired in S1018 as a remaining time display 1108.

[0097] Will refer again Fig.10 . After the notification screen 1102 is displayed on the display unit 240, the process proceeds to S1020, where the CPU 216 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the notification screen 1102 was updated. In S1020, in the first judgment, the CPU 216 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the notification screen 1102 was displayed on the display unit 240. If it is determined in S1020 that the predetermined time has not passed, the judgment in S1020 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1020 that the predetermined time has passed, the process proceeds to S1022, where the CPU 216 determines whether job-based printing has ended. If it is determined in S1022 that job-based printing has not ended, the process returns to S1006. If it is determined in S1022 that job-based printing has ended, the notification process ends.

[0098] Function and effect

[0099] As described above, in the printing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the remaining time required for scanning in the printing based on the job is acquired according to the printing mode set in the job, etc. In addition, the remaining charging time in the printing based on the job is acquired according to the printing mode and the power supply status from the external power supply, etc. Based on these time periods, the remaining printing time required for the printing operation being executed is acquired and notified via the notification screen 1102. Therefore, the printing device 10 according to the present embodiment can acquire the remaining printing time required for the printing operation being executed according to the power supply status.

[0100] Third embodiment

[0101] Next, we will refer to Figures 12 to 15C In the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used for constituent elements that are the same as or correspond to those of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0102] The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the remaining reading time required for the reading operation being performed during the copying operation and the remaining printing time required for the printing operation being performed during the copying operation are acquired and notified according to the power supply state. That is, during the copying operation, the printing device 10 according to the third embodiment provides notification of the remaining reading time during the reading operation, and provides notification of the remaining printing time during the printing operation.

[0103] Operation Mode

[0104] The printing device 10 according to the present embodiment can perform a copy operation in a plurality of operation modes. The operation modes include, for example, a high-speed mode in which the operation speed is high but the print quality is low, a standard mode in which the operation speed and the print quality are at a standard level, and a high-quality mode in which the print quality is high but the operation speed is low. The power consumption in these operation modes decreases in the order of the high-speed mode, the standard mode, and the high-quality mode. In other words, the power consumption in the high-speed mode is large, and the power consumption in the high-quality mode is small. It should be noted that although the operation mode of the copy operation is set in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the printing mode set in the printing operation may correspond to the operation mode of the copy operation.

[0105] For a portion of setting information related to a job for executing a copy operation, for example, in the case of confirming the setting, a display screen 1502 (see FIG. 1503 ) is displayed on the display section 240. Fig.15A ). Fig.15A A display screen 1502 for displaying a portion of setting information related to a job for executing a copy operation is shown. Fig.15AOn the display screen 1502 of FIG. 24 , the number of read originals to be copied is displayed as a copy number display 1504. In addition, the set operation mode is displayed as a mode display 1506. In addition, the connection standard and the power supply status are displayed as a connection status 1508. The power supply information displayed as the connection status 1508 can be displayed based on the power supply information acquired in the startup notification process, for example, or can be acquired when the display screen 1502 is displayed in the display section 240.

[0106] Notification Processing

[0107] In a case where a job is input and an instruction to start copying is provided, the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment executes notification processing to notify the remaining reading time and printing time while performing a copy operation based on the job. Fig.12 Detailed description of the flowchart of the notification process for providing notification of the remaining reading time and the remaining printing time. Fig.13 Detailed processing content of the read time notification process which is a subroutine of the notification process is shown in the flowchart. Fig.14 Detailed description of the flowchart showing the processing contents of the print time notification process which is a subroutine of the notification process.

[0108] Figure 12 to Figure 14 The series of steps shown in the flowchart of is performed by CPU 216 expanding the program code stored in program memory 218 into data memory 220 and executing the program code. Alternatively, Figure 12 to Figure 14 Part or all of the functions of the steps may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or a circuit.

[0109] At the beginning Fig.12 In the case of notification processing in the job, first, in S1202, the CPU 216 obtains power supply information from the USB interface 214. Since the specific processing content of S1202 is the same as the specific processing content of S802 described above, its description will be omitted. For example, in the case where the power supply information has been obtained from the USB interface 214 in the startup notification processing, the power supply information that has been obtained is obtained in S1202. In S1204, the CPU 216 obtains the operation mode set in the job. In the present embodiment, in the job, any one of the high-speed mode, the standard mode, and the high-quality mode is set as the operation mode during copying.

[0110] Next, in S1206, the CPU 216 executes a reading time notification process to provide notification of a remaining reading time required for a reading operation during a copying operation (see Fig.13). When the reading time notification process is started, first, in S1302, the CPU 216 obtains the remaining moving distance Ar of the reading head 504 for reading the document being read. In S1302, first, the CPU 216 obtains the scanning direction ( Figure 5 The moving distance Aa in the Y direction (in the X direction) is the distance required to read one original being read. For this moving distance Aa, for example, in the reading section control circuit 224, the size of the original being read by the reading head 504 in the X direction is monitored, and the moving distance in the Y direction is determined based on the size. In this case, the moving distance in the Y direction corresponding to the size in the X direction is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. Next, the moving distance Ad of the reading head 504 that has moved to read the original is acquired. The moving distance Ad of the reading head 504 that has moved when reading the original is monitored and maintained in, for example, the reading section control circuit 224. Thereafter, the moving distance Ad is subtracted from the moving distance Aa to obtain the remaining moving distance Ar of the reading head 504 for reading the original being read.

[0111] Next, in S1304, the time T2 required to read one original is acquired. In the printing apparatus 10, the time required to read one original corresponding to the operation mode is held in the nonvolatile memory 222. Therefore, in S1304, the time T2 required to read one original is acquired from the nonvolatile memory 222 based on the operation mode acquired in S1204.

[0112] Then, in S1306, the CPU 216 obtains the remaining time Tp required for reading the document being read. In S1306, the value obtained by dividing the reading time T2 obtained in S1304 by the moving distance Aa (obtained during the processing in S1302) is multiplied by the remaining moving distance Ar obtained in S1302 to obtain the remaining time Tp required for reading the document being read.

[0113] After that, in S1308, the CPU 216 acquires the remaining number of charging times Nc2 required for reading. In S1308, first, the remaining power consumption E3 required for reading is acquired from the power consumption E2 when reading one original and the remaining moving distance Ar acquired in S1302. It should be noted that in the printing device 10, the power consumption when reading one original set for each of the high-speed mode, the standard mode, and the high-quality mode is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. After that, the remaining number of charging times Nc2 required for reading is acquired based on the remaining power consumption E3 required for reading and the power supply information acquired in S1202, etc.

[0114] Specifically, in the Figure 7 In the table of execution capabilities in S1202, when the ability to execute the copy operation in the power supply information acquired in S1202 is "○", the copy operation can be continuously executed without charging, so the number of charging times Nc2 is "0". Figure 7 In the table of execution capabilities in S1202, when the ability to execute the copy operation in the power supply information acquired in S1202 is "Δ", charging is required, and the copy operation is performed intermittently. Therefore, in this case, in order to obtain the number of charge times Nc2, the number of charge times Nc2 is acquired based on the power consumption E3, the power supply information acquired in S1202, and the information related to the EDLC 302 (storage amount and capacity), etc.

[0115] Next, in S1310, the CPU 216 acquires the charging time Tc2 required for the remaining reading. In S1310, first, the time required for one charging operation is acquired in the EDLC 302. The time required for one charging operation is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. Next, the acquired time required for one charging operation is multiplied by the number of charging times Nc2 required for the remaining reading to acquire the charging time Tc2 required for the remaining reading.

[0116] Thereafter, in S1312, the CPU 216 acquires the remaining reading time Tr2 required for the reading operation during the copying operation. In S1312, the remaining reading time Tr2 is acquired by adding the remaining reading required time Tp acquired in S1306 to the remaining charging time Tc2 acquired in S1310. Then, in S1314, the CPU 216 displays a notification screen 1512 (see FIG. 1514 ) based on the remaining reading time Tr2 acquired in S1312 on the display section 240 of the operation panel 208. Fig. 15B ). It should be noted that, in S1314, in the case where the notification screen 1512 is already displayed on the display unit 240, the notification screen 1512 is updated.

[0117] Here, we will refer to Fig. 15B Description Notification screen 1512. Fig. 15B 1512 is a diagram showing a notification screen 1512 for providing notification of the remaining reading time Tr2. The notification screen 1512 displays the time until reading is completed as a time display 1514 based on the remaining reading time Tr2 acquired in S1312. The notification screen 1512 also displays the number of remaining sheets to be read as a remaining number 1516.

[0118] Will refer to it again Fig.13. After the notification screen 1512 is displayed on the display unit 240, the process proceeds to S1316, where the CPU 216 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the notification screen 1512 was updated. In S1316, in the first judgment, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed since the notification screen 1512 was displayed on the display unit 240. If it is determined in S1316 that the predetermined time has not passed, the judgment in S1316 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1316 that the predetermined time has passed, the process proceeds to S1318, where the CPU 216 determines whether the reading of the original in the copying operation has been completed. If it is determined in S1318 that the reading of the original has not been completed, the process returns to S1302. If it is determined in S1318 that the reading of the original has been completed, the reading time notification process ends, and the process proceeds to S1208, which will be described later.

[0119] Will refer to it again Fig.12 In the case where the read time notification processing in S1206 is completed, then, in S1208, the CPU 216 starts the print time notification processing to provide notification of the remaining print time in the copy operation (see Fig.14 ). In the case where the print time notification process starts, first, in S1402, the CPU 216 acquires the remaining number of scans Sr of the print medium being printed. Next, in S1404, the CPU 216 acquires the total number of scans Ss of the print medium that has not yet been printed based on the settings in the job. Thereafter, in S1406, the CPU 216 acquires the remaining time Tr required for scanning. It should be noted that since the specific processing contents from S1402 to S1406 are the same as the specific processing contents from S1006 to S1010 described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] In S1408, the CPU 216 acquires the number of charging times Nc required for the remaining printing. In S1408, the number of charging times Nc required for the remaining printing is acquired based on the power consumption E1 required for one scan and the power supply information acquired in S1202. Figure 7 In the table of execution capabilities in S1202, when the ability to execute the copy operation in the power supply information acquired in S1202 is "○", the number of charging times Nc is "0" because the copy operation can be continuously executed without charging. Figure 7In the table of execution capabilities in S1202, in the case where the capability to execute the copy operation in the power supply information acquired in S1202 is "Δ", charging is required, and the copy operation is intermittently performed. Therefore, in this case, in order to obtain the number of charging times Nc, first, the number of scans Sc requiring the charging operation is acquired based on the power consumption E1, the amount of supplied power in the power supply information, and the information related to the EDLC 302. In the printing device 10, the power consumption required for one scan set for each of the high-speed mode, the standard mode, and the high-quality mode is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. Thereafter, the total number of scans St required for the remaining printing is divided by the number of scans Sc requiring the charging operation to obtain the number of charging times Nc required for the remaining printing.

[0121] Thereafter, in S1410, the CPU 216 acquires the remaining charging time Tc required for printing. Next, in S1412, the CPU 216 acquires the remaining printing time Tr1 in the copy operation. Then, in S1414, the CPU 216 displays a notification screen 1522 (see FIG. 1523 ) based on the acquired remaining printing time Tr1 on the display section 240 of the operation panel 208. Fig. 15C ). It should be noted that, in the case where the notification screen 1522 is displayed on the display section 240, the notification screen 1522 is updated. Since the specific processing contents from S1410 to S1414 are the same as those from S1014 to S1018 described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0122] Here, we will refer to Fig. 15C Description Notification screen 1522. Fig. 15C 1414. The notification screen 1522 displays the time until printing is completed as a time display 1524 based on the remaining print time Tr1 acquired in S1414. The notification screen 1522 also displays the remaining number of sheets to be printed as a remaining number 1526.

[0123] Will refer to it again Fig.14. After the notification screen 1522 is displayed on the display unit 240, the process proceeds to S1416, where the CPU 216 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the notification screen 1522 was updated. Incidentally, in S1416, in the first judgment, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed since the notification screen 1522 was displayed on the display unit 240. If it is determined in S1416 that the predetermined time has not passed, the judgment in S1416 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1416 that the predetermined time has passed, the process proceeds to S1418, where the CPU 216 determines whether printing in the copy operation has ended. If it is determined in S1416 that printing has not ended, the process returns to S1402. If it is determined in S1418 that printing has ended, the print time notification process ends, and the notification process ends.

[0124] Function and effect

[0125] As described above, the printing device 10 according to the present embodiment acquires the time required to read the remaining originals according to the operation mode set in the job, etc. In addition, the charging time required to read the remaining originals is acquired according to the operation mode and the power supply state from the external power supply, etc., and then the remaining reading time required for the reading operation during the copying operation is acquired based on these time periods.

[0126] In addition, the remaining scanning time in printing is acquired according to the operation mode set in the job, etc. In addition, the remaining charging time in printing is acquired according to the operation mode and the power supply status from the external power supply, etc., and the remaining printing time required for the printing operation during the copy operation is acquired based on these time periods.

[0127] Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can acquire not only the remaining printing time according to the power supply status but also the remaining reading time according to the power supply status during the copy operation.

[0128] Other embodiments

[0129] The above-described embodiment can be modified as shown in the following (1) to (6).

[0130] (1) In the above-described embodiment, various notification screens and display screens are displayed on the display unit 240 provided on the operation panel 208, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the notification screen and display screen may be displayed on various terminal devices such as the PC terminal 16, the smartphone 30, etc. connected to the printing apparatus 10 in a wired or wireless manner, or may be displayed on the display unit 240 and the terminal device.

[0131] (2) In the above-described embodiment, a notification screen based on the acquired printing time and reading time is displayed on the display unit 240, but the present invention is not limited to this. The acquired printing time and reading time may be output as a voice guidance from, for example, a speaker provided in the operation panel 208. In the above-described first embodiment, the printing device 10 is a so-called serial scanning type printing device that uses a print head that ejects ink while moving in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction of the print medium, but is not limited to this. The printing device 10 may also be a so-called full-width type printing device that uses a long print head covering the entire width direction of the print area in the print medium. Although not specifically described in the above-described first embodiment, various known technologies may be used for a printing system using the printing device 10.

[0132] (3) In the above embodiment, in the table showing the execution capability, in the case where the symbol representing the execution capability is "Δ", various operations are intermittently performed by appropriately performing charging, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, various operations may be performed at a lower speed to suppress power consumption. In this case, for example, in the start notification process, the printing time T0 for each printing medium is calculated based on the printing speed Fd in the case where the operation is performed at a lower speed.

[0133] (4) Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, various information such as the time required for one charge is stored in a storage area such as the data memory 220. Such various information is measured before the printing apparatus 10 is shipped, for example, and the measured values ​​are stored in the storage area.

[0134] Other embodiments

[0135] (5) The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) that performs the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0136] (6) The above-mentioned embodiment and the various forms shown in (1) to (5) above can be combined as appropriate.

[0137] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing device including a power storage unit capable of storing power supplied via a USB cable and capable of operating using the power supplied from the power storage unit, the printing device comprising: a printing unit configured to print on a printing medium; as well as, A notification unit configured to provide notification of a charging time for charging the power storage unit with power supplied from the USB cable and a printing time based on printing of the printing medium by the printing unit.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first acquiring unit configured to acquire power supply information related to power supply from the USB cable; as well as, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a time based on the printing time based on the power supply information, The second acquiring unit adds the charging time to the printing time.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The second acquiring unit acquires a printing time of each printing medium as the printing time.

4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein: The second acquisition unit: Based on the power supply information, when the amount of power required for the printing operation is less than the amount of power supplied via the USB cable, obtaining the time required for printing one print medium when printing at the set print speed as the printing time; as well as, Based on the power supply information, when the amount of power required for printing is equal to or greater than the amount of power supplied via the USB cable, the charging time is added to the time required to print one print medium when printing at the print speed when acquiring the print time.

5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein: The charging time is the time required for one charge.

6. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The second acquisition unit acquires a remaining printing time in a printing operation being executed as the printing time.

7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein: The printing unit prints on the printing medium while scanning in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the printing medium is conveyed, and, The second acquisition unit: Based on the power supply information, when the amount of power required for the printing operation is less than the amount of power supplied via the USB cable, acquiring the printing time based on a first scanning number of the printing medium being printed, a second scanning number of the printing medium not yet printed, and a time required for one scanning; as well as, Based on the power supply information, when the amount of power required for the printing operation is equal to or greater than the amount of power supplied via the USB cable, the printing time is obtained by adding the charging time required for the remaining printing to the time required for the printing, wherein the charging time required for the remaining printing is calculated based on the number of times the power storage unit is charged using the power supplied from the USB cable and the time required for one charge.

8. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein: The time required for printing and the charging time differ according to operation modes having different operation speeds.

9. The printing device according to claim 6, further comprising: a reading unit capable of reading a document, The second acquisition unit further acquires a remaining read time in the read operation being executed based on the power supply information.

10. The printing device according to claim 9, wherein: The second acquisition unit: based on the power supply information, in a reading operation during the copying operation, when the amount of power required for the copying operation is less than the amount of power supplied via the USB cable, acquiring, as the reading time, a time required for reading calculated from a remaining moving distance of a reading unit for reading an original being read, a time required for reading one original, and a moving distance of the reading unit required for reading one original; as well as, Based on the power supply information, when the amount of power required for the copying operation is equal to or greater than the amount of power supplied via the USB cable, the reading time is obtained by adding the charging time required for the remaining reading to the time required for reading, wherein the charging time is calculated based on the number of times the power storage unit is charged using the power supplied from the USB cable and the time required for one charging.

11. The printing device according to claim 10, wherein: The time required to read one original and the charging time calculated from the number of charging times required for the remaining reading and the time required for one charging differ according to the operation mode in which the operation speed is different.

12. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: a display unit configured to display information, The notification unit displays a notification screen for providing notification of the printing time on the display unit.

13. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The notification unit displays a notification screen for providing notification of the printing time on a display unit provided in a terminal device connected to the printing apparatus using the USB cable or a display unit provided on a terminal device connected to the printing apparatus by a wireless connection.

14. A control method of a printing apparatus including a power storage unit capable of storing power supplied via a USB cable and capable of operating using the power supplied from the power storage unit, in, Notification of a time when the power storage unit is charged with power supplied from the USB cable and a time based on a time when a print medium is printed by a print unit is provided.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform a control method of a printing device, the printing device including a power storage unit capable of storing power supplied via a USB cable and capable of operating using the power supplied from the power storage unit, the control method comprising: Notification of a time when the power storage unit is charged with power supplied from the USB cable and a time based on a time when a print medium is printed by a print unit is provided.

16. A computer program product comprising a program for causing a computer to perform a control method of a printing device, the printing device including a power storage unit capable of storing power supplied via a USB cable and capable of operating using the power supplied from the power storage unit, in, Notification of a time when the power storage unit is charged with power supplied from the USB cable and a time based on a time when a print medium is printed by a print unit is provided.

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