Printing system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of easily reusing a cartridge.SOLUTION: A printing system includes: a printing material cartridge configured to store a printing material and including an identification part in which identification information for identifying the printing material cartridge is recorded; a printing device including a cartridge attachment part to be attached with the printing material cartridge, a device reading part formed inside the cartridge attachment part and configured to optically read the identification part, and a device memory part; and a server device including a server memory part and communicably connected to the printing device. The device memory part and the server memory part respectively memorize identification information and the number of times of refilling of a printing material cartridge in association with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a cartridge that is detachably mounted in a mounting portion of a liquid ejecting device, a configuration is known in which a circuit board equipped with a storage device is attached to a case that forms an outer shell of the cartridge (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 098287 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, since the circuit board is attached to the outer shell of the cartridge, when reusing a used cartridge, the circuit board may not be easily removed, which may make it difficult to reuse the cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided, the printing system comprising: a printing material cartridge that contains printing material and has an identification section on which identification information for identifying the printing material cartridge is recorded; a printing device that is a cartridge mounting section into which the printing material cartridge is mounted, a device reading section formed inside the cartridge mounting section and for optically reading the identification section, and a device storage section; and a server device that has a server storage section and is communicably connected to the printing device, the device storage section and the server storage section each storing the identification information and the number of refills of the printing material cartridge in association with each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 11 is a schematic diagram of the cartridge mounting portion as viewed from a second side wall of the device on the -X direction side. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the printing material cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion during the insertion process. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the printing material cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion in a fully mounted state. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a main control device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the server device. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the refill device. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a consumption value management method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A. Embodiment: A-1. Printing system configuration: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 1. FIG. 1 shows three spatial axes, XYZ axes, which are perpendicular to each other. The directions in which the arrows of the X, Y, and Z axes point are the positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively. The directions opposite to the directions in which the X, Y, and Z axes point are the negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. The directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are called the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively.

[0008] In this embodiment, in the use state of the printing system 1, the X-axis and the Y-axis are axes along a horizontal plane, and the Z-axis is an axis along the direction of gravity. In other words, the use state of the printing system 1 is a state in which the printing system 1 is installed on a horizontal plane. In the following, the direction of gravity is the -Z direction, and the antigravity direction is the +Z direction. The direction from the front side to the rear side of the printing system 1 is the -Y direction, and the direction from the rear side to the front side of the printing system 1 is the +Y direction. In addition, when the printing system 1 is viewed from the -Y direction side, which is the front side, the direction from the right side to the left side of the printing system 1 is the +X direction, and the direction from the left side to the right side is the -X direction. The same applies to the figures and explanations shown below.

[0009] The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10, a printing material cartridge 4 that contains printing material to be supplied to the printing device 10, a server device 8 communicatively connected to the printing device 10, and a refill device 9 communicatively connected to the server device 8. The printing material cartridge 4 has an identification section as image information. In this embodiment, the identification section is a QR code (registered trademark, omitted below) which is an example of a matrix type two-dimensional code. The identification section records identification information for identifying the printing material cartridge 4 and the address of the server device 8. The identification information is, for example, a cartridge ID assigned to each printing material cartridge 4 in order to distinguish between multiple printing material cartridges 4. The identification information may be a manufacturing lot number of the printing material cartridge 4. The address of the server device 8 is, for example, a URL for accessing the server device 8.

[0010] A-2. Printer configuration: The printing device 10 is a device that prints images, characters, and the like by ejecting a printing material onto a medium P such as printing paper, a resin film, or a fabric. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as the printing material from a head 22. The ink may be any of various liquid compositions such as water-based ink, oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot melt ink. Furthermore, the printing material is not limited to a liquid, and may also be a powdered toner.

[0011] The printing device 10 comprises a cartridge mounting section 6 for mounting a printing material cartridge 4, a main control device 3, a drive mechanism 17, a carriage 20, and a head 22 equipped with nozzles for ejecting printing material supplied from the printing material cartridge 4.

[0012] The printing material cartridge 4 is removably mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6. The cartridge mounting section 6 has a device front wall 606 located on the +Y direction side. The device front wall 606 has an insertion / removal opening 674 which is an entrance to the storage chamber 600 of the printing material cartridge 4. The printing material cartridge 4 is mounted by being inserted into the storage chamber 600 of the cartridge mounting section 6 through the insertion / removal opening 674. In this embodiment, the insertion direction DI of the printing material cartridge 4 with respect to the cartridge mounting section 6 is the -Y direction from the front side to the rear side of the printing device 10. Also, the removal direction DO of the printing material cartridge 4 mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6 is the +Y direction opposite to the insertion direction DI. Also, in this embodiment, four types of printing material cartridges 4 are mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6, one each for the four colors of ink, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, i.e., a total of four printing material cartridges 4K, 4C, 4M, and 4Y. The arrangement direction of the multiple printing material cartridges 4K, 4C, 4M, 4Y is the X direction in which the right and left sides of the printing device 10 face each other. Note that the type, number, and arrangement of the printing material cartridges 4 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6 are not limited to this.

[0013] In a mounting completion state where mounting of the printing material cartridge 4 in the cartridge mounting section 6 is completed, ink as a printing material is supplied to the head 22 provided in the carriage 20 via a tube 24 as a liquid circulation pipe. A tube 24 is provided for each type of ink. In this embodiment, pressurized fluid is introduced from the printing device 10 into the printing material cartridge 4, and ink is supplied to the head 22 from a liquid containing bag (not shown) of the printing material cartridge 4. Note that the method of supplying ink from the printing material cartridge 4 to the head 22 is not limited to this. For example, ink may be supplied to the head 22 by being sucked from inside the printing material cartridge 4 by a pump mechanism of the printing device 10.

[0014] The head 22 is provided with a nozzle for each type of ink. The ink is ejected from the nozzle toward the medium P. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 is a so-called "off-carriage type" printer in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 does not move in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 20. Note that the technology disclosed herein can also be applied to so-called "on-carriage type" printers in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and moves together with the carriage 20.

[0015] The main control device 3 controls the operation of each part of the printing device 10, and also transmits and receives signals to and from the server device 8. The functions of the main control device 3 will be described in detail later.

[0016] 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 carriage 20 moves back and forth in the X direction, which is the main scanning direction, by transmitting the power of the drive motor 19 to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 18. Furthermore, the printing device 10 includes a transport 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 transport mechanism, and the medium P after printing is completed is output onto the front cover 11.

[0017] A-3. Detailed configuration of the cartridge mounting section: Fig. 2 is a front view of the cartridge mounting section 6. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the cartridge mounting section 6 as viewed from the device second side wall 605 side in the -X direction. A cartridge mounting section 6 is provided for each type of printing material cartridge 4. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 has four cartridge mounting sections 6K, 6C, 6M, 6Y into which the four printing material cartridges 4K, 4C, 4M, 4Y are respectively mounted.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, each cartridge mounting section 6 has an accommodation chamber 600 that accommodates a printing material cartridge 4. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the accommodation chamber 600 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. With respect to the cartridge mounting section 6, the X direction is the width direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. The cartridge mounting section 6 includes six walls 601 to 606 that form the accommodation chamber 600, including a rear wall 601, an upper wall 602, a bottom wall 603, a first side wall 604, a second side wall 605, and a front wall 606. In this disclosure, the term "wall" is a concept that includes a single wall as well as a wall that is composed of multiple walls.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the device front wall 606 forms an insertion / removal opening 674 through which the printing material cartridge 4 is inserted into and removed from the storage chamber 600. The device rear wall 601 faces 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 walls that are approximately perpendicular to horizontal planes along the X direction and Y direction, respectively, 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 faces 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 walls that are approximately parallel to the horizontal plane along the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, when the printing system 1 is in use. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the device first side wall 604 forms a wall on the +X direction side of the storage chamber 600. The device second side wall 605 faces the device first side wall 604 in the X direction and forms a wall on the -X direction side of the storage chamber 600. The device first side wall 604 and the device second side wall 605 intersect the device rear wall 601, the device front wall 606, the device upper wall 602, and the device bottom wall 603, respectively. The device first side wall 604 and the device second side wall 605 are walls that are approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane along the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, when the printing system 1 is in use. In this disclosure, "intersect" and "intersect" mean any of the following states (i) to (iii). (i) The state in which two components intersect and actually intersect with each other (ii) A state in which one component intersects with another component when it is extended. (iii) The state in which the components of each other intersect when they are extended.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes a regulating mechanism 69, a device-side first positioning section 682, a device-side second positioning section 684, a printing material introduction section 63, a pressure section 686, and a device reading section 65.

[0021] The regulating mechanism 69 engages with the printing material cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 1 to regulate the printing material cartridge 4 from moving in the +Y direction, which is the removal direction DO, when the printing material cartridge 4 is in the completed mounting state. As shown in FIG. 3, the regulating mechanism 69 is disposed on the upper wall 602 of the device. The regulating mechanism 69 is a lever, and includes an operating portion 691, a device-side regulating portion 692, a spring member 698, and a rotating shaft portion 699. The operating portion 691 is exposed to the outside of the cartridge mounting portion 6 so that the user can operate it. The operating portion 691 is located at one end of the regulating mechanism 69. The device-side regulating portion 692 is located at the other end of the regulating mechanism 69. The device-side regulating portion 692 is a protrusion that protrudes from the upper wall 602 side of the device toward the storage chamber 600 side. The spring member 698 biases the device-side regulating portion 692 so that the device-side regulating portion 692 is disposed on the storage chamber 600 side, which is the inside of the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0022] The first apparatus-side positioning portion 682 and the second apparatus-side positioning portion 684 are each a columnar member extending from the rear wall 601 of the apparatus in the +Y direction, which is the removal direction DO. The first apparatus-side positioning portion 682 is a positioning member that pairs with a first cartridge-side positioning portion 482 of the printing material cartridge 4, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the first apparatus-side positioning portion 682 is located closer to the upper wall 602 of the printing material cartridge 4 than the center in the Z direction, which is the height direction of the cartridge mounting portion 6. The second apparatus-side positioning portion 684 is a positioning member that pairs with a second cartridge-side positioning portion 484 of the printing material cartridge 4, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the second apparatus-side positioning portion 684 is located closer to the bottom wall 603 of the apparatus than the pressure portion 686 in the Z direction. Note that the number and positions of the apparatus-side positioning portions 682, 684 formed in the cartridge mounting portion 6 are not limited to those described above.

[0023] 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 of the printing material cartridge 4, which will be described later. Ink is introduced into the printing material introduction section 63 as the printing material supplied from the printing material supply section. Specifically, ink is introduced into the printing material introduction section 63 through an opening formed in a tip section 63a, which is the end section on the +Y direction side of the printing material introduction section 63. The ink introduced into the printing material introduction section 63 flows from the printing material introduction section 63 through the tube 24 shown in FIG. 1 to the head 22. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the printing material introduction section 63 is a flow path pipe in which a flow path through which ink flows is formed, and is a cylindrical member extending from the rear wall 601 of the device in the +Y direction, which is the removal direction DO. In this embodiment, the central axis CL of the printing material introduction section 63 is parallel to the Y axis. 2, in this embodiment, the printing material introduction part 63 is formed in the center in the X direction, which is the width direction, and the Z direction, which is the height direction, of the cartridge mounting part 6, but the position where the printing material introduction part 63 is formed is not limited thereto. Also, the printing material introduction part 63 may be, for example, a flow path needle in which a flow path through which ink flows is formed.

[0024] 2 and 3 is a cylindrical member that circulates pressurized fluid for supplying the ink contained in the printing material cartridge 4 to the head 22 shown in FIG. 1. 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 part 686 supplies the pressurized fluid into the printing material cartridge 4 when the printing material cartridge 4 is in a fully mounted state. In this embodiment, the pressurizing part 686 extends from the device rear wall 601 toward the +Y direction, which is the removal direction DO. Note that in this embodiment, the pressurizing part 686 is formed between the printing material introduction part 63 and the device-side second positioning part 684 in the Z direction, which is the height direction of the cartridge mounting part 6, but the position at which the pressurizing part 686 is formed is not limited thereto.

[0025] The device reading unit 65 optically reads the identification unit of the printing material cartridge 4 and analyzes the read identification unit. As a result, the device reading unit 65 acquires the identification information recorded in the identification unit and the address of the server device 8. In this embodiment, the device reading unit 65 is a QR code reader. The device reading unit 65 includes, for example, an imaging unit (not shown) such as a CMOS sensor that captures the identification unit, and a processing unit (not shown) that processes the captured image. For example, the processing unit binarizes the captured image including the identification unit to generate a binary image. Then, the processing unit acquires the identification information recorded in the identification unit and the address of the server device 8 by decoding the code as the identification unit included in the binary image according to a predetermined code standard. The device reading unit 65 is connected to the main control device 3 so as to be able to communicate with the main control device 3. The device reading unit 65 transmits the acquired identification information and the address of the server device 8 to the main control device 3. Note that at least a part of the functions of the device reading unit 65 may be executed by the main control device 3.

[0026] The device reading section 65 is formed at a position where the identification section can be optically read during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6. In this 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. In other words, the device reading section 65 is formed inside the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0027] A-4. Printing material cartridge detailed configuration: FIG. 4 is a side view of the printing material cartridge 4. FIG. 4 shows the printing material cartridge 4 as viewed from the cartridge first side wall 404 side. FIG. 5 is a front view of the printing material cartridge 4. FIG. 5 shows the printing material cartridge 4 as viewed from the cartridge rear wall 401 side. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the printing material cartridge 4 and the cartridge mounting section 6 at a point before the printing material cartridge 4 reaches the mounting completion state during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6. FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the printing material cartridge 4 inserted to the center of the storage chamber 600 in the Y direction along the insertion direction DI. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the printing material cartridge 4 and the cartridge mounting section 6 in the mounting completion state. Each of FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 is provided with XYZ axes in the mounting completion state of the printing material cartridge 4. Note that FIG. 7 does not show the printing material introduction section 63 and the printing material supply section 43.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 5, the printing material cartridge 4 includes a case 40, a printing material storage section 450, a printing material supply section 43, and a fluid receiving section 46. As shown in Fig. 4, the printing material cartridge 4 has an outer shape that is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped. With respect to the printing material cartridge 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, with respect to the outer shape of the printing material cartridge 4, the dimension in the Y direction is the largest, followed by the dimension in the Z direction and the dimension in the X direction.

[0029] The case 40 is a housing that forms the outer shell of the printing material cartridge 4. The case 40 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the case 40 includes a cartridge front wall 406, a cartridge rear wall 401, a cartridge top wall 402, a cartridge bottom wall 403, a cartridge first side wall 404, and a cartridge second side wall 405. As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge front wall 406 forms a wall on the +Y direction side of the case 40. The cartridge rear wall 401 faces the cartridge front wall 406 in the Y direction and forms a wall on the -Y direction side of the case 40. The cartridge rear wall 401 is a wall located on the insertion direction DI side from the cartridge mounting portion 6 of the printing material cartridge 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge front wall 406 and the cartridge rear wall 401 are walls that are approximately perpendicular to a horizontal plane along the X direction and the Y direction when the printing material cartridge 4 is in a fully mounted state.

[0030] 5, the cartridge rear wall 401 has an arrangement hole 434 in which the printing material supply unit 43 is arranged, and an arrangement recess 461 in which the fluid receiving unit 46 is arranged. The arrangement hole 434 is a hole that penetrates the cartridge rear wall 401 in the thickness direction of the cartridge rear wall 401 along the Y direction. In this embodiment, the arrangement hole 434 is arranged in the cartridge rear wall 401 at a position including the center in the X direction, which is the width direction of the printing material cartridge 4, and the Z direction, which is the height direction of the printing material cartridge 4. The arrangement recess 461 is arranged in the cartridge rear wall 401 on the -Z direction side and the -X direction side of the arrangement hole 434. The arrangement recess 461 is open at least on the -Y direction side.

[0031] The cartridge top wall 402 forms a wall on the +Z direction side of the case 40. The cartridge bottom wall 403 faces the cartridge top wall 402 in the Z direction and forms a wall on the -Z direction side of the case 40. The cartridge top wall 402 and the cartridge bottom wall 403 intersect with the cartridge rear wall 401 and the cartridge front wall 406, respectively. The cartridge top wall 402 and the cartridge bottom wall 403 are walls that are approximately parallel to horizontal planes along the X and Y directions when the printing material cartridge 4 is in a fully installed state.

[0032] 5, the cartridge first side wall 404 forms a wall on the +X direction side of the case 40. The cartridge second side wall 405 faces the cartridge first side wall 404 in the X direction and forms a wall on the -X direction side of the case 40. The cartridge first side wall 404 and the cartridge second side wall 405 intersect with the cartridge rear wall 401, the cartridge top wall 402, the cartridge bottom wall 403, and the cartridge front wall 406, respectively. The cartridge first side wall 404 and the cartridge second side wall 405 are walls that are approximately perpendicular to horizontal planes along the X and Y directions when the printing material cartridge 4 is in a fully attached state.

[0033] The printing material storage section 450 shown in FIG. 5 is a container that stores the printing material. The printing material storage section 450 is disposed inside the case 40. In this embodiment, the printing material storage section 450 is an ink pack formed by a flexible bag-shaped film. The volume of the printing material storage section 450 decreases as the ink is consumed. Note that the configuration of the printing material storage section 450 is not limited to this. The printing material storage section 450 may be configured to store the printing material, and may be formed by the internal space of the case 40, for example.

[0034] 5 is a member for supplying ink as the printing material contained in the printing material container 450 to the printing material introduction section 63 of the cartridge mounting section 6. A supply port 431 is attached to one end of the printing material supply section 43, which supplies the printing material to the printing device 10 by causing the ink contained in the printing material container 450 to flow out. The printing material supply section 43 communicates with the printing material container 450 via the supply port 431. In this embodiment, the supply port 431 is arranged in the arrangement hole 434.

[0035] The fluid receiver 46 shown in FIG. 5 communicates the outside and the inside of the case 40. The fluid receiver 46 receives the pressurized fluid supplied from the pressurizing unit 686. The fluid receiver 46 is a cylindrical member extending in the -Y direction from the bottom surface 465 of the recessed portion on the +Y direction side of the placement recess 461. As shown in FIG. 7, the fluid receiver 46 is connected to the pressurizing unit 686 by being inserted into the pressurizing unit 686 of the cartridge mounting unit 6 in the mounting complete state of the printing material cartridge 4. As a result, the fluid receiver 46 receives the pressurized fluid supplied from the pressurizing unit 686. The pressurized fluid supplied to the fluid receiver 46 is introduced into the case 40 and pressurizes the inside of the case 40, thereby pressurizing the printing material storage unit 450 from the outside. As a result, the ink contained in the printing material storage unit 450 is supplied to the printing material introduction unit 63 through the supply port 431. Depending on the configuration of the printing material container 450, the printing material cartridge 4 may be provided with an air communication hole or the like that connects the inside and outside of the case 40, instead of the fluid receiving portion 46.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the printing material cartridge 4 further includes a cartridge-side regulating portion 492, a cartridge-side first positioning portion 482, a cartridge-side second positioning portion 484, and an identifier 45.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 7, the cartridge-side regulating portion 492 is a recess that receives a protruding apparatus-side regulating portion 692 that protrudes toward the storage chamber 600. When the printing material cartridge 4 is in a fully mounted state, the apparatus-side regulating portion 692 and the cartridge-side regulating portion 492 are engaged with each other. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6, the apparatus-side regulating portion 692 and the cartridge-side regulating portion 492 do not engage with each other and maintain a positional relationship in which they do not interfere with each other.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge side first positioning portion 482 is a hole capable of receiving the apparatus side first positioning portion 682. That is, the cartridge side first positioning portion 482 is formed at a position corresponding to the apparatus side first positioning portion 682. The cartridge side second positioning portion 484 is a hole capable of receiving the apparatus side second positioning portion 684. That is, the cartridge side second positioning portion 484 is formed at a position corresponding to the apparatus side second positioning portion 684. Note that, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the apparatus side positioning portions 682, 684 are convex members, and the cartridge side positioning portions 482, 484 are concave members that receive the apparatus side positioning portions 682, 684, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge side positioning portions 482, 484 may be convex members, and the apparatus side positioning portions 682, 684 may be concave members that receive the cartridge side positioning portions 482, 484 during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the identification section 45 is a code in which a pattern and a shape are formed according to the arrangement pattern of a plurality of light color cells B and a plurality of dark color cells D. As described above, in this embodiment, the identification section 45 is a QR code, and identification information J for identifying the printing material cartridge 4 and the destination of the server device 8 are recorded. The identification section 45 is formed at a position where it can be optically read by the device reading section 65 formed inside the cartridge mounting section 6 during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6. The position where the identification section 45 can be optically read is, for example, a position facing the device reading section 65 in the optical axis direction DL of the lens, which is the reading direction when the device reading section 65 reads the identification section 45 during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the optical axis direction DL of the lens is the Y direction. The identification section 45 is formed on the cartridge rear wall 401 of the printing material cartridge 4 on the cartridge upper wall 402 side and on the cartridge second side wall 405 side. In other words, the supply port 431 and the identifier 45 are formed on the same formation surface. Note that the type and the formation position of the identifier 45 are not limited to this.

[0040] A-5. How to install and remove the printing material cartridge: 6, when mounting the printing material cartridge 4 in the cartridge mounting section 6, the user pushes the printing material cartridge 4 in the insertion direction DI from the insertion / removal opening 674 toward the housing chamber 600 with the cartridge rear wall 401 and the device rear wall 601 facing each other. This causes the printing material cartridge 4 to be inserted into the housing chamber 600 from the insertion / removal opening 674. At this time, the device-side first positioning portion 682 is housed in the cartridge-side first positioning portion 482. The device-side second positioning portion 684 is housed in the cartridge-side second positioning portion 484. This positions the printing material cartridge 4 relative to the cartridge mounting section 6, and restricts movement of the printing material cartridge 4 in the X and Z directions perpendicular to the insertion direction DI.

[0041] Furthermore, during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6, when the distance in the Y direction between the identification portion 45 and the device reading portion 65 becomes the focal length FL of the device reading portion 65, the identification portion 45 is read by the device reading portion 65. Identification information J obtained by the device reading portion 65 optically reading the identification portion 45 is output to the main control device 3. Note that the focal length FL may be variable by a variable focus lens or the like.

[0042] 7, by pushing the printing material cartridge 4 further in the insertion direction DI, the cartridge-side regulating portion 492 reaches the position of the device-side regulating portion 692. As a result, the device-side regulating portion 692 rotates about the rotation shaft portion 699 toward the -Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side, due to the biasing force of the spring member 698. As a result, the device-side regulating portion 692 moves toward the storage chamber 600 and is received by the cartridge-side regulating portion 492, and the device-side regulating portion 692 and the cartridge-side regulating portion 492 engage with each other. As a result, the printing system 1 reaches an installation complete state in which installation of the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is complete.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6, when removing the printing material cartridge 4 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6, the user presses down the operation portion 691 in the -Z direction to put it in a pressed state. This puts the printing material cartridge 4 and the device-side regulating portion 692 in a state where they do not interfere with each other during the process of removing the printing material cartridge 4 from the cartridge mounting portion 6. Next, the user pulls out the printing material cartridge 4 in the removal direction DO. This causes the printing material cartridge 4 to be removed from the storage chamber 600 via the insertion / removal opening 674. Note that at least a part of the installation and removal operations of the printing material cartridge 4 to and from the cartridge mounting portion 6 may be performed mechanically.

[0044] A-6.Detailed configuration of main control unit: 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration 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 a device reading unit 65 and a server device 8 via the device communication unit 34 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0045] The device storage unit 33 is a storage unit provided in the main control device 3. The device storage unit 33 includes, for example, RAM, ROM, rewritable non-volatile memory, etc. The device storage unit 33 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the printing device 10, identification information J acquired by reading the identification unit 45 with the device reading unit 65, and the destination A of the server device 8. Furthermore, the device storage unit 33 stores a consumption value V and a number of refills N in association with the identification information J. The consumption value V is a value indicating the consumption amount of printing material consumed by printing. The number of refills N is the number of times the printing material cartridge 4 has been refilled by refilling the printing material storage unit 450 of the collected used printing material cartridge 4 with printing material or replacing the printing material storage unit 450. The number of refills N stored in the device storage unit 33 is updated every time the insertion of the printing material cartridge 4 is detected so as to be equal to the number of refills N stored in the server storage unit.

[0046] The device CPU 31 deploys the programs stored in the device storage unit 33, thereby functioning as an operation control unit 311 that controls the printing operation of the printing device 10, a device transmission unit 312, a device acquisition unit 313, a consumption value calculation unit 314, and an execution unit 315. Note that at least some of the functions of the device CPU 31 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

[0047] The device transmitting unit 312 transmits the identification information J obtained by reading the identification unit 45 with the device reading unit 65 to the server device 8 using the destination A of the server device 8.

[0048] The device acquisition unit 313 acquires the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit, which is a 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 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6.

[0049] 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 discharged from the head 22 by the amount of printing material discharged per time. In this case, the consumption value calculation unit 314 is a soft counter that uses the amount of printing material discharged from the head 22 by printing to manage the consumption amount of printing material in the printing material storage unit 450. Therefore, the consumption value V is a soft count value that indicates the amount of printing material discharged from the start of counting to the present time. The consumption value calculation unit 314 stores the calculated consumption value V in the device storage unit 33 in association with the identification information J.

[0050] The consumption value calculation unit 314 may calculate the consumption value V by calculating the remaining amount of the printing material contained in the printing material container 450. In this case, the consumption value calculation unit 314 calculates the remaining amount of the printing material contained in the printing material container 450, for example, by using the output value of a photosensor such as a prism sensor that optically detects the remaining amount of the printing material contained in the printing material container 450. The consumption value calculation unit 314 then calculates the consumption value V by subtracting the remaining amount from the full capacity of the printing material container 450. Furthermore, the device storage unit 33 may store the remaining amount of the printing material contained in the printing material container 450 in association with 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 contained in the printing material container 450.

[0051] The execution unit 315 compares the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 acquired by the device acquisition unit 313, i.e., the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit, with the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33. If the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit does not match the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33, the execution unit 315 executes a first process and a second process. The first process is a process of updating the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 so that the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 becomes equal to the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit. The second process is a process of resetting the consumption value V of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 to a predetermined initial value. The initial value of the consumption value V may be zero, or may be any predetermined value other than zero.

[0052] A-7. Detailed configuration of server equipment: 9 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the server device 8. The server device 8 manages the number of refills N of the printing material cartridge 4 mounted in the cartridge mounting 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 so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0053] 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 non-volatile memory, etc. The server storage unit 83 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the server device 8. Furthermore, the server storage unit 83 stores the identification information J and the number of refills N in association with each other.

[0054] The server CPU 81 functions as a count management unit 811 and a server transmission unit 812 by deploying a program stored in the server storage unit 83. When the count management unit 811 acquires identification information J from the refill device 9, it increments the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 by one. As a result, the number of refills management unit 811 stores the latest number of refills N in the server storage unit 83. When the server transmission unit 812 acquires 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. Note that at least a portion of the functions of the server CPU 81 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

[0055] A-8.Detailed configuration of refill device: 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the refill device 9. The refill device 9 refills the printing material cartridge 4 by refilling the printing material storage unit 450 of the collected used printing material cartridge 4 with printing material or by replacing the printing material storage unit 450. In this embodiment, the refill device 9 includes a refill unit 95 and a refill control device 90.

[0056] The refill unit 95 refills the printing material cartridge 4 in response to control by the refill control device 90. The refill unit 95 includes, for example, a fixed unit 951, a storage unit 952, a refill unit 953, and a refill reading unit 954. The fixed unit 951 mounts and fixes the printing material cartridge 4. The storage unit 952 stores the printing material to be refilled into the printing material cartridge 4. The refill unit 953 refills the printing material stored in the storage unit 952 into the printing material cartridge 4 fixed to the fixed unit 951. The refill reading unit 954 optically reads the identification unit 45 of the refilled printing material cartridge 4 to obtain the identification information J recorded in the identification unit 45 and the address A of the server device 8.

[0057] 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 communicatively connected to the refill unit 95 and the server device 8 via the refill communication unit 94. 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 non-volatile memory, and the like. The refill storage unit 93 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the refill device 9.

[0058] The refill CPU 91 deploys a program stored in the refill storage unit 93, thereby functioning 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. When the printing material cartridge 4 is refilled by the refill unit 95, the refill transmission unit 912 transmits identification information J of the refilled printing material cartridge 4 to the server device 8. Note that at least a part of the functions of the refill CPU 91 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

[0059] A-9. Consumption value management method: Fig. 11 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 taking into consideration the number of refills N. The consumption value management method shown in Fig. 11 is executed repeatedly, for example, every time the insertion of a new printing material cartridge 4 is detected.

[0060] If step S101 is "Yes", that is, if the insertion of the printing material cartridge 4 is detected, in step S102, the device reading unit 65 of the printing device 10 optically reads the identification unit 45 of the printing material cartridge 4 inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 6. In step S103, the device reading unit 65 analyzes the identification unit 45 to obtain the identification information J and the destination A of the server device 8. In step S104, the device sending unit 312 sends the identification information J obtained by optically reading the identification unit 45 by the device reading unit 65 to the server device 8 using the destination A of the server device 8. Note that, when the specific cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6 for the first time, the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 is not stored in the device storage unit 33. In this case, for example, the execution unit 315 stores the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 as 0 in the device storage unit 33.

[0061] In step S105, when the server transmitting 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.

[0062] 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 matches the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33.

[0063] 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.

[0064] On the other hand, if step S107 is "No", that is, if 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, step S109 is executed. In step S109, the execution unit 315 executes a first process to update the number of refills N stored in the device storage unit 33 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 executes a second process to reset the consumption value V of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 to an initial value. In step S111, the consumption value calculation unit 314 newly counts the consumption value V from the initial value.

[0065] According to the above embodiment, the printing material cartridge 4 includes an identification section 45 on which the identification information J is recorded. In this way, the printing device 10 can obtain the identification information J by optically reading the identification section 45 during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6. This makes it possible to replace the circuit board on which the identification information J is recorded with the identification section 45 on which the identification information J is recorded, without having to attach the circuit board to the case 40 that forms the outer shell of the printing material cartridge 4. In other words, it is possible to reuse a used printing material cartridge 4 without the need to remove the circuit board from the printing material cartridge 4. Therefore, the printing material cartridge 4 can be easily reused.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the server device 8 can manage the number of refills N for each printing material cartridge 4 by storing the identification information J and the number of refills N in association with each other. The printing device 10 can obtain the identification information J and the destination A of the server device 8 by optically reading the identification section 45 during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6. Since the server device 8 and the printing device 10 are communicably connected, the printing device 10 can transmit the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage section 83 to the printing device 10 by transmitting the identification information J to the server device 8. This allows the printing device 10 to obtain the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage section 83. The printing device 10 can then execute the following process when the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage section 83 does not match the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage section 33. The printing device 10 can update the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 so that the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 becomes equal to the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83. Therefore, by storing the latest number of refills N in the server storage unit 83, the number of refills N can be appropriately managed even when an identification unit 45 that does not have a storage unit is attached to the printing material cartridge 4 instead of a circuit board that has a storage unit capable of storing the number of refills N.

[0067] Also, according to the above embodiment, the printing device 10 can calculate the consumption value V of the specific cartridge 4 and store the consumption value V in the device storage unit 33. Furthermore, the printing device 10 can execute the following process 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. In this case, the printing device 10 can reset the consumption value V of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 to an initial value. In this way, the printing device 10 can newly count the consumption value V of the specific cartridge 4 after refilling from the initial value. Therefore, by storing the latest number of refills N in the server storage unit 83, the printing device 10 can appropriately manage the consumption value V.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by storing the latest number of refills N in the server storage unit 83, the consumption value V can be reset to the initial value at an appropriate timing according to the number of refills N stored in the server storage unit 83. This reduces the possibility that the consumption value V will not be counted correctly when a partially used printing material cartridge 4 is reinserted into the cartridge mounting unit 6 because the consumption value V is reset to the initial value. This prevents a situation in which a partially used printing material cartridge 4 is reinserted into the cartridge mounting unit 6 and it is determined that there is no printing material remaining, making it impossible to perform the printing operation. This allows the printing device 10 to be used continuously.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, even if the printing device 10 is used offline without being connected to the server device 8, the printing device 10 and the server device 8 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the printing device 10 can execute the following process. In this case, the printing device 10 can update the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33 by transmitting the number of refills N from the server device 8. Therefore, even if the printing device 10 is used temporarily offline, the consumption value V can be appropriately managed in the printing device 10.

[0070] Further, according to the above embodiment, when the refill device 9 refills the specific cartridge 4, it can transmit the identification information J of the refilled specific cartridge 4 to the server device 8. The server device 8 and the refill device 9 are connected to be able to communicate with each other. Therefore, when the server device 8 acquires the identification information J from the refill device 9, it can increment the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 by one. This allows the server device 8 to keep the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 up to date. Therefore, by transmitting the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 to the printing device 10 and comparing it with the number of refills N of the specific cartridge 4 stored in the device storage unit 33, it is possible to determine whether or not to reset the consumption value V to the initial value. Therefore, the consumption value V can be appropriately managed in the printing device 10.

[0071] B. Other embodiments: B-1. Alternative embodiment 1: In other embodiments, the printing system 1 may include, for example, an input device instead of the refill device 9. The input device is a device that allows the user to input the identification information J of the refilled printing material cartridge 4. The input device is, for example, any one of a touch panel that accepts input from the user, a mouse, and a keyboard. Even in this form, the number of refills N of the refilled printing material cartridge 4 stored in the server storage unit 83 can be incremented by one by transmitting the identification information J of the refilled printing material cartridge 4 from the input device to the server device 8.

[0072] B-2. Alternative embodiment 2: In other embodiments, the device storage unit 33 and the server storage unit 83 may each store other information in association with the identification information J, instead of or in addition to the consumption value V. The other information is, for example, at least one of status information and unique information. The status information is information that changes depending on the use of the printing material cartridge 4. The status information is, for example, a device ID that indicates the printing device 10 in use, and the date and time when the device reading unit 65 read the identification unit 45. The unique information is information that is determined at the time when the printing material cartridge 4 is manufactured. The unique information is, for example, the capacity of the printing material storage unit 450, the type of printing material, and the date and time when the printing material cartridge 4 was manufactured. In this manner, various information can be managed in addition to the number of refills N, in association with the identification information J.

[0073] C. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0074] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes a printing material cartridge that contains printing material, the printing material cartridge having an identification part on which identification information for identifying the printing material cartridge is recorded, a printing device that includes a cartridge mounting part in which the printing material cartridge is mounted, a device reading part formed inside the cartridge mounting part and optically reading the identification part, and a device storage part, and a server device that has a server storage part and is communicably connected to the printing device, and the device storage part and the server storage part each store the identification information and the number of refills of the printing material cartridge in association with each other. According to this embodiment, the printing material cartridge includes an identification part on which the identification information is recorded. In this way, the printing device can obtain the identification information by optically reading the identification part during the process of inserting the printing material cartridge into the cartridge mounting part. This allows the identification part on which the identification information is recorded to replace the circuit board on which the identification information is recorded, without attaching the circuit board on which the identification information is recorded to a case that forms the outer shell of the printing material cartridge.

[0075] (2) In the above embodiment, the printing device further includes a device transmission unit that transmits the identification information acquired by optically reading the identification unit with the device reading unit to the server device, a device acquisition unit that acquires the number of refills stored in the server memory unit for a specific cartridge that is the printing material cartridge identified by 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 does not match the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the device memory unit, and a consumption value that indicates the consumption amount of the specific cartridge and stores the consumption value in the server memory unit. The server device further includes a server transmission unit that transmits the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server storage unit to the printing device when the identification information is acquired from the printing device, and the first process may be a process of updating the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage unit so that the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage unit becomes equal to the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server storage unit, and the second process may be a process of resetting the consumption value of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage unit to an initial value. According to this embodiment, the printing device can calculate the consumption value of the specific cartridge and store the consumption value in the device storage unit. Furthermore, the printing device can reset the consumption value of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage unit to an initial value when the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server storage unit and the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage unit do not match. In this way, the printing device can newly count the consumption value of the specific cartridge after refilling from the initial value. Therefore, by storing the latest number of refills in the server storage unit, the consumption value can be appropriately managed in the printing device.

[0076] (3) In the above embodiment, the server device may further include a refill device communicably connected to the server device, the refill device including a refill sending unit that sends the identification information of the refilled printing material cartridge to the server device when the printing material cartridge is refilled, and the server device may further include a number management unit that adds one refill to the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server memory unit when the identification information is acquired from the refill device. According to this embodiment, the refill device can send the identification information of the refilled specific cartridge to the server device when the specific cartridge is refilled. The server device and the refill device are communicably connected. Therefore, when the server device acquires the identification information from the refill device, the server device can add one refill to the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server memory unit. This allows the server device to keep the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server memory unit up to date. Therefore, by sending the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server memory unit to the printing device and comparing it with the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the device memory unit, it is possible to determine whether to reset the consumption value to an initial value. Therefore, the consumption value can be appropriately managed in the printing device.

[0077] Not all of the multiple components of each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are essential, and in order to solve some or all of the above problems or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some of the multiple components may be modified, deleted, replaced with new other components, or some of the limitations may be deleted as appropriate. In addition, in order to solve some or all of the above problems or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some or all of the technical features included in one embodiment of the present disclosure described above may be combined with some or all of the technical features included in the other embodiments of the present disclosure described above to form an independent embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] The present disclosure can also be realized in various forms other than a printing system, such as a method for manufacturing a printing system, a method for controlling a printing system, a computer program for implementing the control method, and a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...printing system, 3...main control device, 4, 4K, 4M, 4C, 4Y...printing material cartridge, 6, 6K, 6M, 6C, 6Y...cartridge mounting section, 8...server device, 9...refill device, 10...printing device, 11...front cover, 17...driving mechanism, 18...timing belt, 19...driving motor, 20...carriage, 22...head, 24...tube, 31...device CPU, 33...device memory section, 34...device communication section, 40...case, 43...printing material supply section, 45...identification section, 46...fluid receiving section, 63...printing material introduction section , 63a...tip of printing material introduction section, 65...device reading section, 69...regulation mechanism, 81...server CPU, 83...server memory section, 84...server communication section, 90...refill control device, 91...refill CPU, 93...refill memory section, 94...refill communication section, 95...refill section, 311...operation control section, 312...device transmission section, 313...device acquisition section, 314...consumption value calculation section, 315...execution section, 401...cartridge rear wall, 402...cartridge upper wall, 403...cartridge bottom wall, 404...cartridge first side wall, 405... cartridge second side wall, 406... cartridge front wall, 431... supply port, 434... arrangement hole, 450... printing material storage section, 461... arrangement recess, 465... recess bottom surface, 482... cartridge side first positioning section, 484... cartridge side second positioning section, 492... cartridge side regulating section, 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 / removal opening, 682... device side first positioning section, 684... mounting device-side second positioning section, 686...pressure section, 691...operation section, 692...device-side regulation section, 698...spring member, 699...rotation shaft section, 811...count management section, 812...server transmission section, 911...refill control section, 912...refill transmission section, 951...fixing section, 952...storage section, 953...replenishment section, 954...refill reading section, A...destination, B...light cell, CL...center axis, D...dark cell, DI...insertion direction, DL...optical axis direction, DO...removal direction, FL...focal length, J...identification information, N...count of refills, P...medium, V...consumption value

Claims

1. 1. A printing system comprising: a printing material cartridge for accommodating a printing material, the printing material cartridge having an identification portion on which identification information for identifying the printing material cartridge is recorded; A printing device including a cartridge mounting section in which the printing material cartridge is mounted, an apparatus reading section formed inside the cartridge mounting section and configured to optically read the identification section, and an apparatus storage section; a server device having a server storage unit and communicably connected to the printing device; The printing system, wherein the device storage unit and the server storage unit each store the identification information and the number of refills of the printing material cartridge in association with each other.

2. 2. The printing system of claim 1, The printing device further comprises: a device transmission unit that transmits the identification information acquired by optically reading the identification unit with the device reading unit to the server device; a device acquisition unit that acquires the number of refills stored in the server storage unit for a specific cartridge, which is the printing material cartridge identified by 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 does not match the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage unit; a consumption value calculation unit that calculates a consumption value indicating a consumption amount of the specific cartridge and stores the consumption value in the device storage unit, The server device further comprises: a server transmission unit that transmits to the printing device the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server storage unit when the identification information is acquired from the printing device; the first process is a process of updating the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage unit so that the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the device storage unit becomes equal to the number of refills of the specific cartridge 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 unit to an initial value.

3. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising: a refill device communicably connected to the server device; The refill device is a refill transmission unit that transmits, when the printing material cartridge is refilled, the identification information of the refilled printing material cartridge to the server device; The server device further comprises: a number management unit that, when acquiring the identification information from the refill device, adds one to the number of refills of the specific cartridge stored in the server storage unit;

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