Printer and printing system

Abstract

To grasp residual amounts of a roll medium.SOLUTION: A roll medium 5 is installed on a printer 10D. A medium-mark 6, on which medium-information 7 including a printing medium ID7a and a printing-residual amount 7b is recorded, is preprinted on the roll medium 5. A control device 80 comprises: a memorizing part 81 memorizing a used medium ID8a, which is registered by a user, of the roll medium 5 installed on the printer 10; a reading part 93 that reads out the medium-mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5; a printing control part 83 that performs printing on the printing area AR1 of the roll medium 5; a residual amount calculating part 87 that calculates use-residual amounts 8b of the roll medium 5 having the printing performed thereon; a medium-mark printing part 89 that prints, on the roll medium 5, the medium-mark 6 on which the medium-information 7 including the use medium ID8a as the printing medium ID7 and including the use-residual amount 8b as the printing-residual amount 7b, is registered; and a sheet-cut control part 97 that performs sheet-cutting to the roll medium 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to printers and printing systems. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that prints on a roll of roll media. This printer includes a platen that supports the unfolded roll media, a media supply device on which the roll media is placed and that supplies the roll media toward the platen, and an ink head.

[0003] The roll media supplied from the media supply device is supported by the platen in an unfolded state. An image is printed on the unfolded roll media by ejecting ink from the ink heads toward the roll media supported by the platen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-127397 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above printer, when the remaining amount of roll media becomes low, the roll media is replaced. For example, a user visually checks the diameter of the roll media installed in the media supply device, and replaces the roll media when the diameter becomes small. Therefore, the timing of replacing the roll media varies depending on the user. It is preferable that the remaining amount of roll media can be confirmed by something other than the user's visual inspection.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a printer and printing system that are capable of determining the remaining amount of roll media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The printer according to the present invention includes a support table that supports a roll-shaped roll medium in an unfolded state, a supply device on which the roll medium is placed and that unfolds the roll medium and supplies it to the support table, an ink head that ejects ink, a sheet cutter that cuts the roll medium supported by the support table into sheets, and a control device. Before printing begins, a medium mark is printed on the roll medium supported by the support table, on which medium information including a print medium ID that identifies the roll medium placed in the supply device and a remaining print amount that indicates the remaining amount of the roll medium is recorded. The printer includes a sensor that reads the medium mark. The control device includes a storage unit, a reading unit, a print control unit, a remaining amount calculation unit, a medium mark creation unit, a medium mark printing unit, and a sheet cutting control unit. The storage unit stores the used medium ID of the roll medium supported by the support table and the used medium ID registered by a user. The reading unit reads the medium mark printed on the roll medium supported by the support table with the sensor. The print control unit prints on the print area of ​​the roll medium supported by the support table based on print data obtained by RIP processing of a print image. The remaining amount calculation unit calculates a remaining amount of use, which is the remaining amount of the roll medium supported by the support table after printing by the print control unit. The medium mark creation unit creates the medium mark in which the medium information is registered, with the used medium ID being the print medium ID and the remaining amount of use calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit being the remaining amount of print. The medium mark printing unit prints the medium mark created by the medium mark creation unit on the roll medium supported by the support table. The sheet cutting control unit performs sheet cutting on the roll medium supported by the support table so as to cut off the print area printed by the print control unit.

[0008] According to the printer, the remaining amount of the roll medium installed in the supply device can be known from the remaining amount of print recorded on the medium mark by reading the medium mark with a sensor. In addition, after printing by the print control unit, the remaining amount used is calculated, and a medium mark recording medium information in which the remaining amount used is the remaining amount of print is printed on the roll medium supported by the support base. Therefore, by reading the medium mark, it is possible to know the remaining amount of the roll medium more accurately.

[0009] The printing system according to the present invention includes a first printer on which a roll-shaped roll medium is placed, a media management device that manages the roll medium placed on the first printer, and a mobile terminal. The first printer includes a support base that supports the roll medium in an unfolded state, a supply device on which the roll medium is placed and that unfolds the roll medium and supplies it to the support base, an ink head that ejects ink, a sheet cutter that cuts the roll medium supported on the support base into sheets, and a control device. Before printing begins, a medium mark is printed on the roll medium supported on the support base, on which medium information including a print medium ID that identifies the roll medium placed on the supply device is recorded. The control device includes a storage unit, a print control unit, a remaining amount calculation unit, a medium mark creation unit, a medium mark printing unit, a sheet cutting control unit, and a printer communication unit. The storage unit stores the used medium ID of the roll medium supported on the support base, which is also the used medium ID registered by a user. The print control unit prints on the print area of ​​the roll medium supported by the support table based on print data obtained by RIP processing of a print image. The remaining amount calculation unit calculates a remaining amount of use, which is the remaining amount of the roll medium supported by the support table after printing by the print control unit. The medium mark creation unit creates the medium mark in which the medium information is registered with the print medium ID set as the used medium ID. The medium mark printing unit prints the medium mark created by the medium mark creation unit on the roll medium supported by the support table. The sheet cutting control unit performs sheet cutting on the roll medium supported by the support table so as to cut off the print area printed by the print control unit. The printer communication unit sets the remaining amount of use calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit as a remaining amount of print indicating the remaining amount of the roll medium, and transmits the print medium ID and the remaining amount of print to the medium management device. The portable terminal includes a sensor that reads the medium mark, a portable reading unit, an acquisition unit, and a portable communication unit. The portable reading unit reads the medium mark printed on the roll medium by the sensor.The acquisition unit acquires printer information regarding a second printer in which the roll medium on which the medium mark read by the portable reading unit is printed is installed. The portable communication unit sets the print medium ID of the medium mark read by the portable reading unit as a read medium ID, and transmits the read medium ID and the printer information acquired by the acquisition unit to the medium management device. The medium management device includes a management storage unit, a printer identification unit, and a management communication unit. The management storage unit stores medium management information in which the print medium ID and the remaining amount of print are associated. The printer identification unit identifies the second printer from the printer information. The management communication unit transmits the remaining amount of print associated with the read medium ID to the second printer based on the medium management information.

[0010] According to the printing system, in the first printer, the remaining amount calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit is taken as the remaining amount of print, and the print medium ID and the remaining amount of print are sent to the media management device. Therefore, the print medium ID and the remaining amount of print can be managed in association with each other in the media management device. In addition, the remaining amount of print is sent to the second printer in which the roll medium identified by the print medium ID is installed, so that the remaining amount of the installed roll medium can be grasped in the second printer. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer and a printing system that are capable of knowing the remaining amount of roll media. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the bottom surface of the carriage and the ink head. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing medium management information. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a RIP process. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the previous remaining amount, the used amount, and the used remaining amount. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 illustrates a media marking printed on a roll of media. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 shows update information transmitted after printing is completed. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 illustrates updated information sent after reading a media indicator. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart showing a series of steps when printing on a roll medium. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a printing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a printing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a series of steps until a roll medium printed by a first printer is placed in a second printer in a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in particular. Also, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same function, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0014] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a printing system 1 according to a first embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the printing system 1 includes a printer 10, a terminal 150, and a medium management device 100. In the printing system 1, the medium management device 100 manages the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 used in the printer 10 (in other words, the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10), etc.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the number of printers 10 and terminals 150 included in the printing system 1 is two, and the number of medium management devices 100 is one. However, the number of printers 10, terminals 150, and medium management devices 100 is not particularly limited, and each may be one or more. For example, the number of printers 10 and terminals 150 included in the printing system 1 may be one, or three or more. The number of printers 10 and the number of terminals 150 may be the same or different. The number of medium management devices 100 included in the printing system 1 may be two or more. Below, the printers 10, the terminals 150, and the medium management device 100 will be described in that order.

[0016] First, the printer 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 10 taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. In the following description of the printer 10, the left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom as seen from a user in front of the printer 10. The side approaching the user from the printer 10 is the front, and the side approaching the printer 10 from the user is the rear. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings respectively indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X in the drawings indicates the sub-scanning direction. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-rear direction. The sub-scanning direction X is a direction that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. Here, the rear side of the sub-scanning direction X is referred to as the upstream side, and the front side of the sub-scanning direction X is referred to as the downstream side. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10 or the present invention in any way.

[0017] The printer 10 is an inkjet printer, or a so-called inkjet printer. However, the printing method of the printer 10 is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be, for example, a thermal printer or a laser printer. In this embodiment, the printer 10 is a roll-to-roll type printer in which the roll medium 5 is unrolled on a support base 16 (see FIG. 3 ) described below and moved in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0018] In this embodiment, the printer 10 prints on the rolled roll medium 5. Here, printing on the roll medium 5 refers to printing on the unfolded portion of the roll medium 5 when the roll medium 5 is unfolded. When the roll medium 5 is installed in the printer 10, the roll medium 5 is wound in a roll shape around a rotation axis A1 (see FIG. 3) extending in the main scanning direction Y. The roll medium 5 has a shape that allows it to be wound on a winding roller 71 of a winding device 70, which will be described later. The roll medium 5 is printed by the printer 10 in a pulled-out state, i.e., unfolded state. The type of material of the roll medium 5 is not particularly limited. For example, the roll medium 5 is a rolled recording paper, so-called roll paper. The roll medium 5 may be paper such as plain paper or inkjet printing paper, or may be a resin sheet or film, a cloth sheet such as a woven fabric or nonwoven fabric, or a metal sheet formed of aluminum, iron, or the like.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, the printer 10 includes a printer body 10a and legs 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the printer body 10a has a casing extending in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in Fig. 3, the legs 11 support the printer body 10a. The legs 11 are provided on the lower surface of the printer body 10a and extend downward from the printer body 10a.

[0020] The printer 10 includes a support table 16. The support table 16 supports the roll medium 5 when printing on the roll medium 5. Here, the support table 16 supports the roll medium 5 in an unfolded state. In the following description, the roll medium 5 includes the roll medium 5 in an unfolded state. The roll medium 5 is placed on the support table 16 in an unfolded state. Printing on the roll medium 5 is performed on the support table 16. The support table 16 is a so-called platen. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the support table 16 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The upstream portion of the support table 16 (here, the rear portion) is formed in a cross section of an arc, and curves downward toward the rear. In addition, the downstream portion of the support table 16 (here, the front portion) is formed in a cross section of an arc, and curves downward toward the front.

[0021] The printer 10 includes a guide rail 17, a carriage 20, and an ink head 22. The guide rail 17 is disposed above a support base 16. As shown in Fig. 2, the guide rail 17 is disposed parallel to the upper surface of the support base 16 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. A carriage 20 is engaged with the guide rail 17. The carriage 20 is slidably provided on the guide rail 17, and configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the ink head 22 ejects ink. The ink head 22 is provided on the carriage 20. The ink head 22 is supported by the carriage 20 so that the bottom surface of the ink head 22 is exposed downward. The number of ink heads 22 is not particularly limited. FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the carriage 20 and the bottom surface of the ink head 22. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of ink heads 22 is four. The four ink heads 22 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. Each ink head 22 has a nozzle surface 25. The nozzle surface 25 forms the bottom surface of the ink head 22. Nozzles 26 that eject ink are formed on each nozzle surface 25. A plurality of nozzles 26 are formed side by side in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, a row in which a plurality of nozzles 26 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction X is referred to as a nozzle row 28. The number of nozzle rows 28 for one ink head 22 is two. However, the number of nozzle rows 28 for one ink head 22 is not particularly limited, and may be one, or three or more.

[0023] The ink ejected from the ink head 22 (here, the nozzles 26) is, for example, one of a process color ink and a special color ink. Here, the process color ink includes, for example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink. The special color ink is an ink of a color other than the process color ink. The special color ink includes, for example, white ink, clear ink, gloss ink, primer ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink, orange ink, red ink, violet ink, blue ink, and green ink. Here, one color of ink is ejected from one nozzle row 28. Note that there is no limitation on the material of the ink, and various materials that have been conventionally used as ink materials for inkjet printers and the like can be used. The ink may be, for example, a solvent-based pigment ink or a water-based pigment ink. Alternatively, the ink may be a water-based dye ink or an ultraviolet-curable ink that is cured by receiving ultraviolet light.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the printer 10 includes a sensor 30 and a sheet cutter 32. The sensor 30 is a sensor that reads a medium mark 6 (see Fig. 10) that is printed on the roll medium 5 and will be described later. The sensor 30 is provided on the carriage 20. The sensor 30 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 17 together with the carriage 20. There are no particular limitations on the type of sensor 30, and it is sufficient that the sensor is capable of reading the medium mark 6. As the sensor 30, various types of sensors that have been conventionally used, such as an optical sensor, can be suitably used.

[0025] The sheet cutter 32 cuts the roll medium 5 in an unfolded state supported by the support base 16. Here, the sheet cutter 32 is used when cutting the roll medium 5 linearly along the main scanning direction Y. The roll medium 5 cut by the sheet cutter 32 is divided into two parts, an upstream part (here, the rear side) in the sub-scanning direction X and a downstream part (here, the front side) in the sub-scanning direction X. In the following description, cutting for the purpose of dividing the roll medium 5 into two linearly in the main scanning direction Y is referred to as a "sheet cut." Note that the sensor 30 and the sheet cutter 32 are omitted from FIG. 4.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the sheet cutter 32 is provided on the carriage 20. The sheet cutter 32 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the carriage 20. For example, the sheet cutter 32 may be attached to a solenoid 32A (see Fig. 5) and configured to be moved in the vertical direction by turning the solenoid 32A ON / OFF.

[0027] 3, in this embodiment, a cutter groove 16A extending in the primary scanning direction Y is formed on the upper surface of the support base 16. In a plan view, the sheet cutter 32 is disposed at a position overlapping with the cutter groove 16A in the secondary scanning direction X. When the sheet cutter 32 cuts the roll medium 5, the sheet cutter 32 is configured to penetrate the roll medium 5 and enter the cutter groove 16A.

[0028] 2, the printer 10 includes a head moving mechanism 40 and a medium moving mechanism 50. The head moving mechanism 40 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 20, the ink head 22, the sensor 30, and the sheet cutter 32 in the main scanning direction Y relative to the roll medium 5 supported by the support base 16. Here, the head moving mechanism 40 moves the carriage 20, the ink head 22, the sensor 30, and the sheet cutter 32 in the main scanning direction Y. The configuration of the head moving mechanism 40 is not particularly limited.

[0029] In this embodiment, the head moving mechanism 40 includes a pulley 41, a pulley 42, an endless belt 43, and a scan motor 44. The pulley 41 is provided around the left end of the guide rail 17. The pulley 42 is provided around the right end of the guide rail 17. The belt 43 is wound around the pulley 41 and the pulley 42. As shown in FIG. 3, the belt 43 is fixed to the upper part of the rear surface of the carriage 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the scan motor 44 is connected to the right pulley 42. However, the scan motor 44 may be connected to the left pulley 41. Here, the scan motor 44 is driven to rotate the pulley 42, and the belt 43 runs between the pulley 41 and the pulley 42. As a result, the carriage 20, the ink head 22, the sensor 30, and the sheet cutter 32 move in the main scanning direction Y.

[0030] The medium moving mechanism 50 is a mechanism that moves the roll medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X relatively to the ink head 22. Here, the unfolded portion of the roll medium 5 supported by the support base 16 is moved in the sub-scanning direction X. The configuration of the medium moving mechanism 50 is not particularly limited.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the medium moving mechanism 50 has a grit roller 51, a pinch roller 52, and a feed motor 53. The grit roller 51 is provided on the support base 16. Here, the grit roller 51 is embedded in the support base 16 so that at least a part of the grit roller 51 is exposed upward from the support base 16. The pinch roller 52 presses down the unfolded part of the roll medium 5 from above, and is disposed above the grit roller 51. The pinch roller 52 and the grit roller 51 sandwich the roll medium 5. The pinch roller 52 faces the grit roller 51. The pinch roller 52 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. The installation positions and the number of the grit roller 51 and the pinch roller 52 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, seven grit rollers 51 and seven pinch rollers 52 are provided. The multiple grit rollers 51 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y, and the multiple pinch rollers 52 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, a feed motor 53 is connected to the grit roller 51. When the feed motor 53 is driven to rotate the grit roller 51 with the roll medium 5 sandwiched between the grit roller 51 and the pinch roller 52, the unfolded portion of the roll medium 5 is transported in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes a supply device 60 having a supply roller 61. The supply device 60 is provided with a rolled-up roll medium 5 that is removably attached thereto. The supply device 60 is a device that supplies the rolled medium 5 to the support table 16. The supply roller 61 is disposed behind and below the support table 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the supply roller 61 is formed in a tubular or columnar shape extending in the primary scanning direction Y. The roll medium 5 before printing is wound around the circumferential surface of the supply roller 61. The left end of the supply roller 61 is rotatably supported by the left guide plate 62L, and the right end of the supply roller 61 is rotatably supported by the right guide plate 62R. The grit roller 51 transports the rolled-up roll medium 5 downstream in the secondary scanning direction X, so that the rolled-up portion of the roll medium 5 is sent from the supply roller 61 toward the support table 16. In this embodiment, the printer 10 does not include a motor for rotating the supply roller 61, but may include such a motor.

[0033] 3, the printer 10 includes a winding device 70 that winds up the unfolded roll medium 5 into a roll, the winding device 70 being supported by the support base 16. The winding device 70 includes a winding roller 71 and a winding motor 75 (see FIG. 2).

[0034] The winding roller 71 winds up the rolled medium 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the winding roller 71 is formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape extending in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the winding roller 71 is disposed below the support base 16 and below the supply roller 61. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a first left side wall 76L and a first right side wall 76R that rotatably support the winding roller 71. The winding roller 71 includes a support portion 71a supported by the first left side wall 76L and the first right side wall 76R, and a tube portion 71b having a diameter larger than that of the support portion 71a. The roll medium 5 is wound around the circumferential surface of the tube portion 71b. The support portion 71a and the tube portion 71b may be formed integrally or separately. The left end of the winding roller 71 is rotatably supported by the first left side wall 76L. The right end of the take-up roller 71 is rotatably supported by the first right side wall 76R. The printer 10 includes a rail 74 that supports the first left side wall 76L and the first right side wall 76R. The rail 74 extends in the main scanning direction Y.

[0035] The winding motor 75 is connected to the winding roller 71 and rotates the winding roller 71. The winding motor 75 is indirectly connected to the winding roller 71 via a reduction gear or the like (not shown). The winding roller 71 receives a driving force from the winding motor 75 and rotates.

[0036] In this embodiment, the printer 10 has an operation panel 55 provided on the right end of the printer body 10a, as shown in Fig. 2. The operation panel 55 has a display screen 56 that displays the status of the printer 10, and operation keys 57 that are operated by the user.

[0037] The printer 10 includes a control device 80. The control device 80 is a device that performs control related to printing. The configuration of the control device 80 is not particularly limited. The control device 80 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, an I / F, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a storage device. The control device 80 is provided inside the printer body 10a. However, the control device 80 does not have to be provided inside the printer body 10a. For example, the control device 80 may be a computer or the like installed outside the printer body 10a. In this case, the control device 80 is connected to a control board (not shown) of the printer 10 via wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the printing system 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the control device 80 is communicatively connected to the ink head 22, the sensor 30, the solenoid 32A of the sheet cutter 32, the head moving mechanism 40 (more specifically, the scan motor 44), the medium moving mechanism 50 (more specifically, the feed motor 53), the operation panel 55, and the winding device 70 (more specifically, the winding motor 75). The control device 80 controls the ink head 22, the sensor 30, the solenoid 32A, the head moving mechanism 40, the medium moving mechanism 50, the operation panel 55, and the winding device 70.

[0039] The printer 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the terminal 150 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The terminal 150 is used by a user. The terminal 150 may be used to instruct the printer 10 to print, or may be used to operate the printer 10. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the terminal 150 is communicably connected to the control device 80 of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the terminal 150 may be communicably connected to the printer 10 via the Internet 200. The terminal 150 is realized, for example, by a desktop or laptop personal computer used by a user. The terminal 150 may be realized by a dedicated computer or a general-purpose computer. The terminal 150 may also be a portable terminal such as a so-called smart fan or tablet terminal.

[0040] 5, the terminal 150 includes a display screen 151, an operation means 152, and a terminal control device 153. For example, information about the printer 10 communicably connected to the terminal 150 is displayed on the display screen 151. The operation means 152 is operated by a user. For example, the user operates the operation means 152 to select information on the display screen 151 or to switch the information displayed on the display screen 151. The operation means 152 is realized by a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like.

[0041] The terminal control device 153 is, for example, a microcomputer. The terminal control device 153 includes, for example, an I / F, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The terminal control device 153 is electrically connected to a display screen 151 and an operation means 152. In this embodiment, a dedicated application for operating the printer 10 is installed in the terminal control device 153. The user starts the application via the operation means 152 to display it on the display screen 151. This makes it possible to use the terminal 150 to instruct the printer 10 to perform printing, etc.

[0042] Next, the medium management device 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The medium management device 100 manages the roll medium 5 used by the printer 10, that is, the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10. Here, the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10 refers to a state in which the roll medium 5 is attached to the supply roller 61 of the supply device 60 of the printer 10. In this embodiment, the medium management device 100 manages the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10. The remaining amount of the roll medium 5 refers to the length (here, the circumferential length or the longitudinal length) of the roll medium 5 wound in a roll installed in the printer 10, and refers to the length of the roll medium 5 that can be printed by the printer 10. In this embodiment, the medium management device 100 manages the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 installed in multiple printers 10.

[0043] For example, the printing system 1 is realized by a so-called cloud computing environment. In this case, the medium management device 100 is a cloud server provided in the cloud computing environment. However, the printing system 1 may be realized by a so-called client-server environment. In this case, the medium management device 100 is a server provided in the client-server environment. The printing system 1 may also be realized in a so-called stand-alone environment. In this case, the medium management device 100 is realized by a personal computer. The medium management device 100 may be realized by a dedicated computer or a general-purpose computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the medium management device 100 is communicably connected to the printer 10 (more specifically, the control device 80 (see FIG. 5)) and the terminal 150 (more specifically, the terminal control device 153 (see FIG. 5)). Here, the medium management device 100 is communicably connected to the printer 10 and the terminal 150 via the Internet 200.

[0044] 5, in order to manage the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10, the medium management device 100 includes a management storage unit 101, an information acquisition unit 103, and an information update unit 105. The management storage unit 101, the information acquisition unit 103, and the information update unit 105 may each be realized by one or a plurality of processors, or may be realized by a circuit.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the medium management information 110. The management storage unit 101 of FIG. 5 stores the medium management information 110 as shown in FIG. 6. The medium management information 110 is information for managing the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10. In this embodiment, the medium management information 110 includes a printer ID 111, a medium ID 112, and a remaining amount 113. The management storage unit 101 stores the printer ID 111, the medium ID 112, and the remaining amount 113 as the medium management information 110 in association with each other. The management storage unit 101 stores the medium management information 110 using a so-called database. Here, associating the printer ID 111, the medium ID 112, and the remaining amount 113 means, for example, registering them in the same row (also referred to as a record here) in a database.

[0046] Here, printer ID 111 is an identifier for identifying printer 10. It is possible to uniquely obtain which printer 10 is being referred to from printer ID 111. Media ID 112 is an identifier for identifying roll medium 5 installed in printer 10 (here, printer 10 identified by printer ID 111). It is possible to uniquely obtain the type, model number, serial number, lot number, etc. of roll medium 5 installed in printer 10 from media ID 112. In this embodiment, printer ID 111 and media ID 112 are IDs to which, for example, numbers, letters, symbols, etc. are added.

[0047] The remaining amount 113 refers to the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10 (here, the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10 identified by the printer ID 111). As described above, the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 refers to the length of the roll medium 5 wound in a roll (here, the circumferential length or the longitudinal length), and refers to the length of the roll medium 5 that can be printed by the printer 10. The remaining amount 113 is shown in any unit, such as meters, and is expressed as a number.

[0048] In this embodiment, the medium management information 110 stored in the management storage unit 101 is updated. For example, the medium ID 112 is updated when the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10 is replaced. The remaining amount 113 is updated before and after printing is performed on the roll medium 5 by the printer 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing update information 120. Here, the information acquisition unit 103 of FIG. 5 acquires update information 120 (see FIG. 7) for updating the medium management information 110 stored in the management storage unit 101. As shown in FIG. 7, the update information 120 includes an update printer ID 121, an update medium ID 122, and an update remaining amount 123. The update printer ID 121, the update medium ID 122, and the update remaining amount 123 correspond to the printer ID 111, the medium ID 112, and the remaining amount 113 of the medium management information 110 stored in the management storage unit 101, respectively. There is no particular limitation on the source from which the information acquisition unit 103 acquires the update information 120. In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 103 acquires update information 120 from the control device 80 of the printer 10 .

[0049] The information update unit 105 in FIG. 5 uses the update information 120 (see FIG. 7) acquired by the information acquisition unit 103 to update the medium management information 110 (see FIG. 6) stored in the management storage unit 101. The information update unit 105 identifies the printer ID 111 that is the same as the update printer ID 121 in the update information 120 from the medium management information 110. Here, the information update unit 105 identifies a record in the medium management information 110 that has the same printer ID 111 as the update printer ID 121. Then, when the update printer ID 121 and the printer ID 111 are the same and the update medium ID 122 and the medium ID 112 are the same, the information update unit 105 updates the corresponding remaining amount 113 in the medium management information 110 to the update remaining amount 123. The information update unit 105 rewrites the remaining amount 113 of a record in which the update printer ID 121 is the same as the printer ID 111 and the update medium ID 122 is the same as the medium ID 112 to the update remaining amount 123 .

[0050] Note that the remaining amount 113 in the medium management information 110 is updated to the update remaining amount 123 when, for example, printing is performed on the roll medium 5 in the printer 10 and the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 decreases. Therefore, the update remaining amount 123 in the update information 120 can become equal to or less than the remaining amount 113 in the medium management information 110. Therefore, the information updating unit 105 may update the remaining amount 113 to the update remaining amount 123 when the update remaining amount 123 is equal to or less than the remaining amount 113 of the record identified as described above in the medium management information 110. Furthermore, when the update remaining amount 123 is greater than the remaining amount 113, the information updating unit 105 may perform a predetermined error process (for example, a process of displaying an error message).

[0051] If the update printer ID 121 and the printer ID 111 are the same and the update medium ID 122 and the medium ID 112 are the same in the medium management information 110, the information update unit 105 determines that the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10 has been replaced. In this case, the information update unit 105 creates a new record in the medium management information 110 and registers the update printer ID 121, the update medium ID 122, and the update remaining amount 123 in the printer ID 111, the medium ID 112, and the remaining amount 113, respectively, in the new record.

[0052] 7, the information acquisition unit 103 acquires update information 120 from the printer 10. In this embodiment, the printer 10 creates update information 120 and transmits it to the media management device 100 when the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 changes, for example, when the roll medium 5 is replaced or when printing is performed on the roll medium 5.

[0053] 5, the control device 80 of the printer 10 includes a storage unit 81, a print control unit 83, a data receiving unit 85, a remaining amount calculation unit 87, a medium mark printing unit 89, a medium mark creating unit 91, a reading unit 93, a determination unit 95, a warning unit 96, a sheet cutting control unit 97, and an update information sending unit 99. Each unit of the control device 80 may be realized by one or more processors, or may be realized by a circuit.

[0054] The print control unit 83 in FIG. 5 prints on the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10 by ejecting ink from the ink head 22. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining RIP processing. Here, the print control unit 83 prints on the roll medium 5 based on the print data DT1 (see FIG. 8). The print data DT1 is data used when the printer 10 prints on the roll medium 5. The print data DT1 is data that can be read and analyzed by the printer 10, and the printer 10 prints on the roll medium 5 based on the print data DT1. As shown in FIG. 8, the print data DT1 is raster data or bitmap data obtained by performing RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on the print image DT2 to be printed on the roll medium 5. Here, the print image DT2 is created by, for example, a computer on which an image creation application is installed. The print image DT2 is created in, for example, PDF (Portable Document Format) format. The print image DT2 includes, for example, images such as photographs, as well as figures, symbols, characters, and the like, or combinations thereof.

[0055] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the print image DT2 is stored in the terminal 150 (more specifically, the terminal control device 153). The terminal control device 153 of the terminal 150 performs RIP processing on the print image DT2 to create print data DT1. Although not shown, the user presses, for example, a print start button displayed on the display screen 151 of the terminal 150 via the operation means 152 to start printing on the printer 10. At this time, the print data DT1 is transmitted from the terminal 150 to the printer 10. The data receiving unit 85 of the printer 10 in FIG. 5 receives the print data DT1 to be printed from the terminal 150. The print data DT1 received by the data receiving unit 85 is stored in the storage unit 81 (see FIG. 5). The print control unit 83 of FIG. 5 controls the head moving mechanism 40 and the medium moving mechanism 50 based on the print data DT1 so that the relative positional relationship in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X between the ink head 22 and the roll medium 5 supported by the support base 16 is changed. The print control unit 83 can then print a print image DT2 on the roll medium 5 by appropriately ejecting ink from the ink head 22 based on the print data DT1, for example, when the ink head 22 is moving in the main scanning direction Y.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the previous remaining amount 9a, the usage amount 9b, and the usage remaining amount 8b. In this embodiment, after printing based on the print data DT1 by the print control unit 83 is completed, the remaining amount calculation unit 87 in FIG. 5 calculates the usage remaining amount 8b (see FIG. 9), which is the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10. Here, the memory unit 81 stores the previous remaining amount 9a (see FIG. 9) of the roll medium 5 before printing (before printing by the print control unit 83). This previous remaining amount 9a is the remaining print amount 7b (see FIG. 10) recorded on the medium mark 6 read by the reading unit 93 (see FIG. 5), and is the remaining print amount 7b of the medium mark 6 printed during the previous printing. Based on the print data DT1, the remaining amount calculation unit 87 can calculate the usage amount 9b of the roll medium 5 used in printing based on the print data DT1. Therefore, the remaining amount calculation unit 87 calculates the remaining amount of use 8b based on the previous remaining amount 9a and the usage amount 9b, for example, by subtracting the usage amount 9b from the previous remaining amount 9a. The remaining amount of use 8b calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 87 is stored in the storage unit 81 of FIG.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the medium mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5. In this embodiment, after printing based on the print data DT1 is completed, the medium mark printing unit 89 in FIG. 5 prints the medium mark 6 (see FIG. 10) on the roll medium 5 supported by the support stand 16. As shown in FIG. 10, the medium mark 6 has medium information 7 related to the roll medium 5 recorded thereon. In this embodiment, the medium mark 6 is realized by a barcode. Here, the medium mark 6 may be realized by a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode. In this embodiment, the medium mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5 is read by a sensor 30 (see FIG. 2) provided on the carriage 20 of the printer 10, thereby obtaining the medium information 7 recorded on the medium mark 6.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 10, the medium information 7 recorded in the medium mark 6 includes a print medium ID 7a and a remaining print amount 7b. The print medium ID 7a is information for identifying the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10, and corresponds to the medium ID 112 (see Fig. 6) in the medium management information 110. The remaining print amount 7b corresponds to the remaining amount 113 (see Fig. 6) in the medium management information 110, and refers to the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10. Here, the remaining print amount 7b is the same as the remaining usage amount 8b calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 87 immediately before printing the medium mark 6.

[0059] The position of the roll medium 5 where the medium mark printing unit 89 prints the medium mark 6 is not particularly limited. Here, the area of ​​the roll medium 5 where the print image DT2 is printed by the print control unit 83 is referred to as the print area AR1 (see FIG. 10). The print area AR1 is moved downstream in the sub-scanning direction X by the medium moving mechanism 50 during printing, and is disposed downstream (here, forward) of the support base 16 in the sub-scanning direction X. Therefore, the medium mark printing unit 89 prints the medium mark 6 at a position outside the print area AR1, for example, upstream of the print area AR1 in the sub-scanning direction X. Note that the position where the medium mark 6 is printed with respect to the main scanning direction Y of the roll medium 5 may be the center part, the left part, or the right part in the main scanning direction Y.

[0060] In this embodiment, the medium mark printing unit 89 may print the remaining print amount 7b on the roll medium 5 along with the medium mark 6, as shown in FIG. 10. The remaining print amount 7b printed on the roll medium 5 is indicated, for example, by a number. The user can easily visually determine the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 by visually checking the remaining print amount 7b printed on the roll medium 5. In this embodiment, the remaining print amount 7b printed on the roll medium 5 is located, for example, downstream of the medium mark 6. However, the position of the remaining print amount 7b relative to the medium mark 6 is not particularly limited.

[0061] In this embodiment, the medium label creation unit 91 in FIG. 5 creates the above-mentioned medium label 6. Here, the storage unit 81 stores the used medium ID 8a, which is the medium ID of the roll medium 5 currently installed in the printer 10. For example, when replacing the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10, the user operates the operation key 57 (see FIG. 2) of the operation panel 55 to select the type (e.g., model number, etc.) of the installed roll medium 5 to set this used medium ID 8a. The used medium ID 8a is automatically set according to the type of roll medium 5 selected by the user and stored in the storage unit 81. Also, as described above, the storage unit 81 stores the remaining amount of use 8b calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 87. The medium label creation unit 91 creates a medium label 6 in which the medium information 7 is recorded, using the used medium ID 8a and the remaining amount of use 8b stored in the storage unit 81 as the printed medium ID 7a and the remaining amount of print 7b, respectively.

[0062] The reading unit 93 in FIG. 5 reads the medium mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5. Here, the reading unit 93 reads the medium mark 6 using a sensor 30 (see FIG. 2) provided on the carriage 20. Here, the reading unit 93 controls the medium movement mechanism 50 so that the movement trajectory of the carriage 20 when it moves in the main scanning direction Y overlaps with the medium mark 6 in the sub-scanning direction X. The reading unit 93 then controls the head movement mechanism 40 so that the sensor 30 moves in the main scanning direction Y together with the carriage 20, and when the medium mark 6 is located directly below the sensor 30, the sensor 30 reads the medium mark 6.

[0063] In this embodiment, the determination unit 95 in FIG. 5 determines whether the print medium ID 7a of the medium information 7 recorded in the medium label 6 read by the reading unit 93 matches the used medium ID 8a stored in the storage unit 81. If the print medium ID 7a and the used medium ID 8a do not match, it is determined that the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10 has been replaced, but information about the replaced roll medium 5 has not been registered in the printer 10. In this case, the warning unit 96 in FIG. 5 displays a warning message indicating that the print medium ID 7a and the used medium ID 8a do not match, and the information about the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10 does not match the information about the roll medium 5 registered in the printer 10. Here, the warning unit 96 displays the warning message on the display screen 56 of the operation panel 55, for example.

[0064] The sheet cutting control unit 97 in FIG. 5 performs sheet cutting on the roll medium 5 after the print image DT2 is printed in the print area AR1 of the roll medium 5. The sheet cutting control unit 97 executes sheet cutting on the roll medium 5 supported by the support table 16. Here, sheet cutting is performed in a portion of the roll medium 5 upstream in the sub-scanning direction X from the print area AR1 where the print image DT2 is printed (for example, position P1 in the sub-scanning direction X (see FIG. 10)). Position P1 is the position in the sub-scanning direction X between the print area AR1 and the medium mark 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet cutting control unit 97 moves the sheet cutter 32 downward so that the tip of the sheet cutter 32 enters the cutter groove 16A. This brings the sheet cutter 32 into a state in which it penetrates the roll medium 5. The sheet cutting control unit 97 then controls the head moving mechanism 40 so that the carriage 20 moves in the main scanning direction Y. As a result, the sheet cutter 32 moves in the main scanning direction Y together with the carriage 20, and the roll medium 5 is cut at position P1 (see FIG. 10) by the sheet cutter 32. As a result, the print area AR1 is cut off. Note that if a medium mark 6 is printed on the roll medium 5, it is preferable that the sheet be cut between the print area AR1 and the medium mark 6.

[0065] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the update information sending unit 99 creates update information 120 and sends the update information 120 to the medium management device 100. Here, the update information sending unit 99 sends the update information 120 to the medium management device 100, for example, after printing on the roll medium 5 is completed or after the medium indicator 6 is read by the reading unit 93 in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the memory unit 81 pre-stores a used printer ID 8c, which is the printer ID of the printer 10. This used printer ID 8c is stored in the memory unit 81, for example, before shipping the printer 10.

[0066] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the update information 120 transmitted after printing is completed. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the update information 120 transmitted after reading the medium indicator 6. When transmitting the update information 120 after printing is completed, the update information transmission unit 99 transmits the update information 120 to the medium management device 100 with the update printer ID 121, the update medium ID 122, and the remaining update amount 123 of the update information 120 as the used printer ID 8c, the used medium ID 8a, and the remaining use amount 8b stored in the storage unit 81, as shown in FIG. 11. When transmitting the update information 120 after reading the medium indicator 6, the update information transmission unit 99 transmits the update information 120 to the medium management device 100 with the update printer ID 121, the update medium ID 122, and the remaining update amount 123 of the update information 120 as the used printer ID 8c, the print medium ID 7a, and the remaining print amount 7b recorded in the medium indicator 6, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0067] Next, a series of steps for printing on the roll medium 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, each user can select whether or not to manage the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 (hereinafter, also referred to as whether or not to manage the remaining amount). For example, a management screen (not shown) for managing the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 is displayed on the display screen 56 (see FIG. 2) of the operation panel 55. A button for selecting whether or not to manage the remaining amount is displayed on this management screen. When the user operates the button via the operation keys 57 to enable remaining amount management, the flowchart in FIG. 13 is executed in sequence. In this embodiment, before printing begins, a medium mark 6 is printed on the roll medium 5 placed in the printer 10 at the time of the previous printing, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0068] Here, printing begins when the user operates operation means 152 of terminal 150 to press a print start button (not shown) displayed on display screen 151. First, in step S101 of FIG. 13, data receiving unit 85 of FIG. 5 receives print data DT1. Here, after printing begins, terminal 150 creates print data DT1 by RIP-processing print image DT2 as shown in FIG. 8. Terminal 150 transmits the created print data DT1 to printer 10. Data receiving unit 85 receives print data DT1 created by terminal 150.

[0069] Next, in step S103 in Fig. 13, the reading unit 93 in Fig. 5 uses the sensor 30 (see Fig. 2) to read the medium mark 6 that has already been printed on the roll medium 5. By reading the medium mark 6 with the sensor 30, the medium information 7 recorded in the medium mark 6 can be obtained.

[0070] Next, in step S105 of FIG. 13, the determination unit 95 of FIG. 5 determines whether the print medium ID 7a of the medium information 7 of the medium mark 6 read by the reading unit 93 matches the used medium ID 8a stored in the storage unit 81. If the print medium ID 7a and the used medium ID 8a do not match, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the warning unit 96 of FIG. 5 displays a warning message on the display screen 56 (see FIG. 2) of the operation panel 55. However, the warning unit 96 may also display a warning message on the display screen 151 (see FIG. 5) of the terminal 150. In this embodiment, after the warning message is displayed by the warning unit 96, printing on the roll medium 5 (here, printing based on the print data DT1) is not performed and the process ends. However, together with the warning message, an operation screen for the user to select whether or not to continue printing may be displayed on the display screen 56 or the like. In this case, if the user selects to continue printing, printing on the roll medium 5 may be started, and if the user selects not to continue printing, printing on the roll medium 5 may not be started.

[0071] In step S105, if the determination unit 95 determines that the print medium ID 7a and the used medium ID 8a match, the process proceeds to step S109 in FIG. 13. In step S109, the update information transmission unit 99 in FIG. 5 transmits the update information 120 to the medium management device 100. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the update information transmission unit 99 transmits the update information 120 to the medium management device 100, with the update printer ID 121, the update medium ID 122, and the remaining update amount 123 of the update information 120 being the used printer ID 8c, the print medium ID 7a recorded in the medium label 6, and the remaining print amount 7b, respectively. In the medium management device 100, the information acquisition unit 103 in FIG. 5 receives the update information 120 transmitted by the update information transmission unit 99. Then, the information update unit 105 uses the update information 120 acquired by the information acquisition unit 103 to update the medium management information 110 stored in the management storage unit 101.

[0072] Next, in step S111 of Fig. 13, the print control unit 83 of Fig. 5 prints a print image DT2 on the roll medium 5 supported by the support stand 16, based on the print data DT1. Here, the print control unit 83 prints the print image DT2 by ejecting ink from the ink head 22 onto the print area AR1 (see Fig. 10) of the roll medium 5.

[0073] Next, in step S113 in FIG. 13, the remaining amount calculation unit 87 in FIG. 5 calculates the remaining amount of use 8b after printing by the print control unit 83. This remaining amount of use 8b is stored in the storage unit 81. Next, in step S115 in FIG. 13, the update information transmission unit 99 in FIG. 5 transmits the update information 120 to the media management device 100, as shown in FIG. 11, with the update printer ID 121, update medium ID 122, and remaining amount of update 123 of the update information 120 as the used printer ID 8c, used medium ID 8a, and remaining amount of use 8b stored in the storage unit 81, respectively. In the media management device 100, the information update unit 105 uses the update information 120 acquired by the information acquisition unit 103 to update the media management information 110 stored in the management storage unit 101, in the same manner as in step S109 described above.

[0074] Next, in step S117 in Fig. 13, the sheet cutting control unit 97 in Fig. 5 performs sheet cutting on the roll medium 5. Here, sheet cutting is performed on a portion of the roll medium 5 upstream in the sub-scanning direction X from the printing area AR1 where the print image DT2 is printed (for example, position P1 in Fig. 10), and the printing area AR1 is separated.

[0075] Next, in step S119 of Fig. 13, the medium label creation unit 91 of Fig. 5 creates a medium label 6. Here, the medium label creation unit 91 creates medium information 7 in which the used medium ID 8a and remaining amount of use 8b stored in the memory unit 81 are replaced with a print medium ID 7a and remaining amount of print 7b, respectively, and creates a medium label 6 in which the medium information 7 is recorded. Next, in step S121 of Fig. 13, the medium label printing unit 89 of Fig. 5 prints the medium label 6 and the remaining amount of print 7b on the roll medium 5, as shown in Fig. 10. Note that steps S119 and S121 may be performed before step S117.

[0076] For example, a sheet cut execution button may be provided on the management screen displayed on the display screen 56 of the operation panel 55. When the user operates the operation key 57 to press the sheet cut execution button, the above steps S117, S119, and S121 may be executed in this order. In this manner, a series of controls related to printing is performed.

[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes the printer 10 and the media management device 100 that manages the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes the support base 16, the supply device 60, the ink head 22, the sheet cutter 32, the sensor 30, and the control device 80 (see FIG. 2). The support base 16 supports the roll-shaped roll medium 5 in an unfolded state. The supply device 60 has the roll medium 5 installed, and unfolds the roll medium 5 and supplies it to the support base 16. The ink head 22 ejects ink. The sheet cutter 32 cuts the roll medium 5 supported by the support base 16 into sheets. Here, before printing begins, the roll medium 5 supported by the support base 16 has a medium indicator 6 printed thereon, on which medium information 7 is recorded, including a print medium ID 7a that identifies the roll medium 5 installed in the supply device 60 and a remaining print amount 7b that indicates the remaining amount of the roll medium 5, as shown in FIG. 10. The sensor 30 in FIG. 3 reads the medium indicator 6. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 80 includes a storage unit 81, a reading unit 93, a print control unit 83, a remaining amount calculation unit 87, a medium label creation unit 91, a medium label printing unit 89, and a sheet cutting control unit 97. The storage unit 81 stores a medium ID 8a of the roll medium 5 supported by the support table 16, which is a medium ID 8a registered by a user. As shown in step S103 of FIG. 13, the reading unit 93 reads the medium label 6 printed on the roll medium 5 supported by the support table 16 with the sensor 30. As shown in step S111 of FIG. 13, the print control unit 83 prints in the print area AR1 (see FIG. 10) of the roll medium 5 supported by the support table 16 based on the print data DT1 obtained by RIP processing the print image DT2. 13, the remaining amount calculation unit 87 calculates a remaining amount 8b of use, which is the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 supported by the support stand 16 after printing by the print control unit 83. The medium label creation unit 91 creates a medium label 6 in which medium information 7 is registered, in which the used medium ID 8a is the printed medium ID 7a and the remaining amount 8b calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 87 is the remaining amount 7b of printing, as shown in step S119 of FIG.As shown in step S121 of FIG. 13, the medium mark printing unit 89 prints the medium mark 6 created by the medium mark creation unit 91 on the roll medium 5 supported by the support stand 16. As shown in step S117 of FIG. 13, the sheet cutting control unit 97 performs sheet cutting on the roll medium 5 supported by the support stand 16 so as to cut off the print area AR1 printed by the print control unit 83. In this way, by reading the medium mark 6 with the sensor 30, the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 installed in the supply device 60 can be known from the remaining print amount 7b recorded on the medium mark 6. In addition, after printing by the print control unit 83, the remaining amount used 8b is calculated, and the medium mark 6 on which the medium information 7 with the remaining amount used 8b as the remaining print amount 7b is recorded is printed on the roll medium 5 supported by the support stand 16. Therefore, by reading the medium mark 6, the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 can be known more accurately.

[0078] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 80 includes a determination unit 95. As shown in step S105 of FIG. 13, the determination unit 95 determines whether the print medium ID 7a of the medium mark 6 read by the reading unit 93 matches the medium ID 8a stored in the storage unit 81. When the determination unit 95 determines that the print medium ID 7a matches the medium ID 8a, the print control unit 83 performs printing based on the print data DT1. When the print medium ID 7a matches the medium ID 8a, this means that the roll medium 5 registered in the printer 10 by the user matches the roll medium 5 actually installed in the supply device 60. Therefore, when the roll medium 5 registered in the printer 10 matches the roll medium 5 actually installed in the supply device 60, printing based on the print data DT1 can be started.

[0079] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the control device 80 includes a warning unit 96. When the determination unit 95 determines that the print medium ID 7a and the medium in use ID 8a do not match, the warning unit 96 displays a warning message as shown in step S107 of Fig. 13. This allows the user to see the warning message and understand that a roll medium 5 different from the roll medium 5 registered in the printer 10 has been installed in the supply device 60.

[0080] In this embodiment, the remaining amount calculation unit 87 calculates the usage amount 9b (see FIG. 9) of the roll medium 5 when printing is performed based on the print data DT1, based on the print data DT1, and calculates the remaining usage amount 8b from the usage amount 9b and the remaining print amount 7b recorded on the medium mark 6 read by the reading unit 93. By calculating the usage amount 9b from the print data DT1 in this way, it is possible to accurately calculate the usage amount 9b of the roll medium 5 that was actually used when printing was performed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately calculate the remaining usage amount 8b based on the usage amount 9b.

[0081] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, the medium mark printing unit 89 in Fig. 5 prints the remaining print amount 7b, together with the medium mark 6, on the roll medium 5 supported by the support stand 16. This allows the user to grasp the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 by looking at the remaining print amount 7b printed on the roll medium 5.

[0082] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the medium management device 100 includes a management storage unit 101 (see Fig. 5) that stores medium management information 110 that associates a printer ID 111 that identifies the printer 10, a medium ID 112 that identifies the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10, and a remaining amount 113 of the roll medium 5 of the medium ID 112. This allows the medium management device 100 to manage the remaining amount 113 of the roll medium 5 installed in the printer 10.

[0083] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the control device 80 of the printer 10 includes an update information transmission unit 99. After the reading unit 93 reads the medium mark 6, the update information transmission unit 99 transmits update information 120 including at least the remaining update amount 123, taking the remaining print amount 7b recorded on the medium mark 6 as the remaining update amount 123, to the medium management device 100, as shown in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 5, the medium management device 100 includes an information acquisition unit 103 and an information update unit 105. The information acquisition unit 103 acquires the update information 120 transmitted by the update information transmission unit 99. The information update unit 105 updates the remaining amount 113 of the medium management information 110 to the remaining update amount 123 based on the update information 120 acquired by the information acquisition unit 103. This allows the remaining amount 113 of the media management information 110 managed by the media management device 100 to be updated to the remaining amount of the roll media 5 actually installed in the printer 10 (here, the remaining print amount 7b recorded in the media indicator 6).

[0084] In this embodiment, after printing is performed by the print control unit 83, the update information sending unit 99 sends update information 120 to the medium management device 100, in which the remaining amount 8b calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 87 is set as the updated remaining amount 123, as shown in Fig. 11. This makes it possible to update the remaining amount 113 of the medium management information 110 managed by the medium management device 100 to the remaining amount 8b calculated after printing.

[0085] <Second embodiment> Next, a printing system 1A according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing the printing system 1A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14, the printing system 1A includes a printer 10A, a terminal 150, a medium management device 100A, and a mobile terminal 300.

[0086] In this embodiment, the printer 10A is different from the printer 10 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment in that the sensor 30 (see FIG. 3) provided on the carriage 20 is omitted. In this embodiment, the printing system 1A is provided with a plurality of printers 10A. As shown in FIG. 14, the printer 10A has at least a first printer 10A1 and a second printer 10A2. Here, the first printer 10A1 and the second printer 10A2 are different printers, but may be the same printer. The terminal 150 is communicably connected to the printer 10A, and has a configuration similar to that of the terminal 150 according to the first embodiment.

[0087] Fig. 15 is a block diagram of a printing system 1A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 15, the printer 10A includes a control device 80A. As in the first embodiment, the control device 80A includes a storage unit 81 in which a medium ID 8a, a remaining amount used 8b, and a printer ID used 8c are stored, a print control unit 83, a remaining amount calculation unit 87, a medium marker printing unit 89, a medium marker creation unit 91, and a sheet cutting control unit 97. In this embodiment, the control device 80A further includes a printer communication unit 94 and a display unit 98.

[0088] The medium management device 100A manages the roll medium 5 used by the printer 10A (here, at least the first printer 10A1 and the second printer 10A2), i.e., the roll medium 5 (e.g., the remaining amount of the roll medium 5) that can be installed in the printer 10A. As shown in FIG. 15, the medium management device 100A, like the first embodiment, comprises a management storage unit 101 in which medium management information 110 (see also FIG. 6) is stored, an information acquisition unit 103, and an information update unit 105. In this embodiment, the medium management device 100A further comprises a printer identification unit 107 and a management communication unit 109.

[0089] The mobile terminal 300 is a terminal carried by a user and can be carried by the user. The type of the mobile terminal 300 is not particularly limited. The mobile terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a laptop-type personal computer, etc. As shown in FIG. 14, the mobile terminal 300 is communicably connected to the medium management device 100A. Here, the mobile terminal 300 is connected to the medium management device 100A via the Internet 200. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 is indirectly connected to the printer 10A via the medium management device 100A. However, the mobile terminal 300 may be directly communicably connected to the printer 10A. For example, the mobile terminal 300 may be connected to the printer 10A via the Internet 200. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 is configured to be separate from the printer 10A, the terminal 150, and the medium management device 100A. The number of mobile terminals 300 is not particularly limited, and may be one, or may be two or more.

[0090] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 15, the mobile terminal 300 includes a mobile display screen 301, a mobile operation means 302, a sensor 303, and a mobile control device 305. On the mobile display screen 301, for example, a printer selection screen (not shown) for selecting a printer 10A that prints on a roll medium 5 is displayed. The mobile operation means 302 is operated by the user. For example, the user operates the mobile operation means 302 to select information on the mobile display screen 301 or to switch information displayed on the mobile display screen 301. The mobile operation means 302 is realized by, for example, a touch panel provided on the mobile display screen 301. However, the mobile operation means 302 may be realized by a keyboard or a mouse.

[0091] The sensor 303 reads the medium mark 6 (see FIG. 10) printed on the roll medium 5. The sensor 303 is configured to read the medium mark 6 by, for example, being held over the medium mark 6, and is of a non-contact type. However, the sensor 303 may be of a contact type. Here, the sensor 303 can obtain the medium information 7 (here, the print medium ID 7a and the remaining print amount 7b) (see FIG. 10) recorded on the medium mark 6 by reading the medium mark 6. The sensor 303 is not separate from the components constituting the mobile terminal 300, such as the mobile display screen 301 and the mobile operation means 302, but is provided integrally. The type of the sensor 303 is not particularly limited as long as it can read the medium mark 6. In this embodiment, the sensor 303 is a camera. The camera here is, for example, a camera mounted on a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and has a function of reading one-dimensional barcodes or two-dimensional barcodes.

[0092] The mobile control device 305 is, for example, a microcomputer. The mobile control device 305 includes, for example, an I / F, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. As shown in FIG. 15, the mobile control device 305 is communicatively connected to a mobile display screen 301, a mobile operation means 302, and a sensor 303. The mobile control device 305 is communicatively connected to the medium management device 100A. In this embodiment, a dedicated reading application for reading the medium mark 6 by the sensor 303 is installed in the mobile control device 305. The user starts the reading application via the mobile operation means 302 to display it on the mobile display screen 301. This allows the user to use the mobile terminal 300 to read the medium mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5.

[0093] In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 includes a mobile reading unit 310, an acquisition unit 312, and a mobile communication unit 314. The mobile reading unit 310, the acquisition unit 312, and the mobile communication unit 314 are included in a mobile control device 305. The mobile reading unit 310, the acquisition unit 312, and the mobile communication unit 314 may each be realized by one or a plurality of processors, or may be realized by a circuit.

[0094] Next, a series of steps until the roll medium 5 printed by the first printer 10A1 is placed in the second printer 10A2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0095] First, in step S201 in Fig. 16, the print control unit 83 in Fig. 15 prints a print image DT2 (see Fig. 8) on the roll medium 5 supported by the support table 16, based on print data DT1 (see Fig. 8) after RIP processing has been performed on the print image DT2 (see Fig. 8). Here, the print control unit 83 prints the print image DT2 by ejecting ink from the ink head 22 into the print area AR1 (see Fig. 10) of the roll medium 5, similar to step S111 (see Fig. 13) in the first embodiment.

[0096] 16, after the print image DT2 is printed in the print area AR1 of the roll medium 5, the sheet cutting control unit 97 in FIG. 15 performs sheet cutting on the roll medium 5. Here, the sheet cutting control unit 97 performs sheet cutting at position P1 in FIG. 10 using, for example, the sheet cutter 32 (see FIG. 3), and separates the print area AR1 from the roll medium 5 supported by the support table 16.

[0097] Next, in step S205 in FIG. 16, the remaining amount calculation unit 87 in FIG. 15 calculates the remaining amount 8b used after printing by the print control unit 83. Here, the previous remaining amount 9a (see FIG. 9) of the roll medium 5 before printing by the print control unit 83 is stored in the memory unit 81 (see FIG. 15) of the first printer 10A1 at the start of printing. The remaining amount calculation unit 87 calculates the usage amount 9b (see FIG. 9) based on the print data DT1. Then, the remaining amount calculation unit 87 calculates the remaining amount 8b used based on the previous remaining amount 9a and the usage amount 9b, for example, by subtracting the usage amount 9b from the previous remaining amount 9a.

[0098] Next, in step S207 in Fig. 16, the medium label creation unit 91 in Fig. 15 creates a medium label 6. In this embodiment, the memory unit 81 of the first printer 10A1 stores a used medium ID 8a (see Fig. 15) that identifies the roll medium 5 installed in the first printer 10A1. The medium label creation unit 91 sets the used medium ID 8a stored in the memory unit 81 as the print medium ID 7a, sets the remaining amount 8b calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 87 as the remaining print amount 7b, and creates a medium label 6 in which medium information 7 (see Fig. 10) including the print medium ID 7a and the remaining print amount 7b is recorded.

[0099] 16, in the first printer 10A1, the medium mark printing unit 89 of FIG. 15 prints the medium mark 6 created by the medium mark creation unit 91 on the roll medium 5 supported by the support table 16. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the medium mark printing unit 89 prints the medium mark 6, for example, at a position outside the printing area AR1, for example, upstream of the printing area AR1 in the sub-scanning direction X (in other words, upstream of the sheet cut position P1 in the sub-scanning direction X).

[0100] Next, in step S211 in Fig. 16, the printer communication unit 94 in Fig. 15 transmits the print medium ID 7a and the remaining print amount 7b to the media management device 100A. Here, the printer communication unit 94 sets the used medium ID 8a stored in the memory unit 81 as the print medium ID 7a, sets the remaining used amount 8b calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 87 as the remaining print amount 7b, and transmits the print medium ID 7a and the remaining print amount 7b to the media management device 100A.

[0101] Next, in step S213 of Fig. 16, the medium management information 110 (see Fig. 6) stored in the medium management device 100A is updated. Here, in the medium management device 100A, the information acquisition unit 103 of Fig. 15 receives the print medium ID 7a and the remaining print amount 7b transmitted by the printer communication unit 94. Then, the information update unit 105 of Fig. 15 updates the medium management information 110 stored in the management storage unit 101 using the print medium ID 7a and the remaining print amount 7b acquired by the information acquisition unit 103. Here, the information update unit 105 updates the medium management information 110 by changing the remaining amount 113 (see Fig. 6) associated with the medium ID 112 (see Fig. 6) that matches the print medium ID 7a to the remaining print amount 7b.

[0102] In this embodiment, after the roll medium 5 has been printed on by the first printer 10A1, the user selects the printer 10A that will next print on the roll medium 5. Here, the second printer 10A2 is then used to print on the roll medium 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the second printer 10A2 is a different printer from the first printer 10A1. However, the second printer 10A2 and the first printer 10A1 may be the same printer. In this way, if the second printer 10A2 is different from the first printer 10A1, the user removes the roll medium 5 from the first printer 10A1 and places the roll medium 5 removed from the first printer 10A1 in the second printer 10A2.

[0103] When the roll medium 5 is placed in the second printer 10A2 in this way, step S215 in FIG. 16 is executed. In step S215, the portable reading unit 310 of the portable terminal 300 (see FIG. 15) reads the medium mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5 with the sensor 303. Here, the user holds the sensor 303 of the portable terminal 300 over the medium mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5 to be placed in the second printer 10A2. This causes the sensor 303 to read the medium mark 6. The portable reading unit 310 reads the medium mark 6 with the sensor 303, and obtains the medium information 7 (here, the print medium ID 7a and the remaining amount of print 7b) recorded in the medium mark 6 (see FIG. 10).

[0104] Next, in step S217 of FIG. 16, the acquisition unit 312 (see FIG. 15) of the mobile terminal 300 acquires printer information on the second printer 10A2 in which the roll medium 5 on which the medium mark 6 read by the mobile reading unit 310 is printed is placed. Here, the acquisition unit 312 acquires the installed printer ID 3c as the printer information. The acquisition unit 312 acquires the installed printer ID 3c based on information input by the user. For example, after the medium mark 6 is read using the sensor 303, a printer selection screen (not shown) is displayed on the mobile display screen 301 (see FIG. 15) of the mobile terminal 300. This printer selection screen is configured to allow the selection of information on the printer 10A owned by the user, for example. The user operates the mobile operation means 302 of the mobile terminal 300 to select the printer 10A (here, the second printer 10A2) in which the roll medium 5 is next placed from the printer selection screen displayed on the mobile display screen 301. Here, the installed printer ID 3c is associated as the printer information with the printer 10A selected on the printer selection screen. The acquisition unit 312 acquires the installed printer ID 3c associated with the second printer 10A2 selected by the user.

[0105] Next, in step S219 in Fig. 16, the mobile communication unit 314 in Fig. 15 transmits the read medium ID 3a and the installed printer ID 3c to the media management device 100A. In this embodiment, the print medium ID 7a of the medium mark 6 read by the mobile reading unit 310 is set as the read medium ID 3a, and the mobile communication unit 314 transmits the read medium ID 3a and the installed printer ID 3c, which is an example of the printer information acquired by the acquisition unit 312, to the media management device 100A.

[0106] Next, in step S221 of Fig. 16, the media management device 100A identifies the printer 10A on which the roll medium 5 is installed. Here, the printer identification unit 107 (see Fig. 15) of the media management device 100A acquires the read medium ID 3a and the installed printer ID 3c sent by the mobile communication unit 314 of the mobile terminal 300. Here, the installed printer ID 3c corresponds to the printer ID 111 (see Fig. 6) in the media management information 110, and the printer 10A can be uniquely identified from the installed printer ID 3c. The printer identification unit 107 identifies the second printer 10A2, for example, from the installed printer ID 3c.

[0107] 15 may update the medium management information 110 stored in the storage unit 81. For example, the information updating unit 105 may update the medium management information 110 stored in the management storage unit 101 using the read medium ID 3a and the installed printer ID 3c transmitted by the mobile communication unit 314. Here, the information updating unit 105 updates the medium management information 110 by changing the printer ID 111 (see FIG. 6) associated with the medium ID 112 (see FIG. 6) that matches the read medium ID 3a to the installed printer ID 3c.

[0108] Next, in step S223 of FIG. 16, the management communication unit 109 of FIG. 15 transmits the remaining print amount 7b associated with the read medium ID 3a to the second printer 10A2 identified by the printer identification unit 107. Here, the remaining print amount 7b is determined based on the medium management information 110. For example, the remaining print amount 7b is set to the remaining print amount 113 (see FIG. 6) associated with the medium ID 112 (see FIG. 6) that matches the read medium ID 3a in the medium management information 110. In this embodiment, the management communication unit 109 transmits the print medium ID 7a and the remaining print amount 7b to the second printer 10A2 identified from the installed printer ID 3c, with the read medium ID 3a as the print medium ID 7a.

[0109] Next, in step S225 of FIG. 16, in the second printer 10A2, the display unit 98 of FIG. 15 displays a confirmation message regarding the roll medium 5 installed in the second printer 10A2. Here, the second printer 10A2 receives the print medium ID 7a and the remaining print amount 7b sent from the medium management device 100A. This received print medium ID 7a is stored in the memory unit 81 (see FIG. 15) as the used medium ID 8a. Furthermore, the received remaining print amount 7b is stored in the memory unit 81 as the remaining usage amount 8b. The display unit 98 displays, for example, the used medium ID 8a and the remaining usage amount 8b stored in the memory unit 81 on the display screen 56 of the operation panel 55 (see FIG. 2). At this time, a start print button and a cancel print button may be displayed on the display screen 56.

[0110] The user checks whether the roll medium 5 identified by, for example, the medium ID 8a displayed on the display screen 56 matches the roll medium 5 installed in the second printer 10A2. If they match, the user operates the operation keys 57 (see FIG. 2) of the operation panel 55 to select the print start button displayed on the display screen 56. When the print start button is selected, predetermined pre-processing such as so-called setup and edge detection in the sub-scanning direction X of the roll medium 5 is performed on the second printer 10A2. After the pre-processing is performed, the second printer 10A2 is able to print on the roll medium 5.

[0111] On the other hand, if the roll medium 5 identified by the medium ID 8a displayed on the display screen 56 does not match the roll medium 5 installed in the second printer 10A2, the user selects the print cancel button displayed on the display screen 56. When the print cancel button is selected, the above pre-processing is not performed, and printing on the roll medium 5 by the second printer 10A2 does not begin.

[0112] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the first printer 10A1, as in step S211 of FIG. 16, the remaining amount used 8b calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 87 is set as the remaining amount of print 7b, and the print medium ID 7a and the remaining amount of print 7b are sent to the media management device 100A. Therefore, the print medium ID 7a and the remaining amount of print 7b can be managed in association with each other in the media management device 100A. Also, in step S223 of FIG. 16, the remaining amount of print 7b is sent to the second printer 10A2 in which the roll medium 5 identified by the print medium ID 7a is installed, so that the remaining amount of the installed roll medium 5 can be ascertained in the second printer 10A2.

[0113] 15, in this embodiment, the sensor 303 that reads the medium mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5 is provided in the mobile terminal 300 and is separate from the printer 10A. Therefore, even if the printer 10A in which the roll medium 5 is installed is changed, the medium mark 6 printed on the roll medium 5 can be easily read using the sensor 303 of the mobile terminal 300. For example, even if the roll medium 5 is stored in a location away from the printer 10A, the medium mark 6 of the roll medium 5 can be read using the mobile terminal 300.

[0114] 16, the print medium ID 7a and remaining print amount 7b of the roll medium 5 to be installed are sent from the medium management device 100A to the printer 10A (i.e., the second printer 10A2 into which the roll medium 5 is to be installed next) identified by the installed printer ID 3c acquired by the mobile terminal 300. This eliminates the need for the second printer 10A2 to read the medium label 6 of the roll medium 5, allowing the printer to quickly move on to pre-processing such as setup.

[0115] In this embodiment, in the medium management device 100A, the information update unit 105 updates the medium management information 110 using the print medium ID 7a and remaining print amount 7b sent by the printer communication unit 94 of the first printer 10A1 as in step S213 of Fig. 16. Therefore, the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 is calculated in the first printer 10A1, and the medium management information 110 can be updated at the timing when the remaining print amount 7b is sent to the medium management device 100A.

[0116] In this embodiment, in the second printer 10A2, the display unit 98 in Fig. 15 treats the remaining print amount 7b transmitted by the management communication unit 109 as the remaining usage amount 8b, as in step S225 in Fig. 16, and displays the remaining usage amount 8b on the display screen 56 (see Fig. 2). This allows the user to grasp the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 installed in the second printer 10A2 by looking at the remaining usage amount 8b displayed on the display screen 56.

[0117] In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 can obtain the remaining print amount 7b from the medium mark 6 by reading the medium mark 6 with the sensor 303. Therefore, the mobile terminal 300 may be configured to display the remaining print amount 7b obtained by reading the medium mark 6 on the mobile display screen 301. In this case, by looking at the remaining print amount 7b displayed on the mobile display screen 301, the user can grasp the remaining amount of the roll medium 5 to be next installed in the printer 10A (in other words, the roll medium 5 on which the medium mark 6 read by the sensor 303 of the mobile terminal 300 is printed). [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1. 1A Printing System 5 Roll media 6 Media indicator 7 Media information 7a Print media ID 7b Print Remaining 8a Used medium ID 8b Remaining usage 10, 10A Printer 16 Support stand 22 Ink head 30 Sensors 32 Sheet cutter 60 Feeding device 80, 80A Control Device 81 Storage section 83 Printing control unit 85 Data receiving section 87 Remaining amount calculation section 89 Media label printing department 91 Media label creation department 93 Reading unit 95 Judgment section 96 Warning section 97 Sheet cutting control section 99 Update Information Transmission Department 100, 100A media management device 101 Management storage unit 103 Information acquisition department 105 Information update department 110 Media management information 111 Printer ID 112 Media ID 113 Remaining 120 Update information 123 Remaining Updates 300 Mobile Devices 303 Sensors DT1 print data

Claims

1. A support base that supports the roll-shaped roll medium in an unfolded state; a supply device in which the roll medium is placed and which unfolds the roll medium and supplies it to the support table; An ink head that ejects ink; a sheet cutter that cuts the roll medium supported by the support base into sheets; A control device; Equipped with Before printing begins, a medium mark is printed on the roll medium supported by the support table, the medium mark having medium information recorded thereon, the medium information including a print medium ID that identifies the roll medium installed in the supply device and a remaining amount of print that indicates the remaining amount of the roll medium; a sensor for reading the media indicia; The control device includes: A storage unit that stores a medium ID of the roll medium supported by the support base and that has been registered by a user; a reading unit that reads the medium marking printed on the roll medium supported by the support table using the sensor; a print control unit that performs printing on a print area of ​​the roll medium supported by the support table based on print data obtained by RIP processing of a print image; a remaining amount calculation unit that calculates a remaining amount of the roll medium supported by the support table after printing by the print control unit; a medium identification creating unit that creates the medium identification in which the medium information is registered, the medium identification being the print medium ID as the used medium ID and the remaining amount calculated by the remaining amount calculating unit as the remaining amount of printing; a medium mark printing unit that prints the medium mark created by the medium mark creating unit on the roll medium supported by the support stand; a sheet cutting control unit that performs sheet cutting on the roll medium supported by the support table so as to cut off the printing area printed by the printing control unit; A printer equipped with

2. the control device includes a determination unit that determines whether the print medium ID of the medium mark read by the reading unit matches the medium ID stored in the storage unit; 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit performs printing based on the print data when the determination unit determines that the print medium ID and the medium to be used match.

3. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the control device further comprises a warning unit that displays a warning message when the determination unit determines that the print medium ID and the medium to be used do not match.

4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount calculation unit calculates the amount of the roll medium used when printing is performed based on the print data based on the print data, and calculates the remaining amount of use based on the amount of use and the remaining amount of print recorded on the medium mark read by the reading unit.

5. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the medium marking printing unit prints the remaining print amount together with the medium mark on the roll medium supported by the support table.

6. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5; a media management device that manages the roll media installed in the printer; A printing system comprising:

7. The printing system of claim 6, wherein the media management device includes a management memory unit that stores media management information that associates a printer ID that identifies the printer, a media ID that identifies the roll media installed in the printer, and the remaining amount of the roll media for the media ID.

8. the control device of the printer includes an update information transmission unit that, after reading the medium indicator with the reading unit, transmits update information including at least the remaining amount of update to the medium management device, the remaining amount of print recorded on the medium indicator as a remaining amount of update; The media management device includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires the update information transmitted by the update information transmission unit; an information updating unit that updates the remaining amount of the medium management information to the updated remaining amount based on the update information acquired by the information acquiring unit; 8. The printing system of claim 7, comprising:

9. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the update information sending unit sends the update information to the media management device, the update information being the updated remaining amount calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit after printing is performed by the print control unit.

10. a first printer in which a roll-shaped roll medium is placed; a medium management device that manages the roll medium and is installed in the first printer; A mobile device; Equipped with The first printer is A support table that supports the roll medium in an unfolded state; a supply device in which the roll medium is placed and which unfolds the roll medium and supplies it to the support table; An ink head that ejects ink; a sheet cutter that cuts the roll medium supported by the support base into sheets; A control device; Equipped with Before printing begins, a medium mark is printed on the roll medium supported by the support table, the medium mark having medium information recorded thereon, the medium information including a print medium ID that identifies the roll medium installed in the supply device, The control device includes: A storage unit that stores a medium ID of the roll medium supported by the support base and that has been registered by a user; a print control unit that performs printing on a print area of ​​the roll medium supported by the support table based on print data obtained by RIP processing of a print image; a remaining amount calculation unit that calculates a remaining amount of the roll medium supported by the support table after printing by the print control unit; a medium identification creating unit that creates the medium identification in which the medium information, in which the used medium ID is the print medium ID, is registered; a medium mark printing unit that prints the medium mark created by the medium mark creating unit on the roll medium supported by the support stand; a sheet cutting control unit that performs sheet cutting on the roll medium supported by the support table so as to cut off the printing area printed by the printing control unit; a printer communication unit that sets the remaining amount calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit as a remaining amount of print that indicates a remaining amount of the roll medium, and transmits the print medium ID and the remaining amount of print to the medium management device; Equipped with The mobile terminal includes: a sensor for reading the media indicia; a portable reading unit that reads the medium mark printed on the roll medium by the sensor; an acquisition unit that acquires printer information related to a second printer in which the roll medium on which the medium marking read by the portable reading unit is printed is installed; a portable communication unit that sets the print medium ID of the medium mark read by the portable reading unit as a read medium ID and transmits the read medium ID and the printer information acquired by the acquisition unit to the medium management device; Equipped with The media management device includes: a management storage unit in which medium management information in which the print medium ID and the remaining print amount are associated with each other is stored; a printer identification unit that identifies the second printer from the printer information; a management communication unit that transmits the remaining print amount associated with the read medium ID to the second printer based on the medium management information; A printing system comprising:

11. 11. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the medium management device includes an information update unit that updates the medium management information using the print medium ID and the remaining amount of print transmitted by the printer communication unit.

12. The second printer is A display screen; a control device having a display unit which sets the remaining print amount transmitted by the management communication unit as the remaining usage amount and displays the remaining usage amount on the display screen; The printing system of claim 10 , comprising:

Images