Printing device, display method, and program

Abstract

To improve convenience of a printing device.SOLUTION: A printing device comprises: a cartridge receiving unit to which an ink cartridge is set; a specification unit that specifies the model of a past device in which the ink cartridge is mounted in the past, on the basis of information stored in a storage unit of the ink cartridge set to the cartridge receiving unit; and a display processing unit that displays, on a display, a first operation screen corresponding to the specified model of the past device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a display method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for appropriately editing the display content of an operation panel provided in a printing apparatus according to a user's preference is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for moving or hiding a selected icon in response to a user operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When it becomes possible to use a plurality of types of inks in one type of printer, it is not necessary to manufacture separate printers for each type of ink, and the printer can be provided at a low cost. However, the operation screens and the like differ for each model of the printer. Therefore, when a user accustomed to operating an old model operates a new printer capable of using a plurality of types of inks, it is necessary to learn the operations of the new printer, which is troublesome.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a printing apparatus including a cartridge receiving portion in which an ink cartridge is set, a specifying portion that specifies a model of a past apparatus to which the ink cartridge was attached in the past based on information stored in a storage portion of the ink cartridge set in the cartridge receiving portion, and a display processing portion that causes a display portion to display a first operation screen corresponding to the specified model of the past apparatus.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a display method, including a specifying step of specifying the model of a past device to which the ink cartridge was attached in the past based on information stored in a storage unit of the ink cartridge set in a cartridge receiving unit, and a display processing step of causing a display unit to display a first operation screen corresponding to the specified model of the past device.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a specifying step of specifying the model of a past device to which the ink cartridge was attached in the past based on information stored in a storage unit of the ink cartridge set in a cartridge receiving unit, and a display processing step of causing a display unit to display a first operation screen corresponding to the specified model of the past device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system 300 according to the present embodiment. The printing system 300 includes an inkjet printer 100, a computer 200, a display 260, and a keyboard 270. The printer 100 is an example of a printing device.

[0010] Printer 100 is connected to computer 200 via a USB cable. Note that printer 100 may be connected to computer 200 via a communication cable of another standard capable of data transmission and reception, or may transmit and receive data wirelessly with computer 200 through wireless communication such as a wireless LAN. Printer 100 can perform monochrome printing or color printing by ejecting one or more colors of ink onto a printing medium such as paper based on the print data generated on computer 200.

[0011] A printer driver for controlling the operation of printer 100 is installed on computer 200, and generates print data for causing printer 100 to print printing targets such as characters and images specified by the user.

[0012] Display 260 is connected to computer 200, and displays various information based on the display data sent from a video driver (not shown) of computer 200. For example, when the user selects a plurality of candidate images by operating keyboard 270 or mouse 280 to specify the above printing target, display 260 displays those images. Also, information such as the print settings of printer 100 may be displayed.

[0013] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of printer 100. Printer 100 includes a processor 110, a non-volatile memory 120, a display unit 130, an operation unit 140, a USB interface (I / F) 150, a media transport mechanism 160, a carriage motor 170, and a carriage 180. Further, a plurality (four in this example) of cartridge holders 181, 182, 183, 184 are provided on carriage 180.

[0014] A plurality of ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 for storing ink are respectively set in these plurality of cartridge holders 181, 182, 183, 184. The cartridge holders 181, 182, 183, 184 are an example of a cartridge receiving portion.

[0015] These ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 each have non-volatile ROMs 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924 for storing the type and remaining amount of the stored ink, the manufacturing date, etc. Here, the ROMs 1921 to 1924 are an example of a storage unit. In the ROMs 1921 to 1924, identification information of the models of the printers to which the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 were mounted in the past is stored. The identification information is, for example, the model name, etc. Among the information stored in these ROMs 1921 to 1924, the type of ink, the manufacturing date, etc. are information written at the factory during the manufacture of the ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914. The remaining amount of ink is information written by the installed printer when the power of the installed printer is turned off or when the ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 are about to be removed. And the identification information of the model of the installed printer is information written by the installed printer each time the ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 are installed in a new printer.

[0016] The carriage 180 also has a print head 185 provided with ink nozzles for discharging the ink stored in the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 onto a printing medium such as paper.

[0017] In this example, the ink cartridge 1911 stores cyan (C) ink. The ink cartridge 1912 stores magenta (M) ink. The ink cartridge 1913 stores yellow (Y) ink. The ink cartridge 1914 stores black (K) ink. That is, the printer 100 is a printing device compatible with four colors (CMYK).

[0018] The processor 110 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and can execute programs recorded in the ROM and the non-volatile memory 120 to control each part of the printer 100. Note that the processor 110 may be composed of a single chip or multiple chips. Also, for example, an ASIC may be adopted instead of the CPU, or a configuration in which the CPU and the ASIC cooperate may be used. Programs, data, etc. that the processor 110 executes are recorded in the non-volatile memory 120.

[0019] The processor 110 reads out the data stored in the non-volatile memory 120. Then, based on the data and the print data transmitted from the computer 200 via the USB I / F 150, the processor 110 controls the operations of the medium conveyance mechanism 160, the carriage motor 170, and the print head 185. With respect to the print medium by the printer 100, the print head 185 reciprocates in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 180 by driving of the carriage motor 170. On the other hand, the print medium is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism 160. Then, by discharging one color or multiple colors of ink from the ink nozzles of the print head 185 onto the print medium, an image to be printed is printed.

[0020] The display unit 130 is provided on the housing of the printer 100 and displays various information. The operation unit 140 receives user operations. The operation unit 140 may be provided integrally with the display unit 130 as a touch panel.

[0021] When a new printer 100 is purchased to replace a previously purchased printer, the ink cartridges used in the previous printer may be set in the new printer 100 and continue to be used. In this case, the operation screens may differ depending on the printer models of the previously purchased printer and the new printer 100. Let FIG. 3 be a diagram showing the operation screen 410 in the initial state of the previously purchased printer. Let FIG. 4 be a diagram showing the operation screen 420 in the initial state of the newly purchased printer 100.

[0022] As described above, the operation screen 410 of the previous printer has the display content as shown in FIG. 3, while in the new printer 100, functions have been added. And it is assumed that the operation screen 420 has been changed to a display content including more operation details as shown in FIG. 4. Here, the operation screen 410 of the previous printer is an example of the first operation screen. Also, the operation screen 420 of the printer 100 is an example of the third operation screen. Of course, the previous printer and the current printer may differ only in design.

[0023] In the present embodiment, as described above, when the operation screen corresponding to the new printer 100 is different from the operation screen of the previously purchased printer and the operation methods are different, the operation screen of the previous printer can be inherited. As a configuration for this purpose, the processor 110 of the printer 100 includes a reception unit 111, a driver control unit 112, a display processing unit 113, a writing unit 114, and a specifying unit 115.

[0024] The functions of the reception unit 111, the driver control unit 112, the display processing unit 113, the writing unit 114, and the specifying unit 115 are realized by the processor 110 reading and executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 120. That is, hereinafter, the processes described as being executed by the reception unit 111, the driver control unit 112, the display processing unit 113, the writing unit 114, and the specifying unit 115 are processes executed by the processor 110.

[0025] The reception unit 111 receives information input in response to a user operation on the operation unit 140. The driver control unit 112 controls the printer driver of the computer 200. The display processing unit 113 controls the display on the display unit 130. The writing unit 114 writes information to the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of the respective ink cartridges 1911 to 1914. The specifying unit 115 specifies the model of the printer to which the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 were set in the past based on the information stored in the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of the respective ink cartridges 1911 to 1914. Hereinafter, the printer to which the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 were set in the past is referred to as the past device. On the other hand, the printer 100 is referred to as the current device.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the display process of the operation screen on the display unit 130 by the processor 110 of the printer 100. This flowchart is executed by the processor 110 in response to the installation of new ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 in the printer 100. In the display process, the processor 110 first acquires the information stored in the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of all the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 (step S100). Next, the specifying unit 115 specifies the model of the past device to which each of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 was set in the past from the information stored in the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of the respective ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 (step S102).

[0027] When the specific part 115 can identify the model of the past device (Y in step S102), the display processing unit 113 causes the display unit 130 to display the operation screen 410 corresponding to the model of the past device from then on (step S104). Next, the driver control unit 112 controls the printer driver so that the operation screen of the printer driver corresponding to the model of the past device is displayed on the display 260 from then on (step S106). Even after this flowchart ends, the driver control unit 112 executes step S106 when communicating with the printer driver. The printer driver detects that step S106 of this flowchart has been executed or that step S106 is performed during communication. Then, the printer driver, in response to the detection, causes the operation screen of the printer driver corresponding to the model of the past device to be displayed on the display 260 from then on.

[0028] On the other hand, when the specific part 115 cannot identify the model of the past device (N in step S102), it displays an error notification screen on the display unit 130 (step S108). The error notification screen is a screen that notifies the user that the operation screen up to now cannot be displayed because the model of the past device cannot be identified. The operation screen up to now is the operation screen of the printer itself when the operation screen of the printer itself has been displayed or when the printer is new. When the operation screen corresponding to the model of the past device has been displayed by this process before the previous time, the operation screen corresponding to the model of the past device is the operation screen up to now.

[0029] As described above, when the ink cartridge is set in a new printer (the printer 100), the printer 100 according to the present embodiment can continue to display the operation screen of the past device on the display unit 130. Further, the printer driver of the printer 100 can also continue to display the operation screen of the printer driver of the past device on the display 260. Thereby, the user can perform operations on the operation screen of the past device that can be operated without learning the operation method in the new printer 100. In this way, the convenience can be improved.

[0030] For example, when replacing a printing device, there may be a case where the ink cartridge of the printing device used in the past is set in the newly purchased printing device and continued to be used. In this case, instead of the operation screen (user interface) associated with the newly purchased printing device, the familiar operation screen of the printing device used in the past can be continuously used.

[0031] The above-described embodiment is an example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted.

[0032] As such a first modification, in the present embodiment, when the printer 100 cannot identify the model of the past device, it is configured to display an error notification screen. Instead of this, an operation screen corresponding to the current device may be displayed without displaying the error notification screen.

[0033] As a second modification, when the model of the past device can be identified, the operation screen of the past device and the operation screen of the current device may be selectable. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the display process according to this example. In the following, the points different from the display process according to the embodiment will be mainly described, and the same processes will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] When the specific unit 115 can identify the model of the past device (Y in step S102), the display processing unit 113 first displays a selection screen on the display unit 130 (step S200). Here, the selection screen is a screen for selecting an operation screen, and it is assumed that options such as check boxes for selecting the operation screen corresponding to the past device and the operation screen corresponding to the current device are displayed on the selection screen.

[0035] When the user operates the operation unit 140 to select the operation screen of the past device, the reception unit 111 receives an instruction to select the operation screen of the past device (the past device in step S202). Then, the display processing unit 113 causes the operation screen 410 corresponding to the model of the past device to be displayed on the display unit 130 hereafter (step S204). Next, the driver control unit 112 controls the printer driver so that the operation screen of the printer driver corresponding to the model of the past device is displayed on the display 260 hereafter (step S206). Even after this flowchart ends, the driver control unit 112 executes step S206 when communicating with the printer driver.

[0036] Next, the writing unit 114 writes the identification information of the selected past device into the ROMs 1921 to 1924 (step S208).

[0037] On the one hand, when the user operates the operation unit 140 to select the operation screen of the current device, the reception unit 111 receives the selection instruction of the operation screen of the current device (the current device in step S202). Then, the display processing unit 113 causes the display unit 130 to display the operation screen 420 corresponding to the model of the current device (step S210). Next, the driver control unit 112 controls the printer driver so as to display the operation screen corresponding to the model of the current device on the display 260 (step S212). Note that even after this flowchart ends, the driver control unit 112 executes step S212 when communicating with the printer driver. Next, the writing unit 114 writes the identification information of the selected current device into the ROMs 1921 to 1924 as the information of the user interface to be displayed (step S214).

[0038] Also, after the error notification screen is displayed on the display unit 130 in step S108, the identification information of the device corresponding to the operation screen so far is written into the ROMs 1921 to 1924. As a result, even if the ink runs out and a new ink cartridge is replaced while the operation screen of the past device was being displayed, the operation screen of the past device remains displayed. Also, even if the new ink cartridge is removed and set in a new printer, the operation screen of the past device can remain displayed on the new printer. Also, assume that the ink runs out and a new ink cartridge is replaced while the operation screen of the printer itself is being displayed. In this case too, even if the new ink cartridge is removed and a new printer is set, the operation screen of the current printer itself can be displayed on the new printer. Through the above processing, the user can perform operations on the desired operation screen.

[0039] In the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set in the plurality of cartridge holders 181 to 184, the models of a plurality of past devices may be specified. In this case, the printer 100 may accept a selection instruction as to which operation screen corresponding to the model of which past device to display in response to a user operation. Thereby, an operation screen that meets the user's wishes can be displayed.

[0040] However, as another example, in such a case, the printer 100 may automatically select an operation screen according to predetermined conditions. For example, the printer 100 may display the operation screen of the oldest past device. As another example, the printer 100 may display the operation screen of the current device.

[0041] Another modification will be described. First, even if the user selects which device's operation screen to display, the user may change their mind later. Therefore, a selection screen for allowing the user to select which device's operation screen to display may be made callable by the user later.

[0042] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the operation panels are different between the past model and the current device. In this case, it is desirable that the operation screen displayed by the printer 100 on the display unit be a screen representing the operation panel of the past model. For example, assume that the specified past model has a mechanical key such as a numeric keypad that the current device does not have. In this case, the operation screen displayed by the printer 100 on the display unit shall include the mechanical key that the past model had in addition to the screen that the past model displays on the display unit. The mechanical key is displayed by the printer 100 on the display unit as a software key. Note that mechanical keys existing at similar positions in both the past model and the current device may not be included in the operation screen. By doing so, the user can perform operations using a more familiar UI.

[0043] The above embodiments are examples for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can also be adopted. For example, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, such as applying a modification of a certain embodiment to another embodiment. For example, when the ink cartridge containing the ink toner is of a past model, it can also be applied to a laser printer that displays the screen of the past model. Also, it can be applied to an electronic device that displays the screen of a past model when a consumable of a past model is attached, such as a projector with a lamp of a past model. Further, it can also be regarded as an invention of a program such as a driver or an application that operates on a computer that communicates with these electronic devices.

[0044] Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable as a program or method executed by a computer. Also, it may be realized as a single device as described above, or may be realized by using components provided in a plurality of devices, and includes various aspects. Also, it can be appropriately changed, such as part being software and part being hardware. Further, the invention is also established as a recording medium for a program that controls the system. Of course, the recording medium for the program may be a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or any recording medium developed in the future, and can be considered in exactly the same way.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 100…Printer, 110…Processor, 111…Reception Unit, 112…Driver Control Unit, 113…Display Processing Unit, 114…Writing Unit, 115…Specification Unit, 120…Non-volatile Memory, 130…Display Unit, 140…Operation Unit, 180…Carriage, 181~184…Cartridge Holder, 185…Printing Head, 1911~1914…Ink Cartridge, 1921~1924…ROM

Claims

1. a cartridge receiving part in which an ink cartridge is set; a specifying part that specifies the model of a past device to which the ink cartridge was attached in the past based on information stored in a storage part of the ink cartridge set in the cartridge receiving part; a display processing part that causes a display part to display a first operation screen corresponding to the model of the specified past device; A printing apparatus comprising:

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driver control part that causes a printer driver to display a second operation screen corresponding to the model of the past device.

3. further comprising a receiving part that receives an instruction as to which of a third operation screen corresponding to the printing apparatus and the first operation screen is to be displayed in response to a user operation, wherein the display part displays the third operation screen when the receiving part receives an instruction to display the third operation screen. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. When the receiving part receives an instruction to display the third operation screen, information for specifying the printing apparatus is stored in the storage part of the ink cartridge set in the cartridge receiving part, and when the receiving part receives an instruction to display the first operation screen, information for specifying the past device is stored in the storage part of the ink cartridge set in the cartridge receiving part. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a writing part.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a writing part that stores information for specifying the past device in the storage part of the ink cartridge newly set in the cartridge receiving part when the receiving part receives an instruction to display the first operation screen.

6. When a plurality of models of the past devices are specified based on data stored in the storage parts of the plurality of ink cartridges set in the cartridge receiving part, the printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving part that receives an instruction as to which operation screen corresponding to which model of the past device is to be displayed in response to a user operation.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first operation screen has a mechanical key of the specified past device as a software key.

8. A specifying step of specifying the model of a past device to which the ink cartridge was previously attached based on information stored in a storage unit of the ink cartridge set in the cartridge receiving unit; A display processing step of causing a display unit to display a first operation screen corresponding to the specified model of the past device; A display method including the above.

9. On a computer, A specifying step of specifying the model of a past device to which the ink cartridge was previously attached based on information stored in a storage unit of the ink cartridge set in the cartridge receiving unit; A display processing step of causing a display unit to display a first operation screen corresponding to the specified model of the past device; A program for causing the above to be executed.

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