Consumable management device, printing system and consumable management method

Abstract

To provide a consumable management device capable of grasping transition of a residual amount of a consumable with respect to a printing schedule desired by users.SOLUTION: A management device 90 includes an input portion 92 and a calculation portion 94. Printing jobs PJ1 to PJ3 inputted to the input portion 92 have consumptions of ink and media 5, and date information on which printing is conducted. The calculation portion 94, in date when the printing jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are conducted, calculates the residual quantity of ink and media 5 when each printing job is conducted. Thereby, in a job schedule JS desired by users, transition of the residual quantity of the ink and media 5 when each printing job is executed can be grasped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a consumable management device, a printing system, and a consumable management method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a print system for predicting the transition of the remaining amount of consumables in a printing apparatus has been known. Consumables in a printing apparatus are, for example, ink, a recording medium, or the like. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a print system including a remaining amount history storage unit and a remaining amount history display unit. In such a print system, the remaining amount history storage unit stores the history of the remaining amount of consumables. Based on the stored history, the transition of the remaining amount of consumables is graphed by the remaining amount history display unit. Thereby, the user can predict the timing when the consumables run out.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above-described print system, the transition of the remaining amount of consumables is displayed based on the history of the remaining amount of consumables. For example, the transition of the remaining amount is calculated based on the average value of the usage amount of consumables for a certain period regardless of the type of printed matter executed. However, when the user sets to execute various prints at desired dates and times, there is variation in the usage amount of consumables for each certain period. Therefore, the deviation between the predicted transition of the remaining amount and the actual remaining amount of consumables becomes relatively large. At this time, it is impossible to grasp the transition of consumables when the set print instruction is executed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and it is an object to provide a consumable management device capable of grasping the transition of the remaining amount of consumables with respect to a desired printing schedule of a user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The consumable management device according to the present invention is used for an inkjet printer that discharges ink onto a medium, and is a consumable management device that grasps the consumption status of consumables including at least one of the medium and the ink, and has a plurality of print jobs having the consumption amount of the consumables and the date and time information when printing is executed. An input unit capable of inputting, and a calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of the consumables at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of the consumables consumed for each print job input to the input unit and the date and time information for each print job input to the input unit.

[0007] According to the consumable management device of the present invention, the print job has the consumption amount of the consumables and the date and time information. A plurality of the print jobs desired by the user are input to the input unit. The calculation unit calculates the remaining amount of the consumables at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of the consumables consumed for each print job input to the input unit and the date and time information for each print job input to the input unit. Thereby, when the desired print job input by the user is executed at a predetermined date and time, the remaining amount of the consumables for each date and time can be grasped. Therefore, the transition of the remaining amount of the consumables can be grasped with respect to the printing schedule desired by the user.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a consumable management device capable of grasping the transition of the remaining amount of consumables with respect to a desired printing schedule of a user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described here are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Also, members and parts having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printing system 1. The printing system 1 includes an inkjet printer 10 and a management device 90. The management device 90 is an example of a consumable management device in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the management device 90 grasps the consumption status of the ink and the medium 5 used in the inkjet printer 10. Note that the ink is an example of the first consumable in the present invention. The medium 5 is an example of the second consumable in the present invention. In addition to consumable management of the inkjet printer 10, the management device 90 gives instructions for printing and transmits print data to the inkjet printer 10. The inkjet printer 10 and the management device 90 are wirelessly connected via a network NW. The network NW is composed of the Internet or various mobile communication systems constructed by a wireless base station (not shown). The inkjet printer 10 performs printing on the medium 5 (see FIG. 2) based on an instruction from the management device 90. The medium 5 according to the present embodiment only needs to be a printable medium and is not particularly limited. The medium 5 may be recording paper, a resin sheet, a sealing material, or the like. The printer 10 according to the present embodiment performs printing on the medium 5 while sequentially pulling out the medium 5 supplied as a roll. Note that the device for performing consumable management of the inkjet printer 10 and the device for giving instructions for printing and transmitting print data to the inkjet printer 10 may be separate from each other.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 of the present embodiment includes two inkjet printers 10 (hereinafter referred to as printers 10). Note that the number of inkjet printers 10 included in the printing system 1 is not particularly limited. Here, the inkjet printers 10 are also referred to as printers 10A and 10B in order from the top in FIG. 1. However, in the case of a common description of the printers 10A and 10B, the term "printer 10" is appropriately used.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the printer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the bottom surface of the ink head 61 of the printer 10. The reference signs F, Rr, L, R, U, and D shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively mean the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10. The reference sign Y in the drawing indicates the scanning direction (main scanning direction). In the present embodiment, the scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The reference sign X in the drawing indicates the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). In the present embodiment, the conveyance direction X is the front-rear direction and is a direction that intersects (here, is orthogonal to) the scanning direction Y in a plan view. However, these directions are merely directions defined for convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10 in any way, nor do they limit the present invention in any way.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a platen 11 that supports the medium 5, a conveyance device 30 that conveys the medium 5, a carriage moving device 40, a carriage 60 that includes an ink head 61 that discharges ink, an ink supply unit 70, an ink consumption measurement device 81, a medium consumption measurement device 82, a control device 110, and an operation panel 150. The conveyance device 30 and the carriage moving device 40 constitute a moving mechanism 20 that relatively moves the medium 5 and the ink head 61.

[0015] The conveying device 30 is configured to move the medium 5 supported by the platen 11 in the conveying direction X. The conveying device 30 includes a grit roller 31, a pinch roller 32, and a feed motor 33. The grit roller 31 is provided on the platen 11. The grit roller 31 rotates when driven by the feed motor 33. The pinch roller 32 is disposed above the grit roller 31. The pinch roller 32 is provided so as to face the grit roller 31. The pinch roller 32 is configured to be swingable up and down so as to be able to approach and separate from the grit roller 31. When the grit roller 31 rotates with the medium 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 32 and the grit roller 31, the medium 5 is conveyed in the conveying direction X. The feed motor 33 is electrically connected to the control device 110 and is controlled by the control device 110.

[0016] The carriage moving device 40 includes a guide rail 41, a pulley 42, a pulley 43, a belt 44, and a scan motor 45. The guide rail 41 is provided above the platen 11. The guide rail 41 extends in the scanning direction Y. A carriage 60 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 41. The pulley 42 is provided to the left of the left end of the guide rail 41. The pulley 43 is provided to the right of the right end of the guide rail 41. The carriage 60 is provided above the platen 11 so as to face the platen 11. The belt 44 is wound around the pulley 42 and the pulley 43. A scan motor 45 is connected to the right pulley 43. However, the scan motor 45 may be connected to the left pulley 42. When the scan motor 45 is driven and the pulley 43 rotates, the belt 44 travels between the pulley 42 and the pulley 43. The scan motor 45 is electrically connected to the control device 110 and is controlled by the control device 110.

[0017] The carriage 60 includes a plurality of ink heads 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink head 61 is formed in a shape where the length in the conveyance direction X is longer than the length in the scanning direction Y. The plurality of ink heads 61 are formed in the same shape and the same size. The ink head 61 includes a plurality of nozzles 62 arranged in the conveyance direction X and a nozzle surface 63 on which a nozzle row 62a is formed. The nozzles 62 of the ink head 61 eject ink onto the medium 5. In the present embodiment, the carriage 60 includes four ink heads 61, but the number of ink heads 61 is not limited to four. Further, the ink head 61 includes a single row of nozzle rows 62a, but may include two or more rows of nozzle rows. Also, in FIG. 3, the number of nozzles 62 forming the nozzle row 62a is set to 12, but actually, a much larger number (for example, about 200 to 300) of nozzles 62 are formed.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply unit 70 has an ink tank 71 and an ink supply path 72. The ink stored in each ink tank 71 passes through the ink supply path 72 and is supplied to each ink head 61.

[0019] Each ink tank 71 stores one of, for example, process color inks and special inks (such as white ink, clear ink, etc.). In this embodiment, the ink tank 71 has an ink tank 71C, an ink tank 71M, an ink tank 71Y, and an ink tank 71K. Cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink are stored in the ink tank 71C, the ink tank 71M, the ink tank 71Y, and the ink tank 71K, respectively. However, the color of the ink stored in the ink tank 71 is not particularly limited. The ink may be colorless ink. Also, the material of the ink is not limited at all, and various materials conventionally used as the material of the ink for an inkjet printer can be used. The above ink may be, for example, a solvent-based (solvent system) pigment ink or an aqueous pigment ink. Alternatively, the above ink may be an aqueous dye ink or an ultraviolet curable pigment ink that cures upon receiving ultraviolet light. The ink tank 71 may be, for example, an ink cartridge or a pouch-like one.

[0020] The ink supply path 72 is a flow path connecting the ink tank 71 and the ink head 61. One end of the ink supply path 72 is connected to the ink tank 71, and the other end of the ink supply path 72 is connected to the ink head 61. The configuration of the ink supply path 72 is not particularly limited, but the ink supply path 72 is constituted by, for example, a flexible tube. The ink in the ink tank 71 flows through the ink supply path 72 and is supplied to the ink head 61.

[0021] The ink tank 71 is provided with an ink consumption measuring device 81. The ink consumption measuring device 81 is a device that measures the amount of ink consumed by printing. The ink consumption measuring device 81 is an example of the measuring device in the present invention. The measuring method of the ink consumption measuring device 81 is not particularly limited. For example, the ink consumption measuring device 81 can be realized by a measuring device including a pressure-sensitive film (not shown), a detected member (not shown), and a sensor unit (not shown). The pressure-sensitive film flexes and deforms in conjunction with the amount of ink stored inside the ink tank 71. When the pressure-sensitive film flexes and deforms, the position of the detected member moves, and the sensor unit detects the position. The amount of ink consumed is measured based on the position of the detected member. The ink consumption measuring device 81 is connected to the control device 110. The ink consumption measuring device 81 transmits the measured ink consumption amount to the control device 110.

[0022] The media consumption measuring device 82 is a device that measures the consumption amount of the media 5. The media consumption measuring device 82 is an example of the measuring device in the present invention. In this embodiment, the media consumption measuring device 82 can be realized by a device that measures the conveyance amount of the media 5. The media consumption measuring device 82 is, for example, a sensor that measures the rotation amount of the grit roller 31. The media consumption measuring device 82 is connected to the control device 110. When the media 5 is conveyed, the rotation amount of the grit roller 31 is measured by the sensor. The media consumption amount is measured based on the rotation amount of the sensor. Note that the media consumption measuring device 82 may be, for example, a sensor that measures the conveyance length in the conveyance direction X when the media 5 is conveyed.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the printing system 1. The control device 110 is a device that controls printing on the medium 5 (see FIG. 2). The configuration of the control device 110 is not particularly limited. The control device 110 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, an interface (I / F) that receives print data and the like from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above program and various data.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 110 is connected to the feed motor 33, the scan motor 45, the ink head 61, the ink consumption measurement device 81, the medium consumption measurement device 82, and the operation panel 150, and controls their operations. The control device 110 includes a receiving unit 111 and a transmitting unit 112.

[0025] The receiving unit 111 receives the ink consumption measured by the ink consumption measurement device 81 and the consumption of the medium 5 measured by the medium consumption measurement device 82. The transmitting unit 112 transmits information on the ink consumption and the consumption of the medium 5 received by the receiving unit 111 to a management device 90 described later.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, an operation panel 150 having buttons and a display is arranged on the front surface of the right side cover 13R of the printer 10. The operation panel 150 is connected to the control device 110.

[0027] The configuration of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the management device 90 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The management device 90 is a device that instructs printing on the medium 5 and manages the consumption status of ink and the medium 5. For example, an application that performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on an image printed by the printer 10 may be installed in the management device 90. Also, the management of the consumption status of ink and the medium 5 is executed, for example, on a web browser via the network NW. The configuration of the management device 90 is not particularly limited. The management device 90 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, an interface (I / F) that receives image data, shape data, etc. from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU: central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above program and various data. As shown in FIG. 4, the management device 90 is communicably connected to the control device 110 by wire or wirelessly. The management device 90 is connected to a display screen 90a and an operation mechanism 90b. For example, print data and the operating status of the printer 10 are displayed on the display screen 90a. The operation mechanism 90b is a mechanism for performing various operations on the display screen 90a, and is, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. In the present embodiment, the management device 90, the display screen 90a, and the operation mechanism 90b are configured by a notebook personal computer. However, the forms of the management device 90, the display screen 90a, and the operation mechanism 90b are not limited in any way.

[0028] Next, the screen displayed on the display screen 90a by the management device 90 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the display screen 90a on which the setting page SP is displayed. The setting page SP is a web page on which a job schedule JS in which a plurality of print jobs to be executed by the printer 10 are arranged is set. A print job refers to a series of operations in which an image is printed on a certain medium 5 in the printing system 1. In the present embodiment, the job schedule JS is set by the setting page SP which is a web page for inputting a print job. The management device 90 displays the setting page SP on the display screen 90a, for example, when the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the setting page SP is input.

[0029] The setting page SP is a web page for setting a print job. In FIG. 5, print jobs PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 are displayed. In the following description, the print jobs PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 will be appropriately referred to as print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. The print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 have the consumption amounts of ink and the medium 5, and the date and time information when printing is executed. The printer 10 receives printing instructions in the order of the print jobs PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 and executes printing. Note that the number of print jobs to be set is not particularly limited. The number of print jobs may be two or less, or more than three.

[0030] In the following description, "selecting" what is displayed on the display screen 90a means, for example, clicking on the above by operating the operation mechanism 90b of the management device 90.

[0031] Check boxes CB are displayed for print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. The check box CB is a box selected when the print job is to be repeatedly executed at a desired interval. When a check mark is displayed in the check box CB, the print job is repeatedly executed. In FIG. 5, the check box CB for print job PJ1 is selected. Here, print job PJ3 is a print job that repeats print job PJ1. Therefore, except for the information entered in the date / time input box DB described later, print job PJ1 and print job PJ3 have the same information. Print job PJ3 is automatically set when the check box CB for print job PJ1 is selected. A check mark is also displayed in the automatically set check box CB for print job PJ3.

[0032] For each of print jobs PJ1 to PJ3, a date / time input box DB, a media consumption input box MB, an ink consumption input box KB, an interval input box VB, and a unit input box UB are respectively displayed. Desired numerical values and information are input into these. Note that the input format is not particularly limited. The input format may be, for example, one selected by a pull-down menu, or one in which the user operates the operation mechanism 90b and directly enters characters. Although not shown in the figure, a decision button for determining the settings of the input print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 may be arranged on the setting page SP.

[0033] The date / time input box DB is a box into which the date and time when printing is to be executed are input. Note that print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 included in the job schedule JS are preset to be arranged from top to bottom in ascending order of the date and time entered in the date / time input box DB.

[0034] The media consumption input box MB is a box in which the width and length of the media 5 (see FIG. 2) consumed in a printing job are input. In the box arranged below the display of "width", the size of the width (scanning direction Y) of the media 5 to be printed is input. In the box arranged below the display of "length", the size of the length of the media 5 to be printed (length in the conveyance direction X) is input.

[0035] The ink consumption input box KB is a box in which the amount of ink consumed when a printing job is executed is input. In the present embodiment, the ink consumption input box KB is provided below the displays of "slot 1", "slot 2", "slot 3", and "slot 4", respectively. For example, the ink amount input box KB arranged below "slot 1" is a box for inputting the amount of ink consumed from the ink tank 71C (see FIG. 2). The boxes displayed below "slot 2", "slot 3", and "slot 4" similarly correspond to the ink tanks 71M, 71Y, and 71K (see FIG. 2), respectively.

[0036] The interval input box VB and the unit input box UB are boxes where an interval for repeating the same printing job is input when the checkbox CB is selected. In the interval input box VB, the user's desired number is input. In the unit input box UB, the desired unit selected from the pull-down menu is input. In the printing job PJ1 of Figure 5, "1" is input in the interval input box, and "week" is input in the unit input box. At this time, it indicates that the printing job PJ1 is a job that is repeatedly executed at intervals of once a week. Here, the date and time information of "2023 / 12 / 20" is input in the date and time input box DB of the printing job PJ1. In the date and time input box DB of the printing job PJ3, which is a repetition of the printing job PJ1, "2023 / 12 / 27", which is the date and time one week after the date and time when the printing job PJ1 is executed, is automatically displayed. Note that when the checkbox CB is not selected, the interval input box VB and the unit input box UB are set so that numbers and units cannot be input.

[0037] For print jobs PJ1 to PJ3, a history selection button BT11 is displayed respectively. When the history selection button BT11 is selected, a history page HP (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the display screen 90a. The history page HP is a web page on which the history of print jobs executed by the printer 10 in the past is displayed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display screen 90a on which the history page HP is displayed. A part of the history of print jobs executed in the past is shown in FIG. 6. On the history page HP in FIG. 6, the history of "print date and time", "media consumption amount", and "ink consumption amount" is displayed. The "media consumption amount" includes items of "width" and "length". The "ink consumption amount" includes items of "slot 1", "slot 2", "slot 3", and "slot 4". These items have the same content as the same items on the setting page SP. A selection button BT12 is displayed on the history page. When the selection button BT12 displayed on the history page HP is selected, the "media consumption amount" and "ink consumption amount" included in the history of the same row as the selection button are respectively input into the media consumption amount input box MB and the ink consumption amount input box KB on the setting page SP (see FIG. 5).

[0038] As described above, the operation screen displayed on the display screen 90a has been explained. Next, the configuration of the management device 90 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 4, the management device 90 includes a storage unit 91, an input unit 92, a calling unit 93, a calculation unit 94, a display unit 95, a determination unit 96, a notification unit 97, a selection unit 98, and a consumption amount acquisition unit 99.

[0039] The storage unit 91 stores the consumption amounts of ink and media 5 when a print job is executed. The storage unit 91 may be configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory. Alternatively, the storage unit 91 may be stored on a cloud server connected to the management device 90. In the present embodiment, the information stored in the storage unit 91 is displayed on the history page HP (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 91 stores the "print date and time", "media consumption amount", and "ink consumption amount" of print jobs executed in the past.

[0040] The input unit 92 shown in FIG. 4 is configured to be able to input a plurality of print jobs in which the consumption amounts of ink and the medium 5 and the date and time information when printing is executed are input. As shown in FIG. 5, the user inputs the consumption amounts of ink and the medium 5 and the date and time information when printing is executed on the setting page SP. The information input to the date input box DB is input to the input unit 92 as the date and time information when printing is executed. The information input to the medium consumption amount input box MB is input to the input unit 92 as the consumption amount of the medium 5. The information input to the ink consumption amount input box KB is input to the input unit 92 as the consumption amount of ink. Therefore, the information of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 included in the job schedule JS is input to the input unit 92.

[0041] The calling unit 93 inputs the consumption amounts of ink and the medium 5 stored in the storage unit 91 to the input unit 92. In the present embodiment, by selecting the selection button BT12 on the history page HP (see FIG. 6), the calling unit 93 inputs the information of the selected history to the date input box DB, the medium consumption amount input box MB, and the ink consumption amount input box KB on the setting page SP (see FIG. 5), respectively.

[0042] The calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the ink consumed for each print job input to the input unit 92, the consumption amount of the medium 5, and the date and time information input to the input unit 92. Here, the remaining amount of ink refers to the ratio of the amount of ink currently stored to the amount of ink stored in a new ink tank 71 (see FIG. 2). The remaining amount of the medium 5 refers to the ratio of the length of the medium 5 remaining unused in the conveyance direction X to the length of the conveyance direction X of a new medium 5. Alternatively, the remaining amount of the medium 5 may be the ratio of the area of the medium 5 remaining unused to the area of a new medium 5. Note that the remaining amount of ink and the remaining amount of the medium 5 may be based on the amounts of ink and the medium 5 at a certain point in time, rather than the ratio to the amounts in the case of new products. From the information input to the medium consumption amount input box MB of the print job PJ1 shown in FIG. 5, it can be obtained that 5 m of the medium 5 with a width of 1.5 m is used in the printing of the print job PJ1. In the print job PJ2, similarly, 10 m of the medium 5 with a width of 1.5 m is used. The date and time when the print job PJ1 is executed is "2023 / 12 / 20". The date and time when the print job PJ2 is executed is "2023 / 12 / 23". The calculation unit 94 calculates a value obtained by subtracting 5 m from the length of the conveyance direction X of a new medium 5 with a width of 1.5 m. Thereby, the remaining amount of the medium 5 after executing the print job PJ1 at the date and time indicated by "2023 / 12 / 20" is calculated. The calculation unit 94 calculates a value obtained by subtracting 10 m from the remaining amount of the medium 5 with a width of 1.5 m after executing the print job PJ1. Thereby, the remaining amount of the medium 5 after executing the print job PJ2 at the date and time indicated by "2023 / 12 / 23" is calculated. Similarly, the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are calculated.

[0043] The display unit 95 displays, on the display screen 90a, the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information calculated by the calculation unit 94. In the present embodiment, the calculation result of the calculation unit 94 is displayed in the form of a graph. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the display screen 90a on which the result display page RP is displayed. The result display page RP is a web page on which the calculation result of the calculation unit 94 is displayed by the display unit 95. Note that, in the present embodiment, the display unit 95 displays the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 of the inkjet printers 10A and 10B. Further, it is assumed that the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are similarly set for each of the inkjet printers 10A and 10B in the calculation result shown in FIG. 7.

[0044] On the result display page RP, a result graph 200 showing the calculation result of the calculation unit 94 is displayed. The vertical axis of the result graph 200 represents the percentage of the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5. The horizontal axis of the result graph 200 indicates the date and time. The result graph 200 has a first medium remaining amount graph 210, a second medium remaining amount graph 220, a first ink remaining amount graph 230, and a second ink remaining amount graph 240. The first medium remaining amount graph 210 is a graph showing the remaining amount of the medium 5 in the printer 10A (see FIG. 1). The second medium remaining amount graph 220 is a graph showing the remaining amount of the medium 5 in the printer 10B (see FIG. 2). The first medium remaining amount graph 210 and the second medium remaining amount graph 220 are bar graphs. The first ink remaining amount graph 230 is a graph showing the remaining amount of ink in the printer 10A. The first ink remaining amount graph 230 includes graphs 230C, 230M, 230Y, and 230K. The graphs 230C, 230M, 230Y, and 230K respectively show the remaining amounts of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink. The second ink remaining amount graph 240 is a graph showing the remaining amount of ink in the printer 10B. The second ink remaining amount graph 240 includes graphs 240C, 240M, 240Y, and 240K. The graphs 240C, 240M, 240Y, and 240K respectively show the remaining amounts of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink. The first ink remaining amount graph 230 and the second ink remaining amount graph 240 are line graphs. Note that in the result graph 200 shown in FIG. 7, the calculation results for three days when the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 (see FIG. 5) are executed are displayed, but the display range of the result graph 200 is not limited to this. For example, the result graph 200 may continuously display the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 for one month. At this time, the result graph 200 may display the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 at the date and time when no print job is executed.

[0045] In FIG. 7, on the result display page RP, together with the result graph 200, a display check box SB and threshold input boxes TB1 and TB2 are displayed. The display check box SB and the threshold input boxes TB1 and TB2 will be described later.

[0046] The determination unit 96 shown in FIG. 4 determines whether the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 calculated by the calculation unit 94 are less than a predetermined threshold value. In the present embodiment, the predetermined threshold value includes a first threshold value that is a threshold value for the remaining amount of the ink and a second threshold value that is a threshold value for the remaining amount of the medium 5. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are determined to be desired values by the user. In the present embodiment, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are determined by inputting desired threshold values into the threshold input boxes TB1 and TB2 shown in FIG. 7. The threshold input box TB1 is a box for inputting to determine the first threshold value. The threshold input box TB2 is a box for inputting to determine the second threshold value. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the threshold input box TB1 is selected and a value of "10" is input. At this time, the first threshold value is set to 10%. Similarly, in FIG. 7, a value of "15" is input to the threshold input box TB2. Therefore, the second threshold value is set to 15%. Note that, in a state before the user inputs to the threshold input boxes TB1 and TB2, predetermined initial values may be input. Also, in the present embodiment, threshold lines TL1 and TL2 are displayed by the display unit 95. The threshold line TL1 is a line indicating the value of the first threshold value in the result graph 200. The threshold line TL2 is a line indicating the value of the second threshold value in the result graph 200. With the threshold lines TL1 and TL2, the user can visually grasp whether the remaining amount of the ink and / or the medium 5 in the result graph 200 is less than the desired threshold value.

[0047] The notification unit 97 shown in FIG. 4 notifies the user when it is determined that the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 are less than a predetermined threshold value. In the present embodiment, as described above, the first threshold value is set to 10% and the second threshold value is set to 15%. Therefore, when the calculation result calculated by the calculation unit 94 includes a case where the remaining amount of the ink is less than 10%, the user is notified. Also, when the calculation result calculated by the calculation unit 94 includes a case where the remaining amount of the medium 5 is less than 15%, the user is notified. Note that the method of the notification is not particularly limited. The notification may be, for example, a display on the display screen 90a, or may be one that sends an email to the user.

[0048] The selection unit 98 is configured to be able to select at least one of the plurality of printers 10. In the present embodiment, the selection unit 98 selects at least one of the printers 10 when the user selects the display check box SB on the result display page RP. The display check box SB is arranged to the left of the displays of "Printer 10A" and "Printer 10B", respectively. The displays of "Printer 10A" and "Printer 10B" indicate Printer 10A (see FIG. 1) and Printer 10B (see FIG. 1), respectively. By selecting the display check box SB, a check mark is displayed. When the check mark is displayed, Printer 10A and / or Printer 10B is selected by the selection unit 98. The display unit 95 displays the result graph 200 on the display screen 90a for those selected by the selection unit 98 among Printer 10A and Printer 10B, that is, those with a check mark in the display check box SB. In FIG. 7, check marks are displayed in the display check boxes SB for "Printer 10A" and "Printer 10B". Therefore, the calculation result of Printer 10A and the calculation result of Printer 10B are displayed in the result graph 200.

[0049] The consumption amount acquisition unit 99 shown in FIG. 4 acquires the ink consumption amount and the media 5 consumption amount measured by the ink consumption measurement device 81 and the media consumption measurement device 82. When a part of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 (see FIG. 5) are executed, the calculation unit 94 recalculates the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 based on the values acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99. For example, when the print job PJ1 is executed, the ink consumption measurement device 81 and the media consumption measurement device 82 transmit the consumption amounts of the ink and the media 5. The calculation unit 94 recalculates the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 when the print job PJ1 is executed at the date and time indicated by "2023 / 12 / 20". The calculation unit 94 subtracts the ink consumption amount acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99 from the amount of ink stored in the new ink tank 71 (see FIG. 2). The calculation unit 94 subtracts the consumption amount of the media 5 acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99 from the length in the conveyance direction X of the new media 5 with a width of 1.5 m. The calculation results when the print jobs PJ2 and PJ3 are executed are recalculated using the values recalculated for the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 when the print job PJ1 was executed.

[0050] The configuration of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, a procedure for calculating the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for calculating the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5. In the following description, the operations until the user creates the job schedule JS and the print job PJ1 is executed will be described.

[0051] In step S101, the user sets the job schedule JS on the setting page SP. In this embodiment, the job schedule JS is composed of print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. The user inputs desired numerical values or information into the date / time input box DB, media consumption input box MB, ink consumption input box KB, interval input box VB, and unit input box UB included in each of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. At this time, the input information is input into the input unit 92, and the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are set. At this time, the user may select the history selection button BT11 and select a print job displayed on the history page HP. When the print job to be set in the job schedule JS has the same "media consumption" and "ink consumption" as the print jobs executed in the past, the selection button BT12 of the print job displayed on the history page HP is selected. Thereby, numerical values are input into the media consumption input box MB and the ink consumption input box KB. At this time, the user inputs a desired numerical value into the date / time input box DB. Also, when the print job is to be executed repeatedly, the checkbox CB is selected.

[0052] In step S102, the calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amounts of ink and media 5 input into the input unit 92 and the date and time information for each of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. The print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are print jobs to be executed at the dates and times indicated by "2023 / 12 / 20", "2023 / 12 / 23", and "2023 / 12 / 27", respectively. Therefore, the calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when the print job PJ1 is executed on "2023 / 12 / 20", the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when the print job PJ2 is executed on "2023 / 12 / 23", and the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when the print job PJ3 is executed on "2023 / 12 / 27", respectively.

[0053] In step S103, the display unit 95 displays the result graph 200 on the result display page RP. As a result, the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 when the print job is executed at each date and time are displayed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the result graphs 200 of the printers 10A and 10B are displayed.

[0054] In step S104 shown in FIG. 8, the determination unit 96 determines whether the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 calculated by the calculation unit 94 are less than a predetermined threshold value. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first threshold value is set to 10%, and the second threshold value is set to 15%. Therefore, the determination unit 96 determines whether the remaining amount of ink in the printers 10A and 10B is less than 10%. In FIG. 7, the value indicated by the graph 240M at the date and time indicated by "2023 / 12 / 29" is below the threshold line TL1. That is, it is calculated that the remaining amount of magenta ink in the printer 10B becomes 10% or less at the date and time indicated by "2023 / 12 / 29". Further, the determination unit 96 determines whether the remaining amount of ink in the printers 10A and 10B is less than 15%. In FIG. 7, at the date and time indicated by "2023 / 12 / 29", the value indicated by the second medium remaining amount graph 220 is below the threshold line TL2. That is, it is calculated that the remaining amount of the medium becomes 15% or less at the date and time indicated by "2023 / 12 / 29". If the calculation result of the remaining amount of ink is less than the first threshold value, or if the calculation result of the remaining amount of the medium 5 is less than the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step S105 shown in FIG. 8. If the calculation result of the remaining amount of ink is greater than the first threshold value and the calculation result of the remaining amount of the medium 5 is greater than the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0055] In step S105, the notification unit 97 notifies the user. As described above, the notification is performed, for example, by sending an email to the user or by being displayed on the result display page RP.

[0056] In step S106, a part of the print job is executed. Here, for example, the case where the print job PJ1 is executed will be described. When the print job PJ1 is executed, the ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measuring device 82 measure the ink consumption and the media 5 consumption respectively when the print job PJ1 is executed. The ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measuring device 82 send the ink consumption and the media 5 consumption to the consumption amount acquisition unit 99. At this time, the calculation unit 94 recalculates the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 when the print job PJ1 is executed. As described above, the calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 based on the consumption amounts acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99. That is, the calculation unit 94 recalculates the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 when the print jobs PJ2 and PJ3 are executed. The display unit 95 displays the result graph 200 based on the result recalculated by the calculation unit 94. When the print jobs PJ2 and PJ3 are executed, the same operation as in step S106 is executed.

[0057] Note that a new print job may be added before all the print jobs included in the job schedule JS are executed. At this time, the calculation unit 94 may recalculate the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 again. Also, the display unit 95 displays the result graph 200 based on the calculation result recalculated by the calculation unit 94. Further, a determination by the determination unit 96 (step S104) may be executed for the calculation result.

[0058] As described above, according to the management device 90 of the present embodiment, the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 input to the input unit 92 have the consumption amounts of the ink and the media 5 and the date and time information when the printing is executed. The calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 when each print job is executed at the date and time when the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are executed. Thereby, in the job schedule JS desired by the user, the transition of the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 when each print job is executed can be grasped.

[0059] According to the management device 90 of the present embodiment, the determination unit 96 determines whether the remaining amount of ink and the remaining amount of the medium 5 are less than a desired threshold value. The notification unit 97 notifies the user when the determination unit 96 determines that the remaining amount of ink and / or the medium 5 is low. Thereby, the user can recognize in advance that there may be a shortage of ink and / or the medium 5.

[0060] According to the management device 90 of the present embodiment, a first threshold value that is a threshold value for the remaining amount of ink and a second threshold value that is a threshold value for the remaining amount of the medium are provided. Thereby, the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 when the notification unit 97 notifies can be set for each of the ink and the medium 5.

[0061] According to the management device 90 of the present embodiment, the storage unit 91 stores a history of print jobs executed by the printer 10 in the past. The consumption amounts of ink and the medium 5 when each print job was executed are stored in the history. On the history page HP, when the user selects the selection button BT12, the calling unit 93 inputs the information of the selected history into the medium consumption amount input box MB and the ink consumption amount input box KB on the setting page SP, respectively. Thereby, when the user sets a print job similar to the print jobs executed in the past in the job schedule JS, the input of the consumption amounts of ink and the medium 5 can be simplified.

[0062] According to the management device 90 of the present embodiment, the display unit 95 displays the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information calculated by the calculation unit 94 on the display screen 90a. Thereby, the user can visually grasp the transition of the remaining amounts of ink and the medium 5 when, for example, the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are executed.

[0063] According to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, a printer 10 and a management device 90 are connected. Therefore, when print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are executed by the printer 10, the transition of the consumption status of the ink and the medium 5 of the printer 10 can be grasped.

[0064] The printing system 1 of the present embodiment includes printers 10A and 10B. The calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 for each of the printers 10A and 10B. Further, the display unit 95 displays the calculation results of the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 for each of the printers 10A and 10B on the display screen 90a. Therefore, the management device 90 can display the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 of a plurality of printers in a batch. Thereby, even when the user uses a plurality of printers 10, the transition of the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 in each printer 10 can be visually grasped.

[0065] According to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the management device 90 includes a selection unit 98. When the user selects the check box SB for displaying the result display page RP, at least one of the printers 10 is selected. The display unit 95 displays the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 of the printer 10 selected by the selection unit 98 on the display screen 90a. Therefore, even when a plurality of printers 10 are used, the user can grasp the transition of the remaining amounts of the ink and the medium 5 of the desired printer 10.

[0066] According to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the printer 10 includes an ink consumption measuring device 81 and a media consumption measuring device 82. Further, the control device 110 of the printer 10 includes a transmission unit 112. The consumption amounts of the ink and the media 5 measured by the ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measuring device 82 are transmitted to the management device 90 by the transmission unit 112. The information transmitted by the transmission unit 112 is acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99. When, for example, the print job PJ1 is executed, the calculation unit 94 executes calculation again based on the remaining amount acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99. Thereby, the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 at the date and time after the print job PJ1 is executed are calculated based on the consumption amounts acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99. The consumption amounts acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99 are the actually measured values measured by the ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measuring device 82. Therefore, for example, regarding the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 when the print jobs PJ2 and PJ3 are executed, the calculation result calculated by the calculation unit 94 before the print job PJ1 is executed and the calculation result calculated by the calculation unit 94 after the print job PJ1 is executed, the latter has less deviation between the calculation result and the actual remaining amount. Thereby, the accuracy of the calculation result of the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 can be improved. In particular, among the print jobs, the closer the execution date and time is to the current date and time, the higher the accuracy of the calculation result.

[0067] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in various forms.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the remaining amounts of the ink and the media 5 decreased at the date and time when the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 were executed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the printer 10, the ink head 61 may be cleaned. At this time, when the cleaning is executed, ink is consumed. For example, when it is set that the cleaning is executed at predetermined dates and times, the calculation unit 94 may also calculate the remaining amount of ink when consumed by the cleaning and calculate the remaining amount of ink for each date and time.

[0069] The technology disclosed herein can be applied to various types of printers. In addition to the so-called Roll-to-Roll type printer shown in the above-described embodiment, for example, it can also be similarly applied to a so-called flatbed type printer that fixes a recording medium on a table and conveys the table for printing. Further, it can also be similarly applied to a so-called gantry type printer that places a recording medium on a table and moves a carriage in a scanning direction Y and a conveyance direction X with respect to the table for printing.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 5 Media 10 Printer (Inkjet Printer) 90 Management Device (Consumable Management Device) 92 Input Unit 94 Calculation Unit PJ1 to PJ3 Print Jobs

Claims

1. A consumable management device used in an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a medium, for grasping the consumption status of a consumable including at least one of the medium and the ink, comprising: an input unit capable of inputting a plurality of print jobs having the consumption amount of the consumable and date and time information when printing is executed; a calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of the consumable at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of the consumable consumed for each print job input to the input unit and the date and time information for each print job input to the input unit. A consumable management device.

2. a determination unit that determines whether the remaining amount of the consumable calculated by the calculation unit is less than a predetermined threshold; a notification unit that notifies a user when the determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the consumable is less than the predetermined threshold. The consumable management device according to claim 1.

3. The consumable includes a first consumable and a second consumable different from the first consumable, The predetermined threshold has a first threshold that is a threshold for the remaining amount of the first consumable and a second threshold that is a threshold for the remaining amount of the second consumable. The consumable management device according to claim 2.

4. a storage unit that stores the consumption amount of the consumable when the print job is executed; a calling unit that inputs the consumption amount of the consumable stored in the storage unit to the input unit. The consumable management device according to claim 1.

5. equipped with a display screen, A display unit that displays the remaining amount of the consumable at the date and time indicated by the date and time information calculated by the calculation unit on the display screen. The consumable management device according to claim 1.

6. A consumable management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and the inkjet printer. A printing system.

7. The consumable management device according to claim 5; a plurality of the inkjet printers; The calculation unit calculates the remaining amount of the consumable for each of the plurality of inkjet printers, The display unit displays the remaining amounts of the consumables of the plurality of inkjet printers on the display screen. A printing system.

8. The consumable management device includes a selection unit that selects at least one of the plurality of inkjet printers. The printing system according to claim 7, wherein the display unit displays, on the display screen, the remaining amount of the consumable of the inkjet printer selected by the selection unit.

9. The inkjet printer includes a measuring device that measures the consumption amount of the consumable, and a transmitting unit that transmits the consumption amount of the consumable measured by the measuring device to the consumable management device. The consumable management device includes a consumption amount acquisition unit that acquires the consumption amount of the consumable measured by the measuring device. The calculation unit re-executes the calculation of the remaining amount of the consumable based on the value acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit when some of the plurality of printing jobs are executed. The printing system according to claim 6.

10. A consumable management method for grasping the consumption status of a consumable including at least one of the medium and the ink, used for an inkjet printer that discharges ink onto the medium, the method comprising: a setting step of setting a plurality of printing jobs having the consumption amount of the consumable and the date and time information when printing is executed; a calculation step of calculating the remaining amount of the consumable at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of the consumable consumed for each of the printing jobs set in the setting step and the date and time information for each of the printing jobs set in the setting step. A consumable management method.

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