Printing apparatus, and control method for printing apparatus

Abstract

To solve the problem that in a case where consumable products are easily attached to and removed from a printing apparatus, the notification that consumables need to be delivered may not be issued at an appropriate timing, which may occur running out of the consumable products.SOLUTION: When a remaining amount of an ink in a mounted ink tank is less than a first predetermined amount, an image forming apparatus 100 stores, in an ink tank non-volatile memory, a delivery-completed flag ON, and performs delivery notification (Fig.7). Information in the ink tank non-volatile memory is periodically stored in a body non-volatile memory (Fig.14). When the ink tank is removed and when the delivery-completed flag ON is not stored in the body non-volatile memory, the image forming apparatus 100 performs, on a display operation unit 460, display indicating that the delivery notification has not been transmitted and prompting a user to mount the ink tank (S803). Then, upon mounting of the removed ink tank, the imaging forming apparatus 100 causes the user to select whether or not to transmit the delivery notification (S806), and, upon selection of the transmission of the delivery notification, transmits the delivery notification (S809).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device and a method for controlling a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] There have been services that deliver consumables to customer users of printing devices such as printers and multifunction peripherals. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for preventing duplicate deliveries of consumables. In Patent Document 1, when the remaining amount of a consumable is low and it is determined that delivery is necessary, a notification requesting delivery is sent to a management server, and then transmission history information is written to a memory provided in the consumable, thereby preventing duplicate deliveries of the consumable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7137327 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some printing devices are configured so that consumables can be easily removed. In a printing device where consumables can be easily removed, there is a possibility that the user may remove the consumables from the printing device. Conventional technologies such as those described in Patent Document 1 do not take into consideration the possibility that a delivery request may not be notified if a consumable is removed from the printing device. In Patent Document 1, if a consumable is removed from the printing device before a delivery request notification is sent, there is a possibility that the delivery request notification may not be sent at the correct time. As a result, there is a possibility that the consumables may run out of stock by the time the printing device is used.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for preventing consumables from running out by reducing the number of times a consumables delivery request is not notified. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a printing device having a display unit, comprising: a first control means for, when the remaining amount of recording agent in a consumable item installed in the printing device becomes less than a first predetermined amount, storing notification information indicating that a notification requesting delivery of the consumable item has been sent in a first storage means provided in the installed consumable item and transmitting the notification to an external device; a second control means for, based on the information stored in the first storage means, storing information indicating that the notification has been sent as information on the installed consumable item in a second storage means provided in the printing device; and a third control means for, when the consumable item is removed from the printing device and the information indicating that the notification has been sent is not stored in the second storage means, displaying on the display unit of the printing device that the notification has not been sent and prompting the user to install the consumable item in the printing device. The present invention is characterized by having the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent consumables from running out by reducing the number of notifications requesting delivery of consumables. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an external view showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a consumables management server 102. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of information stored in a storage area of ​​a nonvolatile memory provided in an ink tank that can be installed in an image forming apparatus. FIG. [Figure 6]3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of information stored in a storage area of ​​a main body nonvolatile memory provided in the image forming apparatus; [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process at the time of delivery of an ink tank in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when an ink tank is removed from the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen that appears when an ink tank is removed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification selection screen when an ink tank is installed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification timing screen for changing the timing of delivery notification depending on the remaining amount of each consumable item. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change screen for changing the delivery notification timing for an ink tank of one color. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change screen for changing the delivery notification timing for all colors at once. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for periodically saving information in the nonvolatile memory of an ink tank in the nonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for updating information about the remaining amount of ink in a nonvolatile memory provided in an ink tank. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for updating information on the start date of use stored in a nonvolatile memory provided in an ink tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the relative arrangement of each component of the device used in this embodiment, the device shape, etc. are merely examples and are not limited to these. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted. In this embodiment, the printing device is shown as a single-function printer with a printing function, but is not limited to this. It may also be a copier with a printing function and a reading device that reads images on a document, or a multi-function peripheral (MFP) with other functions added.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 is a printer or MFP, which is an example of a printing apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is communicably connected to the Internet 106 and a consumables management server 102 via a router-integrated ONU 105.

[0011] The router-integrated ONU 105 is connected to the Internet 106 via an optical line. The ONU (Optical Network Unit) is a terminal device for the optical line and has the function of converting between optical signals of the optical line and electrical digital signals.

[0012] The consumables management server 102 is connected to the Internet 106. The consumables management server 102 includes a storage device (described later) and stores and manages data such as the start date of use, remaining amount information, and delivery information for each image forming apparatus it manages. The printing method of the image forming apparatus 100 used in this embodiment may be electrophotographic, inkjet, or another method. The consumables to be delivered in this embodiment are mainly recording agent containers. Specifically, these include ink cartridges, ink tanks, ink bottles, toner bottles, and toner cartridges. The recording agent containers are equipped with non-volatile memory, and when installed in the image forming apparatus 100, reading and writing to this memory is possible under the control of the CPU of the image forming apparatus 100. Details will be described later.

[0013] 2 is an external view showing an example of the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 is merely an example of an embodiment. Two rolls of paper 1 wound into a roll can be set in the image forming apparatus 100. An image is printed on paper 1 that is selectively pulled out from the two rolls set in paper feeders 200 arranged above and below. Once printed, the paper is ejected into stacker 3 located on the top of the image forming apparatus 100. Using various switches on the operation panel 2, the user can input various commands to the image forming apparatus 100, such as specifying the size of paper 1, switching between online and offline, setting the paper ejection destination, and turning the power on and off.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the consumables management server 102. As shown in FIG. The consumables management server 102 includes a CPU 352, a ROM 357, a RAM 358, a storage device 359, an I / F (LAN) unit 351, an operation unit 353, a display unit 354, and the like.

[0015] The ROM 357 is a non-volatile memory that stores various programs and data that run on the consumables management server 102. The RAM 358 is a volatile memory that is used as a temporary work area when the CPU 352 executes various programs. The storage device 359 is made up of, for example, multiple hard disk drives configured in a RAID configuration, and stores various data. The CPU 352 controls the consumables management server 102 by reading programs from the ROM 357 or the storage device 359, etc., into the RAM 358, and executing them.

[0016] The I / F (LAN) unit 351 is an interface with external devices connected via a network. The consumables management server 102 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the I / F (LAN) unit 351, and exchanges execution commands and data with the image forming apparatus 100. The operation unit 353 is made up of a plurality of switches including a power key. The display unit 354 is made up of a plurality of LEDs.

[0017] The information acquisition unit 355 and the determination unit 356 represent functions implemented by software, and are realized when the CPU 352 loads a program from the ROM 357 or the storage device 359, etc., into the RAM 358, and executes it. The information acquisition unit 355 communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 via the I / F (LAN) unit 351 at any timing to receive a delivery notification (notification requesting delivery of consumables, as described below) and acquire information such as the use start date, remaining amount, number of times installed, and delivery completion flag of each consumable in the image forming apparatus 100. It is assumed that this information is acquired using command communication specified by the manufacturer. The determination unit 356 determines whether or not to deliver consumables based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 355. Although not shown, the consumables management server 102 also has various functions implemented by software in addition to the information acquisition unit 355 and the determination unit 356.

[0018] The consumables management server 102 may be realized by one computer or by multiple computers. The consumables management server 102 may be configured to be realized using cloud computing technology, for example.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller unit 465 and an engine unit 466 that perform printing. The controller unit 465 includes an I / F (LAN) unit 451 , a CPU 452 , a ROM 457 , a RAM 458 , an NVRAM 459 , a display operation unit 460 , and a consumable attachment / detachment detection unit 461 .

[0020] The ROM 457 is a non-volatile memory that stores control execution codes (programs) and data for the image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 458 is a volatile memory that is used as a temporary work area when the CPU 452 executes various programs, and temporarily stores print image data during control execution of the image forming apparatus 100. The NVRAM 459 is a non-volatile memory that records various data necessary for maintaining the image forming apparatus 100 and stores information about images to be printed. The CPU 452 controls the image forming apparatus 100 by reading programs from the ROM 457, etc. into the RAM 458 and executing them.

[0021] The I / F (LAN) unit 451 is an interface with externally connected devices via a network. The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the consumables management server 102 via the I / F (LAN) unit 451, and exchanges execution commands and data with the consumables management server 102.

[0022] Display operation unit 460 has a user interface such as an LCD, LED, keys, and a touch panel. Execution operations and setting operations of each function of image forming apparatus 100 are performed using display operation unit 460. CPU 452 controls the operation state and display content of display operation unit 460. Consumables attachment / detachment detection unit 461 detects whether a consumable has been attached or detached using a sensor or the like.

[0023] In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus using four ink colors, black (BK), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), is described as an example, but the number of ink colors may be any number. Also, a configuration using recording materials other than the inks described above may be used. A Y ink tank 471, a C ink tank 473, an M ink tank 475, and a Bk ink tank 477 are removably attached to the engine unit 466. Each ink tank has an ink tank non-volatile memory as shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later. The Y ink tank 471 has a Y ink tank non-volatile memory 472, the C ink tank 473 has a C ink tank non-volatile memory 474, the M ink tank 475 has an M ink tank non-volatile memory 476, and the Bk ink tank 477 has a Bk ink tank non-volatile memory 478. The CPU 452 can read and write information such as that shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, from the non-volatile memory in each ink tank attached to the engine unit 466 via the engine unit 466. Note that there are no particular limitations on the composition of the ink contained in each ink tank, but this embodiment assumes the use of aqueous pigment ink containing a pigment as a colorant, water, and resin.

[0024] The determination unit 462 and the notification unit 463 represent functions implemented by software, and are realized by the CPU 452 reading a program from the ROM 457 or the like into the RAM 358 and executing it. When a consumable is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the determination unit 462 determines whether the delivery flag in the main body non-volatile memory related to the removed consumable is valid (ON) or invalid (OFF). The notification unit 463 issues a warning to the user when the determination unit 462 determines that the delivery flag in the main body non-volatile memory is invalid (OFF). Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 100 has various functions implemented by software in addition to the determination unit 462 and the notification unit 463.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of information stored in a storage area of ​​a nonvolatile memory provided in an ink tank that can be attached to the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. A storage area 501 is a storage area for storing the date and time when the ink tank started to be used, and information on the date and time when the ink tank was attached to the image forming apparatus 100 is recorded.

[0026] The memory area 502 is a memory area for storing the remaining amount of ink. When a new ink tank is installed, the remaining amount of ink is 100%, but as printing that consumes ink is performed, the remaining amount is reduced, and when the ink tank becomes empty, the remaining amount becomes 0%. A storage area 503 is a storage area for storing the number of times an ink tank has been installed. The first count is performed when a new ink tank is installed, but the count value also increases when the ink tank is removed and then installed again.

[0027] Memory area 504 is a memory area that stores whether or not a delivery notification of an ink tank has been sent to consumables management server 102. When a notification that triggers delivery (delivery notification) has not been sent, memory area 504 holds the initial value "0" representing OFF, but when a notification that triggers delivery is sent, "1" representing ON is written.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of information stored in a storage area of ​​the main body nonvolatile memory (NVRAM 459) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 6, information on the remaining ink amount, delivery completion flag, and read time for each ink color is stored in a specified storage area of ​​the main body's non-volatile memory. The following explanation will be given for Y ink as a representative, but the same applies to other ink colors such as C ink, M ink, and Bk ink.

[0029] The Y ink remaining amount 601 is information about the remaining amount of Y ink. The Y delivered flag 602 is a flag indicating that the Y ink has been delivered. The Y ink remaining amount information 601 and the Y delivered flag 602 store values ​​that are read periodically from the non-volatile memory of the Y ink tank. The time at which these values ​​are read is stored in an area indicated by the Y read time 603.

[0030] Note that since they are similar to the remaining Y ink amount 601, the Y delivered flag 602, and the Y read time 603, explanations of the remaining C ink amount 604, the C delivered flag 605, the C read time 606, the remaining M ink amount 607, the M delivered flag 608, the M read time 609, the remaining Bk ink amount 610, the Bk delivered flag 611, and the Bk read time 612 will be omitted.

[0031] Hereinafter, the process of ink tank delivery timing in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of delivery of an ink tank in image forming apparatus 100. The processing of this flowchart is realized by CPU 452 reading a program from ROM 457 or the like into RAM 358 and executing it. The processing of this flowchart is executed periodically for each ink tank installed in image forming apparatus 100. The execution timing for each ink tank may be the same or different. Periodically may mean at predetermined time intervals or after a predetermined amount of printing.

[0032] In step S701, the CPU 452 of the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the remaining ink amount 502 from the nonvolatile memory of the ink tank to be processed (hereinafter referred to as the "corresponding ink tank") and determines whether the remaining ink amount has reached the delivery setting value. Note that the delivery setting value is assumed to be set in advance and stored in the NVRAM 459 or the like.

[0033] If it is determined that the delivery setting value has not been reached (No in S701), the CPU 452 repeats the process of S701 and controls to continue monitoring the remaining ink amount in the ink tank. On the other hand, if it is determined that the delivery setting value has been reached (Yes in S701), the CPU 452 advances the process to S710.

[0034] In S710, the CPU 452 determines whether the delivery completion flag 504 stored in the ink tank nonvolatile memory of the ink tank in question is OFF. If it is determined here that the delivery completion flag 504 is ON (No in S710), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that the delivery completion flag 504 is OFF (Yes in S710), the CPU 452 advances the process to S702.

[0035] In S702, the CPU 452 writes the delivery completion flag 504 to the ink tank nonvolatile memory of the corresponding ink tank as ON, and the process proceeds to S703. In S703, the CPU 452 transmits a delivery notification to the consumables management server 102 and determines whether the delivery notification has been successfully transmitted.

[0036] If it is determined that the delivery notification has failed to be sent (No in S703), the CPU 452 stores the delivery notification in a delivery waiting queue (for example, provided in RAM 458) (S704), and after waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), returns to S703. On the other hand, if it is determined that the delivery notification has been successfully sent (Yes in S703), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart, and completes the series of steps.

[0037] Hereinafter, the process when an ink tank is removed from the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing that is performed when an ink tank is removed from image forming apparatus 100. The processing of this flowchart is realized by CPU 452 reading a program from ROM 457 or the like into RAM 358 and executing it. The processing of this flowchart is executed periodically for each ink tank installed in image forming apparatus 100. The execution timing for each ink tank may be the same or different. Periodically may mean at predetermined time intervals or after a predetermined amount of printing.

[0038] In S801, the CPU 452 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines via the consumables attachment / detachment detection unit 461 whether or not the ink tank to be processed (hereinafter referred to as the "corresponding ink tank") has been detached. If it is determined that the ink tank has not been removed (No in S801), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ink tank has been removed (Yes in S801), the CPU 452 proceeds to S802. Note that an alternative configuration is also possible in which, when an ink tank is removed, an interrupt signal is input from the consumable attachment / detachment detection unit 461 to the CPU 452, and the CPU 452 executes the processing from S802 onwards.

[0039] In S802, the CPU 452 determines whether the delivery completion flag (602, 605, 608, or 611 in FIG. 6) of the ink color corresponding to the ink tank stored in the nonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus 100 is OFF or not.

[0040] Here, if it is determined that the delivery completion flag for the ink color in question is ON (No in S802), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that the delivery completion flag for the ink color in question is OFF (Yes in S802), the CPU 452 advances the process to S803.

[0041] In S803, the CPU 452 displays a warning screen as shown in Fig. 9 on the display operation unit 460. This warning screen will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the warning screen displayed in S803 of FIG. 8 when an ink tank is removed.

[0042] 9, a warning message 901 warns that a delivery notification for the removed ink tank of the color has not been sent to the consumables management server 102, and corresponds to a message urging the user to install the removed ink tank. A "Yes" button 902 is a button that the user presses when he or she confirms the warning message. When it is detected that the "Yes" button 902 has been pressed, the CPU 452 proceeds to step S804 in FIG. 8.

[0043] In S804, the CPU 452 determines via the consumables attachment / detachment detection unit 461 whether or not the ink tank in question has been attached. If it is determined that the ink tank in question has not been installed (No in S804), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ink tank in question has been installed, the CPU 452 advances the process to S805.

[0044] In S805, the CPU 452 determines whether there is little ink remaining until the notification timing for the installed ink tank. This determination is made by the CPU 452 acquiring the value of the remaining ink amount 502 from the ink tank nonvolatile memory of the ink tank in question, and determining whether the difference between that remaining ink amount and the delivery setting value described above is less than a predetermined value. If the difference is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that there is little ink remaining until the notification timing.

[0045] If it is determined that the remaining amount is not very much (No in S805), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is only a small amount of charge remaining (Yes in S805), the CPU 452 advances the process to S806.

[0046] In S806, the CPU 452 displays a notification selection screen as shown in Fig. 10 on the display operation unit 460. This notification selection screen will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the notification selection screen displayed in S806 of FIG. 8 when an ink tank is installed.

[0047] In FIG. 10, confirmation 1001 is a message for confirming whether to send a delivery notification of an ink tank to the consumables management server 102. A "Yes" button 1002 is a button that the user presses to select whether to send a delivery notification to the consumables management server 102. A "No" button 1003 is a button that the user presses to select not to send a delivery notification to the consumables management server 102. When it is detected that the "Yes" button 1002 or the "No" button 1003 has been pressed, the CPU 452 proceeds to step S807 in FIG. 8.

[0048] In S807, the CPU 452 determines whether or not sending a delivery notification has been selected (whether the "Yes" button 1002 has been pressed) on the notification selection screen displayed in S806. If it is determined that the selection has been made not to send the delivery notification (the "No" button 1003 has been pressed) (No in S807), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined that sending a delivery notification has been selected (the "Yes" button 1002 has been pressed) (Yes in S807), the CPU 452 advances the process to S808. In S808, the CPU 452 writes the delivery completion flag 504 to the ink tank nonvolatile memory of the corresponding ink tank as ON, and the process proceeds to S809. In S809, the CPU 452 transmits the delivery notification information to the consumables management server 102, and ends the processing of this flowchart, thereby completing the series of steps.

[0050] Hereinafter, the function of changing the timing of delivery notification depending on the remaining amount of each consumable item will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification timing screen for changing the timing of delivery notification depending on the remaining amount of each consumable. This screen is displayed on display operation unit 460 in response to a predetermined user operation on display operation unit 460.

[0051] 11, a "set all colors at once" button 1101 is a button for changing the notification timing for all ink colors at once. When this button is pressed, a screen such as that shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display operation unit 460. The Cyan button 1102, Magenta button 1103, Yellow button 1104, and Black button 1105 are buttons for changing the notification timing for each ink color. When these buttons are pressed, a screen such as that shown in FIG.

[0052] An OK button 1106 is a button for changing the setting value on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel for changing the delivery notification timing. By pressing this button, the delivery timing is changed. A cancel button 1107 is a button on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel for changing the delivery notification timing to cancel without changing the setting value. By pressing this button, the setting change is canceled without changing the delivery timing.

[0053] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a change screen for changing the delivery notification timing for ink tanks of one color. Here, a screen for changing the delivery notification timing for a cyan ink tank is shown as a representative example. That is, this shows an example in which the button named cyan (Cyan button 1102) is pressed on the delivery notification timing screen in FIG. 11 described above.

[0054] On the color change screen, the user selects from options for setting values ​​in 10% increments, such as 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%, as shown in selection field 1201. While this embodiment shows an example of 10% increments, values ​​such as 15% or 76% may also be used instead of 10% increments. For example, if the option "20%" is selected in selection field 1201 and OK button 1202 is pressed, the timing when the ink remaining in the ink tank of the corresponding color falls below "20%" of full is set as the delivery notification timing.

[0055] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a change screen for changing the delivery notification timing for all colors at once. Here, a screen for changing the delivery notification timing for a cyan ink tank is shown as a representative example. That is, this shows an example in which the button named cyan (Cyan button 1102) is pressed on the delivery notification timing screen in FIG. 11 described above.

[0056] Even on the screen for changing all colors at once, the user selects from options for setting values ​​in 10% increments, such as 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%, as shown in the selection field 1301. While the example shows 10% increments in this embodiment, values ​​such as 15% or 76% may also be used instead of 10% increments. For example, if the option "30%" is selected in the selection field 1301 and the OK button 1202 is pressed, the timing when the ink remaining in all ink tanks for all colors falls below "30%" of full is set as the timing for the delivery notification.

[0057] Hereinafter, a process for periodically saving information in the nonvolatile memory of an ink tank to the nonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for periodically saving information from ink tank non-volatile memory to the non-volatile memory of the image forming apparatus 100. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 452 reading a program from the ROM 457 or the like into the RAM 358 and executing it. The processing of this flowchart is executed for each ink tank installed in the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the execution timing for each ink tank may be the same or different.

[0058] In S1401, the CPU 452 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether a certain period of time (for example, five minutes) has elapsed since the time when information from the non-volatile memory of the ink tank to be processed (hereinafter referred to as the "corresponding ink tank") was last read and saved in the non-volatile memory of the image forming apparatus. In more detail, the CPU 452 determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed since the time when the ink color stored in the non-volatile memory of the image forming apparatus 100 was read (any of 603, 606, 609, and 612 in FIG. 6) corresponding to the corresponding ink tank. In this embodiment, a five-minute cycle is used as an example, but any cycle such as one minute, ten minutes, twenty minutes, or one hour may be used.

[0059] If it is determined that the certain time has not yet elapsed (No in S1401), the CPU 452 repeats the process of S1401 and performs control to continue checking whether the certain time has elapsed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the certain time has elapsed (Yes in S1401), the CPU 452 advances the process to S1402.

[0060] In S1402, the CPU 452 reads the remaining ink amount 502 information from the nonvolatile memory of the ink tank in question and stores it in the RAM 458. Next, in S1403, the CPU 452 determines whether or not reading the remaining ink amount from the nonvolatile memory of the ink tank in S1402 above was successful.

[0061] If it is determined that reading the remaining ink amount has failed (No in S1403), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that the remaining ink amount was successfully read (Yes in S1403), the CPU 452 advances the process to S1404.

[0062] In S1404, the CPU 452 reads the information of the delivery completion flag 504 from the nonvolatile memory of the corresponding ink tank and stores it in the RAM 458. Next, in S1405, the CPU 452 determines whether or not the delivery completion flag was successfully read from the nonvolatile memory of the ink tank in S1404 above.

[0063] If it is determined that the delivery completion flag could not be read (No in S1405), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that the delivery completion flag has been successfully read (Yes in S1405), the CPU 452 advances the process to S1406. In S1406, the CPU 452 writes the information on the remaining ink amount and the delivery notification flag stored in the RAM 458 in S1402 and S1404 above to the non-volatile memory (NVRAM 459) of the image forming apparatus 100 described in Fig. 6, and ends the processing of this flowchart. Here, the information on the remaining ink amount and the delivery notification flag is stored in the non-volatile memory as information on the consumables (ink tanks) identified by the target ink color, etc. When identifying consumables, even if it is not the color, they may be managed so that they are identified by the unique identification number of each ink tank, etc.

[0064] Hereinafter, the process of updating the information on the remaining ink amount 502 in the nonvolatile memory provided in the ink tank shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the process for updating the information on the remaining ink amount 502 stored in the non-volatile memory of an ink tank. The process of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 452 reading a program from the ROM 457 or the like into the RAM 358 and executing it. Note that the process of this flowchart is executed periodically. Furthermore, "periodically" may mean at predetermined time intervals or after a predetermined amount of printing.

[0065] In S1501, the CPU 452 of the image forming apparatus 100 checks whether ink has been consumed by ink refilling. If it is determined that ink has been consumed due to ink refilling (Yes in S1501), the CPU 452 proceeds to S1502. In S1502, the CPU 452 calculates the amount of ink consumed for each color due to ink refilling, and proceeds to S1507. The processing from S1507 onwards will be described later.

[0066] On the other hand, if it is determined that ink consumption due to ink refilling has not occurred (No in S1501), the CPU 452 advances the process to S1503. In S1503, the CPU 452 checks whether ink has been consumed by printing. If it is determined that ink has been consumed by printing (Yes in S1503), the CPU 452 proceeds to S1504. In S1504, the CPU 452 calculates the ink consumption for each color by printing, and proceeds to S1507.

[0067] On the other hand, if it is determined that ink has not been consumed by printing (No in S1503), the CPU 452 advances the process to S1505. In S1505, the CPU 452 checks whether ink has been consumed by head cleaning. If it is determined that ink has been consumed due to head cleaning (Yes in S1505), the CPU 452 proceeds to S1506. In S1506, the CPU 452 calculates the amount of ink consumed by each color due to head cleaning, and proceeds to S1507.

[0068] On the other hand, if it is determined that ink has not been consumed due to head cleaning (No in S1505), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0069] After the ink consumption amounts have been calculated in steps S1502, S1504, and S1506, in step S1507 the CPU 452 reads the remaining ink amount 502 from the nonvolatile memory provided in the ink tank of the color for which ink has been consumed. Next, in step S1508, the CPU 452 calculates a new remaining amount of ink based on the remaining amount of ink read in step S1507 and the calculated ink consumption amount. Next, in S1509, the CPU 452 executes processing to write the remaining ink amounts calculated in S1508 above to the nonvolatile memory provided in the ink tanks of the colors from which ink has been consumed, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0070] Hereinafter, the process of updating the information on the usage start date 501 stored in the nonvolatile memory provided in the ink tank shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for updating the information on the usage start date 501 stored in the non-volatile memory of an ink tank. The process of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 452 reading a program from the ROM 457 or the like into the RAM 358 and executing it. Note that the process of this flowchart is executed periodically.

[0071] In S1601, the CPU 452 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines via the consumables attachment / detachment detection unit 461 whether or not the ink tank to be processed (hereinafter referred to as the "corresponding ink tank") has been attached. If it is determined that the ink tank in question is not installed (No in S1601), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ink tank in question has been installed (Yes in S1601), the CPU 452 proceeds to S1602. Note that an alternative configuration is also possible in which, when an ink tank is installed, an interrupt signal is input from the consumables installation / removal detection unit 461 to the CPU 452, and the CPU 452 executes the processing from S1602 onwards.

[0072] In S1602, the CPU 452 checks whether date and time information is recorded in the usage start date 501 in the ink tank nonvolatile memory of the ink tank in question. Here, if it is determined that date and time information is recorded in the usage start date 501 of the ink tank non-volatile memory (Yes in S1602), the CPU 452 ends the processing of this flowchart without updating the usage start date 501 of the ink tank non-volatile memory of the ink tank in question.

[0073] On the other hand, if it is determined that date and time information is not recorded in the usage start date 501 of the ink tank nonvolatile memory (No in S1602), the CPU 452 advances the process to S1603. In S1603, the CPU 452 acquires the date and time information of the image forming apparatus 100. Next, in S1604, the CPU 452 records the date and time information of the image forming apparatus 100 acquired in S1603 in the usage start date 501 in the ink tank nonvolatile memory provided with the ink tank, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0074] As described above, according to this embodiment, even in a device configuration in which consumables can be easily removed, it is possible to prevent the failure to notify a consumables delivery request (failure to send a delivery request), thereby preventing the occurrence of a shortage of consumables.

[0075] It goes without saying that the configurations and contents of the various data described above are not limited to those described above, and that the data may be configured in various configurations and contents depending on the application and purpose. Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be embodied as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, etc. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system made up of multiple devices, or may be applied to an apparatus made up of a single device. Furthermore, the present invention also includes any combination of the above embodiments.

[0076] Other Embodiments The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system made up of multiple devices, or to an apparatus made up of a single device. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these modifications are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. In other words, all configurations that combine the above-described embodiments and their modifications are included in the present invention.

[0077] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A printing device equipped with a display unit, a first control means for, when the remaining amount of recording agent in the consumables installed in the printing device becomes less than a first predetermined amount, storing notification information indicating that a notification requesting delivery of the consumables has been sent in a first storage means provided in the installed consumables, and transmitting the notification to an external device; a second control means for storing, in a second storage means provided in the printing device, information indicating that the notification has been sent as information about the installed consumables based on the information stored in the first storage means; and a third control means for displaying on a display unit of the printing device, when the consumable item has been removed from the printing device and information indicating that the notification has been sent is not stored in the second storage means, a message indicating that the notification has not been sent and a message urging the user to install the consumable item in the printing device; A printing device comprising: (Configuration 2) The printing device according to configuration 1, wherein the third control means, when detecting that the removed consumable has been installed in the printing device after displaying the notification, accepts a user selection as to whether or not to send the notification, and further, when accepting a user selection to send the notification, sends the notification. (Configuration 3) The printing device described in configuration 2, wherein the third control means detects that the removed consumable has been installed in the printing device after the display, and accepts the user selection if the difference between the remaining amount of recording agent in the consumable and the first predetermined amount is less than a second predetermined amount. (Configuration 4) The printing device is equipped with consumables for each of a plurality of colors of recording material, The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the first control means determines whether the remaining amount of the consumable recording agent for each of the plurality of colors of recording agent is less than the first predetermined amount, and sends the notification for the consumable recording agent of a color of the plurality of colors whose remaining amount of the consumable recording agent is less than the first predetermined amount. (Method 1) A method for controlling a printing device equipped with a display unit, comprising: a first control step of, when the remaining amount of recording agent in the consumables installed in the printing device becomes less than a first predetermined amount, storing notification information indicating that a notification requesting delivery of the consumables has been sent in a first storage means provided in the installed consumables, and transmitting the notification to an external device; a second control step of storing, in a second storage means provided in the printing device, information indicating that the notification has been sent as information about the installed consumables based on the information stored in the first storage means; a third control step of displaying on a display unit of the printing device, when the consumable item has been removed from the printing device and information indicating that the notification has been sent is not stored in the second storage means, a message indicating that the notification has not been sent and a message prompting the user to install the consumable item in the printing device; 1. A method for controlling a printing device, comprising:

Claims

1. A printing device equipped with a display unit, a first control means for, when the remaining amount of recording agent in the consumables installed in the printing device becomes less than a first predetermined amount, storing notification information indicating that a notification requesting delivery of the consumables has been sent in a first storage means provided in the installed consumables, and transmitting the notification to an external device; a second control means for storing, in a second storage means provided in the printing device, information indicating that the notification has been sent as information about the installed consumables based on the information stored in the first storage means; and a third control means for displaying on a display unit of the printing device, when the consumable is removed from the printing device and information indicating that the notification has been sent is not stored in the second storage means, a message indicating that the notification has not been sent and a message urging the user to install the consumable in the printing device; A printing device comprising:

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the third control means detects that the removed consumable item has been installed in the printing device after the display, it accepts a user selection as to whether or not to send the notification, and sends the notification in response to accepting the user selection to send the notification.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the third control means, when detecting that the removed consumable has been installed in the printing device after the display, accepts the user selection if the difference between the remaining amount of recording agent in the consumable and the first predetermined amount is less than the second predetermined amount.

4. The printing device is equipped with consumables for each of a plurality of colors of recording material, The printing device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first control means determines whether the remaining amount of consumable recording agent for each of the multiple colors of recording agent is less than the first predetermined amount, and sends the notification for the consumable recording agent of a color of the multiple colors for which the remaining amount of consumable recording agent is less than the first predetermined amount.

5. A method for controlling a printing device equipped with a display unit, comprising: a first control step of, when the remaining amount of recording agent in the consumables installed in the printing device becomes less than a first predetermined amount, storing notification information indicating that a notification requesting delivery of the consumables has been sent in a first storage means provided in the installed consumables, and transmitting the notification to an external device; a second control step of storing, in a second storage means provided in the printing device, information indicating that the notification has been sent as information about the installed consumables based on the information stored in the first storage means; a third control step of displaying on a display unit of the printing device, when the consumable item has been removed from the printing device and information indicating that the notification has been sent is not stored in the second storage means, a message indicating that the notification has not been sent and a message urging the user to install the consumable item in the printing device; 1. A method for controlling a printing device, comprising:

Images