Printing control device and printing control method

Abstract

To prevent a recording material container from being detached during replenishment of recording materials.SOLUTION: A printing control device for controlling a printing device which comprises an attachment part to which a replaceable recording material container is attached, reserving means that is replenished with recording materials from the recording material container, and printing means that performs printing using a recording material supplied from the reserving means, is provided with control means for controlling the printing device so that, when the printing device is instructed to start printing from the attachment part, first notification of preventing the recording material container from being detached from the attachment part is made when volumes of the recording materials in the recording material container are below volumes specified in a predetermined condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the control of a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In inkjet printing devices, if air bubbles get mixed in the path that supplies ink from the ink tank to the print head, it can cause ejection problems. Air bubbles mixed in the path can be removed by performing maintenance such as cleaning the print head. Patent Document 1 describes a system in which the ink tank is connected to a sub-tank that stores ink, and the sub-tank is connected to the print head, and by providing a means in the sub-tank that isolates the ink from the atmosphere, air bubbles that occur during ink supply, etc., can be removed within the sub-tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-226025 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To prevent air bubbles from getting mixed in, a check valve mechanism is sometimes installed in the path. However, even if a check valve mechanism is installed in the path, air bubbles may get mixed in the path when the ink tank is removed from its mounting portion, which may require maintenance such as cleaning.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent the recording material container from being removed while the recording material is being replenished. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a print control device that controls a printing device having an attachment section for attaching a replaceable recording material container, a storage means for replenishing and storing recording material from the recording material container, and a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means, and has a control means that, when an instruction to start printing is given in the printing device, if the capacity of recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined condition, controls to issue a first notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the attachment section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the recording container from being removed while the recording material is being replenished. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink supply mechanism. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a notification control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a first notification screen. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a notification control process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a second notification screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing device. The printing device 1 has a print engine unit 200 as a printing section, a scanner engine unit 300 as a scanner section, and a controller unit 100 that controls the entire printing device 1. The printing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an inkjet printing section. In this embodiment, a scanner section is also provided in addition to the printing section, but the printing device 1 does not necessarily have to have a scanner section, and may have other functional sections such as a facsimile. The printing device 1 is an example of a print control device.

[0011] First, the controller unit 100 will be described. The controller unit 100 includes a main controller 101, a host IF 102, a wireless IF 103, a print engine IF 104, a RAM 105, a ROM 106, an image processing unit 107, an operation panel 108, and a scanner engine IF 109. These units are connected via a bus 110.

[0012] The host IF 102 and wireless IF 103 are interfaces for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host device 400, which can communicate via wired or wireless communication. The host device 400 is an external device such as a PC (personal computer) or smartphone on which application software (e.g., a printer driver) dedicated to the printing device 1 is installed, or a server device. The host device 400 has a function for generating print data for printing image data on the printing device 1 and transmitting the print data and print instructions to the printing device 1. The host device 400 also has a function for receiving information regarding the status of the printing device 1 (e.g., the remaining ink level) from the printing device 1. The main controller 101 receives print data and print instructions from the host device 400 and transmits information regarding the status of the printing device 1 to the host device 400 via the host IF 102 or wireless IF 103. The main controller 101 may receive print data from a data providing device such as a digital camera or smartphone instead of the host device 400.

[0013] The main controller 101 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the overall operation of the printing device 1. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 105 temporarily stores various data. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 106 stores various programs and various data including ink level thresholds for issuing notifications based on low ink levels. The main controller 101 also uses the RAM 105 as work memory to execute various programs stored in the ROM 106, etc.

[0014] The print engine IF 104 is an interface that connects to the controller IF 201 of the print engine unit 200 and exchanges data including various commands with the print engine unit 200. The print engine unit 200 controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 according to instructions from the main controller 101. The scanner engine IF 109 is an interface that is connected to the controller IF 301 of the scanner engine unit 300 and exchanges data with the scanner engine unit 300. The scanner engine unit 300 controls various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit 300 in accordance with instructions from the main controller 101.

[0015] Image processing unit 107 performs predetermined image processing on image data in accordance with instructions from main controller 101. For example, image processing unit 107 performs input image processing, such as color correction, on image data input from scanner engine unit 300 via scanner engine IF 109. It also performs output image processing, such as color conversion and quantization, for outputting image data to print engine unit 200 via print engine IF 104. The image data obtained by these image processing operations is stored in RAM 105.

[0016] When main controller 101 receives print data from host device 400, it performs image processing on the image data included in the print data using image processing unit 107. Then, main controller 101 transmits the image data that has undergone image processing to print engine unit 200 via print engine IF 104. Furthermore, when the main controller 101 receives a read command from the host device 400 , it transmits the command to the scanner engine unit 300 via the scanner engine IF 109 . In addition, the main controller 101 receives the remaining ink amount from the print engine unit 200 via the print engine IF 104, and controls notifications based on a decrease in the remaining ink amount based on detecting that the remaining ink amount has fallen below the ink remaining amount threshold.

[0017] The operation panel 108 is a touch panel display or the like, and accepts user input operations and displays various information to be presented to the user. The main controller 101 controls the display content of the operation panel 108. The operation panel 108 may have switches and hard keys for user input operations, as well as a sound generator that generates sound (buzzer, voice, etc.) based on acoustic information. Note that in this embodiment, the operation panel 108 is mounted inside the printing device 1, but is not limited to this. For example, the host device 400 may also function as the operation panel 108.

[0018] Next, the print engine unit 200 will be described. The print engine unit 200 has a controller I / F 201, a print controller 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, and an image processing controller 205. The print engine unit 200 also has a maintenance control unit 210, an ink supply control unit 209, a head carriage control unit 208, a transport control unit 207, and a head I / F 206 to perform various controls. These units are connected via a bus 211. The print engine unit 200 is also connected to the print head 500 via the head I / F 206.

[0019] A print controller 202 configured by a CPU controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 using a RAM 204 as a work area in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 203. When the print controller 202 receives various commands and image data from the controller unit 100 via a controller IF 201, it temporarily stores them in the RAM 204.

[0020] The recording head 500 ejects ink onto a recording medium to print an image on the recording medium. The recording head 500 is an example of a printing unit. The recording head 500 has, for example, print heads for multiple colors. Note that, in this embodiment, an inkjet printing device using ink as the recording material will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to printing devices using various printing methods, such as thermal printers (sublimation type, thermal transfer type), dot impact printers, LED printers, laser printers, and other electrophotographic printers.

[0021] The print controller 202 controls the image processing controller 205 to generate print data from the image data stored in the RAM 204. When the print data is generated, the print controller 202 performs a printing operation based on the print data using the print head 500 via the head interface 206 under the control of the main controller 101. At this time, the print controller 202 controls the transport control unit 207 to transport the print medium. In this way, the print process is performed by performing the printing operation using the print head 500 in conjunction with the transport operation of the print medium.

[0022] The head carriage control unit 208 changes the orientation and position of the recording head 500 depending on the operating state of the printing device 1, such as the maintenance state or recording state. The ink supply control unit 209 has an ink supply mechanism (FIG. 2) and supplies ink to the print head 500 by controlling the ink supply mechanism. The maintenance control unit 210 controls the execution of cleaning of the transport rollers and the print head 500 controlled by the transport control unit 207 .

[0023] Next, the scanner engine unit 300 will be described. The scanner engine unit 300 includes a controller IF 301, RAM 303, a scanner controller 302, a transport control unit 304, and a sensor 305. These units are connected via a bus 306. The main controller 101 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 302 in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 106, using the RAM 105 as a work area. This controls various mechanisms included in the scanner engine unit 300. For example, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller 302 via the controller IF 301, causing a document set by a user to be transported via the transport control unit 304 and read by the sensor 305. The scanner controller 302 then stores the read data in the RAM 303. By providing sensors 305 on both the front and back sides of the document, the transport control unit 304 transports the document once, while simultaneously acquiring read data for two sides.

[0024] In this embodiment, the print data, image data, and read data are stored in the RAM 105, RAM 303, and RAM 204, but they may also be stored in a non-volatile device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0025] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the ink supply mechanism according to this embodiment. The ink supply mechanism 20 is configured to supply ink from an ink tank 220 to a print head 500. While the configuration for one color of ink is shown here, in reality, such a configuration is provided for each ink color (for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk)).

[0026] The ink supply mechanism includes an ink tank mounting portion 221 for mounting a removable ink tank 220, a main tank 223 for storing ink to be ejected by the print head 500, and a sub-tank 222 for temporarily storing ink replenished from the ink tank 220. The sub-tank 222 is located between the main tank 223 and the ink tank mounting portion 221. The sub-tank 222 is an example of a storage means. The ink tank mounting portion 221 and the sub-tank 222 are connected by an ink flow path 224. The sub-tank 222 and the main tank 223 are connected by an ink flow path 225. The main tank 223 is mounted on the print head 500 or near the print head 500. During printing, ink is supplied to the print head 500 via the route of the sub-tank 222 → ink flow path 225 → main tank 223.

[0027] The ink tank mounting unit 221 has a sensor that can detect the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank 220 by optical or pressure detection methods, etc. The sub-tank 222 also has a sensor that can detect the amount of ink remaining in the sub-tank 222. The ink supply control unit 209 transmits the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank 220 and the amount of ink remaining in the sub-tank 222 detected by each sensor to the controller unit 100 via the controller IF 201.

[0028] The following three ink remaining thresholds are defined for issuing notifications based on low ink levels: ink tank threshold A, which indicates that the ink level in the ink tank 220 is low; ink tank threshold B, which indicates that the ink level in the ink tank 220 is empty; and subtank threshold, which indicates that the ink level in the subtank 222 is low. These ink remaining thresholds are pre-stored in the ROM 106 or the like. Note that the ink tank threshold A and the subtank threshold may be set to any predetermined ink capacity.

[0029] When the main controller 101 detects a decrease in the amount of ink remaining in the subtank 222, it controls the ink supply control unit 209 to perform an ink supply process of replenishing ink from the ink tank 220 to the subtank 222. Note that one or more openable and closable check valves and pressure reducing pumps (not shown) may be provided on the ink flow paths 224, 225, and the ink supply control unit 209 may operate these to control the pressure and flow rate inside the ink supply mechanism to be appropriate.

[0030] The ink tank 220 can be removed by pulling it out from the ink tank mounting portion 221. Removing the ink tank 220 and replacing it with a new ink tank enables ink replenishment. The ink tank 220 is an example of a replaceable recording material container. There is no physical locking mechanism to prevent the ink tank 220 from being removed from the ink tank mounting portion 221. Therefore, the ink tank 220 can be removed even during printing. In this embodiment, since a subtank 222 is provided, as long as there is ink in the subtank 222, printing can continue even if the ink tank 220 is removed and replaced with a new ink tank during printing.

[0031] When performing the ink refill process of refilling the subtank 222 with ink from the ink tank 220, the ink supply control unit 209 draws ink from the ink tank 220 into the subtank 222 by creating a negative pressure inside the subtank 222. Therefore, if the ink tank 220 is removed from the ink tank mounting portion 221 during the ink refill process, air will be taken in through the extraction port of the ink tank 220, and there is a high possibility that air bubbles will be mixed into the ink flow path of the ink supply mechanism 20. If air bubbles are mixed into the ink supply mechanism 20, maintenance to remove the air bubbles, such as cleaning the print head 500, will be necessary. On the other hand, providing a physical locking mechanism to prevent the ink tank 220 from being removed from the ink tank mounting portion 221 would lead to an increase in the complexity of the device and manufacturing costs.

[0032] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the printing process starts, if the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 220 falls below the ink tank threshold A, a notification is sent to prevent the ink tank 220 from being removed, as there is a high possibility that the ink tank will be replaced during the ink replenishment process.

[0033] <Notification control process> FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of notification control processing according to this embodiment. The notification control processing according to this embodiment is processing for issuing a notification to prevent the ink tank 220 from being removed from the ink tank mounting portion 221 if the remaining ink level in the ink tank 220 falls below a predetermined condition (for example, ink tank threshold A) when a command to start printing is issued. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is realized by the main controller 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 106 or the like into the RAM 105 and executing it. In the following explanation, each process (step) is represented by adding an S to the beginning, and the process (step) is not represented in detail. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is executed when there is printable print data, for example.

[0034] In S300, the main controller 101 receives an instruction to start printing of print data. For example, the main controller 101 receives the instruction to start printing by a user's input operation on the operation panel . In S301, the main controller 101 obtains the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 220 from the print engine unit 200 and determines whether the remaining amount of ink is below ink tank threshold A. If the remaining amount of ink is below ink tank threshold A, the process proceeds to S302; if the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than ink tank threshold A, the process proceeds to S304. Note that ink tank threshold B may be used instead of ink tank threshold A. Ink tank threshold A is an example of a predetermined condition.

[0035] In S302, the main controller 101 issues a notification to prevent the ink tank 220 from being removed from the ink tank mounting portion 221. In this embodiment, a first notification screen including a message instructing the user not to remove the ink tank until a message indicating that the ink tank can be replaced is displayed on the operation panel 108. The main controller 101 may issue the notification audibly using a sound generator. The main controller 101 may also control the display unit of the host device 400 to display the first notification screen.

[0036] 4 shows an example of a first notification screen displayed on the operation panel 108. The first notification screen 410 displays an instruction not to remove the ink tank and a message informing the user that maintenance may be required if the ink tank is removed. The first notification screen 410 also has an OK button 411 for inputting the user's approval.

[0037] In S303, the main controller 101 determines whether or not the OK button 411 on the first notification screen 410 has been touched. The main controller 101 continues to display the first notification screen 410 until it has been touched, and if it has been touched, the main controller 101 makes the first notification screen 410 non-displayable and proceeds to S304.

[0038] In S304, the main controller 101 controls the print engine unit 200 to execute the printing process of the print data. In S305, the main controller 101 determines whether the printing process of the print data has been completed. If unprinted print data remains, the process returns to S304 to continue the printing process, and if the printing process of the print data has been completed, the process ends this flowchart.

[0039] According to the present embodiment, when the ink level in an ink tank is low and there is a possibility that the ink will run out during a printing process, a notification is sent to advise the user not to remove the ink tank, thereby preventing the ink tank from being removed during an ink replenishment process. In other words, the possibility of air bubbles getting into the ink flow path of the ink supply mechanism can be reduced.

[0040] [Embodiment 2] In this embodiment, a notification control process will be described for the case where a notification is issued to prevent the ink tank 220 from being removed from the ink tank mounting portion 221 during the ink refill process. Below, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of notification control processing according to this embodiment. The processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is realized by the main controller 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 106 or the like into the RAM 105 and executing it. The flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is executed when there is printable print data. Note that the notification control processing shown in Fig. 5 may be executed instead of the notification control processing shown in Fig. 3, or may be executed in parallel with the notification control processing shown in Fig. 3.

[0042] In S500, the main controller 101 receives an instruction to start printing of print data. For example, the main controller 101 receives the instruction to start printing by an input operation by the user on the operation panel . In S501, the main controller 101 obtains the remaining amount of ink in the subtank 222 from the print engine unit 200 and determines whether the remaining amount of ink is below the subtank threshold. If the remaining amount of ink is below the subtank threshold, the process proceeds to S504 to perform ink refill processing to refill the subtank 222 with ink from the ink tank 220; if the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than the subtank threshold, the process proceeds to S503.

[0043] In S503, the main controller 101 determines whether the printing process of the print data has been completed. If unprinted print data remains, the process returns to S501 to continue the printing process of the print data. If the printing process of the print data has been completed, the process ends this flowchart. In S504, the main controller 101 issues a notification to prevent the ink tank 220 from being removed from the ink tank mounting portion 221. This notification remains displayed while the ink refill process, which begins in the next step, is being performed. In this embodiment, a second notification screen containing a message instructing the user not to remove the ink tank is displayed on the operation panel 108 until the notification screen disappears. The main controller 101 may issue the notification audibly using a sound generator. The main controller 101 may also control the display unit of the host device 400 to display the second notification screen.

[0044] 6 shows an example of a second notification screen displayed on the operation panel 108. The second notification screen 600 displays an instruction not to remove the ink tank and a message informing the user that maintenance may be required if the ink tank is removed. The second notification screen 600 also displays a status bar 601 that indicates the progress of the ink refill process. The second notification screen 600 may also be provided with an OK button for inputting user approval, and the process may proceed to the next step only when the OK button is touched.

[0045] In S505, the main controller 101 starts the ink supply process. In S506, the main controller 101 obtains the remaining ink amount in the ink tank 220 from the print engine unit 200 and determines whether the remaining ink amount is below the in-tank threshold A. If the remaining ink amount is below the ink tank threshold A, the process proceeds to S507; if the remaining ink amount is equal to or greater than the ink tank threshold A, the process proceeds to S512. Note that in this embodiment, the ink tank threshold A is the same as the in-tank threshold A used in the first embodiment, but a different ink volume from that in the first embodiment may be set. The ink tank threshold A is an example of a specific condition.

[0046] In S507, the main controller 101 determines whether the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 220 falls below in-tank threshold B, which is lower than in-tank threshold A. Here, ink tank threshold B indicates that the ink in the ink tank 220 has run out. In other words, if there is no ink remaining, it is assumed that the ink tank 220 needs to be replaced and the process proceeds to S509, and if there is still ink remaining, the process proceeds to S508.

[0047] In S508, the main controller 101 writes a value indicating that the ink tank 220 is low to the RAM 105, etc. If the ink refill process is not being performed, the main controller 101 will issue a notification indicating that the ink level is low if the ink level falls below the ink tank threshold A. On the other hand, if the ink refill process is being performed, the main controller 101 will not issue a notification indicating that the ink level is low even if the ink level falls below the ink tank threshold A.

[0048] In S509, the main controller 101 stops the ink supply process and also hides the second notification screen 600. In S510, the main controller 101 issues a notification that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is low and that ink tank replacement is permitted. In S511, the main controller 101 continues the notification in S510 until the ink tank replacement is complete, and when the ink tank replacement is complete, resumes the ink supply process. In this way, if the ink tank 220 runs out of ink during the ink refill process, the main controller 101 stops the ink refill process and then issues a notification indicating that the ink tank can be replaced.

[0049] In S512, the main controller 101 determines whether or not the ink supply process has ended. If the ink supply process has ended, the second notification screen 600 is hidden and the process proceeds to S513, but if the ink supply process has not ended, the ink supply process continues. In S513, the main controller 101 determines whether a value indicating that the ink tank 220 is low has been written to the RAM 105, etc. If it has been written, the process proceeds to S514, and if it has not been written, the process proceeds to S501.

[0050] In S514, the main controller 101 issues a notification indicating that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is low. In this way, even if the ink level in the ink tank 220 becomes low during the ink replenishment process, the main controller 101 does not issue a notification indicating that the ink level is low during the ink replenishment process, but issues a notification indicating that the ink level is low after the ink replenishment process is completed.

[0051] According to the present embodiment, by issuing a notice not to remove the ink tank during the ink supply process, it is possible to prevent the ink tank from being removed during the ink supply process, which in turn reduces the possibility of air bubbles getting into the ink flow path of the ink supply mechanism.

[0052] The various controls described above as being performed by the main controller 101 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware (e.g., a plurality of processors or circuits) sharing the processing. Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0053] In the above-described embodiments, various notifications are controlled by the main controller 101 built into the main body of the printing device 1, but notifications regarding low ink levels may also be controlled by the CPU of the host device 400. In this case, the printing device 1 may transmit the ink level status and the status of the printing device 1 (for example, printing process in progress, ink replenishment process in progress) to the host device 400. For example, based on information received from the printing device 1, the host device 400 may control the printing process to issue a notification to prevent the ink tank from being removed from the ink tank mounting portion if the ink level in the ink tank 220 falls below a threshold when printing process begins.

[0054] (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. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0055] The disclosure of the above-described embodiments includes the following configurations, methods, programs, and storage media. (Configuration 1) a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A print control device that controls a printing device having a control means for controlling the printing device to issue a first notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting portion if the volume of the recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined condition when a command to start printing is given to the printing device; A print control device having the same. (Configuration 2) The control means further controls the printing device to issue a second notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting portion when a replenishment process is being performed to replenish the recording material from the recording material container to the storage means in the printing device. 2. The print control device according to configuration 1, (Configuration 3) The print control device described in configuration 2 is characterized in that the control means controls the supply process to stop when the recording material container runs out of recording material, and to issue a third notification indicating that the recording material container can be removed from the mounting portion. (Configuration 4) The control means if the replenishment process has not been performed and the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a specific condition, a fourth notification regarding the recording material is given; When the supply process is being performed and the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below the specific condition, control is performed so that the fourth notification is not made. 4. The print control device according to configuration 2 or 3. (Configuration 5) The print control device according to configuration 4, characterized in that the control means controls the device to issue the fourth notification after the completion of the replenishment process if the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined amount while the replenishment process is being performed. (Configuration 6) a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A print control device that controls a printing device having a control unit that controls the printing device to issue a second notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting unit when a replenishing process is being performed to replenish the recording material from the recording material container to the storage unit; A print control device having the same. (Configuration 7) The print control device according to configuration 6, characterized in that the control means controls the supply process to stop when the recording material container runs out of recording material, and to issue a third notification indicating that the recording material container can be removed from the mounting portion. (Configuration 8) a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A print control device that controls a printing device having In the printing device, when a replenishment process for replenishing recording material from the recording material container to the storage means has not been performed and the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a specific condition, a fourth notification regarding the recording material is issued; a control unit that controls the recording material supply unit so as not to issue the fourth notification when the remaining amount of the recording material in the recording material container falls below the specific condition during the supply process; A print control device comprising: (Configuration 9) The print control device according to configuration 8, wherein the control means controls the device to issue the fourth notification after completion of the replenishment process if the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined amount while the replenishment process is being performed. (Configuration 10) 10. The print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the recording material is ink, and the printing means is an inkjet system. (Configuration 11) 11. The print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the print control device is a main body of the printing device. (Configuration 12) 12. The print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the print control device is an external device that can communicate with the printing device and transmits a print instruction and print data to the printing device. (Method 1) a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A printing control method for controlling a printing device having a control step of controlling the printing device so that, when a command to start printing is issued and the volume of recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined condition, a first notification is given regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting portion. A printing control method including: (Method 2) a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A printing control method for controlling a printing device having a control step of controlling the printing device to issue a second notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting portion when a replenishing process is being performed to replenish the recording material from the recording material container to the storage means. A printing control method comprising: (Method 3) a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A printing control method for controlling a printing device having In the printing device, when a replenishment process for replenishing recording material from the recording material container to the storage means has not been performed and the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a specific condition, a fourth notification regarding the recording material is issued; a control step of controlling not to issue the fourth notification when the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below the specific condition while the replenishment process is being performed; A printing control method comprising: (program) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the print control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 12. (storage medium) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: Printing device, 20: Ink supply mechanism, 108: Operation panel, 220: Ink tank, 221: Ink tank mounting section, 222: Sub-tank, 500: Recording head

Claims

1. a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A print control device that controls a printing device having a control means for controlling the printing device to issue a first notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting portion if the volume of the recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined condition when a command to start printing is given to the printing device; A print control device having the same.

2. The control means further controls the printing device to issue a second notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting portion when a replenishing process is being performed to replenish the recording material from the recording material container to the storage means in the printing device.

2. The print control device according to claim 1.

3. 3. The printing control device according to claim 2, wherein the control means controls the supply process to stop when the recording material container runs out of recording material, and to issue a third notification indicating that the recording material container can be removed from the mounting portion.

4. The control means If the replenishment process has not been performed and the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a specific condition, a fourth notification regarding the recording material is issued; When the supply process is being performed and the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below the specific condition, control is performed so that the fourth notification is not made.

3. The print control device according to claim 2.

5. 5. The printing control device according to claim 4, wherein the control means controls the fourth notification to be made after the completion of the replenishment process if the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined amount while the replenishment process is being performed.

6. a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A print control device that controls a printing device having a control unit that controls the printing device to issue a second notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting unit when a replenishing process is being performed to replenish the recording material from the recording material container to the storage unit; A print control device having the same.

7. The printing control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control means controls the supply process to stop when the recording material container runs out of recording material, and to issue a third notification indicating that the recording material container can be removed from the mounting portion.

8. a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A print control device that controls a printing device having In the printing device, when a replenishment process for replenishing recording material from the recording material container to the storage means has not been performed and the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a specific condition, a fourth notification regarding the recording material is issued; a control means for controlling not to issue the fourth notification when the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below the specific condition while the replenishment process is being performed; A print control device comprising:

9. 9. The printing control device according to claim 8, wherein the control means controls the fourth notification to be made after the completion of the replenishment process if the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined amount while the replenishment process is being performed.

10. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is ink, and the printing means is an inkjet printing system.

11. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the print control device is a main body of the printing device.

12. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the print control device is an external device that can communicate with the printing device and transmits print instructions and print data to the printing device.

13. 7. The print control device according to claim 6, wherein the recording material is ink, and the printing means is an inkjet type.

14. 7. The print control device according to claim 6, wherein the print control device is a main body of the printing device.

15. 7. The print control device according to claim 6, wherein the print control device is an external device that can communicate with the printing device and transmits print instructions and print data to the printing device.

16. 9. The print control device according to claim 8, wherein the recording material is ink, and the printing means is an inkjet type.

17. 9. The print control device according to claim 8, wherein the print control device is a main body of the printing device.

18. 9. The print control device according to claim 8, wherein the print control device is an external device that can communicate with the printing device and transmits print instructions and print data to the printing device.

19. a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A printing control method for controlling a printing device having a control step of controlling the printing device so that, when a command to start printing is issued and the volume of recording material in the recording material container falls below a predetermined condition, a first notification is given regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting portion. A printing control method including:

20. a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A printing control method for controlling a printing device having a control step of controlling the printing device to issue a second notification regarding not removing the recording material container from the mounting portion when a replenishing process is being performed to replenish the recording material from the recording material container to the storage means. A printing control method comprising:

21. a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable recording material container; a storage means for replenishing and storing the recording material from the recording material container; a printing means for printing using the recording material supplied from the storage means; A printing control method for controlling a printing device having In the printing device, when a replenishment process for replenishing recording material from the recording material container to the storage means has not been performed and the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below a specific condition, a fourth notification regarding the recording material is issued; a control step of not issuing the fourth notification when the remaining amount of recording material in the recording material container falls below the specific condition while the replenishing process is being performed; A printing control method comprising:

22. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

23. 19. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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