Recording device, management server, ordering system, recording method of recording device, and program

Abstract

To make it possible to place an order at timing where an ink bottle is in an appropriate state.SOLUTION: A recording device includes an ink tank which reserves ink supplied from an ink bottle, and a head to which ink is supplied from the ink tank. The recording device has determining means for determining a value related to ink consumption in the ink bottle on the basis of a value related to the ink consumption in the ink tank, and transmission means for transmitting information indicating a value related to the ink consumption in the ink bottle when the value related to the ink consumption in the ink bottle reaches a prescribed threshold, to a server, and performs a process for placing an order for a new ink bottle on the basis of an ink consumption quantity in the ink bottle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for ordering consumables of a recording device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, recording devices that can connect to the Internet and communicate with a WEB server have emerged. In Patent Document 1, a consumable ordering system has been proposed in which a recording device detects the remaining amount state of a cartridge consumable that supplies ink to a head in the recording device, and orders the cartridge consumable when the remaining amount of the consumable becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in an ink bottle system recording device that injects ink from an ink bottle into an ink tank that supplies ink to a head, with the technique of Patent Document 1, ordering may not be performed at an appropriate timing. For example, there may be cases where an ink bottle is ordered when the amount of ink in the ink bottle is sufficient, or when the ink in the ink bottle has already run out.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables an ink bottle to be ordered at an appropriate timing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a recording apparatus having an ink tank for storing ink supplied from an ink bottle and a head to which ink is supplied from the ink tank, the recording apparatus comprising: determining means for determining a second value related to consumption of the ink in the ink bottle based on a first value related to consumption of the ink in the ink tank; transmission means for transmitting to a A notification including information related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle is A notification including information related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle is server to when the second value related to consumption of the ink in the ink bottle reaches a first threshold value; and means for automatically update to a value obtained by subtracting the value corresponding to one ink bottle from the second value resetting the second value related to consumption of the ink in the ink bottle when the second value related to consumption of the ink in the ink bottle reaches a second threshold value. The Update means is further capable of receiving an instruction from a user to reset the second value related to consumption of the ink in the ink bottle and resetting the second value according to the instruction from the user. Update

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the ink bottle can be ordered at an appropriate timing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in the present embodiments are essential for the solution means of the present invention.

[0010] <Configuration of the Consumable Ordering System 100> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the consumable ordering system 100 in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the consumable ordering system 100 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the consumable ordering system 100 in the present embodiment includes a management server 102 that performs an ordering process for an ink bottle, a store server 103 related to the delivery of the ink bottle, and a printer 104 that is a recording device. Note that in the present embodiment, the consumable ordering system 100 is a system having a recording device and one or more servers. In the case of FIG. 1, it has a configuration including a recording device, a management server, and a store server, but a configuration having a single server that also has the functions of the recording device, the management server, and the store server may also be acceptable.

[0011] The management server 102 and the store server 103 are each connected to the Internet 101. The printer 104 can be connected to the Internet via the router 105. The management server 102 manages the information transmitted from the printer 104 and can provide the information transmitted from the printer 104 to the store server 103 via the Internet 101. For each communication, control is performed through HTTP or XMPP, etc. Note that the protocol is not limited to these, and other protocols may be used.

[0012] <Configuration of the Server> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 102. Hereinafter, the configuration of the management server 102 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The management server 102 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a storage device 204, an operation unit 205, a display unit 206, a network communication unit 207, and a network connection unit 208.

[0013] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit for controlling each part of the management server 102. The RAM 202 serves as a working memory required when the CPU 201 executes a program. The ROM 203 is a read-only memory for storing the program executed by the CPU 201. The storage device 204 is a device for storing the database 209 and various information, and is a non-volatile storage device such as a magnetic disk or a flash memory, for example. The operation unit 205 includes a keyboard, a mouse, etc. for the user to perform various input operations. The display unit 206 is composed of, for example, an LCD. Various information is displayed on the display unit 206 and presented to the user. The network communication unit 207 is connected to a network such as the Internet 101 via the network connection unit 208 and performs various communications. The above-described each part is interconnected by a bus 210 and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0014] For now, assume that the store server 103 has the same hardware configuration as the management server 102, and the description thereof will be omitted. However, the store server 103 may have a hardware configuration different from that of the management server 102. Also, in FIG. 2, the store server 103 and the management server 102 are each composed of one server device (information processing device), but they may each be configured as a server system composed of one or more servers. Alternatively, the store server 103 and the management server 102 may each have a configuration that operates on a virtual server using a cloud service.

[0015] <Hardware Configuration of Recording Device> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printer 104. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the recording device. FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams of the state where the main body cover 401 of the printer 104 is closed and open, respectively. Also, FIG. 4(c) is a schematic diagram of a state where an ink bottle 403 is held at an ink injection port 404 of an ink tank unit 309 included in the printer 104, and ink is being injected from the ink bottle 403. Hereinafter, the configuration of the printer 104 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the case of an ink cartridge, ink is replenished by replacing an old ink cartridge installed in the printer with a new ink cartridge. However, in the case of an ink bottle, ink is replenished by injecting ink from the ink bottle into the ink tank in the printer.

[0016] The printer 104 includes a printer unit 308, a scanner unit 310, and an ink tank unit 309. The printer 104 also includes a CPU 301, a display unit 306, an operation unit 307, a network communication unit 304, and a network connection unit 305. In the present embodiment, as an example of the recording device, the printer 104, which is a multifunction printer, will be described as an example, but the present embodiment may use a recording device other than a printer. As an example of an applicable recording device, a copier or a facsimile machine may be used. Alternatively, a recording device not equipped with a scanner function may be used.

[0017] In the printer 104, the printing function is realized by the printer unit 308, and the scanner function is realized by the scanner unit 310. The ink tank unit 309 is provided for each ink color and stores ink. As shown in FIG. 4(c), the ink tank unit 309 includes an ink inlet 404 and can replenish the consumable ink from the ink bottle 403 which is an accommodation container. The capacity of the ink bottle 403 described below is larger than the capacity of the ink tank in the ink tank unit. Therefore, ink injection can be performed multiple times with one ink bottle. However, this embodiment is applicable not only when the capacity of the ink bottle 403 is larger than the capacity of the ink tank. For example, the capacity of the ink bottle 403 and the capacity of the ink tank may be the same, or the capacity of the ink bottle 403 may be smaller than the capacity of the ink tank.

[0018] The printer unit 308 has a head 402 which is an ink ejection part, and ink is supplied from each ink tank unit 309 to the head 402 via a tube. Also, based on the image data received from the outside or the image data read from the scanner unit 310, etc., the printer unit 308 records (i.e., prints) an image on a recording medium such as printing paper (not shown) by an inkjet method. Further, the printer unit 308 also manages paper information including ink information and the number of sheets of paper loaded. The ink information is information including the remaining amount of ink. The printer unit 308 of this embodiment manages the ink information of the ink tank and the ink information of the ink bottle. The ink information and the paper information managed by the printer unit 308 may be managed by placing a non-volatile memory in the printer unit, or may be managed by the non-volatile RAM 302 or the rewritable ROM 303 in the printer 104.

[0019] The scanner unit 310 optically reads a document set on a document table (not shown), converts it into electronic data, and further converts the image data into a specified file format, and then transmits the converted image data to an external device via a network or stores it in a storage area (not shown) such as an HDD. The copy function is realized by transferring the image data generated by reading the document placed on the document table by the scanner unit 310 to the printer unit 308, and the printer unit 308 records an image on a recording medium based on the image data.

[0020] The CPU 301 is a central processing unit for controlling each part within the printer 104. The ROM 303 stores various program codes and an application for communicating with the management server 102. The module of the application generates status information described later. The RAM 302 temporarily stores image data and the like or performs buffering during the execution of each service. The display unit 306 is composed of, for example, an LCD, and various types of information are displayed thereon. The operation unit 307 has switches and the like for the user to perform various input operations. The network communication unit 304 is connected to the router 105 via the network connection unit 305. That is, the network communication unit 304 is connected to a network such as the Internet 101 via the network connection unit 305 to perform various types of communication. In various types of communication, control is performed through HTTP or XMPP, etc. Note that the protocol is not limited to these, and other protocols may be used. The RAM 302 also stores image data and the like received by the network communication unit 304. The above-described each part is interconnected by a bus 311 and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0021] <Software Configuration of the Recording Device> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration related to the ordering process of an ink bottle in the CPU 301 of the recording device. Hereinafter, the software configuration of the recording device in the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 5. The CPU 301 includes a determination unit 501, a notification unit 502, a transmission unit 503, and a reset unit 504.

[0022] The determination unit 501 determines the remaining ink amount in each ink tank (hereinafter simply referred to as the remaining amount of the ink tank) and the ink consumption amount in each ink bottle (hereinafter simply referred to as the consumption amount of the ink bottle). Specifically, first, the printer unit 308 counts the ejection amount of the ink ejected from the head 402, and specifies the ink consumption amount of the ink tank based on the count value. Based on the specified consumption amount of the ink tank, the remaining amount of each ink tank (ink information of the ink tank) is specified. Also, the ink consumption amount of the ink bottle may be specified based on the count value of the ejection amount of the ink ejected from the head 402.

[0023] In addition, in this example, an example of detecting the remaining amount of the ink tank based on the count value of the ejection amount of the ink has been described. However, a residual liquid sensor may be provided in the ink tank, and the remaining amount of the ink tank may be detected based on the value detected by the residual liquid sensor. Also, the ink consumption amount of the ink bottle is not limited to the above example. For example, the consumption amount of each ink bottle (ink information of the ink bottle) may be calculated based on the difference between the remaining amount of each specified ink tank and the remaining amount of the ink tank held by the printer unit 308 before detection.

[0024] When the notification unit 502 determines that the remaining amount of each ink tank updated by the determination unit 501 is the remaining amount that requires ink replenishment, it notifies the user to prompt ink replenishment via the display unit 306 of the printer 104.

[0025] Based on the consumption amount of each ink bottle updated by the determination unit 501, when the consumption amount of at least one ink bottle reaches a predetermined threshold value, the transmission unit 503 transmits status information to the management server 102 via the network communication unit 304 of the printer 104. The details of the status information will be described later. Also, a detailed description of the ordering process of the ink bottle will be described later using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.

[0026] The reset unit 504 performs a reset as necessary for the consumption amount of each ink bottle determined by the determination unit 501.

[0027] <Subscription to the Consumable Ordering Service> FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing executed by the management server 102 and the store server 103 when subscribing to the consumable ordering service. Hereinafter, the processing from subscribing to the consumable ordering service to ordering consumables in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. A series of processing shown in the sequence of FIG. 6 is performed by each CPU 201 of the management server 102 and the store server 103 expanding and executing the program code stored in the ROM 203 in the RAM 202. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 6 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. Also, hereinafter, "step S~" will be abbreviated as "S~".

[0028] When receiving a user's application for subscribing to the consumable ordering service, in S601, the store server 103 transmits a registration request to the management server 102. The registration request transmitted in this step includes various information such as the serial number for identifying the printer 104, the date and time, the consumable type, and the model number of the ink bottle. The information on the consumable type indicates, for example, whether the consumable is ink and whether the ink container is an ink cartridge or an ink bottle. Here, although the serial number is cited as an example of the identification information for specifying the printer, other identification information such as the MAC address may be used.

[0029] In S602, the management server 102 registers the information acquired in S601 in each table stored in the database 209. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of various tables stored in the database 209 of the management server 102. FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of a printer management table.

[0030] The management server 102 associates the serial number of the printer 104 included in the registration request received from the store server 103 with the information on the type of consumables and stores them in the printer management table. Also, in the printer management table, information indicating whether an order can be placed for each date and time and for each color of the ink bottle (referred to as order placement availability information) is stored in association with each serial number. If it is in a state where an order can be placed with the store server 103, "Yes" is registered as a value indicating the orderable state. On the other hand, "No" is registered as a value indicating the non-orderable state. Note that "No" is registered as the initial value at the time of service registration.

[0031] Figure 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of the ink type number table. The management server 102 associates the serial number of the printer 104 included in the registration request received from the store server 103 with the type number of each color ink bottle and stores them in the ink type number table. In S603, the management server 102 returns a response indicating registration success (referred to as a registration success response) to the store server 103 in response to the registration request received in S601.

[0032] <Status Information Transmission Process by Printer> Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process in which the printer 104 transmits status information including consumable information to the management server 102. In the present embodiment, the status information includes the printer serial number, the type of each color ink bottle, and consumable information (information indicating the consumption amount of each ink bottle). Hereinafter, the process in which the printer 104 transmits the status information to the management server 102 will be described with reference to Figure 8. The series of processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 8 are performed by the CPU 301 of the printer 104 expanding and executing the program code stored in the ROM 303 in the RAM 302, whereby the CPU 301 functions as each part shown in Figure 5. This flowchart is executed at an arbitrary timing.

[0033] In S801, the CPU 301 that functions as the determination unit 501 determines whether it is the timing to update the ink consumption amount in the printer 104. Examples of the timing for update include when power is turned on, after the cover is closed, after cleaning, during cleaning, before cleaning at the time of arrival of goods, and after capping.

[0034] If it is the timing to update the ink consumption amount, in S802, the CPU 301 performs update processing on the remaining amount of each ink tank and the ink consumption amount of each ink bottle.

[0035] In S803, the CPU 301 determines whether the remaining amount of each ink tank in the ink tank unit 309 updated in S802 is the remaining amount that requires ink replenishment. Specifically, it determines whether the remaining ink amount in the ink tank has reached the threshold value (replenishment threshold value) that requires replenishment. If it is determined in S803 that the remaining amount of each ink tank is not the remaining amount that requires ink replenishment (has not reached the replenishment threshold value (is more than the replenishment threshold value)), the process proceeds to S805. If it is determined in S803 that the remaining amount of each ink tank is the remaining amount that requires ink replenishment (has reached the replenishment threshold value (is less than the replenishment threshold value)), the process proceeds to S804.

[0036] In S804, the CPU 301 that functions as the notification unit 502 gives a notification to prompt the user to fill the ink tank that needs replenishment with ink from the ink bottle. For example, a display prompting replenishment is shown on the display unit 306 of the printer 104. Alternatively, if the printer 104 has a voice output function, a notification to prompt the user to replenish the ink may be given by outputting a voice. Also, if an LED is provided near the ink tank, the user may be prompted to replenish the ink by lighting the LED.

[0037] Subsequently, it moves to S805, and determines whether the ratio of the ink consumption amount to the bottle capacity of each ink bottle updated in S802 has reached a threshold value (transmission threshold value) for ordering the ink bottle. For example, when the transmission threshold value is set to 90% for an ink bottle with a capacity of 500 ml, the determination result becomes true when the ink consumption amount of the ink bottle reaches 450 ml.

[0038] If in S805 it is determined to be false that the ink consumption amount of each ink bottle has not reached the transmission threshold value, the process ends. If in S805 the ink consumption amount of even one of the ink bottles has reached the transmission threshold value, it is determined to be true, and it moves to S806.

[0039] In S806, the CPU 301 functioning as the transmission unit 503 controls to transmit status information including consumable information (information indicating the consumption amount of the ink bottle) to the management server 102 via the network communication unit 304 and the network connection unit 305.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows the states of the ink bottle with ink consumption of 0%, 90%, and 100% respectively. The transmission of status information is performed when the ratio of the ink consumption of the ink bottle reaches the transmission threshold with respect to the ink amount of one ink bottle, and is not performed when the transmission threshold is not reached. That is, it is performed when it is determined that the state has changed from the state of 0% ink consumption as shown in FIG. 9(a) to the state of consuming 90% or more of the ink as shown in FIG. 9(b). The 10% ink capacity of the difference is a margin considering the time from the order of the ink bottle to the arrival of the ink bottle at the user's hand. The counting of the ink consumption is not reset at the timing of ordering the ink bottle, but needs to be reset after counting up to the ink amount of one ink bottle as shown in FIG. 9(c). If the ink consumption is reset at the timing of ordering the ink bottle, when the threshold for ordering the ink bottle is 90% of the ink consumption, an error of 10% of the ink consumption will accumulate each time the ink bottle is ordered. Therefore, the counting of the ink consumption of the ink bottle is not reset until it reaches 100%.

[0041] In S807, it is determined whether the ink consumption of each ink bottle updated in S803 has reached 100%. If it is determined in S807 that the ink consumption of each ink bottle has not reached 100%, the process ends. If it is determined in S807 that the ink consumption of each ink bottle has reached 100%, the process proceeds to S806.

[0042] In S808, for each ink bottle whose ink consumption has reached 100%, the ink consumption is updated to the value obtained by subtracting 100% from the ink consumption, and the process ends. In S807, for example, for an ink bottle whose ink consumption has reached 105%, in S808, the value is updated to 5% obtained by subtracting the value of 100% of the ink consumption from 105% of the ink consumption, and the process ends.

[0043] Since it counts the actual amount of ink consumed, even if the ink in the ink tank is replenished from the ink bottle midway, it is possible to order a new ink bottle before the ink bottle runs out. Therefore, the user can prevent the ink from running out.

[0044] However, if the ink bottle is discarded without being used up to the end, or if the same ink bottle is used with another printer, the count of the ink consumption will be incorrect. In this embodiment, it has a function to forcibly reset the ink consumption amount of each ink bottle by the user's operation as a reset unit 504. When the ink bottle is used up every time until the end, it is not necessary to forcibly clear the ink consumption amount of the ink bottle. The reset unit 504 is mainly used when it is necessary to reset and use the ink consumption amount with a new ink bottle.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the reset process performed by the reset unit 504. Hereinafter, using the operation unit 205, a method for forcibly clearing the ink consumption amount of each ink bottle will be described by selecting an item for forcibly clearing the ink consumption amount of each ink bottle according to the maintenance setting menu displayed on the display unit 206.

[0046] Specifically, the user selects the "Maintenance Setting Menu" shown in FIG. 10(a) displayed on the display unit 206. Then, from the display menu shown in FIG. 10(b) that appears later, select "Ink Bottle Consumption Counter Clear". Then, from the display menu shown in FIG. 10(c) that appears later, select the bottle for which you want to clear (set to 0%) the ink bottle consumption counter. If you want to clear all the ink bottle consumption counters in the display menu of FIG. 10(c), select "Clear All Ink Bottle Consumption Counters".

[0047] In the subsequently displayed Figure 10(d), in the menu displayed as "Do you want to clear all ink bottle consumption counters?", when the user selects "Yes", the total ink bottle consumption counter is cleared. That is, when the reset unit 504 detects that each item in Figure 10(c) or "Yes" in Figure 10(d) has been selected, it resets the corresponding ink bottle consumption counter.

[0048] <Ordering process of consumables by the management server> Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the process flow until the management server 102 sends an order notification for ink bottles to the store server 103. Hereinafter, the ordering process of consumables by the management server 102 to the store server 103 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 11. The processing in each step of Figure 11 is performed by the CPU 201 of the management server 102 expanding and executing the program code stored in the ROM 203 and the storage device 204 into the RAM 202.

[0049] In S1101, the management server 102 receives status information including information indicating the consumption amount of the ink bottle transmitted by the printer 104.

[0050] In S1102, the CPU 201 changes the order permission information held in the table based on the status information received in S1101. Then, based on this order permission information, it determines whether to perform an order process. In this embodiment, the state where the information indicating the consumption amount of the ink bottle included in the status information is equal to or greater than a threshold value (for example, the ratio of the ink consumption amount to the ink bottle capacity is 90%) and less than the capacity of the ink bottle is called a low status. When the ink bottle whose status based on the status information is a low status and the management server 102 has not performed the order process for that ink bottle, the management server 102 updates the order permission information of that ink bottle it holds to "Yes". As a result, the determination result becomes true and the process proceeds to S1103. On the other hand, when it once becomes a low status and the order process has already been performed, the order permission information remains unchanged as "No" even when the status information is received. As a result, even if the status based on the status information is a low status, since the order permission information is "No", the determination result of this step becomes false and the process proceeds to S1104. Incidentally, when the value of the information indicating the consumption amount of the ink bottle included in the status information received from the printer 104 reaches the capacity of the ink bottle, the low status of the ink bottle of the printer is resolved. Therefore, when the status information is received next, the order permission information becomes "Yes" and the determination becomes true.

[0051] In S1103, the CPU 201 adds the ink bottle of the target color to the order list. In S1104, the CPU 201 determines whether the order determination process for the ink bottles of all colors installed in the printer 104 and, if necessary, the order process for the ink bottles have been performed. In other words, it determines whether the processes of S1102 to S1103 have been performed. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to S1105. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false (when there is an ink bottle of an unprocessed color), the process returns to S1102 and the processes of S1102 to S1103 are repeated until the processing of all ink colors is completed.

[0052] In S1105, the CPU 201 executes a process for ordering the ink bottles described in the order list from the retailer. Specifically, the CPU 201 notifies the retailer server 103 of the combination information of the ink color and the ink bottle model number described in the order list. In the ordering process, before notifying the retailer server 103, the user of the printer 104 may be queried whether to place an order by e-mail or the like. And when the user permits the order, the order may be notified to the retailer server 103.

[0053] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ink bottles can be ordered at an appropriate timing. For this reason, it is possible to suppress ordering the ink bottles when the amount of ink in the ink bottles is sufficient or when the ink in the ink bottles has already run out. Also, in the present embodiment, the status information is not sent constantly, but the status information will be sent when at least one of the ink bottles of each color exceeds the threshold value. Therefore, the communication load between the printer and the server can be suppressed.

[0054] <Other Embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, when the remaining ink amount in the ink tank reaches the replenishment threshold value, it is determined that ink replenishment from the ink bottle to the ink tank is necessary. However, it may be determined whether replenishment is necessary from the ink consumption amount without obtaining the remaining ink amount. Specifically, it may be determined whether the ink consumption amount has reached a predetermined threshold value (whether the ink consumption amount is more than the predetermined threshold value), and when it has reached, it may be determined that ink replenishment is necessary.

[0055] Note that both the remaining ink amount in the ink tank and the ink consumption amount in the ink tank are values related to the ink consumption in the ink tank. Therefore, it is preferable to determine whether ink replenishment is necessary based on the value related to the ink consumption in the ink tank.

[0056] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether the ink consumption amount in the ink bottle has reached the transmission threshold value, and when the transmission threshold value is reached, the status information is transmitted. However, the determination may be made based on the remaining ink amount in the ink bottle. Specifically, it may be determined whether the remaining ink amount in the ink bottle has reached a predetermined threshold value (whether the remaining ink amount is less than the predetermined threshold value), and when it has reached, the status information may be transmitted.

[0057] Note that both the ink consumption amount in the ink bottle and the remaining ink amount in the ink bottle are values related to the ink consumption in the ink bottle. Therefore, it is preferable that the transmission of the status information is controlled based on the value related to the ink consumption in the ink bottle.

[0058] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Claims

1. A recording apparatus having an ink tank for storing ink supplied from an ink bottle and a head to which ink is supplied from the ink tank, determining means for determining a second value related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle based on a first value related to the consumption of ink in the ink tank; transmitting means for transmitting a notification including information related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle to a server when the second value related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle reaches a first threshold value; updating means for automatically updating the second value related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle to a value obtained by subtracting a value corresponding to one ink bottle from the second value when the second value related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle reaches a second threshold value; characterized by having the updating means is further capable of receiving an instruction to reset the second value related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle from a user, and resets the second value according to the instruction from the user a recording apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first value related to the consumption of ink in the ink tank is the consumption amount of ink in the ink tank.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first value related to the consumption of ink in the ink tank is the discharge amount of ink discharged from the head during printing.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first value related to the consumption of ink in the ink tank is the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank.

5. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second value related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle is the consumption amount of ink in the ink bottle.

6. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the determining means determines the first value related to the consumption of ink in the ink tank and the second value related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle at a predetermined timing.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined timing includes power-on, after cover closing, after cleaning, during cleaning, before cleaning at loading, or after capping.

8. When the remaining amount of the ink tank determined based on the first value related to the consumption of the ink in the ink tank reaches a predetermined remaining amount, the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising notification means for notifying the user so as to prompt ink replenishment from the ink bottle to the ink tank.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second value related to the consumption of the ink in the ink bottle is a value indicating a ratio of the consumption amount of the ink bottle to the ink capacity in the ink bottle.

10. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transmitting means further transmits the serial number of the recording apparatus and the type of the ink bottle.

11. The recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink tanks, The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transmitting means transmits the notification to the server when the second value related to the consumption of the ink in at least one ink bottle that supplies ink to any one of the plurality of ink tanks reaches the first threshold value.

12. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the notification is transmitted to a management server that performs an order processing of the ink bottle to a sales store server related to the delivery of the ink bottle, which is the server.

13. A control method of a recording apparatus having an ink tank for storing ink supplied from an ink bottle and a head to which ink is supplied from the ink tank, A determination step of determining a first value related to the consumption of the ink in the ink tank and determining a second value related to the consumption of the ink in the ink bottle based on the first value; A transmission step of transmitting a notification including information related to the consumption of the ink in the ink bottle to the server when the second value reaches a first threshold value; An update step of automatically updating the second value related to the consumption of the ink in the ink bottle to a value obtained by subtracting a value corresponding to one ink bottle from the second value when the second value related to the consumption of the ink in the ink bottle reaches a second threshold value; comprising The update step further receives an instruction from a user to reset the second value related to the consumption of the ink in the ink bottle, and resets the second value according to the instruction from the user. A control method characterized by that.

14. A program characterized by causing a computer to function as each means of the recording apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 12.

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