Information Processing Apparatus, Printing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, a printing device, an information processing method and a program, which are continuously used by functions corresponding to the kinds of the maintenance items, after a notification of arrivals of execution timings for the maintenance items is made.SOLUTION: An information processing device (a printing device 1) comprises a timing notifying part 51 that gives a notification of arrivals of respective execution timings for a plurality of maintenance items of a device to be maintained (a printing device 1) and a restricting part 52 that restricts functions of the device to be maintained. The plurality of maintenance items include a first kind of maintenance item and a second kind of maintenance item. The restricting part 52, after the timing notifying part 51 notifies a user of the arrivals of the execution timings, gradually restricts the functions of the device to be maintained at different standards, depending on whether the maintenance item for which the notification of the arrival of the execution timing has been made is the first kind of maintenance item or the maintenance item is the second kind of maintenance item.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for notifying the arrival of the execution timing of maintenance items.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been proposed a printing apparatus that allows a user to select whether to perform maintenance or continue a printing operation without degrading the quality of printing paper according to the degree of deterioration of a conveyance mechanism when the maintenance time of the conveyance mechanism arrives (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, among the plurality of maintenance items of a printing apparatus, some may lead to deterioration of printing quality (an example of functional deterioration) without performing maintenance even after the execution timing has arrived, and some may easily lead to a failure of the printing apparatus without performing maintenance even after the execution timing has arrived.

[0005] Therefore, for example, for maintenance items that are likely to lead to deterioration of print quality if maintenance is not performed, if deterioration of print quality is acceptable, it is possible to continue using the printing apparatus for a certain period after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified. This improves the usability for the user. Note that, even for maintenance items that are likely to lead to a failure of the printing apparatus if maintenance is not performed, although the period is shorter compared to maintenance items that are likely to lead to deterioration of print quality if maintenance is not performed, it may be possible to continue using the printing apparatus. The above also applies to other apparatuses to be maintained other than the printing apparatus.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can continue use with a function according to the type of maintenance item after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In one aspect, an information processing apparatus includes a timing notification unit that notifies the arrival of the execution timing for each of a plurality of maintenance items of an apparatus to be maintained, and a restriction unit that restricts the function of the apparatus to be maintained. The plurality of maintenance items include a first type of maintenance item and a second type of maintenance item. After the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit gradually restricts the function of the apparatus to be maintained based on different criteria when the maintenance item for which the arrival of the execution timing is notified is the first type of maintenance item and when it is the second type of maintenance item.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the above aspect, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, it is possible to continue use with a function according to the type of maintenance item.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a printing apparatus as an example with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

[0012] The printing apparatus 1 includes a medium supply unit 10, a conveyance unit 20, a printing unit 30, a medium discharge unit 40, a control unit 50, a storage unit 60, an operation panel 70, and a communication unit 80.

[0013] The medium supply unit 10 has a loading table on which media such as paper are loaded, and supplies the media loaded on this loading table into the printing apparatus 1.

[0014] The conveyance unit 20 has, for example, rollers, belts, etc., and conveys the medium inside the printing apparatus 1.

[0015] The printing unit 30 performs printing on the medium conveyed by the conveying unit 20. The printing method of the printing unit 30 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an inkjet printing method and a stencil printing method.

[0016] The medium discharging unit 40 has a loading table on which the medium is loaded and exposed to the outside of the printing apparatus 1, and discharges the medium on which printing has been performed by the printing unit 30 onto the loading table.

[0017] The control unit 50 includes, for example, one or more processors (e.g., a CPU: Central Processing Unit) that function as an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the operations of each part of the printing apparatus 1. This processor reads and executes a predetermined program from, for example, the storage unit 60 or a storage medium (non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) detachable from the printing apparatus 1, thereby functioning as the timing notification unit 51 and the restriction unit 52.

[0018] In order to control the operations of each part of the printing apparatus 1 as described above, the control unit 50 controls the execution of maintenance items for some maintenance items (for example, when the printing unit 30 of the printing apparatus 1 has an inkjet head, a purge operation, a wipe operation, etc.). For example, the control unit 50 may request a user (for example, a general maintenance staff selected from general users who can perform basic operations related to maintenance, a professional maintenance staff having specialized knowledge and skills, etc.) to input a maintenance password (passcode), display a display screen for selecting maintenance items on the display unit 71, and control the execution of the maintenance items selected by a user having a predetermined authority.

[0019] The timing notification unit 51 notifies a user (here, for example, in addition to a general maintenance staff and a professional maintenance staff, also a general user) of the arrival of the execution timing by performing display control of the display unit 71 for each of a plurality of maintenance items of the printing apparatus 1. Note that the timing notification unit 51 is not limited to a method using the display on the display unit 71, and may notify the user of the arrival of the execution timing using other methods such as voice output.

[0020] The restricting unit 52 restricts the functions of the printing apparatus 1. For example, the restricting unit 52 restricts the functions of the printing apparatus 1 by reducing the printing speed of the printing unit 30, reducing the printing density of the printing unit 30, disabling color printing by the printing unit 30, or stopping the operation of the printing apparatus 1 itself. Note that the target for which the restricting unit 52 restricts functions is not limited to the printing unit 30, and may be other units of the printing apparatus 1 such as the conveying unit 20.

[0021] The storage unit 60 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which a predetermined control program is recorded in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) which is a semiconductor memory that can be written to and read from as needed as a working storage area when the processor executes various control programs, and other memories such as a hard disk device.

[0022] The operation panel 70 includes a display unit 71 which is a display for displaying various information, and an input unit 72 for receiving input of various information by the user. When the display unit 71 has a touch panel, the display unit 71 also serves as the input unit 72.

[0023] As described above, the display unit 71 displays information for notifying the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance items by the timing notification unit 51.

[0024] The input unit 72 receives input of a maintenance password for executing the maintenance items.

[0025] The communication unit 80 is an interface unit for exchanging various information with various devices such as a user terminal connected wirelessly or wired via a network. For example, the communication unit 80 receives information on a print job including image data from the communication unit 80.

[0026] Next, regarding the maintenance process, descriptions of matters overlapping with the above descriptions will be omitted.

[0027] Figures 2 and 3 are flowcharts for explaining maintenance processing.

[0028] Figure 4 is a table showing the function-down modes and function-down details corresponding to the number of printed sheets.

[0029] Figure 5 is a table showing the function-down modes and function-down details corresponding to the elapsed time.

[0030] Figure 6 is a table showing the types of maintenance items.

[0031] The flowchart shown in Figure 2 relates to the maintenance processing of maintenance items (an example of the first type of maintenance item, purge operation, wipe operation, head cleaning operation, and test chart printing) that will lead to deterioration of print quality if left unattended, as shown in the upper row of Figure 6. Also, the flowchart shown in Figure 3 relates to the maintenance processing of maintenance items (an example of the second type of maintenance item, initial operation failure, abnormal power supply voltage, abnormal ink circulation, and overhaul of mechanical parts) that will lead to failure of the printing apparatus 1 if left unattended, as shown in the lower row of Figure 6. Although details will be described later, the restriction unit 52 restricts the functions of the printing apparatus 1 step by step according to different criteria (for example, four steps in Figure 2 and two steps in Figure 3) for the first type of maintenance item (the flowchart shown in Figure 2) and the second type of maintenance item (the flowchart shown in Figure 3). Note that the types of maintenance items are not limited to two types and may be three or more types. In that case, the functions of the printing apparatus 1 may be restricted step by step according to different criteria for each of the three or more types. Also, the criteria for restricting the functions of the printing apparatus 1 step by step are not limited to the number of steps and may be other criteria including at least one such as changing the content of function restriction or changing the interval between each step.

[0032] First, the process shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The process shown in FIG. 2 starts, for example, after the previous maintenance is completed. Note that the process shown in FIG. 2 may be performed in parallel for each maintenance item.

[0033] The timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing by the display on the display unit 71 when, for example, the number of printed sheets reaches 2 million as shown in FIG. 4 (step S1). Note that the arrival of the execution timing may be managed not by the number of printed sheets but by other criteria such as the elapsed time shown in FIG. 5 (for example, one month), or the earlier of the number of printed sheets and the elapsed time. Also, the number of printed sheets and the elapsed time may be managed with different values for each maintenance item.

[0034] Next, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, the restriction unit 52 determines whether a password that matches the maintenance password is input at the input unit 72 within a predetermined period (step S2).

[0035] When a password that matches the maintenance password is input at the input unit 72 within the predetermined period (step S2: YES), the control unit 50 executes the maintenance item (step S3). Note that unlike the case where the control unit 50 directly executes the maintenance item such as the cleaning of the printing apparatus 1, in the case of a maintenance item where the control unit 50 does not directly execute the maintenance item such as part replacement, the control unit 50 may automatically detect that the maintenance has been performed or determine based on the user's input.

[0036] Next, when the function of the printing apparatus 1 is restricted, the restriction unit 52 releases the restriction on the function of the printing apparatus 1 (step S4), and the process shown in FIG. 2 ends. Note that when the process shown in FIG. 2 is being performed in parallel for other maintenance items, when the function is restricted for other maintenance items, the restriction unit 52 does not release the restriction on that function.

[0037] In the process of the above step S2, if a password that matches the maintenance password is not input at the input unit 72 within a predetermined period (step S2: NO), the restriction unit 52 restricts the functions of the printing apparatus 1 to low-speed printing in the function-down mode 1 shown in FIG. 4 (step S5). This low-speed printing performs printing at the speed set for low speed regardless of the setting of the printing speed. Here, the timing notification unit 51 may notify the user, by display on the display unit 71, that the restriction unit 52 has restricted the functions of the printing apparatus 1 in order to prompt early execution of maintenance. As shown in FIG. 4, the restriction of the functions of the printing apparatus 1 is preferably in the order of low-speed printing (step S5: function-down mode 1), printing with a lighter density (step S8: function-down mode 2) described later, and printing that does not allow color printing (step S11: function-down mode 3), from those in which the print quality is relatively less likely to deteriorate to those in which it is relatively likely to deteriorate.

[0038] Thereafter, when, for example, the number of printed sheets reaches 3 million (or the elapsed time reaches two months as shown in FIG. 5) as shown in FIG. 4, the timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing by display on the display unit 71 (step S6). Note that if the notification of the arrival of the execution timing is continuously displayed on the display unit 71 from the process of step S1 described above, the subsequent processes (steps S6, S9, S12) can be omitted.

[0039] Next, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, the restriction unit 52 determines whether a password that matches the maintenance password is input at the input unit 72 within a predetermined period (step S7).

[0040] If a password that matches the maintenance password is entered in the input unit 72 within the specified period (step S7: YES), the process proceeds to the process of step S3 described above. On the other hand, if a password that matches the maintenance password is not entered in the input unit 72 within the specified period (step S7: NO), the restriction unit 52 restricts the function of the printing apparatus 1 to printing with a reduced density of the function-down mode 2 shown in FIG. 4 (step S8). Note that the restriction in the previous stage (the function-down mode 1 (low-speed printing) in step S5 described above) may be continued as it is, or the restriction may be released.

[0041] Thereafter, when the timing notification unit 51 reaches, for example, 4 million printed sheets as shown in FIG. 4 (or when the elapsed time reaches 3 months as shown in FIG. 5), the timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing by the display on the display unit 71 (step S9).

[0042] Next, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, the restriction unit 52 determines whether a password that matches the maintenance password is entered in the input unit 72 within the specified period (step S10).

[0043] If a password that matches the maintenance password is entered in the input unit 72 within the specified period (step S10: YES), the process proceeds to the process of step S3 described above. On the other hand, if a password that matches the maintenance password is not entered in the input unit 72 within the specified period (step S10: NO), the restriction unit 52 restricts the function of the printing apparatus 1 to printing in which color printing in the function-down mode 3 shown in FIG. 4 is impossible and only monochrome printing is possible (step S11). Note that the restrictions in the previous stages (the function-down mode 1 (low-speed printing) in step S5 described above and the function-down mode 2 (low density) in step S8 described above) may be continued as they are, or the restrictions may be released.

[0044] After that, when the number of printed sheets reaches 5 million (or when the elapsed time reaches 4 months as shown in FIG. 5), for example, the timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing by the display on the display unit 71 (step S12).

[0045] Next, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, the restriction unit 52 determines whether a password that matches the maintenance password is input at the input unit 72 within a predetermined period (step S13).

[0046] If a password that matches the maintenance password is input at the input unit 72 within the predetermined period (step S13: YES), the process proceeds to the process of step S3 described above. On the other hand, if a password that matches the maintenance password is not input at the input unit 72 within the predetermined period (step S13: NO), the restriction unit 52 restricts the functions of the printing apparatus 1 so that the operation of the printing apparatus 1 in the function down mode 4 shown in FIG. 4 stops (step S14).

[0047] Then, the timing notification unit 51 notifies a professional maintenance person that the operation of the printing apparatus 1 has stopped, for example, by notification via wireless communication of the communication unit 80 (step S15). Then, the process shown in FIG. 2 ends.

[0048] Next, the process shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The process shown in FIG. 3 starts, for example, after the previous maintenance is completed. Also, the processes shown in FIG. 3 may be performed in parallel for each maintenance item.

[0049] First, when the number of printed sheets reaches 2 million as shown in FIG. 4, for example, or when an abnormality is detected, the timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing by the display on the display unit 71 (step S21).

[0050] Next, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, the restriction unit 52 determines whether a password matching the maintenance password has been input at the input unit 72 within a predetermined period (step S22).

[0051] If a password matching the maintenance password is input at the input unit 72 within a predetermined period (step S22: YES), the control unit 50 executes the maintenance item (step S23).

[0052] Next, when the function of the printing apparatus 1 is restricted, the restriction unit 52 releases the restriction on the function of the printing apparatus 1 (step S24), and the process shown in FIG. 3 ends. When the process shown in FIG. 3 is being performed in parallel for other maintenance items, if the function is restricted with respect to other maintenance items, the restriction unit 52 does not release the restriction on that function.

[0053] In the process of step S22 described above, if a password matching the maintenance password is not input at the input unit 72 within a predetermined period (step S22: NO), the restriction unit 52 restricts the function of the printing apparatus 1 to low-speed printing in the function-down mode 1 shown in FIG. 4 or to other down modes (function-down A not shown in the table) (step S25).

[0054] Thereafter, the timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing by the display on the display unit 71, for example, when the number of printed sheets reaches 3 million sheets as shown in FIG. 4 (or when the elapsed time reaches 2 months as shown in FIG. 5) or at other timings (step S26).

[0055] Next, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, the restriction unit 52 determines whether a password matching the maintenance password has been input at the input unit 72 within a predetermined period (step S27).

[0056] If a password matching the maintenance password is entered in the input unit 72 within the specified period (step S27: YES), the process proceeds to the process of step S23 described above. On the other hand, if a password matching the maintenance password is not entered in the input unit 72 within the specified period (step S27: NO), the restriction unit 52 restricts the functions of the printing apparatus 1 so that the operation of the printing apparatus 1 stops in the function-down mode 4 shown in FIG. 4 (function-down mode B not shown in the table) (step S28).

[0057] Then, the timing notification unit 51 notifies a specialized maintenance person that the operation of the printing apparatus 1 has stopped, for example, by notification via wireless communication of the communication unit 80 (step S29). Then, the process shown in FIG. 3 ends.

[0058] Next, the maintenance process in the modification example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by adding the processes of steps S31 and S32 after the process of step S13 (in the case of YES) and after the process of step S15 shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, descriptions of processes other than the processes of steps S31 and S32 are omitted.

[0059] In this modification example, the restriction unit 52 restricts the functions of the printing apparatus 1 earlier when the previous execution of a plurality of maintenance items has been performed after reaching the function-down mode 3 (4 million printed sheets) (an example of a case where it is later than a predetermined time).

[0060] Therefore, as the process at the previous execution, as shown in FIG. 7, after the process in which the restriction unit 52 restricts the functions of the printing apparatus 1 to printing in which color printing in the function-down mode 3 shown in FIG. 4 is impossible and only monochrome printing is possible (step S11), after the process of step S13 (in the case of YES) and after the process of step S15, the restriction unit 52 makes settings to make the function-down criteria stricter at the time of the next execution of the maintenance item (steps S31, S32).

[0061] In this case, for example, during the next maintenance, when processing in the function down mode 1 (step S5), the restrictions 52 perform the processing of function down modes 1 and 2 (steps S5 and S8), when processing in the function down mode 2 (step S8), perform the processing of the function down mode 3 (step S11), and when processing in the function down mode 3 (step S11), perform the processing of the function down mode 4 (step S14). By thus reducing the number of steps from four to three, the function downs of function down modes 2 to 4 will be performed earlier. Here, in order to more quickly restrict the functions of the printing apparatus 1, it is not limited to reducing the number of steps, and for example, it can also be realized by shortening the intervals between the respective steps and the like.

[0062] Note that again, when the execution of a plurality of maintenance items is performed after reaching the function down mode 3 (4 million printed sheets), during the processing of the function down mode 1 (step S5), the processing of the function down modes 1 to 3 (steps S5, S8, and S11) is performed, and when processing in the function down mode 2 (step S8), the processing of the function down mode 4 (step S14) is performed, etc., and the number of steps of the function down may be reduced again, and the number of steps of the function down may be gradually reduced.

[0063] Further, when the previous execution of a plurality of maintenance items was earlier than a predetermined time (which may be the same as or different from the above-described predetermined time), the restriction unit 52 may return (either at once or gradually) the reduced number of steps of the function down.

[0064] Note that in the above description, the information processing apparatus has been described as the printing apparatus 1, but the information processing apparatus may be a maintenance target apparatus other than the printing apparatus 1. Further, the information processing apparatus may be a dedicated control apparatus (for example, a print control apparatus) that controls the maintenance target apparatus, or may be a user terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer that controls the maintenance target apparatus, and is not particularly limited.

[0065] In the embodiment described above, the information processing apparatus (printing apparatus 1) includes a timing notification unit 51 that notifies the arrival of the execution timing for each of a plurality of maintenance items of the apparatus to be maintained (printing apparatus 1), and a restriction unit 52 that restricts the functions of the apparatus to be maintained. The plurality of maintenance items include a first type of maintenance item (for example, purge operation, wipe operation, head cleaning operation, and test chart printing), and a second type of maintenance item (for example, initial operation failure, power supply voltage abnormality, ink circulation abnormality, and overhaul of mechanical components). After the timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit 52 gradually restricts the functions of the apparatus to be maintained according to different criteria when the maintenance item for which the arrival of the execution timing has been notified is a first type of maintenance item (see FIG. 2) and when it is a second type of maintenance item (see FIG. 3).

[0066] From another perspective, an information processing method is an information processing method performed using, for example, an information processing apparatus. For each of a plurality of maintenance items of the apparatus to be maintained (printing apparatus 1), the arrival of the execution timing is notified, for example, by the timing notification unit 51. After notifying the arrival of the execution timing, when the maintenance item for which the arrival of the execution timing has been notified is a first type of maintenance item and when it is a second type of maintenance item, the functions of the apparatus to be maintained are gradually restricted according to different criteria, for example, by the timing notification unit 51.

[0067] From another perspective, a program causes a computer (for example, the control unit 50 of the printing apparatus 1 or the processor of the control unit 50) to execute a process of notifying the arrival of the execution timing for each of a plurality of maintenance items of the apparatus to be maintained (printing apparatus 1), and a process of gradually restricting the functions of the apparatus to be maintained according to different criteria when the maintenance item for which the arrival of the execution timing has been notified is a first type of maintenance item and when it is a second type of maintenance item after notifying the arrival of the execution timing.

[0068] As a result, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, for example, for a maintenance item that would lead to a deterioration in the function (print quality deterioration) of the device under maintenance if the maintenance is not performed, rather than a maintenance item that would lead to a failure of the device under maintenance if the maintenance is not performed, the restriction on the function of the device under maintenance can be relaxed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, the use can be continued with a function corresponding to the type of the maintenance item. Therefore, by being able to continue using the device under maintenance, the usability of the user can be improved. Also, the product warranty of the device under maintenance can be maintained while maintaining the user's sense of use.

[0069] Also, in the present embodiment, after the timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit 52 gradually restricts the function of the printing device 1 (device under maintenance) such that the number of steps until the operation stop of the printing device 1 is different when the maintenance item for which the arrival of the execution timing is notified is a first type of maintenance item and when it is a second type of maintenance item.

[0070] As a result, after the arrival of the execution timing of the maintenance item is notified, for example, for a maintenance item that would lead to a failure of the printing device 1 (device under maintenance) if the maintenance is not performed, rather than a maintenance item that would lead to a deterioration in the print quality (function deterioration) if the maintenance is not performed, by reducing the number of steps of function degradation until the operation stop of the printing device 1, the usability of the user can be further improved while avoiding a failure of the printing device 1. Furthermore, by stopping the operation of the printing device 1, the product warranty of the printing device 1 can be further maintained.

[0071] Also, in a modification of the present embodiment, when the previous execution of a plurality of maintenance items is delayed from a predetermined time, after the timing notification unit 51 notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit 52 restricts the function of the printing device 1 (device under maintenance) earlier.

[0072] Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to perform maintenance earlier. This can suppress a decrease in the print quality (function degradation) of the printing apparatus 1 (the apparatus to be maintained) and the occurrence of malfunctions due to the lack of maintenance.

[0073] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, all the components shown in the embodiments may be appropriately combined. Needless to say, various modifications and applications are possible within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention. The invention described in the claims of the present application at the time of filing is appended below.

[0074] [Appendix 1] A timing notification unit that notifies the arrival of the execution timing for each of a plurality of maintenance items of the apparatus to be maintained, and a restriction unit that restricts the functions of the apparatus to be maintained, wherein the plurality of maintenance items include a first type of maintenance item and a second type of maintenance item, and the restriction unit gradually restricts the functions of the apparatus to be maintained based on different criteria when the maintenance item for which the arrival of the execution timing is notified by the timing notification unit is the first type of maintenance item and when it is the second type of maintenance item after the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

[0075] [Appendix 2] A printing apparatus, a timing notification unit that notifies the arrival of the execution timing for each of a plurality of maintenance items of the printing apparatus, and a restriction unit that restricts the functions of the printing apparatus, The plurality of maintenance items include a first type of maintenance item and a second type of maintenance item. After the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit gradually restricts the functions of the printing apparatus based on different criteria depending on whether the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first type of maintenance item or a second type of maintenance item. A printing apparatus characterized by the above.

[0076] [Appendix 3] After the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit gradually restricts the functions of the printing apparatus such that the number of steps until the operation of the printing apparatus stops is different depending on whether the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first type of maintenance item or a second type of maintenance item. The printing apparatus according to Appendix 2, characterized by the above.

[0077] [Appendix 4] When the previous execution of the plurality of maintenance items of the apparatus to be maintained is delayed from a predetermined time, after the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the functions of the printing apparatus are restricted earlier. The printing apparatus according to Appendix 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

[0078] [Appendix 5] For each of the plurality of maintenance items of the apparatus to be maintained, the arrival of the execution timing is notified, After notifying the arrival of the execution timing, the functions of the apparatus to be maintained are gradually restricted based on different criteria depending on whether the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first type of maintenance item or a second type of maintenance item. An information processing method characterized by the above.

[0079] [Appendix 6] For each of a plurality of maintenance items of a maintenance target device, a process of notifying the arrival of an execution timing, and after notifying the arrival of the execution timing, a process of gradually restricting the functions of the maintenance target device based on different criteria when the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first type of maintenance item and when it is a second type of maintenance item A program characterized by causing a computer to execute.

Explanation of Signs

[0080] 1 Printing device 10 Media supply unit 20 Conveying unit 30 Printing unit 40 Media discharge unit 50 Control unit 51 Timing notification unit 52 Restriction unit 60 Storage unit 70 Operation panel 71 Display unit 72 Input unit 80 Communication unit

Claims

1. For each of a plurality of maintenance items of the device to be maintained, a timing notification unit that notifies the arrival of the execution timing, and a restriction unit that restricts the functions of the device to be maintained, wherein the plurality of maintenance items include a first type of maintenance item and a second type of maintenance item, after the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit gradually restricts the functions of the device to be maintained based on different criteria when the maintenance item for which the arrival of the execution timing has been notified is the first type of maintenance item and when it is the second type of maintenance item, the restriction unit relaxes the restriction of the function for the maintenance item that leads to functional degradation by not performing maintenance rather than the maintenance item that leads to a failure of the device to be maintained by not performing maintenance, An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. For each of a plurality of maintenance items of the device to be maintained, a timing notification unit that notifies the arrival of the execution timing, and a restriction unit that restricts the functions of the device to be maintained, wherein the plurality of maintenance items include a first type of maintenance item and a second type of maintenance item, after the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit gradually restricts the functions of the device to be maintained based on different criteria when the maintenance item for which the arrival of the execution timing has been notified is the first type of maintenance item and when it is the second type of maintenance item, when the previous execution of the plurality of maintenance items is later than a predetermined time, after the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit restricts the function of the device to be maintained earlier, An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

3. A printing apparatus, for each of a plurality of maintenance items of the printing apparatus, a timing notification unit that notifies the arrival of the execution timing, and a restriction unit that restricts the functions of the printing apparatus, wherein the plurality of maintenance items include a first type of maintenance item and a second type of maintenance item, After the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit gradually restricts the functions of the printing device based on different criteria depending on whether the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first-type maintenance item or a second-type maintenance item. The restriction unit relaxes the restriction of the function for a maintenance item that leads to functional degradation by not performing maintenance, compared to a maintenance item that leads to a failure of the printing device by not performing maintenance. A printing device characterized by the above.

4. After the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit gradually restricts the functions of the printing device such that the number of steps until the operation of the printing device stops is different depending on whether the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first-type maintenance item or a second-type maintenance item. The printing device according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. A printing device, comprising: a timing notification unit that notifies the arrival of the execution timing for each of a plurality of maintenance items of the printing device; a restriction unit that restricts the functions of the printing device; the plurality of maintenance items include a first-type maintenance item and a second-type maintenance item; after the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit gradually restricts the functions of the printing device based on different criteria depending on whether the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first-type maintenance item or a second-type maintenance item; when the previous execution of the plurality of maintenance items is delayed from a predetermined time, after the timing notification unit notifies the arrival of the execution timing, the restriction unit restricts the functions of the printing device earlier. A printing device characterized by the above.

6. For each of a plurality of maintenance items of the device to be maintained, notifies the arrival of the execution timing, after notifying the arrival of the execution timing, gradually restricts the functions of the device to be maintained based on different criteria depending on whether the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first-type maintenance item or a second-type maintenance item. By restricting the functions of the maintenance target device step by step, for the maintenance items that lead to functional degradation by not performing maintenance rather than the maintenance items that lead to the failure of the maintenance target device by not performing maintenance, the restriction on the functions is relaxed. An information processing method characterized by the above.

7. For each of a plurality of maintenance items of a maintenance target device, notifying the arrival of the execution timing, After notifying the arrival of the execution timing, when the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first type of maintenance item and when it is a second type of maintenance item, the functions of the maintenance target device are restricted step by step according to different criteria. By restricting the functions of the maintenance target device step by step, when the previous execution of the plurality of maintenance items is delayed from a predetermined time, after notifying the arrival of the execution timing, the functions of the maintenance target device are restricted earlier. An information processing method characterized by the above.

8. For each of a plurality of maintenance items of a maintenance target device, a process of notifying the arrival of the execution timing, and After notifying the arrival of the execution timing, when the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first type of maintenance item and when it is a second type of maintenance item, a process of restricting the functions of the maintenance target device step by step according to different criteria is a program for causing a computer to execute, In the process of restricting the functions of the maintenance target device step by step, for the maintenance items that lead to functional degradation by not performing maintenance rather than the maintenance items that lead to the failure of the maintenance target device by not performing maintenance, the restriction on the functions is relaxed. A program characterized by the above.

9. For each of a plurality of maintenance items of a maintenance target device, a process of notifying the arrival of the execution timing, and After notifying the arrival of the execution timing, when the maintenance item notified of the arrival of the execution timing is a first type of maintenance item and when it is a second type of maintenance item, a process of restricting the functions of the maintenance target device step by step according to different criteria is a program for causing a computer to execute, In the process of restricting the functions of the maintenance target device step by step, when the previous execution of the plurality of maintenance items is delayed from a predetermined time, after notifying the arrival of the execution timing, the functions of the maintenance target device are restricted earlier. A program characterized by the above.

Images