Consumables management system and consumables container management method

Abstract

To smoothly reload a consumable to a consumable container and deliver the consumable container.SOLUTION: A consumable management system includes a plurality of printers, each of which are provided with a consumable container and consumes a consumable stored in the consumable container, and an administrative unit connected with the plurality of printers via a network. The administrative unit manages container identification information added to the consumable container, device identification information added to each of the plurality of printers, and user identification information added to a user of each of the plurality of printers, in association with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a consumables management system and a consumables management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are systems that manage the number of refills when ink is refilled from ink cartridges installed in a printer. The refill management system in Patent Document 1 acquires ink cartridge identification information and the remaining ink amount from the printer via a network. If the acquired remaining ink amount is greater than the remaining ink amount registered in the remaining ink amount management table, the refill management system increases the determined number of refills by 1 for the ink cartridge with that identification information. If the determined number of refills exceeds the limit, the refill management system sends an error message to the printer via the network.

[0003] Furthermore, the refill management system in Patent Document 1 accesses a server managed by the printer manufacturer via a network and obtains the number of maker refills corresponding to the ink cartridge's identification information. The number of maker refills is the number of times the ink cartridge with that identification information has been refilled with ink by the printer manufacturer. If the determined number of refills exceeds the number of maker refills, the refill management system sends an error message to the printer via the network.

[0004] As a result, adverse effects on the printer caused by excessive refills of the same consumable container or ink refills by parties other than the printer manufacturer are reduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-284571 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The refill management system in Patent Document 1 does not manage information about the printer itself or the user. In other words, with the technology in Patent Document 1, ink cartridges that have been refilled with ink can be distributed independently of the printer itself and the user. Unlike unused ink cartridges, ink cartridges that have been refilled with ink and reused can have varying qualities depending on their past usage history. Therefore, the ink cartridges that users obtain as refilled ink cartridges are ink cartridges of varying qualities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumables management system including a plurality of printers, each of which has a consumables container attached thereto and consumes the consumables contained in the consumables container, and a management unit connected to the plurality of printers via a network. The management unit manages, in association with each other, container identification information assigned to the consumables container, device identification information assigned to each of the plurality of printers, and user identification information assigned to each user of the plurality of printers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a consumables management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the operations of the management unit 100 and the printer 200 in the process of circulating the ink cartridge 300 between the user US and the refiller RF. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O250 that prompts replacement of the ink cartridge 300. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O280 that prompts the user to send the ink cartridge 300 to a refilling company RF. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O140 indicating that the ink cartridge 300 should be prepared. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O150 indicating that the ink cartridge 300 should be collected from the user US. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management unit 100 and the printer 200 in the process of checking the status of the ink cartridges. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O430 displayed on the display panel 260 in step S430. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A. Implementation: A1. Consumables management system configuration: 1 is a block diagram showing a consumable supplies management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The consumable supplies management system 1 includes a management unit 100, printers 200A, 200B, and 200C, and ink cartridges 300. However, when referring to the printers without distinguishing between printers 200A, 200B, and 200C, they will be referred to as printer 200.

[0010] The ink cartridge 300 contains ink IK. The ink cartridge 300 is installed in one of the printers 200A, 200B, or 200C and supplies the ink IK to that printer. Multiple ink cartridges 300 containing different colors of ink are installed in a single printer. However, in this embodiment, the ink cartridges will be referred to as ink cartridges 300 without distinguishing between the colors of the ink IK they contain.

[0011] After the ink IK is consumed in the printer 200, the ink cartridge 300 is sent to a refilling shop RF, where it is refilled with ink IK by the refilling shop RF. The refilling shop RF is, for example, the manufacturer of the printer 200. As ink cartridges containing the same ink that are installed in a single printer, multiple ink cartridges 300 may circulate between the user US and the refilling shop RF. This allows the user US to continue using the printer 200 without waiting for the refilling shop RF to refill the ink cartridge 300 with ink IK and return the ink cartridge 300.

[0012] The ink cartridge 300 comprises an ink storage section 310 and a container memory section 320. The ink storage section 310 can store ink IK. The container memory section 320 can store various information. Specifically, the container memory section 320 is a semiconductor memory. The container memory section 320 stores, for example, container identification information IDC assigned to the ink cartridge 300 and information IC on the type of ink stored in the ink cartridge 300. The type of ink is, for example, the color of the ink.

[0013] Printers 200A, 200B, and 200C have ink cartridges 300 attached, are supplied with ink IK contained in the ink cartridges 300, and consume the ink IK. Printers 200A, 200B, and 200C have the same configuration and functions. Printers 200A, 200B, and 200C are connected to management unit 100 via communication network 900. The following description of printers 200A, 200B, and 200C will use printer 200A as an example.

[0014] Printer 200A is owned by user US. Printer 200A is used by user US. Printer 200A includes a CPU 210, which is a processor, RAM 220, ROM 225, a network interface 230, an information access unit 240, a printer engine 250, a display panel 260, and a remaining amount sensor 270.

[0015] The CPU 210 receives data and instructions from the information access unit 240, the display panel 260, the remaining amount sensor 270, and the network interface 230, and loads computer programs stored in the ROM 225 into the RAM 220 and executes them to realize various functions. More specifically, each function is realized using the information access unit 240, the printer engine 250, the display panel 260, and the network interface 230.

[0016] The RAM 220 can store the remaining ink amount RV and user identification information IDU of each ink cartridge 300. The remaining ink amount RV is information that indicates the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink containing section 310 of the ink cartridge 300.

[0017] The user identification information IDU is information assigned to the users of the printers 200A, 200B, and 200C so that they can be identified from one another. When the printer 200 is started for the first time, the user US is prompted to register via a computer connected to the printer 200. The user identification information IDU is determined or selected via the computer during the user registration process and is stored in the RAM 220 of the printer 200.

[0018] The ROM 225 stores device identification information IDD. The device identification information IDD is information assigned to the printers 200A, 200B, and 200C so that they can be identified from one another. The device identification information IDD is stored in the ROM 225 when the printers 200A, 200B, and 200C are manufactured.

[0019] The network interface 230 mediates communication between the printer 200A and components external to the printer 200A via the communication network 900.

[0020] The information access unit 240 can access the container memory unit 320 of the ink cartridge 300 attached to the printer 200A to read information from the container memory unit 320 and write information to the container memory unit 320. For example, the information access unit 240 accesses the container memory unit 320 to read the container identification information IDC.

[0021] Printer engine 250 is hardware that executes printing. Printer engine 250 executes printing under the control of CPU 210. More specifically, printer engine 250 is supplied with ink IK from ink cartridge 300 and ejects ink droplets onto a print medium.

[0022] Display panel 260 is a device that can output information. Display panel 260 can also receive information. Specifically, display panel 260 is a liquid crystal display equipped with a touch panel. Display panel 260 displays characters and images under the control of CPU 210. Display panel 260 also receives instructions from the user via the touch panel.

[0023] The remaining amount sensor 270 is a sensor that detects the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink containing portion 310 of the ink cartridge 300. The remaining amount sensor 270 includes a light-emitting diode and an optical sensor. The ink cartridge 300 is equipped with a prism that is exposed both to the outside of the ink cartridge 300 and inside the ink containing portion 310 of the ink cartridge 300. The remaining amount sensor 270 detects the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink containing portion 310 by emitting light from the light-emitting diode toward the prism and receiving reflected light with the optical sensor. Information about the remaining amount of ink detected by the remaining amount sensor 270 is written to the RAM 220 by the CPU 210 as the remaining ink amount RV.

[0024] The management unit 100 manages the distribution status of ink cartridges 300. The management unit 100 is used by refiller RF. The management unit 100 is connected to printers 200A, 200B, and 200C via a communication network 900. The management unit 100 includes a CPU 110, which is a processor, RAM 120, ROM 125, a network interface 130, a display 160, and an input device 180. The RAM 120 includes a main memory 120S, which is a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk 120H, which is an auxiliary storage device.

[0025] The CPU 110 receives data and instructions from the input device 180 and the network interface 130, and loads computer programs stored in the ROM 125 or the hard disk 120H into the main memory 120S and executes them to realize various functions. More specifically, each function is realized using the display 160 and the network interface 130.

[0026] The hard disk 120H stores multiple information sets IS. Each information set IS includes multiple container identification information IDCs, one or more device identification information IDDs, and one user identification information IDU, all of which are associated with one another. In other words, one information set IS corresponds to one user identification information IDU. The information set IS also stores information about the ink contained in the ink cartridge 300 associated with the container identification information IDC.

[0027] The network interface 130 mediates communication between the management unit 100 and components external to the management unit 100 via the communication network 900 .

[0028] The display 160 is a device capable of outputting information. Specifically, the display 160 is a liquid crystal display. The display 160 is controlled by the CPU 110 to display characters and images.

[0029] The input device 180 receives user operations and transmits user instructions to the CPU 110. Specifically, the input device 180 is a keyboard and a mouse.

[0030] A2. How the Consumables Management System Works: (1) Ink cartridge circulation process: FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management unit 100 and printer 200 in the process of circulating ink cartridges 300 between a user US and a refiller RF. The process of FIG. 2 implements a method of managing ink cartridges. The process of steps S110 to S160 shown in FIG. 2 is executed by the CPU 110 of the management unit 100. The process of steps S210 to S290 shown in FIG. 2 is executed by the CPU 210 of the printer 200A. However, the process of steps S210 to S290 shown in FIG. 2 is also executed by the CPU 210 of the printer 200B and the CPU 210 of the printer 200C (see the lower center part of FIG. 1).

[0031] In step S210, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A determines whether a new ink cartridge 300 has been installed in the printer 200. The installation of a new ink cartridge 300 in the printer 200 can be detected, for example, by the appearance of a new container memory unit 320 that the information access unit 240 can access (see the middle left part of Figure 1). If a newly installed ink cartridge 300 is present, the process proceeds to step S220. If a newly installed ink cartridge 300 is not present, the process proceeds to step S240.

[0032] In step S220, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A uses the information access unit 240 to read the container identification information IDC from the container memory unit 320 of the ink cartridge 300 (see the middle left part of Figure 1). The CPU 210 also reads information IC about the type of ink stored in the ink cartridge 300 from the container memory unit 320.

[0033] In step S230, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A stores the read container identification information IDC in RAM 220 along with information IC about the ink type of that ink cartridge 300 (see the center of FIG. 1). The RAM 220 of the printer 200A stores the container identification information IDC of ink cartridges 300 that have been used in the printer 200A along with the ink type information. For ink cartridges 300 installed in the printer 200A, the installation flag associated with the container identification information IDC of that ink cartridge 300 is set to ON.

[0034] The CPU 210 of the printer 200A sends the read container identification information IDC and ink information IC to the management unit 100, along with device identification information IDD assigned to the printer 200A and user identification information IDU assigned to the user US of the printer 200A. This identification information, along with information indicating that a newly installed ink cartridge 300 has been installed, is sent as update information Ir to the management unit 100 via the communications network 900 (see the center of FIG. 1).

[0035] In step S240, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A determines whether the amount of ink IK contained in any of the ink cartridges 300 installed in the printer 200A has fallen below a predetermined amount Thik. Whether the amount of ink IK has fallen below the threshold value Thik can be detected, for example, by the amount of light received by the remaining amount sensor 270 exceeding a predetermined light amount threshold (see the upper left part of Figure 1). If the amount of ink IK in all of the ink cartridges 300 installed in the printer 200A is equal to or greater than the threshold value Thik, the process proceeds to step S270. If there is an ink cartridge 300 in which the amount of ink IK has fallen below the threshold value Thik, the process proceeds to step S250.

[0036] In step S250, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A outputs O250 to the display panel 260 to prompt the user US of the printer 200A to replace the ink cartridge 300 whose ink IK amount has fallen below the threshold value Thik (see the bottom center of FIG. 1).

[0037] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O250 that prompts replacement of the ink cartridge 300. For example, if it is detected in step S240 of Fig. 2 that the amount of ink IK in the ink cartridge 300 that contains black ink has fallen below the threshold value Thik, then in step S250, the output O250 shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the display panel 260.

[0038] By performing this processing, if the amount of ink IK contained in the ink cartridge 300 installed in the printer 200A falls below a predetermined amount Thik, the user US of the printer 200A will know that the ink cartridge 300 should be replaced.

[0039] 2, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A sends trigger information It to the management unit 100 via the communications network 900 (see the center of FIG. 1). The trigger information It includes container identification information IDC assigned to the ink cartridge 300 in which the amount of ink IK contained therein has fallen below the threshold value Thik.

[0040] In step S270, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A determines whether an ink cartridge 300 installed in the printer 200A has been removed. Whether an ink cartridge 300 installed in the printer 200A has been removed can be detected, for example, by the occurrence of a new container memory unit 320 that the information access unit 240 cannot access (see the middle left part of Figure 1). If there is no newly removed ink cartridge 300, the processing proceeds to step S290. If there is a newly removed ink cartridge 300, the installation flag associated with the container identification information IDC of that ink cartridge 300 is set to OFF, and the processing proceeds to step S280.

[0041] In step S280, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A outputs an output O280 on the display panel 260, urging the user US of the printer 200A to ship the removed ink cartridge 300 to a refilling business RF.

[0042] By performing this process, the user US can know when to send the ink cartridge 300 to the refilling business RF. As a result, the ink cartridge 300 can be efficiently circulated between the user US and the refilling business RF.

[0043] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O280 that prompts the user US to send the ink cartridge 300 to the refilling shop RF. The output O280 includes a button labeled "Next." When the user US presses the "Next" button, specific steps for sending the ink cartridge 300 to the refilling shop RF are displayed on the display panel 260. Subsequently, in response to instructions from the user US, the printer engine 250 prints an address label addressed to the refilling shop RF. The address label addressed to the refilling shop RF is printed using the ink of the ink cartridge installed in the ink cartridge 300. If the black ink cartridge 300 is installed in the printer 200A, the address label is printed using black ink. If the black ink cartridge 300 is not installed in the printer 200A, the address label is printed using a combination of multiple chromatic inks, such as a combination of cyan, magenta, and yellow.

[0044] Upon seeing the output O280 urging the user US to send the ink cartridge 300 to the refilling company RF, the user US sends the ink cartridge 300 to the refilling company RF. At that time, the user US can use the address label printed by the printer 200A.

[0045] In step S290 of FIG. 2, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A determines whether a termination condition has been met. An example of the termination condition is that a switch to turn off the power of the printer 200 has been pressed. If the termination condition has not been met, the process returns to step S210. If the termination condition has been met, the process ends.

[0046] 2, the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 determines whether or not it has received, as update information Ir from the printer 200, information indicating that a newly installed ink cartridge 300 has been installed, along with container identification information IDC, device identification information IDD, and user identification information IDU. If this identification information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S130. If this identification information has been received, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0047] In step S120, the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 associates the container identification information IDC and the ink information IC with the device identification information IDD and the user identification information IDU, and stores them on the hard disk 120H (see the lower center part of FIG. 1). More specifically, the CPU 110 updates the information set IS by storing the received device identification information IDD and the received container identification information IDC and ink information IC in association with each other as part of the information set IS associated with the received user identification information IDU.

[0048] In step S130, the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 determines whether or not trigger information It has been received from the printer 200. If trigger information It has not been received, the process proceeds to step S160. If trigger information It has been received, the process proceeds to step S140.

[0049] In step S140, the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 identifies the user identification information IDU that is associated with the container identification information IDC included in the trigger information It, based on the information set IS on the hard disk 120H (see the lower center part of FIG. 1). The CPU 110 of the management unit 100 then identifies an ink cartridge 300 that has another container identification information IDC that is associated with the identified user identification information IDU and that contains the same color ink as the ink cartridge 300 with the container identification information IDC included in the trigger information It. The CPU 110 of the management unit 100 then outputs O140 on the display 160 to the effect that the identified ink cartridge 300 should be prepared.

[0050] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O140 indicating that an ink cartridge 300 should be prepared. For example, if the other container identification information IDC identified in step S130 of FIG. 2 is "XXXXXXXX," then in step S140, the output O140 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display 160. In this case, the container identification information IDC included in the trigger information It is different from "XXXXXXXX" (see S130 of FIG. 2). The ink cartridge 300 with container identification information IDC "XXXXXXXX" contains the same ink as the ink cartridge 300 with container identification information IDC included in the trigger information It.

[0051] By performing this process, the refilling shop RF can know which ink cartridges 300 to prepare. As a result, the ink cartridges 300 can be circulated efficiently between the user US and the refilling shop RF.

[0052] 2, the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 outputs O150 on the display 160 a message indicating that the ink cartridge 300, which has the container identification information IDC included in the trigger information It, should be collected from the user US, who has the user identification information IDU associated with that container identification information IDC (see the lower right part of FIG. 1). This process is performed by referencing the information set IS in the hard disk 120H, just like in step S140.

[0053] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an output O150 indicating that the ink cartridge 300 should be collected from the user US. For example, if the container identification information IDC contained in the trigger information It received in step S130 of FIG. 2 is "ZZZZZZZZ," and the user identification information IDU identified with reference to the information set IS is "YYYYYYYY," then in step S150, the output O150 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 160.

[0054] By performing this process, the refilling business RF can know which ink cartridges 300 should be collected from the user US. For example, the refilling business RF can send an email to the user US urging them to send in their used ink cartridges 300.

[0055] When the refilling company RF receives from the user US a used ink cartridge 300 containing ink IK whose amount falls below the threshold value Thik, the refilling company RF checks the quality of each part of the ink cartridge 300. If the quality of each part of the ink cartridge 300 is sufficiently high, the refilling company RF refills the ink cartridge 300 with the same ink as the ink contained in the ink cartridge 300. The refilling company RF then sends the refilled ink cartridge 300 to the user US.

[0056] If the quality of any part of the received ink cartridge 300 is not high enough, the refiller RF replaces that part and refills the ink cartridge 300 with the same ink as the ink contained in the ink cartridge 300. The refiller RF then sends the refilled ink cartridge 300 to the user US.

[0057] If the ink cartridge 300 contains a certain percentage of components that are not of sufficiently high quality, the refiller RF will discard the ink cartridge 300 and notify the user US of this.

[0058] (2) Check the status of the ink cartridge: Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management unit 100 and printer 200 in the process of checking the status of the ink cartridges. The process of steps S310 to S320 shown in Figure 7 is executed by the CPU 110 of the management unit 100. The process of steps S410 to S430 shown in Figure 7 is executed by the CPU 210 of the printer 200A. However, the process of steps S410 to S430 shown in Figure 7 is also executed by the CPU 210 of the printer 200B and the CPU 210 of the printer 200C (see the lower center part of Figure 1).

[0059] In step S410, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A, in response to an instruction from the user US via the display panel 260, sends inquiry information Ii, including the device identification information IDD assigned to the printer 200A, to the management unit 100. The inquiry information Ii includes information requesting status information of the ink cartridges. Specifically, the CPU 210 reads the device identification information IDD from the ROM 225 (see the middle left part of FIG. 1). The CPU 210 sends the inquiry information Ii, including the read device identification information IDD, to the management unit 100 via the network interface 230.

[0060] In step S310, the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 determines whether or not inquiry information Ii has been received from the printer 200. If inquiry information Ii has not been received, the process of step S310 is repeated at regular intervals. If inquiry information Ii has been received, the process proceeds to step S320.

[0061] In step S320, the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 identifies one or more pieces of container identification information IDC associated with the device identification information IDD included in the inquiry information Ii based on the information set IS on the hard disk 120H (see the bottom center of FIG. 1). The CPU 110 sends response information Ia including the identified container identification information IDC to the printer 200A that sent the inquiry information Ii.

[0062] The response information Ia includes status information Is for the ink cartridges 300 having one or more container identification information IDC associated with the device identification information IDD included in the inquiry information Ii. The status information Is represents one of a number of statuses, including that the ink cartridge 300 is in the possession of the refiller RF and that the ink cartridge 300 has been shipped from the refiller RF to the user US. The response information Ia further includes ink information IC for the ink contained in each ink cartridge 300 having one or more container identification information IDC associated with the device identification information IDD included in the inquiry information Ii.

[0063] In step S420, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A determines whether the printer 200A has received answer information Ia. If answer information Ia has not been received, the process of step S420 is repeated at regular intervals. If answer information Ia has been received, the process proceeds to step S430.

[0064] In step S430, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A outputs, on the display panel 260, one or more pieces of container identification information IDC included in the response information Ia.

[0065] More specifically, based on the status information Is included in the response information Ia, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A outputs on the display panel 260 the status indicated by the status information Is, such as whether or not the ink cartridges 300 with one or more container identification information IDC included in the response information Ia are held by the refilling company RF and whether or not they have been shipped from the refilling company RF to the user US.

[0066] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing output O430 displayed on display panel 260 in step S430. For example, if, in step S320 of Fig. 7, among the one or more container identification information IDC associated with apparatus identification information IDD included in inquiry information Ii, there are three container identification information IDC corresponding to ink information IC representing cyan ink, two container identification information IDC corresponding to ink information IC representing magenta ink, two container identification information IDC corresponding to ink information IC representing yellow ink, and three container identification information IDC corresponding to ink information IC representing black ink, then in step S430, output O430 shown in Fig. 8 is displayed on display panel 260. The output O430 displays, for each type of ink, whether the ink is held by refiller RF and whether it has been shipped from refiller RF to user US.

[0067] For example, for an ink cartridge 300 that the management unit 100 knows is installed in the printer 200A through the processing of S110 in Figure 2, "Installed in printer" is displayed along with the container identification information IDC of that ink cartridge 300. Note that the "Installed in printer" display may also be based on an installation flag in the RAM 220 of the printer 200A.

[0068] For ink cartridges 300 that the refiller RF has received from the user US but has not yet shipped to the user US, i.e., ink cartridges 300 held by the refiller RF, "Refilling" is displayed along with the container identification information IDC of the ink cartridge 300. Status information Is for ink cartridges 300 that the refiller RF has received from the user US but has not yet shipped to the user US is input by the refiller RF to the management unit 100 via the input device 180. The status information Is is stored as part of the information set IS on the hard disk 120H (see the lower right part of Figure 1).

[0069] When the refilling company RF has completed refilling with ink and shipped the ink cartridge 300 to the user US, the message "Shipped" is displayed along with the container identification information IDC of the ink cartridge 300. The refilling company RF inputs status information Is for the ink cartridge 300 that has been refilled with ink and shipped to the user US into the management unit 100 via the input device 180. The status information Is is stored as part of the information set IS on the hard disk 120H (see the lower right part of Figure 1).

[0070] For ink cartridges 300 for which the management unit 100 has determined through the process of S130 in Figure 2 that the remaining ink level has fallen below the threshold value Thik and which are not held by the refilling company RF, "Not received by manufacturer" is displayed along with the container identification information IDC of the ink cartridge 300. In other words, such used ink cartridges 300 may be held by the user US or by the refilling company RF. Similarly, ink cartridges 300 filled with ink IK may be held by the refilling company RF or by the user US.

[0071] By performing this process, the user US can learn about the ink cartridges 300 associated with the printer 200A. The user US can then learn the status of each ink cartridge 300 associated with the printer 200A that is in circulation between the user US and the refiller RF.

[0072] A3. Effects of the consumables management system: A refilling business RF that acquires used ink cartridges 300 and refills them with ink IK can use the consumables management system 1 of this embodiment to perform the following process. That is, the refilling business RF can provide the ink cartridge 300 refilled with ink IK to a user US having user identification information IDU that corresponds to the container identification information IDC of the ink cartridge 300, as an ink cartridge 300 to be installed in a printer 200A that has device identification information IDD that corresponds to the container identification information IDC of the ink cartridge 300. As a result, the user US is provided with an ink cartridge 300 that they themselves have used, without being provided with an ink cartridge 300 that has deteriorated due to use by another user.

[0073] In the consumables management system 1 of this embodiment, the user US recognizes that the ink cartridge 300 circulating between the user US and the refilling company RF is his or her own ink cartridge 300. Even if the ink cartridge 300 refilled with ink IK is scratched, the user US recognizes that the scratch is likely caused by the user's own actions. Therefore, the user US can tolerate such scratches on the ink cartridge 300. In contrast, when the ink cartridge 300 is circulated between an unspecified number of users US and the refilling company RF, each user US is unlikely to tolerate even slight scratches on the ink cartridge 300 refilled with ink IK. Therefore, the ink cartridge 300 is disposed of or disassembled and recycled at an earlier stage, i.e., when only slight scratches are present. On the other hand, in the consumables management system 1 of this embodiment, the user US tolerates some degree of scratches on the ink cartridge 300. Therefore, the usage period of the ink cartridge 300 before disposal or disassembly and recycling can be set longer. Therefore, the burden that the ink cartridge 300 places on the environment from the time of its manufacture to its disposal can be reduced.

[0074] In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 300 is also referred to as a "consumable container." The ink IK is also referred to as a "consumable." The communication network 900 is also referred to as a "network." The RAM 220 and ROM 225 are also referred to as "device storage devices." The display panel 260 is also referred to as a "device output unit." The hard disk 120H is also referred to as a "management storage unit." The display 160 is also referred to as a "management output unit."

[0075] B. Other Embodiments: B1. Alternative Embodiment 1: (1) In the above embodiment, the explanation of the charge for refilling the ink cartridge 300 with ink has been omitted. The charge for refilling the ink cartridge 300 with ink may be made each time the user US requests a refill from the refilling company RF, or may be made according to a subscription contract that allows unlimited refills for a certain period of time. When a subscription contract is made, the user identification information IDU may be information that can identify the subscription contract.

[0076] (2) In step S210 of FIG. 2 in the above embodiment, a new ink cartridge 300 is installed in the printer 200A. The new ink cartridge 300 to be installed in the printer 200 may be purchased by the user US at a general brick-and-mortar store or an online store. Alternatively, the new ink cartridge 300 to be installed in the printer 200 may be purchased directly from the manufacturer of the printer 200, which also serves as the refilling service RF. The user US may purchase an empty ink cartridge 300 and send it to the refilling service RF to request refilling with ink. Alternatively, the manufacturer of the printer 200, which also serves as the refilling service RF, may, when triggered by the management unit 100 receiving the trigger information It, fill the empty ink cartridge 300 with ink and send the filled ink cartridge 300 to the user US who has a subscription contract.

[0077] (3) In the above embodiment, the display panel 260 is specifically a liquid crystal display equipped with a touch panel (see the lower center of FIG. 1). However, the device output unit of the printer may also be the display of a computer connected to the printer. The device output unit of the printer may also be a smartphone or smart speaker connected to the printer.

[0078] (4) In the above embodiment, the container memory unit 320 of the ink cartridge 300 stores container identification information IDC assigned to the ink cartridge 300 and ink information IC of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 300 (see the upper left part of FIG. 1). However, the container memory unit 320 of the ink cartridge 300 may also store user identification information IDU of the user US who purchased the ink cartridge 300. When the ink cartridge 300 is first installed in the printer 200 or when the ink cartridge 300 is purchased by the user US, the user identification information IDU can be stored in the container memory unit 320 of the ink cartridge 300. In FIG. 1, the user identification information IDU stored in the container memory unit 320 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0079] (5) In the above embodiment, the information set IS also holds ink information IC for the ink contained in the ink cartridge with the container identification information IDC, in association with the container identification information IDC (see the lower right portion of FIG. 1). However, an embodiment is also possible in which the container identification information IDC is not managed in association with the ink information IC for the ink contained in the ink cartridge 300 with that container identification information IDC. In such an embodiment, for example, the ink cartridge 300 may be cleaned prior to pre-filling with ink, and then refilled with a type of ink that is not restricted to the type of ink previously contained therein.

[0080] (6) In the above embodiment, when the amount of ink IK falls below the threshold value Thik, an output O250 is generated to prompt the user to replace the ink cartridge 300, and trigger information It is sent to the management unit 100 (see S250 and S260 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). However, the ink threshold value that triggers the output O250 to prompt the user to replace the ink cartridge 300 and the ink threshold value that triggers the sending of trigger information It to the management unit 100 may be different.

[0081] (7) In the above embodiment, the refilling company RF is the manufacturer of the printer 200 (see the right part of FIG. 1). However, the refilling company may be a company that provides a service of refilling consumables into consumable containers with consumables and does not manufacture printers.

[0082] (8) In step S280 of Figure 2 in the above embodiment, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A outputs O280 to the display panel 260, urging the user to ship the removed ink cartridge 300 to a refilling business RF. However, the destination for the ink cartridge 300 may also be an agency of the refilling business RF.

[0083] (9) In the above embodiment, one ink cartridge 300 is circulated between a specific user US and a refilling company RF. Such ink cartridges 300 may be provided with the same structure but with different patterns and colors on the exterior. In such an embodiment, the user US can purchase an ink cartridge 300 with a preferred pattern and color and use it repeatedly.

[0084] (10) In the above embodiment, the management unit 100 is used by the refilling company RF (see the right part of FIG. 1). The management unit 100 may be a server or may be realized by multiple computers and storage devices present on a network.

[0085] B2. Alternative Embodiment 2: (1) In the above embodiment, when a newly installed ink cartridge 300 is present, the container identification information IDC of that ink cartridge 300 is sent to the management unit 100 along with the device identification information IDD and user identification information IDU (see S230 in FIG. 2). However, when a newly installed ink cartridge 300 is present, the container identification information IDC may be sent to the management unit 100 without the device identification information IDD and user identification information IDU. For example, when a newly installed ink cartridge 300 is ordered from the manufacturer, refiller RF, by the user US via the printer 200, the refiller RF can perform the following process. That is, when refilling the ink cartridge 300 with ink, the refiller RF can associate the container identification information IDC, device identification information IDD, and user identification information IDU of that ink cartridge 300 and store them as an information set IS on the hard disk 120H. In such a case, even if the management unit 100 receives only the container identification information IDC, it can obtain the device identification information IDD and the user identification information IDU by referring to the information set IS.

[0086] (2) In the above embodiment, when trigger information It is received, an output O140 indicating that an ink cartridge 300 containing the same color ink as the ink cartridge 300 whose container identification information IDC is included in the trigger information It is to be prepared is displayed on the display 160. However, the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 may be configured not to perform such processing when trigger information It is received.

[0087] For example, when the CPU 110 of the management unit 100 receives the trigger information It, it may display on the display 160 a plurality of other container identification information IDC that are associated with the user identification information IDU and that are held by the refiller RF, as well as information on the type of ink in the ink cartridge 300 whose container identification information IDC is included in the trigger information It. Based on this information, the refiller RF may clean the ink cartridge 300 that is associated with the user identification information IDU and that is held by the refiller RF, fill it with the displayed type of ink, and send it to the user US.

[0088] B3. Alternative Embodiment 3: In the above embodiment, when trigger information It is received, CPU 110 of management unit 100 outputs O150 on display 160 a message indicating that ink cartridges 300 bearing container identification information IDC included in trigger information It should be collected from user US (see S150 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6). However, an embodiment can also be adopted in which CPU 110 of management unit 100 does not perform such processing when trigger information It is received. In such an embodiment, refiller RF may wait to receive ink cartridges 300 shipped from user US.

[0089] B4. Alternative Embodiment 4: In the above embodiment, if the amount of ink IK falls below the threshold value Thik, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A displays an output O280 on the display panel 260 urging the user US of the printer 200A to ship the removed ink cartridge 300 to a refilling service RF (see S280 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4). However, an embodiment can also be adopted in which the CPU 210 of the printer 200A does not perform such processing when the amount of ink IK falls below the threshold value Thik. In such an embodiment, the user US may ship the ink cartridge 300 to the refilling service RF after receiving a new ink cartridge 300 from the refilling service RF.

[0090] B5. Alternative Embodiment 5: In the above embodiment, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A, in response to an instruction from the user US via the display panel 260, sends inquiry information Ii, including device identification information IDD assigned to the printer 200A, to the management unit 100 (see S410 in FIG. 7). The CPU 210 of the printer 200A then outputs, via the display panel 260, one or more pieces of container identification information IDC included in the response information Ia received from the management unit 100 (see S430 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). However, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A can also be configured not to perform such processing. In such a configuration, the user US is able to understand and manage the status of the ink cartridge 300 they are using.

[0091] B6. Alternative Embodiment 6: In the above embodiment, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A outputs the status of one or more ink cartridges 300 associated with the container identification information IDC included in the response information Ia to the display panel 260 based on the status information Is included in the response information Ia (see S430 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). However, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A can also be configured not to perform such processing. For example, the CPU 210 of the printer 200A can output the container identification information IDC to the display panel 260 without including information on the status of the ink cartridges 300 corresponding to each container identification information IDC.

[0092] C. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0093] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a consumables management system is provided. The consumables management system includes a plurality of printers, each of which has a consumables container attached thereto and consumes the consumables contained in the consumables container, and a management unit connected to the plurality of printers via a network. The management unit manages, in association with each other, container identification information assigned to the consumables container, device identification information assigned to each of the plurality of printers, and user identification information assigned to each user of the plurality of printers. In this manner, a refilling business that acquires used consumable containers and refills them with consumables can use the consumables management system to perform the following process: That is, the refilled consumable container can be provided to a user who has user identification information associated with the container identification information of the consumable container as a consumable container to be installed in a printer whose device identification information is associated with the container identification information of the consumable container. As a result, the user is provided with a consumable container that they themselves used, without being provided with a consumable container that has deteriorated due to use by another user.

[0094] (2) In the consumables management system of the above aspect, the consumables container has a container memory unit that stores container identification information assigned to the consumables container, the printer has a device memory unit that stores device identification information assigned to the printer and user identification information assigned to a user of the printer, and a device output unit that outputs information, the management unit has a management memory unit that stores a plurality of information sets, each information set including a plurality of pieces of container identification information, one or more pieces of device identification information, and one piece of user identification information that are associated with each other, and a management output unit that outputs information, and when the consumables container is attached to the printer, the printer reads the container identification information from the container memory unit of the consumables container and stores the device identification information assigned to the printer and the user identification information assigned to the user of the printer. and transmits the container identification information to the management unit together with user identification information attached to the container identification information, and when the amount of consumables contained in the consumables container attached to the printer falls below a predetermined amount, the device output unit outputs a message urging the user of the printer to replace the consumables container attached to the printer. Trigger information including the container identification information attached to the consumables container containing less than the predetermined amount is transmitted to the management unit. Upon receiving the trigger information, the management unit identifies the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the trigger information based on the information set in the management storage unit, and outputs from the management output unit a message urging the user to prepare a consumables container attached with other container identification information associated with the identified user identification information. With this configuration, when the amount of consumables contained in the consumable container installed in the printer falls below a predetermined amount, the printer user can know that the consumable container should be replaced. When the amount of consumables contained in the consumable container installed in the printer falls below a predetermined amount, the refilling company can know which consumable container to prepare. As a result, consumable containers can be circulated efficiently between users and refilling companies.

[0095] (3) In the above-described consumables management system, when the management unit receives the trigger information, the management output unit may output, based on the information set in the management memory unit, a message indicating that the consumables container to which the container identification information included in the trigger information is attached should be collected from the user to which the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the trigger information is attached. In this manner, the refilling business can know which consumable containers should be collected from the user.

[0096] (4) In the above-described consumables management system, when the consumables container attached to the printer is removed, the printer may be configured so that the device output unit outputs a message urging the user of the printer to ship the removed consumables container to a refilling company that will refill the consumables container with consumables. In this manner, the user can know that the removed consumable container should be sent to a refilling service provider, thereby enabling efficient circulation of consumable containers between users and refilling service providers.

[0097] (5) In the above-described consumables management system, the printer can send inquiry information including device identification information assigned to the printer to the management unit, and upon receiving the inquiry information, the management unit sends response information including one or more container identification information associated with the device identification information included in the inquiry information to the printer based on the information set in the management memory unit, and upon receiving the response information, the printer can output the one or more container identification information included in the response information using the device output unit. In this manner, the user can know the consumable container associated with the printer.

[0098] (6) In the above-described consumable management system, the response information may include status information for the consumable containers of the one or more container identification information associated with the device identification information included in the inquiry information, and the status information may represent one of a plurality of states, including that the consumable container is held by a refilling company and that the consumable container has been shipped to the user. When the printer receives the response information, the printer outputs the status represented by the status information for the consumable containers of the one or more container identification information included in the response information via the device output unit. In this manner, the user can know the status of the consumable container associated with the printer that is in circulation between the user and a refilling service provider.

[0099] (7) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for managing consumable containers executed in a consumable management system. The consumable management system includes a plurality of printers, each of which has a consumable container attached thereto and consumes the consumables contained in the consumable container, and a management unit connected to the plurality of printers via a network. The management unit manages container identification information assigned to the consumable container, device identification information assigned to each of the plurality of printers, and user identification information assigned to each user of the plurality of printers, in association with each other.

[0100] (8) In the method for managing consumable containers of the above aspect, the consumable container comprises a container memory unit that stores container identification information assigned to the consumable container, the printer comprises a device memory unit that stores device identification information assigned to the printer and user identification information assigned to a user of the printer, and a device output unit that outputs information, and the management unit comprises a management memory unit that stores a plurality of information sets, each information set including a plurality of pieces of container identification information, one or more pieces of device identification information, and one piece of user identification information that are associated with each other, and a management output unit that outputs information, and the management method comprises: (a) when the consumable container is attached to the printer, the printer reads the container identification information stored in the container memory unit of the consumable container, and transmits the container identification information to the management unit together with device identification information assigned to the printer and user identification information assigned to the user of the printer; (b) When the amount of consumables contained in the consumables container attached to the printer falls below a predetermined amount, (b1) the printer uses the device output unit to output a message to the user of the printer prompting them to replace the consumable container installed in the printer; (b2) a step in which the printer transmits trigger information to the management unit, the trigger information including container identification information attached to the consumable container in which the amount of consumables contained falls below the predetermined amount; (c) when the management unit receives the trigger information, (c1) the management unit identifies the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the trigger information based on the information set in the management storage unit; (c2) The method may include a step in which the management unit outputs, via the management output unit, a message indicating that a consumable container having other container identification information associated with the identified user identification information should be prepared.

[0101] (9) In the above-described method for managing consumable containers, an embodiment may include a step in which, when the management unit receives the trigger information, the management unit outputs, via the management output unit, a message indicating that the consumable container to which the container identification information included in the trigger information is assigned should be collected from the user to which the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the trigger information is assigned, based on the information set in the management memory unit.

[0102] (10) In the above-described method for managing consumable containers, an embodiment may include a step in which, when the consumable container attached to the printer is removed, the printer outputs, via the device output unit, a message prompting the user of the printer to ship the removed consumable container to a refilling company that will refill the consumable container with consumables.

[0103] (11) In the above-described method for managing a consumable container, a step in which the printer sends inquiry information including device identification information assigned to the printer to the management unit; a step in which, when the management unit receives the inquiry information, the management unit sends response information to the printer based on the information set in the management storage unit, the response information including one or more pieces of container identification information associated with the device identification information included in the inquiry information; An aspect of the invention may include a step in which, when the printer receives the response information, the printer outputs the one or more container identification information contained in the response information using the device output unit.

[0104] (12) In the above-described method for managing consumable containers, the response information may include status information for the consumable containers of the one or more container identification information associated with the device identification information included in the inquiry information, the status information representing one of a plurality of states including that the consumable container is held by a refilling company and that the consumable container has been shipped to the user, and the step of outputting the one or more container identification information may be a step of outputting the status represented by the status information for the consumable containers of the one or more container identification information included in the response information by the device output unit.

[0105] The present disclosure may be realized in various forms other than the consumables management system and the consumables container management method, such as a maintenance method for consumables containers, a computer program that realizes the consumables container management method, or a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1...consumables management system, 100...management unit, 110...CPU, 120...RAM, 120H...hard disk, 120S...main memory, 125...ROM, 130...network interface, 160...display, 180...input device, 200A...printer, 200B...printer, 200C...printer, 210...CPU, 220...RAM, 225...ROM, 230...network interface, 240...information access unit, 250...printer engine, 260...display panel, 27 0...remaining amount sensor, 300...ink cartridge, 310...ink storage section, 320...container memory section, 900...communication network, IDC...container identification information, IDD...device identification information, IDU...user identification information, IK...ink, IS...information set, Ia...answer information, Ii...inquiry information, Ir...update information, Is...status information, It...trigger information, O140...output, O150...output, O250...output, O280...output, O430...output, RF...refiller, RV...ink remaining amount, Thik...threshold, US...user

Claims

1. A consumables management system, a plurality of printers, each of which has a consumables container attached thereto and consumes consumables contained in the consumables container; a management unit connected to the plurality of printers via a network, The management unit a management storage unit storing a plurality of information sets, each of the information sets including a plurality of pieces of the container identification information, one or more pieces of the device identification information, and one piece of the user identification information, which are associated with each other; a management output unit that outputs information, managing, in association with each other, container identification information assigned to the consumable container, device identification information assigned to each of the plurality of printers, and user identification information assigned to each user of the plurality of printers; The printer includes: When the amount of consumables stored in the consumables container attached to the printer falls below a predetermined amount, transmitting trigger information to the management unit, the trigger information including container identification information assigned to the consumable container in which the amount of consumables contained therein has fallen below the predetermined amount; When the management unit receives the trigger information, Identifying the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the trigger information based on the information set in the management storage unit; The consumables management system includes an output from the management output unit indicating that a consumables container having other container identification information associated with the specified user identification information should be prepared.

2. The consumables management system according to claim 1, the consumable container includes a container storage unit that stores container identification information assigned to the consumable container; The printer includes: a device storage unit that stores device identification information assigned to the printer and user identification information assigned to a user of the printer; a device output unit that outputs information, The printer includes: When the consumable container is attached to the printer, the container identification information in the container storage unit of the consumable container is read, and the container identification information is sent to the management unit together with device identification information assigned to the printer and user identification information assigned to a user of the printer; When the amount of consumables stored in the consumables container attached to the printer falls below a predetermined amount, The consumables management system is configured to output, via the device output unit, a message urging the user of the printer to replace the consumables container attached to the printer.

3. 3. The consumables management system according to claim 2, When the management unit receives the trigger information, the management output unit outputs, based on the information set in the management memory unit, a message indicating that the consumable container to which the container identification information included in the trigger information is assigned should be collected from the user to which the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the trigger information is assigned.

4. 4. The consumables management system according to claim 2, When a consumable container attached to the printer is removed, the printer uses the device output unit to output an output prompting the user of the printer to ship the removed consumable container to a refilling company that will refill the consumable container with consumables.

5. The consumables management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The printer can send inquiry information including device identification information assigned to the printer to the management unit, When the management unit receives the inquiry information, it transmits response information to the printer, the response information including one or more pieces of container identification information associated with the device identification information included in the inquiry information, based on the information set in the management storage unit; When the printer receives the response information, the printer outputs the one or more pieces of container identification information included in the response information by the device output unit.

6. The consumables management system according to claim 5, the response information includes status information about the consumable container of the one or more container identification information associated with the device identification information included in the inquiry information, the status information representing one of a plurality of statuses including that the consumable container is in the possession of a refilling company and that the consumable container has been shipped to the user; When the printer receives the response information, the printer outputs, via the device output unit, the status represented by the status information for the consumable containers having the one or more container identification information included in the response information.

7. A consumables container management method executed in a consumables management system, comprising: The consumables management system includes: a plurality of printers, each of which has a consumables container attached thereto and consumes consumables contained in the consumables container; a management unit connected to the plurality of printers via a network, The management unit a management storage unit storing a plurality of information sets, each of the information sets including a plurality of pieces of the container identification information, one or more pieces of the device identification information, and one piece of the user identification information, which are associated with each other; a management output unit that outputs information, the management unit manages, in association with each other, container identification information assigned to the consumable container, device identification information assigned to each of the plurality of printers, and user identification information assigned to each user of the plurality of printers; The management method includes: (a) when the amount of consumables contained in the consumables container attached to the printer falls below a predetermined amount; (a1) a step in which the printer transmits trigger information to the management unit, the trigger information including container identification information attached to the consumable container when the amount of consumables contained therein falls below the predetermined amount; (b) when the management unit receives the trigger information, (b1) the management unit determines whether the trigger is Identifying the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the information death, (b2) The management unit identifies other contents associated with the specified user identification information. a step of outputting a message to the effect that a consumable container with container identification information attached thereto should be prepared by the management output unit; A management method including a process.

8. The management method according to claim 7, the consumable container includes a container storage unit that stores container identification information assigned to the consumable container; The printer includes: a device storage unit that stores device identification information assigned to the printer and user identification information assigned to a user of the printer; a device output unit that outputs information, The management unit a management storage unit storing a plurality of information sets, each of the information sets including a plurality of pieces of the container identification information, one or more pieces of the device identification information, and one piece of the user identification information, which are associated with each other; a management output unit that outputs information, The management method includes: (c) when the consumable container is attached to the printer, the printer reads the container identification information from the container memory unit of the consumable container and transmits the container identification information to the management unit together with device identification information assigned to the printer and user identification information assigned to the user of the printer; (d) when the amount of consumables contained in the consumables container attached to the printer falls below a predetermined amount; (d1) the printer uses the device output unit to output a message to the user of the printer prompting the user to replace the consumable container attached to the printer; (d2) a step in which the printer transmits trigger information to the management unit, the trigger information including container identification information attached to the consumable container in which the amount of consumables contained falls below the predetermined amount; (e) when the management unit receives the trigger information, (e1) the management unit identifies the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the trigger information based on the information set in the management storage unit; (e2) A management method including a step in which the management unit outputs, via the management output unit, a message indicating that a consumable container having other container identification information associated with the identified user identification information should be prepared.

9. 9. The management method according to claim 8, A management method including a step in which, when the management unit receives the trigger information, the management unit outputs, via the management output unit, a message indicating that the consumable container to which the container identification information included in the trigger information is assigned should be collected from the user to which the user identification information associated with the container identification information included in the trigger information is assigned, based on the information set in the management memory unit.

10. The management method according to claim 8 or 9, A management method including a step in which, when a consumable container attached to the printer is removed, the printer outputs, via the device output unit, a message prompting the user of the printer to ship the removed consumable container to a refilling company that will refill the consumable container with consumables.

11. The management method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, a step in which the printer sends inquiry information including device identification information assigned to the printer to the management unit; a step in which, when the management unit receives the inquiry information, the management unit transmits response information to the printer based on the information set in the management storage unit, the response information including one or more pieces of container identification information associated with the device identification information included in the inquiry information; A management method including a step in which, when the printer receives the response information, the printer outputs the one or more container identification information included in the response information by the device output unit.

12. The management method according to claim 11, the response information includes status information about the consumable container of the one or more container identification information associated with the device identification information included in the inquiry information, the status information representing one of a plurality of statuses including that the consumable container is in the possession of a refilling company and that the consumable container has been shipped to the user; A management method in which the step of outputting the one or more container identification information is a step of outputting the status represented by the status information for the consumable containers of the one or more container identification information included in the response information by the device output unit.

Images