Remaining quantity management device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of accurately detecting that the entire quantity of a printing consumable material in a storage body has been inserted into a tank.　A printer 200 comprises a tank 32 that stores ink inserted from a bottle and a level sensor 90. A control device 50 acquires, in S201, printing quantity information regarding the ink, determines, in S220, whether a current estimated remaining quantity calculated after the ink in a tank 32 has decreased to less than an upper reference level HL has reached a first threshold value, and determines, in S270, whether the current estimated remaining quantity calculated after the ink level in the tank 32 has decreased to less than the upper reference level HL has reached a second threshold value. When it is determined in S270 that the second threshold value has been reached, image formation is prohibited in S280. In S125, it is determined that the entire quantity of ink has been inserted from the bottle on the basis of the fact that the ink level in the tank 32 has increased to the upper reference level HL or higher, and if it is determined in S125 that the entire quantity of the ink has been inserted, image formation is permitted in S145.

Description

Remaining quantity management device

[0001] The present invention relates to a remaining amount management device that manages the remaining amount of printing consumables in a tank of a printing device.

[0002] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a technology is known in which a sensor is installed at the bottom of a tank of a printing device, and the latest remaining amount of printing consumables in the printing device is calculated and managed based on the detection results of the level of the printing consumables by the sensor.

[0003] JP 2016-190361 A

[0004] In the above-described conventional technology, when the printing consumables in the tank are consumed and reduced due to printing execution, the user can add printing consumables from a reservoir into the tank to replenish the printing consumables in the tank.

[0005] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the sensor is positioned lower inside the tank, making it difficult to determine whether the amount of printing consumables that the user puts into the tank from the reservoir is the entire amount inside the reservoir.

[0006] Meanwhile, in recent years, services have become known in which a specific contract is concluded with a user of a printing device and, based on that contract, the user is charged according to the printing content. Depending on the content of the contracted service, printing consumables may be delivered to the user from a specific delivery source according to the consumption of the printing consumables, without the user incurring any financial burden. In this case, if printing is performed without the entire amount of printing consumables in the storage tank being inserted as described above, and the printing consumables in the tank are consumed, new printing consumables will be delivered even though there is printing consumables remaining in the storage tank, which is a significant disadvantage to the service provider.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a remaining amount management device that can accurately detect when all of the printing consumables in a reservoir have been poured into a tank.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing device with a level sensor located above the tank that can detect the level of printing consumables in the tank. When an image is formed by a printing unit, the printing consumables in the tank are consumed, causing the liquid level of the printing consumables to decrease. A remaining amount management device executes a print amount acquisition process to acquire print amount information, such as ink dot count, of the printing consumables resulting from the image formation. After the level sensor detects that the level of the printing consumables in the tank has decreased from above the upper reference level to below the upper reference level, the current estimated remaining amount of the printing consumables is calculated using the print amount information acquired by the print amount acquisition process.

[0009] When the printing consumables in the tank are consumed and the tank becomes almost empty, for example, printing becomes impossible. In response to this, the present invention sets a second threshold value for the remaining amount of the printing consumables. By executing a second determination process in the remaining amount management device, it is determined whether the current estimated remaining amount of the printing consumables has reached the second threshold value. If it is determined that the second threshold value has been reached, a printing prohibition process is executed to prohibit image formation by the printing unit.

[0010] In contrast, the present invention assumes that, ideally, the entire amount of printing consumables stored in the storage container is poured into the tank each time the printing consumables are used. For example, the printing consumables stored in the tank are consumed and the remaining amount of printing consumables is reduced to a certain extent, and then new printing consumables are poured into the tank. For this purpose, a first threshold value for the remaining amount of printing consumables is set. The remaining amount management device executes a first determination process to determine whether the current estimated remaining amount of the printing consumables has reached the first threshold value.

[0011] When the first determination process determines that the printing consumables have been consumed and reached the first threshold, the remaining amount management device executes a third determination process. In the third determination process, it can determine that the entire amount of the printing consumables has been dispensed from the reservoir into the tank based on a detection by a level sensor provided at the top of the tank that the level of the printing consumables in the tank has increased from below the upper reference level to above the upper reference level. When the third determination process determines that the entire amount of the printing consumables has been dispensed, the remaining amount management device executes a printing permission process to permit image formation by the printing unit.

[0012] According to the present invention, when a user pours printing consumables from a storage body into a tank in response to consumption of the printing consumables, if the entire amount is poured, subsequent printing can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect when the entire amount of printing consumables in the storage body has been poured into the tank.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect whether the entire amount of printing consumables in the reservoir has been poured into the tank.

[0014] 1 is a functional block diagram showing the overall schematic configuration of a print processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer provided in the print processing system; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the amount of ink in a tank and the ON / OFF state behavior of a level sensor; FIG. 4 is an external view showing a state in which the access cover provided on the printer housing is opened and the ink inlets of the four tanks are exposed to the outside; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the principle of calculating the remaining amount before input based on count-up; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure performed by a printer; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the printer initialization process of S100; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the level sensor check process of S120; FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the cover opening / closing process of S300; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display; FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the ink consumption process of S200; FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the count addition process of S210; FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the consumable remaining amount check process of S215; and FIG.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 1 shows a print processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an embodiment of a print processing system 1 that provides a print service based on a print contract in which a fee is charged according to the number of prints made by a printer 200. In this print processing system 1, when printing consumables (described in detail below) used in the printer 200 are consumed to a certain extent, new printing consumables are automatically delivered and inserted from the service provider side at no financial cost to the user.

[0017] 1, the print processing system 1 includes an information management server 100, a printer 200, a mobile terminal 300, and a delivery management server 400. The information management server 100, the printer 200, the mobile terminal 300, and the delivery management server 400 are connected to a network NT and can communicate with each other. The printer 200 is an example of a printing device and also an example of a remaining amount management device.

[0018] <Printer Configuration> The printer 200 provided in the print processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the printer 200 includes a carriage 2, an inkjet head 3, a platen 4, and transport rollers 5 and 6. The side of the printer 200 where the transport roller 6 is located is the front side, and the side of the printer 200 where the transport roller 5 is located is the rear side. The direction from the rear side to the front side is the transport direction, and the left-right direction is the main scanning direction.

[0019] The carriage 2 is connected to a carriage motor 56 (see FIG. 1) via a belt or the like (not shown), and is driven by the carriage motor 56 to move along the guide rails 11 and 12 in the main scanning direction.

[0020] The inkjet head 3 is connected to four tubes 31. The four tubes 31 are respectively connected to four tanks 32 arranged in the main scanning direction at the front right end of the printer 200. Black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks stored in the four tanks 32 are supplied to the inkjet head 3 via the tubes 31.

[0021] The printer 200 of this embodiment is, for example, a relatively low-cost model, and is used by adding ink from a corresponding bottle (not shown) to each tank 32. The bottle is an example of a reservoir. That is, each tank 32 is provided with a cap 32a, and ink is filled into the tank 32 by manually adding ink from the bottle with the cap 32a removed. The capacity of the bottle is, for example, set to a fixed value, i.e., a predetermined volume. In the delivery service described above, the bottle is delivered to the user, and the user can supply all of the ink from the bottle into the tank 32 in the predetermined volume unit with a single insertion operation. Ink is an example of a printing consumable.

[0022] The inkjet head 3 is mounted on the carriage 2, and the carriage 2 moves the inkjet head 3 in the main scanning direction while the inkjet head 3 ejects ink, thereby forming an image, i.e., printing. The inkjet head 3 has a flow path unit 13. The inkjet head 3 and the carriage 2 are an example of a printing unit.

[0023] The flow path unit 13 has four nozzle rows 9 arranged in the main scanning direction, each row including a plurality of nozzles 10. As an example, the nozzles 10 eject black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks in this order from right to left. The nozzles 10 included in one nozzle row are supplied with ink of a corresponding color via the common tube 31 and a common ink flow path. That is, ink from one tank 32 is supplied via the tube 31 → ink flow path of the flow path unit 13 → each nozzle 10.

[0024] The platen 4 is located below the inkjet head 3 and faces the nozzle surface during printing. The platen 4 extends across the entire width of the recording paper P in the main scanning direction and supports the recording paper P from below. The recording paper P is an example of a print medium. The transport rollers 5 and 6 are located upstream and downstream of the platen 4 in the transport direction, respectively. The transport rollers 5 and 6 are connected to a transport motor 57 (see FIG. 1) via gears and the like (not shown), and rotate when driven by the transport motor 57 to transport the recording paper P in the transport direction.

[0025] With the above configuration, the printer 200 prints on the recording paper P by moving the carriage 2 in the main scanning direction and ejecting ink from the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 3 each time the recording paper P is transported a predetermined distance by the transport rollers 5 and 6.

[0026] <Level Sensor> Each tank 32 is provided with a level sensor 90 for detecting whether the ink level inside is equal to or higher than an upper reference level corresponding to the upper portion of the tank 32. The level sensor 90 detects the ink level using a known method and outputs a corresponding detection signal. The detection signal from the level sensor 90 is ON when the ink level is equal to or higher than the upper reference level, and OFF when the ink level is lower than the upper reference level. The upper reference level is preferably the ink level when 75% or more of the ink capacity of the tank 32 is contained. This minimizes wasted space when the entire amount of ink in the ink bottle is poured into the printer 200, preventing it from becoming larger. More preferably, the upper reference level is the ink level when 80% or more of the ink capacity of the tank 32 is contained.

[0027] The relationship between the amount of ink in the tank 32 and the ON / OFF behavior of the level sensor 90 is shown in Figure 3. The level sensor 90 is indicated by a simplified black triangle in the figure, and the presence or absence of ink at the upper reference level HL is detected by the level sensor 90. In this example, the upper reference level HL is positioned slightly below the top edge of the tank 32, and is measured from the bottom of the tank 32. In more detail, as will be described later, the upper reference level HL is set to a height that the liquid level I will not reach unless the entire predetermined amount of ink is poured into the tank 32 from an empty ink state.

[0028] Figure 3(a) shows the tank 32 empty, with no ink, and the level sensor 90 in the OFF state. Figure 3(b) shows the state in which ink is poured into the tank 32 from a bottle, causing the liquid level I to rise slightly. In this state, the liquid level I has not yet reached the upper reference level HL, so the level sensor 90 remains in the OFF state.

[0029] FIG. 3(d) shows the state in which the ink level I reaches the upper reference level HL after passing through the state in FIG. 3(c) where more ink is added from the state in FIG. 3(b). When this state is reached, the level sensor 90 switches from the OFF state to the ON state. As more ink is added, the ink level I rises, and the ink in the tank 32 reaches the state in FIG. 3(e), where the ink is essentially full. From FIG. 3(d) to FIG. 3(e), the level sensor 90 remains in the ON state.

[0030] On the other hand, when printing is performed by the inkjet head 3 from the ink-full state shown in Fig. 3(e) and the ink is consumed, the liquid level I drops slightly, and the state in which the liquid level I falls below the upper reference level HL is shown in Fig. 3(f). When this state occurs, the level sensor 90 switches from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0031] From the state of Fig. 3(f), the state of Fig. 3(g), Fig. 3(h), and Fig. 3(i) is reached, where ink is further consumed, and then the state of Fig. 3(j) is reached, where ink in the tank 32 is empty (meaning that usable ink is empty; in reality, some ink may remain in the tank 32). In Fig. 3(g) to Fig. 3(i), the level sensor 90 remains in the OFF state.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates the printer 200 with the access cover 200B on the housing 200A open. Opening the access cover 200B exposes the ink inlets (not shown) of each of the four tanks 32 arranged inside the housing 200A. In this example, the magenta tank 32M, cyan tank 32C, yellow tank 32Y, and black tank 32K are arranged in this order from left to right. Each of the tanks 32M, 32C, 32Y, and 32K is provided with a level sensor 90 that detects whether the ink level I in the tank reaches the upper reference level HL. While not shown, the housing 200A may also be provided with an access sensor 80 (see FIG. 1) that detects the open / closed state of the access cover 200B using a known method. The access sensor 80 detects whether the access cover 200B is open or closed and outputs a corresponding detection signal. The access cover 200B is an example of an access unit.

[0033] <Electrical Configuration of Print Processing System> Returning to FIG. 1, the electrical configuration of the print processing system 1 will be described.

[0034] <Information Management Server> The information management server 100 is a server installed and managed by a service provider, that is, for example, the manufacturer of the printer 200 or the operating company of the printing service described above, and has a processor 110, a storage device 115, and an interface 190. The processor 110, the storage device 115, and the interface 190 are connected to one another via a bus 105.

[0035] The storage device 115 includes a volatile storage device 120 and a non-volatile storage device 130. The volatile storage device 120 is, for example, a DRAM, and includes a user ID storage area 121, a device number storage area 122, a printer ID storage area 124, and a remaining ink storage area 125. The information stored in these storage areas is used to manage the use of printing services by each printer and each user. The non-volatile storage device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and includes a program storage area 131.

[0036] The processor 110 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU. The processor 110 executes programs stored in the program storage area 131 to perform various processes, including data communication with the mobile terminal 300, printer 200, and delivery management server 400 connected to the network NT. The program storage area 131 of the nonvolatile storage device 130 and the processor 110 that uses it are examples of a control unit.

[0037] The interface 190 is a wired LAN interface or a wireless interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT.

[0038] <Delivery management server> The delivery management server 400 is installed, for example, at a delivery service company that provides delivery services for various items including the above-mentioned bottles, and has a processor, a storage device, and an interface for connecting to the network NT (not shown).

[0039] <Mobile Terminal> The mobile terminal 300 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user, and is connected to the network NT via wireless communication. The mobile terminal 300 has a processor 310, a storage device 315, an interface 390 for connecting to the network NT, a display unit 301, and an operation unit 350. Various programs are stored in a program storage area provided in the storage device. Note that instead of the mobile terminal 300, other information terminals such as a tablet computer or a desktop PC may be used.

[0040] <Printer> The printer 200 is equipped with a control device 50 for controlling the operation of the printer 200, a carriage motor 56, a transport motor 57, a level sensor 90, an open / close sensor 80, and an appropriate display unit 201. The control device 50 is equipped with a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, an EEPROM 54, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) 55, an interface 60, etc. The RAM 53 is provided with an input counter 126 and a sensor counter 127 (details will be described later). The input counter 126 and the sensor counter 127 are backed up in a non-volatile memory such as the EEPROM 54 as appropriate so that control can continue even when the printer 200 is powered off and on. The ROM 52 has a program storage area 52A. The programs stored in the program storage area 52A include programs for executing the processes shown in the flowcharts of Figures 6 to 8, 10, and 12 to 14, which will be described later. The control device 50 has these components and controls the carriage motor 56, the transport motor 57, and the like. Detection signals from the level sensor 90 and the open / close sensor 80, which have been described above, are also input to the control device 50. The control device then operates as a remaining amount management device, which will be described later.

[0041] The interface 60 is a wired LAN interface or a wireless interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT.

[0042] 1 illustrates only one CPU 51, the control device 50 may include multiple CPUs 51, and the processing may be shared among the multiple CPUs 51. Also, while FIG. 1 illustrates only one ASIC 55, the control device 50 may include multiple ASICs 55, and the processing may be shared among the multiple ASICs 55.

[0043] <Background of this embodiment> As described above, in the print processing system 1 of this embodiment, when the ink in the tank 32 is depleted, a new bottle is delivered to the user free of charge, without any financial burden on the user. The user manually pours ink from the bottle into the tank 32 to fill the ink. At this time, as described above, the entire amount of ink in the bottle can be supplied to the tank 32 with a single pouring operation by the user.

[0044] For example, when ink is consumed by printing and the tank 32 is empty as shown in Figure 3(a), all of the ink in the bottle is poured into the tank 32, causing the liquid level I to rise as shown in Figure 3(b) → Figure 3(c) → Figure 3(d). Finally, as shown in Figure 3(e), the ink in the tank 32 becomes substantially full. When printing is performed again from this state, ink is consumed and the liquid level I changes as shown in Figure 3(e) → Figure 3(f) → Figure 3(g) → Figure 3(h) → Figure 3(i) → Figure 3(j). After this, the tank 32 becomes empty and the bottle is delivered again.

[0045] However, if the user, intentionally or unintentionally, for some reason does not pour in the entire amount of ink in the delivered bottle, the rise in the liquid level I will stop, for example, at Figure 3(a) → Figure 3(b) → Figure 3(c). If printing is performed again from this state and ink is consumed, the liquid level I will change as shown in Figure 3(c) → Figure 3(g) → Figure 3(h) → Figure 3(i) → Figure 3(j). In other words, in this case, a new bottle will be delivered in a short period of time even though there is ink remaining in the bottle, which is a significant disadvantage to the service provider.

[0046] <Features of the Embodiment> A feature of the present embodiment is that it accurately detects when the user has poured the entire amount of ink in the bottle, in order to prevent a new bottle from being delivered to a user with ink remaining in the bottle as described above. To achieve this, as one example, the level sensor 90 is disposed at a position (height) such that the detection signal of the level sensor 90 will not switch from OFF to ON unless the entire amount of ink in the delivered bottle is poured into the tank 32 when the tank 32 is empty of ink. The aforementioned pouring counter 126, sensor counter 127, etc. are provided, and it is detected that the user has poured the entire amount of ink in the bottle into the tank 32 based on the detection result of the level sensor 90 and the count values ​​of the pouring counter 126 and sensor counter 127 (details of which will be described later).

[0047] <Input Counter and Sensor Counter> The sensor counter 127 is a counter that counts up as the liquid level I drops from an initial value

[000] , which is the state when the liquid level I in the tank 32 drops and the detection signal of the level sensor 90 switches from ON to OFF as described above. The input counter 126 is a counter that counts up as the liquid level I drops from an initial value

[000] , which is the state when the tank 32 is empty of ink and the entire amount of ink is input from the bottle into the tank 32. When printing is performed, the amount of ink ejected from the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 3 corresponding to the amount of printing is detected by a known method, and the ink consumption amount calculated by a known method based on the ink ejection amount is obtained by the control device 50 of the printer 200. Values ​​corresponding to the obtained ink consumption amounts are then added to the count values ​​of the input counter 126 and the sensor counter 127, respectively.

[0048] In this embodiment, the relationship between the liquid level in the tank 32 and the remaining amount of ink is known by design, and the detection position of the level sensor 90 in the tank 32 is also known by design. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A , count value A, which corresponds to the ink volume exceeding the height position of the level sensor 90 when the ink is substantially full, is known by design. In addition, a height position in the tank 32 that represents an ink low state in which the remaining ink in the tank 32 is low, is determined in advance. Therefore, count value B, which corresponds to the ink volume from the height position of the level sensor 90 to ink low, is known by design. Furthermore, a height position in the tank 32 that represents an ink empty state in which the remaining ink in the tank 32 has run out, is determined in advance. Therefore, count value C, which corresponds to the ink volume from ink low to ink empty, is known by design. On the other hand, as described above, the capacity of the bottle is known, but in this embodiment, as described above with reference to Figures 3(a) to 3(j), when the tank 32 is empty, the tank 32 becomes substantially full of ink by pouring the entire amount of ink in the bottle (hereinafter, where appropriate, this state will be simply referred to as the "full ink state" or the like). In other words, the count value corresponding to the total amount of ink in one bottle is A+B+C, which is a value known from the design (see Figure 5(a)).

[0049] <Count-Up Behavior> The count-up behavior of the input counter 126 and the sensor counter 127 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5( a), after ink is poured into the tank 32, the ink is consumed by printing, and when the ink liquid level I drops to the upper reference level HL as shown in FIG. 5( b), the count value of the sensor counter 127 starts counting up from

[000] .

[0051] In this example, when the ink in the tank 32 is consumed and the sensor count value reaches B, i.e., when the ink level becomes low, as will be described later, a new bottle is automatically ordered and delivered to the user.

[0052] <Detection Principle of Full Amount Added> Assume that the ordered bottle is delivered to the user, and the user adds ink from the new bottle to the tank 32 when the count value of the sensor counter 127 increases to [zzz] as shown in FIG. 5C. The count value V corresponding to the pre-addition remaining amount immediately before addition (hereinafter simply referred to as the "pre-addition remaining amount V" as appropriate) is V = B + C - [zzz]. As a result, when the user adds the entire amount of ink in the newly arrived bottle, the pre-addition remaining amount V is added to the total amount of ink in the bottle (A + B + C), as shown in FIG. 5D. The pre-addition remaining amount V falls within a range from 0 to C depending on the timing at which the user adds ink. The upper reference level HL, where the level sensor 90 is located, is set so that even if the pre-addition remaining amount is zero, when the entire amount of ink in the bottle is added, the liquid level I exceeds the upper reference level HL, and the amount of ink exceeding the upper reference level HL is small. Therefore, when the detection signal of the level sensor 90 switches from ON to OFF after the ink level becomes low, it can be detected that the entire amount of ink in the bottle has been dispensed. This is the basic principle of detecting that the entire amount of ink in the bottle has been dispensed.

[0053] If there is a remaining amount V at the time of addition, the detection signal of the level sensor 90 will switch from OFF to ON even if a small amount of ink is not added and remains in the bottle. Therefore, it is also possible to further detect after the fact that the entire amount has not been added, as follows.

[0054] When the count value of the input counter 126 starts counting up from

[000] in a state in which the total amount of ink in the bottle (A+B+C) is added to the pre-insertion remaining amount V in FIG. 5(d), ink is consumed by printing, and when the ink level I drops to the full ink state as shown in FIG. 5(e), the count value of the input counter 126 increases to [xxx]. Furthermore, when the ink level I subsequently drops to the upper reference level HL, the count value of the input counter 126 increases to [yyy]. If the user has inserted all of the ink in the bottle as described above, the value of "yyy" should be equal to the sum of A+V, i.e., "yyy" = A+V. On the other hand, if the ink in the bottle has not been inserted all of the way, the position of the ink level I will be lower than that shown in FIG. 5(d), and therefore "yyy" < A+V should be satisfied. In reality, it is necessary to take into account the variations described below, but if the count value of the input counter when the detection signal of the level sensor 90 switches from ON to OFF is smaller than the appropriate range, it is possible to detect after the fact that the entire amount was not input.

[0055] <Control Procedure> An example of the control procedure performed by the control device 50 of the printer 200 to implement the above method will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0056] 6, first, in S10, it is determined whether or not this is the first determination when the printer 200 is powered on. If this is not the first determination when the printer is powered on, a No determination is made, and the process proceeds to S30, which will be described later. If this is the first determination when the printer is powered on, a Yes determination is made, and the printer initialization process (details of which will be described later) is executed in S100, and then this flow ends.

[0057] In S30, it is determined whether or not opening / closing cover 200B is open based on the detection result of opening / closing sensor 80 in printer 200. If opening / closing cover 200B is not open, the determination is No, and processing proceeds to S20, which will be described later. If opening / closing cover 200B is open, the determination is Yes, and the cover opening / closing processing (details of which will be described later) of S300 is executed, after which this flow ends.

[0058] In S20, it is determined whether ink has been consumed. Ink consumption includes consumption due to printing as well as consumption for maintenance such as purging. If no ink has been consumed, the result is No, and the process proceeds to S500, which will be described later. If a print job has been executed, the result is Yes, and the ink consumption process of S200 (details of which will be described later) is executed, after which this flow ends.

[0059] In S500, other appropriate processing that does not correspond to any of S100, S200, and S300 is executed, and then this flow ends.

[0060] <Printer Initialization Processing> Figure 7 shows details of the printer initialization processing in S100. In Figure 7, first in S110, predetermined initialization is performed on each operating device, display device, and other devices within the printer 200. Thereafter, a level sensor check processing in S120 is performed, and this routine ends. The printer initialization processing in S100 includes the level sensor check processing in S120 because some users may add ink to the tank 32 while the power is off.

[0061] <Level Sensor Check Process> Figure 8 shows details of the level sensor check process of S120. First, in S125, it is determined whether the level sensor 90 is in the ON state. That is, it is determined whether the ink level I in the tank is at a position equal to or higher than the upper reference level HL. If it is in the OFF state (lower than the upper reference level HL), the result is No and the process proceeds to S171, which will be described later. If it is in the ON state (equal to or higher than the upper reference level HL), the result is Yes and the process proceeds to S130.

[0062] In S130, the count value of the sensor counter 127 (hereinafter referred to as the "sensor count" as appropriate, as in the drawings) is reset to 0. At this time, the sensor count before the reset is separately stored as the pre-refill sensor count. In S135, it is determined whether an order flag indicating that the ink bottle has been ordered is ON. If the order flag is OFF, the routine is terminated. If the order flag is ON, the routine is terminated, and processing proceeds to S140. The case in which the level sensor 90 is ON and the order flag is ON when the power is on assumes that the ordered bottle has been delivered to the user and ink has been poured into the tank 32 while the power is off. The fact that the ink bottle has been ordered in S135 also indicates that the sensor count has reached or exceeded the first threshold (see S220 and S260). The processing executed in S125 and S130 is an example of a third determination process.

[0063] In S140, the count value of the input counter 126 (hereinafter referred to as "dot count" as appropriate, and the same applies in the drawings) is reset to zero.

[0064] In S142, the value obtained by subtracting the pre-replenishment sensor count (the sensor count before being reset in S130) from the sum of the aforementioned known values ​​B and C is defined as the aforementioned remaining amount before loading V. This is done on the assumption that the entire amount of ink in one bottle has been loaded into the tank 32.

[0065] In S143, a full-amount-addition completion notification screen indicating that the full amount of ink in the bottle has been added is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200. For example, an embedded web server (EWS) may be installed in the printer 200, and display data may be sent to the browser of the mobile terminal 300, thereby displaying the information on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300. FIG. 9A shows an example of the display. As shown in the figure, in this example, a full-amount-addition completion notification screen 301A displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 displays the message "The ink in the tank is full." This message is an example of full-amount-addition completion information, and the processing executed in S143 is an example of full-amount-addition completion processing.

[0066] In S145, the above-mentioned Ordered flag, a Warning flag indicating that a warning has been issued (described later), and an Empty flag indicating that the tank 32 is nearly empty (described later) are all set to OFF. The process of setting the Empty flag to OFF in S145 corresponds to an example of a print permission process. After S145 is executed, this routine ends.

[0067] In S171, it is determined whether pre-level sensor information (described later) stored at this time is ON. If the pre-level sensor information is ON, the determination is Yes, and the process proceeds to S172 (described later). If the pre-level sensor information is OFF, the determination is No, and the process proceeds to S173.

[0068] In S173, it is determined whether the aforementioned Empty flag or a forced stop flag (described later) for forcibly stopping the printing operation is ON. If either flag is ON, the determination is Yes, and the process proceeds to S175. In S175, a full-amount loading reminder / warning screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200, requesting the user to load the entire amount of ink and providing a warning. An example display is shown in FIG. 9B. As shown in the figure, in this example, the full-amount loading reminder / warning screen 301B displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 displays the message, "Please load the entire amount of ink in the bottle we sent you. Printing will not be possible unless the entire amount is loaded." It is also possible that the user attempted to load the entire amount of ink from the bottle into the tank 32 but was unable to do so due to a loading error such as spilling ink. Therefore, the full amount input warning screen 301B may display a message such as "Please input the entire amount of ink in the bottle we sent you. If you do not input the entire amount, printing will not be possible. If you are unable to input the entire amount, please contact XX." This message is an example of information providing guidance when input is not possible, and in this case, the processing executed in S175 is also an example of processing for providing guidance when input is not possible. After execution of S175, this routine ends.

[0069] If both the Empty flag and the forced stop flag are OFF in S173, a No determination is made, and processing proceeds to S174. In S174, similar to S135 above, it is determined whether the ordered flag is ON. If the ordered flag is OFF, a No determination is made, and this routine ends. If the ordered flag is ON, a Yes determination is made, and processing proceeds to S176.

[0070] In S176, a full-amount loading warning screen requesting the user to load the entire amount is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200. An example display is shown in FIG. 9C. As shown in the figure, in this example, the full-amount loading guidance screen 301C displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 displays the message, "Even if there is ink remaining in the tank, please load the entire amount when the bottle arrives." It is also possible that the user attempted to load the entire amount of ink from the bottle into the tank 32 but was unable to do so due to a loading error such as spilling ink. Therefore, the full-amount loading guidance screen 301C may display the message, "Even if there is ink remaining in the tank, please load the entire amount when the bottle arrives. If you are unable to load the entire amount, please contact XX." This message is an example of information providing guidance for when loading is not possible, and in this case, the processing executed in S176 is also an example of processing for providing guidance for when loading is not possible. After executing S176, this routine ends.

[0071] In S172, the ink level I in the tank 32 may have fallen below the upper reference level HL while the power was off or the openable cover 200B was open, potentially indicating that an abnormality, such as ink being aspirated from the tank 32, may have occurred. Therefore, a suction warning screen warning about ink suction is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200. An example of the display is shown in FIG. 9D. As shown in the figure, in this example, the suction warning screen 301D displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 displays the message, "Ink in the tank may have been aspirated. If this occurs, please be aware that the remaining ink level will not be managed correctly." After S172 is executed, this routine is terminated.

[0072] 10 shows details of the cover opening / closing process in S300. First, in S305, the detection value by the level sensor 90 immediately after the opening / closing cover 200B is opened is acquired as pre-level sensor information and stored in an appropriate location.

[0073] In S310, a cover open alarm screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200, to warn that the opening / closing cover 200B is open. An example of the display is shown in Fig. 11. In this example, the message "The opening / closing cover is open" is displayed on the cover open alarm screen 301J.

[0074] In S320, it is determined whether or not opening / closing cover 200B is closed based on the detection result of opening / closing sensor 80 in printer 200. If opening / closing cover 200B is not closed, the determination is No, and the process returns to S310. If opening / closing cover 200B is closed, the determination is Yes, the level sensor check process of S120 described above is executed, and then this routine ends.

[0075] <Processing When Ink is Consumed> Figure 12 shows details of the processing when ink is consumed in S200. In Figure 12, first in S211, it is determined whether the above-mentioned Empty flag and forced stop flag are both OFF. If either flag is ON, the determination is No, and the processing proceeds to S400, which will be described later. In S400, a screen similar to the full amount input warning screen 301B shown in Figure 9(b) above is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300. If both the Empty flag and forced stop flag are OFF in S211, the determination is Yes, the processing proceeds to S210, and the count increment processing is performed.

[0076] 13 shows details of the count addition process in S210. First, in S201, the ink consumption amount based on the ink ejection amount from the inkjet head 3 is obtained, and a count value corresponding to the ink consumption amount is added to the dot count of the input counter 126 to count up. The process executed in S201 is an example of a print amount obtaining process, and the obtained ink consumption amount is an example of print amount information.

[0077] In S202, it is determined whether the level sensor 90 is in the OFF state. If it is in the ON state, the determination is No and the process proceeds to S213 described below. If it is in the OFF state, the determination is Yes and the process proceeds to S203.

[0078] In S203, it is determined whether the dot count at this point in time is (Dot count < (A + V) - (A + B + C) x 0.05... (Equation 1)) with respect to A, B, C and the remaining amount before insertion V, and whether the warning flag is OFF.

[0079] The technical significance of the above formula 1 is as follows. In other words, dot count is merely a software count, and even with the same dot count, there will be variation in actual ink consumption. Errors due to this variation occur due to individual differences between printers, the printing environment such as temperature, and whether the image being printed is text or an image. For example, in the calculation of the remaining amount V before ink is added, if the count from the upper reference level HL includes an error of up to 5%, the error will be: (B + C - V) x 0.05 (Formula 2) After ink is added from the bottle, the error until the liquid level I drops and reaches the upper reference level HL will be: (A + V) x 0.05 (Formula 3)

[0080] As a result of the above, if the liquid level I drops from the upper reference level HL before ink is added, the ink in the tank 32 becomes low, ink is added from a new bottle, the tank becomes full, and the liquid level I drops back to the upper reference level HL, the total error is the sum of Equation 2 and Equation 3: (B + C - V) x 0.05 + (A + V) x 0.05 = (A + B + C) x 0.05 (Equation 4). In other words, there is a 5% error of A + B + C, which corresponds to one bottle. In Equation 1 above, this (A + B + C) x 0.05 is subtracted during judgment to account for the aforementioned variation. Note that 0.05 is based on the assumption of a 5% error as described above, and is merely an example; other values ​​may be used as appropriate.

[0081] If the dot count is greater than or equal to (A+V)-(A+B+C)x0.05 or the warning flag is ON, the result is No and the process proceeds to S207 (described later). If the dot count is less than (A+V)-(A+B+C)x0.05 and the warning flag is OFF, the result is Yes and the process proceeds to S204.

[0082] In S204, a remaining ink warning screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200, warning that ink remains in the bottle. An example of the display is shown in FIG. 9E. As shown in the figure, in this example, the remaining ink warning screen 301E displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 displays the message "It has been determined that ink remains in the bottle. If ink remains, please add it all." This message is an example of input warning information, and the processing executed in S204 is an example of input warning processing.

[0083] In S205, the warning flag is set to ON, and in S206, the warning count, which indicates the number of times that a warning has been issued, is incremented by one.

[0084] In S207, it is determined whether the warning count at this point is 3 or more. If the warning count is 2 or less, the determination is No, and the process proceeds to S214, which will be described later. If the warning count is 3 or more, the determination is Yes, and the process proceeds to S208.

[0085] In S208, a stop warning screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200, warning that printing will be forcibly stopped because the warning has reached three times. An example display is shown in Figure 9(f). As shown in the figure, in this example, the stop warning screen 301F displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 displays the message "It has been determined that there is ink remaining in the bottle. If there is ink remaining, please refill it all. The printing function will be stopped. If there is no ink remaining, please contact XXX."

[0086] In S209, the forced stop flag is set to ON. The process executed in S209 is an example of forced print prohibition processing. In S214, the same count value as in S201 is added to the sensor count of the sensor counter 127, counting up, and this routine ends. The process executed in S214 is also an example of print amount acquisition processing, and the acquired ink consumption amount is also an example of print amount information. In S213, the sensor count of the sensor counter 127 is maintained at 0, and this routine ends.

[0087] Returning to FIG. 12, after the count-up process in S210 is completed, the process proceeds to S215, where a consumables remaining amount check process is executed.

[0088] FIG. 14 shows details of the consumable remaining amount check process in S215. First, in S220, it is determined whether the sensor count of the sensor counter 127 is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The first threshold is a threshold that is preset to correspond to the case where the ink in the tank 32 is low and will soon be empty. The process executed in S220 is an example of a first determination process. If the sensor count is less than the first threshold, a No determination is made and this routine is terminated. If the sensor count is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a Yes determination is made and the process proceeds to S223. In S223, it is determined whether the ordered flag is OFF. If the ordered flag is ON, a No determination is made and the process proceeds to S270, which will be described later. If the ordered flag is OFF, a Yes determination is made and the process proceeds to S225.

[0089] In S225, an InkLow screen indicating that the remaining ink level is low is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200. An example display is shown in FIG. 15A. In this example, the InkLow screen 301G is provided with an ink display unit 321a that displays the ink color that is low, and a message display unit 321b that reads "Ink is running low." This message display is an example of first remaining amount information, and the processing executed in S225 is an example of first remaining amount information output processing.

[0090] 12, in S240, the delivery management server 400 is notified that an order has been received from the user. The process executed in S240 is an example of an order instruction sending process. Note that the order instruction signal may not be sent directly to the delivery management server 400, but may instead be sent to the information management server 100 first, and the information management server 100 may then collect and send a delivery instruction for the corresponding bottle to the delivery management server 400.

[0091] In S250, an order completion notification screen indicating that a new bottle has been ordered is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200. An example of the display is shown in FIG. 15B. As shown in the figure, in this example, the order completion notification screen 301H displays the message "Ink has already been ordered. Please wait a little longer." In S260, the order completion flag is set to ON. After S260 is executed, this routine ends.

[0092] In S270, it is determined whether the sensor count of the sensor counter 127 is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The second threshold value is a threshold value that is preset corresponding to an empty state in which the ink in the tank 32 has run out. The processing executed in S270 is an example of a second determination processing. If the sensor count is less than the second threshold value, a No determination is made and the processing proceeds to S285. In S285, the InkLow screen is displayed as in S225, and this routine ends. If the sensor count is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, a Yes determination is made and the processing proceeds to S275.

[0093] In S275, an InkEmpty screen indicating that ink has run out is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal 300 or the display unit 201 of the printer 200. An example display is shown in FIG. 15C. In this example, the InkEmpty screen 301I includes an ink display area 321a that displays the ink color that has run out, and a message display area 321b that reads, "Ink has run out. Printing is not possible unless ink is added." This message display is an example of second remaining amount information, and the processing performed in S275 is an example of second remaining amount information output processing. In S280, the Empty flag is set ON. The processing performed in S280 is an example of second print prohibition processing. After S280 is executed, this routine ends.

[0094] Effects of the Embodiment As described above, in this embodiment, the level sensor 90 capable of detecting the ink level in the tank 32 of the printer 200 is provided above the tank 32. When the printer 200 forms an image, the ink in the tank 32 is consumed, causing the ink level I to decrease. By executing S201, the amount of ink consumed during image formation is acquired. After the level sensor 90 detects that the ink level in the tank 32 has decreased from above the upper reference level HL to below the upper reference level HL, the amount of ink consumed acquired in S201 is used to calculate the current estimated remaining amount of ink. When the ink in the tank 32 is consumed and the tank 32 is almost empty, printing becomes impossible. To address this, a second threshold value for the remaining ink amount is set in this embodiment. In S270, it is determined whether the estimated remaining amount of ink has reached the second threshold value. If it is determined that the second threshold value has been reached, the Empty flag is set ON in S280, thereby prohibiting image formation. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is assumed that, ideally, the entire amount of ink in the bottle is poured into the tank 32 each time it is used. For example, new ink from the bottle is poured into the tank 32 when the ink in the tank 32 is consumed and the remaining ink level is somewhat low. For this reason, a first threshold value for the remaining ink amount is set. By executing S220, it is determined whether the current estimated remaining ink amount has reached the first threshold value. After ink is consumed and it is determined in S220 that the first threshold value has been reached, S125 is executed. In S125, it can be determined that the entire amount of ink has been poured into the tank 32 from the bottle based on the detection by the level sensor 90 provided on the top of the tank 32 that the ink level in the tank 32 has increased from below the upper reference level HL to above the upper reference level HL. If it is determined in S125 that the entire amount of ink has been poured, image formation is permitted in S145. According to this embodiment, when the user fills the tank 32 with ink from the bottle in response to ink consumption, if the entire amount is filled, subsequent printing can be performed.Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect that the entire amount of ink in the bottle has been poured into the tank 32.

[0095] In this embodiment, particularly, if it is determined in S220 that the first threshold value has been reached and then it is determined in S125 that the full amount of ink has been loaded, full amount loading completion information indicating that the full amount of ink has been loaded is output in S143. This notifies the user that the full amount of ink has been loaded, and makes it possible to inform the user that printing is possible.

[0096] In this embodiment, a level sensor 90 is provided above the tank 32. However, even if the entire amount of ink is not poured into the bottle and some ink remains in the bottle, the ink level I may exceed the upper reference level HL. To address this situation, in this embodiment, if the ink level reaches the first threshold and then is determined to be fully poured in S125 without reaching the second threshold, the timing at which the ink level in the tank 32 falls below the upper reference level HL is checked in S203. If the ink level in the tank 32 falls below the upper reference level HL earlier than expected, it is subsequently determined that the entire amount was not poured, even though it was determined to be fully poured in S125. The aforementioned message is then issued in S204 as the pour warning information (see FIG. 9E). By issuing a warning that the entire amount of ink has not been poured, the user can be notified that the ink in the bottle is not fully poured into the tank 32.

[0097] In this embodiment, particularly, if the ink level in the tank 32 does not increase from below the upper reference level HL to equal to or above the upper reference level HL after the loading warning process, the loading warning information is repeatedly displayed at predetermined times after the start of image formation. By repeatedly warning that the full amount of ink has still not been recognized as being loaded, the user can be reliably notified that the full amount of ink in the bottle has not been loaded into the tank 32.

[0098] In this embodiment, particularly, if the number of times the warning is repeatedly issued in S204 reaches a predetermined threshold, such as three or more times in the example described above, a forced stop flag is set to ON in S209. By forcibly stopping printing if the user does not respond to the warning, it is possible to reliably prevent disadvantages to the service provider.

[0099] In this embodiment, in the exceptional situation where the ink level in the tank 32 falls from above the upper reference level HL to below the upper reference level HL while the opening / closing cover 200B is being opened or closed, even though no ink has been consumed, the suction warning screen 301D is displayed in S172. This notifies the user that the ink in the tank 32 may have been drained.

[0100] As described above, in this embodiment, a first threshold value for the remaining ink amount is set, corresponding to a state in which the remaining ink amount in the tank 32 has become somewhat low. When ink is consumed and the estimated remaining amount reaches the first threshold value, a message corresponding to the InkLow screen 301G is displayed in S225. This notifies the user that the remaining ink amount is low. Furthermore, because S125 ensures that the full amount of ink has been filled, it is possible to more accurately detect the timing when the first threshold value is reached. As a result, the notification to the user can be made with greater accuracy.

[0101] In particular, in this embodiment, when it is determined in S220 that the current estimated remaining amount has reached the first threshold, an order instruction for that ink is sent to the delivery management server 400 in S240. When the remaining amount of ink is low, ink is automatically ordered, eliminating the user's effort. Furthermore, since S125 ensures that the full amount has been added, it is possible to avoid the next bottle being delivered to the user when it is still not fully used, which can occur when an order is automatically placed without determining whether the full amount has been added.

[0102] As described above, in this embodiment, a second threshold value for the remaining ink amount is set, corresponding to an empty state in which the tank 32 is almost empty. When ink is consumed and the estimated remaining amount reaches the second threshold value, a message corresponding to the InkEmpty screen 301I is displayed in S275. This notifies the user that the tank 32 is almost empty. Furthermore, because S125 ensures that the full amount has been filled, the timing when the second threshold value is reached can be detected more accurately. As a result, the notification to the user can be made with greater accuracy.

[0103] <Modifications> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications are also included within the technical scope.

[0104] For example, in the above description, the control device 50 of the printer 200 executes the procedures shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, 10, and 12 to 14 to operate as an example of a remaining amount management device. However, the information management server 100 may execute the same procedures as above to operate as an example of a remaining amount management device. When the information management server 100 operates as a remaining amount management device, the display unit 301 may be displayed using a browser on the mobile terminal 300. The mobile terminal 300 may also execute the same procedures as above to operate as an example of a remaining amount management device. Furthermore, a single device does not necessarily have to operate as a remaining amount management device. A remaining amount management system may be configured by multiple devices, such as the information management server 100, the printer 200, the mobile terminal 300, and other devices, cooperating to execute the procedures shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, 10, and 12 to 14.

[0105] In the above description, ink has been used as an example of a printing consumable material, but this is not limiting. For example, if a laser printer 200 is used instead of an inkjet printer, toner would be an example of a printing consumable material.

[0106] 6 to 8, 10, and 12 to 14 are not intended to limit the present invention to the procedures shown therein, and steps may be added or deleted, or the order may be changed, without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the invention. In particular, while the above embodiment uses the input counter 126 and the sensor counter 127, other counting methods may also be used. For example, only the input counter 126 may be used. Alternatively, a down-counting counter may be used, in which the count value decreases as ink is consumed.

[0107] The components illustrated in the above embodiments and drawings may be arbitrarily modified and improved within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention in terms of the numerical values, or the structure or chronological relationships of multiple components.

[0108] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0109] The problems to be solved by the invention and the effects of the invention are not limited to those described above. That is, the present invention may solve problems or achieve effects not described above, or may solve only some of the problems or achieve only some of the effects described above.

[0110] Although not specifically illustrated, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the invention.

[0111] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Print processing system 2 Carriage 3 Inkjet head 32 Tank 80 Open / close sensor 90 Level sensor 100 Information management server 110 Processor 200 Printer (an example of a printing device, an example of a remaining amount management device) 200B Open / close cover (an example of an opening / closing section) 300 Mobile terminal 310 Processor HL Upper reference level P Recording paper (an example of a print medium)

Claims

1. A remaining amount management device for managing a remaining amount of printing consumables for a printing device having a tank for storing printing consumables input from a storage body storing printing consumables in predetermined volume units, a level sensor for detecting whether the level of the printing consumables in the tank is equal to or higher than an upper reference level corresponding to an upper portion of the tank, and a printing unit for forming an image on a print medium using the printing consumables in the tank, wherein the upper reference level is set to a height that the level of the printing consumables cannot reach unless the entire amount of the predetermined volume is input from a state in which the printing consumables in the tank are empty, and the remaining amount management device includes: a printing amount acquisition process for acquiring printing amount information of the printing consumables due to image formation by the printing unit; and a first judgment process for judging whether a current estimated remaining amount calculated using the printing amount information acquired in the printing amount acquisition process has reached a predetermined first threshold value after detecting using the level sensor that the level of the printing consumables in the tank has decreased from equal to or higher than the upper reference level to less than the upper reference level. a second determination process for determining whether the current estimated remaining amount calculated using the printing amount information acquired in the printing amount acquisition process has reached a predetermined second threshold after detecting using the level sensor that the level of the printing consumables in the tank has decreased from above the upper reference level to below the upper reference level; a print prohibition process for prohibiting image formation by the printing unit if it is determined in the second determination process that the current estimated remaining amount has reached the predetermined second threshold; a third determination process for determining that the entire amount of the printing consumables has been dispensed from the reservoir to the tank based on detecting using the level sensor that the level of the printing consumables in the tank has increased from below the upper reference level to above the upper reference level after it is determined in the first determination process that the first threshold has been reached; and a print permission process for permitting image formation by the printing unit if it is determined in the third determination process that the entire amount of the printing consumables has been dispensed after it is determined in the second determination process that the second threshold has been reached and the print prohibition process has been executed.

2. The remaining amount management device of claim 1 is configured to, when it is determined in the first judgment process that the first threshold has been reached and then in the third judgment process that the entire amount of the printing consumables has been inserted, further execute a full-amount insertion completion process to output full-amount insertion completion information indicating that the entire amount has been inserted.

3. The remaining amount management device of claim 1 is further configured to: execute an input warning process to output input warning information to warn against input of the printing consumables into the tank because the level of the printing consumables in the tank has decreased from above the upper reference level to below the upper reference level earlier than expected when the first judgment process determines that the first threshold has been reached, and then the second judgment process determines that the second threshold has not been reached, and the third judgment process determines that the entire amount of the printing consumables has been input.

4. The remaining amount management device of claim 3 is further configured to, if the level of the printing consumables in the tank does not increase from below the upper reference level to above the upper reference level after the input warning process, repeatedly perform the input warning process at a predetermined timing after the start of image formation by the printing unit.

5. The remaining amount management device of claim 4 is further configured to perform a forced printing prohibition process that forcibly prohibits image formation by the printing unit when the number of times the input warning process is repeatedly executed reaches a predetermined threshold value.

6. The remaining amount management device of claim 1 is further configured to: execute an uninsertable notification process to output uninsertable notification information corresponding to a case where a portion of the printing consumable cannot be inserted into the tank due to an incorrect insertion when the printing consumable is inserted into the tank when the first judgment process determines that the first threshold has been reached and when the third judgment process does not determine that the entire amount of the printing consumable has been inserted.

7. The remaining amount management device of claim 1, further configured to execute a first remaining amount information output process which outputs first remaining amount information indicating that the remaining amount of the printing consumable in the tank is low when the first judgment process determines that the current estimated remaining amount has reached the first threshold value.

8. The remaining amount management device of claim 1 is configured to execute an order instruction sending process to send an order instruction for the printing consumable when the first judgment process determines that the current estimated remaining amount has reached the first threshold value.

9. The remaining amount management device of claim 1 is configured to, when the second judgment process determines that the current estimated remaining amount has reached the second threshold, execute a second remaining amount information output process to output second remaining amount information indicating that the remaining amount of the printing consumable in the tank has reached empty.

Images