JP2001113792A - Storage medium storing printer maintenance guide program, printer maintenance guide device, and printer maintenance guide method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] When a printer runs out of ink, guidance information on the response is displayed to facilitate maintenance work. A printer error is received from a printer (step 601), and when it is determined that the printer error is out of ink (step 605), an ink cartridge mounting subroutine of a setup guide program is started (step 609). In this ink cartridge mounting subroutine, a series of mounting procedures for the cartridges that have run out of ink are sequentially displayed according to the work status of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program for displaying guidance information representing a procedure of a printer maintenance operation on a printer host to which the printer is connected, and a printer maintenance guide. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a maintenance guide method for a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In using a printer, various introduction operations are required. For example, there are a wide variety of installation operations such as connection of an interface cable, installation of a colorant cartridge such as ink or toner, or installation of a printer driver. In such installation work, installation of a printer driver and the like can be automatically performed using a predetermined installation program, but installation work such as installation of a colorant cartridge must be performed manually in accordance with a predetermined procedure. .

Heretofore, this kind of work procedure has been described in a booklet-like manual attached to the printer, and the user has referred to the manual as appropriate. However, with the widespread use of printer hosts in recent years, general users who have no basic knowledge have come to perform such work, and printers have been introduced so that more realistic work procedures can be provided to users. Regarding the work procedure, a storage medium such as a CD-ROM for displaying using a moving image or a photograph has come to be attached to the printer. A setup guide program is recorded on this type of storage medium, and when the setup guide program is executed on the printer host, the installation work procedure including moving images and photos is displayed on the screen as described above. The installation work was performed while visually recognizing the screen.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, if a printer error occurs after the use of the printer is started, a printer error is displayed on the printer host. Guidance on how to resolve the error has not been given, and for those who do not use the printer much, or who use the printer often but leave a printer error to others to handle the problem, There is a problem that it is often difficult to respond.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and when a printer error occurs, a maintenance guide for a printer capable of displaying guidance information that is easy for a user to understand and performing maintenance work smoothly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medium on which a program is recorded, a printer maintenance guide device, and a printer maintenance guide method.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, guidance information representing a procedure for maintenance work of a printer is displayed on a display of a printer host to which the printer is connected. In a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program, a state change detecting step of detecting a state change of the printer including at least a change in a remaining amount of the colorant; A guidance display step of displaying a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge on the display when the disconnection is detected, the storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for the printer.

Here, the colorant is ink in an ink jet printer, and toner in a laser printer. That is, the present invention is applicable whether the printer is an ink jet printer or a laser printer. In addition, the colorant exhaustion here is a concept including a state in which there is no colorant completely and a state in which only a predetermined amount of colorant remains.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the medium storing the maintenance guide program for the printer according to the first aspect, in the state change detecting step, after a colorant exhaustion is detected, a print execution instruction or a print condition setting instruction is received. A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for the printer, wherein the guidance display step is activated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to any one of the first and second aspects. When the running out of the colorant is detected, the running out of the colorant is displayed on the display, and the user is prompted to select whether or not to display a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge. A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, further comprising a colorant exhaustion display step of starting the guidance display step when received.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the state detecting step includes: The remaining amount change of each colorant of various colors is detected, and in the guidance display step, when the colorant exhaustion of any one of the plurality of colorants is detected in the state change detection step,
A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, wherein a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge of the color is displayed on the display.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the state change detecting step includes After the series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge is displayed on the printer, it is detected whether or not the colorant cartridge is correctly mounted, and in the guidance displaying step, the colorant is detected in the state change detecting step. Is detected as not being mounted correctly, a display prompting a mounting confirmation operation or a mounting operation again is displayed on the display, and is a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the printer comprises In an ink jet printer that ejects ink, the colorant cartridge is an ink cartridge, and in the guidance display step, the mounting of the ink cartridge is completed,
A printer characterized in that, when the start of ink filling of the nozzles is detected in the state change detecting step, the display shows that ink is being filled and the time until ink filling is completed on the display. Is a storage medium storing the maintenance guide program.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the guidance display step comprises: A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, wherein guidance information of a moving image representing a procedure for mounting the colorant cartridge is displayed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer maintenance guide program for displaying guidance information indicating a procedure of a printer maintenance operation on a display of a printer host to which the printer is connected. The stored storage medium includes a setup guide program for performing setup guidance at the time of installing the printer, and a utility program for achieving utility of the printer, wherein the setup guide program sends the printer to the printer host. A connection subroutine for displaying the connection procedure on the display, and a cartridge mounting subroutine for displaying the procedure for mounting the colorant cartridge of the printer on the display,
The utility program detects a status change of the printer, at least including a change in the remaining amount of the colorant, and when the running out of the colorant is detected, activates the cartridge mounting subroutine of the setup guide program. A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, comprising a state change detecting step.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to the eighth aspect, wherein the state change detecting step of the utility program includes the step of detecting a colorant. When the disconnection is detected, the colorant exhaustion is displayed on the display, and the user is prompted to select whether or not to display the series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge. A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, further comprising a coloring agent out display step of activating the guidance displaying step.

Here, the storage medium in which the maintenance guide program is stored may be a magnetic recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium, and any recording medium to be developed in the future is considered in the same manner. be able to. Also, the duplication stages of the primary duplicated product, the secondary duplicated product, and the like are equivalent without any question. In addition, the present invention is still used even when a supply method is performed using a communication line, and the same applies to a case where the information is written on a semiconductor chip.

Further, even when a part is implemented by software and a part is implemented by hardware, there is no difference in the concept of the invention, and it is necessary to store a part on a recording medium. It may be in a form that is appropriately read in accordance with it.

As described above, when the present invention is implemented by software, it may be configured to use hardware or an operating system, or may be implemented separately from these. For example, even if the process of detecting a state change can be realized by calling a predetermined function in the operating system and performing the process, it is also possible to input from hardware without calling such a function. It is possible. Then, it can be understood that the present invention can be implemented only by the program in the process of being recorded on a medium and distributed, even if the program is actually realized with the intervention of an operating system.

When the present invention is implemented by software, the present invention is naturally realized not only as a medium on which a program is recorded, but also as the program itself. included.

When the operation procedure is displayed on a screen, the specific guidance information may be a text explaining the procedure of the maintenance operation, or may include a drawing or a photograph. In addition, various types can be applied. Of course, it can be said that a more realistic maintenance operation can be displayed by using a drawing or a photograph. For this reason, the invention according to claim 7 displays the work procedure in a moving image. In addition, the moving image here may use a video image of a real photograph, or a plurality of still images may be switched in a time series, and a specific form is not particularly limited. . When the printer host has an audio output mechanism, guidance sound may be output in accordance with the display of the guidance information as a moving image.

As described above, the method of displaying the guidance information indicating the procedure of the maintenance work is realized by a substantial computer, and in this sense, the present invention is realized as a substantial device including such a computer. It is also possible.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer maintenance guide device for displaying guidance information indicating a procedure of a printer maintenance operation on a display. State change detecting means for detecting a state change including a change, and when the color change is detected by the state change detecting means, a guidance display control means for displaying a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge on the display, A maintenance guide device for a printer.

Further, in the storage medium storing such a printer maintenance guide program, it is natural that the invention exists in the procedure at the root of the processing when the processing is advanced, and the invention is also applied as a method. It is easy to see what is possible.

Therefore, the invention according to claim 11 is a printer maintenance guide method for displaying guidance information indicating a procedure of a printer maintenance operation on a display of a printer host to which the printer is connected. A state change detecting step of detecting a state change including at least a change in the remaining amount of the colorant, and a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge when the running out of the colorant is detected in the state change detecting step. And a guidance display step of displaying the information on the display.

[0025]

As described above, in any of the inventions according to the first to eleventh aspects, when the running out of the colorant of the printer is detected, a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge is displayed. Can easily perform maintenance work.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if ink runs out during printing, some people end printing without coping with this. In this case, the guidance is also displayed when the person who prints the print instruction or print condition setting instruction.

According to the third and ninth aspects of the present invention, the user can select whether or not to perform guidance display of the cartridge mounting procedure.

[0028] The invention according to claim 4 considers a color printer using a plurality of cartridges, and among the plurality of cartridges, the cartridge to be replaced due to running out of the colorant is clarified. Can be.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is detected whether or not the cartridge is correctly mounted, and if it is detected that the cartridge is not correctly mounted, the user is prompted to perform a mounting check operation or a re-mounting operation. Can be prevented.

In the invention according to the sixth aspect, the time until the end of ink filling is displayed, so that the time until the printer can actually resume printing can be grasped.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since a moving image relating to the cartridge mounting procedure is displayed, the user can easily understand the operation procedure and can easily perform the operation.

In the invention according to claim 8, the utility program activates the cartridge mounting subroutine of the setup guide program when the running out of colorant is detected in the state change detecting step, and displays the cartridge mounting procedure. Thus, the data amount of the utility program can be reduced.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printer host, and FIG. 2 shows various programs recorded on a hard disk of the printer host.

In FIG. 1, a printer host 10 includes a main board 11 having electronic components such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and can execute a program. Is controlling. Specifically, the printer host 10
Various drive devices including a drive 12, a CD-ROM drive 13, and an FD drive 14 are provided. These drive devices can be accessed via an operating system 12a and can communicate with the outside via a modem board 15. I have. Although not shown, the printer host 10 is naturally provided with a display.

Further, the printer host 10 includes the main board 1
1 can be connected via a printer interface (not shown) on the operating system 12a.
When a print instruction is issued from the application 12b while executing 2b, predetermined print data is created via the printer driver 12c.

The printer 20 according to the present embodiment
Is a color printer of an ink jet system, and a rasterized R
Color conversion of GB gradation data to CMYK gradation data,
After that, the CMYK gradation data is converted into binary data and output to the printer 20.

The printer 20 is configured such that a paper support, which is a part of a sheet feeder (not shown), can be disassembled for convenience of storage. When the printer is shipped from the factory, the paper support is disassembled and packed. Of course,
In this state, no ink cartridge is mounted.
Therefore, when the printer 20 is used, it is necessary to perform such as introducing work such as assembling the sheet feeder, mounting the ink cartridge, and connecting the cable.

In general, the procedure for installing such a printer is described in a book-shaped manual attached to the printer. Therefore, the actual installation may be performed with reference to the manual. It may be difficult for users who have no work experience to understand. Therefore, a recording medium such as a setup CD-ROM in which a setup guide program is recorded is conventionally attached to a printer. This setup guide program is executed on the printer host side, and the printer installation procedure is displayed on the screen, so that a more realistic explanation can be made using photographs etc. at the time of actual installation work. I can do it.

The printer 20 employed in this embodiment
Also, a setup CD-ROM 13a is attached thereto, and its configuration is roughly as shown in FIG.

In the same figure, the setup CD-RO
M13a includes automatic startup control information 13a1, an installation program 13a2, and a printer driver 12c.
, A utility 12d, and a setup guide program 13a3. Here, the automatic startup control information 13a1 is stored in a setup CD-ROM.
Control information for automatically starting a specific program recorded on the setup CD-ROM 13a when the printer 13a is mounted on the printer host 10. More specifically, the automatic activation control information 13a1 is recorded in a predetermined recording area of the setup CD-ROM 13a, and the operating system 12a detects the mounting of the setup CD-ROM 13a and searches the recording area. If the automatic start control information 13a1 exists, a predetermined program is started according to the contents. In the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the installation program 13a2 is activated in step 110 by the automatic activation control information 13a1.

The installation program 13a2 is for installing programs such as the printer driver 12c and the utility 12d recorded on the setup CD-ROM 13a in the printer host 10. The installation program 13a2 stores the target program in step 110 in the printer host 1
For example, it performs processing such as transfer to the HD drive 12 and setting of other initialization files.

When the installation program 13a2 is completed, the setup guide program 13a3 is started in the next step 120. The setup guide program 13a3 internally executes the “connection subroutine” to the “operation confirmation subroutine” sequentially as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 to display guidance information on installation work of the printer 20 on a display,
Thus, the user's work is performed smoothly (steps 210 to 230).

Here, a flowchart of the connection subroutine of step 210 is shown in FIG. In the figure, in step 305, the method of assembling the paper support described above is displayed by using a photograph or the like with a guide sound, and in the next step 310, the progress of the moving image is temporarily stopped. The user visually recognizes the displayed contents and performs actual assembly, and inputs an acknowledgment (OK) when the assembly work is completed. Then, the setup guide program 13a3
In step 315, this input is detected, and in the next step 320, the connection method of the power cable and the connection method of the interface cable for connecting the printer host 10 and the printer 20 are displayed on the screen in the same manner. Pause the progress of the video. In the same manner, the user visually recognizes the displayed content and performs an actual connection operation, and inputs an acknowledgment when the connection operation is completed.

Then, the setup guide program 1
3a3 similarly detects this input in step 330, and displays the power-on method of the printer 20 on the screen in the next step 335.

Here, when the user turns on the power of the printer 20, the printer 20 reads predetermined firmware from a non-volatile memory (not shown) into a work area. When the reading of the firmware is completed, the printer 20 diagnoses its own state at predetermined intervals and outputs the diagnosis result to the printer host 10 as state information. Therefore, if the printer host 10 can receive such status information via the printer driver 12c, it can be determined that the printer 20 has started normally. Then, the setup guide program 13a3 checks the status information from the printer 20 in step 340, and in step 345,
The fact that 0 has been recognized is displayed, and the connection subroutine is terminated. The setup guide program 13a
3 before the installation program 1
The reason why the printer driver 12c has been installed in 3a2 is that the setup guide program 1
3a3 is the printer 2 using the printer driver 12c.
This is for performing communication with 0.

Setup guide program 13a3
Terminates the connection subroutine in step 210, and executes the cartridge mounting subroutine in the next step 220. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the cartridge mounting subroutine. Referring to FIG. 11, in step 410, the mounting method of the ink cartridge is displayed using a photograph or the like with a guide sound, and in step 420, the progress of the moving image is temporarily stopped. And
The user visually recognizes the displayed content and mounts the ink cartridge at a predetermined location of the printer 20.

The printer 20 diagnoses its own state at predetermined time intervals. When the printer 20 detects that the ink cartridge has been mounted, the printer 20 starts to fill the nozzles (not shown) with ink, and sends state information indicating that the ink is being filled. It is generated and transmitted to the printer host 10. The setup guide program 13a3 monitors status information obtained via the printer driver 12c, and upon detecting that ink is being filled in step 430 based on this status information,
At step 440, it is displayed that ink is being charged. In the next step 450, a screen is displayed while counting down the remaining time until the end of ink filling. Since the time required for ink filling can be said to be unique to the model of the printer 20, the time required for ink filling is determined in advance by an experiment, and the countdown is started using this time as an initial value. Then, when the countdown is completed, the fact that the ink filling is completed is displayed on the screen in step 460, and the cartridge mounting subroutine is terminated.

Setup guide program 13a3
Terminates the cartridge mounting subroutine, executes the operation confirmation subroutine in the next step 230.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation confirmation subroutine. Referring to FIG. 5, in step 505, a sheet loading method is displayed on the screen, and in step 510, a selection screen as to whether or not to confirm the operation is displayed. If the operation check is selected here, a test print is executed in step 515 using the print data prepared in advance.

As is well known, the printing procedure of the printer 20 is as follows.
In general, the process starts with the creation of print data by the printer driver 12c, transfers the created print data to the printer 20, expands the print data received by the printer 20 in a memory, and outputs the print data expanded in the memory. Along. Therefore, at the time of test printing in step 515, the flow of such a printing procedure is shown in FIG.
(A) to (d) are sequentially displayed as shown in FIG. Here, the creation of the print data shown in FIG. 9A and the transfer of the print data shown in FIG. 9B are processes that can be detected by the printer driver 12c, and the display is switched based on the actual detection result. On the other hand, the preparation for printing shown in FIG. 3C includes memory expansion of print data on the printer 20 side and warm-up processing.
The state of the printer 20 including the end of the printing shown in (1) can be acquired from the above-described state information, and the display is switched based on the state information. Therefore, even if a user who does not have basic knowledge of the printer 20 is working, the flow of the printing procedure can be understood at the time of test printing, and
You can deepen your understanding of 0.

Setup guide program 13a3
Displays the screen shown in FIG. 10 in the next step 520 after executing the test print processing described above, and allows the user to select whether or not the print result is correct. On this screen,
The user can select one of the three displayed items by a click operation. For example, if the print result is not good, the user selects the second item (ink refill).
Then, the setup guide program 13a3 detects in step 525, and in step 530, the
Is instructed to refill ink. More specifically, when a predetermined command is sent to the printer 20 via the printer driver 12c, the command is received and the printer 2 receives the command.
0 starts ink refilling. Then, step 535
In steps 545 to 545, it is displayed that the ink is being refilled in the same manner as described above, and it is displayed that the ink refill is completed.

Possible causes of poor print results include clogging of the print head and incorrect setting of the color conversion table of the printer driver 12c. These may occur during the installation process of the printer 20. Very unlikely to be. Thus, in the present embodiment, refilling of ink is performed. Needless to say, the processing to be executed is not limited to this, and other processing may be executed.

When the test result is not improved as a result of the test printing being performed again after the ink is refilled, the third item (ink filling abnormality) is selected on the selection screen shown in FIG. Then, at step 550, a screen display of contents that need to be contacted to the service center or the dealer is performed. Of course, the telephone number and mail address of the service center may be posted on the display screen. Further, a predetermined flag is set when the ink refilling is executed in step 530, and if this flag is set, the second item is displayed as unselectable on the selection screen shown in FIG. Thus, it can be said that it is easier for the user to understand and is preferable.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When introducing the printer 20 into the printer host 10, the user mounts the setup CD-ROM 13 a attached to the printer 20 on the CD-ROM drive 13. Then, operating system 1
2a detects that the setup CD-ROM 13a has been mounted, and stores the automatic activation control information 13 recorded in a predetermined recording area.
a1 is searched, and the installation program 13a2 is first executed according to the content of the automatic activation control information 13a1, and the printer driver 12c and the utility 12d are installed in the printer host 10 (step 1).
10).

When the installation program 13a2 ends, the setup guide program 13a3 is subsequently executed (step 120). The setup guide program 13a3 is for sequentially displaying guidance information on the installation work of the printer 20 on a screen, and first, a connection subroutine is executed (step 210). In this connection subroutine, the method of assembling the paper support of the printer 20 is displayed using a photograph or the like with a guide sound, and the progress of the moving image is temporarily stopped (steps 305 and 310). Then, the user visually recognizes the displayed content and performs actual assembling, and when the assembling work is completed and the acknowledgment is input, the displayed content proceeds (step 315). Thereafter, the method of connecting the power cable and the like and the method of turning on the power of the printer 20 are displayed in the same manner, so that the user performs actual work while visually confirming the displayed contents (steps 320 to 335).

When the power of the printer 20 is turned on, the printer 20 reads a dedicated firmware from a non-volatile memory (not shown) into a work area, diagnoses the state of the printer 20 at predetermined intervals, and checks the diagnosis result. It is generated as information and sent to the printer host 10 side.
When it becomes possible for the printer host 10 to acquire status information from the printer 20 via the printer driver 12c (step 340), the printer host 10 displays a message indicating that the printer 20 has been recognized and ends the connection subroutine (step 3).
45).

Thereafter, the setup guide program 1
3a3 executes a cartridge mounting subroutine (step 220). In this cartridge mounting subroutine, the mounting method of the ink cartridge is displayed in the same manner to temporarily stop the progress of the moving image (step 410,
420). Here, the user attaches the ink cartridge to the printer 20 while visually recognizing the displayed contents. Then, the printer 20 detects the installation of the ink cartridge and starts filling the nozzles with ink, and transmits status information indicating that the ink is being filled to the printer host 10. On the printer host 10 side, the printer 2
0 detects that the ink is being filled (step 43).
0), a message to that effect is displayed on the screen, and the remaining time until the end of ink filling is displayed while counting down (steps 440 and 450). Then, when the countdown is completed, the fact that ink filling is completed is displayed on the screen, and the cartridge mounting subroutine is terminated (step 460).

Thereafter, the setup guide program 1
3a3 executes an operation confirmation subroutine (step 2
30). In this operation confirmation subroutine, first, a paper loading method is displayed on a screen (step 505),
A selection screen as to whether or not to confirm the operation is displayed (step 510). If the user selects operation check here,
The setup guide program 13a3 executes test printing using print data prepared in advance. At this time, the setup guide program 13a3 sequentially displays the printing procedure as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D (step 515). Therefore, even if a user who does not have basic knowledge of the printer 20 is working, the flow of the printing procedure can be understood at the time of test printing, and the understanding of the printer 20 can be deepened.

Setup guide program 13a3
Displays the screen shown in FIG. 10 when the test printing is completed, and allows the user to select whether or not the printing result is correct (step 520). If the print result is correct, the user can terminate the setup guide program 13a3 by selecting the first item. On the other hand,
If the print result is not correct, select the second item. Then, the setup guide program 13a3
Sends a predetermined command to the printer 20 via the printer driver 12c to execute refilling of ink (steps 525 and 530).

At the time of refilling the ink, it is displayed that the ink is being refilled (step 535), and the remaining time is displayed while counting down (step 5).
40), when the ink refilling is completed, the completion of the ink refilling is displayed on the screen (step 545). Thereafter, the result of performing the test printing again (step 510, S
515) If the printing result is not improved, the third item is selected on the selection screen shown in FIG. 10 (step 520). In this case, setup guide program 1
In step 3a3, the contents that need to be contacted to the service center or the store are displayed on the screen (step 550), so that the user contacts the contact and responds.

The utility 12d constantly detects the status of the printer 20 while the printer host 10 is running. As shown in FIG.
When the user instructs the display of the remaining ink amount, the printer 20 inquires of the printer 20 about the remaining ink amount (step 602). The printer 20 includes an ink remaining amount sensor, which can detect the ink remaining amount. Information on the remaining amount of ink is received from the printer 20 (step 603). Then, the remaining amount of ink is displayed on the screen based on the received information on the remaining amount of ink (step 60).
4). If the user instructs head cleaning in step 601, a head cleaning command is transmitted to the printer 20 via the printer driver 12c (step 610). Then, the printer 20 receives the head cleaning command and executes a head cleaning process.

In step 601 (state change detecting step), when a printer error is received from the printer 20 via the printer driver 12c, the type of the printer error is determined (step 605, state change detecting step). If it is determined in step 605 that the printer error is a paper jam error, the paper jam is displayed on the screen (step 606), and the paper jam release guidance is displayed on the screen (step 607). In this paper jam release guidance, where to open the printer 20 and how to remove the paper, and the processing after removing the paper, are sequentially displayed. If it is determined in step 605 that the printer error indicates that the ink is out of ink, the ink out is displayed on the screen (step 608), and the cartridge mounting subroutine of the setup guide program 13a3 is started (step 609). In the cartridge mounting subroutine (shown in FIG. 7), in the cartridge mounting instruction in step 410, unlike the case of mounting all the color ink cartridges as in the case of the setup, the ink cartridge of any color is mounted. An instruction as to whether to proceed is also displayed. Further, in this embodiment, “out of ink” refers to a case where the amount of ink becomes equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount.

In addition to the above, the utility 12d changes the setting of the color conversion table of the printer driver 12c or displays out of paper, which is a kind of printer error, on the screen according to the user's request.

That is, the printer host 10 and the printer 20 can communicate bidirectionally via the printer driver 12c. The printer host 10 not only transfers print data to the printer 20 but also prints status information of the printer 20. Can be acquired, and a maintenance guide, such as causing the printer 20 to execute head cleaning or the like, or urging the user to mount a cartridge, can also be executed.

Note that, here, steps 606 and 608
Immediately after the guidance display (steps 608, 6
09) is performed. In the process of steps 606 and 608, whether or not the guidance display is desired is displayed on the screen.
The user is allowed to select this, and the guidance is displayed only when the guidance is desired.If the guidance is not desired, the guidance will not be displayed thereafter unless the guidance display instruction is received again. You may do so. Specifically, for example, step 6
At the time of the out-of-ink display of 08, as shown in FIG. 12, "out of color ink is low" is displayed, and the button of "remedy" is also displayed. When is clicked, guidance may be displayed. This is because guidance display is an obstacle for those who frequently use the printer 20 or the like and understand how to deal with printer errors.

In this case, when a printer error occurs, the status of the printer error is immediately displayed (steps 606 and 608) and the maintenance guide is displayed (steps 607 and 609). However, there are those who end the process without coping with this, so if this error has not been resolved when setting print conditions or when instructing print execution,
These displays (steps 606 to 609) may be performed.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic configuration of a printer host according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a printer host 1010 is a CPU 1011 which is a center of arithmetic processing.
The CPU 1011 has a CPU bus 10.
12, a secondary cache 1013, a data bus unit 1014, and a system controller 1015 are connected. In recent printer hosts, the clock speed of the CPU bus 1012 is increased in order to improve processing efficiency, and the slow memory 1016 is
014 or CPU via system controller 1015
1011 for access. The memory 1016 stores an RO such as a bios area.
A RAM area is included together with the M area.

Similarly, interfaces cannot be directly connected to the fast CPU bus 1012, and the printer bus I bus 1017, which is a general-purpose high-speed bus, is provided by the data bus unit 1014 and the system controller 1015. The printer host I bus 1017 is connected to a common interface 1018 for connecting a floppy disk together with communication interfaces such as a PS / 2 port, a parallel port, and a serial port that the printer host 1010 itself has directly.
In particular, hard disks and CD-ROMs that require high speed
Bus master 1019 for connecting
Is also connected.

The printer host I device 1021 can be directly connected to the printer host I bus, and an ISA bus 1023 which is an old general-purpose bus having a narrow data width is provided via an ISA bridge 1022. The ISA device 1024 can be connected via the.

FIG. 14 shows peripheral devices for the printer host 1010. A keyboard 1025 and a mouse 1026 are connected to the printer 105 via a PS / 2 port.
0 is through a parallel port, and the modem 1027 is through a serial port.
8 is connected. A scanner 1028 is a SCSI card 1021 as a printer host I device 1021.
a to the printer host I bus 1017 via
Various external devices can be connected to the SCSI card 1021a, and a magneto-optical storage device 1031 and the like can be connected. The display 102
9 is connected via the display controller card 1021b, and is connected to the hard disk 1019a and the CD-RO.
The M drive 1019b is connected to a printer host I bus 1017 via a bus master 1019.

Various devices are provided as the ISA device 1024. If the printer host MCIA card 1024a is used, the printer host MCIA card socket 1032 can be connected. Input and output becomes easier. This memory card 1033 is a digital still camera 1034, and it is easy to input data from another mobile printer host or the like.

An external display can be connected to the printer host 1010 via a video card, a LAN card can be connected to a network, and other devices can be connected to the printer host 1010 via an infrared communication device. It is also possible to connect to external devices.

The above is the schematic configuration of the hardware of the printer host system. On the premise of such hardware, software is executed on the printer host 1010 in the mode shown in FIG. That is, the BIOS 1042 is executed on the basis of the hardware 1041, and the operating system 1043 and the application 1044 are executed on the BIOS 1042. Basically, the operating system 1043 accesses the hardware 1041 via the BIOS 1042 or directly, and the application 1044 exchanges data with the hardware 1041 via the operating system 1043. For example, to read data from the hard disk 1019a, the operating system 1
The access to the hardware 1041 is performed via the server 043.
In addition, various drivers for controlling the hardware 1041 can be incorporated in the operating system 1043, and the incorporated drivers execute various controls as a part of the operating system 1043. Examples of the driver include a display driver for controlling display on an external display via a video card, a printer driver for executing print control for the printer 1050, and the like.

On the other hand, the schematic configuration of the printer 1050 is shown in FIG.
6 is shown. The printer 1050 has a printer host 101
Parallel I / O1 for connecting to the parallel port 0
051 for transmitting and receiving commands and print data by parallel communication. This parallel communication is nibble, EC
The interface is capable of executing bidirectional communication such as B and EPP. The parallel I / O 1051 is connected to a gate array 1052.
Is connected to the bus 1053 via the. Bus 1053
Includes the system ROM 1055 together with the CPU 1054.
And a character generator ROM 1056 and a D-RAM 1057 are mutually connected.
While using the system ROM 10 as a work area, etc.
Execute the printer control program written in 55,
Printing is performed using font data and the like written in the character generator ROM 1056.

The printer 1050 according to the present embodiment is a color ink jet printer. Light cyan (c) and light cyan (c) are added to four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Printing is performed using a total of six color inks including two color inks of light magenta (m). A specific printing mechanism is electrically controlled via a gate array 1052. The carriage motor 1058 causes the print head 1061 to reciprocate (main scan) with respect to the printing paper and to print the required color ink. While discharging
By feeding (sub-scanning) the printing paper by the paper feed motor 1062, printing can be performed on almost the entire surface of the printing paper. Here, in actual printing, printing paper is set in advance on a predetermined paper support. Then, the printing paper is taken in by the paper feed motor 1062 and the paper is fed.

The print head 1061 is composed of six print head units corresponding to each color ink of CcMmYK, and each print head unit has a printer 1050.
The corresponding color ink is supplied from the ink cartridge mounted in the printer, and the color ink can be ejected individually.
In the present embodiment, a micro pump mechanism that discharges color ink using a piezo element that is an electrostrictive element is used, but a mechanism that discharges color ink using the expansion pressure of a bubble is used. It doesn't matter. The printer 10
The reference numeral 50 uses six color inks of CcMmYK, but may use four color inks of CMYK.

The gate array 1052 to which the print head 1061 is connected is provided with a timer counter 1063 for generating a clock used by the system, a nonvolatile EEPROM 1064 for storing settings, and an operation panel 1065. Further, the gate array 1052 includes:
An ink remaining amount sensor 1066 for detecting the ink remaining amount of the actually mounted ink cartridge and another sensor 1067 are connected. Other sensors 106
As 7, there are a paper sensor for detecting running out of paper in the paper support, a paper jam sensor provided at a plurality of positions in a paper path for detecting paper jam, and the like. The printer 1050 is configured to detect out-of-ink or out-of-paper using these sensor outputs, and to notify a user by blinking an LED (not shown). Also, when an error such as a paper jam occurs, the user is similarly notified by blinking the LED. Further, the printer 1050 notifies the printer host 1010 of these printer errors.

The printer 1050 is configured so that a part of the paper support can be disassembled, and a part of the paper support is disassembled and packed at the time of shipment from the factory. Therefore, when installing the printer 1050, in addition to the assembling of such a paper support, it is necessary to perform installation work such as connection of an AC cable and connection of an interface cable. Generally, the procedure for installing such a printer is described in a booklet-like manual attached to the printer, and therefore, the actual installation may be performed with reference to this manual. Also in this embodiment, the user assembles the paper support, connects the AC cable, and connects the interface cable while referring to the manual.

This manual states, "When the connection work of the interface cable is completed, turn on the power of the printer host and set the bundled setup CD-ROM." Therefore, the user turns on the power of the printer host 1010 according to the instruction of the manual, and inserts the setup CD-ROM into the CD-RO.
Attach to M drive 1019b. The program configuration of the setup CD-ROM is the same as that shown in FIG. 3 and includes automatic start control information 1071 to a setup guide program 1075. Similarly, in this embodiment, the setup CD-ROM is stored in the CD-RO.
When mounted on the M drive 1019b, the program is executed according to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, in this embodiment, the installation program 1072 is executed by the printer host 1010 at step 110, and the printer driver 1073
And a program such as a utility 1074 are installed in the printer host 1010.

Here, the printer driver 1073
Generates predetermined print data in cooperation with the operating system 1043, and stores the print data in the printer 105.
The print is executed by transmitting the print data to “0”. Therefore, in this sense, the printer host 101
0 to the printer 1050 as long as communication is possible in one direction, but in the present embodiment, the printer driver 107 is used.
3, the printer host 1010 and the printer 1050
Can communicate in both directions. Here the printer 10
Status information indicating the status of the printer 1050, such as sensor output of a sensor 1067 such as an ink remaining amount sensor 1066 and a paper sensor, and various error outputs is output to the printer host 1010 from the 50 side.

On the other hand, the utility 1074 acquires such status information via the printer driver 1073 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 (step 60).
3) The remaining amount of ink in the printer 1050 is displayed on the screen based on the status information (step 604). When a printer error is received from the printer 1050 (step 601), the type of the printer error is determined (step 605), and depending on the type of the printer error, out of paper, paper jam, out of ink, and the like are displayed on the display. (Steps 606, 608). Then, if the printer error is out of ink, an ink cartridge mounting routine of FIG. 17 described later is started (step 609). Further, this utility 107
4, the printer 1050 performs cleaning of the print head 1061, the printer driver 107, or the like.
The third color conversion table can be set. Here, when cleaning of the print head 1061 is executed by the utility 1074, a predetermined cleaning instruction command is transmitted to the printer 1050 via the printer driver 1073. Then, the cleaning instruction command is received by the gate array 1052 of the printer 1050, and a predetermined head cleaning process is executed. In the present embodiment, the head cleaning process can be individually executed by the print head unit of black ink and the print head units of other color inks.

Returning to the description of the setup CD-ROM, at step 110 the installation program 1072
Is executed, and when the installation of the printer driver 1073 and the utility 1074 is completed, the setup guide program 1075 is executed in the next step 120. Here, the setup guide program 10
The flowchart of 75 is shown in FIG. In the figure,
In step 1210, a screen for instructing power on of the printer 1050 is displayed, and in the next step 1220, the process waits until status information can be acquired from the printer 1050 via the printer driver 1073 installed as described above. That is, the fact that the status information can be acquired means that the power of the printer 1050 is turned on, and it is nothing less than determining in step 1220 whether or not the power of the printer 1050 is turned on.

When the status information from the printer 1050 is detected in step 1220, an ink cartridge mounting instruction routine is executed in step 1230. That is, since the ink cartridge is not mounted on the printer 1050 at this time, the user is prompted to mount the ink cartridge by executing the ink cartridge mounting routine. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the ink cartridge mounting routine. Referring to FIG. 19, in step 1305, an instruction is given to display the screen shown in FIG. 19 and open the printer cover. Since an illustration and a description of the printer with the printer cover opened are displayed on this screen, the user can easily open the printer cover by visually recognizing the screen.

Here, when the user opens the printer cover, the user clicks the “Next” button arranged at the lower right of the screen. Then, the setup guide program 1075 detects the click operation in step 1310, displays the screen shown in FIG. 20 in step 1315, and instructs opening of the ink cartridge clamp in the printer 1050. This ink cartridge clamp is a lid part of the holder for mounting the ink cartridge,
On the screen shown in FIG. 20, an enlarged view of a main part in a state where the ink cartridge clamp is opened and a description are displayed. Therefore, the user releases the ink cartridge clamp in accordance with the contents displayed on the screen, and clicks the “Next” button at the lower right of the screen. A “Back” button is arranged on the left side of the “Next” button.
Click the button to display the previous screen.

When the “Next” button is clicked on the screen shown in FIG. 20, the setup guide program 1075 detects in step 1320 and
In step 5, the screen shown in FIG. 21 is displayed to instruct to open the package of the ink cartridge. That is, since the ink cartridge is shielded and packed so as to prevent the ink from leaking, the shield is removed and the ink cartridge is ready to be mounted on the printer 1050. An illustration and description of the ink cartridge when the shield is removed are displayed on this screen, so the user removes the shield according to the contents displayed on this screen, and then clicks “N” at the lower right of the screen.
Click the "ext" button. Also in this case, similarly, a “Back” button is arranged to the left of the “Next” button, and the previous screen can be displayed by clicking the “Back” button. If the utility 1074 detects that the ink has run out and starts this ink cartridge mounting subroutine, only the cartridge of the color that has run out of ink is displayed in step 1325. That is, when the ink in the black ink cartridge runs out, the black ink cartridge is displayed, and when the ink in the color ink cartridge runs out, the color ink cartridge is displayed.

When the “Next” button is clicked on the screen shown in FIG. 21, the setup guide program 1075 detects in step 1330 and
In step 5, the screen shown in FIG. 22 is displayed to instruct the user to mount the ink cartridge. On this screen, the method of mounting the ink cartridge is displayed with an illustration and a description, so the user mounts the ink cartridge according to the display contents of the screen. The setup guide program 1075 is shown in FIG.
Is displayed, in step 1340, the status information from the printer 1050 is monitored via the printer driver 1073 to determine whether or not the ink cartridge is mounted. More specifically, whether or not the ink cartridge has been mounted can be determined from the sensor output of the ink remaining amount sensor 1066, and the sensor output is obtained from the state information to determine.

When it is determined that the ink cartridge has been mounted, the "OK" button at the lower right of the screen shown in FIG.
Therefore, if there is a defect in the installation of the ink cartridge, the “OK” button is not activated, and the user has a doubt that there is something wrong.
In addition, when a failure occurs in the installation of the ink cartridge, a timeout may be performed after a predetermined time elapses, and a screen prompting the user to confirm the installation of the ink cartridge or to perform the installation again may be displayed.

On the other hand, on the screen shown in FIG. 22, when the user clicks the "OK" button, the setup guide program 1075 detects in step 1350 and terminates the ink cartridge mounting instruction routine.

When the printer 1050 detects that the ink cartridge has been mounted, the printer 1050 starts filling the nozzles with ink. Here the setup guide program 107
5 ends the ink cartridge mounting instruction routine of step 1230, and then executes an ink filling display routine in the next step 1240. In the ink filling display routine, a screen shown in FIG. 23 is displayed to notify the user that ink is being filled. In the figure, a status bar is arranged in the horizontal direction in the middle of the screen, and the status bar is gradually extended from the left to the right of the screen according to the progress of the ink filling process.

Here, the progress of the ink filling process can be detected from the status information obtained via the printer driver 1073, and the setup guide program 1075 gradually expands the status bar while detecting the actual progress. More specifically, since the time required for the ink filling process can be said to be unique depending on the type of the printer, the progress status is obtained by counting the time elapsed from the start of the ink filling in the printer 1050. However, the configuration may be such that it can be output as state information.
In the present embodiment, a status bar is displayed to display the progress of ink filling.
The remaining time until ink filling is completed may be displayed while counting down.

In the screen shown in FIG. 23, when the user determines from the status bar that ink filling has been completed, the user clicks a “Next” button at the lower right of the screen. Then, the setup guide program 1075 detects and displays the screen shown in FIG. 24, and notifies the user that the ink filling is completed and the nozzle check pattern printing process is subsequently performed. Similarly, a “Next” button is arranged at the lower right of the screen shown in FIG.
When the "xt" button is clicked, the setup guide program 1075 ends the ink filling display routine,
In the next step 1250, a nozzle check pattern printing routine is executed.

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart of a nozzle check pattern printing routine. In the figure,
In step 1410, the screen shown in FIG. 26 is displayed, and an illustration and a description are given to indicate a paper setting method for performing a nozzle check. Here, the user sets the paper on the paper support of the printer 1050 according to the display content of the screen, and then clicks a “Next” button displayed at the lower right of the screen. Then, the setup guide program 1075 detects in step 1420,
At step 30, the screen shown in FIG. 27 is displayed, and the user is instructed to adjust the paper guide of the paper support similarly with the illustration and the description. More specifically, the paper support can adjust the width corresponding to multiple paper sizes, and the user can visually check this screen, adjust the paper guide appropriately, and click the “Next” button in the lower right of the screen I do. Also in this case, similarly, “Ba” is displayed on the left of the “Next” button.
A “ck” button is arranged, and when the “Back” button is clicked, the previous screen can be displayed.

When the “Next” button is clicked on the screen shown in FIG. 27, the setup guide program 1075 detects in step 1440, and
At 0, the screen shown in FIG. 28 is displayed to allow the user to select whether or not to print the nozzle check pattern, and prompt the user to input the selection result. This nozzle check pattern is a print pattern for judging whether or not the nozzle is clogged. When this nozzle check pattern is printed, “Pr” arranged at the lower right of the screen is used.
Click the "int" button. Then, the setup guide program 1075 executes a printing process of the nozzle check pattern in step 1460.

That is, the setup guide program 1075 causes the printer driver 1073 to generate predetermined print data.
50. Then, the printer 1050 becomes the DR
While using the AM 1057 as a buffer, the print data is developed on the buffer, and when one set of print data is prepared, the actual printing is executed, and the result is that the nozzle check pattern is printed. When the nozzle check pattern printing routine is completed in this way, the setup guide program 1075 displays the screen shown in FIG. 29 in step 1260. On this screen, whether or not the nozzles are clogged is visually checked, and if necessary, the print head 10 is checked.
An illustration and a description are displayed so as to execute cleaning at 61. Here, the user visually recognizes this screen, and if head cleaning is necessary, the “Cle
Click the "an" button. If the head cleaning is unnecessary, the setup can be ended by clicking the “Finish” button on the left side.

When the user clicks the “Clean” button, the setup guide program 1075
Is detected in step 1260, and a head cleaning routine is executed in step 1270. In this head cleaning routine, first, a screen shown in FIG. 30 is displayed, and the user selects a print head unit to be subjected to head cleaning from one or both of the black ink and the color ink. Depending on the result, "Black", "Color", "B
prompts the user to select and click one of the "other" buttons.

When the user clicks one of the buttons, the setup guide program 1075 sends the above-described cleaning instruction command to the printer 1050 to clean the print head unit of the color ink corresponding to the actually clicked button. Send to Then, the printer 1050 receives the cleaning instruction command and starts cleaning the print head unit of the corresponding color ink. At the same time, the setup guide program 1075 displays the screen shown in FIG. 31 and notifies the user that the head cleaning process is being performed.

On this screen, a moving image showing how the window is wiped with a wiper is displayed, and the remaining time until the head cleaning process is completed is displayed. Here, the time required for the head cleaning process is
Depending on whether the object to be cleaned is a print head unit of either black ink or color ink, or both print head units, it can be determined in advance by an experiment, The required time determined in advance is displayed accordingly.
The printer 1050 outputs the status information indicating that the head cleaning process is being performed as status information. The setup guide program 1075 monitors the status information via the printer driver 1073, and indicates that the head cleaning process is completed. Upon detection, a screen shown in FIG. 32 is displayed to notify the user that the setup has been completed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the user executes the setup work while viewing the display screen by the setup guide program 1075, a screen relating to the next setup work is displayed according to the progress. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the status of the printer 1050, for example, whether the ink cartridge has been correctly mounted or whether the ink filling has been completed. It will be good. Of course, in the present embodiment, the information displayed on each screen corresponds to the guidance information, and the setup CD-ROM that records the setup guide program 1075 for displaying the guidance information is the printer maintenance guide program according to the present invention. Corresponds to the storage medium storing the. In this embodiment, the setup CD-RO
M is used to execute the setup guide program 1075, but the present invention is not limited to a substantial medium such as a CD-ROM, and is executed after downloading via a public communication line or the like using a modem 1027. You may make it do.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When the printer 1050 is introduced, assembling a paper support, connecting an AC cable, connecting an interface cable, and the like are performed with reference to a booklet-shaped manual attached to the printer 1050. Thereafter, the power of the printer host 1010 is turned on, and the setup CD-R similarly attached to the printer 1050 is turned on.
The OM is mounted on the CD-ROM drive 1019b of the printer host 1010. Then, the automatic startup control information 1071 recorded on the setup CD-ROM is read by the operating system 1043, and the installation program 1072 is first activated according to the contents. The installation program 1072 installs programs such as the printer driver 1073 and the utility 1074 recorded on the setup CD-ROM into the printer host 1010 and terminates (step 110).

Then, the setup guide program 1
075 is executed by the printer host 1010 (step 120). This setup guide program 10
A screen 75 displays a screen for instructing to turn on the power of the printer 1050 (step 1210).
The process waits until status information can be obtained from the printer 1050 via the printer 3 (step 1220). Here, when the user turns on the power of the printer 1050, the printer 105
Since the status information is output from 0, the setup guide program 1075 can detect the status information, and executes the ink cartridge mounting instruction routine (step 1230).

In the ink cartridge mounting instruction routine, the respective screens shown in FIGS. 19 to 22 are sequentially displayed, so that the user mounts the ink cartridge on the printer 1050 according to the display contents of each screen. Then, the printer 105
0 detects the mounting of the ink cartridge and outputs the detection result as state information. On the other hand, the printer host 10
The setup guide program 1075 on the 10 side acquires the status information and activates the “OK” button arranged at the lower right of the screen in the screen shown in FIG. 22, so that the user clicks the “OK” button. Then, the setup guide program 1075 detects and terminates the ink cartridge mounting instruction routine (steps 1305 to 1305).
1350).

When the setup guide program 1075 finishes the ink cartridge mounting instruction routine, it executes the ink filling display routine next (step 124).
0). In this ink filling display routine, FIG.
Is displayed to notify the user that ink is being charged. In the figure, a status bar is arranged in the horizontal direction in the middle of the screen, and the status bar is gradually extended from the left to the right of the screen according to the progress of the ink filling process. Here, the progress of the ink filling process can be detected from the status information, and the setup guide program 1075 gradually expands the status bar while detecting the actual progress. On this screen, when the ink filling is completed, the user can select “Ne” in the lower right of the screen.
Click the "xt" button. Then, the screen shown in FIG. 24 is displayed. The user visually recognizes the screen and clicks a “Next” button at the lower right of the screen to end the ink filling display routine.

Then, the setup guide program 1
075 executes a nozzle check pattern printing routine (step 1250). In the nozzle check pattern printing routine, the respective screens shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 are sequentially displayed. Therefore, the user sets the paper for printing the nozzle check pattern on the paper support according to the display contents of each screen, and also sets the nozzle check pattern. Instruct printing start. Then, the setup guide program 10
75, the printer driver 1073 generates predetermined print data, and the print data is output to the printer 1050.
To transfer. In response to this, the printer 1050 develops the print data on a buffer, executes actual printing when one set of print data is prepared, and prints a nozzle check pattern (steps 1410 to 1460).

When the nozzle check pattern printing routine is completed as described above, the setup guide program 1075 displays a screen shown in FIG. And
The user visually checks whether or not the nozzle check pattern is correctly printed. If the nozzle check pattern is not correctly printed, the user is prompted to perform head cleaning (step 1260). Here, if head cleaning is necessary, the user clicks the “Clean” button at the lower right of the screen. Then, the setup guide program 107
5 executes a head cleaning routine (step 1270).

In this head cleaning routine, first, a screen shown in FIG.
The user is allowed to select a print head unit to be subjected to head cleaning from one or both of the color inks, and according to the selection result, “Bl
The user is prompted to select and click one of the "ack", "Color", and "Both" buttons. Here, when the user clicks one of the buttons, the setup guide program 1075 transmits a cleaning instruction command to the printer 1050 to clean the print head unit of the color ink corresponding to the actually clicked button. Then, the printer 1050 receives the cleaning instruction command and starts cleaning the print head unit of the corresponding color ink. At the same time, the setup guide program 1075 displays the screen shown in FIG. 31 and notifies the user that the head cleaning process is being performed.

On this screen, a moving image showing how the window is wiped with a wiper is displayed, and the remaining time until the head cleaning process is completed is displayed. On the other hand, the printer 1050 outputs the status information indicating that the head cleaning process is being performed, and the setup guide program 1075 monitors the status information via the printer driver 1073 to indicate that the head cleaning process is completed. Upon detection, a screen shown in FIG. 32 is displayed to notify the user that the setup has been completed (step 1280).

In this embodiment, the printer 1
It is applied at the time of set-up of 050 and at the time of ink cartridge replacement work when ink runs out during normal use, so that the work can be performed smoothly. In addition, when an error such as paper jam occurs. May be applied to the case where the error is eliminated, and there are various applicable situations.

As described above, in the maintenance work of the printer 1050, the status of the printer 1050 such as the presence or absence of the ink cartridge and the ink filling operation is detected by the printer host 1010 via the printer driver 1073, and the setup guide program 107
In 5, the progress status of the setup and the like is determined from the status change of the printer 1050, and the screen showing the work procedure is sequentially displayed according to the progress status. Work such as set-up can be performed smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer host according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing various programs recorded on a hard disk of the printer host and data flows between the programs.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a program configuration recorded on a setup CD-ROM.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a program recorded on a setup CD-ROM.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a setup guide program according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a connection subroutine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a cartridge mounting subroutine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation confirmation subroutine.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a process of switching screen displays during test printing.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen when inputting an evaluation for a test print result.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a utility program according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen when ink out is displayed.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer host according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing a connection status of peripheral devices to the printer host.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the printer host.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a setup guide program according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an ink cartridge mounting routine.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for instructing opening of a printer cover.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for instructing opening of an ink cartridge clamp.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for instructing opening of a package of an ink cartridge.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for instructing mounting of an ink cartridge.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a screen indicating that ink is being charged.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a screen indicating that ink filling has been completed.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a nozzle check pattern printing routine.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a screen showing a sheet setting method for performing a nozzle check.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for instructing adjustment of a paper guide of a paper support.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for inputting whether or not to print a nozzle check pattern.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for giving an instruction to confirm the presence or absence of nozzle clogging.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for inputting a head cleaning target.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of a screen indicating that a head cleaning process is being performed.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of a screen indicating that setup has been completed.

[Description of Signs] 10 Printer host 11 Main board 12 HD drive 12a Operating system 12b Application 12c Printer driver 12d Utility 13 CD-ROM drive 13a CD-ROM 13a1 Automatic start control information 13a2 Installation program 13a3 Setup guide 14 FD drive 15 Modem board 20 Printer 1010 Printer host 1011 CPU 1012 CPU bus 1013 Secondary cache 1014 Data bus unit 1015 System controller 1016 Memory 1017 Printer host I Bus 1018 Common interface 1019 Bus master 1019a Hard disk 1019b CD-ROM drive 10 21 ... Printer host I device 1021a ... SCSI card 1022 ... ISA bridge 1023 ... ISA bus 1024 ... ISA device 1024a ... Printer host MCIA card 1025 ... Keyboard 1026 ... Mouse 1027 ... Modem 1028 ... Scanner 1029 ... Display 1031 ... Magneto-optical storage device 1032 ... Printer host MCIA card socket 1033 ... Memory card 1034 ... Digital still camera 1041 ... Hardware 1042 ... BIOS 1043 ... Operating system 1043a ... Printer driver 1044 ... Application 1050 ... Printer 1051 ... Parallel I / O 1052 ... Gate array 1053 ... Bus 1054 ... CPU 1055 ... System ROM 1056 ... Character Gene R M 1057 ... D-RAM 1058 ... Carriage motor 1061 ... Print head 1062 ... Paper feed motor 1063 ... Timer counter 1064 ... EEPROM 1065 ... Operation panel 1066 ... Ink remaining amount sensor 1067 ... Other sensors 1071 ... Automatic start control information 1072 ... Installation Program 1073: Printer driver 1074: Utility 1075: Setup guide program

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 EA11 EA22 EB02 EB13 EB20 EB38 EB44 EB50 EC02 EC19 EC23 EC26 EC62 EE18 FA03 FA04 FA10 KC21 2C061 AQ05 AQ06 AR01 HJ06 HJ10 HK05 HK08 HK11 HV19 HV19 HV19 HV19 HV19 HV19 AA01 AA02 CC05 NN00 5E501 AA06 BA05 CA03 EA32 FA43

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program for displaying guidance information indicating a procedure of a printer maintenance operation on a display of a printer host to which the printer is connected. A state change detecting step of detecting a state change including at least a change in the remaining amount of the colorant; A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, comprising: a guidance display step for displaying. 2. A medium storing the printer maintenance guide program according to claim 1, wherein a print execution instruction or a print condition setting instruction is received after the colorant exhaustion is detected in the state change detection step. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program, wherein the guidance display step is activated. 3. A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer according to claim 1, wherein when the state change detecting step detects that the colorant runs out, the colorant runs out. Is displayed on the display and prompts the user to select whether or not to display a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge, and upon receiving an instruction indicating that the procedure is to be displayed, starts the guidance display step. A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, comprising a display step. 4. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to claim 1, wherein the state detection step detects a change in the remaining amount of each colorant of various colors. In the guidance display step, when the color change of any one of the plurality of colorants is detected in the state change detection step, a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge of the color is displayed on the display. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program. 5. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the state change detecting step includes a series of steps for mounting the colorant cartridge on the printer. Is displayed, it is detected whether or not the colorant cartridge is correctly mounted.If the guidance display step detects that the colorant is not correctly mounted in the state change detection step, A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, wherein the display prompts a user to confirm a mounting operation or a mounting operation again. 6. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the printer is an inkjet printer that ejects ink from nozzles, and the colorant cartridge is an ink jet printer. An ink cartridge, in the guidance display step, when the ink cartridge mounting is completed, and in the state change detection step, the start of ink filling in the nozzles is detected, the display shows that ink is being filled. A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, wherein a time until ink filling is completed is displayed. 7. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the guidance display step, guidance information of a moving image representing a procedure for mounting the colorant cartridge is provided. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program. 8. A storage medium storing a printer maintenance guide program for displaying guidance information indicating a procedure of a printer maintenance operation on a display of a printer host to which the printer is connected. A setup guide program for performing guidance, and a utility program for effecting the use of the printer, wherein the setup guide program includes a connection subroutine for displaying a procedure for connecting the printer to the printer host on the display; A cartridge mounting subroutine for displaying a procedure for mounting the colorant cartridge of the printer on the display, wherein the utility program is a state change of the printer. A state change detecting step of detecting a state change including at least a change in the remaining amount of the colorant, and starting the cartridge mounting subroutine of the setup guide program when running out of the colorant is detected. Storage medium storing the maintenance guide program of the present invention. 9. A storage medium storing the maintenance guide program for a printer according to claim 8, wherein, in the state change detecting step of the utility program, when the running out of the colorant is detected, the running out of the colorant is displayed on the display. In addition to prompting the user to select whether or not to display a series of procedures for installing the colorant cartridge,
A storage medium storing a maintenance guide program for a printer, further comprising a colorant out display step of activating the guidance display step when receiving an instruction to request the procedure display. 10. A printer maintenance guide device for displaying guidance information indicating a procedure of a printer maintenance operation on a display, wherein the printer detects a change in state of the printer, including a change in at least a remaining amount of the colorant. When the state change detection means and the state change detection means detect that the colorant runs out,
And a guidance display control means for displaying a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge on the display, and a maintenance guide device for the printer. 11. A printer maintenance guide method for displaying guidance information indicating a procedure of a printer maintenance operation on a display of a printer host to which the printer is connected. A state change detection step of detecting a state change including a remaining amount change, and in the state change detection step, when the running out of the colorant is detected,
A guidance display step of displaying a series of procedures for mounting the colorant cartridge on the display, and a maintenance guide method for the printer.