JP2024065600A - Image forming system, control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To more accurately manage a quantity of remaining ink in an image forming device of an ink jet system.SOLUTION: An image forming system includes: an image forming device 100 including an ink tank 210 having a remaining-ink quantity display window 310 through which a liquid level of ink stored inside can be visually recognized from outside; and a smart phone 150 with a camera 128. In the image forming system, the image forming device 100 measures an estimated used ink quantity C in the ink tank 210. The smart phone 150 estimates an ideal ink quantity A from a position of the liquid level of the ink detected from an image of a remaining-ink quantity obtained by photographing the remaining-ink quantity display window 310 with a camera 158 and transmits the ideal ink quantity A to the image forming device 100. The image forming device 100 replaces the estimated used ink quantity C with the ideal ink quantity A received from the smartphone 150 and manages the remaining-ink quantity in the ink tank 210.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system and a control method and program thereof, and in particular to a technology for managing the remaining amount of ink in an image forming device.

In image forming devices that print using an ink ejection method, it is necessary to accurately manage the remaining amount of ink, which is a consumable item, inside the image forming device. A method known as dot count remaining ink detection is known as a method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in image forming devices that use an ink ejection method. With this method, the remaining amount of ink is detected by measuring the amount of ink ejected and the amount of ink consumed in ejection recovery operations by counting the number of ejections and the number of suction recovery operations.

For example, in the method of managing remaining ink amount by dot count inspection described in Patent Document 1, first, when replacement of the ink holding means is detected, the ink dot count value is temporarily saved to another area. Then, when the ink remaining amount is set by the ink remaining amount resetting means, the ink remaining amount management method proposes to reset the dot count value from the temporarily saved dot count value and the current dot count value.

JP 2006-130812 A

In recent years, there has been a demand for technology that can properly manage the remaining amount of consumables such as ink.

The present invention aims to provide a technology that enables accurate management of remaining amounts of consumables.

The image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system having an image forming device equipped with an ink tank having a window that allows the liquid level of the ink stored inside to be visually confirmed from the outside, and an external device equipped with an imaging means, wherein the external device is equipped with a detection means for detecting the position of the liquid level from an ink remaining amount image obtained by photographing the window with the imaging means, an estimation means for estimating the amount of ink used in the ink tank as a first ink usage amount from the position of the liquid level detected by the detection means, and a first communication means for transmitting the first ink usage amount to the image forming device by communication, and the image forming device is equipped with a measurement means for measuring the amount of ink used in the ink tank as a second ink usage amount, a second communication means for receiving the first ink usage amount transmitted from the external device, and a control means for updating the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount.

The present invention makes it possible to properly manage remaining amounts of consumables.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams illustrating a method of refilling ink into an ink tank unit of an image forming apparatus. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing remaining ink level indicators of the ink tank section. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink tank. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an ink tank unit of an image forming apparatus is photographed with a smartphone. 11 is a flowchart of a process executed by the smartphone when updating an estimated ink usage amount in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen used for user instructions in step S606. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing another configuration of the image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image forming system according to the present invention is composed of an image forming device and a smartphone, which is an example of an external device.

Fig. 1(a) is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming device 100. The image forming device 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a network communication unit 104, a network connection unit 105, a display unit 106, an operation unit 107, a scanner unit 108, a printer unit 109, and an ink tank unit 110. Each of these units is connected to each other via a bus 111 so that they can communicate with each other, and can send and receive various data.

Image forming apparatus 100 is configured as a so-called inkjet type (ink ejection (jet) type) printer. CPU 101 controls the overall operation of each part of image forming apparatus 100 by loading programs stored in ROM 102 into RAM 103. ROM 102 stores various programs executed by CPU 101 and parameters required for executing the programs. RAM 103 has a working area in which CPU 101 loads programs, and a temporary storage area for image data when printer unit 109 prints on recording paper (not shown) and image data read by scanner unit 108.

The network communication unit 104 is connected to a router (not shown) via the network connection unit 105, and is thereby connected to a network such as the Internet or a LAN, or a public communication line, and communicates with an external device. In this embodiment, a specific external device is a smartphone 150 (see Figures 1(b) and 5), which will be described later. The RAM 103 also has a storage area for temporarily storing image data and the like received from an external device via the network communication unit 104.

The display unit 106 (see FIG. 2 as appropriate) is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display, and displays characters, figures, indicators, and the like. Information displayed by the display unit 106 includes various setting information for the image forming device 100, information about the ink stored (filled) in each ink tank of the ink tank unit 110, and the like. The information about the ink includes information about the remaining amount of ink stored in each ink tank, and ink refill warning information. Note that the display unit 106 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be configured using an LED or other display. Display control on the display unit 106 is performed by the CPU 101.

The operation unit 107 (see FIG. 2 as appropriate) is composed of switches and hard keys that allow the user to perform various input operations, a touch panel that is arranged over the display screen of the display unit 106 and allows input by tapping on the displayed information, etc.

The scanner unit 108 optically reads an original document set on the document tray 120 (see FIG. 2) and converts it into electronic data, and then converts the electronic data into a specified file format to generate image data. The image data generated by the scanner unit 108 is sent to an external device (not shown) via the network communication unit 104, or is imaged and printed on recording paper by the printer unit 109. Note that the image data may also be temporarily stored in a storage device such as the RAM 103 or HDD (not shown).

The printer unit 109 has an inkjet head (not shown) and prints an image (forms an image) on recording paper by an inkjet method based on image data received from outside or image data read by the scanner unit 108. Printing (forming an image) on recording paper by the printer unit 109 is performed by ejecting ink supplied from the ink tank unit 110 to the inkjet head toward the recording paper from the inkjet head. The ink tank unit 110 has ink tanks for storing ink of each of the multiple colors. The detailed configuration of the ink tank unit 110 will be described later.

The printer unit 109 has an ink supply unit for supplying the ink required for ejecting ink onto the recording paper from each ink tank in the ink tank unit 110 to the inkjet head. The printer unit 109 also manages information on the remaining amount of ink for each color in the ink tank unit 110 and paper information on the number of sheets of recording paper stored in a recording paper stacking tray (not shown).

Fig. 1(b) is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a smartphone 150. The smartphone 150 has a CPU 151, a ROM 152, a RAM 153, a storage 154, a display unit 155, an operation unit 156, a communication unit 157, and a camera 158. These units are connected to each other via a bus 159 so that they can communicate with each other, and are capable of transmitting and receiving various types of data.

The smartphone 150 may be a publicly known general one, so a brief description will be given. The CPU 151 controls the overall operation of each part of the smartphone 150 by expanding the OS program stored in the ROM 152 to the RAM 153. The CPU 151 also executes various applications (software) stored in the storage 154. The ROM 152 stores the OS program executed by the CPU 151 and parameters necessary for its execution. The RAM 153 has a working area in which the CPU 151 expands the program. The storage 154 stores various applications and data. The display unit 155 is a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, etc., and displays various information. The operation unit 156 is a touch panel superimposed on the display unit 155, a power switch, etc., arranged on the side of the body of the smartphone 150. The communication unit 157 performs communication connection with a public communication line or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The camera 158 has a lens and an image sensor, and in this embodiment is used as an image capturing means for capturing images of the ink tank section 110.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a method of refilling ink into the ink tank section 110 of the image forming device 100. The image forming device 100 is configured to eject ink of multiple colors to form a color image on recording paper. Specifically, the ink tank section 110 has ink tanks 210C, 210M, 210Y, and 210Bk. Ink tank 210C stores cyan (C) ink, ink tank 210M stores magenta (M) ink, ink tank 210Y stores yellow (Y) ink, and ink tank 210Bk stores black (Bk) ink.

Each of the ink tanks 210C, 210M, 210Y, and 210Bk has an ink inlet 205, which is normally closed by a cap 206. When a rotating ink tank cover 200 provided on the image forming device 100 is opened, the ink inlet 205 of the ink tank unit 110 can be accessed. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the ink tank 210C being refilled with cyan ink from an ink bottle 220 filled with cyan ink with the ink tank cover 200 open.

Although ink tanks 210C, 210M, 210Y, and 210Bk differ in the amount of ink they can store, they have the same basic configuration. Therefore, in the following explanation, when ink tanks 210C, 210M, 210Y, and 210Bk are described collectively as "ink tank 210."

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the ink level display unit 300 of the ink tank unit 110 of the image forming device 100. Each ink tank 210 has an ink level display window 310 that is visible from the front of the image forming device 100. The ink level display window 310 is a window provided on the front side of the ink tank 210 and is made of a transparent material. A user of the image forming device 100 can check the remaining amount of ink 312 stored in the ink tank 210 by visually looking at the ink level display window 310.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of the ink tank 210. The liquid level of the ink actually stored in the ink tank 210 can be visually confirmed through the ink level display window 310 as long as it is between the upper end position 410H and the lower end position 410L of the ink level display window 310.

Inside the ink tank 210, there is provided an ink remaining amount detection unit 405 that uses a sensor to detect the amount of remaining ink. The ink remaining amount detection unit 405 cannot detect ink if there is no ink at the tip 406. In other words, the ink remaining amount detection unit 405 detects whether the ink level is above or below the tip 406, but does not detect the absolute value of the amount of ink stored in the ink tank 210.

The remaining ink amount in the image forming device 100 is managed using the dot count remaining inspection method described above. In other words, the amount of ink that has been sent from the ink tank 210 to the printer unit 109 by ejection, ejection recovery operations, etc. and reduced is measured by counting the number of ejections and the number of suction recovery operations, and the remaining ink amount is managed based on the measured amount of ink reduced.

Here, the amount of ink reduced from when the ink tank 210 was full is defined as the 'ink usage amount'. The amount of ink usage calculated by the CPU 101 of the image forming device 100 by counting the number of ejections and the number of suction recovery operations using the dot count remaining inspection method described above is defined as the 'estimated ink usage amount C'.

In contrast, the ideal ink usage amount when the ink level is at the upper end position 410H is defined as the "ideal ink usage amount AH," and the ideal ink usage amount when the ink level is at the lower end position 410L is defined as the "ideal ink usage amount AL." In addition, the ideal ink usage amount calculated from the position of the ink level that can be confirmed in the ink remaining amount display window 310 is defined as the "ideal ink usage amount A."

The ideal ink usage amount when the ink level is at the tip 406 of the ink remaining amount detection unit 405 is defined as "ideal ink usage amount B." In this embodiment, the ink remaining amount detection unit 405 is provided in the ink tank 210 so that the tip 406 is located midway between the upper end position 410H and the lower end position 410L, that is, at a position equidistant from the upper end position 410H and the lower end position 410L.

By looking at the ink level indicator window 310, the user of the image forming device 100 can confirm whether the ink level is above or below the bottom end position 410L, but cannot accurately determine how much ink remains when the ink level is below the bottom end position 410L. On the other hand, even if the ink level in the ink tank 210 is below the bottom end position 410, printing can be performed as long as a certain amount of ink remains.

The CPU 101 of the image forming device 100 executes a predetermined program to display a warning on the display unit 106 urging the user to replenish ink when the estimated ink usage C reaches a predetermined value (threshold value). In other words, the CPU 101 displays a warning on the display unit 106 urging the user to replenish ink when the estimated ink usage C indicates that the ink level is a predetermined depth below the lower end position 410L. The user will generally replenish ink upon receiving this warning.

If the estimated ink usage C is inaccurate, a situation may occur where the ink runs out even though, according to ink level management, there is enough ink remaining so that there is no need to issue a warning to refill the ink. To prevent this from happening, in this embodiment, the estimated ink usage C is corrected to a more accurate value as appropriate, using the method described below.

The process of updating the ink usage amount in the image forming device 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of the image forming device 100 and a schematic diagram showing how the ink tank section 110 is photographed by the camera 158 of the smartphone 150. The smartphone 150 can photograph the ink remaining amount display windows 310 of the ink tanks 210 of all colors in a single photograph.

Figure 6 is a flowchart of the process executed by smartphone 150 when updating estimated ink usage C in image forming apparatus 100. Each process (step) indicated by an S number in this flowchart is realized by CPU 151 executing a dedicated application (hereinafter referred to as a "dedicated app") applied to image forming apparatus 100 in smartphone 150. However, for ease of explanation, in the explanation of each step in this flowchart, the dedicated app is described as the entity that executes the operation and process on smartphone 150. The dedicated app is installed in smartphone 150 in advance, and the process of S601 begins when the user launches the dedicated app.

In S601, the dedicated app connects the smartphone 150 to the image forming apparatus 100 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication connection between the smartphone 150 and the image forming apparatus 100 is established, for example, by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, but is not limited to this. Although not shown, if the dedicated app is unable to establish a communication connection between the smartphone 150 and the image forming apparatus 100, it displays an error on the display unit 155 of the smartphone 150. Here, the subsequent processing will be described assuming that communication has been established normally.

In S602, the dedicated app obtains the ideal ink usage amounts AH, AL, and B for each ink color, the estimated ink usage amount C, and the ink remaining amount detection results by the ink remaining amount detection unit 405 for each ink color from the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the dedicated app transmits a command to the image forming apparatus 100 to instruct the image forming apparatus 100 to transmit this information to the smartphone 150. The CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 obtains the necessary information from the printer unit 109 in response to the command from the smartphone 150 and transmits it to the smartphone 150. Note that since the ideal ink usage amounts AH, AL, and B are values (design values) specific to the ink tank 210, the dedicated app itself may store these values in advance as default data rather than obtaining them from the image forming apparatus 100.

In S603, the dedicated app launches a remaining ink level photography function within the dedicated app. For example, although not shown, a message urging the user to take a photo of the ink tank unit 110 and an icon for activating the camera 158 are displayed on the display screen of the smartphone 150. When the user taps the camera activation icon, the camera 158 is activated and photography becomes possible. The user photographs the ink tank unit 110 with the camera 158 as shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the dedicated app may display a frame on the display unit 155 to assist in photographing the ink tank unit 110. The user can photograph the ink tank unit 110 in an appropriate manner each time by aligning the image with the displayed frame.

In S604, the dedicated app stores the image of the ink tank section 110 captured in S603 (hereinafter referred to as the "ink remaining amount image") in the storage 154 of the smartphone 150.

In S605, the dedicated application analyzes the remaining ink level image. Specifically, the dedicated application detects the position of the ink level of each color from the remaining ink level display window 310.

In S606, the dedicated app accepts user settings. User settings here refer to setting in the dedicated app that the ink tank 210 that stores ink of a specific color is full of ink.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen 700 used for user instructions in S606. The UI screen 700 is displayed on the display unit 155 of the smartphone 150 when the processing of S605 is completed. In the UI screen 700, the icons C, M, Y, and Bk represent ink colors. The user taps (selects) the icon of the ink color whose ink tank 210 is full, and presses 'selection complete'. This notifies the dedicated app that the ink tank 210 of the color indicated by the selected icon is full of ink.

"Perform for all colors" in S607 and S621 indicates that the processing in S608 to S620 is performed for all colors of ink (C, M, Y, Bk), and once the estimated ink usage amount C has been updated for all colors of ink, the processing in S622 is executed.

In S608, the dedicated application determines whether or not ink has been detected by the ink remaining amount detection unit 405 based on the information acquired in S602. If the dedicated application determines that ink has been detected (YES in S608), it executes the process of S609, and if it determines that ink has not been detected (NO in S608), it executes the process of S616.

In S609, the dedicated application determines whether or not the ink level is above the top end position 410H based on the analysis of the remaining ink image. Note that if no space is found below the top end position 410H (in other words, the entire surface of the remaining ink display window 310 is ink), the ink level is determined to be above the top end position 410H. If the dedicated application determines that the ink level is above the top end position 410H (YES in S609), it executes the process of S610, and if it determines that the ink level is below the top end position 410H (NO in S609), it executes the process of S613.

In S610, the dedicated application determines whether or not the ink tank 210 currently being processed has been set to be full of ink in S606. If the dedicated application determines that the full setting has been accepted (YES in S610), it executes processing of S611, and if it determines that the full setting has not been accepted (NO in S610), it executes processing of S612.

In S611, the dedicated application clears (sets to zero (0)) the estimated ink usage C calculated by the image forming device 100 based on the ink ejection amount. Meanwhile, in S612, the dedicated application updates the estimated ink usage C with the ideal ink usage AH when the ink level is at the upper end position 410H of the ink remaining amount display window 310.

In S613, the dedicated application determines whether the ink level visible through the ink level display window 310 is above the tip 406 of the ink level detection unit 405 based on the analysis result of the ink level image. In this embodiment, as described above, the tip 406 is equidistant from the upper end position 410H and the lower end position 410L. Therefore, if the distance from the upper end position 410H to the lower end position 410L obtained by analyzing the ink level image is XD and the distance from the upper end position 410H to the ink level is X, and X<XD/2 is satisfied, the ink level is determined to be above the tip 406. If the dedicated application determines that the ink level is above the tip 406 (YES in S613), it executes the process of S614, and if it determines that the ink level is not above the tip 406 (NO in S613), it executes the process of S615.

In S614, the dedicated application updates the estimated ink usage C with the ideal ink usage A calculated based on the position of the ink level in the ink level display window 310. Here, the ideal ink usage A can be considered to be proportional to the amount of descent (distance descent) of the ink level. Therefore, the ideal ink usage A at this time can be calculated by A = AH + (AL - AH) x X/XD. The method of calculating the ideal ink usage A is not limited to this. For example, a scale with graduations indicating the remaining ink level in stages can be provided in the ink level display window 310, and this scale can be read by the dedicated application. Furthermore, by having the dedicated application hold a table that stores the ideal ink usage A for each graduation on the scale, the dedicated application can calculate the ideal ink usage A by applying the position of the graduations corresponding to the position of the ink level to the table.

In S615, the dedicated application updates the estimated ink usage C with the ideal ink usage B when the ink level is at the tip 406 of the ink level detection unit 405. This is because the process of S615 is executed when the ink level detection unit 405 detects ink, and therefore when proceeding to S615, the position of the ink level detected from the ink level image will match the position of the tip 406 (X = XD/2).

In S616, the dedicated application determines whether the ink level in the ink level display window 310 is above the bottom end position 410L based on the analysis of the ink level image. In other words, in S616, it is determined whether the ink level in the ink level display window 310 is below a position corresponding to the position of the tip 406 of the ink level detection unit 405. If the dedicated application determines that the ink level is above the bottom end position 410L (YES in S616), it executes the process of S617, and if it determines that the ink level is below the bottom end position 410L (NO in S616), it executes the process of S618.

In S617, the dedicated application updates the estimated ink usage C with the ideal ink usage A calculated from the position of the ink level in the ink level display window 310. The method for calculating the ideal ink usage A is as described in the process of S614.

Processing proceeds from S616 to S618 when the ink level cannot be confirmed because the ink level is below the lower end position 410L of the ink level display window 310. In addition, at the time processing proceeds to S618, the estimated ink usage C must be at least equal to or greater than the ideal ink usage AL.

Then, in S618, the dedicated application determines whether the estimated ink usage C is equal to or greater than the ideal ink usage AL. If the dedicated application determines that the estimated ink usage C is equal to or greater than the ideal ink usage AL (YES in S618), it executes processing of S619, and if it determines that the estimated ink usage C is less than the ideal ink usage AL (NO in S618), it executes processing of S620.

In S619, the dedicated application performs processing that does not change the estimated ink usage amount C. On the other hand, in S620, the dedicated application updates the estimated ink usage amount C with the ideal ink usage amount AL.

When the dedicated application updates the estimated ink usage amount C for all colors of ink through any of S611, S612, S614, S615, S617, S619, and S620, it executes the process of S622.

At S622, the dedicated app sends the updated estimated ink usage C for all colors of ink to the image forming device 100 and ends this process. As a result, the image forming device 100 updates the remaining ink amount information within the image forming device 100 using the received estimated ink usage C.

As explained above, the user of the image forming device 100 can perform a process to update the estimated ink usage C to a more appropriate value at any time. In that case, for example, even if the ink tank 210 is not filled to the brim but refilled, the estimated ink usage C can be changed to an accurate value (ideal ink usage A). Furthermore, by updating the estimated ink usage C to a more appropriate value, in other words, by being able to more accurately manage the remaining ink amount, it becomes possible to reliably issue an ink refill warning before the ink in the ink tank 210 runs out.

Figure 8 is an external perspective view of another image forming device 800 to which the process of the flowchart in Figure 6 can be applied. In the image forming device 100 in Figure 1, the ink tanks 210 of four colors are arranged together in one ink tank section 110. In contrast, the image forming device 800 has a Bk (black) ink tank 801, which is used frequently, and ink tanks 802, 803, 804 of the other colors (C, M, Y), which are arranged on the left and right ends when viewed from the front of the image forming device 800. In this case, for example, if it is desired to update the estimated ink usage C for only Bk ink, it is sufficient to photograph only the Bk ink tank 801, and the routines of S607 to S621 can be completed in a single execution.

The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods.
(Configuration 1) An image forming system having an image forming device equipped with an ink tank having a window that allows the liquid level of the ink stored inside to be visible from the outside, and an external device equipped with an imaging means, wherein the external device comprises a detection means for detecting the position of the liquid level from an ink remaining amount image obtained by photographing the window with the imaging means, an estimation means for estimating the amount of ink used in the ink tank as a first ink usage amount from the position of the liquid level detected by the detection means, and a first communication means for transmitting the first ink usage amount to the image forming device via communication, and the image forming device comprises a measurement means for measuring the amount of ink used in the ink tank as a second ink usage amount, a second communication means for receiving the first ink usage amount transmitted from the external device, and a control means for updating the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount.
(Configuration 2) The image forming system described in Configuration 1, wherein the estimation means estimates the first ink usage amount based on the distance from the liquid level detected by the detection means to the upper end position of the window, the distance from the upper end position to the lower end position of the window, a third ink usage amount when the liquid level is at the upper end position, and a fourth ink usage amount when the liquid level is at the lower end position.
(Configuration 3) The image forming system according to configuration 2, wherein the control means transmits the third ink usage amount and the fourth ink usage amount to the external device via the second communication means.
(Configuration 4) An image forming system described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the external device is provided with a means for accepting a setting that the ink tank is full of ink, and the estimation means sets the first ink usage amount to zero when the setting is accepted.
(Configuration 5) The image forming apparatus is provided with a detection means for detecting whether a predetermined amount of ink is stored in the ink tank, and the control means transmits the position of the ink liquid level visible through the window when the certain amount of ink is stored and a fifth amount of ink usage to the external device via the second communication means, and the estimation means sets the first amount of ink usage to the fifth amount of ink usage when the position of the liquid level detected by the detection means matches the position of the liquid level when the certain amount of ink is stored. The image forming system described in any one of configurations 1 to 4.
(Configuration 6) The image forming system described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the image forming device is provided with a warning means for issuing a warning to refill the ink tank with ink when the second ink usage amount reaches a predetermined threshold.
(Structure 7) The image forming system described in any one of structures 1 to 6, characterized in that the image forming device is provided with an ink tank for each different color ink, and the ink tanks for each different color are arranged so that the window provided in each of the ink tanks can be photographed at once by the imaging means.
(Configuration 8) The image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the external device is a smartphone or a tablet PC.
(Configuration 9) An image forming system having an image forming device equipped with an ink tank having a window that allows the liquid level of ink stored inside to be viewed from the outside, and an external device equipped with an imaging means, wherein the external device has a detection means for detecting information regarding the position of the liquid level from an ink remaining amount image obtained by photographing the window with the imaging means, and a first communication means for transmitting the information to the image forming device via communication, and the image forming device has a second communication means for receiving the information transmitted from the external device, an estimation means for estimating the amount of ink usage in the ink tank as a first ink usage amount based on the information, a measurement means for measuring the amount of ink usage in the ink tank as a second ink usage amount, and a control means for updating the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount.
(Configuration 10) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus included in the image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 9.
(Configuration 11) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the external device provided in the image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 9.
(Method 1) A control method for an image forming system having an image forming device equipped with an ink tank having a window that allows the liquid level of the ink stored inside to be visible from the outside, and an external device equipped with an imaging means, comprising the steps of: the external device detecting the position of the liquid level from an ink remaining amount image obtained by photographing the window with the imaging means; the external device estimating the amount of ink used in the ink tank as a first ink usage amount from the detected position of the liquid level; the external device transmitting the first ink usage amount to the image forming device via communication; the image forming device measuring the amount of ink used in the ink tank as a second ink usage amount; the image forming device receiving the first ink usage amount transmitted from the external device; and the image forming device updating the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount.
(Method 2) A control method for an image forming system having an image forming device equipped with an ink tank having a window that allows the liquid level of the ink stored inside to be visible from the outside, and an external device equipped with an imaging means, comprising the steps of: detecting information regarding the position of the liquid level from an ink remaining amount image obtained by the external device photographing the window with the imaging means; transmitting the information to the image forming device via communication; receiving the information transmitted from the external device; estimating the amount of ink used in the ink tank as a first ink usage amount based on the information, measuring the amount of ink used in the ink tank as a second ink usage amount, and updating the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount.

The present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not deviate from the gist of the invention are also included in the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, a smartphone 150 is used as an external device constituting the image forming system, but the external device may be any device that has a camera function and is capable of executing a dedicated app, and thus may be, for example, a tablet PC, etc.

For example, in the above embodiment, the estimated ink usage C managed by the image forming apparatus 100 is updated by updating the estimated ink usage C in the smartphone 150 and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus 100. The method is not limited to this, and the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 may update the estimated ink usage C based on the position of the ink level detected by the smartphone 150.

In this case, first, the user operates the operation unit 107 of the image forming apparatus 100 to cause the CPU 101 to start processing for updating the estimated ink usage amount C. The CPU 101 notifies the user, for example, via the display unit 106, to establish a wireless communication connection with the smartphone 150 that has been registered in advance in the image forming apparatus 100. At this time, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) or the like for starting a dedicated app on the smartphone 150 and establishing a wireless communication connection with the smartphone 150 may be displayed on the display unit 106.

When the CPU 101 completes the communication connection with the smartphone 150 and the start of the dedicated app, it sends a command to the smartphone 150 to inform the position of the ink level. When the user photographs the ink tank unit 110 in response to this command, the dedicated app calculates the position of the ink level of each color from the ink remaining amount image and sends the calculation result to the image forming device 100. The user settings in S606 can be accepted by the image forming device 100. On the other hand, if the processing of S606 is performed by the smartphone 150, the user settings accepted in S606 are sent from the smartphone 150 to the image forming device 100. If the position of the ink level is between the upper end position 410H and the lower end position 410L, the corresponding ideal ink usage amount A may be sent to the image forming device 100 instead of the position of the ink level. On the other hand, the user settings in S606 may be accepted by the image forming device 100. The CPU 101 holds the ideal ink usage amounts AH, AL, and B, and the current estimated ink usage amount C, so it can update the estimated ink usage amount C by performing the subsequent steps S607 to S621.

The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more of the functions.

100 Image forming apparatus 101 CPU
104 Network communication unit 106 Display unit 107 Operation unit 110 Ink tank unit 150 Smartphone 151 CPU
155 Display unit 156 Operation unit 157 Communication unit 158 Camera 210 Ink tank 310 Ink remaining amount display window 405 Ink remaining amount detection unit

Claims (13)

An image forming system including an image forming apparatus having an ink tank with a window that allows a liquid level of ink stored therein to be visually confirmed from the outside, and an external device having an imaging means,
The external device is
a detection means for detecting the position of the liquid level from an image of the amount of remaining ink obtained by photographing the window with the imaging means;
an estimation means for estimating an amount of ink used in the ink tank as a first ink usage amount from the position of the ink level detected by the detection means;
a first communication unit that transmits the first ink usage amount to the image forming apparatus by communication;
The image forming apparatus includes:
a measuring means for measuring an amount of ink used in the ink tank as a second ink usage amount;
a second communication means for receiving the first ink usage amount transmitted from the external device;
and a control unit that updates the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the estimation means estimates the first ink usage amount based on the distance from the liquid level detected by the detection means to the upper end position of the window, the distance from the upper end position to the lower end position of the window, a third ink usage amount when the liquid level is at the upper end position, and a fourth ink usage amount when the liquid level is at the lower end position. The image forming system according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means transmits the third ink usage amount and the fourth ink usage amount to the external device via the second communication means. the external device includes a means for accepting a setting that the ink tank is filled with ink,
3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit sets the first ink usage amount to zero when the setting has been accepted. the image forming apparatus further comprises a detection unit for detecting whether a predetermined amount of ink is stored in the ink tank;
the control means transmits, via the second communication means, to the external device, a position of the ink level visible through the window when the certain amount of ink is stored and a fifth amount of ink used;
3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the estimation means sets the first ink usage amount to the fifth ink usage amount when the position of the liquid level detected by the detection means matches the position of the liquid level when the certain amount of ink is stored. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the image forming device is provided with a warning means for issuing a warning to refill the ink tank with ink when the second ink usage reaches a predetermined threshold. the image forming apparatus includes ink tanks for inks of different colors,
3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ink tanks for different colors are arranged so that the windows provided in the respective ink tanks can be photographed at once by the imaging means. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the external device is a smartphone or a tablet PC. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus having an ink tank with a window that allows a liquid level of ink stored therein to be visually confirmed from the outside, and an external device having an imaging means,
The external device is
a detection means for detecting information regarding the position of the ink level from an ink remaining amount image obtained by photographing the window with the imaging means;
a first communication means for transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus through communication;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication means for receiving the information transmitted from the external device;
an estimation means for estimating an amount of ink used in the ink tank based on the information as a first ink usage amount;
a measuring means for measuring an amount of ink used in the ink tank as a second ink usage amount;
and a control unit that updates the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount. A method for controlling an image forming system having an image forming apparatus including an ink tank having a window that allows a liquid level of ink stored therein to be visually confirmed from the outside, and an external device including an imaging means, comprising the steps of:
detecting the position of the liquid level from an ink remaining amount image obtained by the external device photographing the window with the imaging means;
a step of estimating an amount of ink used in the ink tank as a first ink used amount from the detected position of the ink level by the external device;
a step of transmitting the first ink usage amount to the image forming apparatus by the external device through communication;
a step of measuring an amount of ink used in the ink tank by the image forming apparatus as a second ink usage amount;
receiving the first ink usage amount transmitted from the external device by the image forming apparatus;
updating the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount by the image forming apparatus. A method for controlling an image forming system having an image forming apparatus including an ink tank having a window that allows a liquid level of ink stored therein to be visually confirmed from the outside, and an external device including an imaging means, comprising the steps of:
detecting information regarding the position of the liquid level from an ink remaining amount image obtained by the external device photographing the window with the imaging means;
a step of transmitting the information from the external device to the image forming apparatus via communication;
receiving the information transmitted from the external device by the image forming apparatus;
a step of the image forming apparatus estimating an amount of ink used in the ink tank as a first ink usage amount based on the information;
measuring an amount of ink used in the ink tank as a second amount of ink used;
updating the second ink usage amount with the first ink usage amount. A program that causes a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming device provided in the image forming system according to claim 1 or 8. A program that causes a computer to function as each of the means of the external device provided in the image forming system according to claim 1 or 8.