JP2025110103A - Consumables management device, printing system, and consumables management method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a consumable management device capable of grasping transition of a residual amount of a consumable with respect to a printing schedule desired by users.SOLUTION: A management device 90 includes an input portion 92 and a calculation portion 94. Printing jobs PJ1 to PJ3 inputted to the input portion 92 have consumptions of ink and media 5, and date information on which printing is conducted. The calculation portion 94, in date when the printing jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are conducted, calculates the residual quantity of ink and media 5 when each printing job is conducted. Thereby, in a job schedule JS desired by users, transition of the residual quantity of the ink and media 5 when each printing job is executed can be grasped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a consumables management device, a printing system, and a consumables management method.

Conventionally, printing systems that predict the change in the remaining amount of consumables in a printing device are known. Consumables in a printing device are, for example, ink and recording media. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system that includes a remaining amount history storage means and a remaining amount history display means. In such a printing system, the remaining amount history storage means stores the history of the remaining amounts of the consumables. Based on the stored history, the remaining amount history display means graphs a prediction of the change in the remaining amount of the consumables. This allows the user to predict when the consumables will run out.

JP 2009-140012 A

In the printing system described above, the progress of the remaining amount of consumables is displayed based on the history of the remaining amount of the consumables. For example, the progress of the remaining amount is calculated based on the average amount of the consumables used over a certain period of time, regardless of the type of printed material executed. However, when a user sets various printing to be executed at a desired date and time, the amount of the consumables used over a certain period of time varies. Therefore, there is a relatively large discrepancy between the predicted progress of the remaining amount and the actual remaining amount of the consumables. In this case, it is not possible to grasp the progress of the consumables when the set printing instruction is executed.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a consumables management device that can grasp the trends in the remaining amount of consumables according to the user's desired printing schedule.

The consumables management device according to the present invention is used in an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a medium, and is a consumables management device that grasps the consumption status of consumables including at least one of the medium and the ink, and is equipped with an input unit that can input a plurality of print jobs having the consumption amount of the consumables and date and time information for when printing is performed, and a calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of the consumables at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of the consumables consumed for each of the print jobs input to the input unit and the date and time information for each of the print jobs input to the input unit.

According to the consumables management device of the present invention, the print job has the consumption amount of the consumables and the date and time information. A plurality of the print jobs desired by the user are input to the input unit. The calculation unit calculates the remaining amount of the consumables at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of the consumables consumed for each print job input to the input unit and the date and time information for each print job input to the input unit. This makes it possible to grasp the remaining amount of the consumables for each date and time when the desired print job input by the user is executed at a specified date and time. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the transition of the remaining amount of the consumables with respect to the printing schedule desired by the user.

The present invention provides a consumables management device that can grasp the trends in remaining consumables according to a user's desired printing schedule.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a bottom surface of an ink head according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a setting page is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a history page is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a result display page is displayed. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calculating remaining amounts of ink and media.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. In addition, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components and parts that perform the same function, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a printing system 1. The printing system 1 includes an inkjet printer 10 and a management device 90. The management device 90 is an example of a consumables management device in the present invention. In this embodiment, the management device 90 grasps the consumption status of the ink and the media 5 used in the inkjet printer 10. In addition, the ink is an example of a first consumable in the present invention. The media 5 is an example of a second consumable in the present invention. In addition to managing the consumables of the inkjet printer 10, the management device 90 issues printing instructions and transmits print data to the inkjet printer 10. The inkjet printer 10 and the management device 90 are wirelessly connected via a network NW. The network NW is composed of the Internet and various mobile communication systems constructed by wireless base stations not shown. The inkjet printer 10 prints on the media 5 (see FIG. 2) based on instructions from the management device 90. The media 5 in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a medium on which printing can be performed. The media 5 may be recording paper, a resin sheet, a sealant, etc. The printer 10 of this embodiment prints on the media 5 while sequentially pulling out the media 5 supplied as a roll. Note that the device that manages consumables for the inkjet printer 10 and the device that issues printing instructions and transmits print data to the inkjet printer 10 may be separate devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 of this embodiment includes two inkjet printers 10 (hereinafter referred to as printers 10). The number of inkjet printers 10 included in the printing system 1 is not particularly limited. Here, the inkjet printers 10 will also be referred to as printers 10A and 10B, from the top in FIG. 1. However, when describing both printers 10A and 10B in common, the term printer 10 will be used as appropriate.

Figure 2 is a front view of the printer 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the bottom surface of the ink head 61 of the printer 10. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively mean the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the scanning direction (main scanning direction). In this embodiment, the scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X in the drawings indicates the transport direction (sub-scanning direction). In this embodiment, the transport direction X is the front-back direction, and is a direction that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the scanning direction Y in a plan view. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10, nor limit the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a platen 11 that supports the media 5, a transport device 30 that transports the media 5, a carriage moving device 40, a carriage 60 equipped with an ink head 61 that ejects ink, an ink supply unit 70, an ink consumption measuring device 81, a media consumption measuring device 82, a control device 110, and an operation panel 150. The transport device 30 and the carriage moving device 40 form a movement mechanism 20 that moves the media 5 and the ink head 61 relative to one another.

The conveying device 30 is configured to move the media 5 supported by the platen 11 in the conveying direction X. The conveying device 30 includes a grit roller 31, a pinch roller 32, and a feed motor 33. The grit roller 31 is provided on the platen 11. The grit roller 31 rotates when driven by the feed motor 33. The pinch roller 32 is disposed above the grit roller 31. The pinch roller 32 is provided to face the grit roller 31. The pinch roller 32 is configured to be able to swing up and down so that it can approach and move away from the grit roller 31. When the grit roller 31 rotates with the media 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 32 and the grit roller 31, the media 5 is conveyed in the conveying direction X. The feed motor 33 is electrically connected to the control device 110 and is controlled by the control device 110.

The carriage moving device 40 includes a guide rail 41, a pulley 42, a pulley 43, a belt 44, and a scan motor 45. The guide rail 41 is provided above the platen 11. The guide rail 41 extends in the scanning direction Y. A carriage 60 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 41. The pulley 42 is provided to the left of the left end of the guide rail 41. The pulley 43 is provided to the right of the right end of the guide rail 41. The carriage 60 is provided above the platen 11 so as to face the platen 11. The belt 44 is wound around the pulleys 42 and 43. The scan motor 45 is connected to the right pulley 43. However, the scan motor 45 may be connected to the left pulley 42. When the scan motor 45 is driven and the pulley 43 rotates, the belt 44 runs between the pulleys 42 and 43. The scan motor 45 is electrically connected to and controlled by the control device 110.

The carriage 60 is provided with a plurality of ink heads 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink head 61 is formed in a shape in which the length in the transport direction X is longer than the length in the scanning direction Y. The plurality of ink heads 61 are formed with the same shape and the same size. The ink head 61 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 62 aligned in the transport direction X and a nozzle surface 63 in which a nozzle row 62a is formed. The nozzles 62 of the ink head 61 eject ink onto the medium 5. In this embodiment, the carriage 60 is provided with four ink heads 61, but the number of ink heads 61 is not limited to four. The ink head 61 is provided with one nozzle row 62a, but may be provided with two or more nozzle rows. In FIG. 3, the number of nozzles 62 forming the nozzle row 62a is 12, but in reality, a larger number of nozzles 62 (for example, about 200 to 300) are formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply unit 70 has an ink tank 71 and an ink supply path 72. Ink contained in each ink tank 71 passes through the ink supply path 72 and is supplied to each ink head 61.

Each ink tank 71 stores one of the process color inks and the special color inks (e.g., white ink, clear ink, etc.). In this embodiment, the ink tank 71 includes an ink tank 71C, an ink tank 71M, an ink tank 71Y, and an ink tank 71K. The ink tank 71C, the ink tank 71M, the ink tank 71Y, and the ink tank 71K store cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively. However, the color of the ink stored in the ink tank 71 is not particularly limited. The ink may be a colorless ink. In addition, the material of the ink is not limited in any way, and various materials that have been used as ink materials for inkjet printers in the past can be used. The ink may be, for example, a solvent-based pigment ink or a water-based pigment ink. Alternatively, the ink may be a water-based dye ink or an ultraviolet-curable pigment ink that is cured by exposure to ultraviolet light. The ink tank 71 may be, for example, an ink cartridge or a pouch-shaped one.

The ink supply path 72 is a flow path that connects the ink tank 71 and the ink head 61. One end of the ink supply path 72 is connected to the ink tank 71, and the other end of the ink supply path 72 is connected to the ink head 61. The configuration of the ink supply path 72 is not particularly limited, but the ink supply path 72 is, for example, configured by a flexible tube. The ink in the ink tank 71 flows through the ink supply path 72 and is supplied to the ink head 61.

The ink tank 71 is provided with an ink consumption measuring device 81. The ink consumption measuring device 81 is a device that measures the amount of ink consumed by printing. The ink consumption measuring device 81 is an example of a measuring device in the present invention. The measurement method of the ink consumption measuring device 81 is not particularly limited, but for example, the ink consumption measuring device 81 can be realized by a measuring device including a pressure-sensitive membrane (not shown), a detectable member (not shown), and a sensor unit (not shown). The pressure-sensitive membrane is flexed and deformed in conjunction with the amount of ink stored inside the ink tank 71. When the pressure-sensitive membrane is flexed and deformed, the position of the detectable member moves, and the sensor unit detects the position. The amount of ink consumed is measured based on the position of the detectable member. The ink consumption measuring device 81 is connected to the control device 110. The ink consumption measuring device 81 transmits the measured ink consumption to the control device 110.

The media consumption measuring device 82 is a device that measures the consumption of the media 5. The media consumption measuring device 82 is an example of a measuring device in the present invention. In this embodiment, the media consumption measuring device 82 can be realized by a device that measures the transport amount of the media 5. The media consumption measuring device 82 is, for example, a sensor that measures the rotation amount of the grit roller 31. The media consumption measuring device 82 is connected to the control device 110. When the media 5 is transported, the rotation amount of the grit roller 31 is measured by the sensor. The media consumption amount is measured based on the rotation amount of the sensor. Note that the media consumption measuring device 82 may be, for example, a sensor that measures the transport length in the transport direction X when the media 5 is transported.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the printing system 1. The control device 110 is a device that controls printing on the media 5 (see Figure 2). The configuration of the control device 110 is not particularly limited. The control device 110 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, it includes an interface (I/F) that receives print data and the like from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above-mentioned program and various data.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 110 is connected to the feed motor 33, the scan motor 45, the ink head 61, the ink consumption measuring device 81, the media consumption measuring device 82, and the operation panel 150, and controls their operation. The control device 110 includes a receiving unit 111 and a transmitting unit 112.

The receiving unit 111 receives the ink consumption measured by the ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measured by the media consumption measuring device 82. The transmitting unit 112 transmits the information on the ink consumption and media consumption received by the receiving unit 111 to the management device 90, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, an operation panel 150 having buttons and a display is disposed on the front of the right side cover 13R of the printer 10. The operation panel 150 is connected to the control device 110.

The configuration of the printer 10 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the management device 90 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The management device 90 is a device that instructs printing on the media 5 and manages the consumption status of the ink and the media 5. For example, an application that performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on the image printed by the printer 10 may be installed in the management device 90. In addition, the management of the consumption status of the ink and the media 5 is performed, for example, on a Web browser via the network NW. The configuration of the management device 90 is not particularly limited. The management device 90 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, it includes an interface (I/F) that receives image data, shape data, etc. from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a ROM (read only memory) that stores a program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above program and various data. As shown in FIG. 4, the management device 90 is connected to the control device 110 via wire or wireless communication. The management device 90 is connected to a display screen 90a and an operation mechanism 90b. For example, print data and the operating status of the printer 10 are displayed on the display screen 90a. The operation mechanism 90b is a mechanism for performing various operations on the display screen 90a, such as a mouse and a keyboard. In this embodiment, the management device 90, the display screen 90a, and the operation mechanism 90b are configured by a notebook computer. However, the forms of the management device 90, the display screen 90a, and the operation mechanism 90b are not limited in any way.

Next, the screen displayed on the display screen 90a by the management device 90 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the display screen 90a on which a setting page SP is displayed. The setting page SP is a web page on which a job schedule JS is set, which lists multiple print jobs to be executed by the printer 10. A print job refers to a series of operations in which an image is printed on a certain medium 5 in the printing system 1. In this embodiment, the job schedule JS is set by the setting page SP, which is a web page for inputting print jobs. The management device 90 displays the setting page SP on the display screen 90a, for example, when the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the setting page SP is input.

The setting page SP is a web page for setting print jobs. In FIG. 5, print jobs PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 are displayed. In the following description, print jobs PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 will be referred to as print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 as appropriate. Print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 have information on the amount of ink and media 5 consumed, and the date and time when printing will be performed. The printer 10 receives print instructions in the order of print jobs PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3, and executes printing. Note that there is no particular limit to the number of print jobs that are set. The number of print jobs may be two or less, or more than three.

In the following description, "selecting" something displayed on the display screen 90a means, for example, clicking on the item by operating the operation mechanism 90b of the management device 90.

Check boxes CB are displayed for print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. Check box CB is a box that is selected when a print job is to be repeatedly executed at a desired interval. When a check mark is displayed in check box CB, that print job is repeatedly executed. In FIG. 5, the check box CB for print job PJ1 is selected. Here, print job PJ3 is a print job that is a repeat of print job PJ1. Therefore, print jobs PJ1 and PJ3 have the same information, except for the information entered in the date and time input box DB described below. Print job PJ3 is automatically set by selecting the check box CB for print job PJ1. A check mark is also displayed in the check box CB for print job PJ3, which was automatically set.

For each of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3, a date and time input box DB, a media consumption input box MB, an ink consumption input box KB, an interval input box VB, and a unit input box UB are displayed. The user inputs desired numerical values and information into these. The input format is not particularly limited. For example, the input format may be one selected from a pull-down menu, or the user may operate the operation mechanism 90b to directly input characters. Although not shown in the figure, the setting page SP may also have a decision button for deciding the settings of the input print jobs PJ1 to PJ3.

The date and time input box DB is a box where the date and time when printing will be performed is input. Note that the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 included in the job schedule JS are pre-set to be arranged from top to bottom in the order of the earliest date and time input into the date and time input box DB.

The media consumption input box MB is a box where the width and length of the media 5 (see Figure 2) consumed in the print job is input. The box below the "Width" display is where the width (scanning direction Y) of the media 5 to be printed is input. The box below the "Length" display is where the length (length in the transport direction X) of the media 5 to be printed is input.

The ink consumption input box KB is a box in which the amount of ink consumed when a print job is executed is input. In this embodiment, the ink consumption input box KB is provided below the displays of "Slot 1", "Slot 2", "Slot 3", and "Slot 4". For example, the ink amount input box KB located below "Slot 1" is a box in which the amount of ink consumed from ink tank 71C (see Figure 2) is input. The boxes displayed below "Slot 2", "Slot 3", and "Slot 4" similarly correspond to ink tank 71M, ink tank 71Y, and ink tank 71K (see Figure 2), respectively.

The interval input box VB and the unit input box UB are boxes into which the interval for repeating the same print job is input when the check box CB is selected. The user's desired number is input into the interval input box VB. The desired unit selected from the pull-down menu is input into the unit input box UB. In the print job PJ1 in FIG. 5, "1" is input into the interval input box and "week" is input into the unit input box. In this case, it is indicated that the print job PJ1 is a job that is repeatedly executed at intervals of once a week. Here, the date and time information of "2023/12/20" is input into the date and time input box DB of the print job PJ1. The date and time input box DB of the print job PJ3, which is a repetition of the print job PJ1, automatically displays "2023/12/27", which is the date and time one week after the date and time when the print job PJ1 is executed. Note that if the check box CB is not selected, the interval input box VB and the unit input box UB are set so that numbers and units cannot be input.

A history selection button BT11 is displayed for each of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. When the history selection button BT11 is selected, a history page HP (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the display screen 90a. The history page HP is a web page that displays the history of print jobs previously executed by the printer 10. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display screen 90a on which the history page HP is displayed. FIG. 6 shows a portion of the history of print jobs previously executed. The history page HP in FIG. 6 displays the history of "print date and time," "media consumption," and "ink consumption." "Media consumption" includes the items "width" and "length." "Ink consumption" includes the items "slot 1," "slot 2," "slot 3," and "slot 4." These items have the same content as the same items on the settings page SP. A selection button BT12 is displayed on the history page. When the selection button BT12 displayed on the history page HP is selected, the "media consumption" and "ink consumption" contained in the history on the same line as the selection button are entered into the media consumption input box MB and ink consumption input box KB, respectively, on the settings page SP (see Figure 5).

The above describes the operation screen displayed on the display screen 90a. Next, the configuration of the management device 90 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the management device 90 includes a memory unit 91, an input unit 92, a calling unit 93, a calculation unit 94, a display unit 95, a determination unit 96, a notification unit 97, a selection unit 98, and a consumption acquisition unit 99.

The memory unit 91 stores the amount of ink and media 5 consumed when a print job is executed. The memory unit 91 may be configured, for example, with a non-volatile memory. Alternatively, the memory unit 91 may store information on a cloud server connected to the management device 90. In this embodiment, the information stored in the memory unit 91 is displayed on a history page HP (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, the memory unit 91 stores the "printing date and time," "media consumption," and "ink consumption" of print jobs executed in the past.

The input unit 92 shown in FIG. 4 is configured to allow input of multiple print jobs, in which the amounts of ink and media 5 consumed and information on the date and time when printing will be performed are input. As shown in FIG. 5, the user inputs the amounts of ink and media 5 consumed and information on the date and time when printing will be performed on the setting page SP. The information input into the date and time input box DB is input into the input unit 92 as information on the date and time when printing will be performed. The information input into the media consumption input box MB is input into the input unit 92 as the amount of media 5 consumed. The information input into the ink consumption input box KB is input into the input unit 92 as the amount of ink consumed. Therefore, information on print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 included in the job schedule JS is input into the input unit 92.

The call unit 93 inputs the ink and media 5 consumption amounts stored in the memory unit 91 to the input unit 92. In this embodiment, by selecting the selection button BT12 on the history page HP (see FIG. 6), the call unit 93 inputs the selected history information into the date input box DB, media consumption input box MB, and ink consumption input box KB on the setting page SP (see FIG. 5).

The calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amount of ink and media 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of ink and media 5 consumed for each print job input to the input unit 92 and the date and time information input to the input unit 92. Here, the remaining amount of ink refers to the ratio of the amount of ink currently stored to the amount of ink stored in the new ink tank 71 (see FIG. 2). The remaining amount of media 5 refers to the ratio of the length of the media 5 currently remaining unused to the length of the media 5 in the transport direction X to the length of the media 5 in the transport direction X. Alternatively, the remaining amount of media 5 may be the ratio of the area of the media 5 currently remaining unused to the area of the media 5 in the new media 5. Note that the remaining amount of ink and media 5 may be based on the amount of ink and media 5 at a certain point in time, rather than the ratio to the amount in the case of a new media. From the information input to the media consumption input box MB of the print job PJ1 shown in FIG. 5, it is obtained that 5 m of media 5 with a width of 1.5 m is used in the printing of the print job PJ1. Similarly, 10 m of the 1.5 m wide medium 5 is used in print job PJ2. The date and time when print job PJ1 is executed is "2023/12/20". The date and time when print job PJ2 is executed is "2023/12/23". The calculation unit 94 calculates a value by subtracting 5 m from the length in the transport direction X of the 1.5 m wide new medium 5. This calculates the remaining amount of the medium 5 after print job PJ1 is executed on the date and time indicated by "2023/12/20". The calculation unit 94 calculates a value by subtracting 10 m from the remaining amount of the 1.5 m wide medium 5 after print job PJ1 is executed. This calculates the remaining amount of the medium 5 after print job PJ2 is executed on the date and time indicated by "2023/12/23". In the same manner, the remaining amounts of ink and medium 5 at the dates and times indicated by the date and time information of print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are calculated.

The display unit 95 displays the remaining amount of ink and media 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information, calculated by the calculation unit 94, on the display screen 90a. In this embodiment, the calculation results of the calculation unit 94 are displayed as a graph. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the display screen 90a on which a result display page RP is displayed. The result display page RP is a web page on which the calculation results of the calculation unit 94 are displayed by the display unit 95. Note that in this embodiment, the display unit 95 displays the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 in the inkjet printers 10A and 10B. In addition, in the calculation results shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are set in the same way for each of the inkjet printers 10A and 10B.

The result display page RP displays a result graph 200 showing the calculation result of the calculation unit 94. The vertical axis of the result graph 200 represents the percentage of remaining ink and media 5. The horizontal axis of the result graph 200 represents the date and time. The result graph 200 has a first media remaining amount graph 210, a second media remaining amount graph 220, a first ink remaining amount graph 230, and a second ink remaining amount graph 240. The first media remaining amount graph 210 is a graph showing the remaining amount of media 5 in the printer 10A (see FIG. 1). The second media remaining amount graph 220 is a graph showing the remaining amount of media 5 in the printer 10B (see FIG. 2). The first media remaining amount graph 210 and the second media remaining amount graph 220 are bar graphs. The first ink remaining amount graph 230 is a graph showing the remaining amount of ink in the printer 10A. The first ink remaining amount graph 230 includes graphs 230C, 230M, 230Y, and 230K. The graphs 230C, 230M, 230Y, and 230K show the remaining amounts of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively. The second ink remaining amount graph 240 is a graph showing the remaining amount of ink in the printer 10B. The second ink remaining amount graph 240 includes graphs 240C, 240M, 240Y, and 240K. The graphs 240C, 240M, 240Y, and 240K show the remaining amounts of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively. The first ink remaining amount graph 230 and the second ink remaining amount graph 240 are line graphs. Note that while the result graph 200 shown in FIG. 7 displays the calculation results for three days when print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 (see FIG. 5) are executed, the range displayed by the result graph 200 is not limited to this. For example, the result graph 200 may continuously display the remaining amount of ink and media 5 for one month. In this case, the result graph 200 may display the remaining amount of ink and media 5 for the date and time when no print jobs are executed.

In FIG. 7, the result display page RP displays a display check box SB and threshold input boxes TB1 and TB2 along with the result graph 200. The display check box SB and threshold input boxes TB1 and TB2 will be described later.

The determination unit 96 shown in FIG. 4 determines whether the remaining amount of ink and media 5 calculated by the calculation unit 94 is less than a predetermined threshold value. In this embodiment, the predetermined threshold value includes a first threshold value, which is a threshold value for the remaining amount of ink, and a second threshold value, which is a threshold value for the remaining amount of media 5. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are determined to desired values by the user. In this embodiment, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are determined by inputting desired threshold values into the threshold input boxes TB1 and TB2 shown in FIG. 7. The threshold input box TB1 is a box in which input is made to determine the first threshold value. The threshold input box TB2 is a box in which input is made to input the second threshold value. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the threshold input box TB1 is selected and a value of "10" is input. At this time, the first threshold value is set to 10%. Similarly, a value of "15" is input into the threshold input box TB2 in FIG. 7. Therefore, the second threshold value is set to 15%. Note that before the user makes an input to the threshold input boxes TB1 and TB2, a predetermined initial value may be input. In this embodiment, threshold lines TL1 and TL2 are displayed by the display unit 95. The threshold line TL1 is a line that indicates the value of the first threshold in the result graph 200. The threshold line TL2 is a line that indicates the value of the second threshold in the result graph 200. The threshold lines TL1 and TL2 allow the user to visually determine whether the remaining amount of ink and/or media 5 is less than the desired threshold in the result graph 200.

The notification unit 97 shown in FIG. 4 notifies the user when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink and media 5 is less than a predetermined threshold. In this embodiment, as described above, the first threshold is set to 10% and the second threshold is set to 15%. Therefore, when the calculation result calculated by the calculation unit 94 includes a case where the remaining amount of ink is less than 10%, the user is notified. Also, when the calculation result calculated by the calculation unit 94 includes a case where the remaining amount of media 5 is less than 15%, the user is notified. Note that the method of notification is not particularly limited. The notification may be, for example, displayed on the display screen 90a or sent by email to the user.

The selection unit 98 is configured to be able to select at least one of the multiple printers 10. In this embodiment, the selection unit 98 selects at least one of the printers 10 by the user selecting the display check box SB of the result display page RP. The display check box SB is located to the left of the display of "Printer 10A" and "Printer 10B". The display of "Printer 10A" and "Printer 10B" indicates the printer 10A (see FIG. 1) and the printer 10B (see FIG. 1), respectively. By selecting the display check box SB, a check mark is displayed. When the check mark is displayed, the printer 10A and/or the printer 10B is selected by the selection unit 98. The display unit 95 displays the result graph 200 on the display screen 90a for the printers 10A and 10B selected by the selection unit 98, i.e., for the printers with check marks in the display check boxes SB. In FIG. 7, check marks are displayed in the display check boxes SB of "Printer 10A" and "Printer 10B". Therefore, the result graph 200 displays the calculation results of printer 10A and the calculation results of printer 10B.

The consumption amount acquisition unit 99 shown in FIG. 4 acquires the ink consumption amount and the media consumption amount measured by the ink consumption amount measurement device 81 and the media consumption amount measurement device 82. When some of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 (see FIG. 5) are executed, the calculation unit 94 recalculates the remaining amount of ink and media 5 based on the values acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99. For example, when print job PJ1 is executed, the ink consumption amount measurement device 81 and the media consumption amount measurement device 82 transmit the consumption amount of ink and media 5. The calculation unit 94 recalculates the remaining amount of ink and media 5 when print job PJ1 is executed at the date and time indicated by "2023/12/20". The calculation unit 94 subtracts the ink consumption amount acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99 from the amount of ink stored in the new ink tank 71 (see FIG. 2). The calculation unit 94 subtracts the consumption amount of the media 5 acquired by the consumption amount acquisition unit 99 from the length in the transport direction X of a new piece of media 5 with a width of 1.5 m. The calculation results when print jobs PJ2 and PJ3 are executed are recalculated using the values recalculated for the remaining amount of ink and media 5 when print job PJ1 was executed.

The configuration of the printing system 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the procedure for calculating the remaining amount of ink and media 5 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for calculating the remaining amount of ink and media 5. In the following explanation, the operation from when the user creates a job schedule JS to when print job PJ1 is executed will be described.

In step S101, the user sets the job schedule JS on the setting page SP. In this embodiment, the job schedule JS is composed of print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. The user inputs desired values or information into the date and time input box DB, media consumption input box MB, ink consumption input box KB, interval input box VB, and unit input box UB included in each of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. At this time, the input information is input to the input unit 92, and the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are set. At this time, the user may select the history selection button BT11 to select a print job displayed on the history page HP. If the print job to be set in the job schedule JS has the same "media consumption" and "ink consumption" as a print job executed in the past, the user selects the print job selection button BT12 displayed on the history page HP. This inputs values into the media consumption input box MB and the ink consumption input box KB. At this time, the user inputs a desired value into the date and time input box DB. Also, if you want to execute the print job repeatedly, select the check box CB.

In step S102, the calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amounts of ink and media 5 input to the input unit 92 and the date and time information for each of the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3. The print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are print jobs executed at the dates and times indicated by "2023/12/20", "2023/12/23", and "2023/12/27", respectively. Therefore, the calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when print job PJ1 was executed on "2023/12/20", the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when print job PJ2 was executed on "2023/12/23", and the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when print job PJ3 was executed on "2023/12/27".

In step S103, the display unit 95 displays a result graph 200 on the result display page RP. This displays the remaining amount of ink and media 5 when the print job was executed at each date and time. In this embodiment, the result graph 200 of the printers 10A and 10B is displayed as shown in FIG. 7.

In step S104 shown in FIG. 8, the determination unit 96 determines whether the remaining amount of ink and media 5 calculated by the calculation unit 94 is less than a predetermined threshold. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first threshold is set to 10% and the second threshold is set to 15%. Therefore, the determination unit 96 determines whether the remaining amount of ink in the printer 10A and the printer 10B is less than 10%. In FIG. 7, the value indicated by the graph 240M at the date and time indicated by "2023/12/29" is below the threshold line TL1. That is, it is calculated that the remaining amount of magenta ink in the printer 10B will be 10% or less at the date and time indicated by "2023/12/29". In addition, the determination unit 96 determines whether the remaining amount of ink in the printer 10A and the printer 10B is less than 15%. In FIG. 7, the value indicated by the second media remaining amount graph 220 at the date and time indicated by "2023/12/29" is below the threshold line TL2. That is, it is calculated that the remaining amount of the media will be 15% or less at the date and time indicated by "2023/12/29". If the calculation result of the remaining amount of ink includes a case where it is less than the first threshold, or if the calculation result of the remaining amount of the media 5 includes a case where it is less than the second threshold, the process proceeds to step S105 shown in FIG. 8. If the calculation result of the remaining amount of ink is a value greater than the first threshold and the calculation result of the remaining amount of the media 5 is a value greater than the second threshold, the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S105, the notification unit 97 notifies the user. As described above, the notification is performed, for example, by sending an email to the user or by displaying the result display page RP.

In step S106, a part of the print job is executed. Here, for example, a case where print job PJ1 is executed will be described. When print job PJ1 is executed, the ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measuring device 82 measure the consumption of ink and the consumption of media 5 when print job PJ1 is executed, respectively. The ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measuring device 82 transmit the consumption of ink and the consumption of media 5 to the consumption acquisition unit 99. At this time, the calculation unit 94 recalculates the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when print job PJ1 is executed. As described above, the calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 based on the consumption acquired by the consumption acquisition unit 99. That is, the calculation unit 94 recalculates the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when print jobs PJ2 and PJ3 are executed. The display unit 95 displays the result graph 200 based on the result calculated again by the calculation unit 94. When print jobs PJ2 and PJ3 are executed, the same operation as step S106 is performed.

Note that a new print job may be added before all print jobs included in the job schedule JS are executed. At this time, the calculation unit 94 may recalculate the remaining amount of ink and media 5. The display unit 95 displays a result graph 200 based on the calculation result recalculated by the calculation unit 94. Furthermore, the determination unit 96 may perform a determination (step S104) on the calculation result.

As described above, according to the management device 90 of this embodiment, the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 input to the input unit 92 include the amount of ink and media 5 consumed, and information about the date and time when printing is performed. The calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amount of ink and media 5 when each print job is executed at the date and time when the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are executed. This makes it possible to grasp the progress of the remaining amount of ink and media 5 when each print job is executed in the job schedule JS desired by the user.

In the management device 90 of this embodiment, the determination unit 96 determines whether the remaining amount of ink and the remaining amount of media 5 are less than a desired threshold. The notification unit 97 notifies the user when the determination unit 96 determines that the remaining amount of ink and/or media 5 is low. This allows the user to recognize in advance that there is a possibility that the ink and/or media 5 will run short.

The management device 90 of this embodiment is provided with a first threshold value, which is a threshold value for the remaining amount of ink, and a second threshold value, which is a threshold value for the remaining amount of eyes. This allows the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when the notification unit 97 notifies to be set for each of the ink and media 5.

According to the management device 90 of this embodiment, the memory unit 91 stores the history of print jobs previously executed by the printer 10. The history stores the amount of ink and media 5 consumed when each print job was executed. When the user selects the selection button BT12 on the history page HP, the calling unit 93 inputs the selected history information into the media consumption input box MB and the ink consumption input box KB on the setting page SP. This simplifies the input of the amount of ink and media 5 consumed when the user sets a print job similar to a print job executed in the past in the job schedule JS.

According to the management device 90 of this embodiment, the display unit 95 displays the remaining amount of ink and media 5 at the date and time indicated by the date and time information, calculated by the calculation unit 94, on the display screen 90a. This allows the user to visually grasp the progress of the remaining amount of ink and media 5 when, for example, print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are executed.

In the printing system 1 of this embodiment, the printer 10 is connected to the management device 90. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the progress of the ink and media 5 consumption status of the printer 10 when the print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 are executed by the printer 10.

The printing system 1 of this embodiment includes printers 10A and 10B. The calculation unit 94 calculates the remaining amount of ink and media 5 for each of the printers 10A and 10B. The display unit 95 displays the calculation results of the remaining amount of ink and media 5 for each of the printers 10A and 10B on the display screen 90a. Therefore, the management device 90 can display the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 for multiple printers all at once. This allows a user to visually grasp the progress of the remaining amount of ink and media 5 in each printer 10 even when using multiple printers 10.

According to the printing system 1 of this embodiment, the management device 90 includes a selection unit 98. At least one of the printers 10 is selected by the user selecting a display check box SB on the result display page RP. The display unit 95 displays the remaining ink and media 5 of the printer 10 selected by the selection unit 98 on the display screen 90a. Therefore, even when multiple printers 10 are used, the user can grasp the progress of the remaining ink and media 5 of the desired printer 10.

According to the printing system 1 of this embodiment, the printer 10 includes an ink consumption measuring device 81 and a media consumption measuring device 82. The control device 110 of the printer 10 includes a transmission unit 112. The ink and media consumption 5 consumption measured by the ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measuring device 82 is transmitted to the management device 90 by the transmission unit 112. The information transmitted by the transmission unit 112 is acquired by the consumption acquisition unit 99. For example, when the print job PJ1 is executed, the calculation unit 94 performs calculation again based on the remaining amount acquired by the consumption acquisition unit 99. As a result, the remaining amount of ink and media 5 at the date and time after the print job PJ1 is executed is calculated based on the consumption amount acquired by the consumption acquisition unit 99. The consumption amount acquired by the consumption acquisition unit 99 is an actual value measured by the ink consumption measuring device 81 and the media consumption measuring device 82. Therefore, for example, regarding the remaining amounts of ink and media 5 when print jobs PJ2 and PJ3 are executed, the calculation result calculated by the calculation unit 94 before print job PJ1 is executed will have a smaller discrepancy between the calculation result and the actual remaining amounts when compared with the calculation result calculated by the calculation unit 94 after print job PJ1 is executed. This can improve the accuracy of the calculation results for the remaining amounts of ink and media 5. In particular, the closer the execution date and time of a print job is to the current date and time, the more accurate the calculation result will be.

The above describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various forms.

In the above-described embodiment, the remaining amount of ink and media 5 decreased at the dates and times when print jobs PJ1 to PJ3 were executed, but this is not limited to the above. For example, in the printer 10, cleaning of the ink head 61 may be performed. When this cleaning is performed, ink is consumed. For example, if the cleaning is set to be performed at each specified date and time, the calculation unit 94 may also calculate the remaining amount of ink when consumed by the cleaning, and calculate the remaining amount of ink for each date and time.

The technology disclosed here can be applied to various types of printers. In addition to the so-called roll-to-roll type printer shown in the above embodiment, it can also be applied to so-called flatbed type printers, in which the recording medium is fixed on a table and the table is transported to print. It can also be applied to so-called gantry type printers, in which the recording medium is placed on a table and the carriage is moved in the scanning direction Y and transport direction X relative to the table to print.

5 Media 10 Printer (inkjet printer)
90 Management device (consumables management device)
92 Input unit 94 Calculation unit PJ1 to PJ3 Print job

Claims (10)

A consumables management device for use in an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a medium, the consumables management device being configured to grasp a consumption status of consumables including at least one of the medium and the ink, comprising:
an input unit capable of inputting a plurality of print jobs each having the consumption amount of the consumables and date and time information on when printing is to be performed;
A consumable management device comprising: a calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of the consumable at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of the consumable consumed for each print job inputted to the input unit and the date and time information for each print job inputted to the input unit. a determination unit that determines whether the remaining amount of the consumable item calculated by the calculation unit is less than a predetermined threshold;
The consumables management device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a notification unit that notifies a user when the determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the consumables is less than the predetermined threshold value. the consumables include a first consumable and a second consumable different from the first consumable;
The consumables management device according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined thresholds include a first threshold which is a threshold for a remaining amount of the first consumables, and a second threshold which is a threshold for a remaining amount of the second consumables. a storage unit that stores the consumption amount of the consumable when the print job is executed;
The consumables management device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a calling unit that inputs the consumption amount of the consumables stored in the memory unit into the input unit. Equipped with a display screen,
The consumables management device according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit configured to display, on the display screen, the remaining amount of the consumables at the date and time indicated by the date and time information, calculated by the calculation unit. The consumables management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A printing system comprising the inkjet printer. The consumables management device according to claim 5 ;
A plurality of the inkjet printers;
the calculation unit calculates the remaining amount of the consumable for each of the plurality of inkjet printers;
The display unit displays the remaining amounts of the consumables of the plurality of inkjet printers on the display screen. the consumables management device includes a selection unit for selecting at least one of the inkjet printers;
The printing system according to claim 7 , wherein the display unit displays the remaining amount of the consumable item of the inkjet printer selected by the selection unit on the display screen. The inkjet printer includes:
A measuring device for measuring the consumption of the consumables;
a transmission unit that transmits the consumption amount of the consumable measured by the measurement device to the consumable management device,
the consumables management device includes a consumption amount acquisition unit that acquires a consumption amount of the consumables measured by the measurement device,
The printing system according to claim 6 , wherein the calculation unit is configured to recalculate the remaining amount of the consumable based on the value acquired by the consumption acquisition unit when some of the plurality of print jobs have been executed. 1. A consumables management method for an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a medium, the method comprising:
a setting step of setting a plurality of print jobs each having information on the consumption amount of the consumables and the date and time when printing is to be performed;
A consumable management method comprising a calculation process for calculating the remaining amount of the consumable at the date and time indicated by the date and time information based on the consumption amount of the consumable consumed for each print job set in the setting process and the date and time information for each print job set in the setting process.