JP2020151992A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of notifying information about consumables is improved. A printing apparatus (1) includes a consumables remaining amount determining unit (13) for determining whether or not the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value; and a consumables user identification unit 14 for identifying whether or not consumables are available, and if the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the user logging in to the printing apparatus 1 is the administrative user of the printing apparatus 1, the consumables and a consumables information notification unit 15 that notifies the logged-in user, who is the administrative user, of information related to the consumables. [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for notifying information on consumables.

Conventionally, a method of notifying information about consumables (for example, remaining amount of ink, ink replacement time, etc.) has been proposed for a printing apparatus. Patent Document 1 determines whether or not the remaining amount of consumables has reached a predetermined value, and when the remaining amount of consumables reaches a predetermined value, it is necessary to replace the consumables on the display unit of the printing apparatus. Disclose how to indicate that.

JP-A-2007-268739

On the other hand, the information on consumables is information that should be grasped by the management user of the printing apparatus that orders or exchanges consumables, and is not information that should be notified to general users who exclusively use the printing apparatus. However, according to the conventional notification method, since the information about the consumables is notified indiscriminately, the general user is also notified, and the notification of the consumables information that is unnecessary for the general user causes annoyance. There is a problem of closing it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve a method of transmitting information on consumables.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a determination unit for determining whether or not the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and a user of the image forming apparatus of the image forming apparatus. When the identification unit that identifies whether or not the user is an administrator and the remaining amount of consumables are equal to or less than a predetermined value and the user is the administrator, the information about the consumables is transmitted to the user who is the administrator. It is characterized by including a notification unit for notifying a person.

According to the present invention, information on consumables can be appropriately notified.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the ink remaining amount notification method. It is a figure which shows the example of the warning screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the warning screen. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the ink remaining amount notification method. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the notification method. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the notification method. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the notification method.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Printing device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing device 1 according to the present embodiment. The printing device 1 mainly manages the print control unit 11, the consumables remaining amount detecting unit 12, the consumables remaining amount determination unit 13, the consumables user identification unit 14, and the consumables information notification unit 15. A person setting unit 16, an administrator information storage unit 17, and an administrator operation determination unit 18 are provided.

The print control unit 11 accepts the login of a user who uses the printing device 1 and performs processing corresponding to the operation performed by the user (for example, reading image data to be printed, printing an image on printing paper, etc.). It has a function.

The consumables remaining amount detecting unit 12 has a function of detecting the remaining amount of consumables mounted on the printing device 1 (for example, the remaining amount of ink, toner, cartridge, printing paper, etc.).

The consumables remaining amount determination unit 13 sets a predetermined value indicating the upper limit of the consumables remaining amount to be notified of information about the consumables for each consumable (for example, for each type of consumable, and if the consumable is ink, the color of the ink). It is provided with a function of holding each) and determining whether or not the detected remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

The consumables user identification unit 14 has a function of reading administrator information from the administrator information storage unit 17 and identifying whether or not the user logged in to the printing device 1 is the management user of the printing device 1.

The consumables information notification unit 15 has a function of notifying the management user of the printing device 1 of information about consumables. Specifically, when the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the logged-in user is the management user of the printing device 1, the consumables information notification unit 15 manages the detected consumables. It has a function to notify the logged-in user.

Further, if the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the logged-in user is not the management user of the printing device 1, the consumables information notification unit 15 logs in if the information on consumables is not notified for a predetermined period. When the user uses the printing device 1, it has a function of notifying the logged-in user of information for notifying the management user of information on the detected consumables.

Further, in the consumables information notification unit 15, when the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the logged-in user is the management user of the printing device 1, the logged-in user who is the management user performs a predetermined operation (administrator). It is provided with a function of notifying the logged-in user who is the management user of the detected consumables information when the operation) is performed.

Further, the consumables information notification unit 15 has a function of switching the time interval for repeatedly notifying the detected information on the consumables according to the login frequency of the management user to the printing device 1 according to the consumption speed of the consumables.

The administrator setting unit 16 displays an administrator setting screen for setting the management user of the printing device 1 on the operation panel of the printing device 1, and sets the user input to the administrator setting screen as the management user for administrator information. It has a function to set to.

The administrator information storage unit 17 has a function of storing the administrator information set by the administrator user of the printing device 1.

Whether the administrator operation determination unit 18 has performed an administrator operation (for example, a menu screen display for the administrator, a jam release operation, an opening / closing operation of the front cover, etc.) set as an operation performed by the management user of the printing device 1. It has a function to judge whether or not it is. The jam release operation and the opening / closing operation of the front cover can be performed by a general user, but can also be set as an operation performed by a management user.

[How to notify the remaining amount of consumables]
Next, a method of notifying the remaining amount of consumables will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the ink remaining amount notification method.

First, the print control unit 11 accepts a user's login to the printing device 1 and performs a printing process for the printing operation performed by the user (step S101).

Next, the consumables remaining amount detecting unit 12 detects the remaining amount of ink mounted on the printing device 1 (step S102).

Next, the consumables remaining amount determination unit 13 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink detected in step S102 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S103). After that, when the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S104. If the remaining amount of ink is not equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is not necessary to notify the management user of the printing apparatus 1, so the process ends.

Next, when the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the consumables user identification unit 14 reads the administrator information from the administrator information storage unit 17, and the logged-in user is the administrator user of the printing device 1. Identifying the presence or absence (step S104). After that, if the logged-in user is the management user of the printing device 1, the process proceeds to step S105. If the logged-in user is not the management user of the printing device 1, the process proceeds to step S106.

Next, when the logged-in user is the management user of the printing device 1, the consumables information notification unit 15 notifies the logged-in user who is the management user of the information regarding the remaining amount of ink detected in step S102 (). Step S105). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the consumables information notification unit 15 displays a warning screen for notifying the ink replacement time, the ink remaining rate, and the like on the operation panel of the printing device 1. After that, the process ends.

On the other hand, when the logged-in user is not the management user of the printing device 1, the consumables information notification unit 15 determines whether or not the information regarding the remaining amount of ink has been notified for a predetermined period (step S106). After that, if the information regarding the remaining amount of ink has not been notified for a predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S107. When the information regarding the remaining amount of ink is notified for a predetermined period, it is considered that the information has been notified to the management user of the printing device 1, and the process is terminated.

Next, when the information on the remaining amount of ink is not notified for a predetermined period, the information for notifying the management user of the information on the remaining amount of ink detected in step S102 is notified to the logged-in user (step S107). ). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the consumables information notification unit 15 displays a warning screen on the operation panel of the printing device 1 for notifying the management user of the ink replacement time, the ink remaining rate, and the like. To do. After that, the process ends.

In step S107, when the information on the remaining amount of ink is not notified for a predetermined period, the information on the remaining amount of ink is notified at the timing when a general user other than the management user uses the printing device 1.

In the case of step S107, information on the remaining amount of ink is notified to a logged-in general user who is an unmanaged user. The information regarding the remaining amount of the ink is the information addressed to the management user, but there is a possibility that the notification may cause trouble to the general user. Therefore, in order to more reliably reduce the annoyance given to the general user, the consumables information notification unit 15 directly sends the warning screen information to the computer of the management user instead of displaying it on the operation panel of the printing device 1. You may send it.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow of another notification method regarding the remaining amount of ink.

First, the consumables remaining amount determination unit 13 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than a predetermined value after the user logs in to the printing device 1 (step S201). After that, when the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S202. If the remaining amount of ink is not equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is not necessary to notify the management user of the printing apparatus 1, so the process ends.

Next, when the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the consumables user identification unit 14 reads the administrator information from the administrator information storage unit 17, and the logged-in user is the administrator user of the printing device 1. Identifying the presence or absence (step S202). After that, if the logged-in user is the management user of the printing device 1, the process proceeds to step S203. If the logged-in user is not the management user of the printing device 1, the process ends.

Next, when the logged-in user is the management user of the printing device 1, the administrator operation determination unit 18 determines whether or not the logged-in user who is the management user has performed a predetermined operation (administrator operation). (Step S203). For example, when the front cover is opened to release the jam, it is determined that the administrator operation has been performed. After that, when an administrator operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S204. If no administrator operation has been performed, the process ends.

Finally, when the logged-in user who is the management user performs the administrator operation, the consumables information notification unit 15 notifies the logged-in user who is the management user of the information regarding the remaining amount of ink (step S204). .. For example, the warning screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the operation panel of the printing device 1. After that, the process ends. In step S204, information on the remaining amount of ink is notified at the timing when an item that can be operated (including setting) only by the management user among the plurality of operation items is operated.

As the administrator operation determined in steps S203 and S204, as described above, there are a menu screen display for the administrator, a jam release operation, an opening / closing operation of the front cover, and the like. Of these multiple types of administrator operations, the jam release operation and the front cover open / close operation are timings for accessing the inside of the printing device 1, and are appropriate timings for replacing consumables. Therefore, jam release is performed. By notifying information about the remaining amount of ink when the operation or the opening / closing operation of the front cover is performed, consumables can be replaced efficiently.

[Specific example 1 of notification method]
A specific example 1 of the notification method will be described. For example, the consumables information notification unit 15 switches the time interval for repeatedly notifying information about the consumables according to the consumption speed of the consumables. That is, the consumables information notification unit 15 consumes the length of the period from when the consumables are newly set until the consumables fall below the predetermined value, and the consumption within the predetermined period (for example, 2 weeks, 1 month, etc., which can be changed as appropriate). The time interval for notification is controlled based on the consumption rate of consumables such as the amount of consumption of the product.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the consumables information notification unit 15 notifies every 5 days when the remaining amount of ink becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value 30 days after the new ink is set. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the value falls below a predetermined value in 6 days, the notification is sent every day. As a result, information on consumables can be notified more appropriately. The slow consumption of consumables is calculated, for example, by comparing the period until the remaining amount of consumables reaches a predetermined value with the average value of the consumption period of the consumables or a predetermined threshold value.

[Specific example 2 of the notification method]
Specific example 2 of the notification method will be described. Even within the "period until the value falls below the predetermined value" or the "predetermined period" described in Specific Example 1, the consumption of consumables differs on a daily or hourly basis (= consumption rate differs). Therefore, if the consumption of consumables fluctuates significantly within the period, it may not be possible to properly notify information about consumables.

Therefore, the consumables information notification unit 15 switches the time interval for repeatedly notifying information about the consumables according to a change in the consumption speed of the consumables (acceleration of consumption of the consumables). That is, the consumables information notification unit 15 controls the time interval for notification based on the change in the consumption rate of the consumables, such as the change amount or the rate of change in the consumption amount of the consumables.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the consumables information notification unit 15 calculates the amount of ink consumed every day, and when the remaining amount of ink becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value, the amount becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value. If the ink consumption rate is accelerating (increasing the amount of consumption) within the latest period from the current day to 5 days before, the notification interval is shortened in consideration of the acceleration of the ink consumption. On the other hand, when the ink consumption rate is slowing down (the consumption amount is decreasing), the notification interval is lengthened. In the case of FIG. 7, since the relationship of | 2 days ago consumption-3 days ago consumption | >> | 3 days ago consumption-4 days ago consumption | is established, the notification interval is shortened.

In this way, when the remaining amount of consumables reaches a predetermined value, if the consumption speed fluctuates significantly at the latest timing, the notification timing is switched (determined) in consideration of the consumption acceleration of the consumables. ) Therefore, information on consumables can be notified more appropriately.

[Specific example 3 of the notification method]
A specific example 3 of the notification method will be described. For example, the consumables information notification unit 15 switches the time interval for repeatedly notifying information about consumables according to the login frequency of the management user to the printing device 1. Specifically, when the login interval is long, the consumables information notification unit 15 shortens the notification interval because it does not know when to log in, and when the login interval is short, the notification interval is set in order to reduce the annoyance caused by the notification. Lengthen. For example, if 5 days or more have passed since the previous login, the notification interval for every 5 days is set to every 3 days. On the other hand, if you are logged in every day, the notification interval for each day is set to every two days. If the login interval further fluctuates after the notification interval is changed, the notification interval may be further changed, or the initial value or the like may be returned to the original notification interval. Since the notification interval is switched according to the login interval, it is possible to more easily notice the consumption status of consumables.

[Specific example 4 of the notification method]
A specific example 4 of the notification method will be described. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine Specific Examples 1 to 3. For example, the consumables information notification unit 15 repeatedly notifies information about consumables according to the consumption speed of the consumables (specific example 1) and the login frequency of the management user to the printing device 1 (specific example 3). Switch the time interval. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the consumables information notification unit 15 runs out of consumables earlier than expected by the management user, especially when the consumables are consumed faster than the predetermined value even though the login interval is long. E-mail the possibility to the admin user's computer. As a result, it is possible to prevent consumables from running out due to careless printing in a timely manner.

[Specific example 5 of the notification method]
A specific example 5 of the notification method will be described. The consumables information notification unit 15 notifies information about consumables together with the number of notifications. Specifically, the consumables information notification unit 15 makes it possible to know the number of notifications when performing a warning notification. For example, a display such as "0th time" is displayed in the dialog. By notifying the number of detections, it is possible to grasp the number of times of notification, and it can be used as a guideline for the replacement time.

[effect]
According to the present embodiment, when the consumables information notification unit 15 indicates that the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the user logged in to the printing device 1 is the management user of the printing device 1, information on the consumables. Is notified to the logged-in user who is the management user, so that information on the consumables can be appropriately notified to the management user without causing trouble to the general user who does not manage the consumables. The management user of the printing apparatus 1 can grasp the remaining amount of consumables and the replacement time in advance in a timely manner, and can surely prevent ink shortage and the like by replacing the consumables. In addition, the stop / interruption time of the printing device 1 is reduced, and the operation of the printing device 1 can be continued without interruption. In particular, it is highly effective when the printing device 1 is used for printing a large number of sheets such as form printing.

According to the present embodiment, when the consumables information notification unit 15 has a consumable remaining amount of a predetermined value or less and the user logged in to the printing device 1 is not the management user of the printing device 1, information on the consumables is provided. If the notification is not made for a predetermined period, when the logged-in user uses the printing device 1, the information for notifying the management user of the information about the consumables is notified to the logged-in user. It can be appropriately notified to the management user. In this case, the notification is sent not to the management user but to the logged-in user, but since the notification information is addressed to the management user, the logged-in user can use the notification information as a basis for consumables. Since work such as replacement is not required, it can be said that the degree of inconvenience to general users who do not manage consumables is low.

According to the present embodiment, the consumables information notification unit 15 notifies the information about the consumables when the logged-in user who is the management user performs a predetermined operation (administrator operation), so that the information about the consumables Can be notified to the management user appropriately, surely, and in a timely manner.

According to the present embodiment, the consumables information notification unit 15 switches the time interval for repeatedly notifying the information about the consumables according to the consumption speed of the consumables, so that the consumables can be notified according to the consumption degree. , Information on consumables can be notified more appropriately.

According to the present embodiment, the consumables information notification unit 15 switches the time interval for repeatedly notifying the information about the consumables according to the frequency of login of the management user to the printing device 1, and thus manages the printing device of the management user. Notification according to the frequency becomes possible, and information on consumables can be notified more appropriately.

[Other]
In the present embodiment, the case where the operation panel and the e-mail are used as the notification means has been described, but other notification means may be used. Since consumables are generally stocked near the printing device 1, there is an advantage that the inventory of consumables can be checked immediately after notification by using an operation panel in particular.

The printing apparatus 1 described in this embodiment can be realized by a computer including a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, an input / output interface, and the like. It is also possible to construct the operation of the printing device 1 as a program, install it on a computer and execute it, or distribute it via a communication network. The printing device 1 is an example of an image forming device. The encapsulation and sealing device attached to the printing device 1 can also be included in the target device.

[Additional Notes]
This application discloses the following inventions.

(Appendix 1)
A determination unit that determines whether or not the remaining amount of consumables is below a predetermined value,
An identification unit that identifies whether or not the user of the image forming apparatus is the administrator of the image forming apparatus,
When the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the user is the administrator, a notification unit that notifies the user who is the administrator of information about the consumables, and a notification unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising.

(Appendix 2)
A determination unit that determines whether or not the remaining amount of consumables is below a predetermined value,
An identification unit that identifies whether or not the user of the image forming apparatus is the administrator of the image forming apparatus,
When the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the user is not the administrator, and the information about the consumables is not notified for a predetermined period, when the user uses the image forming apparatus, A notification unit that notifies the user of information for notifying the administrator of information on the consumables, and a notification unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising.

(Appendix 3)
The notification unit
The image forming apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein when the user who is the administrator performs a predetermined operation, information about the consumables is notified.

(Appendix 4)
The notification unit
The image forming apparatus according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 3, wherein a time interval for repeatedly notifying information about the consumable is switched according to the consumption speed of the consumable.

(Appendix 5)
The notification unit
The image forming apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Provisions 1 to 4, wherein the time interval for repeatedly notifying information about the consumables is switched according to the frequency of login of the administrator to the image forming apparatus.

1 ... Printing device 11 ... Print control unit 12 ... Consumables remaining amount detection unit 13 ... Consumables remaining amount determination unit 14 ... Consumables user identification unit 15 ... Consumables information notification unit 16 ... Administrator setting unit 17 ... Administrator Information storage unit 18 ... Administrator operation judgment unit

Claims (5)

A determination unit that determines whether or not the remaining amount of consumables is below a predetermined value,
An identification unit that identifies whether or not the user of the image forming apparatus is the administrator of the image forming apparatus,
When the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the user is the administrator, a notification unit that notifies the user who is the administrator of information about the consumables, and a notification unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising. A determination unit that determines whether or not the remaining amount of consumables is below a predetermined value,
An identification unit that identifies whether or not the user of the image forming apparatus is the administrator of the image forming apparatus,
When the remaining amount of consumables is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the user is not the administrator, and the information about the consumables is not notified for a predetermined period, when the user uses the image forming apparatus, A notification unit that notifies the user of information for notifying the administrator of information on the consumables, and a notification unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising. The notification unit
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the user who is the administrator performs a predetermined operation, information on the consumables is notified. The notification unit
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a time interval for repeatedly notifying information about the consumable is switched according to the consumption speed of the consumable. The notification unit
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the time interval for repeatedly notifying information about the consumables is switched according to the frequency of login of the administrator to the image forming apparatus.

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