Printing system and program

Ejection of ink is prohibited when a count value of an amount of ink supplied from an ink tank to an ejection head reaches a value limit. An image is displayed to prompt an operator of the printing apparatus to confirm the amount of ink in the ink tank. When the ink remains, the count value of the amount of ink is returned only by a given amount by the selection of the operator. Thus, since the ink in the ink tank is sufficiently consumed and then the ink can be supplemented, all of the ink in an ink bottle can be supplemented. As a consequence, it is possible to prevent the ink remaining in the ink bottle from deteriorating and prevent the remaining ink from being supplemented.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technique for printing an image by ejecting ink from an ejection head.

2. Related Art

Printing apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, which print an image by ejecting ink from an ejection head have been widely used. The ink to be ejected is stored in a dedicated container called an ink cartridge and is supplied to the ejection head by the weight of the ink itself or a liquid sending pump.

The ejection head has a complicated internal configuration in which minute ejection nozzles ejecting the ink and ink passages guiding the ink to the ejection nozzles are formed. Thus, ink is supplied which by its nature deteriorates, so there is a concern that the ejection nozzles, the ink passages, or the like may be clogged and thus the ejection head finally has to be replaced. Accordingly, in order to prevent the ink deteriorating in its nature from being supplied to the ejection head, each ink cartridge is generally replaced with a new ink cartridge when the ink is used up in the ink cartridge. That is, when the ink is used up, the new ink cartridge is mounted. The nature of the ink stored in the ink cartridge is appropriately maintained for a long time as long as the ink cartridge is not mounted. Therefore, the ink with the appropriate nature is normally supplied to the ejection head.

Since the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge is restricted, the ink cartridge has to be replaced many times after a pause in the printing when an image is printed in large quantities. Accordingly, there has been suggested a technique for realizing continuous printing by supplying ink from an ink tank installed in a printing apparatus and supplementing the ink from a separately prepared ink bottle to the ink tank (see JP-A-2000-211155).

However, when continuous printing is enabled by supplementing ink from the ink bottle or the like, a problem may arise in that the ink deteriorating in its nature is supplemented and the inside of the ejection head is clogged. The reason is as follows. For example, it is supposed that the ink in the ink bottle is supplemented by half. As long as the ink bottle is not opened, the nature of the ink in the ink bottle is appropriately maintained for a long time. However, once the ink bottle is opened, the ink remaining in the ink bottle gradually deteriorates over time. Accordingly, when the remaining half of the ink in the ink bottle is supplemented to the ink tank, the ink deteriorating in its nature is supplied. Therefore, there is a concern that the inside of the ejection head may be clogged.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a technique for realizing continuous printing by supplementing ink from an ink bottle or the like and preventing the inside of an ejection head from being clogged while supplementing the deteriorating ink.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a program causing a computer to control an operation of a printing apparatus, which includes an ink tank which is able to be supplemented with ink from the outside and an ejection head which ejects the ink supplied from the ink tank and which has a function of stopping ejecting the ink from the ejection head when a count number of an amount of ink supplied from the ink tank to the ejection head reaches a predetermined value limit. The program causes the computer to realize: a first function of acquiring, from the printing apparatus, information used at least to determine whether the count value of the amount of ink reaches the value limit; a second function of displaying a predetermined confirmation image to prompt an operator of the printing apparatus to confirm the amount of ink in the ink tank, when the count value of the amount of ink reaches the value limit; and a third function of instructing the printing apparatus to perform an initialization operation of initializing the count value of the amount of ink or a correction operation of returning the count value from the value limit by a predetermined value depending on selection of the operator of the printing apparatus after the display of the confirmation image.

The program according to the aspect of the invention includes the function of controlling the operation of the printing apparatus that has a function of stopping ejecting the ink when the count number of the amount of ink reaches the predetermined value. First, the information used at least to determine whether the count value of the amount of ink reaches the value limit is acquired from the printing apparatus. Here, when the amount of ink is counted inside the printing apparatus, the amount of ink may be counted by directly measuring the flow rate of the ink supplied to the ejection head. Instead, the amount of ink supplied to the ejection head may be counted indirectly in the operation of ejecting the ink from the ejection head. The amount of ink (and the amount of ink counted by multiplying the amount of ink ejected at one dot by the number of ejection dots) may be counted so that the count number increases or so that the count number decreases, as the ink is supplied to the ejection head. The program according to the aspect of the invention may acquire the information used to determine whether the count value of the amount of ink in the printing apparatus reaches the value limit, and thus may acquire the count value of the amount of ink or may acquire information indicating the magnitude relationship between the count value of the amount of ink and the value limit or information just indicating whether the count value of the ink value reaches the value limit. Further, when it is determined that the count value of the amount of ink reaches the value limit, a predetermined image (confirmation image) is displayed to prompt the operator of the printing apparatus to confirm the actual amount of ink in the ink tank. Thereafter, the operation (initialization operation) of initializing the count value of the amount of ink or the operation (correction operation) of returning the count value by the predetermined value from the value limit is instructed to the printing apparatus depending on the selection of the operator of the printing apparatus.

Thus, when the ink remains in the ink tank but the count value of the amount of ink reaches the value limit due to the influence of an error included in the count value of the amount of ink, the operator of the printing apparatus confirms the amount of ink in the ink tank. When the ink remains in the ink tank, the printing can resume by returning the count value by the predetermined value from the value limit. Therefore, the ink can be supplemented when the ink in the ink tank is used up or the ink is consumed by the amount corresponding to all the ink in the ink bottle in the full state. Therefore, all the ink in the ink bottle can be supplemented. As a consequence, it is possible to prevent the ink remaining in the ink bottle from deteriorating and being supplemented.

In the above-described program according to the aspect of the invention, the following configuration may be realized. The ink tank is configured so that the operator of the printing apparatus can easily confirm the amount of ink in the ink tank and view the position of the ink level in the ink tank. When the count value of the amount of ink reaches the value limit, the confirmation image is displayed to prompt the operator to decide whether the ink is supplemented based on the position of the ink level in the ink tank. As a consequence, when the operator of the printing apparatus selects the supplement of the ink, the printing apparatus may be allowed to perform the initialization operation (operation of initializing the count value). On the other hand, when the operator of the printing apparatus selects the non-supplement of the ink, the printing apparatus may be allowed to perform the correction operation (operation of returning the count value by the predetermined value).

In the above-described program according to the aspect of the invention, the following configuration may be realized. The ink tank is configured so that the operator of the printing apparatus can easily confirm the amount of ink in the ink tank and view the position of the ink level in the ink tank. Further, the lower limit line is marked in the ink tank to determine whether the ink is supplemented by comparing the lower limit line to the position of the ink level. When the count value of the amount of ink reaches the value limit, the position of the ink level in the ink tank is compared to the lower limit line and the confirmation image is displayed to prompt the operator to decide whether the ink is supplemented based on the position of the ink level in the ink tank. As a consequence, when the operator of the printing apparatus selects the supplement of the ink, the printing apparatus may be allowed to perform the initialization operation (operation of initializing the count value). On the other hand, when the operator of the printing apparatus selects the non-supplement of the ink, the printing apparatus may be allowed to perform the correction operation (operation of returning the count value by the predetermined value).

By comparing the lower limit line of the ink tank to the ink level in this way, the operator of the printing apparatus can easily decide whether the ink is supplemented. As a consequence, it is possible to prevent all the ink in the ink bottle from being supplemented and prevent the remaining ink from deteriorating in the ink bottle due to erroneous decision of the ink supplement.

In the above-described program according to the aspect of the invention, the following configuration may be realized. First, the ink tank is configured so that a predetermined amount of ink is stored as the reserved ink even below the lower limit line marked in the ink tank. When the operator of the printing apparatus decides that the ink is not supplemented by comparing the lower limit line to the ink level, the printing apparatus may be allowed to perform the operation of returning the count value of the amount of ink in the printing apparatus by the count value corresponding to the amount of the reserved ink from the value limit.

Since the ink level is located substantially at the same position as the lower limit line, it is decided that the ink is not supplemented. Therefore, even when the count value of the amount of ink is returned, the printing can continuously be performed using the reserved ink in the ink tank until the count value reaches the value limit again. As a consequence, it is possible to prevent the ejection head from being considerably damaged due to the idle ejection.

In the above-described program according to the aspect of the invention, the following configuration may be realized. First, the plurality of ink tanks are mounted on the printing apparatus and each of the ink tanks is provided with the ejection head. When the amount of ink is counted, the amount of ink is counted for each ink tank. When the count value of the amount of ink in any one of the ink tanks reaches the value limit, the confirmation image (image used to allow the operator of the printing apparatus to confirm whether the ink is supplemented into the ink tank) for the ink tank is displayed. As a consequence, the printing may be allowed to perform the initialization operation or the correction operation for each ink tank displayed with the confirmation image depending on the selection of the operator of the printing apparatus for each ink tank.

Thus, even in the printing apparatus performing an image using the plural kinds of ink, the printing can continuously be performed until the ink in the individual ink tanks is sufficiently consumed.

The above-described aspect of the invention may be realized in the printing apparatus of which the operation is controlled in accordance with the above-described program or in a printing system configured by a computer or the like executing the program. Alternatively, the above-described program may be realized in the printing system combined with the printing apparatus.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided the printing system including: a printing unit allowing an ejection head to eject ink supplemented from the outside to an ink tank; and a control unit controlling an operation of the printing unit. The control unit includes an ink amount count unit counting an amount of ink supplied from the ink tank to the ejection head in the printing unit, an ejection stop unit stopping ejecting the ink from the ejection head, when a count value of the amount of ink reaches a predetermined value limit, a confirmation image display unit displaying a predetermined confirmation image to prompt an operator of the printing system to confirm the amount of ink in the ink tank, when the count value of the amount of ink reaches the value limit, and a count value change unit performing an operation of returning the count value of the amount of ink up to an initial value of the count value or returning the count value from the value limit by a predetermined value depending on selection of the operator of the printing system after the display of the confirmation image.

In the printing system according to the aspect of the invention, when the amount of ink supplied from the ink tank to the ejection head is counted and the count value reaches the predetermined value limit, the ejection of the ink from the ejection head is stopped and the confirmation image for prompting the operator to confirm the amount of ink in the ink tank is displayed. When the amount of ink remains in the ink tank, the count value of the amount of ink counted in the printing apparatus is returned by the predetermined value from the value limit, and the ink can be ejected again from the ejection head. When the computer controlling the printing apparatus is connected to the printing apparatus to print an image, the computer, which is connected to the printing apparatus, or the control unit, which is mounted on the printing apparatus, having the function of stopping ejecting the ink from the ejection head corresponds to the control unit according to the aspect of the invention. An element which does not correspond to the control unit according to the aspect of the invention corresponds to the printing unit according to the aspect of the invention. When the printing apparatus itself is mounted with the computer and thus an image is printed without connection to an external computer, the computer mounted on the printing apparatus corresponds to the control unit according to the aspect of the invention and the other element corresponds to the printing unit according to the aspect of the invention.

Even in the printing system according to the aspect of the invention, as in the program according to the aspect of the invention, the ink can be supplemented after the ink in the ink tank is sufficiently consumed without the influence of the error included in the count value of the amount of ink in the printing apparatus.

In the printing system according to the aspect of the invention, the lower limit line may be marked in the ink tank and the ink may be supplemented from the ink bottle to the ink tank. A relationship between the ink capacity stored in the ink tank and the ink capacity stored in the unopened ink bottle may be a relationship in which the ink tank can be filled with all the ink in the unopened ink bottle when the ink level in the ink tank is located at the lower limit line.

Thus, it is possible to prevent all the ink in the ink bottle from being not supplemented and remaining and prevent the ink deteriorating in the ink bottle from being supplemented at the next time.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described in the following order to clarify the details of the above-described invention.

A. Configuration of Apparatus

A-1. Configuration of Ink Jet Printer According to Embodiment

A-2. Configuration of Printing System according to Embodiment

B. Remaining Ink Amount Management Process

B-1. Remaining Ink Amount Correction Process

B-2. Ink Supplement Process

A. Configuration of Apparatus

A-1. Configuration of Ink Jet Printer According to Embodiment

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an ink jet printer100which is a printing apparatus according to this embodiment. The ink jet printer100shown inFIG. 1has a substantially box-like appearance. A front surface cover103is installed in the substantial middle of the front surface and a sheet-feeding tray101accommodating a print sheet1is installed on the rear side. A plurality of operation buttons105are installed at the position corresponding to the vicinity of the front surface cover103on the front surface of the ink jet printer100. A touch panel type monitor screen104is installed on the upper surface of the portion in which the operation buttons105are installed. The front surface cover103is axially supported at the lower end. When the upper end of the front surface cover103falls down to the front side, a vertically long sheet-discharging port102that discharges the print sheet1appears. When the print sheet1is loaded in the sheet-feeding tray101and the monitor screen104or the operation buttons105is operated, the print sheet1is fed from the sheet-feeding tray101. Then, after an image is printed on the surface of the print sheet1inside the ink jet printer100, the print sheet1is discharged from the sheet-discharging port102.

A box-like tank case150is installed on the side surface of the ink jet printer100. As described in detail below, a plurality of ink tanks are installed inside the tank case150and ink to be used in printing by the ink jet printer100is supplied from the ink tanks.

Data (image data) regarding an image to be printed is subjected to image processing by a computer200connected to the ink jet printer100, and then is supplied to the ink jet printer100. When the ink jet printer100receives the image data subjected to the image processing from the computer200, the ink jet printer100converts the image data into dot data indicating whether dots are formed with ink on the print sheet1and form the dots by ejecting the ink onto the print sheet1in accordance with the obtained dot data. As a consequence, an image is printed on the print sheet1. That is, in this embodiment, a printing system10includes the ink jet printer100and the computer200that performs predetermined image processing on the image data and supplies the processed image data to the ink jet printer100.

A-2. Configuration of Printing System According to Embodiment

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the printing system10according to this embodiment. The general internal configuration of the ink jet printer100is shown inFIG. 2. First, the internal configuration of the ink jet printer100will be described in brief. As shown inFIG. 2, a carriage110reciprocating above the print sheet1is installed inside the ink jet printer100. Ejection heads112ejecting ink are installed in the carriage110. The ink jet printer100according to this embodiment is capable of printing an image using ink of four colors, that is, cyan (hereinafter, referred to as C), yellow (hereinafter, referred to as Y), magenta (hereinafter, referred to as M), and black (hereinafter, referred to as K). The ejection heads112for respective ink colors are provided in correspondence to the ink of the four colors.

The carriage110is driven by a driving mechanism (not shown) to reciprocate above the print sheet1while being guided along a guide rail130. The ink jet printer100further includes a sheet-feeding mechanism (not shown) which feeds the print sheet1little by little with reciprocation movement of the carriage110. The image is printed on the print sheet1by ejecting ink of a C color (hereinafter, referred to as C ink), ink of a Y color (hereinafter, referred to as Y ink), ink of an M color (hereinafter, referred to as M ink), and ink of a K color (hereinafter, referred to as K ink) from the ejection heads112with the reciprocation movement and the carriage110and the sheet-fed movement of the print sheet1.

The ink to be ejected from the ejection head112is stored in ink tanks151installed in the tank case150. Since the four kinds of ink of the C ink, the Y ink, the M ink, and the K ink are used in the ink jet printer100according to this embodiment, the ink tanks151are installed for the kinds of ink. That is, there are provided the four ink tanks151: the ink tank151C for the C ink, the ink tank151Y for the Y ink, the ink tank151M for the M ink, and the ink tank151K for the K ink. In the specification, when it is not necessary to distinguish the kinds of ink from each other, the ink tanks151C,151Y,151M, and151K for the respective kinds of ink are simply referred to as the ink tanks151. The ink of these ink tanks151is supplied to the ejection heads112for the respective kinds of ink via ink tubes117for the kinds of ink.

Further, a region called a home position is formed at the position at which the carriage110is moved along the guide rail130up to the outside of the print sheet1. While the ink jet printer100does not print an image, the carriage110is moved to the home position. A cap122is installed at the home position. The cap122is movable vertically by an elevation mechanism (not shown). When the carriage110is moved to the home position and the cap122is pressed against the bottom surface of the carriage110at this state, closed spaces are formed so as to cover the ejection heads112, thereby preventing the ink in the ejection heads12from drying. A negative pressure pump120is connected to the cap122via a negative tube124. Therefore, when the cap122is pressed against the bottom surface of the carriage110and the negative pressure pump120is operated at this state, the ink in the ejection heads112can be sucked out. Therefore, even when the ink becomes dry in the ejection heads112and the viscosity of the ink increases, the ink can be sucked out so as to maintain the appropriate viscosity of the ink in the ejection heads112.

The ink jet printer100includes a control unit140that includes a CPU performing a logical operation or an arithmetic operation, a ROM and an EEPROM storing various kinds of programs or data, and a RAM in which the CPU temporarily stores data. The control unit140converts an image represented by image data into image data (dot data) expressed by dots of the ink, when the control unit140receives the image data subjected to the image processing from the computer200. An operation of reciprocating the carriage110, an operation of feeding the print sheet1, and an operation of forming the dots by ejecting the ink by the ejection heads112are controlled in accordance with the dot data. When the dots of the ink are formed, the amount of ink is consumed and the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank151gradually decreases. Accordingly, the control unit140according to this embodiment counts the remaining amounts of ink in the ink tanks151for the kinds of ink based on the dot data for the kinds of ink, respectively and stores the counted remaining amounts of ink in the EEPROM. Therefore, when the remaining amounts of ink reach a predetermined value (value limit) (the ink is used up computationally), the control unit140stops the operation of ejecting the ink from the ejection heads112. Thus, since the ejection heads112are driven in a state where no ink is supplied, it is possible to prevent the ejection heads112from being considerably damaged.

The computer200executes the various kinds of programs stored in the ROM, since the CPU, the ROM, the RAM, and the like are connected to each other via a bus to perform data communication. Further, the computer200further includes a monitor screen202. A program called a printer driver204is stored among the plurality of programs stored in the ROM. When an operator (who is also operator of the ink jet printer100) of the computer200, that is, is a user who uses the printing system10that includes the computer200and the ink jet printer100, and is simply referred to as an operator below) perform printing of a document through a document generation application or the like, the CPU operates the printer driver204. The printer driver204performs predetermined image processing on the image data to be printed and outputs the processed image data to the ink jet printer100.

The operations of the printer driver204according to this embodiment can be classified, in terms of its function, into an operation (image conversion module) regarding a function of performing image processing on the image data to be printed, an operation (remaining ink amount management module) regarding a function of managing the remaining amounts of ink in the ink tanks151by communicating with the ink jet printer100, an operation (ink supplement module) regarding a function of supplementing the ink to the ink tanks151by activation by the remaining ink amount management module, and the like. Here, the term “modules” are a virtual concept in which the operations of the printer driver204are generally classified in terms of the function and are actually realized in various forms. For example, the module may be embodied as a program code group in which a plurality of commands is arranged to realize a desired function or may be embodied as an LSI group which realizes a desired function by hardware.

As described above, the image conversion module performs the predetermined image processing on the image data of an image to be printed and outputs the processed image data to the ink jet printer100. However, this process is the same as a process executed by a general printer driver, the description thereof will be omitted herein. In the printer driver204according to this embodiment, the remaining ink amount management module (or the ink supplement module) guides the operator in regard to an operation performed in the printing system10to prevent the ink jet printer100from performing printing due to ink shortage by performing a remaining ink amount management process described below during the data communication with the ink jet printer100. Further, the remaining ink amount management module also guides the operator in regard to an operation in the printing system to prevent the inside of the ejection heads112from being clogged due to the supplement of the ink of an abnormal nature. Hereinafter, a process performed in order to realize these functions by the remaining ink amount management module in the printer driver204according to this embodiment will be described.

B. Remaining Ink Amount Management Process

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating the remaining ink amount management process performed in the printer driver204according to this embodiment. The remaining ink amount management process is a process that is performed by the remaining ink amount management module of the printer driver204during the communication with the control unit140of the ink jet printer100.

In the remaining ink amount management process, as shown inFIG. 3, the remaining amounts of ink the ink tanks151for the respective kinds of ink are first acquired from the control unit140of the ink jet printer100(step S100). As described with reference toFIG. 2, the control unit140of the ink jet printer100converts the image data received from the computer200into the dot data (image data in which an image is expressed by ink dots), controls the operations or the like of the ejection heads112or the carriage110, counts the remaining amounts of ink the ink tanks151based on the dot data, and accumulate and stores the counted remaining amounts of ink. The amounts of ink sucked out from the ejection heads by the negative pressure pump in order to clean the ejection heads are also included when the remaining amounts of ink are counted. Hereinafter, the remaining amounts of ink in the respective ink tanks counted by the control unit140and stored in the EEPROM are simply referred to as the remaining amounts of ink or count values of the amounts of ink. Further, in processes described below, description made in regard to the kinds of ink without specifying the kinds of ink are assumed to be description made in regard to all the ink.

When the remaining amounts of ink are acquired from the control unit140of the ink jet printer100, it is determined whether the acquired remaining amounts of ink reach a predetermined lower value limit (step S102). When the remaining amount of ink in any one of the ink tanks151reaches the predetermined lower limit (yes in step S102), a remaining ink amount correction process (step S200) starts. As described in detail below, the remaining ink amount correction process refers to a process of confirming the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank151to the operator and correcting the remaining amount of ink counted by the control unit140of the ink jet printer100when the ink actually remains.

On the other hand, when the remaining amounts of ink acquired from the ink jet printer100do not yet reach the lower limit (no in step S102), it is determined whether a predetermined operation of confirming the remaining amounts of ink is executed by the operator (step S104). The predetermined operation of confirming the remaining amounts of ink refers to an operation of activating the printer driver204in the computer200by the operator, opening a window for the printer driver, and clicking a button to confirm the remaining amounts of ink. As a consequence, when the operator does not execute this operation of confirming the remaining amounts of ink (no in step S104), the process returns to the initial process, the remaining amounts of ink are acquired from the ink jet printer100(step S100), and then the above-described series of processes are reiterated.

On the other hand, when the operator executes the predetermined operation to confirm the remaining amounts of ink (yes in step S104), the remaining ink amount management module displays a picture, which displays the rough remaining amounts of ink in the ink tanks151based on the remaining amounts of ink acquired from the control unit140so that the ink (supplement ink) to be supplemented is selected, on the monitor screen202of the computer200(step S106).

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a supplement ink selection picture displayed on the monitor screen202. As shown inFIG. 4, images indicating the rough remaining amounts for C ink, Y ink, M ink, and K ink, respectively, are displayed on the supplement ink selection picture. A check box is displayed below the image indicating the rough remaining amount of ink. Therefore, the operator can check the check box and select the ink tank to which the ink is supplement. In regard to the ink for which the remaining amount of ink is not lowered, the ink does not need to be supplemented. Accordingly, the check box is displayed so as not to be selected for this ink. InFIG. 4, the check box indicated by a dashed line among the check boxes of the respective C, Y, M, and K ink is the check box which cannot be selected.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating another form of the supplement ink selection picture displayed on the monitor screen202. In the example shown inFIG. 5, the remaining amounts of Y ink and M ink are lowered up to a predetermined value (3% or less of the full state), and thus the check boxes for the Y ink and the M ink are displayed so as to be selected. The check box indicated by a thick solid line in the drawing is the check box displayed so as to be selected. Since the ink of which the remaining amount of ink is lowered up to a value equal to or less than the predetermined value is displayed together with a “!” mark combined inside a triangle overwritten on the image indicating the rough remaining amount of ink, it is easy to recognize that the remaining amount of ink is lowered. InFIG. 5, the case has been exemplified in which the remaining amounts of Y ink and M ink are lowered up to the value equal to or less than the predetermined value. Further, when the remaining amount of another ink (for example, the C ink) is lowered to a value equal to or less than the predetermined value, the check box for the ink (C ink) is displayed so as to be selected and the “!” mark combined inside the triangle is overwritten on the image indicating the rough remaining amount of ink (C ink).

As described above, when the operator executes the predetermined operation to confirm the remaining amounts of ink in the remaining ink amount management process shown inFIG. 3(yes in step S104) and there is consequently no ink of which the remaining amount of ink is lowered to a value equal to or less than the predetermined value, the supplement ink selection picture is displayed, as inFIG. 4. On the contrary, when there is the ink of which the remaining amount of ink is lowered to a value equal to or less than the predetermined value, the supplement ink selection picture exemplified inFIG. 5is displayed (step S106). When the supplement ink selection picture is displayed, as inFIG. 4, all of the check boxes are displayed so as not to be selected. Therefore, the operator can select a button (hereinafter, referred to as a “TO NEXT” button) displayed with “TO NEXT” located in the lower right corner of the picture. On the other hand, when the supplement ink selection picture is displayed, as inFIG. 5, the operator can checks the check box for the ink which the operator attempt to supplement, and then can select a “TO NEXT” button located in the lower right corner of the picture. Of course, when the operator does not attempt to supplement any ink, the operator can select the “TO NEXT” button without checking the check box for any ink.

In the remaining ink amount management process inFIG. 3, when the supplement ink selection picture exemplified inFIG. 4or5is displayed on the monitor screen202(step S106), “no” is determined in step S108and a standby state continues until the operator clicks the “TO NEXT” button. Then, when the operator presses down the “TO NEXT” button, the remaining ink management module of the printer driver204detects the pressing (yes in step S108), and then determines whether there is the ink (the ink checked in the check box on the supplement ink selection picture) selected so as to be supplemented (step S110). As a consequence, when there is the ink tank (ink to be supplemented) for the ink selected so as to be supplemented by the operator (yes in step S110), an ink supplement process described below starts (step S300).

On the other hand, when the supplement ink selection picture is displayed, as inFIG. 4, so that the ink is not selectable or when the supplement ink selection picture is displayed, as inFIG. 5, so that the ink is selectable but any ink is not selected, it is determined that there is no ink to be supplemented in step S110(no in step S110). In this case, the process returns to the initial process of the remaining ink amount management process without performing the ink supplement process described below, the remaining amounts of ink are acquired from the ink jet printer100(step S100), and then the above-described series of processes are reiterated.

The process has hitherto been described in which the supplement ink selection picture is displayed when the predetermined operation is executed to confirm the remaining amounts of ink by the operator of the printing system10(yes in step S104). In this way, when the predetermined operation is executed by the operator, the supplement ink selection picture is displayed on the monitor screen202of the computer200to display the rough remaining amounts of ink at any time irrespective of the values of the remaining amounts of ink acquired from the ink jet printer100. On the other hand, when the remaining ink amount management module determines that the remaining amounts of ink from the ink jet printer100reach the predetermined lower value limit (yes in step S102), the remaining ink amount correction process described below starts (step S200). First, a picture is automatically displayed on the monitor screen to display the rough remaining amounts of ink. Hereinafter, the remaining ink amount correction process will be described.

B-1. Remaining ink Amount Correction Process

FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating the remaining ink amount correction process. The remaining ink amount correction process refers to a process that is performed by the remaining ink amount management module (seeFIG. 2) of the printer driver204when it is determined that any one of the remaining amounts of ink reaches the predetermined lower value limit (yes in step S102inFIG. 3).

When the remaining ink amount correction process starts, as shown inFIG. 6, a remaining ink amount confirmation picture is first displayed on the monitor screen202of the computer200(step S202). Here, the remaining ink amount confirmation picture refers to a picture that prompts the operator to view the ink levels of the ink tanks151and confirm the remaining amounts of ink remaining actually in the ink tanks151. Hereinafter, the remaining amount of ink actually remaining in the ink tank is referred to as the actual remaining amount of ink. The remaining ink amount confirmation picture will be described in detail below.

The reason for prompting the operator to visually view and confirm the actual remaining amount of ink is as follows. First, the remaining amount of ink acquired from the ink jet printer100by the printer driver204is the remaining amount of ink that is calculated by adding the amount of ejected ink (ejected-amount of ink) measured based on the dot data for printing by the control unit140of the ink jet printer100and the amount of ink sucked for cleaning from the ejection head112and by accumulating the ejected-amounts of ink. However, since the amount of actually ejected ink is varied depending on the use environment (for example, the ambient temperature) of the ink jet printer100and the individual difference of the ink jet printer100, some error is included in the ejected-amount of ink. Further, as the error is accumulated, the calculated remaining amount of ink may differ from the actual remaining amount of ink. Thus, when the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit, it is possible to confirm whether the actual remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit in such a manner that the operator visually views and confirms whether the ink level is lowered up to the lower limit line.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example of a remaining ink amount picture displayed on the monitor screen202. As shown inFIG. 7, the rough remaining amounts of C ink, Y ink, M ink, and K ink are displayed on the remaining ink amount picture, as in the supplement ink selection picture described above with reference toFIG. 4or5. By confirming an image of each remaining amount of ink, it is possible to easily know whether the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit. For example, an “X” mark combined inside a circle is overwritten on each of images indicating the remaining amounts of C ink and Y ink displayed in the drawing, and thus the fact that the remaining amounts of the respective ink are lowered up to the lower value limit (the ink tanks151become nearly empty) is indicated. Further, a “!” mark combined inside a triangle is overwritten on an image indicating the remaining amount of M ink. This mark indicates that the remaining amount of ink is lowered up to an ink supplement level, as in the supplement ink selection picture described above with reference toFIG. 5. No mark is overwritten on an image indicating the remaining amount of K ink, and thus the fact that the remaining amount of ink is not lowered up to the ink supplement level is indicated.

A square check box is displayed below the image indicating the remaining amount of each ink. Further, a message of “Please confirm the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank151, and check the check box if there is the ink that does not reach the lower limit line” is displayed above the image indicating each remaining amount of ink in order to prompt the operator to confirm the remaining amount of ink. As described above with reference toFIG. 1, the ink tanks151are accommodated inside the tank case150and a confirmation window described below is installed in the tank case150. Accordingly, the operator can easily confirm the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank151.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating the ink jet printer100when viewed from the confirmation window152installed in the tank case150. The operator can confirm the actual remaining amount of ink in the ink tank151through the confirmation window152. As shown inFIG. 8, the large confirmation window152is formed on the side surface of the tank case150. Therefore, the operator can view the ink tank151C for the C ink, the ink tank151Y for the Y ink, the ink tank151M for the M ink, and the ink tank151K for the K ink accommodated in the tank case150. The ink tanks151C,151Y,151M, and151K are made of a transparent or semi-transparent resin material. Therefore, the operator can visually view and confirm the position of the ink level remaining in each of the ink tanks151C,151Y,151M, and151K.

As shown inFIG. 8, a lower limit line153is marked in each of the ink tanks151C,151Y,151M, and151K. The lower limit line153corresponds to the “lower value limit” referred to determine the remaining amount of ink in the remaining ink amount management process shown inFIG. 3. That is, the lower limit line153is set as a position at which the ejected-amount of ink is subtracted from the fullness state of the ink tank151based on the dot data and the ink level in the ink tank151is just lowered when the remaining amount of ink lowered up to the lower value limit. That is, the lower limit line153is set in such a manner that the ejected-amount of ink is subtracted from the remaining amount of ink (remaining amount of ink of 100%) corresponding to the actual amount of ink in the ink tank at the time of initially filling the ink tank140with all the ink of the ink bottle from the ink bottle by the control unit140, when the standard ink jet printer100is used under a predetermined environment, and the position of the actual ink level of the ink tank151is located slightly higher than the lower limit line, when the remaining amount of ink is lowered up to the predetermined lower limit.

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating the positions of the ink levels in the ink tanks151when confirmed from the confirmation window152of the tank case150. A dashed line shown in the drawing indicates the ink tank151accommodated in the tank case150. Since the ink tank151is made of a transparent or semi-transparent resin material, as described above, the position of the ink level in the ink tank151can be visually viewed and confirmed. As indicated by a chain line shown in the drawing, the operator can visually view and confirm the lower limit line153formed in the ink tank151from the confirmation window152. Accordingly, the operator can easily confirm whether the ink level in each ink tank151reaches the lower limit line153.

As shown inFIG. 9, the lower limit line153of the ink tank151is formed at the position slightly higher than the bottom surface of the ink tank151. That is, the position of the lower limit line153is set such that the ink of a given amount (Vrs) remains as reversed ink in the ink tank151even when the ink level reaches the lower limit line153. The reason that the lower limit line153of the ink tank151is set in this way is described in detail below.

In this embodiment, as described above, when the remaining ink amount management module determines that the remaining amount of ink calculated by the control unit140is lowered up to the predetermined lower value limit, the remaining ink amount confirmation picture exemplified inFIG. 7is displayed, and thus the operator can confirm whether the position of the ink level in each ink tank151reaches the lower limit line153from the confirmation window152. As a consequence, when the calculated remaining amount of ink is lowered up to the lower value limit (that is, it is considered that the ink level reaches the lower limit line153), but the ink level does not actually reach the lower limit line153, the check box of the corresponding ink is configured to checked on the picture inFIG. 7.

In the example shown inFIG. 7, the ink of which the calculated remaining amount of ink is lower than the lower value limit is two kinds of ink: the C ink and the Y ink and only the check boxes for the ink are displayed so as to be selectable. On the contrary, the check boxes of the ink (the M ink and the K ink) of which the calculated remaining amount of ink does not reach the lower value limit are displayed so as not to be selectable. As for the Y ink between the C ink and the Y ink, as shown inFIG. 9, it is considered that the actually confirmed ink level does not reach the lower limit line153, and thus the operator is configured to check the check box (seeFIG. 9). In this way, the operator visually views and confirms the position of the ink level of each ink from the confirmation window152of the tank case150, and checks the check box depending on the confirmation result, and then clicks the “TO NEXT” button displayed below the picture.

Then, in the remaining ink amount correction process shown inFIG. 6, it is determined that the “TO NEXT” button is pressed down (yes in step S204). The remaining ink amount confirmation picture shown inFIG. 7is displayed on the monitor screen202, and “no” is determined in step S204, and a standby state is maintained.

When it is determined that the “TO NEXT” button is pressed down (yes in step S204), it is determined whether there is the ink (that is, the ink checked in the check box on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7) of which the calculated remaining amount of ink needs to be corrected (step S206). As a consequence, when there is the ink of which the calculated remaining amount of ink needs to be corrected (yes in step S206), an instruction to correct the remaining amount of ink is given by transmitting a command to the control unit140of the ink jet printer100(step S208). The control unit140receiving the command increases the remaining amount of corresponding ink only by a predetermined amount. In this way, even when a deviation occurs between the calculated remaining amount of ink and the actual remaining amount of ink remaining in the ink tank151, it is possible to approach the calculated remaining amount of ink to the actual remaining amount of ink. On the other hand, when there is no ink of which the calculated remaining amount of ink needs to be corrected (no in step S206), the remaining ink amount correction process inFIG. 6immediately ends without correction of the remaining amount of ink and the process returns to the remaining ink amount management process inFIG. 3.

In this embodiment, it is estimated that the amount of ink ejected from the ejection head112is slightly larger than the actual amount of ink. Therefore, the calculated remaining amount of ink is set to be normally less than the remaining amount of ink actually remaining in the ink tank151. This is because it is possible to reliably prevent a case where printing may not continue due to ink shortage by prompting preparation of the supplement ink quickly when the ink remains. On the other hand, in the remaining ink amount management process inFIG. 3, the remaining ink amount correction process starts so that the operator confirm the actual ink level, only when the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the predetermined lower value limit (yes in step S102ofFIG. 3).

In some cases, the calculated remaining amount of ink may be greater than the actual amount of ink remaining in the ink tank151. Accordingly, when the remaining amount of ink does not yet reach the lower value limit on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7irrespective of the fact that the actual ink level is lowered up to the lower limit line153, the operator may match the calculated remaining amount of ink with the actual remaining amount of ink by reducing the calculated remaining amount of ink on the monitor screen202. For example, the user may click and drag a bar of the remaining amount of ink displayed on the screen and adjust the height of the bar.

Hereinafter, the reason that the ink level reaches the lower limit line153but the lower limit line153is set at the position at which the reversed ink of the given amount (Vrs) remains in the ink tank151will be described. In this embodiment, as described above, when the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit, the operator is prompted to visually view the position of the ink level of the ink tank151and confirm whether the actual remaining amount of ink really reaches the lower value limit. In most cases, by comparing the position of the ink level to the lower limit line153, it is easy to determine whether the remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit. However, when the position of the ink level is very close to the lower limit line153, the situation is a little different.

FIG. 10is a diagram illustrating a case where the position of the ink level in the ink tank151is very close to a lower limit line153. In the example shown inFIG. 10, the position of the ink level of the C ink (the ink of the most left ink tank151C on the sheet surface) is very close to the lower limit line153. In this case, the positional relationship between the ink level and the lower limit line153may be reversely viewed depending on whether the operator views the ink tank151from the upper side or lower side of the ink level. Alternatively, when the tank case150is slightly tilted or the ink tank151is slightly tilted inside the tank case150, the ink level is actually lower than the lower limit line153but the ink level may appear to be higher than the lower limit line153. Further, when the ink level just overlaps the lower limit line153, there are cases where the operator may check or may not check the check box.

When the ink level is actually lower than the lower limit line153but the operator misjudges that the ink level is higher than the lower limit line153and thus checks the check box on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7, the command is transmitted from the printer driver204to the ink jet printer100and thus the calculated remaining amount of ink (here, the C ink) increases by a predetermined amount (step S208inFIG. 6). As a consequence, the control unit140of the ink jet printer100determines that the ink remains in the ink tank151(here, the ink tank151C) until the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit again, and continues driving the ejection head112. Further, when the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit again and the ink is used up in the ink tank151, the ejection head112idly ejects the ink and may be considerably damaged.

When the ink level is obviously lower than the lower limit line153, as in the C ink exemplified inFIG. 9but the check box is checked on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7, it can be considered that the operator does not confirm the instruction on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture. Therefore, there is no choice even when the ejection head112is considerably damaged. However, for the operator, the ink level appears to be higher than the lower limit line153, as in the C ink exemplified inFIG. 10. Therefore, when the check box is checked on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture, the operator just executes the operation in accordance with the instruction on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture. Even in this case, the fact that the ejection head112is damaged is a problem.

In order to prevent this problem, the reserved ink of the given amount (Vrs) is configured to remain in the ink tank151below the lower limit line153. The amount of reversed ink is the amount of ink (or the amount of ink slightly larger than the amount of reversed ink) corresponding to the remaining amount of ink increasing in the ink jet printer100, when the operator checks the check box on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7. Therefore, when the ink level becomes very close to the lower limit line153, the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit before consumption of the reserved ink and the remaining ink amount confirmation picture is displayed again in spite of the fact that the operator checks the check box on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7. In this step, the ink level is obviously lower than the lower limit line153, there is no concern that the operator erroneously checks the check box on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture. As a consequence, it is possible to prevent the ejection head112from being considerably damaged due to the idle ejection.

In this way, when the remaining amount of ink is corrected in the remaining ink amount correction process inFIG. 7(step S208inFIG. 7), and then the process returns to the remaining ink amount management process inFIG. 3, the supplement ink selection picture is displayed on the monitor screen202of the computer200(step S106inFIG. 3). That is, when the remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit, the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7is automatically displayed without any operation of the operator. Then, when the operator selects the “TO NEXT” button in the lower right corner of the picture, the supplement ink selection picture is displayed at this time.

FIG. 11is a diagram illustrating an example of the supplement ink selection picture displayed after the remaining ink amount confirmation picture. The basic configuration of the supplement ink selection picture shown inFIG. 11is the same as the supplement ink selection picture described above with reference toFIG. 4or5. However, the supplement ink selection picture shown inFIG. 4or5is a picture displayed, when the operator executes the predetermined operation before the remaining amount of ink reaches the lower limit. Therefore, the image (image with a “X” mark combined inside a circle) indicating that the remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit is not displayed for any ink. On the contrary, the image indicating that the remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit is displayed on the supplement ink selection picture displayed after the remaining ink amount confirmation picture, as exemplified inFIG. 11. This is because the operator visually views and confirms the remaining amount of ink on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture exemplified inFIG. 7and the supplement ink selection picture is consequently displayed without correction of the remaining amount of ink of which the ink level is lowered up to the lower limit line153.

In the example shown inFIG. 11, since the check box for the C ink may not be checked on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7, the image indicating that the remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit is displayed even on the supplement ink selection picture inFIG. 11. On the contrary, since the check box for the Y ink can be checked on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7, the image (image with a “!” mark combined inside a triangle) indicating that the ink can be supplement is displayed instead on the supplement ink selection picture inFIG. 11even though the remaining amount of ink does not reach the lower value limit on the supplement ink selection picture inFIG. 11.

As described above, when the operator of the ink jet printer100checks the check box on the supplement ink selection picture inFIG. 11and selects the ink to be supplemented and then selects the “TO NEXT” button displayed in the lower right corner of the picture, the ink supplement process (step S300) of supplementing the ink starts. That is, the remaining ink amount management module determines that the operator checks the check box for the ink which the operator desires to supplement and presses down the “TO NETT” button, the ink supplement module is operated. Here, it is assumed that the operator selects the C ink and the M ink on the supplement ink selection picture.

B-2. Ink Supplement Process

FIG. 12is a flowchart of the ink supplement process. The ink supplement process is a process which is performed in the remaining ink amount management process by the printer driver204of the computer200. Specifically, the ink supplement process is performed by the ink supplement module. When the ink supplement process (step S300) starts, as shown inFIG. 12, a command (lock release command) for releasing lock of the tank case150is transmitted to the ink jet printer100(step S302). The reason is as follows.

That is, as shown inFIG. 1, the tank case150is separately configured from the ink jet printer100and is mounted to the side surface of the ink jet printer100. At a normal time, the tank case150is in a lock state where the tank case150is not detachable from the ink jet printer100. However, when the tank case150is mounted on the ink jet printer100, the ink may not be supplemented to the ink tank151in the tank case150. Accordingly, when the ink is supplemented, the lock release command is transmitted from the computer200to the ink jet printer100in order to detach the tank case150. When the control unit140of the ink jet printer100receives the lock release command, the lock state of the tank case150is released by moving an actuator (not shown) built in the ink jet printer100. As a consequence, the tank case150enters the state where the operator can detach the tank case150.

FIG. 13is a diagram illustrating the tank case150detached from the ink jet printer100. InFIG. 13, the tank case150is detached, and then the tank case150is rotated so that the side surface of the tank case150mounted to the ink jet printer100faces upward. As shown inFIG. 14, small protrusions154are erected at four positions on the mounting surface of the tank case150mounted on the ink jet printer100. On the surface of the ink jet printer100, insertion holes109for the protrusions154are formed at the corresponding positions.

When the tank case150is mounted on the ink jet printer100, the protrusions154are inserted into the insertion holes109so as to match the positions of the protrusions154with the positions of the insertion holes109. Then, the portions of through-holes of the front ends of the protrusions154fits with lock mechanisms (not shown) installed inside the insertion holes109to enter the lock state, and thus the tank case150is mounted. When the tank case150is detached, an upper surface cover155installed in the upper surface of the tank case150can be made to fall down. When the upper surface cover155is made to fall down, as shown inFIG. 13, the ink tanks151appear. Accordingly, upper limit lines157marked the side surfaces of the respective ink tanks151can visually be viewed and confirmed. As shown inFIG. 13, caps156installed on the upper surfaces of the ink tanks151can easily be detached by falling down the upper surface cover155in the state where the tank case150is rotated.

When the printer driver204of the computer200transmits the lock release command to the ink jet printer100in this way and thus the lock state of the tank case150is released (step S302inFIG. 12), the ink supplement picture is displayed on the monitor screen202of the computer200(step S304).

FIG. 14is a diagram illustrating an example of the ink supplement picture displayed on the monitor screen202. As shown inFIG. 14, the ink supplement picture displays a message for prompting the operator to detach the tank case150and supplement the ink from the caps156(seeFIG. 13) of the ink tanks151. Caution statements for the ink supplement are displayed below the message. That is, a caution statement where all the ink of an ink bottle160described below is supplemented so that the ink does not remain in the ink bottle160is displayed or a caution state where it is careful so that the ink level does not exceed the upper limit line157(seeFIG. 13) marked in the ink tank151is displayed.

FIG. 15is a diagram illustrating the ink bottle160which stores supplement ink. The ink bottle160is a substantially cylindrical container made of a resin material excellent in an airtight property or a light-shielding property and the cap162is installed on the top of the container. A label164made of paper is attached on the side surface of the ink bottle160an ink ID number described below is printed on the outside of the label164.

As for the inside of the ink bottle160according to this embodiment, the inside of the ink bottle160is maintained airtightly in a state where the cap162is fixed to the ink bottle160. When the cap162is wrenched off to supplement the ink, a vertically long pour opening appears from the inside. Thus, after the tank case150is detached, as inFIG. 13, the cap156installed in each ink tank151is opened and the ink in the ink bottle160is injected.

Here, when all the ink in the ink bottle160is injected in the state where the ink level of the ink tank151is lowered up to the lower limit line153, the ink tank151becomes nearly full and has the amount of ink so that the ink level does not exceed the upper limit line. Further, the cap162of the ink bottle160is just fixed to the ink bottle160. Therefore, once the cap162is detached from the ink bottle160, the cap162is configured so as not be mounted again. Accordingly, the operator spontaneously supplement all the ink in the ink bottle160into the ink tank151according to the caution statement which is displayed on the ink supplement picture shown inFIG. 14and in which all the ink in the ink bottle160is supplemented.

When the operator supplements all the ink necessary to be supplemented in this way, the operator selects the “TO NEXT” button displayed in the lower right corner of the ink supplement picture inFIG. 14. Then, in the ink supplement process inFIG. 12, the ink supplement module determines that the “TO NEXT” button is pressed down (yes in step S306) and displays a picture to prompt the operator to input the ink ID number of the supplemented ink on the monitor screen202(step S308). After the ink supplement picture is displayed (step S302), “no” is determined and a standby state is maintained until the operator clicks the “TO NEXT” button in step S306.

FIG. 16is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink ID number input picture displayed on the monitor screen202. As shown inFIG. 16, input boxes are displayed on the ink ID number input picture in a state where the ink ID number can be input for the ink (the ink which the operator selects so as to be supplemented) which is determined to be supplemented in the above-described supplement ink selection process. In the example shown inFIG. 16, the input boxes for the C ink and the M ink are displayed in the state where the ink ID number can be input. Further, the input boxes are displayed in a state where the ink ID number cannot be input for the ink (here, the Y ink and the K ink) which is determined not to be supplemented. Thus, the operator confirms the label164of the ink bottle160, inputs the ink ID number printed on the outside of the label164, and then clicks the “TO NEXT” button displayed in the lower right corner of the picture.

Then, in the ink supplement process shown inFIG. 12, it is determined that the “TO NEXT” button is pressed down (yes in step S310), the input ink ID number is read (step S312), and then it is determined whether the read ink ID number is proper (step S314). The ink ID number seems to be a meaningless code formed by a plurality of numerals or alphabets when the operator gives a quick look at the ink ID number. However, the ink ID number is a kind of cryptogrammic data including the kind (color) of ink, a date (including a second time scale) stored in the ink bottle160, or information such as the kind of usable ink jet printer100. Only when the ink ID number is deciphered using specific key data, the information can be decoded and acquired.

When the printer driver204is installed on the computer200, the key data is stored in the ROM of the computer200. Therefore, when the ink ID number is read, the ink ID number is deciphered using the key data. As a consequence, when information (for example, the kind of ink or the kind of ink jet printer100) obtained by completing the normal decipher is appropriate, it can be determined that the ink ID number is proper. On the other hand, when the ink ID number may not be deciphered or when the ink ID number can be first deciphered but, for example, the kind of ink or the kind of ink jet printer100differs from the actual kind of ink or ink jet printer so that various kinds of information obtained through the decipher is inconsistent, it can be determined that the ink ID number is not proper. In step S314of the ink supplement process shown inFIG. 12, it is determined in this way whether the ink ID number is proper. Further, as described below, when the ink ID number is proper, but the once used ink ID number is re-input, it is determined that the ink ID number is not proper.

As a consequence, when it is determined that the input ink ID number is not proper (no in step S314), a picture prompting the operator to re-input the ink ID number is displayed on the monitor screen202(step S316), the process (step S310) of determining whether the “TO NEXT” button is pressed down is reiterated, and then the standby state is maintained.

FIG. 17is a diagram illustrating an example of the picture (re-input picture) displayed to prompt the operator to re-input the ink ID number on the monitor screen202. As shown inFIG. 17, a determination result obtained by determining whether the ink ID number is proper is displayed in addition to the previously input ink ID number. For example, in the example shown inFIG. 17, for example, it is determined that the input ink ID number of the C ink is proper, whereas it is determined that the ink ID number of the M ink is not proper. Thus, the operator re-inputs the ink ID number of the M ink determined not to be proper, and then clicks the “TO NEXT” button. Then, the printer driver204reads the re-input ink ID number (step S312), and then determines whether the ink ID number is proper (step S314), even when determining that the “TO NEXT” button is pressed down (yes in step S310inFIG. 12).

As a consequence, when it is determined that all of the ink ID numbers are proper (yes in step S314), the ink ID numbers determined to be proper are stored as the used ID numbers in the ROM of the computer200(step S316). The used ID numbers stored in this way are referred in the process of step S314of determining whether the ink ID number is proper at the next time so that the input ink ID number can be correctly deciphered. Further, even when the deciphered details of the ink ID number are not inconsistent but the ink ID number is stored as the used ID number, it is determined that the ink ID number is not proper.

Subsequently, the printer driver204initializes the calculated remaining amount of ink countered by the control unit140of the ink jet printer100to the fullness state by transmitting the command to the control unit140of the ink jet printer100(step S320). When the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit, as described above with reference toFIG. 2, the control unit140of the ink jet printer100stops the operation of ejecting the ink from the ejection head112. However, by transmitting the command from the printer driver204and initializing the calculated remaining amount of ink, it is possible to resume the printing. Accordingly, only when the input ink ID number is proper, the remaining amount of ink can be initialized, and thus the ink ID number corresponds to “initialization data” according to the invention.

When the calculated remaining amount of ink counted by the control unit140of the ink jet printer100is returned in this way, a picture (supplement completion picture) used to indicating that the ink supplement is completed is displayed on the monitor screen202(step S322).FIG. 18is a diagram illustrating the supplement completion picture displayed on the monitor screen202of the computer200. When the supplement completion picture is displayed in this way, the ink supplement process shown inFIG. 12ends, the remaining ink amount management process is returned to the initial process of the remaining ink amount management process inFIG. 3, and then the above-described series of processes are reiterated.

In the printing system10according to this embodiment, as described above, the control unit140of the ink jet printer100counts the remaining amounts of ink based on the amounts of ink ejected from the ejection heads112. The printer driver204of the computer200monitors the remaining amounts of ink in the ink tanks151by acquiring the remaining amounts of ink from the ink jet printer100while performing the above-described remaining ink amount management process. As a consequence, when the calculated remaining amount of ink is small, the operator is allowed to supplement the ink by performing the ink supplement process inFIG. 12. Further, when the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit, the operator is prompted to confirm the actual amount of ink remaining in the ink tank151by performing the remaining ink amount correction process inFIG. 6. When the ink actually remains, the calculated remaining amount of ink is made to approach the actual remaining amount of ink by increasing the calculated remaining amount of ink by the predetermined amount. Thus, irrespective of using the method of supplementing the ink into the ink tank151from the ink bottle160, it is possible to prevent the inside of the ejection head112from being clogged due to the supplement of the ink which is not appropriate in its nature. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

As described above with reference toFIG. 2, the control unit140of the ink jet printer100counts the remaining amount of ink based on the dot data. Therefore, when the counted remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit, the operation of ejecting the ink from the ejection head112is stopped. Accordingly, in order to continue the printing, it is necessary to initialize the remaining amount of ink counted by the control unit140of the ink jet printer100, and thus it is necessary to supplement the ink into the ink tank151. When the operator supplements the ink, the picture used to input the ink ID number of the supplemented ink is displayed on the monitor screen202. The printer driver204determines whether the input ink ID number is proper. Only when the ink ID number is proper, the remaining amount of ink is initialized so that the ink can be ejected again from the ejection head112. That is, when the ink is supplemented into the ink tank151, but the proper ink ID number is not input, the ink in the ink tank151may not be ejected from the ejection head112.

The ink ID number is a kind of cryptogrammic data in which a plurality of numerals or alphabets seem to be meaninglessly arranged at a look, as described above. Therefore, it may not be possible to input the appropriate ink ID number, unless the operator does not input the ink ID number while viewing the ink ID number printed on the label164of the ink bottle160. As a consequence, the operator spontaneously purchases the genuine ink bottle160(or the recommended ink jet printer100of a maker). Of course, it is unavoidable to use the ink ID number of the genuine ink bottle160once purchased several times, and thus supplement the ink of the improper nature. However, the ink ID number which is once determined to be proper and is input is stored as the used ink ID number. When this ink ID number is subsequently input, the ink ID number is determined not to be proper. Accordingly, since the ink is necessarily supplemented from the newly purchased genuine ink bottle160(or a recommended product of a maker), it is possible to prevent the ink of the improper nature from being supplied into the ejection head112and thus prevent the ejection head112from being clogged.

In the printing system10according to this embodiment, as described above with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, when the ink level in the ink tank151is lowered up to the lower limit line153, the picture used to select the ink to be supplemented is displayed on the monitor screen202(seeFIG. 5). When all the ink in the ink bottle160is supplemented into the ink tank151, the ink storage amount of the ink bottle160is set so that the ink level of the ink tank151is increased from the lower limit line153nearly to the upper limit line157. Therefore, the operator spontaneously supplements all the ink in the ink bottle160when supplementing the ink. Further, as exemplified inFIG. 14, the message prompting the operator to supplement all the ink in the ink bottle160is displayed on the monitor screen202, and thus the ink rarely remains in the ink bottle160.

When the calculated remaining amount of ink counted by the control unit140of the ink jet printer100reaches the lower value limit, the remaining ink amount confirmation picture exemplified inFIG. 7is displayed. Therefore, the operator can confirm whether the position of the ink level in the ink tank151reaches the lower limit line153. When the ink level does not reach the lower limit line153, the calculated remaining amount of ink is corrected so as to be increased by the predetermined amount. Thus, when the ink remains in the ink tank151, the printing can be continuously performed by increasing the calculated remaining amount of ink by the predetermined amount. As a consequence, the ink is not supplemented in the much ink remains in the ink tank151. In other words, the ink is supplemented after the ink in the ink tank151is nearly used up.

Accordingly, all the ink in the ink bottle160can be supplemented into the ink tank151.

It is supposed that the ink tank151is fully filled with the ink and thus the ink remains in the ink bottle160before all the ink is supplemented into the ink bottle160. Once even the genuine ink bottle160is opened, as described above, the nature of the ink in the ink bottle160gradually deteriorates over time. Therefore, when the ink bottle160is once opened, and then the ink remaining in the ink bottle160is supplemented, there is the concern that the inside of the ejection head112may be clogged. In the printing system10according to this embodiment, however, as described above, no ink remains in the ink bottle160when the operator supplements the ink. Accordingly, since the ink bottle160is once opened and thus the ink in the ink bottle160gradually deteriorates, it is possible to prevent the inside of the ejection head112from being clogged.

Since the ink ID number which is once input and received is not usable, as described above, the new ink bottle160is purchased necessarily at the subsequent supplement time. Further, when all the ink in the ink bottle160is injected, the ink level in the ink tank151reaches nearly the upper limit line157. As exemplified inFIG. 14, the caution message is displayed on the monitor screen202so the ink level in the ink tank151does not exceed the upper limit line157. Thus, even when the ink remains a little in the old ink bottle160, it is possible to prevent the ink in the ink tank151from being supplemented and prevent the inside of the ejection head112from being clogged.

Further, it is assumed that the second ink bottle160is opened since all the ink in the first ink bottle160is supplemented but the ink tank151does not become a full state. In this case, the ink certainly remains in the second ink bottle160. Since the ink ID number attached on the first ink bottle160can be input, the ink ID number of the second ink bottle160does not need to be used. Accordingly, when the ink remaining in the second ink bottle160is supplemented at the subsequent ink supplement and the ink ID number of the second ink bottle160is input, there is the concern that the ink deteriorating in its nature may be consequently supplemented and the ejection head112may be clogged. In this embodiment, in order to prevent this problem, the remaining amount of ink (the remaining amount of ink for which the check box is selectable on the supplement ink selection picture inFIG. 5) of the ink supplemented into the ink tank151, the position of the upper limit line157of the ink tank151, and the amount of ink stored in the ink bottle160are set so as to have the following relationship.

First, the remaining amount of ink (hereinafter, which is referred to as a “supplementary remaining amount of ink R”) for which the check box is selectable on the supplement ink selection picture inFIG. 5is set as the remaining amount of ink (hereinafter, which is referred to as an “increment remaining amount of ink dI”) with respect to the ink (of which the ink level does not reach the lower limit line153) selected on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7. The reason is as follows.

FIGS. 19A and 19Bare diagrams for explaining the reason for setting the remaining amount of ink (supplementary remaining amount of ink R) of the ink which can be supplemented into the ink tank151so as to be the same as an increment amount (increment remaining amount of ink dI) of the remaining amount of ink for which the ink level does not reach the lower limit line153. For example, it is assumed that when the calculated remaining amount of ink of given ink (here, the C ink) reaches the lower value limit, the ink level is shown as inFIG. 19A. That is, it is assumed that the ink level (here, the C ink) of which the calculated remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit is slightly higher than the lower limit line153and the ink (here, the Y ink) of which the calculated remaining amount of ink is slightly higher than this ink is present. In this case, since the ink level of the C ink is slightly higher than the lower limit line153, it is assumed that the operator checks the check box on the remaining ink amount confirmation picture inFIG. 7. Then, the calculated remaining amount of C ink is increased only by the increment remaining amount of ink dI.

When the printing continues in this state, the calculated remaining amount of Y ink reaches the lower value limit and the remaining ink amount confirmation picture is displayed. Of course, the ink level of the C ink is lower than the lower limit line153since the ink level of the C ink is further lowered than that of the previous confirmation time. Accordingly, the operator will think to supplement the C ink. However, when the operator confirms the previous ink level, the remaining amount of C ink is increased. Therefore, the calculated remaining amount of ink does not yet reach the lower value limit. That is, when the position of the actual ink level is confirmed, the calculated remaining amount of ink is increased. However, it is necessary to supplement the ink in advance even when the calculated remaining amount of ink does not reach the lower value limit. Under to the most stringent condition, the ink may be supplemented immediately after the calculated remaining amount of ink is increased. Eventually, the ink may be supplemented even for the calculated remaining amount of ink (which is higher than the lower value limit only by the increment remaining amount of ink dI) immediately after the calculated remaining amount of ink is increased from the lower value limit. That is, the supplementary remaining amount of ink R (the remaining amount of ink for which the ink can be supplemented) may be set to a value which is the same as or larger than the remaining amount of ink obtained by adding the increment remaining amount of ink dI to the lower value limit. Further, as described above with reference toFIG. 10, the increment remaining amount of ink dI is the remaining amount of ink corresponding to the amount of ink (Vrs) of the reserved ink (the ink lower than the lower limit line153) of the ink tank151.

As described above, the supplementary remaining amount of ink R may be set to the value which is the same as or larger than the remaining amount of ink obtained by adding the increment remaining amount of ink dI to the remaining amount of ink of the lower value limit. According to this embodiment, however, the remaining amount of ink R is set to the value obtained by adding the increment remaining amount of ink dI to the lower value limit. The reason is as follows.

First, as an ideal case, it is assumed that the ink is supplemented from the ink bottle160when the remaining amount of ink reaches the lower value limit. In this case, the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank151at the time of supplementing the ink is the amount of ink when the ink level reaches the lower limit line153. Therefore, this amount of ink is the amount of ink Vrs. Accordingly, the amount of ink in the ink tank151after the ink supplement is the amount of ink obtained by adding the amount of ink stored in the ink bottle160to the amount of ink Vrs of the reserved ink. Next, a case where the amount of ink of the ink tank151is the smallest at the time of supplementing the ink is a case where all the reserved ink is used up. In this case, the amount of ink of the ink tank151after the ink supplement is smaller by the amount of ink Vrs of the reserved ink than that of the ideal case. On the other hand, a case where the amount of ink of the ink tank151at the time of supplementing the ink is a case where the calculated remaining amount of ink just reaches the supplementary remaining amount of ink R. Accordingly, in this case, the amount of ink in the ink tank151after the ink supplement is the amount of ink larger by the amount of ink corresponding to the supplementary remaining amount of ink R compared to the ideal state. Further, an unbalance between the supplementary remaining amount of ink R and the actual amount of ink has to be taken into consideration. However, the unbalance is not taken into consideration herein, since the unbalance can be ignored.

Even when all the ink in the ink bottle160is supplemented, the ink level of the ink tank151needs not to exceed the upper limit line157. Accordingly, the upper limit line157needs to be formed at a position higher by the amount of ink corresponding to the supplementary remaining amount of ink R than the position of the ink level as an ideal state (where the ink is supplemented when the ink level reaches the lower limit line153). On the other hand, the ink level after the ink supplement may be lower by the amount of ink Vrs of the reserved ink than the ink level as the ideal state. In this case, even when all the ink in the ink bottle160is supplemented, the ink level is lower than the upper limit line157. This difference corresponds to an amount of ink obtained by adding the amount of ink corresponding to the supplementary remaining amount of ink R to the amount of ink Vrs of the reserved ink. When this difference is too large, there is the concern that the ink may be supplemented from the second ink bottle160when the operator thinks that ink is short in spite of the fact that the ink in the first ink bottle160is supplemented. In order to prevent this problem, it is necessary to set the supplementary remaining amount of ink R to be as small as possible. In this embodiment, from this reason, the value of the supplementary remaining amount of ink R is set to the smallest value (that is, the same value as the increment remaining amount of ink dI) within an allowable range.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the invention will be described in the following order.

C-1. Configuration of Ink Jet Printer According to Embodiment

C-2. Configuration of Printing System According to Embodiment

D. Remaining Ink Amount Management process

D-1. Remaining Ink Amount Correction Process

D-2. Ink Supplement Process

C-1. Configuration of Ink Jet Printer According to Embodiment

FIG. 20is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an ink jet printer according to the second embodiment. In particular, the tank case150will be described.

Differences between the first and second embodiment are as follows.

As shown inFIG. 20, the ink tanks151of the second embodiment have no lower limit line which is formed in the ink tanks151of the first embodiment. Instead, when the operator confirms the actual remaining amount of ink remaining in the ink tanks151, the operator can confirm the position (that is, which corresponds to the remaining amount of ink) of the ink level with a measurement tool. Specifically, the ink level is measured by the scale of a ruler. The ink jet printer of the second embodiment is different from that in that the ink jet printer includes a ruler accommodation portion accommodating the ruler used to measure the actual remaining amounts of ink stored in the ink tanks and the tank case is fixed to the ink jet printer.

The other configuration is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. The configuration of the apparatus common to the configuration of the first embodiment and the remaining ink amount management process will not be described. Hereinafter, the configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described.

The same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment in the drawings referred in the second embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 20, since a large confirmation window (opening)152is formed in the side surface of the tank case150, the operator can view the ink tank151C for the C ink, the ink tank151Y for the Y ink, the ink tank151M for the M ink, and the ink tank151K for the K ink accommodated in the tank case150. The ink tanks151C,151Y,151M, and151K are made of a transparent or semi-transparent resin material. Therefore, the operator can visually view and confirm the positions (that is, the remaining amounts of ink) of the ink levels Lv remaining in the ink tanks151C,151Y,151M, and151K.

As shown inFIG. 20, the ink jet printer100and the tank case150are placed on a plane surface PF. In this state, the operator can quantitatively confirm the ink levels Lv of the ink tanks151by taking out a ruler300accommodated in the ruler accommodation portion described below, placing one end of the ruler300on the plane surface PF, confirming the scale310of the ruler300corresponding to the ink levels remaining in the ink tanks151C,151Y,151M, and151K.

In this way, the positions of the remaining amounts of ink corresponding to the lower limit line of the first embodiment cam be confirmed. In this embodiment, the scale310is formed at a 10 mm interval in consideration of the precision necessary for quantitatively confirming the ink levels Lv of the ink tanks. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the position of 20 mm from the plane surface PF is the position corresponding to the lower limit line of the first embodiment. The operator can decide whether it is necessary to correct the remaining amount of ink counted by the control unit140and supplement the ink into the ink tank151by measuring the ink level Lv with the ruler300.

Fixing Ruler Accommodation Portion and Tank Case to Ink jet Printer

FIG. 21is a diagram illustrating a configuration where the tank case150is fixed to the ink jet printer100. InFIG. 21, after the tank case150is detached, the tank case150is rotated so that the side surface of the tank case150mounted on the ink jet printer100faces upward. As shown inFIG. 21, two hooks158on the upper surface side of the tank case150are erected on the surface of the tank case150mounted on the ink jet printer100. A fixing cover170is installed on the side surface (the surface on which the tank case150is mounted) of the ink jet printer100. In the fixing cover170, fixing portions172are formed at the positions corresponding to the positions of the hooks158.

In the fixing cover170, a concave portion179is formed by a bottom portion178and a wall portion177erected from the outer circumference of the bottom portion178. The concave portion179functions as the “ruler accommodation portion” that accommodates the ruler300. Accordingly, the concave portion179is also referred to as a ruler accommodation portion179. A guide opening176guiding the ruler300to the ruler accommodation portion179is formed at the position of the wall portion177adjacent to one of the fixing portions172. Along the guide opening176, the ruler300can be accommodated in the ruler accommodation portion179and the ruler300can be taken out from the ruler accommodation portion179. As shown inFIG. 21, it is not necessary to accommodate the entire ruler300in the ruler accommodation portion179. Even when a part of the ruler300exceeds the ruler accommodation portion179, the posture of the ruler300may be stabilized.

Next, the fixing of the tank case150to the ink jet printer100will be described. In order to fix the tank case150to the ink jet printer100, the tank case150is lifted so that the hooks158are located slightly above the fixing portions172, and then the tank case150is moved downward at this time in the direction of the plane surface PF on which the ink jet printer100is placed. In this way, the hooks158engage with the fixing portions172from the upper side, so that the tank case150is mounted on the ink jet printer100.

When the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank151becomes small during the printing in the state where the tank case150is mounted on the ink jet printer100, the ink is supplemented into the ink tank151in accordance with the guide of the remaining ink amount management module, as in the first embodiment. First, the tank case150is lifted upward to detach the tank case150from the fixing cover170, and then the tank case150is made to fall down so that the surface on the side of the ink jet printer100faces upward, as shown inFIG. 21. Then, when the upper surface cover155installed on the upper surface of the tank case150is made to fall down, the cap156installed on the upper surface of the ink tank151can easily be detached. Therefore, the cap156is detached and the ink is supplemented from the ink bottle160into the ink tank151.

FIG. 22is an enlarged view illustrating the portion in which the hooks158of the tank case150and the fixing portions172of the fixing cover170engage with each other in the state where the ink jet printer100is placed on the plane surface PF. As shown inFIG. 22, in the ink jet printer100according to this embodiment, the bases of the hooks158of the tank case150are configured to be slight higher than the positions of the front ends of the fixing units172of the fixing cover170in the state where the tank case150and the ink jet printer100are placed on the ground surface. Therefore, in the state where the ink jet printer100is placed on the ground surface, the tank case150is independently placed, so that the weight of the tank case150is not applied to the fixing cover170for most of the time (time in which the ink jet printer100is placed on the plane surface PF). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a crack from being formed in the ink jet printer100due to creep occurring since the weight of the tank case150is applied to the ink jet printer100via the fixing cover170.

C-2. Configuration of Printing System According to Embodiment

Since the configuration of the printing system including the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will not be repeated.

D. Remaining Ink Amount Management Process

D-1. Remaining Ink Amount Correction Process

The remaining ink amount processes performed by the printer driver204according to the second embodiment are the same as the processes described in the flowcharts ofFIGS. 3 and 6according to the first embodiment. However, the operator is prompted to confirm the actual ink remaining amount by the use of the ruler in the second embodiment, whereas the operator can confirm the position of the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink tank151with respect to the lower limit line of the ink tank151when the operator is prompted to confirm the actual remaining amount of ink in the first embodiment. Thus, in the second embodiment, the remaining ink amount confirmation picture displayed in step S202is different.FIG. 23is a diagram illustrating the remaining ink amount confirmation picture displayed on the monitor screen202according to the second embodiment. The image roughly indicating the remaining amount of ink is displayed and the square check box is displayed below the image indicating the remaining amount of ink, as in the first embodiment. A message displayed on the image indicating the remaining amount of ink is as follows: “Please confirm the amount of ink remaining in the tank. If the position of the ink level is equal to or greater than 20 mm from the bottom of ink tank, check the check box. Please use a ruler sealed in the printer in order to confirm the amount of ink”.

Instead of using the ink level with reference to the lower limit line in the first embodiment, the ink level is confirmed with the ruler in the second embodiment. The subsequent processes and the advantages are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the ink supplement process, the process of “releasing the lock of the tank case” is performed in the first embodiment, whereas this process is omitted in the second embodiment.

D-2. Ink Supplement Process

Since the ink supplement process of the second embodiment is the same as the ink supplement process of the first embodiment, the description thereof will not be repeated.

E. Modified Examples

In the printing system10according to the above-described first and second embodiments, the case has hitherto been described in which the printer driver204performs the remaining ink amount management process inFIG. 3on the computer200. However, the ink jet printer100may includes the control unit140that includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, the monitor screen104, and the operation button105. Thus, the control unit140of the ink jet printer100may perform the remaining ink amount management process inFIG. 3on the ink jet printer100.

The ruler with the scale has been used as the measurement tool according to the related art in the second embodiment. However, the measurement tool is not limited to the ruler. For example, an object with the height corresponding to the lower limit line from the plane surface PF may be used, or a block or the like may be used.

The various embodiments have hitherto been described, but the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The invention is modified in various forms without departing from the gist of the invention.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2010-186922, filed Aug. 24, 2010 and 2011-004591, filed Jan. 13, 2011 are expressly incorporated by reference herein.