Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> discloses technology for a parts monitoring device configured to detect usage of parts that are not regular ones and to limit operations of working machines upon detection of such usage.

Patent Literature <NUM>: <CIT> <CIT> discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Recent advancements in technology for printing on can bodies have made it possible to allow users to consider performing printing on can bodies by themselves, which was previously impossible.

However, if users are allowed to perform printing too freely, printing may be performed on can bodies that are not regular ones. In such cases, intended print quality may not be achieved.

It is an object of the present invention to ensure printing on can bodies with better print quality as compared to when users are allowed to freely perform printing on can bodies.

A can body printing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes the features of claim <NUM>.

The condition set by the third party may be a condition related to a prescribed quantity for printing on can bodies, the can body printing system may further include a quantity measurement section configured to measure a quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing, and the detection section may be configured to detect that the quantity measured by the quantity measurement section has reached the prescribed quantity.

The condition set by the third party may be a condition related to prescribed time for printing on can bodies, the can body printing system may further include a time measurement section configured to measure time taken for the printing, and the detection section may be configured to detect that the time measured by the time measurement section has reached the prescribed time.

The condition set by the third party may be a condition related to a prescribed amount of electricity used by a device for printing on can bodies, the can body printing system may further include an electricity measurement section configured to measure an amount of electricity used for the printing, and the detection section may be configured to detect that the amount of electricity measured by the electricity measurement section has reached the prescribed amount of electricity.

The condition set by the third party may be a condition related to a prescribed amount of a consumable for use in printing on can bodies, the can body printing system may further include a consumable amount measurement section configured to measure an amount of the consumable used for the printing, and the detection section may be configured to detect that the amount of the consumable measured by the consumable amount measurement section has reached the prescribed amount.

A can body printing device according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a printing section configured to print on can bodies; and a stopping section configured to stop printing in response to satisfaction of a condition set by a third party that is not a user who performs the printing.

The present invention ensures printing on can bodies with better print quality as compared to when users are allowed to freely perform printing on can bodies.

Hereinafter, a can body printing system according to an exemplary embodiment is detailed with reference to the appended drawings.

<FIG> illustrates a hardware configuration of a can body printing system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The can body printing system <NUM> includes: a host device <NUM> that is an information processing device on which the can body printing system <NUM> is based; and a printing device <NUM> for a user who performs printing on can bodies. The host device <NUM> and the printing device <NUM> are connected via a network <NUM>, such as the Internet. In an implementation, a user PC <NUM> connected to the printing device <NUM> and operated by the user who performs printing on can bodies may be connected to the host device <NUM> via the network <NUM>.

The host device <NUM> is a computer device provided by, for example, a provider of can bodies subjected to printing by the printing device <NUM> or a provider of the printing device <NUM>. A database (DB) <NUM> storing various kinds of information for use in the can body printing system <NUM> is connected to the host device <NUM> either directly or via the network <NUM>.

The host device <NUM> includes: a control section <NUM> implemented by a central processing unit (CPU) to control the entire device; and a memory <NUM>, such as a random access memory (RAM), used as a working area for calculations. The host device <NUM> further includes a storage section <NUM> to store programs and various setting data. Examples of the storage section <NUM> includes storage devices such as semiconductor memories and hard disk drives (HDDs). The host device <NUM> further includes a communication section <NUM> for data exchange via the network <NUM>.

The host device <NUM> further includes an operation section <NUM>, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, and/or a touch panel, and receives inputs from administrators responsible for the can body printing system <NUM>. The host device <NUM> further includes a display section <NUM>, such as one implemented by a liquid crystal display, for presentation of images and text information necessary for administrative tasks performed by the administrators. The host device <NUM> further includes a display control section <NUM> to control the display section <NUM>. It should be noted that these pieces of hardware do not necessarily share a single housing.

The printing device <NUM> includes: a control section <NUM> to control the entire device; and a communication section <NUM> for exchanges of various data via the network <NUM>. The printing device <NUM> further includes a printing section <NUM> to produce printing on can bodies. The printing device <NUM> further includes a measurement section <NUM> to measure information indicative of status of the printing device <NUM>. The printing device <NUM> further includes a user interface <NUM> for presentation of information to the user operating the printing device <NUM> and for receiving inputs from the user. The printing device <NUM> further includes a storage section <NUM> to store printed image information and other information obtained.

The printing section <NUM> is capable of conducting digital ink-jet printing on can bodies and changing printed content for each can body. These features are distinct from ordinary block copy-based printing on can bodies, providing more user convenience and helping reduce the device weight. At the printing section <NUM>, ink is ejected as droplets from nozzles and adhered onto an outer surface of each can body, whereby images are formed on the outer surface. Further, paint is applied over the images to form a protective layer. The printing section <NUM> uses, for example, a basic four color ink set of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) and, when necessary, further uses special inks of special colors prepared for each brand. In this case, an ink-jet head is prepared for each color, so that a plurality of ink-jet heads are used to form images on can bodies. An actinic radiation-curable ink is a preferred choice for the ink to be used. Examples of the actinic radiation-curable ink include an ultraviolet (UV)-curable ink. After the images are formed using the ink-jet heads, paint is applied onto the outer surface of the can body to form a protective layer (overcoat layer).

Can bodies as media subjected to printing may include both those unfilled with beverages, such as beer, and those filled with beverages.

The measurement section <NUM> includes sections for measuring various kinds of information indicative of status of the printing device <NUM>, including a quantity measurement section <NUM>, a time measurement section <NUM>, an electricity measurement section <NUM>, an ink amount measurement section <NUM>, and a position measurement section <NUM>.

The quantity measurement section <NUM> measures the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing by the printing device <NUM>, as information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM>. Specifically, for example, the printing section <NUM> may be provided with a counter to count each can body having undergone the printing process. Alternatively, for example, a quantity counter may be provided at any point through which can bodies having undergone the printing pass before being discharged from the printing device <NUM>, and may count each can body passing through the point.

The time measurement section <NUM> measures the time taken by the printing device <NUM> to print on can bodies, as information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM>. Specifically, for example, a mechanism may be provided that can measure a print start time and a print end time. In this case, the time taken to print on can bodies may be calculated based on the difference between the measured times. Alternatively, for example, when operating time of the printing device <NUM> can be viewed as printing time, a mechanism may be provided that can measure the operating time of the printing device <NUM>. In this case, the time taken to print on can bodies may be calculated based on the measured operating time.

The electricity measurement section <NUM> measures an amount of electricity used for printing on can bodies by the printing device <NUM>, as information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM>. Specifically, for example, the printing device <NUM> may be provided with a power meter that can measure the amount of electricity used. In this case, the amount of electricity used for printing on can bodies may be calculated based on the difference between the amount of electricity used at the start of printing and the amount of electricity used at the end of printing.

The ink amount measurement section <NUM> measures an amount of ink used for printing on can bodies by the printing device <NUM>, as information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM>. Specifically, for example, each printing device <NUM> may be provided with a mechanism that can measure the amount of ink used and output the amount of ink remaining as numerical values. In this case, the amount of ink used for printing on can bodies may be calculated based on the difference between the amount of remaining ink at the start of printing and the amount of ink remaining at the end of printing. Alternatively, when a value indicative of the amount of ink needed for printing on a single can body is known in advance, the amount of ink used may be measured by multiplying this value by the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing, which can be obtained from the quantity measurement section <NUM>.

The position measurement section <NUM> measures a position of the printing device <NUM>, as information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM>. For example, a global positioning system (GPS) location information about the printing device <NUM> may be used. The information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM> as measured by the measurement section <NUM> is stored in the storage section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> and/or a storage section <NUM> (described below) of the user PC <NUM>.

The printing device <NUM> is connected to the user PC <NUM>, which is a computer device operated by the user, either directly with an interface cable or via, e.g., a local area network (LAN), such as Ethernet®. For example, the user PC <NUM> provides various settings for the printing device <NUM> and acquires and presents information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM>, in addition to providing printed image information to the printing device <NUM>. The user PC <NUM> is also connected to the host device <NUM> via the network <NUM> to acquire various kinds of information from the host device <NUM>. In an implementation, the communication section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> may directly communicate with the host device <NUM>; in another implementation, the communication section <NUM> may communicate with the host device <NUM> via the user PC <NUM>. These implementations may be used selectively depending on the relevant information.

The user PC <NUM> includes a control section <NUM> to control the entire device and a memory <NUM>, such as a RAM, used as a working area for calculations. The user PC <NUM> further includes a storage section <NUM> to store programs and various setting data. The storage section <NUM> is implemented by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory and an HDD. The user PC <NUM> further includes a communication section <NUM> for data exchanges via the network <NUM> and/or for data exchanges through connection to the printing device <NUM>. The user PC <NUM> further includes an operation section <NUM>, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, and/or a bar-code reader, to receive inputs from the user using the printing device <NUM>. The user PC <NUM> further includes a display section <NUM>, such as one implemented by a liquid crystal display, for presentation of images and text information necessary for printing tasks performed by the user. The user PC <NUM> further includes a display control section <NUM> to control the display section <NUM>.

It should be noted that, while the printing device <NUM> alone may be considered as the "can body printing device", the printing device <NUM> and the user PC <NUM> may be collectively considered as the "can body printing device".

Functions of the printing device <NUM> side (the printing device <NUM> or the printing device <NUM> and the user PC <NUM>) in the present embodiment are now described. An advantageous feature of the present embodiment lies in that the printing device <NUM> performs, alone or jointly with the user PC <NUM>, operations including stopping the printing upon detection of satisfaction of any of conditions set by a third party that is not the user.

For example, the "third party that is not the user" may be a company that provides the printing device <NUM> to the user. For example, the "conditions set by the third party that is not the user" may be conditions that are predetermined by the company providing the printing device <NUM> to the user based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user. The "regular can bodies" include, for example, can bodies provided along with the printing device <NUM> by the company providing the printing device <NUM> to the user and can bodies provided by an entity authorized by the company providing the printing device <NUM>. In this case, can bodies that are manufactured by any unauthorized entity without permission from the company providing the printing device <NUM> to the user (e.g., counterfeit products) are "irregular can bodies" that are not regular ones.

However, it is not necessarily easy to correctly recognize the regular can bodies. Thus, as an alternative to this approach, in the present embodiment, conditions that are predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user are employed to accept and handle can bodies as the regular ones. In other words, while can bodies susceptible to these conditions are not necessarily the regular ones, these conditions are defined by the non-user third party to allow can bodies to be handled as the regular ones.

Examples of these conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user include a condition with respect to a predetermined quantity (prescribed quantity) of can bodies available for printing by the printing device <NUM>. Examples of these conditions further include a condition with respect to time (prescribed time) taken by the printing device <NUM> to print on can bodies. Examples of these conditions further include a condition with respect to an amount of electricity (prescribed amount of electricity) used by the printing device <NUM> to print on can bodies. Examples of these conditions further include a condition with respect to an amount (prescribed amount) of ink used by the printing device <NUM> to print on can bodies. Examples of these conditions further include a condition with respect to a position (prescribed position) of the printing device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a functional configuration of the printing device <NUM> side (the printing device <NUM> or the printing device <NUM> and the user PC <NUM>) according to the present embodiment. The printing device <NUM> side includes a condition acquisition section <NUM> to acquire information indicative of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user. The printing device <NUM> side further includes a condition storage section <NUM> to store the information acquired by the condition acquisition section <NUM> in the storage section <NUM> of the user PC <NUM>, the storage section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM>, and/or the like.

The printing device <NUM> side further includes a status measurement section <NUM> to measure information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM> using the measurement section <NUM>. The printing device <NUM> side further includes a comparison enabling section <NUM> to perform, when necessary, a conversion process to enable comparison between the information measured by the status measurement section <NUM> and the information acquired by the condition acquisition section <NUM>. The printing device <NUM> side further includes a status detection section <NUM> to detect, when printing is performed on one or more can bodies by the user, satisfaction of any of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user. The printing device <NUM> side further includes a print stopping section <NUM> to control a stoppage of the printing on can bodies, in response to the status detection section <NUM> detecting satisfaction of any of the conditions. The printing device <NUM> side further includes a detection result output section <NUM> to output information about the detection to the host device <NUM> via the communication section <NUM> and the network <NUM>.

The conversion process by the comparison enabling section <NUM> converts values and the like so that the information indicative of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user and the information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM> can be compared, in cases where a simple comparison therebetween is impossible.

In order to detect satisfaction of the above conditions, the status detection section <NUM> includes a prescribed quantity detection section <NUM>, a prescribed time detection section <NUM>, a prescribed electricity detection section <NUM>, a prescribed amount detection section <NUM>, and a prescribed position detection section <NUM>.

The prescribed quantity detection section <NUM> detects that the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing by the printing device <NUM> has reached the prescribed quantity. The prescribed time detection section <NUM> detects that the time taken for the printing on can bodies by the printing device <NUM> has reached the prescribed time. The prescribed electricity detection section <NUM> detects that the amount of electricity used for the printing on can bodies by the printing device <NUM> has reached the prescribed amount of electricity. The prescribed amount detection section <NUM> detects that the amount of ink used for the printing on can bodies by the printing device <NUM> has reached the prescribed amount. The prescribed position detection section <NUM> detects that the position of the printing device <NUM> has been displaced from the prescribed position.

The print stopping section <NUM> controls a stoppage of the printing on can bodies in response to any of the prescribed quantity detection section <NUM>, the prescribed time detection section <NUM>, the prescribed electricity detection section <NUM>, the prescribed amount detection section <NUM>, and the prescribed position detection section <NUM> detecting satisfaction of a corresponding one of the above conditions.

Specifically, the print stopping section <NUM> forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed quantity detection section <NUM> detecting that the print quantity has reached the prescribed quantity. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device <NUM> makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device <NUM> anymore. In other words, the user can perform printing on any can body, including irregular can bodies, until the print quantity reaches the prescribed quantity. Upon the print quantity reaching the prescribed quantity, the printing is forced to stop, so that the user can no longer perform printing on can bodies even though they are regular ones. The prescribed quantity is set to be equal to the quantity of regular can bodies purchased by the user.

Also, the print stopping section <NUM> forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed time detection section <NUM> detecting that the printing time has reached the prescribed time. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device <NUM> makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device <NUM> anymore. The prescribed time is defined by the provider of the regular can bodies to the user. The prescribed time is set to be equal to the printing time for the regular can bodies provided to the user.

Also, the print stopping section <NUM> forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed electricity detection section <NUM> detecting that the amount of electricity used has reached the prescribed amount of electricity. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device <NUM> makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device <NUM> anymore. The prescribed amount of electricity is defined by the provider of the regular can bodies to the user. Specifically, for example, an amount of electricity used for printing on a single can body is calculated in advance, and the prescribed amount of electricity is calculated by multiplying that amount of electricity by the number of regular can bodies provided to the user.

Also, the print stopping section <NUM> forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed amount detection section <NUM> detecting that the amount of ink used has reached the prescribed amount. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device <NUM> makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device <NUM> anymore. The prescribed ink amount is defined by the provider of the regular can bodies to the user. Specifically, for example, an amount of ink used for printing on a single can body is calculated in advance, and the prescribed ink amount is calculated by multiplying that amount by the number of regular can bodies provided to the user.

Also, the print stopping section <NUM> forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed position detection section <NUM> detecting that the position of the printing device <NUM> has been displaced from the prescribed position. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device <NUM> makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device <NUM> anymore. The prescribed position is defined by the provider of the printing device <NUM> to the user. Specifically, for example, in cases where the location of use of the printing device <NUM> is defined in detail in the contract or other documents agreed upon when the printing device <NUM> is provided to the user, that defined location is defined as the prescribed position.

Functions of the host device <NUM> according to the present embodiment are now described.

<FIG> illustrates a functional configuration of the host device <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The host device <NUM> includes a printing device information acquisition section <NUM> to acquire printing device information from, for example, other computer devices via the network <NUM>. The host device <NUM> further includes a condition setting section <NUM> to set, for each printing device <NUM>, conditions applied to the printing on regular can bodies by the user. The host device <NUM> further includes a condition storage section <NUM> to store information indicative of the conditions set by the condition setting section <NUM> in the storage section <NUM> and/or the DB <NUM> in association with the printing device information. The host device <NUM> further includes a condition retrieval section <NUM> to retrieve from the condition storage section <NUM> the information indicative of the conditions set by the condition setting section <NUM>. The host device <NUM> further includes a condition output section <NUM> to output the information indicative of the retrieved conditions to the printing device <NUM> side.

In an implementation, the printing device information and the information indicative of the conditions applied to the printing on regular can bodies by the user may be acquired via the network <NUM> and the communication section <NUM>; in another implementation, these pieces of information may be, for example, input by an administrator of the host device <NUM> via the operation section <NUM>.

The host device <NUM> further includes a detection result acquisition section <NUM> to acquire, upon a stoppage of the printing in response to detection of satisfaction of any condition set by the condition setting section <NUM>, information indicative of the stoppage from the printing device <NUM> side. The host device <NUM> further includes a detection result processing section <NUM> to recognize that the printing has been stopped in response to the detection of satisfaction of any condition set by the condition setting section <NUM>.

Processing by the printing device <NUM> side (the printing device <NUM> or the printing device <NUM> and the user PC <NUM>) is now described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a process executed by the printing device <NUM> side according to the present embodiment. First, the condition acquisition section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> acquires from the host device <NUM> information indicative of one or more conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user (step <NUM>). For example, the condition acquisition section <NUM> acquires information indicative of a condition specifying that the prescribed quantity is <NUM>. The condition storage section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> stores the information acquired by the condition acquisition section <NUM> in the storage section <NUM> of the user PC <NUM>, the storage section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM>, and/or the like (step <NUM>). For example, when the prescribed quantity is <NUM>, the condition storage section <NUM> stores information indicative of it in the storage section <NUM> of the user PC <NUM>, the storage section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM>, and/or the like.

The status measurement section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> measures information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM> using the measurement section <NUM> (step <NUM>). Specifically, the quantity measurement section <NUM> of the measurement section <NUM> measures the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing. The time measurement section <NUM> of the measurement section <NUM> measures the time taken for the printing. The electricity measurement section <NUM> of the measurement section <NUM> measures the amount of electricity used for the printing. The ink amount measurement section <NUM> of the measurement section <NUM> measures the amount of ink used for the printing. The position measurement section <NUM> of the measurement section <NUM> measures the position of the printing device <NUM>.

The comparison enabling section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> converts the information measured by the status measurement section <NUM> and the information acquired by the condition acquisition section <NUM> to enable comparison between them (step <NUM>). The status detection section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> detects that any of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user has been satisfied during printing on can bodies by the user (step <NUM>). Specifically, the prescribed quantity detection section <NUM> detects that the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing has reached the prescribed quantity. For example, when the prescribed quantity is <NUM>, the prescribed quantity detection section <NUM> detects that the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing has reached <NUM>. The prescribed time detection section <NUM> detects that the time taken for the printing has reached the prescribed time. The prescribed electricity detection section <NUM> detects that the amount of electricity used for the printing has reached the prescribed electricity. The prescribed amount detection section <NUM> detects that the amount of ink used for the printing has reached the prescribed amount. The prescribed position detection section <NUM> detects that the position of the printing device <NUM> has been displaced from the prescribed position.

The print stopping section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> determines whether a detection has occurred, i.e., whether the status detection section <NUM> has detected satisfaction of any of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user (step <NUM>). Specifically, in response to the prescribed quantity detection section <NUM> detecting that the print quantity has reached the prescribed quantity, the print stopping section <NUM> determines that a detection has occurred. For example, when the prescribed quantity is <NUM>, in response to the prescribed quantity detection section <NUM> detecting that the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing has reached <NUM> the print stopping section <NUM> determines that a detection has occurred. Also, in response to the prescribed time detection section <NUM> detecting that the print time has reached the prescribed time, the print stopping section <NUM> determines that a detection has occurred. Also, in response to the prescribed electricity detection section <NUM> detecting that the amount of electricity used has reached the prescribed amount of electricity, the print stopping section <NUM> determines that a detection has occurred. Also, in response to the prescribed amount detection section <NUM> detecting that the amount of ink used has reached the prescribed amount, the print stopping section <NUM> determines that a detection has occurred. Also, in response to the prescribed position detection section <NUM> detecting that the position of the printing device <NUM> has been displaced from the prescribed position, the print stopping section <NUM> determines that a detection has occurred.

If none of the conditions has been satisfied (No at step <NUM>), step <NUM> is repeated until the status detection section <NUM> detects satisfaction of any of the conditions. If the print stopping section <NUM> determines that a detection has occurred in response to detection of satisfaction of any of the conditions (YES at step <NUM>), the print stopping section <NUM> stops the printing on can bodies by the printing section <NUM> (step <NUM>). Then, the detection result output section <NUM> of the printing device <NUM> outputs information indicative of the occurrence of print stoppage to the host device <NUM> via the communication section <NUM> and the network <NUM> (step <NUM>), and the process thus ends. The information output to the host device <NUM> may include, for example, information indicative of which condition was satisfied to cause the print stoppage, in addition to the information indicative of the occurrence of print stoppage.

Processing by the host device <NUM> is now described referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

<FIG> are flowcharts of processes executed by the host device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a process executed by the host device <NUM> prior to printing by the printing device <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a process executed by the host device <NUM> after a stoppage of printing by the printing device <NUM>.

First of all, prior to printing by the printing device <NUM>, the printing device information acquisition section <NUM> of the host device <NUM> acquires printing device information from, for example, a computer device (not shown) owned by the company providing the printing device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> (step <NUM>). The condition setting section <NUM> of the host device <NUM> sets, for each printing device <NUM>, one or more conditions applied to printing on regular cans by the user (step <NUM>). For example, the condition setting section <NUM> sets a condition specifying that the prescribed quantity is defined to be <NUM>. The condition storage section <NUM> stores the information indicative of the set conditions in the storage section <NUM> and/or the DB <NUM> in association with the printing device information (step <NUM>). For example, information indicative of the prescribed quantity being <NUM> is stored in the storage section <NUM> and/or the DB <NUM> in association with the printing device information. The condition retrieval section <NUM> retrieves from the condition storage section <NUM> the information indicative of the conditions set by the condition setting section <NUM> (step <NUM>). For example, the condition retrieval section <NUM> retrieves from the condition storage section <NUM> the information indicative of the prescribed quantity being <NUM>. Then, the condition output section <NUM> outputs information indicative of the retrieved conditions to the printing device <NUM> side (step <NUM>), and thus the pre-printing process ends. For example, the information indicative of the prescribed quantity being <NUM> is output to the printing device <NUM> side, and thus the pre-printing process ends.

After a stoppage of printing by the printing device <NUM>, the detection result acquisition section <NUM> of the host device <NUM> acquires from the printing device <NUM> side the information indicative of the stoppage of printing in response to detection of satisfaction of any of the set conditions, as shown in <FIG> (step <NUM>). For example, when the prescribed quantity is <NUM>, the detection result acquisition section <NUM> acquires from the printing device <NUM> side the information indicative of the stoppage of printing due to the print quantity reaching <NUM>. The detection result processing section <NUM> recognizes that the printing has been stopped due to detection of satisfaction of any of the set conditions (step <NUM>). For example, the detection result processing section <NUM> recognizes that the printing has been stopped due to the print quantity reaching the prescribed quantity of <NUM>. The information indicative of the print stoppage and the information indicative of the detected condition are reflected in storage contents of the condition storage section <NUM> (step <NUM>), and thus the process after the print stoppage ends. For example, information indicative of the print stoppage due to the print quantity reaching the prescribed quantity is reflected in the storage contents of the condition storage section <NUM>, and thus the process after the print stoppage ends. This reflection in the stored content involves, for example, recording the fact of the print stoppage along with the information indicative of the detected condition.

Thus, in the present embodiment, prior to the printing process by the printing device <NUM>, the printing device <NUM> side (the printing device <NUM> or the printing device <NUM> and the user PC <NUM>) acquires the information indicative of the conditions set by the host device <NUM>. Detection of satisfaction of any of these conditions is made by the printing device <NUM> side. This eliminates the need for the host device <NUM> to sequentially monitor the processes executed by the printing device <NUM> side.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, when satisfaction of any of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user is detected during a printing process by the printing device <NUM>, the printing process is stopped. This allows, for example, a printing process to be performed on can bodies that can be considered as regular ones by manufacturers providing can bodies, manufacturers providing beverages, or the like.

In the present embodiment, information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM> measured by the status measurement section <NUM> includes the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing by the printing device <NUM>, the operating time of the printing device <NUM>, the amount of electricity and consumable used by the printing device <NUM>, and the position of the printing device <NUM>. However, information indicative of the status of the printing device <NUM> to be measured by the status measurement section <NUM> is not limited to these pieces of information, and any information that allows for measurement of the operation amount or position of the printing device <NUM> can be employed.

Claim 1:
A can body printing system (<NUM>) comprising:
a detection section (<NUM>) configured to, when printing is performed on a can body by a user, detect whether a predetermined condition for the printing is satisfied, wherein the predetermined condition is set by a third party that is not the user based on an assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user; and characterised in that the system further comprises
a control section (<NUM>) configured to control a stoppage of the printing on the can body in response to detection of the satisfaction of the predetermined condition.