JP5812745B2 - Print control apparatus, print control method, and print control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control system.

  A technique for ordering consumables designated by a user via a network is known as a conventional technique. For example, in Patent Document 1, in the print status monitor screen, the remaining amount of ink in each of a plurality of ink tanks is displayed as a bar-shaped indicator, and if the capacity recommends that the ink tank needs to be replaced, an icon is used for the user. Is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

  The print status monitor screen described in Patent Document 1 is displayed when a state that should be presented to the user occurs in the printer, such as when the remaining amount of ink is insufficient or when a paper jam occurs during printing. It is a screen and includes a WEB support button. The WEB support button displayed on the print status monitor screen is a button for using a support service such as ink purchase via the Internet. According to the screen displayed after the user presses the WEB support button, the user can purchase ink by pressing the button included in the screen.

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 purchases ink according to a screen provided from the WEB site. Therefore, the displayed ordering screen is changed regardless of the user's intention. For this reason, WEB support can be used by users who are accustomed to purchasing products using the WEB service. However, for users who are not used to it, he / she is hesitant about the ordering screen that is changed regardless of the intention. There is a problem that sufficient support cannot be obtained.

  On the other hand, the technique described in Patent Document 2 is known. When the host device controlling the printer described in Patent Document 2 executes printing, the printer for “consumable ordering” is selected in the drop-down list for displaying the printer name, so that the consumption for ordering consumables is selected. Displays an item ordering screen, accepts input of ordering item information for specifying consumables to be ordered on the consumables ordering screen, and sends print data including the accepted ordering item information and ordering processing commands to the printer . Then, the printer that has received the print data orders a consumable item via the network from the order management server according to the print data. In such a technique of Patent Document 2, since the ordering screen is fixed, even a user who is unfamiliar with purchasing products using the WEB service does not hesitate on the displayed ordering screen.

JP 2003-059303 A (published on March 10, 2005) JP 2007-226506 A (published September 6, 2007)

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to designate a printer “consumables ordering” in a drop-down list displaying a printer name and display a consumables ordering screen. The printer “consumables ordering” does not originally exist, and the act of selecting the printer “consumables ordering” in the drop-down list is only in accordance with the agreement for displaying the consumables ordering screen. For this reason, the user must know in advance the procedure for displaying the consumables ordering screen for ordering consumables. If the user does not know the procedure for displaying the consumables ordering screen for ordering consumables, the existence significance is lost. Furthermore, for users who are unfamiliar with the use of information processing devices such as printers and higher-level devices, the user cannot understand how to display the consumables ordering screen for ordering consumables, making it difficult to purchase consumables. There is.

  In addition, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not have any means for avoiding the occurrence of a situation in which the consumables run out before the ordered consumables arrive at the user. . Therefore, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is considered that the consumables that need to be replaced before the consumables arrive at the user run out. When the remaining amount runs out, there is a problem that printing must be interrupted until the consumables arrive.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily purchase consumables without hesitation even if the user is unfamiliar with the use of a printer or information processing apparatus. It is also possible to provide a print control device, a print control method, and a print control system that can eliminate the inconvenience that the remaining amount of consumables runs out after the consumables are ordered and arrived.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing control apparatus according to the present invention is a printing control apparatus that controls a printing apparatus to which a consumable is mounted, and performs printing corresponding to each function of the printing apparatus with respect to the printing apparatus. Display control means for causing a display unit to display a print setting screen for accepting condition setting input, and the print setting screen includes consumables remaining amount information indicating an indicator of the remaining amount of consumables mounted on the printing apparatus. An ordering screen for receiving an ordering instruction for the consumables, and a resource saving screen for displaying a printing condition that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from a default and accepting a setting input.

  According to the above configuration, the print setting screen for accepting the input of the print condition setting corresponding to each function of the printing device with respect to the printing device is displayed on the display unit, and the print setting screen is attached to the printing device. An ordering screen for accepting consumables ordering instructions, including consumables remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of consumables, and printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of consumables from the default, and accepting setting input And a resource saving screen. Accordingly, the user can use the ordering screen to use the ordering screen as if to set and input printing conditions without performing a special action such as selecting a printer “consumable ordering” in the drop-down list. Can be purchased.

  In addition, since the ordering screen is a screen included in the print setting screen, it is not changed regardless of the user's intention like the ordering screen provided from the WEB site, and is always a fixed screen. It is. Therefore, even a user who is not used to purchasing products using the WEB service can easily order desired consumables without hesitation in inputting instructions on the screen.

  Furthermore, since the ordering screen includes consumables remaining amount information indicating an indicator of the remaining amount of consumables, the user can recognize the remaining amount of consumables from the ordering screen, If there is a shortage of consumables, it is possible to order consumables to be purchased instead.

  In addition, since printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of consumables from the default can be set on the resource saving screen, there is a shortage of consumables that are about to run out before the consumables arrive at the user. It is possible to effectively avoid the occurrence of a situation that is cut.

  Therefore, even users who are unfamiliar with the use of printing devices and information processing devices can easily purchase consumables without hesitation, and the consumables remain after ordering them. It is possible to provide a print control apparatus capable of avoiding an unfavorable situation such as running out of quantity.

  In the print control apparatus of the present invention, the display control unit may display the ordering screen and the resource saving screen when displaying the print setting screen when the remaining amount information of consumables indicates that the remaining amount is short. Display with priority.

  Normally, the print setting screen often displays a main screen for designating single-sided printing or double-sided printing. However, according to the above configuration, when there is a consumable item that is short on the remaining amount, Are preferentially displayed as the print setting screen, the ordering screen and the resource saving screen. Therefore, the user can strongly recognize the necessity of ordering consumables and the need for energy saving from the ordering screen and the resource saving screen that are displayed preferentially, and a printing device that runs out of consumables. Can be effectively avoided.

  Examples of the consumable item include a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge containing a colorant. In this case, the consumable item remaining amount information may be a printable number of sheets calculated based on the remaining amount of the colorant and the consumption history of the colorant.

  Rather than displaying the remaining amount of the colorant directly as a numerical value, it is possible to inform the user in an easy-to-understand manner that the situation where the colorant runs out is nearer when it is displayed with the number of printable sheets according to the user's usage.

  On the resource saving screen, as a display of printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from the default, a preview image that is printed with image adjustment setting values that can reduce the consumption of the colorant is displayed. It is preferable.

  According to the above configuration, by checking the preview image, the user can easily determine whether or not to specify printing conditions that can reduce the colorant consumption, and the colorant consumption can be reduced. It is possible to increase the chance that the printing conditions are specified.

  On the resource saving screen, a change from the image adjustment setting value that can reduce the colorant consumption can be accepted, and a preview image printed with the changed image adjustment setting value may be displayed. preferable.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to adjust the printing condition by the user while confirming the preview image under the printing condition that can reduce the colorant consumption, so the printing condition that can reduce the colorant consumption is specified. Can be increased even more.

  Further, the printing control apparatus of the present invention is an image adjustment table that associates a colorant consumption reduction ratio with an image adjustment setting value, and has an image adjustment setting in which the colorant consumption is set to be low at a high consumption reduction ratio. A storage unit that stores an image adjustment table in which values are associated; and the consumables remaining amount information includes the plurality of consumables when a plurality of consumables used for forming a full-color image is attached to the printing apparatus. The printable number of sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of the colorant in each product, and the smaller number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of the plurality of consumables with respect to the larger number of printable sheets Image adjustment setting means for calculating the consumption reduction ratio as the consumption reduction ratio, and the display control means is associated with the calculated consumption reduction ratio according to the image adjustment table. Displaying the resource saving screen using the image adjustment setting.

  According to the above configuration, the consumables remaining amount information indicates the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of the colorant in each of the plurality of consumables when a plurality of consumables forming a full-color image is mounted on the printing apparatus. The ratio of the smaller number of printable sheets to the larger number of printable sheets is calculated as the consumption reduction ratio for the two printable sheets corresponding to the remaining number of consumables. In accordance with the image adjustment table that associates the reduction ratio with the image adjustment setting value, the resource saving screen is displayed using the image adjustment setting value associated with the consumption reduction ratio.

  In other words, the ratio of the smaller number of printable sheets to the larger number of printable sheets for the two printable sheet numbers corresponding to the remaining amount of a plurality of consumables used for forming a full-color image is the consumption reduction ratio. The corresponding image adjustment setting value is displayed on the resource saving screen.

  As a result, if the print job is executed according to the image adjustment setting value on the resource saving screen, one of the two printable sheets that has a small number of prints can be prevented from running out of the remaining amount first, and a full color image cannot be formed. Can be effectively avoided.

  The resource saving screen further displays a preview image printed in a paper size that can reduce colorant consumption as a display of printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from the default. It is preferable.

  In the print control apparatus of the present invention, the display control means displays the resource saving screen on the display device after an instruction to purchase consumables is given on the ordering screen.

  According to the above configuration, the resource saving screen is displayed after confirming the remaining amount of consumables that are nearing short on the ordering screen, so it is possible to specify the printing conditions that can reduce the colorant consumption at the right time. The user can be prompted, and the chances of specifying the printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of the colorant can be increased.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that is controlled by a print control apparatus and includes a colorant, in which a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge is mounted as a consumable, and the remaining amount of the colorant in the mounted consumable The consumables remaining amount estimating means for estimating the consumables remaining amount estimating means, the consumption history acquiring means for acquiring the consumption history of the colorant in the mounted consumables, and the remaining amount of the colorant estimated by the consumables remaining amount estimating means, In accordance with the colorant consumption history acquired by the consumption history acquisition unit, the printable sheet number calculating unit for converting the printable sheet number to the printable sheet number calculating unit is compared with the threshold value. When the printable sheet number calculated by the printable sheet number calculating unit is less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the remaining amount of the mounted consumables is almost insufficient and the calculated When the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, a determination unit that determines that the remaining amount of the mounted consumable item is not short of remaining amount, the printable sheet number calculated by the printable sheet number calculation unit, and the Consumables remaining amount information transmitting means for transmitting the determination result determined by the determining unit in the consumables remaining amount information is included.

  According to said structure, it can combine with the printing control apparatus of this invention. As a result, even users who are unfamiliar with the use of printers and information processing devices can easily purchase consumables without hesitation, and the remaining amount of consumables from the time the consumables are ordered until they arrive. It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of being cut.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing control system of the present invention is a printing control system including a printing device on which a consumable is mounted and a printing control device that controls the printing device, and the printing device includes: Comparing the remaining amount of consumables for estimating the remaining amount of the mounted consumables with the threshold of the consumables estimated by the remaining amount of consumables and the threshold, the remaining amount is less than the threshold In some cases, a determination unit that determines that the remaining amount of the mounted consumable item is about to be short of the remaining amount, and transmits consumable item remaining amount information including the determination result determined by the determination unit to the print control apparatus A display for displaying on the display unit a print setting screen for accepting a print condition setting input corresponding to each function of the printing apparatus with respect to the printing apparatus. Comprising control means, The printing setting screen includes an ordering screen for receiving an ordering instruction for the consumables, including consumables remaining amount information indicating an indicator of the remaining amount of the consumables attached to the printing apparatus, and the consumption of the consumables And a resource saving screen that displays a print condition that can reduce the default value and accepts a setting input.

  According to the above configuration, even a user who is unfamiliar with the use of a printer or an information processing apparatus can easily purchase consumables without hesitation and consumes the consumables after ordering them. It is possible to provide a print control system that can eliminate the inconvenience that the product runs out.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a printing control method of the present invention is a printing control method executed using a printing control device that controls a printing device on which a consumable item is mounted, and the printing device for the printing device Including a step of causing a display unit to display a print setting screen that accepts setting input of printing conditions corresponding to each function of the display, and the print setting screen includes an indicator of the remaining amount of consumables attached to the printing apparatus. An ordering screen for receiving an ordering instruction for the consumables including the consumables remaining amount information to be displayed, and a resource saving screen for displaying a print condition that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from a default and accepting a setting input. included.

  According to the above configuration, even a user who is unfamiliar with the use of a printing apparatus or information processing apparatus can easily purchase consumables without hesitation, and before the consumables are ordered and arrived. It is possible to provide a print control method that can eliminate the inconvenience that the consumables run out.

  The printing control apparatus and the printing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a program for causing the printing control and the printing apparatus to be realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit, and the program. A recorded computer-readable recording medium is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, even a user unfamiliar with the use of a printer or an information processing apparatus can easily purchase consumables without hesitation, and the consumables remain after ordering the consumables. There is an effect that the inconvenience of running out of quantity can be solved.

It is a figure which shows an example of the whole outline | summary of the consumable goods ordering system in this Embodiment. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an example of a schematic structure of an MFP. FIG. It is sectional drawing of a developing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner cartridge. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packing material for a toner cartridge. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a control unit included in MFP 100 together with data stored in a storage unit. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner consumption table. It is a figure which shows an example of a log | history table. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of PC. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function of the control part with which PC is provided. It is a figure which shows an example of a printing initial screen with a 1st window. It is a figure which shows an example of an image adjustment table. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of a print setting screen with the 2nd window displayed on the display. It is the 2nd figure showing an example of a print setting screen with the 2nd window displayed on the display. It is a figure which shows an example of the order confirmation screen displayed in the 2nd window. It is a figure which shows an example of the order completion screen displayed in the 2nd window. It is a figure which shows an example of the image adjustment screen displayed in the 2nd window. It is a figure which shows an example of the paper screen displayed in the 2nd window. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of printable sheet number information generation / transmission processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an order notification / energy saving printing request process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of purchase consumables selection processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a first print execution request process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an energy saving setting process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of second print execution request processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of image formation control processing.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall outline of a consumables ordering system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a consumables ordering system (printing control system) 1 includes a plurality of multifunction peripherals (hereinafter referred to as “MFPs”) 100, a server PC 101, and a mobile terminal 110, each connected to a network 102. , PCs (printing control devices) 120 and 130. An MFP (printing apparatus) 100 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of functions such as a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function.

  The plurality of MFPs 100, the mobile terminal 110, and the PCs 120 and 130 are connected via the network 102 and can communicate with each other. The network 102 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 102 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or the like.

  Further, the network 102 is connected to the Internet 105 via a gateway, and the plurality of MFPs 100, the portable terminals 110, and the PCs 120 and 130 can communicate with the server PC 101 connected to the Internet 105. Communication may be performed using the satellite communication infrastructure 103.

  Server PC 101 in the present embodiment is a server installed by a sales company that sells consumables for MFP 100. Examples of the sales company include a leasing company that leases the MFP 100, a dealer that sells the MFP 100, a manufacturer of the MFP 100, a manufacturer of consumables, a cloud provider (a dedicated business provider that provides a cloud computing service), and the like.

  The PCs 120 and 130 are general personal computers, and a driver program for controlling the MFP 100 is installed. Therefore, PCs 120 and 130 can transmit print data to MFP 100 to form an image of the print data.

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a schematic structure of the MFP. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 100 includes an image forming unit 20 and a document reading unit 30. The image forming unit 20 is configured to include four image forming stations P1 to P4. Each of the four image forming stations P1 to P4 includes a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 5, a cleaner unit 4, and five toner cartridges 98, and basically has the same configuration. However, each image forming station P individually has identification information, and the control unit 201 described later can distinguish the image forming station P individually. By providing four image forming stations P, the MFP 100 can form an image using four colors of toner (developer). The four color toners are black (B1, B2), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively, and are accommodated in five toner cartridges 98, respectively. Note that, when the toner cartridge 98 containing B1 runs out of toner, it automatically switches to the toner cartridge 98 containing B2.

  The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. A contact type charger such as a roller type or a brush type may be used in addition to a non-contact type. is there.

  The exposure unit 8 forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data by exposing the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 3 according to the input image data. The exposure unit 8 can be configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser emitting portion, a reflection mirror, and the like, or an EL or LED writing head in which light emitting elements are arranged in an array.

  The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 by using toner to make them visible. An electrostatic latent image on each photosensitive drum 3 is formed for each color component included in the image data, and is developed by each developing device 2.

  The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 6 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 61, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. ing. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided corresponding to the four image forming stations P1 to P4.

  The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and the intermediate transfer roller 64 are driven to rotate by stretching the intermediate transfer belt 61. Each intermediate transfer roller 64 provides a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  The intermediate transfer belt 61 is provided in contact with each photosensitive drum 3. The toner image of each color formed on the photosensitive drum 3 has a function of forming a multi-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61. . The intermediate transfer belt 61 is formed in an endless shape using, for example, a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is performed by an intermediate transfer roller 64 that is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 61. A high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 64 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 64 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 61. In this embodiment, a roller shape is used as the transfer electrode, but a brush or the like can also be used.

  As described above, the electrostatic images visualized according to the hues on the photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 61. As described above, the laminated image information is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 10 disposed at a contact position between the sheet and the intermediate transfer belt 61 described later by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the transfer roller 10 are pressed against each other at a predetermined nip, and a voltage for transferring the toner onto the sheet is applied to the transfer roller 10 (the polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)). (+) High voltage). Furthermore, in order to obtain the above nip constantly, the transfer roller 10 uses either the transfer roller 10 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62 as a hard material (metal or the like) and the other as a soft material such as an elastic roller (an elastic rubber roller). Or a foaming resin roller or the like).

  Further, as described above, the toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 61 due to contact with the photosensitive drum 3 or the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 61 without being transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 10 is used in the next step. In order to cause a color mixture of toner, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 is configured to remove and collect the toner. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 is provided with a cleaning blade that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 61, for example, as a cleaning member. The intermediate transfer belt 61 that is in contact with the cleaning blade is supported by the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63 from the back side. Has been.

  The paper feed cassette 81 is a tray for storing paper used for image formation, and is provided below the exposure unit 8 in the MFP 100. In addition, paper used for image formation can be placed in the manual paper feed cassette 82. A paper discharge tray 91 provided at the top of the MFP 100 is a tray for collecting printed sheets face down.

  Further, the MFP 100 is provided with a substantially vertical sheet conveyance path S for sending the sheets of the sheet feeding cassette 81 and the manual sheet feeding cassette 82 to the sheet discharge tray 91 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 7. Yes. In the vicinity of the paper transport path S from the paper feed cassette 81 or the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the paper discharge tray 91, pickup rollers 11a and 11b, a plurality of transport rollers 12a to 12d, a registration roller 13, a transfer roller 10, and a fixing unit. 7 etc. are arranged.

  The transport rollers 12 a to 12 d are small rollers for promoting and assisting the transport of paper, and a plurality of transport rollers 12 a to 12 d are provided along the paper transport path S. The pickup roller 11 a is provided near the end of the paper feed cassette 81, picks up paper one by one from the paper feed cassette 81, and supplies it to the paper transport path S. Similarly, the pickup roller 11 b is provided near the end of the manual paper feed cassette 82, picks up paper one by one from the manual paper feed cassette 82, and supplies it to the paper transport path S.

  The registration roller 13 temporarily holds the paper conveyed through the paper conveyance path S. The sheet has a function of conveying the sheet to the transfer roller 10 at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 is aligned with the leading edge of the sheet.

  Further, a paper detection sensor 14 is disposed in the vicinity of the registration roller 13 on the downstream side of the registration roller 13 in the paper conveyance direction. The sheet detection sensor 14 detects a sheet passing through the registration roller 13 and is a registration sensor configured by, for example, a photo interrupter.

  The fixing unit 7 includes a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72, and the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 are configured to rotate with a sheet interposed therebetween. The heat roller 71 is set by the control unit 201 (see FIG. 6) to have a predetermined fixing temperature based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown), and heats the toner together with the pressure roller 72 to the paper. By pressing, the multi-color toner image transferred onto the paper is melted, mixed, and pressed to be thermally fixed to the paper. Further, an external fixing belt 73 for fixing the heat roller 71 from the outside is provided.

  Next, the paper transport path S will be described in detail. As described above, the MFP 100 is provided with the paper feed cassette 81 and the manual paper feed cassette 82 for storing paper in advance. Pickup rollers 11a and 11b are arranged to feed paper from the paper feed cassettes 81 and 82, and guide the paper one by one to the paper transport path S.

  The paper conveyed from each of the paper feed cassettes 81 and 82 is conveyed to the registration roller 13 by the conveyance roller 12a in the paper conveyance path S, and the transfer roller is aligned with the timing of aligning the leading edge of the paper and the leading edge of the image information on the intermediate transfer belt 61. 10 and image information is written on the paper. Thereafter, the sheet passes through the fixing unit 7 so that the unfixed toner on the sheet is melted and fixed by heat, and is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 91 through the transport roller 12b disposed thereafter.

The sheet transport path S is used when a single-sided printing request is made on the paper. On the other hand, when a double-sided printing request is made, the single-sided printing is finished as described above, and the trailing edge of the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 7 is used. Is gripped by the final transport roller 12b, the transport roller 12b rotates reversely to guide the paper to the transport rollers 12c and 12d. Then, after printing is performed on the back side of the sheet through the registration roller 13, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 91.

  The document reading unit 30 mainly includes an automatic document feeder 29 and a scanning unit 90. The plurality of document sheets placed on the placing table of the automatic document feeder 29 are sequentially supplied to the upper part of the scanning unit 90, and the document is read.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device. The developing device 2 has a developing roller 114 disposed in the developing tank 111 so as to face the photosensitive drum 3, and supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 by the developing roller 114, so that the photosensitive drum is provided. 3 is a device that visualizes (develops) the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of 3.

  In addition to the developing roller 114, the developing device 2 includes a developing tank 111, a developing tank cover 115, a doctor blade 116, a first conveying member 112, a second conveying member 113, a partition plate 117, and a toner concentration sensor 119.

  The developing tank 111 is a tank for storing a two-component developer containing toner and a carrier (hereinafter simply referred to as “developer”). The developing tank 111 is provided with a developing roller 114, a first conveying member 112, a second conveying member 113, and the like. Note that the carrier of this embodiment is a magnetic carrier having magnetism.

  A removable developing tank cover 115 is provided on the upper side of the developing tank 111. Further, the developing tank cover 115 is formed with a toner supply port (not shown) for supplying unused toner into the developing tank 111.

  In the developing tank 111, a partition plate 117 is disposed between the first transport member 112 and the second transport member 113. The partition plate 117 extends in parallel with each axial direction of the first transport member 112 and the second transport member 113. The interior of the developing tank 111 is partitioned by a partition plate 117 into a first transport path P in which the first transport member 112 is disposed and a second transport path Q in which the second transport member 113 is disposed.

  The partition plate 117 is disposed away from the inner wall surface of the developing tank 111 at both axial ends of the first transport member 112 and the second transport member 113. Thereby, in the developing tank 111, a communication path that connects the first transport path P and the second transport path Q is formed in the vicinity of both axial ends of the first transport member 112 and the second transport member 113. ing.

  The first transport member 112 and the second transport member 113 are arranged in parallel so that their peripheral surfaces face each other via the partition plate 117 and their axes are parallel to each other, and rotate in opposite directions. Is set to The first transport member 112 and the second transport member 113 are set so that the developer transport directions are opposite to each other.

  The 1st conveyance member 112 is comprised with the screw auger which consists of the helical 1st conveyance blade | wing 112a and the 1st rotating shaft 112b, and the gear. The 2nd conveyance member 113 is comprised by the screw auger which consists of the helical 2nd conveyance blade | wing 113a and the 2nd rotating shaft 113b, and the gear. The first transport member 112 and the second transport member 113 are rotated and driven by a driving unit (not shown) such as a motor to stir and transport the developer.

  The developing roller 114 is a magnet roller that is rotationally driven around a shaft center by a driving unit (not shown). The developer in the developing tank 111 is pumped and carried on the surface, and toner contained in the developer carried on the surface is photosensitive. This is supplied to the body drum 3.

  The developer conveyed by the developing roller 114 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 3 at the closest portion. This contact area is the development nip N, and a development bias voltage is applied to the development roller 114 from a power source (not shown) connected to the development roller 114, and the developer on the surface of the development roller 114 is exposed to light. Toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the body drum 3.

  A doctor blade 116 is disposed at a position close to the surface of the developing roller 114. The doctor blade 116 is a plate-like member that extends parallel to the axial direction of the developing roller 114. One end in the short direction is supported by the developing tank 111 and the other end is the developing roller below the developing roller 114 in the vertical direction. 114 is provided to be separated from the surface with a gap. As the material of the doctor blade 116, stainless steel can be used, but aluminum or synthetic resin can also be used.

  The toner concentration sensor 119 is mounted on the bottom surface of the developing tank 111 on the lower side in the vertical direction of the first conveying member 112, that is, the bottom surface of the first conveying path P, and is provided so that the sensor surface is exposed to the inside of the developing tank 111. It has been.

  The toner concentration sensor 119 is a magnetic permeability sensor, for example, and reads the magnetic permeability of iron contained in a carrier per unit volume around the bottom surface of the developing device 2. The greater the magnetic permeability, the lower the toner concentration. The toner concentration sensor outputs the read magnetic permeability to the control unit 201.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner cartridge. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing an overview of the toner cartridge, and FIG. 4B is a front view of the toner cartridge. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the toner cartridge 98 includes a toner cartridge main body and a storage unit 150 provided on the front side thereof. The toner cartridge main body 141 stores one of four types of toner, and the stored toner is supplied to the developing device 2 corresponding to the toner from the supply port 143.

  The storage unit 150 includes screws 155a and 155b, a terminal 153, and positioning bosses 151a and 151b. The storage unit 150 is fixed by screws 155a and 155b at the mounting position of the toner cartridge main body 141. The storage unit 150 is fixed by positioning bosses 151 a and 151 b at the mounting position of the toner cartridge 98 in the image forming unit 20. As a result, the terminal 153 of the storage unit 150 and the terminal of the MFP 100 come into contact with each other, so that the storage unit 150 and the MFP 100 are electrically connected. As a result, MFP 100 can communicate with storage unit 150 and extracts information stored in storage unit 150.

  Note that although the storage unit 150 is a contact-type nonvolatile memory here, the present invention is not limited to this. The storage unit 150 may be a non-contact type using radio such as an IC chip, a barcode, and a QR code (registered trademark).

  In addition, the toner cartridge 98 has a carbon footprint mark (registered trademark) indicating a conversion value obtained by converting greenhouse gases emitted in the entire life cycle of products and services (from raw material procurement to disposal / recycling) into the amount of carbon dioxide. ) May be attached. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the carbon footprint mark 161 is attached to the packing material of the toner cartridge 98. As a result, it is possible for a user with high environmental awareness to easily recognize that the manufacturer of the toner cartridge 98 is actively working to reduce greenhouse gases. The carbon footprint mark 161 may be attached to the toner cartridge 98 itself.

Furthermore, in addition to the carbon footprint mark 161, a description of the carbon footprint mark may be added. In the example of FIG. 5, an explanatory note is attached to the packing material region 163 of the toner cartridge 98. As a result, it is possible to easily recognize that the user is a consumables manufacturer who is working on reducing greenhouse gases, and to give a sense of security to users who are particularly environmentally conscious. In addition, for users with low environmental awareness, the importance of reducing greenhouse gases can be noticed and promoted, thereby contributing to the prevention of global warming. The greenhouse gases include six types of CO ₂ , CH ₄ , N ₂ O, HFC _S , PFC _S, and SF ₆ that were targeted by the Kyoto Protocol. The amount converted to CO ₂ is shown.

The CO ₂ emission amount is calculated by the following general formula using an LCA (life cycle assessment) method.
General formula: CO ₂ emissions = Σ (activity amount x CO ₂ emissions intensity)
i represents the amount of activity (process) from the above-mentioned raw material procurement to disposal / recycling. The unit of the CO ₂ emission amount is represented by a unit representing weight such as (kg), (g), and (t). The life cycle stage and the amount of activity can be handled as in the following (1) to (5).
(1) The amount of activity at the raw material procurement stage is the amount of material used.
(2) The amount of activity at the production stage is assembly weight and power consumption during production.
(3) The amount of activity at the distribution stage is the transportation amount (the product of the transportation distance, loading ratio, and truck loading).
(4) The amount of activity in the usage / maintenance stage is the amount of power consumed during use.
(5) The amount of activity at the disposal / recycling stage is landfill weight and recycled weight.

In this embodiment, the total of (1) to (5) is 5.0 ton-CO ₂ . This value is for explaining the present embodiment, and is not a value calculated using the LCA method.

  In the present embodiment, the sales company in which the server PC 101 is installed manages a plurality of types of toner cartridges. The server PC 101 accepts a plurality of types of toner cartridges requested by the user via the PCs 120 and 130, and the sales company delivers the toner cartridges received by the server PC 101 to the users of the PCs 120 and 130. As a result, the user can replace the used toner cartridge 98 with a delivered unused toner cartridge.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the MFP 100 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202 for storing a program executed by the control unit 201, and a control unit 211 for controlling the peripheral device 220.

  The control unit 201 is connected to the display unit 204, the operation unit 205, the data communication control unit 206, the document reading unit 207, the image processing unit 208, the image forming unit 209, the fixing unit 210, the toner concentration sensor 119, and the cartridge motor 212, respectively. , The entire MFP 100 is controlled.

  The data communication control unit 206 includes a LAN terminal 206a that is an interface for communication using a communication protocol, and a serial interface terminal 206b for serial communication. The data communication control unit 206 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the LAN terminal 206a or the serial interface terminal 206b in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 201.

  When a cable for connecting to the Internet 105 is connected to the LAN terminal 206a, the data communication control unit 206 communicates with the server PC 101 connected via the LAN terminal 206a.

  A memory card 206c with a built-in flash memory can be connected to the serial interface terminal 206b. The control unit 201 can update the program by controlling the data communication control unit 206 to read out a program to be executed by the control unit 201 from the memory card 206 c and store it in the storage unit 202.

  The storage medium for storing the program executed by the control unit 201 is not limited to a memory card, and may be a medium such as a flexible memory, an optical disk, an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, an EEPROM, or other semiconductor memory. .

  The document reading unit 207 includes a light source that irradiates light to the document conveyed to the document reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected from the document, and scans a document image corresponding to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data that is an electrical signal and outputs the image data to the image processing unit 208.

  The image processing unit 208 performs various data processing such as shading correction on the image data input from the document reading unit 207, and then outputs the data to the image forming unit 209. A paper feed unit (not shown) conveys the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 81 and the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the image forming unit 209.

  The image forming unit 209 forms an image on a sheet conveyed by a sheet feeding unit (not shown) based on the image data after data processing. Then, the image forming unit 209 discharges the paper on which the image has been formed onto the paper discharge tray 91.

  The fixing unit 210 (corresponding to the fixing unit 7) melts and fixes the toner image formed on the paper by the image forming unit 209 to the paper.

  The sheet detection sensor 14 is turned on when a sheet is present at the arrangement position, and is turned off when no sheet is present at the arrangement position. In the present embodiment, the paper detection sensor 14 is disposed in the vicinity of the registration roller 13, and the number and size of the paper that has passed through the registration roller 13 are determined by turning on and off the signal output from the paper detection sensor 14. Can be detected. An output signal from the paper detection sensor 14 is input to the control unit 201.

  The control unit 201 controls the toner density in the developing device 2. Since the toner in the developing device 2 is consumed every time printing is performed, the toner density decreases. The control unit 201 appropriately supplies the toner stored in the toner cartridge 98 to the developing device 2 so that the toner concentration in the developing device 2 falls within a predetermined density range.

  The cartridge motor 212 rotates a supply roller (not shown) disposed in the vicinity of a toner supply port (not shown) of the toner cartridge 98 and supplies the toner stored in the toner cartridge 98 to the developing device 2. When the toner in the developing device 2 is consumed by printing and decreases, the output of the toner density sensor 119 increases. When the output of the toner density sensor 119 exceeds the first predetermined value and becomes higher (the toner density in the developing device 2 becomes smaller than the predetermined value), the output of the toner density sensor 119 becomes the first predetermined value. Until the second predetermined value is reached, and the toner is replenished within the developing device value 2. Since the toner supply amount is proportional to the drive time of the cartridge motor 212, the toner amount supplied from the toner cartridge 98 can be estimated based on the drive time of the cartridge motor 212.

  The display unit 204 uses a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), a display such as electronic paper using electrophoresis, a plasma display (PDP), a plasma tube array display (PTAD), and an electron-emitting device. A display device such as a display (FED, SED) or the like, which displays an instruction menu such as a setting screen for the user and a screen including information on acquired image data.

  The operation unit 205 includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. The plurality of keys provided in the operation unit 205 are hard keys provided with switches. Note that the operation unit 205 may include a touch panel as a part of the key, or may be configured by the touch panel itself. When the operation unit 205 includes a touch panel, or when the operation unit 205 includes a touch panel, the touch panel is provided on the display unit 204. Note that gesture input using a finger wearable wearable interface may be used.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the control unit included in the MFP 100 together with data stored in the storage unit. As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 201 includes a request receiving unit 231, a toner remaining amount estimating unit (consumable item remaining amount estimating unit) 233, a determining unit (determining unit) 235, and a printable sheet number information transmitting unit. (Consumables remaining amount information transmitting means) 237, print request receiving unit 239, image formation control unit 241, print number counting unit 251, history table management unit 253, printable number calculating unit (printable number calculating) Means, consumption history acquisition means) 255.

  The storage unit 202 stores threshold data 241, a toner consumption table 263, and a history table 261, which will be described later.

  The request reception unit 231 receives a request for transmission of the printable number transmitted from either the PC 120 or 130. Upon receiving a request for transmission of the printable number of sheets, the request reception unit 231 outputs an estimation instruction to the remaining toner amount estimation unit 233, and includes the apparatus identification information of the PC that has requested transmission of the printable number of sheets in the transmission instruction. The information is output to the printable sheet number information transmission unit 237.

  The toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 estimates the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98. When the toner remaining amount estimating unit 233 receives an estimation instruction from the request receiving unit 231, the remaining toner amount data including the estimated remaining toner amount and toner cartridge identification information for identifying the toner cartridge 98 is stored in five toner cartridges. 98, and the generated toner remaining amount data is output to the history table management unit 253. Further, the toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 is not related to the estimation instruction from the request reception unit 231, and the toner of the toner cartridge 98 is also at a predetermined timing such as when the MFP 100 is turned on or when process control is performed. Estimate the remaining amount.

  The remaining amount of toner is calculated by subtracting the cumulative toner consumption from the initial amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge 98. The accumulated toner consumption amount may be calculated by storing the toner consumption amount as a history from the time when the toner cartridge 98 is replaced, and accumulating the toner consumption amount of the history up to now. Specifically, the calculation is performed based on the toner consumption amount table 263 stored in the storage unit 202.

  The toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 monitors the toner consumption amount of the toner cartridge and calculates the toner consumption amount for each of the five toner cartridges 98. Then, toner consumption amount data including the calculated toner consumption amount and toner cartridge identification information is generated for each of the five toner cartridges 98 and added to the toner consumption amount table 263 stored in the storage unit 202 and stored.

  Examples of the toner consumption calculation method include a first calculation method, a second calculation method, and a third calculation method described below. The first calculation method is a method for calculating the toner consumption based on the gradation for each pixel of the image data. The toner consumption increases as the pixel size increases and the gradation for each pixel increases. For this reason, it is possible to estimate the toner consumption based on the gradation of the image data.

  In the first calculation method, the toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 counts the gradation of image data of the input multi-value image (for example, a multi-gradation image such as 16 gradations or 256 gradations) for each pixel. The weighting corresponding to the gradation value is performed for each pixel with respect to the counted gradation value. The weighting increases as the gradation value increases. This is because the toner consumption increases as the gradation value increases. The toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 specifies the weighted gradation value as the pixel count value, and integrates the pixel count value calculated for all the pixels included in the image data. Then, the integrated pixel count value is converted into a toner consumption amount.

  The second calculation method is a method for calculating the toner consumption based on the driving time of the cartridge motor 212. Specifically, in the second calculation method, the remaining toner amount estimation unit 233 accumulates the driving time of the cartridge motor 212 and calculates the toner supply amount corresponding to the accumulated driving time as the toner consumption amount.

  The third calculation method is a method for calculating the toner consumption based on the toner density in the developing device 2. The toner density in the developing device 2 is controlled to be an ideal value by the control unit 201. However, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98 decreases, sufficient toner is not supplied to the developing device 2. . As a result, the toner density in the developing device 2 is not kept constant but gradually decreases. For this reason, it is possible to estimate the toner consumption based on the toner concentration in the developing device 2 in a state where the replenishing toner in the toner cartridge 98 becomes empty and the toner cannot be replenished in the developing device 2. It is.

  In the third calculation method, the toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 calculates the toner consumption amount by converting the change amount of the toner density in the developing device 2 into the consumed toner amount. The amount of change in toner density may be specified by comparing a plurality of predetermined threshold values with the toner density in the developing device 2, for example.

  Here, the toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 preferably calculates the toner consumption amount by appropriately combining the first to third calculation methods. For example, the toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 calculates the toner consumption amount by the second calculation method until the toner remaining amount reaches 30% of the maximum toner amount that can be accommodated in the toner cartridge 98, and accommodates it in the toner cartridge 98. When the remaining amount of toner reaches a range of 10 to 30% of the maximum possible toner amount, the toner consumption amount is calculated by the first calculation method, and the maximum toner amount that can be accommodated in the toner cartridge 98 is 5 to 5%. When the remaining amount of toner has reached the 10% range, the toner consumption is calculated by the third calculation method.

  The remaining toner amount estimation unit 233 also has a function as a toner consumption amount calculation unit. When the toner consumption amount is calculated by the first calculation method, the toner consumption amount estimation unit 233 consumes the print job every time the print job is executed. The calculated toner amount is calculated, and the calculated value is stored in the toner consumption table 263 together with the date. When the toner consumption amount is calculated by the second calculation method, the toner consumption amount (corresponding to the toner replenishment amount) is calculated according to the driving time each time the cartridge motor 212 is driven, and the calculated value is set to the date. At the same time, it is stored in the toner consumption table 263. When the toner consumption amount is calculated by the third calculation method, the toner consumption amount is calculated based on the output of the toner density sensor 119 every time a predetermined number of sheets are printed, and the calculated value is stored in the toner consumption amount table 263 together with the date.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner consumption table. As shown in FIG. 8, the toner consumption table 263 includes a toner consumption record. The toner consumption record includes a date item and a toner consumption item. In the date item, the date when the toner consumption amount is calculated by the toner remaining amount estimation unit 233 is set. In the toner consumption amount item, the toner consumption amounts calculated for each of the five toner cartridges 98 are set on the date when the toner consumption amount calculation unit 233 calculates the toner consumption amount. Specifically, the toner consumption amount included in each of the five toner consumption amount data is set.

  Returning to FIG. 7 again, the printed sheet count unit 251 counts the number of sheets that have passed through the registration roller 13, that is, the number of printed sheets, by turning on and off the signal output from the sheet detection sensor 14. Specifically, “1” is added to the number of prints every time the sheet passes through the registration roller 13. The number of printed sheets is from the start to the end of one print job. The printed sheet count unit 251 counts the number of printed sheets for each print job to be executed, and outputs the counted number of printed sheets to the history table management unit 253. Here, the printed sheet count unit 251 counts in terms of A4 size / single-sided printing. For example, the number of printed sheets is 4 for double-sided printing of one A3 size sheet. In the case of single-sided printing of 5 sheets of A5 size, the number of printed sheets is 2.5.

  The history table management unit 253 displays job identification information for identifying a print job, a date when the print job is executed, and the number of sheets printed by executing the print job in response to execution of the print job. A history record including (A4 / single-sided print conversion) is generated for each print job, and is added to the history table 261 stored in the storage unit 202 and stored.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a history table. As shown in FIG. 9, the history table includes a history record for each print job. The history record includes a print job item, a date item, and a print number item. In the print job item, job identification information of the print job is set. In the date item, a date when the print job is executed is set. In the item of the number of prints, the number of sheets printed by executing the print job is set. Specifically, the number of prints counted by the print number counting unit 251 is set.

  Returning to FIG. 7 again, the printable sheet number calculation unit 255 calculates the printable sheet number obtained by converting the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98 into the print sheet number in accordance with the history table 261 and the toner consumption table 263 stored in the storage unit 202. Calculation is performed for each of the five toner cartridges 98. Specifically, the number of printable sheets is calculated by dividing the toner consumption amount per sheet in a predetermined period from the toner remaining amount of the toner cartridge 98 estimated by the toner remaining amount estimating unit 233. The toner consumption amount per sheet is calculated by dividing the cumulative toner consumption amount in a predetermined period calculated according to the toner consumption amount table 263 from the cumulative number of printed sheets in the predetermined period calculated according to the history table 261. To do. Here, the predetermined period is, for example, one month, and the beginning and end of the period for which the cumulative number of printed sheets is calculated correspond to the beginning and end of the period for which the cumulative number of printed sheets is calculated, respectively. The printable sheet number calculation unit 255 generates printable sheet number data including the calculated printable sheet number and toner cartridge identification information for each of the five toner cartridges 98, and outputs the printable sheet number data to the printable sheet number information transmission unit 237 and the determination unit 235. To do.

  The determination unit 235 determines whether there is a toner cartridge 98 that is short of remaining amount. The toner cartridge 98 that is short of the remaining amount is determined based on the five printable sheet number data generated by the printable sheet number calculating unit 255 and the threshold data 243 stored in the storage unit 202.

  The threshold data 243 is a value indicating that the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98 is almost insufficient, and is 10,000 sheets here.

  The determination unit 235 compares the printable sheet number included in each of the five printable sheet number data generated by the printable sheet number calculation unit 255 with the threshold value indicated by the threshold value data 243, and the printable sheet number is indicated by the threshold value data 243. On the condition that it is less than the threshold value, the toner cartridge 98 specified by the determination target printable sheet number data is determined to be short of the remaining amount.

  The determination unit 235 includes the toner cartridge identification information of the toner cartridge 98 determined to be short of the remaining amount in the first determination result indicating that the toner cartridge 98 is short of the remaining amount. When there are a plurality of toner cartridges 98 that are determined to be short of the remaining amount, a plurality of toner cartridge identification information is included in the first determination result. The determination unit 235 outputs the first determination result to the printable sheet number information transmission unit 237. When there is no toner cartridge 98 that is short of remaining amount, the determination unit 235 outputs a second determination result indicating that to the printable sheet number information transmission unit 237.

  In response to a request from the PCs 120 and 130, the printable sheet number information transmission unit 237 displays printable sheet number information (consumables remaining amount information) indicating the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98 for the printable sheet number of the PCs 120 and 130. Send to what you requested to send. Specifically, when the generated five printable sheet number data is input from the printable sheet number calculating unit 255, the printable sheet number information transmitting unit 237 causes the input five printable sheet number data and the determination unit 235 to input the printable sheet number information. The printable sheet number information including the determined determination result is transmitted to the PC specified by the device identification information included in the transmission instruction input from the request receiving unit 231 via the data communication control unit 206.

  The print request receiving unit 239 receives a print request command for requesting execution of printing from either the PC 120 or 130. The print request command includes print target data and print condition information. The print request reception unit 239 outputs the print condition information and the print target data received via the data communication control unit 206 to the image formation control unit 241.

  The image formation control unit 241 controls the image formation unit 209 to form an image of data to be printed according to the printing condition information.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a PC. Since the functions and configurations of the PC 120 and the PC 130 are the same, the case of the PC 120 will be described as an example here. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the PC 120 includes a control unit 301 that controls the whole, a storage unit 307 that stores programs executed by the control unit 301, an operation unit 303 that receives input of user operations, a display unit, and the like. Each of the 305 and the communication I / F unit 309 is connected to the bus 311.

  The communication I / F unit 309 is an interface for connecting the PC 120 to the network 102. The control unit 301 communicates with a plurality of MFPs 100, portable terminals 110, or PCs 130 via the communication I / F unit 309 to transmit / receive data. The communication I / F unit 309 can communicate with a computer connected to the Internet 105 via the network 102, for example, the server PC 101.

  FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a control unit included in the PC. As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 301 includes a printable sheet number request unit 321, a display control unit (display control unit) 323, an operation reception unit 325 that receives user operations, an image adjustment setting unit 331, A print request unit 335 and an order notification unit 333 are included. The printable number request unit 321, the display control unit 323, the operation reception unit 325, the image adjustment setting unit (image adjustment setting unit) 331, the order notification unit 333, and the print request unit 335 are formed by executing a printer driver program. In addition, an operating system program is installed in the PC 120, and the control unit 301 executes the operating system program.

  When the user presses the print button displayed using the operation unit 303 while the data to be printed is being displayed, the operating system accepts a print instruction and displays a print initial screen for setting print conditions in the window. To display. When the user inputs a print condition setting instruction using the operation unit 303 in accordance with the print initial screen displayed in the window, the operating system accepts the print condition setting instruction, and the control unit 301 executes the printer driver program. . As a result, a printable sheet number request unit 321, a display control unit 323, an operation reception unit 325, an image adjustment setting unit 331, an order notification unit 333, and a print request unit 335 are formed. Hereinafter, the window in which the initial print screen is displayed is referred to as a first window.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print initial screen together with the first window. As shown in FIG. 12, a print initial screen 351 displayed in the first window 350 is a screen for setting print conditions such as the print range and the number of copies. The print initial screen 351 includes a property button 353. The property button 353 is associated with a command for requesting the printer driver to display a screen for setting print conditions. When the user presses the property button 353, the printer driver of the printer displayed in the drop-down list for displaying the printer name is activated and a print setting screen is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 11, the printable sheet number request unit 321 requests the MFP 100 to transmit the printable sheet number corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98. In the present embodiment, when the printable number request unit 321 receives a print condition setting instruction from the operating system, the printable number requesting unit 321 requests the printable number of sheets at the timing of displaying the print setting screen. In this embodiment, the printer driver is activated and the print setting screen is displayed to request the printable number of sheets. However, the PC 120 and the MFP 100 perform communication appropriately using the communication protocol. The printable number information may be acquired, and the activated print driver may refer to the information acquired from the MFP 100 and stored in the PC 120.

  The MFP 100 that has received the transmission request for the printable sheet number transmits printable sheet number information including the five printable sheet number data corresponding to the five toner cartridges 98 and the determination result. The printable sheet number information transmitted from the MFP 100 is received via the communication I / F unit 309, and the received printable sheet number information is output to the display control unit 323 and the image adjustment setting unit 331.

  The display control unit 323 controls the display unit 305 to display various screens. Specifically, the display control unit 323 displays a print setting screen that can be set in more detail that cannot be set on the print initial screen 351 in a window different from the first window 350. Hereinafter, the window in which the print setting screen is displayed is referred to as a second window.

  As will be described in detail later, the print setting screen includes at least a main screen, an ordering screen, a paper screen (resource saving screen), and an image adjustment screen (resource saving screen). Any one of the screen, the order screen, the paper screen, and the image adjustment screen is displayed in the second window.

  The main screen (reference numeral 410 in FIG. 13) is a screen for setting print conditions such as the number of copies, single-sided printing and double-sided printing, and N-up printing for printing N pages on one side. The order screen (reference numeral 450 in FIG. 15) is a screen for indicating the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98 and enabling the purchase of the toner cartridge, as will be described later. The paper screen (reference numeral 650 in FIG. 19) is a screen for setting print conditions such as paper size and paper feeding method. The image adjustment screen (reference number 600 in FIG. 18) is a screen for adjusting an image. The image adjustment includes at least image density adjustment, image dot density adjustment, and image contrast adjustment. In the image adjustment screen, the density setting value, the dot density setting value, and the contrast setting value can be changed from the default settings as adjustment setting values related to image adjustment.

  In the present embodiment, the display control unit 323 displays the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge 98 whose determination result included in the printable sheet number information received by the printable sheet number requesting unit 321 is short of the remaining amount. Is displayed, the ordering screen is displayed in the second window, and when the determination result is the second determination result indicating that there is no toner cartridge 98 that is short of the remaining amount, the main screen is displayed in the second window. . The display control unit 323 may display tabs corresponding to screens that are not displayed in the second window among the main screen, the ordering screen, the paper screen, and the image adjustment screen using the multi-window. . In this case, when the user designates a tab, the display control unit 323 switches to a screen corresponding to the designated tab. Hereinafter, a case where a multi-window is used will be described as an example.

  The ordering screen includes a cartridge screen (reference numeral 450 in FIG. 15), an order confirmation screen (reference numeral 500 in FIG. 16), and an order completion screen (reference numeral 550 in FIG. 17). The cartridge screen is a screen for indicating the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98 and designating the type of toner cartridge to be purchased. The order confirmation screen is a screen for confirming to the user whether or not to confirm the toner cartridge of the type specified on the cartridge screen as a purchase target. When the user inputs an instruction to confirm the purchase target, the type of toner cartridge designated on the cartridge screen is confirmed as the order contents. The order completion screen is a screen indicating that the order has been completed with the contents of the order confirmed on the order confirmation screen.

  The operation receiving unit 325 includes an ordering operation receiving unit 327 and an image adjustment operation receiving unit 329. The ordering operation reception unit 327 receives a user operation for purchasing a toner cartridge. When the user designates the type of toner cartridge in the operation unit 303 and inputs a purchase instruction according to the cartridge screen displayed in the second window, the ordering operation accepting unit 327 sets the designated type of toner cartridge as a purchase target. Accept and instruct the display control unit 323 to switch to the order confirmation screen.

  When the user inputs an order instruction using the operation unit 303 in accordance with the order confirmation screen displayed in the second window, the order operation accepting unit 327 accepts an order instruction for the type of toner cartridge designated on the cartridge screen. Upon receiving the ordering instruction, the ordering operation receiving unit 327 generates ordering contents including the toner cartridge identification information of the toner cartridge designated on the cartridge screen, and includes the generated ordering contents in the ordering notification instruction, and the ordering notification unit 333. Output to. Further, when receiving the ordering instruction, the ordering operation receiving unit 327 instructs the display control unit 323 to switch to the ordering completion screen.

  The image adjustment operation accepting unit 329 accepts an operation for adjusting an image input by the user to the operation unit in accordance with an image adjustment screen (reference numeral 600 in FIG. 18) described later. The operation for adjusting the image includes an operation for adjusting the density of the image, an operation for adjusting the dot density of the image, an operation for adjusting the contrast of the image, or a combination thereof.

  The image adjustment operation reception unit 329 identifies the index selected by the operation for adjusting the density of the image, and receives the density setting value associated with the index as the adjusted value. Also for the dot density setting value and contrast setting value, the position of the index selected by the operation to adjust the image dot density and the operation to adjust the contrast of the image is specified, and the value associated with the index is adjusted Accept as. In this embodiment, in each adjustment, an index is provided and the adjustment is performed in stages. However, the adjustment may be made continuously.

  When an operation for adjusting an image is performed, the image adjustment operation reception unit 329 outputs the received adjustment setting value to the display control unit 323 and the image adjustment setting unit 331. Further, when the user inputs an image adjustment confirmation instruction to the operation unit 303 in accordance with the image adjustment screen displayed in the second window, the image adjustment operation reception unit 329 displays the paper screen (reference numeral 650 in FIG. 19). The switching is instructed to the display control unit 323.

  The display control unit 323 switches the screen to be displayed in the window in response to a screen switching instruction from the ordering operation reception unit 327 and the image adjustment operation reception unit 329. When the display control unit 323 receives a screen switching instruction from the ordering operation receiving unit 327 while the cartridge screen is displayed in the second window, the display control unit 323 displays an order confirmation screen in the second window.

  The display control unit 323 displays an order completion screen in the second window when receiving an instruction to switch the screen by the ordering operation reception unit 327 while the order confirmation screen is displayed in the second window.

  The display control unit 323 switches the screen displayed in the second window to the image adjustment screen after a predetermined time has elapsed since the order completion screen was displayed in the second window. However, the switching of the image adjustment screen is a first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge 98 that is near the shortage of the remaining amount in the determination result included in the printable sheet number information received by the printable sheet number request unit 321. As a condition.

  In addition, the display control unit 323 adjusts the adjustment setting values (density setting value, dot density setting) set as defaults in the image density adjustment, the image dot density adjustment, and the image contrast adjustment on the image adjustment screen, respectively. Value and contrast setting value) are displayed differently from other indexes. For example, a frame surrounding an index associated with the default adjustment setting value displayed on the image adjustment screen may be displayed or hatched. Further, when the display control unit 323 receives an input from the image adjustment operation reception unit 329 that an index different from the index associated with the default adjustment setting value is selected in the operation of adjusting the image, The display form of the selected indicator is displayed differently from other indicators.

  Note that the display of the image adjustment screen is not limited to being after a predetermined time has elapsed since the order completion screen was displayed in the second window. The operation receiving unit 325 may display the image adjustment screen in the second window by receiving an instruction to display the image adjustment screen, for example, an operation to instruct a tab corresponding to the image adjustment screen. In this embodiment, the ordering screen is displayed before the image adjustment screen. However, the ordering screen and the image adjustment screen may be displayed side by side, or the image adjustment screen may be displayed before the ordering screen. It is good also as a structure to display.

  The display control unit 323 displays a paper screen in the second window when receiving an instruction to switch the screen by the image adjustment operation receiving unit 329 while the image adjustment screen is displayed in the second window. The display of the paper screen is not limited to when the image adjustment operation receiving unit 329 receives a screen switching instruction in a state where the image adjustment screen is displayed in the second window. The operation receiving unit 325 may display the paper screen in the second window by receiving a paper screen display instruction, for example, an operation for instructing a tab corresponding to the paper screen.

  In addition, when the determination result included in the printable sheet number information received by the printable sheet number request unit 321 is the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge 98 that is short of the remaining amount, the ordering screen is prioritized. The paper screen may be displayed in the second window.

  The image adjustment setting unit 331 determines adjustment setting values according to the image adjustment table 361 stored in the storage unit 307. When the determination result included in the printable sheet number information received by the printable sheet number requesting unit 321 is the second determination result indicating that there is no toner cartridge 98 that is short of the remaining amount, the image adjustment setting unit 331 displays an image. With reference to the adjustment table 361, an adjustment setting value (density setting value, dot density setting value, contrast setting value) with a reduction rate of 0% is acquired and set as a default. On the other hand, the image adjustment setting unit 331 determines that the determination result included in the printable sheet number information received by the printable sheet number requesting unit 321 is the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge 98 that is short of the remaining amount. Then, the reduction ratio is calculated based on the number of printable sheets of the toner cartridge 98 that is determined to be short of the remaining amount. Then, an adjustment setting value (density setting value, dot density setting value, contrast setting value) corresponding to the calculated reduction ratio is acquired with reference to the image adjustment table 361 and set as a default.

  In the present embodiment, the image adjustment setting unit 331 pays attention to the reduction rate of the toner consumption amount in two of the five toner cartridges 98 that have a small printable number corresponding to the remaining amount of toner, and the larger of the two. The ratio is determined by calculating the ratio of the smaller printable sheet number to the other printable sheet number. The two toner cartridges 98 having the smallest printable number are toner cartridges identified by the first and second smallest printable sheet number data among the five printable sheet number information input from the printable sheet number request unit 321. is there.

  When there are a plurality of first printable sheet number data or a second smallest printable sheet number data, the toner cartridge specified by any one of the plurality of printable sheet number data may be specified as a representative. .

  The image adjustment table 361 associates the reduction rate of toner consumption with the adjustment setting value. The toner consumption can be reduced as the density setting value, the dot density setting value, and the contrast setting value are lowered. Therefore, in the image adjustment table 361, the density setting value, the dot density setting value, and the contrast setting value corresponding to the reduction ratio are set according to the reduction ratio.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image adjustment table. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the image adjustment table 361 includes an image adjustment record in which a reduction rate of toner consumption and an adjustment setting value for adjusting an image are associated with each other. The image adjustment record includes a consumption reduction ratio item, an image density item, an image dot density item, and an image contrast item. The consumption reduction ratio item is set in 10 steps with a reduction rate of 0 to 90% in increments of 10%. The image density item, the image dot density item, and the image contrast item are each reduced in 10 steps. Depending on the rate, a density setting value, a dot density setting value, and an image contrast setting value are set. An adjustment setting value is configured by an image density item, an image dot density item, and an image contrast item.

  In addition, when the image adjustment operation accepting unit 329 receives a change of the adjustment setting value (change from the adjustment setting value set as a default), the image adjustment setting unit 331 updates the adjustment setting value for adjusting the image. To do. Specifically, when at least one of the density setting value change, the dot density setting value change, and the contrast setting value change is received by the image adjustment operation receiving unit 329, the adjustment setting value of the received adjustment item is newly set. Set as the appropriate adjustment setting value. The image adjustment setting unit 331 outputs the updated adjustment setting value to the display control unit 323 and the print request unit 335.

  The display control unit 323 includes an order screen generation unit 341, a message generation unit 343, an image adjustment screen generation unit 345, a preview image generation unit 347, and a paper screen generation unit 349.

  Message generation unit 343 generates an insufficient remaining amount message based on the determination result determined by MFP 100. Specifically, the remaining amount is determined on the condition that the determination result included in the printable sheet number information received by the printable sheet number request unit 321 is the first determination result indicating the presence of the toner cartridge 98 that is short of the remaining amount. Generate a shortage message. The toner shortage shortage message generated by the message generation unit 343 is a print corresponding to the toner remaining amount of the toner cartridge 98 specified by the toner cartridge identification information included in the determination result input from the printable number request unit 321. This is a message indicating that the possible number of sheets is small. For example, the shortage message is “Yellow toner is low. We recommend you purchase.” The message generation unit 343 outputs the generated shortage remaining message to the ordering screen generation unit 341.

  When the purchase instruction is received by the order operation reception unit 327, the message generation unit 343 generates an order content confirmation message. Specifically, a message for confirming whether or not to confirm the purchase target toner cartridge accepted by the ordering operation accepting unit 327 on the cartridge screen as the ordering content is generated as an ordering content confirmation message. The order content confirmation message is, for example, a message “Are you sure you want to purchase a yellow toner cartridge? The message generation unit 343 outputs the generated order content confirmation message to the order screen generation unit 341.

  When the ordering instruction is received by the ordering operation receiving unit 327, the message generating unit 343 generates an ordering completion message. Specifically, a message indicating that an order has been placed for the toner cartridge to be purchased received by the ordering operation receiving unit 327 on the cartridge screen is generated as an order completion message. The order completion message is, for example, a message “You have successfully completed ordering a yellow toner cartridge.” The message generator 343 outputs the generated order completion message to the order screen generator 341.

  The order screen generation unit 341 generates an order screen based on the printable sheet number information received by the printable sheet number request unit 321 and the message generated by the message generation unit 343. Specifically, a cartridge screen, an order confirmation screen, and an order completion screen are generated.

  If the determination result of the printable sheet number information is a second determination result indicating that there is no toner cartridge 98 that is short of the remaining amount, the ordering screen generating unit 341 includes each of the five printable sheet number data of the printable sheet number information. A cartridge screen including the printable number of sheets included and toner cartridge identification information is generated. When the determination result of the printable sheet number information is the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge 98 that is nearly short of the remaining amount, the printable sheet number and the toner included in each of the five printable sheet number data of the printable sheet number information A cartridge screen including the cartridge identification information and the shortage remaining message generated by the message generation unit 343 is generated.

  When the purchase instruction is received by the order operation reception unit 327, the order screen generation unit 341 generates an order content confirmation screen including the order content confirmation message generated by the message generation unit 343.

  When the ordering instruction is received by the ordering operation receiving unit 327, the ordering screen generating unit 341 generates an ordering completion screen including the order completion message generated by the message generating unit 343.

  FIG. 14 is a first diagram showing an example of the print setting screen together with the second window displayed on the display. Here, a case will be described as an example where there is no toner cartridge 98 that is short of remaining amount. As shown in FIG. 14, the second window 400 is displayed in the display area 405 of the display, and the print setting screen is displayed in the second window 400. Here, since there is no toner cartridge 98 that is nearly short of the remaining amount, the print setting screen displayed in the second window 400 when the user presses the property button 353 of the print initial screen 351 is the main screen 410. . On the main screen 410, the user can set print conditions such as the number of copies, double-sided printing and single-sided printing, and N-up printing for printing N pages on one side.

  A plurality of tabs are displayed in the second window 400, and the user can instruct any of the plurality of tabs. The plurality of tabs include at least a main tab 411, a paper tab 413, and a cartridge tab 415. The cartridge tab 415 may be displayed on condition that the user is authenticated by an authentication password input to the operation unit 303 by the user. As the authentication password, user identification information for identifying the user may be used. User authentication may be set in advance.

  The main tab 411 is associated with a command for requesting display of the main screen 410. The paper tab 413 is associated with a command for requesting display of a paper screen. The cartridge tab 415 is associated with a command for requesting display of the cartridge screen. When the user designates any of the main tab 411, the paper tab 413, and the cartridge tab 415, a screen corresponding to the designated tab is displayed. Here, since the main screen 410 is displayed in the second window 400, the paper tab 413 or the cartridge tab 415 can be designated.

  The second window 400 includes an OK button 421, a cancel button 423, and a close button 425. The OK button 421 is associated with a command for effectively setting various conditions set on the screen to be displayed in the second window. When the user presses the OK button 421, the print conditions and purchase conditions specified by the user on the print setting screen are set to be valid, and then the display of the second window 400 ends.

  The cancel button 423 and the close button 425 are associated with commands for invalidating various conditions set on the display target screen in the second window. When the user presses the cancel button 423 or the close button 425, the display of the second window 400 ends after the print conditions and purchase conditions specified by the user on the print setting screen are set to invalid.

  FIG. 15 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the print setting screen together with the second window displayed on the display. Here, a case will be described as an example where there is a toner cartridge 98 that is short of remaining amount. As shown in FIG. 15, a print setting screen is displayed in the second window 400. Here, since there is a toner cartridge 98 that is almost short of the remaining amount, the print setting screen displayed in the second window 400 when the user presses the property button 353 of the print initial screen 351 is the cartridge screen 450. . The cartridge screen 450 includes a message display area 451, a toner remaining amount display area 453, a toner cartridge type display area 455, a purchase button 471, and a purchase cancel button 473.

  The remaining toner display area 453 is an area for displaying the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in each of the five toner cartridges 98. In the toner remaining amount display area 453, five printable sheet number data received from the MFP 100 are displayed. The number of printable sheets is indicated by a 5-level scale.

  The first row shows that an amount of toner corresponding to 10,000 or less printable sheets remains in the toner cartridge 98. The second row indicates that the toner cartridge 98 has an amount of toner corresponding to the range of 10,000 to 20,000 printable sheets. The third row indicates that the toner cartridge 98 has an amount of toner corresponding to a range of 20,000 to 30,000 printable sheets. The fourth row indicates that the toner cartridge 98 has an amount of toner corresponding to the range of 30,000 to 40,000 printable sheets. The fifth row indicates that the toner cartridge 98 has an amount of toner corresponding to the range of 40,000 to 50,000 printable sheets. For example, the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the Y toner cartridge 98 is the first stage, indicating that an amount of toner corresponding to 10,000 sheets or less remains in the Y toner cartridge 98. . That is, the user indicates that at most the remaining 10,000 sheets can be printed using the toner contained in the Y toner cartridge 98. As a result, the user who sees the scale of the printable number of Y toner cartridges 98 displayed in the remaining toner amount display area 453 can visually recognize that the printable number is small. You can easily know the timing.

  The message display area 451 is an area for displaying that the toner cartridge 98 is about to run out. If the determination result received from the MFP 100 is the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge that is nearly short of the remaining amount, the message display area 451 is specified by the toner cartridge identification information included in the first determination result. A shortage message is displayed indicating that the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge 98 is low. In this case, the message “Yellow toner is low. We recommend you purchase.” Is indicated that the Y toner cartridge 98 is almost insufficient. For this reason, the user can recognize the toner cartridge that is short of the remaining amount by the message, and can easily know the purchase timing of the toner cartridge. Further, it is possible to easily know the toner cartridge to be purchased.

  The toner cartridge type display area 455 is an area for displaying the type of toner cartridge that can be purchased by the user and for setting the type of toner cartridge to be purchased. The toner cartridge type display area 455 includes a check box for each toner cartridge identification information of the toner cartridge 98. Here, a check box 461 for setting the B1 toner cartridge as a purchase target, a check box 462 for setting the B2 toner cartridge as a purchase target, and a C toner car cartridge for setting as a purchase target. It includes a check box 463, a check box 464 for setting an M toner cartridge as a purchase target, and a check box 465 for setting a Y toner cartridge as a purchase target. Here, it is displayed that the Y toner cartridge is set as a purchase target.

  The purchase button 471 is a button for instructing confirmation of a purchase target. When the user presses the purchase button 471, the type of toner cartridge set in the toner cartridge type display area 455 is determined as the purchase target. As a result, the type of toner cartridge set as the purchase target is determined as the order contents. Here, when the purchase button 471 is pressed by the user, the order contents are determined as the purchase target of the Y toner cartridge. When the order content is confirmed by the user pressing the purchase button 471, an order confirmation screen is displayed in the second window 400.

  The purchase cancel button 473 is a button for instructing to cancel the purchase. When the user presses the purchase cancel button 473, the purchase of the toner cartridge is stopped.

  Here, when there is a toner cartridge 98 that is almost short of the remaining amount, the screen displayed in the second window 400 is the cartridge screen 450. However, the main screen 410 is displayed in the second window 400, and the cartridge screen is displayed. The user may be prompted to switch to For example, if the cartridge tab 415 is displayed in a blinking manner, the user's attention can be drawn. Therefore, the user can be prompted to press the cartridge tab 415 and the display can be switched to the cartridge screen.

  As described above, the cartridge screen 450 displays the toner remaining amount display area 453 for displaying the remaining amount of toner of each of the five toner cartridges 98 and the cartridges that can be purchased by the user according to the type thereof. And a toner cartridge type display area 455 for setting. Therefore, the user can specify the type of toner cartridge to be purchased in the toner cartridge type display area 455 while checking the toner cartridge in a state where the number of printable sheets is small with reference to the toner remaining amount display area 453. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the purchase of a toner cartridge other than a toner cartridge with a small number of printable sheets, and the user can purchase a toner cartridge as desired.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an order confirmation screen displayed in the second window. As shown in FIG. 16, the order confirmation screen 500 includes a message display area 501, a determination button 503, an order cancellation button 505, a previous screen button 507, and an initial screen button 509.

  The message display area 501 is an area for displaying confirmed order contents. The message display area 501 further displays a message for prompting the user to select whether or not to place an order with the determined order contents. In this case, a message “Are you sure you want to purchase a yellow toner cartridge? As a result, the user can confirm again the type of toner cartridge to be purchased.

  The decision button 503 is a button for instructing ordering. When the user presses the enter button 503, an order is placed with the order contents determined on the cartridge screen 450, and an order completion screen is displayed. The order cancel button 505 is a button for instructing to cancel the order. When the user presses the order cancel button 505, the confirmed order contents are canceled and the main screen 410 is displayed in the second window 400.

  The previous screen button 507 is a button for instructing to return to the previous screen. When the user presses the previous screen button 507, the cartridge screen 450 displayed immediately before the order confirmation screen 500 is displayed in the second window 400. At this time, the cartridge screen 450 may be in a state in which a check box specified by the type of toner cartridge of the confirmed order content is checked. This eliminates the need to specify the toner cartridge that has already been purchased. Further, when purchasing an additional toner cartridge, it is only necessary to designate an additional toner cartridge to be purchased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of operations for designating the toner cartridge by the user.

  An initial screen button 509 is a button for instructing to display a screen set as a default. Here, it is assumed that the main screen 410 is set to default. When the user presses the initial screen button 509, the main screen 410 is displayed in the second window 400.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an order completion screen displayed in the second window. As shown in FIG. 17, the order completion screen 550 includes a message display area 551. The message display area 551 is an area for displaying that the order has been completed with the confirmed order contents. In the message display area 551, a message indicating switching to the image adjustment screen is further displayed. Here, the message “Your order for a yellow toner cartridge has been completed successfully. The image adjustment screen is displayed. Thus, the user can recognize that the order has been completed for the type of toner cartridge to be purchased.

  Referring back to FIG. 11 again, the preview image generation unit 347 previews based on the adjustment setting value set as the default according to the toner consumption reduction ratio acquired by the image adjustment setting unit 331 with reference to the image adjustment table 361. Generate an image. The preview image is generated by reflecting the density specified by the density setting value, the dot density setting value by the dot density and the contrast specified by the contrast setting value. The preview image generation unit 347 outputs the generated preview image to the image adjustment screen generation unit 345. Also, the preview image generation unit 347 generates a new preview image each time the adjustment setting value is updated by the image adjustment setting unit 331 and outputs the preview image to the image adjustment screen generation unit 345.

  The image adjustment screen generation unit 345 generates an image adjustment screen. Specifically, an image adjustment screen including at least a preview image input from the preview image generation unit 347 and an image adjustment area for accepting image adjustment is generated. The preview image included in the image adjustment screen is updated every time the preview image is generated by the preview image generation unit 347. Therefore, the user can check the updated preview image when at least one of the image density, the image dot density, and the image contrast is changed by an operation for adjusting the image.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image adjustment screen displayed in the second window. As shown in FIG. 18, the image adjustment screen 600 includes a preview image 601, a reduction ratio display area 603, an image adjustment area 605, and a next screen button 607.

  The reduction rate display area 603 is an area for displaying a reduction rate of toner consumption. In the reduction ratio display area 603, the ratio of the smaller printable number of sheets to the larger printable number of the two toner cartridges 98 out of the five toner cartridges 98 is displayed as the toner consumption reduction ratio. . In other words, the reduction rate of the toner consumption specified by the image adjustment setting unit 331 is displayed.

  The image adjustment area 605 is an area for setting adjustment setting values. In the image adjustment area 605, there are six levels of indices indicating six different density setting values for adjusting the image density, and six levels of index indicating six different dot density setting values for adjusting the image dot density. And six levels of indicators indicating six different contrast setting values for adjusting the image contrast.

  Each of the six indicators of the density setting value can be exclusively selected, and the indicator displayed on the side closer to the position where the character string “High” is shown is a higher value. Each of the six indices of the dot density setting value can be selected exclusively in the same manner, and the index displayed on the side closer to the position where the character string “High” is displayed is higher. The same applies to the six indexes of the contrast setting value. Each of the indexes can be selected exclusively, and the index displayed on the side closer to the position where the character string “High” is displayed is higher.

  In each adjustment item in the image adjustment area 605, the adjustment setting value specified by the index at the position where the character string “High” is shown corresponds to the reduction rate 0% in the image adjustment table 361 shown in FIG. It corresponds to an adjustment setting value (image setting value, dot density setting value, contrast setting value). In the image adjustment area 605, the image adjustment setting unit 331 appropriately updates the adjustment setting value by changing the index of each adjustment item from the one corresponding to the adjustment setting value corresponding to the reduction ratio.

  The preview image 601 is an image specified by the adjustment setting value specified by the image adjustment area 603. Specifically, the image is set by the preview image generation unit 347 to the density specified by the density setting value, the dot density specified by the dot density setting value, and the contrast specified by the contrast setting value. For this reason, the user who views the preview image 601 can confirm the mode of the image formed on the paper before printing. Note that the preview image 601 may be a preview image using a reference image, or may be a preview image generated based on an image of data to be printed.

  A next screen button 607 (a button displayed as “next screen” in the figure) is a button for the user to confirm the adjustment setting value. When the user presses the next screen button 607, when the user presses the next screen button 607, the adjustment setting value specified by the index displayed with a frame in the image adjustment area 605 is determined, and is displayed in the second window. The paper screen is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 11 again, the paper screen generation unit 349 generates a paper screen. Specifically, a paper screen including at least a preview image input from the preview image generation unit 347 and a paper size setting area for setting the paper size is generated. The paper size setting area includes a plurality of types of paper sizes, and one is set as a default. The paper size set as the default is preferably one size smaller than the specified size. This is because the printing range is narrowed, the toner consumption can be suppressed, and it is not excessively reduced. The operation accepting unit 325 accepts a designated paper size among a plurality of paper sizes included in the paper size setting area, and changes the paper size setting. Therefore, the paper screen generation unit 349 generates a paper screen updated to the changed paper size.

  In the present embodiment, the default setting of the paper size is a first setting that indicates that there is a toner cartridge 98 whose determination result included in the printable sheet number information received by the printable sheet number request unit 321 is short of the remaining amount. It is a condition that it is a judgment result.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper screen displayed in the second window. As shown in FIG. 19, the paper screen 650 includes a preview image 651, a paper size setting area 653, a print button 655, a print cancel button 657, a previous screen button 659, and an initial screen button 661.

  The preview image 651 is an image specified by the adjustment setting value determined on the image adjustment screen 600. The paper size setting area 653 is an area for setting one of a plurality of types of paper sizes. Here, the paper size setting area 653 is a pull-down menu and displays that the paper size of “B5” is set to the default. In the paper size setting area 653, the user can change to a paper size other than “B5”.

  The print button 655 is a button for instructing execution of printing. When the user presses the print button 655, an image is formed by instructing the MFP 100 to form an image of data to be printed under the print conditions set on the print setting screen.

  The print cancel button 657 is a button for instructing cancellation of printing. When the user presses the print cancel button 657, the formation of the image of the data to be printed is cancelled.

  The previous screen button 659 is a button for instructing to return to the previous screen. When the user presses the previous screen button 659, the image adjustment screen 600 displayed immediately before the paper screen 650 is displayed in the second window. At this time, a fixed adjustment setting value may be set on the image adjustment screen 600 or may be returned to a default state.

  The initial screen button 661 is a button for instructing to display a screen set as a default. Here, it is assumed that the main screen 410 is set to default. When the user presses the initial screen button 661, the main screen 410 is displayed in the second window.

  Returning to FIG. 11 again, the order notification unit 333 notifies the MFP 100 that the toner cartridge has been ordered in response to the ordering instruction receiving unit 327 receiving the ordering instruction. The order notification unit 333 transmits the order content included in the order notification instruction input from the order operation reception unit 327 to the MFP 100 via the communication I / F unit 309. As a result, the user who sees the order contents received by the MFP 100 delivers the toner cartridge to the user of the PC 120 according to the order contents. Therefore, the user of the PC 120 can purchase the type of toner cartridge specified on the cartridge screen 450. it can.

  Note that the delivery destination is an address registered in advance in the server PC 101 of the sales company by the PC in which the printer driver for controlling the MFP 100 is installed, in this case, the users of the PCs 120 and 130. In this case, the server PC 101 may store the device identification information and the address of each of the PCs 120 and 130 as address data in association with each other, or store the user identification information and the address of the user of each of the PCs 120 and 130 in association with each other. You may do it.

  When the user identification information and the address of each user of the PCs 120 and 130 are stored in association with each other, a name as user identification information may be requested on the ordering screen, and the name entered by the request may be included in the ordering content. Further, the delivery address may be requested on the ordering screen.

  The print request unit 335 receives the print instruction from the operation reception unit 325, print condition information including the adjustment setting value set by the image adjustment setting unit 331 and the set paper size, and the print target. The print request command including the data is transmitted to the MFP 100 via the communication I / F unit 309.

  As described above, when the user presses the property button 353 on the print initial screen 351, the print setting screen is displayed. Therefore, the user can confirm the printable number of sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in each of the five toner cartridges 98 when setting the print condition on the print setting screen. Further, when the user presses the property button 353 on the print initial screen 351, a screen corresponding to the determination result determined in the MFP 100 is displayed. That is, when the determination result indicates that there is no toner cartridge 98 that is short of remaining amount, the main screen 410 is displayed, and when the determination result indicates that there is a toner cartridge 98 that is short of remaining amount. A cartridge screen 450 is displayed. As a result, when a state in which the remaining amount is short is occurring in any of the five toner cartridges 98, the cartridge screen 450 is displayed in preference to the other screens. The toner cartridge can be easily recognized by the user. In addition, when the printable number of sheets of any of the five toner cartridges is almost insufficient, the user does not need to get lost on the screen for purchasing the toner cartridge. Accordingly, when the printable number of toner cartridges is almost insufficient, even a user who is not familiar with the operation on the screen can easily purchase a toner cartridge to be purchased. In addition, it is possible to prompt the user to order a toner cartridge to be purchased by a shortage message, and it is possible to prevent a situation where the toner cartridge is in short supply. Furthermore, since a genuine toner cartridge can be purchased on the ordering screen, the user can continue to use consumables made in-house, leading to an increase in sales. Furthermore, since the use of genuine consumables can be promoted, failure of the image forming device due to the use of non-genuine consumables that are not sold through regular sales channels can be suppressed, and maintenance costs can be reduced, contributing to cost reduction. can do.

  As described above, when one of the five toner cartridges 98 indicates that the remaining amount is almost insufficient, the image adjustment screen 600 and the paper screen 650 are displayed in the second window 400 after the ordering screen. In the image adjustment screen 600, for the toner cartridge 98 with a small remaining amount, adjustment setting values (image density, image dot density, and image contrast) that can reduce toner consumption are set by default. If an image is formed according to the default setting, the toner consumption can be suppressed. Also, on the paper screen 650, the paper size that can reduce the toner consumption is set as a default, so if an image is formed according to the default setting, the printing range is narrower than that of a paper with a large paper size. Thus, toner consumption can be suppressed. Therefore, since it is possible to set the toner consumption amount to be suppressed on the image adjustment screen 600 and the paper screen 650, until the toner cartridge ordered on the ordering screen reaches the user, the toner cartridge that is short of the remaining amount of toner cartridges. A decrease in toner amount can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the toner remaining from running out during the period from the ordering of the toner cartridge to the arrival of the toner cartridge, thereby preventing the printing operation from being interrupted.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of printable sheet number information generation / transmission processing. The printable sheet number information generation / transmission process is a process executed by the control unit 201 when the control unit 201 executes a printable sheet number information generation / transmission program stored in the ROM or the HDD. As shown in FIG. 20, it is determined whether or not a request for transmission of the printable number has been made (step S01). If there is a request for transmission of the printable number of sheets from either PC 120 or 130 (YES in step S01), the process proceeds to step S02. That is, the printable sheet number information generation / transmission process is a process executed in response to a printable sheet number transmission request from either of the PCs 120 and 130.

  In step S02, a cumulative toner consumption amount by executing the print job is acquired. Specifically, the toner consumption record up to the present included in the toner consumption table 263 stored in the storage unit 202 is selected one by one, and the toner consumption is accumulated.

  In the next step S03, the remaining amount of toner in the five toner cartridges 98 is estimated. Specifically, the remaining amount of toner is estimated by subtracting the cumulative toner consumption acquired in step S02 from the initial amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge 98. Then, for each of the five toner cartridges 98, toner remaining amount data including toner cartridge identification information and the estimated toner remaining amount is generated.

  In the next step S04, the history table 261 stored in the storage unit 202 is read, and the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S05, history records included in a predetermined period are selected one by one from the history table 261 read in step S04. Then, the number of printed sheets included in the selected history record is accumulated (step S06).

  In the next step S07, the toner consumption amount table 263 stored in the storage unit 202 is read. Then, the toner consumption amount records included in the read toner consumption amount table 263 are selected one by one for the same predetermined period as in step S06 (step S08), and the toner consumption amount is accumulated (step S09).

  In step S10, the number of printable sheets is calculated for each of the five toner cartridges 98. Specifically, the number of printable sheets is calculated by dividing the toner consumption amount per sheet from the toner remaining amount estimated in step S03. The toner consumption amount per sheet is calculated by dividing the cumulative toner consumption amount calculated in step S09 by the cumulative print number calculated in step S06.

  In the next step S11, five printable sheet number data are generated. Specifically, for each of the five toner cartridges 98, printable sheet number data including the toner cartridge identification information and the printable sheet number calculated in step S11 is generated for each of the five toner cartridges 98.

  In the next step S12, the threshold data 243 stored in the storage unit 202 is read, and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, one of the five printable sheet number data generated in step S11 is selected, and the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, it is determined whether the printable number included in the printable number data selected in step S13 is smaller than the threshold value T indicated by the threshold value data 243 read in step S12. If the printable number is smaller than threshold value T, the process proceeds to step S15; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S15, a first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge indicating that the toner remaining shortage is approaching is generated. Specifically, if it is determined in step S14 that the value is smaller than the threshold value T, a first determination result including toner cartridge identification information included in the printable sheet number data selected in step S14 is generated.

  In the next step S16, it is determined whether or not there is unselected printable sheet number data among the five printable sheet number data. If there is unselected printable sheet number data, the process returns to step S13; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S17.

  Note that the processes in steps S13 to S16 are repeated until there is no unselected printable sheet number data in step S16. Therefore, the first determination result is updated every time it is determined in step S15 that the printable sheet number included in the printable sheet number data selected in step S13 is smaller than the threshold value T. In other words, the first determination result includes toner cartridge identification information extracted from the five printable sheet number data including the printable sheet number determined to be smaller than the threshold T.

  In step S17, it is determined whether there is a printable number of toner cartridges 98 less than the threshold T. If it is determined in step S14 that there is a toner cartridge 98 that is determined to have a printable number less than the threshold value T, the process proceeds to step S19. If not, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, a second determination result indicating that there is no toner cartridge that is short of remaining amount is generated, and the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, printable sheet number information including the five printable sheet number data generated in step S11 and the determination result generated in either step S15 or step S18 is generated. Then, the printable sheet number information is transmitted to the PC 120 or 130 that has requested transmission of the printable sheet number in step S01, and the printable sheet number information generation / transmission process ends.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of order notification / energy-saving print request processing. The order notification / energy saving print request process is a process executed by the control unit 301 when the control unit 301 executes the order notification / energy saving print request program stored in the ROM or HDD. As shown in FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not there is a print instruction. If the print button is pressed using operation unit 303 (YES in step S21), the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the print initial screen 351 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed in the first window 350, and the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the MFP 100 is requested for the number of printable sheets. Then, it is determined whether or not printable sheet number information has been received from MFP 100 (step S24). More specifically, the MFP 100 that has received the transmission request for the printable number of sheets transmits printable sheet number information including five printable sheet number data corresponding to the five toner cartridges 98 and the determination result. It is determined whether or not the printed printable sheet number information has been received via the communication I / F unit 309. If the printable sheet number information is received (YES in step S24), the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the determination result is extracted from the printable sheet number information received in step S24, and the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, it is determined whether there is a toner cartridge 98 that is short of remaining amount. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the determination result extracted in step S25 is a first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge that is nearly short of the remaining amount. If the determination result extracted in step S25 is the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge that is short of remaining amount, the process proceeds to step S27; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S28. Here, if the determination result extracted in step S25 is not the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge that is short of the remaining amount, the second determination indicating that there is no toner cartridge that is short of the remaining amount. It is a result.

  In step S27, a shortage message is generated. The shortage message is a message indicating that the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 98 specified by the toner cartridge identification information included in the determination result extracted in step S25 is low. . For example, the shortage message is a message “Yellow toner is low”.

  In the next step S28, a cartridge screen 450 is generated. When the process proceeds from step S27 (YES in step S26), a cartridge screen 450 including the remaining shortage message generated in step S27 and the five printable sheet number data received in step S24 is generated. On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S26 (NO in step S26), a cartridge screen including the five printable sheet number data received in step S24 is generated.

  In the next step S29, it is determined whether or not the property button 353 is pressed on the print initial screen 351 displayed in the first window 350 in step S22. If property button 353 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S30. If not, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S30, it is determined whether there is a toner cartridge 98 that is nearing short of the remaining amount. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the determination result extracted in step S25 is a first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge that is nearly short of the remaining amount. If the determination result extracted in step S25 is the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge that is short of remaining amount, the process proceeds to step S36; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S31. Here, if the determination result extracted in step S25 is not the first determination result indicating that there is a toner cartridge that is short of the remaining amount, the second determination indicating that there is no toner cartridge that is short of the remaining amount. It is a result.

  In step S31, the main screen 410 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed in the second window 400, and the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, it is determined whether or not the cartridge tab 415 is pressed in the second window 400 in step S31. If cartridge tab 415 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S36; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S33.

  Here, when a tab other than the cartridge tab 415 is pressed in the second window 400, a print setting screen corresponding to the pressed tab is displayed in the second window 400. Therefore, the user can set print conditions according to the print setting screen displayed in the second window 400.

  In step S33, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to close second window 400. If there is an instruction to close second window 400, the process proceeds to step S34; otherwise, the process returns to step S32. The close instruction here is an operation of pressing one of the OK button 421, the cancel button 423, or the close button 425. When the OK button 421 is pressed, the print conditions and purchase conditions specified on the print setting screen displayed in the second window 400 are valid.

  In step S34, the display of second window 400 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S35, the first print execution request process is executed, and the order notification / energy-saving print request process ends. The first print execution request process is a process for requesting MFP 100 to execute print of data to be printed under print conditions set according to a print setting screen displayed in second window 400, which will be described later.

  Step S36 is a case where it is determined in step S30 that there is a toner cartridge 98 that is nearing short of the remaining amount. In step S36, the cartridge screen 450 including the shortage remaining amount message generated in step S28 is displayed in the second window 400, and the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S37, it is determined whether or not the purchase button 471 is pressed on the cartridge screen 450 displayed in step S36. If purchase button 471 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S40; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S38, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to close second window 400. If so, the process proceeds to step S39; otherwise, the process returns to step S37. The close instruction here is an operation of pressing one of the OK button 421, the cancel button 423, or the close button 425. Also in this case, when the OK button 421 is pressed, the print conditions and purchase conditions specified on the print setting screen displayed in the second window 400 become valid.

  In step S39, the display of second window 400 is terminated, and the process returns to step S29.

  In step S40, a purchase consumable item selection process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S41. In the purchase consumable selection process, as will be described later, in step S36, the type of toner cartridge designated by the user on the cartridge screen 450 displayed in the second window 400 is confirmed as the order contents, and an order is placed with the confirmed order contents. This is a process of confirming on the order confirmation screen 500 shown in FIG.

  In step S41, it is determined whether or not the enter button 503 is pressed on the order confirmation screen 500 displayed in step S40. If determination button 503 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S46; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, it is determined whether or not the order cancel button 505 is pressed on the order confirmation screen 500 displayed in step S40. If order stop button 505 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S43. If not, the process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S43, the order details confirmed in step S40 are canceled, and the process proceeds to step S49.

  In step S44, it is determined whether or not the previous screen button 507 has been pressed on the order confirmation screen 500 in step S40. If the previous screen button 507 has been pressed, the process returns to step S36; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, it is determined whether or not initial screen button 509 has been pressed. If initial screen button 509 is pressed, the process returns to step S36; otherwise, the process returns to step S41.

  In step S46, the order details determined in step S40 are transmitted to server PC 101. Then, an order completion screen 550 including an order completion message is generated (step S47).

  In the next step S48, the order completion screen 550 generated in step S47 is displayed in the second window 400, and the process proceeds to step S49.

  In step S49, an energy saving setting process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S50. As will be described later, the energy saving setting process is a process of adjusting the image and setting the paper size so that the toner consumption is reduced.

  In step S50, the second print execution request process is executed, and the order notification / energy-saving print request process ends. The second print execution request process is a process of requesting MFP 100 to form an image of data to be printed with the image adjustment and paper size set in step S49, which will be described later.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of purchase consumable selection processing. The purchased consumable item selection process is a process executed in step S40 of the order notification / energy-saving print request process shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, it is determined whether or not the type of toner cartridge to be purchased is specified on the cartridge screen 450 displayed in step S36. If the type of toner cartridge to be purchased is specified, the process proceeds to step S53. If not, the process proceeds to step S52.

  In the next step S52, a message screen prompting the user to specify the type of toner cartridge to be purchased is displayed in the third window, and the process returns to step S37.

  In step S53, the order contents are confirmed with the type of toner cartridge designated in step S51. Specifically, the order content including the toner cartridge identification information of the type of toner cartridge designated in step S51 is generated, and the order content is confirmed.

  In the next step S54, an order confirmation screen 500 including an order content confirmation message for confirming whether or not to order the toner cartridge specified by the toner cartridge identification information included in the order content confirmed in step S51 is generated. Then, the process proceeds to step S55.

  In step S55, the order confirmation screen 500 generated in step S54 is displayed in the second window 400, and the purchase consumables selection process is terminated.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the first print execution request process. The first print execution request process is a process executed in step S35 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 23, it is determined whether or not there is a print execution instruction on the print initial screen 351 displayed in the first window 350. If there is a print execution instruction, the process proceeds to step S63; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S62.

  In step S62, it is determined whether or not a print cancel instruction has been issued on the print initial screen 351 displayed in the first window 350. If there is a print cancel instruction, the process proceeds to step S64; otherwise, the process returns to step S61.

  In step S63, the MFP 100 is requested to execute a print job. Specifically, a print request command including data to be printed is transmitted to MFP 100 via communication I / F 309.

  In the next step S64, the display of the first window 350 is terminated, and the first print execution request process is terminated.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of energy saving setting processing. The energy saving setting process is a process executed in step S49 of the order notification / energy saving printing request process shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 24, the toner consumption reduction rate is calculated (step S71). Specifically, the first and second smallest printable sheet number data are extracted from the printable sheet number data included in the printable sheet number information received in step S24, and the second smallest printable sheet number data can be printed. The ratio of the printable sheet number of the first smallest printable sheet number data to the sheet number is calculated as the toner consumption reduction ratio.

  In the next step S72, the image adjustment table 361 stored in the storage unit 307 is read. Then, an image adjustment record corresponding to the reduction rate of the toner consumption calculated in step S71 is extracted from the read image adjustment table 361 (step S73).

  In step S74, the density setting value, dot density setting value, and contrast setting value included in the image adjustment record extracted in step S73 are acquired as adjustment setting values. Then, the acquired adjustment setting value is set as a default (step S75).

  In the next step S76, a preview image is generated based on the default adjustment setting value set in step S75. Then, an image adjustment screen including the generated preview image and the toner consumption reduction ratio calculated in step S71 is generated (step S77) and displayed in the second window 400 (step S78).

  In the next step S79, it is determined whether or not the next screen button 607 has been pressed on the image adjustment screen 600 displayed in the second window 400 in step S78. If the next screen button 607 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S86; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to close second window 400. If there is an instruction to close second window 400, the process proceeds to step S83; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S81. The close instruction here is an operation of pressing one of the OK button 421, the cancel button 423, or the close button 425. When the OK button 421 is pressed, the print conditions specified on the print setting screen displayed in the second window 400 are valid.

  In step S81, it is determined whether or not an image adjustment operation has been performed on the image adjustment screen 600 displayed in the second window 400 in step S78. If there is an image adjustment operation, the process proceeds to step S82; otherwise, the process returns to step S79.

  In step S82, the adjustment setting value changed by the image adjustment operation in step S81 is updated, and the process returns to step S76.

  In step S83, it is determined whether or not the closing instruction in step S80 is an instruction by pressing the OK button 421. If the close instruction is not the OK button 421, the process proceeds to S84, and the adjustment set value is returned to the default set in step S75. Then, the display of the second window 400 is terminated (step S85), and the energy saving setting process is terminated. On the other hand, if the close instruction is the OK button 421 in step S83, step S84 is skipped, the process proceeds to step S85, the display of the second window 400 is terminated (step S85), and the energy saving setting process is terminated.

  In step 86, a paper size that is one size smaller than the paper size designated in advance is acquired. Then, the obtained paper size is set as a default (step S87).

  In the next step S88, the paper image indicating that the paper size set in step S87 is set to the default is displayed in the second window 400 including the preview image 651 generated in step S76. The process proceeds to step S89.

  In step S89, it is determined whether or not there has been an operation for changing the paper size on the paper screen 650 displayed in the second window 400 in step S88. If there is an operation to change the paper size, the process returns to step S87. If not, the energy saving setting process ends.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the second print execution request process. The second print execution request process is a process executed in step S50 of the order notification / energy-saving print request process shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 25, it is determined whether or not the print button 655 is pressed on the paper screen 650 displayed in the second window 400 in step S87 (step S90). If print button 655 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 94; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S91.

  In step S91, it is determined whether or not the print cancel button 657 is pressed on the paper screen 650 displayed in the second window 400 in step S87. If print stop button 657 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S95; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S92.

  In step S92, it is determined whether or not the previous screen button 659 has been pressed on the paper screen 650 displayed in the second window 400 in step S87. If previous screen button 659 has been pressed, the process returns to step S78; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S93.

  In step S93, it is determined whether or not the initial screen button 661 has been pressed on the paper screen 650 displayed in the second window 400 in step S87. If initial screen button 661 is pressed, the process returns to step S31; otherwise, the process returns to step S90.

  In step S94, the MFP 100 is requested to execute printing. Specifically, the printing condition information including the default adjustment setting value set in step S75 or the adjustment setting value updated in step S82, the paper size set in step S86, and the data to be printed. Then, it is included in a print request command for requesting print execution and transmitted to MFP 100 via communication I / F 309.

  In the next step S95, the display of the first and second windows is terminated, and the second print execution request process is terminated.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of image formation control processing. The image formation control process is executed by the control unit 201 executing the image formation control program stored in the storage unit 202, and in response to the request in steps S35 and S50 of the order notification / energy saving printing request shown in FIG. It is a process to be executed. As shown in FIG. 26, it is determined whether or not a print request has been made (step S101). Specifically, it is determined whether a print request command has been received from either PC 120 or 130. If the print request command is received (YES in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, an adjustment setting value is set according to the printing condition information included in the print request command. Then, the print condition is set for the paper size according to the print condition information (step S103).

  In the next step S104, an image of data included in the print request command is formed according to the adjustment setting value set in step S102 and the paper size set in step S103, and the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the number of sheets used in the print job executed in step S104 is acquired as the number of prints. Specifically, since the signal outputs ON / OFF every time the sheet passes through the detection area of the sheet detection sensor 14 in step S104, the number counted according to switching between ON and OFF is acquired as the number of printed sheets. . In addition, although the case of single-sided printing is assumed here, in the case of double-sided printing, it counts by converting into single-sided printing. Thereafter, the image formation control process ends.

  As described above, the PC 120 of the present invention is a print control apparatus that controls the MFP 100 in which the five toner cartridges 98 are mounted, and is a print that accepts input of setting conditions for the MFP 100 according to each function of the MFP 100. A display control unit 323 for displaying a setting screen on the display unit 204, and the print setting screen includes a printable sheet number information indicating an index of the remaining amount of each of the five toner cartridges 98 attached to the MFP 100; And an image adjustment screen 650 that displays printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of each of the five toner cartridges 98 from the default and receives a setting input.

  A print setting screen is displayed on the display unit 204 for accepting input of print condition settings corresponding to each function of the MFP 100. The print setting screen displays an indicator of the remaining amount of consumables attached to the printing apparatus. An ordering screen that accepts an ordering instruction for consumables including the printable sheet number information shown, and an image adjustment screen 650 that accepts a setting input by displaying printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of consumables from the default are included. Accordingly, the user can use the ordering screen to use the ordering screen as if to set and input printing conditions without performing a special action such as selecting a printer “consumable ordering” in the drop-down list. Can be purchased.

  In addition, since the ordering screen is a screen included in the print setting screen, it is not changed regardless of the user's intention like the ordering screen provided from the WEB site, and is always a fixed screen. It is. Therefore, even a user who is not used to purchasing products using the WEB service can easily order desired consumables without hesitation in inputting instructions on the screen.

  In addition, since the ordering screen includes printable sheet number information indicating an index of the remaining amount of consumables, the user can recognize the remaining amount of consumables from the ordering screen, and the remaining amount is insufficient. If there is an upcoming consumable, you can place an order for the consumable to be purchased instead. In this case, since the printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from the default can be set on the image preparation screen 650, there are consumables that are short of remaining until the consumables arrive at the user. It is possible to prevent the remaining amount from running out. Therefore, even users who are unfamiliar with the use of printers and information processing devices can easily purchase consumables without hesitation, and the consumables run out after ordering the consumables. The inconvenience of becoming can be solved.

  In this embodiment, the image density, the dot density of the image, and the contrast of the image are adjusted as the image adjustment. However, the configuration for adjusting the color tone, the saturation, the brightness, the character size, the font, etc. May be further added. Further, the paper size as small as possible is set as the default, but it may be combined with double-sided printing, N-up printing, or the like as long as the toner consumption can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to MFP 100 having operation panel 50 has been described. However, the apparatus is not limited to MFP 100 having the above-described configuration as long as the apparatus includes display unit 51 capable of displaying a message or the like. Inkjet recording devices or other devices, such as home appliances, consumer devices (electronic devices and devices related to video, audio, communication, etc., or terminals, used by general consumers, in general households) Developed on the premise that it is intended for use, or for applications other than ordinary households, such as products and standards developed and designed based on that, and business equipment (corporations (corporations, schools, government offices), etc.) Product).

In the present embodiment, the user may be a general device administrator who manages MFP 100, or a professional qualification “carbon manager” for reducing CO ₂ emissions. This facilitates the popularization of recycled consumables with reduced greenhouse gas generation.

  Further, the toner cartridge 98 in the present embodiment may be given an offset credit. As a result, businesses that can suppress the generation of greenhouse gases, such as afforestation, ocean absorption and soil absorption, underground sequestration and ocean sequestration that are carbon dioxide storage, or renewable energy (hydropower generation) , Wind power generation, ocean current power generation, wave power generation, geothermal power generation, solar power generation, solar thermal power generation, tidal power generation, vibration power generation, etc.) and contribute to the prevention of global warming.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of MFP 100 and PCs 120 and 130, in particular, control units 201 and 201A and control unit 301 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows. .

  That is, the MFP 100 and the PCs 120 and 130 include a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. ), A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium in which program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of control programs for MFP 100 and PCs 120 and 130, which are software for realizing the functions described above, are recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the above to the MFP 100, PC 120, 130, and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, MFP 100 and PCs 120 and 130 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

1 Consumables ordering system (printing control system)
14 Paper detection sensor 98 Toner cartridge 100 MFP (printing apparatus)
120, 130 PC (printing control device)
119 Toner density sensors 201, 201A, 301 Control unit 212 Cartridge motor 231 Request receiving unit 233 Toner remaining amount estimating unit (consumable item remaining amount estimating means)
235 determination unit (determination means)
237 Printable sheet number information transmission unit (consumables remaining amount information transmission unit)
239 Print request reception unit 241 Image formation control unit 241, 243 Threshold data 251 Printed sheet count unit 253 Toner consumption table management unit 253 History table management unit 255 Printable sheet number calculation unit (printable sheet number calculation unit, consumption history acquisition unit)
261 History table 263 Toner consumption table 321 Printable sheet number request unit 323 Display control unit (display control means)
325 Operation receiving unit 327 Ordering operation receiving unit 329 Image adjustment operation receiving unit 331 Image adjustment setting unit (image adjustment setting unit)
333 Order notification unit 335 Print request unit 341 Order screen generation unit 343 Message generation unit 345 Image adjustment screen generation unit 347 Preview image generation unit 349 Paper screen generation unit 351 Print initial screen 353 Property button 361 Image adjustment table 410 Main screen 450 Cartridge screen 500 Order confirmation screen 550 Order completion screen 600 Image adjustment screen (resource saving screen)
601 and 651 Preview image 650 Paper screen (resource saving screen)

Claims (10)

A printing control device that controls a printing device to which a consumable is mounted,
A display control means for displaying a print setting screen for accepting a print condition setting input corresponding to each function of the printing apparatus with respect to the printing apparatus;
The print setting screen includes an ordering screen for receiving an ordering instruction for the consumables, including consumables remaining amount information indicating an indicator of the remaining amount of consumables attached to the printing apparatus, and a consumption amount of the consumables And a resource saving screen that displays the printing conditions that can be reduced from the default and accepts setting input.
The consumable is a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge containing a colorant,
On the resource saving screen, as a display of printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from the default, a preview image that is printed with image adjustment setting values that can reduce the consumption of the colorant is displayed. ,
An image adjustment table that associates a colorant consumption reduction ratio with an image adjustment setting value, and stores an image adjustment table that associates a high consumption reduction ratio with an image adjustment setting value that defines a low colorant consumption amount A storage unit;
The consumables remaining amount information includes, when a plurality of consumables used for forming a full-color image is mounted on the printing apparatus, the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of colorant in each of the plurality of consumables
Image adjustment setting for calculating the consumption amount reduction ratio based on the percentage of the number of printable sheets of lesser relative printable sheets with the larger number of printable sheets is small two out corresponding to the remaining amount of the plurality of consumables With means,
The print control apparatus, wherein the display control means displays the resource saving screen using an image adjustment setting value associated with the calculated consumption reduction ratio according to the image adjustment table.   The display control means preferentially displays the ordering screen and the resource saving screen when displaying the print setting screen when the consumables remaining amount information indicates that the remaining amount is short. The print control apparatus according to claim 1.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable item remaining amount information is a printable number of sheets calculated based on a remaining amount of the colorant and a consumption history of the colorant.   In the resource saving screen, it is possible to accept a change from an image adjustment setting value that can reduce the amount of colorant consumed, and a preview image printed with the changed image adjustment setting value is displayed. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus is a print control apparatus. A printing control device that controls a printing device to which a consumable is mounted,
A display control means for displaying a print setting screen for accepting a print condition setting input corresponding to each function of the printing apparatus with respect to the printing apparatus;
The print setting screen includes an ordering screen for receiving an ordering instruction for the consumables, including consumables remaining amount information indicating an indicator of the remaining amount of consumables attached to the printing apparatus, and a consumption amount of the consumables And a resource saving screen that displays the printing conditions that can be reduced from the default and accepts setting input.
The consumable is a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge containing a colorant,
On the resource saving screen, as a display of printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from the default, a preview image that is printed with image adjustment setting values that can reduce the consumption of the colorant is displayed. ,
In the resource saving screen, a preview image in a state of printing with a paper size capable of reducing the colorant consumption is displayed as a display of print conditions that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from the default. A printing control apparatus characterized by the above.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the resource saving screen after an instruction to purchase consumables is given on the ordering screen. A printing control system including a printing device on which consumables are mounted and a printing control device that controls the printing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
Consumables remaining amount estimating means for estimating the remaining amount of the worn consumables;
When the remaining amount of the consumables estimated by the consumable item remaining amount estimating means is compared with a threshold value and the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, the remaining amount of the mounted consumable item is approaching shortage. Determining means for determining
Consumables remaining amount information transmitting means for transmitting consumables remaining amount information including the determination result determined by the determining unit to the print control device,
The print control device includes:
A display control means for displaying a print setting screen for accepting a print condition setting input corresponding to each function of the printing apparatus with respect to the printing apparatus;
The print setting screen includes an ordering screen for receiving an ordering instruction for the consumables, including consumables remaining amount information indicating an indicator of the remaining amount of consumables attached to the printing apparatus, and a consumption amount of the consumables And a resource saving screen that displays the printing conditions that can be reduced from the default and accepts setting input.
The consumable is a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge containing a colorant,
On the resource saving screen, as a display of printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from the default, a preview image that is printed with image adjustment setting values that can reduce the consumption of the colorant is displayed. ,
An image adjustment table that associates a colorant consumption reduction ratio with an image adjustment setting value, and stores an image adjustment table that associates a high consumption reduction ratio with an image adjustment setting value that defines a low colorant consumption amount A storage unit;
The consumables remaining amount information includes, when a plurality of consumables used for forming a full-color image is mounted on the printing apparatus, the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of colorant in each of the plurality of consumables
Image adjustment setting for calculating the consumption amount reduction ratio based on the percentage of the number of printable sheets of lesser relative printable sheets with the larger number of printable sheets is small two out corresponding to the remaining amount of the plurality of consumables With means,
The print control system, wherein the display control means displays the resource saving screen using an image adjustment setting value associated with the calculated consumption reduction ratio according to the image adjustment table. A print control method that is executed using a print control device that controls a printing device on which a consumable is mounted,
The print control apparatus is an image adjustment table that associates a colorant consumption reduction ratio with an image adjustment setting value, and associates a high consumption reduction ratio with an image adjustment setting value that sets the colorant consumption low. A storage unit for storing the image adjustment table;
Including a step of causing a display unit to display a print setting screen for accepting a print condition setting input corresponding to each function of the printing device with respect to the printing device,
The print setting screen includes an ordering screen for receiving an ordering instruction for the consumables, including consumables remaining amount information indicating an indicator of the remaining amount of consumables attached to the printing apparatus, and a consumption amount of the consumables And a resource saving screen that displays the printing conditions that can be reduced from the default and accepts setting input.
The consumable is a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge containing a colorant,
On the resource saving screen, as a display of printing conditions that can reduce the consumption of the consumables from the default, a preview image that is printed with image adjustment setting values that can reduce the consumption of the colorant is displayed. ,
The consumables remaining amount information includes, when a plurality of consumables used for forming a full-color image is mounted on the printing apparatus, the number of printable sheets corresponding to the remaining amount of colorant in each of the plurality of consumables
Wherein the step of calculating a reduction ratio the consumption amount based on the ratio of the number of printable sheets of lesser relative printable sheets with the larger two of which printable sheets is small, which corresponds to a remaining capacity of the plurality of consumables ,
In the display step, the resource saving screen is displayed using an image adjustment setting value associated with the calculated consumption reduction ratio according to the image adjustment table.   A program for operating the printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the program causes a computer to function as each of the means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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