JP2002361981A - Printer, its consumption cost generating method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To calculate the consumption cost of each print job and to inform the calculated consumption cost to a user. SOLUTION: Based on job information (including sheet size, sheet type, and the like) from a host computer 3000, an image signal in the job is outputted to an engine 17 and printing is started. Based on a signal from a sheet pass counter 1531, a page indicative of the number of recording sheets being fed to an electrostatic drum in the engine 17 is counted and the number of dots of an image signal being fed to the engine 17 is counted by an output dot counter 1530. Counting operation of two counters 1530 and 1531 is stopped upon finishing the job, the quantity of consumed toner is calculated from the number of dots thus counted, and then the consumption cost of that job is calculated from the count of the page counter, the sheet size and the sheet type and informed to the host computer 3000.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a method of generating consumption cost in the printing apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing apparatus, the cost of consumables consumed by the printing apparatus is calculated by the user himself based on the number of used paper sheets, the number of replaced cartridges, and the like.

[0003]

However, it is extremely troublesome for the user to manage the cost of the consumables by himself, and since it is usually a manual operation, there is a risk of forgetting or missing calculations. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problems, a method of generating a consumption cost in the printing apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output dot number detecting means for detecting the number of dots of output data of an input job, and a sheet for detecting the number of sheets supplied upon execution of the job. Number detecting means, calculating means for calculating the consumption cost when the job is executed based on the detection values obtained by the two detecting means, and output means for outputting the consumption cost obtained by the calculating means It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, there is provided an interface connectable to a plurality of external devices, and the output means obtains a predetermined job input through the interface by the calculation means. The received consumption cost is returned to the external device that is the transmission source of the predetermined job via the interface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, there is provided a connection unit for connecting to an external device on a network, and the output unit is configured to execute the calculation unit for a predetermined job input through the connection unit. The consumption cost obtained as described above is output to the external device that is the transmission source of the job via the connection unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the consumption cost includes a paper consumed by the job and a consumption cost of a material for forming an image on the paper. Features.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the output means has a storage means for storing the consumption cost.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the third aspect, and a server for receiving and managing the consumption cost information output from the printing apparatus via a network.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting step for detecting the number of dots of output data of an input job and the number of sheets supplied during execution of the job, and executing the job based on the two detected values. A calculation step of calculating the consumption cost when the calculation is performed, and an output step of outputting the consumption cost obtained by the calculation.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the output step is performed for a predetermined job input through an interface connectable to a plurality of external devices.
The consumption cost obtained by the calculation is returned to the external device that is the transmission source of the predetermined job via the interface.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the output step includes the step of: relating to a predetermined job input via a connection means for connecting to an external device on a network.
The consumption cost obtained by the calculation is output to an external device that is the transmission source of the job via the connection unit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the consumption cost includes a paper consumed by the job and a consumption cost of a material for forming an image on the paper. Features.

[0015] The invention according to claim 11 is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, wherein the program stores the number of dots of output data of an input job and the number of dots in executing the job. A detection procedure for detecting the number of fed sheets;
The method includes a calculation procedure for calculating a consumption cost when the job is executed based on the two detected values, and an output procedure for outputting a consumption cost obtained by the calculation.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, in the output procedure, a consumption cost obtained by the calculation for a predetermined job input through an interface connectable to a plurality of external devices is calculated. A reply is sent to an external device that is a transmission source of a predetermined job via the interface.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, the output step includes calculating a consumption cost obtained by the calculation with respect to a predetermined job input through a connection unit that connects to an external device on a network. The job is output to an external device that is the transmission source of the job via the connection unit.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, the consumption cost includes a paper consumed by the job and a consumption cost of a material for forming an image on the paper. Features.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the structure of this embodiment,
FIGS. 7 to 10 show configurations of a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer suitable for applying this embodiment.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the ink jet printer, but may be a printer of another printing method.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied, for example, in the case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an external host computer, and responds according to the information. A character pattern, a form pattern, and the like are created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display panel, and the like are arranged. Reference numeral 1000 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP body 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from a host computer. The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern,
02 is output. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and controls on / off switching of a laser beam 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal. The laser beam 1504 is oscillated in the horizontal direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1505 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is transferred to the electrostatic drum 15
The toner is adhered, that is, developed, by a developing unit 1507 disposed around the periphery of the sheet No. 06, then transferred to a recording sheet, and subjected to a heat fixing process. The amount of toner consumption is proportional to the amount of the electrostatic latent image, that is, the amount of character data. This recording paper uses a cut sheet, and the cut sheet recording paper is L
The sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 1508 mounted on the BP 1500, is taken into the apparatus by a sheet feeding roller 1509, a conveying roller 1510, and a conveying roller 1511, and is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506. Reference numeral 1512 denotes a paper passage sensor provided between the two transport rollers 1510 and 1511. The paper passage sensor 1512 detects the passage of the recording paper supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506 by both the rollers 1510 and 1511. The LBP body 1500 has at least one card slot (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing the configuration of a second output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows, for example, the case of an ink jet recording device (IJRA).

In FIG. 8, a spiral groove 500 of a lead screw 5004 which rotates through driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a driving motor 5013.
The carriage HC engaged with the carriage 5 has a pin (not shown), and reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b according to the rotation of the lead screw 5004. The carriage HC is equipped with an ink jet cartridge IJC which contains ink of a predetermined color and has a recording head. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the carriage movement direction. 5
Reference numerals 007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which confirm the presence of a carriage lever 5006 in this region, and
It functions as a home position detecting means for switching the rotation direction of 3, for example. A member 5016 for supporting a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head;
Reference numeral 5015 denotes suction means for suctioning the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head via the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade.
Thereby, it can be moved in the front-back direction. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body support plate that supports the above-mentioned 5017 and 5019. 5021
Is a lever for starting suction for recovery of suction, moves with the movement of the cam 5020 engaged with the carriage, and the driving force from the drive motor is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that when the carriage comes to the home position side area, desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5004. It is sufficient if the device is configured to perform a desired operation.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the second output device shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, 170
Reference numeral 0 denotes an interface for inputting a recording signal; 1701, an MPU; 1702, a ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, host print information, and the like;
Numeral 03 denotes a DRAM which stores various data (such as the recording signal and recording data supplied to the head). 1704
Is a gate array for controlling the supply of output data to the print head 1708.
It also controls the transfer of data between U1701 and DRAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for conveying the recording head 1708, 1709 denotes a conveying motor for conveying the recording paper, 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the recording head, 1706 denotes a motor driver for driving the conveying motor 1709, and 1707 denotes a motor driver for driving the conveying motor 1709. The carrier motor 1
710 is a motor driver for driving.

In the above-described recording apparatus, when input information is input from a host computer 100 to be described later via the interface 1700, the input information is output between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701 as output information for printing. Is converted to Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the recording head is driven in accordance with the output information sent to the head driver 1705, and the ink supplied from the ink tank to the recording head adheres to the recording paper and prints. Is executed.

Note that the MPU 1701 can perform communication processing with the host computer 100 to be described later via an interface 1700, and the DRAM 1703
Memory information and resource data related to the ROM 170
A host computer 1 for storing the host print information in the computer 2
00 is configured to be notified.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 7) will be described as an example. Note that, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. The invention can be applied.

Referring to FIG. 10, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which performs document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. A CPU 1 is provided for execution, and the CPU 1 controls each device connected to the system bus 4 as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Stores a control program of the CPU 1, a font ROM of the ROM 3 stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and a data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing and the like. Store the data. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. 5 is a keyboard controller (KB
In C), key input from the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown) is controlled. Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. 7 is a disk controller (DKC)
Controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and editing files, and a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD). A printer controller (PRTC) 8 has a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21.
Is connected to the printer 1500 via the
The communication control process with the 00 is executed. Note that the CPU 1
For example, an outline font is developed (rasterized) on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2 and the WYSIWYG (what yo) on the CRT 10 is executed.
u see is what you get. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing. The controller 2000 includes components other than the keyboard 9, the CRT 10, and the external memory 11.

In the printer 1500, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU for controlling the entire printer 1500;
13 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM 1 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14, and comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15. An image signal as output information is output to the printer engine 17 connected via the. Also, this ROM
The program ROM 13 stores a control program of the CPU 12 including control procedures as shown in FIGS. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information, and the data ROM of the ROM 13 is used on a host computer in the case of a printer without an external memory 14 such as a hard disk. Information to be stored. CP
U12 is capable of communicating with a host computer via an input unit (interface) 18, and is configured to be able to notify the host computer 3000 of information and the like in the printer. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). In addition,
The RAM 19 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like. Hard disk (H
D), access to the external memory 14 such as an IC card is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 20.
The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like, and further stores job information if necessary. Reference numeral 18 denotes the above-described operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. The controller 1000 includes components other than the printer engine 17, the operation unit 1501, the external memory 14, and the paper passage sensor 1512.

The above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are connected. The configuration may be such that the printer mode setting information can be provided, and further, an NVRAM (not shown) can be provided, and the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501 can be stored.

In the printer configured as described above,
Ink (in the case of an inkjet printer) or toner (in the case of an LBP) based on the number of dots, the number of pages, the paper size, the type of paper, etc.
Examples of calculating the consumption cost of paper and paper and notifying the user will be described below.

(First Embodiment) In this embodiment, toner and paper consumption costs are calculated from the number of dots, the number of pages, the paper size, the type of paper, and the like of the data output by the received job, and the user is notified. .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the system according to the present embodiment. The engine 17 has the configuration shown in FIGS. The output dot counter 1530 counts the number of dots of data temporarily stored in the RAM 19 and supplied to the printer engine 17, and outputs the count result to the controller 1000.
000 may be hardware provided between the printing unit interface 16 and the printer engine 17 or the number of dots of data temporarily stored in the RAM 19 and supplied to the printer engine 17 CPU according to the program in ROM
The function 12 may be realized by counting. The paper pass counter 1531 is a
The number of sheets of recording paper supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506 of the printer engine 17 is counted based on the detection output of 512, and the count result is output to the controller 1000, and may be configured by hardware. , C
It can also be configured in the RAM 19 under the control of the PU 12.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of this embodiment.

The process is started in step 1 (S1), and then a job is received from the host computer 3000 in S2.

At S 3, the received job information (including the paper size, paper type, etc.) is stored in the RAM 19.
Then, in S4, an image signal of the job is output to the engine 17 based on the job information, and the
7, the printing on the recording paper of the corresponding type and size is started.

In step S5, a page count indicating the number of recording sheets supplied to the electrostatic drum is started based on a signal from the sheet pass counter 1531. In step S6, the output dot counter 1530 determines whether the image signal supplied to the engine 17 is correct. Start counting the number of dots.

Then, in step S7, the process waits until the job is completed, and if completed, the process proceeds to step S8. In S8, the counts of the two counters 1530 and 1531 are stopped, and
In step 9, the consumed toner amount is calculated from the number of dots counted by the output dot counter 1530.

In step S10, the calculated amount of consumed toner,
The consumption cost of this job is calculated from the count amount of the page counter, the paper size in the RAM 19, the paper type, and the like.

In step S11, the cost value calculated in step S10 is displayed to the user on the display panel on the operation panel 1501 of the printer 1500 and the host computer 3000. In step S12, each piece of information on the consumption cost acquired as described above is stored in the log data. As an output dot counter 1530, a page counter, and a stored RAM 19 in a non-volatile storage medium (for example, an external memory 14 or a RAM backed up by a battery or the like and connected to the system bus 15) in the printer 1500. The above information is reset, and the process ends in S14.

The above is the description of the engine 17 having the configuration shown in FIGS.
However, this embodiment can be applied to the engine having the configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (the same applies to the following embodiments).

(Second Embodiment) This embodiment shows an example in which a plurality of interfaces are provided, and when connected to a plurality of host machines via the plurality of interfaces, a job for each host machine is provided. Calculate, manage, and notify each consumption cost.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the system of this embodiment. Here, an example is shown in which each interface of the parallel I / F 18A, USB 18B, and IrDA 18C is provided as the interface 18, and each of the interfaces 18A, 18B, 18C has a personal computer 3000A having a different form as a host computer.
3000B and 3000C are connected respectively. The CPU 12 in the controller 1000 controls transmission and reception of data exchanged with the personal computers 3000A, 3000B, 3000C via these interfaces 18A, 18B, 18C.

In this embodiment, under the control of the CPU 12, job information including the source of the job, the paper size, the type of paper, and the like are received and stored in the RAM 19;
The calculated consumption cost is transmitted to the transmission source of the job held in the RAM 19 and displayed on the personal computer of the transmission source, and the obtained information on the consumption cost is stored as log data in a nonvolatile storage medium in the printer 1500. In this embodiment, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed, except that the data is stored independently for each transmission source.

(Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a LAN (Local Aria Network) is used.
k) Network 31 via interface 18D
00 shows an example connected to the network 3
Calculates the consumption cost for each job for each host machine (client PC 3002) that has sent the job via the server 100, notifies the respective host machines of the respective consumption costs, and further transmits the consumption cost information to the server 3001 on the network 3100. Is stored in the server 3001 so that the administrator can manage the information by the server 3001.

In this embodiment, under the control of the CPU 12, job information including the source of the job, the paper size, the type of paper, and the like is received and stored in the RAM 19;
The calculated consumption cost is transmitted to the transmission source (client PC 3002) of the job stored in the RAM 19 and displayed on the display unit of the transmission source, and the obtained information on the consumption cost is transmitted to the server 3001 on the network 3100. Notify and save there. Otherwise, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.

According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and since the consumption cost is stored in the server, the administrator can manage the information on the server.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, every time a job is executed, its consumption cost can be calculated and output. For this reason, the user can easily know the consumption cost and can easily perform the management. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to separately calculate and output the consumption costs of jobs from a plurality of host machines.
Further, the consumption cost for each job from each host machine can be stored in a server on the network, and the consumption cost can be centrally managed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a configuration of a second output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a second output device illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System Bus 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 3000 Host Computer 1500 Printer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ05 AQ06 HH03 HJ10 HK15 HK18 HN02 HN15 2H027 DA41 DA46 DE07 ED06 ED10 EE10 EH03 EJ06 EJ08 EJ15 FA02 FD08 GB11 ZA07 5B021 AA05 BB01 BB04

Claims (14)

[Claims] An output dot number detecting means for detecting the number of dots of output data of an input job, a sheet number detecting means for detecting the number of sheets supplied at the time of execution of the job, and the two detecting means A printing apparatus comprising: a calculating unit that calculates a consumption cost when the job is executed based on the obtained detection value; and an output unit that outputs the consumption cost obtained by the calculating unit. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interface connectable to a plurality of external devices, wherein said output unit calculates a consumption cost obtained by said calculation unit for a predetermined job input through said interface. A printing apparatus for sending a reply via the interface to an external device that is a transmission source of the predetermined job. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising connection means for connecting to an external device on a network, wherein said output means obtains the consumption obtained by said calculation means for a predetermined job input through said connection means. A printing apparatus for outputting a cost to an external device that is a transmission source of the job via the connection unit. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumption cost includes a paper consumed by the job and a consumption cost of a material for forming an image on the paper. . 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit includes a storage unit configured to store the consumption cost. 6. A printing cost management system, comprising: the printing apparatus according to claim 3; and a server that receives and manages consumption cost information output from the printing apparatus via a network. 7. A detection step for detecting the number of dots of output data of an input job and the number of sheets supplied at the time of executing the job, and a cost for consuming the job based on the two detected values. And a step of outputting a consumption cost obtained by the calculation. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, in the output step, for a predetermined job input via an interface connectable to a plurality of external devices, the consumption cost obtained by the calculation is transmitted to the predetermined job. A method of generating a consumption cost in a printing apparatus, wherein a reply is sent to an external device via the interface. 9. The job according to claim 7, wherein, in the output step, for a predetermined job input through a connection unit that connects to an external device on a network, a consumption cost obtained by the calculation is transmitted to a transmission source of the job. A method for generating a consumption cost in a printing apparatus, wherein the output is performed to an external device via the connection unit. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the consumption cost includes a paper consumed by the job and a consumption cost of a material for forming an image on the paper. Consumption cost generation method in Japan. 11. A detection procedure for detecting the number of dots of output data of an input job and the number of sheets supplied at the time of execution of the job, and a cost for executing the job based on the two detected values. And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a calculation procedure for calculating the consumption cost obtained by the calculation. 12. The transmission method according to claim 11, wherein, in the output procedure, for a predetermined job input via an interface connectable to a plurality of external devices, a consumption cost obtained by the calculation is transmitted to the predetermined job. A storage medium for sending a reply to the original external device via the interface. 13. The job according to claim 11, wherein, in the output procedure, for a predetermined job input via a connection unit that connects to an external device on a network, a consumption cost obtained by the calculation is transmitted to a transmission source of the job. A storage medium, which outputs to an external device via the connection means. 14. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the consumption cost includes a paper consumed by the job and a consumption cost of a material for forming an image on the paper. .