JP7586233B2 - Liquid consumption device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid consumption device having a tank and a mounting case in which a cartridge is mounted, and a program.

There is known a liquid consumption device that includes a tank and an attachment case in which a cartridge that stores liquid is attached (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the cartridge is attached to the attachment case, the liquid stored in the cartridge flows into the tank.

There is known an image forming device that displays the remaining amount of liquid in a cartridge on a display (see, for example, Patent Document 2). A user can know the remaining amount of liquid from the remaining amount displayed on the display.

JP 2008-213162 A JP 2013-92816 A

However, Patent Document 2 does not mention showing the remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge and the remaining amount of liquid in the tank on a display.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means for allowing a user to properly recognize the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge and the tank.

In this specification, various disclosures are made. A liquid consumption device, which is one of the disclosure examples, includes an attachment case in which a cartridge having a first chamber that stores liquid is attached, a first flow path connected to the first chamber of the cartridge attached to the attachment case, a tank having a second chamber connected to the first flow path, a second flow path connected to the second chamber of the tank, a head connected to the second flow path, a display, and a controller. The controller executes a first display process to display a first screen including a first object indicating the first remaining amount on the display in response to a first remaining amount, which is the amount of liquid stored in the cartridge attached to the attachment case, being equal to or greater than a first predetermined amount, and a second display process to display the first screen including a second object indicating a second remaining amount, which is the amount of liquid in the tank, in response to the first remaining amount being less than the first predetermined amount.

When the liquid flows from the tank to the head, and is consumed by the head, the liquid flows from the cartridge attached to the attachment case to the tank. Therefore, until the liquid in the cartridge attached to the attachment case is used up, it is sufficient for the user to know the remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge. On the other hand, after the liquid in the cartridge is used up, it is sufficient for the user to know the remaining amount of liquid in the tank. The first predetermined amount is, for example, an amount corresponding to the case where the liquid in the cartridge attached to the attachment case is used up. Until the liquid in the cartridge is used up, a first screen including a first object indicating a first remaining amount corresponding to the amount of liquid in the cartridge is displayed on the display. On the other hand, when the liquid in the cartridge is used up, a first screen including a second object indicating a second remaining amount of liquid in the tank is displayed on the display. Therefore, the user can appropriately recognize the remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge and the remaining amount of liquid in the tank.

The program, which is another disclosed example, is executed by a liquid consumption device including an attachment case in which a cartridge having a first chamber that stores liquid is attached, a first flow path connected to the first chamber of the cartridge attached to the attachment case, a tank having a second chamber connected to the first flow path, a second flow path connected to the second chamber of the tank, a head connected to the second flow path, a display, and a controller. The program executes a first display process that causes the display to display a first screen including a first object indicating a first remaining amount, which is the amount of liquid stored in the cartridge attached to the attachment case, when the first remaining amount is equal to or greater than a first predetermined amount, and a second display process that causes the display to display the first screen including a second object indicating a second remaining amount, which is the amount of liquid in the tank, when the first remaining amount is less than the first predetermined amount.

The present invention allows the user to properly recognize the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge and the amount of liquid remaining in the tank.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a printer 10, in which (A) shows a state in which a cover 87 is in a covering position, and (B) shows a state in which the cover 87 is in an open position. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the structure of the cartridge 200, in which (A) is a front perspective view and (B) is a vertical cross-sectional view. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the printer 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the image forming process. FIG. 8(A) is a flowchart of the first update process, FIG. 8(B) is a flowchart of the second update process, FIG. 8(C) is a flowchart of the third update process, and FIG. 8(D) is a flowchart of the fourth update process. FIG. 9 is a part of a flowchart of the display process. FIG. 10 is a part of a flowchart of the display process, which is a continuation of FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the toggle interval determination process. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing the standby screen when the cartridge is not empty, and FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the standby screen when there is no ink in the tank 160. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing the standby screen when the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge is displayed in a toggle display, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the standby screen when the remaining amount of ink in the tank is displayed in a toggle display. FIG. 14A is a diagram showing a first cartridge replacement screen, and FIG. 14B is a diagram showing a second cartridge replacement screen. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing the remaining ink level screen, and FIG. 15B is a diagram showing the standby screen according to the first modified example. Figure 16 is a diagram showing standby screens relating to variant example 2, where (A) is a diagram showing the third standby screen when the cartridge remaining amount is displayed in toggle display, and (B) is a diagram showing the fourth standby screen when the tank remaining amount is displayed in toggle display.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. In addition, the order in which each process described below is performed can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The printer 10 is an example of a liquid consumption device.

[Overview of Printer 10]
The printer 10 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink droplets to print an image on a sheet. The printer 10 may be a multifunction machine that also has functions such as a facsimile function, a scanning function, and a copying function.

In the following, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the usage posture in which the printer 10 is installed on a horizontal surface so that it can be used, the front-to-back direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the opening 13 of the printer 10 is formed as the front, and the left-to-right direction 9 is defined when viewing the printer 10 from the front. That is, in the usage posture, the up-to-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-to-back direction 8 and the left-to-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-to-back direction 8 and the left-to-right direction 9 are perpendicular to each other.

The printer 10 has a housing 14 that is roughly rectangular. Inside the housing 14, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, are a feed tray 15, a feed roller 23, a transport roller 25, a head 21 having multiple nozzles 29, a platen 26, a discharge roller 27, a discharge tray 16, an attachment case 150, and a tank 160.

The printer 10 drives the feed roller 23 and the transport roller 25 to transport the sheet supported on the feed tray 15 to the position of the platen 26. Next, the printer 10 ejects ink supplied from the tank 160 through the tube 19 to the head 21 through the nozzle 29. This causes the ink to land on the sheet supported on the platen 26, printing an image on the sheet. The printer 10 then drives the discharge roller 27 to discharge the sheet on which the image has been printed to the discharge tray 16.

More specifically, the head 21 is mounted on a carriage 20 that moves back and forth along a main scanning direction (parallel to the left-right direction 9) that intersects with the conveying direction of the sheet by the conveying roller 25. The carriage 20 moves along the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2) by transmitting the driving force of a motor (not shown). While the conveying roller 25 is stopped conveying the sheet, the printer 10 ejects ink through the nozzle 29 to the head 21 while moving the carriage 20 along the main scanning direction. As a result, an image is printed on a portion of the sheet facing the head 21 (hereinafter referred to as "one pass"). Next, the printer 10 causes the conveying roller 25 to convey the sheet so that the area where the image is to be printed next faces the head 21. Then, these processes are alternately and repeatedly executed, and an image is printed on one sheet.

[Display 28]
The housing 14 has a display 28. The display 28 is located on the front side of the housing 14. The display 28 is a so-called touch panel in which a touch sensor is disposed on a display panel. However, instead of the display 28, or together with the display 28, a display panel and push buttons may be located on the front side of the housing 14. The display 28 accepts input from a user. The touch sensor and push buttons of the display 28 are examples of an input unit.

[Cover 87]
As shown in Fig. 1, an opening 85 is formed on the front surface 14A of the housing 14 at the right end in the left-right direction 9. The housing 14 further includes a cover 87. The cover 87 is rotatable between a covering position (position shown in Fig. 1A) in which the opening 85 is covered and an opening position (position shown in Fig. 1B) in which the opening 85 is opened. The cover 87 is supported by the housing 14, for example, near the lower end of the housing 14 in the up-down direction 7 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the left-right direction 9. An attachment case 150 in which a cartridge 200 is attached is located in an accommodation space 86 inside the housing 14 that extends beyond the opening 85.

[Mounting case 150]
3, the mounting case 150 includes a contact 152, a rod 153, an attachment sensor 32, a liquid level sensor 33, and a lock pin 156. The mounting case 150 can accommodate four cartridges 200 corresponding to the colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. That is, the mounting case 150 includes four contacts 152, four rods 153, four attachment sensors 32, and four liquid level sensors 33 corresponding to each of the four cartridges 200. Note that the number of cartridges 200 that can be accommodated in the mounting case 150 is not limited to four, and may be one, or five or more.

The mounting case 150 is box-shaped with an internal space that houses the mounted cartridge 200. The internal space of the mounting case 150 is defined by a top wall that defines the upper end, a bottom wall that defines the lower end, a rear wall that defines the rear end in the front-to-rear direction 8, and a pair of side walls that define both ends in the left-to-right direction 9. Meanwhile, the position facing the rear wall of the mounting case 150 is an opening 85. In other words, the opening 85 opens the internal space of the mounting case 150 to the outside of the printer 10 when the cover 87 is in the open position.

The cartridge 200 is then attached to the mounting case 150 through the opening 85 of the housing 14, and is removed from the mounting case 150. More specifically, the cartridge 200 passes through the opening 85 backward in the front-rear direction 8 and is attached to the mounting case 150. The cartridge 200 removed from the mounting case 150 passes through the opening 85 forward in the front-rear direction 8.

[Contact point 152]
The contact 152 is located on the top wall of the attachment case 150. The contact 152 protrudes downward from the top wall toward the internal space of the attachment case 150. The contact 152 is located at a position where it contacts an electrode 248 (described later) of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150. The contact 152 is conductive, and furthermore is elastically deformable in the up-down direction 7. The contact 152 is electrically connected to the controller 130. The contact 152 is an example of a connection interface.

[Rod 153]
The rod 153 protrudes forward from the back wall of the mounting case 150. The rod 153 is located above a joint 180, which will be described later, on the back wall of the mounting case 150. During the process of mounting the cartridge 200 to the mounting case 150, the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through an atmospheric vent port 221, which will be described later, of the cartridge 200. When the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214, the atmospheric valve chamber 214, which will be described later, is connected to the atmosphere.

[Mounting sensor 32]
The mounting sensor 32 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 32 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 32 includes a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion spaced apart in the left-right direction 9. When the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, a light-shielding rib 245 (described later) of the cartridge 200 is located between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the mounting sensor 32. In other words, the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the mounting sensor 32 are located opposite each other with the light-shielding rib 245 of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 in between.

The wearing sensor 32 outputs a different signal (hereinafter, referred to as a "wearing signal") depending on whether or not the light emitted from the light-emitting unit in the left-right direction 9 is received by the light-receiving unit. For example, the wearing sensor 32 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the received light intensity of the light received by the light-receiving unit being less than the threshold intensity. On the other hand, the wearing sensor 32 outputs a high-level signal, the signal intensity of which is higher than the low-level signal, to the controller 130 in response to the received light intensity of the light received by the light-receiving unit being equal to or greater than the threshold intensity.

[Liquid level sensor 33]
The liquid level sensor 33 is a sensor for detecting whether or not a detection target portion 194 of an actuator 190, which will be described later, is located at a detection position. The liquid level sensor 33 includes a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion spaced apart in the left-right direction 9. In other words, when the detection target portion 194 is located at the detection position, the detection target portion 194 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the liquid level sensor 33. On the other hand, when the detection target portion 194 is not located at the detection position, the detection target portion 194 is not located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the liquid level sensor 33. The liquid level sensor 33 outputs different signals depending on whether or not the light output from the light emitting portion is received by the light receiving portion. For example, the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 depending on the received light intensity of the light received by the light receiving portion being less than a threshold intensity. On the other hand, the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a high level signal having a higher signal intensity than a low level signal to the controller 130 in response to the intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being equal to or greater than the threshold intensity. The liquid level sensor 33 is an example of a sensor. The low level signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is an example of a first signal. The high level signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is an example of a second signal.

[Tank 160]
The printer 10 includes four tanks 160 corresponding to the four cartridges 200, respectively. In detail, the printer 10 includes a tank 160 for storing magenta ink corresponding to the cartridge 200 for storing magenta ink, a tank 160 for storing cyan ink corresponding to the cartridge 200 for storing cyan ink, a tank 160 for storing yellow ink corresponding to the cartridge 200 for storing yellow ink, and a tank 160 for storing black ink corresponding to the cartridge 200 for storing black ink. Since the configuration of the four tanks 160 is generally the same, the following description will be given of one tank 160.

The tank 160 is located further rearward than the rear wall of the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. 3, the tank 160 is composed of an upper wall 161, a front wall 162, a lower wall 163, a rear wall 164, and a pair of side walls (not shown). The front wall 162 is composed of multiple walls that are each offset in the front-rear direction 8. A liquid chamber 171 is formed inside the tank 160. The liquid chamber 171 is an example of a second chamber.

Of the walls constituting the tank 160, at least the wall facing the liquid level sensor 33 is translucent. This allows the light output by the liquid level sensor 33 to pass through the wall facing the liquid level sensor 33. At least a portion of the rear wall 164 may be a film welded to the end faces of the upper wall 161, the lower wall 163, and the side walls. In addition, the side walls of the tank 160 may be common to the mounting case 150, or may be independent of the mounting case 150. Furthermore, adjacent tanks 160 in the left-right direction 9 are separated by a partition wall (not shown).

The liquid chamber 171 is connected to an ink flow path (not shown) through the outlet 174. The lower end of the outlet 174 is defined by the lower wall 163 that defines the lower end of the liquid chamber 171. The outlet 174 is located below the joint 180 (more specifically, the lower end of the through hole 184). The ink flow path (not shown) connected to the outlet 174 is connected to the tube 19. As a result, the liquid chamber 171 is connected to the head 21 through the ink flow path and the tube 19 from the outlet 174. In other words, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is supplied to the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 19. The ink flow path and the tube 19 connected to the outlet 174 have one end (outlet 174 in FIG. 3) connected to the liquid chamber 171 and the other end 89 (FIG. 2) connected to the head 21. Tube 19 is an example of a second flow path.

The liquid chamber 171 is connected to the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication chamber 175. More specifically, the atmosphere communication chamber 175 is connected to the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 176 that penetrates the front wall 162. The atmosphere communication chamber 175 is also connected to the outside of the printer 10 through an atmosphere communication port 177 and a tube (not shown) connected to the atmosphere communication port 177. That is, one end (through hole 176) of the atmosphere communication chamber 175 is connected to the liquid chamber 171, and the other end (atmosphere communication port 177) is connected to the outside of the printer 10. The atmosphere communication chamber 175 is also connected to the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port 177 and a tube (not shown).

The tank 160 and the mounting case 150 are an example of a container set. That is, the printer 10 of this embodiment has four container sets: magenta, cyan, yellow, and black. However, the number of container sets may be three or less, or five or more.

[Joint 180]
As shown in FIG. 3, the joint 180 includes a needle 181 and a guide 182. The needle 181 is a tube having a flow path formed therein. The needle 181 protrudes forward from the front wall 162 that defines the liquid chamber 171. An opening 183 is formed at the front end of the needle 181. The internal space of the needle 181 is connected to the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 184 that penetrates the front wall 162. One end (opening 183) of the needle 181 is connected to the outside of the tank 160, and the other end (through hole 184) is connected to the liquid chamber 171. The guide 182 is a cylindrical member disposed around the needle 181. The guide 182 protrudes forward from the front wall 162 and has an open front end.

A valve 185 and a coil spring 186 are located in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 is movable in the internal space of the needle 181 between a closed position and an open position along the front-rear direction 8. When the valve 185 is located in the closed position, it closes the opening 183. When the valve 185 is located in the open position, it opens the opening 183. The coil spring 186 biases the valve 185 in a direction that moves it from the open position to the closed position, that is, forward along the front-rear direction 8. The internal space of the needle 181 is an example of a first flow path.

[Actuator 190]
As shown in Fig. 3, an actuator 190 is located in the liquid chamber 171. The actuator 190 is supported by a support member (not shown) disposed in the liquid chamber 171 so as to be rotatable in the directions of arrows 198 and 199. The actuator 190 can rotate between a first state shown by a solid line in Fig. 3 and a second state shown by a dashed line. Furthermore, the actuator 190 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow 198 from the solid line position by a stopper (not shown, for example, the inner wall of the liquid chamber 171). The actuator 190 includes a float 191, a shaft 192, an arm 193, and a detection target 194.

The float 191 is made of a material with a lower specific gravity than the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171. The shaft 192 protrudes from the right and left sides of the float 191 along the left-right direction 9. The shaft 192 is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the support member. As a result, the actuator 190 is supported by the support member so as to be rotatable around the shaft 192. The arm 193 extends substantially upward from the float 191. The detection target 194 is located at the tip of the arm 193. In other words, the arm 193 is located between the detection target 194 and the shaft 192. The detection target 194 is a plate-shaped member extending along the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The detection target 194 is made of a material or color that blocks light output from the light-emitting unit of the liquid level sensor 33.

When the level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P, the actuator 190 rotates in the direction of the arrow 198 due to buoyancy and is held at the detection position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 by a stopper. On the other hand, when the level of the ink is lower than the reference position P, the actuator 190 rotates in the direction of the arrow 199 following the descent of the liquid level. As a result, the detected portion 194 of the actuator 190 moves to a position different from the detection position. Because the detected portion 194 is part of the actuator 190, the detected portion 194 moves to a position corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171.

The reference position P is at the same height as the axial center of the needle 181 in the vertical direction 7, and at the same height as the center of the ink supply port 234 described below. However, the reference position P is not limited to the above-mentioned position, as long as it is a position above the outlet 174 in the vertical direction 7. As another example, the reference position P may be at the height of the upper or lower end of the internal space of the needle 181, or at the height of the upper or lower end of the ink supply port 234.

When the level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P, the light output from the light-emitting portion of the liquid level sensor 33 is blocked by the detection target portion 194 located at the detection position. As a result, the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130 because the light from the light-emitting portion does not reach the light-receiving portion. On the other hand, when the level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is lower than the reference position P, the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130 because the light output from the light-emitting portion reaches the light-receiving portion. In other words, the controller 130 can detect whether the level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P by the signal output from the liquid level sensor 33. The reference position P is an example of a detection position.

[Cartridge 200]
The cartridge 200 is a container having a liquid chamber 210 (FIG. 2) that stores liquid ink therein. The liquid chamber 210 is an example of a first chamber.

The liquid chamber 210 is defined by, for example, a resin wall. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the cartridge 200 has a flat shape in which the dimensions in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are greater than the dimensions in the left-right direction 9. The external shapes of the cartridges 200 in which different colors of ink are stored may be the same or different. At least a portion of the walls constituting the cartridge 200 is translucent. This allows the user to visually check the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 from outside the cartridge 200.

The cartridge 200 includes a housing 201 and a supply pipe 230. The housing 201 is made up of a rear wall 202, a front wall 203, an upper wall 204, a lower wall 205, and a pair of side walls 206, 207. The rear wall 202 is made up of multiple walls each offset in the front-to-rear direction 8. The upper wall 204 is made up of multiple walls each offset in the up-down direction 7. The lower wall 205 is made up of multiple walls each offset in the up-down direction 7.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the internal space of the cartridge 200 is formed with a liquid chamber 210, an ink valve chamber 213, and an atmospheric valve chamber 214. The liquid chamber 210 has an upper liquid chamber 211 and a lower liquid chamber 212. The upper liquid chamber 211, the lower liquid chamber 212, and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are internal spaces of the housing 201. Meanwhile, the ink valve chamber 213 is the internal space of the supply tube 230. The liquid chamber 210 stores ink. The atmospheric valve chamber 214 connects the liquid chamber 210 to the outside of the cartridge 200.

The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 of the liquid chamber 210 are separated in the vertical direction 7 by a partition wall 215 that separates the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 are connected by a through hole 216 formed in the partition wall 215. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are separated by a partition wall 217 that separates the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are connected by a through hole 218 formed in the partition wall 217. Furthermore, the ink valve chamber 213 is connected to the lower end of the lower liquid chamber 212 through a through hole 219.

The atmospheric valve chamber 214 is connected to the outside of the cartridge 200 through an atmospheric communication port 221 formed in the rear wall 202 at the top of the cartridge 200. That is, one end (through hole 218) of the atmospheric valve chamber 214 is connected to the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the upper liquid chamber 211), and the other end (atmospheric communication port 221) is connected to the outside of the cartridge 200. The atmospheric valve chamber 214 is connected to the atmosphere through the atmospheric communication port 221. In addition, a valve 222 and a coil spring 223 are located in the atmospheric valve chamber 214. The valve 222 is movable between a closed position and an open position along the front-rear direction 8. When the valve 222 is located in the closed position, it closes the atmospheric communication port 221. When the valve 222 is located in the open position, it opens the atmospheric communication port 221. The coil spring 223 biases the valve 222 in a direction that moves it from the open position to the closed position, i.e., backward along the front-rear direction 8.

During the process of mounting the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150, the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through the atmospheric vent 221. The rod 153 that has entered the atmospheric valve chamber 214 moves the valve 222, which is in the closed position, forward along the front-rear direction 8 against the biasing force of the coil spring 223. Then, the valve 222 moves to the open position, thereby connecting the upper liquid chamber 211 to the atmosphere. Note that the configuration for opening the atmospheric vent 221 is not limited to the above example. As another example, the rod 153 may break through a film that seals the atmospheric vent 221.

The supply tube 230 protrudes rearward from the rear wall 202 in the front-rear direction 8 at the bottom of the housing 201. The supply tube 230 has an open rear end. That is, the ink valve chamber 213 communicates with the liquid chamber 210, which is connected through the through hole 219, and with the outside of the cartridge 200. One end (through hole 219) of the ink valve chamber 213 communicates with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the lower liquid chamber 212), and the other end (ink supply port 234, described later) communicates with the outside of the cartridge 200. In addition, a gasket 231, a valve 232, and a coil spring 233 are located in the ink valve chamber 213.

An ink supply port 234 is formed in the center of the packing 231, penetrating in the front-rear direction 8. The inner diameter of the ink supply port 234 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the needle 181. The valve 232 is movable along the front-rear direction 8 between a closed position and an open position. When the valve 232 is in the closed position, it abuts against the packing 231 to close the ink supply port 234. When the valve 232 is in the open position, it moves away from the packing 231 to open the ink supply port 234. The coil spring 233 biases the valve 232 in a direction that moves it from the open position to the closed position, that is, backward along the front-rear direction 8. The biasing force of the coil spring 233 is greater than that of the coil spring 186.

In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 to the mounting case 150, the supply tube 230 enters the guide 182, and then the needle 181 enters the ink valve chamber 213 through the ink supply port 234. At this time, the needle 181 elastically deforms the packing 231 and comes into liquid-tight contact with the inner circumferential surface that defines the ink supply port 234. When the cartridge 200 is further inserted into the mounting case 150, the needle 181 moves the valve 232 forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 233. The valve 232 also moves the valve 185, which protrudes from the opening 183 of the needle 181, backward against the biasing force of the coil spring 186.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink supply port 234 and the opening 183 are opened, and the ink valve chamber 213 of the supply tube 230 is connected to the internal space of the needle 181.

When the cartridge 200 is attached to the mounting case 150, a part of the liquid chamber 210 and a part of the liquid chamber 171 overlap each other when viewed horizontally. Furthermore, the bottom of the liquid chamber 171 is located lower than the bottom of the liquid chamber 210. As a result, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 flows out through the connected supply pipe 230 and joint 180 into the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 due to the difference in head between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171.

4, a light-shielding rib 245 is formed on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and behind the protrusion 241. The light-shielding rib 245 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The light-shielding rib 245 is formed of a material or color that blocks light output from the light-emitting portion of the mounting sensor 32. The light-shielding rib 245 is located on the optical path from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion of the mounting sensor 32 when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. That is, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130 (FIG. 6) in response to the cartridge 200 being mounted in the mounting case 150. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 32 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the cartridge 200 not being mounted in the mounting case 150. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 by the signal output from the mounting sensor 32.

As shown in FIG. 4, the IC chip 34 is located on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and between the light-shielding rib 245 and the protrusion 241 in the front-rear direction 8. The IC chip 34 has electrodes 248 formed thereon. The IC chip 34 also has a memory (not shown). The electrodes 248 are electrically connected to the memory of the IC chip 34. The electrodes 248 are exposed on the upper surface of the IC chip 34 so as to be conductive to the contacts 152. That is, when the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150, the electrodes 248 are conductive to the contacts 152. The controller 130 can read information from the memory of the IC chip 34 through the contacts 152 and the electrodes 248, and write information to the memory of the IC chip 34 through the contacts 152 and the electrodes 248.

The memory of the IC chip 34 stores type information of the cartridge 200, a serial number, and a cartridge remaining amount value. Type information is information indicating whether the cartridge 200 is a small-capacity cartridge or a large-capacity cartridge, the color of ink stored, etc. The serial number is information that individually identifies the cartridge 200. The cartridge remaining amount value is a value indicating the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 200. Note that for an unused cartridge 200, the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory is an initial remaining amount value indicating the initial amount of ink remaining. The memory of the IC chip 34 is an example of a second memory.

[Controller 130]
The printer 10 includes a controller 130. As shown in Fig. 6, the controller 130 includes a CPU 35, a storage unit 36, and a communication bus 39. The storage unit 36 includes a ROM 37, an EEPROM 61, and a RAM 62. The storage unit 36 is an example of a first memory.

The ROM 37 stores an OS (short for Operating System) 37A, a control program 37B, and the like. The control program 37B is a program that performs image processing and display processing, which will be described later. The OS 37A and the control program 37B are executed by the CPU 35 processing commands written in addresses. In the following, the operations processed by executing the OS 37A and the control program 37B may be described as the operations of the controller 130. The controller 130 may have a hardware circuit using an IC that realizes some or all of the operations executed by the OS 37A and the control program 37B.

EEPROM 61 stores device information for printer 10. The device information includes identification information for printer 10. The identification information for printer 10 is the MAC address and serial number of printer 10, etc.

The EEPROM 61 also stores a first discharge value, a second discharge value, an initial cartridge remaining amount value, an initial tank remaining amount value, an S_Empty flag, and a C_Empty flag. Details will be described later.

The communication bus 39 is connected to the head 21, the mounting sensor 32, the liquid level sensor 33, the contacts 152, the display 28, a motor (not shown), the communication interface 31, and the like. The communication interface 31 will be described in Variation 3 below.

The controller 130 rotates the feed roller 23, the transport roller 25, and the discharge roller 27 by driving a motor (not shown) through the communication bus 39. The controller 130 also outputs a drive signal to the drive element of the head 21 through the communication bus 39, causing ink droplets to be ejected from the head 21.

The controller 130 also detects whether the cartridge 200 is attached to the attachment case 150 through the attachment sensor 32. Furthermore, the controller 130 detects whether the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P through the liquid level sensor 33.

In addition, the controller 130 reads the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 through the electrode 248 of the cartridge 200 attached to the attachment case 150 and the contact 152. In addition, the controller 130 updates the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 through the electrode 248 of the cartridge 200 attached to the attachment case 150 and the contact 152.

[Processing Executed by Controller 130 of Printer 10]
7 to 11, the processes executed by the controller 130 of the printer 10 will be described. Note that the order of execution of each process can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Image Formation Processing]
The controller 130 executes the image forming process shown in Fig. 7 in response to a print instruction being input to the printer 10. The source of the print instruction is not particularly limited, but for example, a user operation corresponding to the print instruction may be accepted through the operation panel 22 or the display 28, or may be received from an external device through the communication I/F 31. The print instruction includes image data representing an image. The image data is stored in the RAM 62 of the printer 10. The image forming process is executed for each cartridge 200 and tank 160 of each color.

First, the controller 130 judges whether the value of the S_Empty flag stored in the EEPROM 61 is "ON" or "OFF" (S11). The controller 130 stores "ON" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 before the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 reaches the upper end of the outlet 174 through which the ink flows out of the tank 160. The value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 stores "OFF" until it stores "ON". When the ink liquid level reaches the upper end of the outlet 174, there is a risk that air will enter the nozzle of the head 21. If the air that has entered the nozzle of the head 21 remains in the nozzle, there is a risk that the entry of ink into the nozzle or the ejection of ink droplets from the nozzle will be hindered.

That is, the S_Empty flag is intended to prevent air from entering the nozzles of the head 21. In step S14, which will be described later, the controller 130 stores "OFF" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61, and in step S65, stores "ON" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61. Although not shown in the flowchart, the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21 in response to the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 being "ON". Also, the controller 130 allows the discharge of ink through the head 21 in response to the value of the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 being "OFF".

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag in the EEPROM 61 is "ON" (S11: ON), it determines whether the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 has been replaced with another cartridge 200 (S12). Specifically, the controller 130 acquires an attachment signal from the mounting sensor 32 at a predetermined time interval. The controller 130 determines whether the acquired attachment signal has changed from a low level signal (hereinafter referred to as "L") to a high level signal (hereinafter referred to as "H"), and further whether the acquired attachment signal has changed from "H" to "L" (S12). In other words, whether the cartridge 200 has been mounted is determined based on the change in the attachment signal.

When the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is not mounted (S12: No), it continues to periodically acquire the mounting signal from the mounting sensor 32. When the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted (S12: Yes), it executes the first update process (S13). Note that the process of step S12 is given as a specific example of the controller 130 determining whether the cartridge 200 is mounted, but this is not limited to this. For example, the controller 130 may determine whether the cartridge 200 is mounted using a serial number read from the memory of the IC chip 34. The controller 130 reads the serial number of the cartridge 200 from the memory of the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200. Then, the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 has been replaced if the read serial number does not match the serial number stored in the EEPROM 61. The serial number stored in the EEPROM 61 is the serial number stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200 that was attached to the attachment case 150 before the new cartridge 200 was attached to the attachment case 150.

[First Update Process]
The first update process shown in FIG. 8A is a process in which the controller 130 updates the initial cartridge remaining amount value and the initial tank remaining amount value stored in the EEPROM 61 and the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200.

First, the controller 130 reads the cartridge remaining amount value from the memory of the IC chip 34 of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 through the contacts 152 (S31). The controller 130 stores the read cartridge remaining amount value in the EEPROM 61 as the initial cartridge remaining amount value (S32). The process of step S31 in which the cartridge remaining amount value is read from the memory of the IC chip 34 is an example of the second acquisition process.

The controller 130 also reads the tank remaining amount value from the RAM 62 (S33). If the tank remaining amount value is not stored in the RAM 62 due to the power being turned off, for example, the controller 130 calculates the tank remaining amount value in the same manner as in the fourth update process described below, and stores the calculated tank remaining amount value in the RAM 62. The tank remaining amount value read from the RAM 62 is a value indicating the amount of ink remaining in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 immediately before the cartridge 200 was installed. In other words, the tank remaining amount value is a value indicating the amount of ink remaining in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 when the cartridge 200 was removed. The controller 130 stores the tank remaining amount value read from the RAM 62 in the EEPROM 61 as the initial tank remaining amount value (S33).

The controller 130 adds the initial cartridge remaining amount value and the initial tank remaining amount value to calculate a total remaining amount value indicating the total remaining amount of ink (S34). The controller 130 determines a new cartridge remaining amount value and tank remaining amount value from the calculated total remaining amount value (S35). The cartridge remaining amount value is an example of a first remaining amount. The tank remaining amount value is an example of a second remaining amount. The process of step S35 for determining the new tank remaining amount value is an example of a first acquisition process.

Specifically, when a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, a portion of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 flows out from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. The flow of ink from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 stops when the difference between the head of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the head of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is almost eliminated. The new cartridge remaining amount value and the new tank remaining amount value indicate the remaining ink amount in a state where the difference between the head of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the head of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is almost eliminated.

The cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value may be determined, for example, by the controller 130 performing calculations based on a formula stored in the EEPROM 61 or ROM 37. Alternatively, the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value may be determined, for example, by the controller 130 based on a table stored in the EEPROM 61 or ROM 37. To be more specific, the shape of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the shape of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 are predetermined by design. Therefore, if the total ink remaining amount value is known, the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value in a state where the difference between the head of the ink stored in the cartridge 200 and the head of the ink stored in the tank 160 is almost zero can also be known. The EEPROM 61 and ROM 37 store in advance a formula for calculating the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value from the total remaining amount value. Alternatively, the EEPROM 61 or ROM 37 stores a table in advance that shows the correspondence between the total remaining amount value, the cartridge remaining amount value, and the tank remaining amount value. The controller 130 determines a new cartridge remaining amount value and a new tank remaining amount value based on the total remaining amount value of ink and the calculation formula or table.

The controller 130 stores the determined new cartridge remaining amount value in the RAM 62 and updates the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 (S36). The controller 130 also stores the determined new tank remaining amount value in the RAM 62 (S37).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the first update process is completed (S13), the controller 130 stores "OFF" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61, stores "OFF" in the C_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61, and stores 0 (zero) as the first discharge value and the second discharge value of the EEPROM 61 (S14). The C_Empty flag, the first discharge value, and the second discharge value will be described later. After executing the process of step S14, the controller 130 executes the process of step S11 again.

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag in the EEPROM 61 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), it acquires a signal (hereinafter referred to as the liquid level signal) from the liquid level sensor 33 (S15). The controller 130 then prints on the sheet according to the image data stored in the RAM 62 (S16). When the image is printed on the sheet, ink is discharged through the head 21. When the ink is discharged, the ink level in the tank 160 drops. After printing is performed (S16), the controller 130 acquires a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor 33 (S17). Next, the controller 130 judges whether the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is higher than the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 (S18). Hereinafter, the low level signal acquired by the controller 130 from the liquid level sensor 33 may be referred to as "L". Additionally, the high level signal that the controller 130 obtains from the liquid level sensor 33 may be written as "H."

When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signals acquired in steps S15 and S17 are both "L" (S18: L → L), it executes the second update process (S19). When the controller 130 determines in step S18 that the liquid level signals acquired in steps S15 and S17 are both "L", the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is in the following state. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before the execution of printing (S16) is above the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is "L"). And, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 after the execution of printing (S16) is above the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 is "L"). That is, after printing is performed (S16), when the liquid level signal acquired by the controller 130 in step S17 is "L", ink is present in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200.

[Second update process]
The second update process shown in FIG. 8B is a process in which the controller 130 determines a new cartridge remaining amount value and a tank remaining amount value from a first discharge value indicating the amount of ink discharged through the head 21 during printing or maintenance. The first discharge value is, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of one ink droplet to be discharged from the head 21 by the number of times the ink droplet is discharged. The controller 130 counts the first discharge value according to the command every time the controller 130 instructs the head 21 to discharge ink. The controller 130 counts the first discharge value corresponding to the amount of ink discharged by the head 21 from the time the cartridge 200 was mounted until the present. In other words, the first discharge value is an integrated value of the amount of ink discharged by the head 21 from the time the cartridge 200 was mounted until the present. This first discharge value is stored in the EEPROM 61. The first discharge value is an example of a count value. The process of storing the first discharge value in the EEPROM 61 is an example of a storage process.

First, the controller 130 reads out the initial cartridge remaining amount value and the initial tank remaining amount value from the EEPROM 61 (S41). Next, the controller 130 adds the read initial cartridge remaining amount value and the initial tank remaining amount value to calculate a total remaining amount value (S42). The controller 130 subtracts the first discharge value from the calculated total remaining amount value to calculate a new total remaining amount value (S43). Thereafter, the controller 130 determines a new cartridge remaining amount value and a new tank remaining amount value using a formula or table in the same manner as described above (S44). The process of step S44 for determining a new cartridge remaining amount value is an example of a second determination process.

The controller 130 stores the determined new cartridge remaining amount value in the RAM 62 and updates the cartridge remaining amount value stored in the IC chip 34 (S45). The controller 130 also stores the determined new tank remaining amount value in the RAM 62 (S46) and ends the second update process.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the second update process (S19) is completed, the controller 130 determines whether the image data of the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22). If the controller 130 determines that the image data of the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22: Yes), it executes the process of step S11 again. If the controller 130 determines that the image data of the next page is not stored in the RAM 62 (S22: No), it ends the image formation process.

Note that the above-mentioned method for determining the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value is one example, and the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value may be determined by other methods.

When the controller 130 determines that the value of the S_Empty flag in the EEPROM 61 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), it executes the processes from steps S15 to S18 again. When the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is "L" and that the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 is "H" (S18: L → H), it executes the third update process (S20). When the controller 130 determines in step S18 that the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is "L" and that the liquid level signal acquired in S17 is "H", the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is in the following state. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before the execution of printing (S16) is equal to or higher than the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is "L"). Furthermore, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 after printing (S16) is below the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 is "H"). In other words, the ink that was in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 during printing (S16) is no longer present. In other words, this means that the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 has been used up during printing (S16).

[Third update process]
8C is a process in which the controller 130 updates the initial cartridge remaining amount value to a first predetermined value and updates the initial tank remaining amount value to a second predetermined value. More specifically, the first discharge value, which indicates the amount of ink discharged through the head 21 by printing or the like, includes an error. The third update process is a process in which the error of the first discharge value is reset.

Specifically, the controller 130 updates the initial cartridge remaining amount value stored in the memory of the IC chip 34 with a first predetermined value (S51). The first predetermined value is, for example, "0 (zero)." The controller 130 also stores the initial tank remaining amount value as a second predetermined value in the RAM 62 and the EEPROM 61 (S52). The second predetermined value is a value that indicates the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 when the ink level is at the reference position P. The first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are, for example, stored in advance in the ROM 37.

Next, the controller 130 stores "ON" in the C_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 (S53) and ends the third update process.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the third update process (S20) is completed, the controller 130 determines whether the image data of the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22). If the controller 130 determines that the image data of the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22: Yes), it executes the process of step S11 again. If the controller 130 determines that the image data of the next page is not stored in the RAM 62 (S22: No), it ends the image formation process.

If the controller 130 determines in step S11 that the value of the S_Empty flag in the EEPROM 61 is "OFF" (S11: OFF), it executes steps S15 to S18 again. If the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signals acquired in steps S15 and S17 are both "H" (S18: H → H), it executes the fourth update process (S21). In step S18, when the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signals acquired in steps S15 and S17 are both "H", the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is in the following state. That is, the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 before printing (S16) is below the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S15 is "H"). Furthermore, after printing is performed (S16), the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is below the reference position P (the liquid level signal acquired in step S17 is "H"). In other words, before and after printing is performed (S16), there is no ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200.

[Fourth update process]
The fourth update process shown in FIG. 8D is a process in which the controller 130 calculates the tank remaining amount value and further determines whether to prohibit printing. First, the controller 130 reads out the initial tank remaining amount value updated to the second predetermined value from the EEPROM 61 (S61). The controller 130 subtracts the second discharge value from the read initial tank remaining amount value to calculate a new tank remaining amount value (S62). The second discharge value, like the first discharge value, is, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of one ink droplet to be ejected from the head 21 by the number of times the ink droplet is ejected. Each time the controller 130 instructs the head 21 to eject ink, it counts the second discharge value according to the instruction. The controller 130 counts the second discharge value indicating the amount of ink ejected by the head 21 up to the present time after the liquid level signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 33 changes from "L" to "H". That is, the second discharge value is an integrated value of the amount of ink discharged by the head 21 from after the liquid level signal obtained from the liquid level sensor 33 changed from "L" to "H" until the present. This second discharge value is stored in the EEPROM 61.

The controller 130 stores the calculated new tank remaining amount value in the RAM 62 (S63).

Next, the controller 130 determines whether the counted second discharge value has reached the first threshold value (S64). The first threshold value is a value previously stored in the ROM 37 or the EEPROM 61. If the controller 130 determines that the counted second discharge value has not reached the first threshold value (S64: Yes), the controller 130 ends the fourth update process. On the other hand, if the controller 130 determines that the counted second discharge value has reached the first threshold value (S64: No), the controller 130 stores "ON" in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61 (S65) and ends the fourth update process. Although not shown in the flowchart, if the controller 130 determines that "ON" is stored in the S_Empty flag of the EEPROM 61, the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21, including printing and maintenance.

The first threshold value is set to a value such that the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is slightly above the outlet 174 when the second discharge value reaches the first threshold value. To explain in detail, there may be an error between the design reference position P detected by the liquid level sensor 33 and the reference position P actually detected by the liquid level sensor 33. This error may occur, for example, due to a malfunction of the actuator 190. The first threshold value is set to a value such that the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 does not overlap the outlet 174 when the second discharge value reaches the first threshold value, even if the error is the maximum error that can be assumed at the time of design. The controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21, thereby suppressing the intrusion of air into the head 21 (hereinafter also referred to as air-in).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the fourth update process (S21) is completed, the controller 130 determines whether the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22). If the controller 130 determines that the next page is stored in the RAM 62 (S22: Yes), it executes the process of step S11 again. If the controller 130 determines that the next page is not stored in the RAM 62 (S22: No), it ends the image formation process.

As described above, the controller 130 determines the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value according to the amount of ink used for printing each time printing is performed in step S16. Note that in the above, an example has been described in which the controller 130 determines the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value each time printing one page is performed. Alternatively, the controller 130 may determine the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value each time printing one pass is performed. In addition, the controller 130 performs the second update process, the third update process, and the fourth update process not only for printing, but also each time ink is discharged through the head 21 for maintenance or the like.

The controller 130 executes a display process to display a standby screen, ink remaining screen, etc. on the display 28 using the cartridge remaining amount value and tank remaining amount value updated in the above-mentioned update process (S13, S19, S20, S21), the S_Empty flag, and the C_Empty flag. The display process will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 9 to 15.

[Display processing]
First, the controller 130 determines whether there is ink in all of the cartridges 200 (S71). All of the cartridges 200 are the cartridges 200 that store magenta ink, the cartridges 200 that store cyan ink, the cartridges 200 that store yellow ink, and the cartridges 200 that store black ink. Specifically, the controller 130 determines whether all of the C_Empty flags are "ON" or "OFF."

When the controller 130 determines that all cartridges 200 contain ink because all C_Empty flags are "OFF" (S71: Yes), it determines that there is no toggle display (S72). Toggle display will be described later.

Next, the controller 130 reads the remaining ink amount value of each color from the RAM 62 (S73). If the remaining ink amount value stored in the RAM 62 is erased due to the power being turned off, for example, the controller 130 recalculates the remaining ink amount value in the cartridge in the same manner as the update process described above.

The controller 130 uses the read cartridge remaining amount value to generate the standby screen shown in FIG. 12(A) and displays it on the display 28 (S74). The standby screen has a plurality of function objects 100 indicating the functions of the printer 10, a first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount, and other objects. In the following description, the standby screen shown in FIG. 12(A) is referred to as the first standby screen. The first standby screen is an example of the first screen. The process of step S74 in which the first standby screen is displayed on the display 28 is an example of the first display process.

The first object 101 is a bar with a length corresponding to the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge. For example, when the ink in the cartridge 200 is full, the first object 101 is displayed at its maximum length, and then is displayed with a length corresponding to the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge, and when the ink in the cartridge 200 is used up, it is displayed with only a white frame. Note that the first object 101 is not limited to a bar, and may be other shapes, letters, symbols, etc., as long as it indicates the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge 200.

The first object 101 includes a first object 101M indicating the remaining amount of magenta ink, a first object 101C indicating the remaining amount of cyan ink, a first object 101Y indicating the remaining amount of yellow ink, and a first object 101Bk indicating the remaining amount of black ink.

The first object 101 is displayed in a limited area of the standby screen. In the illustrated example, the first object 101 is displayed in the lower right area of the standby screen.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the controller 130 determines that at least one cartridge 200 has run out of ink (S71: No), specifically, when it determines that at least one C_Empty flag is "ON" for all the cartridges 200 of all colors, it determines whether there is ink in all the tanks 160 (S75). Specifically, it determines whether the S_Empty flag is "OFF" for all the tanks 160 of all the colors.

When the controller 130 determines that there is at least one tank 160 where the ink has decreased to the extent that air-in may occur (S75: No), i.e., when it determines that there is at least one tank 160 where the S_Empty flag is "ON", it determines not toggling (S76). Next, the controller 130 reads the tank remaining amount value of each color from the RAM 62 (S77). Note that if the tank remaining amount values stored in the RAM 62 have disappeared from the RAM 62 due to the power being turned off, for example, the controller 130 recalculates the tank remaining amount values in the same manner as the update process described above. The tank remaining amount value at which the S_Empty flag is set to "ON" is an example of the second predetermined amount.

The controller 130 uses the read tank remaining amount value to generate the standby screen shown in FIG. 12(B) and displays it on the display 28 (S78). The standby screen shown in FIG. 12(B) is the same as the standby screen shown in FIG. 12(A) except that a second object 102 indicating the tank remaining amount value is displayed instead of the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount value. In the following description, the standby screen shown in FIG. 12(B) will be referred to as the second standby screen.

The second object 102 is a bar with a length corresponding to the remaining amount of ink in the tank. For example, the second object 102 is displayed at its maximum length until the ink in the cartridge 200 is used up, and then is displayed with a length corresponding to the remaining amount in the tank, and when the remaining amount in the tank decreases to a level where air-in may occur, it is displayed with only a white frame. Note that the second object 102 is not limited to a bar, and may be other shapes, letters, symbols, etc., as long as it indicates the remaining amount of ink in the tank 160.

The second object 102 includes a second object 102M indicating the remaining amount of magenta ink, a second object 102C indicating the remaining amount of cyan ink, a second object 102Y indicating the remaining amount of yellow ink, and a second object 102Bk indicating the remaining amount of black ink.

The second standby screen also has an eighth object 108 that is displayed superimposed on a second object 102 (second object 102Y in the illustrated example) that indicates the remaining tank level of a color that has decreased to the point where air-in may occur. In the illustrated example, the eighth object 108 is an "X" symbol. The eighth object 108, which is an "X" symbol, makes the user aware that the yellow ink has run out. A user who sees the eighth object 108 recognizes that there is no yellow ink left and that printing cannot continue.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the controller 130 determines that there is ink in all tanks 160 (S75: Yes), specifically, when it determines that the S_Epmty flag is "OFF" for all color tanks 160, it decides to enable toggle display (S79). That is, if the ink remaining amount in even one cartridge 200 reaches a first predetermined value (FIG. 8(C)), which is 0 (zero) (S71: No), and there is ink in all tanks 160 (S75: Yes), the toggle display is enabled. The first predetermined value is an example of a first predetermined amount.

Toggle display refers to a display in which the standby screen shown in FIG. 13(A) and the standby screen shown in FIG. 13(B) are alternately displayed on the display 28. Hereinafter, the standby screen shown in FIG. 13(A) will be described as the third standby screen, and the standby screen shown in FIG. 13(B) will be described as the fourth standby screen. The third standby screen and the fourth standby screen are examples of the first screen.

The third standby screen has a first object 101 that indicates the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge. The fourth standby screen has a second object 102 that indicates the remaining amount of ink in the tank. That is, when the ink in any one of the four cartridges 200 that respectively store magenta, cyan, yellow, and black ink runs out, the first object 101 that indicates the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge and the second object 102 that indicates the remaining amount of ink in the tank are displayed alternately on the standby screen. In the illustrated example, the yellow ink in the cartridge 200 has run out.

In addition, in the third standby screen, a ninth object 109 is displayed superimposed on the first object 101 (in the illustrated example, the first object 101Y) with a white frame which indicates the cartridge 200 that has run out of ink. The ninth object 109 is an "!" symbol. The ninth object 109, which is an "!" symbol, makes the user aware that the yellow ink in the cartridge 200 has run out. When the user sees the ninth object 109, he or she recognizes that the cartridge 200 that stores yellow ink is empty.

In addition, on the fourth standby screen, a twelfth object 112, which is the letter "SUB" and allows the user to recognize that the second object 102 is displaying a tank remaining amount value, not a cartridge remaining amount value, is displayed above the second object 102.

The determination of toggle display will now be described. First, the controller 130 reads the cartridge remaining amount values and tank remaining amount values for all colors from the RAM 62 (S80). Note that if the cartridge remaining amount values and tank remaining amount values stored in the RAM 62 have been erased due to the power being turned off, for example, the controller 130 recalculates the cartridge remaining amount values and tank remaining amount values in the same manner as the update process described above.

Next, the controller 130 determines the length of the bars of the first object 101 and the second object 102 according to the read cartridge remaining amount value and tank remaining amount value (S81). Next, the controller 130 executes a toggle interval determination process (S82) to determine a toggle interval. The toggle interval refers to an interval determined by the time for displaying the third standby screen and the time for displaying the fourth standby screen. The toggle interval determination process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11.

First, the controller 130 determines whether all the tank remaining amount values read in step S80 are equal to or greater than a second threshold value pre-stored in the EEPROM 61 (S101). The second threshold value is, for example, 75% of the tank remaining amount when the ink level in the tank 160 is at the reference position P. The second threshold value is an example of a threshold amount.

When the controller 130 determines that all tank remaining amount values are equal to or greater than the second threshold (S101: Yes), it determines the first display interval (S104). The first display interval is, for example, an interval at which the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen are alternately displayed at 5-second intervals. That is, after the third standby screen is displayed for 5 seconds, the fourth standby screen is displayed for 5 seconds, and the third standby screen and the fourth standby are alternately displayed at 5-second intervals. The "5 seconds" during which the third standby screen is displayed on the display 28 is pre-stored in the EEPROM 61 or ROM 37. The "5 seconds" pre-stored in the EEPROM 61 or ROM 37 is an example of the first time and the second time.

On the other hand, if the controller 130 determines that at least one tank remaining amount value is less than the second threshold value (S101: No), it determines whether all tank remaining amount values are equal to or greater than the third threshold value (S102). The third threshold value is, for example, 50% of the tank remaining amount when the ink level in the tank 160 is at the reference position P.

When the controller 130 determines that all tank remaining amount values are equal to or greater than the third threshold (S102: Yes), it determines the second display interval (S105). The second display interval is, for example, an interval in which the third standby screen is displayed for 4 seconds, followed by the fourth standby screen for 5 seconds, and the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen are alternately displayed for 4 seconds and 5 seconds, with one cycle being 9 seconds. The "4 seconds" during which the third standby screen is displayed on the display 28 and the "5 seconds" during which the fourth standby screen is displayed on the display 28 are stored in advance in the EEPROM 61 or ROM 37. The "4 seconds" stored in advance in the EEPROM 61 or ROM 37 is an example of the third time. The "5 seconds" stored in advance in the EEPROM 61 or ROM 37 is an example of the fourth time. The processes of steps S104 and S105 for determining the first display interval and the second display interval are an example of the first determination process.

On the other hand, if the controller 130 determines that at least one tank remaining amount value is less than the third threshold value (S102: No), it determines whether all tank remaining amount values are equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value (S103). The fourth threshold value is, for example, 25% of the tank remaining amount when the ink level in the tank 160 is at the reference position P.

When the controller 130 determines that all tank remaining amount values are equal to or greater than the fourth threshold (S103: Yes), it determines the third display interval (S106). The third display interval is, for example, an interval in which the third standby screen is displayed for 3 seconds, followed by the fourth standby screen for 5 seconds, and the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen are displayed alternately for 3 seconds and 5 seconds, with one cycle being 8 seconds.

On the other hand, if the controller 130 determines that even one tank remaining amount value is less than the fourth threshold value (S103: No), it determines the fourth display interval (S107). The fourth display interval is, for example, an interval in which the third standby screen is displayed for 2 seconds, followed by the fourth standby screen for 5 seconds, and the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen are displayed alternately for 2 seconds and 5 seconds, with one cycle being 7 seconds.

As mentioned above, the lower the tank level, the shorter the display time of the third standby screen showing the cartridge level. Therefore, the lower the tank level, the easier it is for the user to recognize the tank level value.

After executing the processes of steps S104, S105, S106, and S107, the controller 130 ends the toggle interval determination process, and causes the display 28 to alternately display the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen at the display interval determined in the toggle interval determination process, as shown in FIG. 9 (S83). The process of step S83 is an example of the second display process.

Next, the controller 130 determines whether a display fixation operation for fixing the screen has been performed on the third standby screen or the fourth standby screen (S84). The display fixation operation is performed when the first object 101 on the third standby screen is touched for a threshold time or more, or when the second object 102 on the fourth standby screen is touched for a threshold time or more. Specifically, the controller 130 determines that a display fixation operation for fixing the screen has been performed on the third standby screen in response to the first object 101 being touched for a threshold time (e.g., 3 seconds) on the third standby screen (S84: Yes). The controller 130 also determines that a display fixation operation for fixing the screen has been performed on the second standby screen in response to the second object 102 being touched for a threshold time (e.g., 3 seconds) on the fourth standby screen (S84: Yes).

When the user touches the first object 101 or the second object 102 with a finger, the user's finger makes it difficult for the user to see the first object 101 or the second object 102. When the controller 130 determines that the first object 101 or the second object 102 has been touched for a predetermined time (e.g., one second) or more, the controller 130 may display the first object 101 or the second object 102 in a pop-up display on the display 28. A pop-up display means that the first object 101 or the second object 102 is enlarged or the like and displayed in a display area (e.g., the center of the display 28) different from the original display area (in the illustrated example, the area at the bottom right of the display 28).

When the controller 130 determines that a display fixation operation has been performed (S84: Yes), it fixes the display on the selected third or fourth standby screen (S85). Next, the controller 130 determines whether or not a fixation release operation has been performed (S86). The fixation release operation is performed when the first object 101 or the second object 102 is touched for a threshold time or more on the fixed standby screen. Specifically, the controller 130 determines that a fixation release operation has been performed in response to the first object 101 being touched for a threshold time (e.g., 3 seconds) or the second object 102 being touched for a threshold time (e.g., 3 seconds) (S86: Yes).

When the controller 130 determines that an unfixing operation has been performed (S86: Yes), it unfixes the standby screen (S87). Specifically, the third standby screen (first object 101) and the fourth standby screen (second object 102) are alternately displayed on the display 28 at the display interval determined in the toggle interval determination process.

As described above, when all cartridges 200 have ink, the controller 130 displays the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount on the standby screen (FIG. 12(A)), and when there is at least one tank 160 where the ink has decreased to the extent that air-in may occur, displays the second object 102 indicating the tank remaining amount on the standby screen. Then, when there is at least one cartridge 200 where the ink has been used up and all tanks 160 have enough ink to continue printing, the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount and the second object 102 indicating the tank remaining amount are alternately displayed on the display 28 in a toggle display. That is, when there is ink in all cartridges 200, it is sufficient for the user to be able to confirm the remaining amount of the cartridge 200, so the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount is displayed on the display 28. On the other hand, when there is at least one tank 160 where there is no ink remaining and printing cannot be continued, it is necessary for the user to recognize the color where there is no ink remaining, so the second object 102 indicating the tank remaining amount is displayed on the display 28. If at least one cartridge 200 has run out of ink and all tanks 160 have enough ink to continue printing, the user may wish to check either the amount remaining in the cartridge or the amount remaining in the tank, so a first object 101 indicating the amount remaining in the cartridge and a second object 102 indicating the amount remaining in the tank are alternately displayed in a toggle display on the display 28. As a result, the user can properly recognize the amount of ink remaining.

After executing the processes of steps S87, S74, and S78, or when it is determined that a display fix operation or an unfix operation has not been performed (S84: No, S86: No), the controller 130 determines whether the first object 101 or the second object 102 (remaining amount bar) has been tapped on the standby screen shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 (S91), as shown in FIG. 10.

When the controller 130 determines that the first object 101 or the second object 102 (remaining amount bar) has been tapped (S91: Yes), it determines whether or not the second object 102 has been tapped on the second standby screen (FIG. 12(B)) (S92). Specifically, the controller 130 determines whether or not there is a tank 160 whose S_Empty flag is "ON".

When the controller 130 determines that the second object 102 has been tapped on the second standby screen (S92: Yes), the controller 130 causes the display 28 to display the second cartridge replacement screen shown in FIG. 14B (S93). The second cartridge replacement screen has a tenth object 110 indicating the cartridge 200 whose ink has been used up, a seventh object 107 which is the text "Please replace the ink cartridge", and an eleventh object 111 which is the text "Y" indicating yellow. The second cartridge replacement screen makes the user recognize that the cartridge 200 storing yellow ink needs to be replaced. That is, the second cartridge replacement screen prompts the user to replace the cartridge 200 storing yellow ink. The process of step S92 of accepting the selection of the second object 102 on the second standby screen is an example of a fourth reception process. The second cartridge replacement screen is an example of a fourth screen. The process of step S93 of displaying the second cartridge replacement screen on the display 28 is an example of a fifth display process.

On the other hand, if the controller 130 determines that the second object 102 has not been tapped on the second standby screen (S92: No), it determines whether the first object 101 has been tapped on the first standby screen (FIG. 12(A)) (S94).

When the controller 130 determines that the first object 101 has been tapped on the first standby screen (S94: Yes), it causes the display to display the remaining ink screen shown in FIG. 15(A) (S95). The process of step S94 for accepting the tap on the first object 101 on the first standby screen is an example of a second acceptance process.

The ink remaining amount screen has four fourth objects 104 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges and four fifth objects 105 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the tanks. Each of the fourth objects 104 indicates the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black, respectively. Each of the fifth objects 105 indicates the remaining amount of ink in the tanks of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black, respectively. The fourth object 104 is a bar having a length corresponding to the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges, similar to the first object 101. The fifth object 105 is a bar having a length corresponding to the remaining amount of ink in the tank, similar to the second object 102. The fourth object 104 is larger than the first object 101, and the fifth object 105 is larger than the second object 102. In other words, the ink remaining amount screen is a screen that enlarges and displays both the first object 101 and the second object 102 on the display 28. The ink remaining amount screen allows the user to recognize both the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges and the remaining amount of ink in the tanks. That is, by displaying the ink remaining amount screen on the display 28, the user can simultaneously recognize both the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge and the amount of ink remaining in the tank. The ink remaining amount screen is an example of a second screen. The process of step S95 for displaying the ink remaining amount screen on the display 28 is an example of a third display process.

On the other hand, if the controller 130 determines that the first object 101 has not been tapped on the first standby screen (S94: No), it determines whether the first object 101 or the second object 102 has been tapped on either the third standby screen or the fourth standby screen (S96).

When the controller 130 determines that the first object 101 has been tapped on the third standby screen (S96: third standby screen), it causes the display 28 to display the first cartridge replacement screen shown in FIG. 14 (A) (S97).

The first cartridge replacement screen has a tenth object 110 indicating a cartridge 200 whose ink has run out, a sixth object 106 which is the text "Ink cartridge can be replaced", and an eleventh object 111 which is the letter "Y" indicating yellow. The first cartridge replacement screen makes the user aware that the cartridge 200 which stores yellow ink can be replaced. In other words, it prompts the user to replace the cartridge 200 which stores yellow ink.

On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the second object 102 has been tapped on the fourth standby screen (S96: fourth standby screen), it causes the display to display the remaining ink screen shown in FIG. 15(A) (S95). The process of step S96 (S96: third standby screen) of accepting the tap on the first object 101 on the third standby screen is an example of a third reception process. The process of step S96 (S96: fourth standby screen) of accepting the selection of the second object 102 on the fourth standby screen is an example of a fourth reception process. The process of step S97 of displaying the first cartridge replacement screen on the display 28 is an example of a fourth display process. The first cartridge replacement screen is an example of a third screen.

As described above, depending on whether the user taps the first object 101 or the second object 102 on any of the first to fourth standby screens, the screen displayed on the display 28 is selected from the first cartridge replacement screen, the second cartridge replacement screen, and the ink remaining amount screen. Therefore, the user can be made to recognize information regarding the ink remaining amount more appropriately. Specifically, when the user taps the first object 101 on the first standby screen that is displayed when there is ink in the cartridge 200, the ink remaining amount screen is displayed on the display 28, and the details of the cartridge remaining amount are shown to the user. When the user taps the second object 102 on the second standby screen that is displayed when there is not enough ink in the tank 160 to continue printing, the second cartridge replacement screen is displayed on the display 28, and the user is informed that the cartridge 200 needs to be replaced. When the user taps the first object 101 on the third standby screen, which is displayed when there is no ink in the cartridge 200, the first cartridge replacement screen is displayed on the display 28, and the user is informed that the cartridge 200 can be replaced. When the user taps the second object 102 on the fourth standby screen, which is displayed when there is enough ink in the tank 160 to continue printing, the remaining ink screen is displayed on the display 28, and the user is informed of the details of the remaining ink in the tank.

As shown in FIG. 10, the controller 130 judges whether or not to end the display of the first cartridge replacement screen (S97), the second cartridge replacement screen (S93), or the ink remaining amount screen (S95) (S98). Specifically, the controller 130 judges whether or not the home button (not shown) has been operated, or whether or not a predetermined screen display time has elapsed (timeout). The controller 130 continues to display the first cartridge replacement screen, the second cartridge replacement screen, or the ink remaining amount screen until it is judged to end the display of the first cartridge replacement screen, the second cartridge replacement screen, or the ink remaining amount screen (S98: No). On the other hand, when the controller 130 judges to end the display of the first cartridge replacement screen, the second cartridge replacement screen, or the ink remaining amount screen (S98: Yes), it displays the standby screen (S99) and ends the display process. The standby screen displayed in step S99 is the standby screen determined in the above-mentioned steps S74, S78, S83, and S85.

[Effects of the embodiment]
In this embodiment, when all cartridges 200 have ink, a first object 101 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge is displayed on the standby screen. On the other hand, when even one cartridge 200 has run out of ink and all tanks 160 have enough ink to continue printing, the first object 101 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge and the second object 102 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the tank are alternately displayed in a toggle display on the display 28. This allows the user to properly recognize the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge 200 and the remaining amount of ink in the tank 160.

The printer 10 of this embodiment is a so-called color printer, and the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges of four colors and the remaining amount of ink in the tanks of four colors are included as information on the remaining amount. Therefore, if the four first objects 101 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges of four colors and the four second objects 102 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the tanks are displayed on the standby screen at the same time, the user will not be able to properly recognize the information on the remaining amount. In this embodiment, if there is ink in all the cartridges 200, the first object 101 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges is displayed on the standby screen, and if there is any cartridge 200 that is out of ink and there is enough ink in all the tanks 160 to continue printing, the first object 101 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges and the second object 102 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the tanks are alternately displayed on the display 28 in a toggle display. Therefore, even if the printer is a color printer with a large amount of information on the remaining amount (the number of objects), the user can properly recognize the remaining amount of ink in the cartridges 200 and the remaining amount of ink in the tanks 160.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the toggle display, the lower the tank remaining amount (75%, 50%, 25%), the shorter the display time of the third standby screen showing the cartridge remaining amount. Therefore, the lower the tank remaining amount value, the easier it is for the user to recognize the tank remaining amount value. As a result, the user can more appropriately recognize the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge 200 and the remaining amount of ink in the tank 160.

In addition, in this embodiment, the screen can be fixed at the third standby screen, which is displayed alternately in the toggle display, or at the fourth standby screen. In other words, the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge or tank is displayed on the display 28 according to the user's request. As a result, the user can more appropriately recognize information regarding the remaining amount of ink.

In this embodiment, you can also unfreeze the standby screen.

In addition, in this embodiment, depending on whether the user taps the first object 101 or the second object 102 on any one of the first to fourth standby screens, the screen displayed on the display 28 is selected from the first cartridge replacement screen, the second cartridge replacement screen, and the ink remaining amount screen. This allows the user to more appropriately recognize information regarding the ink remaining amount.

In addition, in this embodiment, if there is not enough ink in the tank 160 to continue printing, the toggle display is stopped and a second standby screen (FIG. 12(B)) including a second object 102 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the tank is displayed on the display 28. This allows the user to more appropriately recognize information regarding the remaining amount of ink.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the user taps the second object 102 on the second standby screen, a second cartridge replacement screen indicating that the cartridge 200 needs to be replaced is displayed on the display 28. This allows the user to more appropriately recognize information regarding the remaining amount of ink.

[Variation 1]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the screen is fixed at the first standby screen or the second standby screen in response to the first object 101 or the second object 102 being touched for a threshold time or more in the toggle-displayed third standby screen or the fourth standby screen. However, as shown in FIG. 15B, the third object 103 indicating a pin may be displayed on the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen. The controller 130 determines that a display fixing operation has been performed in response to the third object 103 being tapped (S84: Yes). When the controller 130 determines that the third object 103 has been tapped by the user while the third standby screen is displayed on the display 28, the controller 130 fixes the screen at the third standby screen. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the third object 103 has been tapped by the user while the fourth standby screen is displayed on the display 28, the controller 130 fixes the screen at the fourth standby screen. The operation of step S84 in which the third object 103 accepts the display fixing operation is an example of a first reception process.

When the controller 130 determines that the user has tapped the third object 103 on the fixed third standby screen or fourth standby screen, it determines that an unfixing operation has been performed (S86: Yes), unfixes the screen (S87), and toggles between displaying the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen.

[Effects of Modification Example 1]
In this modification, the third object 103 for performing the display fixing operation and the fixing release operation is displayed on the display 28, so that the user can recognize that the toggle-displayed third standby screen and fourth standby screen can be fixed. In addition, since it is only necessary to tap the third object 103, the user can easily perform the display fixing operation and the fixing release operation compared to the above-described embodiment.

[Variation 2]
In the above embodiment, an example was described in which not only the second object 102 (in the illustrated example, the second object 102Y indicating yellow) indicating the remaining tank amount of the tank 160 corresponding to the cartridge 200 in which ink has been used up, but also all of the second objects 102 are displayed on the fourth standby screen that is toggled. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 16, an example will be described in which the second object 102 (in the illustrated example, the second object 102Y indicating yellow) indicating the remaining tank amount of the tank 160 corresponding to the cartridge 200 in which ink has been used up and the first object 101 indicating the remaining cartridge amount of the cartridge 200 in which ink has not been used up are displayed on the fourth standby screen. That is, the first object 101 and the second object 102 are toggled displayed only for the cartridge 200 in which ink has been used up.

The third standby screen displayed on the display 28 in this modified example is the same as the third standby screen described in the embodiment. The fourth standby screen displayed on the display 28 in this modified example has a second object 102Y indicating the remaining tank amount of the tank 160 corresponding to the cartridge 200 (yellow in the illustrated example) in which the ink has been used up, and first objects 101M, C, and Bk indicating the remaining cartridge amounts of the cartridges 200 (magenta, cyan, and black in the illustrated example) in which the ink has not been used up. The fourth standby screen also has a thirteenth object 113, which is the letter "S", located above the second object 102. The thirteenth object 113 allows the user to recognize that the second object 102Y indicates the remaining tank amount, not the cartridge remaining amount value.

As described above, in this modified example, for cartridges 200 in which ink has not been used up (magenta, cyan, and black in the illustrated example), the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount value is displayed on both the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen. On the other hand, for cartridges 200 in which ink has been used up (yellow in the illustrated example), the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount value and the second object 102 are displayed alternately.

In the toggle interval determination process (FIG. 11) in the above embodiment, it was determined whether all tank remaining amount values were equal to or greater than the second threshold (S101), the third threshold (S102), or the fourth threshold (S103). However, in this modified example, it is determined whether the tank remaining amount value of the tank 160 corresponding to the cartridge 200 in which ink has been used up is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the third threshold, or the fourth threshold, and the display interval is determined. The other configurations and processes are the same as those in the above embodiment.

[Effects of Modification 2]
In this modified example, the first object 101 indicating the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge and the second object 102 are displayed in a toggle manner only for the cartridge 200 in which ink has been used up (yellow in the illustrated example). This makes it possible to draw the user's attention to the cartridge 200 in which ink has been used up. As a result, the user can more easily recognize information regarding the remaining amount of ink.

[Variation 3]
In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 6, the printer 10 further includes a communication interface 31 connected to the communication bus 39. The controller 130 transmits the cartridge remaining amount and the tank remaining amount through the communication interface 31. Specifically, the controller 130 transmits the cartridge remaining amount value through the communication interface 31 in response to the first standby screen (FIG. 12A) being displayed on the display 28. The controller 130 transmits the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value through the communication interface 31 in response to the third standby screen (FIG. 12B) and the fourth standby screen (FIG. 13B) being displayed on the display 28. That is, the controller 130 transmits the cartridge remaining amount value in response to the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount value being displayed on the display 28, and transmits the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value in response to the toggle display being performed. The process of the controller 130 transmitting the cartridge remaining amount value through the communication interface 31 in response to the first standby screen being displayed on the display 28 is an example of a first transmission process. The process in which the controller 130 transmits the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value through the communication interface 31 in response to the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen being displayed on the display 28 is an example of a second transmission process.

The cartridge remaining amount value and tank remaining amount value transmitted by the printer 10 are input to an information processing device such as a personal computer, server, tablet, or mobile terminal via a LAN or USB cable connected to the communication interface 31. A status monitor is installed in the information processing device. The status monitor displays the cartridge remaining amount value or tank remaining amount value received by the information processing device on a display of the information processing device. Specifically, in response to the information processing device receiving the cartridge remaining amount value, a first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount value is displayed on the display of the information processing device, and in response to the information processing device receiving the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value, the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount value and the second object 102 indicating the tank remaining amount value are alternately displayed (toggle display) on the display of the information processing device.

[Effects of Modification 3]
In this modified example, the cartridge remaining amount value is transmitted in response to the first object 101 indicating the cartridge remaining amount value being displayed on the display 28, and the cartridge remaining amount value and the tank remaining amount value are transmitted in response to toggle display. Therefore, a screen similar to the screen displayed by the printer 10 is also displayed on the display of the information processing device without the status monitor having to determine whether to display the first object 101 on the display of the information processing device or to toggle display. As a result, the display on the printer 10 and the display on the status monitor can be made to match without the status monitor having to make a decision.

[Other variations]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when the ink in the cartridge 200 is used up, the first object 101 indicating the remaining amount in the cartridge and the second object 102 indicating the remaining amount in the tank are toggled on the first standby screen. However, when the ink in the cartridge 200 is used up, the second object 102 indicating the remaining amount in the tank may be fixedly displayed on the first standby screen instead of being toggled. Note that, only for the color in which the ink is used up, the second object 102 may be fixedly displayed on the first standby screen, and for the color in which the ink is not used up, the first object 101 indicating the remaining amount in the cartridge may be fixedly displayed on the first screen. Also, when there is a cartridge 200 of a color in which the ink is used up, the second object 102 may be fixedly displayed on the first screen for the color in which the ink is not used up, similarly to the color in which the ink is used up. In other words, when there is a cartridge 200 of a color in which the ink is used up, all the second objects 102 may be fixedly displayed on the first screen.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which ink flows out of the cartridge 200 into the tank 160 due to the head difference. However, the ink may also be caused to flow out of the cartridge 200 into the tank 160 by gravity, a pump, or the like. In other words, the present invention can also be used in printers in which ink is supplied from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 by gravity or a drive source.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the display time of the third standby screen is shortened as the remaining tank amount decreases. However, the display time of the fourth standby screen may be lengthened as the remaining tank amount decreases.

In the above embodiment, the controller 130 detects whether the detected portion 194 of the actuator 190 is in the first state or the second state based on the signal output by the liquid level sensor 33, but the configuration of the liquid level sensor 33 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the ink level in the liquid chamber 171. For example, the liquid level sensor 33 may be a sensor that optically detects the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 using a prism that has a reflectance that differs depending on whether ink is in contact with the rear wall 164 of the liquid chamber 171. The liquid level sensor 33 may also be an electrode rod inserted into the liquid chamber 171.

In the above embodiment, ink is described as an example of a liquid, but, for example, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto paper or the like prior to the ink during printing may be stored in the cartridge. Also, water for cleaning the head 21 may be stored in the cartridge.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the display time of the third standby screen and the display time of the fourth standby screen in the toggle display are determined based on the tank remaining amount value. However, the third standby screen and the fourth standby screen may each be displayed for a time that is pre-stored in the EEPROM 61.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the printer 10 was a color printer. However, the printer 10 may also be a monochrome printer.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the liquid level sensor 33 is used to determine whether the ink stored in the cartridge 200 has been used up, and whether or not to enable toggle display. However, the cartridge remaining amount value or tank remaining amount value updated in the second update process may be used to determine whether the ink stored in the cartridge 200 has been used up, and whether or not to enable toggle display.

10... printer 19... tube 21... head 28... display 33... liquid level sensor 36... memory unit 37B... control program 130... controller 150... mounting case 171... liquid chamber 181... needle 200... cartridge 210... liquid chamber

Claims (11)

a mounting case in which a cartridge containing a liquid is mounted;
a tank connected to the cartridge mounted in the mounting case;
a head connected to the tank ;
A display and
A controller,
The controller:
a first display process for displaying, on the display, a first object whose display mode changes depending on a first remaining amount, which is an amount of liquid stored in the cartridge attached to the attachment case;
a remaining amount display process for displaying, in response to a predetermined user operation , a fourth object on the display, the fourth object including a second object whose display manner changes in response to the first remaining amount and a third object whose display manner changes in response to a second remaining amount, which is the amount of liquid in the tank ;
The fourth object is a liquid consumption device larger than the first object . The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display mode of the first object is changed to three or more different modes. The liquid consumption device according to claim 1 , wherein the first object and the second object are bars having a length corresponding to the first remaining amount. The liquid consumption device according to claim 3 , wherein the bar is displayed at its maximum length when the first remaining amount is full. The liquid consumption device according to claim 1 , wherein the third object is a bar having a length corresponding to the second remaining amount. The liquid consumption device according to claim 5 , wherein the bar is displayed at its maximum length when the second remaining amount is full. The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller executes the remaining amount display process in response to the first object being selected. The controller:
executes the first display process in response to the first remaining amount being equal to or greater than a first predetermined amount;
The liquid consumption device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second display process for displaying, on the display, a fifth object whose display mode changes depending on the second remaining amount when the first remaining amount is less than the first predetermined amount. The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the fourth object is larger than the fifth object. 9. The liquid consumption device according to claim 8, wherein the first predetermined amount is an amount corresponding to when the liquid in the cartridge has been used up. The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the controller executes the remaining amount display process in response to the fifth object being selected.

Images