JP2002014795A - Device and method for remote diagnosis, and computer- readable program storage medium with recorded program having remote diagnosing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for remote diagnosis which can remotely take a concrete diagnosis corresponding to the use state of a printer while reducing the load on the printer, and a computer-readable program storage medium where a program having a remote diagnosing function is recorded. SOLUTION: This device is provided with detecting means 68a to 68d which detect the states of printers 5 and 5a printing on recording paper 27, diagnosing means 173 and 173a, and 175 and 176 which remotely diagnose the states of the printers 5 and 5a detected by the detecting means 68a to 68d through communication media 71 and 72, and 89 and 90 and send the diagnosis results of the states of the printers 5 and 5a to the printers 5 and 5a through the communication media 71 and 72, and 89 and 90, and a display means 76 which displays the diagnosis results.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote diagnostic apparatus for remotely diagnosing the status of a printer for printing on a recording sheet via a communication medium, a remote diagnostic method, and a computer reading a program having a remote diagnostic function. It relates to a possible program storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of the information industry, computers have become widespread in offices and homes, and printing by a printer connected to the computer has been increasing. The printer prints characters, images, and the like by printing ink on recording paper, and the amount of ink remaining decreases as printing is performed. Conventionally, various methods, such as a mechanical method, an optical method, and an electric method, have been proposed as methods for detecting the remaining amount of ink in an inkjet printer. Specifically, as a conventional ink remaining amount detection method, an indication is displayed such that the remaining amount of ink is a percentage of the total capacity of the ink tank, and an alarm is provided to notify the user that the remaining amount of ink is running low. Was.

The state (parameter) of such a printer
The result of the diagnosis has to be stored in the printer at each time as shown in JP-A-10-271261. That is, in order to store the diagnosis result, it is necessary to create a log file on a hard disk or the like of a computer connected to the printer.

[0004]

However, in the method of storing a log file in a computer as described above,
There is a drawback that the data size of the log file increases in proportion to the number of sampling times of the printer diagnosis.
As described above, when the data size of the log file increases, not only does the storage capacity of the computer need to be increased, but also the processing capacity of the computer that processes the large log file is burdened.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, reduces the burden on the printer, and enables remote diagnosis, a remote diagnosis method, and a remote diagnosis capable of remotely performing a specific diagnosis according to the use condition of the printer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable program storage medium on which a program having a function is recorded.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the first aspect of the present invention, a detecting means for detecting a state of a printer for printing on recording paper, and a state of the printer detected by the detecting means are communicated. Diagnostic means for remotely diagnosing via a medium, transmitting a diagnostic result of the status of the printer to the printer via the communication medium, and displaying means for displaying the diagnostic result. This can be achieved by a remote diagnostic device. According to the configuration of the first aspect, first, the state of the printer that prints on the recording paper is detected. The status of the printer detected by the detection means is remotely diagnosed via a communication medium, and the diagnosis result is transmitted to the printer via the communication medium and displayed. Therefore, the printer does not need to hold the diagnosis result of the state by itself. Further, since the printer does not need to diagnose the detected state by itself, the processing load is reduced. For this reason, the printer does not require high processing capability and can be inexpensive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the diagnostic means detects a remaining amount of the ink in the printer, and determines a time when the amount of the ink becomes insufficient based on the tendency of the remaining amount of the ink to decrease. It is characterized by predicting. According to the configuration of the second aspect, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the remaining amount of the ink in the printer is detected, and the time when the amount of the ink becomes insufficient is predicted from the tendency of the remaining amount of the ink to decrease. Therefore, the printer uses an external function, remotely diagnoses how much ink can be used if the current amount of ink is used, and externally displays a time when the amount of ink is insufficient as a result of the diagnosis. be able to. For this reason, the printer can always make the remaining amount of ink equal to or more than a certain amount.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the diagnostic means detects a remaining amount of ink in the printer and calculates the number of printable sample images based on the remaining amount of ink. It is characterized by. Claim 3
According to the configuration, in addition to the function of claim 1, the printer uses an external function to remotely diagnose how much ink can be used if the current amount of ink is used, As a result, it is possible to externally display how many predetermined sample images can be printed. Therefore, the user of the printer can specifically grasp the remaining amount of the ink.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the printer stores at least a part of the status of the printer detected by the detecting unit, and stores the data via the communication medium. When communication becomes possible,
Transmitting means for transmitting at least a part of the status of the printer. According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the printer does not need to collectively transmit the detected states, so that the data amount of the printer state transmitted at one time is reduced. be able to.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration of the first aspect, the communication medium performs data communication using the Internet.

[0011] The above object is attained by the invention of claim 6;
A detecting step of detecting a state of the printer for printing on the recording paper; and remotely diagnosing the state of the printer detected in the detecting step via a communication medium, and transmitting a diagnosis result of the state of the printer to the communication medium. And a display step of displaying the diagnosis result via a remote diagnosis method. According to the configuration of claim 6, first,
The state of the printer that prints on the recording paper is detected. The detected status of the printer is remotely diagnosed via the communication medium, and the diagnosis result is transmitted to the printer via the communication medium and displayed. Therefore, the printer does not need to hold the diagnosis result of the state by itself. Further, since the printer does not need to diagnose the detected state by itself, the processing load is reduced. For this reason, the printer
It does not require high processing capacity and can be inexpensive.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sixth aspect, in the diagnosing step, the remaining amount of the ink in the printer is detected, and the time when the amount of the ink becomes insufficient is determined based on the tendency of the remaining amount of the ink to decrease. It is characterized by predicting. According to the configuration of claim 7, in addition to the operation of claim 6, the remaining amount of ink in the printer is detected, and the time when the amount of ink is insufficient is predicted from the tendency of the remaining amount of ink to decrease. Therefore, the printer uses an external function, remotely diagnoses how much ink can be used if the current amount of ink is used, and externally displays a time when the amount of ink is insufficient as a result of the diagnosis. be able to. For this reason,
The printer can always keep the remaining amount of ink at a certain level or more.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sixth aspect, in the diagnosing step, the remaining amount of ink in the printer is detected, and the number of printable sample images is calculated based on the remaining amount of ink. It is characterized by. According to the configuration of claim 8, in addition to the function of claim 6, the printer uses an external function to remotely diagnose how much ink can be used if the current amount of ink is used. As a result of the diagnosis, it is possible to externally display how many predetermined sample images can be printed. Therefore, the user of the printer can specifically grasp the remaining amount of the ink.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sixth aspect, the printer stores at least a part of a state of the printer detected in the detecting step,
When data communication becomes possible via the communication medium, at least a part of the status of the printer is transmitted. According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, in addition to the operation of the sixth aspect, the printer does not need to transmit the detected states collectively, so that the data amount of the printer state transmitted at one time is reduced. be able to.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sixth aspect, the communication medium performs data communication using the Internet.

According to the present invention, a detecting step for detecting a state of a printer for printing on recording paper and a state of the printer detected in the detecting step via a communication medium are provided. A program having a remote diagnosis function including a diagnosis step of remotely diagnosing and transmitting a diagnosis result of the status of the printer to the printer via the communication medium and a display step of displaying the diagnosis result is recorded. This is achieved by a computer-readable program storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned features. According to the eleventh aspect, first, the state of the printer that prints on the recording paper is detected. The status of the printer detected in the detection step is remotely diagnosed via a communication medium,
The diagnosis result is transmitted to the printer via the communication medium and displayed. Therefore, the printer does not need to hold the diagnosis result of the state by itself. Further, since the printer does not need to diagnose the detected state by itself, the processing load is reduced. For this reason, the printer does not require high processing capability and can be inexpensive.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eleventh aspect, in the diagnosing step, the remaining amount of the ink in the printer is detected, and a timing when the amount of the ink becomes insufficient is determined based on the tendency of the remaining amount of the ink to decrease. A program having a remote diagnosis function for predicting is recorded. According to the configuration of claim 12, in addition to the function of claim 11,
The remaining amount of ink in the printer is detected, and the time when the amount of ink is insufficient is predicted from the tendency of the remaining amount of ink to decrease. Therefore, the printer uses an external function, remotely diagnoses how much ink can be used if the current amount of ink is used, and externally displays a time when the amount of ink is insufficient as a result of the diagnosis. be able to. For this reason, the printer can always make the remaining amount of ink equal to or more than a certain amount.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eleventh aspect, in the diagnosing step, a remaining amount of ink in the printer is detected, and the number of printable sample images is calculated based on the remaining amount of ink. A program having a diagnostic function is recorded. Claim 1
According to the configuration of the third aspect, in addition to the function of the eleventh aspect, the printer uses an external function to remotely diagnose how much ink can be used if the current amount of ink is used,
As a result of the diagnosis, it is possible to externally display how many predetermined sample images can be printed. Therefore, the user of the printer can specifically grasp the remaining amount of the ink.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eleventh aspect, the printer stores at least a part of the status of the printer detected in the detection step, and stores the status of the printer via the communication medium. A program having a remote diagnosis function for transmitting at least a part of the status of the printer when communication becomes possible is recorded. According to the configuration of claim 14, in addition to the effect of claim 11, the printer does not need to transmit the detected states collectively, so that the data amount of the printer state transmitted at one time is reduced. be able to.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eleventh aspect, the communication medium has recorded thereon a program having a remote diagnosis function of performing data communication using the Internet.

[0021]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention,
Although various technically preferable limits are given, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these modes unless otherwise specified in the following description.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a remote diagnosis system 100 as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the remote diagnosis system 100.
The appearance of the printer 5 or the like is also an example. Remote diagnosis system 1
00 is the service center server 23, computer 1
7, a printer 5, and a communication medium for performing data communication between the service center server 23 and the computer 17. The communication medium provided between the service center server 23 and the computer 17 may be, for example, two modems 71 and a telephone line 72, or a network 89, a router 21, and a network 90. In the latter case, the server 24 may be included. In the following description, the network 90 is described as being the Internet.

Assuming that the network 90 is the Internet, the server 24 is, for example, a server computer of an Internet provider. Therefore, the remote diagnosis system 100 can perform data communication between the service center server 4 and the computer 17.

The service center server 23 is a server computer provided at a service center that provides a service for acquiring and diagnosing the status of the printer 5 connected to the computer 17 by a printer cable or a network. The computer 17 is an example of an electronic device that issues a print instruction to the printer 5 when printing characters and images. The printer 5 is a device for printing characters and images on the recording paper 27 according to instructions from the computer 17. The router 21 and the network 89 are:
LAN (Local) for connecting a plurality of computers 17
Area Network).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the printer 5 and the computer 17 of FIG. The computer 17 is, for example, a notebook-type personal computer, and is connected to the printer 5 via a printer cable 15a. It is needless to say that the computer 17 may be a desktop personal computer. Computer 17
Is at least a display unit 76a and an operation unit 9
4 The display unit 76a is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is a display unit for displaying a diagnosis result diagnosed from the state of the printer 5 as described later. It goes without saying that the result of the diagnosis may be displayed on the display unit 76 of the printer 5 instead of the display unit 76a of the computer 17. The operation unit 94 is a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard, and is used by a user to operate the computer 17.

FIG. 3 is a transparent perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the printer 5 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a transparent perspective view showing an example of a state in which the head assembly 7 is removed from the printer 5 in FIG. The printer 5 has a holder 33 for detachably holding the head assembly 7 when the head assembly 7 is mounted.
Is provided. When the head assembly 7 is mounted, the holder 33 holds the head assembly 7 such that the ejection head 35 that ejects ink in the head assembly 7 faces downward. The ejection head 35 facing downward faces the recording paper 27 fed and fed from the tray 8 by the printer mechanism 10 while holding a slight gap. The ejection head 35 is controlled by a predetermined printer control unit.
Ink is ejected onto the recording paper 27 to print predetermined characters and images. Here, the printer mechanism unit 10 indicates the entire mechanical part of the printer 5, and includes, for example, a paper feed unit that feeds the recording paper 27 from the tray 8, a paper feed unit that has a roller that feeds the recording paper, and the like. A discharge unit for discharging the printed recording paper and other mechanisms required for the operation of the printer 5 are shown.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the head assembly 7 of FIG. The head assembly 7 mainly includes the head cartridge 51 and the ink cartridge 37.
Having. The ink cartridge 37 has an ink tank for storing at least one color ink. Specifically, the ink cartridge 37 is, for example, yellow (Yel)
low) ink tank 37a, magenta (Magen)
ta), an ink tank 37c for cyan, an ink tank 37c for cyan, and an ink tank 37d for black. Each of these ink tanks 37a to 7d is provided with an ink supply / storage unit (not shown) for supplying and storing each ink, on a surface facing the ink cartridge holder 49, respectively.

A feature of the present invention is that the remaining ink amount detectors 68a to 68d for detecting the remaining amounts of the respective color inks are provided in the respective ink tanks 37a to 37d.
(Diagnosis means, remote diagnosis device). The details of the remaining ink amount detectors 68a to 68d will be described later.

The head cartridge 51 has a lid 41, an ink cartridge holder 49, and the ejection head 35. The ejection head 35 has a frame 43, a head chip 47, and a plate 45. The head chip 47 includes a first head chip 47a to a fourth head chip 47d. The ink cartridge holder 49 is a member having concave portions formed in accordance with the number of the ink tanks 37a to 37d so that the ink tanks 37a to 37d can be detachably held. Holes 49a to 49d where the ink supply / storage portions of the ink tanks 37a to 37d are arranged are provided at the bottoms of these concave portions, respectively. Further, the ink cartridge holder 49 is provided with the ink tanks 37a to 37a.
When d is disposed in each of the concave portions, the ink tank 3
The lid 41 is attached so as to cover the upper surfaces of 7a to 37d. That is, the ink tanks 37a to 37d are respectively sealed.

On the other hand, the first head chip 47a to the fourth head chip 47d are chips for ejecting four color inks, respectively. The first head chip 47a to the fourth head chip 47d are strip-shaped members, and are sandwiched between the plate 45 and the frame 43 in a state where the longitudinal directions are arranged in parallel with each other. I have. The frame 43 is a plate-shaped member, and has an elongated groove-like hole substantially conforming to the shape of the first head chip 47a to the fourth head chip 47d. The frame 43 is attached to the lower surface of the ink cartridge holder 49. Further, the plate 45 is a plate-shaped member, and the first head chip 47a to be sandwiched therebetween.
Nozzle holes are formed substantially straight along the shape of the fourth head chip 47d.

FIG. 6 shows an ink remaining amount detecting device 68a shown in FIG.
It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of -68d. Since the remaining ink amount detecting devices 68a to 68d have the same configuration, only the remaining ink amount detecting device 68a will be described.
The ink remaining amount detection device 68a includes an application unit 64, a photodiode 56, a prism 70, a reflection unit 62, a photodetector 58, and a measurement unit 66. The application unit 64 is a power supply for applying a predetermined voltage to the photodiode 56 and a control unit therefor. The photodiode 56 converts the light 60 into a prism 70 by applying a predetermined voltage.
To irradiate the ink I via the The prism 70 transmits the light 60 from the photodiode 56 and reflects the light 60
To the photodetector 58. The photodetector 58 has a function of receiving the light 60 transmitted through the ink I, and has a function of outputting a predetermined voltage according to the amount of the received light 60. The measuring unit 66 has a function of measuring the output of the photo detector 58. In FIG. 6, a hole or a member made of a material through which the light 60 is transmitted is provided in a portion where the light 60 passes through the in-cartridge 37a and the like. Therefore, the remaining ink amount detecting device 6
8a, the light 60 has a large attenuation when the ink amount is large, and the light 60 has a small attenuation when the ink amount is small.
It is possible to detect a change in the output voltage of the photodetector 58 depending on the magnitude of the light amount, and detect the remaining amount of ink.

FIG. 7 shows an ink remaining amount detecting device 68a shown in FIG.
5 for the detected ink amount level
8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the output of FIG. In FIG. 7, the ink amount level in the ink cartridge 37a in FIG. 6 is set to a plurality, for example, “Empty (for example, 0 cc)” where the remaining amount of the ink I is low, “Level 2” where the remaining amount of the ink I is slightly lower, and “Level 1” where the remaining amount is slightly larger, “Full (for example, 15 cc)” where the remaining amount of the ink I is full.
There are four levels. Ink remaining amount detector 6
8A, when the remaining amount of the ink I decreases, the ink amount level changes from “Full” to “Level 1”, and the output of the photodetector 58 in FIG. 6 gradually increases. This change shows almost the same characteristics as the remaining ink level decreases. Then, when the remaining ink level becomes, for example, “level 2”, it is determined that the remaining amount of the ink I is small and an alarm should be output. The remaining amount of the ink I to output the alarm can be set arbitrarily according to the specifications of the printer 5.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the printer 5 of FIG. The printer 5 has a RAM (R
and access Memory) 61, RO
M (Read Only Memory) 63, CPU
(CentralProcessing Unit) 6
7, a head drive unit 73, a head assembly 7, a head detection unit 75, a printer control unit 77, a printer mechanism unit 10 and an interface 65, and a display unit 76 and a printer diagnosis unit 79.

The RAM 61 is a writable and readable information storage medium, and is a work area of the CPU 67. RO
M63 is a readable information storage medium.
The information recorded in 67 is provided. The ROM 63
May be rewritable. CPU67
Are a RAM 61, a ROM 63, a head driving unit 73, a head detection unit 75, a printer control unit 77, a printer diagnosis unit 7.
9, connected to the display unit 76 and the interface 65 to control them and acquire data from them.

The head driving section 73 controls the operation of the head assembly 7 under the control of the CPU 67. The head assembly 7 includes the ink cartridge and a head cartridge that discharges ink. The head detection unit 75 has a function of acquiring predetermined information from the head assembly 7 that can be attached to and detached from the printer 5, and detects, for example, that the head assembly 7 has been attached to the printer 5.

The printer control unit 77 controls the operation of the printer mechanism unit 10 under the control of the CPU 67.
The printer mechanism 10 shows the entire mechanism for printing in the printer 5. The status of the printer mechanism 10 is diagnosed by the printer diagnosis unit 79.

The display unit 76 displays predetermined images and characters under the control of the CPU 67. The interface 65 is connected to a printer cable by, for example, Centronics, or a LAN by a network.
(Local Area Network) is an interface for communicating data such as an image to be printed by connecting a cable. What is characteristic of the printer 5 is that the above-mentioned remaining ink amount detectors 68a to 68d are provided as a part of the head detector 75.

FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of each of the service center server 4 and the computer 17 of FIG. The service center server 4 and the computer 17 are similar in electrical configuration in that they are electronic devices such as a computer, except that the service center server 4 requires more processing capacity. Therefore,
In the following description, the computer 17 will be mainly described, and different points in the service center server 4 will be described each time.

The computer 17 has a control section 93, a display section 76, a storage section 96, an interface 97, a communication control section 95, and an operation section 94. Note that the service center server 4 may not have the display unit 76, the interface 97, and the operation unit 94. The control unit 93 includes, for example, C
PU (Central Processing Uni)
t), which is an arithmetic unit for controlling the entire computer 17. The storage unit 96 includes a RAM (Random A)
access memory, such as an access memory, and a ROM (Read Only Memory).
y) and a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk. The control unit 93 operates software or the like using the RAM or the like of the storage unit 96 as a work area. The display unit 76 has a function of displaying predetermined characters and images under the control of the control unit 93. The interface 97 is, for example, Centronics or USB (Uni
2 shows a user interface such as “veral Serial Bus”. The communication control unit 95
Has a function of controlling data communication in a network interface for performing data communication. The operation unit 94 indicates a user interface such as a keyboard as described above.

FIG. 10 shows the remote diagnosis system 100 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a software configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the software of FIG. The service center server 4 and the computer 17
An operating system 114 and an operating system 14 are operating, respectively. The operating systems 14 and 114 each represent so-called basic software, and are software for controlling operations of software and the like that operate in the printer 5.
The operating systems 14 and 114 may be omitted because other software also has the function.

The service center server 4 includes the operating system 114, the diagnostic item table 152, the log file 154, the diagnostic module 173 (diagnosing means,
A program having a remote diagnosis function) and a communication module 176 (diagnosis means, a program having a remote diagnosis function)
Having. The diagnosis item table 152 stores information on items for diagnosing the status of the printer 5. The diagnosis item table 152 has information relating to, for example, diagnosing the remaining amount of ink as the state of the printer 5. The log file 154 stores the result of diagnosing the status of the printer 5 for each detection date and time. Log file 15
4 is created in the RAM 61 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication module 176 includes a diagnostic module 173.
Controls the communication module 1 of the computer 17
75 (diagnosing means, a program having a remote diagnostic function). Further, the diagnosis module 173 reads a diagnosis item stored in the diagnosis item table 152, and transmits a detection instruction 177 corresponding to the diagnosis item to the computer 17. Here, the detection instruction 177 is an instruction to acquire, for example, the remaining amount of ink in the head assembly 7. This detection instruction 177 can be set arbitrarily according to the diagnosis item in the printer 5.

The communication module 176 has a function of receiving a detection result 179 (state of the printer 5) from the computer 17. As the detection result 179,
This is information on the remaining amount of ink. Here, the information on the remaining amount of the ink includes at least information on the color of the ink (color information) when the remaining amount of the ink is detected,
The information includes date and time information (detection date and time) and the remaining amount of ink.

The diagnostic module 173 calculates the tendency of the ink remaining amount to decrease based on the information on the ink remaining amount, and predicts when the ink is insufficient for each ink from the tendency. . That is, the diagnosis module 173 can grasp the tendency of ink reduction according to the usage status of the printer 5. Further, the diagnosis module 173 can display information on the ink having the earliest shortage in the remaining amount of the ink. Detailed calculations performed by the diagnosis module 173 will be described later.

Further, the diagnosis module 173 has a function of controlling the communication module 176 so as to output a diagnosis result 181 to the computer 17.

The computer 17 has the operating system 14, the communication module 175 (a program having a remote diagnosis function), the detection module 172 (a program having a detection means and a remote diagnosis function), and the device driver 2. The device driver 2 controls the head driving unit 73 and the printer control unit 77 in FIG.
This is software for managing each block connected to the PU 67.

The detection module 172 in FIG. 10 controls the device driver 2 and gives an instruction to detect the remaining amount of ink in the head assembly 7 to the remaining ink amount detecting devices 68a to 68d in FIG. Has the function of obtaining Items for which the detection module 172 diagnoses the state of the printer 5 are stored in advance in, for example, the ROM 63 of FIG. The ROM 63 is a rewritable RO.
If it is M, this item may be changed. Further, the communication module 175 has a function of transmitting the detection result 179 to the service center server 4.

The printer 5 having the remote diagnosis system 100 is configured as described above. Next, the remote diagnosis method will be described with reference to FIGS. In simple terms, the remote diagnosis system 100 is a system for remotely informing the user of how many days can be printed (printable period) when the user of the printer 5 prints at the previous printing pace.

Read instruction (detection step) The service center server 4 shown in FIG. 1 operates the diagnostic module 173 to diagnose the computer 17 to which the printer 5 is connected. Diagnostic module 173
Acquires a diagnostic item indicating that the remaining amount of ink should be acquired from the diagnostic item table 152, controls the communication module 176, and transmits a detection instruction 179 to the computer 17. The computer 17 receives the detection instruction 179 through the communication module 175 and drives the detection module 172.

The reading operation (diagnosis step) detection module 172 detects the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 7 in the printer 5 for each color.
Specifically, the detection module 172 controls the device driver 2 under the control of the CPU 61 in FIG.
Are sent to the remaining ink amount detectors 68a to 68d as a part of the head detecting unit 75 of FIG. Upon receiving the instruction to read the remaining amount of ink, the remaining ink amount detectors 68a to 68d read the output of the photodetector 58 for each ink as already described with reference to FIG. The detection result 179 detected by the detection module 172 is transmitted to the service center server 4 by the communication module 175.

The service center server 4 obtains the detection result 17
9 is received by the communication module 176 and delivered to the diagnosis module 173. The diagnostic module 173 is shown in FIG.
The remaining ink level is calculated from the remaining ink level characteristic for the output of the photodetector 58 shown in FIG. Then, the diagnostic module 173 writes the color information and the detection date and time in the log file 154 in addition to the remaining amount of the ink as shown in FIG.

The diagnostic module 173 shown in FIG. 10 may obtain the detection result 179 detected by the detection module 172 at regular intervals as well as when the detection instruction 177 is given to the computer 17 as described above. . In this way, the diagnosis module 173 records the color information, the detection date and time, and the remaining amount of ink in the log file 154 as an ink remaining amount history (log). This log file 154 is recorded in the RAM or the hard disk of the storage unit 96 in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the log file 154 records a tendency that the remaining amount of ink decreases with time.

Arithmetic Operation The diagnostic module 173 in FIG. 10 sets the remaining ink level in FIG.
y ”(hereinafter referred to as“ ink expiration date ”) is calculated. Then, the diagnostic module 173 of FIG.
Performs the following calculation for each color from the remaining amount history of the ink already recorded in the log file 154.

That is, when cyan is exemplified as the color of the ink, the diagnostic module 173 detects that the remaining amount C of the ink at the detection date and time (11:21 on January 1, 2000) recorded in FIG. Then, this is plotted as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the diagnostic module 17
No. 3 detects the remaining ink amount C at each time as 13 cc, 11 cc and 4 cc as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the remaining amount of yellow ink is represented by Y, the remaining amount of magenta ink is represented by M, and the remaining amount of black ink is represented by B.

The diagnostic module 173 obtains the remaining amount of ink = a × the detection date and time + b (a: constant, b: amount of ink when full) by, for example, the least square method. The detection date and time (that is, the expiration date of the ink) is obtained. This detection date and time is the “expected use-up date” shown in the figure. The diagnostic module 173
As shown in FIG. 12, the ink expiration date (color expiration date) for each color is written in a predetermined file.

Further, the diagnosis module 173 writes the use term (April 21, 2000) having the shortest time to the use term among the use terms of the inks of the respective colors in the item “Comprehensive judgment” in the drawing. Further, the diagnosis module 173 writes the date of making this determination in the item of “judgment date (investigation date)”. In this way, the diagnosis module 173 of FIG. 10 can leave information on when the remaining amount of ink is determined.

The diagnostic module 173 transmits the diagnostic result 179 thus obtained to the computer 17 by controlling the communication module 176. Computer 17
Controls the communication module 175 to determine the diagnosis result 17
9 is received.

Display step Then, the diagnosis module 173 displays the device driver 2
Is displayed on the display unit 76 or the display unit 76a of FIG. 2 as shown in FIG.
At the same time, the computer 17 may notify the user of an alarm. By doing so, the user can visually check the expiration date of the ink in the printer 5, so that the printer 5 can be prevented from running out of ink.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the user prints at the previous printing pace, information indicating how long the printing can be performed at the current printing pace (printable period) is remote. The user is diagnosed in advance and notified to the user, so that the user can accurately determine when to replace or replace the ink according to his / her own use schedule. Further, according to the diagnosis module 173 in the printer 5, it is not possible to know when the user should prepare the replacement ink specifically, and it is not necessary to cause trouble such as sudden running out of ink. Therefore, the printer 5 can print reliably at any time.

A characteristic effect of the first embodiment of the present invention is that it is not necessary for the printer 5 or the computer 17 to hold a diagnosis result of the state of the printer 5,
The printer 5 only needs to have a minimum storage capacity for printing. Further, since the printer 5 does not need to diagnose the detected state by itself, the processing load is reduced. For this reason, the printer 5 can be made inexpensive because it does not require high processing capability.

Further, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the service center server 4 transmits the detection result 18
Since 1 is acquired, the detection result 181 can be grasped and the amount of ink to be stocked can be accurately predicted. Further, when the service center having the service center server 4 sells many types of inks, it is possible to grasp the user's favorite ink and its type.
Marketing research can be conducted easily.

[0061] remote diagnosis system 100a (remote diagnosis device) and a printer 5a having the same as the second embodiment the second embodiment, FIGS. 1 1
3 have substantially the same configuration as the remote diagnosis system 100 as the first embodiment and the printer 5 having the same, therefore, the same configuration will be described using the reference numerals in FIGS. In the remote diagnosis system 100, the user is notified when the remaining amount of ink in the printer 5 reaches a predetermined amount, whereas in the remote diagnosis system 100a, the user is notified of the remaining amount of ink in the printer 5a. However, the difference is that the number of remaining sheets of the predetermined sample image can be printed. Therefore, the remote diagnosis system 100a
The functions of the diagnostic module 173a (diagnosing means), the communication modules 176 and 175, the log file 154, and the diagnostic item table 152 are slightly different from those of the remote diagnostic system 100.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of information relating to the amount of ink and the like required to print the sample image. The amount of ink required for printing a sample image (hereinafter referred to as “sample image information”) is stored in the diagnosis item table 152 in FIG. The diagnostic item table 152 also stores the print size and image type for each sample image. The required ink amounts are indicated by Yo for yellow, Mo for magenta, Co for cyan, and Bo for black. The data stored in the diagnosis item table 152 may be stored in the CPU 67 of the printer 5 or in the diagnosis module 173a in advance.

The diagnostic module 173a detects the amount of yellow ink Y and the amount of magenta ink as shown in FIG. 16 by the detection method described in the first embodiment or by taking out the log file 154 of FIG. M, cyan ink remaining amount C, and black ink remaining amount B are acquired. Then, the diagnosis module 173a determines the remaining amounts Y, M, C, and B of the inks of the respective colors by the ink amounts Yo, Mo, Co, and B of the respective colors necessary for printing a certain print size / sample image.
Divide by o, and quotient Y / Y of each ink amount. , M / M
o, C / Co, B / B. Ask for. Next, the diagnostic module 173a performs [Y / Yo], [M / Mo], [C / C
o] and [B / Bo]. Then, the diagnostic module 173a obtains information as shown in the table of FIG. 17 as the smallest number among the obtained integers as the number of printable sheets with a certain print size / sample image. Alternatively, the diagnostic module 173a records in the log file 154 of FIG. Finally, diagnostic module 1
Reference numeral 73a displays, on the display unit 76 in FIG. 2, the sample name, printable number, and survey date of the sample image shown in FIG.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and in addition to this, when a predetermined sample image is printed, how many more sheets are printed Since specific information such as possible (number of printable sheets) is displayed, troubles such as unexpectedly running out of ink in the printer 5 can be avoided. Therefore, the user can know the timing to fill or replace the ink, so that the printer 5a
Will always be able to print more reliably.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the printer 5,
The remaining amount of ink in each of the printers 5a is diagnosed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that other items in each of the printers 5 and 5a may be diagnosed.
In the above-described embodiment, the printers 5 and 5a are described as each adopting the ink jet system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the present invention may be applied to a printer adopting a laser system. . That is, the above embodiment can be applied to a printer in which ink is reduced by printing. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printers 5 and 5a can perform data communication via a storage unit such as a memory for storing at least a part of the detected printer status and a communication medium such as the network 90, respectively. Transmission means for transmitting at least a part of the state of the printers 5 and 5a. With this configuration, the printer does not need to transmit the detected states collectively to the service center server 23, so that the amount of data of the states of the printers 5 and 5a transmitted at one time can be reduced. Also, as a program storage medium used to install a program having a remote diagnosis function for executing the above-described series of processes in a computer and to make the computer executable, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD- ROM (C
ohmpact Disc Read Only Mem
ory), DVD (Digital Versatil)
e Disc) as well as package media,
The program may be realized by a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk in which the program is temporarily or permanently stored. As means for storing programs in these program storage media, wired and wireless communication media such as a local area network, the Internet, and digital satellite broadcasting may be used, and the programs are stored via various communication interfaces such as routers and modems. You may do so. Further, the service center server 4 and the printers 5, 5a described above are used.
Needless to say, each of the devices may be provided with a drive device capable of reading at least the information of the program storage medium. In addition, the remote diagnosis system 10
The printers 0 and 100a are provided with the functions of the computer 17 in the printers 5 and 5a, respectively.
It goes without saying that 7 may be omitted. In addition, the components of the above embodiment can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined in a manner different from the above.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A remote diagnostic apparatus, a remote diagnostic method, and a computer-readable program storing a program having a remote diagnostic function, capable of remotely performing a specific diagnosis according to the usage of the printer while reducing the burden on the printer A medium can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a remote diagnosis system as a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a printer having a remote diagnosis system as the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a transparent perspective view showing a configuration example of the printer in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transparent perspective view showing an example of a state where a head assembly is removed from the printer of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the head assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an ink remaining amount detection device in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an output of a photodetector with respect to an ink amount level detected by the remaining ink amount detecting device of FIG. 6;

8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the printer in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of each of a service center server and a computer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a software configuration diagram showing a configuration example of software of the remote diagnosis system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the remaining amount of ink in the printer at each detection date and time.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an expiration date of ink.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of information regarding the amount of ink required to print a sample image.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a display example of a display unit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of information regarding an ink amount and the like required to print a sample image.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the remaining ink amount of the printer at a certain point in time.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of information of a sample image.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the number of sample images that can be printed based on the amount of ink remaining in the printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

5, 5a printer, 21 router (communication medium), 24 server (communication medium), 68a to 68d
... Remaining amount detection device (detection means, remote diagnosis device), 71
... Modem (communication medium), 72 ... Telephone line (communication medium), 76, 76a ... Display unit (display means, remote diagnostic device), 89 ... Network (communication medium), 90
... Network (communication medium), 100, 100a
..Remote diagnosis system (remote diagnosis device), 152...
Diagnostic item table (remote diagnostic device), 154... Log file (remote diagnostic device), 172... Detection module (detection means, program having remote diagnostic function), 1
73, 173a... Diagnostic module (diagnostic means, program having remote diagnostic function), 175, 176.
Communication module (diagnosis means, program having remote diagnosis function), I ... ink

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2C056 EA20 EA29 EB20 EB52 EC26 2C061 AP01 AR01 HJ07 HK11 HK23 HV14 HV26 5B021 AA01 BB10 LG07 NN16 NN17 5B089 GA11 GB02 HA01 JA35 JB15 KA12 KA13 KB03 KC27 LB13 MC12

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A detecting means for detecting a state of a printer for printing on recording paper, and a state of the printer detected by the detecting means is remotely diagnosed via a communication medium, and a result of the diagnosis of the state of the printer is provided. And a display unit for displaying the result of the diagnosis. 2. The remote diagnosis according to claim 1, wherein the diagnosis unit detects a remaining amount of the ink in the printer and predicts a time when the ink becomes insufficient based on the tendency of the ink to decrease. apparatus. 3. The remote diagnosis according to claim 1, wherein the diagnosis unit detects a remaining amount of the ink in the printer and calculates the number of printable sample images based on the remaining amount of the ink. apparatus. 4. The printer, further comprising: storage means for storing at least a part of the status of the printer detected by the detection means, and the status of the printer when data communication becomes possible via the communication medium. 2. A remote diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits at least a part of the remote diagnostics. 5. The remote diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication medium performs data communication using the Internet. 6. A detecting step for detecting a state of the printer for printing on recording paper, and remotely diagnosing the state of the printer detected in the detecting step via a communication medium, and diagnosing the state of the printer. A remote diagnosis method, comprising: a diagnosis step of transmitting a result to the printer via the communication medium; and a display step of displaying the diagnosis result. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in the diagnosing step, a remaining amount of the ink in the printer is detected, and a time when the amount of the ink becomes insufficient is predicted from a tendency of the remaining amount of the ink to decrease. Remote diagnosis method. 8. The remote diagnosis according to claim 6, wherein in the diagnosis step, the remaining amount of ink in the printer is detected, and the number of printable sample images is calculated based on the remaining amount of ink. Method. 9. The printer stores at least a part of the status of the printer detected in the detecting step, and stores the status of the printer when data communication becomes possible via the communication medium. 7. The remote diagnostic method according to claim 6, wherein at least a part of the remote diagnosis is transmitted. 10. The remote diagnosis method according to claim 6, wherein the communication medium performs data communication using the Internet. 11. A detecting step of detecting a state of a printer for printing on recording paper, and remotely diagnosing the state of the printer detected in the detecting step via a communication medium, and diagnosing the state of the printer. A computer-readable program storage medium having recorded thereon a program having a remote diagnosis function, comprising: a diagnosis step of transmitting a result to the printer via the communication medium; and a display step of displaying the diagnosis result. . 12. A program having a remote diagnosis function for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the printer and predicting a time when the amount of ink is insufficient based on a tendency of the remaining amount of ink to decrease in the diagnosing step. The computer readable program storage medium according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The method according to claim 13, wherein in the diagnosing step, a program having a remote diagnosis function for detecting a remaining amount of ink in the printer and calculating the number of printable sample images based on the remaining amount of ink is recorded. The computer readable program storage medium according to claim 11. 14. The printer stores at least a part of the status of the printer detected in the detection step, and stores the status of the printer when data communication becomes possible via the communication medium. The computer readable program storage medium according to claim 11, wherein a program having a remote diagnosis function for transmitting at least a part of the program is recorded. 15. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the communication medium records a program having a remote diagnosis function for performing data communication using the Internet.