JP2000298531A - Information processing apparatus, consumables remaining amount notification method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To determine the warning time of the remaining amount of consumables from the expected consumption of consumables and to issue an appropriate warning. A consumable item corresponds to a schedule element that constitutes a scheduler, and a consumable item usage counting unit (9a) counts a usage amount of the consumable item used in the information processing apparatus. The remaining amount detecting means 9b detects the remaining amount of the consumable. The remaining amount notification timing control means 9c determines whether the consumables to be performed by the remaining amount notifying means 9d are based on the schedule element set by the scheduler function and the remaining amount of the consumables detected by the remaining amount detecting means 9b. Controls the timing of notification of the remaining amount.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a method for informing a remaining amount of consumables, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus having a scheduler function and a remaining amount informing apparatus applied to the information processing apparatus. The present invention relates to a method and a storage medium storing a program for executing the consumables remaining amount notification method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when the remaining amount of consumables (for example, printing ink, printing paper, battery holding power, etc.) used in an information processing apparatus becomes low, a user is notified and refilled. A warning is issued to urge the user to do so, but the notification time of the warning is uniquely set in each device and is not variable. That is, it does not depend on the use schedule of the information processing apparatus.

[0003]

However, the time for operating the information processing apparatus and the time or frequency of use of the mounted functions vary depending on the user and the environment, so that the usage of consumables also varies depending on these. Becomes Therefore, at the notification time uniquely set for each device, a certain user feels that a remaining amount warning has been issued even though there is still a large amount of remaining amount, and for some users, the remaining amount warning is issued. If you don't get it even faster, you'll feel that you can't get enough supplies. Particularly in the latter case, it is impossible to replenish the consumable print media (paper), print ink, or the battery when the user is out of the office when the remaining amount warning is issued, which is extremely inconvenient. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has made it possible to determine the warning time of the remaining amount of consumables from the expected usage of consumables and to issue an appropriate warning. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus, a method for informing a remaining amount of consumables, and a storage medium.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus having a scheduler function, the information processing apparatus having a scheduler function corresponding to a schedule element constituting a scheduler. Consumables usage counting means for counting the amount of consumables used in, and remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the consumables,
A remaining amount notifying unit for notifying the remaining amount of the consumable, a schedule element set by the scheduler function,
A remaining amount notification timing control unit that controls a timing at which the remaining amount notification unit performs notification based on the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a consumables remaining amount notification method applied to an information processing apparatus having a scheduler function, the method corresponds to a schedule element constituting a scheduler and is used in the information processing apparatus. A consumables usage counting step of counting the amount of consumables used, a remaining amount detecting step of detecting the remaining amount of the consumables, a schedule element set by the scheduler function, and the remaining amount detecting step. A remaining amount notifying unit for notifying the remaining amount of the consumable based on the detected remaining amount, and a remaining amount notifying time controlling step of controlling a timing of performing the notification.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a consumables remaining amount notifying method applied to an information processing apparatus having a scheduler function as a program. The remaining amount notification method corresponds to a schedule element constituting a scheduler, and includes a consumable amount counting step for counting the amount of consumables used in the information processing apparatus, and a remaining amount detecting step for detecting the remaining amount of the consumable. An amount detection step;
A remaining amount for controlling a time when the remaining amount notifying unit for notifying the remaining amount of the consumable supplies notifies based on the schedule element set by the scheduler function and the remaining amount detected in the remaining amount detecting step. A notification timing control step.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus has a scheduler function for managing a schedule, and a schedule element is represented as schedule data ScdlDataBase 2a. Consumables such as the printing ink 7a, the printing medium 7b, and the battery capacity 4a are used in the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a consumable use amount counting unit 9a for holding a use amount of a consumable corresponding to a schedule element constituting a scheduler, and a remaining amount detecting unit 9 for detecting a remaining amount of the consumable.
b, remaining amount notifying means 9d for notifying the remaining amount of the consumable,
The remaining amount notification timing control means 9c, based on a schedule element set by the scheduler function and the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection means 9b. The timing of the remaining amount notification by the means 9d is controlled.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a read-only memory (ROM) which holds a control program executed by a central processing unit (CPU) 3 for controlling the entire system of the information processing apparatus. By executing the control program, the functions of the consumables usage amount counting means 9a, the remaining amount detecting means 9b, the remaining amount notifying timing controlling means 9c, the remaining amount notifying means 9d, and the like are realized. Reference numeral 2 denotes a random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information necessary for processing of the present system. Here, processing information of the information processing apparatus, work area, schedule data ScdlDataBase2a
Etc. are retained. 4 is a battery (Bat) as a portable power supply.
and the battery capacity 4a is included as a consumable item. Reference numeral 5 denotes a gate array (GA) having a processing procedure as a hardware circuit. Reference numeral 7 denotes a printer unit (PRINTERUN1T) controlled by the CPU 3, which includes consumables such as a printing ink 7a and a printing medium 7;
b. Reference numeral 8 denotes several LEs for reporting the remaining amount of consumables.
D, which lights red and light, respectively. Each device is B
Connected via US6.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an area layout of a work area in the RAM 2 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 2a is the schedule data
ScdlDataBase, which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 2b is the current schedule day number CrntSc
dlDayNo, 2c is the current schedule list number Crn
tScdlListNo, 2d is edit schedule date number E
dtScdlDayNo, 2e is an edit schedule list number EdtScdlListNo, 2f is a tentative schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo, 2g is a tentative schedule list number TmpScdlListNo, 2h is a tentative schedule list pointer TmpScdlListPtr, and 2i is , The temporary schedule data pointer TmpScdlDataPtr, and 2j
Is the tentative schedule data TmpScdlData, 2k
Is a provisional outgoing flag TmpOutFlg, 2l is a provisional print flag TmpPrintFlg, 2m is a provisional time TmpTimes, 2n is a planned outgoing flag WillOutFlg, and 2o
Is the original going out flag OrgWillOutFlg, and 2p is
It is WillOutScdlDayNo, the scheduled outgoing schedule day number,
2q is going-out schedule list number WillOutScdlL
istNo, 2r is a print total PrintSum indicating the total number of scheduled prints, 2s is a total time TimesSum indicating the total planned time, and 2t is the estimated ink consumption.
WillUseInk, 2u is the estimated number of media to be consumed Will
UseMedia, 2v is expected power consumption WillUseBatt, 2w is an ink discharge counter DropCnt,
2x is a media counter MediaCnt, 2y is a remaining ink capacity RemainInk, and 2z is a remaining media number R
emainMedia, 2aa is the remaining battery capacity RemainBatt, 2ab is the low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg, and 2ac is the low media remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFl.
g, 2ad is the low battery level notification flag LowBattFlg
2ae is the original low ink remaining amount notification flag OrgLowIn
kFlg, 2af is the original low media remaining amount notification flag Or
gLowMediaFlg, and 2ag is the original low battery remaining amount notification flag OrgLowBattFlg.

FIG. 4 shows the schedule data shown in FIG.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the area | region arrangement | positioning inside ScdlDataBase2a.

In the figure, (A) shows a schedule list, (B) shows schedule data, (C) shows various data, and (D) shows a message.

In the schedule list shown in FIG. 2A, the start address is Scdl, and the addresses from ScdlList0Ptr2a1 to NULL2a5 hold the address pointers to the schedule data of each corresponding day. For example, ScdlLi
The schedule data of the day indicated in st6Ptr2a3 indicates the schedule data of the corresponding day indicated by the start address ScdlList6 in FIG. Also, NULL
2a5 means the end of data.

In the schedule data of a certain day shown in (B) in the figure, the addresses from ScdlData60Ptr2a6 to NULL2a10 hold address pointers to various data of each configuration schedule. For example, ScdlData61Ptr2a7
The various data pointed out in (3) indicate various data indicated by the start address ScdlData61 in (C) in the figure.
NULL2a10 means the end of the schedule data on the corresponding day.

In the various data at a specific time shown in (C) in the figure, Msg61Ptr2a11 holding the address pointer to the message shown in (D), followed by StTime612a12 holding the start time, Times 612a13 that holds the required time, OutFlg 612a14 that indicates whether the user is going out, PrintFlg 612a15 that indicates whether there is a print schedule, and NULL 2a16 that indicates the end of data are set.

The message shown in (D) in the figure holds specific schedule contents at the position designated by the address pointer held in (C) in the figure. For example, the message Msg61Dt is held at the address Msg61.

FIG. 5 shows a low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg2ab and a low medium remaining amount notification flag LowMe shown in FIG.
diaFlg2ac, low battery level notification flag LowBattFlg2ad
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a bit configuration of FIG.

In the figure, 2ab is a low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg, which is a bit flag composed of 8 bits. In the figure, INGBIT is a bit indicating that the remaining amount has already reached the low remaining amount warning value without considering the future schedule, and WILLBIT is the remaining amount in consideration of the future schedule. This bit indicates that the possibility of reaching the low remaining amount warning value is high. 2a
c is a low media remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFlg,
This is a bit flag composed of 8 bits. In the figure, IN
GBIT is a bit that indicates that the remaining amount has already reached the low remaining amount warning value without considering the future schedule, and WILLBIT is
This bit indicates that there is a high possibility that the remaining amount reaches the low remaining amount warning value. 2ad is a low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg, and is a bit flag composed of 8 bits. In the figure, INGBIT is a bit indicating that the remaining amount has already reached the low remaining amount warning value without considering the future schedule, and WILLBIT is the remaining amount in consideration of the future schedule. This bit indicates that the possibility of reaching the low remaining amount warning value is high.

Next, processing contents in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an example of the main processing of the information processing apparatus. Note that S1 to S7
Indicates each step.

First, initialization processing (S1) of a work area and the like is performed, and while processing similar to the conventional processing is performed, a scheduler processing (S2) as an application, a printing-related processing (S3), Other processes are performed. Further, in the lower multitask environment, the scheduler monitoring process as a task (S4), the remaining battery capacity detection process (S5), and the consumables remaining amount notification process (S
6) Perform other processing. Scheduler processing (S
The content of 2) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Details of the print-related processing (S3) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The contents of the scheduler monitoring process (S4) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The details of the battery capacity remaining amount detection processing (S5) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The contents of the consumables remaining amount notification processing (S6) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. They are,
The process is continued until a termination instruction (S7) is issued, and the main processing is terminated by the termination instruction.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an example procedure of the scheduler process shown in FIG. Note that S8 to S20 indicate each step.

First, as the initial setting process, the current schedule day number CrntSc is added to the edit schedule day number EdtScdlDayNo.
Set dlDayNo, edit schedule list number EdtScdl
The current schedule list number CrntScdlListNo is set in ListNo to prepare for editing the schedule data (S8).
Next, the edit schedule day number EdtScdlDayNo is set to the temporary schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo, and the edit schedule list number E is set to the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlListNo.
dtScdlListNo is set, and the work number area is initialized (S9).

Next, the start address of the schedule data
The product of the tentative schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo and the area size PTRSIZE of the pointer is added to the SCDL, stored in the tentative schedule list pointer TmpScdlListPtr (S10), and stored in the area indicated by the tentative schedule list pointer while performing various processes. Address value [TmpScdlListPtr]
The sum of the product of the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlListNo and the area size PTRSIZE of the pointer is stored in the temporary schedule data pointer TmpScdlDataPtr (S11), and is stored in the area indicated by the temporary schedule data pointer while performing various processes. Address value [TmpScdlD
ataPtr] is stored in the temporary schedule data TmpScdlData (S12). Here, an address having the same value as ScdlData61 or ScdlData62 of the schedule data shown in FIG. 4 is obtained.

Further, while performing various processes, it is determined whether or not the schedule location where the editing setting is currently performed is scheduled to go out (S13).
Temporary schedule data TmpS obtained in step S12
The outgoing flag setting area [TmpScdlData + PTR + 2] obtained by adding the pointer area size PTRSIZE and 2 to cdlData is set to ON (S14), and the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if it is determined to be NO in S13, the temporary schedule data TmpScdlData also contains the pointer area size PTRSIZE
Outgoing flag setting area [TmpScdlD
Ata + PTR + 2] is set to OFF (S13), and the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, it is further determined whether or not the schedule at which the edit setting is currently performed is to be printed (S16). If printing is to be performed, the result is obtained in step S12. Temporary schedule data
Print flag setting area [TmpScdlData + PTRSIZE] obtained by adding the pointer area size PTRSIZE and 3 to TmpScdlData
+3] is set to ON (S17), and the process proceeds to step S19 while performing various processes. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the temporary schedule data Tm
Print flag setting area [TmpScdlData + PTRSIZE + obtained by adding the pointer area size PTRSIZE and 3 to pScdlData
3] is set to OFF (S18), and the process proceeds to step S19 while performing various processes.

In step S19, in order to determine whether or not the edit position of the schedule has been updated, it is determined whether or not the edit schedule day number EdtScdlDayNo and the edit schedule list number have been updated (S19).
If the update has been made, the process returns to step S9 to initialize the work number area in order to move the editing position (S9). On the other hand, if it is determined to be NO in step S19, it is determined whether or not an end instruction has been issued while continuing various processes (S20). If the end instruction has been issued, the process is ended. Then, the process returns to step S12 and thereafter to continue the process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the scheduler monitoring process S4 shown in FIG. In addition, S21 to S26 indicate each step.

First, the current schedule date number and current schedule list number are updated based on the system clock (S21). Next, in monitoring the schedule data, the current outgoing planned flag WillOutFlg is copied to the original outgoing planned flag OrgWillOutFlg in order to determine whether or not the planned outgoing status has changed (S22). Further, in step S23, based on the schedule data, a next outing detection process for detecting the next outing schedule is performed,
Set the going-out flag WillOutFlg. The contents of the next outing detection process (S23) will be described later with reference to FIGS.

Next, it is determined whether or not the outing schedule flag WillOutFlg and the original outing processing flag OrgWillOutFlg are equal (S).
24), not equal, ie, outgoing flag WillOutFlg
Goes out, Will go out flag WillOutFlg is ON
It is then determined whether or not it is ON (S25). If it is ON, the next out-going expendable supplies usage counting process of counting the amount of consumables used at the next outing is performed (S26). If no change is found in step S24, the process ends. It should be noted that the contents of the consumables consumption amount counting process (S26) at the time of primary outing are described in FIG.
2 and FIG. 13 will be described later.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the detailed procedure of the next outing detection processing step S23 shown in FIG. In addition, S27 to S41 indicate each step.

First, as an initial setting process, the editing schedule day number EdtScd is added to the temporary schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo.
Set lDayNo, provisional schedule list number TmpScdlLis
The editing schedule list number EdtScdlListNo is set to tNo, and the work number area is initialized (S27). Further, the value of the tentative schedule list number TmpScdlDayNo is incremented in advance and set to the tentative schedule list number TmpScdlDayNo (S28), and the pointer is advanced to the next schedule data in order to search for the next outing schedule.

Next, the start address of the schedule data
The product of the tentative schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo and the area size PTRSIZE of the pointer is added to the SCDL and stored in the tentative schedule list pointer TmpScdlListPtr (S29). It is determined whether the value [TmpScdlListPtr] stored in the area indicated by the temporary schedule list pointer is NULL (S3).
0), it is determined whether it is the end of data. If NULL
Since the data has been completed, it is determined that the schedule for the next outing schedule has not been set, and in step S41, the outing schedule flag WillOutFlg is turned off, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S30 is negative, since the schedule data exists, the address value [TmpS
cdlListPtr], the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlLis
The sum of the product of tNo and the pointer area size PTRSIZE is stored in the temporary schedule data pointer TmpScdlDataPtr (S
31) Further, it is determined whether or not the value [TmpScdlDataPtr] stored in the area pointed to by the provisional schedule data pointer is NULL (S32), and it is determined whether or not it is the end of the data. If NULL, the schedule data of the corresponding day has ended, so the value of the provisional schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo is incremented and set to the provisional schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo in order to obtain the schedule data of the next day (S33). Then, the process returns to step S29.

On the other hand, if NO in step S32, the address value [TmpScdlDataPtr] stored in the area pointed to by the provisional schedule data pointer is replaced with the provisional schedule data.
It is stored in TmpScdlData (S34). Here, FIG.
This means that an address having the same value as ScdlData61 or ScdlData62 shown in (C) is obtained.

Further, it is determined whether or not the value [TmpScdlData] stored in the area indicated by the provisional schedule data is NULL (S35), and it is determined whether or not it is the end of the data. NU
If it is LL, the schedule data of the list is completed, so the value of the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlListNo is incremented to obtain the schedule data of the next list, and the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlL
It is set to istNo (S36), and returns to step S31.

On the other hand, if NO in step S35, the temporary schedule data TmpScdlData contains the pointer area size P
Outing flag storage area [Tm obtained by adding TRSIZE and 2
pScdlData + PTRSIZE + 2] is used as the temporary outing flag TmpOutFl
Set to g (S37). To find out if the current list ’s schedule data is going out,
It is determined whether the temporary outing flag TmpOutFlg is ON (S3).
8) If it is ON, going out is scheduled to be performed, so in order to hold a pointer to this schedule data, the value of the provisional schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo is set to the value of the planned outgoing schedule day number WillOutScdlDayNo and the value of the provisional schedule list number TmpScdlListNo. Is set to the scheduled outgoing schedule list number EdtScdlListNo. Further, in order to prepare for the subsequent going out continuous time and the counting process of the number of times of printing, the values of the time total TimesSum and the printed total PrintsSum are cleared (S39), and the outgoing scheduled flag WillOutFlg is turned on. Then (S40), the process ends.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the detailed procedure of the consumables use amount counting step S26 at the time of next outing shown in FIG. In addition, S42-S57,
Each step is shown.

First, as an initial setting process, the scheduled schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo is set to the scheduled schedule day number Wi
Set llOutScdlDayNo, provisional schedule list number Tm
Schedule schedule number to go out WillOut in pScdlListNo
ScdlListNo is set, and the work number area is initialized (S42). Next, the product of the tentative schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo and the area size PTRSIZE of the pointer is added to the start address SCDL of the schedule data and stored in the tentative schedule list pointer TmpScdlListPtr (S43).
It is determined whether the value [TmpScdlListPtr] stored in the area pointed to by the temporary schedule list pointer is NULL (S4).
6) It is determined whether or not it is the end of data. If NULL
Since the data has been completed, in step S57, the next outgoing consumables usage amount counting sub2 process for performing a final totaling process of the consumables usage based on the obtained outgoing scheduled contents is performed, and the process ends. Next outgoing consumable part-of-speech capacity coefficient sub 2 processing (S
The details of 57) will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S44 is NO, since the schedule data exists, the address value [TmpS
cdlListPtr], the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlLis
The sum of the product of tNo and the pointer area size PTRSIZE is stored in the temporary schedule data pointer TmpScdlDataPtr (S45). Furthermore, the value [TmpScdlDataPtr] stored in the area pointed to by the provisional schedule data pointer is NULL
It is determined whether or not it is the end of data (S46). If NULL, the schedule data of the corresponding day is ended, so that the value of the provisional schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo is incremented and set to the provisional schedule day number TmpScdlDayNo to obtain the schedule data of the next day (S47). The process returns to step S43.

On the other hand, if NO in step S46, the address value [TmpScdlDataPtr] stored in the area pointed to by the provisional schedule data pointer is replaced with the provisional schedule data.
It is stored in TmpScdlData (S48). Here, FIG.
This means that an address having the same value as ScdlData61 or ScdlData62 shown in (C) is obtained. Further, the value [TmpScdlData] stored in the area pointed to by the provisional schedule data is N
It is determined whether or not it is ULL (S49), and it is determined whether or not it is the end of data. If the value is NULL, the schedule data of the list has been completed. Therefore, in order to obtain the schedule data of the next list, the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlListN
The value of o is incremented and set to the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlListNo (S50), and step S4
Return to 5.

On the other hand, if NO in step S49, first, the value of the scheduled time storage area [TmpScdlData + PTR + 1] obtained by adding the pointer area size PTRSIZE and 1 to the temporary schedule data TmpScdlData is set to the temporary time TmpTimes (S51). , Provisional schedule data TmpScdlDat
The value of the outgoing flag storage area [TmpScdlData + PTRSIZE + 2] obtained by adding the pointer area size PTRSIZE and 2 to a is set to the temporary outgoing flag TmpOutFlg (S52), and the pointer area size PTR is set in the temporary schedule data TmpScdlData.
Temporary print flag setting area obtained by adding SIZE and 3 [Tm
The value of pScdlData + PTRSIZE + 3] is set to the temporary outing flag TmpOutFl
Set to g (S53). To find out if the current list ’s schedule data is going out,
It is determined whether the temporary outing flag TmpOutFlg is ON (S5).
4) If it is ON, going out is scheduled to be performed, so that the next outgoing consumables usage amount counting sub-process is performed for updating the going-out time and the number of times of printing (S55), and the schedule data in the next list is executed. In order to obtain the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlListNo, the value of the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlListNo is incremented and set to the temporary schedule list number TmpScdlListNo (S5).
6) Return to step S45. The detailed procedure of the next outgoing consumable part-of-speech capacity coefficient sub 1 processing (S55) will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, if NO in step S54, the outing schedule is temporarily ended, and in step S57, the final outgoing consumables usage amount is subjected to a final totaling process of the consumables usage amount based on the obtained outgoing schedule contents. The counting sub 2 process is performed, and the process ends.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the next out-of-out-go consumables use amount counting sub 1 processing step S55 shown in FIG. Note that S58 to S60 indicate each step.

First, the temporary print flag set in the consumables use amount counting process at the time of next outing shown in FIGS.
It is determined whether it is ON or not (S58). If it is ON, printing is scheduled, so the value of the print total PrintSum is incremented and stored in the print total PrintSum (S5).
9) The process proceeds to step S60 together with a negative result in step S58. In step S60, the sum of the temporary time TmpTimes and the total time TimesSum obtained in the next outgoing consumables consumption count processing also shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is stored in the total time TimesSum, and the scheduled outing time is calculated. Is performed to update the total time, and the process ends.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the next out-of-out-go consumables usage amount counting sub 2 processing step S57 shown in FIG. Note that S61 to S63 indicate each step.

First, constants used in the main counting process will be described. PRTTIMES indicates a predetermined constant value indicating an average required printing time when printing processing is performed. PLAINBATTPERTIME indicates a predetermined constant value indicating the power consumption of the system per unit time during normal operation. PRTBATTPERTIME indicates a predetermined constant value indicating the average power consumption of the system per unit time during the printing operation. PRTINKPERTIM
E indicates a predetermined constant value representing the average amount of ink consumed when the printing process is performed. PRTMEDIA
PERTIME indicates a predetermined constant value indicating the average number of media consumed when printing is performed.

These values and the total time TimesS obtained in the next outgoing consumables consumption amount counting sub 1 processing shown in FIG.
First, subtract the product of PRTTIMES and the total number of scheduled prints when going out PrintsSum from the total scheduled time of going out TimesSum based on PrintsSum, and PLAINBATTPERTIME.
To obtain the expected power consumption when going out, excluding the printing time. Further, the product of PRTTIMES and the total number of times of scheduled printing when going out, PrintsSum, and PRTBATTPERTIME are used to obtain the scheduled power consumption of the printing process when going out. Furthermore, the sum of the two is obtained to obtain the scheduled power consumption WillUseBatt when going out (S
61). Next, the total of PRTTIMES and the planned number of
By taking the product of PrintsSum and PRTINKPERTIME, the expected ink consumption WillUseInk of the printing process when going out is obtained (S6).
2). Next, the total Pr of PRTTIMES and the planned number of prints when going out
The product of intsSum and PRTMEDIAPERTIME is obtained to obtain WillUseMedia, the estimated number of media to be consumed for printing when going out (S
63), and the process ends.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the printing-related processing step S3 shown in FIG. Note that S64 to S71 indicate each step.

First, constants used in the printing-related processing will be described. DROP indicates a predetermined constant value indicating a predetermined ink consumption capacity per one ink ejection to the nozzle when the printing process is performed. FULLINK
Indicates a constant value indicating the remaining amount of ink in the new ink cartridge. FULLMEDIA indicates a constant value indicating the number of remaining media when the print media is fully filled. Based on these values, while various processes are being performed, when the ink discharge is executed, the ink is discharged, the counter DropCnt is incremented, stored in the ink discharge counter DropCnt, updated, and further, the remaining ink capacity is updated. The remaining ink capacity RemainInk is used to calculate the ink discharge counters DropCnt and DR.
The product with the OP is subtracted, stored in the remaining ink capacity RemainInk and updated (S64). Further, while various processes are being performed, the media counter MediaCnt is incremented and stored in the media counter MediaCnt and updated at the time of paper discharge execution,
Further, in order to update the number of remaining media, the media counter MediaCnt is subtracted from the number of remaining media RemainMedia, and the number is stored and updated in the number of remaining media RemainMedia (S65).

Further, while various processes are being performed, it is determined whether or not a new ink cartridge is mounted. If the new ink cartridge is mounted, the ink discharge counter DropCnt is cleared (S67), and the FULLINK is set to the remaining ink capacity. It is stored in RemainInk (S68), and in the case of No at step S66, various processes are executed, and the process proceeds to step S69.

In step S69, it is determined whether or not the print medium has been fully filled. If the print medium has been loaded, the media counter MediaCnt is cleared (S70), and the FULLMEDIA
Is stored in the number of remaining media RemainMedia (S71),
In the case where the determination in step S69 is negative, various processes are executed, and the process ends.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the battery capacity remaining amount detection processing step S5 shown in FIG. S72 indicates a step.

As a method for detecting the battery capacity of the information processing apparatus, a current integration method is used. Based on this, the obtained remaining battery capacity value is stored in the remaining battery capacity RemainBatt (S72), and the process ends.

FIGS. 18 to 21 are flowcharts showing the detailed procedure of the consumables remaining amount notification processing step S6 shown in FIG. In addition, S73 to S112 indicate each step.

First, constants used in the present consumables remaining amount notification processing will be described. LOWINK indicates a predetermined constant value indicating a low ink remaining amount warning value. LO
WMEDIA indicates a constant value that indicates a predetermined low media remaining amount warning value. LOWBATT indicates a predetermined constant value indicating a low battery remaining amount warning value.
INGBIT and WILLBIT are low ink level notification flags LowInkF
lg, means the bit position in low media remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFlg, low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg,
INGBIT has already taken into account the future schedule,
A bit to set when the battery level has reached the low battery warning value,
WILLBIT indicates a bit that is set when the remaining amount reaches a low remaining amount warning value in consideration of a future schedule. On the basis of these values, first, the timing of reporting the remaining amount of consumables is monitored. That is, the current low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg is changed to the original low ink remaining amount notification flag OrgLowInk in order to determine whether or not a change has occurred in the remaining amount state of each consumable.
Copy to Flg and present low media remaining amount notification flag LowMedi
aFlg is copied to the original low-battery remaining amount notification flag OrgLowMediaFlg, and the current low-battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg is copied to the original low-battery remaining amount notification flag OrgLowBattFlg (S7).
3). Next, it is determined whether the remaining ink capacity RemainInk is smaller than LOWINK (S74).
Since the low ink remaining amount warning value has already been divided, the INGBIT of the low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg is turned ON (S7).
5).

On the other hand, if NO in step S74, first, the INGBIT of the low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg is set to OF.
F (S76), and it is determined whether or not the going-out schedule flag WillOutFlg is ON (S77). If ON, remaining ink capacity
The estimated ink consumption WillUseInk is subtracted from RemainInk, and it is determined whether or not the value is smaller than LOWINK (S78).
If the value is small, it is expected that the low ink remaining amount warning value will be broken halfway during the scheduled schedule, so the WILLBIT of the low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg is set to O.
N is performed (S79).

On the other hand, if the answer is NO in step S77 or NO in step S78, it is not time to issue a warning based on the schedule at the present time, or
It is determined that it is not sufficient to issue a warning, the WILLBIT of the low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg is turned off (S80), and the process proceeds to the next process together with steps S79 and S75.

Next, when the number of remaining media RemainMedia is LOW
It is determined whether the value is smaller than MEDIA (S81). If the value is smaller, the low media remaining amount warning flag LowMediaFlg has been already divided by the low media remaining amount warning value.
Is turned on (S82). On the other hand, if it is determined as NO at step S81, first, the low-media remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFlg
0FF of INGBIT of (S83), going-out flag WillOu
It is determined whether or not tFlg is ON (S84). If it is ON, the expected number of consumed media WillUseMedia is subtracted from the number of remaining media RemainMedia to determine whether the value is smaller than LOWMEDIA (S85). Since the remaining amount warning value is expected to be divided, the WILLBIT of the low media remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFlg is turned ON (S86).

On the other hand, when the answer is NO in step S84 or NO in step S85, it is not time to issue a warning based on the schedule at the present time, or
It is determined that it is not sufficient to issue a warning, and WILLBIT of the low media remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFlg is turned off (S8).
7) The process proceeds to the next process together with steps S86 and S82.

Next, the remaining battery capacity RemainBatt is changed to LOWBATT
It is determined whether the value is smaller (S88). If the value is smaller, the INGBIT of the low battery level notification flag LowBattFlg is turned ON because the low battery level warning value has already been divided (S8).
9). On the other hand, if NO in step S88, first, the INGBIT of the low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg is turned off (S9).
0), it is determined whether or not the going-out schedule flag WillOutFlg is 0N (S91). If it is ON, the scheduled power consumption WillUseBatt is subtracted from the remaining battery capacity RemainBatt, and it is determined whether or not the value is smaller than LOWBATT (S92). Since the amount warning value is expected to be divided, the WILLBIT of the low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg is turned on (S9).
3).

On the other hand, if the answer is NO in step S91 or NO in step S92, it is not time to issue a warning based on the schedule at the present time, or
It is determined that it is not sufficient to issue a warning, the WILLBIT of the low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg is turned off (S94), and the process proceeds to the next process together with steps S93 and S89.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to the remaining amount notification process shown in FIG.

First, a low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg
It is determined whether or not the original low ink remaining amount notification flag OrgLowInkFlg is equal (S95). If they are not equal, that is, if the low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg is changed,
First, the INGBIT of the low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg is set to O.
N is determined (S96). If it is ON, since the low ink remaining amount warning value has already been divided, the INK remaining amount notification LED 8 (FIG. 2) is lit in red to notify this. (S97).

On the other hand, if NO in step S96, the WILLBIT of the low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFlg is turned ON.
It is determined whether or not it is ON (S98). If it is ON, it is expected that the low ink remaining amount warning value will be broken in the middle of the scheduled schedule.
The INK remaining amount notification LED 8 is lit in orange (S99).

On the other hand, if the answer is NO in step S98, the notification should not be made at the present time.
Is turned off (S100). Then, in step S95,
If they are equal, or together with steps S97 and S99, the process proceeds to the next process.

Next, a low media remaining amount notification flag LowMedia
It is determined whether or not Flg and the original low media remaining amount notification flag OrgLowMediaFlg are equal (S101). If they are not equal, that is, if the low medium remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFlg is changed, first, the low medium remaining amount notification is performed. Flag LowMed
It is determined whether or not iaFlg's INGBIT is ON (S102).
If it is N, the low media remaining amount warning value has already been divided, and to notify this, the MEDIA remaining amount notification LE
D8 is turned on in red (S103).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S102 is NO, the low media remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFlg WILLBIT
Is determined to be ON (S104). If it is ON, it is expected that the low media remaining amount warning value will be broken halfway in the scheduled schedule. The quantity notification LED 8 is lit orange (S105).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S104 is NO, the MEDIA remaining amount notification L
The ED 8 is turned off (S106). Then, step S1
01, and the process proceeds to the next step together with steps S103 and S105.

Next, it is determined whether or not the low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg and the original low battery remaining amount notification flag OrgLowBattFlg are equal (S107). If they are not equal, that is, a change is detected in the low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg. If so, it is first determined whether or not INGBIT of the low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg is ON (S108). If ON, the low battery remaining amount warning value has already been divided, so this is notified. In this case, the BATT remaining amount notification LED 8 is turned on in red (S10
9).

On the other hand, if NO in step S108, the low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg WILLBIT is
N is determined (S110). If it is ON, it is expected that the low battery level warning value will be broken halfway in the scheduled schedule. The notification LED 8 is lit in orange (S11
1).

On the other hand, if the result is NO in step S110, the notification should not be made at the present time, so the BATT remaining amount notification LE
D8 is turned off (S112). Then, step S10
7, the process is terminated when the values are equal or when steps S109 and S111 are performed.

In the embodiment described above,
The consumables were printing ink, print media, and battery capacity, but this is not a limitation. In other words, the remaining amount of the consumables can be detected and the usage can be counted according to the schedule element. If so, any consumables may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the remaining amount notifying means may be considered when the remaining amount has already reached the low remaining amount warning value, and when the future schedule is considered, without considering the future schedule. Although the notification is performed when the remaining amount reaches the low remaining amount warning value, the notification is not limited thereto, and only the latter may be performed. Further, as long as the latter is included, a configuration in which the number of notification steps is further increased may be employed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the value used for the consumables usage amount counting process is set to a constant value PRTTIMES representing the average required printing time when the printing process is performed, and the system value per unit time during normal operation is used. PLAINBATTPERTIME, a constant value representing the power consumption of the printer, and a PRTBATTPER constant value, representing the average power consumption of the system per unit time during printing operation
TIME, a constant value PRTINKPERTIME that represents the average amount of ink consumed when printing is performed, and a constant value PRTMEDIAPERT that represents the average number of media consumed when printing is performed
Instead of using a predetermined constant such as IME, each information is updated at any time during the operation of the information processing apparatus and an average value is obtained, and the values are stored in the RAM 2. Then, the accuracy of the control of the notification time can be further increased.

Further, in the above embodiment, the value used for the consumables usage amount counting process is set to the constant value PRTTIMES representing the average required printing time when the printing process is performed, and the system value per unit time in the normal operation is used. PLAINBATTPERTIME, a constant value representing the power consumption of the printer, and a PRTBATTPER constant value, representing the average power consumption of the system per unit time during printing operation
TIME, a constant value PRTINKPERTIME that represents the average amount of ink consumed when printing is performed, and a constant value PRTMEDIAPERT that represents the average number of media consumed when printing is performed
Although a predetermined constant such as an IME is used, each information is updated at any time during the operation of the information processing apparatus, an average value is obtained, and the values are stored in the RAM 2. The accuracy of control of the notification time can be increased.

Further, in the above embodiment, the description has been made focusing on going out of the schedule. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the control of the remaining amount notification time can be performed.

A storage medium storing the program codes of the software executed by the CPU 3 of the above-described embodiment is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus is stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program codes. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing a part or all of the processing described above.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0087]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the warning time for the remaining amount of consumables is determined from the estimated consumption of consumables corresponding to the components of the schedule.

As a result, an appropriate warning can be issued.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an area arrangement of a work area in a RAM shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows schedule data ScdlDataBase shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an area arrangement inside the device.

FIG. 5 shows a low ink remaining amount notification flag LowInkFl shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7G is a schematic diagram illustrating a bit configuration of a low media remaining amount notification flag LowMediaFlg and a low battery remaining amount notification flag LowBattFlg.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an example of main processing of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart (1/2) showing a detailed procedure of a scheduler process shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart (2/2) showing a detailed procedure of the scheduler process shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of a scheduler monitoring process S4 shown in FIG. 6;

10 is a next outing detection processing step S23 shown in FIG. 9;
6 is a flowchart (1/2) showing a detailed procedure of (1).

11 is a next outing detection processing step S23 shown in FIG. 9;
5 is a flowchart (2/2) showing a detailed procedure of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart (1) showing a detailed procedure of a consumable use amount counting process at next outing step S26 shown in FIG. 9;
/ 2).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (2) showing a detailed procedure of a consumables consumption count processing step S26 in the next outing shown in FIG. 9;
/ 2).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of a consumables consumption amount counting sub-time-out-time use sub 1 processing step S55 shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of a consumables consumption amount counting sub-outgoing second use sub-processing step S57 shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of a printing-related processing step S3 shown in FIG.

17 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of a battery capacity remaining amount detection processing step S5 shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a consumables remaining amount notification processing step S shown in FIG. 6;
6 is a flowchart (1/4) showing a detailed procedure of No. 6;

19 is a consumables remaining amount notification processing step S shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart (2/4) showing a detailed procedure of No. 6;

20 is a consumables remaining amount notification processing step S shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart (3/4) showing a detailed procedure of No. 6;

21 is a consumables remaining amount notification processing step S shown in FIG. 6;
6 is a flowchart (4/4) showing a detailed procedure of No. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Read-only memory (ROM) 2 Random access memory (RAM), 2a Schedule data (ScdlDataBase) 3 Central processing unit (CPU) 4 Battery (Battery) 4a Battery capacity 5 Gate array (GA) 6 Bus (BUS) 7 Printer unit (PRINTERUNIT) 7a Print ink 7b Print media 8 LED 9a Consumables usage counting means 9b Remaining amount detecting means 9c Remaining amount notification timing control means 9d Remaining amount notifying means

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus having a scheduler function, comprising: a consumable goods use amount counting means for counting a use amount of consumable goods used in the information processing apparatus, corresponding to a schedule element constituting a scheduler; Remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of consumables, remaining amount notifying means for notifying the remaining amount of consumables, a schedule element set by the scheduler function, and the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detecting means And a remaining amount notification timing control unit that controls a timing at which the remaining amount notification unit performs notification based on the information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is printing ink used for a printing function of the information processing apparatus. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is a print medium used for a printing function of the information processing apparatus. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is power held by a battery used as a drive power supply of the information processing apparatus. 5. A consumables remaining amount notification method applied to an information processing apparatus having a scheduler function, wherein a consumption amount of a consumable used in the information processing apparatus is counted corresponding to a schedule element constituting a scheduler. A consumables usage counting step, a remaining amount detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the consumables, a schedule element set by the scheduler function, and a remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detecting step, A remaining amount notification timing control step of controlling when the remaining amount notifying means for notifying the remaining amount of the consumable supplies performs the notification. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the consumables are printing ink used for a printing function of the information processing apparatus. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the consumable is a print medium used for a printing function of the information processing apparatus. 8. The consumable supply remaining amount notification method according to claim 5, wherein the consumable supplies are power held by a battery used as a drive power supply of the information processing apparatus. 9. A computer-readable storage medium storing a method for notifying remaining amount of consumables applied to an information processing apparatus having a scheduler function as a program, wherein the method for notifying remaining amount of consumables constitutes a scheduler. Corresponding to a schedule element, a consumable use amount counting step of counting the amount of consumables used in the information processing apparatus, a remaining amount detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the consumable item, and setting by the scheduler function Based on the determined schedule element and the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detecting step, a remaining amount notifying time controlling step of controlling the time when the remaining amount notifying means for notifying the remaining amount of the consumable supplies the notification. A storage medium characterized by having: 10. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the consumable is printing ink used for a printing function of the information processing apparatus. 11. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the consumable is a print medium used for a print function of the information processing apparatus. 12. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the consumable is power held by a battery used as a drive power supply of the information processing apparatus.