JPH031976A - Printer and printing paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatize confirmation of a residual amount of printing paper by a method wherein when an information request for a number of remaining sheets of printing paper from the electronic computer system is received, the title printer is constructed so as to read an indication for the number of remaining sheets on the printing paper and to inform the electronic computer system of the number of remaining sheets. CONSTITUTION:When information of a number of remaining sheets of printing paper set to a printer 1 connected to an electronic computer system is request 5, the printer 1 connected to the electronic computer system receives request 5 for information of the number of remaining sheets by using a remaining sheet number information request receiving means 2, and performs residual sheet number reading request 6 to a remaining sheet number reading means 3. After reading the number of remaining sheets from a remaining sheet number indication 10 on the printing paper 9 of the printer 1, the remaining sheet number reading means 3 performs remaining sheet number reading response 7 to a remaining sheet number information means 4. The ramaining sheet number information means 4 performs remaining sheet number informa tion 8. Thereby an operater becomes capable of knowing a ramaining amount of the printing paper without seeing the printer connected to the electronic computer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printing device and printing paper that perform printing on a printing device connected to a computer system.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in order to know the remaining number of sheets of printing paper set in a printing device connected to a computer system, an operator had to look at the printing device connected to the computer system and check. Ta.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The conventional printing apparatus connected to the computer system described above has a disadvantage in that an operator must always look at the printing apparatus and check the remaining amount of printing paper.

[Means to solve the problem]

A printing device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a printing device connected to a computer system, and includes a remaining sheet number notification receiving means for receiving a notification request for the remaining number of printing sheets from the computer system; The apparatus is configured to include a remaining number reading means for reading the remaining number of sheets displayed, and a remaining number notifying means for notifying the computer system of the remaining number of sheets.

The printing paper according to a second aspect of the present invention is configured to include a remaining number display means for displaying the number of remaining sheets in the printing paper used in the printing apparatus.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the first and second embodiments of the present invention, respectively.
1 shows a functional configuration and processing outline of an embodiment of the invention. When there is a request 5 to notify the number of remaining sheets of printing paper set in the printing device 1 connected to the computer system,
The printing device 1 connected to the computer system uses the remaining number of sheets notification request receiving means 2 to issue a remaining number of sheets notification request 5.
and requests the remaining number reading means 3 to read the number of remaining sheets. After reading the remaining number of sheets from the remaining number of sheets display 10 on the printing paper 9 of the printing device 1, the remaining number of sheets reading means 3 sends a remaining number of sheets reading response 7 to the remaining number of sheets notifying means 4. conduct. The remaining number of sheets notification means 4 notifies 5 and 8 of the remaining number of sheets.

In this embodiment, when the remaining number display means 10 uses a bar code, the remaining number reading means 3 may use a bar code reader. Further, the remaining number display means 10 is not limited to this, but a black and white display is attached to at least one side of the printing paper 9 according to the number of remaining sheets, and the remaining number reading means 3 is a photodiode or the like. The light-receiving elements may be provided corresponding to the black and white distinguishing display.

FIG. 3 is an example of the use of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows that the printing device is connected to the computer system A2 through a network. The printing device A1 connected to the computer system includes a remaining number of sheets notification request receiving means A2, a remaining number of sheets reading means A3, and a remaining number of sheets notifying means A4.
It consists of

Now, let us consider a case where the computer system A2 issues a request to notify the remaining number of sheets to the printing apparatus AI connected through the network.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which a request for notification of the remaining number of sheets is being received from the computer system. Electronic computer system A
The remaining number of sheets notification request from No. 2 is received using the remaining number of sheets notification request receiving means A3 of the printing apparatus A1.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the number of remaining sheets of printing paper is being read. The remaining number of sheets displayed on the printing paper is read using the remaining number of sheets reading means A4.

FIG. 6 shows a state where the remaining number of sheets is being notified to the computer system. The remaining number of sheets is notified to the computer system A2 using the remaining number of sheets notifying means A5 of the printing device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention allows the operator to know the remaining amount of printing paper without looking at the printing device connected to the computer. This has the effect of preventing the situation of running out of printing paper midway. Furthermore, by providing the program with a means for requesting notification of the number of remaining sheets, there is an effect that the remaining amount of printing paper can be checked without operator intervention when printing is performed in which the printing paper must not be cut off midway.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of the first invention of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an external view showing the structure of an embodiment of the printing paper of the second invention of the invention, and Fig. 3 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the reception of a request for notification of the remaining number of sheets from the computer system, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the reading of the remaining number of printing paper sheets. , FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing notification of the remaining number of sheets to the computer system. 1... Printing device connected to the computer system, 2... Remaining number of sheets notification request receiving means, 3
...Remaining number of sheets reading means, 4...Remaining number of sheets notifying means, 5...Remaining number of sheets notification request, 6
...Request to read the number of remaining sheets, 7...Response to read the number of remaining sheets, 8...Notification of the number of remaining sheets, 9
. . . Print paper, 10 . . . Remaining sheet number display means, 11 . . . Printing device connected to the computer system, 12 . 13... Remaining number of sheets notification request receiving means, 14.
... Remaining number of sheets reading means, 15 ... Remaining number of sheets notifying means. Agent Patent Attorney Susumu Uchihara Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 1 Mio S Figure Mansukyo

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a printing device connected to a computer system, a remaining sheet number notification request receiving means that receives a notification request for the remaining number of printing sheets from the computer system, and a remaining sheet number cover on the printing sheet. 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a remaining number of sheets to be read; and a remaining number of sheets notifying means for notifying a computer system of the number of remaining sheets. 2. A printing paper used in the printing apparatus, characterized in that it is equipped with a remaining number display means for displaying the number of remaining sheets.