Ink consumption amount-calculating method and device, ink jet printer incorporating the device, printing cost-calculating system, and coloring material supply management system

摘要

There are provided an ink consumption amount-calculating method and device which are capable of calculating the amount of ink consumed accurately, an ink jet printer incorporating the device, a printing cost-calculating system capable of calculating a printing cost efficiently and promptly, and a coloring material supply management system capable of supplying at least one coloring material efficiently. On the part of a printing company, the number of times of ink ejection from an ink jet head of the ink jet printer is counted, and an amount of ink consumed is calculated based on the counted number of times of ink ejection. A management company receives information of the calculated amount of ink consumed via a network. The management company calculates a printing cost and issues an instruction for ink supply, based on the received information.