JP6613914B2 - Billing method and printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for charging for the use of ink in a printer.

  A printer that prints an image on paper by discharging ink stored in an ink container is generally used. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a charging method for charging according to the use of ink in a printer. According to this charging method, an amount calculated from the amount of ink used is charged according to predetermined price information.

JP 2006-35856 A

  By the way, the charging mode for the use of ink (amount per unit usage amount, etc.) is determined in advance between the supplier and the user, and the supplier charges the usage of the ink of the ink cartridge delivered to the user in this charging mode. can do. Specifically, an ink cartridge supplied by a supplier is associated with a printer used by a user together with a charging mode, and charging is performed in this charging mode when the corresponding ink cartridge is installed in the printer. It is possible.

  However, it is assumed that the user performs printing by mounting an ink cartridge different from the ink cartridge associated with the printer on the printer. In such a case, if the same charging mode as that of the ink cartridge associated with the printer is used, there is a risk of charging in a charging mode unintended by the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of realizing charging in a charging mode according to the user's intention when charging according to the use of ink in a printer. To do.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following aspects.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a corresponding ink in which a charging mode is set in association with a printer that performs printing using ink in an ink container that is detachably mounted. A step of acquiring identification information for identifying the container, a step of determining whether the ink container attached to the printer is a compatible ink container based on the identification information, and the ink container attached to the printer is a compatible ink container If the printer determines that the ink container attached to the printer is not a compatible ink container, the printer charges the use of ink in the printer in the charging mode set for the corresponding ink container. And a step of making it possible to change a billing mode for the use of ink.

  In order to achieve the above object, the second aspect of the present invention charges a printer that performs printing using ink in an ink container that is detachably mounted, and uses the ink in the printer. And a control device, and when it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is a corresponding ink container based on the identification information for identifying the corresponding ink container that is associated with the printer and for which the charging mode is set, The charging mode can be changed when it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is not a compatible ink container.

  As described above, in the present invention, charging for the use of ink in the printer is performed based on the identification information for identifying the corresponding ink container in which the charging mode is set in association with the printer. That is, it is determined based on the identification information whether the ink container attached to the printer is a corresponding ink container. When it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is a corresponding ink container, charging is performed for the use of ink in the printer in a charging mode set for the corresponding ink container. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is not a compatible ink container, the charging mode for the use of ink in the printer can be changed. As a result, when the user mounts an ink cartridge different from the ink cartridge associated with the printer to perform printing, the charging mode can be changed as appropriate. As a result, when charging is performed according to the use of ink in the printer, it is possible to realize charging in a charging mode according to the user's intention.

  If it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is not a compatible ink container, the user may be notified that the ink container attached to the printer is not a compatible ink container. Thereby, the user can grasp that the ink container mounted on the printer is not the corresponding ink container.

  If it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is not a compatible ink container, an option for changing the charging mode may be displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to perform charging in a charging mode that more appropriately corresponds to the user's intention.

  Specifically, if it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is not a compatible ink container, the billing mode recorded on the recording medium attached to the ink container attached to the printer and the server via the communication line are confirmed. The charging mode may be changed by selecting any of the charging modes. As a result, the user can select one of these billing modes according to the intention, and can perform billing in a billing mode more appropriately according to the user's intention.

  Note that not all of the plurality of constituent elements included in each aspect of the present invention described above are essential, and in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or a part of the effects described in the present specification. Or, in order to achieve all of them, it is possible to change, delete, replace with other new components, or delete some of the limited contents of some components of the plurality of components as appropriate. is there. In order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, technical features included in one embodiment of the present invention described above. A part or all of the technical features included in the other aspects of the present invention described above may be combined to form an independent form of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied. The figure which shows the printer attribute table which comprises charge management information. The figure which shows the cartridge attribute table which comprises charge management information. The figure which shows the charge aspect attribute table which comprises charge management information. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control executed in the printing system. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen indicating that the ink cartridge 45 cannot be used. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of control executed by a printer controller. The figure which shows an example of a charge aspect selection screen. The figure which shows an example of an authentication request | requirement screen.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied. The printing system 1 includes at least one accounting server 3 and at least one printer 4 that are communicably connected to each other via an Internet communication network 2 that is a public communication line. In the figure, the accounting server 3 and the printer 4 are directly connected via the Internet communication network 2, but the printer 4 is provided in, for example, a local area network (LAN). In addition, it may be configured to be connected to the accounting server 3 via the Internet communication network 2. Further, the connection between the billing server 3 and the printer 4 is not limited to the connection via the Internet communication network, and any communication line that connects the two so that they can communicate with each other can be applied.

  The billing server 3 (control device) charges pay-per-use for the ink that is a consumable that the printer 4 consumes in the printing operation. It is installed at ink suppliers such as dealers. Information about the ink usage status in the printer 4 is transmitted to the accounting server 3 via the Internet communication network 2, and the accounting server 3 determines the accounting amount according to the usage status based on the received information.

  The hardware configuration of the accounting server 3 can be the same as that of a general computer device or server device. That is, the billing server 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculation processing, a memory that stores and saves data used for calculation, a storage that stores and saves control programs and various data, and an interface that communicates with external devices. I have.

  The printer 4 is a so-called network printer, and has the same configuration as a general configuration as a network printer. That is, the printer 4 includes a controller 41 that controls each part of the printer and data processing, a printer engine 42 that executes a printing operation on a medium (print medium), an interface (IF) 43 that performs communication with the outside, and an operation input. It has a user interface (UI) unit 44 including an input unit for receiving and a display unit for performing various notifications.

  The printer engine 42 has an inkjet printing function that performs printing by ejecting minute ink droplets from nozzles and landing on a medium in accordance with image data representing the content of an image to be printed. Ink used for printing is supplied from the ink cartridge 45. The ink cartridge 45 is configured to be detachable from the printer 4 main body, and one or a plurality of ink cartridges 45 are attached to the printer 4 main body to execute printing.

  The printer 4 is further provided with an ink counter 46 and an ink end sensor 47 as means for measuring the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 45 or the amount of ink consumed from the ink cartridge 45. The ink counter 46 calculates the amount of ink used from the ink cartridge 45 by analyzing the image data and counting the size and number of ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the printer engine 43.

  On the other hand, the ink end sensor 47 is substantially unable to print when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 45 falls below the minimum amount necessary for printing (hereinafter, this state is referred to as an “end state”). For example, the end state is detected by detecting the position of the ink liquid surface in the ink cartridge 45 physically, for example, optically or using ultrasonic waves. The end state corresponds to a state in which almost all usable ink in the ink cartridge 45 is used up. The ink end sensor 47 may be provided in either the printer 4 or the ink cartridge 45.

  The printing system 1 charges for the use of the ink of the ink cartridge 45 attached to the printer 4 in a predetermined charging mode (amount per unit usage amount). In particular, the charging management is performed on the assumption that the ink cartridge 45 and the printer 4 are associated with each other and each ink cartridge 45 is used in the corresponding printer 4. Specifically, billing management is executed based on billing management information that associates the ink cartridge 45, the printer 4, and the billing mode with each other.

  2A, 2B, and 2C are diagrams illustrating an example of billing management information used for billing for ink use. In particular, FIG. 2A shows a printer attribute table constituting charging management information, FIG. 2B shows a cartridge attribute table constituting charging management information, and FIG. 2C shows a charging mode attribute table constituting charging management information. In FIG. 2A, different codes 4a to 4c are used to distinguish the three printers 4, and in FIG. 2B, different codes 45a to 45e are used to distinguish the five ink cartridges 45.

  In the printer attribute table T4 of FIG. 2A, among the three printers 4a to 4c, the printers 4a and 4b belong to the attribute A1, and the printer 4c belongs to the attribute A2. In the cartridge attribute table T45 of FIG. 2B, among the five ink cartridges 45a to 45e, the ink cartridges 45a to 45c belong to the attribute A1, and the ink cartridges 45d and 45e belong to the attribute A2. Further, as shown in the charging mode attribute table TC of FIG. 2C, two different charging modes C1 and C2 are provided as the charging mode C. Among the charging modes C1 and C2, the charging mode C1 is set to the attribute A1. And charging mode C2 belongs to attribute A2.

  The printers 4a to 4c and the ink cartridges 45a to 45e are associated with each other through the attribute A. That is, the printer 4 and the ink cartridge 45 belonging to the same attribute A are associated with each other, and the printing system 1 charges on the assumption that each ink cartridge 45 is used by the printer 4 belonging to the same attribute A. I do. In this case, the charging mode is also associated with each of the printers 4a to 4c and each of the ink cartridges 45a to 45e via the attribute A. That is, when the ink cartridges 45a to 45c having the attribute A1 are used by the printers 4a and 4b having the attribute A1, charging is performed in the charging mode C1 having the attribute A1, and the ink cartridges 45d and 45e having the attribute A2 are the printer having the attribute A2. When used in 4c, charging is performed in the charging mode C2 of attribute A2.

  These tables T4, T45, and TC are stored in the billing server 3 as billing management information. Further, the controller 41 of the printer 4 stores the attribute A of the printer 4 inquired of the accounting server 3 via the Internet communication network 2 and the accounting mode C belonging to the attribute A in a memory. Further, in the memory attached to the ink cartridge 45, the attribute A of the ink cartridge 45 and the charging mode C corresponding to the attribute A are recorded. The printing by the printer 4 is controlled based on the billing management information composed of these tables T4, T45, and TC.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control executed in the printing system. Specifically, this flowchart is executed by the controller 41 of the printer 4 executing a program downloaded from the accounting server 3. In step S <b> 101, the controller 41 confirms whether the ink cartridge 45 is installed in the printing system 1. When the ink cartridge 45 is mounted (“YES” in step S101), the controller 41 confirms the memory of the ink cartridge 45 (step S102), and reads the charging mode C of the ink cartridge 45 from the memory (step S102). In step S103, the attribute A of the ink cartridge 45 is read from the memory (step S104). Incidentally, the acquisition of the charging mode C and the attribute A of the ink cartridge 45 may be executed by inquiring of the charging server 3 instead of reading from the memory.

  Then, the controller 41 confirms whether the attribute A of the printing system 1 matches the attribute A of the ink cartridge 45 (step S105). If the attribute A of the printing system 1 matches the attribute A of the ink cartridge 45 (“YES” in step S105), the controller 41 permits the use of the mounted ink cartridge 45 (step S106). An initial operation for using the ink cartridge 45 for printing (for example, resetting the ink counter 46) is executed (step S107). The subsequent charging for printing using the ink cartridge 45 is performed based on the charging mode C acquired in step S103.

  On the other hand, if the attribute A of the printing system 1 is different from the attribute A of the ink cartridge 45 (“NO” in step S105), the controller 41 prohibits the use of the mounted ink cartridge 45 (step S108). 4 is displayed on the user interface unit 44 to that effect (step S109). Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen indicating that the ink cartridge 45 cannot be used.

  According to the flowchart of FIG. 3, when an ink cartridge 45 having an attribute different from that of the printer 4 is installed, the screen of FIG. 4 is displayed. Therefore, when an ink cartridge 45 having a different attribute is erroneously installed, the user can notice that the ink cartridge 45 is erroneously installed. However, depending on the user, it may be assumed that an ink cartridge 45 having an attribute different from that of the printer 4 is intentionally attached to the printer 4. Therefore, the controller 41 can also execute the control shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of control executed by the printer controller. Specifically, this flowchart is executed by the controller 41 of the printer 4 executing a program downloaded from the accounting server 3. The main difference between the control in FIG. 5 and the control in FIG. 3 is the flow when it is determined in step S105 that the attributes of the printer 4 and the ink cartridge 45 are different (when “NO” is determined). is there. Therefore, the following description will be made with a focus on differences from the control shown in FIG. 3, common portions with the control shown in FIG.

  In the control shown in FIG. 5, if “NO” is determined in the step S105, the controller 41 displays the charging mode selection screen shown in FIG. 6 on the user interface unit 44 (step S110). Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a billing mode selection screen. This charging mode selection screen indicates that the installed ink cartridge 45 does not correspond to the printer 4, and the charging target when using the ink cartridge 45 in the printer 4 is the owner of the ink cartridge 45 and the printer 4. Displays a button to select from the owner of the.

  Then, the controller 41 determines whether or not to change the charging mode C based on the input operation to the charging mode selection screen by the user (step S111). Specifically, when the user selects “printer owner” from the charging mode selection screen of FIG. 6, the controller 41 continues to use the charging mode C belonging to the same attribute A as the printer 4, that is, the printer 4 is determined not to change the currently set accounting mode C (“NO” in step S111). Then, steps S106 and S107 are executed. Subsequent charging for printing using the ink cartridge 45 is executed based on the charging mode C determined not to be changed in step S111, that is, the charging mode C belonging to the same attribute A as the printer 4.

  On the other hand, when the user selects “cartridge owner” from the charging mode selection screen of FIG. 6, the controller 41 uses the charging mode C belonging to the same attribute A as the installed ink cartridge 45, that is, the printer. 4 is determined to change the currently set accounting mode C (“YES” in step S111). Subsequently, the controller 41 confirms, for example, by inquiring the charging server 3 whether the owner of the ink cartridge 45 is set to require authentication for the operation for charging itself (step S112). If there is no request for authentication (in the case of “NO” in step S112), steps S106 and S107 are executed, and the charging mode C for which it is determined that charging for subsequent printing using the ink cartridge 45 is changed in step S111. That is, it is executed based on the accounting mode C belonging to the same attribute A as the ink cartridge 45.

  On the other hand, if there is an authentication request (“YES” in step S112), the controller 41 displays the authentication request screen shown in FIG. 7 on the user interface unit 44 (step S113). Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the authentication request screen. This authentication request screen indicates that the installed ink cartridge 45 is not compatible with the printer 4 and requests the input of a password for charging the owner of the ink cartridge 45.

  Then, the controller 41 confirms, for example, by making an inquiry to the accounting server 3 whether the password input by the user through the input operation is suitable. If the password is appropriate (“YES” in step S114), steps S106 and S107 are executed, and the charging mode C determined to be changed in step S111 for subsequent printing using the ink cartridge 45. That is, it is executed based on the accounting mode C belonging to the same attribute A as the ink cartridge 45. On the other hand, if the password does not match (“NO” in step S114), steps S108 and S109 are executed as described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, based on the charging management information (identification information) that identifies the ink cartridge 45 (ink container) that is associated with the printer 4 via the attribute A and has the charging mode C set. Charges are made for the use of ink in the printer 4. Specifically, it is determined based on the charge management information whether the ink cartridge 45 attached to the printer 4 belongs to the same attribute A as the printer 4 (corresponding ink container) (step S105). If it is determined that the ink cartridge 45 attached to the printer 4 belongs to the same attribute A as the printer 4, the charging mode C set for the ink cartridge 45, that is, the same attribute A as the ink cartridge 45 is set. A charge is made for the use of ink in the printer 4 in the charge mode C to which it belongs. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ink cartridge 45 attached to the printer 4 is not the ink cartridge 45 (corresponding ink container) belonging to the same attribute A as the printer 4, the charging mode C for the use of ink in the printer 4 can be changed. (Steps S110 and S111). As a result, when the user mounts the ink cartridge 45 belonging to the attribute A different from the printer 4 on the printer 4 and performs printing, the charging mode C can be appropriately changed. As a result, when charging is performed according to the use of ink in the printer 4, it is possible to realize charging in the charging mode C according to the user's intention.

  If it is determined that the ink cartridge 45 attached to the printer 4 is not the ink cartridge 45 (corresponding ink container) belonging to the same attribute A as the printer 4, the user is notified of this (step SS110). Accordingly, the user can recognize that the ink cartridge 45 attached to the printer 4 is not the ink cartridge 45 belonging to the same attribute A as the printer 4.

  If it is determined that the ink cartridge 45 attached to the printer 4 is not the ink cartridge 45 (corresponding ink container) belonging to the same attribute A as the printer 4, the charging mode C is changed according to the user's input operation (step). S111). As a result, it is possible to perform charging in the charging mode C that is more appropriately according to the user's intention.

  In particular, the controller 41 of the printer 4 stores the attribute A of the printer 4 inquired to the accounting server 3 via the Internet communication network 2 and the accounting mode C belonging to the attribute A. If it is determined in step S105 that the attribute A of the printing system 1 is different from the attribute A of the ink cartridge 45, the controller 41 checks the charging mode C of the printer 4 confirmed by the server and the charging read from the memory of the ink cartridge 45. The user is allowed to select any one of the modes C. Accordingly, the user can select one of these charging modes C according to the intention, and can perform charging with the charging mode C more appropriately according to the user's intention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made to the above-described one without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the controller 41 of the printer 4 executes the flowchart of FIG. 5, but the billing server 3 can also be configured to execute the flowchart.

  The number of attributes A is not limited to the above two, and may be three or more. Similarly, the variation of the accounting mode C is not limited to the above two types, and may be three or more types. Further, various changes can be made to the variation of the charging mode C that the user selects in step S110 of FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 2 ... Internet communication network (communication line), 3 ... Billing server (server, control apparatus), 4 ... Printer, 41 ... Controller, 42 ... Printer engine, 43 ... Interface, 44 ... User interface part (UI) Part), 45 ... ink cartridge (ink container), 46 ... ink counter, 47 ... ink end sensor, S101 to S114 ... control steps

Claims (4)

A step of acquiring identification information for identifying a corresponding ink container in which a charging mode is set in association with a printer that performs printing using ink in an ink container that is detachably mounted; and
Determining whether the ink container attached to the printer is the corresponding ink container based on the identification information;
When it is determined on the basis of the identification information that the ink container mounted on the printer is the corresponding ink container, the use of ink in the printer is charged in a charging mode set for the corresponding ink container. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is not the corresponding ink container, the charging mode recorded on the recording medium attached to the ink container attached to the printer, and the communication line A billing method comprising: allowing a billing mode for the use of ink in the printer to be changed by displaying a billing mode confirmed on a server in a selectable manner.   The charging method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of notifying that the ink container attached to the printer is not the corresponding ink container when it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is not the corresponding ink container.   The charging method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the ink container attached to the printer is determined not to be the corresponding ink container, an option for changing a charging mode is displayed so as to be selectable. A printer that performs printing using ink in a removable ink container; and
A controller for charging for the use of ink in the printer,
When it is determined that the ink container attached to the printer is the corresponding ink container based on the identification information for identifying the corresponding ink container that is associated with the printer and has a charging mode set, the while for charging at the set charging mode, when the ink container is mounted on the printer determines that the non-compatible ink containers when the ink container is mounted on the printer determines that the non-compatible ink container, wherein Printing that allows the charging mode to be changed by selectively displaying the charging mode recorded on the recording medium attached to the ink container mounted on the printer and the charging mode confirmed by the server via the communication line system.

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