JP2002149019A - Printer, printing system and control method for them - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer or printing equipment where printing control can be varied by whether a loaded consumable cartridge is an exclusive cartridge. SOLUTION: A circuit to discriminate whether the loaded cartridge is the exclusive cartridge is provided to a recording circuit 16 provided to a facsimile as the printing equipment, and control is carried out by CPU 22 so that smoothness in printing is carried out only when an exclusive cartridge is loaded, for example.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer or a device having a printer (printer device).
The present invention relates to a printer that performs printing using a cartridge, a printer device, and a control method thereof.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a printer system in which a plurality of devices share a printer device for performing printing using a cartridge, and a control method therefor.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of computer networks, printers, facsimile machines, copiers and other devices (hereinafter referred to as printer devices) having a built-in printer are provided with a network interface. It is common to use

[0004] In many of such printer devices, consumables for recording, such as photosensitive drums, printheads, toner, and ink, are replaced with replaceable cartridges to facilitate maintenance. In such a printer device, in order to guarantee the performance of the device, the use of a consumable cartridge specified by the manufacturer (hereinafter, referred to as a dedicated cartridge) is recommended, but all users always use the dedicated cartridge. It did not mean.

[0005]

However, the printer system is designed and adjusted on the assumption that a dedicated cartridge is used, and if printing is performed without using the dedicated cartridge, the image quality deteriorates,
In the worst case, the printer unit may be broken. In such a case, not only does the user suffer disadvantages, but also the manufacturer has to incur repair costs, which is undesirable, and the manufacturer recommends that the user use a special cartridge. In many cases, the meaning of using a special cartridge for the user is not correctly understood.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer using a cartridge or a printer having a printer using a cartridge, in which the mounted cartridge is a dedicated cartridge. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer, a printer device, and a control method for the printer, which can change the print control.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for charging a printer device having a printer using a cartridge, in which the charging is changed depending on whether the installed cartridge is a dedicated cartridge or not. An object of the present invention is to provide a possible printer system and a control method thereof.

[0008]

That is, the gist of the present invention is to provide a printer using a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing, wherein the mounted replaceable cartridge is designated in advance. A printer is characterized in that it has a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the cartridge is a dedicated cartridge and a printing means for performing printing by applying different control depending on the discrimination result.

Another aspect of the present invention is a printer for printing received print data, comprising: a replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing;
Determining means for determining whether or not the exchangeable cartridge mounted is a dedicated cartridge designated in advance;
A printing unit for performing printing in accordance with the print data, a storage unit for storing the transmission source information of the print data, and the number of prints and the determination result of the determination unit in association with each print data; and for each transmission source of the print data,
There is provided a printer characterized by having a billing means for counting the number of prints using a special cartridge and the number of prints without using a special cartridge, and obtaining a print fee using different unit prices.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention resides in an apparatus using the printer of the present invention.

Further, another gist of the present invention is to determine whether a replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing and a mounted replaceable cartridge are dedicated cartridges designated in advance. A printer system, comprising: a printer having a determination unit, a printing unit that performs printing in accordance with received print data, a computer device, and a server device communicably connected via a network, wherein the server device is a computer device. Transmitting means for temporarily storing the print data from the printer and transmitting the print data to the printing device; determination result obtaining means for obtaining the determination result of the determination means from the printer; transmission source information of the print data; Storage means for storing the determination result of each print data in association with each print data; Charging means for counting the number of prints using a special cartridge and the number of prints without using a special cartridge for each sender of the data, and obtaining a print fee using a different unit price. Printer system.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling a printer using a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing, wherein the mounted replaceable cartridge is a dedicated cartridge designated in advance. There is provided a printer control method comprising: a determination step of determining whether a cartridge is a cartridge; and a print step of performing printing by applying different control depending on a determination result.

Another aspect of the present invention is a control method of a printer for printing received print data using a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing. A determination step of determining whether or not the cartridge is a designated special cartridge; a printing step of performing printing in accordance with the print data; a transmission source information of the print data; a print number and a determination result of the determination step; A storage step of storing the data in association with each data, and for each transmission source of the print data, counting the number of prints using the special cartridge and the number of prints without using the special cartridge, using different unit prices. And a charging step for obtaining a print fee. It resides in the method of controlling the printer.

Further, another gist of the present invention is to determine whether a replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing and a mounted replaceable cartridge are dedicated cartridges designated in advance. A method of controlling a printer system in which a printer having a determination unit, a printing unit that performs printing in accordance with received print data, a computer device, and a server device are communicably connected via a network. A transmission step of temporarily storing print data from a computer device and transmitting the print data to the printing device; a determination result obtaining step of obtaining a determination result of the determination step from the printer; a transmission source information of the print data; And the discrimination result of the discrimination step for each print data A charging step of counting the number of prints using a dedicated cartridge and the number of prints without using a dedicated cartridge for each transmission source of print data, and obtaining a print fee using a different unit price. And a method for controlling a printer system.

Another aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that stores a control program for a printer using a replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing. A storage characterized by having a program for a discriminating step for discriminating whether or not the replaceable cartridge is a designated special cartridge, and a program for a printing step for performing printing by applying different control depending on the discrimination result. Be in the medium.

Another aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of a printer for printing received print data using a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing. A program for a discriminating process for discriminating whether or not the mounted replaceable cartridge is a designated special cartridge, a program for a printing process for performing printing in accordance with print data, and a sender of the print data. Information, the number of prints and the determination result of the determination step are stored for each print data in a storage process program, and for each transmission source of print data, the number of prints using a dedicated cartridge,
A storage medium characterized by having a program of a charging process for counting the number of prints without using a special cartridge and obtaining a print fee using different unit prices.

Further, another gist of the present invention is to determine whether or not a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing and a mounted replaceable cartridge are dedicated cartridges designated in advance. A computer having a control program for a printer system in which a printer having a determination unit, a printing unit for performing printing in accordance with the received print data, a computer device, and a server device are communicably connected via a network; A storage medium, a server device temporarily storing print data from a computer device and transmitting the program to a printing device, and a determination result obtaining process of obtaining a determination result of the determination process from a printer. Program, print data source information, and And a storage process program that stores the number of prints and the determination result of the determination process in association with each print data, the number of prints using a special cartridge for each transmission source of print data, and printing without using a special cartridge. The storage medium is characterized in that it has a program for a charging process for counting the number of sheets printed and calculating a print fee using different unit prices.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a case is shown in which a facsimile apparatus having a network interface is used as a printer device.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes an NCU (network control unit)
In order to use the telephone network for data communication and the like, the terminal is connected to a terminal of the line to control connection of a telephone switching network, switch to a data communication path, and maintain a loop. . The NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2a to the telephone under the control of the bus 26 (CML off).
Or connect the telephone line 2a to the facsimile machine (C
ML on). In a normal state, the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a telephone. Reference numeral 6 denotes a hybrid circuit that separates a transmission system signal and a reception system signal,
The transmission signal from the adding circuit 12 is sent to the telephone line 2a via the NCU 2, and the signal from the other party (telephone line 2a) is transmitted to the N line.
The signal is received via the CU 2 and sent to the demodulator 8 via the signal line 6a.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a modulator / demodulator. 8, V.I. 21, V.I. 27ter, V.I. 29, V.I. 1
7, V.I. 34, a modulator / demodulator that performs modulation and demodulation based on the transmission modes 34. Each transmission mode is designated by the control of the bus 26. The modulator / demodulator 8 receives a transmission signal from the bus 26, outputs modulated data to the signal line 8a, receives a received signal output to the signal line 6a, and outputs demodulated data to the bus 26.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a calling circuit, which inputs telephone number information in response to a signal from the bus 26, and outputs a D signal to a signal line 10a.
A TMF selection signal is output. Reference numeral 12 denotes an addition circuit, which inputs information of the signal line 8a and information of the signal line 10a,
The result of the addition is output to the signal line 12a. Reference numeral 14 denotes a reading circuit which reads a document placed on a document table and outputs read image data to a bus 26.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a recording circuit, which sequentially prints information output to the bus 26 line by line. The recording circuit 16 includes a mechanism or a circuit for determining whether a mounted recording cartridge (ink cartridge, toner cartridge, drum cartridge, head cartridge, etc.) is a dedicated cartridge.
The determination result is returned in response to the request from U22. The discrimination of the dedicated cartridge can be performed by using a mechanism such as a switch that detects a characteristic of the shape of the dedicated cartridge alone, or by reading data registered in a nonvolatile memory provided in the dedicated cartridge and reading the data. It is also possible to use a discriminating circuit or the like for discriminating by performing verification by a predetermined method, and an arbitrary method can be used in consideration of cost, versatility, and the like. Alternatively, the recording circuit 16 may be provided with only a mechanism or a circuit for acquiring only information on the type of cartridge, and the CPU 22 may separately determine whether the cartridge is a dedicated cartridge.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a memory circuit (RAM) which stores raw information of read data or encoded information, receives information, or decodes information as a work memory. And the like via the bus 26. In FIG. 1, the memory 18
Is described as one block, but may have a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) in addition to a normal RAM.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an operation unit, which includes one-touch dial, speed dial, numeric keypad, * key, # key, start key, stop key, set key, registration key to the memory 18, and other function keys. The key information is output to the bus 26. The operation unit 20 includes
There is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device, which displays information output to the bus 26. Each key of the operation unit 20 may be a hard key or a software key using a liquid crystal display device and a touch panel.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a CPU (central processing unit).
The facsimile apparatus controls the entire facsimile apparatus and executes a facsimile transmission control procedure.
It is stored in M24. 26 is a bus. Reference numeral 28 denotes a network interface card (LAN card) for connecting the facsimile apparatus to a computer network, and the signal line 28a is, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).

Reference numerals 30 and 32 denote general-purpose computer devices PC1 and PC2 such as personal computers, which are client computers that issue a print instruction using a printer device. Reference numeral 34 denotes a server, which manages printer devices in the printer system and performs accounting management according to the number of prints by the general-purpose computer devices PC1 and PC2. General-purpose computer device PC1 (30), PC
2 (32) and the server 34 are both connected to the LAN 33.

FIG. 2 shows a computer device PC1 (30),
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a PC 2 (32) and a server 34. As shown in FIG.
(30), the PC 2 (32) and the server 34 can be realized by a general-purpose computer device connectable to a network.

In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a CRT for displaying information on data being processed by an application program, various message menus, and the like. 42 is C
Video R that develops the image displayed on the screen of RTl
AM (hereinafter, VRAM) is shown. 43 and 44
Indicates a keyboard and a pointing device used for inputting a character or the like in a predetermined column on the screen, pointing to an icon or a button in a GUI, and the like. 45 is a computer device PC1 (30), PC
2 (32) and a CPU that controls the entire server 34.

Reference numeral 46 denotes a ROM which stores an operation processing procedure (program) of the CPU 45. This ROM 4
6 stores an application program related to data processing, an error processing program, and a program related to a flowchart described later. An R 47 is used as a work area when the CPU 45 executes the various programs described above and a temporary save area during error processing.
AM is shown.

Reference numeral 49 denotes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as H
DD) and 50 denote floppy (registered trademark) disk drives (hereinafter referred to as FDDs), respectively. The respective disks are used for storing and reading application programs and data, tables and a library described later. Also, instead of or in addition to FDD, C
An optical (magnetic) disk drive such as a D-ROM, MO, or DVD, or a magnetic tape drive such as a tape streamer or DDS may be provided.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a network interface for connecting the apparatus to the LAN 33. Reference numeral 51 denotes an I / O bus (consisting of an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus) for connecting the above-described units.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine as a printer will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The following operation is realized by the CPU 22 executing a program stored in the ROM 24. First, in step S2, the memory 18 is initialized via the bus 26. Next, in step S4, the display unit of the operation unit 20 is cleared via the bus 26. In step S6, the NC via the bus 26
The CML of U2 is turned off (the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone 4).

In step S 8, via LAN 33,
It is determined whether or not printing is instructed from the computer devices PC1 (30) and PC2 (32). If YES, the process proceeds to step S14, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S14.
Go to 10.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not a facsimile signal has been received. If YES, the process proceeds to step S26. If NO, the process proceeds to step S12.
Other processing (such as facsimile transmission) is performed, and the process returns to step S6.

If it is determined in step S8 that printing has been instructed from the computer devices PC1 (30) and PC2 (32) via the LAN 33, the recording circuit is connected via the bus 26 in step S14. Then, cartridge information is obtained from No. 16 and it is determined whether or not a dedicated cartridge is mounted. The determination can be made by detecting whether information specific to the dedicated cartridge is included in the acquired cartridge information, or the like. As described above, whether or not the cartridge is a dedicated cartridge is determined by the recording circuit 16 side.
Only the result may be obtained by the CPU 22. When it is detected that the dedicated cartridge is mounted, the process proceeds to step S16, and when it is detected that a different cartridge is mounted, the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S16, the server 34 is notified that the dedicated type cartridge is mounted. Then, in step S18, the smoothing process at the time of printing is enabled.

On the other hand, in step S20, the server 34 is notified that the dedicated type cartridge is not mounted. Then, in step S22, the smoothing processing at the time of printing is invalidated. Then, in step S24, the computer device P received via the LAN 33
The print information is received from C1 (30) or PC2 (32), developed into a bitmap, and printed.

On the other hand, if a facsimile signal has been received in step S10, in step S26 the bus 2
6, the CML of the NCU 2 is turned on, and the telephone line 2a is connected to the facsimile machine side (hybrid 6). Then, after performing the pre-facsimile reception procedure in step S28, the information of the mounted cartridge is input from the recording circuit 16 via the bus 26 in step S30, and it is determined whether or not the dedicated cartridge is mounted. to decide. This determination may be made on the recording circuit 16 side as described in step S14.

If it is detected that the special cartridge is mounted, the flow advances to step S32 to enable the smoothing processing at the time of recording. On the other hand, if it is detected that a different cartridge is mounted, the flow advances to step S34 to invalidate the smoothing process at the time of recording. Then, in step S36, the facsimile signal is received and recorded.
After that, in step S38, after performing the post-procedure, step S
Return to 6.

As described above, in a printer device, control suitable for a cartridge can be performed by changing the control at the time of printing depending on whether a dedicated cartridge is mounted or not.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, the case where the print control is changed on the printer device side according to the presence or absence of the special cartridge has been described. A case where the charge for printing is changed depending on the presence or absence will be described.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the server 34 in the printer system according to the present embodiment. First, in step S42, 1 is set to a print number assigned to each print job. Next, in step S44, the computer device PC1 (3
0) (or PC2 (32); hereinafter, typically described as computer device PC1 (30)), and it is determined whether or not printing has been instructed. If YES, the process proceeds to step S46, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S56. Proceed to.

In step S46, the print data is received from the computer device PC1 (30),
After the temporary storage in the spool area, the printer device is notified via the LAN 33 that there is a print request, and also requests that the printer device respond with a dedicated cartridge. Then, in step S48, information on whether or not the dedicated cartridge is mounted, which is returned from the printer device via the LAN 33, is received.

In step S50, the print data is transmitted to the print terminal via the LAN 33. Then, in step S52, in association with the print number, information on the computer device that issued the print request, the number of prints, and whether or not printing has been performed using the special cartridge is stored, and in step S54, the value of the print number is set to 1 And returns to step S44.

If a print instruction is not detected in step S44, the process proceeds to step S56 (FIG. 6), and it is determined whether a print history display instruction has been issued from the computer device PC1 (30), and YES is determined. Proceeds to step S58, and if NO, proceeds to step S60.

In step S58, a print job that has recently been printed (for example, 10 from the newest one, or one week recently) by the computer PC1 (30) is searched from the print history, and the history information is retrieved. ), And returns to step S44. The computer PC1 (30) displays the received history information on the CRT 41.

On the other hand, if the history display instruction is not detected in step S56, it is determined in step S60 whether the display of the print fee for the last month has been instructed from the computer device PC1 (30). If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S62. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S70.

In step S62, the computer PC1 (30) searches the print history for a print job designated in the last one month. Then, in step S64,
Among the searched print jobs (print numbers), those printed with the dedicated cartridge are extracted, and the total number of prints a is obtained.

On the other hand, in step S66, step S6
Among the print jobs (print numbers) searched in step 2, those printed with a cartridge other than the dedicated cartridge are extracted, and the total number of prints b is obtained.

Then, in step S68, for example, 8a + 12b (yen) is calculated as a monthly print fee,
Responds to the computer device PC1 (30) and returns to step S
Return to 44. The computer PC1 (30) displays the received fee on the CRT 41.

On the other hand, if the history display instruction for the last month has not been detected in step S60, the process proceeds to step S70.
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a print charge analysis instruction from the computer device PC1 (30). If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S74. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S72. Return to

In step S74, the computer device P
The print job for the last two months specified by C1 (30) is searched. Then, in step S76, among the searched print jobs (print numbers), those printed with the dedicated cartridge are extracted, and the total number of prints c is obtained.

On the other hand, in step S78, step S7
Among the print jobs (print numbers) searched in step 4, those printed with a cartridge other than the dedicated cartridge are extracted, and the total number of prints d is obtained.

In step S80, the ratio c / d of the number of prints c using the special cartridge and the number d of prints using a cartridge other than the special cartridge is obtained, and the value is equal to or more than a predetermined value (5 or more in this embodiment). Is determined, and in the case of YES, in step S84, a message "There is no particular measure to reduce the print fee at present" is transmitted to the computer PC1 (30), and the process returns to step S44.

On the other hand, in step S80, the value of the ratio c / d is 5
If it is less than the above, in step S82, a message stating "We recommend using a special cartridge to reduce the printing fee."
It transmits to (30) and returns to step S44.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user is encouraged to use the special cartridge by changing the charging condition between the case of printing using the special cartridge and the case of printing without using the special cartridge. be able to.

In the above embodiment, only the case where a facsimile machine is used as a printer device has been described, but any printer device such as a copying machine or a printer may be used.

Further, in the second embodiment, the case where the server 34 performs the accounting process has been described, but the accounting process may be performed by the printer device. In this case, the computer which instructed the print, the number of prints, and the use / non-use of the special cartridge may be stored in the memory 18 in the printer device in association with each other, and the CPU 22 may perform the accounting process. Then, upon receiving the billing result notification request via the LAN 33, it reads the billing result and responds. Alternatively, the billing result can be displayed on the display unit using the operation unit 20.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A printer device capable of performing optimal print control can be realized by the mounted cartridge, and when charging for the use of the printer device, management such as reflecting the type of the mounted cartridge in the charging can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a computer device and a server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a server according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2. NCU 4. Telephone 6. Hybrid circuit 8. Modulator / demodulator 10. Calling circuit 12. Addition circuit 14. Read circuit 16. Recording circuit 18. Memory circuit 20. Operation unit 22. CPU 24. ROM 26. Bus 28. LAN card 30. PC1 32. PC2 34. server

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Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A printer using a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing, and determining whether or not the mounted replaceable cartridge is a special cartridge designated in advance. And a printing means for performing printing by applying different control according to the determination result. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines that the dedicated cartridge has been mounted.
2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that print quality is improved as compared with a case where the installation of the dedicated cartridge is not determined. 3. An apparatus using the printer according to claim 1. 4. A printer for printing received print data, comprising: a replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing; and whether the mounted replaceable cartridge is a designated special cartridge. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the printing data has been printed; printing means for performing printing in accordance with the print data; transmission source information of the print data; the number of prints and the discrimination result of the discriminating means; A storage unit, for each transmission source of the print data, counting the number of prints using the dedicated cartridge and the number of prints without the use of the dedicated cartridge, and obtaining a print fee using a different unit price. And a printer. 5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the charging unit calculates a unit price when printing is performed using the dedicated cartridge less than a unit price when printing is performed without using the dedicated cartridge. . 6. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the printing unit performs printing by applying different control according to the determination result. 7. An apparatus using the printer according to any one of claims 4 to 6. 8. A replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing, a determining unit for determining whether or not the mounted replaceable cartridge is a dedicated cartridge designated in advance, A printer having printing means for performing printing in accordance with data; a computer device; and a printer system in which a server device is communicably connected via a network, wherein the server device transmits print data from the computer device. Transmitting means for temporarily storing and transmitting to the printing device; determining result obtaining means for obtaining the determination result of the determining means from the printer; transmission source information of the print data; the number of prints and the determining means Storage means for storing the discrimination result of the print data in association with each of the print data. Charging means for counting the number of prints using the dedicated cartridge and the number of prints without using the dedicated cartridge for each transmission source of the print data, and obtaining a print fee using a different unit price, A printer system comprising: 9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein the charging unit calculates a unit price when printing is performed using the dedicated cartridge less than a unit price when printing is performed without using the dedicated cartridge. . 10. A notification that, in response to a request from the computer device, the server device notifies the computer device of information relating to print processing executed within a predetermined period in the past in accordance with an instruction from the computer device. The printer system according to claim 8, further comprising a unit. 11. The notifying unit compares the number of prints using the special cartridge with the number of prints using a cartridge other than the special cartridge in a print process executed within the predetermined period in the past, 11. The printer system according to claim 10, wherein a message corresponding to the comparison result is notified to a transmission source of the print processing. 12. A method of controlling a printer using a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing, the method comprising: determining whether the mounted replaceable cartridge is a designated special cartridge. A printer control method, comprising: a discriminating step of discriminating; and a printing step of performing printing by applying different control depending on the discrimination result. 13. The printing step according to claim 6, wherein said determining step determines that said dedicated cartridge is mounted, and said control improves print quality as compared with a case where said dedicated cartridge is not determined to be mounted. 13. The printer control method according to claim 12, wherein: 14. A method of controlling a printer that prints received print data by using a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing, wherein the mounted replaceable cartridge is designated in advance. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the cartridge is a dedicated cartridge; a printing step of performing printing in accordance with the print data; a transmission source information of the print data; a print number and a discrimination result of the discriminating step; A storage step of storing in association with each other, for each transmission source of the print data, counting the number of prints using the dedicated cartridge and the number of prints without using the dedicated cartridge, using different unit prices, respectively. A billing step for obtaining a print fee. Printer control method according to claim. 15. The printer according to claim 14, wherein in the charging step, a unit price when printing is performed using the dedicated cartridge is calculated lower than a unit price when printing is performed without using the dedicated cartridge. Control method. 16. The printer control method according to claim 14, wherein in the printing step, printing is performed by applying different control depending on the determination result. 17. A replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing, a determining unit for determining whether or not the mounted replaceable cartridge is a designated exclusive cartridge, A printer having printing means for performing printing in accordance with data; a computer device; and a server device, wherein the server device is communicably connected via a network. A transmission step of temporarily storing print data and transmitting the print data to the printing device; a determination result obtaining step of obtaining a determination result of the determination step from the printer; transmission source information of the print data; The determination result of the determination step and the print data Storing the number of prints using the dedicated cartridge and the number of prints without using the dedicated cartridge for each transmission source of the print data, A control method for a printer system, comprising a charging step of obtaining a print fee by using a printer. 18. The printer according to claim 17, wherein said charging step calculates a unit price when printing is performed using said dedicated cartridge, lower than a unit price when printing is performed without using said dedicated cartridge. Control method. 19. A notification that, in response to a request from the computer device, the server device notifies the computer device of information on print processing executed within a predetermined period in the past according to an instruction from the computer device. The method according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising a step. 20. The notifying step, in a print process executed during the past predetermined period, comparing the number of prints using the dedicated cartridge with the number of prints using a cartridge other than the dedicated cartridge, 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein a message corresponding to the comparison result is notified to a transmission source of the print processing. 21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for a printer using a replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing, wherein the mounted replaceable cartridge is designated in advance. A storage medium comprising: a program for a discrimination step of discriminating whether or not the cartridge is a designated dedicated cartridge; and a program of a printing step for performing printing by applying different controls according to the discrimination result. 22. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of a printer for printing received print data by using a replaceable cartridge having a built-in consumable used for printing. A program for a discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the replaceable cartridge is a pre-designated dedicated cartridge; a program for a printing step for performing printing in accordance with the print data; transmission source information of the print data; A program of a storage step of storing the determination result of the determination step in association with each print data, and for each transmission source of the print data, the number of prints using the dedicated cartridge, and the use of the dedicated cartridge. Count the number of prints without , Storage medium characterized by having a program billing obtaining a print fee using different bid, respectively. 23. A replaceable cartridge containing a consumable used for printing, a determining means for determining whether or not the mounted replaceable cartridge is a special cartridge designated in advance, A printer having printing means for performing printing in accordance with data; a computer device; and a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of a printer system in which a server device is communicably connected via a network, In the server device, a program of a transmission step of temporarily storing print data from the computer device and transmitting the print data to the printing device, and a program of a determination result obtaining step of obtaining the determination result of the determination step from the printer And the source information of the print data. A program for a storage step of storing the number of prints and the determination result of the determination step in association with each of the print data, and for each transmission source of the print data, the number of prints using the dedicated cartridge, A storage medium having a program for a charging process for counting the number of prints without using a dedicated cartridge and obtaining a print fee using different unit prices.