JP2021131649A - Information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique for periodically supplying expendables of a printer, which can prompt a user to purchase the expendables.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: a storage unit in which charge calculation information being information for use in calculating an amount of charge is stored; and a charging processing unit which charges a user the amount of charge calculated by using the charge calculation information. The charge calculation information includes contract period information, basic charge information, cumulative quantity information showing a cumulative quantity of expendables purchased by a group to which a specific user receiving a service belongs or by all of users receiving the service, and discount information about a discount charge corresponding to an excess quantity of the expendables over a target purchase quantity in a case where the cumulative quantity has reached a stage-up quantity being a preliminarily defined quantity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a technique for performing a billing process for a print job using billing information associated with the print job. Patent Document 1 describes that a discounted charge such as a fraction of the normal one-page charge is set for a portion exceeding a predetermined number of pages per form.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-259386

In a service in which consumables such as ink cartridges of a printing device are regularly supplied and charged, it is conceivable to set a discounted rate for each user for a portion exceeding a predetermined number of pages, as in the conventional technology. In this case, although the discount rate is set according to the usage status of each user, the usage status of other users is not reflected in the discount rate, so that it is not possible to encourage the user to purchase consumables. Cases can occur.

According to one form of the present disclosure, an information processing device for providing a service of periodically supplying and charging consumables of a printing device is provided. This information processing device includes a storage unit that stores billing calculation information, which is information used for calculating the billing amount, and a billing processing unit that charges the user for the billing amount calculated using the billing calculation information. The billing calculation information includes, the contract period information indicating the contract period of the service, the basic charge information representing the basic charge corresponding to the target purchase quantity of the consumables to be purchased during the contract period, and the service. Cumulative quantity information representing the cumulative quantity of the consumables purchased by the group to which the specific user who receives the service or the entire user who receives the service belongs, and stage-up in which the cumulative quantity is a predetermined quantity. Includes discount information regarding a discount rate corresponding to an excess quantity of the consumables that exceeds the target purchase quantity when the quantity is reached.

According to another form of the present disclosure, an information processing method for providing a service for periodically supplying and charging consumables of a printing apparatus is provided. This information processing method includes a step of preparing billing calculation information, which is information used for calculating a billing amount, and a step of charging the user with the billing amount calculated using the billing calculation information. The billing calculation information includes contract period information indicating the contract period of the service, basic charge information representing the basic charge corresponding to the target purchase quantity of the consumables to be purchased during the contract period, and receiving the service. Cumulative quantity information representing the cumulative quantity of the consumables purchased by the group to which the specific user belongs or the entire user who receives the service, and the stage-up quantity in which the cumulative quantity is a predetermined quantity. When the amount is reached, the discount information regarding the discount rate corresponding to the excess quantity of the consumables exceeding the target purchase quantity is included.

The figure which shows the information processing system of this embodiment. The figure which shows the application screen. Internal block diagram of the information processing device. The figure for demonstrating the charge calculation information. The figure which shows the notification screen which shows the discount application guidance. The figure which shows the screen for making a pre-application. The figure which shows the situation confirmation screen.

A. Embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information processing system 200 of the present embodiment. The information processing system 200 includes a group 100 to which a plurality of specific users belong, a supply source 80, and an information processing device 90. The information processing system 200 is a system for providing a service of periodically supplying and charging users for consumables 20 of the printing device 50.

Group 100 includes a plurality of printing systems 10. When a plurality of printing systems 10 are used separately, "Xn" is added at the end, and an integer of 1 or more is assigned to "n". The printing system 10 includes a printing device 50 and a personal computer 9 as a control device in which a program for controlling the printing device 50 is stored. The printing device 50 is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink from a head to form an image on a printing medium. The printing device 50 includes an ink cartridge 20 as a consumable item. The ink cartridge 20 is detachably attached to the printing device 50 and supplies ink to the head. When the ink in the ink cartridge 20 is consumed and runs out, the ink cartridge 20 is replaced with a new ink cartridge 20.

Group 100 belongs to a specific user who receives a service of periodically supplying and charging consumables 20 of the printing apparatus 50. A specific user means a user who meets specific conditions among the users who receive the service, for example, a user who lives in a specific place such as Tokyo or Kanto, or a user of a specific age. It means a user or a user for each course of the service described later. In addition, the group 100 may be composed of all users who receive the service regardless of the type of course without applying specific conditions. In this embodiment, all users who receive the service are treated as a group.

The supplier 80 delivers the consumables 20 to the user according to the content of the service or by receiving an order from the user. The supply source 80 may manufacture the consumables 20.

The information processing device 90 is a server that provides a service of periodically supplying and charging consumables 20. The group 100, the supply source 80, and the information processing device 90 can send and receive information to and from each other via the Internet INT.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an application screen 91 for applying for a service for regular supply of consumables 20. The application screen 91 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 9 by, for example, the user specifying the URL using the personal computer 9. The URL is managed by, for example, the information processing apparatus 90.

The application screen 91 includes an explanatory image IM1, a service selection image IM2, a note image IM3, a first input image IM4, a second input image IM5, and an application image IM6. The explanatory image IM1 is an image for explaining the application screen 91.

The service selection image IM2 is an image for explaining courses A to D, which are the contents of a plurality of services. The service selection image IM2 selectively displays the courses A to D of the four types of services provided with respect to the regular supply. The service selection image IM2 displays a selection box and the contents of each of the courses A to D. The selection box displays a square image on the left side of the contents of each of the courses A to D, and the courses A to D are selectively selected by selecting the square image.

The contents of each course A to D include the contract years, the annual basic charge, the first year purchase quantity, the first charge, the second year purchase quantity, the second charge, the stage-up conditions, and the third charge. The contract period is the contract period of the service. The annual basic charge is the basic charge for one year when receiving the service.

The first annual purchase quantity is the maximum quantity of consumables 20 that can be purchased within the annual basic charge. The first year purchase quantity can be said to be the target purchase quantity for one year. For example, in the service of Course A at the top, the annual basic charge is 2000 yen, and up to 4 consumables 20 can be purchased. The first charge is the charge obtained by dividing the annual basic charge by the maximum quantity in the first year purchase quantity, that is, the charge per consumable item 20. It is preferable that the first charge is set lower than the purchase charge of the consumable item 20 when the subscription contract is not made. By doing so, it is possible to encourage the user to make a subscription contract.

The second year purchase quantity indicates the quantity of consumables 20 that need to be purchased at a charge different from the annual basic charge. For example, in Course A, a second charge is incurred from the fifth purchase quantity of the consumables 20 in one year.

The second charge indicates the charge for each 20 consumables whose quantity exceeds the quantity purchased in the first year. In the present embodiment, in each of the courses A to D, the second fee is set to be 10% higher than the first fee. It is preferable that the second charge is set higher than the purchase charge of the consumable item 20 when the subscription contract is not made. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the user from unnecessarily purchasing the consumable item 20 and holding the inventory.

The stage-up condition indicates the cumulative sales quantity of the consumables 20 for which the third charge, which is a discounted charge described later, is applied. The stage-up condition may be, for example, the cumulative quantity of consumables 20 having the same model number and the same product code sold. The cumulative quantity is the cumulative quantity of all users who receive the service in a predetermined period, for example, one year. For example, in Course A, when the cumulative quantity of consumables purchased by the group to which a specific user receiving the service belongs reaches 400 million units in one year, the user purchases the target quantity. If the purchase quantity in the first year is exceeded, the third charge, which is a discounted charge, is applied. The stage-up condition may be applied to the group to which a specific user belongs instead of the entire group.

The third charge is the charge for the consumables 20 corresponding to the excess quantity of the consumables 20 that exceeds the purchase quantity in the first year when the stage-up condition is satisfied. The third charge is lower than the first charge. In the present embodiment, the third charge is a charge of 20% off the first charge.

NOTE The image IM3 describes the description of the service content described in the service selection image IM2. In FIG. 2, a part of the description is omitted.

The first input image IM4 is an image for selecting a payment method of the fee of the user who receives the service. The second input image IM5 is an image for inputting the contact information of the user who receives the service, and the e-mail address in the present embodiment. The application image IM6 is an image for applying for the courses A to D desired by the user. When the application image IM6 is pressed by the cursor, the information input to the application screen 91 is transmitted to the information processing device 90 via the Internet INT.

FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the information processing device 90. The information processing device 90 provides a service of periodically supplying and charging the consumables 20 of the printing device 50. The information processing device 90 includes a control unit 92, a storage unit 97, and a communication unit 99.

The storage unit 97 is composed of a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 97 stores billing calculation information 98 in addition to various programs for controlling the information processing device 90. The charge calculation information 98 is information used for calculating the charge amount for the user who has applied for the provision of the service.

The control unit 92 functions as a billing processing unit 94 and a notification processing unit 95 by executing various programs stored in advance in the storage unit 97. The billing processing unit 94 calculates the billing amount for the user who applied to receive the service using the billing calculation information 98. Further, the billing processing unit 94 charges the user with the calculated billing amount. In addition, the billing processing unit 94 updates the billing calculation information 98. Details of the charge calculation information 98 and the charge processing unit 94 will be described later.

The notification processing unit 95 provides a discount application guide notifying that the discount rate can be applied to the user who can receive the discount rate via the communication unit 99 when the predetermined conditions are satisfied. To notify. Specifically, the notification processing unit 95 transmits the discount application guide to the e-mail address entered in the application screen 91. The predetermined conditions are when the purchase quantity of the consumables 20 of the user reaches the target purchase quantity during the contract period, for example, within one year from the contract date, and It is a condition that the cumulative quantity, which is the purchase quantity of the consumables 20 of the group to which the user belongs, has reached the stage-up quantity in the second case. Details of the processing executed by the notification processing unit 95 will be described later. The communication unit 99 transmits / receives data to / from the outside, for example, the personal computer 9 or the supply source 80 by wire or wirelessly.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the charge calculation information 98. The billing calculation information 98 has a user ID and individual contents associated with the user ID. The individual contents include service course information, contract period information, basic charge information, contract start date information, target purchase quantity information, actual purchase quantity information, premium information, stage-up quantity information, cumulative quantity information, and discount information.

The user ID is information for identifying the user. When the billing processing unit 94 receives the service application via the application screen 91, the billing processing unit 94 generates a user ID for identifying the user who applied for the service, and stores it in the storage unit 97 in association with the individual contents.

The contract period information of the charge calculation information 98 corresponds to the contract years of the application screen 91 and represents the contract period of the service. The basic charge information of the charge calculation information 98 corresponds to the annual basic charge of the application screen 91, and represents the basic charge corresponding to the target purchase quantity of the consumables 20 to be purchased during the contract period. As described above, the target purchase quantity information represents the maximum quantity of the consumables 20 that can be purchased within the basic charge. The contract start date information represents the date when the user applies for the provision of the service via the application screen 91 and the contract is concluded. For example, the contract start date may be the date of application via the application screen 91, or the date after a predetermined number of days have elapsed from the date of application.

The target purchase quantity information of the charge calculation information 98 corresponds to the purchase quantity in the first year of the application screen 91, and represents the maximum number of consumables 20 that can be purchased within the basic charge. The actual purchase quantity information of the charge calculation information 98 represents the actual purchase quantity of the consumables 20 for each user who applied for the service. The actual purchase quantity information is reset and counted every year, for example, from the contract start date.

The extra information of the charge calculation information 98 is information corresponding to the second charge of the application screen 91, and represents the charge per one of the consumables 20 applied in the third case described below. The premium information is information on a premium charge corresponding to the purchase of the consumable 20 exceeding the target purchase quantity of the consumable 20. The third case is when the purchase quantity reaches the target purchase quantity during the contract period of the user, for example, every year from the contract date, and the entire user who receives the service purchases. This is the case where the cumulative quantity of the consumables 20 has not reached the stage-up quantity. In another embodiment, the third case is a case where the purchase quantity reaches the target purchase quantity during the contract period of the user, for example, every year from the contract date, and the service. It may be the case that the cumulative quantity of the consumables 20 purchased by the group to which the specific user who receives the service belongs has not reached the stage-up quantity. A specific user may be a user for each of courses A to D, a user who lives in a specific place regardless of courses A to D, or a user who meets multiple conditions. good. The premium information does not have to represent the premium charge, and may be represented by the first charge information representing the charge of the basic consumables 20 and the premium rate with respect to the first charge.

The stage-up quantity information of the charge calculation information 98 corresponds to the stage-up condition of the application screen 91. The cumulative quantity information of the charge calculation information 98 represents the cumulative quantity of the consumables 20 purchased by all the users who receive the services of the courses A to D. In another embodiment, the cumulative quantity information of the charge calculation information 98 may represent the cumulative quantity of the consumables 20 purchased by the group to which the specific user who receives the service belongs. A specific user may be a user for each of courses A to D, a user who lives in a specific place regardless of courses A to D, or a user who meets multiple conditions. good.

The discount information of the charge calculation information 98 corresponds to the third charge on the application screen 91, and when the cumulative quantity reaches the stage-up quantity which is a predetermined quantity, the excess quantity of the consumables 20 exceeding the target purchase quantity is reached. It is information about the discount rate corresponding to. In the present embodiment, the discount information represents the charge per consumable item 20. In another embodiment, the discount information does not need to represent the discount charge, and may be represented by the first charge information representing the charge of the basic consumables 20 and the discount rate with respect to the first charge. ..

The billing processing unit 94 shown in FIG. 3 acquires sales performance information including the sales quantity and sales destination of the consumables 20 from the supplier 80 at a predetermined timing, for example, at the timing of each last day of each month, via the Internet INT. do. In addition, the billing processing unit 94 acquires the service application information on the application screen 91 entered by the user via the Internet. The billing processing unit 94 updates the billing calculation information 98 using the acquired sales record information and service application information.

Further, the charge processing unit 94 charges the user using the charge calculation information 98. Specifically, the billing processing unit 94 is in the first case where the purchase quantity of the user's consumables 20 is smaller than the target purchase quantity during the contract period of the user, for example, every year from the contract date. , Apply the basic charge and charge. The basic charge is charged at a predetermined timing, for example, from the contract start date or the contract start date to the expiration of the contract every year. For example, if the basic charge is charged on the contract start date, the charge is not performed for one year from the contract start date if the purchase quantity does not reach the target purchase quantity. The billing processing unit 94 may charge the user for the basic charge in a plurality of times.

Further, for example, the billing processing unit 94 sets the cumulative quantity to the stage-up quantity when the purchase quantity reaches the target purchase quantity during the contract period of the user, for example, every year from the contract date. In the second case reached, a discounted rate is applied to the excess quantity and charged. For example, a user with a user ID of "10003" corresponds to the second case. Therefore, when a new consumable item 20 is purchased, the billing processing unit 94 multiplies the purchased number by a discounted rate of discount information. Calculate the billing amount with and charge the user. In the case of this embodiment, a prior application is required to receive the discounted rate. When this advance application is made, the billing processing unit 94 applies the discounted charge. Details of the contents of this advance application will be described later.

Further, in the third case described above, the billing processing unit 94 charges the user by applying a surcharge to the excess quantity of the consumables 20. For example, since the user whose user ID is "1000004" corresponds to the third case, when a new consumable item 20 is purchased, the billing processing unit 94 charges the number of purchased items with an extra charge for the extra information. Calculate the billing amount with and charge the user. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from purchasing the consumables 20 unnecessarily, and thus it is possible to reduce the possibility that the inventory of the consumables 20 owned by the user becomes excessive.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a notification screen 110 showing a discount application guide for notifying that the discount rate can be applied. The notification processing unit 95 notifies the user of the notification screen 110 when the cumulative quantity reaches the stage-up quantity for each user. For example, the notification processing unit 95 sends the notification screen 110 to the registered e-mail address. The notification screen 110 includes a website address for making a pre-application for applying the discount rate, and a dedicated ID required for the pre-application.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen 112 for making a prior application. The screen 112 is displayed by accessing the address of the website shown in FIG. The screen 112 includes an item for inputting a user ID and a dedicated ID. The user ID is the same as the user ID shown in FIG. 4, and when the user applies for the service, the notification processing unit 95 sends the user ID to the e-mail address entered when applying for the service. The user inputs the user ID and the dedicated ID on the screen 112, and presses the application button with a cursor or the like, so that the information of the advance application is transmitted to the information processing device 90. When the control unit 92 of the information processing device 90 receives the advance application, the control unit 92 stores the application information indicating that the advance application has been made in the charge calculation information 98 in association with the user ID. The billing processing unit 94 associates the applied information with the user ID in the case where the purchase quantity during the contract period reaches the target purchase quantity and in the second case where the cumulative quantity reaches the stage-up quantity. If so, apply a discounted rate and charge. As described above, the notification processing unit 95 notifies the user of the address of the dedicated website for receiving the application of the discount rate and the dedicated ID which is the dedicated identification information for inputting on the dedicated website. .. This allows the user to choose whether or not to apply the discounted rate.

As described above, the notification processing unit 95 notifies the user that the discount rate can be applied in the second case, so that the user has the right to purchase the consumable item 20 at the discount rate. You can know that. As a result, the purchase of the consumables 20 for each user can be further promoted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a status confirmation screen 114. The status confirmation screen 114 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 9 or the mobile terminal by accessing the address of the web page prepared in advance. The address of the web page of the status confirmation screen 114 is transmitted to the e-mail address entered in the application screen 91 by the notification processing unit 95 when the user applies for the service via the application screen 91.

The status confirmation screen 114 includes an image in which the stage-up quantity of the service to which the user is applied and the current cumulative quantity are schematically displayed. The user can easily confirm the cumulative quantity and the stage-up quantity on the status confirmation screen 114. Thereby, for example, the user can be urged to purchase the consumable item 20. Specifically, for example, when the cumulative quantity is approaching the stage-up quantity, it belongs to the entire user or a group so that the cumulative quantity can reach the stage-up quantity in order to receive the discount rate. The user tries to purchase the consumable item 20.

According to the above embodiment, the discount rate can be applied when the cumulative quantity of the consumables 20 purchased by the user belongs to the group or the entire user reaches the stage-up quantity. Therefore, the use belonging to the group. It is possible to promote the purchase of consumables 20 for all users and users.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the billing processing unit 94 exceeds the charge processing unit 94 when the purchase quantity of the consumables 20 reaches the target purchase quantity and the cumulative quantity reaches the stage-up quantity in the second case. Charge by applying a discounted rate to the quantity. As a result, the purchase of the consumables 20 of each user can be promoted by making it one of the conditions for applying the discount rate that the purchase quantity of the user reaches the target purchase quantity.

B. Other embodiments:
B-1. Other Embodiment 1:
In the above embodiment, the control unit 92 of the information processing device 90 shown in FIG. 3 calculates the charge amount using the charge calculation information 98, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the billing amount may be calculated by a person instead of the information processing device 90. In this case, the person displays the charge calculation information 98 stored in the storage unit 97 on the display device, and calculates the charge amount using the displayed charge calculation information 98. The calculated billing amount is associated with the user ID and input to the information processing device 90. The billing processing unit 94 charges the user for the input billing amount. Further, although the charge calculation information 98 is stored in the storage unit 97, it may be described in a medium such as paper. Further, although the information processing device 90 is a single device, a plurality of devices may be combined and configured. For example, it may be composed of a first device including a billing processing unit 94 and a notification processing unit 95, and a second device including a storage unit for storing the billing calculation information 98. The first device and the second device are configured to enable data communication by wire or wireless.

B-2. Other Embodiment 2:
In the above embodiment, the consumable item 20 is an ink cartridge, but the consumable item 20 is not limited to this as long as it is a consumable item of the printing apparatus 50. For example, when the printing apparatus 50 includes an ink tank that can be replenished with ink instead of the ink cartridge, the ink bottle that supplies ink to the ink tank may be treated as a consumable item 20. When the ink in the ink tank is low or zero, the user purchases an ink bottle and injects ink into the ink tank. Further, the consumable item 20 may be the ink itself. That is, the supply source 80 sells the ink by weight. When the ink in the ink tank is low or zero, the user purchases a desired amount of ink from the supplier 80.

C. Other forms:
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following forms. The technical features in each of the embodiments described below correspond to the technical features in the above embodiments in order to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate to achieve the above. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to one form of the present disclosure, an information processing device for providing a service of periodically supplying and charging consumables of a printing device is provided. This information processing device includes a storage unit that stores billing calculation information, which is information used for calculating the billing amount, and a billing processing unit that charges the user for the billing amount calculated using the billing calculation information. The billing calculation information includes, the contract period information indicating the contract period of the service, the basic charge information representing the basic charge corresponding to the target purchase quantity of the consumables to be purchased during the contract period, and the service. Cumulative quantity information representing the cumulative quantity of the consumables purchased by the group to which the specific user who receives the service or the entire user who receives the service belongs, and stage-up in which the cumulative quantity is a predetermined quantity. Includes discount information regarding a discount rate corresponding to an excess quantity of the consumables that exceeds the target purchase quantity when the quantity is reached.
According to this form, the discount rate can be applied when the cumulative quantity of consumables purchased by the group or the entire user reaches the stage-up quantity, so that the users belonging to the group or the group can be applied. , The purchase of consumables for all users can be promoted.

(2) In the above embodiment, the billing processing unit applies the basic charge to charge the user when the purchase quantity of the user during the contract period is smaller than the target purchase quantity, and uses the service. When the purchase quantity of the person during the contract period reaches the target purchase quantity and the cumulative quantity reaches the stage-up quantity in the second case, the discount charge is given to the excess quantity. May be applied and charged.
According to this form, it is possible to promote the purchase of consumables by each user by making it one of the conditions for applying the discount rate that the purchase quantity of the user reaches the target purchase quantity.

(3) In the above embodiment, a notification processing unit may be further provided to notify the user that the discount rate can be applied in the second case.
According to this form, it is possible to further promote the purchase of consumables by each user by notifying the user that the discount rate can be applied.

(4) In the above embodiment, the notification processing unit notifies the user of the address of the dedicated website for receiving the application of the discount rate and the dedicated identification information for inputting on the dedicated website. You may.
According to this form, the user can choose whether or not to apply the discount rate.

(5) In the above embodiment, the charge calculation information further includes extra information regarding the extra charge corresponding to the purchase of the consumables exceeding the target purchase quantity, and the charge processing unit is the contract period of the user. When the purchase quantity in the middle reaches the target purchase quantity and the cumulative quantity does not reach the stage-up quantity in the third case, the extra charge is applied to the excess quantity. You may charge.
According to this form, it is possible to prevent the user from purchasing consumables unnecessarily, and thus it is possible to reduce the possibility that the inventory of consumables owned by the user becomes excessive.

(6) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information processing method for providing a service of periodically supplying and charging consumables of a printing apparatus is provided. This information processing method includes a step of preparing billing calculation information, which is information used for calculating a billing amount, and a step of charging the user with the billing amount calculated using the billing calculation information. The billing calculation information includes contract period information indicating the contract period of the service, basic charge information representing the basic charge corresponding to the target purchase quantity of the consumables to be purchased during the contract period, and receiving the service. Cumulative quantity information representing the cumulative quantity of the consumables purchased by the group to which the specific user belongs or the entire user who receives the service, and the stage-up quantity in which the cumulative quantity is a predetermined quantity. When the amount is reached, the discount information regarding the discount rate corresponding to the excess quantity of the consumables exceeding the target purchase quantity is included.
According to this form, the discount charge is calculated according to the cumulative quantity of consumables purchased by the group to which the user belongs or the entire user, so that the consumables of the users belonging to the group or the entire user are included. Can promote purchases.

The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than the information processing device and the information processing method. For example, it can be realized in the form of an information processing system, a computer program that realizes an information processing method, a non-temporary recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, or the like.

The plurality of components of each form of the disclosure described above are not all essential and may be used to solve some or all of the problems described above, or part or all of the effects described herein. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to change, delete, replace some of the components of the plurality of components with new other components, and partially delete the limited contents, as appropriate. Also, in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the effects described herein, the technical features included in one form of the above-mentioned disclosure. It is also possible to combine some or all with some or all of the technical features contained in the other forms of the present disclosure described above to form an independent form of the present disclosure.

9 ... Personal computer, 10 ... Printing system, 20 ... Consumables, 50 ... Printing device, 80 ... Supplier, 90 ... Information processing device, 91 ... Application screen, 92 ... Control unit, 94 ... Billing processing unit, 95 ... Notification Processing unit, 97 ... storage unit, 98 ... billing calculation information, 99 ... communication unit, 100 ... group, 110 ... notification screen, 112 ... screen, 114 ... status confirmation screen, 200 ... information processing system, IM1 ... explanatory image, IM2 … Service selection image, IM3… Note image, IM4… 1st input image, IM5… 2nd input image, IM6… Application image, INT… Internet

Claims (6)

An information processing device for providing a service that regularly supplies and charges consumables for printing equipment.
A storage unit that stores billing calculation information, which is information used to calculate the billing amount,
A billing processing unit that charges the user for the billing amount calculated using the billing calculation information is provided.
The billing calculation information is
Contract period information indicating the contract period of the service and
Basic charge information representing the basic charge corresponding to the target purchase quantity of the consumables to be purchased during the contract period, and
Cumulative quantity information representing the cumulative quantity of the consumables purchased by the group to which the specific user who receives the service belongs or the entire user who receives the service.
An information processing device including discount information regarding a discount rate corresponding to an excess quantity of the consumables exceeding the target purchase quantity when the cumulative quantity reaches a stage-up quantity which is a predetermined quantity. The information processing device according to claim 1.
The billing processing unit
In the first case where the purchase quantity of the user during the contract period is smaller than the target purchase quantity, the basic charge is applied and the charge is made.
When the purchase quantity of the user during the contract period reaches the target purchase quantity and the cumulative quantity reaches the stage-up quantity, the excess quantity is referred to. An information processing device that charges by applying a discounted rate. The information processing device according to claim 2, further
An information processing device including a notification processing unit that notifies the user that the discount rate can be applied in the second case. The information processing device according to claim 3.
The notification processing unit is an information processing device that notifies the user of the address of a dedicated website for receiving the application of the discount rate and the dedicated identification information for inputting on the dedicated website. The information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The charge calculation information further includes extra information regarding the extra charge corresponding to the purchase of the consumables exceeding the target purchase quantity.
The billing processing unit is in the third case where the purchase quantity of the user during the contract period reaches the target purchase quantity and the cumulative quantity does not reach the stage-up quantity. An information processing device that applies the extra charge to the excess quantity and charges the excess quantity. It is an information processing method for providing a service that regularly supplies and charges consumables for printing equipment.
The process of preparing the billing calculation information, which is the information used to calculate the billing amount, and
A step of charging the user with the charge amount calculated using the charge calculation information is provided.
The billing calculation information is
Contract period information indicating the contract period of the service and
Basic charge information representing the basic charge corresponding to the target purchase quantity of the consumables to be purchased during the contract period, and
Cumulative quantity information representing the cumulative quantity of the consumables purchased by the group to which the specific user who receives the service belongs or the entire user who receives the service.
An information processing method including discount information on a discount rate corresponding to an excess quantity of the consumables exceeding the target purchase quantity when the cumulative quantity reaches a stage-up quantity which is a predetermined quantity.

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