JP2021163308A - Communication system, terminal device, printer, computer program for terminal device, and computer program for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique to improve the convenience for a user.SOLUTION: In a communication system, a printer 100 comprises a restriction unit that restricts the execution of print processing performed by the printer 100 when the printer is changed from a possible state in which the printer can execute communication with an SP server 200 that manages the number of print media used for the print processing in the printer 100 to an impossible state in which the printer cannot execute the communication with the SP server 200. A terminal 10 comprises: an authentication information generation unit that generates first authentication information used for authentication for cancelling the restriction; and a first output control unit that causes a first output unit of the terminal 10 to output the first authentication information. The printer 100 comprises: a first acquisition unit that, when the first authentication information is output from the terminal 10, acquires the first authentication information; an authentication execution unit that, when the printer 100 is in the impossible state, executes authentication using the acquired first authentication information; and a cancellation unit that, when the authentication is successful, cancels the restriction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present specification relates to a technique for managing the number of printing media used for printing processing in a printer.

Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system including a printer and an information management server that provides a flat-rate printing processing service. The printer restricts the use of the flat-rate printing processing service (that is, restricts the execution of the printing processing) when the communication with the information management server cannot be executed. Then, when the printer changes to a state in which communication with the information management server can be executed, the above restriction is released.

JP-A-2017-47590 JP-A-2018-56761 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-193592 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-68913

In the above technique, the execution of the printing process is restricted until the printer changes to a state in which communication with the information management server can be executed. This can be inconvenient for the user.

The present specification provides a technique for improving user convenience.

The communication system disclosed by the present specification includes a printer, one or more terminal devices, and the printer communicates with a server that manages the number of printing media used for printing processing in the printer. The one or more terminals provided with a limiting unit that restricts the execution of the printing process by the printer when the feasible state changes to the impossible state in which communication with the server is not feasible. The first terminal device among the devices includes an authentication information generation unit that generates the first authentication information used for authentication for releasing the restriction, and the first terminal device that uses the first authentication information. The printer includes a first output control unit for outputting to the first output unit of the above, and the printer outputs the first authentication information from the first terminal device. When the authentication is successful, the first acquisition unit for acquiring the above, the authentication execution unit for executing the authentication using the acquired first authentication information when the printer is in the impossible state, and the case where the authentication is successful. Is provided with a release unit for releasing the restriction.

According to the above configuration, the printer acquires the first authentication information output by the first terminal device. Then, the printer releases the restriction when the printer is in an impossible state and the authentication using the acquired first authentication information is successful. The user can remove the restriction and have the printer perform printing even when communication with the server is not feasible. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

Further, the terminal device disclosed in the present specification is used in a communication system including a printer, and the terminal device is an output unit and an authentication information generation unit that generates first authentication information, and the printer. In the print process of, the communication between the server and the printer cannot be executed from the possible state in which the server that manages the number of print media used for the print process in the printer can communicate with the printer. When the state changes to the impossible state, the first authentication information is restricted, and the first authentication information is used for authentication for releasing the restriction on the execution of the printing process on the printer, and the authentication information generation unit. The first output control unit that outputs the first authentication information to the output unit, the first authentication information is acquired by the printer, and the limitation of execution of the printing process by the printer is the printer. The first output control unit is released when the authentication using the acquired first authentication information is successful in the situation where is impossible.

According to the above configuration, the terminal device generates and outputs the first authentication information used for the authentication for releasing the restriction. The first authentication information is acquired by the printer. As a result, when the authentication using the first authentication information is successful in the situation where the printer is in an impossible state, the restriction on the execution of the print process by the printer is released. The user can remove the restriction and have the printer perform printing even when communication with the server is not feasible. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

Further, the printer disclosed by the present specification cannot communicate with the server from the possible state where it can execute communication with the server that manages the number of print media used for the printing process in the printer. When the state changes to the impossible state, the restriction unit that restricts the execution of the printing process by the printer and the first authentication information that the first terminal device uses for authentication for releasing the restriction. Is executed by the first acquisition unit that acquires the first authentication information and the authentication using the acquired first authentication information when the printer is in the impossible state. An authentication execution unit for performing the authentication and a release unit for releasing the restriction when the authentication is successful are provided.

Even in the above configuration, the user can remove the restriction even when communication with the server cannot be executed, and the printer can execute printing. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

The control method for realizing the terminal device or printer, the computer program, and the computer-readable recording medium for storing the computer program are also new and useful.

The configuration of the communication system is shown. A block diagram of each device is shown. The sequence diagram of the registration process is shown. A sequence diagram of a specific case where the printer changes from online to offline is shown. A sequence diagram of a specific case where the printer returns from online is shown.

(Configuration of communication system 2; FIG. 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a terminal 10, a printer 100, and a service providing server 200 (hereinafter, referred to as “SP server 200”). The terminal 10 and the printer 100 are connected to a LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network) 4. The LAN 4 may be either a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. The SP server 200 can communicate with the devices 10 and 100 via the Internet 6 and the LAN 4.

(Configuration of SP server 200; FIG. 2)
The SP server 200 is a server that provides a printing service related to printing processing. The printing service includes a shipping service for shipping a color material cartridge that can be attached to a printer (for example, the printer 100) and a management service for managing the number of printing media used for printing processing in the printer.

In the management service, it is managed that the number of print media printed in a predetermined period (for example, January) (hereinafter referred to as "predetermined period number") reaches a predetermined contract number (for example, 1000 sheets). For example, the user pays a flat rate for a predetermined period. The user does not have to pay an additional fee until the number of sheets for a predetermined period reaches the predetermined number of contracts. Then, when the number of sheets for a predetermined period exceeds the predetermined number of contracts, the user pays an additional fee obtained by multiplying the number of sheets by a predetermined unit price (for example, 10 yen / sheet). In other words, the management service is a flat-rate service that allows printing at a fixed rate until the number of print media reaches the contracted number in a predetermined period, and when the number of print media exceeds the contracted number in a predetermined period. Includes pay-as-you-go services that allow printing at a given unit price. The number of contracts is set by the user, for example, when concluding a contract for a printing service.

The SP server 200 is installed on the Internet 6 by a vendor such as a printer 100. In the modified example, the SP server 200 may be installed on the Internet 6 by a business operator different from the vendor.

The SP server 200 includes a network interface 212 and a control unit 220. Each part 212, 220 is connected to a bus line (reference numeral omitted). In the following, the interface will be referred to as "I / F". The network I / F 212 is an I / F for executing communication via the Internet 6, and is connected to the Internet 6. The control unit 220 includes a CPU 222 and a memory 224. The CPU 222 executes various processes according to the program 230 stored in the memory 224. The memory 224 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The memory 224 stores a user table 232 and a device table 234 in addition to the above program 230. In the modified example, each table 232 and 234 may be stored in an external storage device communicably connected to the SP server 200.

In the user table 232, one or more user information corresponding to one or more users who receive the print service is registered (that is, stored). Each user information includes account information (eg AC) and user relationship information (eg UI) that includes information about the user. The account information includes an account name that identifies the user and an account password. The user-related information includes, for example, shipping address information indicating the shipping address of the color material cartridge, the e-mail address of the user's e-mail, and the credit card number of the user. Further, the user table 232 is associated with each user information, and includes a PIN (abbreviation of Personal Identification Number) code (for example, "1234"), a contract number (for example, "1000"), and cancellation authentication information (for example, AI1). Can be remembered. The PIN code is used for authentication for registering the printer serial number in the user table 232.

One or more device information is registered in the device table 234. Each device information includes an account name (for example, AN), a serial number (for example, SN), an access token (for example, AT), a remaining amount history information (for example, HI), a cumulative number of sheets information, and a predetermined number of sheets for a predetermined period. Can include. The access token is authentication information used for communication between the printer and the SP server 200. The remaining amount history information is information indicating the history of the remaining amount of the color material cartridge currently installed in the printer. The cumulative number of sheets information indicates the cumulative number of sheets of the print medium printed by the printer 100 from the first printing to the present.

When the serial number SN of the printer 100 is registered in the device table 234, the printing service is started to be provided. When communication with the SP server 200 is feasible, the printer 100 is allowed to execute the print process indefinitely. On the other hand, when the communication with the SP server 200 is infeasible, the execution of the print process by the printer 100 is restricted. The cancellation authentication information that can be stored in the user table 232 is the authentication information used for authentication for releasing the restriction.

(Configuration of Printer 100; FIG. 2)
The printer 100 is a peripheral device having a printing function (for example, a peripheral device of the terminal 10). The printer 100 includes a LANI / F 112, an operation unit 116, a display unit 118, and a control unit 120.

The LANI / F112 is an I / F for executing communication via the LAN4 and is connected to the LAN4. The operation unit 116 includes a plurality of buttons. The user can input various instructions to the printer 100 by operating the operation unit 116. The display unit 118 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 118 is a so-called touch panel, and may function as a part of the operation unit 116.

The control unit 120 includes a CPU 122 and a memory 124. The CPU 122 executes various processes according to the program 130 stored in the memory 124. In addition to the above program 130, the memory 124 stores a serial number SN for identifying the printer 100, a service flag, and an offline upper limit number of sheets.

The service flag is one of a value of "ON" indicating that the setting for receiving the print service has been executed and "OFF" indicating that the setting for receiving the print service has not been executed. Is shown. The service flag indicates "OFF" by default.

The printer 100 is in a state in which communication with the SP server 200 cannot be executed from a state in which the printer can execute communication with the SP server 200 (hereinafter referred to as "online state") (hereinafter referred to as "offline state"). ), The execution of the printing process by the printer 100 is restricted. Specifically, the printer 100 allows only the number of print media used for the printing process during the offline state (hereinafter, "offline number") up to the number indicated by the offline upper limit number in the memory 124. .. As a result, in a situation where the printer 100 is in an offline state, that is, in a situation where the SP server 200 cannot manage the number of print media used for the print process in the printer 100, the print process is executed in the printer 100 indefinitely. Can be suppressed.

(Configuration of terminal 10; FIG. 2)
The terminal 10 is a terminal such as a desktop PC, a tablet PC, or a smartphone. The terminal 10 includes a LANI / F12, an operation unit 16, a display unit 18, and a control unit 20. The LANI / F12 is the same as the LANI / F112. The operation unit 16 includes a button for inputting an instruction to the terminal 10. The display unit 18 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 18 may function as a touch panel (that is, a part of the operation unit 16).

The control unit 20 includes a CPU 22 and a memory 24. The CPU 22 executes various processes according to the programs 30 and 40 stored in the memory 24. The OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program 30 is a program for realizing the basic operation of the terminal 10. The service application 40 is an application program for receiving a printing service. The service application 40 is installed on the terminal 10 from, for example, a server (not shown) on the Internet provided by the vendor of the printer 100.

(Registration; Fig. 3)
A process for registering the information in the device table 234 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the processing executed by each CPU of each device (for example, CPU 22 of the terminal 10) is not described mainly for each CPU from the viewpoint of easy understanding, and each device (for example, the terminal 10 etc.) is described. Is described as the main body. Further, the communication between the SP server 200 and the printer 100 or the terminal 10 is executed via the Internet 6 and the LAN 4. Further, the communication is executed via the I / F of each device (for example, the LANI / F12 of the terminal 10). In the following, unless otherwise specified, "via LANI / F12", "via LANI / F112", "via network I / F212", "via the Internet 6", and "via LAN4". The explanation of "te" is omitted.

In the initial state of FIG. 3, the account information AC and the user relationship information UI are registered in the user table 232 (see FIG. 2). The account information AC and the user relationship information UI are registered in the SP server 200, for example, when the user operates the terminal 10.

At T2, the terminal 10 activates the service application 40 in response to a user operation. Then, when the terminal 10 accepts the input operation of the account information AC on the screen displayed according to the service application 40, the terminal 10 transmits a login request including the account information AC to the SP server 200 at T4. As a result, the SP server 200 authenticates the account information AC at T6. In this case, the account information AC is already registered in the user table 232. Therefore, the authentication of T6 is successful.

When the authentication is successful in T6, the terminal 10 transmits a PIN request including the account name AN in the account information AC to the SP server 200 in T10.

When the SP server 200 receives the PIN request from the terminal 10 at T10, the SP server 200 generates the PIN code "1234" at T12, associates the PIN code "1234" with the account name AN in the PIN request, and puts the PIN code "1234" in the user table 232. Remember. Then, the SP server 200 transmits the PIN code "1234" to the terminal 10 at T14.

Further, the terminal 10 transmits a contract number request including the account name AN in the account information AC to the SP server 200. As a result, the SP server 200 transmits the contract number "1000" stored in association with the account name AN in the contract number request to the terminal 10 at T22.

When the terminal 10 receives the contract number "1000" from the SP server 200 at the T22, the terminal 10 generates the cancellation authentication information AI1 at the T24 and stores the cancellation authentication information AI1 in the memory 24. The cancellation authentication information AI1 includes a cancellation password, which is a character string randomly generated by the terminal 10, and the number of contracts received "1000". In the modified example, a plurality of unique character strings are stored in advance in the memory 24 of the terminal 10, and the terminal 10 has one character string from the plurality of unique character strings in the memory 124. May be selected as the unlock password.

At T26, the terminal 10 transmits the generated release authentication information AI1 to the SP server 200. As a result, the SP server 200 stores the release authentication information AI1 in the user table 232 at T28.

If the authentication of the account information of T6 fails, the terminal 10 does not execute the processes of T20 to T26. In other words, the terminal 10 generates the cancellation authentication information AI1 on condition that the SP server 200 has already authenticated the account information. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the terminal 10 from being operated by a third party who does not know the account information AC and illegally generate the cancellation authentication information AI1.

Further, in T40, the terminal 10 transmits the PIN code “1234” received in T16 and the release authentication information AI1 generated in T24 to the printer 100 via LANI / F12 and LAN4. According to the above configuration, in order to release the restriction on the execution of the printing process at an early timing before the serial number SN of the printer 100 is registered in the user table 232 (that is, the timing before the printing service is started). The authentication information AI1 can be transmitted to the printer 100. By transmitting the release authentication information AI1 to the printer 100 before the start of the print service, even if the print process is restricted at the timing immediately after the start of the print service, the restriction can be released. User convenience is improved.

When the printer 100 receives the PIN code "1234" and the release authentication information AI1 from the terminal 10 via the LANI / F112 and the LAN4 at the T40, the printer 100 stores the release authentication information AI1 in the memory 124 at the T42.

At T44, the printer 100 sends a start request to the SP server 200. The start request is a command for requesting the start of the above-mentioned printing service, and includes the PIN code "1234" and the serial number SN of the printer 100.

When the SP server 200 receives the start request from the printer 100 at the T44, the SP server 200 executes the authentication of the PIN code "1234" included in the start request at the T46. In this case, since the PIN code "1234" included in the start request matches the PIN code "1234" in the user table 232, the SP server 200 determines that the PIN code authentication is successful, and the PIN code "1234" is determined. The account name AN stored in association with "" is determined as the account name to be registered. Next, the SP server 200 generates an access token AT to be registered at T48.

In T50, the SP server 200 associates the account name AN to be registered, the serial number SN included in the start request, and the access token AT to be registered, and registers them in the device table 234. At present, the remaining amount history information, the cumulative number of sheets information, and the number of sheets for a predetermined period are not stored in the device table 234 in association with the account name AN to be registered.

At T52, the SP server 200 transmits the access token AT to the printer 100. As a result, the printer 100 stores the access token AT in the memory 124 of the printer 100.

At T54, the printer 100 uses the access token AT in the memory 124 to establish an XMPP (abbreviation of Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) connection with the SP server 200. The XMPP connection is a so-called constant connection, which is a connection that continues to be established until the power of the printer 100 is turned off. By using the XMPP connection, the SP server 200 can send a request to the printer 100 over the firewall of the LAN 4 to which the printer 100 belongs without receiving the request from the printer 100. The mechanism for transmitting the request from the SP server 200 to the printer 100 may be another method instead of the XMPP connection. For example, an HTTPS (abbreviation of Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) connection may be established between the printer 100 and the SP server 200.

In T60, the printer 100 changes the service flag from "OFF" to "ON" triggered by the establishment of the XMPP connection of T54. At T64, the printer 100 sends a readiness notification to the SP server 200 indicating that the printer 100 is ready to receive the print service.

When the SP server 200 receives the preparation completion notification from the printer 100 in T64, the SP server 200 sends a service start message, which is a message indicating that the print service (that is, the flat-rate system and the pay-as-you-go service) is started in T66, to the terminal 10. Send to. As a result, the terminal 10 causes the display unit 18 to display the service start message at T68. The user can know that the printing service has been started by looking at the display unit 18 of the terminal 10.

(Specific case where the printer 100 changes from the online state to the offline state; FIG. 4)
A specific case in which the printer 100 changes from the online state to the offline state will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a continuation of FIG.

When the SP server 200 establishes an XMPP connection with the printer 100 at T54 in FIG. 3, the SP server 200 makes a Subscribing request requesting that the state information indicating the current state of the printer 100 be repeatedly transmitted to the SP server 200 at T80. Send to 100. The Subscribing request includes cycle information indicating a cycle in which the printer 100 transmits state information.

When the printer 100 receives the Subscribing request from the SP server 200 in the T80, the printer 100 starts transmitting the state information in the T82 at the cycle indicated by the periodic information included in the Subscribing request. The status information includes the serial number SN, the remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the color material cartridge currently mounted on the printer 100, and the cumulative number of print media printed by the printer 100 from the first printing to the present. Includes cumulative number information indicating.

When the SP server 200 receives the status information from the printer 100 in the T82, the SP server 200 stores the remaining amount information in the status information in the device table 234 as the remaining amount history information HI in association with the serial number SN in the status information in the T84. do. Further, the SP server 200 stores the number of sheets for a predetermined period in the device table 234 in association with the serial number SN in the state information. Here, the number of sheets for a predetermined period is calculated as follows. When the state information is received from the printer 100 for the first time, the SP server 200 determines the number of sheets indicated by the cumulative number of sheets information in the state information as the reference number of sheets. After that, each time the state information is repeatedly received, the SP server 200 calculates the difference between the number of sheets indicated by the cumulative number of sheets information in the state information and the reference number of sheets as a predetermined period number of sheets, and calculates the calculated predetermined period. The number of sheets is stored in the device table 234. The number of sheets in the predetermined period is reset to "0" when the predetermined period (for example, January) elapses from the date and time when the counting of the number of sheets in the predetermined period is started.

Further, when the SP server 200 receives the status information from the printer 100 in the T82, the SP server 200 executes a determination as to whether or not to ship the color material cartridge in the shipping service. For example, the SP server 200 determines whether or not the latest remaining amount indicated by the latest remaining amount information in the history of the remaining amount history information is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 10%). When the SP server 200 determines that the latest remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, the SP server 200 notifies the worker that the color material cartridge is to be shipped to the shipping destination indicated by the shipping destination information in the user relationship information UI. As a result, the color material cartridge is shipped to the user of the printer 100. In the modified example, the SP server 200 executes a determination as to whether or not to ship the color material cartridge in the shipping service at a timing different from the timing of receiving the status information (for example, the last day of every month). May be good.

In this case, the XMPP connection between the printer 100 and the SP server 200 is disconnected. As a result, the printer 100 changes from the online state to the offline state. In the offline state, it is impossible to send the state information.

The cause of the disconnection of the XMPP connection is that the SP server 200 is disconnected from the Internet 6 due to, for example, maintenance of the SP server 200. Another cause is, for example, that the printer 100 is disconnected from the LAN 4. In this case, the cause is that the SP server 200 is disconnected from the Internet 6.

When the XMPP connection is disconnected, the printer 100 determines in the T100 that the printer 100 is in the offline state.

At T102, the printer 100 starts limiting by the offline upper limit number "500" in the memory 124. Then, the printer 100 starts counting the number of offline sheets. Specifically, the printer 100 allows the printing process to be executed until the number of offline sheets reaches the maximum number of offline sheets "500". On the other hand, the printer 100 prohibits the execution of the printing process when the number of offline sheets exceeds the maximum number of offline sheets "500".

The printer 100 determines whether or not the current number of offline sheets reaches "400", which is 80% of the maximum number of offline sheets "500". At T104, the printer 100 determines that the current number of offline sheets has reached "400", and proceeds to T106. The above 80% is merely an example, and may be, for example, 70% or 90%. Further, in another modification, the printer 100 may determine whether or not the current number of offline sheets reaches the number obtained by subtracting a predetermined number (for example, "100") from the maximum number of offline sheets "500". ..

At T106, the printer 100 causes the display unit 118 to display a warning screen. The warning screen displays a message indicating that the current number of offline sheets is approaching the maximum number of offline sheets, and changes the maximum number of offline sheets "500" to a maximum number of sheets larger than the maximum number of offline sheets "500" (that is, the maximum number of offline sheets "". Includes a message for prompting the user to perform a predetermined operation (extending 500). The predetermined operation is an operation for activating the service application 40 of the terminal 10. By expanding the maximum number of offline sheets, the limit of the maximum number of offline sheets "500" is released. The display of the warning screen prompts a predetermined operation and prompts the cancellation of the restriction by the maximum number of offline sheets "500". User convenience is improved.

At T110, the terminal 10 activates the service application 40 in response to a user operation. Then, the terminal 10 executes the processes of T112 and T114 to determine whether or not the SP server 200 can be accessed. Specifically, at T112, the terminal 10 transmits a confirmation signal to the SP server 200. Then, at T114, the terminal 10 determines whether or not to receive a response to the confirmation signal from the SP server 200. For example, when the printer 100 is disconnected from the LAN 4, the terminal 10 is connected to the LAN 4, and the SP server 200 is connected to the Internet 6, the terminal 10 receives a response from the SP server 200. can do. In this case, the terminal 10 determines that the SP server 200 can be accessed (YES at T114), and causes the display unit 18 to display a guidance screen showing guidance for connecting the printer 100 to the LAN 4 at T115. When the printer 100 is connected to the LAN 4, the printer 100 reestablishes the XMPP connection with the SP server 200 and resumes the transmission of the state information. Then, the printer 100 releases the limitation of the maximum number of offline sheets "500" and allows unlimited printing processing. According to the above configuration, when the restriction by the offline upper limit number "500" can be released by a process different from the process after T116, which will be described later, it is possible to prevent the process after T116 from being unnecessarily executed. Can be done.

Further, for example, when the SP server 200 is disconnected from the Internet 6, the terminal 10 cannot receive a response from the SP server 200. In this case, the terminal 10 determines that the SP server 200 is inaccessible (NO at T114), and proceeds to T116.

At T116, the terminal 10 generates release instruction information. The release instruction information includes a release password in the release authentication information AI1 in the memory 24 and an extension instruction which is a command indicating an instruction to increase the maximum number of offline sheets.

At T118, the terminal 10 transmits the generated release instruction information to the printer 100 via the LANI / F12 and the LAN4.

When the printer 100 receives the release instruction information from the terminal 10 via the LANI / F112 and the LAN4 in the T118, the printer 100 executes the processing after the T120 according to the extended instruction in the received release instruction information.

At T120, the printer 100 determines whether or not the release password in the received release instruction information matches the release password in the release authentication information AI1 stored in the memory 124. If both passwords match, it means that the terminal that generated the release authentication information AI1 and the terminal that generated the release instruction information are the same. The fact that both terminals are the same means that the terminal that generated the release instruction information is likely to be a terminal that can be operated by a user who knows the account information AC. Instead of the inaccessible SP server 200 executing the authentication of the account information AC, the printer 100 determines the T120. In this case, the printer 100 determines that both passwords match (YES at T120), and proceeds to T122. If the printer 100 determines that the two passwords do not match (NO at T120), the printer 100 skips the processing after T122 and ends the processing of FIG.

In T122, the printer 100 calculates the extended number of sheets "550" obtained by subtracting the current offline number of sheets "450" from the contracted number of sheets "1000" in the release authentication information AI1 stored in the memory 124.

In T124, the printer 100 calculates a new offline upper limit number "1050" by adding the extended number "550" to the offline upper limit number "500". As a result, the limitation of the maximum number of offline sheets "500" is released. Then, the printer 100 allows the printing process to be executed until the number of offline sheets reaches the new maximum number of offline sheets "1050".

In the calculation of T124, the expanded number of sheets is the contracted number of sheets "1000" or less. By calculating the expanded number of sheets based on the contracted number of sheets "1000", it is possible to prevent the offline upper limit number of sheets "500" from being excessively expanded beyond the contracted number of sheets "1000".

Further, in the calculation of T124, as the current number of offline sheets increases, the number of extended sheets decreases, and as a result, the new maximum number of offline sheets decreases. For example, a user who performs many prints while in the offline state is presumed to perform many prints even while in the online state. By reducing the new maximum number of offline sheets as the current number of offline sheets increases, it is possible to prevent the additional charge due to the pay-as-you-go system from becoming high even though the user is offline. Also, for example, a user who does not perform many prints while in the offline state is presumed not to perform many prints even in the online state. In this case, even if the new offline limit is large, it is unlikely that the additional charge due to the pay-as-you-go system will be high. When it is unlikely that the pay-as-you-go surcharge will be high, the new offline limit will improve user convenience.

In the subsequent T126, the printer 100 transmits an expansion completion notification indicating that the expansion of the maximum number of offline sheets has been completed to the terminal 10. As a result, the terminal 10 causes the display unit 18 to display a message indicating that the expansion of the maximum number of offline sheets has been completed at T130. The user can know that the expansion of the offline maximum number of sheets has been completed.

(Specific case where the printer returns to the online state; Fig. 5)
A specific case in which the printer 100 returns from the offline state to the online state will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a continuation of FIG.

In this case, the printer 100 returns to the online state when the SP server 200 is reconnected to the Internet 6. As a result, in the T200, the printer 100 reestablishes the XMPP connection with the SP server 200. Then, at T202, the printer 100 resumes transmitting the state information. Here, the state information first transmitted after resuming includes the current number of offline sheets in addition to the information included in the state information of T82 in FIG. As a result, the SP server 200 can know the number of print media used for the print process during the period when the printer 100 is online.

At T206, the printer 100 releases the limitation due to the maximum number of offline sheets "1050". As a result, the printing process is allowed without limitation. Then, the printer 100 resets the number of offline sheets to "0".

Further, in this embodiment, the terminal 10 can update the release authentication information AI1. In this case, the cancellation authentication information AI1 is updated at a predetermined timing (for example, the last day of every month). In another example, the release authentication information AI1 may be updated according to the user's instruction.

When a predetermined timing arrives, the terminal 10 transmits a contract number request including the account name AN in the account information AC to the SP server 200 at the T220, similarly to the T20 of FIG. T222 is the same as T22. In T224, the terminal 10 generates a new cancellation authentication information AI2 including a cancellation password different from the cancellation password of T24 and the number of contracts "1000", and replaces the cancellation authentication information AI1 with the cancellation authentication information AI2. It is stored in the memory 24. T226 and T228 are the same as T26 and T28. T240 and T242 are the same as T40 and T42 except that the PIN code is not transmitted to the printer 100.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a third party who has obtained the cancellation authentication information AI1 from illegally canceling the restriction of the maximum number of offline sheets "500".

(Effect of this example)
According to the configuration of this embodiment, the terminal 10 generates the release authentication information AI1 used for the authentication for releasing the restriction and transmits it to the printer 100 (T40 in FIG. 3). As a result, the printer 100 executes the authentication using the release authentication information AI1 when it is in the offline state, and releases the restriction when the authentication is successful (YES at T120 in FIG. 4) (T124). The user can release the restriction even when the communication with the SP server 200 cannot be executed, and the printer 100 can execute printing. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

(Correspondence)
The terminal 10 is an example of "one or more terminal devices". The terminal 10 is an example of a "first terminal device (and a second terminal device)". The printer 100, the SP server 200, and the communication system 2 are examples of a "printer", a "server", and a "communication system", respectively. The online state and the offline state are examples of the "possible state" and the "impossible state", respectively. The LANI / F12 is an example of the "first output unit (and device-side communication interface)". LANI / F112 is an example of a “printer-side communication interface”. LANI / F12 is an example of a "second output unit". The cancellation authentication information AI1, the cancellation instruction information, and the cancellation password are examples of the "first authentication information", the "second authentication information", and the "password", respectively. The PIN code "1234" is an example of the "code". The number of offline sheets and the maximum number of offline sheets are examples of the "impossible period number of sheets" and the "maximum number of sheets". The maximum number of offline sheets "500" and the maximum number of offline sheets "1050" are examples of "first number of sheets" and "second number of sheets", respectively. The contracted number of sheets "1000" and the expanded number of sheets "550" are examples of the "predetermined number of managed sheets" and the "difference number of sheets". 80% of the offline upper limit number "500" is an example of "notification number". Displaying the warning screen of T106 in FIG. 4 is an example of the "notification operation".

T102 in FIG. 4 and T24 and T40 in FIG. 3 are examples of processes realized by the "restriction unit", the "authentication information generation unit", and the "first output control unit", respectively. T40 in FIG. 3 and T120 and T124 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes realized by the "first acquisition unit", the "authentication execution unit", and the "release unit", respectively.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and modifications of the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the SP server 200 provides a printing service including a flat-rate service and a pay-as-you-go service. Instead, for example, the SP server 200 may provide a service that includes a flat-rate service and does not include a pay-as-you-go service, or a service that does not include a flat-rate service and includes a pay-as-you-go service. .. The SP server 200 that manages the number of print media in the services of these modified examples is an example of the “server”.

(Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 limits the execution of the printing process by the printer 100 by allowing only the maximum number of offline sheets "500". Instead, the printer 100 may prohibit the printing process by the printer 100. In this modification, prohibiting the printing process is an example of "restriction".

Further, in one example, when the "limitation" is to prohibit the printing process, the printer 100 allows the number of offline sheets up to a predetermined upper limit number (for example, "1000"), which is an example of "cancellation". Further, in another example, allowing the printer 100 to execute the printing process in the offline state indefinitely is an example of "cancellation".

(Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 releases the limitation by changing the offline upper limit number "500" to the offline upper limit number "1050". Instead, the printer 100 may release the restriction by allowing an unlimited number of executions of the printing process in the offline state.

(Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the terminal 10 transmits the release authentication information AI1 to the printer 100 via the LANI / F12 (T40 in FIG. 3). Instead, the terminal 10 uses a communication I / F (for example, Bluetooth® system, NFC (Near Field Communication) system) or USB (Universal Serial Bus) system, which is different from the LANI / F12. The release authentication information AI1 may be transmitted to the printer 100 via the I / F) for executing the communication according to the above. In this modification, the different communication I / F is an example of the "first output unit (and device-side communication interface)". In another example, the terminal 10 may display information including the cancellation authentication information AI1 (for example, a character string, a barcode, a QR code (registered trademark)) on the display unit 18. Then, the printer 100 may read the release authentication information AI1 from the information (for example, OCR of a character string, decoding of a barcode). Further, in another example, the terminal 10 may display a character string indicating the release authentication information AI1 on the display unit 18. Then, the printer 100 may acquire the release authentication information AI1 by accepting the input of the character string by the operation unit 116. In these modified examples, the display unit 18 is an example of the “first output unit (and device-side communication interface)”.

Further, the "second output unit" is not limited to the LANI / F12, and may be, for example, the above-mentioned different communication I / F and display unit 18.

(Modification 5) In the above embodiment, the authentication succeeds when the release password in the release instruction information matches the release password in the release authentication information AI1 (YES at T120 in FIG. 4). Instead of this, when the release instruction information is the information obtained by encrypting the extended instruction with the release password and the release instruction information using the release password in the release authentication information AI1 is successfully decrypted, the authentication is successful. May be good. In this modification, the information obtained by encrypting the extended instruction with the unlock password is an example of the "second authentication information". Further, in this modification, it is possible to omit the determination of whether or not the "password" and the "password" match.

(Modification 6) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 adds an extended number of sheets "550" obtained by subtracting the current offline number of sheets "450" from the contracted number of sheets "1000" (T124 in FIG. 4). Instead of this, the printer 100 may add a predetermined number of sheets (for example, “1000”) stored in advance in the memory 124 of the printer 100. In this modification, the maximum number of offline sheets obtained by adding the number of sheets is an example of the "second number of sheets". In another example, the printer 100 may add "500", which is 50% of the contracted number "1000". In another example, the printer 100 may add the number of sheets "500" obtained by subtracting the current maximum offline number of sheets "500" from the contracted number of sheets "1000". That is, the printer 100 may allow the number of offline sheets up to the contract number "1000". In these modified examples, the offline upper limit number of sheets obtained by adding 50% of the number of sheets and the offline upper limit number of sheets which is the same as the contracted number of sheets "1000" are examples of the "second number of sheets".

(Modification 7) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 receives release instruction information from the terminal 10 (T118 in FIG. 4). Instead, the printer 100 may receive the release instruction information from another terminal that has acquired the release authentication information AI1 from the terminal 10. In this modification, the other terminal is an example of the "second terminal device".

(Modification 8) The processes of T110 to T120 in FIG. 4 may not be executed. Instead of this, when the printer 100 receives a predetermined instruction from the user after the printer 100 changes from the online state to the offline state, the information included in the release authentication information AI1 acquired from the terminal 10 is stored in the memory of the printer 100. It may be determined whether or not the information matches the information stored in advance in 124 (for example, the serial number SN). Then, the printer 100 may release the restriction when both information match. In this modification, the predetermined instruction is an example of "operation for executing authentication". Further, in this modification, the "second terminal device" and the "second authentication information" can be omitted.

(Modification 9) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 displays a warning screen (T106 in FIG. 4). Instead, the printer 100 may output a voice or a buzzer sound indicating that the current number of offline sheets is approaching the maximum number of offline sheets, or the current number of offline sheets is approaching the maximum number of offline sheets. The warning light may be turned on. In this modification, outputting a voice or a buzzer sound and turning on a warning light are examples of "notification operation". In another example, the process of T106 in FIG. 4 does not have to be executed. In this modification, the "notification operation" can be omitted.

(Modification 10) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 receives extended instruction information from the terminal 10 when the printer 100 is in the offline state (T118 in FIG. 4). Instead, the printer 100 may receive extended instruction information from the terminal 10 in advance while the printer 100 is in the online state. Generally speaking, the "second authentication information" may be acquired when the printer is ready.

(Modification 11) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 receives the PIN code “1234” and the release authentication information AI1 from the terminal 10 (T40 in FIG. 3). Instead, the printer 100 may receive the release authentication information AI1 from the terminal 10 after the XMPP connection with the SP server 200 is established. Generally speaking, the "first authentication information" and the "code" may be output at different timings.

(Modification 12) The process of T115 does not have to be executed. Generally speaking, when it is determined that the server can be accessed, the second authentication information need not be output.

(Modification 13) The processes of T112 and T114 may not be executed. In this modification, the "access determination unit" can be omitted.

(Modification 14) In the above embodiment, the terminal 10 does not execute the process of T24 (that is, the generation of the cancellation authentication information AI1) when the authentication of the account information of T6 in FIG. 3 fails. Instead of this, the terminal 10 may generate the cancellation authentication information AI1 regardless of the result of the authentication. In this modification, the "condition that the first terminal device has been authenticated" can be omitted.

(Modification 15) In the above embodiment, when the printer 100 returns to the online state, the printer 100 transmits the state information including the current number of offline sheets to the SP server 200 (T202 in FIG. 5). Instead, the printer 100 may transmit only the current number of offline sheets to the SP server 200 at a timing different from the timing of transmitting the state information (that is, the timing at which the cycle indicated by the cycle information arrives). .. In this modification, the transmission of the current offline number of sheets at the other timing is an example of the process realized by the "number transmission unit". Further, the process of T202 does not have to be executed. In this modification, the "number transmission unit" can be omitted.

(Modification 16) The processes of T220 to T242 in FIG. 5 may not be executed. In this modification, the "new authentication information" can be omitted.

(Modification 17) In each of the above embodiments, each process of FIGS. 3 to 5 is realized by software (for example, a service application 40), and at least one of these processes is hardware such as a logic circuit. May be realized by.

In addition, the technical elements described in the present specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the techniques illustrated in the present specification or drawings achieve a plurality of objectives at the same time, and achieving one of the objectives itself has technical usefulness.

2: Communication system, 6: Internet, 10: Terminal, 14: LANI / F, 16: Operation unit, 18: Display unit, 20: Control unit, 22: CPU, 24: Memory, 30: OS program, 40: Service App, 100: Printer, 114: LANI / F, 116: Operation unit, 118: Display unit, 120: Control unit, 122: CPU, 124: Memory, 130: Program, 200: SP server, 212: Network I / F , 220: Control unit, 222: CPU, 224: Memory, 230: Program, 232: User table, 234: Device table, AC: Account information, AN: Account name, UI: User relationship information, AT: Access token, SN : Serial number, AI1, AI2: Cancellation authentication information

Claims (18)

A communication system including a printer and one or more terminal devices.
The printer changes from a possible state in which communication with a server that manages the number of print media used for printing processing in the printer can be executed to an impossible state in which communication with the server cannot be executed. In some cases, a limiting unit that limits the execution of the printing process by the printer is provided.
The first terminal device among the one or more terminal devices is
An authentication information generation unit that generates a first authentication information used for authentication for releasing the restriction, and an authentication information generation unit.
A first output control unit that outputs the first authentication information to the first output unit of the first terminal device is provided.
The printer
When the first authentication information is output from the first terminal device, the first acquisition unit for acquiring the first authentication information and the first acquisition unit.
An authentication execution unit that executes the authentication using the acquired first authentication information when the printer is in the impossible state.
When the authentication is successful, the release unit that releases the restriction and
A communication system. The first aspect of the present invention includes that the limitation allows only a predetermined upper limit number of sheets for an impossible period, which is the number of printing media used for the printing process during the impossible state. The communication system described. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the release unit releases the limitation by changing the upper limit number of sheets from the first number of sheets to a second number of sheets larger than the first number of sheets. The server manages that the number of sheets for a predetermined period, which is the number of sheets of the print medium used for the print process in a predetermined period, reaches a predetermined number of managed sheets.
The first authentication information includes information indicating the predetermined number of managed sheets.
The second number is the number obtained by adding the difference between the predetermined management number and the impossible period number included in the first authentication information to the first number, according to claim 3. Communication system. The printer further
Claims 2 to 4 include a notification operation execution unit that executes a notification operation for prompting the user to perform an operation for executing the authentication when the number of notifications during the impossible period reaches a notification number less than the upper limit. The communication system according to any one of the above. The first terminal device further comprises
The device-side communication interface, which is the first output unit, is provided.
The first output control unit outputs the first authentication information by transmitting the first authentication information to the device-side communication interface.
The printer further
Equipped with a printer-side communication interface
From claim 1, the first acquisition unit acquires the first authentication information by receiving the first authentication information from the first terminal device via the printer-side communication interface. 5. The communication system according to any one of 5. The second terminal device of the one or more terminal devices is
A second output control unit for outputting the second authentication information obtained by using the first authentication information to the second output unit of the second terminal device is provided.
The printer further
A second acquisition unit for acquiring the second authentication information when the second authentication information is output from the second terminal device is provided.
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the authentication execution unit executes the authentication using the acquired first authentication information and the acquired second authentication information. .. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein the second acquisition unit acquires the second authentication information when the printer is in the impossible state after the acquisition of the first authentication information. The second terminal device further
It is equipped with an access determination unit that determines whether or not the server can be accessed.
When the second output control unit determines that the server is inaccessible, the second output control unit outputs the second authentication information to the second output unit.
The communication system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second authentication information is not output when it is determined that the server can be accessed. The communication according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the authentication information generation unit generates the first authentication information on condition that the server has already authenticated the first terminal device. system. The first terminal device further comprises
A code receiver for receiving a code used for authentication for starting management of the number of print media from the server is provided.
The first output control unit outputs the first authentication information and the received code to the first output unit.
The first acquisition unit acquires the first authentication information and the code when the first authentication information and the code are output from the first terminal device.
The printer further
A code transmitter for transmitting the acquired code to the server is provided.
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the server starts management of the number of print media when the authentication using the code received from the printer is successful. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the authentication is successful because the password included in the first authentication information and the password stored in the memory of the printer match. Communications system. The printer further
When the impossible state changes to the possible state, the number transmission unit that transmits the impossible period number of sheets, which is the number of the print media used for the printing process in the impossible state, to the server. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the authentication information generation unit further generates new authentication information in place of the first authentication information at a predetermined timing. A terminal device used in a communication system equipped with a printer.
Output section and
It is an authentication information generation unit that generates the first authentication information.
In the printing process of the printer, communication between the server and the printer is performed from a state in which communication between the server that manages the number of print media used for the printing process of the printer and the printer can be executed. Limited when changing to an infeasible state, which is infeasible
The first authentication information includes the authentication information generation unit, which is used for authentication for releasing the restriction on the execution of the printing process on the printer.
A first output control unit that outputs the first authentication information to the output unit.
The first authentication information is acquired by the printer and
The restriction on the execution of the printing process on the printer is lifted when the authentication using the acquired first authentication information is successful in the situation where the printer is in the impossible state. Output control unit of 1 and
A terminal device. It ’s a printer,
When the change from the enable state in which communication with the server that manages the number of print media used for the print process in the printer is feasible to the impossibility state in which communication with the server is infeasible is changed. A restriction unit that restricts the execution of the printing process by the printer, and
When the first terminal device outputs the first authentication information used for the authentication for releasing the restriction, the first acquisition unit for acquiring the first authentication information and the first acquisition unit.
An authentication execution unit that executes the authentication using the acquired first authentication information when the printer is in the impossible state.
When the authentication is successful, the release unit that releases the restriction and
A printer. A computer program for a terminal device used in a communication system equipped with a printer.
The computer program uses the computer of the terminal device as the following parts, that is,
It is an authentication information generation unit that generates the first authentication information.
In the printing process of the printer, communication between the server and the printer is performed from a state in which communication between the server that manages the number of print media used for the printing process of the printer and the printer can be executed. Limited when changing to an infeasible state, which is infeasible
The first authentication information includes the authentication information generation unit, which is used for authentication for releasing the restriction on the execution of the printing process on the printer.
A first output control unit that outputs the first authentication information to the output unit of the terminal device.
The first authentication information is acquired by the printer and
The restriction on the execution of the printing process on the printer is lifted when the authentication using the acquired first authentication information is successful in the situation where the printer is in the impossible state. Output control unit of 1 and
A computer program that acts as. A computer program for printers
The computer program applies the computer of the printer to the following parts, that is,
When the change from the enable state in which communication with the server that manages the number of print media used for the print process in the printer is feasible to the impossibility state in which communication with the server is infeasible is changed. A restriction unit that restricts the execution of the printing process by the printer, and
When the first terminal device outputs the first authentication information used for the authentication for releasing the restriction, the first acquisition unit for acquiring the first authentication information and the first acquisition unit.
An authentication execution unit that executes the authentication using the acquired first authentication information when the printer is in the impossible state.
When the authentication is successful, the release unit that releases the restriction and
A computer program that acts as.

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