JP2023174356A - Display method, electronic equipment, program, and management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To manage the state of printers more properly.SOLUTION: A display method for displaying information on electronic equipment in a printing system including printers 114, a management server 12, and the electronic equipment (PC 112 and electronic device 116) comprises: an information transmission step of transmitting printer information from the management server 12 to the electronic equipment; and a display step of displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic equipment. The management server 12 manages the printers 114 in association with a user, in groups. In the display step, the management server causes the electronic equipment to display the information based on the printer information in multiple ways including printer-basis mode, group mode, and all-printer mode by selecting one of the following display styles in response to an instruction from a user: simultaneous display for presenting the printer-basis mode, the group mode, and the all-printer mode in one screen; and individual display for presenting one mode selected out of the above modes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a display method, an electronic device, a program, and a management system.

Conventionally, printers such as inkjet printers have been widely used. Further, as a method for controlling the operation of a printer, for example, a method using a PC that performs RIP processing is widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-138583

When controlling the operation of a printer using a PC or the like that performs RIP processing, the status of the printer can be managed, for example, by running a program (application software) that manages the status of the printer on the PC. However, depending on the purpose of the printer, it may be desirable to manage the status of the printer in a more appropriate manner. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a display method, an electronic device, a program, and a management system that can solve the above problems.

The inventor of the present application has conducted extensive research on how to manage printers. Instead of simply managing the status of the printer using a PC for RIP processing, etc., it is possible to check the status of the printer by collecting information indicating the status of the printer on a server and acquiring the information from that server. I thought about it. With this configuration, the status of the printer can be checked not only at the location where the printer is installed, but also at various locations. Further, this also allows, for example, a person other than the operator who operates the printer to check the status of the printer as needed.

Regarding printer management, for example, it is conceivable to manage printers in association with printer users. Further, the inventor of the present application further considered managing printers by dividing them into groups, for example. With this configuration, printers can be managed more easily and appropriately, for example, even when a plurality of printers are associated with one user or one organization as a user. Additionally, in this case, the electronic device that displays the status of the printer may display the display in a manner selected from among multiple display methods, for example, in accordance with the user's instructions. Conceivable. With this configuration, for example, when information regarding a plurality of printers is managed by a server, the information required by the user can be appropriately displayed on the electronic device. Additionally, this allows, for example, the state of the printer to be managed more appropriately.

In addition, the inventor of the present application further conducted extensive research and discovered the features necessary to obtain such effects, leading to the present invention. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a printer, a management server that manages printer information that is information indicating the status of the printer, and an electronic device that performs display based on the printer information acquired from the management server. A display method for displaying information on the electronic device in a printing system comprising: an information transmitting step of transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from the management server to the electronic device; and a step of transmitting the information. displaying information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device on the electronic device; the management server manages the printer in association with a user of the printer; and the management server manages the printers by dividing them into groups including one or more of the printers, and the management server manages the plurality of printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device. In this case, in the display step, the display method based on the printer information may be a printer-by-printer display that displays information about each of the printers, or a group display that displays information about the printers included in any of the groups. , a display for each printer, a group display according to the user's instructions, and a full display that displays information about all the printers associated with the user. and select either a batch display in which all the displays are displayed on one screen, or an individual display in which any one of the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the all display is selected and displayed, and the printer The present invention is characterized in that information based on the information is displayed on the electronic device.

With this configuration, for example, when the management server manages a plurality of printers associated with a user, it is possible to select from a plurality of display methods based on printer information. In this case, depending on the user's instructions, you can select either a batch display that displays each printer, group display, and all displays on one screen, or one that displays each printer, group display, or all displays. By selecting one of the individual displays to be displayed and displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic device, it is possible to appropriately display information required by the user on the electronic device, for example. Additionally, this allows, for example, the status of the printer to be appropriately understood.

Additionally, if the management server manages multiple printers associated with a user operating an electronic device, at the display stage, for example, information regarding multiple printers associated with the user may be aggregated and displayed. The electronic device may display on one screen a total display that displays information about each printer, and a printer-by-printer display that displays information about individual printers. In this case, in the summary display, for example, either a group summary display that aggregates information about printers included in the same group, or a total summary display that aggregates information about all printers associated with the user is displayed. Let the electronic device do it. Even with this configuration, for example, information required by the user can be appropriately displayed on the electronic device. Additionally, this allows, for example, the state of the printer to be managed more appropriately.

In addition, in this configuration, printers associated with users are divided into groups, for example, by user manual settings by user operations or automatic settings based on preset rules. With this configuration, for example, printers can be grouped appropriately. Regarding grouping, it is also possible to divide printers associated with users into groups, for example, by production lines that use printers to produce products, or by products. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately group the printers according to how the printer is used. Further, this makes it possible to easily aggregate production amounts and costs for, for example, production of products using a printer. In addition, in this configuration, at the display stage, based on the printer information, at least one of the printer overview showing the printer overview, the printer status showing the printer status, the printer operation history, and the maintenance history for the printer is displayed. One possibility is to display it on an electronic device. With this configuration, the status of the printer can be appropriately confirmed based on the printer information, for example.

Further, as the configuration of the present invention, for example, the configuration of an electronic device, a program, a management system, etc. having the same characteristics as described above can be considered. In this case, the program can be considered to be, for example, a program executed on at least one of the management server and the electronic device in order to display information on the electronic device. The management system can be considered, for example, as a system that manages printers in a printing system. Even with these configurations, the same effects as described above can be obtained, for example.

According to the present invention, for example, the state of a printer can be managed more appropriately.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a user base 14 and an external management section 16. FIG. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the configuration of the user base 14. FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the configuration of the external management section 16. 3 is a diagram illustrating how printer information is managed in the management server 12. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when displaying a list of printers 114 on a PC 112 or the like. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of information displayed regarding a plurality of printers 114. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of how to change the aggregation period. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen showing more detailed information on part of the information regarding the printer 114. FIG.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the printing system 10 is a system that performs printing using a printer, and includes a management server 12, a user base 14, and an external management section 16. Printing system 10 may have the same or similar features as known printing systems, except as described below.

The management server 12 is a server that manages printer information, which is information indicating the status of printers used in the printing system 10. In this example, the management server 12 is a cloud server that communicates with other components via a wide area network such as the Internet, and manages printer information according to a program executed on the cloud. Furthermore, the management server 12 acquires printer information regarding printers installed at the user base 14 by communicating with electronic devices installed at the user base 14 via a wide area network, for example. Further, by communicating with electronic devices provided at the user base 14 and the external management section 16 via a wide area network, printer information is supplied to the electronic devices. Furthermore, the management server 12 causes the electronic device to display information based on the printer information. The operation of causing the electronic device to display information based on the printer information will be explained in more detail later.

Note that, as the management server 12, it is possible to use, for example, a server provided by a cloud server provider. In this case, the computer functioning as the management server 12 can be considered to be managed by a person different from the administrator of the user base 14 and the external management section 16, for example. Further, in this case, for example, it is conceivable that a server etc. provided by a cloud server provider is controlled by the external management unit 16 to cause this server etc. to function as the management server 12. Further, in a modification of the configuration of the printing system 10, for example, a computer managed by the same administrator as the administrator of the user base 14 or the external management section 16 may be used as the management server 12. In this case, the management server 12 may be installed within the user base 14 or the external management section 16, for example.

The user base 14 is a base that executes printing operations in the printing system 10. The user base 14 can be considered, for example, as a base where printers to be managed by the management server 12 are installed. Further, the user base 14 can be considered to be, for example, a base managed by an administrator of a printer used in the printing system 10. The external management unit 16 is configured to manage at least a portion of the printing system 10 outside the user base 14 . In this example, the external management unit 16 is a base of a business that provides services such as maintenance for printers at the user base 14, and based on printer information acquired from the management server 12, the external management unit 16 performs maintenance and other services for printers at the user base 14. provide services; The external management unit 16 can also be considered, for example, as a base managed by a different administrator from the administrator of the user base 14. Further, as the user base 14 and the external management section 16, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 can be used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the user base 14 and the external management section 16. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the configuration of the user base 14. FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the configuration of the external management section 16. In this example, the user base 14 is a base that produces products (printed matter) printed using a printer, and has a plurality of production bases 102 and a management department 104. The production base 102 is a base where printers are installed. Further, in this example, the production base 102 includes a PC 112, a plurality of printers 114, and an electronic device 116. The PC 112 is a computer that controls printing operations by the printer 114. Further, in this example, the PC 112 is a computer for RIP processing (RIP-PC), and controls the operation of the printer 114 by supplying data generated by RIP processing to the printer 114. In this case, for example, as shown in the figure, one PC 112 may control the operations of a plurality of printers 114.

Further, in this example, the PC 112 is an example of an electronic device that performs display based on printer information obtained from the management server 12, and includes a communication interface, a monitor, and the like. In this case, the communication interface can be considered as an example of a communication unit that receives printer information associated with the printer 114 managed by the PC 112 from the management server 12, for example. Further, the monitor can be considered as an example of a display unit that displays information based on printer information transmitted from the management server 12, for example. In this case, it may be considered as an example of a display unit including a configuration for controlling display contents on the monitor. Furthermore, in this example, the PC 112 further updates printer information in the management server 12 by communicating with the printer 114 to obtain information about the printer 114 and transmitting the information to the management server 12 . In this case, the PC 112 can also be considered to have a configuration that detects the status of the printer 114 and notifies the management server 12, for example. More specifically, the PC 112 periodically detects the state of the printer 114 at a predetermined timing, for example, and updates the printer information in the management server 12 based on the detected state. Further, in this case, the PC 112 may automatically perform operations such as detecting the printer 114 and updating the printer information, without depending on the user's operation.

The printer 114 is a printer for producing products at the production base 102, and executes printing operations under the control of the PC 112. Further, in this example, the printer 114 is a color printer that prints using ink of multiple colors. As the printer 114, for example, an inkjet printer having the same or similar configuration as a known inkjet printer can be suitably used.

The electronic device 116 is, for example, an information display device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. Further, in this example, the electronic device 116 is also an example of electronic equipment, and performs display based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. In this case, the communication interface of the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an example of a communication unit. Further, the screen of the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an example of a display section. In this case, it may be considered as an example of a display unit, including a configuration for controlling the content displayed on the screen. Further, in this example, the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an electronic device that performs display based on printer information without updating printer information in the management server 12.

By using the production base 102 having such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately display information based on the printer information on the PC 112 and the electronic device 116, for example. Further, the PC 112 can appropriately update printer information in the management server 12, for example. The specific configuration of the production base 102 is not limited to the illustrated configuration, and may be varied in various ways. For example, the number of printers 114 managed by the PC 112 may be one or three or more. Further, the number of PCs 112 and electronic devices 116 in one production base 102 may be plural. Furthermore, the number of PCs 112, printers 114, and electronic devices 116, the number of printers 114 managed by one PC 112, and the like may differ for each production base 102. Furthermore, the number of production bases 102 is not limited to the number shown in the figure, and can be changed as appropriate. Further, it is also conceivable to use a configuration in which the number of printers 114 in the printing system 10 is only one as the production base 102, for example.

Further, as described above, in this example, the user base 14 further includes a management department 104 in addition to the plurality of production bases 102. The management department 104 is configured to manage the plurality of production bases 102 and includes a PC 112. In this example, the PC 112 in the management department 104 is also an example of an electronic device that performs display based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. More specifically, for example, the PC 112 is a computer for the administrator of the entire user base 14, and similarly to the PC 112 in the production base 102, displays information based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. The PC 112 in the management department 104 can also be considered, for example, as an electronic device that displays information based on printer information without updating printer information in the management server 12.

Further, in this example, the external management department 16 includes a marketing department 106 and a support department 108. The marketing department 106 is a department that provides goods and information related to the printer 114 to users of the printer 114 at the user base 14 . In this case, the provision of goods related to the printer 114 may include, for example, selling ink, media, and the like. Furthermore, for example, in cooperation with the marketing department 106, it is possible to sell consumables and the like that are replaced during maintenance of the printer 114. The support department 108 is a department that provides maintenance services and the like to users of the printer 114. Furthermore, in this example, the marketing department 106 and the support department 108 have PCs 112. The PCs 112 in the marketing department 106 and the support department 108 are also examples of electronic devices that perform display based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. In this case, by displaying information based on the printer information on the PC 112 in the marketing department 106, it becomes possible to carry out marketing activities tailored to the status of the printer 114, for example. Furthermore, by displaying information based on the printer information on the PC 112, the support department 108 can easily and appropriately check the status of the printer 114 without having to visit the production base 102 where the printer 114 is installed. can be grasped. Additionally, this makes it possible, for example, to reduce the number of visits to the production base 102, and to provide higher quality maintenance services at lower cost.

Here, as described above, in the printing system 10 of this example, information is displayed on the PC 112 and the electronic device 116, which are examples of electronic equipment, based on the printer information managed by the management server 12. Such an operation can be considered, for example, as an example of the operation of a display method for displaying information on an electronic device. Further, in this case, the operation of transmitting printer information from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the electronic device 116 (hereinafter referred to as PC 112, etc.) can be considered as an example of the operation in the information transmission stage. The information transmission stage can be considered, for example, as a stage in which printer information associated with the printer 114 is transmitted from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the like. Further, the operation of causing the PC 112 or the like to display information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server 12 can be considered as an example of the operation at the display stage. The display stage can be considered, for example, as a stage in which information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server 12 to the electronic device in the information transmission stage is displayed on the PC 112 or the like.

Furthermore, in the PC 112 and the like, display based on printer information may be performed using, for example, a web browser (Internet browser). In this case, the management server 12 communicates with the PC 112 or the like using a predetermined protocol such as the HTTP protocol, and transmits data for displaying a web page to the PC 112 or the like in response to a request from the PC 112 or the like. In this case, sending this data from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the like can be thought of as, for example, sending printer information. Further, in this case, the PC 112 or the like displays a display based on the printer information by using a web browser to display a display based on the data sent from the management server 12. Depending on the configuration of the PC 112 or the like, display based on printer information may be performed using, for example, a dedicated application program without using a web browser.

Furthermore, in the printing system 10 of this example, the operation of displaying information on the PC 112 etc. can be considered to be executed by a program executed on at least one of the management server 12, the PC 112, etc., for example. In this case, the process of transmitting information from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the like according to this program can be considered, for example, as an example of the information transmitting process. Furthermore, the process of causing the PC 112 or the like to display a screen can be considered as an example of display processing. Further, in this example, it can be considered that the management server 12 causes the PC 112 etc. to display information by sending data from the management server 12 to the PC 112 etc. according to a program executed on the management server 12, for example. Further, for example, it can be considered that the PC 112 or the like performs a display based on the printer information according to a program executed on the PC 112 or the like. Furthermore, depending on the concept of the relationship between the configuration and operation of the printing system 10 and programs, for example, information may be displayed on the PC 112 etc. using the functions of both the program executed on the management server 12 and the program executed on the PC 112 etc. You can also think of it as

Further, as can be understood from the above description and the like, in this example, it can be considered that the printer 114 is managed by at least part of the configuration in the printing system 10. Therefore, for example, at least a portion of the printing system 10 can be considered as a management system that manages the printers 114 in the printing system 10. In this case, this management system can be considered as, for example, a configuration including the management server 12 in the printing system 10. Further, the management system may be considered to further include configurations other than the management server 12. In this case, it can be considered that the management system further includes, for example, the PC 112 and the like.

Next, printer information and the like managed by the management server 12 will be explained in more detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how printer information is managed in the management server 12, and shows a simplified example of items that are managed in association with printer information. In this example, the management server 12 is a server that is accessed from the user base 14, the external management unit 16 (see FIG. 1), etc., and identifies the user of the printer 114 (see FIG. 2) through user authentication, and then stores the printer information. Manage.

More specifically, in this example, the management server 12 associates the user information for identifying the user registered in advance with the printer ID for identifying the printer 114, so that the management server 12 can connect the user to the printer 114. Manage the correspondence between. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of printers 114 whose printer IDs are bbb1 to bbb5 are associated with one user or one organization as a user whose user information is aaa1. There is. In this case, the association between the user information and the printer 114 can be considered as an example of the association between the user and the printer 114. Further, when the user information indicates an organization, the organization can be considered as a user identified by the user information. Furthermore, the printer 114 whose printer ID is bbb6 is associated with the user whose user information is aaa2. In the actual management server 12, it is conceivable to manage the association between users and printers 114 for even more users.

Further, as in this example, when a plurality of printers 114 are associated with one user or one organization as a user, it is possible to manage the plurality of printers 114 by dividing them into groups. More specifically, for example, when the user base 14 has multiple production bases 102 (see FIG. 2), it is possible to group the printers 114 for each printer 114 installed at the same production base 102. Conceivable. Furthermore, in the production base 102, for example, if there are multiple operators who work in response to user instructions associated with multiple printers 114, it may be possible to divide the operators into groups. Therefore, in this example, the management server 12 makes it possible to manage the plurality of printers 114 by dividing them into groups by associating groups with printer IDs. For example, in the case shown in the figure, a plurality of printers 114 whose printer IDs are bbb1 to bbb3 belong to group X. A plurality of printers 114 whose printer IDs are bbb4 to bbb5 belong to group Y. Further, the printer 114 whose printer ID is bbb6 belongs to group Z.

Furthermore, in this example, the management server 12 associates printer information with each printer 114 identified by the printer ID. As the printer information, various information regarding the status and past history of the printer 114 can be used. According to this example, for example, printer information corresponding to the printer 114 can be appropriately managed. Furthermore, this allows the printer 114 to be appropriately managed, for example, using the printer information. Further, in this case, the PC 112 or the like may display a list of printers 114 associated with the user, the status of the printers 114, etc. based on the printer information. Further, in this case, in connection with displaying the status, the PC 112 or the like may display a list of printers 114, as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a list of printers 114 is displayed on the PC 112 or the like, and shows examples of two types of display screens selected depending on the electronic device displaying the screen. More specifically, the diagram on the left side of the figure shows an example of a display screen when displaying on a large screen, for example, when a personal computer or the like is used as the PC 112 or the electronic device 116. The figure on the right shows an example of a display screen when displaying on a narrow screen when a smartphone or the like is used as the electronic device 116. Furthermore, in this case, it can be considered that substantially the same content is displayed in both the left and right screen display examples, depending on the purpose of the screen display.

Furthermore, in this example, when displaying a screen on the PC 112 or the like, the user operating the PC 112 or the like performs user authentication with respect to the management server 12 (see FIG. 1) to sign in to the management server 12. Then, on the PC 112 or the like, information regarding the printer 114 associated with the user who has been authenticated through user authentication is displayed on the screen. Further, in this case, on a display screen displaying a list of printers 114, the PC 112 or the like displays information indicating the printers 114 associated with the user side by side, as shown in the figure, for example. More specifically, for example, in the case shown in FIG. 4, the PC 112 or the like displays the name, model, operating state, etc. of all the printers 114 associated with the user. In this case, the name of the printer 114 can be considered to be, for example, a printer name determined by the user to identify the printer 114. Further, the operating state can be considered as information indicating the state of the printer 114 in relation to printing operations, for example. More specifically, in this example, information indicating which of the operating states is printing, waiting, stopped due to an error, and offline is used as the operating state. In this case, printing can be considered to be, for example, a state in which the printer 114 is executing printing. Waiting can be considered to be, for example, a state in which the printer 114 is on standby and ready to start printing. The error stop can be considered to be, for example, a state in which the printer 114 is stopped due to some kind of error. Offline can be considered, for example, to be a state in which the status of the printer 114 cannot be obtained. Further, offline can also be considered as, for example, a state in which the management server 12 is unable to grasp the latest status of the printer 114. In this case, offline can be considered as, for example, a state in which the printer 114 is not powered on, or a state in which the state of the printer 114 cannot be grasped due to a problem with the communication path or the management server 12, etc. Further, in this example, offline can also be considered as, for example, a state in which the latest status of the printer 114 cannot be obtained from the management server 12.

Further, in this example, the PC 112 or the like can also display a list of printers 114 for each status of the printers 114 by using the tabs 202. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays a list of printers 114 associated with the tab 202 in response to the user's operation to select the tab 202. More specifically, in the case shown in the figure, the PC 112 and the like all display a tab 202 for switching the display between standby, printing, error stop, and offline. In this case, when the tab 202 corresponding to all is selected, all printers 114 associated with the user are displayed. Furthermore, when any other tab 202 is selected, the printer 114 corresponding to the selected tab 202 among the printers 114 associated with the user is displayed. With this configuration, for example, the status of the printer 114 managed by the user can be easily and appropriately confirmed.

Further, in this example, the PC 112 and the like can also display more detailed information regarding the printer 114 based on printer information received from the management server 12. In this case, for example, information based on printer information may be displayed on the PC 112 or the like regarding the printer 114 selected by the user from a list of printers 114. Additionally, information regarding printers 114 can be displayed by selecting all printers 114 associated with a user, printers 114 included in a group, etc., as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, for example. Information regarding the plurality of printers 114 may be displayed on the PC 112 or the like.

5 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of display screens displayed on the PC 112, etc., and show examples of information displayed based on printer information regarding a plurality of printers 114 selected by the user. FIG. 5 shows an example of information displayed regarding multiple printers 114. FIG. 6 shows an example of how to change the aggregation period for aggregating information to be displayed. FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen showing more detailed information on part of the information regarding the printer 114. For convenience of illustration, FIGS. 5 to 7 show only an example of a screen corresponding to one of the two types of screen displays shown in FIG. 4.

5 and 6 show the status of the printers 114 that have been counted by the printers 114 within one organization, as shown in the figures by text "Printer tally within an organization." In this case, the printers 114 within one organization can be considered, for example, as the printers 114 managed by the management server 12 in association with the same user. Further, regarding the display screen for the printer total within an organization, for example, when a plurality of printers 114 are associated with one user or one organization as a user, the PC 112 or the like displays the display screen according to the user's instruction. It can be considered as an example of a display screen. Regarding the fact that a plurality of printers 114 are associated with one user or one organization as a user, for example, in the management server 12, a plurality of printers 114 are registered in association with the same user. etc. can be considered.

Further, in this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, a screen having a display target selection section 222 and a period setting section 224 as shown in the figure, as a screen display regarding the in-house printer tally. In this case, the display target selection unit 222 is a selection unit for selecting the printer 114 to be counted in the items to be displayed on the screen of the PC 112 or the like. More specifically, in this example, when a plurality of printers 114 are associated with a user, the display target selection unit 222 selects, for example, all printers 114, grouping The user selects one of the selected printers 114 and individual printers 114. In this case, all the printers 114 can be considered to be, for example, all printers 114 associated with users who operate the PC 112 or the like. A user who operates the PC 112 or the like can be considered, for example, a user who signs in to the management server 12 in order to operate the PC 112 or the like. Further, the grouped printers 114 can be considered to be, for example, at least some of all the printers and belong to the same group. The individual printers 114 can be considered, for example, as individual printers 114 included in all the printers 114. Furthermore, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a state in which all groups are selected in the display target selection section 222. In this case, selecting all groups can be considered to correspond to, for example, selecting all printers 114.

The PC 112 or the like performs a screen display based on the printer information for at least one of all display, group display, and printer-by-printer display according to the user's selection in the display target selection unit 222. In this case, full display can be thought of as, for example, displaying information regarding all printers 114 associated with the user. Group display can be thought of as, for example, displaying information regarding the printers 114 included in any group. The printer-by-printer display can be thought of as, for example, displaying information regarding each printer 114. Further, in this example, the full display is a screen display that is performed when all printers 114 are selected. Group display is a screen display that is performed when grouped printers 114 are selected. The printer-by-printer display is a screen display that is performed when an individual printer 114 is selected. Furthermore, when the management server 12 manages a plurality of printers 114 associated with a user operating the PC 112 or the like, the PC 112 or the like can display all printer information, group display, or printer information based on the printer information. Depending on the user's instructions, one is selected from a plurality of display methods including every display. In this case, this selection can be considered, for example, as a selection to perform at least one of all display, group display, and printer-by-printer display.

Further, FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example in which any one of all display, group display, and printer-by-printer display is selected for display on the screen of the PC 112, etc. Further, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the PC 112 and the like displays a total of printer operation results for all printers 114 (printers 114 in all groups). In addition, as a summary of operation results, a total of usage results, ink consumption, and printing area is displayed. The aggregation of usage records of the printer 114 can be considered as, for example, aggregation of the operating status of the printer 114. In addition, in this example, the PC 112, etc., displays the time and percentage of each state of waiting, printing, error stop, and offline during the aggregation period, as shown in the figure, as an aggregation of the operating status. do. The total amount of ink used can be considered, for example, as a total of the amount of ink used by the printer 114 that is the target of the total. Further, in this example, the PC 112 and the like display, for example, the usage amount and cost in the total period for each ink set, as shown in the figure, as a total of the ink usage amount. Further, the PC 112 or the like further displays a button for showing more detailed information for each ink set. The total printing area can be considered as, for example, totaling the area printed by the printer 114 to be totaled. Further, in this example, the PC 112 and the like display, for example, the print length, print area, and cost as shown in the figure, as a total of the print area. With this configuration, for example, when a plurality of printers 114 are associated with one user or one organization as a user, the status of the plurality of printers 114 can be appropriately grasped as necessary. be able to. Additionally, this allows for easier and more appropriate management of the printer 114, for example.

Furthermore, in the screen displays shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the period for aggregating information regarding the printer 114 can be changed using the period setting unit 224. The period setting section 224 is a setting section for setting an aggregation period for aggregating items displayed on the screen of the PC 112 or the like. The period setting unit 224 can also be considered as a configuration for receiving a period specification on a user interface (UI) of the PC 112 or the like, for example. Further, in this example, the period setting unit 224 sets the aggregation period by receiving from the user how to set the period and designation of the period, as shown in FIG. 6, for example. With this configuration, for example, the user can appropriately set the desired aggregation period. Additionally, this allows, for example, the status of the printer 114 to be checked more appropriately.

Further, as described above, in this example, the PC 112 and the like further displays a button for showing more detailed information for each ink set regarding the total amount of ink used. Then, when the user presses a button corresponding to any ink set, the PC 112 or the like displays more detailed information regarding the ink set, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. With this configuration, for example, cost management regarding ink can be more appropriately performed.

Here, we will explain in more detail how to display the screen on the PC 112 or the like. In this example, when multiple printers 114 are associated with a user, the PC 112 etc. targets all printers 114, grouped printers 114, or individual printers 114, as described above. An instruction is received from the user to select whether to do so. With this configuration, for example, the printer 114 to which information is displayed can be appropriately changed depending on the content that the user wants to confirm. Further, in this way, for example, when information regarding a plurality of printers 114 is managed by the management server 12, the information required by the user can be appropriately displayed on the PC 112 or the like.

In addition, in FIG. 5, etc., regarding how to display information on the PC 112, etc., when displaying is performed by selecting one of the display methods corresponding to all display, group display, and display for each printer. An example is illustrated. On the other hand, the PC 112 or the like may further display information in a method different from that shown in FIG. 5, etc., depending on the user's selection, for example. In this case, the PC 112 or the like selects whether to display the information in a list (all at once) or individually, depending on the user's instructions, for example. More specifically, in this example, the PC 112, etc. selects either collective display or individual display according to the user's instruction regarding the display method of all display, group display, and display for each printer. , display information based on printer information. In this case, the collective display can be considered to be, for example, a display in which all display, group display, and printer-by-printer display are performed on one screen. The individual display can be considered to be, for example, a display that selects and displays any one of all display, group display, and printer-by-printer display.

Furthermore, in this case, displaying a plurality of items on one screen on the PC 112 or the like may be considered as, for example, displaying the items in a state that can be handled as one screen on the PC 112 or the like. For example, when displaying a screen on a web browser on the PC 112 or the like, it can be considered that the display corresponds to one screen on the web browser. Furthermore, one screen on a web browser can be considered, for example, as the range that can be displayed without moving pages. The range that can be displayed without changing the page can be considered, for example, as the range that can be displayed without changing the URL. According to this example, when the management server 12 manages a plurality of printers 114 associated with a user, the display method based on the printer information may be changed depending on the purpose of checking the information, for example. Able to make appropriate selections from multiple methods. Moreover, thereby, for example, information that the user needs can be shown to the user more appropriately.

Further, when displaying a group, the PC 112 or the like displays group total information or information on the individual printers 114 belonging to the group, depending on the user's selection, for example. In this case, the group total information can be considered to be, for example, information on the totals of printers 114 included in the same group. Information on individual printers 114 belonging to a group can be considered, for example, as information for each printer 114 included in the group. With this configuration, for example, information regarding groups can be appropriately displayed according to the user's wishes.

Further, the PC 112 or the like may display, for example, a total display regarding the total in groups and a printer-by-printer display regarding the individual printers 114, depending on the user's selection. In this case, the total display can be considered to be, for example, a display that totals information regarding the plurality of printers 114 associated with the user. The printer-by-printer display can be considered, for example, to display information regarding individual printers. Further, in this case, the total display is not limited to the display for each group, and for example, the total for all printers 114 may be displayed. More specifically, in this case, the PC 112 or the like displays at least one of a group summary display and a total summary display in accordance with the user's selection, for example. Furthermore, the group summary display can be considered, for example, as a display that summarizes information regarding the printers 114 included in the same group. The total summary display can be considered, for example, as a display in which information regarding all the printers 114 associated with the user is summarized. Further, in this case, the PC 112 or the like displays only one of the group total display and the total total display according to the user's instruction, for example. Also. For example, depending on the information desired by the user, it is conceivable to perform both a group total display and an all total display as a total display. With this configuration, for example, information required by the user can be appropriately displayed on the PC 112 or the like. Further, this allows, for example, the state of the printer 114 to be more appropriately understood.

Further, in this example, the printers 114 associated with the users are divided into groups, for example, by user manual settings by user operations or automatic settings based on preset rules. With this configuration, for example, the printers 114 can be grouped appropriately. In this case, regarding the grouping in automatic settings, for example, how the printer 114 is used, when the printer 114 was introduced, the maintenance history for the printer 114, the operating record of the printer 114, the production target set for the printer 114, etc. It is conceivable to perform grouping according to at least one of them. Further, grouping from these viewpoints can be similarly performed by manual setting. For example, when focusing on how the printer 114 is used, the printer 114 associated with the user may be divided into groups, for example, for each production line that uses the printer 114 to produce products, or for each product. It is possible to separate them. With this configuration, for example, grouping can be performed appropriately depending on how the printer 114 is used. Furthermore, this makes it possible to easily aggregate production amounts and costs for the production of products using the printer 114, for example.

As described above, according to this example, the status of the PC 112 and the like can be appropriately understood by displaying the information on the PC 112 based on the printer information acquired from the management server 12, for example. In addition, in cases where multiple printers 114 are associated with a user, information required by the user can be displayed on the PC 112 etc. by using display methods such as all display, group display, and display for each printer. It can be displayed appropriately. Further, this makes it possible to easily and appropriately grasp the status of the plurality of printers 114, for example.

Furthermore, regarding the information displayed based on the print information, the PC 112 and the like may display other information than the information illustrated in FIG. 5 and the like. More specifically, the PC 112 or the like displays, based on the printer information, for example, at least one of a printer overview showing the printer overview, a printer status showing the printer status, the printer's operation history, and the maintenance history for the printer. You may. In this case, for example, it is possible to make it possible to select a screen display related to other information on a screen for selecting whether to display a display screen as shown in FIG. 5 or the like. With this configuration, for example, the status of the printer 114 can be more appropriately confirmed based on the printer information.

Further, in the above description, the printer 114 used in the printing system 10 is described as using, for example, an inkjet printer. However, the printer 114 used in the printing system 10 may be a printer other than an inkjet printer. Furthermore, it is also possible to use, for example, a 3D printer as the printer 114 used in the printing system 10.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be suitably utilized for the display method of displaying the information of an electronic device, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Printing system, 102... Production base, 104... Management department, 106... Marketing department, 108... Support department, 112... PC, 114... Printer, 116... - Electronic device, 12... Management server, 14... User base, 16... External management section, 222... Display target selection section, 224... Period setting section

Claims (11)

Displaying information on the electronic device in a printing system including a printer, a management server that manages printer information that is information indicating the status of the printer, and an electronic device that performs display based on the printer information acquired from the management server. A display method that allows
an information transmitting step of transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from the management server to the electronic device;
a display step of causing the electronic device to display information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device in the information transmitting step;
The management server manages the printers in association with users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups including one or more of the printers,
When the management server manages a plurality of printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device, in the display step, how to display based on the printer information;
a printer-by-printer display for displaying information regarding each of the printers;
a group display that displays information regarding the printers included in any of the groups;
Depending on the user's instructions, from among multiple types of display methods including a full display that displays information regarding all the printers associated with the user,
a batch display that displays the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the entire display on one screen;
Displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic device by selecting one of the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the individual display in which one of the all display is selected and displayed. Characteristic display method. Displaying information on the electronic device in a printing system including a printer, a management server that manages printer information that is information indicating the status of the printer, and an electronic device that performs display based on the printer information acquired from the management server. A display method that allows
an information transmitting step of transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from the management server to the electronic device;
a display step of causing the electronic device to display information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device in the information transmitting step;
The management server manages the printers in association with users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups including one or more of the printers,
When the management server manages a plurality of printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device, in the display step,
a summary display that aggregates and displays information regarding the plurality of printers associated with the user;
Displaying on the electronic device a printer-by-printer display that displays information regarding each of the printers on a single screen;
And, in the aggregated display,
a group summary display that aggregates information regarding the printers included in the same group;
A display method characterized by causing the electronic device to display either a total display in which information regarding all the printers associated with the user is aggregated. The plurality of printers associated with the user are divided into the groups by user manual setting by the user's operation or automatic setting based on preset rules. The display method according to 1 or 2. The plurality of printers associated with the user are divided into the groups for each production line that uses the printers to produce products or for each product. The display method according to 1 or 2. In the display step, based on the printer information, at least one of a printer overview showing an overview of the printer, a printer status showing the status of the printer, an operation record of the printer, and a maintenance history for the printer is displayed on the electronic 3. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the display method is caused to be displayed on a device. An electronic device that displays information based on printer information, which is information indicating the status of the printer,
a communication unit that receives the printer information associated with the printer from a management server;
a display unit that displays information based on the printer information received from the management server;
Equipped with
The printers are managed in association with users of the printers, and the printers are managed in groups including one or more of the printers,
When a plurality of printers associated with the user operating the electronic device are managed, how to display based on the printer information;
a printer-by-printer display for displaying information regarding each of the printers;
a group display that displays information regarding the printers included in any of the groups;
Depending on the user's instructions, from among multiple types of display methods including a full display that displays information regarding all the printers associated with the user,
a batch display that displays the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the entire display on one screen;
Displaying information based on the printer information on the display unit by selecting one of the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the individual display in which one of the all display is selected and displayed. Featured electronic equipment. An electronic device that displays information based on printer information, which is information indicating the status of the printer,
a communication unit that receives the printer information associated with the printer from a management server;
a display unit that displays information based on the printer information received from the management server;
Equipped with
The printers are managed in association with users of the printers, and the printers are managed in groups including one or more of the printers,
When a plurality of printers associated with the user operating the electronic device are managed,
a summary display that aggregates and displays information regarding the plurality of printers associated with the user;
displaying a printer-by-printer display for displaying information regarding each of the printers on the display unit on one screen;
And, in the aggregated display,
a group summary display that aggregates information regarding the printers included in the same group;
An electronic device characterized by displaying either a total display in which information regarding all the printers associated with the user is summarized. A program that causes an electronic device to display information based on printer information that is information indicating the status of the printer,
information transmission processing for transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from a management server to the electronic device;
causing at least either the management server or the electronic device to execute a display process for causing the electronic device to display information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device;
The printers are managed in association with users of the printers, and the printers are managed in groups including one or more of the printers,
When a plurality of printers associated with the user operating the electronic device are managed, in the display process, how to display based on the printer information;
a printer-by-printer display for displaying information regarding each of the printers;
a group display that displays information regarding the printers included in any of the groups;
Depending on the user's instructions, from among multiple types of display methods including a full display that displays information regarding all the printers associated with the user,
a batch display that displays the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the entire display on one screen;
Displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic device by selecting one of the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the individual display in which one of the all display is selected and displayed. Featured programs. A program that causes an electronic device to display information based on printer information that is information indicating the status of the printer,
information transmission processing for transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from a management server to the electronic device;
causing at least either the management server or the electronic device to execute a display process for causing the electronic device to display information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device;
The printers are managed in association with users of the printers, and the printers are managed in groups including one or more of the printers,
When a plurality of printers associated with the user operating the electronic device are managed, in the display process,
a summary display that aggregates and displays information regarding the plurality of printers associated with the user;
Displaying on the electronic device a printer-by-printer display that displays information regarding each of the printers on a single screen;
And, in the aggregated display,
a group summary display that aggregates information regarding the printers included in the same group;
A program that causes the electronic device to display either a total display in which information regarding all the printers associated with the user is aggregated. A management system for managing a printer in a printing system including a printer, the management system comprising:
comprising a management server that manages printer information that is information indicating the status of the printer;
The printing system is a system including the printer, the management server, and an electronic device that performs display based on the printer information acquired from the management server, and the management system includes at least a portion of the printing system. It is a system that consists of
The management server manages the printers in association with users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups including one or more of the printers,
When the management server manages a plurality of printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device, how to display based on the printer information,
a printer-by-printer display for displaying information regarding each of the printers;
a group display that displays information regarding the printers included in any of the groups;
Depending on the user's instructions, from among multiple types of display methods including a full display that displays information regarding all the printers associated with the user,
a batch display that displays the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the entire display on one screen;
Displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic device by selecting one of the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the individual display in which one of the all display is selected and displayed. Featured management system. A management system for managing a printer in a printing system including a printer, the management system comprising:
comprising a management server that manages printer information that is information indicating the status of the printer;
The printing system is a system including the printer, the management server, and an electronic device that performs display based on the printer information acquired from the management server, and the management system includes at least a portion of the printing system. It is a system that consists of
The management server manages the printers in association with users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups including one or more of the printers,
If the management server manages a plurality of printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device,
a summary display that aggregates and displays information regarding the plurality of printers associated with the user;
Displaying on the electronic device a printer-by-printer display that displays information regarding each of the printers on a single screen;
And, in the aggregated display,
a group summary display that aggregates information regarding the printers included in the same group;
A management system that causes the electronic device to display either a total display in which information regarding all the printers associated with the user is aggregated.

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