JP7608839B2 - Recording system and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording system and a control method.

Patent Document 1 describes a printer that has a card interface means for inserting a memory card and executes printing based on the printable number of sheets stored on the memory card. A user of the printer can have the printer execute printing only up to the printable number of sheets on the memory card. By purchasing the printable number of sheets, the user can continue to use the printing service.

JP 2002-137501 A (FIGS. 3 and 4)

In the printer of Patent Document 1 mentioned above, in addition to the number of printable pages, personal information is stored in the memory card. When a user executes printing, personal authentication is performed, and printing can be executed if authentication is successful. This raises the risk of restricting the users who can use the printer's printing services.

Therefore, this specification discloses a recording system and a control method for realizing a new recording service that is highly convenient for users.

A recording system disclosed in this specification is a recording system comprising a recording device, a server, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the recording device and the server, the information processing device comprising an input interface, the recording device comprising a recording unit which executes a recording operation on a recording medium, and a recording device storage unit which stores recording device side recording permission information relating to a recording device side recording permission amount permitting recording by the recording unit, the server comprising a server storage unit which stores recording device identification information which identifies the recording device and server side recording permission information relating to the server side recording permission amount permitting recording by the recording unit in association with each other, and the information processing device stores the recording device identification information and the accepted recording permission amount permitting recording by the recording unit. and an allowance amount setting process for transmitting to the server a setting command for causing the server to set the server-side recording permission information corresponding to the recording device identification information received by the reception process. When the server receives the setting command from the information processing device by the allowance amount setting process, it transmits the accepted recording permission amount to the recording device and adds the accepted recording permission amount to the recording device-side recording permission amount indicated by the recording device-side recording permission information. The server and the recording device communicate with each other, and an update process is performed for updating the recording permission information of the server-side recording permission information and the recording device-side recording permission information based on one of the recording permission information.

Furthermore, the contents disclosed in this specification are not limited to implementation as a recording system equipped with an information processing device , but may also be implemented, for example, as a program executed by a recording device, a server, or a computer of an information processing device , and may also be usefully implemented as a control method in a recording system.

According to the recording system and control method configured as above, a new recording service that is highly convenient for users can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present specification. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a printer management table shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a server management table shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when an initial device setting process is executed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a menu screen displayed on a display of the portable terminal device. 10 is a flowchart of a printing process executed by a mobile terminal device. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram when the printing process shown in FIG. 6 is executed. 11 is a flowchart of a non-printing synchronization process executed by the printer. 13 is a flowchart of a charging process executed by a mobile terminal device. 2 is a charge screen displayed on the display shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when the charging process shown in FIG. 9 is executed. 13 is a flowchart of an application process executed by a mobile terminal device. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram when the application process shown in FIG. 12 is executed. 13 is a flowchart of a takeover process executed by the mobile terminal device. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram when the takeover process shown in FIG. 14 is executed. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing data in a server management table corresponding to the replaced printer and the replaced printer before and after the takeover process shown in FIG. 14 is executed. FIG.

(Configuration of Printing System 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present specification. The printing system 1 is used for a printing service provided to a user. The printing service is a service that allows a user to print by being charged for the number of printable sheets, which is the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by a printer 20. When a user applies for this printing service, the user pays an initial fee and is granted a predetermined number of printable sheets (e.g., 2000 sheets). In the following description, the term "charging" may refer to setting the number of printable sheets or increasing the number of printable sheets by charging an additional fee.

In this embodiment, the printer 20 is, for example, an inkjet printer. The printer 20 sent from the vendor to the user is filled with the amount of ink necessary to print more than the predetermined number of printable sheets granted to the user (for example, 2000 sheets + α sheets). Therefore, with this printing service, after obtaining the printer 20, the user does not need to go through the trouble of filling the printer 20 with ink or replacing ink cartridges until printing the number of printable sheets granted to the user by paying the initial fee. Therefore, this printing service is a service that is highly convenient for users, as it does not require the work of refilling the printer 20 with ink.

If the user wishes to print more than the specified number of printable pages granted by paying the initial fee, the user pays an additional fee. By purchasing the additional number of printable pages, the user can continue to use the printer 20. If the amount of ink remaining in the printer 20 acquired by paying the initial fee becomes low as the user repeatedly purchases additional numbers of printable pages, the user can request a replacement of the printer 20, and the printer 20 will be replaced, thereby continuing the printing service. Note that the above-mentioned α pages is a number appropriately set by the vendor providing the printing service.

The printing system 1 includes a mobile terminal device 10, a printer 20, and a server 30. The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly (for example, by a LAN) via a router 2 so that they can communicate with each other. The mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 are also connected to each other by the router 2 and the Internet 3 so that they can communicate with each other. The printer 20 and the server 30 are also connected to each other by the router 2 and the Internet 3 so that they can communicate with each other. The above-mentioned network configuration is an example. For example, the server 30 may be placed in the LAN. Also, the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 connected to the server 30 may be multiple, and multiple mobile terminal devices 10 may be connected to one printer 20. That is, there may be multiple mobile terminal devices 10 that perform the printing process and charging process described later, and the printer 20 that performs printing may be selected from multiple printers 20.

(Configuration of the mobile terminal device 10)
The mobile terminal device 10 causes a printer 20 to print an image on paper (an example of a recording medium in the present application). The mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a smartphone. The mobile terminal device 10 includes a terminal CPU 11, a terminal storage unit 12, a short-range communication unit 13, a display 14, an input I/F (abbreviation of interface) 15, an image acquisition unit 16, and an external communication unit 17. These components are capable of communicating with each other via a bus 18.

The terminal storage unit 12 is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and a buffer provided in the terminal CPU 11. The terminal storage unit 12 stores a terminal program 12A, an application program (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an application) 12B, and print data 12C. The terminal program 12A is a program that controls the mobile terminal device 10 in an overall manner, and provides basic functions and services to the application 12B. The terminal program 12A is, for example, Android (registered trademark) OS or iOS (registered trademark). In addition, if the mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a PC, the terminal program 12A is, for example, Windows (registered trademark) OS. The application 12B is, for example, a program provided by the vendor of the printer 20, and is a program that uses the functions of the terminal program 12A to execute various processes described below, such as setting processing and print commands for the printer 20, and charge commands for the server 30. The terminal CPU 11 executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B to control the mobile terminal device 10 and execute commands to the server 30. The print data 12C is an image to be printed that has been converted into a data format that can be interpreted by the printer 20. The terminal storage unit 12 is also used to store the number of printable sheets of the printer 20. As described below, the mobile terminal device 10 stores the number of printable sheets obtained from the server 30 in the terminal storage unit 12, for example, and uses the stored information on the number of printable sheets to display the charge screen 71 (printable sheet number display unit 72) in FIG. 10, etc.

In the following description, the mobile terminal device 10 that executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B on the terminal CPU 11 may be referred to simply by the device name. For example, the description "the mobile terminal device 10" may mean "the mobile terminal device 10 that executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B on the terminal CPU 11." The same applies to the printer 20 that executes the printer program 26B1 on the printer CPU 26A and the server 30 that executes the server program 32B1 on the server CPU 32A, which will be described later.

The short-range communication unit 13 wirelessly communicates with the printer 20 over a short distance. The short-range communication unit 13 wirelessly communicates with a short-range communication unit 21 of the printer 20 (described later) by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (short for Near Field Communication). The display 14 displays various information and may be, but is not limited to, an LCD or an organic EL display. The input I/F 15 may be a touch panel that is integrally configured with the display 14 and accepts user operations on icons and the like displayed on the display 14. The input I/F 15 may also be a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

The image acquisition unit 16 acquires an image captured by, for example, a camera (not shown) provided in the mobile terminal device 10. The image acquisition unit 16 may also acquire images by connecting to an external device such as an HDD. The image acquired by the image acquisition unit 16 is converted into print data 12C and stored in the terminal storage unit 12.

The external communication unit 17 transmits and receives data to and from the router 2, for example, by wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard. The external communication unit 17 is connected to the printer 20 via the router 2. The external communication unit 17 is also connected to the server 30 via the router 2 and the Internet 3. The external communication unit 17 may also be configured to be connected to the router 2 by wired communication such as a LAN cable.

(Configuration of Printer 20)
The printer 20 is, for example, an inkjet type color printer. The printer 20 includes a short-distance communication unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a tank unit 23, an ink remaining amount detection unit 24, a printing unit 25, a user I/F 27, and a printer control unit 26. The external communication unit 22 transmits and receives signals to and from external devices (the mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 in this embodiment) connected via a network. The tank unit 23 stores ink. In this embodiment, there are four types of ink (magenta M, cyan C, yellow Y, and black BK), and a plurality of tank units 23 are provided for each type of ink. That is, the printer 20 uses the plurality of tank units 23 to store the four types of ink independently. In this embodiment, when the printer 20 is supplied to a user from a vendor, each of the plurality of tank units 23 is filled with an amount of ink that can print a predetermined number of sheets of paper when the single-color coverage is set to 5%, for example. The predetermined number is a number that is greater than the printable number of sheets that is given to a user who applies for a print service, and can be set appropriately by a vendor that provides the print service.

The tank unit 23 is provided so that the user cannot refill it with ink. Specifically, the tank unit 23 is located in a position that the user cannot touch. The tank unit 23 is fixed to the printer 20 so that it cannot be removed. The ink level detection unit 24 detects the remaining amount of ink stored in the tank unit 23. The ink level detection unit 24 is an optical sensor that is located in the tank unit 23 and detects the level of the ink by detecting the height of the ink surface. The ink level detection unit 24 is located in each of the multiple tank units 23 and detects the remaining amount of ink in each of the multiple tank units 23. The printer 20 may be configured so that the tank unit 23 is replaceable by the user.

The printing unit 25 performs printing using ink stored in the tank unit 23. The printing unit 25 executes processing to print images such as print data 12C on paper using a known inkjet method. The user I/F 27 is, for example, a touch panel or a push button switch, and receives operation input from the user and displays various information. The printer control unit 26 provides overall control of the printer 20. The printer control unit 26 includes a printer CPU 26A and a printer memory unit 26B. Note that the configuration of the printer 20 described above is one example. For example, the printer 20 may be configured without including a user I/F 27 such as a touch panel.

The printer CPU 26A controls the operation of the printer 20 by executing the printer program 26B1 in the printer memory unit 26B. The printer program 26B1 is a program that comprehensively manages the printer 20 and causes the printer 20 to execute various processes. The printer memory unit 26B is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and a buffer provided in the printer CPU 26A.

The printer storage unit 26B also stores a printer management table PT. The printer management table PT is a table that stores information about the printer 20 regarding the use of the printing service. The information stored in the printer management table PT is used as appropriate when various processes described below are executed. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer management table PT stores the device ID, number of printable pages, remaining ink amount, activation information, device settings, and synchronization date and time in association with each other.

The device ID is, for example, a serial number set by the vendor of the printer 20, and is unique information that can distinguish any printer 20 from other printers 20. The device ID is not limited to a serial number, and can be, for example, a wired MAC address or a wireless MAC address of the short-range communication unit 21 or the external communication unit 22. The printable number indicates the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by the printer 20. A user who uses the printer 20 can print only the printable number stored in the printer management table PT. The printable number is increased (charged) by the number of sheets according to the amount charged by the user. On the other hand, the number of sheets of paper used by the printer 20 for printing is subtracted from the printable number. The addition and subtraction of the printable number will be described in detail later.

The remaining ink amount indicates the remaining ink amount detected by the ink remaining amount detection unit 24. After performing an operation that uses ink, such as refilling ink, checking the nozzle, or printing, the printer 20 stores the remaining ink amount detected by the ink remaining amount detection unit 24 in the printer management table PT. The activation information indicates that when the activation information is set to the on state, printing by the printing unit 25 is permitted, and when the activation information is set to the off state, printing by the printing unit 25 is restricted. Restricting printing means, for example, putting the printer 20 in a state in which printing by the printing unit 25 is not possible. In addition, "◯" in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 indicates that the printer 20 is set to the on state, and "×" indicates that the printer 20 is set to the off state. The device settings are setting information such as the functions of the printer 20 (printing, etc.) and the settings of each function (paper size, color, magnification, etc.), the language to be displayed on the user I/F 27, etc. The synchronization date and time is the date and time when the previous (most recent) synchronization process was performed with the server 30. The synchronization process here is, for example, a process of matching the number of printable sheets of the server 30 and the printer 20. The synchronization process in this embodiment is an example of the update process of the present application. The update process of the present application includes a process of communicating between the server 30 and the printer 20 and updating one side to the latest information based on the information on the recording allowance amount, such as the number of printable sheets and the number of printed sheets (see FIG. 17 described later), with the server 30 and the printer 20. Therefore, the update process is not limited to a process in which both the server 30 and the printer 20 have the same information on the number of printable sheets (matching process) as in the synchronization process, but also includes a process of matching the number of printable sheets as a result of updating the information on the other side based on the information on one side. Another embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 17.

(Configuration of Server 30)
1, the server 30 includes an external communication unit 31 and a server control unit 32. The external communication unit 31 communicates with the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 connected via a network. The server control unit 32 provides overall control of the server 30. The server control unit 32 includes a server CPU 32A and a server storage unit 32B. The server CPU 32A controls the operation of the server 30 by executing a server program 32B1 in the server storage unit 32B. The server program 32B1 is a program that provides overall management of the server 30 and causes the server 30 to execute various processes.

The server storage unit 32B is configured, for example, by combining RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and a buffer provided in the server CPU 32A. The server storage unit 32B also stores a server management table ST (Figure 3). The server management table ST is a table that stores information required to use the print service. The server management table ST stores information about each printer 20 that uses the print service in association with the device ID of the printer 20, and is managed by the vendor. The information stored in the server management table ST is used as appropriate when various processes described below are executed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the server management table ST stores the device ID, printable number, activation information, exchange application information, and planned recharge number in association with each other. The device ID, printable number, and activation information are the same data as those in the printer management table PT described above, and data from the printer management table PT corresponding to the same device ID is stored.

In this embodiment, the server 30 manages the printable number of each printer 20 using the printing service by using a server management table ST that associates the device ID with the printable number. The server 30 manages the latest printable number in the server management table ST by executing a synchronization process that synchronizes the printable number of the printer 20, which increases or decreases according to the operation of each user, with the printer 20.

When the replacement application information is set to the on state, it indicates that a request to replace the printer 20 has already been made, and when it is set to the off state, it indicates that a request to replace the printer 20 has not yet been made. The planned charge quantity is the printable quantity that has been charged by the user and has not yet been reflected in the printer 20. The replacement application information may be stored and managed in the printer management table PT of the printer 20.

(Initial device configuration process)
Next, the user's work in the initial device setting process of the printer 20 and the contents of the processing of each device will be described. When the user purchases the printer 20 for the first time and the printer 20 arrives from the vendor, the user performs the work shown in FIG. 4. Each device, the mobile terminal device 10, the printer 20, and the server 30, executes each process according to the user's work. In the sequence diagrams from FIG. 4 onwards, the work performed by the user (person) is indicated by an arrow pointing diagonally downward to the left. Also, the processes, contents and order of the work shown in FIG. 4 onwards are merely examples. Also, a case will be described where the printer 20 with the device ID "dv1" (see FIG. 2) is set as the printer 20.

First, in step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 11 of FIG. 4, the user operates the user I/F 27 to turn on the printer 20 (S11). When the printer 20 is turned on, the printer CPU 26A executes the printer program 26B1 and starts the system of the printer 20 (S13). When the system of the printer 20 is started, the printer 20 executes initial setup and the like. The initial setup here is, for example, a preparation process for printing by the printing unit 25, such as a process of filling the printing unit 25 with ink and a process of checking for clogged nozzles. After the initial setup is completed, the printer 20 detects the remaining ink amount of the printing unit 25 by the printing unit 25. At this point, the remaining ink amount ink1 is almost full. The number of printable sheets pr1 is either blank, with nothing set, or zero sheets. The printer 20 may execute initial setup and detection of the remaining ink amount after the number of printable sheets pr1 is set.

When the printer 20 executes system startup, etc., it transitions to a state in which it can accept communication settings (S15). The printer 20 supplies power to the short-range communication unit 21 and the external communication unit 22, and transitions to a state in which it can communicate with external devices. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal device 10 is powered on, for example, it executes the terminal program 12A to start up the system, and then executes the application 12B in response to operational inputs to the input I/F 15, etc., to start up the application program (S17).

The user also appropriately performs communication settings for the printer 20 and the mobile terminal device 10. For example, when connecting the printer 20 and the mobile terminal device 10 by wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, the printer 20 accepts input of the SSID and encryption key of the router 2 on the touch panel of the user I/F 27 (S15). The printer 20 connects to the router 2 by wireless communication based on the accepted SSID and encryption key. Similarly, the mobile terminal device 10 connects to the router 2 by wireless communication based on an operation input to the input I/F 15. The mobile terminal device 10 detects the printer 20 (such as the MAC address of the external communication unit 22) on the same network based on the start of the application 12B or a predetermined operation input after the start (S17), and becomes capable of communicating with the printer 20 by wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard (S19). The printer 20 also becomes capable of communicating with the server 30 through the router 2.

The method of connecting the printer 20 and the mobile terminal device 10 to the router 2 is not limited to the above method. For example, when connecting by short-distance wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication standard, the printer 20 transitions to a pairing mode in which pairing is performed by the short-distance communication unit 21 based on a specific button operation (such as a long press of an arbitrary button) of the user I/F 27 (S15). In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 uses the function of the OS of the terminal program 12A based on a specific operation input to the input I/F 15, for example, and executes a connection with the printer 20 by short-distance wireless communication using the short-distance communication unit 13 (S19). The specific operation input here is, for example, an operation to select the printer 20 searched for by Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. Then, in response to the short-distance wireless communication connection, the mobile terminal device 10 may exchange the SSID and encryption key of the router 2, which are necessary for the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) wireless communication connection, with the printer 20 via short-distance wireless communication, and execute the communication settings of the printer 20.

The mobile terminal device 10 displays, for example, a list of the printers 20 detected in S19 on the display 14 and accepts the selection of the printer 20. For example, if the selected printer 20 is the printer 20 to be connected for the first time, the mobile terminal device 10 requests information about the printer 20 (S19). Note that the printer 20 to be connected for the first time here is, for example, a printer 20 with which data such as print data 12C has not been exchanged in the past. The mobile terminal device 10 stores, for example, the printer name and device ID with which communication has been performed in the past in the terminal storage unit 12. When connecting to a printer 20 with which data such as a printer name is not available in the terminal storage unit 12, the terminal storage unit 12 may determine that the printer 20 is the printer to be connected for the first time and request information.

When the printer 20 receives an information request from the mobile terminal device 10, it transmits the device ID "dv1", the remaining ink level "ink1", and the device settings "dc1" to the mobile terminal device 10 (S21). When the printer 20 is shipped from the vendor, no data is stored in the printer management table PT. The printer 20 is shipped with the device ID and device settings stored in a storage area of the printer storage unit 26B other than the printer management table PT. In S21, the printer 20 transmits the device ID and device settings stored in this printer storage unit 26B. The printer 20 also transmits the remaining ink level detected by the ink level detection unit 24. When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the device ID etc. in S21, it displays the menu screen 51 shown in FIG. 5 on the display 14. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 displays on the menu screen 51 a print icon 52 that commands the printer 20 to execute a print function, a setting icon 55 that sets the printer 20, and a status icon 57 that checks the status of the printer 20.

The mobile terminal device 10 also displays information about the printer 20 selected in S19 on the printer display unit 61 provided at the bottom of the menu screen 51. The mobile terminal device 10 displays, for example, the word "online" on the printer display unit 61 to indicate that communication with the printer 20 is now possible. When the selection button 63 on the printer display unit 61 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a list of printer names (such as model numbers) of the printers 20 detected on the same network and accepts the selection of the printer 20 to perform printing, etc. When the selection button 63 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 also displays in the list the printers 20 that have previously sent a print command and performed printing, and the printers 20 that have performed a charge process. For example, when these printers 20 are offline or not on the same network, the mobile terminal device 10 displays the printer names with the word "offline" or the like added to distinguish them from the online printers 20. The mobile terminal device 10 accepts the selection of the printer 20 that will perform the charging process described below from the displayed list of printers 20 (S111 in FIG. 9).

When the print icon 52 is touched with any printer 20 selected on the printer display section 61, the mobile terminal device 10 executes a print command for the printer 20. When the settings icon 55 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 displays device settings and the like obtained from the printer 20. When the status icon 57 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 displays status information obtained from the printer 20, such as the amount of ink remaining.

In response to receiving the device ID and the like, the mobile terminal device 10 sends a printer management table registration command to the printer 20 to store each item in the printer management table PT (S23). In response to receiving the command of S23, the printer 20 registers (stores) the device ID "dv1", the remaining ink amount "ink1" detected in S13, and the device setting "dc1" in the printer management table PT in association with each other (S27). The printer 20 also maintains the number of printable sheets pr1 in the printer management table PT in the blank state after initial installation. The printer 20 also sets the activation information in the printer management table PT to an off state. The printer 20 sets the synchronization date and time "cd1" to a blank state. This completes the registration in the printer management table PT. Note that the device ID and device settings of the printer 20 may be set in the printer management table PT at the stage of shipment from the vendor.

In addition, in S29, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts user information via the input I/F 15. For example, when the user registration of the application 12B is not registered, or when the user registration of the printer 20 is not registered, the mobile terminal device 10 executes the acceptance of user information in S29. This user information is, for example, information on the login user for logging in to the application 12B, or information on the user who uses the printer 20, such as the user ID, password, user name, address, age, sex, occupation, contact email address, and payment method. Note that the process of accepting user information is not limited to the initial device setting process. For example, the registration of user information may be executed before the initial device setting process (such as when the application 12B is started for the first time), or may be executed when executing the charge process or exchange process described below.

When the mobile terminal device 10 accepts the user information in S29, it transmits the accepted user information to the server 30 (S31). When the server 30 acquires the user information from the mobile terminal device 10, it stores the acquired user information in the server storage unit 32B (S33). In this way, information on the user who uses the printer 20 is registered in the server 30. The server 30 may manage the user information separately from the server management table ST, or may manage the user information in association with the device ID in the server management table ST.

After completing the registration in the printer management table PT by executing S27, the printer 20 accesses the server 30 and executes the registration process (S35). The printer 20 accesses, for example, the URL of the server 30 stored in the printer storage unit 26B in advance. When the printer 20 successfully accesses the server 30, it becomes capable of communicating with the server 30 (S35). The printer 20 also transmits, for example, a command to the server 30 requesting the registration of the device ID, the number of printable sheets, and activation information. The server 30 checks the received device ID against the serial number of the vendor registered in advance, and when it detects a matching device ID, it associates the received device ID and other information and registers it in the server management table ST (S35). The printer 20 may obtain information on the access destination of the server 30 from the mobile terminal device 10. The printer registration process (S35) may also be executed by the mobile terminal device 10.

After completing the registration of the user information in S29, the user applies for the service (S37). For example, the user operates the input I/F 15 to register the registered user information, information about the printer 20 selected in S19, and the method of paying for the selected printer 20, etc., to the server 30. The method of payment may be selected from the payment methods registered in S31, or new information such as credit card information may be registered. As a result, the user information and billing method are associated with information about the printer 20 to be billed (such as the device ID), and are registered in the server 30.

The server 30 also charges the printer 20, which is registered for the first time in the server management table ST, with a predetermined number of printable sheets (e.g., 2,000 sheets) as an initial charge (S39). For example, the server 30 may automatically charge a predetermined number of printable sheets for the first time for a user who has completed the service application in S37 and is associated with the device ID of the printer 20, which is registered for the first time in the server management table ST. Alternatively, the server 30 may check with the user via the mobile terminal device 10 whether or not the initial charge has been performed (S39). When the initial charge process is completed, the server 30 sends a charge completion notification to the mobile terminal device 10 (S41). The printable sheet number for the initial charge may be set in the printer management table PT at the time the printer 20 is sent from the vendor to the user.

When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the completion notification of S41, it sends a synchronization start command to the printer 20 to synchronize the number of printable sheets for the initial charge with the server 30 (S43). The mobile terminal device 10 may display on the display 14 that it has received the completion notification and cause the printer 20 to execute synchronization, or may accept a command from the user.

When the printer 20 receives the synchronization start command in S43, it executes a process to synchronize the number of printable sheets with the server 30 (S45). For example, the printer 20 inquires of the server 30 about the number of printable sheets charged in the initial charge in S39. The server 30 responds to the printer 20 with the number of printable sheets charged initially based on the device ID. The printer 20 executes the synchronization process of the number of printable sheets by overwriting the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT with the number of printable sheets acquired from the server 30. When the printer 20 completes the synchronization process, it updates the synchronization date and time "cd1" in the printer management table PT to the current date and time. Note that the condition for starting the synchronization process in S45 is not limited to the transmission of the synchronization start command from the mobile terminal device 10 to the printer 20 described above. For example, the printer 20 may start the synchronization process based on a specified operation input to the input I/F 15.

When the server 30 completes the synchronization process of S45, it sets the printer 20 to a state where it can print (S47). In the server management table ST, the server 30 sets the activation information associated with the device ID of the printer 20 that completed the initial charge in S39 to the ON state ("O" in FIG. 3). When the server 30 updates the activation information in the server management table ST, it sends an activation command to the printer 20 to set the activation information to the ON state (S49). When the printer 20 receives the activation command of S49 from the server 30, it sets the activation information in its own printer management table PT to the ON state. This makes the printer 20 ready to print the print data 12C etc. received from the mobile terminal device 10. The server 30 sets the initial value of the exchange identification information in the server management table ST to the OFF state.

When the printer 20 sets the activation information to the ON state, it sends a completion notification to the mobile terminal device 10 (S50). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the completion notification of S50, for example, the menu screen 51 displays that the printer is ready to print. The contents of the initial device setting process shown in FIG. 4 are only an example. For example, if there is no plan to charge the printer 20 with an additional printable number, the user does not need to register user information or register a credit card. In this case, the printer 20 may be charged with the printable number of the initial charge. In addition, when performing the initial device setting process for the replaced printer 20 described later, it is not necessary to register user information or perform the initial charge. In addition, the printer 20 may be charged with the printable number of the initial charge or the like at the time of shipping from the vendor or manufacturing factory. In addition, the server 30 may set the printable number in the printer 20 regardless of the charge action at a predetermined timing, for example, at the timing when the printer 20 is connected for the first time and registered in the server management table ST.

The mobile terminal device 10 may also determine whether the synchronization start command sent in S43 has been sent to the printer 20 (S44). If the mobile terminal device 10 cannot receive the completion notification of S50 even after a predetermined time has elapsed after sending the command of S43, it may determine that the synchronization start command has not been sent. For example, if the user is outside the range of the LAN network, it is difficult to send the synchronization start command from the mobile terminal device 10 to the printer 20. Also, if the printer 20 is turned off, it is difficult to send the synchronization start command. For example, if the mobile terminal device 10 cannot receive the completion notification of S50, it may execute a notification process to notify the user that it is necessary to perform an operation on the printer 20 to start the synchronization process (S46). For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may display text such as "Press the push button switch of the printer 20 for 3 seconds to execute the synchronization process" on the touch panel of the user I/F 27. The printer 20 may then execute the synchronization process again based on the push button switch being pressed for three seconds.

(Printing process)
Next, the print process executed by the mobile terminal device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. The print process is a process for causing the printer 20 to execute printing.
First, in S51, the mobile terminal device 10 determines whether or not a print execution operation has been performed. The print execution operation is an operation by the user on the print icon 52 on the menu screen 51. In response to the print execution operation being performed (S51: YES), the number of sheets of paper to be used for printing and the like are specified on a print execution screen (not shown) displayed on the display 14. Hereinafter, the number of sheets of paper specified on the print execution screen will be referred to as the designated number of sheets to print.

If the print icon 52 is not operated, the mobile terminal device 10 makes a negative judgment in S51 (S51: NO) and repeats S51. On the other hand, in response to the operation of the print icon 52 (S51: YES), the mobile terminal device 10 acquires the number of printable sheets and activation information from the printer 20 (S53). Next, in S55, the mobile terminal device 10 judges whether the number of printable sheets acquired in S53 is equal to or greater than the number of sheets designated for printing. If the number of printable sheets is less than the number of sheets designated for printing (S55: NO), the mobile terminal device 10 cancels the printing process (S57). In this case, a message is displayed on the display 14 prompting the user to perform a charge process for the number of printable sheets, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the number of sheets designated for printing (S55: YES), the mobile terminal device 10 judges whether the activation information acquired in S53 is in the ON state (S59). The determination of the number of printable sheets and the number of sheets specified to be printed may be performed by a device other than the mobile terminal device 10, such as the printer 20. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may send a print command without requesting the number of printable sheets in S73 and without comparing it with the number of sheets specified to be printed. The printer 20 may then stop printing if the number of printable sheets is less than the number of sheets specified to be printed in the print command received from the mobile terminal device 10.

When the activation information is OFF (S59: NO), the mobile terminal device 10 stops the print process in S57. In this case, since the activation information is OFF, a message prompting the user to perform the initial device setting process is displayed on the display 14. On the other hand, when the activation information is ON (S59: YES), the mobile terminal device 10 executes S65. In S65, the mobile terminal device 10 sends a print command to the printer 20 and causes the printer 20 to execute printing. The information in the print command is information about the print settings specified by the user's print execution operation, and specifically, information such as the print data 12C, the specified number of copies to be printed, and color tone.

Next, in S67, the mobile terminal device 10 judges whether printing is completed. The mobile terminal device 10 judges negative in S67 (S67: NO) until it receives a print completion notification from the printer 20, and when it receives a print completion notification (S67: YES), it acquires the number of printable sheets from the printer 20 (S69). When the printer 20 executes printing, it subtracts the number of printable sheets according to the number of printed sheets. When the mobile terminal device 10 receives a print completion notification, it acquires the number of printable sheets after subtraction from the printer 20, updates the information in the terminal storage unit 12, and ends the process shown in FIG. 6. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 uses the acquired updated information as the number of printable sheets displayed in response to the operation of the status icon 57 on the menu screen 51, and the number of printable sheets on the print screen displayed in response to the operation of the print icon 52. In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 may acquire other information such as the remaining ink amount information from the printer 20 in response to the print completion notification and update it. Furthermore, the mobile terminal device 10 does not need to obtain information such as the number of printable sheets from the printer 20. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may obtain information on the number of printable sheets from the server 30 and display the information.

(Operation of Printing System 1 in Printing Process)
Next, the operation of the printing system 1 in the above-mentioned printing process will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As an example, a case will be described in which the number of printable sheets is sufficient for the number of sheets designated to be printed and the activation information is in an ON state.

In S71, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts a print execution operation by the user (YES in S51 in FIG. 6). In S73, in response to accepting the print execution operation, the mobile terminal device 10 sends to the printer 20 a printable number request to acquire the printable number of sheets and an activation information request to acquire activation information.

In S75, the printer 20 transmits the number of printable sheets and activation information stored in the printer management table PT in response to a request from the mobile terminal device 10. In S77, the mobile terminal device 10 confirms the number of printable sheets and the activation information (S55, S59 in FIG. 6) in response to acquiring the number of printable sheets and the activation information from the printer 20 (S53 in FIG. 6). In S79, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits a print command to the printer 20 in response to the number of printable sheets being equal to or greater than the designated number of prints (S55: YES) and the activation information being in an ON state (S59: YES). For example, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits print data 12C to instruct the printer 20 to print the print data 12C. It is not necessary for the mobile terminal device 10 to determine whether the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the designated number of prints or whether the activation information is in an ON state. For example, the printer 20 may determine the number of pages that can be printed and notify the mobile terminal device 10 of the error.

In S81, the printer 20 determines whether or not it is able to communicate with the server 30. If the printer 20 is unable to communicate with the server 30 due to, for example, a failure of the router 2, a change in the network settings, or a malfunction of the server 30, the printer 20 cannot synchronize the printable number with the server 30. In the printing system 1, the printable number is managed by the server 30 in association with the device ID, so allowing the printer 20 to print when communication is unavailable is undesirable as it may lead to unauthorized use. On the other hand, if the printer 20 is uniformly prohibited from printing when the above-mentioned network failure occurs, it may lead to a decrease in usability.

In this embodiment, when the printer 20 determines in S81 that it is able to communicate with the server 30 (S81: YES), it controls the printing unit 25 to execute printing in S85. When the printer 20 completes the printing, it updates the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT (S87). Specifically, the printer 20 subtracts the number of sheets used in the printing from the number of printable sheets. When the printer 20 has completed the printing, it sends a print completion notification to the mobile terminal device 10 indicating this (S89).

On the other hand, if the printer 20 determines that it cannot communicate with the server 30 (S81: NO), it determines whether the offline printable conditions are met (S83). These offline printable conditions are conditions that allow printing even in an offline state where communication with the server 30 is not possible, in order to ensure the usability described above. If the printer 20 determines that the offline printable conditions are met (S83: YES), it executes printing in S85, as in the case where S81 is positive, and executes the processes from S87 onwards. Note that the printer 20 does not have to determine the offline printable conditions in S83. For example, the printer 20 may execute printing within the range of the printable number of sheets, regardless of whether it can communicate with the server 30.

The offline printing condition is, for example, the upper limit of the number of pages that can be printed while in the offline state. In this case, even if the printer 20 makes a negative determination in S81, it will make a positive determination in S83 until the cumulative number of pages printed in the offline state reaches the upper limit. Alternatively, the offline printing condition is a threshold for the duration of the offline state. In this case, even if the printer 20 makes a negative determination in S81, it may make a positive determination in S83 until the duration of the offline state reaches the threshold.

After sending the print completion notification in S89, the printer 20 sends the number of printable sheets updated in S87 to the mobile terminal device 10 (S91). The printer 20 also sends a synchronization command to the server 30 to synchronize the number of printable sheets (S93). The printer 20 sends the number of printable sheets updated in S87, i.e., the number of printable sheets after subtraction by the printing process, to the server 30. Note that if the printer 20 is unable to communicate with the server 30, it may wait a predetermined time and then send the synchronization command to the server 30 again.

When the server 30 receives a synchronization command from the printer 20, it updates (overwrites) the printable number in the server management table ST that corresponds to the device ID of the printer 20 that sent the command with the received printable number (S95). As a result, the printable number in the server management table ST matches the printable number of the printer 20 after printing has been executed. When the server 30 completes the update process of S95, it sends a completion notification to the printer 20 (S97). When the printer 20 receives the completion notification of S97, it updates the synchronization date and time in the printer management table PT to the current date and time (S99). When the printer 20 has updated the synchronization date and time, it sends a notification to the mobile terminal device 10 that synchronization has been completed (S101).

The above-mentioned printing process is an example. For example, the printer 20 may execute the synchronization process of the printable number of sheets each time a sheet of paper is printed, or, when multiple print jobs are accepted at once, may execute the synchronization process after all the multiple print jobs are completed. The printer 20 may also execute the synchronization process of the printable number of sheets via the mobile terminal device 10. For example, when the printer 20 cannot communicate with the server 30, it transmits the printable number of sheets and a command requesting synchronization to the mobile terminal device 10. The mobile terminal device 10 may execute the synchronization process of the printable number of sheets with the server 30 based on receiving the command from the printer 20. When the printer 20 cannot communicate with the server 30, it may execute printing based on a print command from the mobile terminal device 10 while the offline printable condition is satisfied.

(Non-printing synchronous processing)
Next, the non-printing synchronization process executed by the printer 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. The non-printing synchronization process is a process in which the printer 20 synchronizes the number of printable sheets with the server 30 when no printing is being performed. For example, when the activation information in the printer management table PT is set to ON, the printer 20 executes the non-printing synchronization process shown in Fig. 8 when the power is ON.

First, when the printer 20 starts the non-printing synchronization process, in S105, it determines whether a certain period of time has passed since the synchronization date and time in the printer management table PT. This certain period is the period during which the synchronization process is repeatedly executed, and may be, for example, several tens of minutes or several hours. If the certain period of time has not passed since the synchronization date and time in the printer management table PT, i.e., if the certain period of time has not passed since the previous synchronization process (S105: NO), the printer 20 repeatedly executes the determination process of S105.

If a certain period of time has passed since the synchronization date and time (S105: YES), the printer 20 judges whether communication with the server 30 is possible (S107). For example, the printer 20 accesses a specific URL of the server 30, and judges that communication is possible if the access is successful (S107: YES). Alternatively, the printer 20 may send data to the server 30 to confirm whether communication is possible, and judge whether communication is possible based on the response from the server 30. If the printer 20 can communicate with the server 30 (S107: YES), the printer 20 executes a synchronization process of the printable number with the server 30 (S109). The printer 20 notifies the server 30 of the printable number in the printer management table PT and updates the printable number in the server management table ST, as in S93 of FIG. 7. In addition, since the printer 20 has executed the synchronization process, the printer 20 updates the synchronization date and time in the printer management table PT to the current date and time. The printer 20 ends the process shown in FIG. 8 and restarts the process from S105. If the printer 20 cannot communicate with the server 30 (S107: NO), the printer 20 ends the process shown in FIG. 8 and restarts the process from S105. After that, if synchronization has not been performed for a certain period of time, the printer 20 makes a positive determination in S105 and executes synchronization processing.

The above-mentioned content of the non-printing synchronization process is an example. For example, the server 30 may be the main body to execute the synchronization process. The server 30 may maintain a specific communication port (such as a TCP high port) constantly connected to the printer 20 and execute periodic communication with the printer 20 to execute the synchronization process of the printable number of sheets. For example, the server 30 may inquire of the printer 20 whether the synchronization process can be executed at predetermined intervals, and execute the synchronization process with the printer 20 based on receiving a response indicating that the synchronization process can be executed. The server 30 may obtain the printable number of sheets from the printer 20 and update the printable number of sheets in the server management table ST after a certain period has elapsed since the previous synchronization process, similar to the synchronization date and time of the printer 20. In this case, if the printer 20 is executing or planning to execute printing by the printing unit 25 when receiving an inquiry from the server 30, it may not execute the synchronization process until the printing is completed. For example, when the printer 20 receives an inquiry from the server 30 during printing, the printer 20 may respond to the server 30 that it cannot perform synchronization processing, or may respond to the server 30 that it can perform synchronization processing after printing is completed.

The printer 20 may also execute the synchronization process based on an operation input from the user. For example, the printer 20 may execute the process from S107 onward in FIG. 8 based on a predetermined operation input (such as a long press of the power button) to the user I/F 27. The mobile terminal device 10 may also send a command to execute the synchronization process to the printer 20 based on a predetermined operation input to the application 12B. The printer 20 may start the non-printing synchronization process of FIG. 8, for example, based on receiving a command to start the synchronization process from the mobile terminal device 10. In this case, after sending the command for the synchronization process, the mobile terminal device 10 may determine whether the command has been sent, similarly to S44 and S46 in FIG. 4, and if the command has not been sent, may display a message on the display 14 prompting a predetermined operation on the user I/F 27. The printer 20 may not execute the non-printing synchronization process shown in FIG. 8. For example, the printer 20 may execute synchronization processing with the server 30 at least one of the following timings: when the printer 20 receives the above-mentioned specified operation input, before printing starts, after printing is completed, when the printer is turned on, and when the printer returns from the power saving mode. For example, if the printer 20 does not receive an operation input or a print command for a certain period of time, the printer 20 may enter a power saving mode that restricts some of the functions of the printer 20 (such as hiding the touch panel of the user I/F 27) to conserve power. Then, if the printer 20 receives an operation input or a print command in the power saving mode, the printer 20 may return to the normal state from the power saving mode and execute synchronization processing when returning.

(Charge process)
Next, the charging process executed by the mobile terminal device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. The charging process is a process of adding the number of printable sheets in response to the user being charged for the number of printable sheets. The charging process can be executed on a charging screen 71 shown in FIG. 10. The charging screen 71 includes a printable sheet number display section 72 and a charge number display section 73. The printable sheet number display section 72 is arranged on the upper side of the charging screen 71 and displays the number of printable sheets. For example, the printable sheet number obtained from the server management table ST of the server 30 and stored in the terminal storage section 12 can be used as this printable sheet number. The mobile terminal device 10 may obtain the printable sheet number from the printer 20, store it in the terminal storage section 12, and use it for displaying the printable sheet number display section 72. The charge number display section 73 is arranged on the lower side of the charging screen 71, and displays a plurality of charge icons 74 in a list format. Each of the multiple charge icons 74 displays a different number of sheets of paper and a charge amount according to the number of sheets of paper.

Returning to FIG. 9, the charge process will be described. In S111, the mobile terminal device 10 executes a charge screen display process. For example, after the selection button 63 is operated on the menu screen 51 of FIG. 5, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a list of the printer names of the printers 20 on the same network and the printers 20 that have previously executed (communicated with) printing and charge processes, and accepts the selection of the printer 20 to execute the charge process. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may store history information in the terminal storage unit 12 for the printers 20 that have previously printed or otherwise processed. In addition, when an icon for charge (not shown) is selected on the screen after the status icon 57 is operated on the menu screen 51 of FIG. 5 with any printer 20 selected from the list, the mobile terminal device 10 displays the charge screen 71 on the display 14. Note that the program that displays the charge screen 71 and executes the charge process of FIG. 9 may be a program separate from the application program that displays the menu screen 51 and executes the above-mentioned printing process.

In S113, the mobile terminal device 10 obtains the number of printable sheets stored in the printer management table PT, and executes a printable sheet number display process to display the obtained number of printable sheets on the printable sheet number display unit 72. Next, the mobile terminal device 10 determines whether a charge operation has been performed (S115). A charge operation is an operation on the charge icon 74 by the user. In response to the user operating any charge icon 74, the mobile terminal device 10 determines YES in S115, and executes a printable sheet number setting process in S117. Note that the mobile terminal device 10 does not need to display the printable sheet number on the charge screen 71. In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 does not need to obtain the printable sheet number from the printer 20.

The printable number setting process is a process that causes the server 30 to add the number of sheets of paper displayed on the charge icon 74 operated by the user (hereinafter referred to as the charge number) to the printable number stored in the server management table ST. Furthermore, the added printable number is reflected in the server management table ST of the printer 20 by a synchronization process.

When the mobile terminal device 10 displays the printer 20 accepted on the charge screen 71, i.e., the menu screen 51, it transmits to the server 30 permission amount setting information for adding the charge number to the printable number in the server management table ST corresponding to the device ID of the printer 20 selected on the printer display unit 61 (see FIG. 5) (S117). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives a charge completion notification from the server 30 indicating that the synchronization of the printable number after the addition has been completed (S119), it ends the charge process shown in FIG. 9. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 erases the charge screen 71 on the display 14 and displays the menu screen 51.

(Operation of the printing system 1 in the charging process)
Next, the operation of the printing system 1 when the above-mentioned charge process is executed will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 11, starting from the state where the menu screen 51 is displayed. First, the portable terminal device 10 accepts an operation to display the charge screen 71 on the menu screen 51 (S121). The portable terminal device 10 displays the charge screen 71 (S123, S111 in FIG. 9) and transmits a printable number request to the printer 20 (S125). In response to receiving the printable number request, the printer 20 transmits the printable number stored in the printer management table PT to the portable terminal device 10 (S127). In response to receiving the printable number, the portable terminal device 10 displays the printable number on the printable number display section 72 (S129, S113 in FIG. 9).

In S131, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts a charge operation on the charge screen 71 (S115 in FIG. 9). In S133, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits to the server 30 the permission amount setting information for charging the charge amount indicated in the charge icon 74 operated by the charge operation in response to receiving the charge operation by the user (S133, S117 in FIG. 9). The mobile terminal device 10 transmits to the server 30 the device ID of the currently selected printer 20 (for example, the printer 20 selected on the printer display unit 61), the selected charge amount, and an instruction to instruct addition as the permission amount setting information. Note that the method of executing the charge process is not limited to the above-mentioned method of transmitting an instruction to add to the server 30. For example, a server that executes the settlement of the charge may be provided separately from the server 30, and the charge process for the server 30 may be started in response to the settlement process being executed between the mobile terminal device 10 and the settlement server. In addition, various methods can be used for billing, including non-online methods (convenience store payment, payment over the counter, bank withdrawal, etc.).

In addition, in S133, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits the permission amount setting information including a "command to instruct addition (one example of a setting command in the present application)" to the server 30, but the method of commanding the addition is not limited to this. For example, the command command for addition (one example of a setting command in the present application) and the permission amount setting information such as the charge number may be transmitted to the server 30 as separate information. Alternatively, the server 30 may interpret the reception of only the permission amount setting information such as the charge number and device ID as a command command for charging and execute the charge process. In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 can command the charge by transmitting only the permission amount setting information to the server 30. In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 may transmit a setting command to overwrite the current printable number with the added printable number to the server 30 as the command in S133, rather than a command to add.

In S135, when the server 30 receives the permission amount setting information from the mobile terminal device 10, it updates the planned charge number associated with the device ID of the received permission amount setting information in the server management table ST to the charge number. For example, when the server 30 receives the permission amount setting information with the device ID "dv1" and the charge number of "2000", it updates the planned charge number "cg1" associated with "dv1" in the server management table ST to "2000" (see FIG. 3).

In S137, the server 30 executes a process to obtain the printable number from the printer management table PT from the printer 20. This is because when printing, etc. is performed, the printable number of the printer 20 may have been updated (decremented) to the latest information. Alternatively, when another user performs a charge process at the same time, the printable number in the printer management table PT may have been updated (incremented).

The server 30 updates the printable number of the printer 20 to be charged in the server management table ST with the printable number obtained in S137 (S139). That is, before adding the printable number, the server 30 obtains the printable number of the printer 20 to be charged and updates the printable number in the server management table ST to the latest state.

When the server 30 updates the number of printable sheets in the server management table ST, it sends the charge number to the printer 20 and requests the printer 20 to add to the charge number (S141). When the printer 20 receives the charge number from the server 30, it determines whether or not it is in a state where it can perform a charge (S143). For example, if printing is being performed, the number of printable sheets may change during the charge process. For this reason, if the printer 20 is in the middle of a print process, it determines that it cannot perform a charge and waits until the printing process is completed. Alternatively, the printer 20 notifies the server 30 that it is in a state where it cannot perform a charge. Note that the printer 20 may perform a charge even when printing is being performed.

When the printer 20 determines in S143 that charging is possible, it notifies the server 30 that charging preparation is complete (S145). In S145, the printer 20 sends to the server 30 the value of the number of printable sheets after adding the charge number received in S141 to the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT. This allows the server 30 to confirm that the charge number has been sent to the printer 20 correctly by checking the number of printable sheets after the addition. When the server 30 receives the charge preparation completion notification in S145, it sends a response notification to the printer 20 to that effect (S147). When the printer 20 receives the response notification in S147, it adds the charge number to the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT and updates the number of printable sheets (S149).

When the server 30 receives the charge preparation completion notification of S145, it updates the planned charge quantity associated with the device ID of the printer 20 to be charged in the server management table ST to zero (S151). After updating the planned charge quantity, the server 30 updates the printable quantity of the printer 20 to be charged to the printable quantity after charging (S153).

This allows the server 30 to reliably update the printable number of the printer 20, and then update the printable number in its own server management table ST. For example, if the server 30 sends the charge command of S141 to the printer 20 and then adds the printable number in the server management table ST before there is a response from the printer 20, the printable number of the printer 20 may not be added, and the planned charge number may become zero. As a result, the non-printing synchronization process of FIG. 8 may update the printable number in the server management table ST of the server 30 with the printable number in the printer management table PT of the uncharged printer 20.

In addition, even if communication between the server 30 and the printer 20 is cut off during the charge process, the server 30 can resume the charge process for the printer 20 with the remaining planned charge amount. On the other hand, if the printer 20 executes the process of adding the printable number in the printer management table PT immediately after receiving S141, for example, before receiving the response notification of S147, and communication between the printer 20 and the server 30 is cut off at the stage of executing the notification of S141, there is a possibility that fraudulent activity will occur in which the planned charge amount does not become zero and only the printable number in the printer management table PT increases. Therefore, the server 30 and the printer 20 perform the notifications of S145 and S147, and after confirming that they are in a state where they can reliably execute the charge process, they add each other's printable number. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of fraudulent charging of the printable number.

In addition, in S139 and S153, the server 30 updates the printable number in the server management table ST with the printable number obtained from the printer 20, i.e., overwrites the data. Meanwhile, in S149, the printer 20 adds the charge number obtained from the server 30 to the printable number in the printer management table PT. This is because, in this embodiment, the printer 20 may execute printing and update the printable number at any time, i.e., the printer 20 holds the latest information on the printable number, and it is basically preferable to make the printable number of the printer 20 match the printable number of the server 30, except for the initial charge.

When the printer 20 updates the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT in S149, it sends a completion notification to the server 30 that charging is complete (S155). The printer 20 may, for example, only send information indicating completion, or may send the number of printable sheets after adding the charged number. The server 30 updates the number of printable sheets in the server management table ST in S153, and when it receives the completion notification of S155, it sends a notification to the mobile terminal device 10 that charging is complete (S157). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the charge completion notification (S119 in FIG. 9), it ends the charge process shown in FIG. 9.

The above-mentioned contents of the charge process are only an example. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may notify the server 30 of the printable number after adding the charge number in S117 and S133, without notifying the server 30 of the charge number. The server 30 may update the printable number in the server management table ST or the printer management table PT with the printable number after the addition received from the mobile terminal device 10. The mobile terminal device 10 may not send the number such as the charge number to the server 30. For example, an identification number may be assigned to each of the charge icons 74 shown in FIG. 10, and the mobile terminal device 10 may notify the server 30 of the identification number of the selected charge icon 74. The server 30 may have a database in which the identification number of the charge icon 74 and the charge number are associated, and may specify the charge number based on the identification number received from the mobile terminal device 10. The mobile terminal device 10 may accept the charge number as a numerical value such as 2500.

The printing system 1 may also perform an auto-charge function that automatically charges the number of printable sheets. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may set in advance in the server 30 the number of sheets to be charged when the number of printable sheets of the selected printer 20 has decreased to a predetermined number of printable sheets. The server 30 may then execute a synchronization process to cause the printer 20 to execute a process of adding the preset number of sheets to the number of printable sheets of the printer 20 based on the fact that the number of printable sheets of the printer 20 has decreased to the predetermined number of printable sheets, thereby synchronizing the printer 20. In this case, the process of setting the number of sheets to be charged for auto-charge from the mobile terminal device 10 to the server 30 is an example of the permission amount setting process of the present application. Therefore, the permission amount setting process of the present application and the recording permission amount addition process do not need to be executed at the same time. After the recording permission amount is set in the server 30, the recording permission amount addition process may be executed after certain conditions such as auto-charge are met.

(Application Processing)
Next, the application process executed by the mobile terminal device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 12. The application process is a process in which, based on a notification from the server 30, a notification is issued to the user urging replacement of the printer 20, and a request for replacement of the printer 20 is made to the server 30. For example, when the mobile terminal device 10 starts an application 12B that executes printing, etc. by the printer 20, the process shown in Fig. 12 is started. Note that the server that requests replacement may be a server separate from the server 30 that manages the number of printable sheets, etc.

First, in S161 of FIG. 12, the mobile terminal device 10 determines whether or not it has received a replacement request notification from the server 30. The replacement request notification is a notification from the server 30 to the mobile terminal device 10 urging the mobile terminal device 10 to replace the printer 20. The mobile terminal device 10 executes the determination process of S161 until it receives the replacement request notification (S161: NO), and when it receives the replacement request notification (S161: YES), it displays the replacement notification on the display 14 (S163). After displaying the replacement notification, the mobile terminal device 10 executes the replacement acceptance process (S165).

When the mobile terminal device 10 executes the exchange acceptance process based on the user's operation input to the input I/F 15, it transmits an exchange application notification to the server 30 (S167) and determines whether or not it has received a takeover code from the server 30 (S169). If the mobile terminal device 10 has not received the takeover code (S169: NO), it ends the process shown in FIG. 12. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal device 10 receives the takeover code (S169: YES), it displays the received takeover code on the display 14 (S173) and ends the process shown in FIG. 12.

(Operation of the printing system 1 in the application process)
Next, the user's work in the application process and the contents of the processing of each device will be described. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the printer 20 before replacement will be referred to as printer 20A, and the printer 20 after replacement will be referred to as printer 20B (see FIG. 15). Furthermore, when printers 20A and 20B are collectively referred to, they will be referred to as printer 20.

First, in S181, the server 30 updates the printer information. For example, in the non-printing synchronization process shown in FIG. 8, the printer 20 updates the remaining ink amount information in the printer management table PT to the latest remaining amount information using the remaining ink amount detection unit 24, and periodically transmits the remaining ink amount together with the number of pages that can be printed to the server 30. Based on the information received from the printer 20, the server 30 updates the remaining ink amount associated with the device ID of the sending printer 20. This synchronizes the remaining ink amount information in the printer management table PT and the server management table ST.

The printer 20 may transmit the remaining ink amount to the server 30 at a specified timing, such as when the power is turned on, rather than at the timing of non-printing synchronization processing. The server 30 may also acquire the remaining ink amount. For example, the server 30 may keep a specific communication port constantly connected for printers 20 registered in the server management table ST whose activation information is in the ON state, and inquire about the remaining ink amount at specified time intervals. The server 30 may update the remaining ink amount in the server management table ST based on the inquiry result.

When the server 30 receives information on the remaining ink level from each printer 20 (S181), it judges whether or not each printer 20 needs to be replaced (S183). When the remaining ink level of a printer 20 falls below a predetermined level, the server 30 judges that the printer 20 needs to be replaced (S183: YES). The method of judging whether or not replacement is necessary is not limited to the method of comparing the remaining ink level with a predetermined level. For example, the server 30 calculates the amount of ink remaining from the update information on the remaining ink level and estimates the date and time when the ink is expected to run out completely. The server 30 may judge that replacement is necessary when a predetermined number of days have passed since the estimated date and time. Alternatively, the server 30 may estimate the number of pages that can be printed with the remaining ink level from the update information on the remaining ink level and the number of pages that can be printed, and judge that replacement is necessary when the number of pages that can be printed falls below the predetermined number. The server 30 may also receive values of judgment conditions such as the predetermined amount for judging the remaining ink level, the predetermined number of days before the ink runs out, and the predetermined number of pages that can be printed from the user.

The server 30 may also determine whether or not replacement is necessary based on information other than the remaining ink amount. For example, the server 30 may determine whether or not replacement is necessary based on the number of days that have passed since a reference date and time such as the date and time of manufacture or purchase of the printer 20, or the date and time of the first registration in the server management table ST. This allows the server 30 to determine whether or not replacement is necessary based on the period during which the user has used the printer 20. Alternatively, the server 30 may notify the user of replacement based on the timing of sales of a successor model of the printer 20, a new model of the printer 20, etc. The timing of sales of the successor model may be determined using a fixed number of years such as two or four years, or release information from the vendor. The server 30 may also notify the user of replacement based on, for example, the total number of printed pages since the user began using the printer 20 reaching a predetermined number of printed pages. The determination of whether or not replacement is necessary may also be performed by a device other than the server 30, such as the mobile terminal device 10 or the printer 20. The mobile terminal device 10 may display a replacement notification based on the remaining ink amount obtained from the printer 20.

The server 30 judges whether the exchange application information in the server management table ST is in an ON state for the printer 20 judged to require exchange in S183, that is, whether an exchange has already been applied for (S185). When the server 30 judges that an exchange has not been applied for the target printer 20 (S185: YES), it notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of an exchange request notification (S187). In S187, for example, the server 30 may send the exchange request notification only to the mobile terminal device 10 of the user who has registered the user for the printer 20A to be exchanged and who is capable of executing the charge process shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, more specifically, to the application 12B in which the user is logged in, among the users who have registered the user for the printer 20A to be exchanged, and the application 12B in which the user is logged in. Alternatively, the server 30 may send the exchange request notification to the mobile terminal device 10 and the application 12B in which the user is logged in, of all users who have registered the user. The server 30 may also send the exchange request notification to all users who have used the printer 20A, for example, to all mobile terminal devices 10 that have sent a print command to the printer 20A. Additionally, the server 30 may send the exchange request notification to an email address or the like other than the mobile terminal device 10.

When the portable terminal device 10 receives the replacement request notification of S187 (S161: YES in FIG. 12), it displays the replacement notification on the display 14 (S163). For example, when the portable terminal device 10 starts the application 12B, it searches for printers 20 on the same network and displays a list of the detected printer names on the display 14. The printers 20 displayed in this list are, for example, printers for which communication settings have been completed and initial installation has been completed. The portable terminal device 10 may display a warning mark or the like on the printer 20A notified in the replacement request notification from among the printers in the list, to notify the user that replacement is necessary.

After displaying the exchange notification in S163, the mobile terminal device 10 executes an exchange acceptance process (S165). For example, when the mobile terminal device 10 accepts an operation to select printer 20A at the input I/F 15, it accepts information on the shipping destination of the new printer and transmits an exchange application notification including the shipping address information to the server 30 (S167). The exchange application notification is a response to the exchange request notification in S187, and is information indicating that an exchange has been requested by the user, and includes, for example, information indicating the recipient (destination) that received the exchange request notification in S187. The information indicating the recipient here is, for example, a user ID or the ID of application 12B.

When the server 30 receives the exchange application notification of S167, it judges the received exchange application (S195). For example, if the user ID of the destination sent in S187 does not match the user ID of the exchange application notification received in S167, the server 30 rejects the exchange application (S195: NO) and sends an exchange rejection notification to the mobile terminal device 10 (S197). The mobile terminal device 10 makes a negative judgment in S169 of FIG. 12 (S169: NO) and ends the process. For example, if an exchange request notification is not sent from the server 30 but is fraudulently sent by forging an exchange request notification, the server 30 may arrange for the delivery of a new printer 20 even if the replacement deadline for the old printer 20A is not approaching. Therefore, in the server 30 of this embodiment, the exchange application is approved only if the destination of the exchange request notification and the sender of the exchange application notification match.

If the user ID of the destination of S187 matches the user ID of the sender of S167, the server 30 approves the replacement request (S195: YES). FIG. 16 shows the state of the server management table ST when the printable number is transferred from the old printer 20A to the new printer 20. If the server 30 judges in S195 that the printer is replaced and accepts the replacement request, it changes the replacement request information corresponding to the printer 20A (the replacement request information corresponding to the device ID "dv1" in the diagram on the left side of FIG. 16) to ON. As a result, even if the server 30 judges again in S183 that replacement is necessary (S183: YES), it does not send the replacement request notification of S187 by making a negative judgment in S185. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary replacement request notifications from being sent each time the remaining ink level decreases.

If the exchange request notification received in S167 includes information about the shipping address, the server 30 issues an order to ship a new printer 20 (S199). For example, the server 30 notifies the distribution center of the shipping address information and the model information of the replaced printer 20B. Note that a user who does not wish to have the printer shipped can use a printer 20B other than the printer 20A at home by, for example, requesting an exchange without inputting a shipping address. Alternatively, the user may purchase the printer 20B at a brick-and-mortar store such as a retail store or electronics retailer.

When the server 30 approves the exchange request in S195, it issues a takeover code (S201) and transmits the issued takeover code to the mobile terminal device 10 (S203). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the takeover code in S203, it makes a positive determination in S169 of FIG. 12 (S169: YES) and displays the takeover code (S173). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the takeover code after transmitting the exchange request notification in S167, it displays the takeover code on the display 14.

This takeover code is information used to determine whether the user performing the takeover process, which transfers the number of printable pages from the old printer 20A to the new printer 20B, is the user who performed the application process. As shown in FIG. 16, the takeover code 97 is, for example, a character string that combines alphanumeric characters, and is temporarily associated in the server management table ST with the device ID of the printer 20A that accepted the replacement application. The user makes a note of the takeover code 97 displayed on the display 14 and records it.

(Handover process)
Next, the takeover process executed by the mobile terminal device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 14. The takeover process is a process for transferring the printable number from the printer 20A before replacement to the printer 20B after replacement.

First, in S211 of FIG. 14, the mobile terminal device 10 receives the designation of the replaced printer 20B based on a predetermined operation on the input I/F 15, and then determines whether input of the takeover code 97 has been received (S213). If the takeover code 97 has not been received (S213: NO), the mobile terminal device 10 receives the designation of the printer 20B, etc. (S211).

On the other hand, when the portable terminal device 10 accepts input of the takeover code 97 (S213: YES), it sends a takeover command to the server 30 (S215). Next, the portable terminal device 10 determines whether or not a connection request for connecting the previous printer 20A has been received from the server 30 (S217). When the portable terminal device 10 receives the connection request (S217: YES), it displays a screen requesting the connection of the printer 20A on the display 14 (S218), and ends the process shown in FIG. 14.

If the mobile terminal device 10 does not receive a connection request (S217: NO), it determines whether it has received from the server 30 the number of printable sheets to be handed over from printer 20A to printer 20B (S219). The mobile terminal device 10 repeats the determination process of S217 until it receives the number of printable sheets (S219: NO). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the number of printable sheets (S219: YES), it displays the received number of printable sheets, i.e., the number of printable sheets to be handed over and the handover destination, etc., on the display 14 (S221), and accepts the user's approval for the displayed handover details (S223).

If the user does not approve the transfer (S223: NO), the mobile terminal device 10 ends the process shown in FIG. 14. On the other hand, if the transfer is approved (S223: YES), the mobile terminal device 10 sends an approval notification to the server 30 indicating that the transfer content has been approved by the user (S225). After sending the approval notification, the mobile terminal device 10 determines whether or not a transfer completion notification indicating that the transfer process has been completed has been received from the server 30 (S227). The mobile terminal device 10 repeatedly executes the determination process of S227 until it receives a transfer completion notification (S227: NO). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives a transfer completion notification (S227: YES), it executes post-transfer processing (S229) and ends the process shown in FIG. 14.

(Operation of Printing System 1 in Takeover Process)
Next, the user's operations during the takeover process and the content of the processes performed by each device will be described.
15, the mobile terminal device 10 executes an acceptance process for the replaced printer 20B. After obtaining the takeover code 97 in the above-mentioned application process, the user performs an operation on the input I/F 15 to select the (replaced) printer 20B to which the user wishes to take over.

The following description will be given, as an example, of the case where the printable number is transferred to a new printer 20B shipped from a vendor. For example, after requesting the shipment of printer 20B, the user performs communication settings on printer 20B that has been sent to the user's home, connects printer 20B to router 2, and enables communication between printer 20B and server 30. In this state, printer 20B has completed the initial installation and communication settings, its activation information is turned off, and it is not capable of printing.

The mobile terminal device 10 accepts input of a takeover code 97 for handing over to the selected printer 20B based on a predetermined operation on the input I/F 15 (S213). When the takeover code 97 is input, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits a takeover command to the server 30 (S215). The mobile terminal device 10 transmits the device ID of the printer 20B and the information of the input takeover code 97 to the server 30, including the takeover command.

When the server 30 receives the takeover command of S215, it executes a process of searching for the old printer 20A on the network based on the received takeover code 97 (S241). For example, the server 30 sends a message to the printer 20A to confirm the communication connection status (S243), and confirms the communication connection status based on the response of the printer 20A to the message (S243). If the server 30 does not receive a normal response from the printer 20A, it sends a connection request to the mobile terminal device 10 (S245). In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 makes an affirmative judgment at S217 in FIG. 14 (S217: YES) and displays the connection request on the display 14 (S218). For example, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a message such as "The old printer 20A does not seem to be connected to the network. Please check the connection" on the display 14. This can prompt the user to connect the printer 20A to the network.

On the other hand, when the server 30 receives a normal response from the printer 20A to the message confirming the communication connection status in S243 (S247), it sends a print restriction command to the printer 20A to restrict printing (S249). When the printer 20A receives the print restriction command from the server 30, it transitions to a state in which printing is restricted (S251). The printer 20A transitions to a state in which it does not accept, for example, print commands from the mobile terminal device 10 or print commands based on operation input from the user I/F 27, or does not execute printing even if it accepts them. When the transition to the print restriction state is complete, the printer 20A responds to the server 30 that the transition has been completed (S253). Note that when the printer 20A is currently printing or has a print job scheduled to be executed, it is preferable for the printer 20A to transition to the print restriction state after the printing is completed.

Furthermore, the method by which the server 30 confirms communication with the printer 20A is not limited to the method of sending a confirmation message described above. For example, in a configuration in which periodic communication is performed from the printer 20 to the server 30, the server 30 may determine that communication with the printer 20A is possible, for example, if there is access from the printer 20A within a certain period of time. Alternatively, the server 30 may determine that communication is possible, for example, if there is access from the printer 20A within a certain period of time and the server 30 is able to send a print restriction command to the printer 20A.

When the server 30 receives a transition completion notification from printer 20A in S253, it sends a command to printer 20 requesting the number of printable sheets (S255). When printer 20A receives the request command in S255, it sends the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT, i.e., the current number of printable sheets, to the server 30 (S257). When the server 30 receives the number of printable sheets from printer 20A, it updates the number of printable sheets associated with the device ID of printer 20A in the server management table ST to the received number of printable sheets (S259). This makes it possible to match the number of printable sheets in the server management table ST with the latest number of printable sheets for printer 20A. Furthermore, by limiting the printing of printer 20A, it is possible to suppress future fluctuations in the number of printable sheets.

When the server 30 updates the printable number in the server management table ST, it sends the updated printable number, i.e., the printable number of printer 20A, to the mobile terminal device 10 as information on the printable number to be taken over (S261). After sending the takeover command to the server 30 in S215, the mobile terminal device 10 receives the printable number in S261 and displays information on the source printer 20A, the destination printer 20B, the printable number to be taken over, etc. on the display 14 and confirms the user's approval of the takeover contents (S223).

The user checks the displayed contents to see if the printable number will be transferred to the intended printer 20A, 20B, and if the printable number to be transferred is correct. When the mobile terminal device 10 accepts the operation to approve (S223: YES), it displays a screen indicating that the handover process is in progress on the display 14. The mobile terminal device 10 also sends an approval notice to the server 30 (S225). When the server 30 receives the approval notice, it performs user authentication (S263). In S263, the server 30 checks whether the user performing the handover, i.e., the user who sent the approval notice in S225, is the user who uses the printer 20A before replacement. If the handover contents are not approved, the server 30 cancels the print restriction on the printer 20A because it has interrupted the handover process.

The method of user authentication is not particularly limited. For example, in user registration as shown in FIG. 4, the server 30 may register the email address of the user who uses the printer 20A in advance in the server management table ST in association with the device ID. Then, in S263, the server 30 may send an email containing an authentication URL to the registered user's email address, and determine that the user authentication is successful if access to the URL is detected within a specified time. If the user authentication fails, the server 30 may send a message to the mobile terminal device 10 that sent the message in S225 indicating that the authentication has failed. Furthermore, the server 30 may lift the printing restrictions on the printer 20A since the handover process has been interrupted.

If the server 30 is successful in user authentication in S263, it sends a zero command to printer 20A to set the number of printable pages to zero (S265). When printer 20A receives the zero command, it updates the number of printable pages in the printer management table PT to zero (S267) and notifies the server 30 that it has been updated to zero (S269). This makes it possible to set the number of printable pages on the previous printer 20A to zero before transferring the number of printable pages to the new printer 20B. Note that the server 30 may leave a specified number of printable pages, such as one, on printer 20A rather than setting the number of printable pages to zero.

When the server 30 receives the notification of S269, it executes a charge-disabled setting that restricts charging to the replaced printer 20A (S271). For example, the server 30 may store a charge-disabled flag indicating that charging is not possible in the planned charge quantity for the printer 20A (see FIG. 16), and when a charge to the printer 20A is accepted from the mobile terminal device 10, the server 30 may notify the mobile terminal device 10 that charging is not possible based on the charge-disabled flag.

When the server 30 executes S271, it sends a command to printer 20B to add the number of printable pages to be taken over, i.e., the number of printable pages of printer 20A, to the number of printable pages of its own device (S273). Printer 20B adds the received number of printable pages to the number of printable pages in its own device's printer management table PT, and sends a notification to the server 30 that the addition was successful (S275). When the server 30 receives the notification of S275, it adds the inherited number of printable pages to the number of printable pages of printer 20B in the server management table ST (S277).

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, by executing the above-mentioned handover process, the number of printable pages of printer 20A becomes zero (blank state), and the number of printable pages of printer 20B is charged with the number of printable pages "pr1" inherited from printer 20A. Also, if the activation information of printer 20B is OFF at the time of handover (new purchase, etc.), the activation information of the replaced printer 20B is turned ON in conjunction with turning OFF the activation information of the replaced printer 20A. The timing of changing the activation information of printers 20A and 20B is not particularly limited, but for example, the server 30 may send a command to printer 20A in the command of S249 to turn OFF the activation information of printer 20A. Also, the server 30 may send a command to printer 20B in conjunction with the command of S273 to turn ON the activation information. Alternatively, when the command to add the number of printable sheets in S273 is received, printer 20B may automatically set the activation information to ON and notify the result to server 30 in S275. Furthermore, since the takeover is complete, server 30 sets the exchange application information for printer 20A to OFF. Furthermore, since the takeover is complete, server 30 deletes the takeover code 97 that was associated with printer 20A.

The server 30 sends a completion notification to the mobile terminal device 10 that the handover has been completed (S277). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the completion notification (S227: YES in FIG. 14), it executes post-handover post-processing (S229). For example, as post-processing, the mobile terminal device 10 may display the replaced printer 20A in a state different from the state before the handover, such as by displaying the printer 20A in a grayed-out state, and may not accept any operations on the printer 20A. Alternatively, the mobile terminal device 10 may execute post-processing to delete the icon of the printer 20A.

Incidentally, the mobile terminal device 10 is an example of an information processing device. The application 12B is an example of a program. The print data 12C is an example of recording data. The display 14 is an example of a display unit. The printer 20 is an example of a storage device. The printer 20A is an example of a replaced recording device. The printer 20B is an example of a replacement recording device. The printing unit 25 is an example of a recording unit. The printer memory unit 26B is an example of a recording device memory unit. The server 30 is an example of a reception server. The device ID is an example of recording device identification information. The charge screen 71 is an example of a selection screen. The number of printable sheets in the server management table ST is an example of server-side recording permission information and server-side recording permission amount. The number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT is an example of recording device-side recording permission information and recording device-side recording permission amount. The charge number accepted on the charge screen 71 in FIG. 10 is an example of the accepted recording permission amount. S111 to S115, S121, and S123 are examples of a reception process and a reception step. S133 is an example of an allowed amount setting process and an allowed amount setting step. S79 is an example of a recording process. S93 and the process of FIG. 8 are examples of an update process and an update step. S167 is an example of an exchange request process. S163 is an example of a notification process. S273 and S277 are examples of an association process.

(Effects) According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(1) The server 30 stores the device ID for identifying the printer 20 in the server management table ST in association with the printable number. When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the charge number (S111 to S115), it transmits to the server 30 the permission amount setting information (an example of a setting command) that causes the server 30 to execute a setting to add the charge number to the printable number corresponding to the received device ID (S133). According to this, the server 30 can manage the printable number of each printer 20 in association with the device ID of the printer 20. Also, any user who uses the printer 20 can charge the printable number by specifying the device ID and the charge number and transmitting the permission amount setting information to the server 30. That is, charging can be performed by unspecified users who use the printer 20. A user can execute printing within the range permitted by the printable number by issuing a print command to the printer 20. Users can also share the charge number. This allows a new printing service that is highly convenient for users to be realized.

(2) In addition, in S133, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits the device ID of the currently selected printer 20 (e.g., the printer 20 selected on the printer display unit 61), the selected charge number, and a command to add, i.e., information related to setting the charge number, to the server 30 as permitted amount setting information. This makes it possible to cause the server 30 and the printer 20 to execute a process of adding the charge number to the number of printable sheets based on the charge number.

(3) In addition, in S133, the mobile terminal device 10 may transmit the charge number to the server 30 and cause the server 30 to execute a process of adding the charge number to the number of printable sheets in the server management table ST. In this way, by having the server 30 perform the process of adding the charge number, after the server 30 has performed the addition process, it is possible to perform a synchronization process with the printer 20 at the server 30's timing.

(4) In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 may execute an auto-charge in S133 to automatically charge the number of printable sheets. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may notify the server 30 in S133 of the number of sheets to be charged or a charge command to be issued when the number of printable sheets falls to a specified number for the printer 20 selected by the user. This makes it possible to automatically charge the number of printable sheets every time the number of printable sheets falls to the specified number. Since the user does not need to perform charging as needed, a printing service that is highly convenient for the user can be provided.

(5) In addition, in S133, the mobile terminal device 10 may notify the server 30 of the number of printable sheets after adding the charge number. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may obtain the latest number of printable sheets from the printer 20 or the server 30, and send the result of adding the charge number in S133. This reduces the processing load on the server 30 and the printer 20 involved in the addition process.

(6) In addition, in S111, the mobile terminal device 10 displays on the display 14 a charge screen 71 that accepts the selection of the charge number, and accepts the selection of a charge icon 74 via the input I/F 15. The mobile terminal device 10 causes the server 30 to charge the charge number corresponding to the selected charge icon 74. In this way, by accepting the selection of the charge number to be charged from among pre-set charge numbers, the processing content of the charge process can be simplified. For example, by setting the charge number and identification information identifying that charge number in advance between the application 12B and the server 30, the mobile terminal device 10 can cause the server 30 to identify the number to be charged by transmitting identification information of the selected charge number to the server 30 without transmitting the value of the charge number.

(7) In addition, when accepting the selection of the charge quantity in S111, the portable terminal device 10 displays a list of printer names of printers 20 on the same network and printers 20 that have previously performed printing and charging processes, i.e., printers 20 that have communicated with the portable terminal device 10, in response to the selection of the selection button 63 on the menu screen 51. When a printer 20 is selected from the list and the status icon 57 on the menu screen 51 is selected, the portable terminal device 10 displays a charge screen 71 for the selected printer 20. This makes it possible to accept the selection of the printer 20 to be charged from among the printers 20 on the same network as the portable terminal device 10 and the history of printers 20 that have communicated in the past.

(8) In addition, in S79, the mobile terminal device 10 sends a print command to the printer 20 and causes the printer 20 to print the print data 12C. This allows multiple users to issue print commands to the same printer 20, allowing the printer 20 to be shared.

(9) The server 30 and printer 20 also synchronize the printable number in the server management table ST with the printable number in the printer management table PT (S93 in FIG. 7, FIG. 8). In S77, the mobile terminal device 10 sends a print command to the printer 20 if the printable number obtained from the printer 20 in S75 is equal to or greater than the number of pages specified in the print execution operation (S55: YES in FIG. 6). This allows the print command to be issued to the printer 20 only if the printable number of pages of the printer 20 is equal to or greater than the number of pages to be printed. This prevents the occurrence of a situation in which the printable number runs out midway and printing becomes impossible.

(10) The server 30 also accepts a request to replace the printer 20. The mobile terminal device 10 transmits a request for replacement to the server 30 in response to an operational input to the input I/F 15 (S167). This allows the user to make a request for replacement on the mobile terminal device 10 in response to the remaining ink level of the printer 20 decreasing.

(11) Furthermore, when the remaining ink level (one example of the remaining colorant level) obtained from the printer 20A falls below a predetermined level, the server 30 sends a replacement request notification to the mobile terminal device 10 (S187). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the replacement request notification, it executes a replacement notification display (S163). This makes it possible to prompt the user to replace the printer 20 at an appropriate time depending on the reduction in the remaining ink level. Note that the determination of the remaining ink level may be executed by the mobile terminal device 10.

(12) In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits the takeover command of S215 to the server 30, thereby transferring the number of printable pages of the printer 20A before replacement to the number of printable pages of the printer 20B after replacement (S273, S277). This allows the remaining number of printable pages of the printer 20A that needs to be replaced to be transferred to the new printer 20B for use.

(13) The mobile terminal device 10 may also send a start command to at least one of the server 30 and the printer 20 to start the synchronization process of the printable number. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 commands the printer 20 to perform the synchronization process during the initial charge in FIG. 4 (S43). The mobile terminal device 10 may also send the print command in S79 in FIG. 7 to the printer 20 to cause the printer 20 to execute the synchronization process after printing. The mobile terminal device 10 may also send a start command to the printer 20 to start the non-printing synchronization process in FIG. 8. The mobile terminal device 10 may also send a command to the server 30 to synchronize the printable number with the printer 20. This allows the server 30 and the printer 20 to synchronize the printable number at any time, such as before the charge process, after the print process, or after the power is turned on.

(14) The printer 20 is also configured to make it difficult for a user to refill the ink. This can prevent unauthorized use of the printer 20, such as using the printer 20 for printing other than that performed by the printing system 1 after refilling the printer 20 with ink.

(15) The printing system 1 also restricts the printing operations of the printer 20 depending on whether the printable number of sheets satisfies a specific condition. Here, "satisfying a specific condition" refers to, for example, "the condition where the printable number in the printer management table PT becomes zero" or "the condition where the printable number becomes less than the specified number of sheets to be printed (S55: NO)" in the above embodiment. Therefore, S55 and S57 are examples of control steps. This makes it possible to restrict the printing service provided by the printer 20 depending on the printable number charged by the user or the service provided by the vendor.

Other Embodiments
In the above embodiment, the remaining printable number after subtraction by printing is synchronized (matched) between the printer 20 and the server 30, but the update process of the present application is not limited to matching the printable number. Fig. 17 shows a printing system 1A of another embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for configurations similar to those of the above embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 17, for example, the server 30 of the printing system 1A stores the number of printed sheets 151 and the number of charged sheets 152 in the server memory unit 32B. The printer 20 stores the number of printed sheets 153 and the number of charged sheets 154 in the printer memory unit 26B. The numbers of printed sheets 151 and 153 are the total number of printed sheets printed by the printer 20. In other words, unlike the number of printable sheets in the above embodiment, the numbers of printed sheets 151 and 153 are numbers that increase with each increase in the number of prints. The numbers of charged sheets 152 and 154 are the total number of charged sheets charged by the mobile terminal device 10. In other words, the numbers of charged sheets 152 and 154 are numbers that increase with each charge from the mobile terminal device 10. In this case, the number of printable sheets is the value obtained by subtracting the numbers of printed sheets 151 and 153 from the numbers of charged sheets 152 and 154. The printer 20 and server 30 execute an update process for the printed numbers 151, 153 and the charged numbers 152, 154, updating one piece of information based on the other piece of information. The printed number 151 and the charged number 152 are examples of server-side recording permission information. The printed number 153 and the charged number 154 are examples of recording device-side recording permission information.

In more detail, for example, 5000 sheets are charged to the printer 20 at the time of purchase as the initial value of the charged number 154. When the printer 20 executes a print process, it increases the printed number 153 by the number of sheets printed (S307). For example, after printing, if the value obtained by subtracting the printed number 153 from the charged number 154, i.e., the number of printable sheets, becomes zero, the printer 20 restricts subsequent print operations. Alternatively, the printer 20 may not execute printing if the number of printable sheets is insufficient after calculating the number of printable sheets before printing. For example, the printer 20 may cancel printing of the print command if the "condition that the number of printable sheets exceeds the number of prints specified in the print command" or the "condition that (the number of printed sheets 153 + the number of prints specified) exceeds the charged number 154" is met before printing (an example of the "case where the recording permission information satisfies a predetermined condition" in the present application) (an example of a control step in the present application). Also, the server 30 may determine the number of printable sheets by subtracting the number of printed sheets 151 from the number of charged sheets 152, and may limit printing by controlling the activation information of the printer 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of printable sheets (an example of the printable amount in this application) itself can be managed by calculation without being stored in the device.

Also, for example, when the server 30 receives a charge command from the mobile terminal device 10 (S310), it adds the charge number (e.g., 1000 sheets) instructed by the charge command to the charged number 152 (S303). The server 30 updates (overwrites) the charged number 154 of the printer 20 with the charged number 152 after the addition (S305). As a result, the charged number is added to the charged number 154 of the printer 20 (e.g., 5000 + 1000 = 6000 sheets). The server 30 may notify the printer 20 of the charge number to be added as in the above embodiment without overwriting the charged number 154, and have the printer 20 execute the addition process. Alternatively, the server 30 may notify the printer 20 of the difference between the charged number 152 after the addition and the printed number 151. The printer 20 may then add the received difference value to the number of printed pages 153 to calculate and update the number of charged pages 154.

The printer 20 sets the updated charged number 154 (e.g., 6,000 sheets) as an upper limit, and when it receives a print command from the mobile terminal device 10 or the like (S310), it prints until the printed number 153 is equal to or greater than the charged number 154. As described above, the printer 20 increases the printed number 153 by the number of printed sheets, for example, each time printing is completed (S307). The printer 20 then updates (overwrites) the printed number 151 of the server 30 with the increased printed number 153 (S309).

Incidentally, in the other embodiments described above, the number of printed pages 151 and the number of charged pages 152 are examples of server-side recording permission information. The number of printed pages 153 and the number of charged pages 154 are examples of recording device-side recording permission information. The amount obtained by subtracting the number of printed pages 151, 153 from the number of charged pages 152, 154 is an example of the server-side recording permission amount and the recording device-side recording permission amount.

(Effects) According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
The server 30 sends the charged number 152, which is the sum of the charged number received from the mobile terminal device 10, to the printer 20, and updates the charged number 154 of the printer 20 (S305). The printer 20 also updates the printed number 153 with the number of sheets printed by the printing operation executed based on the print command of S310 (S307). The printer 20 updates the printed number 151 of the server 30 based on the updated printed number 153 (S309). In this way, the server 30 notifies the charged number 152, and the printer 20 notifies the printed number 153, allowing the number of printable sheets to be managed by each other. The frequency of communication during the update process can be reduced.

(Modification)
Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

In the above embodiment, the mobile terminal device 10, which is a smartphone, is used as the information processing terminal of the present application, but this is not limited to this. As the information processing device, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or other terminal can be used.
Furthermore, a plurality of mobile terminal devices 10 may issue printing commands or purchase additional printable sheets to one printer 20 .
In addition, in the present embodiment, the server 30 communicates with one portable terminal device 10, but the server 30 may communicate with multiple portable terminal devices 10. For example, the server 30 may receive recharge commands from multiple portable terminal devices 10, add the recharge number to the printable number associated with each printer 20 based on the recharge command from each portable terminal device 10, and store the recharge number in the server storage unit 32B. This allows each user to recharge their personal printer 20 or a shared printer 20 from any location. In this case, the server 30 may notify each portable terminal device 10 of the updated printable number.
The printer 20 may be configured so that the user can refill ink (so that each ink tank in the tank unit 23 can be replaced). Another example of a means for refilling consumables such as ink is a configuration in which ink can be poured into the tank unit 23 from a bottle containing ink.
In addition, although an inkjet printer 20 is employed as the recording device of the present application, a laser printer or a thermal printer may also be used. The recording device is not limited to a printer for personal users, but may be a commercial or industrial printing machine. Therefore, the recording device may be a multifunction machine that has a scanning function, a copying function, a fax function, etc. in addition to a printing function. The recording device may also be a laser marker that uses a laser to mark metal members, etc. Therefore, the recording medium of the present application is not limited to paper, but may be metal members, etc.

Furthermore, printer 20 is configured to store printer management table PT in printer storage unit 26B, but this is not limited to the above. For example, printer 20 may be equipped with a reading I/F capable of reading IC cards, memory cards, etc. Printer 20 may then read and use information in printer management table PT, such as the device ID and printable number of sheets, from an IC card or the like attached to the reading I/F. In other words, printer 20 may be configured to manage printer management table PT using an IC card or the like.
Alternatively, printer 20 may store and manage information in the printer management table PT, such as the number of printable pages, in a memory provided in an ink tank of printing unit 25, or in the case of a laser printer, in a memory of a toner cartridge or a memory of a photosensitive drum, or in other memory other than the memory unit in which printer program 26B1 is stored.
Furthermore, the application 12B that executes the initial device setting process, the printing process, the charging process, the application process, and the handover process may be a separate application program.
Furthermore, the recording permission amount indicated by the recording permission information in this application is not limited to the number of printed sheets. For example, the recording permission amount may be the amount of ink or toner consumed. The recording permission amount may be the amount of ink permitted to be ejected (dots (pixels)) or the amount of ink permitted to be used (e.g., ml). Alternatively, the recording permission amount may be defined by the number of rotations of a member that rotates in conjunction with the printing operation, such as a photosensitive drum.

The processes of S249 and S251 for restricting printing by the replaced printer 20A may be executed by issuing a command from the mobile terminal device 10 to the printer 20A.
In the above embodiment, the printable number of one printer 20A is transferred to one printer 20B, but this is not limited to the above. The printable number of the printer 20A may be divided and transferred to multiple printers 20B. The printable numbers of multiple printers 20A may be integrated and transferred to one printer 20B.
The application process accepts an application for replacement from a user, but the server 30 may automatically issue a takeover code 97 and ship the printer 20B to the user of the printer 20A that it determines needs replacement, regardless of whether an application has been made or not.
A part or all of the processes of the server 30, such as checking the connection in S243, restricting printing in S249, and obtaining the number of printable sheets in S255, may be executed by a device (such as the mobile terminal device 10 or the printer 20) other than the server 30. Similarly, the processes of the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may be executed by the server 30.

The mobile terminal device 10 may also store the number of printable sheets obtained from the printer 20 or the server 30 in the terminal storage unit 12 and notify the user of the number. This allows the user to check the latest number of printable sheets by operating the mobile terminal device 10, for example. The mobile terminal device 10 may also execute a synchronization process for the number of printable sheets in cooperation with the server 30 and the printer 20. Even if the user is in a place where communication with the printer 20 is not possible (e.g., outside the LAN), the user can check the latest number of printable sheets and issue a command to the server 30 to take over, etc.
Furthermore, the replacement identification information when replacing the printer 20 is not limited to the takeover code 97. For example, the serial number of the printer 20 that is assigned to each product can be used as the replacement identification information. In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 does not need to obtain the replacement identification information from the server 30, unlike the takeover code 97. For example, a serial number may be printed on the box of the replacement printer 20B shipped from the vendor, and the server 30 may determine the number of printable pages to be taken over by accepting the serial number at the time of takeover. In this case, there is no need for an application process to request the issuance of the takeover code 97.

In the above embodiment, the printer 20 is replaced based on the remaining amount of ink. However, the printer 20 may be replaced when a malfunction occurs in the printer 20 or when the user desires a printer 20 different from the printer 20 currently being used.
9, by selecting a desired charge icon 74 from the charge screen 71 displayed on the display 14, the charge number corresponding to the selected charge icon 74 is charged (added) to the printable number. However, the system may be configured so that the user can input a desired charge number, the charge number input by the user is charged to the printable number, and the vendor bills the user for the amount of charge according to the input charge number. The printing system 1 may be configured not only to charge paper, but also to charge points or charge an amount of ink. In this case, the points or amount of ink per print may be calculated according to, for example, single-sided or double-sided printing, or the amount of ink used in the print data, and the points or amount of ink may be counted from the charged points or amount of ink.

1, 1A printing system (recording system), 10 portable terminal device (information processing device), 12B application (program), 14 display (display unit), 15 input I/F, 20 printer (storage device), 20A printer (replaceable recorded device), 20B printer (replaceable recording device), 25 printing unit (recording unit), 26B printer memory unit (recording device memory unit), 30 server (reception server), 32B server memory unit, 71 charge screen (selection screen).

Claims (6)

A recording device;
A server;
an information processing device capable of communicating with the recording device and the server;
A recording system comprising:
The information processing device includes:
Equipped with an input interface,
The recording device includes:
a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium;
a recording device storage unit for storing recording device side recording permission information relating to a recording device side recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit;
Equipped with
The server,
a server storage unit that stores recording device identification information for identifying the recording device and server-side recording permission information related to a server-side recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit, in association with each other;
The information processing device includes:
a receiving process of receiving, via the input interface, the recording device identification information and an accepted recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit;
an allowance amount setting process for transmitting to the server a setting command for causing the server to set the server-side recording permission information corresponding to the recording device identification information received in the receiving process;
Run
The server,
when the setting command is received from the information processing device by the permission amount setting process, the accepted recording permission amount is transmitted to the recording device, and the accepted recording permission amount is added to the recording device side recording permission amount indicated by the recording device side recording permission information;
The server and the recording device
a recording system which performs mutual communication and executes an update process for updating one of the server-side recording permission information and the recorder-side recording permission information based on the other recording permission information. The recording device includes:
2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the colorant contained in the recording device is configured to be non-refillable by a user. The information processing device includes:
3. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein record data to be recorded is transmitted to the recording device, and recording of the record data by the recording section is executed in the recording device. The server,
A recording system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, capable of accepting the setting commands from a plurality of the information processing devices, and storing the server-side recording permission information corresponding to the recording device in response to each of the setting commands, the server-side recording permission information being shared by the plurality of the information processing devices. A recording device;
A server;
an information processing device capable of communicating with the recording device and the server;
A control method for a recording system comprising:
The information processing device includes:
Equipped with an input interface,
The recording device includes:
a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium;
a recording device storage unit for storing recording device side recording permission information relating to a recording device side recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit;
Equipped with
The server,
a server storage unit that stores recording device identification information for identifying the recording device and server-side recording permission information related to a server-side recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit, in association with each other;
a receiving step of receiving, via the input interface, the recording device identification information and an accepted recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit;
an allowance amount setting step of transmitting to the server a setting command for causing the server to set the server-side recording permission information corresponding to the recording device identification information received in the receiving step;
a step of transmitting the accepted recording permission amount from the server to the recording device when the setting command is received from the information processing device in the permission amount setting step, and adding the accepted recording permission amount to the recording device side recording permission amount indicated by the recording device side recording permission information;
an updating step of causing the server and the recording device to communicate with each other and updating one of the server-side recording permission information and the recording device-side recording permission information based on the other recording permission information ;
A control method comprising: 6. The control method according to claim 5, further comprising a control step of restricting operations relating to recording in response to the recording device side recording permission information satisfying a predetermined condition.

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