Server apparatus, printing system, printing apparatus, and distribution system

Abstract

The present application provides a technique in which a server device can accurately determine the usage status of a printing device whose usage conditions are determined by a specific contract plan. The server device includes: a server communication unit that performs data communication with a printing device whose usage conditions for monochrome printing and color printing are determined by a specific contract plan, the printing device performing printing using at least either a first consumable that is a black consumable or a second consumable that is a consumable other than black; an acquisition unit that acquires, from the printing device via the server communication unit, consumption amount information related to the respective consumption amounts of the consumables of the respective colors; and a determination unit that determines the usage status of the monochrome printing and the color printing using the acquired consumption amount information and a determination reference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technology associated with a printing apparatus that has determined a specific contract scheme. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, it was known that in an image forming apparatus that is a printing device capable of both monochrome and color printing, printing was performed by determining whether to perform color printing or monochrome printing based on the color ratio of the printing data (Patent Document 1).

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-238788

[0006] Here, users of the image forming apparatus sometimes enter into specific contractual agreements with service providers. In such cases, usage fees are charged based on the specific contractual agreement, corresponding to the monochrome and color printing usage of the image forming apparatus. In this situation, in order to collect usage fees based on the specific contractual agreement, it is necessary to determine the usage status of the image forming apparatus in a server device separate from the image forming apparatus. However, in the prior art, it is difficult for the server device to determine the usage status of the image forming apparatus with high accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a server apparatus is provided. The server apparatus comprises: a server communication unit that communicates data with a printing apparatus whose usage conditions for monochrome and color printing are determined through a specific contractual scheme, the printing apparatus performing printing using at least one of a first consumable as a black consumable and a second consumable as a consumable other than black; an acquisition unit that acquires consumption amount information related to the consumption amount of each color consumable from the printing apparatus via the server communication unit; and a determination unit that determines the usage status of monochrome and color printing using the acquired consumption amount information and a determination criterion.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a printing system is provided. The printing system comprises: a server device as described above; and a printing apparatus that determines the usage conditions for monochrome printing and color printing through a specific contractual scheme. The printing apparatus comprises: a printhead having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting a first consumable as a black consumable and a second consumable as a consumable other than black; a communication unit for data communication with the server device; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus. The control unit comprises: a consumption information generation unit that generates consumption information related to the amount of the first and second consumables ejected and consumed from the nozzles of the printhead, and transmits the consumption information to the server device via the communication unit.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus is provided that determines the usage conditions for monochrome printing and color printing through a specific contractual scheme. The printing apparatus comprises: a printhead having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting a first consumable as a black consumable and a second consumable as a consumable other than black; a communication unit that communicates data with a server device, the server device calculating the usage fee of the printing apparatus corresponding to the specific contractual scheme; and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing apparatus, the control unit comprising: a consumption information generation unit that calculates the amount of the first and second consumables ejected and consumed from the nozzles of the printhead and transmits this information to the server device via the communication unit.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a delivery system for distributing consumables is provided. The delivery system includes: any one of a server device according to the above-described method, a printing system according to the above-described method, and a printing apparatus according to the above-described method; and a management server device that manages the delivery of the consumables, the management server device comprising: a delivery processing unit that, upon obtaining information indicating that the remaining quantity of the consumables in the printing apparatus is below a predetermined baseline remaining quantity value, performs a process of delivering the consumables of a type corresponding to the obtained information to the printing apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the delivery system of this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram used to illustrate one example of multiple contract schemes.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram used to illustrate the printing unit.

[0014] Figure 4This is a diagram used to illustrate the nozzle and suction mechanism.

[0015] Figure 5 It is a diagram used to illustrate the specific processing of the contract scheme and printing equipment.

[0016] Figure 6 This is an internal block diagram of the server device.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the decision-making process.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of changing recommendation information.

[0019] Figure 9 This is an internal block diagram of the management server device.

[0020] [Label Explanation]

[0021] 9: Computer; 10, 10X1, 10X2, 10Xn: Printing unit; 12: Carrier motor; 13: Drive mechanism; 14: Sliding shaft; 16: Drive belt; 18: Pulley; 20, 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K: Container; 21: Paper feeding mechanism; 22: Paper feeding motor; 26: Paper feeding roller; 30: Suction mechanism; 31: Cover component; 33: Lifting mechanism; 34: Suction pump; 36: Discharge path; 38: Opening; 40: Control device; 41: CPU; 42: Printing action unit; 43: Consumption information generation unit; 44: First rinsing mode; 45: Second rinsing mode; 46: Cleaning mode; 47: Remaining quantity determination unit; 50, 50x1, 50x2, 50xn: Printing device; 51: Contract scheme Information; 54: Communication Department; 55: Storage Department; 57: Operation Department; 59: Chassis; 70: Server Unit; 71: Server CPU; 72: Acquisition Department; 73: Judgment Department; 74: Change Recommendation Department; 75: Cost Calculation Department; 76: Server Storage Department; 77: Baseline Ratio; 78: Index Value; 79: Server Communication Department; 82: Printhead; 84: Nozzle Surface; 86: Piezoelectric Element; 88: Nozzle; 90: Management Server Unit; 91: Management CPU; 93: Distribution Processing Department; 94: Management Communication Department; 95: Management Storage Department; 100: Agency; 101: Computer; 200: Distribution System; 300: Printing System; IM1: Recommended Image; IM2: Image; IMA: Change Recommendation Information; P: Printing Media. Detailed Implementation

[0022] A. Implementation method:

[0023] Figure 1This diagram illustrates the delivery system 200 according to this embodiment. The delivery system 200 includes a printing system 300 and a management server device 90. The printing system 300 includes printing devices 50, multiple printing units 10 having a computer 9 as a control device, and a server device 70. When using multiple printing units 10 and multiple printing devices 50, "Xn" is appended to the end, and "n" is assigned an integer greater than or equal to 1. The computer 9 stores a printing driver that controls the printing devices 50. The printing units 10, server device 70, management server device 90, and the computer 101 of the agency 100 can communicate with each other via a network INT. The agency 100 enters into specific contract schemes with the users of each printing device 50. Multiple specific contract schemes are prepared. The user enters into one of the multiple contract schemes with the agency. Therefore, information indicating a specific contractual agreement has been signed is sent from the computer 101 or printing apparatus 50 of the agency 100 to the server device 70, and the server device 70 updates the result into a control program corresponding to the specific contractual agreement and stores it in the printing apparatus 50. The specific processing is related to rinsing or cleaning. The management server device 90 manages the distribution processing of containers containing consumables (described later). Alternatively, the agency 100 may also have a management server device 90.

[0024] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates one example of multiple contract schemes. Five schemes, Contract Scheme A through Contract Scheme E, are prepared. The contract schemes define the usage conditions for monochrome and color printing. These usage conditions include the number of monochrome prints, the number of color prints, and the printing cost. Specifically, the usage conditions include a fixed number of monochrome prints, a fixed number of color prints, a fixed cost, a cost for exceeding the monochrome print limit, and a cost for exceeding the color print limit. The fixed number of monochrome prints is the number of monochrome prints that can be done within a month at a fixed cost. The fixed number of color prints is the number of color prints that can be done within a month at a fixed cost. The fixed cost is a fixed fee paid by the user each month. The cost for exceeding the monochrome print limit is the cost per monochrome print when the number of monochrome prints exceeds the fixed limit. The cost for exceeding the color print limit is the cost per color print when the number of color prints exceeds the fixed limit. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cost is determined based on the A4 size, which is a predetermined size. In other embodiments, the predetermined size is not limited to A4 size. It can be A3 size or B5 size, or multiple sizes, as long as it is a size that the printing device 50 can print.

[0025] The ratio of the quota number of monochrome prints to the quota number of color prints, or usable ratio, differs in each of Contract Schemes A through E. Furthermore, the quota fee and excess fee corresponding to this usable ratio differ in Contract Schemes A through E. Here, the ratio of the number of color prints to monochrome prints that can be printed within the quota fee is referred to as the usable condition. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the usable condition may also be the number of color prints and monochrome prints that can be printed within the quota fee.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a diagram used to illustrate the printing unit 10. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the printhead 82 and the suction mechanism 30. The printing apparatus 50 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as a consumable. The printing apparatus 50 prints on a pre-defined printing medium P, which in this embodiment is A4 size. The printing apparatus 50 is capable of data communication with the computer 9 via the communication unit 54.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, the printing apparatus 50 includes a control device 40 for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus 50, a bracket 59 serving as a mounting unit, a drive mechanism 13, a paper feeding mechanism 21, a suction mechanism 30, and an operation unit 57. The operation unit 57 is an element for the user to make various settings of the printing apparatus 50 or to check the status of the printing apparatus 50, and includes an LCD display or operation buttons.

[0028] The holder 59 can be detachably mounted with ink containers 20 (also simply referred to as "container 20"). In this embodiment, the holder 59 is equipped with four types of containers 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K, each containing cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) ink respectively. Furthermore, on the side of the holder 59 opposite the printing medium P, a nozzle 82 is installed to eject the ink from the containers 20 mounted on the holder 59 to the outside. Here, without distinguishing between the containers 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K containing each color of ink, they will be simply referred to as container 20. Additionally, black ink will be referred to as the first type of consumable, and consumables other than black, namely cyan, magenta, and yellow inks in this embodiment, will be referred to as the second type of consumable.

[0029] The printing apparatus 50 performs printing using at least one of a first consumable and a second consumable. Specifically, the printing apparatus 50 is capable of performing monochrome printing using only the first consumable and color printing using both the first and second consumables. The printing apparatus 50 converts RGB image data from a printing job received from an external source into CMYK printing data and uses the printing data to perform either monochrome or color printing. The printing apparatus 50 determines the usage conditions for monochrome and color printing according to the specific contract terms stipulated in contract terms A to E.

[0030] The drive mechanism 13 is used to move the carriage 59 along the main scanning direction. The drive mechanism 13 includes a carriage motor 12, a pulley 18, a drive belt 16, and a sliding shaft 14. The sliding shaft 14 slidably holds the carriage 59, which is fixed to the drive belt 16. The rotation of the carriage motor 12 is transmitted to the carriage 59 via the drive belt 16. Thus, the carriage 59 reciprocates along the sliding shaft 14 in the main scanning direction. The paper feeding mechanism 21 includes a paper feed roller 26 and a paper feed motor 22. The printing medium P is conveyed along the secondary scanning direction by the rotation of the paper feed roller.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the suction mechanism 30 covers the nozzles 88 of the ejector head 82 and draws ink from the nozzles 88. The ejector head 82 includes a plurality of nozzles 88 formed on a nozzle surface 84 and a piezoelectric element 86 serving as a pressure generating mechanism. The plurality of nozzles 88 have a nozzle array communicating with container 20C, a nozzle array communicating with container 20M, a nozzle array communicating with container 20Y, and a nozzle array communicating with container 20K. The plurality of nozzles 88 are capable of ejecting a first consumable as black ink and a second consumable as ink other than black. The piezoelectric element 86 is driven according to instructions from the CPU 41, thereby causing the nozzles 88 to eject ink.

[0032] The suction mechanism 30 includes a cover member 31, a lifting mechanism 33, a suction pump 34, and a discharge flow path 36. The cover member 31 is concave and covers the nozzle surface 84. The cover member 31 covers the nozzle surface 84, forming a closed space. An opening 38 is formed at the bottom of the cover member 31. The opening 38 is connected to the discharge flow path 36, which is formed by a tube. The ink flowing in the discharge flow path 36 is stored in a waste liquid tank (not shown). The suction pump 34 is positioned midway through the discharge flow path 36. The suction pump 34 is driven according to instructions from the CPU 41. The lifting mechanism 33 raises and lowers the cover member 31. The lifting mechanism 33 is driven according to instructions from the CPU 41. When no printing is being performed, the bracket 59 is in its initial position directly above the suction mechanism 30.

[0033] like Figure 3As shown, the control device 40 includes a CPU 41 as a control unit, a storage unit 55 composed of ROM or RAM, and a communication unit 54. The storage unit 55 stores contract scheme information 51 representing a specific contract scheme applied to the printing apparatus 50. The contract scheme information 51 is information related to a specific contract scheme determined by the usage conditions of monochrome printing and color printing, and represents... Figure 2 Information on the content of any one of the contract schemes A through E shown. The communication unit 54 communicates with the outside world via wired or wireless means. The CPU 41 controls the operation of the printing apparatus 50. The CPU 41 functions as the printing action unit 42, the consumption information generation unit 43, the first washing mode 44, the second washing mode 45, the cleaning mode 46, and the remaining balance determination unit 47 by executing various control programs stored in the storage unit 55.

[0034] The printing action unit 42 receives printing jobs from external sources such as the computer 9 and controls the printing action of the printing device 50 according to the printing jobs. For example, the printing action unit 42 controls the operation of the drive mechanism 13, the paper feeding mechanism 21, and the print head 82.

[0035] The consumption information generation unit 43 generates consumption information related to the consumption of ink contained in containers 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K. Specifically, as consumption information, the consumption information generation unit 43 generates the amount of consumables contained in containers 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K consumed by the printing operation, namely the first type of consumable and the second type of consumable. For example, the consumption information generation unit 43 calculates the consumption by counting dots of ink ejected from the nozzles 88 of the printheads 82 corresponding to each color during the printing operation, thereby generating the consumption information. The consumption information generation unit 43 sends the generated consumption information to the server device 70 via the communication unit 54. Furthermore, the consumption information is not limited to information indicating the consumption of the first type of consumable and the second type of consumable, but is any information related to consumption. For example, the consumption information can be the printing data itself, or it can be on / off data indicating the on / off state of the printhead 82 generated using the printing data.

[0036] The first wash mode 44 is executed at the first opportune moment before the printing operation begins. This first opportune moment is the moment after the control device 40 accepts the printing job but before the printing operation commences. For example... Figure 4As shown, the first flushing mode 44 is a mode in which ink is ejected from each nozzle 88 corresponding to each container 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K from the ejector head 82 by driving the piezoelectric element 86 while the nozzle surface 84 is covered by the cover member 31. This suppresses the increase in ink viscosity within the nozzle 88 by ejecting ink with increased viscosity located at the front end of the nozzle 88. In the first flushing mode 44, the suction pump 34 is stopped and not driven.

[0037] The second flushing mode 45 is executed at a second timing, different from the first flushing mode 44. The second timing occurs at predetermined time intervals during the period when the bracket 59 is in its initial position. Figure 4 As shown, the second flushing mode 45 is a mode in which ink is ejected from the ejector head 82 by driving the piezoelectric element 86 while the nozzle surface 84 is covered by the cover member 31. This suppresses the increase in ink viscosity within the nozzle 88 by ejecting ink with increased viscosity located at the front end of the nozzle 88. Furthermore, by ejecting ink into the cover member 31, the humidity within the sealed space formed by the cover member 31 and the nozzle surface 84 can be maintained above a certain level, thereby preventing the ink within the nozzle 88 from drying out. In the second flushing mode 45, the suction pump 34 is stopped and not driven. Additionally, in the second flushing mode 45, the ejector head 82 that ejects ink varies depending on contract schemes A to E of the printing apparatus 50. Details will be described later.

[0038] Cleaning mode 46 is the following mode: before the printing unit 50 performs color printing based on the printing job, such as... Figure 4 As shown, with the nozzle surface 84 covered by the cover member 31, the ink is forced out of the nozzles 88 of the print head 82 by driving the suction pump 34. The timing for executing the cleaning mode 46 is set to the period from the start of the printing job to the execution of the printing action. In the cleaning mode 46, ink flows out of each nozzle 88 in the print head 82 corresponding to each of the containers 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K. As a result, by discharging the ink with increased viscosity located at the front end of the nozzle 88, the increase in ink viscosity within the nozzle 88 can be suppressed. Thus, the ink consumed by actions different from the printing action, such as the first flushing mode 44, the second flushing mode 45, and the cleaning mode 46, is also referred to as maintenance ink.

[0039] The balance determination unit 47 uses a detection signal output from a balance sensor (not shown) provided on the container 20 to determine whether the balance of the consumable is below a predetermined reference balance value. The reference balance value is the amount at which the balance of the consumable is zero or close to zero, and is set to the level at which the container 20 needs to be replaced. Examples of balance sensors include optical sensors that use prisms to detect balance, and piezoelectric vibration elements that output residual vibration as a detection signal. If the balance of the consumable is below the reference balance value, the balance determination unit 47 sends information indicating that the balance is below the reference balance value, i.e., balance arrival information, to the management server device 90 via the communication unit 54. The balance arrival information includes information for identifying the printing device 50 and information for identifying the type of container 20C, 20M, or 20Y.

[0040] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the contract scheme and the specific processing of the printing apparatus 50. By having a user and agent 100 sign a specific contract scheme (A-E), a control program is sent from server device 70 to printing apparatus 50 to execute specific processing corresponding to that specific contract scheme. Printing apparatus 50 updates the control program and stores it in storage unit 55.

[0041] The control procedure for the specific process varies depending on whether the usable proportion of monochrome printing is below a predetermined threshold. In this embodiment, the threshold is set to 70%. In the control procedure for the specific process, in the first case where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is greater than the threshold, the ejection volume of cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, which are the second consumables based on the second washing mode, is smaller compared to the second case where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is below the threshold. This will be explained in detail below.

[0042] In contract schemes A, B, C, and D, where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is 70% or less, specific processing is performed according to the usual control procedure. That is, the first rinsing mode 44 and the second rinsing mode 45 eject ink from nozzles 88 that eject ink from ink containers 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K, respectively. In addition, as described above, the cleaning mode 46 is performed at a time before the printing apparatus 50 performs color printing based on the printing job.

[0043] On the other hand, in contract scheme E, where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is greater than 70%, the proportion of printing operations using cyan, magenta, and yellow inks is low. Therefore, for the nozzle 88 that ejects cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, clogging of the nozzle 88 caused by inks with increased viscosity is suppressed, and a specific process is performed according to a reduction control procedure that reduces the amount of ink consumed other than printing operations. Specifically, the first flushing mode 44 is the same as the normal control procedure. On the other hand, in the second flushing mode 45, a first stop process is performed at a second time, which stops the ejection of cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, which are second consumables, from the nozzle 88, and allows the ejection of black ink, which is the first consumable, from the nozzle 88. As described above, in the first case, compared to the second case, the ejection amount of cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, which are second consumables based on the second flushing mode, is smaller. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the control program may reduce the amount of cyan, magenta, and yellow ink ejected as a second consumable based on the second flushing mode by performing a second stop process to stop the execution of the second flushing mode 45 at the second timing, thereby reducing the amount of ink ejected compared to the second case.

[0044] In contract scheme E where the usable proportion of monochrome printing exceeds a threshold, the frequency of color printing is assumed to be low. Therefore, in this case, by using the first flushing mode 44, clogging and other adverse conditions of the nozzle 88 that ejects the second consumable are suppressed to the greatest extent, and by reducing the ejection volume of the second consumable based on the second flushing mode 45, the consumption of maintenance ink can be reduced. In addition, by reducing the ejection volume of the second consumable based on the second flushing mode 45, the operation time of the second flushing mode can be shortened. Furthermore, since the second consumable is generally more expensive than the first consumable, by implementing the above-described reduction control procedure, the cost of the second consumable for the user can be reduced.

[0045] Furthermore, in the normal control program executed in the second case, cleaning mode 46 is executed at a time before color printing. On the other hand, in the control program executed in the first case, when cleaning mode 46 is executed at a time before color printing, it is executed in the following order. That is, when color printing is performed, cleaning mode 46 is executed in the same manner as in the second case. This is because, in the first case, since the second rinsing mode of the color nozzles is stopped, if color printing is suddenly performed, dot omissions may occur. On the other hand, when monochrome printing is performed, the user is given an instruction on whether cleaning mode can be executed. Specifically, CPU 41 outputs instruction acceptance information to computer 9, which accepts the instruction on whether cleaning mode can be executed. Computer 9 displays the instruction acceptance information on the display. As the instruction acceptance information, for example, a message such as "Can cleaning mode be executed?", when the printing device 50 is in cleaning mode, the user selects the "execute button" displayed on the monitor display with a cursor or the like.

[0046] In contract scheme E where the usable proportion of monochrome printing exceeds a threshold, the user can select whether to execute the cleaning mode by outputting an instruction acceptance information through the printing device 50. Thus, by instructing the printing device 50 not to execute the cleaning mode, the consumption of maintenance ink can be reduced.

[0047] Figure 6 This is an internal block diagram of server device 70. Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the decision-making process. Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the recommended information (IMA). For example... Figure 6 As shown, the server device 70 includes a server CPU 71 as a control unit, a server storage unit 76 composed of ROM or RAM, and a server communication unit 79. The server communication unit 79 communicates with external devices such as the printing device 50 via a network such as the Internet.

[0048] Server storage unit 76 stores the judgment criteria (i.e., the reference ratio 77) used to determine the usage status of monochrome and color printing of the printing apparatus 50, the index values ​​78 used to facilitate changes in contract schemes, the control procedure PR, and the contract scheme information CI. The control procedure PR is a procedure related to specific processes such as rinsing or cleaning. Figure 5 As shown, this is determined based on contract schemes A through E. Information for each contract scheme is stored in the CI printing device 50X1, 50X2…50Xn, representing the currently signed contract scheme.

[0049] The baseline ratio 77 is the ratio of the first consumable to the second consumable. In this embodiment, the baseline ratio 77 is the ratio of the consumption amount CC of the second consumable (as a color of cyan, magenta, or yellow) to the consumption amount CK of the first consumable (as a color of black), expressed as (CC / CK) × 100. In this embodiment, the baseline ratio 77 is 1%.

[0050] The index value 78 is used to determine whether the ratio of color printing to monochrome printing in the printing apparatus 50 deviates from the current contractual agreement. The index value 78 is set, for example, as a benchmark for the deviation percentage of 10%. That is, in Figure 2 In the case of Contract Plan A shown, if the proportion of monochrome printing is more than 60% or less than 40%, it is determined to be a deviation from Contract Plan A.

[0051] The server CPU 71 functions as the acquisition unit 72, judgment unit 73, change recommendation unit 74, and cost calculation unit 75 by executing various control programs stored in the server storage unit 76. Whenever the printing apparatus 50 performs printing at a predetermined size, such as A4 size, the acquisition unit 72 obtains the consumption information of each ink as consumable ink for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black generated by the consumption information generation unit 43 from the printing apparatus 50 via the server communication unit 79.

[0052] The determination unit 73 performs a determination process to determine the usage status of monochrome printing and color printing in the printing apparatus 50. Specifically, the determination unit 73 uses the consumption information obtained by the acquisition unit 72 and the reference ratio 77 as the determination criterion to determine the usage status of monochrome printing and color printing in the printing apparatus 50.

[0053] like Figure 7 As shown, in step S12, as an actual ratio, the determination unit 73 calculates the ratio of the amount of the first type of consumable ink (black ink) consumed for printing on the A4-sized printing medium P (which is a predetermined size) to the amount of the second type of consumable ink (cyan, magenta, and yellow ink) based on the consumption information obtained by the acquisition unit 72. In this embodiment, since the obtained consumption information is the consumption amount of the first and second types of consumable inks used for A4-sized printing, the determination unit 73 calculates the actual ratio by using the obtained consumption information without change. The actual ratio is expressed as (consumption amount of the first type of consumable ink / consumption amount of the second type of consumable ink) × 100.

[0054] Next, in steps S14 to S18, the determination unit 73 calculates the number of monochrome prints and the number of color prints by comparing the reference ratio 77 with the actual ratio. Specifically, if the actual ratio is 1% or more of the reference ratio 77, in step S16, the determination unit 73 determines that color printing has been performed in the printing apparatus 50 based on the consumption amount obtained by the acquisition unit 72. Therefore, the determination unit 73 increments the number of color prints performed by the printing apparatus 50 by one. On the other hand, if the actual ratio is less than 1% of the reference ratio 77, in step S18, the determination unit 73 determines that monochrome printing has been performed in the printing apparatus 50 based on the consumption amount obtained by the acquisition unit 72. Therefore, the determination unit 73 increments the number of monochrome prints performed by the printing apparatus 50 by one. Thus, whenever the determination unit 73 obtains information on the consumption amount of ink (a consumable) from the printing apparatus 50, it performs the determination process and determines the usage status by calculating the number of monochrome prints and the number of color prints performed by the printing apparatus 50. Therefore, by using the determination result of the determination unit 73, the cost calculation unit 75 can calculate the usage cost of the printing device 50 corresponding to a specific contract plan.

[0055] When the deviation between the usability of monochrome and color printing as indicated by the usage conditions determined by a specific contract scheme and the usability determined by the determination unit 73 is greater than or equal to the index value 78, the change recommendation unit 74 sends a change recommendation information IMA to the printing apparatus 50. This change recommendation information IMA prompts a change to another specific contract scheme corresponding to the usability. The contract scheme that prompts the change is the one among contract schemes A to E that is closest to the usability. Specifically, the change recommendation unit 74 sends a change recommendation information IMA when the absolute value of the difference between the proportion of monochrome printing indicated by the usability and the proportion of monochrome printing indicated by the usability is greater than or equal to the index value 78, i.e., 10%. Furthermore, the change recommendation unit 74 preferably operates after the printing apparatus 50 has printed more than 50% of the total number of sheets that can be printed at the fixed cost. When the number of sheets printed is not as high as described above, the usability changes drastically. Therefore, by preventing deviations from the usability determination due to the use of usability with a number of sheets printed that is not as high as described above, it is possible to prevent contract schemes that are far removed from the usability from being recommended.

[0056] like Figure 8As shown, the Change Recommendation Information IMA includes a recommended image IM1 that prompts a change to a contract scheme corresponding to the current usage situation, and an image IM2 requesting a change to the contract scheme. The Change Recommendation Information IMA is displayed, for example, on the monitor of computer 9. By having the user select image IM2, server device 70 sends the content of the changed contract scheme and the corresponding control program PR to printing device 50. Consequently, specific processing, such as cleaning, corresponding to the changed contract scheme is performed in printing device 50. Thus, even when the usage situation deviates from the intended usage situation due to the Change Recommendation Information IMA, the user can be prompted to change to a different specific contract scheme.

[0057] Figure 6 The cost calculation unit 75 shown calculates the usage fee of the printing apparatus 50 using the contract plan of the printing apparatus 50 and the usage status of monochrome and color printing determined by the determination unit 73. For example, the cost calculation unit 75 calculates the usage fee for the previous month at the beginning of the month. The calculated usage fee is sent, for example, to a computer owned by the agent 100, which then collects the usage fee from the user of the printing apparatus 50.

[0058] Figure 9 This is an internal block diagram of the management server device 90. The management server device 90 includes a management CPU 91 as a control unit, a management storage unit 95 composed of ROM or RAM, and a management communication unit 94. The management communication unit 94 communicates with the outside world via wired or wireless means.

[0059] The management CPU 91 functions as a delivery processing unit 93 by executing various control programs stored in the management storage unit 95. Upon receiving a remaining ink level information from the printing apparatus 50 via the communication unit 54, the delivery processing unit 93 performs a delivery process to deliver a container 20 containing a type of consumable corresponding to the remaining ink level information to a user of the printing apparatus 50. The delivery processing unit 93 sends an instruction to the user to deliver the container 20 to a computer 101, such as an agent 100 that sells the container 20. Thus, for example, the agent 100 delivers a new container 20 to the user. Because the management CPU 91 has a delivery processing unit 93, a new container 20 can be delivered to the user when the remaining ink level is below a reference level, so the user can obtain a new container 20 before the ink in the container 20 is used up.

[0060] According to the above embodiment, the determination unit 73 can accurately determine the usage status of monochrome printing and color printing using consumption information and determination criteria. Here, the printing apparatus 50, which is subject to a specific contract, performs printing according to CMYK printing data. At this time, when the printing operation unit 42 of the printing apparatus 50 performs half-tone processing on the printing data to convert it into on / off data for each color dot, if a dot is formed by a second consumable ink (cyan, magenta, or yellow), sometimes the second consumable ink is used instead of the first consumable ink to form a black dot. In this case, the user believes that the printing apparatus 50 has performed monochrome printing; on the other hand, based on the actual consumption of consumable inks, color printing may occur. Therefore, when printing is performed by the printing apparatus 50, the server device 70 obtains consumption information related to the actual consumption of each color consumable ink, and uses the obtained consumption information and determination criteria to determine the usage status of monochrome printing and color printing, thereby enabling accurate determination of the usage status. As a result, the cost according to the specific contract can be calculated correctly. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by calculating the number of monochrome prints and the number of color prints, the situation can be determined with high accuracy.

[0061] B. Other implementation methods:

[0062] B-1. Other implementation method one:

[0063] In the above embodiment, although the predetermined size of the printing medium P determined by the determination unit 73 is A4 size, it is not limited to this; the predetermined size can be set according to the printing size specified in the contract. Furthermore, if the contract specifies the usage conditions for the number of prints under multiple printing sizes, the predetermined size can also be set for each of the multiple printing sizes. In the above embodiment, the determination unit 73 obtains consumption information from the printing apparatus 50 to determine the usage status for each A4-sized printing operation. However, it can also obtain consumption information from the printing apparatus 50 to determine the usage status for each printing operation based on a single printing job or a predetermined number of prints, for example, for every 100 prints. For example, when determining the usage status by obtaining consumption information for every 100 prints, if the actual ratio is 1% or more (based on the reference ratio 77), the determination unit 73 adds 100 prints to the number of color prints. Conversely, if the actual ratio is less than 1% (based on the reference ratio 77), the determination unit 73 adds 100 prints to the number of monochrome prints.

[0064] B-2. Other implementation methods:

[0065] In the above embodiment, the delivery system 200 delivers the container 20, but it can also deliver bottles containing consumables. In this case, the user replenishes the consumables by injecting the consumables contained in the bottle into the container.

[0066] C. Other methods:

[0067] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. For example, this invention can also be implemented in the following ways. In order to solve part or all of the problems of this invention, or to achieve part or all of the effects of this invention, the technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described below can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as an essential technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0068] (1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, a server apparatus is provided. The server apparatus comprises: a server communication unit that communicates with a printing apparatus whose usage conditions for monochrome and color printing are determined through a specific contract scheme, the printing apparatus performing printing using at least one of a first consumable as black and a second consumable as a consumable other than black; an acquisition unit that acquires consumption amount information related to the consumption amount of each color consumable from the printing apparatus via the server communication unit; and a determination unit that determines the usage status of monochrome and color printing using the acquired consumption amount information and a determination criterion. According to this method, the usage status of monochrome and color printing can be determined with high accuracy using the consumption amount information and the determination criterion.

[0069] (2) In the above method, the usage conditions may include the number of monochrome prints, the number of color prints, and the printing cost. The determination unit calculates the number of monochrome prints and the number of color prints using the obtained consumption information and the determination criteria, thereby determining the usage status. According to this method, by calculating the number of monochrome prints and the number of color prints, the usage status can be determined with high accuracy.

[0070] (3) In the above method, the determination criterion may also be determined by a reference ratio, which is the ratio of the first type of consumable to the second type of consumable consumed in printing on a printing medium of a predetermined size. The determination unit calculates the ratio of the first type of consumable to the second type of consumable consumed in printing on a printing medium of the specified size based on the obtained consumption information, using this as the actual ratio, and compares the reference ratio with the actual ratio to calculate the number of monochrome prints and the number of color prints. According to this method, the actual ratio of the first type of consumable to the second type of consumable is calculated based on the obtained consumption information, and the number of monochrome prints and the number of color prints are calculated using the actual ratio. Therefore, the number of monochrome prints and the number of color prints can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0071] (4) In the above method, it may also include: a change recommendation unit that, when the degree of deviation between the usability of the monochrome printing and the color printing as indicated by the usage conditions and the actual usage conditions exceeds a predetermined index value, sends change recommendation information to the printing apparatus to prompt a change to another specific contract scheme corresponding to the usage conditions. According to this method, when the usability deviates from the actual usage conditions, the user can be prompted to change to another specific contract scheme.

[0072] (5) According to a second aspect of the present invention, a printing system is provided. The printing system comprises: a server device as described above; and a printing apparatus that determines the usage conditions for monochrome printing and color printing through a specific contractual scheme. The printing apparatus comprises: a printhead having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting a first consumable as a black consumable and a second consumable as a consumable other than black; a communication unit that communicates data with the server device; and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing apparatus. The control unit comprises: a consumption information generation unit that generates consumption information related to the amount of the first and second consumables ejected and consumed from the nozzles of the printhead, and transmits the consumption information to the server device via the communication unit. According to this approach, by transmitting the consumption information to the server device, the usage conditions for monochrome printing and color printing can be determined with high precision by the server device.

[0073] (6) In the above-described manner, the printing apparatus may also include a cover member capable of covering the nozzle surface of the printhead on which the nozzle is formed, and the control unit may further include: (i) a first flushing mode, which is executed at a first time before the start of the printing operation, and in which the consumable is ejected from the nozzle of the printhead while the nozzle surface is covered by the cover member; and (ii) a second flushing mode, which is executed at a second time different from the first flushing mode, and in which the consumable is ejected from the nozzle of the printhead while the nozzle surface is covered by the cover member, wherein, in the specific contract scheme, in the first case where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is greater than a predetermined threshold, the ejection amount of the second type of consumable based on the second flushing mode is reduced compared to the second case where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is less than the threshold. According to this method, it is envisioned that in the case of a contract scheme where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is greater than the threshold, the frequency of color printing is low. Therefore, in this case, by using the first flushing mode, clogging of the nozzle that ejects the second consumable is suppressed, and the amount of the second consumable ejected based on the second flushing mode is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of the second consumable consumed due to actions different from the printing action.

[0074] (7) In the printing system described above, in the first case, the control unit may perform either (i) or (ii) as follows: (i) stop the ejection of the second consumable from the nozzle at the second timing, and perform a first stop process for the ejection of the first consumable from the nozzle; (ii) stop the execution of the second rinsing mode at the second timing, thereby reducing the ejection amount of the second consumable based on the second rinsing mode compared to the second case. According to this method, by performing either the first stop process or the second stop process, the ejection amount of the second consumable based on the second rinsing mode can be reduced.

[0075] (8) In the printing system described above, the control unit may also include a cleaning mode in which, before the color printing is performed, the first consumable and the second consumable are drawn out from the nozzle of the print head by suction while the nozzle surface is covered by the cover member. In the first case, when the cleaning mode is executed, the control unit outputs an instruction acceptance message to the user, indicating whether the cleaning mode can be executed. According to this method, in the case of a contract scheme where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is greater than a threshold, the user can choose whether to execute the cleaning mode by outputting the instruction acceptance message. Thus, by instructing the printing device not to execute the cleaning mode, the amount of the second consumable consumed due to an action different from the printing action can be reduced.

[0076] (9) According to a third aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus is provided that determines the usage conditions for monochrome printing and color printing through a specific contract scheme. The printing apparatus comprises: a printhead having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting a first consumable as a black consumable and a second consumable as a consumable other than black; a communication unit that communicates data with a server device, the server device calculating the usage cost of the printing apparatus corresponding to the specific contract scheme; and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing apparatus, the control unit comprising: a consumption information generation unit that calculates the amount of the first and second consumables ejected and consumed from the nozzles of the printhead and transmits this information to the server device via the communication unit. According to this method, by transmitting the consumption information to the server device, the server device can accurately determine the usage conditions for monochrome and color printing using the consumption information.

[0077] (10) In the above-described manner, it is also possible to further include a cover member capable of covering the nozzle surface of the printhead on which the nozzle is formed, and the control unit further includes: (i) a first flushing mode, which is executed at a first time before the start of the printing operation, and the consumable is ejected from the nozzle of the printhead while the nozzle surface is covered by the cover member; and (ii) a second flushing mode, which is executed at a second time different from the first flushing mode, and the consumable is ejected from the nozzle of the printhead while the nozzle surface is covered by the cover member, wherein, in the specific contract scheme, in the first case where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is greater than a predetermined threshold, the ejection amount of the second type of consumable based on the second flushing mode is reduced compared to the second case where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is less than the threshold. According to this method, it is envisioned that in the case of a contract scheme where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is greater than the threshold, the frequency of color printing is low. Therefore, in this case, by using the first flushing mode, clogging of the nozzle that ejects the second consumable is suppressed, and the amount of the second consumable ejected based on the second flushing mode is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of the second consumable consumed due to actions different from the printing action.

[0078] (11) In the above-described manner, the control unit may also include a cleaning mode in which, before the color printing is performed, the first consumable and the second consumable are drawn out from the nozzle of the print head by suction while the nozzle surface is covered by the cover member. In the first case, when the cleaning mode is executed, the control unit outputs an instruction acceptance message to the user, which accepts an instruction on whether the cleaning mode can be executed. According to this method, in the case of a contract scheme where the usable proportion of monochrome printing is greater than a threshold, the user can choose whether to execute the cleaning mode by outputting the instruction acceptance message. Thus, by instructing the printing apparatus not to execute the cleaning mode, the amount of the second consumable consumed due to an action different from the printing action can be reduced.

[0079] (12) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a delivery system for distributing consumables is provided. The delivery system includes: any one of a server device of the above-described manner, a printing system of the above-described manner, and a printing apparatus of the above-described manner; and a management server device that manages the delivery of the consumables, the management server device having: a delivery processing unit that, upon obtaining information indicating that the remaining quantity of the consumables in the printing apparatus is below a predetermined reference remaining quantity value, performs a process of delivering the consumables of a type corresponding to the obtained information to the printing apparatus. According to this method, when the remaining quantity of consumables is below a reference remaining quantity value, new consumables can be delivered.

[0080] In addition to the methods described above, the present invention can be implemented in various other ways. For example, it can be implemented by an information processing system, a computer program implementing any of the above methods, or a non-temporary recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

[0081] The various components of the present invention described above are not all necessary. To solve some or all of the aforementioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some of the components may be appropriately modified, deleted, replaced with new components, or have a portion of the limiting content removed. Furthermore, to solve some or all of the aforementioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some or all of the technical features included in one aspect of the present invention may be combined with some or all of the technical features included in other aspects of the present invention to form an independent aspect of the present invention.

Claims

1. A server apparatus comprising: a server communication section that performs data communication with a printing apparatus that determines usage conditions of monochrome printing and color printing by a specific contract scheme, the printing apparatus performing printing using at least either a first consumable that is a consumable for black or a second consumable that is a consumable other than black; an acquisition section that acquires, from the printing apparatus via the server communication section, consumption amount information related to respective consumptions of the consumables for respective colors; and a determination section that determines a usage state of monochrome printing and color printing using the acquired consumption amount information and a determination reference, as conditions, the usage conditions including a number of sheets of the monochrome printing, a number of sheets of the color printing, and a printing cost, the determination section determining the usage state by calculating the number of sheets of the monochrome printing and the number of sheets of the color printing using the acquired consumption amount information and the determination reference, the determination reference being determined by a reference ratio of the first consumable to the second consumable consumed for printing of a predetermined size of print medium, the determination section calculating a ratio of the first consumable to the second consumable consumed for printing of the size of print medium as an actual ratio from the acquired consumption amount information, and comparing the reference ratio with the actual ratio to calculate the number of sheets of the monochrome printing and the number of sheets of the color printing.

2. A server apparatus comprising: a server communication section that performs data communication with a printing apparatus that determines usage conditions of monochrome printing and color printing by a specific contract scheme, the printing apparatus performing printing using at least either a first consumable that is a consumable for black or a second consumable that is a consumable other than black; an acquisition section that acquires, from the printing apparatus via the server communication section, consumption amount information related to respective consumptions of the consumables for respective colors; a determination section that determines a usage state of monochrome printing and color printing using the acquired consumption amount information and a determination reference; and a change recommendation section that, in a case where a degree of deviation of a usable state of the monochrome printing and the color printing indicated by the usage conditions from the usage state is a predetermined index value or more, transmits, to the printing apparatus, change recommendation information that causes a change to other specific contract scheme corresponding to the usage state, as conditions, the usage conditions including a number of sheets of the monochrome printing, a number of sheets of the color printing, and a printing cost, the determination section determining the usage state by calculating the number of sheets of the monochrome printing and the number of sheets of the color printing using the acquired consumption amount information and the determination reference.

3. A printing system comprising: the server apparatus of claim 1 or 2; and a printing apparatus that determines usage conditions of monochrome printing and color printing by a specific contract scheme, the printing apparatus comprising: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ an ejection head having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting a first consumable that is a consumable in black and a second consumable that is the consumable other than black; a communication section that performs data communication with the server device; and a control section that controls an operation of the printing device, the control section has a consumable amount information generation section that generates consumable amount information related to amounts of the first consumable and the second consumable that are consumed by being ejected from the nozzles of the ejection head, and transmits the consumable amount information to the server device via the communication section.

4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the printing device further has a cover member capable of covering a nozzle face of the ejection head on which the nozzles are formed, the control section further has (i) a first purging mode that is executed at a first timing before a printing operation is started, and that ejects the consumables from the nozzles of the ejection head in a state where the nozzle face is covered by the cover member, and (ii) a second purging mode that is executed at a second timing different from the first purging mode, and that ejects the consumables from the nozzles of the ejection head in a state where the nozzle face is covered by the cover member, in the specific contract plan, in a first case where a usable ratio of the monochrome printing is greater than a predetermined threshold, an amount of ejection of the second consumable based on the second purging mode is reduced compared to a second case where the usable ratio of the monochrome printing is equal to or less than the threshold.

5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein in the first case, the control section performs either of (i) stopping ejection of the second consumable from the nozzles at the second timing, and performing first stop processing of ejection of the first consumable from the nozzles, and (ii) second stop processing of stopping execution of the second purging mode at the second timing, whereby the amount of ejection of the second consumable based on the second purging mode is reduced compared to the second case.

6. The printing system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the control section further has a cleaning mode that, at a timing before the color printing is performed, causes the first consumable and the second consumable to flow out from the nozzles of the ejection head by suction in a state where the nozzle face is covered by the cover member, in the first case, the control section, in a case where the cleaning mode is executed, outputs, to a user, an instruction acceptance information that accepts an instruction of whether or not the cleaning mode can be executed.

7. A printing device that determines usage conditions of monochrome printing and color printing by a specific contract plan, the printing device comprising: an ejection head having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting a first consumable that is a consumable in black and a second consumable that is the consumable other than black; ​ a communication section that performs data communication with a server device described in claim 1 or 2 that calculates a usage charge of the printing device corresponding to the specific contract plan; and a control section that controls an operation of the printing device, the control section has a consumption amount information generation section that calculates amounts of the first and second consumables consumed from the nozzles of the discharge head and transmits the amounts to the server device via the communication section.

8. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein a cover member capable of covering a nozzle face of the discharge head on which the nozzles are formed is further provided, the control section further has (i) a first purging mode that is executed at a first timing before a printing operation is started and in which the consumables are discharged from the nozzles of the discharge head in a state where the nozzle face is covered by the cover member and (ii) a second purging mode that is executed at a second timing different from the first purging mode and in which the consumables are discharged from the nozzles of the discharge head in a state where the nozzle face is covered by the cover member, in the specific contract plan, in a first case where a usable ratio of the monochrome printing is greater than a predetermined threshold value, an amount of discharge of the second consumable based on the second purging mode is reduced compared to a second case where the usable ratio of the monochrome printing is equal to or less than the threshold value.

9. The printing device according to claim 8, wherein the control section further has a cleaning mode that is executed at a timing before the color printing is performed, in which the first and second consumables are caused to flow out from the nozzles of the discharge head by suction in a state where the nozzle face is covered by the cover member, in the first case, the control section outputs, to a user, an instruction acceptance information that accepts an instruction of whether or not the cleaning mode can be executed in a case where the cleaning mode is executed.

10. A dispensing system that dispenses consumables, the dispensing system comprising: any one of the server device described in claim 1 or 2, the printing system described in any one of claims 3 to 6, or the printing device described in any one of claims 7 to 9; and a management server device that manages dispensing of the consumables, the management server device has a dispensing processing section that executes a process of dispensing the consumable of a kind corresponding to the acquired information to the printing device in a case where information indicating that the remaining amount of the consumable of the printing device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined reference remaining amount value is acquired. ​

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