Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the same

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a main body memory and a controller. Second upper limit information stored in the main body memory indicates an upper limit of the number of printable pages that the image forming apparatus is allowed to print when the image forming apparatus is in an offline state. The number of print pages information stored in the main body memory indicates the number of print pages printed in the offline state. The controller is configured to: increase the number of print pages information by 1 when printing one sheet of paper in single-sided printing; and increase the number of print pages information by 2 when printing one sheet in double-sided printing. The controller is configured to determine whether the number of print pages information is greater than or equal to the second upper limit number of pages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] A service is available to a user of an image forming apparatus so that if there is a contract between the user and a service provider, consumables or replaceable parts exclusive to the contract can be used. This service is called a "subscription service."

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a printer (image forming apparatus) to which a subscription service can be applied. The image forming apparatus of Patent document 1 receives a credit file from a subscription server. The credit file includes information indicating the number of printable sheets stipulated in the contract.

[0004] In the case where the subscription service application box is attached to the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the image forming apparatus checks whether there is a sufficient amount of credit (i.e., the number of printable sheets) to print the number of pages indicated by the print job received at the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus determines that there is a sufficient amount of credit, the print job received at the image forming apparatus is executed.

[0005] [Citation list]

[0006] [Patent Document]

[0007] [PTL 1]

[0008] U.S. Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0355029 Summary of the invention

[0009] [Technical issues]

[0010] However, with the conventional image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, in an offline state where the image forming apparatus is not connected to the Internet, it is not possible to replenish credits from the subscription server to the image forming apparatus. In addition, in the conventional image forming apparatus, it is determined whether there is a sufficient amount of credits to implement printing processing based on the print job. Thus, when the number of printed pages has reached the upper limit of the number of printed pages during printing, a determination is made that the remaining amount of credits is insufficient to complete the print job, and as a result, printing can no longer be performed. For example, in the case of receiving a print job instructing to print 100 pages, although there are still 99 pages of credits, printing of all 100 pages cannot be performed.

[0011] As described, in the offline state, it may happen that the image forming apparatus cannot perform printing of a received job even if there is still credit capable of printing a number of pages less than the number of pages required to print the print job. This causes inconvenience to the user because if the credit can be used on a printed page basis, printing can be performed for a possible number of pages as long as the credit exists.

[0012] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to manage the number of printed pages when an image forming apparatus is in an offline state while minimizing loss of user convenience.

[0013] [Solution to the problem]

[0014] To achieve the above and other purposes, according to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an image forming device, which includes an interface, a main body memory and a controller. The interface is configured to communicate with a network. The main body memory is configured to store therein first upper limit information, second upper limit information and print page number information. The first upper limit information indicates the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the content of the contract set in the image forming device. The second upper limit information indicates the upper limit of the number of printable pages allowed to be printed by the image forming device when the image forming device is in an offline state where the interface cannot be connected to the network. The print page number information indicates the number of print pages printed by the image forming device in an offline state. In a state where the interface is in an offline state, the controller is configured to print according to a print job to print one or more sheets. When printing one sheet, the controller is configured to increase the print page number information by 1 in the case of printing one sheet in single-sided printing, and increase the print page number information by 2 in the case of printing one sheet in double-sided printing. After the print page number information is increased, the controller is configured to determine whether the print page number information is greater than or equal to the second upper limit number of pages.

[0015] According to a second aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, in a case where the controller determines that the print page number information is greater than or equal to the second upper limit page number, the controller subsequently prohibits printing in an offline state.

[0016] According to a third aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, when the state of the interface changes from an offline state to an online state in which the interface is connected to the network, the controller resets the print page number information to zero.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a main body shell formed with an opening, and one or more boxes can be installed in the main body shell through the opening. Each box has a first memory, and the first memory stores type information, and the type information indicates which of the contract-specific box and the ordinary box each box is. In the case where the type information of all the boxes in the one or more boxes installed to the main body shell indicates that the one or more boxes are all ordinary boxes, the controller then allows printing in an offline state.

[0018] According to a fifth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the main body memory stores total print page number information indicating the total print page number printed regardless of the connection state of the interface and the network. The controller is configured to determine whether the sum of the total print page number and the print page number defined by the print job is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the printable page number indicated by the first upper limit information. In the case where the sum of the total print page number and the print page number defined by the print job is less than the upper limit of the printable page number indicated by the first upper limit information, the controller is configured to print the print job.

[0019] According to the sixth aspect, in an image forming device according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, a main body memory stores contract information indicating the content of a contract set for the image forming device, the contract information indicating any one of the following: a first mode, in which the image forming device is under a contract and printing is allowed in an offline state; a second mode, in which the image forming device is under a contract and printing is not allowed in an offline state; and a third mode, in which the image forming device is not under a contract.

[0020] According to a seventh aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a printing unit configured to print on the sheet. In a state where the interface is in an offline state, the controller is configured to cause the printing unit to print.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect, in the image forming device according to the first aspect, each time a sheet is printed by the image forming device, the controller is configured to increase the number of printed pages information by 1 when printing a sheet of paper in single-sided printing, and to increase the number of printed pages information by 2 when printing a sheet of paper in double-sided printing.

[0022] According to the ninth aspect, the present disclosure also provides a method for controlling an image forming device, comprising: when the image forming device is in an offline state in which the image forming device cannot be connected to a network, causing the image forming device to print according to a print job to print one or more pages; when printing one page, increasing the number of print pages information by 1 when printing one page in single-sided printing, and increasing the number of print pages information by 2 when printing one page in double-sided printing, the number of print pages information indicating the number of print pages printed in the offline state; and after the number of print pages information is increased, determining whether the number of print pages information is greater than or equal to the upper limit number of pages allowed to be printed by the image forming device in the offline state.

[0023] According to a tenth aspect, in the method according to the ninth aspect, each time one sheet is printed, the printed page number information is incremented by 1 when one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and is incremented by 2 when one sheet is printed in double-sided printing.

[0024] According to the eleventh aspect, the present disclosure also provides an image forming device, which includes an interface, a main body and a controller. The interface is configured to communicate with a network. The main body memory is configured to store therein first upper limit information and total print page number information. The first upper limit information indicates the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the content of the contract set in the image forming device. The total print page number information indicates the number of print pages printed. The controller is configured to print according to the print job to print one or more pages. When printing one sheet, the total print page number information is increased by 1 when printing one sheet in single-sided printing, and the total print page number information is increased by 2 when printing one sheet in double-sided printing. After the total print page number information is increased, the controller is configured to determine whether the total print page number information is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information.

[0025] According to a twelfth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, when the controller determines that the total number of printed sheets is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information, the controller subsequently prohibits printing.

[0026] According to a thirteenth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a printing unit configured to perform printing on the sheet. The controller is configured to cause the printing unit to perform printing.

[0027] According to the fourteenth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, each time a sheet is printed, the controller is configured to increase the printed page number information by 1 when printing a sheet in single-sided printing, and to increase the printed page number information by 2 when printing a sheet in double-sided printing.

[0028] [Beneficial Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the first aspect, when the image forming apparatus is in an offline state, the controller can determine whether the number of printed pages is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined by the second upper limit information. Here, the number of printed pages is counted each time a print process is performed on a sheet of paper. Regardless of whether the printing is double-sided printing or single-sided printing, after the print process is performed on a sheet of paper, the image forming apparatus can determine whether the execution of printing on a sheet causes the number of printed pages to reach the second upper limit page number, which indicates the upper limit of the number of pages that can be printed by the image forming apparatus in the offline state.

[0030] Therefore, for example, even if one more page would reach the second upper limit number of pages, the image forming apparatus does not determine whether the second upper limit number of pages has been reached after printing only one side of a sheet and before printing the other side of the sheet. In other words, the image forming apparatus does not determine that the second upper limit number of pages has been reached while printing a sheet in duplex printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can manage the number of printed pages during the offline state without losing the convenience of the user as much as possible.

[0031] According to the second aspect, when the image forming apparatus determines that the number of printed pages in the offline state is greater than or equal to a prescribed upper limit, the image forming apparatus prohibits printing on subsequent sheets as a result of the print process on a specific sheet. This can limit the number of pages that the image forming apparatus can print in the offline state.

[0032] According to the third aspect, when the state of the interface changes from the offline state to the online state in which the interface is connected to the network, the controller resets the printed page number information to zero.

[0033] According to the fourth aspect, all the boxes currently attached to the image forming apparatus are ordinary type boxes, and the image forming apparatus can approve printing in an offline state. By doing so, even in an image forming apparatus under contract, printing in an offline state can be performed by replacing all the boxes with ordinary boxes. Therefore, user-friendliness can be enhanced.

[0034] According to the fifth aspect, even if the print processing specified in the print job to be executed from now on is executed, when the number of printed pages has not reached the upper limit of the number of printable pages, the image forming apparatus performs printing to print one or more sheets. After the image forming apparatus performs printing to print one or more sheets, an increment process is performed, and a first determination process is performed.

[0035] Therefore, when the image forming apparatus is in an offline state, when the sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages limited by the print job is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the content of the contract set in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus starts printing, and thereafter determines whether the number of printed pages has reached the number of printable pages that can be printed in the offline state.

[0036] According to the sixth aspect, the main body memory may store contract information indicating the contents of the contract and additionally indicating whether the image forming apparatus is currently capable of printing.

[0037] According to the ninth aspect, when the image forming apparatus is in an offline state, the controller can determine whether the number of printed pages is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined by the second upper limit information. Here, the number of printed pages is counted each time a print process is performed on a sheet of paper. Regardless of whether the printing is double-sided printing or single-sided printing, after the print process is performed on a sheet of paper, the image forming apparatus can determine whether the execution of printing on a sheet causes the number of printed pages to reach the second upper limit number of pages, which indicates the upper limit of the number of pages that can be printed by the image forming apparatus in the offline state.

[0038] Therefore, for example, even if one more page would reach the second upper limit number of pages, the image forming apparatus does not determine whether the second upper limit number of pages has been reached after printing only one side of a sheet and before printing the other side of the sheet. In other words, the image forming apparatus does not determine that the second upper limit number of pages has been reached while printing a sheet in duplex printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can manage the number of printed pages during the offline state without losing the convenience of the user as much as possible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the basic arrangement of the image forming apparatus, ink cartridges, and a server according to the first embodiment.

[0041] Figure 3 : is a flowchart showing the flow of the connection monitoring process.

[0042] Figure 4 : is a flowchart showing the flow of term renewal processing.

[0043] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print association process according to the first embodiment.

[0044] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first print availability determination process according to the first embodiment.

[0045] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of print association processing according to the modification example.

[0046] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second print availability determination process according to the modification example. Specific embodiments

[0047] <First Embodiment>

[0048] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 6 An embodiment of the present disclosure is described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to use consumables or replaceable parts that are exclusive to a contract signed between a user of the image forming apparatus and a service provider. That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus to which a subscription service can be applied.

[0049] In the following, unless otherwise specifically described, it will be assumed that the subscription service has been applied to the image forming apparatus 1 (i.e., the contract has been concluded). Furthermore, in the following description, unless otherwise specifically described, various consumables or replaceable parts (e.g., ink cartridges 4 described later) that can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1 are assumed to be those exclusively used in the contract.

[0050] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an inkjet printer will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a printer of a type other than an inkjet printer. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a laser printer.

[0051] <Overall Structure of Image Forming Apparatus>

[0052] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Figure 1 The upper side in corresponds to the upper side of the image forming device 1, Figure 1 The lower side in corresponds to the lower side of the image forming device 1, Figure 1 The left side in corresponds to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, and Figure 1 The right side in φ corresponds to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0053] The image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer configured to print on a print sheet P by ejecting ink droplets according to data. One or more ink cartridges are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 1 In addition to the components depicted in FIG. 1 , a display portion composed of a liquid crystal display or a lamp and an input portion such as a button may be provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The liquid crystal display may be integrated with a touch panel so as to be usable as an input portion.

[0054] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet supply tray 20, a sheet supply portion 2, a conveying roller 60, a recording portion 3, a discharge roller 62, and a discharge tray 30. An opening is formed in the front surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet supply tray 20 is movably disposed in the opening so as to be movable in the front / rear direction. A large number of stacked print sheets P are accommodated in the sheet supply tray 20. For example, the print sheets have a prescribed size. The print sheets P are not limited to paper media. For example, the print sheets P may be media made of a resin material (e.g., an OHP sheet).

[0055] The sheet feeding section 2 is composed of a sheet feeding roller 21, a sheet feeding arm 22, and a shaft 23. The sheet feeding section 2 operates in such a manner that the normal rotation of the sheet feeding roller 21 feeds the printing paper P contained in the sheet feeding tray 20 into the conveying path R. The sheet feeding roller 21 is rotatably provided at one tip end of the sheet feeding arm 22. The sheet feeding arm 22 is pivotally movably provided at one end portion of the shaft 23 supported on the frame of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet feeding arm 22 is pivotally moved toward the sheet feeding tray 20, and pushes the sheet feeding tray 20 by its own weight or by the elastic force of a spring or the like. The driving force is generated by the reversible rotation of a motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1, and is transmitted to the sheet feeding roller 21, thereby causing the normal rotation of the sheet feeding roller 21.

[0056] The transport path R is a space formed by the guide members 51 , 52 , the recording unit 3 , and other guide members 53 , 54 .

[0057] The feed roller 60 is disposed upstream of the recording section 3 in the conveying direction. The pinch roller 61 is disposed opposite to the lower portion of the feed roller 60. The feed roller 60 is rotated by the driving force generated by the motor of the image forming device 1. The pinch roller 61 rotates as the feed roller 60 rotates. The forward rotation of the feed roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 (the forward rotation of the feed roller 60 and the subsequent rotation of the pinch roller 61) causes the printing paper P to move toward the image recording position "x" on the conveying path R while holding the printing paper P between the feed roller 60 and the pinch roller 61. The image recording position "x" is a position at which image recording is performed on the printing paper P. The transmission of the driving force generated by the forward rotation of the motor of the image forming device 1 causes the feed roller 60 to rotate forwardly, while the transmission of the driving force generated by the reverse rotation of the motor of the image forming device causes the feed roller 60 to rotate reversely. Incidentally, the forward rotation of the motor of the image forming device 1 corresponds to the first direction, and the reverse rotation of the motor of the image forming device corresponds to the second direction.

[0058] The recording section 3 is disposed between the feed roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 in the transport path R. The recording section 3 includes a carriage 31, a recording head 32, a plurality of nozzles 33, and a platen 34. Each nozzle 33 is fluidly connected to an associated ink cartridge 4. Note that the number of nozzles and ink cartridges 4 is not particularly limited.

[0059] The ink cartridge 4 has a cartridge case. The cartridge case can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The ink cartridges 4 contain inks of different colors as materials for image formation (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), respectively. Ink is a consumable material consumed when printing is performed.

[0060] The carriage 31 is configured to be reciprocally movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction (i.e., in the width direction of the printing paper P). In recording an image on the printing paper P, the image forming apparatus 1 records one line of an image on the printing paper P by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles 33 of the recording head 32 while moving the carriage 31 in the width direction of the printing paper P. Printing is performed in a state where the conveyance of the printing paper P is stopped. As a process of starting printing of a new line, the image forming apparatus 1 feeds the printing paper P by a prescribed amount by driving the feed roller 60 and the discharge roller 62. The image forming apparatus 1 alternately repeats the process of recording and the process of starting printing of a new line.

[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, a recording head 32 is mounted on the carriage 1. A plurality of nozzles 33 are formed in the lower surface of the recording head 32. The recording head 32 operates to eject ink droplets from the nozzles 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the printing paper P is supported. During the movement of the carriage 31 relative to the printing paper P supported on the platen 34, an image is recorded on the printing paper P by selectively ejecting ink droplets by the recording head 32.

[0062] The discharge roller 62 is disposed downstream of the recording section 3 in the conveying direction. The toothed disc 63 is disposed opposite to the upper portion of the discharge roller 62. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a motor provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The toothed disc 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The forward rotation of the discharge roller 62 and the toothed disc 63 (rotation of the discharge roller 62 and subsequent rotation of the toothed disc 63) discharges the print paper P onto the discharge tray 30 while holding the print paper P between the discharge roller 62 and the toothed disc 63.

[0063] The discharge tray 30 is provided above the sheet feeding tray 20 . The discharge tray 30 supports the print paper P discharged by the discharge roller 62 .

[0064] <Internal Structure of Image Forming Device, Ink Cartridge 4 and Server 9>

[0065] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a basic structure of the image forming apparatus 1 , the ink cartridge 4 , and the server 9 according to the present embodiment.

[0066] <Ink Cartridges>

[0067] The ink cartridge 4 has an ink memory 42 (an example of a first memory). Data can be read from and written to the ink memory 42. A flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark) is an example of the ink memory 42.

[0068] The ink storage 42 has a first area 421, a second area 422, and a third area 423 for storing information about the ink cartridge. The first area 421 stores the ink ID. The second area 422 stores the ink type information. The third area 423 stores the ink life information. The third area may be a data rewritable area. By the way, the ink ID and the ink life information are not essential information in the present disclosure.

[0069] The ink ID is, for example, a serial number uniquely assigned to each ink cartridge 4 in order to distinguish it from other ink cartridges. The ink type information indicates a contract-only ink cartridge 4 or a normal-type ink cartridge 4. A "contract-only cartridge" refers to an ink cartridge supplied to a user from a service provider, wherein a contract to this effect has been signed between the user and the service provider regarding the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, a "normal-type ink cartridge" refers to an ink cartridge other than a contract-only cartridge. For example, normal-type ink cartridges are sold on the general market. The ink life information refers to information on the remaining amount of ink.

[0070] The main part of the image forming apparatus has a connector 101. When the ink cartridge 4 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the connector 101 is electrically contacted with the ink storage 42, so that the controller 80 of the image forming apparatus 1 can communicate with the ink storage 42 of the ink cartridge 4.

[0071] <Image Forming Apparatus 1>

[0072] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 80, a communication unit 81, and a main body memory 82. The controller 80 has, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The controller 80 is electrically connected to both the main body memory 82 and the communication unit 81 provided in the main part of the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 80 performs various processes so that the image forming apparatus 1 performs various processes associated with printing. The controller 80 can control the sheet supply unit 2, the conveying roller 60, the recording unit 3, and the discharge roller 62 to perform a printing operation.

[0073] Incidentally, the controller 80 may have a processor such as a CPU. In this case, a control program for implementing the image forming control method is stored in the main body memory 82. The processor operates according to the control program, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes.

[0074] The controller 80 may have a computer-readable storage medium for storing a control program. As such a storage medium, a "tangible medium for non-temporary storage of data types" such as a ROM (read-only memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit may be used. In other words, the controller 80 has a non-temporary storage medium for storing a set of program instructions installed on the controller 80 and executed by the controller 80. RAM (random access memory) may also be used to develop control programs therein. The control program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrarily selected transmission medium (communication network or broadcast wave) capable of transmitting the control program. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmission of the control program may be implemented by electronic transmission of the control program by means of a data signal superimposed on a carrier.

[0075] When the ink cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the ink cartridge 4 is electrically connected to the Figure 2 The controller 80 shown thereby allows the controller 80 to perform an information retrieval process to retrieve information from the ink storage 42, and also perform an information writing process (including an overwriting process).

[0076] The main body memory 82 is a memory from which information can be read and in which information can be written. The main body memory 82 is composed of, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark). The main body memory 82 has an area 821 for storing ink information, an area 822 for storing a printer ID, an area 823 for storing contract information, an area 824 for storing first upper limit information, an area 825 for storing second upper limit information, an area 826 for storing a first page counter, and an area 827 for storing a second page counter.

[0077] The ink information includes associated information about each of the ink cartridges 4 associated with the ink ID, ink type information, and ink lifespan information read from the ink memory 42 of the ink cartridge 4 .

[0078] The printer ID is distinguishing information for distinguishing an image forming apparatus from other image forming apparatuses. For example, a serial number assigned to each image forming apparatus is used as the printer ID.

[0079] The contract information indicates the contents of the contract of the image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, the contract information indicates whether the image forming apparatus 1 is under contract or not under contract (normal image forming apparatus 1). According to the present embodiment, the contract information indicates whether the image forming apparatus 1 is set to the contract mode or the image forming apparatus 1 is set to the normal mode. Note that the contract mode indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 is under contract, while the normal mode indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 is not under contract. In the case where the user of the image forming apparatus 1 changes the contents of the contract, the contract information can be rewritten to the new contents via the server 9.

[0080] According to the present embodiment, the contract information indicates whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in the contract mode or in the normal mode. In the contract mode, the contract information also indicates whether printing can be performed in the offline state or printing cannot be performed in the offline state. When the image forming apparatus 1 is in the contract mode, the image forming apparatus 1 can use not only the contract-specific box but also the normal type box. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal mode, the image forming apparatus 1 cannot use the contract-specific box but can use the normal type box.

[0081] There may be multiple contract modes. For example, the upper limit of the number of printable pages represented by the first upper limit information and the upper limit of the number of printable pages represented by the second upper limit information may be increased or decreased according to the type of contract mode. The first upper limit information and the second upper limit information will be described later. For example, the "first contract mode" and the "second contract mode" may be defined so that the upper limit of the number of printable pages represented by the first upper limit information and the upper limit of the number of printable pages represented by the second upper limit information of the "first contract mode" are greater than those of the "second contract mode". In addition, when the contract mode is set for the image forming device 1, the contract information may also include information about the type of the contract mode.

[0082] More specifically, according to the present embodiment, the contract information indicates any one of "contract mode", "contract mode and offline printing stop", and "normal mode". "Contract mode" indicates a mode in which the image forming apparatus 1 is under contract and can use a contract-specific box for printing. "Contract mode and offline printing stop" indicates a mode in which the image forming apparatus 1 is under contract, can use a contract-specific box for printing, and furthermore cannot print in an offline state. "Normal mode" indicates a mode in which no contract is signed with the image forming apparatus 1, or contract-specific consumables or replaceable parts cannot be used. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the main body memory 82 can store contract information indicating the contents of the contract, and furthermore indicating whether the image forming apparatus 1 is currently capable of printing.

[0083] The first upper limit information indicates information indicating the number of printable pages determined according to the type of contract mode. More specifically, the first upper limit information indicates the upper limit of the number of pages that the image forming device 1 can print during the time period determined in the contract. The "time period determined in the contract" is not limited to a specific duration. The duration may be, for example, one month. When the content of the contract of the image forming device 1 (i.e., the contract mode) changes, the first upper limit information may be rewritten via the server 9. Hereinafter, the upper limit of the number of pages indicated by the first upper limit information is sometimes referred to as the "first upper limit number of pages".

[0084] When the image forming apparatus 1 is in normal mode, the upper limit of the number of pages represented by the first upper limit information can be set to none (unlimited) or maximum. By such setting, the image forming apparatus 1 operates in normal mode, thereby being able to print without restrictions on the number of prints when using a normal type ink cartridge 4.

[0085] The second upper limit information indicates the upper limit of the number of printable pages when the image forming device 1 is in an offline state. More specifically, the second upper limit information indicates the upper limit of the number of pages that the image forming device can print when the image forming device 1 is in an offline state. Similar to the first upper limit information, when the content of the contract of the image forming device 1 (the type of contract mode) changes, the second upper limit information can be rewritten via the server 9. When the image forming device 1 is in normal mode, the upper limit of the number of printable pages represented by the second upper limit information can be set to none (unlimited) or maximum. With such a setting, the image forming device 1 operates in normal mode, so that it can print without being restricted by the number of prints when using a normal type ink cartridge 4. Hereinafter, the upper limit of the number of printable pages represented by the second upper limit information is sometimes referred to as the "second upper limit number of pages".

[0086] Each of the first upper limit number of pages and the second upper limit number of pages is not limited to a specific value. However, it is desirable that the first upper limit number of pages is larger than the second upper limit number of pages.

[0087] The first page number counter is an example of total printed page number information. The first page number counter is a counter that counts the total number of printed pages regardless of the connection state in the network of the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the first page number counter counts the number of pages printed within a predetermined time period determined in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the count value counted by the first page number counter is sometimes referred to as "first printed page number".

[0088] The second page counter is an example of printed page number information. The second page counter counts the number of pages printed in the offline state. In other words, the second page counter is information indicating the number of pages in the offline state. When the image forming device 1 changes from the offline state to the online state, the second page counter is reset to an initial value. The initial value of the second page counter is zero (0). Hereinafter, the count value in the second page counter is sometimes referred to as "second printed page number".

[0089] In addition to the above, the main body memory 82 may store, for example, information indicating the cumulative number of printed pages printed by the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0090] The communication unit 81 is a communication interface for communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 9. The communication unit 81 outputs a request received from the server 9 to the controller 80. Here, the "request" is used to request the image forming apparatus 1 to send the status data of the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 9. The communication unit 81 transmits the status data input from the controller 80 to the server 9. Here, the "status data" refers to data related to the operating status of the image forming apparatus 1, and includes at least printer distinguishing information, and further includes at least one of the count value in the first page number counter and the cumulative number of printed pages printed by the image forming apparatus 1. In addition to the above, the status data may also include the count value of the second page number counter.

[0091] <Server 9>

[0092] The server 9 operates as a management device that manages one or more image forming devices 1. Figure 1 The server 9 is connected to only one image forming apparatus 1 in the illustrated example, but the server 9 may be connected so as to be communicable with a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 .

[0093] The server 9 includes a server communication unit 91, a server memory 92, and a server control unit 93. The server communication unit 91 is a communication interface for communication between the server 9 and the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication unit 91 transmits a request input from the server control unit 93 to the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication unit 91 receives status data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 in response to the request, and outputs the received status data to the server communication unit 91.

[0094] The server control unit 93 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for overall control of the server 9. The server control unit 93 creates a request for requesting the image forming apparatus 1 to transmit state data of the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 9 at a predetermined timing, and outputs the created request to the server communication unit 91.

[0095] Furthermore, the server control unit 93 stores the status data received via the server communication unit 91 in the server memory 92. More specifically, the server control unit 93 stores the status data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 in the server memory 92 as printer information.

[0096] The server memory 92 is a storage device for storing data required for operating the server 9. The server memory 92 has an area 921 for storing printer information. The printer information is data including various information about the image forming apparatus 1 configured as a whole. The printer information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses is stored separately based on the apparatus. The printer information includes at least a printer ID, contract information, and status data. The printer information may additionally include, for example, a model number and a manufacturing year / month / day.

[0097] <Flow of various processes>

[0098] Next, we will refer to Figures 3 to 6 The flow of various processes executed by the controller 80 of the image forming apparatus 1 is described. The controller 80 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes a connection monitoring process when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is in the ON state. The connection monitoring process is a process for monitoring whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a state where the image forming apparatus 1 can be connected to a network.

[0099] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 executes a term renewal process at every predetermined time period. The term renewal process is a process for renewing or updating the contract term when a time period specified in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1 expires.

[0100] In response to a print job received through the input unit, the image forming apparatus 1 executes a print process for the received input job. Hereinafter, the process executed from receiving a print job until the printing corresponding to the received print job is sometimes referred to as a "print-related process."

[0101] <Connection monitoring process>

[0102] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of connection monitoring processing. First, the controller 80 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in an online state (S10). The online state is a state in which the communication unit 81 of the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the network. On the other hand, the offline state is a state in which the communication unit 81 cannot be connected to the network. In other words, the online state is a state in which the communication unit 81 is communicably connected to the server communication unit 91, and the offline state is a state in which the communication unit 81 cannot be communicably connected to the server communication unit 91.

[0103] When the controller 80 does not determine that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the online state ( S10 : NO), that is, when the image forming apparatus is in the offline state, the controller 80 does not perform any particular process and waits until a time to perform the connection monitoring process again.

[0104] On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the online state (S10: Yes), the controller 80 resets the second page number counter stored in the main body memory 82 to zero (0) (S11: reset processing). Incidentally, in the case where the second page number counter is already zero (0), the controller 80 may omit the processing in S11.

[0105] Resetting the second page number counter in the online state enables the controller 80 to count the number of prints from zero (0) in the offline state when the state of the image forming apparatus 1 changes to the offline state.

[0106] There is no particular limitation on the timing at which the controller 80 executes the connection monitoring process and the interval at which the connection monitoring process is executed. However, when the communication connection state of the image forming apparatus 1 changes from an online state to an offline state or vice versa, it is desirable to execute the connection monitoring process at a relevant frequency capable of detecting the state of the communication connection without delay.

[0107] <Term Renewal Processing>

[0108] Figure 4 : is a flowchart showing the flow of term renewal processing.

[0109] The controller determines whether the processing of the renewal term has started (S20). The start of the renewal term means after the term specified in the contract has expired and the subsequent term has started. The controller 80 can determine that the term has newly started by, for example, recognizing the date and time by a timer (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, the controller 80 can determine that the term has newly started based on information about the date and time supplied from the server 9 through the communication section 81.

[0110] When the controller 80 does not determine that the renewal period has begun (S20: No), the controller 80 waits for the time to execute the period renewal process again. On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the renewal period has begun (S20: Yes), the controller 80 resets the first page number counter stored in the main body memory 82 (S21).

[0111] <Printing related processing>

[0112] Figure 5 : is a flowchart showing the flow of the print-related processing. Figure 5 A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 1 starts with the image forming apparatus 1 receiving a print job by operating as a trigger.

[0113] When receiving a print job, the controller 80 reads the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 (S30), whereby the controller 80 determines whether the condition that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print in an offline state is satisfied (S31). When the controller 80 determines that printing cannot be performed when the image forming apparatus 1 is in an offline state (S31: Yes), the controller 80 notifies the user that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print (S33). For example, the controller 80 displays a message notifying that printing cannot be performed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0114] As will be described in detail later, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in an offline state, Figure 5 The processing in the first print availability determination processing (S41) is repeatedly executed. When the offline state is changed to the online state, the controller 80 exits the loop of the processing of S41 and updates the contract information so that the updated contract information indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 can print (described later). Figure 6 Thus, when the print-associated processing is started in the online state of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 80 explicitly determines that S31 is "NO".

[0115] On the other hand, when the controller 80 does not determine that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print in the offline state (S31: No), the controller 80 subsequently reads the value of the first page number counter and the first upper limit page number stored in the main body memory 82. Then, the controller 80 determines whether the total value of the first print page number and the print page number defined in the print job to be executed is greater than or equal to the first upper limit page number (S32: second determination processing).

[0116] The controller 80 makes a "yes" determination in S32 indicating that execution of the print job defined in the print job to be executed from now on will result in reaching the first upper limit number of pages printable within the term specified in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, when determining "yes" in S32, the controller 80 does not execute the subsequent print processing and notifies the user that printing cannot be performed using the display section (S33).

[0117] The notification content when S31 is "yes" and the notification content when S32 is "yes" may be different from each other. For example, when the determination made in S31 is "yes", the controller 80 may display a message about "printing cannot be performed in an offline state" in the display section. On the other hand, when the determination made in S32 is "yes", the controller 80 may display a message about "printing is no longer possible because the upper limit number of pages that can be printed within the contract period will be reached" in the display section.

[0118] On the other hand, the determination of “NO” made by the controller 80 in S32 indicates that execution of the print process defined in the print job to be executed from now on will not reach the first upper limit number of pages printable within the period specified in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, when the determination made in S32 is “NO”, the controller 80 starts the print process defined in the print job.

[0119] After the print job starts, the controller 80 performs the processing in S35 to S43 every time a sheet of paper is printed. First, the controller 80 refers to the print job and determines whether the print mode of a sheet of paper to be printed from now on is double-sided printing (S35). When the controller 80 determines that double-sided printing is to be performed (S35: Yes), the controller 80 prints a sheet of paper in double-sided printing (S36), and increases the first page number counter of the main body memory 82 by 2 (two sheets of paper) (S37: increment processing).

[0120] On the other hand, when the controller 80 does not determine to perform double-sided printing (S35: No), the controller 80 performs single-sided printing for one sheet (S38), and increases the first sheet number counter of the main body memory 82 by 1 (one sheet) (S39: increment processing).

[0121] Subsequently, the controller 80 confirms that the image forming apparatus 1 is in an offline state (S40). When the controller 80 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in an offline state (S40: No), that is, when it is determined to be in an online state, the controller 80 performs the subsequent printing of one sheet. That is, the controller returns to S35 and repeatedly performs the relevant processing. When the controller 80 completes the printing of all pages defined in the print job, the controller 80 exits the print processing loop in S34 and ends the processing (S44).

[0122] On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the offline state (S40: Yes), the controller 80 performs a first printing availability determination process (S41). The first printing availability determination process indicates a determination process for determining whether printing can be performed in the offline state. The details of the first printing availability determination process will be described later.

[0123] As a result of the printability determination, when the controller 80 determines that printing cannot be performed in the offline state (S42: Yes), the controller 80 notifies the user that printing cannot be performed through the display unit or the like (S43). The notification content in S43 may be different from the notification content in S33. Note that the processing performed in S43 is not essential. After performing S43, the controller 80 performs the first print availability determination processing (S41) again. That is, the controller 80 interrupts printing and performs a loop of S41 to S43 until the second page number counter is reset in response to the offline state being changed to the online state ( Figure 3in S11).

[0124] In the case where the printing performed in S36 or S38 corresponds to the printing of the last sheet defined in the print job, when the determination made in S42 is "Yes", the processing enters the loop in S41 to S43. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 1 accepts a new print job, as long as the determination result in S41 indicates that printing can be performed in the offline state, the print-associated processing for the new print job is not started. By such processing, even if the printing of all sheets defined in the print job is completed in S36 or S38, the printing of the next print job can be stopped.

[0125] On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that printing is possible as a result of the first print availability determination process (S42: No), the controller 80 performs printing of the next sheet. That is, the controller 80 returns to S35 and repeatedly performs the process S35, etc. Incidentally, when the controller completes printing of all pages defined in the print job, the controller exits the print process loop in S34 and ends the process.

[0126] <First Print Availability Determination Processing>

[0127] Figure 6 First, the controller 80 reads the ink type information stored in the main body memory 82 so that the image forming apparatus 1 can recognize that any of the ink cartridges 4 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is a contract-only cartridge (S410).

[0128] When the controller 80 recognizes that at least one box is a contract-only box (S410: Yes), the controller 80 increases the second page number counter by the same amount as in the previous step. Figure 5 The controller 80 increments the second page number counter by 2 in the case of double-sided printing and increments the second page number counter by 1 in the case of single-sided printing.

[0129] Subsequently, the controller 80 determines whether the second number of printed pages obtained by the addition in S411 is greater than or equal to the second upper limit number of pages (S412: first determination processing). When the controller 80 determines that the second number of printed pages is greater than or equal to the second upper limit number of pages (S412: Yes), the controller 80 determines that the printing in the offline state to be performed in S412 etc. cannot be performed (S413). The controller 80 updates the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 to the content that the contract is in effect and the offline printing is stopping (S414: printing prohibition processing). In other words, the controller 80 prohibits the execution of printing in step S412 etc. in the offline state. This can limit the number of pages that the image forming apparatus 1 can print in the offline state.

[0130] On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the second number of printed pages is less than the second upper limit number of pages (S412: No), the controller 80 determines that printing in an offline state can be performed (S415). The controller 80 updates the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 to "normal" (S416: print approval processing). In other words, the controller 80 approves the execution of printing in an offline state in S412 and the like. According to the present embodiment, the number of printed pages is counted each time a print process is performed on a sheet of paper. Regardless of whether printing is duplex printing or single-sided printing, after the print process is performed on a sheet of paper, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the execution of printing on a sheet causes the number of printed pages to reach the second upper limit number of pages, which indicates the upper limit of the number of pages that the image forming apparatus 1 can print in an offline state. Therefore, for example, even if one more page will reach the second upper limit number of pages, the image forming apparatus 1 does not determine whether the second upper limit number of pages is reached after printing only one side of a sheet and before printing the other side of the sheet. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 does not determine that the second upper limit number of pages is reached while printing a sheet in duplex printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can manage the number of printed pages during the offline state without losing the convenience of the user as much as possible. According to the present embodiment, in a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is in the offline state, when the sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages defined by the print job is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the content of the contract set in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus 1 starts printing, and thereafter determines whether the number of printed pages has reached the number of printable pages that can be printed in the offline state.

[0131] When the controller 80 does not determine that at least one ink cartridge is a contract-only cartridge (S410: No), that is, when all cartridges are normal type cartridges, the controller 80 determines that printing is possible in an offline state (S415), and updates the contract information in the main body memory 82 to "normal" (S416). In other words, the controller 80 approves the execution of printing in an offline state in S15 and the like. By doing so, even in the image forming apparatus 1 under contract, printing in an offline state can be performed by replacing all cartridges with normal cartridges. Therefore, user-friendliness can be enhanced.

[0132] <Second Embodiment>

[0133] Another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. For ease of description, the components described in the above embodiments and components having the same functions will be referred to with the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0134] The image forming apparatus 1 may be a laser printer. In the laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge are attached to the image forming apparatus 1 instead of attaching the ink cartridge 4. Note that there is no particular limitation on the number of each of the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the structure of each of the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge.

[0135] For example, the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge may be independent cartridges. Alternatively, the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge may be integrally constructed by attaching the toner cartridge to the drum cartridge. In a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the toner cartridge is inserted into the housing of the image forming device 1 together with the drum cartridge.

[0136] For the case where the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are independent of each other, it is desirable that the structure of each of the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge is any one of the following three categories.

[0137] One type can be constructed in a manner that a drum cartridge has a cartridge housing, in which a photosensitive drum, a drum storage, and a developer roller are disposed. A toner cartridge may have a cartridge housing, in which a toner storage is disposed. The cartridge housing of the toner cartridge contains toner therein. In the interior of the drum cartridge, the peripheral surface of the developer roller contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum, so that the developer (i.e., toner) is deposited on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The toner deposited thereon is transferred to a sheet of paper by means of a transfer belt. The data indicated in the print job is thus printed.

[0138] The second type can be constructed in a manner that the photosensitive drum and the drum storage are arranged in a cartridge housing of the drum cartridge. The developing roller can be arranged in a cartridge housing of the toner cartridge. In the interior of the drum cartridge, the peripheral surface of the developing roller contacts the outer surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0139] The third category can be configured to attach a developer cartridge having a developer roller separate from a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. In this case, the drum cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a photosensitive drum, and a drum storage. The toner cartridge has a cartridge housing and a toner storage. The cartridge housing of the toner cartridge accommodates toner therein. In the third category, three cartridges (i.e., a drum cartridge, a toner cartridge, and a developer cartridge) are inserted into the main body.

[0140] The drum memory stores, for example, drum ID, drum type information, and drum life information. The drum ID and drum life information are not essential information in the present disclosure. The drum type information indicates whether the drum cartridge is a contract-specific drum cartridge or a common drum cartridge.

[0141] The toner memory stores, for example, toner ID, toner type information, and toner life information. Note that the toner ID and toner life information are not essential information in the present disclosure. The type information indicates whether the toner cartridge is a contract-only cartridge or a normal toner cartridge.

[0142] In the laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, the main memory stores drum information and toner information instead of ink information. The drum information is information that associates the drum ID, drum type information, and drum life information read from the drum memory of each drum cartridge. The toner information is information that associates the toner ID, toner type information, and toner life information read from the toner memory of each toner cartridge.

[0143] Specifically, the drum box and the toner box can be an integrated box, so that the drum box and the toner box are constructed in one piece. This integrated box includes a box shell, a photosensitive drum, a memory and a developer roller. In the interior of the integrated box, the peripheral surface of the developer roller contacts the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The box shell of the integrated box accommodates the toner therein. The memory of the integrated box stores various information stored in the above-mentioned drum memory and the toner memory.

[0144] For a laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, Figures 3 to 6 Specifically, in a laser printer implementing the image forming device 1, Figures 3 to 6 The word ink cartridge 4 appearing in the text may be replaced by a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge (or an integrated cartridge).

[0145] For a laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, Figures 3 to 6 The ink storage 42 appearing in the embodiment can be replaced by a drum storage and a toner storage. In addition, in a laser printer implementing the image forming device 1, Figures 3 to 6 The word ink type information appearing in the image forming apparatus 1 may be replaced with drum type information and toner type information. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment employs the same effects as the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0146] In the first and second embodiments, when the image forming apparatus 1 enters the offline state, it can be determined whether the number of printed pages has reached the upper limit number of pages specified in the second upper limit information or more. Due to such determination, whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is performed with the image forming apparatus 1, it can be determined whether the printing of one sheet results in reaching the upper limit number of printable pages in the offline state. In a modified example, the main body memory 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 can store the first upper limit information indicating the upper limit of the number of printable pages set in the image forming apparatus depending on the contents of the contract, and the total printed page number information indicating the total number of pages that the image forming apparatus 1 has printed. In addition, the controller 80 can perform: a print process for printing one or more sheets according to a print job; an increment process for increasing the total printed page number information by 1 each time single-sided printing of one sheet is performed in the print process, and increasing the total printed page number information by 2 each time double-sided printing of one sheet is performed; and a second print availability determination process for determining whether the number of printed sheets indicated by the total printed page number information is greater than or equal to the upper limit number of sheets indicated by the first upper limit information after the increment process is performed. In a further modification, the controller 80 may execute print prohibition processing for prohibiting printing in subsequent print processing when the second print availability determination processing indicates that the total number of print pages indicated by the total print page number information is greater than or equal to the first upper limit number indicated by the first upper limit information.

[0147] Next, we will refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The flow of processing executed by the controller 80 of the image forming apparatus according to one example of the modification will be described. In the following description, the same steps as those described in the above embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and the description may be omitted.

[0148] <Printing related processing>

[0149] Figure 7 : is a flowchart showing the flow of print associating processing according to one example of the modification. Figure 7 A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 1 is started by the image forming apparatus 1 receiving a print job by operating as a trigger.

[0150] When receiving a print job, the controller 80 reads the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 (S30), and thus the controller 80 determines whether the condition that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print is satisfied (S51). More specifically, the controller 80 determines whether the number of printed pages has reached the first upper limit number that can be printed within the period specified in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1, or determines whether the number of printed pages has reached the second upper limit number that is the number of printable pages when the image forming apparatus 1 is in an offline state. When the controller 80 determines that printing cannot be performed using the image forming apparatus 1 (S51: Yes), that is, when the number of printed pages has reached the first upper limit number or the second upper limit number, the controller notifies the user that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print (S52). For example, the controller 80 displays a message notifying that printing cannot be performed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0151] On the other hand, when the controller 80 does not determine that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print (S51: No), that is, when the number of printed pages has not reached the first upper limit number and the second upper limit number, the controller 80 performs the printing process defined in the print job (S34). Since the contents of steps S35 to S39 are the same as those of steps S35-S39 in the above-described embodiment, the description of S35-S39 is omitted.

[0152] After performing step S37 or S39 (incremental processing), the controller 80 performs a second print availability determination process (S60). The second print availability determination process indicates a determination process for determining whether printing is possible. The details of the second print availability process will be described later.

[0153] As a result of the second printability determination process of S60, when the controller 80 determines that printing cannot be performed (S61: Yes), the controller 80 notifies the user that printing cannot be performed through the display section or the like (S62). After step S62, the controller ends the process. On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that printing can be performed as a result of the second print availability determination (S61: No), the controller executes steps S40 to S44. Since the contents of steps S40 to S44 are the same as those of steps S40-S44 in the above-described embodiment, description will be omitted.

[0154] <Second Print Availability Processing>

[0155] Figure 8 80 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second print availability determination process of S80. When the second print availability determination process starts, first, the controller 80 reads the ink type information stored in the main body memory 82 so that the image forming apparatus 1 can identify whether any of the ink cartridges 4 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is a contract-only cartridge (S610).

[0156] When the controller 80 recognizes that at least one box is a contract-specific box (S610: Yes), the controller 80 determines that Figure 7 The controller 80 determines whether the first number of pages of printing obtained in S37 or S39 is greater than or equal to the first upper limit number of pages (S611). When the controller 80 determines that the first number of pages of printing is greater than or equal to the first upper limit number of pages (S611: Yes), the controller 80 determines that the printing to be performed in S611 and the like cannot be performed (S612). Then, the controller 80 updates the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 to the content that the contract is in effect and the printing is stopped (S613: Printing prohibition processing). In other words, the controller 80 prohibits the execution of printing in step S611 and the like.

[0157] On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the first print page number is less than the first upper limit page number (S611: No), the controller 80 determines that printing is possible (S614), and updates the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 to "normal" (S615). In other words, the controller 80 approves the execution of printing in S611 and the like.

[0158] When the controller 80 does not determine that at least one ink cartridge is a contract-only cartridge (S610: No), that is, when all cartridges are normal type cartridges, the controller 80 determines that printing is possible (S614), and updates the contract information in the main body memory 82 to "normal".

[0159] <Software Implementation Example>

[0160] The control blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 9 may be implemented by a logic circuit (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or by a software solution.

[0161] In the latter case, each of the image forming device 1 and the server 9 includes a computer for executing a program command, which is software for implementing each function. Each computer in the image forming device 1 and the server 9 includes, for example, one or more processors, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program. In such a computer, the purpose of the present disclosure can be achieved by reading the program from the storage medium and executing the program by the processor. As such a processor, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) can be used. As a storage medium, for example, "tangible media without temporary data storage capabilities" such as ROM (read-only memory), tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory or programmable logic circuit can be used. In addition, a RAM (random access memory) for developing programs can also be provided. The program can be supplied to the computer through an arbitrarily selected program-transmittable transmission medium (communication network or broadcast wave). In one example of the present disclosure, the supply of the program can be implemented in the form of a data signal, wherein the program is embedded in a carrier wave implemented by electronic transmission.

[0162] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the protection claimed. It should be noted that further embodiments that can be obtained by combining the technical measures disclosed in different embodiments are also within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0163] [Reference Symbol List]

[0164] 1: Image forming device

[0165] 4: Ink cartridge (box)

[0166] 9: Server (management device)

[0167] 42: ink storage (first storage)

[0168] 80: Controller

[0169] 81: Ministry of Communications

[0170] 82: Main memory

[0171] 91: Server communication unit

[0172] 93: Server storage

[0173] 93: Server Control Unit

Claims

1. An image forming device, characterized in that: include: an interface configured to communicate with a network; A main body memory, the main body memory being configured to store therein: first upper limit information indicating an upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the content of a contract set in the image forming apparatus; second upper limit information indicating an upper limit of the number of printable pages that the image forming apparatus is allowed to print when the image forming apparatus is in an offline state in which the interface cannot be connected to the network; as well as Print page number information indicating the number of print pages printed by the image forming device in the offline state; as well as A controller, wherein the controller is configured to: Printing according to the print job to print one or more sheets while the interface is in the offline state; When printing one sheet, the printed page number information is increased by 1 in the case of printing one sheet in single-sided printing, and the printed page number information is increased by 2 in the case of printing one sheet in double-sided printing; and After the print page number information is increased, determining whether the print page number information is greater than or equal to the second upper limit information, If the controller determines that the print page number information is greater than or equal to the second upper limit information, the controller then prohibits printing in the offline state, and if the controller determines that the print page number information is less than the second upper limit information, the controller approves printing in the offline state. Even if one more page will reach the second upper limit information, the step of determining whether the printed page number information is greater than or equal to the second upper limit information is performed only after printing of one sheet of paper is completed, regardless of whether the sheet of paper is printed on one side or on both sides.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: in, The controller resets the printed page count information to zero in a case where the state of the interface is changed from the offline state to an online state in which the interface is connected to the network.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: further comprising a main body shell formed with an opening, through which one or more boxes can be installed in the main body shell, each box having a first memory storing type information indicating whether each box is a contract-specific box or a general box, Wherein, in a case where the type information of all of the one or more cartridges mounted to the main body casing indicates that the one or more cartridges are all the normal cartridges, the controller then allows printing in the offline state.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: in, The main body memory stores total print page number information indicating the total print page number printed regardless of the connection state of the interface and the network, and Wherein, the controller is constructed as follows: determining whether the sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages defined by the print job is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information; and When the sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages defined by the print job is less than the upper limit of the printable number of pages indicated by the first upper limit information, printing of the print job is performed.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: in, The main body memory stores contract information indicating the content of the contract set for the image forming apparatus, the contract information indicating any one of: a first mode in which the image forming apparatus is under the contract and printing is permitted in the offline state; a second mode, wherein the image forming apparatus is under the contract and printing is not permitted in the offline state; and a third mode, wherein the image forming apparatus is not under the contract.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: further comprising a printing unit configured to print on the sheet, Wherein, when the interface is in the offline state, the controller is configured to enable the printing unit to print.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: in, The controller is configured to increase the printed page number information by 1 when one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and to increase the printed page number information by 2 when one sheet is printed in double-sided printing, every time one sheet is printed by the image forming apparatus.

8. A method for controlling an image forming device, characterized in that: include: When the image forming apparatus is in an offline state in which the image forming apparatus cannot be connected to a network, causing the image forming apparatus to print according to a print job to print one or more sheets; When printing one sheet, increasing printed page number information by 1 if the one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and increasing the printed page number information by 2 if the one sheet is printed in double-sided printing, the printed page number information indicating the number of printed pages printed in the offline state; and After the print page number information is increased, determining whether the print page number information is greater than or equal to an upper limit number of pages that the image forming apparatus is allowed to print in the offline state, If the print page number information is greater than or equal to the upper limit number of pages, prohibiting printing in the offline state, and if it is determined that the print page number information is less than the upper limit number of pages, approving printing in the offline state, Even if one more page will reach the upper limit, the step of determining whether the printed page number information is greater than or equal to the upper limit is performed only after printing of one sheet of paper is completed, regardless of whether the sheet of paper is printed on one side or on both sides.

9. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: in, Every time one sheet is printed, the printed page number information is incremented by 1 if the one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and is incremented by 2 if the one sheet is printed in double-sided printing.

10. An image forming device, characterized in that: include: an interface configured to communicate with a network; A main body memory, the main body memory being configured to store therein: first upper limit information indicating an upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the content of a contract set in the image forming apparatus; as well as Total print page number information, the total print page number information indicating the number of printed pages; as well as A controller, wherein the controller is configured to: Printing is performed according to the print job to print one or more sheets; When printing one sheet, the total printed page number information is increased by 1 in the case where the one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and the total printed page number information is increased by 2 in the case where the one sheet is printed in double-sided printing; and after the total print number information is incremented, determining whether the total print number information is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the printable number of pages indicated by the first upper limit information, if the controller determines that the total number of printed sheets is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information, the controller then prohibits printing, and if the controller determines that the total number of printed sheets is less than the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information, the controller approves printing, Even if one more page will reach the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information, the step of determining whether the printed page number information is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information is performed only after printing of a sheet of paper is completed, regardless of whether the sheet of paper is printed on one side or two sides.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: Further included is a printing unit configured to print on the sheet, wherein the controller is configured to cause the printing unit to print.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: in, Whenever one sheet is printed, the controller is configured to increase the printed page number information by 1 if the one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and to increase the printed page number information by 2 if the one sheet is printed in double-sided printing.

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