Permitted printing amount management device and management program

Abstract

The invention provides an allowable printing amount management device and a management program, which can set a condition that printing with negative allowable printing amount is not allowed and a condition that printing with negative allowable printing amount is allowed according to the expectation of a user, thereby improving convenience. The multifunction printer (200) is configured so as to be able to perform printing with the number of sheets allowed to be printed as an upper limit, and the number of sheets allowed to be printed increases in accordance with a prescribed number of recharged sheets ensured by a purchase printing authority purchased by a user's money burden, and decreases in accordance with the amount of printing performed. A CPU (310) of a mobile terminal (300) executes: a process for increasing the number of sheets allowed to be printed on a multifunction peripheral (200); when a predetermined negative recharge processing application condition is satisfied, a process of adding an unpurchased allowable printing sheet number to an insufficient allowable printing sheet number is permitted, and when the application condition is not satisfied, a process of adding an unpurchased allowable printing sheet number to an insufficient allowable printing sheet number is prohibited., when the application condition is not satisfied, a process of adding an unpurchased allowable printing sheet number to an insufficient allowable printing sheet number is prohibited. And setting a negative recharge processing application condition.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an allowed print amount management device and a management program that manage an allowed print amount that indicates an upper limit of printing by a printing device. BACKGROUND

[0002] There is known a system in which a management server adds a guaranteed print amount corresponding to a print authority purchased based on a manual operation by a user to an allowed print amount of a printing device, and the printing device performs printing with the added allowed print amount as an upper limit. In such a system, as described in Patent Literature 1, for example, there is disclosed a technology that enables printing to be exceptionally performed within a prescribed range according to a utilization history of the user even in a case where an insufficient amount of the allowed print amount occurs due to a print instruction of an amount of printing that exceeds the allowed print amount.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-125561 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the above technology, at the time when the printing process within the prescribed range of the exception is completed, the upper limit value that can be printed, that is, the allowed print amount, is negative. In this case, the user increases the allowed print amount by adding a guaranteed print amount guaranteed by a newly purchased print authority, so-called recharging, and can continue printing.

[0008] However, when printing is performed and the allowed print amount becomes negative, the user's financial burden increases. On the other hand, if the case where the allowed print amount becomes negative is not recognized at all, printing is stopped even in a case where it is necessary to perform printing, and this causes inconvenience. That is, there are conditions in which it is appropriate to not allow printing in which the allowed print amount is negative and conditions in which it is appropriate to allow printing in which the allowed print amount is negative, and these conditions differ depending on the user.

[0009] In the above technology, the conditions in which it is appropriate to not allow printing in which the allowed print amount is negative and the conditions in which it is appropriate to allow printing in which the allowed print amount is negative are not considered.

[0010] An object of the present application is to provide an allowed print amount management device and a management program that can set conditions in which it is appropriate to not allow printing in which the allowed print amount is negative and conditions in which it is appropriate to allow printing in which the allowed print amount is negative in accordance with the user's desire, and can improve convenience.

[0011] TECHNICAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0012] To achieve the above object, the present application is a permitted print amount management apparatus which manages a permitted print amount of a print apparatus configured to perform printing with the permitted print amount as an upper limit, the permitted print amount of the print apparatus being increased in accordance with a prescribed guaranteed print amount guaranteed by a purchased print right purchased by a user's monetary burden and being decreased in accordance with a print amount of the printing performed, the permitted print amount management apparatus including a control section configured to perform: a permitted print amount increase process which increases the permitted print amount of the print apparatus; a non-purchased print amount increase permission process which, in the permitted print amount increase process, permits addition of a non-purchased permitted print amount to a deficiency of the permitted print amount in a case where a prescribed first condition is satisfied and prohibits addition of the non-purchased permitted print amount to the deficiency of the permitted print amount in a case where the first condition is not satisfied; and a first condition setting process which sets the first condition.

[0013] In the present application, the permitted print amount of the print apparatus is increased in accordance with a prescribed guaranteed print amount guaranteed by a purchased print right purchased by a user's monetary burden and is decreased in accordance with a print amount of the printing performed. Therefore, the control section of the permitted print amount management apparatus performs the permitted print amount increase process which increases the permitted print amount of the print apparatus.

[0014] In the present application, in a case where a print instruction of a print amount exceeding the permitted print amount is issued and a deficiency of the permitted print amount occurs, increase of the permitted print amount can be performed by addition of a non-purchased permitted print amount, and at the time when the print process is completed, the permitted print amount becomes negative.

[0015] In the case where the negative value of the permitted print amount is permitted by addition of the non-purchased permitted print amount as described above, the negative value of the permitted print amount is not always permitted, but a prescribed first condition for permitting is set in the first condition setting process. Also, in the non-purchased print amount increase permission process, addition of the non-purchased permitted print amount is permitted in a case where the first condition is satisfied and is prohibited in a case where the first condition is not satisfied.

[0016] According to the present application, it is possible to set a condition under which the negative value of the permitted print amount is not permitted and a condition under which the negative value of the permitted print amount is permitted in accordance with a user's desire, and thus it is possible to improve convenience.

[0017] Effects of Invention

[0018] According to the present application, it is possible to set a condition under which printing with the negative value of the permitted print amount is not permitted and a condition under which printing with the negative value of the permitted print amount is permitted in accordance with a user's desire, and thus it is possible to improve convenience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the system architecture of a printing service providing system according to an implementation method.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a mobile terminal.

[0021] Figure 3 This is an illustration of the information sending and receiving process in the prepaid printing service provision system.

[0022] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the specific parameter processing performed internally on the multifunction printer side for prepaid printing services.

[0023] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the specific parameter processing performed internally on the multifunction printer side during negative charging.

[0024] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the specific parameter processing performed internally on the multifunction printer side during FAX printing.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a negative recharge setting screen displayed on the touch panel of a mobile terminal.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a flowchart that details the steps performed by the multifunction printer's processor during a print job.

[0027] Figure 9 This is an example of a negative recharge setting screen that appears when the negative recharge setting cannot be changed. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] <Overview of the Printing Service Provider System>

[0030] Figure 1 This illustration shows an example of the system architecture of a print service provision system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The print service provision system 1 provides a prepaid print service where users, as customers, prepay for the use of the printing function of the multifunction printer 200. Figure 1In this embodiment, the print service providing system 1 includes a management server 100, a multifunction printer 200, a mobile terminal 300, and a transaction server 400. These components—management server 100, multifunction printer 200, mobile terminal 300, and transaction server 400—are connected to a network NT, which includes telephone communication lines and mobile phone communication lines, and can communicate with each other. Furthermore, in this example embodiment, the multifunction printer 200 is an example of a printing device, and the mobile terminal 300 is an example of a print volume management device.

[0031] <Management Server>

[0032] Management server 100 is, for example, a server installed and managed by the manufacturer of multifunction printer 200. Figure 1 As shown, the management server 100 has a processor 110, a storage device 115, and a communication interface 190. These processors 110, storage devices 115, and communication interfaces 190 are connected to each other via a bus 105 in a manner that enables them to send and receive data.

[0033] Storage device 115 includes volatile storage device 120 and non-volatile storage device 130. Volatile storage device 120 is, for example, DRAM, which stores various programs and data that are processed. Non-volatile storage device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or solid-state drive, which has a program storage area 131 and a data storage area 132.

[0034] Various programs are stored in program storage area 131. These programs include those related to the aforementioned prepaid printing service. Data storage area 132 stores various information related to the user who signed the contract for the prepaid printing service and the multifunction printer 200 used.

[0035] Processor 110 is a data processing device, such as a CPU, that executes various programs, including programs related to the aforementioned prepaid printing service stored in program storage area 131. Processor 110 performs various processing tasks, including data communication with the mobile terminal 300, multifunction printer 200, and transaction server 400 connected to the network NT. Processor 110 executes the purchase of printing rights for the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment.

[0036] Communication interface 190 is a wired LAN interface or wireless interface used for communicating with other devices and connecting to a network NT.

[0037] Furthermore, the storage device 115 is not limited to the structure of the device elements described above. For example, it may be composed of removable recording media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, HDD, USB memory that is detachable from the management server 100, buffers provided by the processor 110, or combinations thereof.

[0038] Further, the storage 115 can also be a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In the non-transitory medium, besides the above examples, there are also included recording media such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and the like. Further, the non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. The same is true of the storage 215 of the multifunction peripheral 200 described later.

[0039] <Multi-function peripheral>

[0040] The multifunction peripheral 200 is possessed by a user who has accepted the provision of the above-described pre-paid printing service, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction peripheral 200 has a processor 210, a storage 215, a display section 240, an operation section 250, a communication interface 270, and a printing section 290. These processor 210, storage 215, display section 240, operation section 250, communication interface 270, and printing section 290 are connected via a bus 205 in a manner that enables them to mutually transmit and receive data. In the present embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 200 is further provided with a document reading section 260 that reads a document, a FAX communication section 280 that can transmit and receive a facsimile (FAX), and an E-mail processing section 285 that can transmit and receive an electronic mail (E-mail). Figure 1

[0041] The storage 215 is provided with a volatile storage 220 and a non-volatile storage 230. The volatile storage 220 is, for example, a DRAM, and is provided with an image data storage area 221 that stores image data of a print target. The non-volatile storage 230 is, for example, a flash memory, and is provided with a program storage area 232 and a data storage area 233. In the program storage area 232, there is stored, for example, as a firmware, a program based on a flowchart and the like described later. In the data storage area 233, there are stored various information such as various parameters of the total number of print sheets, the total number of printable sheets, and the number of allowed print sheets, and the like, which are described later in relation to the above-described pre-paid printing service. Further, information on these parameters related to the pre-paid printing service is described in detail in the following. Figure 8 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6

[0042] The processor 210 is a device that performs data processing, and is, for example, a CPU. The processor 210 executes various programs stored in the program storage area 232.

[0043] ​​​​​The display section 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is capable of displaying various information. The operation section 250 is a device that receives operations by a user. The user is capable of inputting various instructions to the multifunction peripheral 200 by operating the operation section 250. The communication interface 270 is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT and the mobile terminal 300.

[0044] The printing section 290 takes out and transports the paper in the paper feed tray by a transport mechanism not shown, and prints an image on the transported paper in a prescribed manner. The printing manner is not particularly limited, and printing is performed in, for example, an inkjet manner or a laser manner. The printing section 290 forms an image on the paper using liquid ink of an ink cartridge not particularly shown or toner of a toner cartridge, in accordance with a print job transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 or a print job generated by itself based on an operation on the operation section 250. In the multifunction peripheral 200 of the present embodiment, various print jobs such as FAX printing based on FAX communication received from the outside via a telephone communication line by the FAX communication section 280, automatic printing of an Email received via the network NT by the E-mail processing section 285, and the like can be coped with.

[0045] <MOBILE TERMINAL>

[0046] Figure 2 An example of a system configuration of the mobile terminal 300 is shown. The mobile terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone or the like held by a user, and is connected to the network NT and the multifunction peripheral 200 described above via wireless communication. As shown in Figure 2 The mobile terminal 300 has a CPU 310, a memory 320, a communication control section 330 for connecting to the network NT and the multifunction peripheral 200 via wireless communication, a touch panel 340, and a mass storage device 350.

[0047] The mass storage device 350 is, for example, a flash memory, and has a program storage area 351 and a data storage area 352. The CPU 310 executes various programs stored in the program storage area 351. The CPU 310 performs various processes including data communication with the management server 100 connected to the network NT. In addition, the CPU 310 performs various processes including data communication with the multifunction peripheral 200 connected via wireless communication such as Wi-fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. In the data storage area 352, a user ID or the like for identifying a user corresponding to the mobile terminal 300 is stored based on the above-described program or the above-described print service issuance.

[0048] The mobile terminal 300 also uses a touch panel 340, which integrates a liquid crystal display and a touchpad, to display various information and perform various user operations. Users can input various instructions to the mobile terminal 300 by operating the touch panel 340. Furthermore, the CPU 310 and the program stored in the program storage area 351 are examples of a control unit, and the touch panel 340 is an example of an operation unit.

[0049] In addition, as a mobile terminal 300, it can also replace portable terminals and be used with other information terminals such as tablet computers and desktop PCs.

[0050] <Transaction Server>

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the transaction server 400 is a server used for online settlement via network NT. The transaction server 400 has a processor, storage device, and a communication interface for connecting to network NT (not shown).

[0052] <Prepaid printing service when in use>

[0053] Figure 3 This illustration shows a specific example of a prepaid printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 according to this embodiment under normal use.

[0054] In this embodiment, the printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 is a prepaid printing service. The prepaid printing service is a service in which the number of prepaid printing rights guaranteed by the user through a prepaid purchase request is added to the allowed number of printing pages of each multifunction printer 200, and the printing process in the multifunction printer 200 can be performed up to the allowed number of printing pages.

[0055] The addition of the recharged number of sheets to the allowed printable number of sheets is performed by, for example, the processor 110 of the management server 100 by updating the allowed printable number of sheets stored in the aforementioned data storage area 132 corresponding to each individual multifunction printer 200. Furthermore, this addition information is also sent to the multifunction printer 200 via the network NT, and the allowed printable number of sheets additionally stored in the data storage area 233 is also updated synchronously.

[0056] Then, whenever printing is performed on the multifunction printer 200 side, the processor 210 reduces the number of printable pages in the data storage area 233 by that number of printable pages, for example, by sending it to the management server 100 via the network NT at regular intervals, and the number of printable pages in the data storage area 132 is updated synchronously.

[0057] In the prepaid printing service described above, if the multifunction printer 200 completes printing based on the allowed number of pages, and the allowed number of pages, which is the upper limit of printable capacity, becomes zero or less, the user can recharge through a new purchase. Thus, the allowed number of pages increases by adding the recharged amount, allowing printing to continue.

[0058] In the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment, as a method for purchasing the aforementioned printing rights, firstly, the purchase of printing rights based on a user's purchase request can be executed. The purchase of printing rights based on a user's purchase request is executed by sending a purchase application (i.e., a recharge instruction) for the aforementioned printing rights from the mobile terminal 300 to the management server 100 according to the user's recharge operation, and the management server 100 accepts and executes the request. The purchase of the aforementioned printing rights can be executed at any time desired by the user. At this time, the user selects any of several recharge plans with different purchase quantities and amounts, such as 50 sheets = 500 yen, 100 sheets = 900 yen, 250 sheets = 2000 yen, etc., to purchase the corresponding printing rights. Then, the transaction server 400 and the management server 100 cooperate to perform the specific electronic settlement processing for this purchase.

[0059] Here, we will refer to Figure 4 Here is an example illustrating the specific parameter processing performed internally on the multifunction printer 200 side for the aforementioned prepaid printing service. First, as... Figure 4 As shown in (a), in the multifunction printer 200, the parameters of total print count and total printable count are stored in the data storage area 233. The total print count represents the total cumulative number of pages actually printed from the time a user of the multifunction printer 200 signed a prepaid printing service contract until that time. As the absolute usage of the multifunction printer 200 by the user, it is an important parameter for management. The total printable count represents the total cumulative number of pages actually purchased after the user of the multifunction printer 200 signed a prepaid printing service contract. Furthermore, the difference between these total print counts and total printable counts corresponds to the aforementioned allowed print count; as long as the value of the allowed print count is not zero, the user can continue printing.

[0060] In this case, if a user is charged for purchasing recharge plans with a certain number of recharge cards (A), then... Figure 4 As shown in (b), the total number of printable sheets is updated by adding the recharged sheets A to the original total number of printable sheets. The new allowed number of printable sheets is calculated by the difference between the original total number of printable sheets and the total number of printable sheets at that time.

[0061] Further, the above-mentioned allowable print number is an example of the allowable print amount, the chargeable number is an example of the guaranteed print amount, and the process of adding the chargeable number to the total printable number is an example of the allowable print amount increasing process. Further, the allowable print number can be replaced by the difference between the total printable number and the total printed number, and the number obtained by adding the chargeable number and subtracting the actually printed number.

[0062] <Negative Charge and Application Condition Setting>

[0063] In the above-mentioned pre-paid print service in the normal use, it is originally premised that the print in which the total printed number exceeds the total printable number, that is, the print in which the allowable print number is negative, cannot be executed. However, in the case where the charge of the allowable print number cannot be performed due to the off-line of the network NT, the server stoppage, or the like, which is inevitable, the process of the negative charge can be exceptionally permitted in some cases so that the state in which the print can be continued can be ensured.

[0064] The negative charge process is, in detail, a process of temporarily permitting the print in which the total printed number exceeds the total printable number, and in the example of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, it is a process of temporarily increasing the allowable print number by permitting the allowable print number to be negative. That is, it is a process of newly requesting the excess amount of the total printed number with respect to the total printable number without updating the originally stored total printable number. At this time, the allowable print number is increased and updated by the temporary charge number a, which is negative, corresponding to the excess amount of the total printed number. Figure 5

[0065] However, if the negative charge process is unconditionally and unlimitedly permitted to be executed, it can cause the increase of the financial burden, which greatly exceeds the budget, for the user. On the other hand, if the negative charge process is not permitted at all, the print can be stopped even in the case where the print must be performed, which causes the inconvenience.

[0066] For example, in the case of the FAX print, the necessity of the negative charge differs significantly depending on the user. That is, in the normal FAX print, the print scheduled number cannot be grasped in advance at the start of the print, and the number of printed pages can be determined only at the time when the entire print is completed. Therefore, in the case where the negative charge is not permitted at all, as shown in FIG. 7, the FAX print cannot be performed with all the pages due to the shortage of the allowable print number at that time, and the possibility of the reception omission is high. In this regard, it is considered that the user who receives the file of the important content in a large number of pages through the FAX communication on a daily basis desires to permit the temporary negative charge process at least for the FAX print in order to complete the print with all the pages. Figure 6

[0067] ​​Thus, depending on the user's situation and various conditions such as task content, the necessity of negative recharge processing varies greatly. Therefore, it is desirable for users to be able to arbitrarily set whether or not negative recharge processing can be applied based on different conditions such as printing tasks.

[0068] In this embodiment, the display is performed on the application executed by the mobile terminal 300 (or on a web application). Figure 7 The settings screen 340A shown here relates to negative recharge. Users can arbitrarily set the conditions for whether negative recharge can be applied by operating the settings screen 340A.

[0069] exist Figure 7 In the example negative charge setting screen 340A shown, the individual information 341 of the target device (multifunction printer 200 in this example) is displayed, and the main setting items (in the example negative charge setting screen 340A) are selected by checkboxes. Figure 7 In the example shown, setting item 342, "Allow Negative Top-ups," is displayed in a way that allows for setting operations. This main setting item itself configures whether or not negative top-up processing is allowed in the prepaid printing service. Furthermore, as subordinate to this main setting item, other settings include FAX printing ("FAX Receiving" 343 in the figure) and E-mail instant printing. Figure 7 "E-mail Print Receipt" 344) and regular print jobs ( Figure 7 In the “Mid-Print Job” section (345), the settings corresponding to each task category are also displayed as checkboxes in a way that allows for setting operations.

[0070] In addition, Figure 7 In the illustrated example, by simply enabling negative recharge processing in the main setting item 342 (by checking the checkbox), the settings for all other task category conditions 343, 344, and 345 can be automatically enabled as well, and then the settings can be deactivated individually (illustration omitted). However, the main setting item 342 and the settings for each task category condition 343, 344, and 345 can also be configured independently.

[0071] Then, when the user confirms the settings on the settings screen (…), Figure 7 When the "Reflect Settings" button 346 is pressed, the confirmed settings information is temporarily sent to the multifunction printer 200 via the management server 100 (see reference). Figure 3(The transmission path of "Recharge Settings" in the main settings). Afterwards, the multifunction printer 200 will only allow negative recharge processing as needed during the execution of print jobs for which negative recharge processing is enabled in both the main settings item 342 and the task category conditions for enabling negative recharge. In other words, it allows an increase in the number of printable pages that have not been purchased.

[0072] Furthermore, the above-mentioned negative charge setting screen 340A displayed by the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 on the touch panel 340, and the negative charge setting process that sets each setting item 342 to 345 according to the input from the user, is an example of the first condition setting process and the condition input acceptance process. The main setting item 342 and the setting items 343, 344, and 345 corresponding to the task category conditions of FAX printing, E-mail instant printing, and normal printing jobs are examples of the first condition. "FAX receiving" and "E-mail Print receiving" are examples of the print data association factors included in the first condition. "Midway through normal printing job" is an example of the print execution association factor included in the first condition. The program (application) for the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 to execute the above negative charge setting process or the program (Web program) for the management server 100 to execute the above negative charge setting process on the touch panel 340 of the mobile terminal 300 are examples of the management program.

[0073] <Control Steps>

[0074] To achieve the above-described processing in this embodiment, by... Figure 8 The flowchart illustrates an example of the control steps executed by the processor 210 of the multifunction printer 200. After the multifunction printer 200 receives negative charge setting information from the mobile terminal 300, it begins to execute some print jobs. Figure 8 The process.

[0075] First, in step S5, the total number of printed sheets and the total number of printable sheets counted at that moment are obtained from the data storage area 233. Next, the process moves to step S10, where the next sheet of paper is printed using the print job executed at that moment. In step S15, the total number of printed sheets is incremented by 1 (incremented by 1) corresponding to the printed sheet.

[0076] Next, in step S20, it is determined whether the total number of printable pages at that moment is greater than or equal to the total number of printable pages. In other words, it is determined whether the allowed number of printable pages, calculated by subtracting the total number of printable pages from the total number of printable pages at that moment, is less than or equal to 0. If the total number of printable pages is less than the total number of printable pages, in other words, if the allowed number of printable pages is greater than 0, the determination is not met (S20: No), and the process proceeds to S25. In step S25, it is determined whether the printing task has been completed. If it has not been completed, the determination is not met (S25: No), and the process returns to step S10.

[0077] On the other hand, in the determination of step S20 above, if the total number of printable pages is greater than or equal to the total number of printable pages, in other words, if the allowed number of printable pages is less than or equal to 0, the determination is satisfied (S20: Yes), and the process moves to step S30. In step S30, referring to the received negative charge setting information, it is determined whether the main setting item 342 is set to allow negative charge. If it is set to allow negative charge, the determination is satisfied (S30: Yes), and the process moves to the next step S35. In step S35, it is determined whether the print job being executed at this time is a print job set to allow negative charge. If the print job being executed meets any of the following criteria: FAX printing, instant email printing, and regular print job, and is set to allow negative charge, the determination is satisfied (S35: Yes), and the process moves to step S25. The negative charge processing through S30 and S35 is an example of non-purchase print quantity increase processing.

[0078] On the other hand, in the determination of step S30 above, if the main setting item 342 is set in a way that does not allow negative recharge, the determination is not met (S30: No), and the process moves to step S40. Additionally, in the determination of step S35 above, if the print job in the execution process is not set to allow negative recharge, that is, if the print job in the execution process does not meet the requirement that any of the following print jobs—FAX printing, instant email printing, and regular print jobs—is set to allow negative recharge, the determination is not met (S35: No), and the process moves to step S40. In step S40, the previously executed print job is interrupted. Since the allowed number of prints becomes 0, an error message indicating that printing has been interrupted is sent to the user, and the process moves to step S45.

[0079] On the other hand, if the printing task is completed in the determination of step S25 above, the determination (S25: Yes) is satisfied, and the process moves to step S45.

[0080] In step S45, the allowed number of printable pages is calculated by subtracting the total number of printable pages from the total number of printable pages at that moment. In the next step S50, this allowed number of printable pages is sent to the management server 100, ending the process. Afterwards, the management server 100 synchronizes and updates its stored allowed number of printable pages. If the received allowed number of printable pages is negative (<0, negative number), it sends a recharge request to the user equivalent to a negative recharge amount (illustration omitted).

[0081] <Effects of the Implementation Method>

[0082] As described above, in the mobile terminal 300 of the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment, the number of pages that the multifunction printer 200 can print is increased based on the number of pages guaranteed by the purchase of printing rights paid for by the user, and decreased based on the amount of printing performed. Therefore, the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 performs a negative recharge setting process to increase the number of pages that the multifunction printer 200 can print.

[0083] In this embodiment, if a print instruction is issued for a print quantity exceeding the allowed print quantity, resulting in a shortage of the allowed print quantity, the allowed print quantity can be increased by adding the unpurchased allowed print quantity. At the moment the print process is completed, the allowed print quantity is negative.

[0084] When the allowed print count is allowed to be negative by adding the unpurchased allowed print count as described above, it is not always allowed to be negative. Instead, the negative recharge setting process of the mobile terminal 300 sets specific conditions for allowing it. Furthermore, in the negative recharge setting process, adding the unpurchased allowed print count is allowed if the conditions are met, and adding the unpurchased allowed print count to the insufficient allowed print count is prohibited if the conditions are not met.

[0085] According to this embodiment, convenience can be improved because the conditions for disallowing negative print counts and the conditions for allowing negative print counts can be set according to the user's expectations.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a touch panel 340 is specifically provided to accept input operations from the user. The CPU 310 also accepts input via the touch panel 340 for the main setting item 342 for allowing negative recharge processing, setting conditions for various task categories such as FAX printing, instant email printing, and normal print jobs. Therefore, based on the operation input on the touch panel 340, conditions for disallowing negative print counts and conditions for allowing negative print counts can be set according to the user's expectations.

[0087] Furthermore, the setting information set by the mobile terminal 300 can also be sent directly to the multifunction printer 200 via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) without going through the network NT or management server 100.

[0088] Furthermore, the negative recharge setting process is not limited to the mobile terminal 300; it can also be performed by the processor 210 of the multifunction printer 200 itself via the display unit 240 and the operation unit 250. In this case, the multifunction printer 200 itself is an example of a print volume management device, and the program executing its setting process is an example of a management program. Alternatively, the negative recharge setting process can also be performed by making the management server 100 a web server for sending and receiving. This is executed via the browser of the mobile terminal 300. In this case, the management server 100 is an example of a print volume management device, and the program executing its setting process on the management server 100 is an example of a management program.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, specific conditions for allowing negative recharge processing are shown for each task category, such as FAX printing, instant email printing, and conditions during a regular print job. However, further conditions (not specifically illustrated) can also be set if these conditions are met. For example, for print jobs set to allow negative recharge processing, conditions representing the execution range of the sum of the allowed number of unpurchased prints can also be set, such as a time limit condition corresponding to its time range and a number of prints condition corresponding to the print volume range.

[0090] For example, regarding the aforementioned time limit, it is possible to specify a specific duration (in seconds, minutes, or hours) from the time the initial allowed print count deficiency occurs, or a specific number of days during which print jobs under negative recharge can be repeatedly performed. Furthermore, regarding the print count condition, it is possible to specify a specific number of prints that can continue under negative recharge after the initial allowed print count deficiency occurs.

[0091] The aforementioned time limit conditions and print count conditions are examples of the second conditions, and the process by which the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 sets these time limit conditions and print count conditions is an example of the second condition setting process.

[0092] As described above, the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 can set conditions representing the execution range of adding the number of unpurchased printable pages. In this case, when adding the unpurchased allowed printable pages after meeting the specified print task conditions such as being an application subject to negative recharge processing, the addition is not performed without limit, but rather subject to certain restrictions. The CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 sets the conditions representing the execution range of adding the allowed printable pages as the aforementioned restrictions. Therefore, the execution range of adding the allowed printable pages can be set according to the user's expectations, thus further improving convenience.

[0093] Furthermore, in particular, as a condition for determining the execution range of adding the number of unpurchased allowed prints, a time range, i.e., a time limit, can be set from the point where the number of allowed prints falls short. Thus, when adding the number of unpurchased allowed prints is performed while the print job conditions are met, the addition can be performed only within a certain time range.

[0094] Furthermore, specifically as a condition for the execution range of adding the number of unpurchased allowed prints, it is possible to set a range of the number of unpurchased allowed prints, i.e., the condition for the number of prints. Thus, when adding the number of unpurchased allowed prints to meet the print task conditions, the addition can be performed only within a certain range of the allowed number of prints.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, "FAX receipt" and "E-mail Print receipt" are shown as examples of print data association factors included in the application conditions for negative recharge processing, and "midway through a normal print job" is shown as an example of print execution association factors included in the application conditions for negative recharge processing. In this way, conditions that disallow negative print counts and conditions that allow negative print counts can be set in detail according to the user's expectations, based on print data association factors, print execution association factors, user permission factors, etc.

[0096] As described above, examples of print data-related factors include situations where print data is received via fax or email, whether it is photo printing, text document printing, or print data with a high coverage area. Examples of print execution-related factors include situations where the allowed negative print count is during a print job, or where printing is performed in high-resolution mode, monochrome, or color mode. Examples of user license factors include situations where user licenses are used to allow additional payment for negative print counts. Users can also set these detailed conditions as desired based on input on the touch panel 340 (not specifically illustrated).

[0097] Furthermore, as an example of factors included in the application conditions for negative recharge processing, detailed settings can be made according to user expectations, such as user attribute factors, user payment-related factors, user reliability factors, service provision-related factors, and maintenance-related factors.

[0098] Examples of user attribute factors include whether the user is a heavy user with high service frequency or a light user with low frequency, their usage history of the multifunction printer 200, and the number of times they have purchased printing permissions. Examples of user payment-related factors include whether there is an automatic purchase setting for printing permissions and whether there is a history of unsettled purchases. In addition, at least some of the user attribute factors and user payment-related factors can also be replaced by user reliability factors that represent user reliability.

[0099] As an example of a service provision-related factor, consider whether the delivery service of consumables for the multifunction printer 200 is delayed compared to the scheduled time. As an example of a maintenance-related factor, consider the presence or absence of maintenance operations, such as test page printing, to determine the allowable print volume during printing. These detailed condition settings can also be performed by the user as desired based on the operation input on the touch panel 340 (not specifically illustrated).

[0100] Furthermore, for users who own multiple devices such as multifunction printers and printers, and who accept prepaid printing services under the same contract, negative recharge processing conditions can be set according to the terms of that contract unit. Specifically, such as... Figure 9 As shown in the negative charge setting screen 340B, if one of the devices within the contract has not been settled, the condition setting will prevent negative charge processing for other devices (in the illustrated example, the entire range 347 of checkbox settings 342 to 345 is displayed as grayed out and cannot be operated). This encourages users to strictly manage charges within the entire contract.

[0101] In addition, the above Figure 8 The flowchart shown does not limit the present invention to the steps shown in the flowchart. Steps may be added, deleted, or their order changed without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the invention.

[0102] In addition to the above, the methods of the above embodiments and various modifications can also be appropriately combined and utilized.

[0103] Furthermore, although not all examples are provided, the invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0104] Explanation of icon numbers

[0105] 1. Printing service provision system; 100 Management Server; 200 Multifunction Printer (an example of a printing device); 300 Mobile terminal (an example of a print volume management device); 310 CPU (an example of a control unit); 340 Touch panel (an example of an operation unit); 400 Transaction Server; NT network.

Claims

1. A print quantity management device for managing the print quantity allowed by a printing device, wherein, The printing device is configured to perform printing up to a maximum allowed print volume, which increases based on a guaranteed print volume stipulated by a purchased printing license paid for by the user, and decreases based on the actual print volume performed. The print quantity management device includes a control unit configured to perform: The print volume increase processing increases the print volume allowed by the printing device. The non-purchased print quantity increase allowance processing allows adding the unpurchased print quantity to the insufficient print quantity if a first condition is met, and prohibits adding the unpurchased print quantity to the insufficient print quantity if the first condition is not met. as well as First condition setting process: Set the first condition.

2. The permissible print volume management device according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit is configured to further perform a second condition setting process, in which a second condition is set representing the execution range of the sum of the unpurchased allowable print quantities.

3. The permissible print volume management device according to claim 2, wherein, The second condition is applied within the time frame from the occurrence of the insufficient allowable print volume.

4. The permissible print quantity management device according to claim 2, wherein, The second condition applies to the range of the number of allowed prints that have not been purchased.

5. The permissible print quantity management device according to claim 1, wherein, The permitted print volume management device has an operation unit. The control unit is configured to further perform condition input acceptance processing, in which the operation unit accepts the input that sets the first condition.

6. The permissible print quantity management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first condition includes at least one of the following: print data association factor, print execution association factor, and user license factor.

7. The permissible print quantity management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first condition includes at least one of the following: user attribute factor, user payment association factor, user reliability factor, service provision association factor, and maintenance association factor.

8. A management procedure executed by an allowable print volume management device that manages the allowable print volume of a printing device, wherein, The printing device is configured to perform printing up to a maximum allowed print volume, which increases based on a guaranteed print volume stipulated by a purchased printing license paid for by the user, and decreases based on the actual print volume performed. The management procedure is configured to cause the computation unit of the print volume management device to execute: The print volume increase processing increases the print volume allowed by the printing device. Allowed print volume acquisition processing, acquiring the allowed print volume reduced by print execution in the printing device; The non-purchased print quantity increase allowance processing allows adding the unpurchased print quantity to the insufficient print quantity if a first condition is met, and prohibits adding the unpurchased print quantity to the insufficient print quantity if the first condition is not met. as well as First condition setting process: Set the first condition.

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