Printer, system, control method thereof and program

Abstract

To solve the problem that flat rate-based service needs to avoid downtime from occurring due to a situation where a component reaches the end of service life during the use of a printer resulting in making a user unable to use the printer, therefore, it is necessary to determine the service life of the component according to the flat rate-based service use.SOLUTION: A printer 102 predicts a wear level of a target component at a renewal date of a contract period in flat rate-based service from a use state of the printer 102 and contract information of the flat rate-based service (S701-S703), and determines whether or not the component reaches the end of service life during the contract period on the basis of the predicted wear level of the component and a predefined threshold for the wear level of the component (S704-S705).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a system, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are flat-rate services for printing devices such as printers and copiers that allow the use of the device and consumables used for printing at a fixed rate. Flat-rate services are services that provide a printing environment, generally characterized by charging the same amount until a certain number of pages are printed according to a monthly plan fee. With flat-rate services, the flat-rate service provider provides the consumables necessary for printing and the printing device itself, so that users can prepare a printing environment simply by signing a contract.

[0003] In flat-rate services, there are cases where a user cancels the flat-rate service contract due to a change in the user's usage environment, etc., and returns the printing device to the flat-rate service provider. The flat-rate service provider may provide the printing device returned by the user as a refurbished product through a maintenance process called refurbishing, to the next user. For this reason, when a user subscribes to a flat-rate service and starts using the printing device, it is possible that the printing device is not new but is second-hand. If the printing device is second-hand, each part in the printing device will have worn out to a certain extent depending on how the printing device was used up to that point.

[0004] A flat-rate service provider needs to prevent a situation in which a user is unable to use a printing device due to the end of the life of each part while the user is using the printing device. In other words, the flat-rate service provider needs to detect the life of each part of the printing device provided to the user and prepare a printing environment that allows the user to continue to use the printing device normally. Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for estimating the lifespan or the estimated time when each part of a printing device will reach the end of its lifespan based on the number of sheets of paper that have been passed through the device, and notifying the user of this via a network line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-186652 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not estimate the life span in accordance with the contents of the flat-rate service contract.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for appropriately determining the lifespan of each part of a printing device in accordance with the contents of a flat-rate service contract. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a printing device that communicates with a server that manages a flat-rate service that allows printing up to a preset maximum number of prints during a contract period, and is characterized by having a storage means for storing contract information for the flat-rate service, a management means for managing the usage status of the printing device, a prediction means for predicting a characteristic value related to the life of a specified part of the printing device at the renewal date and time of the contract period for the flat-rate service from the usage status and the contract information for the flat-rate service, and a determination means for determining whether the part will reach the end of its life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a characteristic value threshold value that is preset for the part. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the lifespan of each part of a printing device can be appropriately determined in accordance with flat-rate service usage, which enables parts to be replaced at the appropriate time and reduces downtime caused by parts reaching their end of life. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow for updating and managing a wear level of a part. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a part wear level management table for determining the wear level of a part. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a service information holding table relating to flat-rate services. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining the lifespan of a part by using flat-rate service information in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining the lifespan of a part by using flat-rate service information in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining the lifespan of a part by using flat-rate service information in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a flat-rate service server according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the components described in the embodiment are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these.

[0012] [First embodiment] <System configuration> A system configuration showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An information processing system 100 of this embodiment includes a network 101, a printer 102, for example an inkjet printer, which communicates via the network 101, and a flat-rate service server 103. The printer 102 is an example of a printing device of this embodiment, and is a printing device that has a contract for a flat-rate service.

[0013] <Hardware configuration of the printing device> Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the printer 102 in this embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the printer 102. The printer 102 includes a ROM 201, a RAM 202, a CPU 203, a network communication unit 204, a display unit 205, an operation unit 206, a scanner unit 207, a print unit 208, and the like.

[0014] The ROM 201 stores fixed data such as control programs and data tables executed by the CPU 203, and operating system (OS) programs. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 201 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of an embedded OS stored in the ROM 201. The ROM 201 may also be configured as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) or the like, and can also be used as a non-volatile memory whose recorded contents are not erased even when the power is turned off.

[0015] The RAM 202 is composed of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that requires a backup power supply. The RAM 202 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 203, and stores various information and a reception buffer for temporarily storing print information received from a personal computer (PC) or the like. The RAM 202 also stores image data received by a network communication unit 204. The CPU 203 is a system control unit, and is a central processing unit for controlling each unit in the printer 102. The CPU 203 performs various controls by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 201 or the like.

[0016] A network communication unit 204 connects to a network such as the Internet or a local area network, and communicates with other devices. The display unit 205 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) and an LCD (liquid crystal display) and the like, and displays data and notifies the status of the printer 102. The operation unit 206 is composed of switches, hard keys, etc., for the user to perform various input operations. It is also possible to configure the display unit 205 to function as an operation unit for performing input operations, such as a touch panel 301 shown in FIG.

[0017] In the printer 102 , the scan function is realized by a scanner unit 207 , and the print function is realized by a print unit 208 . The CPU 203 controls a scanner unit 207, optically reads an original placed on a glass-like transparent original table 302, converts it into electronic data, and transmits the image data converted into a specified file format to an external device via a network or stores it in the RAM 202. In this embodiment, a flatbed type scanner using an original table is used, but an automatic original feeder type may also be used, in which an original placed on an original loading tray is automatically fed to an original feeder to read the original.

[0018] The print unit 208 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using a non-erasable colorant (recording agent) such as ink based on information stored in the ROM 201 or RAM 202 or a print job received from a PC or the like, and outputs the print result. The print unit 208 has print heads of four colors: yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Each print head ejects a colorant of the corresponding color to form an image. The print result formed by the print unit 208 is discharged from a print result discharge port 303. Note that the print unit 208 is not limited to an inkjet system, and may be configured to use other recording agents such as toner.

[0019] The copy function is realized by transferring image data generated by scanning unit 107 to print unit 208, and print unit 208 recording an image on a recording medium based on the image data. The above-mentioned components are connected to each other via a system bus 209, and are capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from each other.

[0020] <Hardware configuration of flat-rate service server> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the flat-rate service server 103. As shown in FIG. 10, flat-rate service server 103 includes a CPU 1001, a RAM 1002, a ROM 1003, and an external storage device 1007. CPU 1001 loads software (programs) stored in ROM 1003 or external storage device 1007, or downloaded from network 210, into RAM 1002 as necessary, and executes the software, and performs overall control of each device connected to a system bus 1009.

[0021] The RAM 1002 functions as a main memory or a work area for the CPU 1001. The external storage device 1007 is composed of a hard disk (HD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The external storage device 1007 stores various applications including a boot program, an operating system (OS), etc., and various data.

[0022] The KBDC 1004 is a keyboard controller, and sends input information from input devices such as a keyboard or a pointing device (not shown) to the CPU 1001 . The VC 1005 is a video controller that controls the display of a display device such as an LCD (not shown). The DC 1006 is a disk controller, and controls access to the external storage device 1007 .

[0023] A network communication unit 1008 connects to a network such as the Internet or a local area network to communicate with other devices. The flat-rate service server 103 connects to the network 101 via the network communication unit 1008 and can communicate with the printer 102 and the like via the network.

[0024] The flat-rate service server 103 may be realized by one computer or by multiple computers. The flat-rate service server 103 may be realized by using cloud computing technology.

[0025] <Flat-rate service> Next, a flat-rate service, which is one of the billing services provided by the information processing system 100, will be outlined. The flat-rate service is a contract service that allows printing up to a preset upper limit of the number of prints for a fixed amount during the contract period. This will be described in detail below. A flat-rate service is a service that provides a printing environment characterized by charging the same amount according to the monthly plan fee until a certain number of sheets are printed. If the number of sheets exceeds the certain number, the plan can be changed to a higher plan, or the amount charged for each sheet increases. When a user applies for a flat-rate service, the service provider delivers the printer 102 including consumables to the user. The user connects the delivered printer 102 to a network and uses it. The printer 102 receives flat-rate service subscription information from the flat-rate service server 103 via the network communication unit 204 and stores it in the ROM 201. The printer 102 creates a job log according to printing, such as how many sheets were printed in the print job and how much of the consumables were consumed, and transmits it to the flat-rate service server 103. The flat-rate service server 103 grasps the number of printed sheets for the month based on the information in the job log, calculates the consumption rate of the consumables at the user's location, and delivers the consumables when the remaining amount of the consumables is low. Due to this system configuration, in order to provide the flat-rate service, it is essential that the printer 102 is always connected to the network and an environment is maintained in which the printer 102 periodically transmits a job log to the flat-rate service server 103. For this reason, when the printer 102 is not connected to the network, it has to stop functioning.

[0026] <Part wear management table> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a part wear level management table showing quantitative standards for determining the wear level of a part. The degree of wear is a characteristic value related to the lifespan of a target part, and is a degree for quantitatively grasping how much the target part has been used. In this embodiment, the part wear management table is stored in the ROM 201 of the printer 102. The standard for the wear of a part and the threshold value serving as a guide for replacement differ for each part. For example, in the case of a print head, the degree of wear can be calculated from the number of times ink droplets are output from the print head. Also, in the case of a print paper transport roller, the degree of wear can be calculated from the number of rotations of the roller.

[0027] In addition, in Fig. 5, print heads and transport rollers of each color are shown as examples of parts, but this is not limited to these, and it is possible to manage many parts mounted on the printing device, such as carriage units and various sensors. Similarly, although four colors of print heads, C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), are shown, print heads of other colors may also be used.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, each part has a wear threshold value (threshold value) set to prompt replacement of the part. For example, the replacement threshold value for the transport roller is XXX rotations. For the print head, the replacement threshold value is YYY ejections.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 5, the printer 102 has parts that are difficult to replace, so the standard is not based on individual parts but on the number of pages that the printer can withstand. When the number of pages that have been printed reaches the printer's durability limit, the printer itself is replaced as a whole, rather than replacing each part. In other words, the printer itself is considered to be one of the replacement parts. In the part wear level management table of this embodiment, wear levels are managed for each wear unit (in the example of Fig. 5, the printer itself (printer's durability limit), transport rollers, print head, etc.).

[0030] In this embodiment, the flat-rate service allows printing a certain number of sheets according to the monthly plan fee, so the part wear management table has logical wear increase information for each part per printed sheet. For example, the number of rotations of the transport roller increases by xxx times per printed sheet. Also, the number of ejections of the print head increases by yyy times per printed sheet.

[0031] The method of holding the replacement threshold information and the wear level increase number information may be configured to be changeable from the outside, rather than being set to predetermined values. For example, the printer 102 may receive and update the replacement threshold information and the wear level increase number information together with flat-rate service subscription information from the flat-rate service server 103 connected to the printer 102. For simplicity, the following description will use the durability of the printer body to explain the wear of parts. Although the description will be given using the durability of the printer 102, the concept can be applied to each part.

[0032] <Part wear update process> The process in which the printer 102 updates and manages the wear levels of parts will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for updating the wear levels of parts when the printer 102 executes a print function from a PC. The series of processing shown in the flowchart in Fig. 4 is performed by the CPU 203 of the printer 102 expanding program code stored in the ROM 201 or the like into the RAM 202 and executing it. The processing of this flowchart is performed when the printer 102 receives print data from a printer driver or the like of the PC. The same applies when printing is performed using a copy function, a facsimile function, or the like.

[0033] In S401, when print data received from the network communication unit 204 is stored in the RAM 202, the CPU 203 uses the print unit 208 to execute print processing of the print data.

[0034] Next, in S402, CPU 203 calculates the degree of wear of the parts due to printing. For example, in the case of a print paper transport roller, the number of rotations of the roller is added to the stored value to determine the new degree of wear. Specifically, if four sheets are printed in S401, in the case of the transport roller, the value obtained by multiplying the increment per printed sheet "yyy" by "4" is added to the number of rotations of the transport roller stored in ROM 201. This calculation is performed not only for the transport roller, but also for the main body durability and each part (e.g., print head).

[0035] Next, in S403, the CPU 203 updates the wear degree of the part stored in the ROM 201 with the wear degree of the part calculated in S402 above, and ends the processing of this flowchart. Through the above processing, the current wear level of each part is stored in the ROM 201. The wear degree of a part that is updated here is initialized when that part is replaced.

[0036] <Flat-rate service information retention table> 6 is a diagram showing an example of a flat-rate service information storage table. The service information storage table is a table for storing information on flat-rate services, and is stored in the ROM 201 of the printer 102 in this embodiment.

[0037] In the flat-rate service information holding table, the monthly closing date and time is information that the printer 102 receives from the flat-rate service server 103 via the network communication unit 204, and indicates the monthly closing date and time (update date and time) that is the basis for the monthly plan. The next closing date and time indicates the next closing date and time (update date and time) which is derived from the closing date and time each month. The number of pages printed per flat-rate plan refers to the maximum number of pages that can be printed within the flat-rate fee of the monthly plan you are currently subscribed to. The number of printed sheets in the current month indicates the number of sheets printed by the printer 102 counting from the previous closing date and time.

[0038] For example, if the monthly closing date and time is specified as "the 22nd, 00:00," and the current date and time is "November 30, 2022," the next closing date and time will be "December 22, 2022, 00:00." The number of pages printed for the current month is initialized to "0" each time the next closing date and time arrives, and is incremented each time printing is performed. If the current date and time is "November 30, 2022" and the number of pages printed for the current month is "500 pages," the number of pages printed for the flat-rate plan is "2,000 pages," so the number of pages remaining that can be printed within the flat-rate fee until the next closing date and time is "1,500 pages." When the next closing date and time, "December 22, 2022, 0:00," arrives, the number of pages printed for the current month will be initialized to "0," and the number of pages remaining that can be printed within the flat-rate fee will be "2,000 pages" until the next closing date and time.

[0039] In the example of the flat-rate service information retention table in Figure 6, both the monthly closing date and time and the next closing date and time (i.e., the next renewal date and time of the contract period of the flat-rate service) are retained, but since the next closing date and time can be identified from the monthly closing date and time, it is also possible to configure the table to retain only the monthly closing date and time. Alternatively, instead of the number of printed sheets in the current month, other information that can identify the number of printed sheets in the current month may be stored. For example, the total number of printed sheets at the beginning of the current month may be stored, and the number of printed sheets in the current month may be identified from the total number of printed sheets at the beginning of the current month and the total number of printed sheets at that time.

[0040] <Parts life prediction processing when using flat-rate service> Hereinafter, the process in which the printer 102 uses flat-rate service information to determine the lifespan of a part in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process for determining the lifespan of a part using flat-rate service information in the first embodiment. The series of processes shown in this flowchart are performed by the CPU 203 of the printer 102 by loading program code stored in the ROM 201 or the like into the RAM 202 and executing it. The process of this flowchart is performed periodically. For example, the process may be performed whenever the printer 102 performs a predetermined process, or may be performed at regular intervals, such as once a week.

[0041] In S701, the CPU 203 calculates the remaining number of pages that can be printed within the flat rate of the flat rate service. Here, an example is explained for a monthly contract. As in the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of pages to be printed in the current period (hereinafter referred to as "this month") is 500 pages, and the flat rate plan number of pages is 2000 pages. In this case, the remaining number of pages to be printed in the current month is calculated as "2000-500=1500 pages."

[0042] After the process of S701, CPU 203 advances the process to S702. The subsequent processes of S702 to S706 are performed sequentially for each part for which wear level confirmation is to be performed (parts shown in the part wear level management table), such as the printer main body (main body durability number of sheets), the conveying roller, the print head, etc. in the example of FIG.

[0043] First, in S702, the CPU 203 selects a part that has not yet been processed in S702 to S706 from among the parts to be subjected to wear degree confirmation as a target part, and reads out the wear degree of the target part. Note that the wear degree of the part is obtained by the process of FIG.

[0044] Next, in S703, CPU 203 multiplies the remaining number of prints information obtained in S701 by the increase in number of prints per sheet of the target part in the part wear management table as shown in FIG. 5, and calculates (predicts) the wear of the part at the next closing date and time. For example, when the target part is the printer main body (main body durability number), the increase in number of prints per sheet is "1", so the value "remaining number of prints 1500 x 1 = 1500 sheets" is calculated as the wear at the next closing date and time. If the current main body durability number is 17111 sheets, the main body durability number at the next closing date and time is calculated as "17111 + 1500 = 18611 sheets". When the target part is a conveyor roller, if the current rotation number is zzz, the rotation number at the next closing date and time is calculated as "zzz + 1500 x xxx". In addition, if the target part is a print head, and the current number of ejections is www, the number of ejections at the next closing date and time is calculated as "www+1500×yyy".

[0045] Next, in S704, the CPU 203 compares the wear level (current wear level + expected increase) of the target part at the next closing date and time calculated in S703 with the replacement threshold of the target part stored in the part wear level management table. If the replacement threshold is greater than the wear level of the target part at the next closing date and time, it is determined that the part has not yet reached the end of its life at the next closing date and time. On the other hand, if the replacement threshold is smaller than or equal to the wear level of the target part at the next closing date and time, it is determined that the part has reached the end of its life at the next closing date and time. For example, if the wear level of the main body durability number at the next closing date and time is calculated to be 18611 sheets, since the replacement threshold of the main body durability number is 20000 sheets, it is presumed that the replacement threshold has not yet been exceeded at the next closing date and time, and it is determined that the main body has not yet reached the end of its life. On the other hand, if the wear level of the main body durability number at the next closing date and time is calculated to be 20001 sheets, since the replacement threshold of the main body durability number is 20000 sheets, it is presumed that the replacement threshold has already been exceeded at the next closing date and time, and it is determined that the main body has already reached the end of its life. If the target part is a conveyor roller, the number of rotations at the next closing date and time (in the above example, "zzz+1500×xxx") is compared with the replacement threshold value XXX. If the target part is a print head, the number of ejections at the next closing date and time (in the above example, "www+1500×yyy") is compared with the replacement threshold value YYY.

[0046] Here, if the wear level of the target part at the next closing date and time (current wear level + expected increase number) is greater than the replacement threshold value (Yes in S704), the CPU 203 advances the process to S705. In S705, the CPU 203 determines that the part will reach the end of its life at the next closing date and time, sets the part as a part to be replaced, and stores this in, for example, the ROM 201. After the process of S705, the CPU 203 advances the process to S706. On the other hand, if the wear level of the target part at the next closing date and time (current wear level+estimated increase) is not greater than the replacement threshold value (No in S704), the CPU 203 advances the process to S706.

[0047] In S706, the CPU 203 checks whether any unprocessed parts remain among the parts subject to wear degree confirmation in S702 to S706. If any unprocessed parts remain (Yes in S706), the CPU 203 sets the next part subject to confirmation as the target part in S707, and returns the process to S702. On the other hand, if there are no unprocessed parts remaining (No in S706), the CPU 203 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0048] The printer 102 periodically transmits a job log and the like to the flat-rate service server 103, and at that time, information on the parts set as parts to be replaced in S705 above (i.e., the result of the determination process in FIG. 7) is also transmitted to the flat-rate service server 103. At the end of the process in FIG. 7, information on the parts set as parts to be replaced may be transmitted to the flat-rate service server 103. Information on parts to be replaced that have already been transmitted may not be transmitted redundantly. At the start of the process in FIG. 7, parts set as parts to be replaced may be removed from the parts to be checked for wear level, so that the processes in S702 to S705 are not repeated.

[0049] 7, in response to receiving the transmitted information on the part to be replaced, the flat-rate service server 103 executes a process for sending the part to be replaced to the user of the printer 102. At this time, the flat-rate service server 103 controls so that the process for sending the part to be replaced is not executed twice.

[0050] In this embodiment, the wear level of each part is updated according to the printing process, and the wear level of each part at the next update date and time is calculated from the wear level of each part and the increase in wear level of each part until the next update date and time. However, the wear level of each part at the update date and time may be calculated based on the total number of printed sheets after replacing the part when printing up to the upper limit and the increase per printed sheet.

[0051] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the lifespan of each part is calculated based on the usage status of the printing device and the flat-rate service contract information, and it is possible to predict the lifespan in accordance with the use of the flat-rate service. That is, the lifespan of the parts of the printing device can be predicted in accordance with the use of the flat-rate service. This allows the flat-rate service provider to deliver replacement parts at an appropriate time, and prevents the user from being unable to use the printing device due to the end of the lifespan of the parts of the printing device that is using the flat-rate service, that is, prevents downtime from occurring. A flat-rate service is a service that provides a printing environment characterized by charging the same amount until a certain number of sheets are printed according to the fee of a monthly plan. That is, it is assumed that a user who receives a flat-rate service will print up to the number of sheets set in the plan within a specified period (within one month in the case of a monthly plan). Therefore, there is a demand for flat-rate service providers to predict the lifespan of each part of the printing device in accordance with the use of the flat-rate service. For example, if the number of pages printed per month is determined by the current monthly plan, there is a demand to determine in advance which parts will reach the end of their lifespan in a certain number of months and whether to replace the parts or the printing device itself. According to the present invention, the lifespan of each part can be appropriately predicted, taking into account flat-rate service contract information.

[0052] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the part lifespan is predicted until the next closing date and time, but the part lifespan may be predicted until a further future closing date and time. The process of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0053] 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process for determining the lifespan of a part using flat-rate service information in the second embodiment. The series of processes shown in this flowchart are performed by the CPU 203 of the printer 102 by loading program code stored in the ROM 201 or the like into the RAM 202 and executing it. The process of this flowchart is performed periodically. For example, it may be performed when a predetermined process is performed, such as every time the printer 102 prints, or it may be performed at regular intervals, such as once a week.

[0054] 8. In addition, the process in FIG. 8 is obtained by replacing S703 to S705 in FIG. 7 with S801 to S805, and since S701 to S702 and S706 to S707 are the same processes as those in FIG. 7, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] In the second embodiment, after acquiring the wear level of the part in S702, the CPU 203 advances the process to S801. In S801, the CPU 203 sets the number of months (predicted number of months) for predicting the lifespan of each part. In the first embodiment, the value of the predicted number of months is "1", and prediction is made up to the next closing date and time. In the second embodiment, a value larger than "1" can be set as the predicted number of months. For example, when the predicted number of months is "2", prediction is made up to the next closing date and time and the closing date and time one month ahead. In this embodiment, the predicted number of months is "2", but the same applies if the predicted number of months is 3 or more. The value of the predicted number of months is, for example, transmitted from the flat-rate service server 103 and stored in the ROM 201 together with flat-rate service subscription information, etc., and can be changed by information from the flat-rate service server 103. CPU 203 acquires the value of the predicted number of months from ROM 201, and sets it as the number of months for which the life prediction of each part is performed (predicted number of months) (for example, stores it in RAM 202). Note that CPU 203 may communicate with flat-rate service server 103 at this timing, acquire the predicted number of months from flat-rate service server 103, and set it.

[0056] In S802, the CPU 203 checks whether there are any months remaining for prediction for the target part (whether to perform the next prediction). If life predictions have already been performed for all the predicted months, the CPU 203 determines not to perform the next prediction (No in S802) and proceeds to S706. On the other hand, if there is a month for which the life prediction has not yet been performed, the CPU 203 determines to perform the next prediction (determines Yes in S802), and advances the process to S803.

[0057] In S803, the CPU 203 calculates the expected increase until the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed. The month for which the prediction is performed is "1" for the next closing date and time, "2" for the closing date and time after that, and increases by 1 each month thereafter. In the first embodiment, the case where this value is "1" is described. In the present embodiment, the case where this value is "2" is described. If the month for prediction is "2", prediction is made from the next closing date and time to the closing date and time one month ahead. The part life prediction is calculated by adding the remaining print number information obtained in S701 and the flat-rate plan print number minus "1" from the month for prediction, and multiplying the result by the increase per print for each part in the part wear management table to calculate the wear level at the closing date and time of the month for prediction. For example, in the case of the main body durability number, the increase per print is "1", so when the month for prediction is "2", the remaining print number "1500" is added to the flat-rate plan print number "2000" minus "1" from the month for prediction, and the value calculated is "(1500+2000×(2-1))×1=3500 sheets". If the current main body durability number is 17111 sheets, the main body durability number at the closing date and time of the month for prediction is calculated as "17111+3500=20611 sheets". In the case of a conveying roller, if the current rotation speed is "zzz," the rotation speed at the closing date and time when the prediction month is "2" is calculated as "zzz+3500×xxx×(2-1)," and this value is compared with the replacement threshold value "XXX." In the case of a print head, if the current discharge speed is "www," the rotation speed at the closing date and time when the prediction month is "2" is calculated as "www+3500×yyy×(2-1)," and this value is compared with the replacement threshold value "YYY."

[0058] Next, in S804, the CPU 203 compares the wear level of the target part (current wear level + expected increase until that month) at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed calculated in S803 above with the replacement threshold of the target part stored in the part wear level management table. If the replacement threshold is greater than the wear level of the target part at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed, it is determined that the part has not yet reached the end of its life at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed. On the other hand, if the replacement threshold is smaller than or equal to the wear level of the target part at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed, it is determined that the part has reached the end of its life at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed. For example, if the main body durability sheet count at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed is calculated to be 20611 sheets, the replacement threshold for the main body durability sheet count is 20000 sheets, so since the replacement threshold is exceeded at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed, it is estimated that the main body durability sheet count is a replacement target at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed.

[0059] Here, if the wear level of the target part at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is made (current wear level + expected increase up to the month for which the prediction is made) is greater than the replacement threshold value (Yes in S804), the CPU 203 advances the process to S805. In S805, the CPU 203 determines that the part will reach the end of its life at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed, sets the part as a part to be replaced in the month for which the prediction is performed, and stores this in, for example, the ROM 201. After the process of S805, the CPU 203 advances the process to S706.

[0060] On the other hand, if the wear level of the target part at the closing date and time of the month for which the prediction is performed (current wear level + expected increase until the month for which the prediction is performed) is not greater than the replacement threshold (No in S804), the CPU 203 returns the process to S802 and proceeds to the determination process for the month for which the next prediction is performed. The processes of S803 and S804 are repeated for the number of months for which the prediction is performed.

[0061] Furthermore, if the month for which prediction is to be performed is estimated from the smallest value, then if the determination in S804 is Yes, the process proceeds to S805 and the processing in FIG. 8 is terminated, making it possible to omit unnecessary calculation processing.

[0062] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the life span of each part is calculated from the part wear information and flat-rate service information, and it becomes possible to easily determine which parts will need to be replaced at the next closing date and time and the closing date and time thereafter. By sending the prediction results to the flat-rate service server 103, the flat-rate service provider can prepare the user's printing environment in advance so that the user can continue to use the printing device normally.

[0063] Third Embodiment In the first and second embodiments described above, the printer is provided with a determination function and calculates the life expectancy by itself. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the flat-rate service server 103 calculates the life expectancy. As described above, the printer 102 is always connected to the flat-rate service server 103 via a network, which is a prerequisite for providing the flat-rate service, and this system configuration is utilized. In this third embodiment, the printer 102 transmits part wear level information as appropriate. The flat-rate service server 103 stores and manages the wear level information received from the printer 102 in the external storage device 1007, and performs most of the determination process in the flat-rate service server 103. Since the flat-rate service server 103 calculates the life expectancy, a part wear level management table is held in the external storage device 1007 of the flat-rate service server 103.

[0064] Hereinafter, a process for predicting the life span of a part by the printer 102 and the flat-rate service server 103 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process flow of determining the lifespan of a part using flat-rate service information in the third embodiment, showing the process flow in which the printer 102 transmits the wear level of the part and the flat-rate service server 103 predicts the lifespan. Note that the process of the printer 102 in this flowchart is performed by the CPU 203 of the printer 102 expanding program code stored in the ROM 201 or the like into the RAM 202 and executing it. Also, the process of the flat-rate service server 103 is performed by the CPU 1001 of the flat-rate service server 103 expanding program code stored in the external storage device 1007 or the like into the RAM 1002 and executing it.

[0065] The process of this flowchart is executed when the printer 102 receives a print job from a printer driver of the PC, etc. The same applies when printing is performed using a copy function, a facsimile function, etc.

[0066] 8. In addition, the process in FIG. 8 is obtained by replacing S703 to S705 in FIG. 7 with S801 to S805, and since S701 to S702 and S706 to S707 are the same processes as those in FIG. 7, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 4, in S401, when print data received from the network communication unit 204 is stored in the RAM 202, the printer 102 uses the print unit 208 to execute print processing of the print data. In S402, the printer 102 calculates the degree of wear of the parts due to printing, which is the same as in the first embodiment. After calculating the wear degree of the parts in S402 above, in S903, the printer 102 transmits device identification information (e.g., serial number) and the wear degree information for each part calculated in S402 above to the flat-rate service server 103 via the network communication unit 204.

[0068] Since the flat-rate service server 103 is connected to multiple printers via a network, the flat-rate service server 103 links the printers to the wear level information of the parts based on device identification information that is unique to each printer. The flat-rate service server 103 links the user's contract information to the device identification information and stores them in the external storage device 1007. Therefore, if the device identification information is known, it is possible to obtain the user's contract information, that is, information about the flat-rate subscription plan.

[0069] In S902, when the flat-rate service server 103 receives the device identification information and the wear degree information for each part, it stores them in the external storage device 1007. The processing to be performed thereafter is the same as the processing performed by the printer 102 in the first embodiment, except that the main processing is performed by the flat-rate service server 103. That is, in S701, the flat-rate service server 103 calculates the remaining number of prints that can be made within the flat rate of the flat-rate service. The flat-rate service server 103 executes the processes of S702 to S706 for each part. Then, if there are unprocessed parts remaining (Yes in S706), the flat-rate service server 103 sets the next part to be checked as the target part (S707) and returns the process to S702. On the other hand, if there are no unprocessed parts remaining (No in S706), the process of this flowchart ends. In this way, in the third embodiment, the printer 102 is not involved in the process of predicting the life span of each part, and the process can be completed by the flat-rate service server 103 alone.

[0070] Note that, instead of the processes of S703 to S705 in the third embodiment, the flat-rate service server 103 may execute the processes of S801 to S805 executed by the printer 102 in the second embodiment. This configuration makes it possible to easily determine what parts need to be replaced at the next closing date and time and the closing date and time thereafter, and enables flat-rate service providers to prepare the user's printing environment in advance so that the user can continue to use the printing device normally.

[0071] According to the above-mentioned embodiments, by predicting the lifespan of each part based on the usage status of the printing device and the flat-rate service contract information, it is possible to predict the lifespan according to the use of the flat-rate service. As a result, for example, if a user prints the number of prints set in the monthly plan he / she has subscribed to, it is possible to know which part will reach the end of its lifespan in a certain number of months, and to determine in advance whether to replace the part or the printing device itself. Therefore, the flat-rate service provider can deliver replacement parts at an appropriate time, and can prevent the user from being unable to use the printing device due to the end of its lifespan of the parts of the printing device using the flat-rate service, i.e., prevent downtime from occurring.

[0072] It goes without saying that the configurations and contents of the various data described above are not limited to those described above, and the data may have various configurations and contents depending on the application and purpose. Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be embodied, for example, as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, etc. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of multiple devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device. Furthermore, any combination of the above-described embodiments is also included in the present invention.

[0073] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system made up of a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus made up of a single device. The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes all configurations that combine the above-mentioned embodiments and their modifications.

[0074] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) A printing device that communicates with a server that manages a flat-rate service that allows printing up to a preset upper limit of the number of prints during a contract period, A storage means for storing contract information of the flat-rate service; a management means for managing the usage status of the printing device; a prediction means for predicting a characteristic value relating to the life of a predetermined part of the printing device at a contract renewal date and time of the flat-rate service based on the usage status and the contract information of the flat-rate service; a determination means for determining whether or not the part will reach the end of its service life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a threshold value of the characteristic value that is predetermined for the part; A printing device comprising: (Configuration 2) The flat-rate service contract information includes information for identifying a renewal date and time of a contract period of the flat-rate service and information on an upper limit of the number of prints during the contract period, The usage status of the printing device includes information that can identify the number of pages printed during the contract period, The printing device according to configuration 1, wherein the prediction means predicts a characteristic value of the part when printing is performed up to the upper limit number of prints as the characteristic value of the part at the renewal date and time of the contract period. (Configuration 3) The printing device described in configuration 2, characterized in that the prediction means predicts the characteristic value of the part when printing up to the maximum number of prints is performed using information on the number of prints printed during the contract period, information on the maximum number of prints, a predetermined increase in the characteristic value of the part per print, and the characteristic value of the part at the current time. (Configuration 4) 4. The printing apparatus according to configuration 3, further comprising an update unit that updates characteristic values ​​of the parts in accordance with printing processing. (Configuration 5) 5. The printing device according to configuration 4, wherein the characteristic value of the part is initialized in response to replacement of the part. (Configuration 6) 6. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the server of the result of the determination. (Configuration 7) The prediction means performs the prediction over a plurality of contract periods, The determination means performs the prediction over the multiple contract periods. 7. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 8) A system including a server that manages a flat-rate service that allows printing up to a preset upper limit of the number of prints during a contract period, and a printing device that communicates with the server, The printing device includes: a transmission means for transmitting a usage status of the printing device to the server; The server, A storage means for storing contract information of the flat-rate service; a management means for managing the usage status received from the printing device; a prediction means for predicting a characteristic value relating to the life of a predetermined part of the printing device at a contract renewal date and time of the flat-rate service based on the usage status and the contract information of the flat-rate service; and a determination means for determining whether or not the part will reach the end of its life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a threshold value of the characteristic value that is predetermined for the part. A system characterized by: (Method 1) A method for controlling a printing device that communicates with a server that manages a flat-rate service that allows printing up to a preset upper limit number of prints during a contract period, comprising: a prediction step of predicting a characteristic value related to the life of a predetermined part of the printing device at a renewal date and time of a contract period for the flat-rate service based on a usage status of the printing device managed by the printing device and contract information for the flat-rate service stored in the printing device; a determination step of determining whether or not the part will reach the end of its life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a threshold value of the characteristic value that is predetermined for the part; 13. A method for controlling a printing device, comprising: (Method 2) A method for controlling a system having a server that manages a flat-rate service that permits printing up to a preset upper limit number of prints during a contract period, and a printing device that communicates with the server, comprising: Executed by the printing device, a transmission step of transmitting a usage status of the printing device to the server; Executed by the server, a prediction step of predicting a characteristic value related to the life of a predetermined part of the printing device at a renewal date and time of a contract period for the flat-rate service based on the usage status received from the printing device and contract information for the flat-rate service; a determination step of determining whether or not the part will reach the end of its life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a threshold value of the characteristic value that is predetermined for the part; 13. A method for controlling a system comprising: (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to method 1.

Claims

1. A printing device that communicates with a server that manages a flat-rate service that allows printing up to a preset upper limit of the number of prints during a contract period, A storage means for storing contract information of the flat-rate service; a management means for managing the usage status of the printing device; a prediction means for predicting a characteristic value relating to the life of a predetermined part of the printing device at a contract renewal date and time of the flat-rate service based on the usage status and the contract information of the flat-rate service; a determination means for determining whether or not the part will reach the end of its service life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a threshold value of the characteristic value that is predetermined for the part; A printing device comprising:

2. The flat-rate service contract information includes information for identifying a renewal date and time of a contract period of the flat-rate service and information on an upper limit of the number of prints during the contract period, The usage status of the printing device includes information that can identify the number of pages printed during the contract period, 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the prediction unit predicts, as the characteristic value of the part at the renewal date and time of the contract period, the characteristic value of the part when printing is performed up to the upper limit number of prints.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the prediction means predicts the characteristic value of the part when printing up to the maximum number of prints is performed using information on the number of prints printed during the contract period, information on the maximum number of prints, a predetermined increase in the characteristic value of the part per print, and the characteristic value of the part at the current time.

4. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an update unit for updating characteristic values ​​of the parts in accordance with printing processing.

5. 5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the characteristic values ​​of the parts are initialized in response to replacement of the parts.

6. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the server of the result of the determination.

7. The prediction means performs the prediction over a plurality of contract periods, The determination means performs the prediction over the multiple contract periods.

7. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is a printer.

8. A system including a server that manages a flat-rate service that allows printing up to a preset upper limit of the number of prints during a contract period, and a printing device that communicates with the server, The printing device includes: a transmission means for transmitting a usage status of the printing device to the server; The server, A storage means for storing contract information of the flat-rate service; a management means for managing the usage status received from the printing device; a prediction means for predicting a characteristic value relating to the life of a predetermined part of the printing device at a contract renewal date and time of the flat-rate service based on the usage status and the contract information of the flat-rate service; and a determination means for determining whether or not the part will reach the end of its life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a threshold value of the characteristic value that is predetermined for the part. A system characterized by:

9. A method for controlling a printing device that communicates with a server that manages a flat-rate service that allows printing up to a preset upper limit number of prints during a contract period, comprising: a prediction step of predicting a characteristic value related to the life of a predetermined part of the printing device at a renewal date and time of a contract period for the flat-rate service based on a usage status of the printing device managed by the printing device and contract information for the flat-rate service stored in the printing device; a determination step of determining whether or not the part will reach the end of its life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a threshold value of the characteristic value that is predetermined for the part; 13. A method for controlling a printing device, comprising:

10. A method for controlling a system having a server that manages a flat-rate service that permits printing up to a preset upper limit number of prints during a contract period, and a printing device that communicates with the server, comprising: Executed by the printing device, a transmission step of transmitting a usage status of the printing device to the server; Executed by the server, a prediction step of predicting a characteristic value related to the life of a predetermined part of the printing device at a renewal date and time of a contract period for the flat-rate service based on the usage status received from the printing device and contract information for the flat-rate service; a determination step of determining whether or not the part will reach the end of its life during the contract period based on the predicted characteristic value of the part and a threshold value of the characteristic value that is predetermined for the part; 13. A method for controlling a system comprising:

11. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 9.

Images