Management system, method for controlling image formation device, method for controlling server, and program

Abstract

To solve such the problem that a refunding amount to be refunded to a user in the end of a service irrespective of a use state under a contract of a flat-rate system service of a printer that is an image formation device.SOLUTION: A management system includes an image formation device subscribed to a flat-rate system service including the device and a server for managing the service, which are connected through a network. The image formation device includes: storage means for storing a use state of the image formation device; and refunding amount calculation means for calculating a refunding amount in the end of the flat-rate system service on the basis of the information of the use state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system for flat-rate services in image forming devices such as inkjet printers and copiers, a control method for an image forming device, and a control method and program for a server. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are flat-rate services for image forming devices such as inkjet printers and copiers that allow the use of the device and consumables used for printing at a fixed rate. The flat-rate service provider provides the consumables necessary for printing and the image forming device itself, so the user can prepare a printing environment simply by signing a contract. With this service, the device must be returned at the end of the contract, but since the price of the flat-rate service generally includes the price of the printer itself, the user is not charged additional fees depending on the condition of the printer when it is returned. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-357123 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, while using the flat-rate service, the way the printer is used varies from user to user. For example, some users print a large amount of data while using the above-mentioned service, causing the printer to break down, while other users do not print at all and return the printer in almost the same condition as before using the service. For the flat-rate service provider, the more the returned printer is in the same condition as before using the service, the more profitable it is, but even if a user uses the printer in a way that does not change its condition, he or she must pay the same fee as a user who uses the printer in a way that changes its condition. As a result, within the flat-rate service contract, the amount paid by the user is constant regardless of how the printer is used, and a low usage rate causes dissatisfaction among users who use the printer in such a way that the condition of the printer does not change from before using the service. The present invention aims to provide a service management system that calculates the amount to be refunded by a service provider to a user based on the usage status during the flat-rate service when the user returns a printer to the service provider upon the termination of the flat-rate service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is a management system in which an image forming device that subscribes to a flat-rate service including the main unit and a server that manages the service are connected via a network, and the image forming device is characterized in having a storage means for storing the usage status of the image forming device and a refund amount calculation means for calculating the refund amount at the end of the service based on the usage status information. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to calculate the amount of money to be refunded to a user at the end of a flat-rate service contract, depending on the usage status of a printer, which is an image forming apparatus, during the flat-rate service contract. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Block diagram showing the management system [Diagram 2]Block diagram showing the printer hardware configuration [Diagram 3] Printer appearance [Figure 4] A flowchart showing a process for updating a wear level of a part. [Diagram 5] Example of part wear management table used to determine wear level for each part [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the flow of a process for determining whether or not a purchase condition is satisfied. [Figure 7] Example of a refund amount determination table used to determine the refund amount [Figure 8] Example of refund calculation table [Figure 9] Example of wear levels at the start and end of service [Figure 10] Process for updating wear levels of parts in another embodiment [Figure 11] Printer processing at the start of flat-rate service in another embodiment [Figure 12] Example of a table for determining a refund amount based on the number of printed sheets according to another embodiment [Figure 13] Refund amount calculation process according to exterior condition by a server of another embodiment [Figure 14] An example of a management table used to determine the condition level of the exterior of another embodiment [Figure 15] Example of a refund amount determination table used to determine a refund amount in another embodiment [Figure 16] Refund amount display process in a printer according to another embodiment [Figure 17] Refund amount calculation process in another embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the components described in the embodiment are merely examples of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these components. [Embodiment 1]

[0009] Printer hardware configuration A management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the management system in this embodiment. Management system 100 has a network 101, a printer 102 which is an example of an image forming device that communicates via network 101, and a flat-rate service server 103. Note that while there are several possible types of printer 102, such as an electrophotographic type or an inkjet type, the type is not important as long as it can be provided as a flat-rate service together with consumables. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer 102 in this embodiment, and FIG. 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. The ROM 201 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU 203. 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 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 PC or the like. The RAM 202 also stores image data received by a network communication unit 204.

[0010] The CPU 203 is a system control unit, a central processing unit for controlling each unit in the printer 102, and realizes control of each unit by loading a program stored in the ROM 201 or the like into the RAM 202 and executing it. 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. 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 the scanner unit 207 to optically read an original placed on a glass-like transparent original table 302 and convert it into electronic data. The image data converted into a specified file format is then sent to an external device via a network or stored 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.

[0011] When the print unit 208 receives a print request from a user via the operation unit 206, it forms an image of the information stored in the ROM 201 or RAM 202 on a recording medium such as paper using a non-erasable colorant such as ink, and outputs the print result. In addition, when the print unit 208 receives a print job from a PC or the like, it forms an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the information, and outputs the print. The print unit 208 has four print heads of 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 the print result discharge port 303. 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. Overview of the flat-rate service Next, an overview of a flat-rate service, which is one of the billing services provided by the management system 100, will be given. A flat-rate service is a service that provides a printing environment characterized by charging the same amount until a certain number of pages are printed, generally according to the monthly plan fee. If the certain number of pages is exceeded, the plan can be changed to a higher-level plan, or a pay-per-use plan in which the amount charged increases for each page is used. When a user applies for a flat-rate service, the service provider delivers a printer 102 including consumables to the user. At this time, the flat-rate service server 103 stores information about the contracted user and identification information of the printer 102 used in the flat-rate service in association with each other. The printer 102, which is an image forming apparatus, receives flat-rate service subscription information from the flat-rate service server 103 via the network communication unit 204. The printer 102 creates a job log in response to printing, such as how many sheets have been printed for that job and how much consumables have been consumed, and transmits this to the flat-rate service server 103 together with device identification information uniquely assigned to the printer 102. Based on the information in the job log, the flat-rate service server 103 keeps track of the number of sheets printed each month, calculates the consumption rate of consumables at the user's location, and delivers 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. Furthermore, when a user requests cancellation of the flat-rate service, flat-rate service server 103 transmits a cancellation notice to printer 102. Printer 102 receives the cancellation notice from network communication unit 204 and stops the printer functions provided by scanner unit 207 and print unit 208. The user then returns printer 102 to the service provider.

[0012] - Part wear update process The process of updating and managing the wear levels of parts as information on the usage status of the printer 102, which is an image forming apparatus, will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process in which the printer 102 updates the wear levels of parts when a print function is executed from a PC. 4 is performed by the CPU 203 of the printer 102 by loading program code stored in a disk device or the like into the RAM 202 and executing it. The process of this flowchart is performed when a print request is received from the operation unit 206 or when a print function is started from the printer driver of the PC. In step S401 , the CPU 203 receives a print request from the operation unit 206 or receives a print job from the network communication unit 204 , and executes print processing of input image data stored in the RAM 202 . In S402, the execution result of the above-mentioned printing process is stored in the ROM 201. The execution result may be, for example, printer and part operation information. The printer operation information may be, for example, the number of printed sheets, and the part operation information will be described later in S403 and S404. In S403, the CPU 203 calculates the degree of wear of the parts due to the printing process from the execution result described above.

[0013] (Part wear management table) FIG. 5 is a part wear management table that determines the wear level of each part according to the operation information of the parts described above. The method of calculating the wear level differs for each part. For example, in the case of a print head, the wear level can be calculated by using the number of times ink droplets are output from the print head as the operation information, and in the case of a transport roller for printing paper, the wear level can be calculated by using the number of roller rotations as the operation information. Note that FIG. 5 shows print heads and transport rollers of each color as examples of parts, but is not limited to these, and many parts mounted on an image forming device, such as a carriage unit and various sensors, can be managed. Similarly, four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) are shown as print heads, but print heads of other colors may also be used. As shown in Figure 5, the wear level of each part is determined using a predetermined threshold based on the wear of the part, and it is classified into several wear levels. For example, for a transport roller, if the number of rotations is less than XXX times, it is classified as LV1, and if it is between XXX times and YYY times, it is classified as LV2. The threshold setting can be changed by the administrator.

[0014] In S404, CPU 203 determines whether the wear level of the part exceeds the threshold value. If the wear level of the part exceeds the threshold value (Yes in S404), CPU 203 proceeds to S405, and if the wear level of the part does not exceed the threshold value (No in S404), CPU 203 ends this process without updating the wear level. If the wear level of the part exceeds the threshold value, the wear level of the part is updated in S405 and stored in the ROM 201, and this process ends. 4 and 5 have been used to explain the mechanism for managing the wear of parts such as the print head and transport rollers, but this is not limited to these, and it is possible to similarly manage the wear of consumables such as ink tanks and maintenance cartridges. Here, a maintenance cartridge is a replacement cartridge for absorbing ink used in maintenance operations such as head cleaning.

[0015] Processing at the start of a subscription service The process in which the printer 102 saves and starts managing the flat-rate service subscription information and the wear levels of each part at the time of starting the flat-rate service will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the process executed when the printer 102 receives the flat-rate service subscription information in conjunction with starting the flat-rate service. In S601, the CPU 203 of the printer 102 reads flat-rate service subscription information from the ROM 201 and determines whether or not the printer 102 has subscribed to the flat-rate service. If the subscription information can be read, it is determined that the printer 102 has already subscribed to the flat-rate service (Yes in S601), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the subscription information cannot be read (No in S601), the CPU 203 advances the process to S602. In S602 , the CPU 203 stores the received flat-rate service subscription information in the ROM 201 . In the next step S603, the CPU 203 reads the above-mentioned wear level from the ROM 201 and starts management by storing it in the ROM 201 as the wear level at the start of the service, and then ends this process.

[0016] - Calculating refund amount when canceling flat-rate service Next, the process in which the printer 102 calculates the refund amount to the user when the flat-rate service is cancelled will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart in which the printer 102 calculates the refund amount in accordance with the user's usage status after the user applies for flat-rate service cancellation to the service provider. The process of this flowchart is started when the user applies for service cancellation and the printer 102 receives a cancellation notice. In S701, CPU 203 receives a flat-rate service cancellation notice including the device from flat-rate service server 103 via network communication unit 204. CPU 203 then reads flat-rate service subscription information from ROM 201 and determines whether or not the user has subscribed to the flat-rate service including the device. If CPU 203 determines that the user has not subscribed to the flat-rate service (No in S701), CPU 203 ends this process. On the other hand, if CPU 203 determines that the user has subscribed to the flat-rate service including the device (Yes in S701), the process proceeds to S702. In step S702 , the CPU 203 stops the functions provided by the scanner unit 207 and the print unit 208 , which are part of the functions of the printer 102 .

[0017] In S703, the CPU 203 reads out the wear level of each part from the ROM 201. In step S704, the CPU 203 reads out the wear level of each of the above-mentioned parts at the time of the start of the service, and compares each wear level. In the case of parts, the wear level of the parts is used as information on the usage status. In S705, CPU 203 calculates the refund amount based on the comparison result between the wear level read in S703 and the wear level at the start of service read in S704. As an example of a method for calculating the refund amount, there is a method using a refund amount calculation table shown in Fig. 8 to calculate the refund amount based on the level difference between the wear level of the part at the start of service and the wear level at the end of service. In the refund amount calculation table in Fig. 8, a base price is set for each part, and it is set so that a part (a certain percentage) of the base amount is refunded depending on the difference in wear level between the start of service and the end of service. Figure 9 is a specific example of a list of wear levels for each part of a certain printer. In this example, the wear levels of the print head (C), print head (M), print head (Y), print head (K) and transport roller before service begins are LV1, and the wear levels at the end of service are LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4 and LV4, respectively. The level differences before and after service begins are 0, 1, 2, 3 and 3, respectively. Referring to Figure 8, the refund amounts are 100%, 67%, 33%, 0% and 0% of the base price set for each part. In S706, the CPU 203 transmits the refund amount calculated in S705 to the flat-rate service server 103 via the network communication unit 204. In S707, the flat-rate service server 103 receives and stores the refund amount, and ends this process.

[0018] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the printer 102 is provided with a means for determining wear level information and purchase conditions, and the printer 102 calculates the refund amount. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the flat-rate service server 103 manages wear level information as usage status and calculates the refund amount. As described above, the printer 102 must always be connected to the flat-rate service server 103 via a network, which is a prerequisite for providing the flat-rate service including the printer itself, and this system configuration is utilized in this second embodiment. In this second embodiment, the printer 102 appropriately transmits operating information of parts, and most of the determination process is performed by the flat-rate service server 103.

[0019] - Part wear update process The process of updating and managing the wear levels of parts by the printer 102 and flat-rate service server 103 of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow in which the printer 102 transmits the wear level of a part and the flat-rate service server 103 manages the wear level. Note that in the second embodiment, the printer 102 also has the same configuration as in the first embodiment (FIGS. 2 and 3). The process of this flowchart is started by execution of a print function from the printer driver of the PC, or is executed when the printer 102 receives a print request from the operation unit 206. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are referred to by the same numbers and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0020] (Printer processing) First, in step S401 , the CPU 203 receives a print job from the network communication unit 204 or receives a print request from the operation unit 206 , and executes print processing of input image data stored in the RAM 202 . In steps S402 and S403, the printing execution results are recorded and the degree of wear of parts due to printing is calculated, as in the first embodiment. In S1004, similarly to S601 and S701, it is determined whether or not the user has subscribed to the flat-rate service including the device. If it is determined that the user has not subscribed to the flat-rate service (No in S1004), this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has subscribed to the flat-rate service (Yes in S1004), the CPU 203 advances the process to S1005. In S1005 , the device identification information and wear information for each part are transmitted to the flat-rate service server 103 via the network communication unit 204 . (Flat-rate service server processing) In S1006, the CPU of the flat-rate service server 103 receives the device identification information and wear information as the usage status of each part, and stores them inside the server. Since the flat-rate service server 103 is connected to multiple printers 102 via the network 101, the flat-rate service server 103 associates the printer with the wear information of the part based on the device identification information that is unique to each printer 102. In S1007, the flat-rate service server 103 determines whether the wear level of the part exceeds the threshold, similarly to the printer 102 in the first embodiment. If the wear level of the part exceeds the threshold (Yes in S1007), the CPU of the flat-rate service server 103 advances the process to S1008, and if the wear level of the part does not exceed the threshold (No in S1007), the CPU ends this process. In S1008, the wear level of the part is updated and stored, and this process ends.

[0021] Processing at the start of a subscription service The process in which the printer 102 saves the flat-rate service subscription information and transmits the wear levels of each part at the time of starting the flat-rate service to the flat-rate service server 103 when the flat-rate service starts will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the process performed when the printer 102 receives the flat-rate service subscription information in conjunction with starting the flat-rate service. (Printer processing) In the second embodiment, in S601, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the user has subscribed to the flat-rate service, and if the user has not subscribed to the flat-rate service (No in S601), the CPU 203 stores flat-rate subscription information in S602 and advances the process to S1103. On the other hand, if the user has subscribed to the flat-rate service (Yes in S601), the process ends. In S 1103 , the printer 102 reads the wear levels of the above-mentioned parts from the ROM 201 and transmits them to the flat-rate service server 103 . (Flat-rate service server processing) In S1104, the flat-rate service server 103 receives the wear level of the part transmitted at the time of the start of the service, stores it as the wear level at the time of the start of the service, and ends this process.

[0022] - Calculating refund amount when canceling flat-rate service Next, the process by which flat-rate service server 103 calculates the refund amount will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing how flat-rate service server 103 calculates the refund amount in accordance with the user's usage status after the user applies for flat-rate service cancellation to the service provider. The process of this flowchart is started when the user applies for service cancellation and printer 102 receives a cancellation notice. (Printer processing) In steps S701 and S702, it is confirmed whether or not the user has subscribed to a flat-rate service, and some functions are suspended, as in the first embodiment. In S1203, the printer 102 transmits a cancellation process completion notice to the flat-rate service server 103 via the network communication unit 204. (Flat-rate service server processing) In S1204, the CPU of flat-rate service server 103 receives the cancellation completion notification. In S1205, the CPU of the flat-rate service server 103 reads out the wear level of each of the above-mentioned parts. In S1206, the CPU of the flat-rate service server 103 reads out the consumption level at the start of the above-mentioned service, and compares it with the consumption level read out in S1202. In S1207, the CPU of the flat-rate service server 103 calculates the refund amount based on the result of comparing the wear levels, and ends this process. The method of calculating the refund amount is the same as that described in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0023] [Embodiment 3] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, the degree of wear is calculated from the operation information of each part, and the refund amount is calculated by classifying the wear level. However, there are situations that cannot be understood from the operation information of each part alone, such as when the exterior is damaged while using the flat-rate service. The basic system configuration and processing flow are the same as in the first and second embodiments, but the flow until the user receives the printer 102 and the flow after the refund amount is saved in the flat-rate service server 103 are different. Before sending the printer 102 to a user who has signed up for a flat-rate service, the service provider determines the exterior condition of the printer 102 and requests the flat-rate service server 103 to save the exterior condition. How the exterior condition of the printer 102 is determined will be described with reference to FIG.

[0024] - Calculation of refund amount The flow of determining the exterior condition of the printer 102 returned by the user, receiving the determination result at the flat-rate service server 103, and calculating the refund amount will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart that starts when the service provider receives the printer 102 returned by a user who has canceled the flat-rate service. The service provider determines the exterior condition of the returned printer 102 . In S1301, the CPU of the flat-rate service server 103 accepts and stores the input of the determination result regarding the exterior condition of the printer 102. In S1302, the CPU of the flat-rate service server 103 reads out the exterior condition of the printer stored before the printer 102 was sent, and also reads out the exterior condition of the printer stored in S1301 when the printer 102 was returned. Then, the CPU compares the exterior conditions of the two printers read out as described above, and calculates the amount of the refund for the exterior condition from the exterior conditions of the two printers. (Exterior condition management table) Figures 14 and 15 are examples of tables for classifying the exterior condition into several levels according to the degree of damage, and calculating a part of the basic amount as the refund amount according to the difference in level before and after using the service. For example, if the level of the exterior condition before use is determined to be LV1 according to the table in Figure 14, and the level of the exterior condition after use is determined to be LV3 according to the table in Figure 15, the level difference is 2, so no refund will be made for the exterior condition. Finally, in S1303, the CPU of the flat-rate service server 103 reads the calculated refund amount described in the first and second embodiments, and adds it to the refund amount calculated from the exterior condition of the printer in S1302 to determine the final refund amount.

[0025] [Embodiment 4] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the refund amount was calculated only when the user made a cancellation request, but it is assumed that there are users who want to know the refund amount even when not canceling. The basic system configuration and processing flow are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, but when there is a request from the user to disclose the refund amount at any time other than cancellation, the refund amount is displayed to the user via the display unit 205. ·Refund amount display processing (In the case of embodiment 1) In this embodiment, a process in which the printer 102 displays the refund amount to the user when a request for disclosure of the refund amount is made by the user other than at the time of cancellation will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1601, the CPU 203 of the printer 102 receives a request to display the refund amount via the operation unit 206. In S1602, the CPU 203 calculates the amount of refund, assuming that the flat-rate service has been cancelled at this point in time, in the same manner as in the procedures of S703, S704 and S705 described in the first embodiment. In S1603, the CPU 203 displays the calculated refund amount on the display unit 205. (In the case of embodiment 2) In the second embodiment, a process for displaying the refund amount to the user when a request for disclosure of the refund amount is made by the user other than at the time of cancellation will be described with reference to FIG. First, similarly to FIG. 16, in S1601, a request to display the refund amount is received. In S1702, the CPU 203 requests the flat-rate service server 103 via the network communication unit 204 to calculate the refund amount. In S1703, flat-rate service server 103 receives the refund calculation request and calculates the refund amount. The flat-rate service is calculated assuming that the contract has been cancelled at this point in time. The procedure is the same as that described in S1205, S1206 and S1207, and therefore will not be repeated. In S1704, the flat-rate service server 103 transmits the calculated refund amount to the printer 102. In S1705, the CPU 203 receives the calculated refund amount via the network communication unit 204. In S1706, the CPU 203 displays the received refund amount on the display unit 205.

[0026] (Other Examples) In this embodiment, the information on usage status is expressed as the dot count as the degree of wear of parts such as the print head, and the number of rotations as the degree of wear of the transport roller, but information on the entire device, such as the number of pages printed by the printing device, may also be used. The present invention has been described as a flat-rate service for image forming devices, but it is not limited to this and can be applied to any flat-rate service that includes the device itself and notifies the management server of the usage status of the provided item via a network. For example, the present invention can be applied to a flat-rate service for automobiles that uses mileage as a parameter of usage status. 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. The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) A management system in which an image forming apparatus which subscribes to a flat-rate service including a main body and a server which manages the service are connected via a network, The image forming apparatus includes: a storage unit for storing a usage status of the image forming apparatus; a refund amount calculation means for calculating a refund amount at the time of termination of the service based on the information on the usage status; 1. A management system comprising: (Configuration 2) A management system in which an image forming apparatus which subscribes to a flat-rate service including a main body and a server which manages the service are connected via a network, The server, a storage unit for storing the usage status of the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus via a network; a refund amount calculation means for calculating a refund amount at the time of termination of the service based on the information on the usage status; 1. A management system comprising: (Configuration 3) 3. The management system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the information on the usage status is information on a level classified into a plurality of levels based on a plurality of threshold values. (Configuration 4) The information on the usage status includes the degree of wear of parts of the image forming apparatus. 4. The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3. (Configuration 5) The usage status includes an exterior condition of the image forming apparatus. 5. The management system according to configuration 4. (Configuration 6) The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the refund amount calculation means calculates the refund amount based on the difference between the level at the start of the service and the level at the end of the service, based on the usage status classified into a plurality of levels. (Configuration 7) When the image forming apparatus receives a cancellation notice of the flat-rate service, the image forming apparatus stops some of its functions. 7. The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 8) When the image forming device receives a request to display the refund amount, The refund amount calculation means has a display means for displaying the refund amount calculated at that time. 8. The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. (Configuration 9) If the part is a print head, the wear is a dot count for each color of colorant. 9. The management system according to any one of configurations 4 to 8. (Method 1) A method for controlling an image forming apparatus in a management system in which an image forming apparatus that subscribes to a flat-rate service including a main unit and a server that manages the service are connected via a network, comprising: a storage step of storing the usage status of the image forming apparatus in a storage device; a refund amount calculation step of calculating a refund amount at the time of termination of the service based on the information on the usage status; 2 is a control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . (Method 2) A method for controlling a server of a management system in which an image forming apparatus that subscribes to a flat-rate service including a main body and a server that manages the service are connected via a network, comprising: a storage step of storing in a storage device the usage status of the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus via a network; a refund amount calculation step of calculating a refund amount at the time of termination of the service based on the information on the usage status; A method for controlling a server comprising: (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image forming apparatus according to the first method. (Program 2) A program for causing a computer to execute the server control method according to method 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 100 Management Systems 101 Network 102 Printer 103 Flat-rate service server 204 Network Communication Department 205 Display section 206 Operation section 207 Scanner section 208 Printing Department

Claims

1. A management system in which an image forming apparatus which subscribes to a flat-rate service including a main body and a server which manages the service are connected via a network, The image forming apparatus includes: a storage unit for storing a usage status of the image forming apparatus; a refund amount calculation means for calculating a refund amount at the time of termination of the service based on the information on the usage status; 1. A management system comprising:

2. A management system in which an image forming apparatus which subscribes to a flat-rate service including a main body and a server which manages the service are connected via a network, The server, a storage unit for storing the usage status of the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus via a network; a refund amount calculation means for calculating a refund amount at the time of termination of the service based on the information on the usage status; 1. A management system comprising:

3. The information on the usage status is information on a level classified into a plurality of levels based on a plurality of thresholds.

3. The management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The information on the usage status includes the degree of wear of parts of the image forming apparatus. The management system according to claim 3 .

5. The usage status includes an exterior condition of the image forming apparatus. The management system according to claim 4 .

6. 4. The management system according to claim 3, wherein the refund amount calculation means calculates the refund amount based on the difference between the level at the start of the service and the level at the end of the service, based on the usage status classified into a plurality of levels.

7. When the image forming apparatus receives a cancellation notice of the flat-rate service, the image forming apparatus stops some of its functions.

3. The management system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. When the image forming device receives a request to display the refund amount, The refund amount calculation means has a display means for displaying the refund amount calculated at that time.

3. The management system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. If the part is a print head, the wear is a dot count for each color of colorant. The management system according to claim 4 .

10. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus in a management system in which an image forming apparatus that subscribes to a flat-rate service including a main unit and a server that manages the service are connected via a network, comprising: a storage step of storing the usage status of the image forming apparatus in a storage device; a refund amount calculation step of calculating a refund amount at the time of termination of the service based on the information on the usage status; 2 is a control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. A method for controlling a server of a management system in which an image forming apparatus that subscribes to a flat-rate service including a main body and a server that manages the service are connected via a network, comprising: a storage step of storing in a storage device the usage status of the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus via a network; a refund amount calculation step of calculating a refund amount at the time of termination of the service based on the information on the usage status; A method for controlling a server comprising:

12. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

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

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