Management system, management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a mechanism that allows a user to make a replacement request at convenient timing.SOLUTION: A management system 10 provides a service that allows a user to use an image forming apparatus 100 at a fixed price in a term of contract corresponding to a contracted plan. The management system 10 controls display of a dashboard screen 1100 including dashboard information related to a subscription service, and manages contract information 700 including replacement request button display conditions. The management system 10 acquires usage state information 900 of the image forming apparatus 100, and determines whether the image forming apparatus 100 reaches the end of its life before a contract end date on the basis of the usage state information 900. When the image forming apparatus 100 is determined to reach the end of its life before the contract end date and the replacement request button display conditions are satisfied, the management system 10 performs control of displaying, on the dashboard screen 1100, a replacement request button for requesting replacement of a main body or a consumable item of the image forming apparatus 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system, a management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A service is provided in which an image forming device is managed by a management server using device information received from the image forming device and a user's usage history. For example, a service in which consumable parts such as ink are managed by a management server and automatically delivered when the remaining amount is low is one example. In recent years, a subscription service for an image forming device has been provided, which allows a user to use the image forming device at a low cost without purchasing the image forming device. The subscription service is a service in which an image forming device can be used at a fixed price up to the maximum number of prints corresponding to a plan subscribed to by a user, and the image forming device is delivered to the user. In this image forming device, the user can, for example, replace the main body of the image forming device and consumable parts during the contract period corresponding to the contracted plan.

[0003] In such a contract-based flat-rate service, the image forming device notifies a management server of information about the image forming device, and the management server that receives the notification performs processing according to the contract information. For example, when a consumable part of the image forming device such as a drum cartridge breaks down, the image forming device notifies the management server of the breakdown information of the consumable part, and the management server arranges for the drum cartridge to be delivered to the user of the image forming device (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-117467 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a contract-based flat-rate service such as the subscription service described above, the responsibility for managing the main body and consumable parts lies with the service provider that provides the subscription service. The service provider needs to manage the main body and consumable parts of the image forming device so that the user can use the image forming device with a certain print quality during the contract period, and so that the main body and consumable parts do not reach the end of their life during the contract period. As a method for maintaining the print quality of the image forming device, for example, automatic delivery control can be performed to deliver the main body or consumable parts to be replaced to the user before the main body or consumable parts reach the end of their life without receiving an instruction from the user. However, while such automatic delivery control can maintain the print quality of the image forming device, there is a concern that the main body or consumable parts to be replaced may be delivered to the user at a time that is inconvenient for the user.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a mechanism that allows a user to make an exchange request at a time convenient for the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the management system of the present invention is a management system that provides a service that allows a user to use an image forming device at a fixed rate during a contract period corresponding to a plan subscribed to by a user, and is equipped with a means for acquiring usage information of the image forming device, a means for controlling the display of a dashboard screen including dashboard information related to the service, a means for managing contract information including predetermined display conditions used to control the display of the dashboard screen, and a means for determining whether the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract end date based on the usage information, and is characterized in that if it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract end date and the predetermined display conditions are satisfied, the controlling means controls the display of a replacement request button on the dashboard screen to request replacement of the main body of the image forming device or a consumable part of the image forming device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a user can make an exchange request at a time convenient for the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of a device management server of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of a service management server of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the information processing device in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure for a user to start using a subscription service in the management system of FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing an example of contract information managed by the service management server of FIG. 1; [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow from when the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 performs printing to when a dashboard screen is displayed on a display unit of the information processing apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the usage status information of the image forming apparatus of FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of exchange request button display control processing in S808 of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a dashboard screen displaying dashboard information when the usage status information has the content shown in FIG. 9(a). FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing a dashboard screen that displays dashboard information when the usage status information has the content shown in FIG. 9(b). FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management system 10 according to the present embodiment. In Fig. 1, the management system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 100, a device management server 200, a service management server 300, and an information processing apparatus 400. The image forming apparatus 100, the device management server 200, the service management server 300, and the information processing apparatus 400 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 500 such as the Internet. In the management system 10, a communication protocol such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (hereinafter referred to as "HTTP") is used for communication between these apparatuses.

[0012] The management system 10 provides a printer subscription service (hereinafter simply referred to as "subscription service") that allows users to use the printer at low cost without purchasing the printer. The subscription service is a service that allows users to use the printer for a fixed fee up to the maximum number of prints corresponding to the plan they have subscribed to during the contract period. In the subscription service, a printer is delivered to a user who has signed a contract to use the subscription service. The user can use the functions of the printer that correspond to the contracted plan from among multiple plans, and can also replace the printer itself and consumable parts during the contract period.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 receives contract information 700 shown in Fig. 7, which will be described later, from the device management server 200, stores the contract information 700 in storage 114 shown in Fig. 2, which will be described later, and controls whether or not each function in the image forming apparatus 100 can be used based on the stored contract information 700. The image forming apparatus 100 also transmits usage status information 900 shown in Fig. 9, which will be described later, to the device management server 200.

[0014] The device management server 200 holds the contract information 700 notified by the service management server 300, and provides the contract information 700 to the image forming apparatus 100. The device management server 200 also holds the usage status information 900 notified by the image forming apparatus 100, and provides the same to the service management server 300. Note that in this embodiment, a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 100 receives the contract information 700 notified by the service management server 300 via the device management server 200 will be described, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may directly receive the contract information 700 from the service management server 300 via the Internet. Note that details of the contract information 700 and details of control of the image forming apparatus 100 based on the contract information 700 will be described later.

[0015] The information processing device 400 performs user authentication with the service management server 300, and acquires dashboard information related to the subscription service subscribed to by the user who has successfully completed the user authentication from the service management server 300. The dashboard information includes information on the plan subscribed to by the user, information on the usage status of the image forming device 100 delivered to the user, and information on the delivery status of the main body and consumable parts of the image forming device 100. The user can change the plan, inquire about the contract, request delivery of the main body and consumable parts, etc. on this browser. The communication network 500 may have any network configuration as long as it is capable of transmitting image data, and may be configured to be connected wirelessly to an access point (not shown), for example.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, an operation unit 116, a reading unit 118, and a printing unit 120. The control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a storage 114, an operation unit I / F 115, a reading unit I / F 117, a printing unit I / F 119, an external storage I / F 121, and a communication I / F 123. The CPU 111, the ROM 112, the RAM 113, the storage 114, the operation unit I / F 115, the reading unit I / F 117, the printing unit I / F 119, the external storage I / F 121, and the communication I / F 123 are connected to each other via a system bus 124.

[0017] The control unit 110 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The CPU 111 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 112 or the storage 114, and performs various types of control such as reading control and printing control.

[0018] The ROM 112 stores a control program executed by the CPU 111. The ROM 112 also stores a boot program, font data, and the like.

[0019] The RAM 113 is a main storage memory for the CPU 111. The RAM 113 is used as a work area for the CPU 111, and also as a temporary storage area for loading the control programs stored in the ROM 112 and the storage 114.

[0020] The storage 114 stores image data, print data, an address book, various programs, and various setting information. The storage 114 also stores contract information 700 acquired from the device management server 200. In this embodiment, a flash memory is assumed as the storage 114, but an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD, HDD, or eMMC may also be used.

[0021] In the image forming apparatus 100, one CPU 111 executes each process shown in the flowcharts described later using one memory (RAM 113), but other configurations are also possible. For example, each process shown in the flowcharts described later can be executed by using multiple CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages in cooperation with each other. Also, some of the processes can be executed using hardware circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs.

[0022] The operation unit I / F 115 is an interface for connecting an operation unit 116 to the control unit 110. The operation unit 116 displays information to the user and detects inputs from the user.

[0023] The reading unit I / F 117 is an interface for connecting the reading unit 118 to the control unit 110. The reading unit 118 reads an image of an original document and converts the image of the original document into image data such as binary data. The CPU 111 performs encryption processing and image processing on this image data in accordance with settings at the time of reading execution. The image data that has been subjected to such processing is transmitted to the device management server 200, stored in the external storage device 122, or printed on recording paper by the printing unit 120. In the image forming apparatus 100, status information related to the reading unit 118, including the operation status of reading and error information, is stored in the RAM 113, and the status information related to the reading unit 118 is notified to the CPU 111.

[0024] The printing unit I / F 119 is an interface for connecting the printing unit 120 to the control unit 110. The CPU 111 transfers image data to be printed (image data to be printed) to the printing unit 120 via the printing unit I / F 119. The printing unit 120 prints an image on recording paper fed from a paper feed cassette (not shown). In the image forming apparatus 100, status information relating to the printing unit 120, including the printing operation status and error information, is stored in the RAM 113, and this status information relating to the printing unit 120 is notified to the CPU 111.

[0025] The external storage I / F 121 is an interface for connecting the external storage device 122 to the control unit 110. The CPU 111 stores image data in the external storage device 122 via the external storage I / F 121. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the external storage I / F 121 is a USB interface and the external storage device 122 is a USB memory, but this is not limited to this. For example, the external storage device 122 may be an SD card or the like.

[0026] The control unit 110 is connected to the communication network 500 via a communication unit I / F 123. The communication unit I / F 123 transmits information about the image forming apparatus 100 to the device management server 200, the service management server 300, and the information processing apparatus 400. The information about the image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, setting information about the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 and usage status information 900 described later.

[0027] When the communication unit I / F 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a request to refer to information of the image forming apparatus 100 or a request to change setting information from the device management server 200 or the information processing apparatus 400, the image forming apparatus 100 reads various information from the storage 114 or changes the setting information. Note that transmission of information to the device management server 200 or the information processing apparatus 400, and reception of contract information or setting information change requests from the device management server 200 or the information processing apparatus 400 are performed by a Web server application that processes HTTP.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the device management server 200 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 3, the device management server 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage 204, and a communication I / F 205. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, the RAM 203, the storage 204, and the communication I / F 205 are connected to each other via a system bus 206.

[0029] The CPU 201 performs processes such as calculation, judgment, and control of data and commands according to programs stored in the ROM 202, the RAM 203, or the storage 204. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 201 performs various processes. The storage 204 stores an operating system (OS), application software, programs, and the like. The storage 204 also stores usage status information 900 and setting information (not shown) obtained from each image forming apparatus, as well as contract information 700, as will be described later. The communication I / F 205 uses a wireless LAN or a wired LAN compatible with standards such as IEEE802.11a, and transmits and receives data to and from devices on the same network or the Internet using protocols such as TCP / IP.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the service management server 300 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 4, the service management server 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a storage 304, and a communication I / F 305, which are connected to each other via a system bus 306.

[0031] The service management server 300 has a function for managing various services. For example, the service management server 300 has a dashboard function as a management function for a service that allows the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and consumable parts (toner cartridge, drum cartridge, etc.) attached to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used for a fixed price during a contract period. The dashboard function is a function that displays the contract details and the process for automatic delivery of the main body and consumable parts approaching the end of their life in an easy-to-understand manner. Note that the service management server 300 and the device management server 200 execute different programs (processes), but have basically the same hardware configuration. Therefore, the hardware configuration of the service management server 300 will not be described here, since it is the same as the hardware configuration of the device management server 200.

[0032] In this embodiment, a configuration in which the device management server 200 and the service management server 300 are separate devices will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, each function of the device management server 200 and the service management server 300 may be realized by one server. Also, each function of the device management server 200 and the service management server 300 may be realized by a server system consisting of three or more servers. Furthermore, each function of the device management server 200 and the service management server 300 may be realized by using a server on the cloud.

[0033] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the information processing device 400 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 5, the information processing device 400 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a storage 404, an operation unit I / F 405, a display unit I / F 407, and a communication unit I / F 409. These are connected to each other via a system bus 410.

[0034] The CPU 401 realizes each function of the information processing device 400 by controlling the components of the information processing device 400. The CPU 401 controls the operation of the information processing device 400 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 402. More specifically, the CPU 401 executes an OS (not shown) that controls the information processing device 400, and the like. The CPU 401 realizes the operation and control of functions desired by the user by having a plurality of application programs operate mutually on this OS. The OS and programs are stored in the ROM 402 and read into the RAM 403, and the CPU 401 executes the OS and programs read into the RAM 403.

[0035] The ROM 402 is a memory for storing various data and programs executed by the CPU 401. The RAM 403 is a work memory for temporarily storing programs and data used by the CPU 401 for calculations. The storage 404 is a storage device for storing various data, programs, etc. In this embodiment, the storage 404 is assumed to be a hard disk, but may be another non-volatile storage device such as an SSD.

[0036] The operation unit I / F 405 is an interface for connecting an operation unit 406 to the information processing device 400. The operation unit 406 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit I / F 407 is an interface for connecting a display unit 408 to the information processing device 400. The display unit 408 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The communication unit I / F 409 is, for example, a network I / F for performing wired LAN communication. Note that the communication unit I / F 409 may be a network I / F for performing wireless LAN communication, a USB I / F, etc.

[0037] In this embodiment, since the information processing device 400 is assumed to be a desktop personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a "PC"), FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration in which the operation unit 406 and the display unit 408 are not included in the information processing device 400. However, the information processing device 400 is not limited to a desktop PC, and may be a communication device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook PC. When the information processing device 400 is such a communication device, the operation unit 406 and the display unit 408 are included in the information processing device 400.

[0038] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure for a user to start using a subscription service in the management system 10 of Fig. 1. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a user 600 accesses a site managed by the service management server 300 from an information processing device 400 and makes a service contract.

[0039] In FIG. 6, first, a user 600 accesses a site managed by the service management server 300 from the information processing device 400 and makes a service contract to use the subscription service (S (step) 601). In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that a service contract is made with a plan from among multiple plans that allows the main body and consumable parts to be replaced during the contract period. Consumable parts are, for example, toner cartridges and drum cartridges. Note that in this embodiment, toner cartridges and drum cartridges are described as examples of consumable parts, but consumable parts are not limited to these. For example, consumable parts may be other parts that can be replaced by the user, such as a cassette for feeding paper or a fixing unit.

[0040] Next, the service management server 300 performs a service registration process (S602). In the service registration process, information on the user 600 who has made a service contract and contract plan information are registered in association with the printer that will be delivered to the user 600.

[0041] Next, the service management server 300 arranges for delivery of the printer registered in S602. As a result, the image forming device 100, which is the printer registered in S602, is delivered to the user 600 (S603).

[0042] Upon receiving the image forming apparatus 100, the user 600 starts the initial setup of the image forming apparatus 100 (S604). The image forming apparatus 100 performs an initial setup process in accordance with an instruction from the user 600 (S605). In the initial setup process, initial settings such as network settings for connecting to the Internet are performed. When the image forming apparatus 100 completes connection to the communication network 500 through the network settings, it transmits a device registration request to the device management server 200 (S606). The image forming apparatus 100 also transmits identification information such as the product serial number of the image forming apparatus 100 to the device management server 200.

[0043] The device management server 200 that has received the device registration request performs a device registration process to register the identification information received from the image forming apparatus 100 (S607). Next, the device management server 200 returns the result of the device registration process to the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, the device management server 200 transmits a device registration completion notification including the identification information of the registered image forming apparatus 100 to the service management server 300 (S608).

[0044] The service management server 300 creates the contract information 700 shown in Fig. 7 based on the contract plan information registered in association with the identification information of the image forming apparatus 100 included in the received device registration completion notification. The service management server 300 notifies the device management server 200 of the contract information 700 (S609). The contract information 700 includes information used for activation during initial setup of the image forming apparatus 100 identified by the identification information included in the device registration completion notification, and information for determining that a contract has been concluded. Details of the contract information 700 will be described later.

[0045] The device management server 200 stores the contract information 700 notified by the service management server 300 in the storage 204 or the like of the device management server 200, and waits until it receives a request to obtain the contract information from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0046] On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 100 that has received the result of the device registration process transmits a request to acquire contract information to the device management server 200 (S610).

[0047] In response to the received request to acquire the contract information, the device management server 200 notifies the image forming apparatus 100 of the retained contract information 700 in an HTTP response. Note that, in the present embodiment, a configuration in which one piece of contract information 700 is notified to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described, but when a plurality of plans including option plans are subscribed to, a plurality of pieces of contract information corresponding to the respective plans may be collectively notified to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0048] The image forming apparatus 100 stores the contract information 700 notified from the device management server 200 in the storage 114. The image forming apparatus 100 also performs a function release process based on the contract information 700 (S611), and controls to enable the use of basic functions permitted for use in the contract plan. In this embodiment, at the stage of starting the process of S611, the image forming apparatus 100 is controlled so that all basic functions such as the print function, scan function, and copy function cannot be used. By performing the process of S611, only the basic functions permitted for use in the contract plan among the print function, scan function, and copy function become available. The above is the procedure of the process for the user to start using the subscription service in the management system 10.

[0049] 7 is a diagram showing an example of contract information 700 managed by the service management server 300 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the contract information 700 includes contract plan information 710, contract device information 720, first contract consumable parts information 730, and second contract consumable parts information 740. Note that the configuration of the contract information 700 is an example, and the contract information 700 may include information other than the above, and may include information on consumable parts other than toner cartridges and drum cartridges as the contract consumable parts information. In addition, since the contract information 700 is information linked to the contract, it is updated when the user 600 changes the contract details, but as long as it is information linked to the contract, it may include information that changes even if the contract details are not changed.

[0050] The contract plan information 710 is information about the plan that the user 600 has contracted, and includes a contract name 711, a contract number 712, a contract start date and time 713, a contract end date and time 714, a contract plan 715, a print upper limit number 716, and a contract device serial number 717. The contract name 711 is the name of the plan that the user 600 has contracted. The contract number 712 is an ID issued at the time of contracting, and is information for uniquely identifying the contract. The contract number 712 is also information confirmed to determine that the contract has been concluded. The contract start date and time 713 is the start date of the contract period agreed upon with the user 600 at the time of contracting, and coincides with the start date and time of use of the image forming apparatus 100. The contract end date and time 714 is the scheduled end date of the contract period agreed upon with the user 600 at the time of contracting. Unless the user 600 requests midway termination or contract renewal, the contract end date and time 714 is the end date and time of the contract period. If the contract is renewed, the contract end date and time 714 is also updated accordingly.

[0051] The print limit number 716 is the upper limit number of pages that can be printed corresponding to the plan that the user 600 has contracted. The print limit number 716 is set to the upper limit number of pages that can be printed per month, such as 30 pages / month. When the upper limit number is reached, whether printing is no longer possible or printing is possible if a certain amount is paid per page varies depending on the contracted plan. FIG. 7 shows an example in which a plan with "no upper limit" is contracted, and there is no upper limit number of pages that can be printed. The contract device serial number 717 is the serial number of the device for which the contract is valid. In this embodiment, the image forming device 100 is a device supplied by the service provider, so the serial number is information on the serial number of the device that the service provider shipped to the user 600. When the image forming device 100 is a printer purchased by the user 600 and a plan for using only consumable parts at a fixed price is contracted, the serial number of the image forming device 100 registered by the user 600 at the time of contract is registered in the contract device serial number 717.

[0052] The contracted device information 720 is information related to the image forming apparatus 100 provided by the service provider. The contracted device information 720 includes a contracted device serial number 721, an estimated life span 722, a scheduled date and time for main body replacement 723, an automatic delivery contract 724, an estimated automatic delivery 725, and replacement request button display conditions 726. Note that if the image forming apparatus 100 is a printer purchased by the user 600 and a plan for using only consumable parts at a fixed price has been contracted, the contracted device information 720 is not included in the contract information 700.

[0053] The contracted device serial number 721 is the same information as the contracted device serial number 717. The estimated life 722 is a value specified by the device manufacturer as to how many sheets the image forming apparatus 100 can print while maintaining a predetermined standard of print quality in a general usage environment and usage method. Note that this is merely a guideline value because it is possible to print more sheets than the estimated life depending on the usage environment, usage method, and individual differences in the device, and there is also a possibility that the print quality will deteriorate when the number of sheets is less than the estimated life. The scheduled main body replacement date and time 723 is the scheduled date and time when the image forming apparatus 100 is to be replaced. Note that in FIG. 7, as an example, the scheduled main body replacement date and time 723 is set to the same date as the contract end date and time 714, but a date earlier than the contract end date and time 714 may be set depending on the contracted plan.

[0054] The automatic delivery contract 724 is information indicating whether or not a contract for a service for automatic delivery of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is made. The user 600 can select whether or not automatic delivery is to be made when making a service contract, and can change the contract during the contract period. In FIG. 7, the automatic delivery contract for the main body is set to "none" as an example. If the automatic delivery contract for the main body is "none", the user 600 requests the service provider to replace the main body, and the user 600 specifies a convenient date and time to perform the replacement. When replacing the main body, the user is required to perform operations such as taking over the settings of the device, and a temporary storage location for the device is required. Therefore, if the device is automatically delivered at a time that the user does not intend, the user may be confused. Users who do not want such a situation do not make a contract for a service for automatic delivery.

[0055] The automatic delivery estimate 725 is a condition for automatic delivery when the automatic delivery contract 724 is "Yes". In Fig. 7, the automatic delivery contract 724 is "No", so "-" is set in the automatic delivery estimate 725. When the automatic delivery contract 724 is "Yes", a condition such as "When the number of printed sheets reaches X sheets" or "Y days before the scheduled date and time of the main unit replacement" is set in the automatic delivery estimate 725.

[0056] The replacement request button display condition 726 is a condition for displaying a replacement request button for requesting replacement of the main unit on the dashboard screen 1100 described later when the automatic delivery contract 724 is "none". In FIG. 7, as an example, a date and time that varies depending on the user's usage, such as "10 days before the expected end of life date", is set in the replacement request button display condition 726. The calculation of the expected end of life date will be described later in the explanation of FIG. 10. The dashboard screen 1100 will be described later in the explanation of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

[0057] The first contracted consumable part information 730 is information on a first consumable part provided to a user in association with a contracted plan. In Fig. 7, information on a toner cartridge is set as an example of information on a first consumable part. The first contracted consumable part information 730 includes a life expectancy 731, an automatic delivery contract 732, an automatic delivery expectancy 733, and a replacement request button display condition 734.

[0058] The life expectancy 731 is an estimate of the life expectancy of the toner cartridge, which is the first consumable part. Details are the same as those of the life expectancy 722 described above, and therefore will not be described here. The automatic delivery contract 732 is information indicating whether or not a contract for a service of automatic delivery of a toner cartridge replacement has been made. In FIG. 7, as an example, the automatic delivery contract 732 is set to "Yes". The automatic delivery estimate 733 is a condition for automatic delivery when the automatic delivery contract 732 is "Yes". In FIG. 7, as an example, "toner cartridge remaining amount 10%" is set to the automatic delivery estimate 733. Information on the remaining amount of the toner cartridge is notified from the image forming apparatus 100 to the device management server 200 as usage status information 900 in FIG. 9 described later, and is notified from the device management server 200 to the service management server 300.

[0059] The replacement request button display condition 734 is a condition for displaying a replacement request button for requesting replacement of a toner cartridge on the dashboard screen 1100 described below when the automatic delivery contract 732 is "None". As shown in Fig. 7, the same conditions as the automatic delivery estimate 733 are set in the replacement request button display condition 734, and unlike the replacement request button display condition 726, conditions that do not change depending on the user's usage status are set. The conditions set in the replacement request button display condition 734 are not limited to the conditions shown in Fig. 7, and for example, a date and time that changes depending on the user's usage status, like the replacement request button display condition 726, may be set.

[0060] The second contracted consumable parts information 740 is information on second consumable parts provided to the user in association with the contracted plan. In Fig. 7, information on drum cartridges is set as an example of information on the second consumable parts. The second contracted consumable parts information 740 includes a life expectancy 741, an automatic delivery contract 742, an automatic delivery estimate 743, and a replacement request button display condition 744.

[0061] The life expectancy 741 is an estimate of the life expectancy of the drum cartridge, which is the second consumable part. Details are the same as the life expectancy 722 described above, so a description thereof will be omitted here. The automatic delivery contract 742 is information indicating whether or not a contract is made for a service of automatically delivering the drum cartridge to be replaced. The automatic delivery estimate 743 is a condition for automatic delivery when the automatic delivery contract 742 is "yes". Details are the same as the automatic delivery contract 724 and the automatic delivery estimate 725 described above, so a description thereof will be omitted here. The replacement request button display condition 744 is a condition for displaying a replacement request button for requesting replacement of the drum cartridge on the dashboard screen 1100 described later when the automatic delivery contract 742 is "no". In FIG. 7, as an example, a condition that does not change depending on the user's usage status, such as "print 29,500 sheets", is set in the replacement request button display condition 744. Note that 29,500 sheets is the number of sheets when 500 sheets remain until the life expectancy 741 of "30,000 sheets". The conditions set in the exchange request button display conditions 744 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 7, and for example, a date and time that varies depending on the user's usage status, such as the exchange request button display conditions 726, may be set.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned exchange request button display conditions 726, 734, and 744 are described as predetermined conditions corresponding to the plan with which the user has made a contract. However, the user may set the exchange request button display conditions 726, 734, and 744 to a condition selected from a plurality of options, such as one week before, ten days before, and one month before, when making a contract. In addition, after making a contract, the exchange request button display conditions 726, 734, and 744 may be changed from the above-mentioned plurality of options on the dashboard screen 1100 or the operation unit 116 of the image forming apparatus 100, which will be described later. This allows the intention of the user 600 to be reflected in the timing of displaying the exchange request button.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow from when the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 performs printing to when the dashboard screen 1100 is displayed on the display unit 408 of the information processing apparatus 400. In FIG.

[0064] 8, the information processing device 400 makes a print execution request to the image forming device 100 according to an instruction input by the user 600 to the operation unit 406 (S801). Note that, in S801, a case where the user 600 issues an instruction to the image forming device 100 to execute printing from the information processing device 400 is described as an example, but is not limited to this. For example, in S801, the user 600 may instruct the image forming device 100 to copy a document or print document data from the operation unit 116.

[0065] Upon receiving the print execution request, the image forming apparatus 100 controls the printing unit 120 to print based on the print settings specified in the print execution request (S802). When the image forming apparatus 100 completes printing one page, it updates the usage status information 900 in FIG. 9A (S803).

[0066] Fig. 9(a) is a diagram showing an example of usage status information 900 of the image forming apparatus 100 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 9(a), the usage status information 900 includes print counter information 910 and consumable part remaining amount information 920. Note that the configuration of the usage status information 900 is just an example, and the usage status information 900 may include information other than these.

[0067] The print counter information 910 includes the device's total number of pages printed 911 and the four-color drum cartridge print counts 912-915. The consumable part remaining amount information 920 includes the four-color toner cartridge remaining amounts 921-924. Note that Fig. 9(a) shows the usage status information 900 at the time when the device's total number of pages printed 911 was "13600."

[0068] In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 100 performs color printing, all of the YMCK drum cartridges and all of the YMCK toner cartridges are used. When monochrome printing is performed, only the K drum cartridge and the K toner cartridge are used. For this reason, in FIG. 9(a), the number of pages printed by the K drum cartridge 915 is greater than the numbers of pages printed by the other color drum cartridges 912 to 914 by the number of pages printed in monochrome printing.

[0069] Fig. 9(b) shows the usage status information 900 when the device total print count 911 is "49,000". In this embodiment, when the "30,000 sheets" set in the estimated life span 741 is printed, all of the YMCK drum cartridges are replaced and the drum cartridge print counts 912 to 915 are cleared to 0. Fig. 9(b) shows the usage status information 900 when 2,000 monochrome sheets and 17,000 color sheets have been printed after all of the YMCK drum cartridges have been replaced and the drum cartridge print counts 912 to 915 have been cleared to 0.

[0070] Returning to FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the device management server 200 of the updated usage status information 900 every time the printing requested in S801 is completed for one page (S804). In this embodiment, the usage status information 900 is notified for each page, but the usage status information 900 may be notified once for multiple pages, for example, once for five pages. The usage status information 900 may also be notified after all printing is completed. However, for example, when printing 1000 pages in one print job, if the usage status information 900 is notified after printing of 1000 pages is completed, the detection of the life of the main body and consumable parts will be delayed, and the arrangement of automatic delivery will also be delayed. For this reason, it is preferable to notify the usage status information 900 in detail.

[0071] Next, the device management server 200 updates the usage status information of the image forming apparatus 100 managed by the device management server 200 based on the usage status information 900 received from the image forming apparatus 100 (S805). Note that in the device management server 200, usage status information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus 100 and other registered image forming apparatuses is managed in the storage 204. Next, the device management server 200 notifies the service management server 300 of the usage status information 900 received from the image forming apparatus 100 (S806).

[0072] The service management server 300 updates the usage status information of the image forming apparatus 100 managed by the service management server 300 based on the usage status information 900 received from the device management server 200 (S807). Note that in the service management server 300, usage status information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus 100 and other registered image forming apparatuses is managed in the storage 304. Next, the service management server 300 performs the exchange request button display control process of FIG. 10 (S808).

[0073] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the exchange request button display control process of S808 in Fig. 8. The exchange request button display control process in Fig. 10 is realized by the CPU 301 executing a program stored in the ROM 302 or the storage 304.

[0074] In FIG. 10, first, the CPU 301 acquires current date and time information managed by the OS (not shown) of the service management server 300 (S1001). Next, the CPU 301 calculates the average number of sheets used per day based on the acquired current date and time information, the contract start date and time 713 in the contract information 700, and the device total number of printed sheets 911 in the received usage status information 900 (S1002). For example, if the current date and time information is February 2, 2023 (10 days after the contract start date and time 713 (January 23, 2023)) and the device total number of printed sheets 911 is 1,000 sheets, the average number of sheets used per day is 100 sheets. For ease of understanding, the following explanation will also assume that the average number of sheets used per day is 100 sheets.

[0075] Next, CPU 301 calculates the expected end of life date of the main body of image forming apparatus 100 (S1003). For example, if the average number of sheets used per day is 100, the estimated life of the main body of image forming apparatus 100 (estimated life 722) is 50,000 sheets, so the expected end of life date is 500 days after the contract start date and time (January 23, 2023). In other words, the expected end of life date is June 6, 2024.

[0076] Next, CPU 301 determines whether image forming apparatus 100 will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date. Specifically, CPU 301 compares the contract expiration date and time with the expected end of life date of the main body calculated in S1003 to determine whether the main body will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date (S1004). For example, when the expected end of life date calculated in S1003 is June 6, 2024 for the contract expiration date and time (January 23, 2025) of contract plan information 710, it is determined in S1004 that the main body will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date. In this case, replacement request button display control processing proceeds to S1005.

[0077] In S1005, the CPU 301 determines whether or not an automatic delivery contract for the main body has been made based on the automatic delivery contract 724 (S1005).

[0078] If it is determined in S1005 that an automatic delivery contract for the main body has been made, CPU 301 determines whether or not the automatic delivery conditions for the main body are met based on automatic delivery guideline 725 (S1006).

[0079] If it is determined in S1006 that the automatic delivery conditions for the main body are met, CPU 301 notifies the subscription service system of delivery arrangements for the main body and sets the delivery status of the main body to "delivery arrangements in progress" (S1007). The notification of delivery arrangements for the main body may be an email notification to a delivery person, etc. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that information on the delivery status is not included in contract information 700 exchanged with image forming apparatus 100 but is linked to the contract and stored in storage 304, but may be included in contract information 700. When the process of S1007 is completed, the exchange request button display control process proceeds to S1010 described later.

[0080] If it is determined in S1005 that an automatic delivery contract for the main body is not made, the exchange request button display control process proceeds to 1008. In S1008, CPU 301 determines whether or not the exchange request button display condition 726, which is the condition for displaying the exchange request button for the main body, is satisfied. In this embodiment, since the exchange request button display condition 726 is "10 days before the expected end of life date," it is confirmed whether the current date and time acquired in S1001 is earlier or later than 10 days (May 27, 2024) before the expected end of life date (June 6, 2024) of the main body calculated in S1003.

[0081] For example, when the usage status information 900 is the content shown in FIG. 9(a), the current date and time is June 8, 2023 (the total number of printed sheets by the device is 13,600 sheets, and since an average of 100 sheets are printed per day, it is 136 days after the contract start date and time of the contract plan information 710). Since June 8, 2023 is earlier than 10 days before June 6, 2024 (May 27, 2024), in S1008, it is determined that the exchange request button display condition 726 is not satisfied. In this case, the exchange request button display control process proceeds to S1010 described later.

[0082] On the other hand, when the usage status information 900 is the content shown in FIG. 9(b), the current date and time is May 27, 2024 (490 days after the contract start date and time of the contract plan information 710 because the total number of printed sheets by the device is 49,000 sheets and the average number of printed sheets per day is 100 sheets). Since May 27, 2024 is 10 days before June 6, 2024, it is determined in S1008 that the replacement request button display condition 726 is satisfied. In this case, the replacement request button display control process proceeds to S1009. In this embodiment, the replacement request button display condition 726 is a condition of "10 days before the expected life end date", but it may be a condition linked to the plan that the user 600 has contracted. For example, when the print upper limit number of sheets in the contract plan information 710 is "50 sheets per month", the replacement request button display condition 726 may be 50 sheets before the estimated life of the contract device information 720 is reached, that is, when it reaches 49,950 sheets.

[0083] In S1009, CPU 301 sets the main body replacement request button display setting to "enabled." The main body replacement request button display setting is held in RAM 303. When the main body replacement request button display setting is "enabled," the main body replacement request button is displayed on dashboard screen 1100, which will be described later. Next, the replacement request button display control process proceeds to S1010. Also, if it is determined in S1004 that the main body will not reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date, or if it is determined in S1006 that the main body automatic delivery conditions are not met, the replacement request button display control process proceeds to S1010.

[0084] Next, control related to consumable parts will be described. In this embodiment, there are two types of consumable parts: toner cartridges and drum cartridges. In actual processing, the processes of S1010 to S1016 are executed independently for each of the Y, M, C, and K toner cartridges, and the processes of S1010 to S1016 are executed independently for each of the Y, M, C, and K drum cartridges. Since the contents of the processing are basically the same, the toner cartridges and the drum cartridges will be described below without distinguishing between their colors. Furthermore, since the contents of the processing for the drum cartridges are almost the same as for the main body, only the differences will be described.

[0085] In S1010, CPU 301 calculates the expected end of life date of the consumable part. If the consumable part is a drum cartridge, the average number of sheets used is 100 sheets, and the life expectancy 741 is "30,000 sheets," so the expected end of life date is 300 days after contract start date and time 713. In other words, the expected end of life date is November 19, 2023. On the other hand, if the consumable part is a toner cartridge, the expected end of life date is not calculated because the remaining amount of toner cartridge controls the automatic delivery and display of the replacement request button.

[0086] Next, CPU 301 determines whether image forming apparatus 100 will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date. Specifically, CPU 301 determines whether a consumable part will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date (S1011). For example, if the consumable part is a drum cartridge, CPU 301 compares contract expiration date and time 714 with the expected end of life date of the drum cartridge calculated in S1010 to determine whether the drum cartridge will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date.

[0087] On the other hand, if the consumable part is a toner cartridge, CPU 301 checks remaining amounts 921-924 of the four color toner cartridges, respectively. If all of remaining amounts 921-924 of the toner cartridges are greater than the remaining amounts in automatic delivery estimate 733 and replacement request button display condition 734, it is determined that the consumable part will not reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date. If any of remaining amounts 921-924 of the toner cartridges are less than the remaining amounts in automatic delivery estimate 733 or replacement request button display condition 734, it is determined that the consumable part will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date. Note that if the consumable part is a toner cartridge, it may be unconditionally determined that the consumable part will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date.

[0088] In S1011, if it is determined that the consumable part will not reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date, the replacement request button display control process ends. In S1011, if it is determined that the consumable part will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date, the replacement request button display control process proceeds to S1012.

[0089] In S1012, CPU 301 determines whether or not an automatic delivery contract for the target consumable part has been made. For example, if the consumable part is a toner cartridge, the determination in S1012 is made based on automatic delivery contract 732. Also, if the consumable part is a drum cartridge, the determination in S1012 is made based on automatic delivery contract 742.

[0090] If it is determined in S1012 that an automatic delivery contract for the target consumable part has been made, CPU 301 determines whether the automatic delivery conditions for the target consumable part are met (S1013). For example, if the consumable part is a toner cartridge, the determination in S1013 is made based on automatic delivery guideline 733. Also, if the consumable part is a drum cartridge, the determination in S1013 is made based on automatic delivery guideline 743. Note that since there are four colors of consumable parts for each cartridge, it is determined whether the conditions are met for each color.

[0091] If it is determined in S1013 that the automatic delivery conditions of the target consumable part are met, the replacement request button display control process proceeds to S1014. In S1014, the CPU 301 notifies the subscription service system of delivery arrangements for the consumable part that meets the automatic delivery conditions, and sets the delivery status of the consumable part to "delivery arrangements in progress."

[0092] For example, when the usage status information 900 has the content shown in Fig. 9(a), a notification is sent to arrange for automatic delivery of only the K toner cartridge, and the delivery status is set to "Delivery being arranged". The notification of delivery arrangements for consumable parts may be sent by email to the delivery person, etc. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the delivery status information is not included in the contract information 700 exchanged with the image forming apparatus 100, but is linked to the contract and stored in the storage 304, but may be included in the contract information 700. When the process of S1014 is completed, the replacement request button display control process ends.

[0093] If it is determined in S1012 that the automatic delivery contract for the target consumable part is not made, CPU 301 determines whether or not the replacement request button display condition for the target consumable part is satisfied (S1015). For example, if the consumable part is a toner cartridge, the determination in S1015 is made based on replacement request button display condition 734. Since replacement request button display condition 734 is "toner cartridge remaining amount 10%", CPU 301 checks toner cartridge remaining amount 921-924 to determine whether or not a toner cartridge that satisfies this condition exists. Also, if the consumable part is a drum cartridge, the determination in S1015 is made based on replacement request button display condition 744. Since replacement request button display condition 744 is "printed 29,500 sheets", CPU 301 checks drum cartridge printed sheet count 912-915 to determine whether or not a drum cartridge that satisfies this condition exists.

[0094] If it is determined in S1015 that the replacement request button display conditions for the target consumable part are not met, the replacement request button display control process ends. If it is determined in S1015 that the replacement request button display conditions for the target consumable part are met, CPU 301 sets the replacement request button display setting for the target consumable part to "enabled" (S1016). In this embodiment, the replacement request button display setting is set for each color of toner cartridges and drum cartridges. The replacement request button display setting for the consumable part is also held in RAM 303. Thereafter, the replacement request button display control process ends.

[0095] 8, the service management server 300 updates the dashboard information based on the usage status information 900 updated in S807, the delivery status setting updated in S808, and the replacement request button display setting (S809). The dashboard information is information displayed on the dashboard screen 1100, and includes information on the plan subscribed to by the user 600, information on the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100, information on the delivery status of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and consumable parts, etc.

[0096] Next, the user 600 operates the operation unit 406 of the information processing device 400 at any timing to access the system managed by the service management server 300. Then, when the user 600 operates the operation unit 406 of the information processing device 400 to instruct viewing of dashboard information, the information processing device 400 notifies the service management server 300 of a dashboard information acquisition request (S810).

[0097] In response to the dashboard information acquisition request, the service management server 300 notifies the information processing device 400 of the dashboard information (S811).

[0098] The information processing device 400 displays the dashboard information received from the service management server 300 on the display unit 408 (S812).

[0099] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing an example of a dashboard screen 1100 displayed on the display unit 408 in FIG. 5. The dashboard screen 1100 is a screen that displays dashboard information on a web browser. FIG. 11 shows the dashboard screen 1100 that displays the dashboard information when the usage information 900 has the content shown in FIG. 9(a). FIG. 12 shows the dashboard screen 1100 that displays the dashboard information when the usage information 900 has the content shown in FIG. 9(b).

[0100] The menu area 1110 is an area for displaying a menu of display contents. In both of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, "Overview" is selected. The dashboard information display area 1120 is an area for displaying dashboard information corresponding to the menu selected in the menu area 1110. The contract plan display area 1130 is an area for displaying contract plan information, and information corresponding to the contract plan information 710 is displayed. When a contract plan is selected in the menu area 1110, information related to the contract plan including the contract plan information 710 can be viewed. The change button 1131 is a button to be pressed when a plan is to be changed, and pressing the change button 1131 transitions to a screen related to contract change. The usage status 1140 is an area for displaying the usage status of the image forming device 100. In the usage status 1140, information corresponding to the usage status information 900, the contract plan information 710, the contract device information 720, the first contract consumable parts information 730, and the second contract consumable parts information 740 is displayed. In the main body usage status 1141, information related to the main body of the image forming device 100 is displayed. The consumable part usage status 1143 displays information about the consumable part.

[0101] Here, the dashboard screen 1100 in Fig. 11 is the dashboard screen 1100 that displays the dashboard information when the usage information 900 has the content shown in Fig. 9(a) as described above. In the usage information 900 in Fig. 9(a), the main body and drum cartridge for which the automatic delivery contract is "None" do not satisfy the replacement request button display condition. Therefore, the replacement request button is not displayed on the dashboard screen 1100 in Fig. 11.

[0102] On the other hand, the dashboard screen 1100 in FIG. 12 is a dashboard screen 1100 that displays dashboard information when the usage status information 900 is the content shown in FIG. 9(b) as described above. In the usage status information 900 in FIG. 9(b), for the main body with "no" automatic delivery contract, the main body replacement request button display condition is met as described in S1008 above. Therefore, in the dashboard screen 1100 in FIG. 12, a main body replacement request button 1146 is displayed in the main body usage status 1141. In addition, for the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge, when the corresponding replacement request button display condition is met, the replacement request button is displayed in the toner remaining amount 1144 and the drum cartridge usage status 1145, respectively. When the user presses the replacement request button 1146, the screen transitions to a screen for making a replacement request. In the screen for making a replacement request, the user can input the desired date and time of replacement, confirm the delivery destination, and make a replacement request. In addition, the user may be able to continue or change the contract at the same time.

[0103] Delivery status 1150 displays the status when automatic delivery or replacement request button 1146 is pressed to execute a replacement request and delivery arrangements for the main body or consumable parts are made. In this embodiment, in the usage status information 900 of FIG. 9(a), automatic delivery of the K toner cartridge is arranged as explained above in S1013. Therefore, delivery status 1150 on the dashboard screen 1100 of FIG. 11 displays that the K toner cartridge is "arranged for delivery". When the delivery arrangements are completed and the date and time for delivery to the user 600 is scheduled, the status changes to "arranged for delivery" and the expected arrival date and time is also displayed.

[0104] According to the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the replacement request button display condition is satisfied, a replacement request button for requesting replacement of the main body or consumable parts of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed on the dashboard screen 1100. This allows the user 600 to make a replacement request at a convenient time. As a result, a certain level of print quality can be maintained, and high-quality service can be provided to the user 600.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that image forming apparatus 100 will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the main body replacement request button display condition is satisfied, a main body replacement request button is displayed on dashboard screen 1100. This allows user 600 to request replacement of the main body of image forming apparatus 100 at a convenient time.

[0106] In the above-described embodiment, if it is determined that image forming apparatus 100 will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date, an automatic delivery contract is not made, and the main body replacement request button display conditions are met, a main body replacement request button is displayed on dashboard screen 1100. This allows the user to request a replacement of the main body of image forming apparatus 100 at a convenient time, even if the user does not make a contract for automatic delivery of the main body.

[0107] In the embodiment described above, when it is determined that image forming apparatus 100 will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the condition for displaying a replacement request button for a consumable part is satisfied, a replacement request button for the consumable part is displayed on dashboard screen 1100. This allows user 600 to request replacement of the consumable part at a convenient time.

[0108] In the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100 will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date, an automatic delivery contract is not made, and the conditions for displaying a consumable part replacement request button are satisfied, a consumable part replacement request button is displayed on the dashboard screen 1100. This allows the user to request replacement of the consumable part at a convenient time, even if the user does not make a contract for automatic delivery of the consumable part.

[0109] In the embodiment described above, every time the image forming apparatus 100 prints one page, the usage status information 900 updated by the image forming apparatus 100 is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the image forming apparatus 100, which is necessary to maintain a certain level of print quality, has reached the end of its life before the contract expiration date.

[0110] In the embodiment described above, the dashboard screen 1100 is displayed on the display unit 408 of the information processing device 400 operated by the user 600. This allows the user 600 to make a request for replacement of the main body and consumable parts from the information processing device 400 at a convenient time.

[0111] In the present embodiment, the service management server 300 manages the dashboard information, and the user refers to the dashboard information through the information processing device 400. Similarly, the image forming device 100 may acquire the dashboard information from the service management server 300 via the device management server 200, and display a dashboard screen 1100 including the dashboard information on the operation unit 116 of the image forming device 100. This allows the user 600 to request replacement of the main body and consumable parts at a convenient time from the operation unit 116 of the image forming device 100.

[0112] 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.

[0113] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A management system that provides a service that allows a user to use an image forming device at a fixed rate during a contract period corresponding to a plan subscribed to by a user, the management system comprising: a means for acquiring usage information of the image forming device; a means for controlling the display of a dashboard screen including dashboard information related to the service; a means for managing contract information including predetermined display conditions used to control the display of the dashboard screen; and a means for determining whether the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date based on the usage information, wherein when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the predetermined display conditions are satisfied, the control means controls the display of a replacement request button on the dashboard screen to request replacement of the main body of the image forming device or a consumable part of the image forming device. (Configuration 2) The management system described in Configuration 1, wherein the predetermined display conditions include a display condition for a replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device, and when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the display condition for the replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device is satisfied, the control means controls to display a replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device on the dashboard screen. (Configuration 3) The management system according to Configuration 2, further comprising a means for providing a service of arranging for delivery of the main body of the image forming device without receiving instructions from a user when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and predetermined conditions included in the contract information are satisfied, wherein when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and a contract for the service of arranging for delivery of the main body of the image forming device has not been made and conditions for displaying a replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device are satisfied, the control means controls to display a replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device on the dashboard screen. (Configuration 4) The management system described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the specified display conditions include a display condition for a button for requesting replacement of a consumable part of the image forming device, and when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the display condition for the button for requesting replacement of the consumable part of the image forming device is satisfied, the control means controls to display a button for requesting replacement of the consumable part of the image forming device on the dashboard screen. (Configuration 5) The management system according to Configuration 4, further comprising a means for providing a service of arranging for delivery of consumable parts for the image forming device without receiving instructions from a user when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and predetermined conditions included in the contract information are satisfied, wherein when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and a contract for the service of arranging for delivery of consumable parts for the image forming device has not been made and conditions for displaying a replacement request button for consumable parts of the image forming device are satisfied, the control means controls to display a replacement request button for consumable parts of the image forming device on the dashboard screen. (Configuration 6) The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the consumable part is a drum cartridge. (Configuration 7) The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the consumable part is a toner cartridge. (Configuration 8) The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the acquiring means acquires usage information updated by the image forming device each time the image forming device prints one page. (Configuration 9) The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, further comprising a means for changing the predetermined display conditions in accordance with an instruction received from the user. (Configuration 10) The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the dashboard screen is displayed on a display unit of an information processing device operated by the user. (Configuration 11) The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the dashboard screen is displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10 Management Systems 100 Image forming device 116 Operation section 300 Service Management Server 301 CPU 400 Information processing device 408 Display section 700 Contract Information 710 Contract plan information 720 Contract Device Information 724 Automatic Delivery Contract 726 Exchange request button display conditions 730 First Contract Consumable Parts Information 732 Automatic Delivery Contract 734 Exchange request button display conditions 740 Second Contract Consumable Parts Information 742 Automatic Delivery Contract 744 Exchange request button display conditions 1100 Dashboard screen 1146 Exchange request button

Claims

1. A management system that provides a service for allowing a user to use an image forming apparatus at a fixed rate during a contract period corresponding to a plan subscribed to by the user, means for acquiring information on the usage status of the image forming apparatus; means for controlling the display of a dashboard screen including dashboard information relating to said service; a means for managing contract information including predetermined display conditions used for display control of the dashboard screen; a means for determining whether the image forming apparatus will reach the end of its life before the end of a contract based on the usage status information; a management system characterized in that, when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the specified display conditions are satisfied, the control means controls the display of an exchange request button on the dashboard screen to request replacement of the main body of the image forming device or a consumable part of the image forming device.

2. the predetermined display condition includes a display condition of a replacement request button of the main body of the image forming apparatus, 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and a display condition for a replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device is satisfied, the control means controls to display a replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device on the dashboard screen.

3. a means for providing a service of arranging for delivery of a main body of the image forming apparatus without receiving an instruction from a user when it is determined that the image forming apparatus will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and when a predetermined condition included in the contract information is satisfied, 3. The management system according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date, a contract for a service to arrange for delivery of the main body of the image forming device has not been made, and the conditions for displaying a replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device are satisfied, the control means controls to display a replacement request button for the main body of the image forming device on the dashboard screen.

4. the predetermined display condition includes a display condition of a replacement request button for a consumable part of the image forming apparatus, The management system described in claim 1, characterized in that when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the display conditions for a replacement request button for a consumable part of the image forming device are satisfied, the control means controls to display a replacement request button for a consumable part of the image forming device on the dashboard screen.

5. a means for providing a service of arranging for delivery of consumable parts for the image forming apparatus without receiving an instruction from a user when it is determined that the image forming apparatus will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and when a predetermined condition included in the contract information is satisfied, The management system described in claim 4, characterized in that when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date, a contract for a service to arrange for delivery of consumable parts for the image forming device is not made, and the display conditions for a replacement request button for the consumable parts of the image forming device are satisfied, the control means controls to display a replacement request button for the consumable parts of the image forming device on the dashboard screen.

6. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the consumable part is a drum cartridge.

7. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the consumable part is a toner cartridge.

8. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein said acquiring unit acquires the usage status information updated by said image forming apparatus every time said image forming apparatus prints one page.

9. 2. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a means for changing the predetermined display conditions in accordance with an instruction received from the user.

10. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the dashboard screen is displayed on a display unit of an information processing device operated by the user.

11. The management system according to claim 1 , wherein the dashboard screen is displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus.

12. A method for managing a service that allows a user to use an image forming apparatus at a fixed rate during a contract period corresponding to a plan subscribed to by the user, comprising the steps of: acquiring usage status information of the image forming apparatus; controlling the display of a dashboard screen including dashboard information related to the service; managing contract information including predetermined display conditions used for display control of the dashboard screen; determining whether the image forming apparatus will reach the end of its useful life before a contract expiration date based on the usage status information; A management method characterized in that, when it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the specified display conditions are satisfied, the control step controls to display on the dashboard screen a replacement request button for requesting replacement of the main body of the image forming device or a consumable part of the image forming device.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute a method for managing a service that allows a user to use an image forming apparatus at a fixed rate during a contract period corresponding to a plan subscribed to by the user, the method comprising: The management method includes: acquiring usage status information of the image forming apparatus; controlling the display of a dashboard screen including dashboard information related to the service; managing contract information including predetermined display conditions used for display control of the dashboard screen; determining whether the image forming apparatus will reach the end of its useful life before a contract expiration date based on the usage status information; When it is determined that the image forming device will reach the end of its life before the contract expiration date and the specified display condition is satisfied, the control process controls to display on the dashboard screen a replacement request button for requesting replacement of the main body of the image forming device or a consumable part of the image forming device.

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