printer

Abstract

To enable a user to learn a value of an allowable printing quantity easily.SOLUTION: A printer 200 comprises a printing part 290 and a processor 210, which is configured to be able to execute printing on allowable print sheets as an upper limit and is configured to increase an allowable printing quantity in accordance with a guaranteed printing quantity guaranteed by a printing authority given by purchasing or the like. The printer further comprises a nonvolatile memorizing device 230 that memorizes the allowable printing quantity. The processor 210 executes a report printing process including a step S10 of receiving a printing instruction for instructing printing an allowable printing sheet report RP including information providing allowable printing quantity for providing a user with a value of the allowable printing quantity memorized in the non-volatile memorizing device 230 and a step S60 of making the printing part 290 print information providing a corresponding allowable printing quantity, when the printing instruction is received in the step S10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printing service in which a user who uses a printing device pays a service provider a fee according to the printing content, a prepaid fee system may be introduced. Conventionally, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1, a technique is known that adds a guaranteed printing amount guaranteed by a printing right purchased by a user for a fee to an allowable printing amount, which is an upper limit of printing that can be performed by the printing device, thereby increasing the allowable printing amount. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-110476 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the allowable print volume, which is the upper limit of the amount of printable data on a printing device based on the guaranteed print volume guaranteed by the printing authority, reaches zero, printing becomes impossible. In this case, the user must purchase new printing authority and increase the allowable print volume by adding the guaranteed print volume guaranteed by the printing authority. Therefore, there is a need for users to be able to easily know at any time how much of the allowable print volume is remaining on a printing device.

[0005] In the above conventional technology, a mobile terminal device connected to a printing device or a service management server acquires the allowable print volume of the printing device and displays the acquired allowable print volume on a screen. However, in the above conventional technology, for example, when the printing device is offline, the mobile terminal device cannot acquire the allowable print volume of the printing device, and the user cannot know the allowable print volume. Even if the printing device is online, if the user does not have a mobile terminal device, the user cannot know the allowable printing amount, as described above. Furthermore, even if a user possesses a portable terminal device, the user must associate the portable terminal device with a printing device in advance, and then start up the portable terminal device on the spot to obtain the allowable printing volume of the printing device, which is troublesome for the user.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that allows a user to easily know the value of the allowable print amount. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a printing device that includes a printing unit and a control unit, is configured to be able to perform printing up to an allowable printing amount, and is configured to be able to increase the allowable printing amount according to a guaranteed printing amount guaranteed by printing authority through purchase or the like, and further includes a memory unit that stores the allowable printing amount or an acquisition destination of the allowable printing amount, and the control unit is configured to execute an instruction acceptance process that accepts a printing instruction to print allowable printing amount providing information to provide a user with the value of the allowable printing amount stored in the memory unit or the acquisition destination of the allowable printing amount, and a first information printing process that, when the printing instruction is accepted in the instruction acceptance process, causes the printing unit to print the corresponding allowable printing amount providing information on a printing medium.

[0008] In the printing device of the present invention, the allowable printing volume or the acquisition destination of the allowable printing volume is stored in the storage unit. When a print instruction is accepted in the instruction acceptance process executed by the control unit, a first information printing process is executed. In the first information printing process, the printing unit prints allowable printing volume providing information for providing a user with the value of the allowable printing volume stored in the storage unit or the acquisition destination of the allowable printing volume.

[0009] According to the present invention, regardless of whether the printing device is online or offline, the user can easily know the value of the allowable print amount based on the allowable print amount information printed by the printing device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the user can easily know the value of the allowable print amount. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a print service providing system including a printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a mobile terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of information transmission and reception in the print service providing system during normal use. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of information transmission and reception in the printing service providing system when offline. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printout of an allowable number of printed sheets report that displays information about the allowable number of printed sheets. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure of offline processing executed by a processor of the printer when an offline state is detected. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printout of an allowable number of prints report that displays information about a QR code (registered trademark) for accessing a specific site. [Figure 8] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions displayed on a mobile terminal that has accessed a specific site. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a printout of an allowable number of prints report that displays charge history information. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <Outline of the printing service provision system> An example of the system configuration of a print service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. The print service providing system 1 provides a prepaid print service in which a user, who is a customer, pays a fee in advance to use the print function of a printer 200. In Fig. 1, the print service providing system 1 has a management server 100, a printer 200, and a mobile terminal 300. The management server 100, the printer 200, and the mobile terminal 300 are connected to a network NT including a mobile phone communication line, and are capable of communicating with each other. The management server 100 is an example of an external device, and the printer 200 is an example of a printing device.

[0014] <Administration Server> The management server 100 is a server installed and managed by, for example, a manufacturer of the printer 200. As shown in Fig. 1, the management server 100 has a processor 110, a storage device 115, and a communication interface 190. The processor 110, the storage device 115, and the communication interface 190 are connected via a bus 105 so as to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0015] The storage device 115 includes a volatile storage device 120 and a non-volatile storage device 130. The volatile storage device 120 is, for example, a DRAM, and stores various programs and data to be processed. The non-volatile storage device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and includes a program storage area 131 and a data storage area 132.

[0016] Various programs are stored in the program storage area 131. The various programs include programs related to the prepaid printing service. The data storage area 132 stores various information related to users who have contracted for the prepaid printing service and the printers 200 they use.

[0017] The processor 110 is a device for performing data processing, such as a CPU, and executes various programs including programs related to the prepaid printing service stored in the program storage area 131. The processor 110 performs various processes including data communication with the mobile terminal 300 and the printer 200 connected to the network NT. The processor 110 executes the purchase of printing authority by the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment.

[0018] The communication interface 190 is a wired LAN interface or a wireless interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT.

[0019] In addition, the storage device 115 is not limited to being configured with the above-mentioned device elements, but may be configured with, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, a HDD, a portable recording medium such as a USB memory that is detachably attached to the management server 100, a buffer provided in the processor 110, or a combination of these. The storage device 115 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. The same applies to the storage device 215 of the printer 200 described later.

[0020] <Printer> The printer 200 is owned, for example, by a user who receives the above-mentioned prepaid printing service. As shown in Fig. 1, the printer 200 has a processor 210, a storage device 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication interface 270, and a printing unit 290. The processor 210, the storage device 215, the display unit 240, the operation unit 250, the communication interface 270, and the printing unit 290 are connected to each other via a bus 205 so as to be able to transmit and receive data therebetween.

[0021] The storage device 215 includes a volatile storage device 220 and a non-volatile storage device 230. The volatile storage device 220 is, for example, a DRAM, and includes an image data storage area 221 that stores image data to be printed. The non-volatile storage device 230 is, for example, a flash memory, and includes a program storage area 232 and a data storage area 233. The program storage area 232 stores various programs related to the prepaid printing service, such as offline processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 6, which will be described later, as firmware. The data storage area 233 stores various information, such as various parameters, such as the total number of prints, the total number of printable sheets, and the allowable number of prints, which will be described later, related to the prepaid printing service. The non-volatile storage device 230 is an example of a storage unit.

[0022] The processor 210 is a device that performs data processing, and is, for example, a CPU. The processor 210 executes various programs stored in the program storage area 232. The processor 210 and the programs stored in the program storage area 232 are an example of a control unit.

[0023] The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is capable of displaying various information. The operation unit 250 is a device that accepts operations by a user. The user can input various instructions to the printer 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication interface 270 is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT. The communication interface 270 is an example of a communication unit.

[0024] The printing unit 290 prints an image on the transported paper in a predetermined method while taking out the paper from the paper feed tray using a transport mechanism (not shown). The printing method is not particularly limited, but printing is performed by, for example, an inkjet method or a laser method. The printing unit 290 forms an image on the paper using ink in an ink cartridge or toner in a toner cartridge (not shown) in accordance with a print job sent from the mobile terminal 300 or a print job generated by the printing unit 290 itself based on an operation on the operation unit 250. The paper is an example of a print medium.

[0025] <Mobile devices> Fig. 2 shows an example of a system configuration of a mobile terminal 300. The mobile terminal 300 is, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user, and is connected to a network NT via wireless communication. As shown in Fig. 2, the mobile terminal 300 has a CPU 310, a memory 320, a communication control unit 330 for connecting to the network NT via wireless communication, a touch panel 340, and a large-capacity storage device 350.

[0026] The mass storage device 350 is, for example, a flash memory, and includes a program storage area 351 and a data storage area 352. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 351 as, for example, applications. The CPU 310 executes the various programs stored in the program storage area 351. The CPU 310 executes various processes including data communication with the management server 100 connected to the network NT. The data storage area 352 stores a user ID and the like for identifying a user corresponding to the mobile terminal 300, which is issued based on the program or the print service.

[0027] The mobile terminal 300 also displays various information and accepts various operations by the user on a touch panel 340 that integrally combines a liquid crystal display and a touch pad. The user can input various instructions to the mobile terminal 300 by operating the touch panel 340.

[0028] Note that the mobile terminal 300 may be, instead of a mobile terminal, another information terminal such as a tablet computer or a desktop PC.

[0029] <Prepaid printing service for normal use> FIG. 3 shows a specific example of a prepaid printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment in the case of normal use.

[0030] In this embodiment, the printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 is a prepaid printing service. The prepaid printing service is a service in which the charge number guaranteed for the printing right purchased in advance by the user through a purchase request by charging is added to the allowable number of printing sheets of each target printer 200, and printing processing can be executed on the printer 200 up to the allowable number of printing sheets. Note that this allowable number of printing sheets is an example of the allowable printing amount.

[0031] The charge number is added to the allowable number of printable sheets by, for example, the processor 110 of the management server 100 updating the allowable number of printable sheets stored in the data storage area 132 for each individual printer 200. Furthermore, the addition information is also transmitted to the printer 200 via the network NT, and the allowable number of printable sheets stored separately in the data storage area 233 is updated in synchronization.

[0032] Each time printing is performed on the printer 200 side, the processor 210 reduces the value of the allowable number of sheets to be printed by the number of sheets printed, and the reduced value is transmitted to the management server 100 via the network NT, for example at regular intervals, and the allowable number of sheets to be printed in the data memory area 233 is updated synchronously.

[0033] In the above prepaid printing service, when the printer 200 completes printing based on the permitted number of pages and the permitted number of pages, which is the upper limit of the number of pages that can be printed, becomes zero or falls short, the user recharges the printer by purchasing a new printer. This adds to the purchased recharge amount, increasing the permitted number of pages, and allows printing to continue.

[0034] In the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment, the printing authority can be purchased based on a purchase request from a user as a purchasing form of the printing authority. The purchase of the printing authority based on the user's purchase request is executed by transmitting a purchase application for the printing authority from the mobile terminal 300 to the management server 100 in response to the user's operation and receiving the application from the management server 100. The purchase of the printing authority is executed at any timing desired by the user. At that time, the user selects one of a plurality of charge plans with different purchase numbers and purchase amounts, such as charge numbers of 50 sheets = 500 yen, 100 sheets = 900 yen, and 250 sheets = 2000 yen, and purchases the corresponding printing authority. The specific electronic payment process at the time of purchase is performed by a separate transaction server (not shown) or the like that cooperates with the management server 100.

[0035] Here, in the printer 200, three parameters, the total number of printed sheets, the total number of printable sheets, and the allowable number of printed sheets, are stored in the data storage area 233 of the non-volatile storage device 230. The total number of printed sheets is a parameter that indicates the total cumulative number of sheets actually printed by the user of the printer 200 from the time the user contracted for and started using the prepaid printing service until that time, and is an important parameter for management as the absolute usage amount of the printer 200 by the user. The total number of printable sheets is a parameter that indicates the total cumulative number of charge sheets actually purchased by the user of the printer 200 from the time the user contracted for and started using the prepaid printing service. When the printing authority is purchased in the management server 100, the charge number is transmitted to the printer 200, and the printer 200 internally adds the charge number to the total number of printable sheets. The difference between the total number of printed sheets and the total number of printable sheets corresponds to the allowable number of printed sheets, and the user can continue printing as long as the value of the allowable number of printed sheets does not become zero.

[0036] For the user of the printer 200, it is important to check how many sheets remain in the printer 200 at that time in order to determine whether or not a new charge is required for the printing job that the user wants to perform at that time. It is technically possible for the user to operate the printer 200 via the operation unit 250 to cause the display unit 240 to display the number of sheets that is stored in the data storage area 233 at that time. However, depending on the model of the printer 200, the display unit 240 may have a small display area and may only be able to display a short, simple number of lines, or the printer 200 may not even have the display unit 240 depending on the specifications. In these cases, it is difficult or impossible for the user to check the number of sheets that is allowed to be printed via the printer 200.

[0037] In contrast, in the example of this embodiment, when a user performs an operation to instruct an application program on the mobile terminal 300 to display the allowable number of sheets to be printed, the mobile terminal 300 transmits a request for the allowable number of sheets to the management server 100 via the network NT. In response, the management server 100 replies with data on the allowable number of sheets to be printed, and the mobile terminal 300 displays the allowable number of sheets to be printed on the touch panel 340, so that the mobile terminal 300 can reliably present the allowable number of sheets to the user.

[0038] <Offline processing> However, in the above prepaid printing service, the mobile terminal 300 can display the allowable number of pages to be printed on the premise that an online state that enables normal information transmission and reception is ensured on the network NT between the mobile terminal 300 and the management server 100. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 4, if the printer 200 or the mobile terminal 30 goes offline due to a failure in the network NT, the user cannot check the allowable number of pages to be printed at that time.

[0039] In contrast, in this embodiment, when the printer 200 detects an offline state, it executes offline processing. In this offline processing, the printer 200 accepts normal print jobs and also accepts from the user an instruction to print an allowable print count report RP that lists the allowable print count stored in the non-volatile storage device 230 at that time. In the following, printing by a normal print job is referred to as job printing, and printing of the allowable print count report RP is referred to as report printing.

[0040] As the printed content of the allowable print count report RP, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the allowable print count is displayed by a numerical value 341 and a circular gauge 342. In this example, the printable count is 500 sheets. If the job is printed after this and the allowable print count decreases, and the report is printed again, the numerical value 341 in the allowable print count report RP decreases, and the length of the circular gauge 342 decreases counterclockwise (not shown). In addition, at the bottom of the illustrated example, the values ​​of each parameter of the total printable count and the total print count are also written as a calculation formula for the allowable print count at that time. By referring to the allowable print count report RP printed in this way, the user can clearly check the allowable print count even in an offline state. Note that, as an exception, the allowable print count is not subtracted from the printable count when printing this allowable print count report RP, and the value of the allowable print count is maintained. Note that the printed content of this allowable print count report RP is an example of allowable print amount providing information.

[0041] <Control procedure> An example of a control procedure executed by the processor 210 of the printer 200 to realize the above processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6. When the printer 200 detects that the network NT is offline, the flow of Fig. 6 starts.

[0042] First, in step S5, the fact that the printer is currently offline is notified to the user by displaying a message on display unit 240 or by turning on a dedicated warning lamp. Next, in step S10, an operation input from the user is accepted via operation unit 250, and in step S15, it is determined whether the accepted operation input was an operation to instruct the printer to print a job. If an operation input to instruct the printer to print a job has been accepted, the determination is satisfied (S15: YES), and the process proceeds to step S20.

[0043] In step S20, it is determined whether the allowable number of sheets to be printed stored in data memory area 233 at that time is greater than 0, and if it is greater than 0, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, printing is performed for one more page from the continuation up to that point for the instructed job printing, and correspondingly, the value of the total number of sheets to be printed is increased by 1 in step S35, and then a new value of the allowable number of sheets to be printed (=total number of printable sheets-total number of sheets to be printed) is calculated in step S40 and recorded in data memory area 233. That is, in this case, the value of the allowable number of sheets to be printed is updated by subtracting 1.

[0044] Next, in step S45, it is determined whether the instructed job printing has been completed, and if it has not been completed, the determination is negative (S45: NO), and the process returns to step S20 to repeat the same procedure. On the other hand, if the job printing has been completed, the determination is positive (S45: YES), and the process proceeds to step S50, which will be described later.

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the allowable number of sheets to be printed is 0 or less, the condition is not satisfied (S20: NO), and in step S25 the user is notified that the allowable number of sheets to be printed has become 0 and no more job printing can be executed, for example by displaying a message on display unit 240. Then, the process proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that no operational input to instruct job printing has been received, the condition is not satisfied (S15: NO), and the process proceeds to step S50.

[0046] In step S50, it is determined whether the operation input received in step S10 above was an operation to instruct to print a report. If an operation input instructing to print a report has been received, the determination is satisfied (S50: YES), and the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the allowable number of prints stored in the data storage area 233 at that time and related parameters such as the total number of printable sheets and the total number of prints are obtained, and based on this, an allowable number of prints report RP is printed in step S60 (see FIG. 5 above). Then, the process proceeds to step S65.

[0047] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that no operational input instructing to print a report has been received, the determination is negative (S50: NO), and the process proceeds to step S65.

[0048] In step S65, it is determined whether the communication function of the network NT has recovered and gone online, and if it has not gone online, the condition is not satisfied (S65: NO), and the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, if it has gone online, the condition is satisfied (S65: YES), and this flow ends.

[0049] In the above, step S10 is an example of an instruction receiving process, step S60 is an example of a first information printing process, and step S35 and step S40 are examples of a subtraction process.

[0050] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, in the printer 200 of this embodiment, the allowable number of prints is stored in the non-volatile storage device 230. When an instruction to print the allowable number of prints report RP is accepted in step S10 executed by the processor 210, step S60 is executed. In step S60, the printing unit 290 prints allowable print amount providing information for providing the value of the allowable number of prints stored in the non-volatile storage device 230 to the user. According to this embodiment, the user can easily know the value of the allowable number of prints based on the allowable print amount providing information printed by the printer 200.

[0051] Even if the printer 200 is capable of displaying the allowable number of prints, for example, the value of the allowable number of prints is difficult to see unless it is displayed on a liquid crystal display panel, so the display of the allowable number of prints by printing in this embodiment is particularly effective.

[0052] It is also possible to allow the user to print the allowable number of prints report RP, which describes the allowable print amount provision information including the value of the allowable number of prints, at any time, regardless of whether the printer 200 is online or offline. In this case, for example, when the printer 200 is transferred from an assignor to a recipient, the recipient can know the value of the allowable number of prints without performing user registration or the like. In addition, when the printer 200 is sold on the secondhand market, the allowable number of prints obtained by printing the allowable print amount provision information has the effect of clarifying the market value of the printer 200.

[0053] Furthermore, even if the user is online, if the user does not have the mobile terminal 300, it is troublesome to check the allowable number of prints of the printer 200. Even if the user has the mobile terminal 300, it is necessary to register the association between the mobile terminal 300 and the printer 200 in advance, and then start up the mobile terminal 300 on the spot to obtain the allowable number of prints of the printer 200, which is troublesome for the user. Even in these cases, it is useful for the user to be able to print the allowable number of prints report RP at any time, as it allows the user to easily know the value of the allowable number of prints.

[0054] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, when normal user-specified job printing is executed by the printing unit 290 in step S30, rather than report printing, a subtraction process of the allowable number of prints is executed in step S40. In step S40, the allowable number of prints stored in the non-volatile storage device 230 is subtracted in accordance with the print volume of the job printing executed by the printing unit 290. However, exceptionally, when the allowable number of prints report RP is printed in step S60, the subtraction of the allowable number of prints is not performed, and the value of the allowable number of prints is maintained. According to this embodiment, the allowable number of prints report RP can be printed while avoiding a reduction in the allowable number of prints, which would increase the financial burden on the user.

[0055] In this embodiment, the value of the allowable number of sheets to be printed is printed as the allowable print amount information, which is the description content of the allowable number of sheets to be printed report RP. In this embodiment, the value of the allowable number of sheets to be printed is printed in step S60, so the user can know the value of the allowable number of sheets to be printed at a glance, without using the mobile terminal 300 or the like.

[0056] Particularly in this embodiment, printer 200 further includes operation unit 250 that can be operated by the user, and processor 210 in step S10 accepts an instruction to print allowable print count report RP in response to operation of operation unit 250. This allows the user to easily print allowable print count report RP simply by operating operation unit 250, which may consist of, for example, physical buttons or the like. Also, for example, in cases where printer 200 is provided with a touch panel that also serves as display unit 240, it is difficult for the user to easily operate the device because the objects to be operated are hard to see, and it is therefore particularly effective to provide buttons or the like.

[0057] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the present invention. Such modifications will be described below in order.

[0058] (1) When printing access information for a specific site on the allowable print count report In the above embodiment, the allowable print quantity value itself was printed as the allowable print quantity provision information, which is the description content of the allowable print quantity report RP. However, without being limited to this, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, URL information that allows access to a specific site where the value of the allowable print quantity can be obtained or where the allowable print quantity can be charged may be printed on the allowable print quantity report RP as the allowable print quantity provision information. Note that in the illustrated example, the URL information is printed in the form of a QR code (registered trademark) 344 that can be optically read by a mobile terminal 300 equipped with a camera, but the URL information may also be printed in the form of text such as a domain name (not illustrated).

[0059] In this case, regardless of whether the printer 200 itself is online or offline, if the mobile terminal 300 is online, the user can access a site such as that shown in FIG. 8 based on the URL information. This site may be managed inside the management server 100, or may be managed by another server. When the user first accesses this site, a home screen 340A as shown in FIG. 8(a) is displayed on the touch panel 340. In the home screen 340A of the illustrated example, the number 341 and the circular gauge 342 similar to those shown in FIG. 5 above display the permitted number of prints (500 in the illustrated example), and a charge button 343 is also displayed. When the charge button 343 is pressed, a charge screen 340B as shown in FIG. 8(b) displays a plurality of charge plan buttons 349 corresponding to various charge plans, and the user can press the charge plan button 349 selected at will (the charge plan button for 250 sheets and 1800 yen in the illustrated example) to charge the charge. After the charge is made, the screen returns to home screen 340C as shown in FIG. 8(c), and the new allowable number of prints reflecting the charge (750 in the illustrated example) is displayed by numerical value 341 and circular gauge 342.

[0060] In the above, URL information that can access a specific site is an example of a first URL and a second URL, the QR code (registered trademark) 344 that encodes the URL information is an example of first code information and second code information, the process of printing the allowable print quantity report RP is an example of a first information printing process and a second information printing process, the operation of pressing the charge plan button 349 is an example of an instruction to increase the print volume, the process of charging is an example of a print volume increasing process, and the process of printing a report using the QR code (registered trademark) as allowable print volume providing information is an example of a second information printing process.

[0061] As described above, in the printer 200 of this modified example, the QR code (registered trademark) 344 corresponding to the URL information through which the specific site can be accessed in the report printing process is printed as the allowable print amount provision information. The user can obtain the value of the allowable print amount by reading the QR code (registered trademark) 344 using the mobile terminal 300 or the like and accessing the URL information. In this case, it is sufficient that the printer 200 and the URL information are associated with each other, and it is not necessary to associate the printer 200 with the mobile terminal 300 or the like in advance. Even if the printer 200 is offline or the like and cannot connect to the management server 100 or the like that manages the provision of services, the value of the allowable print amount can be obtained by accessing the URL information from the mobile terminal 300 or the like and connecting to the management server 100. In this case, the allowable print amount reported from the printer 200 to the management server 100 at the last time when the printer 200 was connected to the management server 100 can be obtained by the mobile terminal 300 or the like.

[0062] According to this modified example, even if the printer 200 is offline, the user can easily know the value of the allowable number of sheets to be printed by reading the QR code (registered trademark) 344 printed by the printer 200. Also, even if the printer 200 is online, the user does not need to perform an operation on the mobile terminal 300 or the like to the printer 200 or the management server 100 to obtain the allowable number of sheets to be printed, but can easily know the value of the allowable number of sheets to be printed by simply reading the QR code (registered trademark) 344.

[0063] In particular, in this modified example, the user can purchase printing authority by reading the QR code (registered trademark) 344 printed on the allowable print quantity report RP using the mobile terminal 300 or the like to access the site of the URL information, and can issue an instruction to increase the print quantity of the charge in order to increase the allowable print quantity according to the guaranteed print quantity guaranteed by the print quantity. When an instruction to increase the print quantity is issued, the allowable print quantity is increased according to the guaranteed print quantity in the charge process, i.e., a so-called charge is made.

[0064] According to this modification, the user can easily access the site with the URL information and easily charge the fee simply by reading the QR code (registered trademark) 344. In particular, when the QR code (registered trademark) 344 for the site where the value of the allowable number of prints can be confirmed and the site where the charge can be made are the same, as in this modification, the user can not only know the value of the allowable number of prints but also charge the fee, which is highly convenient.

[0065] (2) When printing information such as charge history on the allowable print count report 9, for example, the contents of the allowable print count report RP may include a QR code (registered trademark) 344 of a specific site displaying the value of the allowable print count, as well as print-related information 345 specific to the printer 200, such as a charge history in the illustrated example. In this case, it is assumed that the printer 200 itself is online and can send and receive information to and from the management server 100 that stores the print-related information 345, including the charge history specific to the printer 200.

[0066] In the above, the process in which the processor 210 of the printer 200 acquires the above-mentioned print-related information 345 from the management server 100 via the communication interface 270 is an example of an information acquisition process, and the process in which the acquired print-related information 345 is output is an example of an information output process.

[0067] In this modified example, when the printer 200 is online and connected to the management server 100, the processor 210 acquires the print-related information 345 of the printer 200 from the management server 100 via the communication interface 270. Specifically, the output mode of the acquired print-related information 345 may be, for example, a report printed by the printing unit 290 as described above, or a display on the display unit 240 appropriately provided in the printer 200.

[0068] According to this modification, not only is the QR code (registered trademark) 344 printed as the allowable print amount provision information described above, but print-related information 345 is also printed or displayed, etc., and the user can easily obtain the print-related information 345, further improving convenience. Note that as the print-related information 345, in addition to the charge history described above, for example, the next scheduled delivery date of the consumable (not shown) may be printed or displayed.

[0069] Unlike the above embodiment, if only the management server 100 stores the allowable number of prints for the printer 200, normal job printing other than report printing cannot be executed when the printer 200 goes offline because it is not possible to synchronize and subtract the allowable number of prints with the management server 100. In contrast, report printing in the above embodiment does not involve subtracting the allowable number of prints, so report printing can be executed.

[0070] However, in the offline state, the printer 200 cannot print the value of the allowable number of prints in the allowable number of prints report RP because it is not possible to obtain the value of the allowable number of prints stored in the management server 100. Similarly, when printing a report in the offline state, the printer 200 cannot print the value of the allowable number of prints in the allowable number of prints report RP. Similarly, when printing a report in the offline state, the printer 200 cannot print the print-related information 345 obtained from the management server 100 (charge history, next scheduled delivery date of consumables, etc.).

[0071] On the other hand, even when printing a report in an offline state, it is possible to print only the "QR code (registered trademark) 344." In this case, by reading the QR code (registered trademark) 344 with the mobile terminal 300 or the like, it is possible to obtain from the management server 100 the allowable number of prints that was last stored in the management server 100 immediately before going offline.

[0072] In addition, in the above, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 does not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the flowchart, and procedures may be added or deleted, or the order of procedures may be changed, etc., within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit and technical concept of the invention.

[0073] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and their modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0074] Although not specifically illustrated, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1. Printing service provision system 100 Management server (an example of an external device) 200 Printer (an example of a printing device) 210 Processor (an example of a control unit) 230 Non-volatile memory device (an example of a memory unit) 240 Display section 250 Operation section 270 Communication interface (an example of a communication unit) 300 mobile devices 340 Touch Panel 344 QR Code (registered trademark) (an example of the first code information of the first URL and the second code information of the second URL) 345 Printing-related information RP Allowable Page Count Report NT Network

Claims

1. A printing device including a printing unit and a control unit, configured to be able to execute printing up to an allowable printing amount, and configured to be able to increase the allowable printing amount according to a guaranteed printing amount guaranteed by a printing right by purchase or the like, a storage unit that stores the allowable print volume or a source from which the allowable print volume is obtained, The control unit is an instruction receiving process for receiving a print instruction to print the value of the allowable print amount stored in the storage unit or allowable print amount providing information for providing a user with a source for obtaining the value of the allowable print amount; a first information printing process in which, when the print instruction is accepted in the instruction accepting process, the printing unit prints the corresponding allowable print amount providing information on a print medium; Execute 2. A printing device configured to:

2. the storage unit stores the allowable print amount, The control unit further executing a subtraction process capable of subtracting the allowable print amount stored in the storage unit according to a print amount of printing using the printing unit; In the subtraction process, When the printing unit prints the allowable printing amount providing information in the first information printing process, the allowable printing amount is maintained without being subtracted.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is configured to:

3. The control unit, in the first information printing process, printing the value of the allowable print amount as the allowable print amount providing information; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is configured to:

4. the storage unit stores a source from which the allowable print amount is obtained, The control unit, in the first information printing process, printing first code information of a first URL for acquiring the value of the allowable print amount as providing information of an acquisition destination of the allowable print amount; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is configured to:

5. The control unit further a printing amount increasing process for increasing the allowable printing amount in response to a printing amount increase instruction for increasing the allowable printing amount in response to a purchase of the printing authority for which the guaranteed printing amount is guaranteed; a second information printing process for printing, on the print medium, second code information of a second URL for executing the instruction to increase the amount of printing; Execute 5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the printing device is configured so as to:

6. Further comprising a communication unit capable of communicating with an external device; The control unit further an information acquisition process for acquiring print-related information specific to the printing device from the external device via the communication unit; an information output process for outputting the print-related information acquired in the information acquisition process; Execute 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is configured to:

7. The device further includes an operation unit operable by the user, The control unit, in the instruction receiving process, accepting the print instruction in response to an operation of the operation unit; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is configured to:

Images