Control program, printer and control method

Abstract

To provide a control program which improves convenience when registering a printer onto service.SOLUTION: A control program 42a causes a control part 31 of a printer 3 to execute reception processing, registration execution processing and output processing. The reception processing receives a printer registration instruction which registers the printer 3 onto a printing service to be provided to users who use the printer 3 from a service server 4, and service identification information which specifies the printer 3. The registration execution processing executes processing for registering the printer 3 onto the printing service when receiving the printer registration instruction. The output processing, when it is completed that the printer 3 is registered onto the printing service, outputs notification information for notifying users of registration completion message preset according to the received service identification information, to the outside of the printer 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for controlling a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printing apparatus having a web server function. When such a printing apparatus is accessed from a web browser of a terminal device of a user of the printing apparatus to the web server in the printing apparatus, operation screen data for operating the printing apparatus is transmitted to the web browser. By the web browser of the user's terminal device displaying an operation screen based on the received operation screen data, the user can perform an input for remotely operating the printing apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a user of a printing apparatus uses a service using the printing apparatus, it is necessary to register the printing apparatus with the service. An object of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience when registering a printing apparatus with a service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a control program configured to cause a control unit of a printing apparatus having a function of printing an image on a printing medium to execute reception processing, registration execution processing, and output processing.

[0006] The reception process receives a registration instruction for registering the printing apparatus in a service provided to a user who uses the printing apparatus from an external apparatus that is an apparatus installed outside the printing apparatus, and service specification information for specifying the service.

[0007] When the registration execution process receives the registration instruction, it executes a process for registering the printing apparatus in the service. When the output process completes registering the printing apparatus in the service, it outputs, to the outside of the printing apparatus, notification information for notifying the user of a preset registration completion message according to the received service specification information.

[0008] The control program of the present disclosure configured as described above can notify the user of a message according to the service after the registration of the printing apparatus in the service is completed, and thus can improve the convenience when registering the printing apparatus in the service.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus including a printing unit configured to print an image on a printing medium, and a control unit configured to control the printing unit. The control unit is configured to execute a reception process, a registration execution process, and an output process.

[0010] The printing apparatus of the present disclosure is an apparatus controlled by the control program of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as the control program of the present disclosure. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method executed in a printing apparatus having a function of printing an image on a printing medium. The printing apparatus receives a registration instruction for registering the printing apparatus in a service provided to a user who uses the printing apparatus from an external apparatus that is an apparatus installed outside the printing apparatus, and service specification information for specifying the service. When the printing apparatus receives the registration instruction, it executes a process for registering the printing apparatus in the service. When the printing apparatus completes registering the printing apparatus in the service, it outputs, to the outside of the printing apparatus, notification information for notifying the user of a preset registration completion message according to the received service specification information.

[0011] The control method of the present disclosure is a method executed by the control program of the present disclosure, and by executing this method, the same effects as the control program of the present disclosure can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. (1) Configuration of Management System 1 The management system 1 of this embodiment is a system for managing printing services. As shown in FIG. 1, it includes a terminal device 2, a printer 3, a service server 4, and an IoT server 5. IoT is an abbreviation for Internet of Things.

[0014] The printing services include a shipping service that automatically delivers cartridges that can be installed in the printer 3, and a billing service that charges according to the number of printed media sheets (hereinafter referred to as the number of printed sheets) printed by the printer 3. This billing service is a service that is fixed up to the number of printed sheets (hereinafter referred to as the specified number of sheets) defined for each service plan within a service unit period (for example, one month), and additional charges are imposed for printing exceeding the specified number of sheets. In addition, if the number of printed sheets within the service unit period is less than the specified number of sheets, the surplus is carried over to the next service unit period.

[0015] The terminal device 2, the printer 3, the service server 4, and the IoT server 5 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the WAN 6. WAN is an abbreviation for Wide Area Network. The WAN 6 of this embodiment is the Internet.

[0016] In this embodiment, the terminal device 2 is a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 2, it includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, and a storage unit 15. Note that the terminal device 2 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0017] The control unit 11 includes a CPU 21 and a memory 22. The CPU 21 executes a program stored in the memory 22, thereby realizing various functions of the terminal device 2. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to being realized by the execution of a program, and a part or all of them may be realized using one or a plurality of hardware.

[0018] The memory 22 includes a semiconductor memory (for example, ROM, RAM, and flash memory), which is a non-transitory physical recording medium. The communication unit 12 performs data communication with the printer 3 and the service server 4 via the WAN 6.

[0019] The display unit 13 includes a display device (not shown) and displays various images on the display device. The input unit 14 includes a keyboard and a mouse. The input unit 14 outputs input operation information for specifying an input operation performed by the user of the terminal device 2 via the keyboard and the mouse.

[0020] The storage unit 15 includes auxiliary storage devices such as an HDD and an SSD, and stores various data. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. SSD is an abbreviation for Solid State Drive.

[0021] The printer 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a display unit 33, an input unit 34, and a printing unit 35. The control unit 31 includes a CPU 41 and a memory 42. The CPU 41 executes a program stored in the memory 42, thereby realizing various functions of the printer 3. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 31 are not limited to being realized by program execution, and a part or all of them may be realized using one or more hardware. The memory 42 includes a semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM, RAM, and flash memory), which is a non-transitory physical recording medium, and stores programs and data.

[0022] The memory 42 stores a control program 42a. The control program 42a is a computer program for causing the CPU 41 to realize a function of controlling the printer 3. The communication unit 32 performs data communication with the terminal device 2, the service server 4, and the IoT server 5 via the WAN 6.

[0023] The display unit 33 includes a display device (not shown) and displays various images on the display device. The input unit 34 includes a touch panel installed on the display screen of the display unit 33 and a switch installed around the display screen of the display unit 33. Then, the input unit 34 outputs input operation information for specifying the input operations performed by the user via the touch panel and the switch.

[0024] The printing unit 35 has a printing mechanism of inkjet technology or electrophotographic technology and can print an image on a printing medium. The service server 4 includes a control unit 51, a communication unit 52, and a storage unit 53.

[0025] The control unit 51 includes a CPU 61 and a memory 62. The CPU 61 executes a program stored in the memory 62, whereby various functions of the service server 4 are realized. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 51 are not limited to being realized by program execution, and a part or all of them may be realized using one or a plurality of hardware. The memory 62 includes a semiconductor memory (for example, ROM, RAM, and flash memory), which is a non-transitory physical recording medium, and stores programs and data.

[0026] The memory 62 stores a management program 62a. The management program 62a is a computer program for causing the CPU 61 to realize a function of managing a printing service. The communication unit 52 performs data communication with the terminal device 2 and the printer 3 via the WAN 6. The storage unit 53 includes an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD and an SSD, and stores various data.

[0027] The IoT server 5 is a server that comprehensively manages a plurality of services. (2) Application for printing service Next, the procedure when the owner of the printer 3 (hereinafter, service user) applies for a printing service will be described.

[0028] First, when a service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2 via the input unit 14, the terminal device 2 accesses a website (hereinafter referred to as the service website) opened on the service server 4 to provide a printing service.

[0029] When the terminal device 2 accesses the service website, the service server 4 causes an account creation screen to be displayed on the display unit 13 of the terminal device 2 as shown in the process P1 of FIG. 3. As shown in the window W1 of FIG. 4, the account creation screen is displayed on the first tab TB1 provided for print subscription.

[0030] The account creation screen includes input text boxes IB1, IB2, IB3, IB4, IB5, IB6 and an account creation button B1. A character string indicating the name of the service user is input into the input text box IB1. A character string indicating the surname of the service user is input into the input text box IB2. A character string indicating the email address of the service user is input into the input text box IB3. A telephone number of the service user is input into the input text box IB4. A character string indicating the password of the service user is input into the input text box IB5. A character string identical to the character string input into the input text box IB5 is input into the input text box IB6 for password confirmation. The account creation button B1 is operated when creating an account with the contents input into the input text boxes IB1 to IB6.

[0031] When the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2, the terminal device 2 transmits the information input on the account creation screen (hereinafter referred to as account information) to the service server 4 as shown in the process P2 of FIG. 3.

[0032] When the service server 4 receives the account information, it creates an account for using the printing service as shown in the process P3. When the service server 4 creates an account, as shown in process P4, it causes the display unit 13 of the terminal device 2 to display a printer selection screen on the first tab TB1.

[0033] As shown in window W2 of FIG. 5, the printer selection screen is displayed on the first tab TB1. The printer selection screen includes a model input button PB11, a model name input button PB12, and an OK button B11.

[0034] The model input button PB11 is a pull-down button. When the mouse is clicked on the model input button PB11, a plurality of printer model options are displayed. The service user can set the model of the printer 3 by clicking on one of the displayed options with the mouse.

[0035] The model name input button PB12 is a pull-down button. When the mouse is clicked on the model name input button PB12, one or more model names that can be input for the printer model set by the model input button PB11 are displayed. The service user can set the model name of the printer 3 by clicking on one of the displayed options with the mouse.

[0036] The OK button B11 is operated when the printer selection is completed with the contents set for the model input button PB11 and the model name input button PB12. When the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2, the terminal device 2 transmits selection printer information indicating the model name of the printer selected by the user to the service server 4, as shown in process P5 of FIG. 3.

[0037] When the service server 4 receives the selection printer information, as shown in process P6, it causes the display unit 13 of the terminal device 2 to display an IP address input screen on the first tab TB1. The IP address input screen is displayed on the first tab TB1 as shown in window W3 of FIG. 6.

[0038] The IP address input screen includes input text boxes IB21, IB22, IB23, IB24, an OK button B21, and a Back button B22. Numbers indicating the first, second, third, and fourth octets of the IP address of printer 3 are respectively input into the input text boxes IB21, IB22, IB23, IB24.

[0039] The OK button B21 is operated when completing the IP address input with the content input in the input text boxes IB21 to IB24. The Back button B22 is operated when returning to the printer selection screen.

[0040] When the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2, the terminal device 2 sends an IP address print instruction for instructing printer 3 to print the IP address of printer 3, as shown in process P7 of FIG. 3.

[0041] When printer 3 receives the IP address print instruction, it prints the IP address of printer 3 as shown in process P8. When the service user inputs the IP address described in the network setting sheet on which the IP address has been printed into the terminal device 2, the terminal device 2 sends IP address information indicating the IP address of printer 3 to the service server 4 as shown in process P9.

[0042] When the service server 4 receives the IP address information, it causes the display unit 13 of the terminal device 2 to display a printer registration completion waiting screen on the first tab TB1, and at the same time, as shown in process P10, it displays an EWS connection in progress screen on a tab different from the first tab TB1. EWS is an abbreviation for Embedded Web Server. EWS is a server in which the IP address indicated by the IP address information is set and is installed in printer 3.

[0043] Specifically, when the service server 4 receives the IP address information, it transmits to the terminal device 2 the EWS access data for accessing the embedded web server (hereinafter referred to as EWS) of the printer 3 specified by the IP address indicated by the received IP address information. When the terminal device 2 receives the EWS access data, it accesses the EWS of the printer 3 based on the received EWS access data. As a result, the EWS of the printer 3 is activated, and an EWS connection in progress screen is displayed in a separate tab on the display unit 13 of the terminal device 2.

[0044] As shown in the window W4 of FIG. 7, the above printer registration completion waiting screen is displayed in the first tab TB1 as, for example, "Authenticating..." and "Connecting...", notifying that authentication and connection are in progress.

[0045] When the EWS of the printer 3 is activated, as shown in the window W5 of FIG. 8, the above EWS connection in progress screen is displayed in the second tab TB2. The EWS connection in progress screen is displayed as, for example, "Connecting..." and "Please wait 60 seconds.", notifying that the connection to the EWS is in progress.

[0046] As shown in the process P11 of FIG. 3, the service server 4 transmits a printer registration instruction to the printer 3 in order to call the printer registration function of the printer 3. The printer registration instruction is attached with account linking information and service identification information.

[0047] The printer registration instruction, the account linking information, and the service identification information are described, for example, as "https: / / 127.0.0.1 / registration / registration.html?pin=999999?service=1".

[0048] 「https: / / 127.0.0.1 / registration / registration.html」corresponds to the printer registration instruction, "pin=999999" corresponds to the information for account linking, and "service=1" corresponds to the service identification information.

[0049] The information for account linking has a value preset for each account to identify the account. The service identification information has a value preset for each service to identify the service.

[0050] When Printer 3 receives a printer registration instruction, as shown in Process P12, based on the printer registration instruction, it executes a process to register Printer 3 with the IoT Server 5 for the printing service.

[0051] When the IoT Server 5 registers Printer 3 for the printing service, as shown in Process P13, it sends registration success information indicating that the registration was successful to Printer 3. When Printer 3 receives the registration success information, as shown in Process P14, it causes the display unit 13 of the terminal device 2 to display a registration success screen on the first tab TB1 and the second tab TB2.

[0052] As shown in window W6 of FIG. 9, the registration success screen of the first tab TB1 displays, for example, "Success!" and "Your Printer has been successfully connected to your account." to notify that the printer registration was successful. The registration success screen of the first tab TB1 further includes a Next button B31 that is operated when proceeding to the next process.

[0053] As shown in window W7 of FIG. 10, the registration success screen of the second tab TB2 displays, for example, "Registration Complete." to notify that the printer registration has been successful. Also, the registration success screen of the second tab TB2 displays, for example, "Please go back to the original subscription registration screen and continue the registration process." to notify that the service user needs to return to the first tab TB1 and continue the registration process as the next step to be taken.

[0054] When the service user performs an input operation via the input unit 14 to close the second tab TB2, the terminal device 2 closes the second tab TB2 as shown in process P15 of FIG. 3. As a result, the registration success screen of the first tab TB1 is displayed on the display unit 13 of the terminal device 2.

[0055] When the Next button B31 is operated on the registration success screen of the first tab TB1, the subscription setting screen is displayed on the first tab TB1 as shown in window W8 of FIG. 11.

[0056] The subscription setting screen includes a first plan selection button B41, a second plan selection button B42, a third plan selection button B43, a fourth plan selection button B44, and a Next button B45.

[0057] The first plan selection button B41 is operated when selecting the first plan. The second plan selection button B42 is operated when selecting the second plan. The third plan selection button B43 is operated when selecting the third plan. The fourth plan selection button B44 is operated when selecting the fourth plan.

[0058] The Next button B45 is operated after any one of the first to fourth plans is selected. When the Next button B45 is operated, a delivery information setting screen for setting delivery information is displayed.

[0059] When the service identification information is "0", for example, as shown in window W9 of FIG. 12, on the second tab TB2, a registration success screen different from window W7 of FIG. 10 is displayed.

[0060] The registration success screen in FIG. 12 displays, for example, "Registration Complete." to notify that the printer registration has been successful. Also, the registration success screen in FIG. 12 displays, for example, "Please close this window." to notify that the service user needs to close the second tab TB2 as the next process to be performed.

[0061] (3) Processes Executed in Printer 3 Next, the procedure of the registration display process executed by the control unit 31 of printer 3 will be described. The registration display process is a process that is repeatedly executed during the operation of the control unit 31.

[0062] When the registration display process is executed, the CPU 41 of the control unit 31 first determines, as shown in FIG. 13, at S10 whether a printer registration instruction has been received from the service server 4. Here, if a printer registration instruction has not been received, the CPU 41 ends the registration display process.

[0063] On the other hand, when a printer registration instruction is received, the CPU 41, at S20, registers, with the IoT server 5, the account specified by the account linking information attached to the received printer registration instruction and the printer 3, which is the own device, with the printing service specified by the service identification information attached to the received printer registration instruction.

[0064] The CPU 41 determines, at S30, whether registration success information has been received from the IoT server 5. Here, if the registration success information has not been received, the CPU 41 waits until the registration success information is received by repeating the process of S30.

[0065] Upon receiving the registration success information, at S40, the CPU 41 transmits the notification information to the terminal device 2 and ends the registration display process. The notification information is described in a format that can display the registration completion message as a web page. In this embodiment, the notification information is described in HTML, for example. HTML is the abbreviation of Hyper Text Markup Language. The registration completion message is, for example, the above "Registration Complete."

[0066] The registration completion message includes next process presentation information indicating the process that the user will perform next according to the service. The next process presentation information is, for example, the above "Please close this window." or "Please go back to ····".

[0067] Note that at S40, the CPU 41 switches the next process presentation information according to the service identification information attached to the received printer registration instruction. For example, when the service identification information is "0", the CPU 41 sets the next process presentation information to the above "Please close this window.". For example, when the service identification information is "1", the CPU 41 sets the next process presentation information to the above "Please go back to ····".

[0068] (4) Effects The control program 42a configured as described above is configured to cause the control unit 31 of the printer 3 having a function of printing an image on a printing medium to execute a reception process, a registration execution process, and an output process.

[0069] The reception process receives a printer registration instruction for registering the printer 3 with a printing service provided to a user who uses the printer 3 from a service server 4 installed outside the printer 3, and service identification information for identifying the printer 3.

[0070] When the registration execution process receives a printer registration instruction, it executes a process for registering Printer 3 with the printing service. When the output process is completed with the registration of Printer 3 with the printing service, it outputs notification information for notifying the user of a preset registration completion message according to the received service identification information to the outside of Printer 3.

[0071] Such a control program 42a can notify the user of a message according to the service after the registration of Printer 3 with the printing service is completed, so that the convenience when registering Printer 3 with the service can be improved.

[0072] Also, the output process outputs the notification information to the user's terminal device 2. And the registration completion message includes next process presentation information indicating the process that the user will perform next according to the service. Thereby, after the registration of Printer 3 with the printing service is completed by the control program 42a, the user can easily grasp the process to be performed next, so that the convenience of the user can be further improved.

[0073] Also, the notification information is described in a format that can display the registration completion message as a web page on the user's terminal device 2. And the next process presentation information is information indicating to close the web page including the registration completion message. Thereby, after the registration of Printer 3 with the printing service is completed by the control program 42a, the user can easily grasp that the web page only needs to be closed, so that the convenience of the user can be further improved.

[0074] In the reception process, the service server 4 receives the printer registration instruction and the service identification information by sending the printer registration instruction and the service identification information to the printer 3 in the process of obtaining the registration information necessary for registering the printer 3 in the printing service from the user's terminal device 2. The registration information in this embodiment is the name, email address, phone number, and password of the service user. Also, in the reception process, the service server 4 receives the service identification information by sending the preset service identification information corresponding to the service accessed by the user's terminal device 2 to the printer 3 in order to register the printer 3. Thereby, the printer 3 can provide appropriate information to the user based on the received service identification information.

[0075] In the embodiment described above, the printer 3 corresponds to the printing device, the service server 4 corresponds to the external device, the printing service corresponds to the service, the printer registration instruction corresponds to the registration instruction, and the service identification information corresponds to the service specifying information.

[0076] Also, S10 corresponds to the reception process, S20 corresponds to the registration execution process, and S40 corresponds to the output process. As described above, one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented with various modifications.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the form in which the printing device of the present disclosure is the printer 3 is shown. However, the printing device of the present disclosure includes a multifunction device having a scanner function for reading an image from a document, a copier, and a facsimile. Also, the printing device is not limited to an inkjet printer and includes a laser printer and an LED printer.

[0078] The plurality of functions of one component in the above-described embodiment may be realized by a plurality of components, or one function of one component may be realized by a plurality of components. Further, the plurality of functions of a plurality of components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by a plurality of components may be realized by one component. Further, a part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment may be omitted. Further, at least a part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configuration of another of the above-described embodiments.

[0079] In addition to the printer 3 described above, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms such as a system having the printer 3 as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as the printer 3, a non-transitory tangible recording medium such as a semiconductor memory recording this program, a control method, and the like.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0080] 2... Terminal device, 3... Printer, 4... Service server, 31... Control unit, 42a... Control program

Claims

1. In a control unit of a printing apparatus having a function of printing an image on a printing medium, a reception process of receiving, from an external device which is a device installed outside the printing apparatus, a registration instruction for registering the printing apparatus in a service provided to a user who uses the printing apparatus, and service specification information for specifying the service; a registration execution process of executing a process for registering the printing apparatus in the service when the registration instruction is received; and an output process of outputting, to the outside of the printing apparatus, notification information for notifying the user of a registration completion message preset according to the received service specification information when the registration of the printing apparatus in the service is completed. A control program configured to execute the above.

2. The control program according to claim 1, wherein the output process outputs the notification information to the user's terminal device, and the registration completion message includes next process presentation information indicating a process to be performed by the user next according to the service.

3. The control program according to claim 2, wherein the notification information is described in a format that allows the registration completion message to be displayed as a web page on the user's terminal device, and the next process presentation information is information indicating to close the web page including the registration completion message.

4. The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reception process is a control program for receiving the registration instruction and the service specification information by the external device transmitting the registration instruction and the service specification information to the printing apparatus in a process of obtaining registration information necessary for registering the printing apparatus in the service from the user's terminal device.

5. The control program according to claim 4, wherein the reception process is a control program for receiving the service specification information by the external device transmitting the service specification information preset according to the service accessed by the user's terminal device to the printing apparatus for registering the printing apparatus.

6. A printing apparatus including a printing unit configured to print an image on a printing medium, and a control unit configured to control the printing unit, wherein the control unit ​ A receiving process of receiving a registration instruction for registering the printing device in a service provided to a user who uses the printing device and service identification information for identifying the service from an external device that is a device installed outside the printing device. A registration execution process of executing a process for registering the printing device in the service when the registration instruction is received. An output process of outputting, to the outside of the printing device, notification information for notifying the user of a preset registration completion message according to the received service identification information when the registration of the printing device in the service is completed. A printing device configured to execute the above.

7. A control method executed by a printing device having a function of printing an image on a printing medium, receiving a registration instruction for registering the printing device in a service provided to a user who uses the printing device and service identification information for identifying the service from an external device that is a device installed outside the printing device, executing a process for registering the printing device in the service when the registration instruction is received, and a control method of outputting, to the outside of the printing device, notification information for notifying the user of a preset registration completion message according to the received service identification information when the registration of the printing device in the service is completed.

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