Image forming device, method for controlling the same, and program

Abstract

To meet the need to identify a dedicated roll sheet for services and give notification to a service providing side at a proper timing when the residual amount of dedicated roll sheet is reduced, which has not conventionally given due consideration, in an image forming device which has a contract with services for roll sheet delivery.SOLUTION: An image forming device 200 detects and acquires sheet information added to a loaded roll sheet, determines whether the roll sheet loaded on the basis of the acquiring result of the sheet information is a dedicated roll sheet, and stores the sheet information of the dedicated roll sheet (FIG. 4). The device updates information about a sheet residual amount contained in the stored sheet information in accordance with the use of the roll sheet in a state where the dedicated roll sheet is loaded and a service contract is in place (S506), and gives prescribed notification when the updated sheet residual amount drops below a prescribed threshold value (S507, S508).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method for an image forming apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus for which a flat-rate service contract for using an image forming apparatus main body and a recording agent (for example, "ink tank") used for printing at a flat rate is concluded, consumables dedicated to the flat-rate service generally delivered from the service provider side are used. In many flat-rate services, business-use image forming apparatuses used in offices are the contract targets, but recently, services corresponding to contracts for large-format printers have also appeared.

[0003] When a large-format printer becomes the target of a flat-rate service contract, roll paper, which is a consumable specific to large-format printers, can be a consumable to be delivered in the flat-rate service because of the user merit that the user can receive the delivery without going through the purchase procedure by himself / herself. At this time, there may be a case where the user wants to use a roll paper of a different product, that is, a service-dedicated roll paper (hereinafter referred to as "dedicated roll paper") delivered and a commercially available roll paper (hereinafter referred to as "ordinary roll paper") purchased by the user himself / herself, together in the contracted image forming apparatus. For example, a roll paper suitable for photo printing is delivered under a service contract, and a roll paper suitable for poster printing is purchased and prepared by the user himself / herself.

[0004] Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming apparatus that reads a barcode printed on a roll paper when the roll paper is loaded and automatically acquires paper information such as paper size and remaining paper amount.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When the service provider delivers dedicated roll paper to the user, it is necessary to notify the service provider of the remaining amount of the dedicated roll paper from the image forming apparatus side. For example, as described above, it is conceivable that roll papers of different products such as dedicated roll paper and normal roll paper are mounted on the image forming apparatus with which the service contract has been made. It is necessary for the contracted image forming apparatus to discriminate the dedicated roll paper and notify the service provider at an appropriate timing when the remaining amount of the dedicated roll paper decreases. However, in the conventional technology, these points have not been considered at all.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of notifying a service provider of a decrease in the remaining amount of paper at an appropriate timing when the remaining amount of dedicated roll paper decreases.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention is an image forming apparatus corresponding to a service for delivering roll paper, comprising: a first storage means for storing information indicating whether or not the apparatus has a contract with the service; an acquisition means for detecting and acquiring paper information added to the roll paper mounted on the image forming apparatus; a first determination means for determining whether or not the mounted roll paper is the dedicated roll paper of the service based on the acquisition result of the paper information by the acquisition means; a second storage means for storing the paper information acquired by the acquisition means; and a control means for updating information on the remaining amount of paper included in the paper information stored in the second storage means in accordance with the use of the roll paper in a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted and the apparatus has a contract with the service, and for controlling to notify a predetermined notification destination when the updated remaining amount of paper falls below a predetermined threshold value.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to notify the service provider of the decrease in the remaining amount of the dedicated roll paper at an appropriate timing when the remaining amount of the paper decreases. As a result, the service provider can deliver the dedicated roll paper to the contract user at an appropriate timing.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be exemplarily described. However, it should be understood that the present invention also includes those in which appropriate changes and improvements are made to the embodiments described below based on the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0012] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 100 of the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 200, an ink tank 300 attached to the image forming apparatus 200, and a server 400.

[0013] First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 will be described. The image forming apparatus 200 has a printing function for performing a printing operation using a recording agent, and is, for example, an inkjet printer. Further, the image forming apparatus 200 is compatible with the loading and printing of roll paper, and is, for example, a large-format printer.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 200 includes a CPU 210, a program memory 220, a storage unit 230, an input / output device control unit 240, a communication control unit 250, an ink tank connection unit 260, a head control unit 270, a sensor control unit 280, and a motor control unit 290. These are connected via a system bus 211.

[0015] The CPU 210 is a system control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 200. The program memory 220 stores a control program executed by the CPU 210, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. The storage unit 230 includes various work buffer areas for storing program control variables and the like used during the control of the image forming apparatus 200, and a non-volatile storage area for storing setting information necessary for various operations.

[0016] The storage unit 230 has a contract information storage unit 231 and a paper information storage unit 232 in the above-described non-volatile storage area. The contract information storage unit 231 holds contract information of a service (referred to as the "fixed-fee service" in this embodiment) for realizing automatic delivery of roll paper that can be used in the image forming apparatus 200, which the image forming apparatus 200 has received from the server 400 through the communication control unit 250. The contract information held in the contract information storage unit 231 is either a service non-contract state indicating a state of not having a contract for the fixed-fee service or a service contract state indicating a state of having a contract for the fixed-fee service in this embodiment.

[0017] The paper information storage unit 232 holds paper information (e.g., paper identification number, paper product information, paper remaining amount information, paper type information, etc.) of the roll paper installed in the image forming apparatus 200. Details of these paper information will be described later together with the description of FIG. 3.

[0018] The input / output device control unit 240 controls commands executed between the image forming apparatus 200 and the input / output device 241. The input / output device 241 has hard keys and a panel for the user to perform various settings and operations, and a display unit for displaying (notifying) various information to the user (operation unit). The communication control unit 250 controls data transfer with the outside of the image forming apparatus 200 via the communication line 251 and various interfaces.

[0019] The ink tank connection unit 260 connects the image forming apparatus 200 and the ink tank 300. Further, the ink tank connection unit 260 receives a request for information acquisition at an arbitrary timing and acquires information of the ink tank 300 from the memory 310 provided in the ink tank 300.

[0020] The head control unit 270 controls the operation of the print head 271. The print head 271 is a printing unit that prints an image, and prints an image on a sheet based on image data. The print head 271 holds, for example, a plurality of print heads for a plurality of colors, and ejects ink in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet to form an image on the sheet.

[0021] The sensor control unit 280 controls the operations of various sensors including the optical sensor 281. The optical sensor 281 functions as a measurement unit for measuring the attribute values of a recording medium for printing including roll paper. The optical sensor 281 is a reflection type optical sensor including an LED as a light emitting element, a regular reflection light receiving element, a diffused light receiving element, and the like. The image forming apparatus 200 uses the optical sensor 281 to measure attribute values such as the intensity of regular reflection light and diffused reflection light of the paper on the platen, and the thickness of the paper. Further, the optical sensor 281 detects a barcode printed on the recording medium, and the image forming apparatus 200 obtains information (paper information) of the recording medium by reading the information held in the barcode.

[0022] The motor control unit 290 controls the operations of various motors including the cutter motor 291, the carriage motor 292, the paper feed motor 293, and the conveyance motor 294. The cutter motor 291 is a motor for driving a cutter unit 510 (Fig. 2) that cuts roll paper used as a recording medium. In cutting the roll paper, the cutter motor 291 is driven to cut the roll paper after image printing to a predetermined length. The carriage motor 292 is a motor for driving the carriage of the print head 271. The paper feed motor 293 is a motor for rotating a roll paper tube and cooperating with the conveyance motor 294 to convey the roll paper. Note that by driving the paper feed motor 293 to rotate the roll paper tube in the reverse direction, the roll paper on the conveyance roller can also be wound onto the roll paper tube side. The conveyance motor 294 is a motor for driving a conveyance roller 504 (Fig. 2) that conveys the roll paper.

[0023] Next, the configuration of the ink tank 300 will be described. The ink tank 300 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 200, and is filled with ink used as a recording agent for printing. The ink tank 300 has a memory 310. The memory 310 holds remaining amount information 311, product information 312, and the like. The remaining amount information 311 is information regarding the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink tank 300, and may be expressed in units of volume, or may be expressed as a remaining amount level or percentage divided by a predetermined threshold value. The product information 312 is information for determining whether the ink tank 300 is dedicated to a quota service (hereinafter referred to as a "dedicated ink tank"), for example, whether it is not dedicated to a quota service that can be purchased commercially (hereinafter referred to as a "normal ink tank").

[0024] Next, the configuration of the server 400 will be described. The server 400 is a server on the service providing side that manages information on users who have contracted for a quota service and the image forming apparatus 200, and has a CPU 410, a program memory 420, a storage unit 430, and a communication control unit 440.

[0025] The CPU 410 is a system control unit that controls the entire server 400. The program memory 420 stores control programs executed by the CPU 410, embedded operating system (OS) programs, and the like. The storage unit 430 holds information on users who have contracted for a quota service, identification information (such as a serial number) of the image forming apparatus 200 used in the quota service, and print information collected from the image forming apparatus 200. The communication control unit 440 controls data transfer with the outside via a communication line 441. The above components 410 to 440 are interconnected via a system bus 411 managed by the CPU 410.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross section of the image forming apparatus 200, and here it shows a portion related to the conveyance of roll paper. The image forming apparatus 200 in the present embodiment includes two roll paper feeding mechanisms, and different roll papers can be installed respectively.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, in the image forming apparatus 200, the roll paper 503 is conveyed from the upper-stage roll paper feeding mechanism 501 along the conveyance path by the conveyance roller 504 and is measured by the optical sensor 281 provided at a position facing the platen. The positional relationship between the conveyed roll paper 503 and the measurement location by the optical sensor 281 is as shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] The print head 271 discharges ink onto the roll paper 503 conveyed from the upper-stage roll paper feeding mechanism 501, thereby printing an image on the roll paper 203. The roll paper 203 is cut to a length desired by the user by the cutter unit 510 after the printing process. Note that after performing the switching operation from the upper-stage roll paper to the lower-stage roll paper using the conveyance roller 504 inside the image forming apparatus 200, it is possible to supply a roll paper 505 different from the roll paper 503 from the lower-stage roll paper feeding mechanism 502.

[0029] When feeding the roll paper 503 placed in the upper-stage roll paper feeding mechanism 501 or the roll paper 505 placed in the lower-stage roll paper feeding mechanism 502, the image forming apparatus 200 lifts the roll paper to be fed up to the platen by the conveyance roller 504. After mounting the roll paper, when feeding the paper, as shown in FIG. 4 described later, the image forming apparatus 200 performs the detection process of the barcode printed on the leading edge of the roll paper by the optical sensor 281 and the useable determination process of the roll paper by the image forming apparatus 200. When it is determined by this useable determination process that the fed roll paper is useable, the image forming apparatus 200 measures the specular reflection light intensity, diffuse reflection light intensity, thickness of the roll paper, and roll paper width of the fed roll paper by the optical sensor 281. After this measurement, the image forming apparatus 200 performs a conveyance operation using the paper feed roller 507 so that the leading edge of the roll paper is normally positioned at the print standby position 506.

[0030] Here, the switching operation of the paper feeding stage will be described. When the leading edge of the roll paper of either the upper roll paper feeding mechanism 501 or the lower roll paper feeding mechanism 502 is at the printing standby position 506 and the paper feeding operation from the other paper feeding stage is executed as it is, there is a possibility that the roll paper 503 and the roll paper 505 will collide during the paper feeding operation. Therefore, when the paper feeding operation from the other paper feeding stage is executed with the leading edge of the roll paper set on one paper feeding stage at the printing standby position 506, the leading edge at the printing standby position 506 is first returned to the paper feeding standby position, and then the paper feeding operation of the opposing stage is performed. This is the switching operation. For example, when the leading edge of the roll paper 503 mounted on the upper roll paper feeding mechanism 501 is at the printing standby position 506 and the paper feeding operation from the lower roll paper feeding mechanism 502 is executed, the leading edge of the roll paper 503 is first returned to the paper feeding standby position 508 of the upper roll paper feeding mechanism 501. In this way, after the rolls of paper do not collide, the leading edge of the roll paper 505 is conveyed to the printing standby position 506.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a bar code 610 printed on a dedicated roll paper 600 that can be mounted on the upper roll paper feeding mechanism 501 and the lower roll paper feeding mechanism 502 of the image forming apparatus 200 and paper information held by the bar code 610.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the dedicated roll paper 600 is delivered to the user with the bar code 610 added (printed or adhered) to the leading edge. The bar code 610 holds the paper identification number 611, the paper product information 612, the remaining paper amount information 613, and the paper type information 614 of the dedicated roll paper 600.

[0033] The paper identification number 611 is information for identifying an individual assigned when the dedicated roll paper 600 is manufactured. The paper product information 612 is information for indicating that the target roll paper is dedicated roll paper rather than ordinary roll paper. The remaining paper amount information 613 is information indicating the printable remaining amount of the dedicated roll paper 600, which may be expressed in units of length or area, or may be expressed in remaining amount levels divided by a predetermined threshold value. The paper type information 614 indicates the paper type of the dedicated roll paper 600, such as plain paper, glossy paper, or matte paper.

[0034] Next, the flat-rate service related to the image forming apparatus will be described. There are known a consumable flat-rate service that enables a user to use a recording agent (ink tank in this embodiment) used for printing at a flat rate, and a main body-inclusive flat-rate service that enables the recording agent and the image forming apparatus 200 to be used at a flat rate. Although the present invention is applicable to both flat-rate services, the "flat-rate service" described in this embodiment is a consumable flat-rate service.

[0035] When a user subscribes to a flat-rate service, in the image forming apparatus 200 purchased by the user himself / herself, printing can be performed at a flat rate up to a predetermined printing upper limit (printing area in this embodiment) using the service-exclusive ink tank 300 provided by the service provider. When printing exceeds the predetermined printing area, for example, it can be changed to a higher service plan, or a metered billing system in which the billing amount increases in units of the printing area is adopted. In addition, in this embodiment, not only the dedicated ink tank 300 but also the case where the service provider delivers the dedicated roll paper 600 to the user as an option of the flat-rate service will be described.

[0036] When a user applies for a flat-rate service contract, information about the user who has contracted for the flat-rate service, identification information of the image forming apparatus 200 used in the flat-rate service, etc. are registered in the server 400. The image forming apparatus 200 is connected to the network by the user, and when settings for starting the service are made, it receives contract information indicating the service contract status from the server 400 via the communication line 251. At this time, the image forming apparatus 200 updates the value of the contract information storage unit 231 in the storage unit 230 to the service contract status, and becomes the flat-rate service contract status.

[0037] In the flat-rate service contract state, the image forming apparatus 200 transmits print information to the server 400 in response to print execution. Based on the received print information, the server 400 grasps the print area of the user or the image forming apparatus 200 during a certain period. Further, the image forming apparatus 200 calculates the consumption rate of the service-exclusive ink tank 300, and when the remaining ink amount falls below a predetermined amount, the service provider delivers a new service-exclusive ink tank 300 to the user. Furthermore, when the user uses the dedicated roll paper 600, when the remaining paper amount falls below a predetermined amount, the service provider delivers a new dedicated roll paper 600 to the user. This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0038] Due to such a system configuration, in order to provide the flat-rate service, it is essential that the image forming apparatus 200 is always connected to the network and an environment for periodically transmitting print information to the server 400 is maintained. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 200 is not connected to the network, the user may be restricted from using some functions of the image forming apparatus 200. Note that after canceling the flat-rate service contract, the user returns the service-exclusive ink tank 300 and the dedicated roll paper 600 provided by the service provider to the service provider.

[0039] Next, the barcode 610 detection process and the usability determination process performed when feeding paper after loading roll paper into the image forming apparatus 200 in the service contract state will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the barcode detection process and the usability determination process of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment. The processes of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5 to 6 described later are realized by the CPU 210 reading and executing a program stored in the program memory 220 or the like. In the figure, "S" indicates each step.

[0040] In S401, when the image forming apparatus 200 detects the loading of the roll paper by the user onto the upper roll paper feeding mechanism 501 or the lower roll paper feeding mechanism 502, the process proceeds to S402. Although not shown in this flowchart, when the image forming apparatus 200 detects the loading of the roll paper, it performs the above-described paper feeding operation.

[0041] In S402, the image forming apparatus 200 performs a barcode detection process on the barcode printed or adhered to the leading end of the roll paper by the optical sensor 281. Next, in S403, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether a barcode has been detected by the detection process in S402 above.

[0042] Here, when the barcode printed or adhered to the roll paper is not detected (No in S403), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S411. In S411, the image forming apparatus 200 updates the paper product information of the corresponding paper feeding stage (upper roll paper feeding mechanism 501 or lower roll paper feeding mechanism 502) in the paper information storage unit 232 to "normal roll paper" and ends the process of this flowchart.

[0043] On the other hand, when the barcode printed or adhered to the roll paper is detected (Yes in S403), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S404. In S404, the image forming apparatus 200 performs a process of reading the information held in the barcode detected by the detection process in S402 above.

[0044] Next, in S405, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether it has successfully acquired the information held in the barcode 610 of the dedicated roll paper 600 through the reading process of S404. Note that in S405, the reading process is determined to be successful only when all of the paper identification number 611, paper product information 612, remaining paper amount information 613, and paper type information 614 held in the barcode 610 of the dedicated roll paper 600 shown in FIG. 3 are successfully acquired. When a barcode different from the barcode 610 of the dedicated roll paper 600 is printed on the roll paper for the purpose of automatically acquiring the paper information of the roll paper by an arbitrary setting of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 200, a determination process different from S405 is separately performed.

[0045] Here, when the reading process of the barcode 610 fails (in the case of No in S405), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S412. In S412, the image forming apparatus 200 performs error processing. At this time, the image forming apparatus 200 may display an error message indicating that the loaded roll paper is unusable (use prohibited) on the display unit of the input / output device 241. After performing the process of S412, the process of this flowchart ends.

[0046] On the other hand, when the reading process of the barcode 610 is successful (in the case of Yes in S405), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S406. In S406, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the loaded roll paper is the dedicated roll paper 600 based on the paper product information 612 acquired through the reading process of the barcode 610 in S404.

[0047] Here, when it is determined that the loaded roll paper is not the dedicated roll paper 600 (in the case of No in S406), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S411, performs a process of updating the above-described paper product information to normal roll paper, and ends the process of this flowchart. On the other hand, when it is determined that the loaded roll paper is the dedicated roll paper 600 (in the case of Yes in S406), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S407.

[0048] In S407, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the contract information held in the contract information storage unit 231 is in a service contract state. Since the dedicated roll paper 600 is delivered to the user as an option for the contracted flat-rate service and is appropriately used only in the image forming apparatus 200 with a service contract, it is necessary to execute the determination in this S407.

[0049] Here, when it is determined that it is in a state other than the service contract state (that is, in a non-service contract state) (when the answer is No in S407), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S412, performs error processing, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0050] On the other hand, when it is determined that it is in the service contract state (when the answer is Yes in S407), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S408. In S408, the image forming apparatus 200 updates the paper product information of the corresponding paper feed stage (upper roll paper feed mechanism 501 or lower roll paper feed mechanism 502) in the paper information storage unit 232 to the dedicated roll paper.

[0051] Next, in S409, the image forming apparatus 200 updates the paper identification number, paper remaining amount information, and paper type information of the corresponding paper feed stage in the paper information storage unit 232 to the values obtained from the barcode 610. Next, in S410, the image forming apparatus 200 cuts the leading end portion of the roll paper with the barcode 610 printed or adhered by driving the cutter unit 510, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0052] Next, the printing process executed by the image forming apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process executed by the image forming apparatus 200 of the first embodiment.

[0053] In S501, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives an execution instruction for printing processing from the user in an arbitrary manner, the process proceeds to S502. Note that the execution instruction for printing processing is received, for example, by pressing a print start button displayed on the display unit of the input / output device 241.

[0054] In S502, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the paper product information of the paper feed stage of the roll paper used for printing, which is held in the paper information storage unit 232, is "dedicated roll paper". Here, when the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the paper product information of the roll paper used for printing is "dedicated roll paper" (Yes in S502), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S503. On the other hand, when it is determined that the paper product information of the roll paper used for printing is not "dedicated roll paper" (No in S502), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S504. Note that if the image forming apparatus 200 supports printing on a recording medium other than roll paper (for example, cut paper), and printing using that recording medium is executed, it shall be determined that it is not "dedicated roll paper" in S502 above.

[0055] In S503, the image forming apparatus 200 determines, in the same manner as S407 in FIG. 4, whether the contract information held in the contract information storage unit 231 is in a service contract state. Since the dedicated roll paper 600 is delivered to the user as an option of a contracted flat-rate service and is appropriately used only in the image forming apparatus 200 with a service contract, it is necessary to perform the determination in S503.

[0056] Here, when it is determined that it is not in a service contract state (that is, in a non-service-contracted state) (No in S503), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S509 for processing. In S509, the image forming apparatus 200 performs error processing. At this time, the image forming apparatus 200 may display an error message on the display unit of the input / output device 241 indicating that the loaded roll paper is unusable. After performing the error processing in S509, the processing of this flowchart ends.

[0057] On the other hand, when it is determined that the service contract status is valid (Yes in S503), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S504 for processing. In S504, the image forming apparatus 200 executes a printing process corresponding to the print execution instruction received in S501 above. At this time, whenever a printing process using the dedicated roll paper 600 is executed, the conveyance amount of the roll paper driven by the paper feed roller 507 or the conveyance motor 294 is always measured.

[0058] Next, in S505, after the completion of the printing process in S504, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the recording medium used for printing is the dedicated roll paper, in the same manner as in S502 above. Here, when it is determined that the paper product information of the roll paper used for printing is not "dedicated roll paper" (No in S505), the image forming apparatus 200 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0059] On the other hand, when it is determined that the paper product information of the roll paper used for printing is "dedicated roll paper" (Yes in S505), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S506 for processing. In S506, the image forming apparatus 200 updates the remaining paper amount information of the corresponding paper feed stage held in the paper information storage unit 232 using the conveyance amount of the roll paper measured as described above (that is, the length of the roll paper used in the printing process).

[0060] Next, in S507, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the remaining amount of the dedicated roll paper updated in S506 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Note that the threshold value used for determining the remaining paper amount is a value held in the storage unit 230, and may be determined at the time of manufacturing the image forming apparatus 200, or may be a variable value updated by communication with the server 400.

[0061] Here, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the dedicated roll paper is more than the predetermined threshold value (No in S507), the image forming apparatus 200 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining paper amount of the dedicated roll paper is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (Yes in S507), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process of S508. In S508, the image forming apparatus 200 notifies the server 400 of the decrease in the remaining paper amount. The information transmitted to the server 400 by this notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount includes the paper identification number of the corresponding dedicated roll paper 600 held in the paper information storage unit 232 (the remaining paper amount information may also be included in the notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount). After performing the process of S508, the image forming apparatus 200 ends the process of this flowchart.

[0062] When the server 400 receives the notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount (the notification in S508 above) from the image forming apparatus 200, the service provider checks the information (paper type information, width and length of the dedicated roll paper, etc.) and the delivery destination of the dedicated roll paper to be delivered to the user from the paper identification number included in the notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount, and delivers a new dedicated roll paper to the user. In the above description, the case where the image forming apparatus 200 transmits the notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount including the paper identification number to the server 400 has been shown. However, the notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount may include the identification information (e.g., serial number, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 200 or the information (e.g., tenant ID, etc.) for specifying the service contract. In this case, the service provider can check the information (paper type information, width and length of the dedicated roll paper, etc.) and the delivery destination of the dedicated roll paper to be delivered to the user from the identification information of the image forming apparatus 200 and the information for specifying the service contract included in the notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount, and delivers a new dedicated roll paper to the user based on the check result. That is, the notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount only needs to include the information (paper type information, width and length of the dedicated roll paper, etc.) of the dedicated roll paper to be delivered by the service provider and the information that enables the confirmation of the delivery destination.

[0063] Also, the process performed by the image forming apparatus 200 when removing the roll paper will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the process performed by the image forming apparatus 200 when removing the roll paper.

[0064] In S601, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives an execution command for removing the roll paper from the user in any method, the process proceeds to S602. Note that the execution command for removing the roll paper is received, for example, by pressing a print start button displayed on the display unit of the input / output device 241.

[0065] In S602, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the paper product information of the paper feed stage of the roll paper to be removed, which is held in the paper information storage unit 232, is "dedicated roll paper". Here, when it is determined that the paper product information of the roll paper to be removed is "dedicated roll paper" (Yes in S602), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S603. On the other hand, when it is determined that the paper product information of the roll paper to be removed is not "dedicated roll paper" (No in S602), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S604.

[0066] In S603, the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the paper information storage unit 232, generates a barcode 610 including a paper identification number, paper product information, paper remaining amount information, and paper type information, and prints it at the leading end of the roll paper. This is to enable the barcode detection process and the usability determination process shown in FIG. 4 to be performed when the dedicated roll paper 600 is removed and then reinstalled in the image forming apparatus 200. After the process of S603, the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S604.

[0067] In S604, the image forming apparatus 200 executes a roll paper removal process. By driving the paper feed roller 507 and the conveyance roller 504 of the image forming apparatus 200 to rewind the conveyed roll paper, the user can remove the roll paper mounted on the image forming apparatus 200 from the paper feed stage. After the process of S604, the image forming apparatus 200 ends the process of this flowchart.

[0068] As described above, in the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus acquires paper information from the barcode printed on the roll paper, determines whether the dedicated roll paper can be used based on the acquisition result of the paper information and the service contract information held by the image forming apparatus, and holds the paper information of the dedicated roll paper. Further, when performing a printing process using the dedicated roll paper, the image forming apparatus updates the remaining paper amount held therein, and when the remaining paper amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, a notification of a decrease in the remaining paper amount is sent to a predetermined notification destination on the service providing side. As a result, in the image apparatus that has contracted for the service, even in a case where the dedicated roll paper delivered by the contracted service and the commercially available ordinary roll paper are used together in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to notify the service providing side of the decrease in the remaining amount at an appropriate timing when the remaining amount of the dedicated roll paper decreases. Further, on the service side of the flat-rate service for large-format printers, the roll paper can be delivered to and provided for the user at an appropriate timing.

[0069] 〔Second Embodiment〕 In the first embodiment, when performing a notification of a decrease in the remaining paper amount that triggers the delivery of the dedicated roll paper 600, the image forming apparatus 200 acquires paper information from the barcode 610 of the dedicated roll paper 600 and performs a usability determination by collating it with the service contract information. Note that when the dedicated roll paper 600 is delivered as an option of the flat-rate service, depending on the content of the service, there may be a case where the use of the dedicated roll paper 600 is limited to only when using a service-exclusive ink tank (dedicated ink tank). Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the image forming apparatus 200 acquires paper information from the barcode 610 of the dedicated roll paper 600 and performs a usability determination by collating it not only with the service contract information but also with the product information 312 of the ink tank 300. In this embodiment, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the configurations not mentioned will be assumed to be the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0070] The detection process and usability determination process of the barcode 610 performed when feeding paper after mounting the roll paper on the image forming apparatus 200 in the service contract state in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the barcode detection process and the usability determination process of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. The processes of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8 to 10 described later are realized by the CPU 210 reading and executing a program stored in the program memory 220 or the like. In the figure, "S" indicates each step.

[0071] First, S701 to S706, S712, and S713 are the same as S401 to S406, S411, and S412 in FIG. 4 in terms of processing content, so the description thereof is omitted. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, when it is determined that the loaded roll paper is the dedicated roll paper 600 (Yes in S706), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process of S707.

[0072] In S707, the image forming apparatus 200 acquires the product information 312 of the ink tank 300 through the ink tank connection portion 260, and determines whether the ink tank 300 mounted on the image forming apparatus 200 is a "dedicated ink tank". When a plurality of ink tanks 300 can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 200, if at least one ink tank 300 is a "dedicated ink tank", it is determined that the mounted ink tank 300 is a "dedicated ink tank".

[0073] Here, when it is determined that the mounted ink tank 300 is not a "dedicated ink tank" (No in S707), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process of S713. On the other hand, when it is determined that the mounted ink tank 300 is a "dedicated ink tank" (Yes in S707), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process of S708. Note that S708 to S711 are the same as S407 to S410 in FIG. 4 in terms of processing content, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0074] Next, the printing process executed by the image forming apparatus 200 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process executed by the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. First, since the processing contents of S801 to S803 are the same as those of S501 to S503 in FIG. 5, the description thereof is omitted. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, when it is determined that the contract information held in the contract information storage unit 231 is in the service contract state (Yes in S803), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S804 for processing. In S804, the image forming apparatus 200 executes a printing process using a dedicated roll paper. The printing process using the dedicated roll paper by the image forming apparatus 200 will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0075] On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not in the service contract state (that is, in the non-service contract state) (No in S803), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S806 for processing. Since the processing contents of S806 are the same as those of S509 in FIG. 5, the description thereof is omitted.

[0076] Also, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, when it is determined that the paper product information of the paper feed stage of the roll paper used for printing held in the paper information storage unit 232 is not "dedicated roll paper" (No in S802), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to S805. In S805, the image forming apparatus 200 executes a printing process using a recording medium other than the dedicated roll paper. The printing process using a recording medium other than the dedicated roll paper by the image forming apparatus 200 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10.

[0077] Next, the printing process executed by the image forming apparatus 200 using the dedicated roll paper in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process executed by the image forming apparatus 200 of the second embodiment using the dedicated roll paper.

[0078] In S901, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the ink tank 300 attached to the image forming apparatus 200 is a "dedicated ink tank" in the same manner as S707 shown in FIG. 7. Here, when it is determined that the ink tank 300 is a "dedicated ink tank" (Yes in S901), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process in S902. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ink tank 300 is not a "dedicated ink tank" (No in S901), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process in S906. Note that since the processes of S902 and S903 - S906 are the same as those of S504 and S506 - S509 in FIG. 5 respectively, the description thereof is omitted.

[0079] Next, the printing process executed by the image forming apparatus 200 in the present embodiment using a recording medium other than the dedicated roll paper will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process executed by the image forming apparatus 200 of the second embodiment using a recording medium other than the dedicated roll paper.

[0080] In S1001, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the ink tank 300 mounted on the image forming apparatus 200 is a "dedicated ink tank" in the same manner as in S707 of FIG. 7. Here, when it is determined that the mounted ink tank 300 is a "dedicated ink tank" (Yes in S1001), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process in S1002. On the other hand, when it is determined that the mounted ink tank 300 is not a "dedicated ink tank" (No in S1001), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process in S1003. Since the processes of S1002 - S1003 are the same as those of S503 - S504 in FIG. 5 respectively, the description thereof is omitted.

[0081] In the flowchart of FIG. 10, when it is determined that the contract information held in the contract information storage unit 231 is not in the service contract state (that is, the service is not contracted) (No in S1002), the image forming apparatus 200 proceeds to the process in S1004. In S1004, the image forming apparatus 200 performs error processing. This is error processing for the case where the "dedicated roll paper" is not used for printing but the "dedicated ink tank" is used in the image forming apparatus 200 that is not in the service contract state (i.e., the service non-contract state). Therefore, at this time, the image forming apparatus 200 may display an error message on the display unit of the input / output apparatus 241 indicating that the mounted ink tank is unusable.

[0082] As described above, in the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus acquires paper information from the barcode printed on the roll paper, collates it with the product information of the ink tank mounted on the image forming apparatus, and performs a determination on the usability of the dedicated roll paper. Further, when performing a printing process using the dedicated roll paper, the remaining paper amount held by the image forming apparatus is updated, and when the remaining paper amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, a notification of the decrease in the remaining paper amount is sent to the service providing side. As a result, it is possible to deliver and provide roll paper to the user in a flat-rate service or the like targeted at large-format printers.

[0083] In each of the above-described embodiments, the detection process of the barcode 610 when the roll paper is mounted on the image forming apparatus 200 has been shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. However, a case where the detection is not performed normally due to dirt adhering to the barcode 610 of the dedicated roll paper 600 is conceivable. In case the barcode 610 is not detected despite the dedicated roll paper 600, the image forming apparatus 200 may display the determined paper product information for the mounted roll paper on the display unit of the input / output device 241. Further, at this time, a button or the like that enables the re-execution of the detection process may be displayed on the input / output device 241, and the image forming apparatus 200 may execute the detection process of the barcode 610 again by the user's selection (instruction to re-execute the detection process) through the input / output device 241. Further, when the determination result does not match the actual paper product information even if the detection process of the barcode 610 is repeated a predetermined number of times (when re-execution is instructed continuously a predetermined number of times), the image forming apparatus 200 displays on the display unit of the input / output device 241 the URL (information for accessing the support page) of a web page such as a support page (help page) on the service providing side in the form of a two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code (registered trademark)) or a one-dimensional code (e.g., barcode). By the user reading the URL from such a QR code (registered trademark) or the like with a smartphone or the like and accessing it, the user can know how to handle such a case.

[0084] As described above, the image forming apparatus acquires paper information from the barcode printed on the roll paper, and determines whether the dedicated roll paper can be used based on the paper information and the service contract information held by the image forming apparatus. When performing a printing process using the dedicated roll paper, the image forming apparatus updates the remaining paper amount, and when the remaining paper amount falls below a predetermined threshold, notifies the server of the decrease in the remaining amount. That is, the roll paper, which is a consumable specific to the large-format printer, becomes a consumable subject to delivery under a flat-rate service. For example, even in a case where a user uses a dedicated roll paper delivered and a commercially available ordinary roll paper together in an image forming apparatus that has contracted for both, the image forming apparatus that has contracted for the flat-rate service can recognize the product information of the roll paper to be installed and limit the delivery notification to the service provider only when using the dedicated roll paper. Thus, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the service provider of the decrease in the remaining amount at an appropriate timing when the remaining amount of the dedicated roll paper decreases. And, on the service provider side, among the image forming apparatuses, it is possible to identify the image forming apparatuses that are operated with the dedicated roll paper delivered under the flat-rate service targeting large-format printers, and deliver the dedicated roll paper to the user at an appropriate timing.

[0085] Note that the configurations and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that they can be configured with various configurations and contents according to the use and purpose. As described above, one embodiment has been shown. However, the present invention can be implemented, for example, as an embodiment such as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium. Specifically, it may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device. Also, configurations combining the above-described embodiments are all included in the present invention.

[0086] 〔Other Embodiments〕 The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or device to read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions. In addition, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or to an apparatus composed of a single device. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the respective embodiments) are possible based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. That is, all configurations obtained by combining the above-described embodiments and their modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0087] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus corresponding to a service for delivering roll paper, a first storage means for storing information indicating whether or not a contract has been made with the service; an acquisition means for detecting and acquiring paper information added to the roll paper mounted on the image forming apparatus; a first determination means for determining whether or not the mounted roll paper is a dedicated roll paper for the service based on the acquisition result of the paper information by the acquisition means; a second storage means for storing the paper information acquired by the acquisition means; when the dedicated roll paper is mounted and a contract has been made with the service, in response to the use of the roll paper, the information on the remaining paper amount included in the paper information stored in the second storage means is updated, and when the updated remaining paper amount falls below a predetermined threshold, control is performed to notify a predetermined notification destination; An image forming apparatus characterized by having the above. (Configuration 2) When performing a process for removing the dedicated roll paper in a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted, the image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1, comprising printing means for performing printing on the dedicated roll paper based on the paper information stored in the second storage means. (Configuration 3) The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the notification includes identification information of the dedicated roll paper included in the paper information. (Configuration 4) The control means controls to prohibit the use of the roll paper in a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted and the service is not contracted, the image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3. (Configuration 5) The control means controls whether to prohibit the use of the roll paper in response to receiving a print execution command, and when the use of the roll paper is prohibited, error processing is executed without executing printing based on the print execution command, the image forming apparatus according to Configuration 4. (Configuration 6) The image forming apparatus having second determination means for determining whether or not a dedicated recording agent for the service is mounted on the image forming apparatus, The control means controls to prohibit the use of the roll paper in a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted and the dedicated recording agent is not mounted, the image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) First display means for displaying a determination result by the first determination means, Instruction means capable of instructing re-execution of reading of the paper information by the acquisition means when the determination result by the first determination means is displayed on the first display means, the image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 8) The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 7, comprising second display means for displaying information for accessing a support page on the service providing side when the re-execution is continuously executed a predetermined number of times by the instruction means. (Configuration 9) When the first determination means cannot acquire the paper information by the acquisition means, it determines that the loaded roll paper is a roll paper other than the dedicated roll paper. The control means does not perform the notification in a state where a roll paper other than the dedicated roll paper is loaded. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8. (Method 1) A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first storage means for storing information indicating whether or not a contract has been made with a service that performs roll paper delivery; and a second storage means for storing paper information of roll paper. An acquisition step of detecting and acquiring paper information added to the roll paper mounted on the image forming apparatus. A determination step of determining whether or not the loaded roll paper is a dedicated roll paper of the service based on the acquisition result of the paper information in the acquisition step. A storage step of storing the paper information acquired in the acquisition step in the second storage means. In a state where the dedicated roll paper is loaded and a contract has been made with the service, in accordance with the use of the roll paper, the information on the remaining amount of paper included in the paper information stored in the second storage means is updated. When the updated remaining amount of paper falls below a predetermined threshold, control is performed to notify a predetermined notification destination. A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising the above steps. (Computer 1) A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the image forming apparatus according to Method 1.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus corresponding to a service for delivering roll paper, a first storage means for storing information indicating whether or not the apparatus has a contract with the service; an acquisition means for detecting and acquiring sheet information added to the roll paper mounted on the image forming apparatus; a first determination means for determining whether or not the mounted roll paper is a dedicated roll paper for the service based on the acquisition result of the sheet information by the acquisition means; a second storage means for storing the sheet information acquired by the acquisition means; in a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted and the apparatus has a contract with the service, in accordance with the use of the roll paper, the remaining sheet amount information included in the sheet information stored in the second storage means is updated, and when the updated remaining sheet amount falls below a predetermined threshold, control means for controlling to notify a predetermined notification destination; An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising printing means for performing printing on the dedicated roll paper based on the sheet information stored in the second storage means when performing a process for removing the roll paper in a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification includes identification information of the dedicated roll paper included in the sheet information.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means controls to prohibit the use of the roll paper in a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted and the apparatus does not have a contract with the service.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control means controls whether or not to prohibit the use of the roll paper in response to receiving a print execution command, and when the use of the roll paper is prohibited, error processing is executed without executing printing based on the print execution command.

6. having a second determination means for determining whether or not a dedicated recording agent for the service is mounted on the image forming apparatus; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means controls to prohibit the use of the roll paper in a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted and the dedicated recording agent is not mounted.

7. a first display means for displaying the determination result by the first determination means; When the determination result by the first determination means is displayed on the first display means, an instruction means capable of instructing the acquisition means to re-execute the reading of the sheet information, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising:

8. When the re-execution is continuously executed a predetermined number of times by the instruction means, a second display means for displaying information for accessing a support page on the service providing side, The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by comprising:

9. When the first determination means cannot acquire the sheet information by the acquisition means, the first determination means determines that the roll paper being mounted is a roll paper other than the dedicated roll paper. The control means does not perform the notification in a state where a roll paper other than the dedicated roll paper is mounted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising:

10. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first storage means for storing information indicating whether or not the apparatus is contracted with a service corresponding to a service for delivering roll paper; and a second storage means for storing sheet information of the roll paper. An acquisition step of detecting and acquiring sheet information added to the roll paper mounted on the image forming apparatus; A determination step of determining whether or not the roll paper being mounted is a dedicated roll paper for the service based on the acquisition result of the sheet information in the acquisition step; A storage step of storing the sheet information acquired in the acquisition step in the second storage means; In a state where the dedicated roll paper is mounted and the service is contracted, in accordance with the use of the roll paper, the information on the remaining amount of paper included in the sheet information stored in the second storage means is updated, and when the updated remaining amount of paper falls below a predetermined threshold value, a control step of controlling to notify a predetermined notification destination; A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:

11. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

Images