Allowable print volume management device

Abstract

To easily identify a final allowable print volume when an allowable print volume is increased due to charging operation of a user, after the allowable print volume becomes negative.SOLUTION: A printer 200 is configured to execute printing at a maximum of an allowable print volume. The allowable print volume of the printer 200 increases in accordance with a predetermined number of sheets charged that is guaranteed by a purchased printing right purchased through a user's financial burden and decreases in accordance with the amount of printing executed. A mobile terminal 300 executes: ordinary charging processing to increase the allowable print volume; a step S5 for acquiring the allowable print volume as well as an unpaid number of sheets printed while the allowable print volume was insufficient; processing to display an allotment charge button 346 on which the unpaid number of sheets is shown; and applicable charge processing and mandatory allotment charge processing for eliminating the unpaid number of sheets in response to the allotment charge button 346 having been selected and an additional financial burden having been borne by the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an allowable print quantity management device that manages an allowable print quantity representing the upper limit of printing by a printing device.

Background Art

[0002] There is already a known system in which a management server adds a guaranteed print quantity corresponding to a purchased print right based on a user's manual operation to the allowable print quantity of a printing device, and the printing device executes printing with the added allowable print quantity as the upper limit. In such a system, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, even when a print instruction for a print quantity exceeding the allowable print quantity is given and a shortage of the allowable print quantity occurs, a technique has been disclosed that allows printing exceptionally within a predetermined range according to the user's usage record.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above technology, when the printing process within the aforementioned exceptional predetermined range is completed, the allowable print quantity, which is the upper limit value of printable quantity, becomes negative. In this case, the user can continue printing by purchasing additional new print rights, so-called charging, which adds the guaranteed print quantity guaranteed by the purchased print rights and increases the allowable print quantity.

[0005] At that time, for the purpose of avoiding the complexity of the user repeatedly purchasing the additional printing right described above, the allowable printing amount may be increased more by charging. In this case, a part of the allowable printing amount increased by charging is used to fill the negative part of the above-mentioned allowable printing amount, but the remaining part is used to further increase the allowable printing amount to a new positive value of 0 or more.

[0006] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the part used to fill the negative part and the part used to increase to a new positive value of 0 or more are not distinguished, and it is difficult for the user to grasp how much the final allowable printing amount is after charging.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an allowable printing amount management device that makes it easy to grasp how much the final allowable printing amount is when the allowable printing amount increases due to the user's charging after the allowable printing amount becomes negative.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an allowable printing amount management device that manages the allowable printing amount of a printing device. The printing device is configured to be able to execute printing with the allowable printing amount as an upper limit. The allowable printing amount of the printing device increases according to a predetermined guaranteed printing amount guaranteed by a purchased printing right purchased by the user's financial burden, and decreases according to the printing amount for which the printing has been executed. The allowable printing amount management device includes a control unit. The control unit performs an allowable printing amount increase process for increasing the allowable printing amount of the printing device, an allowable printing amount acquisition process for acquiring the allowable printing amount decreased by printing execution in the printing device, an unpurchased printing amount acquisition process for acquiring an unpurchased printing amount for which printing has been executed while the printing device is in a state where the allowable printing amount is insufficient, a first display process for causing a display unit to display a first option in which a first printing amount corresponding to the unpurchased printing amount is indicated, and an unpurchased printing amount cancellation process for canceling the unpurchased printing amount in response to the first option displayed in the first display process being selected and an additional financial burden being imposed on the user.

[0009] In the present invention, when the allowable print quantity obtained in the allowable print quantity acquisition process is insufficient for the print quantity instructed to be executed for the printing apparatus, when the printing execution is completed with the user leaving the print quantity un-purchased, the allowable print quantity, which is the upper limit value of printable quantity, becomes negative. The un-purchased print quantity is obtained in the un-purchased print quantity acquisition process.

[0010] Thereafter, in the display unit, a first display process for displaying a first option is performed, and a first print quantity corresponding to the un-purchased print quantity is indicated in the first option. When the first option is selected by the user and an additional financial burden is imposed, an un-purchased print quantity cancellation process is performed, whereby the un-purchased print quantity is cancelled. That is, by executing a charge, the allowable print quantity is increased to make up for the first print quantity, in other words, to fill the aforementioned negative amount. As a result, when the user increases the allowable print quantity by the charge made by himself / herself, the user can know how much of that increase is used to fill the negative amount of the allowable print quantity. As a result, according to the present invention, it becomes easier for the user to grasp how much the final allowable print quantity is after the charge.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, when the allowable print quantity increases due to the user's charge execution after the allowable print quantity becomes negative, it becomes easier to grasp how much the final allowable print quantity is.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] <Overview of the Print Service Provision System> An example of the system configuration of a print service provision system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The print service provision system 1 provides a prepaid print service in which a user who is a customer pays a fee in advance to use the printing function of the printer 200. In FIG. 1, the print service provision system 1 includes a management server 100, a printer 200, a mobile terminal 300, and a transaction server 400. These management server 100, printer 200, mobile terminal 300, and transaction server 400 are connected to a network NT including a mobile phone communication line and can communicate with each other. Note that the mobile terminal 300 is an example of a terminal device and also an example of an allowable print amount management device. The printer 200 is an example of a printing device.

[0015] <Management Server> The management server 100 is, for example, a server installed and managed by the manufacturer of the printer 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the management server 100 includes a processor 110, a storage device 115, and a communication interface 190. These processor 110, storage device 115, and communication interface 190 are connected to each other via a bus 105 so as to be able to transmit and receive data.

[0016] The memory device 115 includes a volatile memory device 120 and a non-volatile memory device 130. The volatile memory device 120 is, for example, a DRAM, and stores various programs and data to be processed. The non-volatile memory device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and has a program storage area 131 and a data storage area 132.

[0017] Various programs are stored in the program storage area 131. The various programs include the programs related to the prepaid printing service. Various information regarding users who have contracted the prepaid printing service and printers 200 in use is stored in the data storage area 132.

[0018] The processor 110 is a device that performs data processing, for example, a CPU, and executes various programs including the programs related to the prepaid printing service stored in the program storage area 131. The processor 110 performs various processes including data communication with the mobile terminal 300, the printer 200, and the transaction server 400 connected to the network NT. The processor 110 executes the purchase of printing rights by the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment.

[0019] The communication interface 190 is a wired LAN interface or a wireless interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT.

[0020] Note that the memory device 115 is not limited to the configuration of the above-described device elements, and may be configured by, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, an HDD, a portable recording medium such as a USB memory detachable from the management server 100, a buffer provided in the processor 110, or a combination thereof. Note that the storage device 115 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include, in addition to the above examples, recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Also, non-transitory media are tangible media. The same applies to the storage device 215 of the printer 200 described later.

[0021] <Printer> The printer 200 is, for example, owned by a user who receives the above prepaid printing service. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 200 includes a processor 210, a storage device 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication interface 270, and a printing unit 290. These processor 210, storage device 215, display unit 240, operation unit 250, communication interface 270, and printing unit 290 are connected to each other via a bus 205 so as to be able to transmit and receive data.

[0022] The storage device 215 includes a volatile storage device 220 and a non-volatile storage device 230. The volatile storage device 220 is, for example, a DRAM and includes an image data storage area 221 for storing image data to be printed. The non-volatile storage device 230 is, for example, a flash memory and includes a program storage area 232 and a data storage area 233. Various programs related to the prepaid printing service based on the flowchart of FIG. 15 described later are stored in the program storage area 232 as, for example, firmware. Various information such as various parameters such as the total number of printed sheets, the total number of printable sheets, and the allowable number of printed sheets described later regarding the prepaid printing service is stored in the data storage area 233. Note that the information on the parameters related to these prepaid printing services will be described in detail later.

[0023] The processor 210 is a device that performs data processing and is, for example, a CPU. The processor 210 executes various programs stored in the program storage area 232.

[0024] The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and can display various information. The operation unit 250 is a device that receives operations by the user. The user can input various instructions into the printer 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication interface 270 is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices and is connected to the network NT.

[0025] The printing unit 290 takes out and conveys the paper in the paper feed tray by a conveyance mechanism (not shown), and prints an image on the conveyed paper in a predetermined manner. The printing method is not particularly limited, but for example, printing is performed by an inkjet method or a laser method. The printing unit 290 forms an image on the paper using, for example, the ink of an ink cartridge or the toner of a toner cartridge (not shown) in response to a print job transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 or a print job generated by itself based on an operation at the operation unit 250.

[0026] <Mobile terminal> An example of the system configuration of the mobile terminal 300 is shown in FIG. 2. The mobile terminal 300 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user, for example, and is connected to the network NT via wireless communication. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 300 includes a CPU 310, a memory 320, a communication control unit 330 for connecting to the network NT via wireless communication, a touch panel 340, and a mass storage device 350.

[0027] The large-capacity storage device 350 is, for example, a flash memory, and includes a program storage area 351 and a data storage area 352. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 351 as applications, for example. The CPU 310 executes various programs stored in the program storage area 351. The CPU 310 executes various processes including data communication with the management server 100 connected to the network NT. The CPU 310 and the programs stored in the program storage area 351 are an example of a control unit. In the data storage area 352, a user ID or the like for identifying a user corresponding to the mobile terminal 300, which is issued based on the program or the printing service, is stored.

[0028] The mobile terminal 300 also uses a touch panel 340 that integrally combines a liquid crystal display and a touch pad to display various information and receive various operations by the user. The user can input various instructions to the mobile terminal 300 by operating the touch panel 340. Note that the touch panel 340 is an example of a display unit.

[0029] Note that, as the mobile terminal 300, instead of a mobile phone, other information terminals such as a tablet computer or a desktop PC may be used.

[0030] <Transaction Server> As shown in FIG. 1, the transaction server 400 is a server for performing online settlement via the network NT. The transaction server 400 has a processor, a storage device, and a communication interface for connecting to the network NT (not shown).

[0031] <Prepaid Printing Service during Normal Use> FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the prepaid printing service provided in the case of normal use by the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment.

[0032] In this embodiment, the printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 is a prepaid printing service. The prepaid printing service is a service in which the number of charge sheets guaranteed by the printing authority purchased by the user in advance by a purchase request for charging is added to the allowable number of prints of each printer 200 targeted, and printing processing can be executed on the printer 200 with the allowable number of prints as the upper limit.

[0033] The addition of the number of charge sheets to the allowable number of prints is executed, for example, by the processor 110 of the management server 100 by updating the allowable number of prints stored corresponding to each individual printer 200 in the data storage area 132. Further, the addition information is also transmitted to the printer 200 via the network NT, and is synchronously updated also in the allowable number of prints separately stored in the data storage area 233 thereof.

[0034] And each time printing is executed on the printer 200 side, the processor 210 decreases the value of the allowable number of prints in the data storage area 233 by the number of prints, and is transmitted to the management server 100 via the network NT at regular timing, for example, and the allowable number of prints in the data storage area 132 is synchronously updated.

[0035] In the above prepaid printing service, when the printing process based on the allowable number of prints is completed on the printer 200 and the allowable number of prints, which is the upper limit of printable pages, becomes zero or decreases, the user makes a charge by a new purchase procedure. As a result, the purchased number of charge sheets is added and the allowable number of prints increases, and printing can be continued.

[0036] In the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment, as a form of purchasing the printing right, first, it is possible to execute the purchase of the printing right based on the purchase request of the user. The purchase of the printing right based on the user's purchase request is executed when the purchase application for the printing right is transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 to the management server 100 according to the user's operation and received by the management server 100. The purchase of the printing right is executed at an arbitrary timing desired by the user. At that time, the user selects any one of a plurality of charge plans with different purchase quantities and purchase amounts, such as 50 sheets = 500 yen, 100 sheets = 900 yen, 250 sheets = 2000 yen, etc., and purchases the corresponding printing right. The specific electronic payment process at the time of this purchase is performed by the transaction server 400 in cooperation with the management server 100.

[0037] Here, an example of specific parameter processing executed inside the printer for the prepaid printing service will be described with reference to FIG. 4. First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), in the printer 200, parameters of the total number of printed sheets and the total number of printable sheets are stored in the data storage area 233, and the mobile terminal 300 can acquire this information. The total number of printed sheets is a parameter representing the total cumulative number of sheets actually printed by the user of the printer 200 from the start of the contract and use of the prepaid printing service until that point, and is an important parameter for management as the absolute usage amount of the printer 200 by the user. The total number of printable sheets is a parameter representing the total cumulative number of charge sheets actually purchased by the user of the printer 200 from the start of the contract and use of the prepaid printing service.

[0038] And the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the total printable sheets corresponds to the allowable number of printed sheets described above. Basically, the user can continue printing as long as the value of the allowable number of printed sheets does not become zero. On the other hand, when the user is charged under a charge plan for purchasing the charge amount A, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the charge amount A is added to the original total printable sheets to update it as the new total printable sheets, and the new allowable number of printed sheets is calculated based on the difference between the total number of printed sheets at that time. In this embodiment, the process of normally charging while the allowable number of printed sheets is 0 or more is particularly referred to as the normal charge process. Note that the above allowable number of printed sheets is an example of the allowable print amount, the above charge amount A is an example of the guaranteed print amount, and the normal charge process is an example of the process for increasing the allowable print amount.

[0039] Fig. 5 is an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel 340 of the mobile terminal 300 during the normal charge process of the example of this embodiment. When the user performs a predetermined operation to start the charge process to the printer 200 on the mobile terminal 300 while the allowable number of printed sheets is 0 or more, the initial screen 340A for the normal charge process shown in Fig. 5 is displayed.

[0040] On the initial screen 340A for the normal charge process, there are displayed plan selection buttons 341, 342, 343 corresponding to the three charge plans in the illustrated example, text information 344 on the total amount to be paid by the operation of the normal charge process, and a charge button 345 for determining the execution of the charge process. Note that in the illustrated initial screen 340A, since no charge operation has been performed yet, "￥0" is displayed as the total amount.

[0041] Specifically, in the illustrated example, there are a plan selection button 341 corresponding to a recharge plan for charging 5 sheets with ¥△△, a plan selection button 342 corresponding to a recharge plan for charging 50 sheets with ¥□□, and a plan selection button 343 corresponding to a recharge plan for charging 200 sheets with ¥〇〇, which are displayed operably. The user can press any one or more of these displayed plan selection buttons 341, 342, 343 as an operable option according to their own budget and required number of sheets. At that time, the total amount of the selected plans is displayed in the text information 344, and when the user who has confirmed it presses the recharge button 345, the charging process is executed.

[0042] <Prepaid printing service during exceptional use> In the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment, in the prepaid printing service provided, in addition to the normal use described above, the following exceptional use is possible. That is, even when a printing instruction for a printing amount exceeding the allowable number of printed sheets is given and a shortage of the allowable number of printed sheets occurs, printing can be exceptionally performed within a predetermined range according to the user's usage record.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(a), a maximum excess number of sheets Tmax corresponding to the user's usage record is set in advance for the parameter of the total number of printable sheets, and the user can execute printing up to the number of sheets obtained by adding this maximum excess number of sheets Tmax to the total number of printable sheets at that time as shown in FIG. 6(b). That is, originally, it is assumed that printing with the total number of printed sheets exceeding the total number of printable sheets cannot be executed as in the normal use described above, but for users with a usage record, the above exceptional use is recognized for the purpose of relieving the situation where printing is abandoned because the allowable number of printed sheets at that time is several sheets short of the required number of sheets as a special service. After such exceptional use is executed, the allowable number of printed sheets becomes a negative value X (-Tmax ≦ X < 0).

[0044] However, in the present embodiment, for the above exceptional use, two limit conditions, namely the negative limit of the allowable number of printed sheets and the payment deadline, are set from a business model perspective. That is, the user needs to perform a charge assignment process to eliminate the shortage (B sheets shown in the figure) of the negative allowable number of printed sheets by charge assignment as shown in FIG. 7, provided that the absolute value of the negative allowable number of printed sheets is less than or equal to the maximum excess number Tmax and within the payment deadline for a predetermined period after starting the exceptional use. If the user deviates without being able to perform charge assignment within either of these two limit conditions, the printing service providing system 1 restricts the function of the printer 200 to a printing locked state where all printing processes cannot be executed, and maintains this printing locked state until the charge assignment is executed. In the present embodiment, the charge assignment process performed before such a printing locked state is particularly referred to as a chargeable assignment process. Also, the above negative allowable number of printed sheets is an example of the un-purchased printing amount and the first printing amount.

[0045] FIG. 8 is an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel 340 of the mobile terminal 300 during the chargeable assignment process in the example of the present embodiment. When the user performs a predetermined operation to start the charge process to the printer 200 on the mobile terminal 300 after the above-described exceptional use and before the printing locked state is reached, the initial screen 340B for the chargeable assignment process shown in FIG. 8(a) is displayed.

[0046] On the initial screen 340B for the possible charge process, in addition to the plan selection buttons 341, 342, 343 displayed in the case of the above normal charge process, the text information 344 of the total amount, and the charge button 345, a dedicated charge button 346 for appropriation charge is further displayed as a new option at the uppermost position. This appropriation charge button 346 is a dedicated option that only performs the appropriation charge process for the above billing appropriation, and a limit condition display button 346a is displayed so as to be pressable at the upper right thereof. The appropriation charge button 346 is displayed at a more prominent position (above in this embodiment) than the plan selection buttons 341, 342, 343. The appropriation charge button 346 may be displayed prominently in a manner different from the plan selection buttons 341, 342, 343. For example, the appropriation charge button 346 may be displayed in a prominent color for the entire button or the frame of the button. In addition, the appropriation charge button 346 may be displayed as the largest, may be displayed in a different shape, or may be displayed with a prominent mark added thereto.

[0047] On the appropriation charge button 346, the text information of "deficiency appropriation charge" corresponding to the meaning of billing appropriation, the absolute value notation ( "35 sheets" in the illustrated example) of the negative allowable number of printed sheets 346b at that time, and the charge amount 346c required for the billing appropriation ( "￥**" in the illustrated example) are displayed. In the example of this embodiment, the charge amount 346c required for this billing appropriation is calculated at a relatively high printing unit price compared to the charge amounts in the charge purchases in other normal charge processes (the charge amounts of the other plan selection buttons 341, 342, 343 in the illustrated example).

[0048] On the initial screen 340B of this chargeable charge process, when operating to execute only the charge appropriation to eliminate the shortage of the allowable negative number of printed sheets, as shown in the figure, only press the appropriation charge button 346. As a result, as shown in the transition screen 340C of FIG. 8(b), the display of the appropriation charge button 346 changes, and the screen transitions so that the charge amount 346c required for this charge appropriation is displayed as the total amount 344 as it is. By pressing the charge button 345 in this state, the chargeable charge process is executed.

[0049] Also, when the limit condition display button 346a of the appropriation charge button 346 is pressed, as shown in the limit condition display screen 340D of FIG. 9, a message related to the content and relationship of the two limit conditions is displayed. In the illustrated example, there is a description explaining the necessity of performing charge appropriation by exceptional use, specific information on each limit condition of the payment deadline and the negative limit of the allowable number of printed sheets, and a description warning the execution of print lock when deviating from these limit conditions. Note that the process of displaying the above limit condition display screen 340D on the touch panel 340 is an example of the limit condition display process, and the print lock is an example of the function limit.

[0050] Also, in the example of this embodiment, in the chargeable charge process before print lock, as shown in FIG. 10, it is also possible to execute a charge and purchase linked charge process that links charge appropriation and charge purchase. This is a charge process performed for the purpose of avoiding the complexity of separately performing charge appropriation to eliminate the shortage of the allowable negative number of printed sheets and charge purchase to increase the allowable number of printed sheets by a positive amount. That is, by selecting the plan selection buttons 342, 343 for the charge number A that is larger than the absolute value of the allowable negative number of printed sheets, the charge number A is consumed preferentially for the charge appropriation to eliminate the allowable negative number of printed sheets, and a new positive allowable number of printed sheets is charged and purchased by the difference in the number of sheets.

[0051] FIG. 11 is an example of an operation screen when performing the operation of the above-mentioned charge-linked charge process during the charge process that can be applied in the example of this embodiment. In the initial screen 340E shown in FIG. 11(a), the plan selection button 341 with a charge number (5 sheets) smaller than the absolute value of the allowable negative print number (35 sheets) at that time is inoperable in a so-called grayed-out display. When the plan selection button 342 with a charge number of 50 sheets is pressed on this initial screen 340E, as shown in the transition screen 340F in FIG. 11(b), the display of the charge button 346 is also automatically changed to a selected state (referred to as a selected state, the same hereinafter) together with the plan selection button 342. And in the plan selection button 342, the description is converted to purchase and charge by the number of sheets obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the allowable negative print number (35 sheets) from the original charge number (50 sheets) (15 sheets). That is, during the charge process that can be applied, when only the charge operation of the billing purchase is performed, the charge process is linked so that the billing application takes precedence. Also, the above-mentioned high printing unit price is applied to the calculation of the charge amount in the billing application at this time, and the normal printing unit price is applied to the calculation of the charge amount in the billing purchase.

[0052] Note that the above appropriation charge button 346 is an example of the first option, the process of displaying this appropriation charge button 346 on the touch panel 340 is an example of the first display process, the charge amounts (50 sheets, 200 sheets) described on the plan selection buttons 342 and 343 on the initial screen 340E are examples of the second print volume, the plan selection buttons 342 and 343 on the initial screen 340E are examples of the second option, the process of displaying these plan selection buttons 342 and 343 on the touch panel 340 is an example of the second display process, the charge amount (15 sheets) described on the plan selection button 342 selected by the user on the transition screen 340F is an example of the third print volume, the plan selection button 342 selected by the user on the transition screen 340F is an example of the third option, and the process of displaying the selected plan selection button 342 in this selected state on the touch panel 340 is an example of the third display process. The charge amount of the appropriation charge button 346 is an example of the first price, and the charge amounts of the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 are examples of the second price.

[0053] <Required Appropriation Charge Process> As described above, for the available appropriation charge process that is performed before entering the print lock state within two limit conditions, the charge process that is performed after deviating from at least one of the limit conditions and entering the print lock state is specifically referred to as the required appropriation charge process. In this required appropriation charge process, as shown in FIG. 12, charge appropriation is first forcibly selected, and then charge purchase can be individually selected.

[0054] FIG. 13 is an example of an operation screen when performing the operation of the above-mentioned appropriation / purchase individual charge process during the mandatory appropriation charge process of the example of this embodiment. In the initial screen 340G shown in FIG. 13(a), the display of the appropriation charge button 346 is in a selected state from the beginning. Although not particularly shown, it is also possible to execute only the charge process of charge appropriation by immediately pressing the charge button 345 on this initial screen 340G. However, when the plan selection button 342 with 50 charge sheets is further pressed on this initial screen 340G, as shown in the transition screen 340H in FIG. 13(b), the display of the plan selection button 342 also changes to a selected state accordingly. That is, in this mandatory appropriation charge process, after charge appropriation is forcibly selected, charge purchase can be individually selected and operated without further linked change in the number of charge sheets. Also, in the calculation of the charge amount for charge appropriation at this time, the above-mentioned high-cost printing unit price is applied.

[0055] In addition, in this required allocating charge process, the limit condition display button 346d located at the upper right of the allocating charge button 346 is displayed in a more noticeable manner, such as in red. When this required allocating charge process is being performed, if at least one of the limit conditions is violated and the limit condition display button 346d is pressed, a message related to the limit condition that could not be satisfied at that time is displayed. For example, in a situation where the payment deadline has passed, as shown in the limit condition display screen 340I in FIG. 14(a), from the top, there are displayed a description explaining the need to make an allocating charge by exception use, information that the payment deadline has passed (0 days remaining), and an explanation that the printing has already been locked due to the payment deadline, and that encourages an allocating charge to release the lock. Also, for example, in a situation where the allowable number of printed sheets has reached the negative limit, as shown in the limit condition display screen 340J in Fig. 14(b), from the top, there are displayed a description explaining the need to make an appropriate charge by exceptional use, information indicating that the allowable number of printed sheets has reached the negative limit (0 sheets remaining), and an explanation that the print lock state has already occurred due to the allowable number of printed sheets reaching the negative limit, and an explanation encouraging an appropriate charge to release the state. Also, if both limit conditions are violated, such as the allowable number of printed sheets reaching the negative limit first and the payment deadline passing, an explanation may be displayed, not shown, that the print lock state has occurred based on both limit conditions, and that encouraging an appropriate charge to release the state.

[0056] In the above, the allocated charge process in which the allocated charge button 346 is displayed in a selected state regardless of whether the user manually or automatically selects is an example of an unpurchased printing volume resolving process, the plan selection button 342 selected by the user on the transition screen 340H is an example of a fourth option, the charge number (50 sheets) of the plan selection button 342 is an example of a fourth printing volume, and the process of displaying the plan selection button 342 on the touch panel 340 is an example of a fourth display process.

[0057] <Control procedure> To implement the above processing in this embodiment, an example of the control procedure executed by the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15. When the user performs an operation to start the charging process on the mobile terminal 300, the flow of FIG. 15 starts.

[0058] First, in step S5, various necessary information such as the total number of printed sheets, the total printable number of sheets, the allowable number of printed sheets (plus and minus), and user history information corresponding to the printer 200 to be charged is acquired from the management server 100, or from the management server 100 and the printer 200. The negative allowable number of printed sheets is the number of un-purchased printed sheets.

[0059] Proceed to step S10, and based on the various pieces of information acquired above, determine whether the allowable number of printed sheets is 0 or more. In other words, determine whether the printer 200 is in a normal use state or an exceptional use state at that time. If the allowable number of printed sheets is 0 or more, the determination is satisfied (S10: YES), and the normal charging process is executed in step S15, and then this flow ends.

[0060] On the other hand, if the allowable number of printed sheets is a negative value less than 0 (<0) in step S10 above, the determination is not satisfied (S10: NO), and the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, based on the various pieces of information above, determine whether there is a margin without deviating from any of the above two limit conditions. If there is a margin in both limit conditions, the determination is satisfied (S20: YES), and the chargeable charging process is executed in step S25, and then this flow ends.

[0061] On the other hand, if either one of the two limit conditions is violated in step S20 above, the determination is not satisfied (S20: NO), and the mandatory charging process is executed in step S30, and then this flow ends. Note that in the above, step S5 is an example of the allowable print quantity acquisition process and the un-purchased print quantity acquisition process.

[0062] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, in the mobile terminal 300 included in the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment, when the allowable number of printed sheets acquired in step S5 is insufficient with respect to the number of printed sheets for which execution is instructed to the printer 200, when the printing execution by the printer 200 is completed with the user leaving the number of printed sheets un-purchased, the allowable number of printed sheets, which is the upper limit value of printability, becomes negative. In step S5, the un-purchased number of printed sheets is also acquired.

[0063] Thereafter, on the touch panel 340, a charge appropriation button 346 is displayed, and the un-purchased number of printed sheets is indicated on the charge appropriation button 346. When the charge appropriation button 346 is selected by the user and an additional financial burden is imposed, a charge appropriation process corresponding to the charge appropriation button 346 is performed, thereby eliminating the shortage of the un-purchased number of printed sheets. That is, by increasing the allowable number of printed sheets by executing the charge and making up for the shortage, in other words, it can be appropriated to fill the aforementioned negative amount. As a result, when the user increases the allowable number of printed sheets by the charge made by himself / herself, the user can know which part of it is appropriated to fill the negative amount of the allowable number of printed sheets. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it becomes easier for the user to grasp what the final allowable number of printed sheets is after the charge.

[0064] Also, in particular, in the present embodiment, plan selection buttons 342 and 343 are displayed on the touch panel 340. Values larger than the absolute value of the negative allowable number of printed sheets at that time, in other words, values exceeding the shortage of the aforementioned allowable number of printed sheets, are indicated as the charge amount on these plan selection buttons 342 and 343. The user can execute the charge by selecting the plan selection buttons 342 and 343 and imposing an additional financial burden, and at that time, the additional financial burden is divided into two parts and appropriated to increase the aforementioned allowable number of printed sheets.

[0065] Among the financial burdens borne by the user, the portion corresponding to the negative allowable number of prints, i.e., the shortage, is used to eliminate the negative allowable number of prints, in other words, to cover the negative portion of the allowable number of prints.

[0066] Among the financial burdens borne by the user, the remaining portion, i.e., the number of prints corresponding to the difference obtained by subtracting the negative allowable number of prints from the recharge numbers of the plan selection buttons 342 and 343, is used to purchase the allowable number of prints using the difference, in other words, to further increase the allowable number of prints from 0 to a new desired positive value.

[0067] According to this embodiment, since the final allowable number of prints after recharge is the value of the portion corresponding to the difference, it becomes easier for the user to grasp how many the final allowable number of prints is.

[0068] Also, in this embodiment in particular, when the plan selection button 342 is selected by the user in the available recharge process, the recharge button 346 and the plan selection button 342 are converted and displayed in a state where they are operated in conjunction with each other. The recharge button 346 is marked with the recharge number, which is the shortage of the aforementioned allowable number of prints, and the plan selection button 342 is marked with the positive recharge number when the allowable number of prints newly increases from 0. Thereby, the user can clearly grasp how many final allowable number of prints remain by looking at the display of the plan selection button 342.

[0069] Also, in this embodiment in particular, in the mandatory recharge process, the plan selection button 342, which is operated by the user when accepting the additional financial burden, is displayed on the transition screen 340H together with the recharge button 346. The user can execute the recharge by operating the plan selection button 342. At this time, the additional financial burden not only compensates for the shortage of the negative allowable number of prints, but also further increases the allowable number of prints beyond the shortage.

[0070] That is, in the mandatory charge assignment process, among the user's financial burdens, it is assigned to compensate for the negative amount of the allowable print quantity corresponding to the number of charge sheets described on the charge assignment button 346. Further, in correspondence with the selection of the plan selection button 342, among the user's financial burdens, the remaining portion, the portion corresponding to the number of charge sheets described on the plan selection button 342, is used to purchase the allowable print quantity using the number of charge sheets, that is, to increase the allowable print quantity from 0 to an appropriate positive value.

[0071] According to the present embodiment, when the user executes the mandatory charge assignment process, both compensating for the negative amount of the allowable print quantity and increasing the allowable print quantity from 0 to a positive value can be executed individually.

[0072] Also, in particular in this embodiment, when the initial screen 340G in the mandatory charge assignment process is displayed, the charge assignment button 346 is displayed in a state where it is forcibly selected. That is, when selecting the plan selection button 342 in the mandatory charge assignment process, the charge assignment button 346 is already in a selected state, and it is not possible to select the plan selection button 342 while the charge assignment button 346 remains unselected.

[0073] According to the present embodiment, when the user executes a charge, not only can the negative amount of the allowable print quantity be compensated, but also the allowable print quantity can be increased from 0 to a positive value.

[0074] Also, in particular in this embodiment, regarding the portion of the user's financial burden that is to be borne retrospectively for the unprinted portion that was printed without purchase, it is set to the charge price calculated based on the high print unit price. However, for the other portions, the print unit price is set at a charge price that is not so high. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user that it is a print with an insufficient charge, and to take into consideration not to cause an undue disadvantage to the user.

[0075] In particular, in the present embodiment, the charging button 346 for which the negative allowable number of printed sheets representing the shortage value is indicated as the number of charges is displayed above the other plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 so as to be more prominent. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to surely know how much of the increased allowable number of printed sheets is used to fill the negative portion. According to the present embodiment, it becomes easier for the user to surely grasp the final allowable number of printed sheets after charging.

[0076] In addition, it is also desirable to display the charging button 346 in a manner such as a different shape or color from the other plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343. As a result, when the allowable number of printed sheets is increased by the charging operation performed by the user, it is possible to surely and visually clarify how much of that increase is used to fill the negative portion of the allowable number of printed sheets. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the final allowable number of printed sheets after charging.

[0077] In particular, in the present embodiment, based on the display content on the limit condition display screen 340D, it is possible to alert the user that an additional financial burden should be executed within a predetermined limit condition, for example, within a predetermined period or within a range of a predetermined number of printed sheets.

[0078] In particular, in the present embodiment, a warning is displayed that a printing lock will be imposed on the printer 200 when the limit condition displayed on the limit condition display screen 340D is violated. Based on the content of the warning display, it is possible to warn the user that the function of the printer 200 will be restricted if an additional financial burden is not executed within a predetermined limit condition.

[0079] Further, in particular in this embodiment, when the limit conditions are violated, it is displayed on the limit condition display screens 340I and 340J that a print lock is imposed on the printer 200. According to this embodiment, the display content on the limit condition display screens 340I and 340J can visually notify the user that the functions of the printer 200 are restricted because no additional financial burden has been incurred within the predetermined limit conditions.

[0080] <Modification Example> Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical idea thereof. Hereinafter, such modification examples will be described in sequence.

[0081] (1) When performing charge appropriation and charge purchase separately in the charge appropriation available process In the above embodiment, when the plan selection buttons 342 and 343 with a charge number greater than the allowable negative print number are selected in the charge appropriation available process, charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed in conjunction. In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 16, charge appropriation with the same charge number B as the allowable negative print number at that time and charge purchase with the charge number A may be performed separately.

[0082] As described above, in the applicable recharge process, since there is still a margin for any of the limit conditions, it is not necessarily required to complete the charge application at that time. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the charge application and the charge purchase may be performed separately. Although not particularly shown in the figure, the number of recharge sheets for the charge application is not limited to the same number B as the allowable negative printing sheets, and only the charge purchase may be performed without performing the charge application. For this reason, on the initial screen 340K shown in Fig. 17(a), all the buttons, i.e., the recharge button 346 for application and the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343, are displayed in an unselected state and can be independently selected. Then, as in the example shown in the figure, by individually pressing the recharge button 346 for application and the plan selection button 342, only these two buttons 342 and 346 can be displayed in a selected state as shown in the transition screen 340L of Fig. 17(b). At this time, the number of recharge sheets for the plan selection button 342 remains the original number without being interlocked and converted. Although not particularly shown in the figure, only the recharge button 346 for application may be pressed from the initial screen 340K to perform only the charge application, or any one or more of the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 may be pressed from the initial screen 340K to perform only the charge purchase.

[0083] In the above-described modification example, the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 and the recharge button 346 for application can be independently selected from each other. That is, the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 can be selected individually without operating the recharge button 346 for application. If the user only wants to make up for the negative amount of the allowable printing sheets for the time being, only the recharge button 346 for application needs to be operated. When the user wants to increase not only the negative amount but also the allowable printing sheets to an appropriate positive value, only the plan selection buttons 342 and 343 need to be operated. According to this modification example, flexible convenience according to the user's wishes can be ensured.

[0084] In the above-described embodiments and each modification example, the plan selection buttons 341, 342, 343 and the appropriation charge button 346 displayed on the touch panel 340 are used as the selection operation targets during the charging operation. In addition, although not particularly illustrated, for example, if each charging process can be individually selected so that the contents of each charging process are displayed in a list format and selected by an identification number or the like corresponding to each process, other modes of operation may be used. Also, although not particularly illustrated, in the above-described normal charging process, appropriation-enabled charging process, etc., the user may input an arbitrary number of sheets and perform charge appropriation or charge purchase. In that case, an appropriate printing unit price may be applied to each input number of sheets to calculate the charge amount.

[0085] Also, in the above-described embodiments and each modification example, the mobile terminal 300 operates as an allowable print quantity management device, but other devices may operate as the allowable print quantity management device. For example, the management server 100 or the printer 200 may operate as the allowable print quantity management device. In this case, the management server 100 or the printer 200 is configured to supply corresponding page information according to the user's operation so that display and operation can be received via a browser installed on the mobile terminal or other terminals.

[0086] Also, in the above embodiment, two parameters, the total printable number of sheets and the total printed number of sheets, are provided, and the difference therebetween is treated as the allowable number of printed sheets, and the negative portion of the allowable number of printed sheets is set as the un-purchased number of printed sheets. However, a configuration may be adopted in which simply the allowable number of printed sheets and the un-purchased number of printed sheets are provided and counted separately.

[0087] Also, in the above, the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 does not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the flowchart, and procedures may be added, deleted, or the order may be changed within a range not departing from the gist and technical idea of the invention.

[0088] Also, in addition to what has been already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and each modification example may be appropriately combined and used.

[0089] Although not exemplified one by one, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications made within the scope not departing from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Signs

[0090] 1 Printing service providing system 100 Management server 200 Printer (an example of a printing device) 210 Processor 240 Display unit 250 Operation unit 270 Communication interface (an example of a communication unit) 300 Mobile terminal (an example of an allowable printing amount management device) 310 CPU (an example of a control unit) 340 Touch panel (an example of a display unit) 341~343 Plan selection buttons (an example of a second option, a third option, and a fourth option) 346 Appropriation charge button (an example of a first option) 400 Transaction server NT Network

Claims

1. An allowable print quantity management device for managing the allowable print quantity of a printing device, The printing device is configured to be able to execute printing with the allowable print quantity as an upper limit, and the allowable print quantity of the printing device increases according to a predetermined guaranteed print quantity guaranteed by a purchased print right purchased due to a user's financial burden, and decreases according to the print quantity for which the printing has been executed, The allowable print quantity management device includes a control unit, and the control unit, An allowable print quantity increase process for increasing the allowable print quantity of the printing device, An allowable print quantity acquisition process for acquiring the allowable print quantity decreased by the execution of printing by the printing device, An un-purchased print quantity acquisition process for acquiring an un-purchased print quantity for which printing has been executed while the printing device is in a state where the allowable print quantity is insufficient, A first display process for causing a display unit to display a first option in which a first print quantity corresponding to the un-purchased print quantity is indicated, An un-purchased print quantity elimination process for eliminating the un-purchased print quantity in response to the first option displayed in the first display process being selected and an additional financial burden being imposed on the user, An allowable print quantity management device configured to execute the above.

2. The control unit further, Is configured to execute a second display process for displaying a second option in which a second print quantity larger than the first print quantity is indicated on the display unit together with the first option, The control unit is configured to execute the un-purchased print quantity elimination process for the first print quantity in response to the second option displayed in the second display process being selected and an additional financial burden being imposed on the user, and execute the allowable print quantity increase process for a third print quantity obtained by subtracting the first print quantity from the second print quantity. The allowable print quantity management device according to Claim 1.

3. The control unit further, When the second option displayed on the display unit is selected, a third display process is executed to convert to a state where both the first option and the third option indicating the third printing amount are selected and display them on the display unit. The allowable printing amount management device according to claim 2, configured as described above.

4. The control unit further is configured to execute a fourth display process of displaying a fourth option indicating a fourth printing amount on the display unit together with the first option. The control unit When both the first option displayed in the first display process and the fourth option displayed in the fourth display process are selected and the user has an additional financial burden, the un-purchased printing amount elimination process is executed for the first printing amount, and the allowable printing amount increase process is executed for the fourth printing amount. The allowable printing amount management device according to claim 1, configured as described above.

5. The allowable printing amount management device according to claim 4, wherein in the first display process, the first option is displayed on the display unit in a selected state.

6. The control unit sets the printing unit price of the printing amount for which the allowable printing amount increase process is executed at a second price, and sets the additional financial burden at a first price higher than the second price for the printing unit price of the printing amount for which the un-purchased printing amount elimination process is executed. The allowable printing amount management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, configured as described above.

7. The control unit displays the first option above other options. The allowable printing amount management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, configured as described above.

8. The control unit displays the first option in a manner different from other options. The allowable print quantity management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, which is configured as described above.

9. The control unit further executes limit condition display processing for displaying, on the display unit, limit conditions related to the execution of the additional financial burden with respect to the first print quantity. The allowable print quantity management device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above.

10. The control unit performs a warning display of a function limitation imposed on the printing device when deviating from the limit conditions displayed in the limit condition display processing. The allowable print quantity management device according to claim 9, which is configured as described above.

11. The control unit further displays, on the display unit, that the limit conditions have been deviated from and a predetermined function limitation has been imposed on the printing device. The allowable print quantity management device according to claim 10, which is configured as described above.

12. The control unit displays the second option independently selectably on the display unit in a state where the first option is not selected. The allowable print quantity management device according to claim 2, which is configured as described above.

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