Information processing device

Abstract

To improve convenience by making it possible to increase an allowable printing volume even if information transmission and reception between a printing device and a server becomes impossible.SOLUTION: A CPU 310 of a mobile terminal 300 is configured to execute steps S35 and S40 of determining whether or not information transmission and reception is possible between a printer 200 and a management server 100, and steps S230 and S330 of transmitting an increase instruction to increase an allowable number of sheets to be printed to the printer 200 via a communication control unit 330 if it is determined that information transmission and reception is impossible, and the allowable number of sheets to be printed is insufficient. The printer 200 is configured to be able to increase the allowable number of sheets to be printed in response to receiving an increase instruction from the management server 100, and to be able to increase the allowable number of sheets to be printed in response to receiving the increase instruction from the mobile terminal 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that manages the number of prints for a printing apparatus that enables printing by purchasing a printing right by a user.

Background Art

[0002] There is already known a system in which a server adds a guaranteed number of prints corresponding to a printing right purchased based on a manual operation of a user to an allowable number of prints of a printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus executes printing with the added allowable number of prints as an upper limit. In such a system, conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, even when a printing instruction for a number of prints exceeding the allowable number of prints is given and a shortage of the allowable number of prints occurs, a technique has been known in which printing can be exceptionally performed within a predetermined range according to the usage record of the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, when the allowable number of prints becomes zero, the printing apparatus can continue printing within a predetermined range based on the control of the server without the user newly purchasing a printing right. However, in the above prior art, for example, when the printing apparatus becomes offline or some trouble occurs in the server and information transmission and reception between the printing apparatus and the server become impossible, the processing in such a case is not considered.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can increase the allowable number of prints and improve convenience even when information transmission and reception between a printing apparatus and a server become impossible.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the present application is configured to be able to execute printing with the allowable printing amount as the upper limit, and the allowable printing amount can be increased based on a first increase instruction from the server according to the guaranteed printing amount guaranteed by the printing right purchased, and the allowable printing amount is configured to decrease according to the printing amount for which printing has been executed, and has a communication unit capable of communicating with a printing device, and a control unit, and is an information processing device that manages the printing amount of the printing device, wherein the control unit executes a transmission / reception determination process for determining whether information transmission / reception between the printing device and the server is possible, and when it is determined in the transmission / reception determination process that information transmission / reception is impossible and the allowable printing amount is insufficient, an increase instruction transmission process for transmitting a second increase instruction for increasing the allowable printing amount to the printing device via the communication unit is executed, and the printing device is configured to be able to increase the allowable printing amount in response to reception of the first increase instruction from the server and to be able to increase the allowable printing amount in response to reception of the second increase instruction from the information processing device.

[0007] In the information processing device of the invention of the present application, a transmission / reception determination process is executed by the control unit to determine whether information transmission / reception between the printing device and the server is possible. When it is determined that information transmission / reception is impossible and the allowable printing amount is insufficient, an increase instruction transmission process is executed by the control unit, and a second increase instruction for increasing the allowable printing amount is transmitted to the printing device via the communication unit. As a result, even when information transmission / reception between the printing device and the server cannot be performed and new printing rights cannot be purchased, the allowable printing amount of the printing device can be increased, and printing by the printing device can be executed with the increased allowable printing amount as the upper limit. According to the invention of the present application, even when information transmission / reception between the printing device and the server becomes impossible, the allowable printing amount can be increased, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, even when information transmission / reception between the printing device and the server becomes impossible, the allowable printing amount can be increased to improve convenience.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Overview of Printing Service Provision System> An example of the system configuration of a printing service provision system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The printing service provision system 1 provides a prepaid printing service in which a user who is a customer pays a fee in advance and uses the printing function of the printer 200. In FIG. 1, the printing 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 management server 100 is an example of a server, the printer 200 is an example of a printing device, and the mobile terminal 300 is an example of an information processing device.

[0012] <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.

[0013] The storage device 115 includes a volatile storage device 120 and a non-volatile storage device 130. The volatile storage device 120 is, for example, a DRAM and stores various programs and data to be processed. The non-volatile storage device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and has a program storage area 131 and a data storage area 132.

[0014] Various programs are stored in the program memory area 131. The various programs include the program related to the prepaid printing service. Various information about the users who have contracted the prepaid printing service and the printers 200 in use is stored in the data memory area 132.

[0015] The processor 110 is a device for performing data processing, such as a CPU, and executes various programs including the program related to the prepaid printing service stored in the program memory 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] Note that the storage device 115 is not limited to the configuration of the above-described device elements. For example, it may be configured by 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 recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs in addition to the above examples. Also, non-transitory media are tangible media. The same applies to the storage device 215 of the printer 200 described later.

[0018] <Printer> The printer 200 is owned by, for example, 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.

[0019] 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 are stored in the program storage area 232, for example, as 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, which will be described later with respect to 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 in FIGS. 4, 6, and 8 described later.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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 to the printer 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication interface 270 is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT and the mobile terminal 300.

[0022] 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, and 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 particularly shown) in response to a printing job transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 or a printing job generated by itself based on an operation at the operation unit 250.

[0023] <Mobile terminal> FIG. 2 shows an example of the system configuration of the mobile terminal 300. 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 and the printer 200 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 and the printer 200 via wireless communication, a touch panel 340, and a mass storage device 350.

[0024] The mass storage device 350 is, for example, a flash memory, and includes a program storage area 351 and a data storage area 352. Programs based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 12 described later 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 also executes various processes including data communication with the printer 200 connected via wireless communication such as Wi-fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example. In the data storage area 352, a user ID or the like for identifying the user corresponding to the mobile terminal 300, which is issued based on the above program or the above printing service, is stored. Note that the CPU 310 and the program stored in the program storage area 351 are an example of a control unit, and the communication control unit 330 is an example of a communication unit.

[0025] 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 accept 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 and an operation unit.

[0026] 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.

[0027] <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).

[0028] <Prepaid printing service during normal use> FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the prepaid printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment during normal use.

[0029] The printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 in the present embodiment is a prepaid printing service. The prepaid printing service is a service in which the number of charge sheets guaranteed by the printing right purchased by the user in advance by a purchase request based on charging is added to the allowable printing number of each printer 200 as the target, and printing processing in the printer 200 can be executed with the allowable printing number as the upper limit.

[0030] The addition of the charged number of sheets to the allowable number of printable sheets is executed, for example, by the processor 110 of the management server 100, by updating the allowable number of printable sheets 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 printable sheets separately stored in the data storage area 233 thereof.

[0031] And each time printing is executed on the printer 200 side, the processor 210 decreases the value of the allowable number of printable sheets in the data storage area 233 by the number of printed sheets, and transmits it to the management server 100 via the network NT at regular timing, for example, and the allowable number of printable sheets in the data storage area 132 is synchronously updated.

[0032] In the prepaid printing service described above, when the printer 200 completes the printing process based on the allowable number of printable sheets, and the allowable number of printable sheets, which is the upper limit value of printable sheets, becomes zero or decreases, the user performs a charge by a new purchase procedure. As a result, the purchased charged number of sheets is added and the allowable number of printable sheets increases, and printing can be continued.

[0033] In the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment, as the purchase form of the printing right, first, the purchase of the printing right based on the purchase request of the user is executable. The purchase of the printing right based on the purchase request of the user is executed when a purchase application for the printing right is transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 to the management server 100 according to the operation of the user and is 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 numbers of sheets and purchase amounts, such as 50 sheets of charge = 500 yen, 100 sheets = 900 yen, 250 sheets = 2000 yen, etc., and purchases the corresponding printing right. And the specific electronic settlement process at the time of this purchase is performed by the transaction server 400 in cooperation with the management server 100.

[0034] Here, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of specific parameter processing executed inside the printer 200 for the prepaid printing service described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), in the printer 200, parameters of the total number of printed sheets M and the total number of printable sheets N are stored in the data storage area 233. The total number of printed sheets M 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 it is an important parameter for management as the absolute usage amount of the printer 200 by the user. The total number of printable sheets N is a parameter representing the total cumulative number of charged sheets actually purchased by the user of the printer 200 from the start of the contract and use of the prepaid printing service.

[0035] And the difference between these total number of printed sheets M and the total number of printable sheets N corresponds to the above-mentioned allowable number of printed sheets, and the user can continue printing as long as the value of this allowable number of printed sheets does not become zero. Also, a parameter of the margin threshold Th is separately set at a relatively low predetermined fixed value. As the total number of printed sheets M increases due to the use of the printer 200, when the total number of printed sheets M reaches the number of sheets obtained by subtracting the margin threshold Th from the total number of printable sheets N at that time, in other words, when the allowable number of printed sheets (N - M) becomes smaller than the margin threshold Th, the processor 210 of the printer 200 notifies the user to prompt a new charging amount. However, here it only notifies the necessity of the charging amount, and printing itself is possible until the allowable number of printed sheets becomes 0.

[0036] On the other hand, when the user is charged under a charging plan for purchasing the charged number of sheets A, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the charged number of sheets A is added to the original total number of printable sheets N to update it as the new total number of printable sheets N, and a new allowable number of printed sheets is calculated based on the difference between the total number of printed sheets M at that time.

[0037] Note that the above allowable number of printed sheets is an example of the allowable printing amount, and the allowable number of printed sheets separately stored in the printer 200 should also increase and be updated so as to synchronize with the allowable number of printable sheets added by the charging on the management server 100 during normal use. The instruction output from the management server 100 is an example of the first increase instruction.

[0038] <Prepaid printing service when server communication is unavailable> However, in the above prepaid printing service, in order to properly perform the charging management on the management server 100 according to the usage status of the printer 200, it is a prerequisite to ensure a normal information transmission / reception enabled state between the printer 200 and the management server 100. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, when the printer 200 becomes offline due to a failure in the network NT or the like, or when some functional failure occurs in the management server 100 and the server goes down, the user cannot purchase a new printing right and cannot increase the allowable printing amount of the printer 200. For this reason, there are problems such as that when the allowable printing amount becomes zero during printing, the printing cannot be continued, or when the remaining allowable printing amount before printing is small, printing scheduled for a larger number of printed sheets cannot be executed.

[0039] In contrast, in this embodiment, when the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 determines that information transmission / reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 is impossible and the allowable number of printed sheets is insufficient, the allowable number of printed sheets is increased. In this case, the charging by cooperation with the management server 100 or the transaction server 400 is omitted, and the mobile terminal 300 internally processes to increase the allowable number of printed sheets with a temporary charge number, and synchronizes the allowable number of printed sheets with the printer 200. Then, after temporarily increasing the allowable number of printed sheets, when the printer 200 is determined to be able to transmit / receive information with the management server 100, a request for charging the user corresponding to the increase in the allowable number of printed sheets by the above temporary charge is transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 to the management server 100.

[0040] Regarding the mobile terminal 300, regardless of whether the above offline state or server down state occurs, the information transmission / reception state with the printer 200 can always be maintained via wireless communication such as the aforementioned Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Then, at a predetermined timing such as when the user instructs a charge, the mobile terminal 300 requests the printer 200 to check the connection status, and the received printer 200 itself checks the connection status with the management server 100. As a result, when the mobile terminal 300 receives a connection error response from the printer 200, it can recognize that the above server communication failure state has occurred.

[0041] Also, regarding the temporary increase process of the allowable number of printed sheets when the server communication fails as described above, although a claim for that is made retrospectively, it is ultimately a process that incurs costs. Therefore, it is desirable to notify the user of the occurrence of such a server communication failure state and the necessity of the temporary increase process of the allowable number of printed sheets, and to confirm whether to execute the process accompanied by retrospective billing.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows the content of specific parameter processing when increasing the allowable number of printed sheets inside the printer 200 under the management and instruction of the mobile terminal 300 so that printing can continue even when server communication is unavailable. In FIG. 6, the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 acquires the total printable number N and the total printed number M from the printer 200 at a predetermined timing or time interval. When the allowable number of printed sheets (N - M) becomes smaller than the margin threshold Th, the normal purchase billing procedure is omitted, and a temporary charge number a set separately in advance to the original total printable number N is added to update it as the new total printable number N. Then, by calculating the difference between the updated total printable number N and the total printed number M at that time, the allowable number of printed sheets increases (see "Allowable number of printed sheets (= (total printable number N + temporary charge number a) - total printed number M)" in FIG. 5). That is, this is equivalent to increasing the allowable number of printed sheets by adding the allowable number of printed sheets that have not been purchased to the allowable number of printed sheets by purchase. This increase process of the allowable number of printed sheets is repeatedly executed internally in the mobile terminal 300 each time the allowable number of printed sheets (N - M) becomes smaller than the margin threshold Th while the server communication unavailable state continues, an instruction is given to the printer 200, and the number of execution times is stored.

[0043] When returning to the server communication available state, as shown in FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 300 requests the management server 100 to bill the user for the cumulative temporary charge number, that is, the cumulative charge number corresponding to the product of the temporary charge number a for one time and the number of execution times of the above increase process. Thereby, the management server 100 can grasp the cumulative temporary charge number independently added on the mobile terminal 300 and printer 200 sides during the server communication unavailable time, that is, the allowable number of printed sheets that have not been purchased yet, and can bill the user retroactively with the corresponding amount. It is desirable to set a certain upper limit for the above cumulative temporary charge number and the number of execution times of the increase process. After the retroactive billing is executed, it returns to the prepaid printing service during normal use shown in FIG. 3 above.

[0044] In addition, as the cause of the server communication failure state, if it is due to server downtime, it is highly likely that it is the responsibility of the system operator who manages the management server 100. If it is due to offline, it is more likely to be the responsibility of the user side or the line provider rather than the system operator side. Therefore, in this embodiment, from the perspective of the business model, for the above-mentioned subsequent billing, only in the case of server downtime, the fee is billed at a discounted price with an apology to the user, and no discount such as a discounted price is given in the case of offline.

[0045] In addition, regarding the specific processing content of the increase process of the allowable print count when the server communication fails, it is not limited to the addition of the temporary charge count a to the total printable count N as shown in FIG. 6 above. As shown in FIG. 8, the allowable print count may be temporarily increased by allowing the margin threshold Th of the allowable print count to be a negative value. That is, without updating the total printable count N originally stored in the printer 200, the excess of the increasing total print count M over the total printable count N may be billed later. At this time, both the allowable print count and its margin threshold Th become negative values corresponding to the excess of the total print count M, and are incrementally updated in units of a separately set predetermined temporary charge count b. It is desirable to set the lower limit (the upper limit of the absolute value) for the negative value of the margin threshold Th in this case as well.

[0046] In addition, as the increase process of the allowable print count, the addition process of the temporary charge count a shown in FIG. 6 above and the allowance process of the negative values of the allowable print count and the margin threshold Th shown in FIG. 8 are compatible, and the processing effects obtained as a result are equivalent regardless of which one is selected and executed. Therefore, in the example of this embodiment, when the cause is offline, the allowable print count is increased by the addition process of the temporary charge count a, and when the cause is server downtime, the allowable print count is increased by the allowance process of the negative values of the allowable print count and the margin threshold Th.

[0047] Note that, as described above, the instruction transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 to the printer 200 to increase the allowable number of printed sheets when server communication is impossible is an example of the second increase instruction, and the information received by the mobile terminal 300 as a result of the printer 200 checking the connection status with the management server 100 is an example of the health check information.

[0048] <Control Procedure> To realize the above processing in the present embodiment, an example of the control procedure executed by the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 12. When an application program for using the printing service providing system 1 is started on the mobile terminal 300, the flow of FIG. 9 starts.

[0049] First, in step S5, the value of the flag F is reset to 0. In step S10, the total number of printed sheets M and the total printable number of sheets N at that time are acquired from the printer 200.

[0050] Proceed to step S15 to determine whether the allowable number of printed sheets (N - M) is greater than the margin threshold Th. If the allowable number of printed sheets (N - M) is greater than the margin threshold Th, the determination is satisfied (S15: YES), and proceed to step S20. In step S20, it is determined whether the value of the flag F is 0. The fact that the value of this flag F is 0 indicates that neither the increase in the allowable number of printed sheets based on the offline processing described later nor the increase in the allowable number of printed sheets based on the server down processing has been executed. If F = 0, the determination is satisfied (S20: YES), and return to step S10. In the determination of step S20, if the value of the flag F is other than 0 (S20: No), proceed to step S25 and send a connection confirmation request to the printer 200 to confirm the connection status with the management server 100. Then, proceed to step S105 of FIG. 10 described later (see connector B in the figure).

[0051] In the determination of step S15 above, if the allowable number of printed sheets (N - M) is less than or equal to the margin threshold Th, the determination is not satisfied (S15: NO), and the process proceeds to step S30, where a connection confirmation request is sent to the printer 200 to check the connection status between the management server 100 and the printer 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S35, where based on the response from the printer 200 to the connection confirmation request, it is determined whether the network NT is in an offline state. If it is in an offline state, since the printer 200 cannot transmit and receive information with the management server 100, the allowable number of printed sheets cannot be increased by the user's charging, etc. If it is in an offline state, the determination is satisfied (S35: YES), the offline processing for step S200 (see FIG. 11 described later) is executed, and the process returns to step S10.

[0052] In the determination of step S35 above, if the network NT is in an online state, the determination is not satisfied (S35: NO), and the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, based on the response from the printer 200 to the connection confirmation request, it is determined whether the management server 100 itself is in a server - down state where communication is impossible. The server - down state is detected, for example, when, despite the network NT being in an online state, there is no predetermined response when the printer 200 sends a predetermined signal to the management server 100. If it is in a server - down state, the increase in the allowable number of printed sheets by the user's charging, etc. cannot be performed in the same process as during normal use. If it is in a server - down state, the determination is satisfied (S40: YES), the server - down processing for step S300 (see FIG. 12 described later) is executed, and the process returns to step S10.

[0053] In the determination of step S40, if the management server 100 is in a communicable state, the determination is not satisfied (S40: NO), and the process proceeds to step 50. In step S50, it is determined whether the value of flag F is 0. If the value of flag F is other than 0, the determination is not satisfied (S50: No), and the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG. 10 described later (see connector B in the figure). If F = 0, the determination is satisfied (S50: YES), and the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, it is determined whether a normal charging operation has been input from the user. If no charging operation has been input from the user, the determination is not satisfied (S55: NO), and the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, if a charging operation has been performed, the determination is satisfied (S55: YES), and the process proceeds to step S60. In step S60, it is instructed to increase the allowable number of prints by adding the number of charged prints A to the total printable number N for the management server 100. After sending a corresponding fee billing request to the management server 100 in the next step S65, the process returns to step S10.

[0054] In step S105 of FIG. 10, it is determined whether the value of flag F is 1. Here, it is determined whether the value of flag F is 1 (whether the allowable number of printed sheets has been increased based on the offline processing), or whether the value of flag F is not 1, here 2 (whether the allowable number of printed sheets has been increased based on the server-down processing). If F = 1, the determination is satisfied (S105: YES), and the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, if the offline state is maintained, the process returns to S10 in FIG. 9 (see connector A in the figure), and when it is improved and online, the process proceeds to step S115. Note that the check for online status at this time may be performed by the printer 200 at all times, or may be performed at a predetermined time interval. In step S115, a request for charging corresponding to the cumulative number of temporary charge sheets up to that point (abbreviated as "a cumulative total" in the figure) is transmitted to the management server 100. Also at this time, the restoration of the online state may be displayed on the touch panel 340 of the mobile terminal 300. Then, in the next step S120, the transmission of the charging request in step S115 is repeated until payment within the deadline for the charging is confirmed by the user. When the payment is confirmed, the process returns to step S5 (see connector C in the figure).

[0055] On the other hand, in the determination of step S105, if the value of flag F is F = 2 other than 1, the determination is not satisfied (S105: NO), and the process proceeds to step S130. In step S130, if the server-down state is maintained, the process returns to S10 in FIG. 9 (see connector A in the figure), and when the management server 100 is restored to the communicable state after improvement, the process proceeds to step S135. Note that the communication state of the management server 100 at this time may be constantly checked by the printer 200, or may be checked at a predetermined time interval. In step S135, a request for charging corresponding to the cumulative number of temporary charges up to that point (abbreviated as "cumulative b" in the figure) is transmitted to the management server 100. Also at this time, the restoration of the management server 100 may be displayed on the touch panel 340 of the mobile terminal 300. Then, in the next step S140, the transmission of the charging request in step S135 is repeated until payment within the due date for the charging is confirmed from the user. When the payment is confirmed, the process returns to step S5 (see connector C in the figure).

[0056] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the control procedure of the offline processing in step S200. In FIG. 11, first, in step S205, it is displayed on the touch panel 340 that the normal charging process cannot be performed because the network NT is in the offline state, and it is also displayed to inquire the user whether a temporary charge by post-billing may be performed as an alternative process. Then, in step S210, it is determined whether there is an operation input for permitting a temporary charge from the user via the touch panel 340. If there is an operation input for not permitting a temporary charge, the determination is not satisfied (S210: NO), and after setting the number of temporary charges a to 0 in step S215, this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if there is an operation input for permitting a temporary charge, the determination is satisfied (S210: YES), and the process proceeds to step S220.

[0057] In step S220, the number of temporary charges a is set to, for example, a relatively small number Psmall compared to the number of charges in a normal charge plan, and in the next step S225, the unit price for the temporary charge is set to the normal price without applying a discount. The processing of steps S220 and S225 is because, since the cause of the server communication failure state is offline, user preferential treatment from the perspective of the business model is considered unnecessary. Next, it proceeds to step S230, and it instructs the printer 200 to increase the allowable number of prints by adding the number of temporary charges a to the total printable number N. Then, in step S235, since it is in an executable state for temporary charges corresponding to the offline state, 1 is substituted into the value of the flag F to indicate that the allowable number of prints has been increased based on the offline processing. Then, this flow ends.

[0058] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the control procedure of the server-down processing of step S300. In this Figure 12, first, in step S305, since the management server 100 is in a server-down state and the normal charging process cannot be performed, it is displayed on the touch panel 340 that this is the case, and at the same time, it is displayed to inquire the user whether a temporary charge by post-billing may be performed as an alternative process. Then, in step S310, it is determined whether there has been an operation input to permit a temporary charge from the user via the touch panel 340. If there has been an operation input not to permit a temporary charge, the determination is not satisfied (S310: NO), and after setting the number of temporary charges b to 0 in step S315, this flow ends. On the other hand, if there has been an operation input to permit a temporary charge, the determination is satisfied (S310: YES), and it proceeds to step S320.

[0059] In step S320, the number of temporary charges b is set to a relatively large number Plarge, for example, larger than the number of charges in a normal charge plan, and in the next step S325, a discounted unit price is set to be applied to the temporary charge. The processing of steps S320 and S325 is because, since the cause of the occurrence of the server communication failure state is server down and there is a high possibility that the system operation side is responsible, user preferential treatment is required from the perspective of the business model. Next, it moves to step S330, and it is instructed to increase the allowable number of prints by subtracting the margin threshold Th for the allowable number of prints from the number of temporary charges b for the printer 200. Here, the margin threshold Th may be a negative value as a result of the subtraction. Then, in step S335, since it is an executable state of the temporary charge corresponding to the server down state, the value of the flag F is substituted with 2 to indicate that the allowable number of prints has been increased based on the server down processing. And then, this flow ends.

[0060] In addition, in the above, step S35 and step S40 are an example of transmission / reception determination processing, step S230 and step S330 are an example of increase instruction transmission processing, step S115 and step S135 are an example of claim request transmission processing, and the processing of transmitting a connection status confirmation request to the printer 200 and receiving its response in each of step S30 and step S25 is an example of health check processing.

[0061] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, in the mobile terminal 300 included in the printing service providing system 1 of the present embodiment, steps S35 and S40 are executed by the CPU 310, and it is determined whether information can be transmitted and received between the printer 200 and the management server 100. When it is determined that information transmission and reception are impossible and the allowable number of printed sheets is insufficient, steps S230 and S330 are executed by the CPU 310, and an increase instruction from the mobile terminal 300 to increase the allowable number of printed sheets is transmitted to the printer 200. As a result, even when information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 cannot be performed and a new printing right purchase charge cannot be made, the allowable number of printed sheets of the printer 200 can be increased, and printing by the printer 200 can be executed with the increased allowable number of printed sheets as the upper limit.

[0062] According to the present embodiment, even when information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 become impossible, the allowable number of printed sheets can be increased, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

[0063] Further, for example, when the printer 200 does not include a user interface that functions as a display unit and an operation unit, the configuration of the present embodiment is particularly useful because the mobile terminal 300 equipped with the touch panel 340 can be used as an alternative user interface for the printer 200.

[0064] Note that when the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 transmits a temporary increase instruction for the allowable number of printed sheets to the printer 200 in each of steps S230 and S330 when server communication is impossible, it may transmit an execution report to the management server 100. In this case, the process of transmitting the execution report is an example of the execution report transmission process.

[0065] When steps S35 and S40 after step S230 and step S330 are executed, even if it is determined that information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 are impossible, there may be a case where information transmission and reception are possible between the mobile terminal 300 and the management server 100 via a separate mobile phone line or the like. In this example, in the process of transmitting the execution report, the execution reports of step S230 and step S330 are transmitted toward the management server 100. Thereby, the management server 100 can quickly know that the transmission process of the increase instruction of the mobile terminal 300 is performed and the increase instruction for increasing the allowable number of printed sheets is transmitted toward the printer 200 without waiting until information transmission and reception with the printer 200 become possible.

[0066] Also, in particular, in this embodiment, while information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 cannot be performed, even if the mobile terminal 300 transmits a request for the financial burden corresponding to the increase in the allowable number of printed sheets to the management server 100, the management server 100 cannot perform various confirmations related to the increase in the allowable number of printed sheets for the printer 200.

[0067] In the mobile terminal 300 of this embodiment, when it is determined in step S35 and step S40 that information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 are possible, steps S115 and S135 are performed by the CPU 310. In steps S115 and S135, a request for charging corresponding to the increase in the allowable number of printed sheets is transmitted toward the management server 100. The management server 100 can request the corresponding financial burden from the user side by performing various confirmations related to the increase in the allowable number of printed sheets for the printer 200.

[0068] Note that instead of directly sending the charge request information corresponding to the increase in the allowable number of prints to the management server 100, the mobile terminal 300 may send it to an external device such as another server (not shown) that can be connected to the management server 100. By executing the process of sending the request information in this way, the charge request information corresponding to the increase instruction of the allowable number of prints from the mobile terminal 300 is sent not to the management server 100 but to another external device that can be connected to the management server 100. As a result, the external device can send the charge request information to the management server 100 at an appropriate timing, so that the mobile terminal 300 is released from the process related to the above charge request and can concentrate on other processes.

[0069] Also, in particular, in the case of an offline state, in response to receiving an increase instruction from the mobile terminal 300, in the printer 200, the temporary charge number a, which is the allowable number of prints not purchased, is added to the allowable number of prints by purchase, thereby increasing the allowable number of prints. The request for charge corresponding to the allowable number of prints not purchased is sent to the management server 100 in step S115 and step S135 executed by the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300.

[0070] According to this embodiment, even when information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 cannot be performed and a new print permission cannot be purchased, the allowable number of prints can be increased by a method of adding the temporary charge number a that has not been purchased.

[0071] Also, in particular, in the case of a server-down state, in response to receiving an increase instruction from the mobile terminal 300, in the printer 200, the allowable number of prints is temporarily increased by allowing the margin threshold Th of the allowable number of prints to reach minus. In step S115 and step S135, a request for charge that can eliminate the state where the allowable number of prints is insufficient is sent from the mobile terminal 300 to the management server 100.

[0072] According to this embodiment, even when information cannot be transmitted and received between the printer 200 and the management server 100 and new printing rights cannot be purchased, the allowable number of printed sheets can be increased by a method that allows the margin threshold Th of the allowable number of printed sheets to be negative.

[0073] Note that, as described above, the two methods applied when increasing the allowable number of printed sheets on the mobile terminal 300, that is, the method of adding the temporary charge number a to the allowable number of printed sheets and the method of allowing the margin threshold Th of the allowable number of printed sheets to be negative, are compatible. Therefore, in the case of the offline state and the server down state, opposite methods may be applied to each other, or only one of the methods may be applied in both cases, or only the other method may be applied in both cases.

[0074] Also, in this embodiment, in particular, in steps S35 and S40, it is determined whether the printer 200 is in an offline state or whether it is in a server down state in which a malfunction has occurred in the management server 100. When it is at least in the server down state, steps S230 and S330 for increasing the allowable number of printed sheets are executed. According to this embodiment, at least in the case of the server down state, the allowable number of printed sheets can be increased in the printer 200.

[0075] Also, in this embodiment, in particular, by executing steps S25 and S30 by the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300, health check information indicating whether the function of the management server 100 is normal is acquired. Thereby, in steps S35 and S40, it is possible to accurately and clearly determine whether a malfunction has occurred in the management server 100 by using the acquired health check information.

[0076] Also, particularly in this embodiment, the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 acquires health check information from the printer 200 to detect whether the functions of the management server 100 are normal. Thereby, the health check information can be acquired through the communication path that should be originally used during normal use. As another method for acquiring the health check information, it may also be acquired from the response status of the health check signal directly sent from the mobile terminal 300 itself to the management server 100.

[0077] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, the health check information for the management server 100 may be acquired from a health check server 500 provided separately. In this case, a health check server 500 having the same functions as the management server 100 is connected to the mobile terminal 300 and the management server 100 via the network NT. When the mobile terminal 300 transmits a request signal to the health check server 500 to check the operating status of the management server 100, the health check server 500 checks the operating status of the management server 100 accordingly, and returns the health check information indicating whether the server is in a down state to the mobile terminal 300 according to the result. Thereby, when the network NT is normally connected in the online state regardless of the state of the management server 100, the mobile terminal 300 can surely acquire the health check information. Therefore, the mobile terminal 300 can clearly grasp at least whether it is in the online state or the offline state.

[0078] Also, particularly in this embodiment, in steps S205 and S305 respectively, the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 displays on the touch panel 340 that the increase in the normal allowable print count cannot be executed and that the user is requested to operate to temporarily increase the allowable print count. When an operation to temporarily increase the allowable print count is performed, an increase instruction is transmitted toward the printer 200. Thus, in this embodiment, based on the user operation on the touch panel 340, the printer 200 performs the process of temporarily increasing the allowable print count, so that an increase in the allowable print count against the user's will can be prevented.

[0079] In the above embodiment, when the server communication is unavailable, the mobile terminal 300 owned by the user performs a temporary increase process of the allowable number of prints instead of the management server 100. In addition to this, if the management server 100 is in a server-down state and the network NT itself is in a normal online state, an externally provided server such as the health check server 500 may perform a temporary increase process of the allowable number of prints. In that case, the user can access the external server using a mobile terminal or a general-purpose PC used by the user, and perform a temporary increase process of the allowable number of prints for the individual printer 200 as a web service via a web application or the like (not shown). Note that in this case, the external server or a combination of the external server and the mobile terminal 300 is an example of an information processing device.

[0080] Also, in the above embodiment, as the process for increasing the allowable number of prints, two processing methods are shown: the addition process of the temporary charge number a shown in FIG. 6 and the allowable process of the negative value of the allowable number of prints and the margin threshold Th shown in FIG. 8. However, in both cases, the upper limit of the increase is set by the separately set temporary charge number a or temporary charge number b. In addition, although not particularly shown, it may be possible to enable printing regardless of the allowable number of prints within a predetermined time range set separately after the server communication unavailable state is detected. According to this, when information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 cannot be performed and a new printing right cannot be purchased, a time limit range can be provided to allow printing regardless of the magnitude of the allowable number of prints in a limited form within that range.

[0081] Also, in any of the above processes for increasing the allowable number of prints, instead of increasing the allowable number of prints in units of a predetermined number of sheets such as the temporary charge number a or the temporary charge number b, it may be processed on a per-use basis by increasing the allowable number of prints by the amount of the resulting number of printed sheets when the user has finished all printing.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, after it is detected that the allowable number of printed sheets has become 0 in step S10 during actual printing, the normal charging process and the process of increasing the allowable number of printed sheets in the state where the server communication is unavailable are performed for the first time. Additionally, even during the standby state where no printing is being performed, the user may be able to check the allowable number of printed sheets, and if the number of sheets to be printed that the user has planned for the future exceeds the allowable number of printed sheets at that time, the normal charging process or the process of increasing the allowable number of printed sheets may be arbitrarily started (not shown in the figure).

[0083] Also, in the above, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the flowcharts, and procedures may be added, deleted, or the order may be changed within the scope not departing from the gist and technical idea of the invention.

[0084] In addition to what has been already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiment and each modification example may be appropriately combined and used.

[0085] Other than this, without going into details one by one, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope not departing from its gist.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1 Printing service providing system 100 Management server (an example of a server) 200 Printer (an example of a printing device) 300 Mobile terminal (an example of an information processing device) 310 CPU (an example of a control unit) 330 Communication control unit (an example of a communication unit) 340 Touch panel (an example of a display unit and an operation unit) 400 Transaction server 500 Health check server NT Network

Claims

1. configured to be able to execute printing with the allowable printing amount as an upper limit, and configured to be able to increase the allowable printing amount based on a first increase instruction from a server according to a guaranteed printing amount guaranteed by printing authority obtained by purchase, and the allowable printing amount is configured to decrease according to the printing amount for which printing has been executed; a communication unit capable of communicating with a printing device; a control unit; and having an information processing device for managing the printing amount of the printing device, wherein the control unit performs a transmission / reception determination process for determining whether information transmission / reception between the printing device and the server is possible; when it is determined in the transmission / reception determination process that information transmission / reception is impossible and the allowable printing amount is insufficient, an increase instruction transmission process for transmitting a second increase instruction for increasing the allowable printing amount to the printing device via the communication unit; is configured to execute wherein the printing device is configured to be able to increase the allowable printing amount in response to reception of the first increase instruction from the server, and is configured to be able to increase the allowable printing amount in response to reception of the second increase instruction from the information processing device. An information processing device.

2. The control unit further performs an execution report transmission process for transmitting a report of execution of the increase instruction transmission process to the server via the communication unit. The information processing device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above.

3. The control unit further performs a claim request transmission process for transmitting a claim request for a charge corresponding to an increase in the allowable printing amount in the increase instruction transmission process to the server via the communication unit after execution of the increase instruction transmission process. The information processing device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above.

4. The control unit further performs a claim information transmission process for transmitting claim information corresponding to the second increase instruction of the allowable printing amount in the increase instruction transmission process to an external device connectable to the server via the communication unit after the increase instruction transmission process. The information processing device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above.

5. wherein the printing device in response to reception of the second increase instruction, the allowable printing amount is increased by adding an un-purchased allowable printing amount to the allowable printing amount obtained by purchase, wherein the control unit in the claim request transmission process, transmits a claim request for a charge corresponding to the un-purchased allowable printing amount to the server via the communication unit. The information processing device according to claim 3, which is configured as described above.

6. wherein the printing device In response to receiving the second increase instruction, the allowable print amount is temporarily increased by allowing the threshold value of the allowable print amount to a negative value. The control unit In the claim request transmission process, transmits a claim request for eliminating the state where the allowable print amount is insufficient to the server via the communication unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, which is configured as described above.

7. In the transmission / reception determination process, the control unit Determines whether the printing apparatus is in an offline state and whether a malfunction has occurred in the server. The increase instruction transmission process is executed when it is determined in the transmission / reception determination process that at least a malfunction has occurred in the server. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above.

8. The control unit further Executes a health check process for acquiring health check information indicating whether the function of the server is normal. In the transmission / reception determination process, determines whether a malfunction has occurred in the server based on the health check information acquired in the health check process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, which is configured as described above.

9. The control unit In the health check process Acquires the health check information from a health check server that monitors whether the function of the server is normal, or Acquires the health check information from the printing apparatus that has detected whether the function of the server is normal, or Acquires the health check information from the response status of the server to the health check signal transmitted to the server via the communication unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, which is configured as described above.

10. The information processing apparatus Further includes a display unit and an operation unit. In the increase instruction transmission process, the control unit Displays on the display unit that the normal increase of the allowable print amount cannot be executed. Displays on the display unit a display asking the user to operate the operation unit to temporarily increase the allowable print amount. When an operation to temporarily increase the allowable print amount is performed on the operation unit, transmits the second increase instruction to the printing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above.

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