Management program, management system, management device, and management method

Abstract

To provide a management program, a management system, a management device, and a management method for contributing to shipment of consumables based on terms of a contract with a user.SOLUTION: A management program causes a computer to execute setting processing, where the computer controls a management device that manages shipment, to a user, of first consumables to be consumed in a printer based on terms of a contract with the user. In a case where the terms of the contract include a first term of the contract, the setting processing sets a first amount of shipment to a unit-shipment-amount (S23), and, in a case where the terms of the contract include a second term of the contract, the setting processing sets a second amount of shipment greater than the first amount of shipment to the unit-shipment-amount (S27). The unit-shipment amount indicates an amount of the first consumables shipped at a time to the user. The second term of the contract indicates that an amount of the first consumables to be consumed in the printer in a corresponding-period which is a period corresponding to the terms of the contract becomes greater than that of the first term of the contract.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management program, a management system, a management device, and a management method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a device for managing the shipment of consumables consumed by a printer to a user has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a printer consumes CMYK toners as consumables and notifies a server of the remaining amounts of the respective CMYK toners. The server determines whether there is a toner to be shipped based on the notified remaining amounts. When there is a toner to be shipped, the server predicts the shipping time of toners other than the toner to be shipped. When there is a toner whose predicted shipping time is close to the shipping time of the toner to be shipped, the server ships the toner to be shipped and the toner with a close shipping time together.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above system, how to ship consumables is not disclosed depending on the content of the contract with the user.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a management program, a management system, a management device, and a management method that contribute to shipping consumables based on the content of the contract with the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The management program according to the first aspect of the present invention causes a computer that controls a management device for managing the shipment of a first consumable consumed by a printer to a user based on the contract content with the user, when the contract content is the first contract content, to set a first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable to be shipped to the user per time, and when the contract content is a second contract content in which the quantity of the first consumable consumed by the printer during a corresponding period corresponding to the contract content is greater than the first contract content, to execute a setting process of setting a second shipment quantity greater than the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity.

[0007] The management system according to the second aspect of the present invention is a management system including a printer that uses a first consumable and a management device that is communicatively connected to at least one of the printer or the user's terminal and manages the shipment of the first consumable to the user based on the contract content with the user. At least one of the printer or the user's terminal includes a first computer, and the first computer performs a transmission process of transmitting the contract content to the management device. The management device includes a second computer, and the second computer performs a reception process of receiving the contract content transmitted by the transmission process, and when the contract content is the first contract content, sets a first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable to be shipped to the user per time, and when the contract content is a second contract content in which the quantity of the first consumable consumed by the printer during a corresponding period corresponding to the contract content is greater than the first contract content, performs a setting process of setting a second shipment quantity greater than the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity.

[0008] The management device according to the third aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages the shipment of the first consumable consumed by a printer to the user based on the content of the contract with the user, and includes a computer. When the content of the contract is the first contract content, the computer sets a first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable shipped to the user per time. When the content of the contract is the second contract content in which the quantity of the first consumable consumed by the printer during the corresponding period corresponding to the content of the contract is larger than the first contract content, the computer performs a setting process of setting a second shipment quantity larger than the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity.

[0009] The management method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a management method for managing the shipment of the consumable consumed by a printer to the user based on the content of the contract with the user. When the content of the contract is the first contract content, the first shipment quantity is set as the unit shipment quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable shipped to the user per time. When the content of the contract is the second contract content in which the quantity of the first consumable consumed by the printer during the corresponding period corresponding to the content of the contract is larger than the first contract content, the management method includes a setting process of setting a second shipment quantity larger than the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity.

[0010] According to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, in the first contract content, the first shipment quantity is set as the unit shipment quantity, and in the second contract content, the second shipment quantity is set as the unit shipment quantity. Since the second shipment quantity is larger than the first shipment quantity, the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, and the fourth aspect each contribute to shipping the first consumable based on the content of the contract with the user.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] With reference to the drawings, management system 1 will be described as an embodiment of the present invention. The drawings to be referred to are used for explaining the technical features that the present invention can adopt. The configurations, controls, etc. of the apparatuses described are not intended to be limited thereto, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0013] With reference to FIG. 1, the outline and electrical configuration of management system 1 will be described. Management system 1 is a system for a supplier to provide a user with a service regarding printer 2 described later. When a contract regarding the service is concluded between the supplier and the user, the management system 1 provides the user with a service according to the contract type. In the present embodiment, "concluding a contract" includes both the case where the user newly concludes a contract with the supplier and the case where the user updates a contract with the supplier. The update of the contract includes both the case where the contract type after the update is the same as the contract type before the update and the case where they are different.

[0014] Management system 1 includes printer 2, terminal 3, and management device 5. Printer 2 and terminal 3 are used by the user. Management device 5 functions as a server and is operated by a service supplier. Printer 2, terminal 3, and management device 5 are respectively communicatively connected to Internet 9 and communicate with each other via Internet 9. Note that management system 1 may include other printers (not shown) in addition to printer 2, and may include other terminals (not shown) in addition to terminal 3.

[0015] The printer 2 has a printing function and includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, a communication interface 23, a storage unit 25, a mounting unit 27, and an inkjet head 29. The CPU 21 controls the printer 2. The memory 22 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory and stores various information. For example, the memory 22 stores the printer ID and remaining amount information of the printer 2. The printer ID is an identifier for identifying each of a plurality of printers. The remaining amount information indicates the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 28. The remaining amount information is detected by a remaining amount sensor (not shown) provided in the storage unit 25 or calculated by the CPU 21 each time printing is performed.

[0016] The communication interface 23 is a driver element for connecting to the Internet 9. Paper 26 is stored in the storage unit 25. The paper 26 is a type of consumable consumed by the printer 2, and more specifically, a type of printing medium. An ink cartridge 28 is mounted on the mounting unit 27. The ink cartridge 28 stores ink and supplies the ink to the inkjet head 29. The ink cartridge 28 is a type of consumable consumed by the printer 2.

[0017] The inkjet head 29 ejects the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 28 onto the paper 26 supplied from the storage unit 25 under the control of the CPU 21. Thereby, printing on the paper 26 by the inkjet head 29 is performed. For this reason, in the printer 2, each time printing is performed, the paper 26 and the ink in the ink cartridge 28 are consumed. That is, when one sheet of paper 26 is consumed by printing, the ink in the ink cartridge 28 is consumed in an amount corresponding to the printing. In other words, the paper 26 is consumed when the ink in the ink cartridge 28 is consumed.

[0018] The terminal 3 is a device owned by a user such as a smartphone or a personal computer, and includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, a communication interface 33, a display 37, and an operation unit 38. The CPU 31 controls the terminal 3. The memory 32 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores various information. For example, the memory 32 stores a program executed by the CPU 31. The communication interface 33 is a driver element for connecting to the Internet 9. The display 37 displays various screens under the control of the CPU 31. The operation unit 38 is a button, a touch panel, or the like, and outputs a signal according to an operation by the user to the CPU 31.

[0019] The management device 5 manages the shipment of the ink cartridge 28 to the user based on the contract content with the user described later. The management device 5 includes a CPU 51, a memory 52, and a communication interface 53. The CPU 51 controls the management device 5. The memory 52 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores various information. The memory 52 includes a program storage area 521 and a management information storage area 522. The program storage area 521 stores a program executed by the CPU 51. The program includes a management program for executing the management process (see FIG. 6) described later. The management information storage area 522 will be described later. The communication interface 53 is a driver element for connecting to the Internet 9.

[0020] The number of printed sheets and the ink consumption are described. In the present embodiment, the number of printed sheets is the consumption quantity (sheets) of the paper 26 by printing on the printer 2. The ink consumption is the consumption quantity (mL) of the ink in the ink cartridge 28 by printing on the printer 2. In the present embodiment, "quantity" is a concept including "number", "number of sheets", "volume", etc. An example of the case where the numbers are different is the case where the same ink cartridge is different between 1 and 2. An example of the case where the number of sheets is different is the case where the paper is different between 1,000 sheets and 2,000 sheets. An example of the case where the volumes are different is the case where the number of ink cartridges is the same at one per one, while the ink content in each ink cartridge is different between 100 mL and 200 mL.

[0021] Describe the service. In this embodiment, the service includes a "flat-rate service", a "shipment-by-order service", and a "consolidated-shipment service". The flat-rate service is a flat-rate billing service for the printer 2. The flat-rate service is a service in which the fee paid by the user to the supplier remains the fixed contract fee (for example, 8,000 yen) until the number of printed sheets in the update period (for example, one month) reaches the contract number of sheets (for example, 1,000 sheets). When the number of printed sheets in the update period exceeds the contract number of sheets, the flat-rate service is a service in which the fee paid by the user to the supplier becomes the fee obtained by adding the per-unit fee (for example, 10 yen / sheet) corresponding to the number of printed sheets exceeding the contract number of sheets to the fixed contract fee. Thus, in the flat-rate service, the fee system for the paper 26 is different depending on whether the number of printed sheets reaches the contract number of sheets or exceeds the contract number of sheets. That is, the contract number of sheets is the threshold for the fee system for the paper 26 in terms of the number of printed sheets. During the update period, the number of printed sheets is accumulated, and when the update period elapses, the accumulated number of printed sheets is reset to 0 sheets. That is, the update period is the period for accumulating the number of printed sheets and corresponds to the contract details described later.

[0022] The shipment-by-order service and the consolidated-shipment service are each services in which when the remaining ink amount in the ink cartridge 28 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount during the update period, a new ink cartridge 28 is automatically ordered and delivered to the user. Hereinafter, the number of ink cartridges 28 shipped to the user at a time is referred to as the "unit shipment quantity". The unit shipment quantity by the shipment-by-order service is the first shipment quantity. The first shipment quantity is not limited to a specific quantity, but in this embodiment, it is 1. The unit shipment quantity by the consolidated-shipment service is the second shipment quantity, and in this embodiment, it is a plurality. That is, the second shipment quantity is larger than the first shipment quantity. Hereinafter, the shipment form by the shipment-by-order service, that is, the shipment form in which the unit shipment quantity is the first shipment quantity, is referred to as "shipment-by-order", and the shipment form by the consolidated-shipment service, that is, the shipment form in which the unit shipment quantity is the second unit shipment quantity, is referred to as "consolidated-shipment".

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, the contract types will be described. In this embodiment, there are three types of contract types: a short-term small quantity plan, a short-term large quantity plan, and a long-term plan. The contract contents of the short-term small quantity plan, the short-term large quantity plan, and the long-term plan are different from each other. The contract contents include the renewal period, the number of contracts, the contract fee, and the shipping form.

[0024] In the short-term small quantity plan, the renewal period is the first renewal period (1 month in FIG. 2), the number of contracts is the first number of contracts (1,000 sheets in FIG. 2), the contract fee is the first contract fee (10,000 yen in FIG. 2), and the shipping form is individual shipping.

[0025] In the short-term large quantity plan, the renewal period is the first renewal period (1 month in FIG. 2), the number of contracts is the second number of contracts (10,000 sheets in FIG. 2), the contract fee is the second contract fee (50,000 yen in FIG. 2), and the shipping form is either individual shipping or bulk shipping. In the short-term large quantity plan, the user can select either individual shipping or bulk shipping as the shipping form.

[0026] In the long-term plan, the renewal period is the second renewal period (12 months in FIG. 2), the number of contracts is the third number of contracts (12,000 sheets in FIG. 2), the contract fee is the third contract fee (100,000 yen in FIG. 2), and the shipping form is either individual shipping or bulk shipping. In the long-term plan, the user can select either individual shipping or bulk shipping as the shipping form.

[0027] In this embodiment, the second renewal period is longer than the first renewal period. The second number of contracts is more than the first number of contracts. The third number of contracts is more than the first number of contracts. The third number of contracts / the second renewal period is the same value as the first number of contracts / the first renewal period. The second contract fee is more than the first contract fee. The third contract fee is more than the first contract fee.

[0028] According to the above contract content, for each contract type, the ink consumption during the update period is different from each other. The ink consumption during the update period increases as the number of printed sheets during the update period increases. The number of printed sheets during the update period increases as the update period is longer and as the number of contract sheets is larger. Therefore, the ink consumption during the update period increases as the update period is longer and as the number of contract sheets is larger.

[0029] In the short-term small-volume plan and the short-term large-volume plan, while the update period is the same length as the first update period (1 month), the second contract sheet number (10,000 sheets) is larger than the first contract sheet number (1,000 sheets). Therefore, the number of printed sheets during the update period is larger for the short-term large-volume plan than for the short-term small-volume plan. Thus, the ink consumption during the update period is larger for the short-term large-volume plan than for the short-term small-volume plan.

[0030] In the short-term small-volume plan and the long-term plan, while the contract sheet number / update period is the same (1,000 sheets / month), the second update period (12 months) is longer than the first update period (1 month). Therefore, the number of printed sheets during the update period is larger for the long-term plan than for the short-term small-volume plan. Thus, the ink consumption during the update period is larger for the long-term plan than for the short-term small-volume plan.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the management information storage area 522 will be described. In the management information storage area 522, management information is stored in association with the printer ID. In FIG. 3, management information is associated with each of printers A, B, and C. The management information is used to manage the service. The management information includes information related to the contract, and in this embodiment, includes the user name, address, shipping fee, contract type, shipping form, discounted contract fee, and history information.

[0032] The address indicates the shipping address of the ink cartridge 28. In FIG. 3, addresses A, B, and C are respectively associated with printers A, B, and C. The shipping fee indicates the shipping fee from the shipping origin of the ink cartridge 28 to the shipping destination of the ink cartridge 28. The shipping origin is, for example, the warehouse storing the ink cartridge 28 and exists at each site. The shipping fee is an amount determined by the shipping company according to, for example, the distance from the warehouse of the shipping origin to the shipping destination. In FIG. 3, shipping fees A, A, and B are respectively associated with printers A, B, and C. It is assumed that shipping fee B is lower than shipping fee A. In this case, the distance from the shipping origin to the shipping destination is closer for printer C than for printers A and B.

[0033] The user name indicates the name of the user of printer 2 specified by the printer ID, that is, the name of the user during the contract with the supplier. In FIG. 3, users A, B, and C are respectively associated with printers A, B, and C. The contract type indicates the contract type during the contract between the user and the supplier. The user makes a contract with the supplier for each printer ID. In FIG. 3, a short-term small quantity plan, a short-term large quantity plan, and a long-term plan are respectively associated with printers A, B, and C as the contract types.

[0034] Either per-shipment or consolidated shipment is set as the shipping form. In FIG. 3, per-shipment, consolidated shipment, and consolidated shipment are respectively associated with printers A, B, and C as the shipping forms. Furthermore, when the shipping form is consolidated shipment, a shipping limit is also set. The shipping limit is the upper limit of the second shipment quantity, that is, the maximum quantity of the ink cartridge 28 shipped to the user in consolidated shipment. The shipping limit is specified by the user. In FIG. 3, 3 pieces and 20 pieces are respectively associated with printers B and C as the shipping limits.

[0035] The discounted contract fee indicates the contract fee after discount. In FIG. 3, for printers A, B, and C, no discount, discounted contract fees A and B are respectively associated. When the shipping form is consolidated shipping, the contract fee is discounted. "No discount" indicates that the contract fee is not discounted. If the contract types are the same, the discount amount and discount rate are higher as the shipping fee is lower.

[0036] The history information indicates the past shipping status of the ink cartridge 28 based on the shipping date and shipping quantity of the ink cartridge 28. In this embodiment, the history information indicates the monthly shipping quantity of the ink cartridge 28 for each year (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 3, history information A, B, and C are respectively associated with printers A, B, and C.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, history information C will be described as an example of the history information. The history information C shows the monthly shipping quantity of the ink cartridge 28 for 2022 and 2023 with the end of December 2023 as the current time. For example, the history information C indicates that a total of 10 ink cartridges 28 were shipped in December 2022.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, the data transmission and reception between each of the printer 2 and the terminal 3 and the management device 5 will be described. When the user makes a contract with the supplier, at the terminal 3, an operation for making a contract with the supplier is performed via the operation unit 38. For example, the user selects one of the contract types of the short-term small quantity plan, short-term large quantity plan, or long-term plan, and inputs the selected contract type into the terminal 3. When one of the contract types of the short-term large quantity plan or long-term plan is selected, the user selects one of the shipping forms of shipping each time or consolidated shipping, and inputs the selected shipping form into the terminal 3. That is, the user inputs an answer to the terminal 3 as to whether to set the first shipping quantity (shipping each time) or the second shipping quantity (consolidated shipping) as the unit shipping quantity. When the shipping form of consolidated shipping is selected, the user inputs the shipping upper limit into the terminal 3.

[0039] The user inputs other information such as the username, address, printer ID, etc. into the terminal 3. The user performs a transmission operation of a contract instruction to the management device 5 via the operation unit 38. The contract instruction indicates the input username, address, printer ID, contract type, shipping form, shipping limit, etc. Hereinafter, the information indicated by the contract instruction is referred to as "contract information". When the terminal 3 receives the transmission operation of the contract instruction to the management device 5, the CPU 31 transmits the contract instruction to the management device 5 (S1). In this case, in the management device 5, the CPU 51 receives the contract instruction (S1). Thereby, a contract is concluded between the user and the supplier, and the user can enjoy the service.

[0040] In the printer 2, when the ink remaining amount stored in the memory 22 reaches a predetermined remaining amount, a remaining amount decrease signal is transmitted to the management device 5 (S2). The remaining amount decrease signal indicates that the ink remaining amount has reached the predetermined remaining amount and also indicates the printer ID. In this case, in the management device 5, the CPU 51 receives the remaining amount decrease signal (S2). Thereby, the ink cartridge 28 is automatically shipped to the user.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 6, the management process will be described. When the power of the management device 5 is turned on, the CPU 51 reads out the management program from the program storage area 521 and operates to execute the management process.

[0042] When the management process is started, the CPU 51 determines whether it has received the contract instruction transmitted from the terminal 3 by S1 shown in FIG. 5 (S11). If the contract instruction has not been received (S11: NO), the CPU 51 transfers the process to the determination of S21.

[0043] When a contract instruction is received (S11: YES), the CPU 51 stores each piece of information included in the contract information in the management information storage area 522 shown in FIG. 3 in association with each other (S12). As shown in FIG. 3, for example, when user A makes a contract with a supplier regarding printer A, the CPU 51 stores "printer A" in the column of printer ID, and stores "user A", "address A", "short-term small quantity plan", and "shipment each time" in the respective columns of user name, address, contract type, and shipment form corresponding to "printer A". Note that the CPU 51 identifies the shipping origin based on the stored address. The CPU 51 identifies the shipping fee based on the address and the identified shipping origin. The CPU 51 stores the identified shipping fee in the column of shipping fee in the management information storage area 522.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 51 determines whether the shipment form stored in the process of S12 is consolidated shipment (S13). For example, in the case of printer A, the shipment form is shipment each time. When the shipment form is shipment each time (S13: NO), the CPU 51 shifts the process to the determination of S21. For example, in the case of printers B and C, the shipment form is consolidated shipment. When the shipment form is consolidated shipment (S13: YES), the CPU 51 performs a reduction process (S14).

[0045] In the reduction process (S14), the CPU 51 changes the contract fee to a discounted contract fee based on the contract type and the shipping fee. In the present embodiment, if the contract types are the same, when the shipping fee is the first shipping fee, the CPU 51 sets the first discounted contract fee as the discounted contract fee, and when the shipping fee is the second shipping fee lower than the first shipping fee, the CPU 51 sets the second discounted contract fee higher than the first discounted contract fee as the discounted contract fee. For example, in the case of printer B, the CPU 51 stores discounted contract fee A in the column of the discounted contract fee corresponding to printer B in the management information storage area 522. For example, in the case of printer C, the CPU 51 stores discounted contract fee B in the column of the discounted contract fee corresponding to printer C in the management information storage area 522. The CPU 51 performs a process of billing the user for the discounted contract fee instead of the second contract fee or the third contract fee when the update period expires.

[0046] After the reduction process (S14), the CPU 51 shifts the process to the determination in S21. The CPU 51 determines whether to ship the ink cartridge 28 to the user (S21). For example, after the contract information is stored in the process of S12, if the first shipment of the ink cartridge 28 has been made and the CPU 51 has not received the remaining amount reduction signal transmitted from the printer 2 by S2 shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 51 determines not to ship the ink cartridge 28 to the user (S21: NO). In this case, the CPU 51 returns the process to the determination in S11.

[0047] For example, after the contract information is stored in the process of S12, if the first shipment of the ink cartridge 28 has not been made, or if the CPU 51 has received the remaining amount reduction signal transmitted from the printer 2 by S2 shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 51 determines to ship the ink cartridge 28 to the user (S21: YES). In this case, the CPU 51 refers to the management information storage area 522 shown in FIG. 3 and determines whether the shipment form corresponding to the printer ID indicated by the contract instruction or the remaining amount reduction signal is bulk shipment (S22).

[0048] For example, when the printer ID is Printer A, the shipment form is per-shipment (see FIG. 3). When the shipment form is per-shipment (S22: NO), the CPU 51 sets the first shipment quantity (1 piece in this embodiment) as the unit shipment quantity in the memory 52 (S23). The CPU 51 performs the shipment process (S24). In the shipment process, the CPU 51 transmits, via the Internet 9 to the server of the shipper (not shown), a shipment instruction to ship the ink cartridge 28 in the first shipment quantity set in the process of S23 to the user corresponding to the printer ID indicated by the remaining amount reduction signal. The CPU 51 returns the process to the determination in S11.

[0049] For example, when the printer IDs are printers B and C, the shipping form is consolidated shipping (see FIG. 3). When the shipping form is consolidated shipping (S22: YES), the CPU 51 determines whether it is the shipping timing (S25). In the process of S25, for example, regarding the printer ID indicated by the remaining amount decrease signal, the CPU 51 determines whether the number of times the remaining amount decrease signal has been received has become the same value as the number of ink cartridges 28 that have already been shipped. That is, the CPU 51 determines whether the user has a stock of the ink cartridges 28.

[0050] For example, when the number of times the remaining amount decrease signal has been received is less than the number of ink cartridges 28 that have already been shipped, the user has a stock of the ink cartridges 28. In this case, the CPU 51 determines that it is not the shipping timing (S25: NO), and returns the process to the determination in S11. For example, after the contract information is stored in the process of S12, if the first shipment of the ink cartridges 28 has not been made, or if the number of times the remaining amount decrease signal has been received is the same value as the number of ink cartridges 28 that have already been shipped, the user does not have a stock of the ink cartridges 28. In this case, the CPU 51 determines that it is the shipping timing (S25: YES), and performs the shipping quantity determination process (S26).

[0051] In the shipping quantity determination process, the CPU 51 determines the second shipping quantity. In the present embodiment, the CPU 51 specifies the estimated consumption quantity. The estimated consumption quantity is the number of ink cartridges 28 that are estimated to be consumed by the user with the printer 2 during the update period. In the memory 52, information for specifying the estimated consumption quantity is stored in advance. The information for specifying the estimated consumption quantity is, for example, the average number of all users in the ink cartridges 28 consumed by the printer 2 during the update period for each contract type. The information for specifying the estimated consumption quantity is, for example, the average number of a specific user in the ink cartridges 28 consumed by the printer 2 during the update period for each contract type. The CPU 51 specifies the estimated consumption quantity based on the information for specifying the estimated consumption quantity.

[0052] Define a specific period and a set period. The specific period is a specific period from December to January, etc. within one year. The set period is a period that is the same as or shorter than the renewal period, for example, the period from the shipment of the current ink cartridge 28 to the shipment of the next ink cartridge 28. When a future specific period is included in the set period, the CPU 51 refers to the history information corresponding to the printer ID indicated by the remaining amount decrease signal in the management information storage area 522 to specify the specific consumption quantity. In this embodiment, the future specific period is the next upcoming specific period based on the current time. The specific consumption quantity is the number of ink cartridges 28 consumed by the user with the printer 2 during the past specific period. The past specific period may be all past specific periods based on the current time, or the most recent past specific period (for example, the specific period included in the past one year).

[0053] The CPU 51 considers the expiration date of the ink cartridge 28, refers to the history information corresponding to the printer ID indicated by the remaining amount decrease signal in the management information storage area 522, and specifies the consumable quantity. The consumable quantity is the number of ink cartridges 28 estimated to be consumed by the printer 2 until the expiration date of the ink cartridge 28.

[0054] The CPU 51 determines the provisional shipment quantity based on the specified estimated consumption quantity, specific consumption quantity, and consumable quantity. The provisional shipment quantity may be the average value or median value of the estimated consumption quantity, specific consumption quantity, and consumable quantity, or the largest quantity or the smallest quantity. The provisional shipment quantity may be determined with weighting given to the estimated consumption quantity, specific consumption quantity, and consumable quantity. The CPU 51 determines the smaller of the determined provisional shipment quantity and the shipment upper limit as the second shipment quantity. That is, the second shipment quantity is equal to or less than the shipment upper limit.

[0055] For example, in printer B, assume that 5 units are determined as the tentative shipping quantity based on the estimated consumption quantity, the specific consumption quantity, and the available quantity. Since the shipping upper limit of printer B is 3 units, the secondary shipping quantity is 3 units. For example, in printer C, assume that 9 units are determined as the tentative shipping quantity based on the estimated consumption quantity, the specific consumption quantity, and the available quantity. Since the shipping upper limit of printer C is 20 units, the secondary shipping quantity is 9 units.

[0056] The CPU 51 sets the secondary shipping quantity determined by the shipping quantity determination process (S26) in the memory 52 as the unit shipping quantity (S27). The CPU 51 performs a shipping process (S28). In the shipping process, the CPU 51 transmits, via the Internet 9 to a server (not shown) of the shipping company, a shipping instruction for shipping the ink cartridges 28 of the secondary shipping quantity set in the process of S27 to the user corresponding to the printer ID indicated by the remaining quantity decrease signal. The CPU 51 returns the process to the determination in S11.

[0057] The main effects contributed by the management system 1 in this embodiment will be described. The management system 1 also contributes to effects other than the effects described below. The management device 5, the management program, and the method executed by the management process also contribute to effects similar to those of the management system 1.

[0058] The CPU 51 sets the primary shipping quantity as the unit shipping quantity in the short-term small quantity plan (S23), and sets the secondary shipping quantity as the unit shipping quantity in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan (S27). Thereby, the management system 1 contributes to shipping the ink cartridges 28 based on the contract content with the user. Since the secondary shipping quantity is larger than the primary shipping quantity, the management system 1 contributes to suppressing the shipment of an excessive quantity of ink cartridges 28 to the user in the short-term small quantity plan, and contributes to suppressing the shipping cost of the supplier in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0059] The update period of the short-term small quantity plan is the first update period, and the update period of the long-term plan is the second update period. Since the second update period is longer than the first update period, in the long-term plan, the ink consumption during the update period is more than that of the short-term small quantity plan. For the short-term small quantity plan, the CPU 51 sets the first delivery quantity as the unit delivery quantity (S23), and for the long-term plan, the CPU 51 sets the second delivery quantity as the unit delivery quantity (S27). Since the second delivery quantity is more than the first delivery quantity, the management system 1 contributes to suppressing the shipment of an excessive quantity of ink cartridges 28 to the user in the short-term small quantity plan, and contributes to suppressing the shipping cost of the supplier in the long-term plan.

[0060] The paper 26 is consumed when the ink cartridge 28 is consumed, so the larger the number of contract sheets, the more the ink consumption during the update period. The number of contract sheets of the short-term small quantity plan is the first number of contract sheets, and the number of contract sheets of the short-term large quantity plan is the second number of contract sheets. Since the second number of contract sheets is more than the first number of contract sheets, in the short-term large quantity plan, the ink consumption during the update period is more than that of the short-term small quantity plan. For the short-term small quantity plan, the CPU 51 sets the first delivery quantity as the unit delivery quantity (S23), and for the short-term large quantity plan, the CPU 51 sets the second delivery quantity as the unit delivery quantity (S27). Since the second delivery quantity is more than the first delivery quantity, the management system 1 contributes to suppressing the shipment of an excessive quantity of ink cartridges 28 to the user according to the contract content of the short-term small quantity plan, and contributes to suppressing the shipping cost of the supplier in the short-term large quantity plan.

[0061] When the answer included in the contract information indicates setting the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity (S22: NO), the CPU 51 sets the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity (S23). When the answer included in the contract information indicates setting the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity (S22: YES), the CPU 51 sets the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity (S27). According to this, the user can select whether to set either the first shipment quantity or the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity, that is, select immediate shipment or consolidated shipment, depending on whether to allow holding inventory, for example. Therefore, the management system 1 contributes to the user's adjustment of the quantity of ink cartridges 28 in stock in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0062] When the answer included in the contract information indicates setting the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity (S13: YES), the CPU 51 changes the second contract fee to the discounted contract fee (S14). When the second shipment quantity is set as the unit shipment quantity, the shipping cost is suppressed compared to the case where the first shipment quantity is set as the unit shipment quantity. The management system 1 contributes to providing the user with a reduction associated with the suppressed shipping cost by changing the second contract fee to the discounted contract fee when the shipping cost is suppressed in the contract content of the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0063] When the shipping fee of the ink cartridge 28 is the first shipping fee, the CPU 51 changes the second contract fee to the first discounted contract fee, and when the shipping fee of the ink cartridge 28 is the second shipping fee, the CPU 51 changes the second contract fee to the second discounted contract fee (S14). According to this, the management system 1 contributes to providing the user with a reduction according to the shipping fee in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan. Since the second shipping fee is lower than the first shipping fee and the second discounted contract fee is lower than the first discounted contract fee, the management system 1 contributes to providing the user with a larger amount of reduction as the shipping fee is lower.

[0064] The CPU 51 sets the second shipment quantity based on the estimated consumption quantity as the unit shipment quantity (S26, S27). According to this, the management system 1 contributes to suppressing the occurrence of excess or deficiency in the unit shipment quantity in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0065] When a specific future period is included in the set period, the CPU 51 sets the second shipment quantity based on the specific consumption quantity as the unit shipment quantity (S26, S27). According to this, the management system 1 contributes to suppressing the occurrence of excess or deficiency in the unit shipment quantity in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0066] The CPU 51 sets the second shipment quantity that is below the shipment upper limit as the unit shipment quantity (S26, S27). According to this, the management system 1 contributes to the user adjusting the amount of inventory of the ink cartridge 28 held by the user in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0067] The CPU 51 sets the second shipment quantity based on the expiration date of the ink cartridge 28 as the unit shipment quantity (S26, S27). According to this, the management system 1 contributes to suppressing the possibility that the user cannot use up the ink cartridges 28 of the unit shipment quantity by the expiration date of the ink cartridge 28 in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0068] In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 28 corresponds to the "first consumable" of the present invention. The contract content of the short-term small quantity plan corresponds to the "first contract content" of the present invention. The contract contents of the short-term large quantity plan and the long-term plan correspond to the "second contract content" of the present invention. The processes of S12, S23, and S27 correspond to the "setting process" of the present invention. The paper 26 corresponds to the "second consumable" of the present invention. The process of acquiring contract information in the process of S1 (S11: YES) corresponds to the "first acquisition process" and the "second acquisition process" of the present invention. The process of S14 corresponds to the "change process" of the present invention. The process of S26 corresponds to the "first specific process" and the "second specific process" of the present invention.

[0069] The present invention may be modified from the above-described embodiments. For example, instead of or in addition to changing the second contract fee to a discounted contract fee, the CPU 51 may give a privilege to the user. The privilege may be, for example, points that can be used for paying the contract fee. The privilege is not limited to points and may be a coupon or the like. In this case, the management system 1 contributes to providing the user with a reduction associated with the suppressed shipping cost by giving a privilege to the user when the shipping cost is suppressed in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0070] Furthermore, when the shipping fee for shipping the ink cartridges 28 of the second shipping quantity to the user is the first shipping fee, the CPU 51 may give the first privilege to the user, and when the shipping fee is the second shipping fee lower than the first shipping fee, the CPU 51 may give the user a second privilege higher than the first privilege for the user. In this case, the management system 1 contributes to providing the user with a reduction according to the shipping fee in the short-term large quantity plan or the long-term plan.

[0071] Instead of or in addition to the ink cartridges 28, the management device 5 may manage the shipping of the paper 26 to the user, or may manage the shipping of other consumables to the user. The printer 2 does not have to be an inkjet system. The contract types are not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, one of the short-term large quantity plan and the long-term plan may be omitted, or four or more contract types may be provided. The management device 5 may be configured by a plurality of server devices. In this case, the management process may be distributed by the plurality of server devices. The management device 5 may be a general-purpose PC, a smartphone, or the like.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the number of ink cartridges 28 shipped to the user at one time differs between the individual shipments and the consolidated shipments. In contrast, the number of ink cartridges 28 shipped to the user at one time may be the same between the individual shipments and the consolidated shipments. In this case, it is sufficient that the content volume of the ink cartridges 28 shipped by the consolidated shipment is larger than the content volume of the ink cartridges 28 shipped by the individual shipment.

[0073] In the above embodiment, when the update period has elapsed, the contract fee is billed to the user. In contrast, the management system 1 may be configured such that the user can enjoy the service when the contract fee is paid by the user. In the above embodiment, the discount amount or discount rate of the contract fee may be the same regardless of the shipping fee, or may not be discounted.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the CPU 51 determines the provisional shipping quantity based on the estimated consumption quantity, the specific consumption quantity, and the available consumption quantity, and determines the smaller of the provisional shipping quantity and the shipping upper limit as the second shipping quantity. In contrast, the CPU 51 may determine the provisional shipping quantity based on any one or two of the estimated consumption quantity, the specific consumption quantity, and the available consumption quantity. The CPU 51 may set the shipping upper limit as the second shipping quantity without considering the estimated consumption quantity, the specific consumption quantity, and the available consumption quantity. The CPU 51 may determine the second shipping quantity based on the estimated consumption quantity, the specific consumption quantity, and the available consumption quantity without considering the shipping upper limit.

[0075] The processing order is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the processes of S23, S26, and S27 for setting the unit shipping quantity may be performed at the time of the process of S12. In the above embodiment, in the process of S21, it is determined whether the ink cartridge 28 is shipped according to the presence or absence of the remaining amount decrease signal. In contrast, it may be determined whether the ink cartridge 28 is shipped according to whether a predetermined period has elapsed. That is, the shipping process may be performed every predetermined period. Every predetermined period means, for example, every update period, every time a predetermined date of each month arrives, and the like.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the management system 1 may omit the terminal 3. In this case, the user may perform an operation for making a contract with the supplier via the operation unit (not shown) of the printer 2. When the CPU 21 detects an operation for making a contract with the supplier, the CPU 21 may transmit a contract instruction to the management device 5. In this case, the management device 5 may receive the contract instruction from the printer 2.

[0077] Instead of CPUs 21, 31, and 51, a microcomputer, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. may be used as the processor. The management process may be distributed among multiple processors. The non-temporary storage medium such as memory 52 may be any storage medium capable of retaining information regardless of the period for which the information is stored. The non-temporary storage medium may not include a temporary storage medium (e.g., a transmitted signal). The program may be downloaded (i.e., transmitted as a transmission signal) from a server connected to a network (not shown in the figure) and stored in memory 52. In this case, the program may be stored in a non-temporary storage medium such as an HDD provided in the server.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1 Management System 2 Printer 3 Terminal 5 Management Device 21, 31, 51 CPUs 22, 32, 52 Memories 26 Paper 28 Ink Cartridge

Claims

1. A computer that controls a management device for managing the shipment of first consumables consumed by a printer to the user based on the contract content with the user, when the contract content is the first contract content, sets a first shipment quantity as a unit shipment quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumables shipped to the user per time, and when the contract content is the second contract content where the quantity of the first consumables consumed by the printer during a corresponding period, which is a period corresponding to the contract content, is more than the first contract content, executes a setting process of setting a second shipment quantity, which is more than the first shipment quantity, as the unit shipment quantity. A management program characterized by this.

2. The setting process is when the contract content is the first contract content where the corresponding period is the first corresponding period, sets the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity, when the contract content is the second contract content where the corresponding period is the second corresponding period, which is longer than the first corresponding period, sets the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity The management program according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The contract content includes conditions regarding a contract quantity, which is a threshold value regarding a fee system for the second consumables, in the quantity of the second consumables consumed by the printer when the first consumables are consumed. The fee system for the second consumables is different between until the consumption quantity of the second consumables by the printer reaches the contract quantity and when the consumption quantity of the second consumables by the printer exceeds the contract quantity. The setting process is when the contract content is the first contract content where the contract quantity is the first contract quantity, sets the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity, when the contract content is the second contract content where the contract quantity is the second contract quantity, which is more than the first contract quantity, sets the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity The management program according to claim 1, characterized by this.

4. The management device is communicatively connected to at least one of the printer or the user's terminal. The setting process is when the contract content is the second contract content, sets either the first shipment quantity or the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity. To the computer, When the contract content is the second contract content, execute a first acquisition process to obtain from at least one of the printer or the user's terminal an answer as to whether to set the first shipment quantity or the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity in the setting process, The setting process is as follows: When the contract content is the second contract content and the answer obtained by the first acquisition process indicates that the first shipment quantity is to be set as the unit shipment quantity, set the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity. When the contract content is the second contract content and the answer obtained by the first acquisition process indicates that the second shipment quantity is to be set as the unit shipment quantity, set the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity. The management program according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. The contract content includes conditions regarding the contract fee. The setting process is as follows: When the contract content is the first contract content where the contract fee is the first contract fee, set the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity. When the contract content is the second contract content where the contract fee is a second contract fee higher than the first contract fee, set either the first shipment quantity or the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity. On the computer, When the answer obtained by the first acquisition process indicates that the second shipment quantity is to be set as the unit shipment quantity, execute a change process to change the second contract fee to a discounted contract fee lower than the second contract fee. The management program according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. The contract content includes conditions regarding the contract fee. The setting process is as follows: When the contract content is the first contract content where the contract fee is the first contract fee, set the first shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity. When the contract content is the second contract content where the contract fee is a second contract fee higher than the first contract fee, set either the first shipment quantity or the second shipment quantity as the unit shipment quantity. On the computer, When the answer obtained by the first acquisition process indicates that the second shipment quantity is to be set as the unit shipment quantity, execute a granting process to grant a privilege to the user. The management program according to claim 4, characterized in that.

7. The change process is as follows: When the shipping fee for shipping the first consumable of the second shipping quantity to the user is the first shipping fee, change the second contract fee to a first discounted contract fee that is less than the second contract fee. When the shipping fee is a second shipping fee that is lower than the first shipping fee, change the second contract fee to a second discounted contract fee that is lower than the first discounted contract fee. The management program according to claim 5, characterized in that.

8. The granting process is When the shipping fee for shipping the first consumable of the second shipping quantity to the user is the first shipping fee, grant a first privilege to the user. When the shipping fee is a second shipping fee that is lower than the first shipping fee, grant a second privilege to the user that is higher than the first privilege for the user. The management program according to claim 6, characterized in that.

9. To the computer, When the contract content is the second contract content, execute a first specifying process for specifying an estimated consumption quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable estimated to be consumed by the user with the printer during the corresponding period. The setting process is, when the contract content is the second contract content, set the second shipping quantity based on the estimated consumption quantity specified by the first specifying process to the unit shipping quantity. The management program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

10. To the computer, When the contract content is the second contract content, execute a second specifying process for specifying a specific consumption quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable consumed by the user with the printer during a past specific period. The setting process is, when the contract content is the second contract content and the future specific period corresponding to the past specific period is included in a predetermined setting period, set the second shipping quantity based on the specific consumption quantity specified by the second specifying process to the unit shipping quantity. The management program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

11. The management device is communicatively connected to at least one of the printer or the user's terminal. To the computer, Execute a second acquisition process for acquiring information specifying an upper limit of the unit shipping quantity from at least one of the printer or the user's terminal. When the contract content is the second contract content, the setting process sets the second shipment quantity specified by the information obtained by the second acquisition process to the unit shipment quantity, where the second shipment quantity is equal to or less than the upper limit specified by the information. The management program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

12. When the contract content is the second contract content, the setting process sets the second shipment quantity based on the expiration date of the first consumable to the unit shipment quantity. The management program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

13. A printer that uses the first consumable, A management device that is communicatively connected to at least one of the printer or the user's terminal and manages the shipment of the first consumable to the user based on the contract content with the user. A management system comprising: At least one of the printer or the user's terminal includes a first computer. The first computer: Performs a transmission process of transmitting the contract content to the management device. The management device includes a second computer. The second computer: A reception process of receiving the contract content transmitted by the transmission process, When the contract content is the first contract content, the first shipment quantity is set to the unit shipment quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable shipped to the user per time. When the contract content is the second contract content, where the quantity of the first consumable consumed by the printer during the corresponding period, which is the period corresponding to the contract content, is greater than the first contract content, a setting process of setting a second shipment quantity greater than the first shipment quantity to the unit shipment quantity. A management system characterized by performing the above.

14. A management device that manages the shipment of the first consumable consumed by a printer to a user based on the contract content with the user, Comprising a computer. The computer: When the contract content is the first contract content, the first shipment quantity is set to the unit shipment quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable shipped to the user per time. When the contract content is the second contract content, where the quantity of the first consumable consumed by the printer during the corresponding period, which is the period corresponding to the contract content, is greater than the first contract content, a setting process of setting a second shipment quantity greater than the first shipment quantity to the unit shipment quantity is performed. A management device characterized by this.

15. A management method for managing the shipment of the first consumable consumed by a printer to the user based on the contract content with the user, when the contract content is the first contract content, a first shipment quantity is set as the unit shipment quantity, which is the quantity of the first consumable shipped to the user per time, and when the contract content is the second contract content in which the quantity of the first consumable consumed by the printer during the corresponding period, which is the period corresponding to the contract content, is larger than the first contract content, a setting process is provided in which a second shipment quantity larger than the first shipment quantity is set as the unit shipment quantity. The management method is characterized by this.

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