Computer program for terminal apparatus, terminal apparatus, and method of controlling terminal apparatus

Abstract

To provide a new and useful technique for displaying notification information corresponding to a service relating to a first print apparatus on a display part of a terminal apparatus.SOLUTION: When acquiring first identification information for use in identifying a first print apparatus, a terminal apparatus according to the present invention registers, at a memory of the terminal apparatus, the first identification information and first registration time information in association with each other. The first registration time information indicates first time when the first identification information is registered at the memory. After registering, at the memory, the first identification information and the first registration time information in association with each other, the terminal apparatus repeatedly receives, from the first print apparatus, print amount information related to a print amount of the first print apparatus. If a first correlation value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print amount information satisfies a predetermined condition, the terminal apparatus displays notification information corresponding to a service relating to the first print apparatus on a display part of the terminal apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a technology related to a terminal device for displaying notification information.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a plurality of printers and a PC. The PC transmits a print instruction to the printer. The PC receives status information including remaining amount information from the printer and displays the information on a display.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This specification provides a novel and useful technology for causing a display unit of a terminal device to display notification information corresponding to a service related to a first printing device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This specification discloses a computer program for a terminal device. When the computer of the terminal device acquires first identification information for identifying a first printing device, a first registration unit that associates the first identification information with first registration time information and registers the information in the memory of the terminal device, where the first registration time information indicates a first time when the first identification information is registered in the memory; the first registration unit; after the first identification information and the first registration time information are associated and registered in the memory, a print volume information receiving unit that repeatedly receives print volume information related to the print volume of the first printing device from the first printing device; and a first relationship value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print volume information, where when the first relationship value related to the print volume of the first printing device from the first time to a predetermined time satisfies a predetermined condition, a first display control unit that causes notification information corresponding to a service related to the first printing device to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device, may function as such.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the first relationship value related to the print volume of the first printing device from the first time to a predetermined time satisfies a predetermined condition, the terminal device displays notification information corresponding to a service related to the first printing device. Therefore, the notification information can be displayed at an appropriate timing.

[0007] A computer-readable recording medium storing the above computer program, a terminal device realized by the above computer program, and a method for controlling the terminal device are also novel and useful. Also, a communication system including the terminal device and the first printing device is novel and useful.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (Example) (Configuration of Communication System 2; Figure 1) As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 2 includes a plurality of printers 10A and 10B, a PC 100, a notification server 200, and a service providing server 300. Note that the notification server 200 and the service providing server 300 may be configured as one server or as separate servers. The printers 10A, 10B, and the PC 100 are connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) 4. The printers 10A, 10B, and the PC 100 can communicate via the LAN 4. The printers 10A, 10B, the PC 100, the notification server 200, and the service providing server 300 are connected to the Internet 6. The printers 10A, 10B, the PC 100, the notification server 200, and the service providing server 300 can communicate via the Internet 6.

[0010] (Configuration of Printers 10A and 10B) Printers 10A and 10B are peripheral devices capable of executing a printing function (i.e., peripheral devices such as PC 100). Printers 10A and 10B are inkjet printers equipped with a print engine having a printing mechanism such as a print head. In a modified example, Printers 10A and 10B may be electrophotographic printers equipped with a print engine having a photoreceptor and an exposure device for exposing the photoreceptor. Printer 10A has a device name "DV1" and a model name "MN1". Printer 10B has a device name "DV2" and a model name "MN2". The device name is a name assigned to the printer by the printer administrator. The model name is a name indicating the model of the printer.

[0011] (Configuration of PC 100) PC 100 is a terminal device such as a desktop PC, a notebook PC, or a tablet PC. PC 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a communication interface 120, and a control unit 130. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F".

[0012] The operation unit 112 is a user interface that enables the user to input various information to PC 100. The operation unit 112 includes, for example, a touch panel for displaying software keys (operation objects), hardware keys, or both. The hardware keys include, for example, buttons or switches. The display unit 114 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The panel may be a touch panel or may not be a touch panel. Also, the panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The communication I / F 120 is connected to the LAN 4. The communication I / F 120 may be a wired I / F or a wireless I / F.

[0013] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. As an example, the main storage device includes a RAM and a cache memory. As an example, the auxiliary storage device may be a ROM, a flash memory, a Solid State Drive (SSD), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), or a combination thereof. The OS program 140, the installer program 142, and the application program 144 are stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 134. Hereinafter, the OS program 140, the installer program 142, and the application program 144 will be referred to as "OS 140", "installer 142", and "app 144", respectively. The OS 140 controls the basic operations of the PC 100. The installer 142 is a program for executing the installation of the printer driver and the installation of the app 144. As an example, the app 144 is a program for periodically acquiring the printer information of a printer communicably connected to the PC 100 and displaying the acquired printer information on the display unit 114 of the PC 100. The app 144 is a so-called resident app. The printer information includes status information indicating the status of the printer and remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge mounted on the printer. Note that the remaining amount information in the case where the printer is an electrophotographic printer is information indicating the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge. The CPU 132 realizes various processes according to the programs loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device. Hereinafter, various processes realized by the CPU 132 according to the programs may be described as being mainly performed by the OS 140, the installer 142, or the app 144. The auxiliary storage device of the memory 134 further stores a first notification information table 148, a device table 146, a print volume management table 150, a history table 152, and the latest print volume information 154A and 154B. The latest print volume information 154A and 154B are information corresponding to the printers 10A and 10B, respectively.

[0014] (Configuration of the notification server 200) The notification server 200 is a server installed on the Internet 6 by a vendor different from the vendors of the printers 10A and 10B (hereinafter simply referred to as "vendor"). The notification server 200 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers.

[0015] The notification server 200 is a server that provides notification-related information. The notification-related information is information related to notification information for printers that can communicate with the PC 100. When the notification server 200 receives a notification-related information request from the PC 100, it transmits the notification-related information to the PC 100. The notification server 200 includes a memory 234. The memory 234 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. A second notification information table 240 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 234.

[0016] (Configuration of the service providing server 300) The service providing server 300 is a server installed on the Internet 6 by a vendor. The service providing server 300 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers. The service providing server 300 provides a subscription service (hereinafter referred to as "subsc service") related to the printer. The subsc service is a flat-rate service in which a flat-rate amount is billed when the number of printed sheets in a predetermined period (e.g., one month) is less than or equal to the contract printed sheet number (e.g., 1000 sheets), and when the number of printed sheets in the predetermined period exceeds the contract printed sheet number, the sum of the flat-rate fee and the amount corresponding to the number of printed sheets exceeding the contract printed sheet number is billed. The subsc service includes an automatic shipping service that automatically ships a new cartridge when the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge installed in the printer reaches or falls below a predetermined remaining amount.

[0017] (Configuration of each table; FIGS. 2 and 3) With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the contents of the device table 146, the first notification information table 148, the print volume management table 150, the history table 152 of the PC 100, and the second notification information table 240 of the notification server 200 will be described.

[0018] The device table 146 in FIG. 2 is a table for managing information regarding devices registered in the application 144. In the device table 146, a device name, a model name, subscription information, and selection information are stored in association with each other. The subscription information indicates either "subscribed", which indicates that the device has subscribed to the subscription service, or "not subscribed", which indicates that the device has not subscribed to the subscription service. The selection information indicates either "ON", which indicates that the device associated with the information is selected, or "OFF", which indicates that the device is not selected.

[0019] The first notification information table 148 is a table for managing notification-related information received from the notification server 200. In the first notification information table 148, the notification-related information and an operation-completed flag are stored in association with each other. The notification-related information includes a notification ID (e.g., "ID1", "ID2") for identifying the notification-related information, a model name, title information (e.g., "TL", "TL2"), message information (e.g., "MS1", "MS2"), and notification conditions. The title information is information indicating a title (i.e., a character string) to be displayed within the notification screen. The message information is information indicating a message (i.e., a character string) to be displayed within the notification screen. The notification conditions are conditions for determining whether to display the notification information. The notification conditions include device conditions, period conditions, and print volume conditions. The device conditions are information indicating conditions related to the device. As an example, the device conditions include "subscription information = not subscribed". The period conditions are information indicating a period during which the notification information can be displayed. The print volume conditions are information indicating conditions for the print volume for displaying the notification information. The print volume conditions are conditions corresponding to the monthly print volume of the printer. In this embodiment, the print volume is the number of printed sheets. The operation-completed flag indicates either "ON", which indicates that a user operation has been received for the notification information, or "OFF", which indicates that no user operation has been received for the notification screen.

[0020] The print volume management table 150 is a table for managing each piece of information at the timing when the device is registered with the application 144. Although details will be described later, when the application 144 receives the registration operation of the device, it acquires print volume information and the like from the device. Then, the application 144 associates the acquired print volume information with the date and time when the registration operation was received and registers it in the print volume management table 150. In the print volume management table 150, the device name, the print volume information, and the registration date and time information are stored in association with each other. The print volume information indicates the cumulative number of printed sheets of the device at the time when the device is registered with the application 144. The registration date and time information indicates the date and time when the device is registered with the application 144. The date and time when the device is registered with the application 144 is the same as the date and time when the registration operation is received. Hereinafter, the device name, the print volume information, and the registration date and time information may be collectively referred to as "registration information".

[0021] The history table 152 is a table for managing information of a device whose registration from the application 144 has been canceled (hereinafter referred to as "canceled device"). In the history table 152, the device name, the past print volume information, and the past registration date and time information are stored in association with each other. The past print volume indicates the cumulative print volume of the canceled device at the time when the canceled device was registered with the application 144 in the past. The past registration date and time information indicates the date and time when the canceled device was registered with the application 144 in the past. Hereinafter, the device name, the past print volume information, and the past registration date and time information may be collectively referred to as "registration history information".

[0022] The second notification information table 240 in FIG. 3 is a table for managing notification-related information. One or more pieces of notification-related information are stored in the second notification information table 240. Each piece of information in the second notification information table 240 is registered in the notification server 200 in response to a request from a vendor or the like to the operator who installs the notification server 200 to register the notification-related information. That is, the notification conditions in the notification-related information are conditions determined by the notification server 200.

[0023] (Registration process; FIG. 4) Referring to FIG. 4, a registration process for registering printers 10A and 10B in application 144 will be described. Hereinafter, all communication executed between PC 100 and other devices (printers 10A and 10B and each server 200 and 300) is executed via communication I / F 120 of PC 100. Therefore, hereinafter, the description of "via communication I / F 120" will be omitted. Also, installer 142 and application 144 access each hardware such as display unit 114, memory 134, and communication I / F 120 via OS 136 to execute various processes. Hereinafter, the description of installer 142 and application 144 executing processes via OS 140 will be appropriately omitted.

[0024] First, the user of PC 100 performs an operation (installer startup operation) for starting installer 142 on PC 100 at T10. Thereby, installer 142 broadcasts a search signal at T12 and receives a response signal including device name "DV1" and model name "MN1" from printer 10A at T14. Although not shown, installer 142 receives a response signal including device name "DV2" and model name "MN2" from printer 10B. Installer 142 causes selection screen SC2 to be displayed on display unit 114 at T16. Selection screen SC2 includes the device name and model name of each of one or more devices. Selection screen SC2 is a screen for selecting a device to be registered in application 144.

[0025] The user performs an operation on PC100 to select the device name "DV1" on the selection screen SC2 at T20. As a result, at T22, the installer 142 installs the printer driver corresponding to the printer 10A having the selected device name "DV1", at T24, installs the app 144, and at T26, causes the display unit 114 to display a completion screen indicating that the installation of the printer driver and the app 144 has been completed. Next, at T30, the installer 142 supplies the device name "DV1" and the model name "MN1" selected by the user to the app 144.

[0026] When the application 144 obtains the device name "DV1" and the model name "MN1" from the installer 142 at T30, it updates the device table 146 at T32. Specifically, the application 144 associates the device name "DV1", the model name "MN1", the subscription information "not subscribed", and the selection information "ON", and stores them in the device table 146. At T34, the application 144 sends a print volume information request to the printer 10A having the device name "DV1". The print volume information request is a signal that requests the transmission of print volume information related to the print volume of the printer 10A. When the application 144 receives the print volume information "100" from the printer 10A at T36, it updates the print volume management table 150 and the latest print volume information 154A at T38. Specifically, the application 144 associates the device name "DV1", the model name "MN1", the print volume information "100", and the registration date and time "2023 / 12 / 1 10:00", and stores them in the print volume management table 150. The registration date and time "2023 / 12 / 1 10:00" is the current date and time "2023 / 12 / 1 10:00". Also, the application 144 stores the print volume information "100" as the latest print volume information 154A. Thereby, the printer 10A is registered in the application 144. Although not shown in the figure, after that, the application 144 sends a print volume information request to the printer 10A every time the first determination time (for example, 12 hours) elapses. Also, the application 144 sends a printer information request to the printer 10A every time the second determination time elapses. In a modified example, the timing of sending the print volume information request and the status information may be the same.

[0027] After that, between the installer 142 of the PC 100 and the printers 10A and 10B, the same processing as T10 to T16 is executed. The user executes an operation on the PC 100 to select the device name "DV2" on the selection screen SC2 at T40. As a result, the installer 142 installs a printer driver corresponding to the printer 10B having the selected device name "DV2" at T42. Since the app 144 has already been installed, the installer 142 does not execute the process for installing the app 144. T46 is the same as T26. The installer 142 supplies the device name "DV2" and the model name "MN2" selected by the user to the app 144 at T50.

[0028] At T50, when the app 144 acquires the device name "DV2" and the model name "MN2" from the installer 142, it updates the device table 146 at T52. Specifically, the app 144 associates the device name "DV2", the model name "MN2", the joining information "not joined", and the selection information "ON" and stores them in the device table 146. Also, the app 144 changes the selection information stored in the device table 146 associated with the device name "DV1" to "OFF". At T54, the app 144 sends a print volume information request to the printer 10B having the device name "DV2". At T56, it receives the print volume information "200" from the printer 10B and updates the print volume management table 150 and the latest print volume information 154B at T58. Specifically, the app 144 associates the device name "DV2", the model name "MN2", the print volume information "200", and the registration date and time "2023 / 12 / 1 11:00" and stores them in the print volume management table 150. Also, the app 144 stores the print volume information "200" as the latest print volume information 154B. As a result, the printer 10B is registered with the app 144. Although not shown in the figure, after that, every time the first determination time elapses, the app 144 sends a print volume information request to the printer 10B, and every time the second determination time elapses, it sends a printer information request to the printer 10B.

[0029] (Various processes; FIGS. 5 to 8) With reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, various processes executed by the application 144 of the PC 100 will be described. The application 144 executes the processes of FIGS. 5 to 8 in parallel.

[0030] (Release process; FIG. 5) With reference to FIG. 5, the release process executed by the application 144 of the PC 100 will be described. The release process is a process for releasing the registration of the devices registered in the application 144. The application 144 executes the process of FIG. 5 when a device is registered in the application 144.

[0031] In S10, the application 144 monitors for receiving an operation (status monitor screen display operation) for displaying a status monitor screen. In this embodiment, the application 144 operates in the background while the PC 100 is operating. The status monitor screen display operation is an operation for operating the application 144 in the foreground. When the application 144 receives the status monitor screen display operation, it determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12.

[0032] In S12, the application 144 causes the status monitor screen SC10 to be displayed on the display unit 114. By the status monitor screen SC10 being displayed on the display unit 114, the application 144 will operate in the foreground. The status monitor screen SC10 includes a selection object 500, status information 502, remaining amount information 504, and a setting button 506. The selection object 500 includes the device name of the device being selected. The object being selected is a device in which selection information "ON" is stored in association in the device table 146. The user can change the device being selected by operating the pull-down in the selection object 500. The status information 502 indicates the status of the device being selected. The remaining amount information 504 indicates the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge mounted on the device being selected. The setting button 506 is a button for changing the settings of the application 144. Also, the user can cancel the registration from the application 144 of the device by operating the setting button 506.

[0033] In S14, the application 144 monitors for receiving an operation for canceling the registration of the device being selected (hereinafter referred to as "cancellation operation"). When the application 144 receives the cancellation operation, it determines YES in S14 and proceeds to S16.

[0034] In S16, the application 144 updates the device table 146, the print volume management table 150, and the history table 152. Specifically, the application 144 deletes information including the device name of the device to cancel the registration (hereinafter referred to as "device name to be canceled") from the device table 146. Also, the application 144 stores the device name to be canceled and each piece of information stored in the print volume management table 150 in association with the device name in the history table 152 as registration history information. Further, the application 144 deletes the device name to be canceled and each piece of information stored in association with the device name from the print volume management table 150. When S16 ends, the application 144 ends the process of FIG. 5.

[0035] (Notification-related information acquisition process; Figure 6) Referring to Figure 6, the notification-related information acquisition process executed by Application 144 will be described. Application 144 executes the process of Figure 6 when Application 144 is launched. In this embodiment, Application 144 is configured to be automatically launched when PC 100 is launched.

[0036] In S20, Application 144 sends a notification-related information request to Notification Server 200. The notification-related information request is a signal for requesting the transmission of notification-related information. The notification-related information request includes one or more model names stored in Device Table 146. When Notification Server 200 receives the notification-related information request from PC 100, it sends the notification-related information corresponding to the one or more model names in the request to PC 100.

[0037] In S22, Application 144 receives notification-related information from Notification Server 200.

[0038] In S24, Application 144 associates the received notification-related information with the operation flag "OFF" and stores it in the first notification information table 148.

[0039] In S26, Application 144 monitors whether a third determination time (e.g., 24 hours) has elapsed since the notification-related information request was sent to Notification Server 200. If the third determination time has elapsed, Application 144 determines YES in S26 and returns to S20. In this way, Application 144 sends a notification-related information request to Notification Server 200 every time the third determination time elapses while Application 144 is in the launched state.

[0040] (Printing volume information acquisition process; Figure 7) Referring to FIG. 7, the print volume information acquisition process executed by the application 144 will be described. The application 144 executes the process of FIG. 7 when one or more devices are registered with the application 144. Note that the application 144 executes the process of FIG. 7 for each of the one or more devices registered with the application 144. Hereinafter, the case where the processing target of FIG. 7 is the printer 10A will be described as an example.

[0041] In S30, the application 144 monitors that the first determination time has elapsed since the print volume information request was sent to the printer 10A. When the first determination time has elapsed, the application 144 determines YES in S30 and proceeds to S32.

[0042] In S32, the application 144 sends a print volume information request to the printer 10A.

[0043] In S34, the application 144 determines whether it has received print volume information from the printer 10A. When the application 144 receives print volume information from the printer 10A (YES in S34), it proceeds to S40. On the other hand, when the application 144 does not receive print volume information from the printer 10A (NO in S34), it proceeds to S50. Note that the case where NO is determined in S34 is when the PC 100 and the printer 10A are unable to communicate.

[0044] In S40, the application 144 updates the latest print volume information corresponding to the printer 10A using the received print volume information. When S40 ends, the application 144 returns to S30.

[0045] Also, in S50, the application 144 monitors that the fourth determination time (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed since the print volume information request was sent to the printer 10A. The fourth determination time is shorter than the first determination time. When the fourth determination time elapses, the application 144 determines YES in S50 and proceeds to S52. S52 is the same as S32. In this way, when the application 144 does not receive the print volume information from the printer 10A, after a relatively short time has elapsed, the application 144 sends the print volume information request to the printer 10A. It is possible that the communication between the PC 100 and the printer 10A changes to be communicable without the first determination time elapsing since the time when the print volume information was not received from the printer 10A. According to the above configuration, the possibility of receiving the latest print volume information from the printer 10A can be improved.

[0046] In S54, the application 144 determines whether it has received the print volume information from the printer 10A. When the application 144 receives the print volume information from the printer 10A (YES in S54), it proceeds to S40. On the other hand, when the application 144 does not receive the print volume information from the printer 10A (NO in S54), it returns to S50.

[0047] (Notification Information Display Process; FIG. 8) With reference to FIG. 8, the notification information display process executed by the application 144 will be described. The application 144 executes the process of FIG. 8 when one or more devices are registered with the application 144. In the device table 146, the application 144 executes the process of FIG. 8 using the device in which the selection information "ON" is stored as the device to be processed. Hereinafter, a case where the selection information "ON" is stored in association with the device name "DV1" of the printer 10A in the device table 146 will be described as an example.

[0048] In S70, the application 144 monitors that the fifth determination time (for example, 720 hours) has elapsed since the printer 10A was registered with the application 144. When the fifth determination time elapses, the application 144 determines YES in S70 and proceeds to S72.

[0049] In S72, the application 144 monitors that a print volume information request is sent to the printer 10A. Specifically, the application 144 monitors that S32 or S52 in FIG. 7 is executed. When the print volume information request is sent to the printer 10A, the application 144 determines YES in S72 and proceeds to S74.

[0050] In S74, the application 144 determines whether it has received print volume information from the printer 10A. When the application 144 receives print volume information from the printer 10A (YES in S74), it proceeds to S76. On the other hand, when the application 144 does not receive print volume information from the printer 10A (NO in S74), it proceeds to S100.

[0051] In S76, the application 144 determines whether registration history information including the device name "DV1" of the printer 10A is stored in the history table 152. When the registration history information is stored in the history table 152 (YES in S76), the application 144 proceeds to S80. On the other hand, when the registration history information is not stored in the history table 152 (NO in S76), the application 144 proceeds to S90. Note that the case where YES is determined in S76 is the case where the printer 10A is re-registered to the application 144 after the registration from the application 144 of the printer 10A is cancelled.

[0052] In S80, the application 144 calculates the average print quantity P [sheets / month] by using the registration history information in the history table 152 and the print quantity information received in S74. Specifically, in the history table 152, the application 144 identifies the registration history information including the device name "DV1" of the printer 10A. Then, the application 144 uses the print quantity indicated by the print quantity information received in S74, the print quantity indicated by the past print quantity information in the identified registration history information, the current date and time, and the registration date and time indicated by the past registration date and time information in the identified registration history information to calculate the average print quantity P. When S80 ends, the application 144 proceeds to S110. In this way, when the registration history information corresponding to the printer 10A is stored in the history table 152, the application 144 calculates the average print quantity P by using the past print quantity information in the registration history information. According to such a configuration, the average print quantity P can be calculated by using the print quantity of the user over a relatively long period. Therefore, the accuracy of the average print quantity P can be improved.

[0053] Also, in S90, the application 144 calculates the average print quantity P [sheets / month] by using the registration information in the print quantity management table 150 and the print quantity information received in S74. Specifically, in the print quantity management table 150, the application 144 identifies the registration information including the device name "DV1" of the printer 10A. Then, the application 144 uses the print quantity indicated by the print quantity information received in S74, the print quantity indicated by the print quantity information in the identified registration information, the current date and time, and the registration date and time indicated by the registration date and time information in the identified registration information to calculate the average print quantity P. When S90 ends, the application 144 proceeds to S110. In this way, when the application 144 receives the print quantity information from the printer 10A, the application 144 calculates the average print quantity P by using the print quantity information. According to such a configuration, the accuracy of the average print quantity P can be improved.

[0054] Also, in S100, the application 144 calculates the average printing quantity P [sheets / month] using the registration information in the printing quantity management table 150 and the latest printing quantity information 154A corresponding to the printer 10A. Specifically, in the printing quantity management table 150, the application 144 identifies the registration information including the device name "DV1" of the printer 10A. Then, the application 144 calculates the average printing quantity P using the printing quantity indicated by the latest printing quantity information 154A, the printing quantity indicated by the printing quantity information in the identified registration information, the current date and time, and the registration date and time indicated by the registration date and time information in the identified registration information. When S100 ends, the application 144 proceeds to S110. In this way, when the application 144 does not receive the printing quantity information from the printer 10A, it calculates the average printing quantity P using the latest printing quantity information 154A in the memory 134. According to such a configuration, even when the PC 100 and the printer 10A cannot communicate, it is possible to calculate the average printing quantity P and determine whether to display the notification information.

[0055] In S110, the application 144 determines whether the notification conditions in the notification-related information corresponding to the printer 10A are satisfied. First, the application 144 identifies the notification-related information that includes the model name "MN1" of the printer 10A and is associated with the operated flag "OFF" as the target notification-related information. The application 144 determines whether the device conditions, period conditions, and print volume conditions in the target notification-related information are satisfied. The application 144 identifies the subscription information stored in the device table 146 associated with the model name "MN1" and determines whether the identified subscription information satisfies the device conditions. For example, assume a situation where the device condition is "subscription information = not subscribed". In this case, the device condition is satisfied when the identified subscription information is "not subscribed", and the device condition is not satisfied when the identified subscription information is "subscribed". Also, the application 144 determines whether the current date and time satisfies the period conditions. For example, assume a situation where the period condition is "2023 / 12 / 1 to 2023 / 12 / 10". In this case, the period condition is satisfied when today's date is within the period of "2023 / 12 / 1 to 2023 / 12 / 10", and the period condition is not satisfied when today's date is outside the period of "2023 / 12 / 1 to 2023 / 12 / 10". Furthermore, the application 144 determines whether the print average volume P calculated in S80, S90, or S100 satisfies the print volume conditions. For example, assume a situation where the print volume condition is "200 ≤ P ≤ 400". In this case, the print volume condition is satisfied when the print average volume P is 200 [sheets / month] or more and 400 [sheets / month] or less, and the print volume condition is not satisfied when the print average volume P is less than 200 [sheets / month] or exceeds 400 [sheets / month]. The application 144 determines that the notification conditions are satisfied (YES in S110) and proceeds to S112 when the device conditions, period conditions, and print volume conditions are satisfied. On the other hand, the application 144 determines that the notification conditions are not satisfied (NO in S110) and returns to S72 when at least one of the device conditions, period conditions, and print volume conditions is not satisfied.

[0056] In S112, the application 144 determines whether the application 144 is operating in the foreground. If the application 144 is operating in the foreground (YES in S112), the application 144 proceeds to S120. On the other hand, if the application 144 is not operating in the foreground (NO in S112), the application 144 proceeds to S130. Note that the case where it is determined NO in S112 means that the application 144 is operating in the background.

[0057] In S120, the application 144 causes the first notification information corresponding to the target notification related information to be displayed on the screen of the application 144 being displayed on the display unit 114. With reference to FIG. 9, the first notification information displayed in S120 will be described. In FIG. 9, in a state where the status monitor screen SC10 corresponding to the printer 10A is being displayed on the display unit 114, the situation where it is determined YES in S110 and S112 of FIG. 8 is assumed. In this case, the first notification information 510 is displayed on the status monitor screen SC10. The first notification information 510 includes a message 512 indicated by the message information included in the target notification related information. The first notification information 510 does not include a title indicated by the title information included in the target notification related information. As an example, the message 512 is "When you subscribe to the subscription service, you can execute printing at a fixed amount." That is, the message 512 can be said to be a message prompting the user to subscribe to the subscription service, or a message introducing the subscription service to the user. In a modified example, the message 512 may be "When you subscribe to the subscription service, the cartridge will be automatically shipped." or "Don't you want to subscribe to the subscription service?" In a modified example, the first notification information 510 may include a title indicated by the title information included in the target notification related information.

[0058] In S122 of FIG. 8, the application 144 monitors for receiving a first selection operation for selecting the first notification information. When the application 144 receives the first selection operation, it determines YES in S122 and proceeds to S124.

[0059] In S124, the application 144 ends the display of the first notification information. Also, in the first notification information table 148, the application 144 changes the processed information associated with the target notification-related information to "ON". Further, the application 144 causes the display unit 114 to display a subscription service screen (not shown) for subscribing to the subscription service. When S124 ends, the application 144 returns to S72. In this way, even if the notification conditions in the target notification-related information are no longer satisfied after the first notification information is displayed, the application 144 does not end the display of the first notification information. For example, even if the average print quantity P calculated using the print quantity information received from the printer 10A after the first notification information is displayed does not satisfy the print quantity condition, the application 144 does not end the display of the first notification information.

[0060] Also, in S130, the application 144 causes the display unit 114 to display second notification information corresponding to the target notification-related information. The second notification information has a so-called pop-up display mode. In a modified example, the second notification information may have a mode such as a banner display or a toast display. Referring to FIG. 10, the second notification information displayed in S130 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the second notification information 520 includes a title 522 indicated by the title information included in the target notification-related information and a message 512 indicated by the message information included in the target notification-related information. As an example, the title included in the second notification information 520 is "Service Guide".

[0061] In S132 of FIG. 8, the application 144 monitors for receiving a second selection operation for selecting the second notification information. When the application 144 receives the second selection operation, it determines YES in S132 and proceeds to S134.

[0062] In S134, the application 144 ends the display of the second notification information. Also, in the first notification information table 148, the application 144 changes the processed information stored in association with the target notification related information to "ON". Further, the application 144 causes the display unit 114 to display a subscription service registration screen (not shown) for subscribing to the subscription service. When S134 ends, the application 144 returns to S72.

[0063] In addition, when the selected device is changed, the application 144 ends the notification information display process corresponding to the device before the change and starts the notification information display process corresponding to the device after the change. For this reason, when the selected device is changed while the first notification information is being displayed, the application 144 ends the display of the first notification information without receiving the first selection operation.

[0064] As described above, the print volume condition in the notification related information includes an upper limit value and a lower limit value. With such a configuration, notification information can be displayed on the PC 100 used by a user who is using a print volume suitable for using the subscription service. Therefore, the application 144 can provide useful information to the user.

[0065] Also, when the fifth determination time (for example, 720 hours) has elapsed since the printer 10A was registered in the application 144, the application 144 executes the processes after S72. In a state before the fifth determination time has elapsed, for example, immediately after the user registers the printer 10A in the application 144, there is a possibility that the average print volume P cannot be calculated appropriately. With the above configuration, the average print volume P can be calculated appropriately.

[0066] Also, after the first notification information is displayed, even if the average print volume P no longer satisfies the print volume condition, the application 144 does not end the display of the first notification information. Even after the average print volume P no longer satisfies the print volume condition, the first notification information may still be useful to the user. For this reason, the convenience of the user is improved.

[0067] (Specific case; Fig. 11) Referring to Fig. 11, a specific case A realized by the communication system 2 of this embodiment will be described. In the initial state of case A, a status monitor screen SC10 corresponding to the printer 10A is displayed on the display unit 114 of the PC 100. That is, in the device table 146 of the PC 100, the selection information "ON" is stored in association with the device name "DV1". Also, case A is the state after the registration process in Fig. 3 is completed. For this reason, information including the device name "DV1" and information including the device name "DV2" are stored in the device table 146 and the print volume management table 150 of the PC 100. Specifically, the device name "DV1", the model name "MN1", the subscription information "MN1", and the selection information "ON" are stored in the device table 146 in association. Also, the device name "DV1", the print volume information "100", and the registration date and time "2023 / 12 / 1 10:00" are stored in the print volume management table 150 in association. Also, in the first notification information table 148 of the PC 100, specific notification-related information including the notification ID "ID1", the model name "MN1", the title information NT1, the message information MS1, the device condition "subscription information = not subscribed", the period condition "2024 / 1 / 1~2024 / 2 / 28", and the print volume condition "200≦P≦400" is stored. Also, the history table 152 of the PC 100 is empty.

[0068] At T10, in response to sending a print quantity information request to printer 10A (YES in S32 of FIG. 7, YES in S72 of FIG. 8), the application 144 of PC100 receives the print quantity information "700" from printer 10A (YES in S34 of FIG. 7, YES in S74 of FIG. 8). Next, the application 144 determines that the registration history information including the device name "DV1" is not stored in the history table 152 (NO in S76), and identifies the registration information including the device name "DV1" in the print quantity management table 150. Next, the application 144 uses the print quantity "700" indicated by the received print quantity information, the print quantity "100" indicated by the print quantity information in the identified registration information, the current date and time "2024 / 2 / 1 10:00", and the registration date and time "2023 / 12 / 1 10:00" indicated by the registration date and time information in the identified registration information to calculate the average print quantity P (S90). The average print quantity P in this case is "300 [sheets / month]".

[0069] Next, the application 144 identifies specific notification-related information that includes the model name "MN1" and is associated with the operation flag "OFF". Since the subscription information corresponding to the printer 10A is "unsubscribed", the application 144 determines that the device conditions are met. Also, since the date today is "2024 / 2 / 1", the application 144 determines that the period conditions are met. Furthermore, since the average print quantity P is 200 [sheets / month] or more and 400 [sheets / month] or less, the application 144 determines that the print quantity conditions are met. In this case, the application 144 determines that the notification conditions are met (YES in S110), determines that the application 144 is operating in the foreground (YES in S112), and displays the first notification information 510 including the message 512 corresponding to the message information MS1 on the status monitor screen SC10 (S120).

[0070] At T12, the user operates the selection object 500 to change the selected device from printer 10A to printer 10B. In this case, the application 144 ends the notification information display process corresponding to printer 10A (see FIG. 8) and also ends the display of the first notification information 510. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the application 144 causes the status monitor screen SC12 corresponding to printer 10B to be displayed on the display unit 114 and starts the notification information display process corresponding to printer 10B (see FIG. 8). The status monitor screen SC12 includes a selection object 530 including the device name "DV1", status information 532 of printer 10B, remaining amount information 534 of printer 10B, and a setting button 506.

[0071] (Effect of Case A) As described above, when the selected device is changed from printer 10A to printer 10B, the application 144 ends the display of the first notification information 510 corresponding to the previous printer 10A. In a state where printer 10B is selected, the first notification information 510 corresponding to the previous printer 10A is likely not to be beneficial to the user. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the display of information that is not beneficial to the user.

[0072] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the print average amount P related to the print amount of printer 10A from the registration date to the present satisfies the print amount condition (YES in S110 of FIG. 8), the PC 100 displays the notification information corresponding to the sub-service related to printer 10A (S120, S130). Therefore, the PC 100 can display the notification information at an appropriate timing.

[0073] (Corresponding relationship) PC100 is an example of a "terminal device". Printer 10A is an example of a "first printing device". The device name "DV1" is an example of "first identification information". The registration date and time information stored in association with the device name "DV1" in the print volume management table 150, and the registration date and time indicated by the registration date and time information are examples of "first registration period information" and "first period" respectively. The number of printed sheets is an example of "print volume". The print average amount P calculated in S90 of FIG. 8 is an example of "first relational value". The print volume condition in the notification-related information is an example of "predetermined condition". The current date and time is an example of "predetermined period". The subscription service is an example of "service". The lower limit value in the print volume condition and the upper limit value in the print volume condition are examples of "first threshold value" and "second threshold value" respectively. The fifth determination time in S70 of FIG. 8 is an example of "first predetermined time". The first determination time is an example of "second predetermined time". The print volume information request is an example of "information request". The print average amount P calculated in S100 of FIG. 8 is an example of "second relational value". The fourth determination time in S50 of FIG. 7 is an example of "third predetermined time". The past registration date and time information stored in association with the device name "DV1" in the history table 152, and the past registration date and time indicated by the past registration date and time information are examples of "specific registration period information" and "specific period" respectively. The print average amount P calculated in S80 of FIG. 8 is an example of "third relational value". The status monitor screen is an example of "predetermined screen". The print average amount P that can be calculated after the first notification information or the second notification information is displayed is an example of "fourth relational value". The first selection operation in S122 of FIG. 8 is an example of "specific operation".

[0074] T38 in FIG. 4 is an example of a process executed by the "first registration unit". S34 in FIG. 7 is an example of a process executed by the "print volume receiving unit". S120 in FIG. 8 is an example of a process executed by the "first display control unit".

[0075] The specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0076] (First Modification Example) In the above embodiment, each of the servers 200 and 300 is a physical server, but each of the servers 200 and 300 is not limited to a physical server and may be a virtual server or a virtual machine on the cloud. That is, the vendor may not prepare the hardware of the server 200 by itself and may utilize the environment provided by an external cloud computing service. In this case, the vendor may prepare the programs (i.e., software) of each of the servers 200 and 300 and introduce them into the above environment to realize each of the servers 200 and 300. In another modification example, each of the servers 200 and 300 may be installed on the Internet 6 by an operator different from the vendor.

[0077] (Second Modification Example) The "printing device" is not limited to a printer and may be a multifunction device having a scanner function in addition to a printing function.

[0078] (Third Modification Example) The "time" is not limited to the date and time and may be a date or the like.

[0079] (Fourth Modification Example) The "printing amount" is not limited to the number of printed sheets and may be the amount of ink used or the like. In other words, the "printing amount" may be the usage amount of consumables of the "first printing device". Printing paper and cartridges are examples of consumables.

[0080] (Fifth Modification Example) The "service" is not limited to a subscription service and may be an automatic shipping service, a consumable purchase service, a remote printing service, or the like. As an example, when the automatic shipping service is an example of the "service", the message 512 in the first notification information 510 is "When you subscribe to the automatic shipping service, the cartridge will be automatically shipped."

[0081] (Sixth Modification Example) "Predetermined time" is not limited to the current date and time, and may be the date and time one day before the current date and time, the date and time one week before the current date and time, the date and time when the print volume information was received, etc. For example, if the date and time one day before the current date and time is an example of "predetermined time", it is sufficient that the print volume information received at the date and time one day before the current date and time is stored in the memory 134 of the PC 100. Then, in S80 and S90 of FIG. 8, the application 144 calculates the average print volume P using the print volume information received at the date and time one day before the current date and time.

[0082] (Seventh Modification Example) "First relational value" is not limited to the print volume per month, and may be the print volume per hour, the print volume per day, the print volume per week, etc. In another modification example, "first relational value" may be the cumulative print volume after the registration date and time.

[0083] (Eighth Modification Example) The print volume condition in the notification-related information may include only the lower limit value.

[0084] (Ninth Modification Example) The print volume condition in the notification-related information may include only the upper limit value. For example, the print volume condition may be "P ≦ 400". According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately display the notification information corresponding to the user who uses the print volume relatively less. In this modification example, the print volume condition is an example of "third threshold value".

[0085] (Tenth Modification Example) S70 in FIG. 8 can be omitted.

[0086] (Eleventh Modification Example) When it is determined as YES in S74, the application 144 of the PC 100 may return to S72 without executing S100. In this modification example, the latest print volume information 154A does not have to be stored in the memory 134 of the PC 100. In this modification example, S40 in FIG. 7 and S100 in FIG. 8 can be omitted. In this modification example, "memory control unit" and "second determination unit" can be omitted.

[0087] (12th Modification Example) S50 to S54 in FIG. 7 can be omitted. In this modification example, when the application 144 of the PC 100 determines NO in S34, it returns to S30.

[0088] (13th Modification Example) In S120 of FIG. 8, the application 144 of the PC 100 may display the first notification information on the display unit 114 in the form of a pop-up display.

[0089] (14th Modification Example) The history table 152 may not be stored in the memory 134 of the PC 100. In this modification example, when the application 144 of the PC 100 determines YES in S14 during the cancellation process in FIG. 5, it determines that a deletion instruction has been obtained. Then, in S16, the application 144 updates the device table 146 and the print volume management table 150. Specifically, the application 144 deletes information including the device name to be cancelled from the device table 146 and the print volume management table 150. According to such a configuration, the use of the storage capacity of the PC 100 can be suppressed. In this modification example, S76 and S80 in FIG. 8 can be omitted.

[0090] (15th Modification Example) When the first notification information is displayed and the notification conditions in the target notification-related information are no longer satisfied, the application 144 of the PC 100 may end the display of the first notification information without receiving the first selection operation. Also, when the second notification information is displayed and the notification conditions in the target notification-related information are no longer satisfied, the application 144 of the PC 100 may end the display of the second notification information without receiving the second selection operation. In another modification example, after the first notification information or the second notification information is displayed, when the sixth determination time (for example, 1 minute) elapses without receiving the first selection operation or the second selection operation, the application 144 of the PC 100 may end the display of the first notification information or the second notification information.

[0091] (16th Modification Example) When the selected device is changed, the application 144 of the PC 100 may not end the display of the notification information corresponding to the device before the change.

[0092] (17th Modification Example) Instead of S72 in FIG. 8, the application 144 of the PC 100 may execute the processing after S74 every time a seventh determination time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed. In this case, in S74, the application 144 determines whether or not it has received the print quantity information corresponding to the previously transmitted print quantity information request.

[0093] (18th Modification Example) The "terminal device" is not limited to a PC, and may be a terminal device such as a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone) or a PDA.

[0094] (19th Modification Example) The notification conditions in the notification-related information may not include at least one of the device conditions and the period conditions.

[0095] (20th Modification Example) The application 144 is not limited to a resident application, and may be a non-resident application.

[0096] (21st Modification Example) In each of the above embodiments, the processing in FIGS. 3 to 11 is realized by software (for example, programs 140, 142, 144), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0097] Also, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Also, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of those purposes itself has technical usefulness.

[0098] In the claims of the present patent application at the time of filing, even if each claim depends only on some of the claims, each claim is not limited to being able to depend only on some of the claims. Within a technically non-contradictory range, each claim can also depend on other claims that it did not depend on at the time of filing. That is, the technologies of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows. (Item 1) A computer program for a terminal device, causing the computer of the terminal device to when first identification information for identifying a first printing device is acquired, a first registration unit that associates the first identification information with first registration time information and registers the associated information in the memory of the terminal device, where the first registration time information indicates a first time when the first identification information is registered in the memory, the first registration unit; a print amount information receiving unit that repeatedly receives, from the first printing device, print amount information related to the print amount of the first printing device after the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other; a first relationship value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print amount information, and when the first relationship value related to the print amount of the first printing device from the first time to a predetermined time satisfies a predetermined condition, a first display control unit that causes the terminal device to display notification information corresponding to a service related to the first printing device on a display unit of the terminal device; A computer program that functions as (Item 2) The computer program according to item 1, wherein the first relationship value is the monthly print amount of the first printing device from the first time to the predetermined time. (Item 3) When the first relationship value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the predetermined condition is satisfied, The computer program according to item 2, wherein when the first relationship value is less than the first threshold value, the predetermined condition is not satisfied. (Item 4) When the first relationship value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the predetermined condition is satisfied, The computer program according to item 3, wherein when the first relationship value is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the predetermined condition is not satisfied. (Item 5) When the first relationship value is less than a third threshold value, the predetermined condition is satisfied, The computer program according to item 2, wherein when the first relational value is greater than or equal to the third threshold value, the predetermined condition is not satisfied. (Item 6) The computer program further causes the computer to function as a first determination unit that determines whether the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition when a first predetermined time has elapsed since the first identification information and the first registration time information were registered in the memory in association with each other, the computer program according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 7) The computer program further causes the computer to function as an information request transmission unit that transmits an information request to the first printing device every second predetermined time, The print quantity information receiving unit repeatedly receives the print quantity information from the first printing device in response to the information request being transmitted to the first printing device every second predetermined time. The first determination unit determines whether the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition when the print quantity information is received from the first printing device in response to the information request being transmitted to the first printing device after the first predetermined time has elapsed since the first identification information and the first registration time information were registered in the memory in association with each other, the computer program according to item 6. (Item 8) The computer program further causes the computer to function as a storage control unit that stores the latest print quantity information in the memory every time the print quantity information is received from the first printing device, After the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other and after the elapse of the first predetermined time, when the information request is transmitted to the first printing device and the printing amount information is not received from the first printing device, a second relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the latest printing amount information in the memory, the second relational value related to the printing amount of the first printing device from the first time to the predetermined time, and a second determination unit that determines whether or not the second relational value satisfies the predetermined condition, and functions as The first display control unit further causes the display unit to display the notification information when the second relational value satisfies the predetermined condition, according to the computer program of item 7. (Item 9) The information request transmission unit transmits the information request to the first printing device every third predetermined time shorter than the second predetermined time when the printing amount information is not received from the first printing device in response to the information request being transmitted to the first printing device, according to the computer program of item 7. (Item 10) The first display control unit In a situation where registration history information in which the first identification information and specific registration time information indicating a specific time before the first time are associated with each other is not registered in the memory, when the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition, the notification information is caused to be displayed on the display unit, In a situation where the registration history information is registered in the memory, a third relational value based on the specific registration time information and the received printing amount information, the third relational value related to the printing amount of the first printing device from the specific time to the predetermined time, and the notification information is caused to be displayed on the display unit when the third relational value satisfies the predetermined condition, according to the computer program of item 1. (Item 11) The computer program further causes the computer The computer program according to item 1, which functions as an erasure unit that erases the first identification information and the first registration time information from the memory when an erasure instruction is acquired after the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other. (Item 12) The computer program according to item 1, wherein the notification information has a display mode of a pop-up. (Item 13) The computer program further causes the computer to function as a second display control unit that causes the display unit to display a predetermined screen including the status information of the first printing device, The computer program according to item 1, wherein the first display control unit causes the notification information to be displayed on the predetermined screen when the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition while the predetermined screen is being displayed on the display unit. (Item 14) The computer program according to item 13, wherein the first display control unit does not end the display of the notification information when a fourth relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print amount information, which is related to the print amount of the first printing device from the first time to the predetermined time, does not satisfy the predetermined condition after the notification information is displayed on the predetermined screen. (Item 15) The computer program according to item 13, wherein the first display control unit ends the display of the notification information when a specific operation on the notification information is received after the notification information is displayed on the predetermined screen. (Item 16) The computer program further causes the computer to function as a second registration unit that associates second identification information for identifying a second printing device different from the first printing device with second registration time information and registers them in the memory, where the second registration time information indicates a second time when the second identification information is registered in the memory. When the first printing device among the first printing device and the second printing device is selected, and when the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition, the first display control unit causes the display unit to display the notification information. The computer program according to item 1, wherein when the second printing device among the first printing device and the second printing device is selected, the notification information is not displayed even if the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition. (Item 17) The memory stores an installer program capable of executing an installation process for installing the computer program in the terminal device. The computer program further causes the computer to After the computer program is installed in the terminal device in response to the execution of the installation process, function as an acquisition unit that acquires the first identification information from the first printing device via the installer program. The computer program according to item 1. (Item 18) A terminal device, A first registration unit that, when first identification information for identifying a first printing device is acquired, associates the first identification information with first registration time information and registers the same in the memory of the terminal device, wherein the first registration time information indicates a first time when the first identification information is registered in the memory; the first registration unit; A print amount information receiving unit that repeatedly receives print amount information related to the print amount of the first printing device from the first printing device after the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other; A first relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print amount information, and when the first relational value related to the print amount of the first printing device from the first time to a predetermined time satisfies a predetermined condition, a first display control unit that causes the display unit of the terminal device to display notification information corresponding to a service related to the first printing device; A terminal device comprising the above. (Item 19) A method for controlling a terminal device, a first registration step of registering, in a memory of the terminal device, the first identification information and first registration time information in association with each other when the first identification information for identifying a first printing device is acquired, wherein the first registration time information indicates a first time when the first identification information is registered in the memory; the first registration step; a printing amount information receiving step of repeatedly receiving, from the first printing device, printing amount information related to a printing amount of the first printing device after the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other; a first display control step of causing a display unit of the terminal device to display notification information corresponding to a service related to the first printing device when a first relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the received printing amount information, the first relational value related to the printing amount of the first printing device from the first time to a predetermined time, satisfies a predetermined condition; A method comprising the above steps.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0099] 2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 6: Internet, 10A: Printer, 10B: Printer, 100: PC, 112: Operation unit, 114: Display unit, 120: Communication interface, 130: Control unit, 132: CPU, 134: Memory, 140: OS program, 142: Installer program, 144: Application program, 146: Device table, 148: First notification information table, 150: Printing amount management table, 152: History table, 154A: Printing amount information, 154B: Printing amount information, 200: Notification server, 234: Memory, 240: Second notification information table, 300: Service providing server

Claims

1. A computer program for a terminal device, wherein the computer of the terminal device is caused to: a first registration unit that, when first identification information for identifying a first printing device is acquired, associates the first identification information with first registration time information indicating a first time when the first identification information is registered in the memory of the terminal device, and registers the associated information in the memory of the terminal device; a print volume information receiving unit that repeatedly receives, from the first printing device, print volume information related to the print volume of the first printing device after the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other; a first display control unit that, when a first relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print volume information, which is related to the print volume of the first printing device from the first time to a predetermined time, satisfies a predetermined condition, causes a display unit of the terminal device to display notification information corresponding to a service related to the first printing device; function as a computer program.

2. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the first relational value is the monthly print volume of the first printing device from the first time to the predetermined time.

3. The predetermined condition is satisfied when the first relational value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the first relational value is less than the first threshold value. The computer program according to claim 2.

4. The predetermined condition is satisfied when the first relational value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, and the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the first relational value is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. The computer program according to claim 3.

5. The predetermined condition is satisfied when the first relational value is less than a third threshold value, and the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the first relational value is equal to or greater than the third threshold value. The computer program according to claim 2.

6. The computer program further causes the computer to: The computer program according to claim 1, which functions as a first determination unit that determines whether or not the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition when a first predetermined time has elapsed since the first identification information and the first registration time information were registered in the memory in association with each other.

7. The computer program further causes the computer to function as an information request transmission unit that transmits an information request to the first printing device every second predetermined time, The print quantity information receiving unit repeatedly receives the print quantity information from the first printing device in response to the information request being transmitted to the first printing device every second predetermined time. The first determination unit according to claim 6, wherein after the first predetermined time has elapsed since the first identification information and the first registration time information were registered in the memory in association with each other, when the print quantity information is received from the first printing device in response to the information request being transmitted to the first printing device, determines whether or not the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition.

8. The computer program further causes the computer to function as a storage control unit that stores the latest print quantity information in the memory every time the print quantity information is received from the first printing device, and after the first predetermined time has elapsed since the first identification information and the first registration time information were registered in the memory in association with each other, when the print quantity information is not received from the first printing device in response to the information request being transmitted to the first printing device, a second relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the latest print quantity information in the memory, and determines whether or not the second relational value related to the print quantity of the first printing device from the first time to the predetermined time satisfies the predetermined condition, as a second determination unit. The first display control unit according to claim 7, further causes the display unit to display the notification information when the second relational value satisfies the predetermined condition.

9. The information request transmission unit transmits the information request to the first printing apparatus every third predetermined time shorter than the second predetermined time when the printing amount information is not received from the first printing apparatus in response to the information request being transmitted to the first printing apparatus. The computer program according to claim 7.

10. The first display control unit In a situation where registration history information in which the first identification information and specific registration time information indicating a specific time before the first time are associated is not registered in the memory, when the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition, causes the display unit to display the notification information. In a situation where the registration history information is registered in the memory, a third relational value based on the specific registration time information and the received printing amount information, the third relational value related to the printing amount of the first printing apparatus from the specific time to the predetermined time, when the third relational value satisfies the predetermined condition, causes the display unit to display the notification information. The computer program according to claim 1.

11. The computer program further causes the computer to Function as an erasure unit that erases the first identification information and the first registration time information from the memory when an erasure instruction is acquired after the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other. The computer program according to claim 1.

12. The notification information has a display mode of a pop-up. The computer program according to claim 1.

13. The computer program further causes the computer to Function as a second display control unit that causes the display unit to display a predetermined screen including status information of the first printing apparatus, The first display control unit causes the notification information to be displayed on the predetermined screen when the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition in a state where the predetermined screen is being displayed on the display unit. The computer program according to claim 1.

14. The first display control unit does not end the display of the notification information when, after the notification information is displayed on the predetermined screen, a fourth relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print amount information, which is related to the print amount of the first printing apparatus from the first time to the predetermined time, does not satisfy the predetermined condition, according to the computer program of claim 13.

15. The first display control unit ends the display of the notification information when, after the notification information is displayed on the predetermined screen, a specific operation on the notification information is received, according to the computer program of claim 13.

16. The computer program further causes the computer to function as a second registration unit that, when second identification information for identifying a second printing apparatus different from the first printing apparatus is acquired, associates the second identification information with second registration time information indicating a second time when the second identification information is registered in the memory and registers the result in the memory, The first display control unit causes the display unit to display the notification information when the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition in a state where the first printing apparatus among the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus is selected. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the notification information is not displayed even when the first relational value satisfies the predetermined condition in a state where the second printing apparatus among the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus is selected.

17. The memory stores an installer program capable of executing an installation process for installing the computer program in the terminal device. The computer program further causes the computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires the first identification information from the first printing apparatus via the installer program after the computer program is installed in the terminal device in response to the execution of the installation process, according to the computer program of claim 1.

18. A terminal device, a display unit, A first registration unit that, when first identification information for identifying a first printing device is acquired, registers the first identification information and first registration time information in association with each other in the memory of the terminal device, where the first registration time information indicates a first time when the first identification information is registered in the memory; the first registration unit; A print quantity information receiving unit that repeatedly receives, from the first printing device, print quantity information related to the print quantity of the first printing device after the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other; A first display control unit that, when a first relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print quantity information, where the first relational value relates to the print quantity of the first printing device from the first time to a predetermined time, satisfies a predetermined condition, causes notification information corresponding to a service related to the first printing device to be displayed on the display unit; A terminal device comprising the above.

19. A method for controlling a terminal device, comprising: A first registration step of, when first identification information for identifying a first printing device is acquired, registering the first identification information and first registration time information in association with each other in the memory of the terminal device, where the first registration time information indicates a first time when the first identification information is registered in the memory; the first registration step; A print quantity information receiving step of repeatedly receiving, from the first printing device, print quantity information related to the print quantity of the first printing device after the first identification information and the first registration time information are registered in the memory in association with each other; A first display control step of, when a first relational value based on the registered first registration time information and the received print quantity information, where the first relational value relates to the print quantity of the first printing device from the first time to a predetermined time, satisfies a predetermined condition, causing notification information corresponding to a service related to the first printing device to be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device; A method comprising the above.

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