Printing control device and control method of printing control device

Abstract

To prevent consumable goods from being erroneously ordered, during a contract period of delivery service of delivering the consumable goods for a printing device.SOLUTION: A printing control device comprises: acquisition means that acquires contract information showing a situation of a contract relating to usage of delivery service received from a server 102 that provides the delivery service of delivering consumable goods for a printer 100; and display control means that performs control so that a specific display item for ordering consumable goods is displayed when the delivery service is not contracted and the specific display item is not displayed when the delivery service is contracted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print control device and a control method for a print control device. [Background technology]

[0002] For printing devices equipped with network capabilities, services are available in which consumables such as ink are managed by a management server and automatically delivered when ink levels are low. In recent years, with the introduction of subscription contracts, fixed-price services have become popular in which users who sign up for the service rent the device and consumables, eliminating initial investment and maintenance costs. In such contract-based flat-rate services, the printing device communicates with a management server, obtains contract information such as the service contract status from the management server, and controls the printing device according to the contract information. Patent Document 1 discloses a system that displays contract information related to the use of a consumables delivery service on the printing device and restricts the functions of the printing device based on the contract information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-70161 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some printing devices and dedicated applications for printing devices have a function to display information for ordering consumables to make it easier for users to purchase consumables. If a user has a contract for a consumables delivery service, the user does not need to purchase the consumables themselves, but if information for ordering consumables is presented to the user, the user may mistakenly order the consumables. Patent Document 1 does not disclose switching the information presented to the user based on contract information.

[0005] The present invention aims to prevent consumables from being erroneously ordered during a contract for a delivery service that delivers consumables for printing devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing control device of the present invention is characterized by having an acquisition means for acquiring contract information received from a server system, which is contract information indicating the status of a contract for use of a delivery service that delivers consumables for a printing device, and a display control means for controlling, based on the contract information acquired by the acquisition means, to display a specific display item for ordering consumables if the delivery service is not currently under contract, and not to display the specific display item if the delivery service is currently under contract. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent consumables from being erroneously ordered during a contract for a delivery service that delivers consumables for a printing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the overall configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a printer. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a display unit and an operation unit of a printer. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a display unit of a printer. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment. The printing system is a system in which image data received from a server 102 or a control device 103 is printed by a printer 100. The printing system includes the printer 100, the server 102, and the control device 103. The printer 100 is connected to the server 102 via a communication network 104 such as the Internet, and performs bidirectional communication with the server 102. Communication between the printer 100 and the server 102 uses a communication protocol such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (hereinafter referred to as HTTP).

[0011] The printer 100 is connected to the control device 103 via a USB cable or the like, and transmits and receives data to and from the control device 103. The printer 100 may be connected to the control device 103 via a direct connection with a wireless LAN interface to perform bidirectional communication, or may be connected to the control device 103 via an infrastructure connection via an external access point to perform bidirectional communication. The printer 100 is an example of a printing device, and is assumed to be a commonly used type.

[0012] Server 102 is an example of a server system that provides a consumables delivery service that automatically delivers consumables such as ink. The consumables delivery service can be used by entering into an automatic consumables delivery contract or subscription contract. The consumables are not limited to ink, printing paper, or any other consumables that can be used in printers. Server 102 manages contract information indicating the status of the contract for using the consumables delivery service for each printer. Printer 100 receives the contract information from server 102 via communication network 104, stores it in NVM (embedded nonvolatile memory) 104 of printer 100 (described later), and controls the display of display items on display unit 206 (FIG. 2) of printer 100 according to the contract information.

[0013] The control device 103 is a smartphone, a PC (personal computer), or the like. An application dedicated to the printer 100 and an internet browser are installed on the control device 103, and are used when connecting to and controlling the printer 100. Although the printer 100 and the control device 103 are directly connected, this is not limiting to the present embodiment. For example, the printer 100 and the control device 103 may be connected via a communication network 104.

[0014] 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the printer 100. The printer 100 has a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an NVM 204, a network connection unit 205, a display unit 206, an operation unit 207, a scanner unit 208, and a print unit 209. These units are interconnected by a bus 213 and transmit and receive data between them.

[0015] The CPU 201 (Central Processing Unit) is a central processing unit for controlling each unit within the printer 100. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 stores various programs and various data. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 temporarily stores data received by a network connection unit 205. The CPU 201 also uses the RAM 203 as a working memory to execute various programs stored in the ROM 202 and the like.

[0016] NVM 204 is a nonvolatile memory that stores nonvolatile information. NVM 204 stores information such as individual identification information for printer 100, shipping destination information, and the language setting for display on display unit 206. In this embodiment, contract information indicating the status of a contract for use of the consumables delivery service received from server 102 is also stored in NVM 204.

[0017] The network connection unit 205 is connected to an external device via a USB cable or the communication network 104, and communicates with the external device. In this embodiment, the CPU 201 uses the network connection unit 205 to send and receive data to and from the server 102 via the communication network 104. The CPU 201 also uses the network connection unit 205 to send and receive data to and from the control device 103 via the USB cable.

[0018] The display unit 206 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like and is capable of displaying characters, figures, indicators, etc. The CPU 201 controls the display content of the display unit 206. The operation unit 207 is configured with switches, hard keys, etc., which allow the user to perform various input operations. The functions of the display unit 206 and the operation unit 207 may be integrated, such as a touch panel display.

[0019] The printer 100 has a copy function, a scanner function, and a print function. The scanner function is realized by a scanner unit 208, and the print function is realized by a print unit 209. The copy function is realized by the CPU 201 transferring image data read and generated by the scanner unit 208 to the print unit 209, which then performs printing processing on a recording medium based on the image data.

[0020] The scanner unit 208 optically reads an original placed on a platen, converts it into electronic data, and generates image data that is further converted into a specified file format. The CPU 201 transfers the generated image data to the print unit 209, transmits it to an external device via the communication network 104, or stores it in a storage area such as a hard disk (not shown).

[0021] The print unit 209 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper by inkjet printing based on image data received from an external device, image data read and generated by the scanner unit 208, etc. The printing method of the print unit 209 is not limited to inkjet printing, and may be other printing methods such as electrophotography.

[0022] The print unit 209 has an ink tank unit 210, a waste ink tank unit 211, and a paper cassette unit 212. The ink tank unit 210 supplies ink to the print unit 209. The ink tank unit 210 has an ink inlet, and stores ink by injecting ink from an ink bottle. Alternatively, the ink tank unit 210 may be configured such that an ink cartridge filled with ink is attached to the printer 100, and the ink from this ink cartridge is supplied to the print unit 209. If the printer 100 is configured to have a carriage that scans the print unit 209 across a recording medium, the carriage on which the ink cartridge is attached is an example of the ink tank unit 210. The CPU 201 stores and manages the remaining amount of ink of each color (BK, C, M, Y) in the ink tank unit 210 in the NVM 204 or the like.

[0023] The waste ink tank unit 211 stores waste ink generated when the print unit 209 performs printing processing using ink supplied from the ink tank unit 210. Waste ink refers to ink that is used for purposes other than ejection onto a recording medium, such as ink suction performed before ink is ejected onto a recording medium to stabilize ink ejection. The CPU 201 calculates the remaining capacity that can be stored in the waste ink tank unit 211 from the amount of waste ink used by the print unit 209 and the capacity of the waste ink tank unit 211. Furthermore, by installing a sensor in the waste ink tank unit 211 that detects the amount of waste ink, the CPU 201 may correct the calculation result of the remaining capacity using the sensor value of the sensor. Alternatively, the CPU 201 may calculate the remaining capacity that can be stored in the waste ink tank unit 211 using only the sensor value of the sensor.

[0024] Paper cassette unit 212 stores recording media such as printing paper to be supplied to print unit 209. Print unit 209 forms images on paper supplied from paper cassette unit 212. CPU 201 calculates paper information such as the number of remaining sheets in paper cassette unit 212 from the number of sheets supplied to print unit 209 and the number of sheets stored in paper cassette unit 212. Furthermore, by installing a sensor that detects the number of sheets stored in paper cassette unit 212, CPU 201 may correct the calculation result of the remaining number using the sensor value of that sensor. Alternatively, CPU 201 may calculate the number of remaining sheets in paper cassette unit 212 using only the sensor value of that sensor.

[0025] 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 103. The control device 103 has a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a hard disk 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, and a network connection unit 307. These units are interconnected by a system bus 308, and transmit and receive data between them.

[0026] The CPU 301 is a central processing unit for controlling each unit in the control device 103. The ROM 302 stores various types of data. The RAM 303 temporarily stores data received via the network connection unit 307. The CPU 301 also uses the RAM 303 as a work memory to execute various programs stored in the hard disk 304 and the like. The hard disk 304 stores an operating system (OS), various applications, various programs, and the like.

[0027] The display unit 305 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays the screen of a dedicated application for the printer 100, the screen of an internet browser, etc. The CPU 301 controls the display content of the display unit 305. The operation unit 306 is configured with a keyboard, mouse, etc., which the user uses to perform various input operations. The functions of the display unit 305 and the operation unit 306 may be integrated, such as a touch panel display. The network connection unit 307 connects to an external device via a USB cable or the communication network 104, and communicates with the external device. The control device 103 has a function of starting a dedicated application for the printer 100, thereby generating a print job for printing image data on the printer 100, and transmitting the print job to the printer 100. Upon receiving the print job from the control device 103, the printer 100 performs printing processing on a recording medium in the print unit 209 based on the image data included in the print job.

[0028] The server 102 can also be realized with a hardware configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 3. The server 102 is not limited to being a physical server, and may be realized by a virtual server. Furthermore, the functions of the server 102 may be distributed across multiple servers. A storage area such as a hard disk 304 of the server 102 stores device information for each printer and a record table of the contract status of each service. Furthermore, the network connection unit 307 of the server 102 uses a wireless LAN or wired LAN compatible with standards such as IEEE802.11a, and transmits and receives data to and from devices on the same network or the Internet using protocols such as TCP / IP.

[0029] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an example of the configuration of the display unit 206 and operation unit 207 of the printer 100. FIG. 4(a) illustrates an example in which a touch panel display 401 is employed. The touch panel display 401 displays a UI screen under the control of the CPU 201 and accepts user operation instructions via the UI screen. In FIG. 4(a), the touch panel display 401 displays a home screen, which is the highest level of menus that the user can operate. The home screen is divided into an upper and lower section and is provided with various UIs for accepting various instructions from the user. The upper section of the home screen is provided with a copy area 405 for accepting an instruction to execute a copy process, a scan area 406 for accepting an instruction to execute a scan process, and a print area 407 for accepting an instruction to execute a print process. The lower section of the home screen is provided with a status display area 402 that displays the settings and connection status of the printer 100's infrastructure connection or direct connection, and an area 403 for accepting an instruction to start operation in the connection setting mode. An area 404 is also provided for accepting various setting instructions, an instruction to display consumable information, and the like.

[0030] FIG. 4B shows an example in which an LCD display 408 and various hard keys 409-416 are used. When the printer 100 is turned on, a home screen, which is the highest level of a menu that the user can operate, is displayed on the LCD display 408. The user can operate the cursor displayed on the LCD display 408 by pressing cursor movement buttons 411 and 412. To input an instruction selected with the cursor, the user presses an OK button 414. To return the display on the LCD display 408 to the previous menu screen, the user presses a back button 413. Pressing the QR button 409 also displays a QR code (registered trademark) containing information necessary for a direct connection with the printer 100. By reading this QR code from the control device 103, the control device 103 and the printer 100 are directly connected, enabling wireless communication between them. The stop button 415 is a button for accepting an instruction to cancel a process currently being executed by the printer 100. The start copy button 416 is a button for accepting an instruction to execute a copy process.

[0031] Next, a process will be described in which the printer 100 according to this embodiment controls the display on the display unit 206 of the printer 100 in accordance with contract information indicating the status of the contract for the use of the consumables delivery service. In this embodiment, the printer 100, as a print control device, executes a process for controlling the display on the display unit 206 of the printer 100.

[0032] 5A is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system according to this embodiment. In the following description, each process (step) is denoted by adding an S to the beginning, and the process (step) is notated. In S501, the printer 100 transmits the status of the printer 100 to the server 102. The status transmission is executed when the printer 100 is started up, when a printing process starts, when a printing process ends, when a scanning process starts, when a scanning process ends, when an error occurs, or when the status of the printer 100 changes during operation. If the printer 100 is under a contract for a consumables delivery service, the status transmission may include the remaining amount of consumables installed in the printer 100. This allows the server 102 to manage the remaining amount of consumables in the printer 100. In S502, the server 102 transmits contract information for the consumables delivery service as a response to the status transmission from the printer 100. The contract information for the consumables delivery service includes information on whether the printer 100 that sent the status transmission has already contracted for the consumables delivery service or not.

[0033] In S503, the printer 100 stores in the NVM 204 the contract information received from the server 102 in S502. In S504, the printer 100 receives an instruction to display ink information of the printer 100 through operation of the operation unit 207 by the user 500. In S505, printer 100 controls the display on display unit 206 in accordance with the contract information saved in S503. If printer 100 has not yet signed up for the ink delivery service, it displays information about the remaining ink level along with an item for guiding the user to a homepage for purchasing ink. On the other hand, if printer 100 has signed up for the ink delivery service, it displays information about the remaining ink level but does not display an item for guiding the user to a homepage for purchasing ink. This completes the processing of this sequence diagram.

[0034] 6 shows an example of a display on the display unit 206 of the printer 100. In this embodiment, each screen shown in FIG. Screens 601 and 602 are example screens of ink information displayed on the display unit 206 of the printer 100. Screen 601 displays remaining ink level information 610 for each color of ink (BK, C, M, Y) and an ink purchase prompt button 602 that guides the user to an ink purchase homepage. The remaining ink level information 610 is an example of status information for consumables. The ink purchase prompt button 602 is an example of a display item for ordering consumables. Screen 603 displays remaining ink level information 610, but does not display the ink purchase prompt button 602. In S505, if the user has not yet subscribed to the ink delivery service, the printer 100 displays the ink purchase prompt button 602 on the display unit 206, as shown in screen 601, and if the user has subscribed to the ink delivery service, the ink purchase prompt button 602 is not displayed, as shown in screen 603.

[0035] When the user presses the ink purchase prompt button 602 on screen 601, the CPU 201 displays screen 604, which asks whether to display a QR code. When the user presses button 605 on screen 604, the CPU 201 displays screen 606, which contains a QR code. The URL embedded in the QR code indicates the web page of an online shopping site that sells consumables such as ink compatible with the printer 100. By reading the QR code with a smartphone or other device, the user can access the web page, select the desired consumables on the web page, and place an order. It is also possible to set a QR code with a different embedded URL for each sales region of the printer. This makes it possible to display the online shopping site of the distributor for each sales region. Furthermore, if a reseller sells the printer 100 and its consumables, the URL can be changed to the URL of the reseller's web page.

[0036] Next, details of the processing by the printer 100 in the sequence diagram of Fig. 5(a) will be described using Fig. 5(b). Fig. 5(b) is a flowchart showing the processing by the printer 100. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. In step S511, the CPU 201 transmits the status of the printer 100 to the server 102. In step S512, the CPU 201 receives contract information for the consumables delivery service from the server 102. In step S513, the CPU 201 stores the contract information received from the server 102 in step S512 in the NVM 204.

[0037] In S514, the CPU 201 determines whether or not an instruction to display ink information has been received through operation of the operation unit 207 by the user 500. If an instruction to display ink information has been received, the process proceeds to S515; if no instruction to display ink information has been received, the process returns to S511 and waits until an event that will trigger status transmission occurs.

[0038] In S515, the CPU 201 reads the contract information saved in S513 from the NVM 204 and determines whether the read contract information indicates that the user has signed up for the ink delivery service. If the user has signed up for the ink delivery service, the process proceeds to S516; if the user has not signed up for the ink delivery service, the process proceeds to S517. In this embodiment, the CPU 201 obtains the contract information received from the server 102 from the NVM 204, but the CPU 201 may also be configured to access the server 102 and receive the contract information when it receives an instruction to display ink information from the user 500. In S516, the CPU 201 acquires the remaining ink levels of each color (BK, C, M, Y) in the ink tank unit 210 and displays a screen 603 on the display unit 206. In other words, the CPU 201 displays the remaining ink level information 610 but does not display the ink purchase prompt button 602. The processing of this flowchart then ends. In S517, the CPU 201 acquires the remaining ink levels of each color (BK, C, M, Y) in the ink tank unit 210, and displays a screen 601 on the display unit 206. That is, the CPU 201 displays the ink purchase prompt button 602 along with remaining ink level information 610. The processing of this flowchart then ends.

[0039] According to the present embodiment, the display / non-display of the button for ordering consumables on the printer display can be switched depending on the status of the contract for using the printer consumables delivery service. This makes it possible to prevent consumables from being ordered by mistake while under contract for the printer consumables delivery service.

[0040] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which consumable information is displayed on the display unit 206 of the printer 100 by the user directly operating the printer 100. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which consumable information of the printer 100 is referenced via a dedicated application for the printer 100 that is installed on the control device 103 (a computer or a smartphone). Note that the contents described in the first embodiment will be omitted in the following description.

[0041] This section describes the process in which the control device 103 according to this embodiment controls the display on the display unit 305 of the control device 103 in accordance with the contract information for the consumables delivery service of the printer 100. In this embodiment, the control device 103, as a print control device, executes the process of controlling the display on the display unit 206 of the control device 103.

[0042] 7A is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 7A, a case is explained in which an application dedicated to the printer 100 is installed in the control device 103, and the control device 103 executes processing using the application dedicated to the printer 100.

[0043] The processes in S701 to S703 are the same as those in S501 to S503 in FIG. In S704 , the control device 103 starts up an application dedicated to the printer 100 in response to an operation of the operation unit 306 by the user 500 , and displays a screen of the application dedicated to the printer 100 on the display unit 305 . In S705, the control device 103 receives an instruction to display ink information via a dedicated application screen of the printer 100 in response to an operation by the user 500 on the operation unit 306. In S706, the control device 103 uses the network connection unit 307 to request the printer 100 to acquire contract information for the consumables delivery service. In S707, the printer 100 reads the contract information saved in S703 from the NVM 204 and transmits the read contract information as a response to the control device 103. The control device 103 acquires the contract information from the printer 100.

[0044] In S708, the control device 103 controls the display on the display unit 305 in accordance with the contract information received in S707. If the user has not yet signed up for the ink delivery service, the control device 103 displays information about the remaining ink level as well as an item for guiding the user to a homepage for purchasing ink. On the other hand, if the user has signed up for the ink delivery service, the control device 103 displays information about the remaining ink level but does not display an item for guiding the user to a homepage for purchasing ink. This completes the processing of this sequence diagram.

[0045] Next, the details of the processing by the control device 103 in the sequence diagram of Fig. 7(a) will be described using Fig. 7(b). Fig. 7(b) is a flowchart showing the processing by the control device 103. The processing of this flowchart is realized by loading a program stored in ROM 302 into RAM 303 and executing it by CPU 301. The processing of this flowchart starts when a dedicated application of the printer 100 is started.

[0046] In S711, the CPU 301 determines whether an instruction to display ink information of the printer 100 has been received from the user 500 via the operation unit 306 via a dedicated application screen of the printer 100. If an instruction to display ink information has been received, the process proceeds to S712, and if an instruction to display ink information has not been received, the process returns to S711. In step S712, the CPU 301 uses the network connection unit 307 to transmit to the printer 100 a request to acquire contract information for the consumables delivery service. In step S713, the CPU 301 receives contract information for the consumables delivery service from the printer 100 using the network connection unit 307.

[0047] In step S714, the CPU 301 determines whether the contract information received in step S713 indicates that the user has signed up for the ink delivery service. If the user has signed up for the ink delivery service, the process proceeds to step S715. If the user has not signed up for the ink delivery service, the process proceeds to step S716. In S715, the CPU 301 acquires the remaining ink level status of each color (BK, C, M, Y) from the printer 100 and displays the screen 603 on the display unit 305. In other words, the CPU 301 displays the remaining ink level information 610 but does not display the ink purchase prompt button 602. The processing of this flowchart then ends.

[0048] In S716, the CPU 301 acquires the remaining ink level status of each color (BK, C, M, Y) from the printer 100 and displays a screen 601 on the display unit 305. That is, the CPU 301 displays the ink purchase prompt button 602 along with remaining ink level information 610. The processing of this flowchart then ends. Note that when the ink purchase prompt button 602 is pressed, instead of confirming or displaying a QR code as in screens 604 and 606, a web page of an online shopping site that sells consumables may be displayed using an internet browser.

[0049] According to the present embodiment, the display / non-display of the button for ordering consumables in the printer-specific application can be switched depending on the status of the contract for using the printer consumables delivery service. This makes it possible to prevent consumables from being ordered by mistake while under contract for the printer consumables delivery service.

[0050] [Embodiment 3] In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which consumable information is displayed on the display unit 206 of the printer 100 by the user directly operating the printer 100. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the consumable information of the printer 100 is referenced via the internet browser of the control device 103. Note that the contents described in the first embodiment will be omitted in the following description.

[0051] This section describes the process in which the printer 100 according to this embodiment controls the display on the display unit 305 of the control device 103 in accordance with the contract information for the consumables delivery service of the printer 100. In this embodiment, the printer 100, as a print control device, executes the process of controlling the display on the display unit 206 of the control device 103.

[0052] Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system according to this embodiment. In Fig. 8, the printer 100 operates as an HTTP server, and the control device 103 stores a Web application executed by an Internet browser. When the printer 100 receives an HTTP request from the control device 103 via the Internet browser, the printer 100 transmits JPEG data or HTML data stored in the ROM 202 or the like as Web content. The control device 103 displays the received Web content on the screen of the Internet browser.

[0053] The processes in S801 to S803 are the same as those in S501 to S503 in FIG. In S804 , the control device 103 starts up an internet browser in response to an operation by the user 500 on the operation unit 306 , and displays the browser screen on the display unit 305 . In S805, the control device 103 receives an instruction to display ink information of the printer 100 from the user 500 via the operation unit 306.

[0054] In S806, the control device 103 accesses the printer 100, which operates as an HTTP server, via an Internet browser and requests Web content for an ink information page. Upon receiving the request, the printer 100 generates Web content based on the information stored in ROM 202 and the remaining ink level, and transmits it as a response to the control device 103. At this time, the printer 100 controls the content of the Web content in accordance with the contract information saved in S803. Specifically, if the printer 100 has not yet subscribed to the ink delivery service, the printer 100 includes remaining ink level information and display items for guiding the user to the ink purchase homepage in the Web content. On the other hand, if the printer 100 has subscribed to the ink delivery service, the printer 100 includes remaining ink level information in the Web content, but does not include display items for guiding the user to the ink purchase homepage.

[0055] In S807, the control device 103 receives the Web content from the printer 100. In S808, the control device 103 displays on the display unit 305 the browser screen on which the Web content received in S807 is arranged. This completes the processing of this sequence diagram.

[0056] According to the present embodiment, the display / non-display of the consumables ordering button on the browser screen used to operate the printer can be switched depending on the status of the contract for using the printer consumables delivery service. This makes it possible to prevent consumables from being ordered by mistake while under contract for the printer consumables delivery service.

[0057] In the above-described embodiments, the CPU 201 of the printer 100 and the CPU 301 of the control device 103 are described as performing display control processing, but the various controls described above may be performed by a single piece of hardware. Also, the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (for example, multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0058] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0059] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program code. In this case, the program and the storage media storing the program constitute the present invention.

[0060] The disclosure of the above-described embodiments includes the following configurations, methods, programs, and storage media. (Configuration 1) an acquisition means for acquiring contract information received from the server system, the contract information indicating the status of a contract relating to the use of a delivery service that delivers consumables for the printing device; Based on the contract information acquired by the acquisition means, If the delivery service is not under contract, a specific display item for ordering consumables is displayed; a display control means for controlling not to display the specific display item when the delivery service is subscribed; A print control device comprising: (Configuration 2) further comprising a storage means for storing the contract information received from the server system; 2. The print control device according to configuration 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the contract information from the storage unit. (Configuration 3) 3. The print control device according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising a printing means for executing printing. (Configuration 4) 2. The print control device according to configuration 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires the contract information received from the server system from the print device. (Configuration 5) 5. The print control device according to configuration 1 or 4, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits a print job to the printing device. (Configuration 6) The print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the display control means performs processing to display a QR code in which a URL of a web page for ordering consumables is embedded when the specific display item is operated. (Configuration 7) The print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the display control means performs processing to display a web page for ordering consumables when the specific display item is operated. (Configuration 8) When the display control means receives an instruction to display information about the consumable item, If the delivery service is not under contract, the specific display item is displayed together with the status information of the consumables. 8. The print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that, when the delivery service is subscribed to, the status information of the consumables is displayed but the specific display item is not displayed. (Configuration 9) When the display control means receives a request to display a web page from a browser of an external device, If the delivery service is not subscribed to, display the specific display item on the web page; The print control device according to any one of configurations 1, 4 to 5, and 7, wherein the print control device controls so that the specific display item is not displayed on the Web page when the delivery service is under contract. (Configuration 10) 10. The print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the server system is included in a system for providing the delivery service. (method) an acquiring step of acquiring contract information received from the server system, the contract information indicating the status of a contract relating to the use of a delivery service that delivers consumables for the printing device; Based on the contract information acquired in the acquisition step, If the delivery service is not under contract, a specific display item for ordering consumables is displayed; a display control step of controlling not to display the specific display item when the delivery service is subscribed; A control method for a print control device, comprising: (program) A program for causing at least one computer to function as each means of the print control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10. (storage medium) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the print control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100: printer, 102: server, 103: control device

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring contract information received from the server system, the contract information indicating the status of a contract relating to the use of a delivery service that delivers consumables for the printing device; Based on the contract information acquired by the acquisition means, If the delivery service is not under contract, a specific display item for ordering consumables is displayed; a display control means for controlling not to display the specific display item when the delivery service is subscribed; A print control device comprising:

2. further comprising a storage means for storing the contract information received from the server system; 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit acquires the contract information from the storage unit.

3. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit for executing printing.

4. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit acquires the contract information received from the server system from the printing device.

5. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting a print job to the printing device.

6. The printing control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means performs processing to display a QR code in which a URL of a web page for ordering consumables is embedded when the specific display item is operated.

7. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means performs processing for displaying a web page for ordering consumables when the specific display item is operated.

8. When the display control means receives an instruction to display information about the consumable item, If the delivery service is not under contract, the specific display item is displayed together with the status information of the consumables.

2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein, when the delivery service is subscribed to, the status information of the consumables is displayed but the specific display item is not displayed.

9. When the display control means receives a request to display a web page from a browser of an external device, If the delivery service is not under contract, the specific display item is displayed on the web page; 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the print control device controls so that the specific display item is not displayed on the web page when the delivery service is under contract.

10. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the server system is included in a system for providing the delivery service.

11. an acquiring step of acquiring contract information received from the server system, the contract information indicating the status of a contract relating to the use of a delivery service that delivers consumables for the printing device; Based on the contract information acquired in the acquisition step, If the delivery service is not under contract, a specific display item for ordering consumables is displayed; a display control step of controlling not to display the specific display item when the delivery service is subscribed; A control method for a print control device, comprising:

12. A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to claim 1.

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