Display method, electronic equipment, program, and management system

Abstract

To manage the state of printers more properly.SOLUTION: A display method for displaying information on electronic equipment (PC 112 and electronic device 116) in a printing system comprises: an information transmission step of transmitting printer information from a management server 12 to the electronic equipment; and a display step of displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic equipment. The management server 12 manages at least printer status, operation past result, and a printing history, as the printer information, in association with printers 114, transmits, in the information transmission step, at least the printer status, the operation past result, and the printing history from the management server 12 to the electronic equipment, and causes, in the display step, the electronic equipment to display one of the printer status, the operation past result, and the printing history selected in response to user operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display method, an electronic device, a program, and a management system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers such as inkjet printers have been widely used. Furthermore, as a method for controlling the operation of a printer, for example, a method using a PC that performs RIP processing has been widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-138583 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When controlling the operation of a printer using a PC or the like that performs RIP processing, the printer status can be managed by, for example, running a program (application software) that manages the printer status on the PC. However, depending on the printer's intended use, it may be desirable to manage the printer status in a more appropriate manner. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a display method, electronic device, program, and management system that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The inventors of the present application conducted extensive research into how to manage printers. Instead of simply managing the printer status using a PC for RIP processing, they came up with the idea of collecting printer status information on a server and obtaining the information from the server to check the printer status. This configuration allows the printer status to be checked in various locations, not just the location where the printer is installed. This also allows, for example, someone other than the printer operator to check the printer status as needed.

[0006] Furthermore, when managing the status of a printer, it is conceivable to manage various pieces of information related to the printer. In this case, the information required may change depending on the task being performed, the status of the printer, and the like. Therefore, when checking the status of a printer by obtaining information from a server, it is desirable for an electronic device that displays information based on that information to appropriately display the information the user wants to see. In response to this, the inventors of the present application have devised a display method for displaying information on an electronic device that obtains information from a server, in which the printer status, operating history, and maintenance history are switched and displayed on the electronic device in response to user operation. Furthermore, they have discovered that by switching and displaying these items on the electronic device, for example, information necessary for managing the status of the printer can be presented to the user, allowing efficient and appropriate management of the printer status.

[0007] Furthermore, the inventors of the present application have conducted further intensive research and have found the characteristics necessary to obtain such effects, which have led to the present invention. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a display method for displaying information on an electronic device in a printing system including a printer, an administration server that manages printer information indicating the status of the printer, and an electronic device that performs a display based on the printer information obtained from the administration server, the display method comprising: an information sending step of sending the printer information associated with the printer from the administration server to the electronic device; and a display step of displaying information on the electronic device based on the printer information sent from the administration server to the electronic device in the information sending step, wherein the administration server manages, as the printer information, at least a printer status indicating the status of the printer, an operation history of the printer, a print history of the printer, and a maintenance history for the printer, in association with the printer; in the information sending step, at least the printer status, the operation history, the print history, and the maintenance history are sent from the administration server to the electronic device; and in the display step, the electronic device switches and displays the printer status, the operation history, the print history, and the maintenance history in response to a user operation.

[0008] With this configuration, for example, information necessary for managing the printer status can be appropriately presented to the user. This also allows for efficient and appropriate management of the printer status, for example. In this configuration, the printer status is information indicating at least, for example, the ink set name indicating the ink set used in the printer, ink information related to the ink used in the printer, the printing range indicating the range in which the printer can print, the print length indicating the length of the output printed by the printer, and the amount of waste ink generated by the printer. With this configuration, for example, the printer status can be appropriately displayed. Furthermore, the operation history is information indicating at least, for example, a summary of operation information indicating the operating status of the printer, a summary of the amount of ink used by the printer, and a summary of the print area indicating the area printed by the printer. With this configuration, for example, the operation history can be appropriately displayed. Furthermore, the print history is information indicating at least, for example, a history of the number of prints and a history of print jobs executed in the past. With this configuration, for example, the print history can be appropriately displayed. Furthermore, the maintenance history is information indicating at least, for example, the date on which predetermined maintenance was last performed on the printer. With this configuration, for example, the maintenance history can be appropriately displayed.

[0009] Furthermore, in relation to the display of the maintenance history, the electronic device may be configured to issue at least one of a warning prompting the user to perform maintenance and a warning prompting the user to replace consumables used in the printer during the display stage. This configuration allows, for example, maintenance-related warnings to be appropriately issued to the user. In this case, consumables used in the printer are, for example, replacement parts that wear out with use of the printer. In this case, the electronic device may also be configured to notify the user of consumable inventory information during the display stage. This configuration allows, for example, the user to be provided with information useful for considering replenishing consumables. Furthermore, the display stage may prompt the user to, for example, order consumables based on the consumable inventory status. This configuration allows the user to more appropriately recognize, for example, the need to replenish consumables. Furthermore, during the display stage, the electronic device may be configured to display, for example, whether or not preset recommended maintenance has been performed. This configuration allows the user to appropriately inform, for example, whether or not necessary maintenance has been performed. In this case, for example, the user can be made aware of the importance of maintenance by providing an indication of the required maintenance. This also makes it possible to prevent problems from occurring in the printer, for example.

[0010] In this configuration, the printing system includes, for example, a user device and a maintenance device as electronic devices. In this case, the user device can be considered, for example, as an electronic device that displays information to a user who uses the printer. The maintenance device can be considered, for example, as an electronic device that displays information to a maintenance technician who provides maintenance services for the printer. In this case, during the display stage, whether or not recommended maintenance has been performed is displayed, for example, on at least the maintenance device. With this configuration, for example, the maintenance technician can be appropriately informed of the printer's status, which is useful for performing maintenance. Furthermore, in this case, when a problem occurs with the printer, for example, the maintenance technician can easily and appropriately take action based on whether or not recommended maintenance has been performed. Furthermore, by understanding the maintenance history, the maintenance technician can, for example, quickly respond to the problem. Furthermore, during the display stage, it is preferable that whether or not recommended maintenance has been performed is also displayed on the user device. With this configuration, for example, the user of the printer can be appropriately informed of the required maintenance.

[0011] In this configuration, the management server accepts user sign-in, for example, by user authentication via the electronic device. Furthermore, if a preset time has elapsed since the user signed in, the electronic device may be configured to issue a warning to the user. This configuration, for example, can appropriately prevent the user from remaining signed in for a long period of time without realizing it. The management server also manages printers, for example, by associating them with the printer's users. Furthermore, the management server manages printers, for example, by dividing them into groups each containing one or more printers.

[0012] Furthermore, if a management server manages multiple printers associated with a user who operates an electronic device, in the display stage, the electronic device may display information based on the printer information by selecting either a collective display or an individual display from multiple display modes based on the printer information, depending on the user's instructions, including, for example, a printer-specific display that displays information about each individual printer, a group display that displays information about printers included in a group, and a full display that displays information about all printers associated with the user. In this case, the collective display can be considered, for example, to be a display in which the printer-specific display, group display, and full display are displayed on a single screen. Furthermore, the individual display can be considered, for example, to be a display in which one of the printer-specific display, group display, and full display is selected.

[0013] With this configuration, for example, when a management server manages multiple printers associated with a user, the user can select from multiple methods for displaying information based on the printer information. More specifically, for example, in this case, the user can select either a collective display or an individual display in response to a user's instruction, and have the electronic device display information based on the printer information. This allows the electronic device to appropriately display the information the user needs. This also allows the user to appropriately grasp the status of the printer, for example.

[0014] Furthermore, if a management server manages multiple printers associated with a user who operates an electronic device, the display stage may include, for example, a summary display that aggregates and displays information about the multiple printers associated with the user, and a printer-specific display that displays information about each individual printer, all on a single screen. In this case, the summary display may include, for example, a group summary display that aggregates information about printers in the same group, or a total summary display that aggregates information about all printers associated with the user. Even with this configuration, the electronic device can appropriately display the information the user needs. This also allows the user to, for example, appropriately grasp the status of the printers.

[0015] The present invention can also be configured, for example, as an electronic device, a program, and a management system having the same characteristics as those described above. In this case, the program can be considered, for example, as a program executed on at least one of a management server and an electronic device to display information on the electronic device. The management system can be considered, for example, as a system that manages printers in a printing system. Even with these configurations, the same effects as those described above can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, for example, the state of a printer can be more appropriately managed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating specific configurations of a user base 14 and an external management unit 16. Fig. 2A shows an example of the configuration of a user base 14. Fig. 2B shows an example of the configuration of an external management unit 16. [Figure 3]10 is a diagram illustrating how printer information is managed by the management server 12. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a list of printers 114 is displayed on a PC 112 or the like. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed regarding a plurality of printers 114. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how to change the aggregation period for performing aggregation on the information to be displayed. [Figure 7] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing more detailed information for part of the information shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen relating to a printer status. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen relating to the operation record of a printer 114. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen relating to a print history. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen relating to a print history. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen relating to a maintenance history. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the printing system 10 is a system that performs printing using a printer, and includes a management server 12, a user base 14, and an external management unit 16. Except as described below, the printing system 10 may have the same or similar features as known printing systems.

[0019] The management server 12 is a server that manages printer information, which is information indicating the status of printers used in the printing system 10. In this example, the management server 12 is a cloud server that communicates with other components via a wide area network such as the Internet, and manages the printer information according to a program executed on the cloud. The management server 12 also acquires printer information about printers installed at the user site 14, for example, by communicating with electronic devices installed at the user site 14 via the wide area network. The management server 12 also provides printer information to the electronic devices by communicating with electronic devices installed at the user site 14 and the external management unit 16 via the wide area network. The management server 12 then causes the electronic devices to display information based on the printer information. The operation of causing the electronic devices to display information based on the printer information will be described in more detail below.

[0020] It is possible to use, for example, a server provided by a cloud server provider as the management server 12. In this case, the computer functioning as the management server 12 may be managed by a person different from the administrator of the user site 14 and the external management unit 16. In this case, it is also possible to control a server provided by the cloud server provider from the external management unit 16 to function as the management server 12. In a modified configuration of the printing system 10, it is also possible to use, for example, a computer managed by the same administrator as the administrator of the user site 14 or the external management unit 16 as the management server 12. In this case, the management server 12 may be installed, for example, within the user site 14 or the external management unit 16.

[0021] The user base 14 is a base where printing operations are performed in the printing system 10. The user base 14 can also be considered, for example, as a base where a printer to be managed by the management server 12 is installed. The user base 14 can also be considered, for example, as a base managed by an administrator of the printers used in the printing system 10. The external management unit 16 is configured to manage at least a portion of the printing system 10 outside the user base 14. In this example, the external management unit 16 is a base of a business that provides services such as maintenance for the printers at the user base 14, and provides services such as maintenance for the printers at the user base 14 based on printer information obtained from the management server 12. The external management unit 16 can also be considered, for example, as a base managed by an administrator different from the administrator of the user base 14. The user base 14 and the external management unit 16 can use, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the specific configuration of the user base 14 and the external management unit 16. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the configuration of the user base 14. FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the configuration of the external management unit 16. In this example, the user base 14 is a base that produces products (printed materials) printed using a printer, and has multiple production bases 102 and a management department 104. The production base 102 is a base where printers are installed. In this example, the production base 102 also has a PC 112, multiple printers 114, and electronic devices 116. The PC 112 is a computer that controls the printing operation of the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 is a computer for RIP processing (RIP-PC) that supplies data generated by RIP processing to the printer 114, thereby controlling the operation of the printer 114. In this case, for example, as shown in the figure, the operation of multiple printers 114 may be controlled by a single PC 112.

[0023] In this example, the PC 112 is an example of an electronic device that displays information based on printer information acquired from the management server 12, and includes a communication interface, a monitor, and the like. In this case, the communication interface can be considered, for example, as an example of a communication unit that receives printer information associated with the printer 114 managed by the PC 112 from the management server 12. The monitor can be considered, for example, as an example of a display unit that displays information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server 12. In this case, the display unit can also include a configuration for controlling the content displayed on the monitor. In this example, the PC 112 further communicates with the printer 114 to acquire information about the printer 114 and transmits it to the management server 12, thereby updating the printer information in the management server 12. In this case, the PC 112 can also be considered, for example, as a device that detects the status of the printer 114 and notifies the management server 12. More specifically, the PC 112 periodically detects the status of the printer 114 at predetermined intervals and updates the printer information in the management server 12 based on the detected status. In this case, the PC 112 may automatically detect the printer 114 and update the printer information, for example, without relying on user operations.

[0024] Printer 114 is a printer for producing products at production site 102, and performs printing operations under the control of PC 112. In this example, printer 114 is a color printer that prints using ink of multiple colors. As printer 114, for example, an inkjet printer having the same or similar configuration as a known inkjet printer can be suitably used.

[0025] The electronic device 116 is an information display device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. In this example, the electronic device 116 is also an example of an electronic device, and performs display based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. In this case, the communication interface of the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an example of a communication unit. In addition, the screen of the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an example of a display unit. In this case, a configuration for controlling the content displayed on the screen can also be considered, for example, as an example of a display unit. In this example, the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an electronic device that performs display based on printer information without updating the printer information in the management server 12.

[0026] By using a production base 102 configured as described above, it is possible to appropriately display information based on printer information on the PC 112 and the electronic device 116, for example. Furthermore, the PC 112 can appropriately update printer information in the management server 12, for example. The specific configuration of the production base 102 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure and may be variously different. For example, the number of printers 114 managed by the PC 112 may be one or three or more. Furthermore, the number of PCs 112 and electronic devices 116 in one production base 102 may be plural. Furthermore, the number of PCs 112, printers 114, and electronic devices 116, and the number of printers 114 managed by one PC 112, etc., may vary from one production base 102 to another. Furthermore, the number of production bases 102 is not limited to the number shown in the figure and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, it is also possible to use a configuration in which the number of printers 114 in the printing system 10 is only one, for example, as the production base 102.

[0027] As described above, in this example, the user base 14 further includes a management department 104 in addition to the multiple production bases 102. The management department 104 is configured to manage the multiple production bases 102 and includes a PC 112. In this example, the PC 112 in the management department 104 is also an example of an electronic device that displays information based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. More specifically, for example, the PC 112 is a computer for the administrator of the entire user base 14, and similar to the PC 112 in the production base 102, displays information based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. The PC 112 in the management department 104 can also be considered, for example, as an electronic device that displays information based on printer information without updating the printer information in the management server 12.

[0028] In this example, the external management unit 16 also includes a marketing department 106 and a support department 108. The marketing department 106 is a department that provides products and information related to the printer 114 to users of the printer 114 at the user site 14. In this case, the marketing department 106 may provide products related to the printer 114, such as ink and media. In addition, the support department 108 may cooperate with the marketing department 106 to sell consumables that are replaced during maintenance of the printer 114. The support department 108 is a department that provides maintenance services to users of the printer 114. In this example, the marketing department 106 and the support department 108 also include PCs 112. The PCs 112 in the marketing department 106 and the support department 108 are also examples of electronic devices that display information based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. In this case, by displaying information based on the printer information on the PC 112 in the marketing department 106, it becomes possible to carry out marketing activities tailored to the status of the printer 114, for example. Furthermore, by displaying printer information on the PC 112 in the support department 108, the status of the printer 114 can be easily and appropriately grasped without, for example, visiting the production site 102 where the printer 114 is installed. This also makes it possible, for example, to reduce the number of visits to the production site 102 and provide higher quality maintenance services at lower cost.

[0029] As described above, in the printing system 10 of this example, information is displayed on the PC 112 and the electronic device 116, which are examples of electronic devices, based on the printer information managed by the management server 12. This operation can be considered, for example, as an example of the operation of a display method for displaying information on an electronic device. In this case, the operation of transmitting printer information from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the electronic device 116 (hereinafter referred to as the PC 112, etc.) can be considered, for example, as an example of the operation of an information transmission stage. The information transmission stage can be considered, for example, as a stage in which the management server 12 transmits printer information associated with the printer 114 to the PC 112, etc. Furthermore, the operation of causing the PC 112, etc. to perform a display based on the printer information transmitted from the management server 12 can be considered, for example, as an example of the operation of a display stage. The display stage can be considered, for example, as a stage in which the PC 112, etc. displays information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server 12 to the electronic device in the information transmission stage.

[0030] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the PC 112 or the like performs display based on the printer information using, for example, a web browser (internet browser). In this case, the management server 12 communicates with the PC 112 or the like using a predetermined protocol such as the HTTP protocol, and transmits data for displaying a web page to the PC 112 or the like in response to a request from the PC 112 or the like. In this case, sending this data from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the like can be considered, for example, as sending printer information. In this case, the PC 112 or the like performs display based on the printer information by displaying, in the web browser, a display based on the data sent from the management server 12. Depending on the configuration of the PC 112 or the like, it is also possible to perform display based on the printer information using, for example, a dedicated application program without using a web browser.

[0031] In addition, in the printing system 10 of this example, the operation of displaying information on the PC 112 or the like can be considered to be executed by, for example, a program executed on at least one of the management server 12 and the PC 112. In this case, the process of transmitting information from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the like in accordance with this program can be considered, for example, an example of an information transmission process. In addition, the process of displaying information on the PC 112 or the like can be considered, for example, an example of a display process. In addition, in this example, the management server 12 can be considered to display information on the PC 112 or the like by sending data from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the like in accordance with a program executed on the management server 12. It can also be considered, for example, that display based on printer information is performed on the PC 112 or the like in accordance with a program executed on the PC 112 or the like. Depending on how the configuration of the printing system 10 and the relationship between the operations and the programs are considered, it can also be considered that information is displayed on the PC 112 or the like by the functions of both the program executed on the management server 12 and the program executed on the PC 112 or the like.

[0032] Furthermore, as can be understood from the above explanation, in this example, the printer 114 can be considered to be managed by at least a portion of the configuration of the printing system 10. Therefore, for example, at least a portion of the printing system 10 can be considered to be a management system that manages the printer 114 in the printing system 10. In this case, the management system can be considered to be, for example, a configuration that includes the management server 12 in the printing system 10. The management system may also be considered to include further configurations other than the management server 12. In this case, for example, the management system can be considered to further include the PC 112, etc.

[0033] Next, the printer information and the like managed by the management server 12 will be explained in more detail. Fig. 3 is a diagram explaining how the management server 12 manages printer information, and shows a simplified example of items managed in association with printer information. In this example, the management server 12 is a server accessed from the user base 14 and the external management unit 16 (see Fig. 1), and manages printer information while identifying the user of the printer 114 (see Fig. 2) through user authentication.

[0034] More specifically, in this example, the management server 12 manages the correspondence between users and printers 114 by associating user information for identifying pre-registered users with printer IDs for identifying printers 114. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 3, multiple printers 114 with printer IDs bbb1 to bbb5 are associated with one user or one organization as a user whose user information is aaa1. In this case, the association between user information and printers 114 can be considered as an example of the association between users and printers 114. Furthermore, when the user information indicates an organization, the organization can be considered as a user identified by the user information. Furthermore, a printer 114 with a printer ID of bbb6 is associated with a user whose user information is aaa2. In an actual management server 12, it is conceivable that the association between users and printers 114 for even more users will be managed.

[0035] Furthermore, when multiple printers 114 are associated with one user or one user organization, as in this example, it is possible to manage the multiple printers 114 by dividing them into groups. More specifically, for example, if the user base 14 has multiple production bases 102 (see FIG. 2), it is possible to group the printers 114 by the printers 114 installed at the same production base 102. Furthermore, if the production base 102 has multiple operators who perform work according to instructions from users to whom the multiple printers 114 are associated, it is also possible to group the printers by operator. Therefore, in this example, the management server 12 associates groups with printer IDs, thereby enabling the multiple printers 114 to be managed by dividing them into groups. For example, in the example shown in the figure, the multiple printers 114 with printer IDs bbb1 to 3 belong to group X. The multiple printers 114 with printer IDs bbb4 to 5 belong to group Y. Furthermore, the printer 114 with the printer ID bbb6 belongs to group Z.

[0036] In this example, the management server 12 associates printer information with each printer 114 identified by a printer ID. As the printer information, various information related to the status and past history of the printer 114 can be used. According to this example, for example, the printer information corresponding to the printer 114 can be appropriately managed. This also makes it possible to appropriately manage the printer 114 using the printer information. In this case, the PC 112 or the like can conceivably display a list of printers 114 associated with the user and the status of the printer 114, for example, based on the printer information. In this case, the PC 112 or the like can conceivably display a list of printers 114 in relation to the status display, as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

[0037] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a list of printers 114 is displayed on the PC 112 or the like, and shows two examples of display screens that can be selected depending on the electronic device displaying the screen. More specifically, in the diagram, the diagram on the left shows an example of a display screen when displaying on a large screen when, for example, a personal computer is used as the PC 112 or electronic device 116. The diagram on the right shows an example of a display screen when displaying on a narrow screen when, for example, a smartphone is used as the electronic device 116. In this case, it can be considered that the examples of screen displays on both the left and right sides display substantially the same content depending on the purpose of the screen display.

[0038] In this example, when a screen is displayed on the PC 112 or the like, the user operating the PC 112 or the like performs user authentication with the management server 12 (see FIG. 1 ) to sign in to the management server 12. The PC 112 or the like then displays information about the printers 114 associated with the user who has been authenticated by the user authentication on the screen. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays information indicating the printers 114 associated with the user in a list on a display screen that displays a list of printers 114, as shown in the figure, for example. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the PC 112 or the like displays the names, models, operating statuses, etc. of all printers 114 associated with the user. In this case, the names of the printers 114 can be considered, for example, to be printer names determined by the user to identify the printers 114. The operating status can be considered, for example, to be information indicating the status of the printers 114 in relation to the printing operation. More specifically, in this example, the operating state is information indicating whether the printer 114 is printing, waiting, stopped due to an error, or offline. In this case, "printing" can be considered, for example, to be a state in which printing is being performed by the printer 114. "Waiting" can be considered, for example, to be a state in which the printer 114 is waiting and ready to start printing. "Stopped due to an error" can be considered, for example, to be a state in which the printer 114 is stopped due to some kind of error. "Offline" can be considered, for example, to be a state in which the status of the printer 114 cannot be obtained. "Offline" can also be considered, for example, to be a state in which the management server 12 is unable to grasp the latest status of the printer 114. In this case, "offline" can be considered, for example, to be a state in which the printer 114 is not turned on, or a state in which the status of the printer 114 cannot be grasped due to a problem with the communication path or the management server 12. In this example, "offline" can also be considered, for example, to be a state in which the latest status of the printer 114 cannot be obtained from the management server 12.

[0039] Furthermore, in this example, the PC 112 or the like can also display a list of printers 114 for each printer 114 status by displaying using tabs 202. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays a list of printers 114 in the status associated with the tab 202 in response to a user's operation of selecting the tab 202. More specifically, in the example shown in the figure, the PC 112 or the like displays tabs 202 for switching the display among all, waiting, printing, stopped with error, and offline. In this case, when the tab 202 corresponding to all is selected, all printers 114 associated with the user are displayed. Furthermore, when any other tab 202 is selected, printers 114 associated with the user that are in the status corresponding to the selected tab 202 are displayed. With this configuration, for example, the status, etc. of printers 114 managed by the user can be easily and appropriately confirmed.

[0040] Furthermore, in this example, the PC 112 or the like can also display more detailed information about the printer 114 based on the printer information received from the management server 12. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to cause the PC 112 or the like to display information based on the printer information about the printer 114 selected by the user from a list of printers 114. Furthermore, as a display of information about the printer 114, for example, by selecting all printers 114 associated with the user or printers 114 included in a group, information about a plurality of printers 114 may be displayed on the PC 112 or the like, as shown in, for example, FIGS.

[0041] 5 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of display screens displayed on the PC 112 or the like, and show examples of information displayed based on printer information for multiple printers 114 selected by the user. FIG. 5 shows an example of information displayed for multiple printers 114. FIG. 6 shows an example of how to change the aggregation period for aggregating the displayed information. FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen showing more detailed information for part of the information related to the printer 114. For ease of illustration, FIGS. 5 to 7 only show an example of a screen corresponding to one of the two types of screen displays shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] 5 and 6 show the status of printers 114 tallied for printers 114 within a single organization, as indicated by the words "internal printer tally" in the figures. In this case, the printers 114 within a single organization can be considered, for example, as printers 114 managed in the management server 12 in association with the same user. The display screen for the internal printer tally can be considered, for example, as an example of a display screen that the PC 112 displays in response to a user instruction when multiple printers 114 are associated with a single user or a single organization as a user. The association of multiple printers 114 with a single user or a single organization as a user can be considered, for example, as multiple printers 114 registered in the management server 12 in association with the same user.

[0043] In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays a screen displaying the in-organization printer tally, for example, as shown in the figure, that includes a display target selection unit 222 and a period setting unit 224. In this case, the display target selection unit 222 is a selection unit for selecting the printers 114 to be included in the tallying of items displayed on the screen of the PC 112 or the like. More specifically, in this example, when multiple printers 114 are associated with a user, the display target selection unit 222 accepts a selection from the user regarding the printers 114 to be included in the tallying, for example, all printers 114, grouped printers 114, or individual printers 114. In this case, all printers 114 can be considered, for example, as all printers 114 associated with the user operating the PC 112 or the like. The user operating the PC 112 or the like can be considered, for example, as a user who signs in to the management server 12 to operate the PC 112 or the like. The grouped printers 114 can be considered, for example, as at least a portion of all printers and printers 114 that belong to the same group. Each individual printer 114 can be considered to be, for example, an individual printer 114 included in all printers 114. Also, Figures 5 and 6 show a state in which all groups are selected in the display target selection unit 222. In this case, the selection of all groups can be considered to correspond to the selection of all printers 114, for example.

[0044] The PC 112 or the like performs a screen display based on printer information in at least one of full display, group display, and printer-specific display, depending on the user's selection in the display target selection unit 222. In this case, the full display can be considered, for example, to display information about all printers 114 associated with the user. The group display can be considered, for example, to display information about printers 114 included in a group. The printer-specific display can be considered, for example, to display information about each individual printer 114. In this example, the full display is a screen display that is performed when all printers 114 are selected. The group display is a screen display that is performed when a group of printers 114 is selected. The printer-specific display is a screen display that is performed when an individual printer 114 is selected. In addition, when the management server 12 manages multiple printers 114 associated with a user operating the PC 112 or the like, the PC 112 or the like selects, in accordance with a user's instruction, one of multiple display modes, including full display, group display, and printer-specific display, to display based on printer information. In this case, this selection can be considered as, for example, a selection to perform at least one of all display, group display, and printer-by-printer display.

[0045] 5 and 6 show examples of a screen display of the PC 112 or the like in which one of the following modes is selected: all display, group display, or printer display. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the PC 112 or the like displays a summary of printer operation results for all printers 114 (printers 114 in all groups). The summary of operation results also displays a summary of usage results, ink usage, and print area. The summary of printer operation results can be considered, for example, as a summary of the operating status of the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, as a summary of the operating status, the time and percentage spent in each of the standby, printing, error stop, and offline states during the summary period, as shown in the figures. The summary of ink usage can be considered, for example, as a summary of the amount of ink used by the printer 114 being the target of the summary. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, as a summary of ink usage, the total usage and cost for each ink set over the period, as shown in the figures. The PC 112 or the like also displays a button for displaying more detailed information for each ink set. The printing area tally can be thought of as, for example, a tally of the area printed by the printer 114 being the target of the tally. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, the printing length, printing area, and cost as the printing area tally, as shown in the figure. This configuration allows the status of the multiple printers 114 to be properly grasped as needed, for example, when multiple printers 114 are associated with a single user or a single user organization. This also makes it possible, for example, to more easily and appropriately manage the printers 114.

[0046] 5 and 6, the collection period for information related to the printer 114 can be changed using the period setting unit 224. The period setting unit 224 is a setting unit for setting the collection period for collecting information displayed on the screen of the PC 112 or the like. The period setting unit 224 can also be considered, for example, as a configuration for receiving a period specification on a user interface (UI) of the PC 112 or the like. In this example, the period setting unit 224 sets the collection period by receiving a method for setting the period and a period specification from the user, as shown in FIG. 6, for example. With this configuration, for example, the collection period desired by the user can be appropriately set. This also makes it possible, for example, to more appropriately check the status of the printer 114.

[0047] Also, as explained above, in this example, the PC 112 etc. further displays buttons for showing more detailed information for each ink set regarding the total amount of ink used. When the user presses a button corresponding to one of the ink sets, the PC 112 etc. displays more detailed information about the ink set, as shown in Figure 7, for example. With this configuration, for example, ink-related cost management can be more appropriately performed.

[0048] Here, a more detailed explanation will be given of how the screen display is performed on the PC 112 or the like. In this example, when a user is associated with multiple printers 114, the PC 112 or the like receives an instruction from the user to select whether to display all printers 114, grouped printers 114, or individual printers 114, as described above. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately change the printer 114 for which information is to be displayed depending on the content that the user wants to confirm. Furthermore, this also makes it possible, for example, when information about multiple printers 114 is managed by the management server 12, to appropriately display the information that the user needs on the PC 112 or the like.

[0049] 5 and other figures illustrate an example in which the PC 112 or the like selects one of the display modes corresponding to all display, group display, and printer-specific display as the way of displaying information. However, the PC 112 or the like may further display information in a manner different from that shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, for example, in response to a user selection. In this case, the PC 112 or the like selects whether to display information in a list (all at once) or individually, for example, in response to a user instruction. More specifically, in this example, the PC 112 or the like selects one of the all at once display and individual display modes in response to a user instruction as the way of displaying all at once, group display, and printer-specific display, and displays information based on printer information. In this case, the all at once display can be considered, for example, as a display in which all at once, group display, and printer-specific display are displayed on a single screen. The individual display can be considered, for example, as a display in which one of the all at once display, group display, and printer-specific display is selected and displayed.

[0050] In this case, displaying multiple items on a single screen on the PC 112 or the like can be considered to be, for example, a display that can be handled as a single screen on the PC 112 or the like. For example, when displaying a screen on a web browser on the PC 112 or the like, it can be considered to be a display that corresponds to one screen on the web browser. Furthermore, one screen on the web browser can be considered, for example, as the range that can be displayed without moving pages. The range that can be displayed without moving pages can be considered, for example, as the range that can be displayed without changing the URL. According to this example, when the management server 12 manages multiple printers 114 associated with a user, the display method based on printer information can be appropriately selected from multiple methods depending on, for example, the purpose of checking the information. This can also, for example, more appropriately present the information the user needs to the user.

[0051] Furthermore, when displaying a group, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, summary information for the group or information for each individual printer 114 belonging to the group, in response to a user selection. In this case, the summary information for the group can be considered, for example, as summary information for the printers 114 included in the same group. The information for each individual printer 114 belonging to the group can be considered, for example, as information for each printer 114 included in the group. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately display information about the group in response to, for example, the user's wishes.

[0052] Furthermore, the PC 112 or the like may display, on a single screen, a summary display relating to a summary by group or the like and a printer-by-printer display relating to each individual printer 114, for example, in response to a user's selection. In this case, the summary display may be considered, for example, as a display of information about multiple printers 114 associated with the user. The printer-by-printer display may be considered, for example, as a display of information about each individual printer. In this case, the summary display is not limited to a display by group, but may instead display a summary for all printers 114, for example. More specifically, in this case, the PC 112 or the like displays at least one of a group summary display and a total summary display in the summary display, for example, in response to a user's selection. In addition, the group summary display may be considered, for example, as a display of information about printers 114 included in the same group. The total summary display may be considered, for example, as a display of information about all printers 114 associated with the user. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays only one of the group summary display and the total summary display as the summary display, for example, in response to a user's instruction. For example, it is conceivable that both the group total display and the total total display are displayed as total displays depending on the information desired by the user. With this configuration, for example, the information required by the user can be displayed more appropriately on the PC 112. This also allows the status of the printer 114 to be more appropriately understood, for example.

[0053] In this example, the printers 114 associated with a user are divided into groups, for example, by manual user setting through user operation or by automatic setting based on preset rules. This configuration allows, for example, appropriate grouping of the printers 114. In this case, the automatic grouping may be performed based on at least one of the following: how the printers 114 are used, when the printers 114 were introduced, the maintenance history of the printers 114, the operating history of the printers 114, and production targets set for the printers 114. Grouping based on these perspectives can also be performed manually. Focusing on how the printers 114 are used, for example, the printers 114 associated with a user may be divided into groups by production line where the printers 114 are used to produce products, or by product. This configuration allows appropriate grouping based on how the printers 114 are used, for example. This may facilitate, for example, the aggregation of production volume and costs for the production of products using the printers 114.

[0054] As described above, according to this example, for example, by displaying on the PC 112 or the like based on printer information acquired from the management server 12, the status of the PC 112 can be properly grasped. Furthermore, in a case where a plurality of printers 114 are associated with a user, the information required by the user can be properly displayed on the PC 112 or the like by using display methods such as all display, group display, and printer-by-printer display. This also makes it possible to easily and properly grasp the status of the plurality of printers 114, for example.

[0055] Furthermore, the information displayed based on the print information on the PC 112 etc. is not limited to the information shown in FIG. 5 etc., and may display other information. More specifically, the PC 112 etc. may display, based on the printer information, at least one of a printer overview showing an overview of the printer, a printer status showing the printer's status, the printer's operation history, and the printer's maintenance history. In this case, it may be possible to select the display of other information on a screen for selecting which display to display on the display screen shown in FIG. 5 etc. With this configuration, for example, the status of the printer 114 can be checked more appropriately based on the printer information.

[0056] 8 to 12, the PC 112 or the like may switch between displaying multiple types of information in response to a user's operation. FIGS. 8 to 12 show other examples of information related to the printer 114 displayed on the PC 112 or the like. Similar to FIG. 4, FIGS. 8 to 12 also show, as examples of display screens, two types of display screens that can be selected according to the electronic device displaying the screen. As shown in these figures, in this example, the PC 112 or the like displays information related to the printer 114, such as the printer status, operation history, print history, maintenance history, and settings and manuals, based on printer information received from the management server 12 in response to, for example, a user's instruction. Furthermore, the PC 112 or the like displays this information as detailed information (printer details) related to the printer 114 using tabs 202, and switches between displaying the information in response to a user's operation on the tabs 202. In this case, the tabs 202 on the display screen of the PC 112 or the like can be considered, for example, as a switching unit for switching the displayed content.

[0057] Furthermore, in order to display this information on the PC 112 or the like, in this example, the management server 12 associates the information with the printer 114 and manages at least the printer status, the operation record of the printer 114, the print history of the printer 114, the maintenance history of the printer 114, and information regarding the settings and manual. Then, as necessary, the management server 12 transmits printer information including this information to the PC 112 or the like. Furthermore, based on the printer information received from the management server 12, the PC 112 or the like switches and displays this information in response to, for example, a user operation. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately present information necessary for managing the status of the printer 114 to the user. Furthermore, for example, it is possible to efficiently and appropriately manage the status of the printer 114.

[0058] In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays the printer status on a screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an example of a display screen related to the printer status. In this example, the printer status displayed by the PC 112 or the like is information indicating the state of the printer, and indicates at least the ink set name indicating the ink set used by the printer 114, ink information related to the ink used by the printer 114, the printing range indicating the range in which printing can be performed by the printer 114, the print length indicating the length of the output printed by the printer 114, and the amount of waste ink generated by the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays this information on a single screen, for example, as shown in the figure, in the printer status tab 202 (printer status tab) related to printer details, divided into items based on the printer information: ink information, printing range, print length, and amount of waste ink. In this case, the PC 112 or the like associates the ink set name with the ink information and displays it among the items of ink information. In addition, in the ink information section, the PC 112 etc. displays, as ink information, for example, the remaining amount of ink and the expiration date of the ink for each color of ink used in the printer 114. In this case, the PC 112 etc. displays, as the remaining ink amount, for example, a display showing the percentage of the remaining amount (displayed in %) and a display directly showing the remaining ink volume (displayed in cc). Furthermore, as the expiration date, for example, the date set as the date by which the ink can be properly used is displayed. The PC 112 etc. may also display information other than the above as ink information. In this case, it is conceivable to display, as ink information, for example, a lot number indicating the manufacturing lot in which the ink was produced. Furthermore, the PC 112 etc. can also display, as printer status, for example, the progress of printing on the printer 114. With this configuration, for example, the remaining printing time can be measured, allowing the user to perform a different task according to the completion time of printing or to prepare for the next printing.

[0059] In addition, in the item "printing range," the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, the width and length of the printing range. In this case, for example, as shown in the figure as "effective printing width" and "effective printing length," it is conceivable to display the effective width and length as the range in which printing can be performed by the printer 114. In the item "print length," the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, the length of the print output (output length) in the most recently executed print job, as shown in the figure. In the item "waste ink amount," the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, the amount of waste ink generated in the printer 114. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, the amount of waste ink as a percentage relative to the capacity of a storage unit (e.g., a waste ink tank) in the printer 114 that stores waste ink. According to this example, for example, information useful for managing the status of the printer 114 can be appropriately displayed as the printer status.

[0060] The PC 112 or the like also displays the operation history of the printer 114 on a screen, for example, as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows an example of a display screen related to the operation history of the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, based on the printer information, information indicating at least a summary of operation information indicating the operating status of the printer 114, a summary of the amount of ink used by the printer 114, and a summary of the print area, which is the area on which printing was performed by the printer 114, as the operation history of the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 or the like also displays, for example, as shown in the figure, this information on a single screen in an operation history tab 202 (operation history tab) related to printer details, separated into items of usage history, ink usage amount, and print area.

[0061] In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays a summary of the operation information in the usage history section. As described above, the operating state of the printer 114 can be considered to be any of the following states: printing, standby, error stopped, and offline. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays, as the summary of the operation information, a summary of the printing period during which the printer 114 was printing, the standby period indicating the period during which the printer 114 was standby, the error stop period during which the printer 114 was error stopped, and the offline period during which the printer 114 was offline, as shown in the figure. The summary of these periods can be considered, for example, as a summary of the time during which the printer 114 was in that operating state. More specifically, the summary of the printing period can be considered, for example, as a summary of the period during which the printer 114 was executing printing. The summary of the standby period can be considered, for example, as a summary of the period during which the printer was in standby. The summary of the error stop period can be considered, for example, as a summary of the period during which the printer 114 was stopped due to an error. The summary of the offline period can be considered, for example, as a summary of the period during which information about the printer 114 could not be obtained. With this configuration, for example, the operating state of the printer 114 can be properly grasped.

[0062] In this example, the PC 112 etc. displays, as a summary of the operating status, a bar graph and a pie chart showing the time spent in each state for multiple types of states (operating states) of the printer 114, as shown in the figure. With this configuration, for example, the PC 112 etc. can be made to appropriately display an operating state that is easy to understand. This also makes it possible to appropriately grasp the summary of the operating status of the printer 114, for example. In this case, the PC 112 etc. can directly show the time for each operating state using a bar graph, and can show, for example, the ratio of time for each operating state using a pie chart.

[0063] In the ink usage item, the PC 112 or the like displays a summary of the ink usage in the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, a line graph and a bar graph as shown in the figure, as the summary of the ink usage. In this case, the PC 112 or the like uses a line graph to display, for example, the usage amount of each ink color over time. Also, in the bar graph, for example, the total usage amount of each ink color over a period. In the print area item, the PC 112 or the like displays a summary of the print area in the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, the print length, print area, and cost as the summary of the print area, as shown in the figure. In this case, the summary of the print area can be considered, for example, as a parameter that increases according to the amount of media consumed. According to this example, it is possible to appropriately display information useful for managing the status of the printer 114, for example, as the operating history of the printer 114.

[0064] As shown in the figure, in this example, the PC 112 or the like further displays a period setting unit 224 on the display screen of the operation history tab. In this case, the period setting unit 224 is a unit for accepting a tallying period specification from the user. In this example, the PC 112 or the like accepts, via the period setting unit 224, specification of a tallying period (display period) for tallying the printer's operating status, ink usage amount, and print area from the user who operates the period setting unit 224. Then, when the period setting unit 224 receives a period specification from the user, the PC 112 or the like displays the tallying for the specified period. With this configuration, for example, the operation history of the printer 114 can be more appropriately displayed according to the period selected by the user.

[0065] The PC 112 or the like also displays the print history on a screen, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIGS. 10 and 11 show examples of display screens related to the print history. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, based on printer information, information indicating at least a history of the number of prints (print count) and a history of previously executed print jobs as the print history. Furthermore, as shown in the figures, the PC 112 or the like displays this information on a single screen, separated into the items of number of prints and print history, in a print history tab 202 (print history tab) related to printer details. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, a graph showing the change in the number of prints over time in the number of prints item. In this case, for example, as shown in the figures, it is conceivable to display a graph showing the number of prints per day. In addition, in the print history item, the PC 112 or the like displays information related to previously executed print jobs side by side. In this case, it is conceivable to display, for example, the start date and time, end date and time, print result, job name, and print length for each print job, as shown in the figures. In this example, the PC 112 or the like further displays a button associated with the print job for displaying details of the print job. When this button is pressed by the user, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 to display more detailed information about the print job. The PC 112 or the like also displays, as more detailed information about the print job, for example, the start date and time, end date and time, print result, job name, print time, resolution, number of passes, ink usage, print width, and print length, as shown in the figure. In addition, as ink usage, for example, the ink usage amount for each color is displayed. According to this example, it is possible to appropriately display information useful for managing the status of the printer 114, for example, as a print history.

[0066] Furthermore, the PC 112 or the like displays the maintenance history on a screen, for example, as shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 shows an example of a display screen related to the maintenance history. The maintenance history can be thought of as, for example, information indicating at least the date on which predetermined maintenance was last performed on the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays information related to the maintenance history based on the printer information. Furthermore, the information related to the maintenance history is displayed on a single screen, for example, as shown in the figure, in a maintenance history tab 202 (maintenance history tab) related to printer details, separated into the items of ink information and consumables information.

[0067] As explained above, in this example, it is assumed that the printer 114 is, for example, an inkjet printer. In this case, it is considered that maintenance performed on the inkjet head of the printer 114 is particularly important as part of the maintenance performed on the printer 114. Therefore, in this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, in the ink information section, a maintenance history for at least some of the maintenance performed on the inkjet head. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, as shown in the figure, the date on which predetermined maintenance such as head cleaning, head maintenance, and station maintenance was last performed (the date on which maintenance was last performed).

[0068] In this example, the PC 112 or the like displays information about the status of consumables used in the printer 114 in the consumables information section. In this case, the consumables displayed in this section can be, for example, replacement parts that wear out as the printer 114 is used. These consumables can also be, for example, parts that are replaced as needed during maintenance of the printer 114. These consumables can also be, for example, parts that constitute a part of the printer 114. Parts that constitute a part of the printer 114 can be, for example, parts that are not consumed during printing, such as ink or media, but are permanently attached to a predetermined position on the printer 114. FIG. 12 displays information about a wiper used for maintenance of the inkjet head as an example of a consumable. In the consumables information section, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, the status of the consumables. In this case, the status of the consumables can be, for example, the date the consumable was last replaced, the period for which the consumable has been used, etc. The status of the consumables can also be, for example, the degree of wear of the consumables. According to this example, it is possible to appropriately display information useful for managing the status of the printer 114, for example, as a maintenance history.

[0069] Furthermore, in the maintenance history tab, the PC 112 or the like may further display warnings (alerts) related to maintenance or consumables. In this case, it is conceivable to cause the PC 112 or the like to issue at least one of a warning (maintenance execution alert) urging the user to perform maintenance, and a warning (consumable replacement alert) urging the user to replace consumables used in the printer 114. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately issue warnings related to maintenance to the user.

[0070] More specifically, in this case, the PC 112 or the like may display, for example, whether preset recommended maintenance has been performed. If the recommended maintenance has not been performed, the PC 112 or the like may be configured to issue, for example, a warning urging the user to perform maintenance. This configuration can appropriately inform the user, for example, whether necessary maintenance has been performed. In this case, for example, by displaying a guideline for the required maintenance, the user can be made aware of the importance of maintenance. This can also prevent printer problems from occurring in advance. Furthermore, issuing a warning urging the user to perform maintenance can, for example, ensure that maintenance is performed more reliably. The PC 112 or the like may also be configured to issue a warning urging the user to replace consumables based on, for example, a preset replacement timing or the status of the consumables. In this case, for example, the PC 112 or the like may be configured to notify the user of consumable inventory information. This configuration can appropriately present the user with information useful for considering replenishing consumables. In this case, the PC 112 or the like may also be configured to prompt the user to order consumables based on, for example, the inventory status of the consumables. This configuration allows the user to be more appropriately made aware of the need to replenish consumables, for example.

[0071] As explained above, in this example, the PC 112 or the like is an example of an electronic device that displays information based on the printer information received from the management server 12. In this case, it is also possible that the display is performed on a PC 112 or the like in the external management unit 16 in addition to the PC 112 or the like at the user site 14 that performs printing using the printer 114. In this case, the PC 112 or the like at the user site 14 can be considered, for example, as an example of a user device. The user device can be considered, for example, as an electronic device that displays information to a user who uses the printer 114. The PC 112 or the like in the external management unit 16 can be considered, for example, as an example of a maintenance person device. The maintenance person device can be considered, for example, as an electronic device that displays information to a maintenance person who provides maintenance service for the printer 114.

[0072] In this case, displaying the maintenance history, etc., to a user checking information on the PC 112 or the like in the external management unit 16 may be useful, for example, in providing maintenance services for the printer 114. More specifically, in this case, displaying the maintenance history as described above on the PC 112 or the like used as a maintenance person's device allows, for example, a user to easily and appropriately determine whether recommended maintenance has been performed, even from a location far from the printer 114. This also allows, for example, a maintenance person to be appropriately notified of the printer's status, which is useful for performing maintenance. In this case, for example, when a problem occurs with the printer 114, whether recommended maintenance has been performed can be used as a guide to easily and appropriately respond. Furthermore, by having the maintenance person know the maintenance history, for example, it becomes possible to quickly respond to the problem. In addition, it is also useful to display the maintenance history, such as whether recommended maintenance has been performed, not only on the PC 112 or the like used as a maintenance person's device, but also on the PC 112 or the like used as a user's device. With this configuration, for example, a guide to required maintenance can be appropriately provided to the user of the printer 114, as described above.

[0073] Although not shown in the figures, the PC 112 or the like displays information related to the settings and manual in response to a user's operation on the tab 202. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays information indicating the settings of the printer 114 and information related to the manual of the printer 114 based on the printer information. According to this example, for example, various information related to the printer 114 can be appropriately displayed on the PC 112 or the like. In addition, in the above, examples of detailed information displayed mainly related to one printer 114 have been described using FIGS. 8 to 12. However, the detailed information related to the printer 114 is not limited to information related to one printer 114, and information related to multiple printers 114 may be displayed on the PC 112 or the like. In this case, it is possible to display, for example, information obtained by tallying printers 114 included in the same group or information obtained by tallying all printers 114 associated with the same user, for the same or similar items as those shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, on the PC 112 or the like.

[0074] More specifically, as described above, in this example, the management server 12 manages the printers 114 in association with the users of the printers 114. The printers 114 are also managed by dividing them into groups each including one or more printers 114. When the management server 12 manages multiple printers 114 associated with users who operate the PC 112 or the like, the PC 112 or the like may display information based on the printer information for items that are the same as or similar to those shown in Figures 8 to 12, using at least one of the following display methods: printer-by-printer display, group display, and all display. In this case, the PC 112 or the like displays information based on the print information in at least one of the following display methods: printer-by-printer display, group display, and all display, depending on the user's selection, similar to the display methods described using Figures 5 to 7, for example.

[0075] In this case, the PC 112 or the like selects either the collective display or the individual display for, for example, the printer-specific display, the group display, or the all display in response to a user instruction. This allows the display of information based on the printer information, for example, using either the collective display or the individual display. Again, the printer-specific display can be considered, for example, as displaying information about each individual printer 114. The group display can be considered, for example, as displaying information about the printers 114 included in a group. The all display can be considered, for example, as displaying information about all printers 114 associated with the user. The collective display can be considered, for example, as displaying the printer-specific display, the group display, and the all display on a single screen. The individual display can be considered, for example, as displaying an individual printer display from the printer-specific display, the group display, or the all display. With this configuration, for example, when the management server 12 manages multiple printers 114 associated with a user, the display method based on the printer information can be selected from multiple methods. In this case, by selecting either collective display or individual display in response to a user instruction and displaying information based on the printer information on the PC 112, it is possible to more appropriately display the information the user needs on the PC 112. This also allows the user to more appropriately grasp the status of the printer 114, for example.

[0076] Furthermore, when the management server 12 manages multiple printers 114 associated with a user who operates a PC 112 or the like, the PC 112 or the like may display, on a single screen, a summary display that summarizes and displays information about the multiple printers 114 associated with the user, and a printer-specific display that displays information about each individual printer 114, for the same or similar items as those shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 . In this case, the PC 112 or the like may display at least one of a group summary display and a total summary display in the summary display, depending on, for example, a user's selection. Again, the group summary display may be considered, for example, as a display that summarizes information about printers 114 included in the same group. Again, the total summary display may be considered, for example, as a display that summarizes information about all printers 114 associated with the user. Again, in this case, the PC 112 or the like may display only one of the group summary display and the total summary display. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that both the group summary display and the total summary display may be displayed as summary displays, depending on, for example, the information desired by the user. With this configuration, for example, information required by the user can be more appropriately displayed on the PC 112. This also allows the user to more appropriately grasp the status of the printer 114, for example.

[0077] The PC 112 or the like may further display various other information, warnings, and the like. In this case, for example, it is possible to issue a warning to the user regarding the continuation of sign-in (sign-in continuation alert). More specifically, as can be understood from the above description, in this example, the management server 12 is a server accessed from the user base 14 or the like, and manages printer information while identifying the user through user authentication. The management server 12 also accepts user sign-ins through user authentication via the PC 112 or the like. In this case, signing in to the management server 12 can be considered, for example, as signing in to a management screen (dashboard) of the management server 12 via a program executed on the PC 112 or the like. In this case, for example, it is possible to have the PC 112 or the like issue a warning to the user that the sign-in state is still ongoing, when a preset time has elapsed after the user signs in. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately prevent the user from remaining signed in for a long period of time without realizing it. Furthermore, when data is being sent (uploaded) from the PC 112 or the like to the management server 12 in the background, after a certain period of time has passed, the PC 112 or the like may be caused to issue a notification that data is being uploaded in the background. It is also conceivable that such warnings and notifications may be issued by the PC 112 or the like, for example, by a toast notification. This configuration allows, for example, appropriate warnings and notifications to be issued to the user. It is also conceivable that, when displaying specific information included in various printer information, data of items that the user does not need to view within the specific information that the user wants to check can be filtered out. This configuration, for example, makes it easier for the user to view the necessary data.

[0078] In the above, an inkjet printer, for example, is used as the printer 114 used in the printing system 10. However, a printer other than an inkjet printer may be used as the printer 114 used in the printing system 10. It is also possible to use a 3D printer, for example, as the printer 114 used in the printing system 10. [Industrial Applicability]

[0079] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, in a display method for displaying information on an electronic device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10 Printing system, 102 Production base, 104 Management department, 106 Marketing department, 108 Support department, 112 PC, 114 Printer, 116 Electronic device, 12 Management server, 14 User base, 16 External management section, 202 Tab, 222 Display target selection section, 224 Period setting section

Claims

1. A display method for displaying information on an electronic device in a printing system including a printer, a management server that manages printer information indicating the status of the printer, and an electronic device that displays information based on the printer information acquired from the management server, comprising: an information transmission step of transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from the management server to the electronic device; a display step of displaying, on the electronic device, information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device in the information transmission step; Equipped with The management server includes at least the following as the printer information: a printer status indicating the state of the printer; The operation history of the printer; a print history of the printer; We manage In the information transmission step, at least the printer status, the operation record, and the print history are transmitted from the management server to the electronic device; a display method characterized in that, in the display step, the electronic device switches and displays the printer status, the operation record, and the print history in response to a user operation;

2. The printer status is an ink set name indicating an ink set used in the printer; ink information regarding inks used in the printer; 2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the information indicates at least:

3. The printer status is a printing area indicating an area where printing can be performed by the printer; a print length indicating the length of the output printed by said printer; the amount of waste ink generated in the printer; 2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the information includes at least one of the above.

4. The operating results are as follows: A compilation of operational information indicating the operational status of the printer; A tally of the amount of ink used by said printer; A total of the printing area, which is the area printed by the printer; 2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the information indicates at least:

5. 2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the print history is information indicating at least a history of print jobs that have been executed in the past.

6. 2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the print history is information indicating at least a history relating to the number of times of printing.

7. the printer information includes a maintenance history for the printer, the maintenance history being information regarding predetermined maintenance for the printer; 2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the display step causes the electronic device to issue at least one of a warning to prompt the user to perform the maintenance and a warning to prompt the user to replace consumables used in the printer.

8. 8. The display method according to claim 7, wherein the display step includes causing the electronic device to notify inventory information of the consumables.

9. 9. The display method according to claim 8, wherein in the display step, the user is prompted to order the consumables based on the inventory status of the consumables.

10. 8. The display method according to claim 7, wherein the display step causes the electronic device to display whether or not the preset recommended maintenance has been performed.

11. The printing system includes the electronic device: a user device that displays information to the user who uses the printer; a maintenance person device, which is the electronic device that displays information to a maintenance person who provides maintenance services for the printer; Equipped with 11. The display method according to claim 10, wherein in the display step, at least the maintenance person device displays whether or not the recommended maintenance has been performed.

12. the management server accepts the sign-in of the user through user authentication via the electronic device; 2. The display method according to claim 1, further comprising causing the electronic device to issue a warning to the user when a preset time has elapsed after the user signs in.

13. the management server manages the printers in association with the users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups each including one or more of the printers; In a case where the management server manages a plurality of the printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device, in the display step, a summary display that summarizes and displays information about the plurality of printers associated with the user; a printer-by-printer display that displays information about each individual printer; and displaying the above on one screen on the electronic device, And in the summary display, a group summary display that summarizes information about the printers included in the same group; a total summary display of information on all the printers associated with the user; 2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is caused to display one of the following:

14. A display method for displaying information on an electronic device in a printing system including a printer, a management server that manages printer information indicating the status of the printer, and an electronic device that displays information based on the printer information acquired from the management server, comprising: an information transmission step of transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from the management server to the electronic device; a display step of displaying, on the electronic device, information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device in the information transmission step; Equipped with The management server includes at least the following as the printer information: a printer status indicating the state of the printer; The operation history of the printer; We manage In the information transmission step, at least the printer status and the operation record are transmitted from the management server to the electronic device; In the display step, the printer status and the operation record are displayed on the electronic device; Regarding a display method based on the printer information of the plurality of printers associated with the user operating the electronic device in the display stage, a printer-specific display that displays information about each of the printers; a group display that displays information about the printers included in a group that includes one or more of the printers; a full display that displays information about all the printers associated with the user, according to an instruction from the user; a collective display in which the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the entire display are displayed on one screen; an individual display that selects and displays any one of the printer-specific display, the group display, and the all display; a display method for displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic device by selecting one of the above items.

15. a communication unit that receives printer information from a management server that manages printer information associated with the printer; a display unit that displays information based on the printer information received from the management server; Equipped with The printer information includes at least a printer status indicating the state of the printer; The operation history of the printer; a print history of the printer; The information includes The electronic device is characterized in that the display unit switches between displays of the printer status, the operation record, and the print history in response to a user's operation.

16. an information transmission process for transmitting printer information associated with the printer from a management server that manages the printer information to the electronic device; a display process for displaying information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device on the electronic device; causing at least one of the management server and the electronic device to execute the above; The printer information includes at least a printer status indicating the state of the printer; The operation history of the printer; a print history of the printer; The information includes The program is characterized in that, in the display processing, the electronic device switches and displays the printer status, the operation record, and the print history in response to a user operation.

17. A management system for managing a printer in a printing system including the printer, a management server that manages printer information that indicates the status of the printer; the printing system is a system including the printer, the management server, and an electronic device that performs display based on the printer information acquired from the management server, and the management system is a system that constitutes at least a part of the printing system; The management server includes at least the following as the printer information: a printer status indicating the state of the printer; The operation history of the printer; a print history of the printer; We manage At least the printer status, the operation record, and the print history are transmitted to the electronic device, a management system that switches the display of the printer status, the operation record, and the print history on the electronic device in response to a user's operation;

18. The printer status is an ink set name indicating an ink set used in the printer; ink information regarding inks used in the printer; 18. The management system according to claim 17, wherein the information indicates at least:

19. The printer status is a printing area indicating an area where printing can be performed by the printer; a print length indicating the length of the output printed by said printer; the amount of waste ink generated in the printer; 18. The management system according to claim 17, wherein the information includes at least one of the above.

20. The operating results are as follows: A compilation of operational information indicating the operational status of the printer; A tally of the amount of ink used by said printer; A total of the printing area, which is the area printed by the printer; 18. The management system according to claim 17, wherein the information indicates at least:

21. 18. The management system according to claim 17, wherein the print history is information indicating at least a history of print jobs that have been executed in the past.

22. 18. The management system according to claim 17, wherein the print history is information indicating at least a history relating to the number of times of printing.

23. the printer information includes a maintenance history for the printer, the maintenance history being information regarding predetermined maintenance for the printer; 18. The management system according to claim 17, wherein the electronic device is caused to issue at least one of a warning to prompt the user to perform the maintenance and a warning to prompt the user to replace consumables used in the printer.

24. 24. The management system according to claim 23, wherein the electronic device is caused to notify inventory information of the consumables.

25. 25. The management system according to claim 24, wherein the user is prompted to order the consumables based on the inventory status of the consumables.

26. 24. The management system according to claim 23, wherein the electronic device displays whether or not the preset recommended maintenance has been performed.

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