System, image forming apparatus, server, and method for controlling system

Abstract

To provide a technique that can achieve a new method for managing a processable amount.SOLUTION: A server 30 executes addition processing of adding a charged number of sheets to a first printable number of sheets corresponding to a user ID according to reception of a charging instruction from a portable terminal device 10, and first update processing of updating a second printable number of sheets of a printer 20 that is identified from a device ID corresponding to the user ID on the basis of the first printable number of sheets after the addition. The printer 20 executes print processing of forming an image by using a printing unit 25, and second update processing of updating the second printable number of sheets on the basis of the processing amount of the executed print processing. The server 30 executes, on the basis of the processing amount of the executed print processing, third update processing of updating the first printable number of sheets corresponding to the device ID of the printer 20 that executes the print processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a technique for managing the processable amount of image forming processing executed by an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printing system consisting of a mobile terminal device, a printer, and a server. Specifically, the server stores in a server management table a correspondence between the printer's device ID and the number of pages that the printer is permitted to print. The mobile terminal device sends a print command to the printer to execute printing. The mobile terminal device also sends to the server permission amount setting information that causes the server to execute a setting to add a charge number to the number of pages that can be printed in the server management table. The server and printer synchronize the number of pages that can be printed in the server management table with the number of pages that can be printed in the printer management table. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-110476 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are other methods for synchronizing the printable number between the server and the printer than the method described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] An object of the present application is to provide a technology that can realize a new method for managing processable capacity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the system of the present application is a system including an image forming apparatus, a server, and an information processing apparatus, wherein the server includes a first storage unit that stores a user ID that identifies a user who uses the image forming apparatus, a device ID that identifies the image forming apparatus, and a first processable amount that is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming apparatus, in association with each other; the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, and a second storage unit that stores a second processable amount that is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming unit; the information processing apparatus transmits an addition command to the server to cause the server to add a specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID; executes an addition process of adding a specific processable amount to a first processable amount corresponding to a user ID in response to receiving an addition command from the information processing device, and a first update process of updating a second processable amount of the image forming device identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID based on the first processable amount after the addition; the image forming device executes an image formation process of forming an image using an image forming unit, and a second update process of updating the second processable amount based on the processing amount of the executed image formation process; and the server executes a third update process of updating the first processable amount corresponding to the device ID of the image forming device that executed the image formation process based on the processing amount of the executed image formation process.

[0007] In the system of the present application, a specific processable amount is added to a first processable amount corresponding to a user ID, and the second processable amount of the image forming device identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID is updated based on the first processable amount after the addition, so that the number of printable sheets can be managed for each user.

[0008] Furthermore, when a user ID is associated with a plurality of device IDs, the server updates the second processable amounts of the plurality of image forming devices identified by the plurality of device IDs based on the first processable amounts in the first update process. This is convenient because the server automatically updates the second processable amounts of each of the plurality of image forming devices without the user having to specify each of the plurality of image forming devices and give instructions to update the second processable amounts individually.

[0009] Furthermore, in a second update process, the image forming apparatus updates the second processable amount based on the processing amount of the executed image formation process and transmits the updated second processable amount to the server, and the server updates the first processable amount based on the updated second processable amount in a third update process. In this way, the image forming apparatus updates the first processable amount based on the updated second processable amount simply by transmitting the updated processable amount to the server, thereby reducing the processing amount of the image forming apparatus on the server.

[0010] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus transmits the throughput of the executed image formation process to the server, and in a third update process, the server updates the first processable amount based on the throughput of the image formation process received from the image forming apparatus and transmits the updated first processable amount to the image forming apparatus, and in a second update process, the image forming apparatus updates the second processable amount based on the updated first processable amount. In this way, the image forming apparatus simply transmits the updated second processable amount to the server, and the server updates the first processable amount based on the updated second processable amount and transmits the updated first processable amount to the image forming apparatus. Then, the image forming apparatus simply receives this first processable amount from the server and updates the second processable amount, thereby simplifying the update process for the second processable amount of the image forming apparatus.

[0011] Furthermore, if the processing volume of the image forming process exceeds the first processable volume, the server charges the information processing device a fee according to the excess processing volume, allowing the user to use the image forming device without being aware of whether the first processable volume has been exceeded.

[0012] Furthermore, when a user ID is associated with multiple device IDs, the server updates the second processable amounts of the multiple image forming devices identified by the multiple device IDs based on a portion of the first processable amounts in the first update process, thereby increasing the variety of update modes.

[0013] Furthermore, when a specific device ID is associated with multiple user IDs, the server updates the second processable amount of the image forming device identified by the specific device ID based on the total amount of the first processable amounts corresponding to each of the multiple user IDs in the first update process, thereby further increasing the variety of update modes.

[0014] Furthermore, in a second update process, the image forming device updates the second processable amount based on the processing amount obtained by dividing the processing amount of the image formation process by the number of multiple user IDs associated with a specific device ID, and in a third update process, the server updates the first processable amount corresponding to the device ID of the image forming device that executed the image formation process based on the processing amount obtained by dividing the processing amount of the image formation process by the number of multiple user IDs associated with a specific device ID. This makes it possible to further increase the variety of update modes.

[0015] Furthermore, when the processing volume of the image formation process exceeds the first processable volume, the server charges the information processing device a fee according to the processing volume obtained by dividing the excess processing volume by the number of multiple user IDs associated with the specific device ID. This allows the user to use the image formation process without being aware of whether the first processable volume has been exceeded.

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present application is an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit, a second memory unit that stores a second processable amount, which is the processable amount of the image forming process executed by the image forming unit, and a controller, and cooperates with a server having a first memory unit that stores, in association with each other, a user ID that identifies a user who uses the image forming apparatus, a device ID that identifies the image forming apparatus, and a first processable amount, which is the processable amount of the image forming process executed by the image forming apparatus, and the controller executes an image forming process that forms an image using the image forming unit, and an update process that updates the second processable amount based on the process amount of the executed image forming process.

[0017] In order to achieve the above object, the server of the present application is a server equipped with a first memory unit that stores a user ID that identifies a user who uses an image forming device, a device ID that identifies the image forming device, and a first processable amount that is the processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming device, in association with each other, and a controller, wherein the controller performs an addition process that adds a specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID in response to receiving an addition command from an information processing device, and an update process that updates a second processable amount, which is the processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming unit of the image forming device identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID, based on the first processable amount after the addition.

[0018] In the server of the present application, a specific processable amount is added to a first processable amount corresponding to a user ID, and the second processable amount of the image forming device identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID is updated based on the first processable amount after the addition, so that the number of printable sheets can be managed for each user.

[0019] In order to achieve the above object, a system control method of the present application controls a system including an image forming device including an image forming unit and a second storage unit that stores a second processable amount, which is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming unit; a server including a first storage unit that stores a user ID that identifies a user who uses the image forming device, a device ID that identifies the image forming device, and a first processable amount, which is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming device, in association with each other; and an information processing device, the system control method comprising the steps of: transmitting an addition command from the information processing device to the server to cause the server to add a specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID; the server adds the specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID in response to receiving an addition command from the management device; a first updating step, in the server, updating the second processable amount of the image forming device identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID based on the first processable amount after the addition; an image forming step, in the image forming device, forming an image using an image forming unit; a second updating step, in the image forming device, of updating the second processable amount based on the processing amount of the executed image formation process; and a third updating step, in the server, updating the first processable amount corresponding to the device ID of the image forming device that executed the image formation process based on the processing amount of the executed image formation process.

[0020] In this way, the control method for controlling the system of the present application adds a specific processable amount to a first processable amount corresponding to a user ID, and updates the second processable amount of the image forming device identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID based on the first processable amount after the addition, thereby making it possible to manage the number of printable sheets for each user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a synchronization process executed by a server included in the printing system of FIG. 1, particularly by a server CPU. [Figure 3] 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of synchronization processing executed by a printer included in the printing system of FIG. 1, particularly by a printer CPU. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram for explaining how the printable numbers are synchronized by the synchronization processes of FIGS. 2 and 3 when one user uses two printers. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram for explaining how the printable numbers are synchronized by the synchronization processes of FIGS. 2 and 3 when two users use two and three printers, respectively. FIG. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing specific examples of various information stored in a printer management table and a server management table. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (Configuration of Printing System 1) FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The printing system 1 is used for a printing service provided to users. The printing service allows users to print by paying a fee based on the number of printable sheets (an example of the "processable amount" herein), which is the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by a printer 20. When a user applies for this printing service, they pay an initial fee and are granted a predetermined number of printable sheets (e.g., 500 sheets). Here, the term "number of sheets" is used as a unit for counting the number of sheets on one side of a sheet of paper. Therefore, the number of printable sheets refers to the number of sheets on one side of a sheet that can be printed. Printing on one side of a sheet of paper reduces the number of printable sheets by one, and printing on both sides reduces the number of printable sheets by two. In the following description, setting the number of printable sheets or increasing the number of printable sheets by charging an additional fee may sometimes be referred to as "charging." The number of printable sheets may also be referred to as the charged number.

[0024] In this embodiment, the printer 20 is, for example, an inkjet printer. The printer 20 sent from the vendor to the user is filled with the amount of ink necessary to print at least the predetermined number of printable sheets (e.g., 500 sheets + α sheets) granted to the user. Therefore, with this printing service, after the user obtains the printer 20, the user does not need to go through the trouble of filling the printer 20 with ink or replacing ink cartridges until the number of printable sheets granted to the user is printed after paying the initial fee. Therefore, this printing service eliminates the need to refill the printer 20 with ink, making it a highly convenient service for the user.

[0025] Furthermore, if the user wishes to print more than the specified number of printable pages granted by paying the initial fee, he or she must pay an additional fee. By purchasing additional printable pages, the user can continue to use the printer 20. If the user repeatedly purchases additional printable pages and the ink level of the printer 20 obtained by paying the initial fee becomes low, the user can request a printer 20 replacement, and the printer 20 will be replaced, thereby continuing the printing service. Note that the number α is a number appropriately set by the vendor providing the printing service.

[0026] The printing system 1 includes a mobile terminal device 10, a printer 20, and a server 30. The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 are connected to each other via a router 2, either wired or wirelessly (for example, via a LAN), so as to be able to communicate with each other. The mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 are also connected to each other via the router 2 and the Internet 3, so as to be able to communicate with each other. The printer 20 and the server 30 are also connected to each other via the router 2 and the Internet 3, so as to be able to communicate with each other. The above-described network configuration is an example. For example, the server 30 may be located within the LAN. A plurality of mobile terminal devices 10 and printers 20 may be connected to the server 30, and a plurality of mobile terminal devices 10 may be connected to one printer 20, or the printer 20 to perform printing may be selected from a plurality of printers 20.

[0027] (Configuration of mobile terminal device 10) The mobile terminal device 10 causes a printer 20 to print an image on paper (an example of a "sheet" in this application). The mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a smartphone. The mobile terminal device 10 includes a terminal CPU 11, a terminal storage unit 12, a short-range communication unit 13, a display 14, an input I / F (abbreviation of interface) 15, an image acquisition unit 16, and an external communication unit 17. These components are capable of communicating with each other via a bus 18.

[0028] The terminal storage unit 12 is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and buffers provided in the terminal CPU 11. The terminal storage unit 12 stores a terminal program 12A, an application program (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an application) 12B, print data 12C, and a user ID 12D. The terminal program 12A is a program that comprehensively controls the mobile terminal device 10 and provides basic functions and services to the application 12B. The terminal program 12A is, for example, the Android (registered trademark) OS or iOS (registered trademark). If the mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a PC, the terminal program 12A is, for example, the Windows (registered trademark) OS. The application 12B is, for example, a program provided by the vendor of the printer 20, and is a program that uses the functions of the terminal program 12A to execute various processes (described below), such as setting processing for the printer 20, issuing print commands, and issuing charge commands to the server 30. The terminal CPU 11 executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B to control the mobile terminal device 10 and issue commands to the server 30. The print data 12C is an image to be printed that has been converted into a data format that can be interpreted by the printer 20. The user ID 12D corresponds to a user ID stored in a server management table, which will be described later, and is information that identifies the user of the mobile terminal device 10. The terminal storage unit 12 is also used to store the number of pages that the printer 20 can print.

[0029] In the following description, the mobile terminal device 10 that executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B on the terminal CPU 11 may be referred to simply by the device name. For example, the description "the mobile terminal device 10" may mean "the mobile terminal device 10 that executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B on the terminal CPU 11." The same applies to the printer 20 that executes the printer program 26B1 on the printer CPU 26A and the server 30 that executes the server program 32B1 on the server CPU 32A, which will be described later.

[0030] The short-range communication unit 13 wirelessly communicates with the printer 20 over a short distance. The short-range communication unit 13 includes a communication circuit that wirelessly communicates with a short-range communication unit 21 of the printer 20, which will be described later, using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (short for Near Field Communication). The display 14 displays various information and may employ an LCD, an organic EL display, or the like, but is not limited to these. The input I / F 15 may employ a touch panel that is integrally configured with the display 14 and accepts user operations on icons and the like displayed on the display 14. The input I / F 15 may also be a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

[0031] The image acquisition unit 16 includes, for example, a camera (not shown) provided in the mobile terminal device 10, and acquires images captured by the camera. The image acquisition unit 16 may also be connected to an external device such as an HDD to acquire images. The images acquired by the image acquisition unit 16 may be converted into print data 12C and stored in the terminal storage unit 12.

[0032] The external communication unit 17 includes a communication circuit for transmitting and receiving data to and from the router 2 by wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, for example. The external communication unit 17 is connected to the printer 20 via the router 2. The external communication unit 17 is also connected to the server 30 via the router 2 and the Internet 3. The external communication unit 17 may also be configured to be connected to the router 2 by wired communication such as a LAN cable.

[0033] (Configuration of printer 20) The printer 20 is, for example, an inkjet color printer. The printer 20 includes a short-range communication unit 21, an external communication unit 22, tanks 23, an ink level detection unit 24, a printing unit 25, a scanning unit 28, a user I / F 27, and a printer control unit 26. The external communication unit 22 includes a communication circuit for transmitting and receiving signals to and from external devices (the mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 in this embodiment) connected via a network. The tanks 23 are containers for storing ink. In this embodiment, there are four types of ink (magenta M, cyan C, yellow Y, and black BK), and multiple tanks 23 are provided for each type of ink. That is, the printer 20 uses multiple tanks 23 to independently store each of the four types of ink. In this embodiment, when the printer 20 is supplied to a user by a vendor, each of the multiple tanks 23 is filled with an amount of ink sufficient to print a predetermined number of sheets of paper, assuming a single-color coverage of 5%, for example. The predetermined number is a number that is greater than the number of printable sheets that is granted to a user who applies for a printing service, and can be set appropriately by a vendor that provides the printing service.

[0034] Furthermore, the tank 23 is provided so that the user cannot refill it with ink. Specifically, the tank 23 is located in a position where the user cannot touch it. The tank 23 is fixed to the printer 20 so that it cannot be removed. The remaining ink level detection unit 24 detects the amount of ink remaining in the tank 23. The remaining ink level detection unit 24 is an optical sensor that is located in the tank 23 and detects the level of ink by detecting the height of the ink liquid surface. The remaining ink level detection unit 24 is located in each of the multiple tanks 23 and detects the amount of ink remaining in each of the multiple tanks 23. Note that the printer 20 may be configured so that the user can remove and attach the tank 23. The tank 23 may also be provided with an inlet through which the user can fill the tank 23 with ink.

[0035] The printing unit 25 includes a print head, a carriage on which the print head is mounted, and a transport mechanism for transporting paper, and performs printing by ejecting ink stored in a tank 23 from the print head onto paper. The printing unit 25 executes processing to print images, such as print data 12C received from the mobile terminal device 10, onto paper using a known inkjet method. The scanning unit 28 has a reading sensor and uses the reading sensor to read images from an original. The user I / F 27 is, for example, a touch panel integrated with a display, a push button switch, or the like, and receives operation inputs from the user and displays various information. The printer control unit 26 performs overall control of the printer 20. The printer control unit 26 includes a printer CPU 26A and a printer memory unit 26B. Note that the configuration of the printer 20 described above is an example.

[0036] Printer CPU 26A controls the operation of printer 20 by executing printer program 26B1 in printer storage unit 26B. Printer program 26B1 is a program that comprehensively manages printer 20 and causes printer 20 to execute various processes. Printer storage unit 26B is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and buffers provided in printer CPU 26A.

[0037] The printer storage unit 26B also stores a printer management table PT. The printer management table PT is a table that stores information about the printer 20 regarding the use of print services. The information stored in the printer management table PT is used as appropriate when various processes described below are executed. The printer management table PT stores a device ID, the number of printable sheets, the amount of remaining ink, device settings, and synchronization date and time, all associated with each other. The printer management table PT shown in Figure 6(a) stores "prnA" as the device ID, "500" as the number of printable sheets, "ink1" as the amount of remaining ink, "dc1" as the device setting, and "cd1" as the synchronization date and time.

[0038] The device ID is, for example, a serial number set by the vendor of the printer 20, and is unique information that allows the printer 20 to be distinguished from other printers. The device ID is not limited to a serial number, and may be, for example, a wired MAC address or a wireless MAC address of the short-range communication unit 21 or the external communication unit 22. The printable number indicates the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by the printer 20. A user using the printer 20 can print up to the printable number stored in the printer management table PT. The printable number is increased (charged) by the number of sheets corresponding to the amount charged by the user. On the other hand, the printable number is decreased by the number of sheets of paper used in printing by the printer 20. The printable number may be stored in association with the user ID of the user using the printer 20.

[0039] The remaining ink amount indicates the amount of ink remaining detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit 24. After the printer 20 performs an operation that uses ink, such as refilling ink, checking the nozzles, or printing, the printer 20 stores the remaining ink amount detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit 24 in the printer management table PT. The device settings are setting information such as the functions of the printer 20 (printing, etc.), settings for each function (paper size, color, magnification, etc.), and the language to be displayed on the user I / F 27. The synchronization date and time is the date and time when the previous (most recent) synchronization process was performed with the server 30. The synchronization process here refers to, for example, a process of matching the number of printable pages between the server 30 and the printer 20.

[0040] (Configuration of Server 30) As shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 includes an external communication unit 31 and a server control unit 32. The external communication unit 31 includes a communication circuit that communicates with the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 connected via a network. The server control unit 32 controls the overall operation of the server 30. The server control unit 32 includes a server CPU 32A and a server storage unit 32B. The server CPU 32A controls the operation of the server 30 by executing a server program 32B1 in the server storage unit 32B. The server program 32B1 is a program that performs overall management of the server 30 and causes the server 30 to execute various processes.

[0041] The server storage unit 32B is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and buffers provided in the server CPU 32A. The server storage unit 32B also stores a server management table ST. The server management table ST is a table that stores information necessary for using the print service. The server management table ST stores information about each printer 20 that uses the print service in association with the device ID of the printer 20, and is managed by the vendor. The information stored in the server management table ST is used as appropriate when various processes, described below, are executed.

[0042] The server management table ST stores the device ID, the user ID of the user who uses the printer 20, and the number of printable sheets, in association with each other. The device ID and the number of printable sheets are the same data as those in the printer management table PT described above, and data in the printer management table PT corresponding to the same device ID is stored. The server management table ST may also store the login ID and password used by the user of the mobile terminal device 10 when logging in to the server 30, in association with the device ID. The server management table ST will be described in detail later.

[0043] In this embodiment, the server 30 manages the printable number of each printer 20 using the printing service using a server management table ST that associates the device ID, the user ID of the user who uses the printer 20, and the printable number of pages. The server 30 manages the latest printable number of pages in the server management table ST by executing a synchronization process that synchronizes the printable number of each printer 20, which increases or decreases in response to the user's charging operation or print instruction, with the printer 20.

[0044] The synchronization process executed by the printing system 1 configured as above will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0045] This synchronization process is based on the premise that one or more users charge multiple printers 20. Instead of each user individually specifying each printer 20 and instructing the server 30 to charge, each user specifies themselves and instructs the server 30 to charge. In response, the server 30 first allocates the charge amount based on the instructed charge to the specified user, and then allocates the charge amount allocated to the user to each printer 20. Furthermore, the server 30 synchronizes the number of pages printed by each printer 20 between the printers 20. This is extremely convenient, as each user can charge multiple printers 20 without having to charge each printer 20 individually.

[0046] To explain this synchronization process, we will consider the following two specific cases: Case 1: One user A uses two printers A and B; Case 2: Two users, B and C, in which user B uses two printers, A and B, and user C uses three printers, A to C (all of which have the same configuration as printer 20); This will be explained based on the following two cases.

[0047] First, case 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 shows the procedure for server-side synchronization processing executed by the server 30, particularly the server CPU 32A. FIG. 3 shows the procedure for printer-side synchronization processing executed by the printer 20, particularly the printer CPU 26A. The same printer-side synchronization processing is executed in parallel on both printers A and B. FIG. 4 shows a specific example of how the printable numbers are synchronized between the server 30 and printers A and B through the synchronization processing of FIGS. 2 and 3 when user A instructs the server 30 to charge. Note that FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) differ in the allocation manner in which the printable number allocated to user A is allocated to printers A and B. The server-side synchronization processing starts when the server 30 is powered on. The printer-side synchronization processing of printer A starts when printer A is powered on, and the printer-side synchronization processing of printer B starts when printer B is powered on. In the explanation of each process in FIGS. 2 and 3, steps are represented as "S."

[0048] In Case 1, the printable number stored in the server management table ST of the server 30 is associated with the user ID of user A, as shown in Fig. 6(b). The printable number allocated to user A is then assigned to each of printers A and B, and so the user ID of user A is associated with each of the device IDs of printers A and B in the server management table ST, as shown in Fig. 6(b).

[0049] When the server-side synchronization process of FIG. 2 starts, the server CPU 32A first determines whether a recharge command has been received (S10). For example, when a user purchases an additional number of printable sheets from the mobile terminal device 10, the recharge command is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 10 to the server 30. The recharge command includes the user ID 12D stored in the terminal storage unit 12 and information on the additional number of printable sheets purchased by the user. In Case 1, first, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the number of printable sheets in the server 30 and in printers A and B is all "0," indicating a used-up state. When user A purchases an additional number of printable sheets of 300, the server CPU 32A receives the recharge command from the mobile terminal device 10 (S10: YES) and updates the number of printable sheets in the server 30 (S12). Specifically, the server CPU 32A identifies the user ID in the server management table ST that corresponds to the user ID 12D included in the recharge command. In Case 1, the user identified by the user ID 12D is user A. Then, the server CPU 32A updates the printable number associated with the user ID of user A in the server management table ST from "0" to "300." The server management table ST shown in FIG. 6(b) shows the stored contents at this time. Hereinafter, the printable number associated with the user ID of user A may be referred to as "the printable number of user A."

[0050] Next, the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable number of sheets to each printer (S14). Here, since the user ID of user A is associated with the device IDs of printers A and B, the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable number of sheets to printers A and B. This update notification also includes the updated printable number of sheets ("300").

[0051] 3, when printer A receives a printable sheet count update notification from server 30 (S100: YES), CPU 26A of printer A updates the printable sheet count stored in printer management table PT of printer A (S102). Similarly to printer A, when printer B receives a printable sheet count update notification from server 30 (S100: YES), CPU 26A of printer B updates the printable sheet count stored in printer management table PT of printer B (S102). As described above, the printer-side synchronization process in FIG. 3 is executed in parallel by both printers A and B, and therefore printer CPU 26A is a different CPU for printer A and printer B, but for convenience, the names are the same. When S102 is executed, the printable sheet counts in printer management table PT of printer A and printer B are each updated from "0" to "300," as shown in FIG. 4(a). This synchronizes the printable number of pages for user A in the server management table ST with the printable number of pages in each printer management table PT of printers A and B. After S102, the synchronization time in each printer management table PT of printers A and B is updated to the current time. After S102, when printers A and B notify server 30 that the update of the printable number received from server 30 has been completed, server 30 updates the synchronization time in server management table ST to the current time.

[0052] In the example of FIG. 4(a), the printable number of pages for user A in the server management table ST is directly allocated to the printable number of pages for each of printers A and B, but the allocation pattern is not limited to this. For example, the allocation pattern may be one in which a portion of the printable number of pages for user A is allocated to each of printers A and B. FIG. 4(b) shows an example of an allocation pattern different from that of FIG. 4(a). The allocation pattern of FIG. 4(b) shows an allocation pattern in which the printable number of pages for user A is equally divided between printers A and B. Specifically, the printable number of pages for user A in the server management table ST, "300," is equally divided into "150" pages each and allocated to each of printers A and B. The server management table ST shown in FIG. 6(c) shows the stored contents at this time. Various other allocation patterns are possible. For example, the number of printable sheets for user A can be distributed to printers A and B according to their respective past printing performance, or a certain number of sheets (for example, 50 sheets) can be allocated to each of printers A and B, and once printers A and B have printed that number of sheets, a certain number of sheets can be allocated again.

[0053] Note that when the printable number of sheets is divided evenly, it may not result in an integer value, but in this case, it can be adjusted so that it becomes an integer value. For example, if the charge number is 9 sheets and it is allocated equally to printers A and B, 4 sheets will be allocated to printer A and 5 sheets to printer B. In this case, the server 30 remembers that it allocated 0.5 sheets less to printer A and 0.5 sheets more to printer B, and if the next time it is divided evenly it does not result in an integer value, it can simply increase the allocated number of sheets to printer A by 1 sheet more than the allocated number of sheets to printer B.

[0054] Next, printer CPU 26A determines whether a printing instruction has been issued (S104). Printing instructions include, for example, an instruction sent from portable terminal device 10 to printer 20 when a user uses portable terminal device 10 to cause printer 20 to print print data 12C stored in terminal storage unit 12, and an instruction issued when copying an original using scanning unit 28 and printing unit 25. If a printing instruction has been issued in the determination of S104 (S104: YES), printer CPU 26A determines whether the number of printable sheets is "0" (S106), and if the number of printable sheets is not 0 (S106: NO), executes printing (S108).

[0055] Then, printer CPU 26A subtracts the number of printed sheets from the printable sheet count in printer management table PT (S110), and then sends an update notice of the printable sheet count to server 30 (S112). This update notice of the printable sheet count also includes the updated, i.e., subtracted, printable sheet count. In the example of FIG. 4(a), printer A has printed 10 sheets, so the printable sheet count for printer A is 300-10=290. Printer A then sends an update notice of the printable sheet count (including 290) to server 30. Note that the update notice may include the number of sheets printed by the printer instead of the updated printable sheet count. Alternatively, the update notice may include both the updated printable sheet count and the number of sheets printed by the printer.

[0056] 2, the server CPU 32A determines whether or not an update notification of the printable number of sheets has been received from the printer 20 (S16), and if an update notification of the printable number of sheets has been received (S16: YES), the server CPU 32A updates the printable number in the server 30 (S18). Now, the server CPU 32A has received an update notification of the printable number of sheets (including 290) from the printer A, and therefore updates the printable number of sheets for user A in the server management table ST from "300" to "290."

[0057] Then, the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable number of sheets to each printer, similar to S14 above (S20). Specifically, the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable number of sheets (including 290) to printers A and B. As a result, printers A and B execute the processes of S100 to S102 in FIG. 3, and the printable number of sheets for user A in the server management table ST is synchronized with the printable number of sheets in each printer management table PT of printers A and B, as shown in FIG. 4(a). After the printable numbers are synchronized, the synchronization time in the server management table ST and the synchronization time in the printer management table PT of each printer A and B are updated to the current time.

[0058] Next, we will explain the case where allocation is performed equally as shown in Figure 4(b). In this case, the printable number of sheets is stored in the server management table ST in three types: the printable number of sheets for user A, the printable number associated with the device ID of printer A, and the printable number associated with the device ID of printer B (see Figure 6(c)). Hereinafter, the printable number associated with the device ID of printer A may be referred to as the "printable number of sheets for printer A," and the printable number associated with the device ID of printer B may be referred to as the "printable number of sheets for printer B."

[0059] In the example of FIG. 4(b), when the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable number to printers A and B in S14, it sends an update notification including 150 (pages). As a result, printers A and B update the printable number in each printer management table PT to "150" (S102). Then, when printer A prints 10 pages, printer A sends an update notification including 140 (pages) to the server 30 (S112). In response to this, the server CPU 32A of the server 30 updates the printable number of printer A from "150" to "140", and updates the printable number of user A from "300" to the printable number of printer A (= 140) + the printable number of printer B (= 150) = 290 (S18). Then, the server CPU 32A divides "290" equally into "145" for each printer and sends an update notification of the printable number (including 145) to printers A and B (S20). Printers A and B each receive the update notification of the printable number from the server 30 (S100: YES), and the printer CPUs 26A of printers A and B update the printable number in the printer management table PT to "145" (S102).

[0060] Next, a case where printing exceeds the printable number of sheets will be described based on the example of Figure 4(a). Now, suppose that server 30 sends an update notification of the printable number (including 290) to printers A and B, and that the printable number for user A in server management table ST and the printable number in each printer management table PT of printers A and B are both "290". In this case, printers A and B can both print up to 290 sheets, but suppose, for example, printer A prints 290 sheets and printer B prints 200 sheets. At this time, printer A sends an update notification including 0 (sheets) to server 30 (S112), and printer B sends an update notification including 90 (sheets) to server 30 (S112). In response to this, the server CPU 32A updates the number of printable sheets for user A in the server management table ST from "290" to "-200" (= current number of printable sheets for user A (= 290) - number of prints by printer A (= 290) - number of prints by printer B (= 200)) (S18), and sends an update notification of the number of printable sheets to printers A and B (S20). Note that the server CPU 32A may calculate the number of printable sheets for printer A (= 290), for example, by subtracting the number of prints included in the update notification (= 0) for printer A before the update notification. The same applies to the number of printable sheets for printer B (= 200). Note that in S112, an update notification including the number of prints (290) may be sent from printer A to the server 30, and an update notification including the number of prints (200) may be sent from printer B to the server 30. At this time, the server CPU 32A may calculate the printable number of sheets for the user A based on the number of print sheets included in each update notification sent from the printers A and B.

[0061] In S18, the server CPU 32A updates the printable number for user A with a negative number, so in S20 the server CPU 32A sends an update notification including 0 (sheets) to printers A and B. As a result, printers A and B each receive an update notification of 0 (sheets) from the server 30 (S100: YES), and the printer CPUs 26A of printers A and B update the printable number in the printer management table PT to "0" (S102).

[0062] Next, since the number of printable sheets for user A is negative (S22: YES), the server CPU 32A transmits an instruction to settle the shortfall to the mobile terminal device 10 (S24). The server CPU 32A then waits until it receives a charge command to cover the shortfall from the mobile terminal device 10 (S26: NO), and upon receiving a charge command to cover the shortfall or more (S26: YES), it updates the number of printable sheets in the server 30 (S28) in the same manner as in S12 and S18 above, and transmits an update notification of the number of printable sheets to each printer (S30) in the same manner as in S14 and S20 above, and then returns the process to S10 above.

[0063] 2, if it is determined in S10 that a charge command has not been received (S10: NO), the server CPU 32A skips S12 and S14 and proceeds to S16. Also, if the server CPU 32A does not receive an update notification of the number of printable sheets from printer A or printer B (S16: NO), the process returns to S10 and continues with the process from S10 onwards.

[0064] Furthermore, if it is determined in S22 that the number of printable sheets is not negative (S22: NO), the server CPU 32A returns the process to S10 and continues the process from S10 onwards. The server-side synchronization process may be terminated when the power to the server 30 is turned off.

[0065] On the other hand, in the printer-side synchronization process, if it is determined in S100 that an update notification of the number of printable sheets has not been received from the server 30 (S100: NO), the printer CPU 26A skips S102 and proceeds to S104. Also, if printing is not instructed (S104: NO), the printer CPU 26A returns the process to S100 and continues the process from S100 onwards.

[0066] Furthermore, in the determination of S106, if the printable number of sheets=0 (S106: YES), the printer CPU 26A returns the process to S100 and continues the process from S100 onwards. Then, the printer-side synchronization process of printer A may be terminated when the power of printer A is turned off, and the printer-side synchronization process of printer B may be terminated when the power of printer B is turned off.

[0067] Next, case 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. FIG. 5 shows a specific example of how the printable numbers are synchronized between the server 30 and printers A to C by the synchronization process of FIGS. 2 and 3 when users B and C instruct the server 30 to charge. In case 2, as described above, the printable numbers are assigned to users B and C, respectively, and the printable numbers stored in the server management table ST of the server 30 are associated with the user IDs of users B and C, as shown in FIG. 6(d). As shown in FIG. 5, user B uses printers A and B, and user C uses printers A to C, so the printable number assigned to user B is assigned to printers A and B, and the printable number assigned to user C is assigned to each of printers A to C. Furthermore, the printable number assigned to user B is synchronized with the printable numbers assigned to printers A and B, and the printable number assigned to user C is synchronized with the printable number assigned to each of printers A to C. Therefore, in the server management table ST, as shown in FIG. 6(d), the user ID of user B is associated with the device IDs of printers A and B, and the user ID of user C is associated with the device IDs of printers A to C.

[0068] Case 2 also uses the server-side synchronization process in Figure 2 and the printer-side synchronization process in Figure 3, but the printer-side synchronization process in Figure 3 is executed in parallel on printers A and B as well as printer C. The printer-side synchronization process on printer C also starts when printer C is turned on.

[0069] In Case 2, as in Case 1, the server 30 and printers A to C are all in a used-up state, with the printable number set to "0" as shown in FIG. 5. If user B purchases an additional 100 printable sheets and user C purchases 300 printable sheets from this used-up state, the server CPU 32A receives a charge command from the mobile terminal device 10 (S10: YES) and updates the printable number in the server 30 (S12). Specifically, the printable number associated with user B's user ID in the server management table ST is updated from "0" to "100," and the printable number associated with user C's user ID in the server management table ST is updated from "0" to "300." The server management table ST shown in FIG. 6(d) shows the contents stored at this time. Hereinafter, the printable number associated with user B's user ID may be referred to as "user B's printable number," and the printable number associated with user C's user ID may be referred to as "user C's printable number."

[0070] Next, the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable number to each printer (S14). Here, in the server management table ST, the user ID of user B is associated with the device IDs of printers A and B, and the user ID of user C is associated with the device IDs of printers A to C, so the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable number to printers A to C. The update notification to printer A includes the updated printable number ("400"), the update notification to printer B includes the updated printable number ("400"), and the update notification to printer C includes the updated printable number ("300"). The number 400 is the sum of user B's charge number (= 100) and user C's charge number (= 300). This is because printers A and B are used by users B and C. On the other hand, printer C is used only by user C.

[0071] 3, when printers A to C receive a printable sheet count update notification from server 30 (S100: YES), the printer CPU 26A of each of printers A to C updates the printable sheet count in the printer management table PT (S102). As a result, the printable sheet counts in the printer management table PT of printers A to C are updated to "400," "400," and "300," respectively, as shown in FIG.

[0072] Next, printer CPU 26A determines whether printing has been instructed (S104). If printing has been instructed (S104: YES), printer CPU 26A determines whether the number of printable sheets is "0" (S106), and if the number of printable sheets is not 0 (S106: NO), executes printing (S108).

[0073] Then, printer CPU 26A subtracts the number of pages printed from the number of printable pages (S110), and then sends an update notice of the number of printable pages to server 30 (S112). This update notice of the number of printable pages also includes the updated, i.e., subtracted, number of printable pages. In the example of FIG. 5, printer A has printed 10 pages, so the number of printable pages for printer A is 400-10=390. Then, printer A sends an update notice of the number of printable pages (including 390) to server 30.

[0074] 2, the server CPU 32A determines whether it has received an update notification of the printable number from the printer 20 (S16). If it has received the update notification of the printable number (S16: YES), the server CPU 32A updates the printable number in the server 30 (S18). Now, because the server CPU 32A has received the update notification of the printable number (including 390) from the printer A, it can know how many pages the printer A has printed. The server CPU 32A can then calculate that the printer A has printed 10 pages by, for example, subtracting the printable number of pages of the printer A before the update notification (=400) from the number of pages included in the update notification (=390). Here, because the printer A is used by both users B and C as described above, the 10 pages printed by the printer A are subtracted equally from the printable number for each of the users B and C, i.e., 5 pages each. As a result, the printable number for user B becomes 100-5=95 (sheets), and the printable number for user C becomes 300-5=295 (sheets). Therefore, the server CPU 32A updates the printable number for user B in the server management table ST to "95," and updates the printable number for user C in the server management table ST to "295." In this way, in case 2, when there is a device ID associated with multiple user IDs in the server management table ST, the server CPU 32A updates the printable number by subtracting the value obtained by dividing the number of sheets printed by the printer 20 indicated by that device ID by the number of multiple user IDs from the printable number associated with each of the multiple user IDs.

[0075] Then, the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable sheets to each of printers A to C in the same manner as in S14 above (S20). The update notification to printer A includes the updated printable sheet count ("390"), the update notification to printer B includes the updated printable sheet count ("390"), and the update notification to printer C includes the updated printable sheet count ("295"). 390 sheets is the sum of the updated printable sheet count for user B (= 95) and the updated printable sheet count for user C (= 295). This is because printers A and B are used by users B and C, respectively. On the other hand, printer C is used only by user C. As a result, the printable sheet counts for users B and C in the server management table ST are synchronized with the printable sheet counts in the printer management table PT for printers A and B, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0076] Next, when printer C prints 10 sheets, printer CPU 26A of printer C subtracts 10 from the printable number (S110), and then sends an update notice of the printable number to server 30 (S112). Before the process proceeds to S110, printer C's printable number is 295, so printer CPU 26A calculates 295-10=285 by the subtraction in S110. Then, printer C sends an update notice of the printable number (including 285) to server 30.

[0077] Now, the server CPU 32A has received an update notification (including 285) of the printable number from printer C (S16: YES), and is therefore able to know that printer C has printed 10 pages as described above. Here, because printer C is used only by user C as described above, the 10 pages printed by printer C are subtracted from user C's printable number. Therefore, the server CPU 32A updates user C's printable number in the server management table ST to "285."

[0078] Then, the server CPU 32A sends an update notification of the printable sheets to each of printers A to C in the same manner as in S14 above (S20). The update notification to printer A includes the updated printable sheet count ("380"), the update notification to printer B includes the updated printable sheet count ("380"), and the update notification to printer C includes the updated printable sheet count ("285"). 380 sheets is the sum of the updated printable sheet count for user B (= 95) and the updated printable sheet count for user C (= 285). This is because printers A and B are used by users B and C, respectively. On the other hand, printer C is used only by user C. As a result, the printable sheet counts for users B and C in the server management table ST are synchronized with the printable sheet counts in the printer management table PT for printers A and B, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0079] Next, a case where printing exceeds the printable number of sheets will be described with reference to the example of FIG. 5. Assume now that server 30 has sent an update notification of the printable number to printers A to C, and that the printable numbers for users B and C in server management table ST are "95" and "285," respectively, and that the printable numbers in printer management table PT for printers A to C are "380," "380," and "285," respectively. In this case, printers A to C can print up to 380 sheets, 380 sheets, and 285 sheets, respectively, so it is assumed that each of printers A to C has printed up to its printable number of sheets. At this time, printer A sends an update notification including "0" (sheets) to server 30 (S112), printer B sends an update notification including "0" (sheets) to server 30 (S112), and printer C sends an update notification including "0" (sheets) to server 30 (S112). In response to this, the server CPU 32A updates the number of printable sheets for user B in the server management table ST from "95" to "-285" (= current number of printable sheets for user B (= 95) - number of prints for printer A (= 380) / 2 - number of prints for printer B (= 380) / 2) (S18), and also updates the number of printable sheets for user C in the server management table ST from "285" to "-380" (= current number of printable sheets for user A (= 285) - number of prints for printer A (= 380) / 2 - number of prints for printer B (= 380) / 2 - number of prints for printer C (= 285)) (S18). In this way, the server CPU 32A updates the number of printable sheets for each user by dividing the number of printable sheets for the printer by the number of user IDs associated with the device ID of that printer and subtracting the result from the number of printable sheets associated with each user ID.

[0080] Then, printer CPU 26A sends an update notification of the printable sheets to each of printers A to C (S20). In S18, server CPU 32A updated the printable sheets for users B and C with a negative number, so in S20 server CPU 32A sends an update notification including 0 (sheets) to each of printers A to C. As a result, printers A to C each receive an update notification of 0 (sheets) from server 30 (S100: YES), and printer CPU 26A of each of printers A to C updates the printable sheets in its own printer management table PT to "0" (S102).

[0081] Next, since the printable numbers for users B and C are negative (S22: YES), the server CPU 32A transmits a settlement instruction for the shortfall to each of the portable terminal devices 10 of users B and C (S24). The server CPU 32A then waits until it receives a charge command for the shortfall from each of the portable terminal devices 10 of users B and C (S26: NO), and upon receiving a charge command for the shortfall or more (S26: YES), it updates the printable number in the server 30 (S28) in the same manner as in S12 and S18 above, and transmits an update notification of the printable number to each printer (S30) in the same manner as in S14 and S20 above, and then returns the process to S10 above.

[0082] Although the number of printable sheets has been described as an example of the "processable amount" in this application, the "processable amount" is not limited to this and may be the amount of ink, the length of a sheet, etc. When the amount of ink is used as the "processable amount," the amount of remaining ink detected by the ink remaining amount detection unit 24 is compared with the calculated value of the amount of ink to be consumed in the print job to be printed next, and it is determined whether the amount of remaining ink is insufficient.

[0083] As described above, the printing system 1 of this embodiment is a printing system 1 including a printer 20, a server 30, and a mobile terminal device 10, in which the server 30 includes a server storage unit 32B that stores a user ID that identifies a user using the printer 20, a device ID that identifies the printer 20, and a first printable number that is the printable number of pages in the printing process executed by the printer 20, in association with each other, the printer 20 includes a printing unit 25 and a printer storage unit 26B that stores a second printable number that is the printable number of pages in the printing process executed by the printing unit 25, and the mobile terminal device 10 transmits a charge command to the server 30 to cause the server 30 to add a charge number to the first printable number corresponding to the user ID, and the server 30 stores a charge command to the mobile terminal device 10. In response to receiving a charge command from the terminal device 10 (S10: YES), an addition process is performed to add the charge number to the first printable number corresponding to the user ID (S12), and a first update process is performed to update the second printable number of the printer 20 identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID based on the first printable number after the addition (S14).The printer 20 then performs a printing process to form an image using the printing unit 25 (S108) and a second update process to update the second printable number based on the processing volume of the executed printing process (S110).The server 30 then performs a third update process (S18) to update the first printable number corresponding to the device ID of the printer 20 that executed the printing process based on the processing volume of the executed printing process.

[0084] In this way, in the printing system 1 of this embodiment, the charge number is added to the first printable number corresponding to the user ID, and the second printable number of the printer 20 identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID is updated based on the first printable number after the addition, so that the printable number can be managed for each user.

[0085] Furthermore, when multiple device IDs are associated with a user ID, the server 30 updates the second printable numbers of the multiple printers 20 identified by each of the multiple device IDs based on the first printable numbers in the first update process (S14). This is convenient because the server 30 automatically updates the second printable numbers of each of the multiple printers 20 without the user having to specify each of the multiple printers 20 and give instructions to update the second printable numbers individually.

[0086] Furthermore, in a second update process, the printer 20 updates the second printable number based on the throughput of the executed printing process (S110) and sends the updated second printable number to the server (S112), and the server 30 updates the first printable number based on the updated second printable number in a third update process (S18). In this way, the printer 20 simply sends the updated second printable number to the server 30, and the server 30 updates the first printable number based on the updated second printable number, thereby reducing the throughput of the printer 20 on the server.

[0087] Furthermore, the printer 20 transmits the throughput of the executed printing process to the server 30 (S112), and in a third update process, the server 30 updates the first printable number based on the throughput of the printing process received from the printer 20 (S18) and transmits the updated first printable number to the printer 20 (S20), and in a second update process, the printer 20 updates the second printable number based on the updated first printable number (S102). In this way, the printer 20 simply transmits the updated second printable number to the server 30, and the server 30 updates the first printable number based on the updated second printable number and transmits the updated first printable number to the printer 20. Then, the printer 20 only needs to receive this first printable number from the server 30 and update the second printable number, which simplifies the update process for the second printable number in the printer 20.

[0088] Furthermore, if the processing volume of the printing process exceeds the first printable number of sheets, the server 30 charges the mobile terminal device 10 a fee according to the processing volume that exceeds the first printable number of sheets (S24). This allows the user to use the printer 20 without being aware of whether the first printable number of sheets has been exceeded.

[0089] Furthermore, when multiple device IDs are associated with a user ID, the server 30 updates the second printable numbers of the multiple printers 20 identified by each of the multiple device IDs based on a part of the first printable numbers in the first update process (S14), thereby increasing the variety of update modes.

[0090] Furthermore, when a specific device ID is associated with multiple user IDs, the server 30 updates the second printable sheet count of the printer 20 identified by the specific device ID based on the total of the first printable sheet counts corresponding to the multiple user IDs in the first update process (S14). This allows for even more variation in the update mode.

[0091] Furthermore, in the second update process, the printer 20 updates the second printable number based on the processing volume obtained by dividing the processing volume of the printing process by the number of user IDs associated with the specific device ID, and in the third update process, the server 30 updates the first printable number corresponding to the device ID of the printer 20 that executed the printing process based on the processing volume obtained by dividing the processing volume of the printing process by the number of user IDs associated with the specific device ID (S14). This makes it possible to further increase the variety of update modes.

[0092] Furthermore, when the processing volume of the printing process exceeds the first printable number, the server 30 divides the excess processing volume by the number of multiple user IDs associated with the specific device ID, and bills the mobile terminal device 10 for the processing volume (S24). This allows the user to use the printer 20 without being aware of whether the first printable number has been exceeded.

[0093] Furthermore, the printing process includes a process of forming an image on a sheet using a colorant, and the number of printable sheets includes the amount of sheets or the amount of colorant.

[0094] As described above, the printer 20 of this embodiment is a printer 20 equipped with a printing unit 25, a printer memory unit 26B that stores a second printable number, which is the printable number of sheets in the image forming process executed by the printing unit 25, and a printer CPU 26A, and cooperates with a server 30 having a server memory unit 32B that stores a user ID that identifies a user using the printer 20, a device ID that identifies the printer 20, and a first printable number, which is the printable number of sheets in the image forming process executed by the printer 20, in association with each other, and the printer CPU 26A executes an image forming process that forms an image using the printing unit 25 (S108), and an update process that updates the second printable number based on the processing volume of the executed image forming process (S110).

[0095] As described above, the server 30 of this embodiment is equipped with a server memory unit 32B that stores a user ID that identifies the user using the printer 20, a device ID that identifies the printer 20, and a first printable number, which is the number of pages that can be printed in the image forming process executed by the printer 20, in association with each other, and a server CPU 32A.In response to receiving a charge command from the mobile terminal device 10 (S10: YES), the server CPU 32A performs an addition process (S12) that adds the charge number to the first printable number corresponding to the user ID, and an update process (S14) that updates the second printable number, which is the number of pages that can be printed in the image forming process executed by the printing unit 25 of the printer 20 identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID, based on the first printable number after the addition.

[0096] In this way, the server 30 of this embodiment adds the number of sheets charged to the first number of sheets that can be printed corresponding to the user ID, and updates the second number of sheets that can be printed of the printer 20 identified by the device ID that corresponds to the user ID based on the first number of sheets that can be printed after the addition, so that the number of sheets that can be printed can be managed for each user.

[0097] As described above, the control method for controlling the printing system 1 of the present embodiment is a control method for controlling the printing system 1 including: the printer 20 including the printing unit 25 and the printer storage unit 26B that stores the second printable number, which is the printable number of sheets in the image forming process executed by the printing unit 25; the server 30 including the server storage unit 32B that stores, in association with each other, a user ID that identifies a user who uses the printer 20, a device ID that identifies the printer 20, and the first printable number, which is the printable number of sheets in the image forming process executed by the printer 20; and the mobile terminal device 10, the control method includes a sending step of sending from the mobile terminal device 10 to the server 30 a charge command that causes the server 30 to add a charge number to the first printable number corresponding to the user ID; In response to receiving a charge command from the server 30 (S10: YES), the server 30 adds the charge number to the first printable number corresponding to the user ID (S12); a first update step in which the server 30 updates the second printable number of the printer 20 identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID based on the first printable number after the addition (S14); an image formation step in which the printer 20 forms an image using the printing unit 25 (S108); a second update step in which the printer 20 updates the second printable number based on the processing volume of the image formation process executed (S110); and a third update step in which the server 30 updates the first printable number corresponding to the device ID of the printer 20 that executed the image formation process based on the processing volume of the image formation process executed (S18).

[0098] In this way, in the control method for controlling the printing system 1 of this embodiment, the charge number is added to the first printable number corresponding to the user ID, and the second printable number of the printer 20 identified by the device ID corresponding to the user ID is updated based on the first printable number after the addition, so that the printable number can be managed for each user.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0100] (1) In the above embodiment, in explaining the synchronization process in Figures 2 and 3, examples were given of a case in which one user uses two printers 20 and a case in which two users use two and three printers 20, respectively. However, it goes without saying that the number of users and the number of printers 20 are not limited to the number of people and numbers shown as examples.

[0101] (2) In the above embodiment, an inkjet printer 20 is used, but a laser printer or a thermal printer may also be used. It may also be a multifunction device with a fax function or the like, or a copier. When using multiple devices, different types of devices may be used together.

[0102] (3) The processing executed by the server 30 is not limited to being executed by a single server device, but may be executed by a plurality of server devices in cooperation with each other.

[0103] (4) In the above embodiment, a printing process has been described as an example of an image formation process. However, the image formation process is not limited to this. Copying, scanning, and fax transmission / reception processes may also be used. When scanning is used as the image formation process, the number of pages on one side of a document to be scanned can be applied as the processable amount. When fax transmission / reception is used as the image formation process, the number of pages on one side of a document to be sent as a fax, the number of pages on one side of a paper on which a received fax is printed, the length of the paper, or the amount of ink on the paper can be applied as the processable amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1...printing system (system), 10...portable terminal device (information processing device), 12C...printing data, 20...printer (image forming device), 25...printing unit (image forming unit), printer CPU 26A, 26B...printer memory unit (second memory unit), 30...server, 32A...server CPU, 32B...server memory unit (first memory unit), PT...printer management table, ST...server management table.

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus; A server; An information processing device, The server a first storage unit that stores a user ID that identifies a user who uses the image forming apparatus, a device ID that identifies the image forming apparatus, and a first processable amount that is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming apparatus, in association with each other; the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit; a second storage unit that stores a second processable amount, which is a processable amount of the image formation process executed by the image forming unit; The information processing device includes: transmitting an addition command to the server to cause the server to add a specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID; The server an addition process of adding the specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID in response to receiving the addition command from the information processing device; a first update process for updating the second processable amount of the image forming apparatus identified by the apparatus ID corresponding to the user ID based on the first processable amount after the addition; Run the image forming apparatus, an image forming process for forming an image using the image forming unit; a second update process for updating the second processable amount based on the processing amount of the executed image forming process; Run The server a third update process for updating the first processable amount corresponding to the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus that has executed the image forming process based on the processing amount of the executed image forming process; To execute system.

2. The server When a plurality of device IDs are associated with the user ID, in the first update process, the second processable amounts of the plurality of image forming devices identified by the plurality of device IDs are updated based on the first processable amounts. The system of claim 1 .

3. the image forming apparatus, In the second update process, the second processable amount is updated based on the processing amount of the executed image forming process, and the updated second processable amount is transmitted to the server; The server In the third update process, the first processable amount is updated based on the updated second processable amount. The system of claim 2 .

4. the image forming apparatus, transmitting the amount of processing of the executed image forming process to the server; The server In the third update process, the first processable amount is updated based on the processing amount of the image formation process received from the image forming device, and the updated first processable amount is transmitted to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus, In the second update process, the second processable amount is updated based on the updated first processable amount. The system of claim 2 .

5. The server When the processing volume of the image forming process exceeds the first processable volume, a fee according to the excess processing volume is charged to the information processing device. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The server When a plurality of device IDs are associated with the user ID, in the first update process, the second processable amounts of the plurality of image forming devices identified by the plurality of device IDs are updated based on a part of the first processable amounts. The system of claim 1 .

7. The server When a specific device ID is associated with a plurality of user IDs, the first update process updates the second processable amount of the image forming device identified by the specific device ID based on a total amount of the first processable amounts corresponding to each of the plurality of user IDs. The system of claim 1 .

8. the image forming apparatus, In the second update process, the second processable amount is updated based on a processing amount obtained by dividing the processing amount of the image forming process by the number of the plurality of user IDs associated with the specific apparatus ID; The server In the third update process, the first processable amount corresponding to the device ID of the image forming device that executed the image formation process is updated based on a processing amount obtained by dividing the processing amount of the image formation process by the number of the plurality of user IDs associated with the specific device ID. The system of claim 7.

9. The server When the processing volume of the image forming process exceeds the first processable volume, a fee according to the processing volume obtained by dividing the excess processing volume by the number of the plurality of user IDs associated with the specific device ID is charged to the information processing device.

9. A system according to claim 7 or 8.

10. the image forming process includes a process of forming an image on a sheet using a colorant; The processable amount includes the amount of the sheet or the amount of the colorant. The system of claim 1 .

11. an image forming unit; a second storage unit that stores a second processable amount, which is a processable amount of the image forming process executed by the image forming unit; a controller; and an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus that cooperates with a server having a first storage unit that stores a user ID that identifies a user who uses the image forming apparatus, a device ID that identifies the image forming apparatus, and a first processable amount that is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming apparatus, in association with each other; The controller an image forming process for forming an image using the image forming unit; an update process for updating the second processable amount based on the processing amount of the executed image forming process; To execute Image forming device.

12. a first storage unit that stores a user ID that identifies a user who uses an image forming apparatus, a device ID that identifies the image forming apparatus, and a first processable amount that is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming apparatus, in association with each other; a server comprising: The controller an addition process of adding a specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID in response to receiving an addition command from the information processing device; an updating process for updating a second processable amount, which is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus identified by an apparatus ID corresponding to the user ID, based on the first processable amount after the addition; To execute server.

13. A control method for controlling a system including an image forming device including an image forming unit and a second storage unit that stores a second processable amount, which is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming unit; a server including a first storage unit that stores a user ID that identifies a user who uses the image forming device, a device ID that identifies the image forming device, and a first processable amount, which is a processable amount of image formation processing executed by the image forming device, in association with each other; and an information processing device, a transmission step of transmitting, from the information processing device to the server, an addition command for causing the server to add a specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID; an addition step of adding, in the server, the specific processable amount to the first processable amount corresponding to the user ID in response to receiving the addition command from the information processing device; a first updating step in the server for updating the second processable amount of the image forming apparatus identified by the apparatus ID corresponding to the user ID based on the first processable amount after the addition; an image forming step of forming an image using the image forming unit in the image forming apparatus; a second updating step of updating the second processable amount based on the processing amount of the executed image forming process in the image forming apparatus; a third updating step in the server of updating the first processable amount corresponding to the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus that executed the image forming process based on the processing amount of the executed image forming process; Including, Control method.

Images