Server, server control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a server, a server control method, and a program that can prevent excessive delivery of printing paper by a delivery service.SOLUTION: A subscription management service 104 includes: acquisition means (print information management unit 302) for acquiring identification information (device ID) of multiple image forming devices 102 that are the target of delivery service for delivering printing paper, user information (user ID) of a user US of each image forming device 102, and usage information (the number of printed sheets) of printing paper used for printing at each image forming device 102; and determination means (printing paper management unit 304) for determining, based on the identification information and the user information, whether to deliver printing paper to the user US based on the usage information of all image forming devices 102 commonly used by the user US when at least two image forming devices 102 among the multiple image forming devices 102 are commonly available for use by the user US.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server, a server control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, print subscription services have become popular for image forming devices with printing functions, such as multi-function printers (MFPs) and single-function printers (SFPs). In these print subscription services, for example, a maximum number of pages that can be printed per month is predetermined, and printing can be performed for a fixed fee until that number is reached. Furthermore, in subscription services, consumables such as printing paper and other consumables, such as ink and toner, are delivered to the user at no additional cost when the remaining amount falls below a threshold. This eliminates the need to check the remaining amount of consumables and purchase them. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device configuration that allows users to easily use a printer subscription system without any hassle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-164052 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, image forming devices with printing capabilities use printing paper and ink or toner when printing. Unlike ink and toner, printing paper can be shared between image forming devices. Subscription services include services in which printing paper is delivered to each image forming device. For example, a user may use two image forming devices, and the number of sheets of printing paper used by one image forming device may be greater than the number of sheets of printing paper used by the other image forming device. In this case, even though the printing paper can be shared and used, i.e., even though the printing paper used by the other image forming device can be reused as printing paper for one image forming device, the printing paper intended for one image forming device continues to be delivered. This results in overdelivery, leading to a problem of a large amount of printing paper piling up for the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a server, a server control method, and a program that can prevent excessive delivery of printing paper by a delivery service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the server of the present invention is a server that manages a delivery service for delivering printing paper, and is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means that acquires identification information that identifies each of multiple printing devices that are the subject of the delivery service, user information regarding the users who use each of the printing devices, and usage count information regarding the number of sheets of printing paper used for printing on each of the printing devices; and a decision means that, based on the identification information and the user information, decides to deliver the printing paper to a single user based on the usage count information of all printing devices that are commonly used by the single user when at least two of the multiple printing devices are in a state that can be used by the single user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent printing paper from being delivered too frequently by a delivery service. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a subscription service system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a client terminal and a subscription management service. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a subscription management service. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a software configuration of a client terminal. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a software configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a subscription contract application process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print paper subscription transition screen. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a printing process and a printing paper delivery process under a subscription contract. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage status confirmation screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contract status of a print paper subscription for a first device and a print paper subscription for a second device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in each embodiment. For example, each component constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can perform the same function. Also, any component may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of each embodiment can be combined.

[0010] <<First Embodiment>> The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] <System configuration of a printing paper subscription service> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a subscription service system according to a first embodiment. The subscription service system (hereinafter simply referred to as the "system") 1000 shown in FIG. 1 is a subscription system that provides a delivery service for delivering printing paper. The system 1000 includes an image forming apparatus (printing apparatus) 102, a client terminal 103, and a subscription management service (server) 104. These apparatuses included in the system 1000 are connected to each other via networks 100 and 101 so as to be able to communicate with each other, i.e., to be able to send and receive data. Note that the networks 100 and 101 are each a communication network realized by, for example, a LAN such as the Internet, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM or frame relay line, a cable television line, a wireless line for data broadcasting, or the like. In this embodiment, the network 100 is the Internet. The network 101 is a local network or the like. A subscription management service 104 is connected to the network 101. The client terminal 103 and the image forming apparatus 102 are each connected to the network 101. As a result, the image forming apparatus 102 and the client terminal 103 can each access the Internet (network 100) via the local network (network 101) and establish communication with the subscription management service 104. Note that while the number of image forming apparatuses 102 connected to the network 101 is two in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, this is not limited to this and may be, for example, three or more. Hereinafter, one of the two image forming apparatuses 102 may be referred to as "image forming apparatus 102A" and the other image forming apparatus 102 may be referred to as "image forming apparatus 102B."

[0012] The client terminal 103 can send print jobs to the image forming apparatus 102A and the image forming apparatus 102B and can transmit and receive information to and from the subscription management service 104. The client terminal 103 is not particularly limited and can be, for example, a desktop or notebook personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The image forming apparatus 102A and the image forming apparatus 102B are each a multi-function peripheral (MFP) that has a printing function as well as a copying function, a scanning function, a fax transmission function, and the like. This allows the image forming apparatus 102A and the image forming apparatus 102B to perform printing based on a print job from the client terminal 103. Note that, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102A and the image forming apparatus 102B are each an MFP, but are not limited thereto and may be, for example, a single function printer (SFP). Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 102A may be an MFP and the image forming apparatus 102B may be an SFP. In this embodiment, image forming apparatus 102A, image forming apparatus 102B, and client terminal 103 are all in a state where they can be used by one user (hereinafter referred to as "user (user) US"). Hereinafter, this state may be referred to as "single-user usage state." Note that user US may be an individual (natural person) or a corporation.

[0013] The subscription management service 104 manages a delivery service that delivers printing paper to the user US based on contract information concluded with the user US. The subscription management service 104 can also manage delivery services that deliver printing paper to other users based on contract information concluded with other users different from the user US. The other users, like the user US, have and can use image forming devices 102 and client terminals 103. Therefore, the subscription management service 104 can communicate with as many image forming devices 102 and client terminals 103 as the number of subscribers, i.e., the number of users. The subscription management service 104 collects print event data from the image forming devices 102 and manages subscriptions based on the print event data. The subscription management service 104 can also accept new subscriptions, confirmations, changes, etc., from the user US and other users. The subscription management service 104 is published on the network 100 (Internet) as a redundant service using multiple servers. The functionality of subscription management service 104 may be realized by a single server or a single virtual server, or by multiple servers or multiple virtual servers. Additionally, subscription management service 104 may have multiple virtual servers running on a single server.

[0014] <Hardware configuration of image forming device> FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2A, the image forming apparatus 102 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, and a NIC (network interface card) 204. The image forming apparatus 102 also includes a DKC (disk controller) 205, a raster controller 207, a print engine 208, an operation panel (operation unit) 209, a storage device 210, and a device I / F 211. These pieces of hardware included in the image forming apparatus 102 are communicably connected to each other via a system bus 200. The CPU 201 is a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 102 and comprehensively controls access to each piece of hardware connected via the system bus 200. This control is performed based on a control program stored in the ROM 202 or a control program and resource data (resource information) stored in an external memory 206 connected via the DKC 205. The RAM 203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

[0015] The storage device 210 is an external storage unit that functions as a large-capacity memory and stores programs such as the OS 330 (see FIG. 3C). The operation panel 209 displays screens and accepts operational instructions from the user US on the screen. The operational instructions from the user US on the screen are not particularly limited and include, for example, setting the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 102, displaying the operating status of the image forming apparatus 102, and specifying copies. The NIC 204 transmits and receives data to and from external devices. The print engine 208 performs printing. The printing performed by the print engine 208 is not particularly limited and includes, for example, electrophotographic (laser beam) printing, inkjet printing, and dye-sublimation (thermal transfer) printing. The raster controller 207 converts print data written in PDL or PDF language into image data. The device I / F 211 is a connection interface with external devices connectable via USB or the like.

[0016] <Subscription Management Service and Hardware Configuration of Client Terminal> FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the subscription management service and the client terminal. The hardware configuration of the subscription management service 104 is the same as that of the client terminal 103, so the hardware configuration of the subscription management service 104 will be described as a representative example. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the subscription management service 104 includes a CPU 220, a ROM 221, a RAM 222, a NIC 223, a display control unit 224, an input control unit 225, and a storage device 226. These pieces of hardware included in the subscription management service 104 are connected to each other via a system bus 219 so that they can communicate with each other. The subscription management service 104 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured as multiple devices connected via a network such as a LAN or WAN. The CPU 220 is a control unit that controls the entire subscription management service 104 and comprehensively controls access to each piece of hardware connected via the system bus 219. The CPU 220 executes application programs and an operating system stored in the storage device 226. The application program includes programs for causing a computer to execute each part and each means (server control method) of the subscription management service 104. The CPU 220 also controls temporary storage of information, files, etc. required for program execution in the RAM 222. The ROM 221 stores programs such as basic I / O programs and various data. The RAM 222 functions as the CPU 220's main memory, work area, etc. The NIC 223 transmits and receives data to and from external devices. The display control unit 224 is communicably connected to the display device 227. As a result, the display device 227 displays user interface information such as screens (windows), icons, messages, menus, etc. The input control unit 225 receives input data from an input device 228 such as a keyboard or mouse. The storage device 226 is external storage means that functions as a large-capacity memory, and stores, for example, application programs, an OS, etc.

[0017] <Software configuration of subscription management service> FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the subscription management service. As shown in FIG. 3A, the subscription management service 104 includes a data transmission / reception unit 300, a subscription management unit 301, a print information management unit 302, a storage 303, and a print paper management unit 304. Each piece of software (software module) included in the subscription management service 104 is stored in the storage device 226 of the subscription management service 104 and is loaded into the RAM 222 by the CPU 220 for execution. The data transmission / reception unit 300 provides an interface for communication with the client terminal 103 or the like using a protocol such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). The data transmission / reception unit 300 also verifies the validity of information received from the client terminal 103 or the like. The HTTP protocol is a standard protocol used on the Web and is suitable for, for example, collaboration between other servers and collaboration between a web browser and other servers. The subscription management unit 301 manages the current subscription plan and consumable type based on the subscription contract. Table 1 below shows an example of subscription management data.

[0018] [Table 1]

[0019] As shown in Table 1, the subscription management data includes a user ID, a contract ID, a device ID, a subscription plan ID, a consumable type, and a due date. These data are stored in the storage 303. The user ID is an ID for identifying a user who has signed a subscription contract. In this embodiment, this is user information related to the user who uses each image forming apparatus 102. The user information may also include, for example, the name, address, gender, age, etc. of the user US as metadata. The contract ID is an ID for identifying each subscription contract. The device ID is an ID indicating an image forming apparatus 102 that can be used under the subscription contract. In this embodiment, this is identification information for identifying each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 102 that are the target of the delivery service. The subscription plan ID is an ID indicating the type of the current subscription contract. For example, the contract ID "SP003" indicates a subscription plan that allows printing of 500 sheets per month. The consumable type is the type of consumable that can be used under the subscription contract. Examples of consumable types include ink cartridges, toner cartridges, printing paper (A4 size printing paper), and printing paper (A3 size printing paper). In this embodiment, the consumable type related to ink cartridges is simply referred to as "ink cartridge," and the consumable type related to toner cartridges is simply referred to as "toner cartridge," but this is not limiting. For example, information such as the model number or part number of the ink cartridge may be used as the consumable type related to ink cartridges. The closing date is set to 30 days after the subscription contract is applied for and the contract begins. Furthermore, after processing such as billing fees and resetting the number of sheets of printing paper used is performed, the next closing date is set to 30 days from that point.

[0020] A user can individually sign subscription contracts for multiple image forming apparatuses 102. For example, Table 1 shows that a user identified by user ID "U001" has signed subscription contracts for device IDs "AAA" and "BBB." For device ID "AAA," subscription contract "SUB003" for the consumable type "printing paper" has also been signed, in addition to subscription contract "SUB001" for the consumable type "ink cartridges." Similarly, for device ID "BBB," subscription contract "SUB004" for the consumable type "printing paper" has also been signed, in addition to subscription contract "SUB002" for the consumable type "ink cartridges."

[0021] Table 2 below shows an example of subscription plan management data.

[0022] [Table 2]

[0023] As shown in Table 2, the subscription plan management data includes a subscription plan ID, subscription plan details, and print paper shipping threshold. The subscription plan ID is an ID that indicates the subscription plan. The subscription plan ID of the subscription management data shown in Table 1 and the subscription plan ID of the subscription plan management data shown in Table 2 are linked by the same ID. The subscription plan details are set to the number of sheets that can be printed for the relevant subscription plan. The print paper shipping threshold is a threshold for performing print paper delivery processing (shipping processing) when it is predicted that the inventory of print paper in a specified image forming device 102 has fallen below the print paper shipping threshold.

[0024] Table 3 below shows an example of print event data.

[0025] [Table 3]

[0026] As shown in Table 3, the print event data includes a device ID, print date and time, and number of pages printed. This information is received from the image forming apparatus 102, managed by the print information management unit 302, and stored in storage 303. The device ID of the subscription management data shown in Table 1 and the device ID of the subscription plan management data shown in Table 3 are linked by the same ID. The print date and time are the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second when printing was performed on the image forming apparatus 102 to which the device ID is assigned. The number of pages printed is usage information related to the number of sheets of printing paper used in printing at the print date and time. The printing paper management unit 304 determines whether or not consumables need to be shipped based on the number of pages printed and the subscription management data shown in Table 1. Table 4 below shows an example of remaining printing paper data.

[0027] [Table 4]

[0028] As shown in Table 4, the remaining print paper amount data includes a device ID, a contract ID, and remaining print paper amount data. The device ID in the subscription management data shown in Table 1 and the contract ID in the subscription plan management data shown in Table 4 are linked by the same ID. Furthermore, the device ID in the subscription management data shown in Table 1 and the contract ID in the subscription plan management data shown in Table 3 are linked by the same ID. The remaining print paper amount data is information about the number of sheets that can be printed under the contract to which the contract ID is assigned, minus the number of sheets used in printing to date. In other words, the remaining print paper amount data is information about the remaining number of sheets that can be printed under the contract to which the contract ID is assigned. The print paper management unit 304 saves the remaining print paper amount data in the storage 303. The remaining print paper amount is increased when print paper is shipped to the user. For example, if the current remaining print paper amount is 316 sheets, the remaining print paper amount is increased from 316 sheets to 416 sheets when 100 sheets of print paper are shipped to the user. Furthermore, the remaining amount of paper for printing is reduced by the number of sheets to be printed when the subscription management service 104 receives the print event data. Each time printing is performed on the image forming apparatus 102, the number of sheets to be printed is sent from the image forming apparatus 102 to the subscription management service 104 as print event data. For example, if the current remaining amount of paper for printing is 316 sheets and five sheets have been printed on the image forming apparatus 102, information about the printing of five sheets is sent from the image forming apparatus 102 to the subscription management service 104 as print event data. At this time, the subscription management service 104 reduces the remaining amount of paper for printing from 316 sheets to 311 sheets.

[0029] The subscription management service 104 determines whether to ship printing paper when the remaining amount of printing paper indicated by the remaining printing paper amount data decreases and falls below the printing paper shipping threshold in the subscription plan management data. Regarding ink cartridges and toner cartridges, the decision to ship cartridges is made when the remaining ink / toner amount included in the print event data or the event data for low ink / toner levels sent by the image forming apparatus 102 falls below a certain value. The data transmission / reception unit 300 of the subscription management service 104 may not receive the remaining ink / toner amount. In this case, the image forming apparatus 102 may measure the level of consumption of the ink / toner cartridge and, when the cartridge needs to be replaced, may notify the data transmission / reception unit 300 of the cartridge replacement. Furthermore, ink / toner cartridges are stocked in smaller quantities than printing paper and cannot be shared between image forming apparatuses 102. Therefore, it is preferable to ship ink / toner cartridges individually without adding up the remaining amounts between image forming apparatuses 102.

[0030] <Client terminal software configuration> Fig. 3B is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a client terminal. As shown in Fig. 3B, the client terminal 103 has a client application 320 and a printer driver 321. The client application 320 is electronic data processing software that creates, displays, and edits electronic data. The client application 320 also includes a web browser.

[0031] Here, as an example, a case will be described in which a user US displays electronic data stored in the client terminal 103 using the client application 320 and prints the electronic data (content). To print the electronic data, a printer driver 321 is specified. First, the image forming device 102 to be used for printing, i.e., the image forming device 102A or the image forming device 102B, is activated for the subscription management service. "Activation" refers to an operation (procedure) of linking the image forming device 102 to a specific user ID. For example, a subscription management screen is displayed on the display device 227 of the client terminal 103. The subscription management screen allows the user to log in to the subscription management service 104. After logging in, the user enters the one-time password displayed on the operation panel 209 of the image forming device 102 into the subscription management screen. This operation puts the user US, who has the user ID, in possession of the image forming device 102, thereby linking the user ID with the device ID of the image forming device 102.

[0032] The printer driver 321 receives print data from the client application 320. The printer driver 321 converts this print data into a print job in a format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 102. After this conversion, the printer driver 321 sends the print data to the job receiving unit 334 of the image forming apparatus 102. The print application 333 of the image forming apparatus 102 confirms that the ink cartridge (or toner cartridge) installed in the image forming apparatus 102 is a cartridge dedicated to a subscription contract. If it is a cartridge dedicated to a subscription contract, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the serial number of the image forming apparatus 102 and the number of pages printed calculated based on the print job to the subscription management service 104. The subscription management unit 301 of the subscription management service 104 confirms, based on the serial number of the image forming apparatus 102 and the number of pages printed, that continuing printing will not reach the upper limit of the subscription contract for the current month. If the subscription upper limit for the current month has not been reached, printing is permitted; if the upper limit has been reached, printing is prohibited. Then, the subscription management unit 301 transmits information indicating whether printing is possible or not to the print application 333 of the image forming apparatus 102 via the data transmission / reception unit 300 .

[0033] The print application 333 of the image forming apparatus 102 receives printable information or printable information from the data transmission / reception unit 300. If the information indicates printable information, the print application 333 transmits a print job to the job execution unit 337. The job execution unit 337 then receives the print job and performs printing using the print job. On the other hand, if the information indicates printable information, the print application 333 displays on the operation panel 209 a message that printing is not possible because the upper limit of the number of pages in the subscription contract has been reached, and does not perform printing. The print application 333 also transmits print result information regarding whether printing has been executed to the client application 320 of the client terminal 103. The client application 320 displays the print result via the display control unit 224 based on the print result information from the print application 333. For example, if printing is not possible because the upper limit of the number of pages in the subscription contract has been reached, a message indicating that the upper limit of the number of pages has been reached is displayed as the reason why printing is not possible.

[0034] <Software configuration of image forming device> FIG. 3C is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of an image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3C, the image forming apparatus 102 includes an OS 330, a virtual machine 331, an application management framework 332, a print application 333, and a controller 336. In the image forming apparatus 102, the OS 330 controls the application management framework 332 and the print application 333. A real-time OS is preferably used as the OS 330, but this is not limiting. A general-purpose OS such as Linux (registered trademark) may also be used. The virtual machine 331 may be, for example, a Java (registered trademark) VM. The virtual machine 331 is a virtual application execution environment that runs as an application controlled by the OS 330. The application management framework 332 has a function for managing the lifecycle of managed applications that run on the virtual application execution environment. The application management framework 332 also has an interface that controls the lifecycle of applications and an interface publishing function for mediating processing requests between applications. The "lifecycle" refers to the state of an application, including installation, startup, shutdown, and uninstallation of the application. In this embodiment, the application management framework 332 will be described as OSGi (registered trademark) defined by the Open Services Gateway initiative (OSGi) alliance.

[0035] The print application 333 is an application that runs on a virtual application execution environment. Applications that run on the virtual application execution environment are identified by Application IDs, and their life cycles are managed by the application management framework 332. Note that applications that run on the application management framework 332 may be pre-stored in the image forming apparatus 102 or may be installed on the image forming apparatus 102. The print application 333 includes a job receiving unit 334 and an event data sending unit 335. The job receiving unit 334 receives print jobs from the client terminal 103. The event data sending unit 335 sends print event data generated by print processing based on the print job to the subscription management service 104. The controller 336 is control software that performs functional processing of the image forming apparatus 102, such as printing, copying, and faxing, and manages the status of the image forming apparatus 102. The controller 336 includes a job executing unit 337. For example, when the job receiving unit 334 receives a print job and executes print processing, the job executing unit 337 generates event data that occurs due to a change in the state of the print processing or the state of the image forming apparatus 102 .

[0036] <New subscription application flow> Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the subscription contract application process. A program based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 is executed when the subscription management service 104 receives a subscription contract application from the client application 320 of the client terminal 103. The subscription contract application may be made, for example, on a web browser displayed on the display device 227 of the client terminal 103, or on the operation panel 209 of the image forming apparatus 102. As shown in Fig. 4, in step S401, the subscription management unit 301 of the subscription management service 104 receives information related to the application for a new subscription contract via the data transmission / reception unit 300.

[0037] In step S402, the subscription management unit 301 determines whether the subject of the new subscription contract application is an ink / toner cartridge based on the information received in step S401. If the determination in step S402 determines that the subject is an ink / toner cartridge, processing proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if the determination in step S402 determines that the subject of the new subscription contract application is not an ink / toner cartridge, i.e., that the subject of the new subscription contract application is printing paper, processing proceeds to step S404.

[0038] In step S403, the subscription management unit 301 adds a subscription for a cartridge for the image forming device 102 (printer) that is the subject of the subscription application to the subscription management data in the storage 303. As a result, "ink" or "toner cartridge" is added and set as the consumable product type in the subscription management data. After step S403 is executed, the processing ends.

[0039] In step S404, the subscription management unit 301 adds a subscription for printing paper for the image forming device 102 that is the target of the subscription application to the subscription management data in the storage 303. As a result of this pairing, "printing paper" is added and set as a consumable product type in the subscription management data. After step S404 is executed, the process proceeds to step S405.

[0040] In step S405, the subscription management unit 301 determines whether the print paper subscription contract application is for a second or subsequent printer for the user making the application. For example, if a different print paper subscription contract has already been made for the address entered in the address field at the time of application, it is determined that the application is for a print paper subscription contract for a second or subsequent printer. Also, for example, if a different print paper subscription contract has already been made for the user ID of the account that made the application, it may be determined that the application is for a print paper subscription contract for a second or subsequent printer. If the determination in step S405 determines that the application is for a print paper subscription contract for a second or subsequent printer, processing proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if it is determined that the application is not for a print paper subscription contract for a second or subsequent printer, i.e., that the application is for a print paper subscription contract for the first printer, processing ends.

[0041] In step S406, the subscription management unit 301 determines whether the subscription has been transitioned to a print paper subscription contract shared among the image forming apparatuses 102 used by the user making the application. This "shared print paper subscription contract" is a subscription contract in which the upper limit number of print paper sheets and the threshold value used to determine the delivery of print paper are added together and managed for multiple print paper subscription contracts that are linked to each other. If the determination in step S406 determines that the transition has been completed, the process proceeds to step S407. On the other hand, if the determination in step S406 determines that the transition has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S408.

[0042] In step S407, the subscription management unit 301 associates the device ID for which the subscription application is made, which is included in the information received in step S401, with the print paper subscription shared between printers. After step S407 is executed, the process ends.

[0043] In step S408, the subscription management unit 301 instructs the client terminal 103 to display that the print paper subscription is shared among multiple image forming apparatuses 102. As a result, the display device 227 of the client terminal 103 displays a message that the print paper subscription is shared among multiple image forming apparatuses 102. An example of this display will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print paper subscription transfer screen. The print paper subscription transfer screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 includes a message 501 and an accept button 502. The message 501 displays the total upper limit of printable pages for the print paper subscription originally applied for for the first device and the new subscription for the second device being applied for. In FIG. 5, the upper limit of printable pages for the print paper subscription for the first device is 50 pages per month, and the upper limit of printable pages for the print paper subscription for the second device is 100 pages per month, resulting in a total upper limit of printable pages for the two devices together. The message 501 also includes information that the printing paper is printing paper that can be used in both the first image forming apparatus 102 and the second image forming apparatus 102. For example, A4-sized printing paper can be used in both the first image forming apparatus 102 and the second image forming apparatus 102. The accept button 502 is operated (pressed) when the contents of the message 501 are accepted. After the accept button 502 is operated, the client application 320 of the client terminal 103 sends a status indicating that acceptance has been granted to the subscription management service 104. As a result, the subscription management unit 301 of the subscription management service 104 receives the status from the client terminal 103 via the data transmission / reception unit 300. After step S408 is executed, the process proceeds to step S409.

[0044] In step S409, after receiving the status from the client terminal 103, the subscription management unit 301 creates a print paper subscription shared between the image forming apparatuses 102 for the user ID that is the subject of the contract.

[0045] In step S410, the subscription management unit 301 links the first image forming apparatus 102 that was originally subscribed to and the second image forming apparatus 102 that is newly subscribing to the print paper subscription created in step S409. The processing in step S410 will now be described in detail with reference to Table 5 below. Table 5 is a table showing an example of print paper subscription data shared between printers.

[0046] [Table 5]

[0047] First, the subscription management unit 301 stores the shared status of the subscription in the storage 303 created in step S409. Then, in step S410, the subscription management unit 301 executes a linking process. The "linking process" is a process of linking the contract ID "SUB003" of the device ID "AAA" and the contract ID "SUB004" of the device ID "BBB" to the print paper subscription "SSUB001" shared among the image forming apparatuses 102. As a result, the print paper subscription of the first device ID and the print paper subscription of the second device ID are considered to have transitioned to a print paper subscription shared among the image forming apparatuses 102. After step S410 is executed, the process ends.

[0048] <Printing processing and paper delivery processing under subscription contracts> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the print processing and print sheet delivery processing under a subscription contract. First, the print application 333 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits print job information to the subscription management service 104 via the event data transmission unit 335. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S601, the print information management unit 302 of the subscription management service 104 receives print job information, including the device ID and the number of prints, from the image forming apparatus 102 via the data transmission / reception unit 300. This allows the print information management unit 302 to acquire the print job information (acquisition step). As described above, in this embodiment, the print information management unit 302 also functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the print job information. Note that the print information management unit 302 preferably acquires a user ID in advance. This user ID can be entered, for example, on an input screen (not shown) displayed on the display device 227 of the client terminal 103. The CPU 201 (instruction unit) of the subscription management service 104 instructs the client terminal 103 to display the input screen. Then, the print information management unit 302 can acquire the user ID entered on the input screen. After step S601 is executed, the process proceeds to step S602.

[0049] In step S602, the print information management unit 302 calculates the number of printable sheets for the current month based on the monthly print limit and the number of printable sheets in previously received print event data. The print information management unit 302 then compares the number of printable sheets included in the print job information received from the print application 333 in step S601 with the number of printable sheets for the current month. That is, the print information management unit 302 determines whether the number of printable sheets included in the print job information is greater than the number of printable sheets for the current month. If this determination determines that the number of printable sheets included in the print job information is greater than the number of printable sheets for the current month, processing proceeds to step S603. On the other hand, if the number of printable sheets included in the print job information is not greater than the number of printable sheets for the current month, that is, if the number of printable sheets included in the print job information is determined to be equal to or less than the number of printable sheets for the current month, processing proceeds to step S604.

[0050] In step S603, the print information management unit 302 determines that the print job executed by the image forming apparatus 102 will exceed the print limit set forth in the subscription contract, and instructs the print application 333 that printing is not possible. After step S603 is executed, the process ends.

[0051] In step S604, the print paper management unit 304 subtracts the number of print sheets included in the print job information received from the print application 333 from the remaining amount of print paper belonging to the target device ID. After step S604 is executed, the process proceeds to step S605.

[0052] In step S605, the print paper management unit 304 determines whether the print paper subscription contract for the target device ID has been transitioned to a print paper subscription contract shared between image forming apparatuses 102. If the determination in step S605 determines that the contract has been transitioned to a shared print paper subscription contract, the process proceeds to step S608. On the other hand, if the determination in step S605 determines that the contract has not been transitioned to a shared print paper subscription contract, the process proceeds to step S606.

[0053] In step S606, the print paper management unit 304 determines whether the remaining amount of print paper is less than the print paper shipping threshold. The remaining amount of print paper for each device ID can be obtained from the print paper remaining amount data shown in Table 4. The print paper shipping threshold can be obtained from the subscription plan management data shown in Table 2. If the determination in step S606 determines that the remaining amount of print paper is less than the print paper shipping threshold, processing proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, if the determination in step S606 determines that the remaining amount of print paper is not less than the print paper shipping threshold, processing proceeds to step S610.

[0054] In step S607, the print paper management unit 304 decides to send, i.e., deliver, the print paper (decision process). In this embodiment, the print paper management unit 304 also functions as a decision unit that decides to send the print paper. The print paper management unit 304 then instructs the sender of the print paper to send the print paper to the user's address. This allows the print paper to be delivered to the user of the image forming device 102 at a later date. For example, if 500 sheets of print paper are sent, the print paper management unit 304 adds 500 sheets to the remaining print paper amount data for the corresponding device ID. Note that the print paper management unit 304 preferably issues an instruction to the display device 227 of the client terminal 103 to display the fact that the print paper has been sent. This allows the user to know that the print paper is about to be sent. In this embodiment, the print paper management unit 304 also functions as an instruction unit that issues an instruction to send the print paper and an instruction to display the fact that the print paper has been sent. In the subscription management service 104, a section that functions as an instruction unit may be provided separately from the print paper management section 304. After step S607 is executed, the process proceeds to step S610.

[0055] In step S608, the print paper management unit 304 calculates the sum of the remaining print paper amounts for each device ID that has transitioned to a shared print paper subscription contract and the sum of the print paper shipping thresholds for each device ID that has transitioned to a shared print paper subscription contract. The remaining print paper amount for each device ID that has transitioned to a shared print paper subscription contract is determined from the remaining print paper amount in the print paper remaining amount data shown in Table 4. The print paper shipping threshold for each device ID that has transitioned to a shared print paper subscription contract is determined from the print paper shipping threshold in the subscription plan management data shown in Table 2. After step S608 is executed, processing proceeds to step S609.

[0056] In step S609, the print paper management unit 304 determines whether the sum of the remaining print paper amounts calculated in step S608 is less than the sum of the print paper shipping thresholds calculated in step S608. If the determination in step S609 determines that the sum of the remaining print paper amounts is less than the print paper shipping thresholds, processing proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, if the determination in step S609 determines that the sum of the remaining print paper amounts is not less than the print paper shipping thresholds, that is, that the sum of the remaining print paper amounts is equal to or greater than the print paper shipping thresholds, processing proceeds to step S610.

[0057] In step S610, the print paper management unit 304 instructs the image forming apparatus 102 that printing is possible.

[0058] As described above, the subscription management service 104 determines whether a transition to a shared print paper subscription contract has been completed, i.e., whether a plurality of image forming devices 102 are in a single-user usage state in which they can be used by one user (step S605). If it is determined that the transition has been completed (step S605; Yes), it determines whether the total remaining printable amount (number of remaining sheets) of all image forming devices 102 in the single-user usage state is less than the sum of the print paper shipping threshold (step S609). In other words, if it is determined that the transition has been completed, it determines whether the total number of printed sheets of all image forming devices 102 has exceeded the sum of the print paper shipping threshold. If it is determined that the total remaining printable amount is less than the sum of the print paper shipping threshold (step S609; Yes), it determines whether print paper is to be delivered to the user (step S607). Furthermore, this print paper is print paper that can be used in common by all image forming devices 102 in the single-user usage state.

[0059] For example, a single user US may use two image forming devices, image forming device 102A and image forming device 102B, and the number of sheets of printing paper used by image forming device 102A may be greater than the number of sheets of printing paper used by image forming device 102B. Printing paper can be shared by both image forming device 102A and image forming device 102B; that is, printing paper used by image forming device 102B can be reused as printing paper for image forming device 102A. However, in the past, when the number of sheets of printing paper used by image forming device 102A was greater than the number of sheets of printing paper used by image forming device 102B, printing paper for image forming device 102A may continue to be replenished from the delivery source, even though the printing paper can be shared and used. This results in excessive delivery of printing paper to user US, leading to a problem of a large amount of printing paper accumulating under user US's control. In response to this problem, subscription management service 104 can prevent excessive delivery of printing paper through the delivery control described above.

[0060] The subscription management service 104 can cancel the print paper subscription contract for a desired image forming device 102 from the shared print paper subscription contract state. In this case, the remaining print paper amount of the device ID to be canceled is added to the remaining print paper amount of the remaining device ID that has transitioned to the shared print paper subscription contract. As a result, even if the print paper subscription for the desired image forming device 102 is canceled, the total remaining print paper amount is adjusted so that it does not change. Furthermore, the subscription management service 104 may group the target image forming devices 102 when they transition to the shared print paper subscription contract, and manage the remaining print paper amount for each group of image forming devices 102.

[0061] <Usage status confirmation screen> FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a usage status confirmation screen. The usage status confirmation screen 700 shown in FIG. 7(a) is a screen that displays the usage status of the subscription service. The usage status confirmation screen 710 shown in FIG. 7(b) is a screen that displays the usage status of the subscription service after transition to a shared print paper subscription contract. The usage status confirmation screen 700 and the usage status confirmation screen 710 are each displayed on the display device 227 of the client terminal 103 by accessing the subscription management service 104 from a web browser on the client terminal 103. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the usage status confirmation screen 700 includes a drop-down list 701, information 702, information 703, and information 704. The drop-down list 701 allows the user to select the image forming device 102 that belongs to the user ID and whose usage status the user wishes to check. In FIG. 7(a), "Printer A" is selected as the image forming device 102 in the drop-down list 701.

[0062] Information 702 belongs to the device ID of the image forming apparatus 102 selected from the drop-down list 701 and is information about the contracted subscription ID. In FIG. 7(a), "500 sheets / month" is displayed as information 702. Information 703 belongs to the device ID of the image forming apparatus 102 selected from the drop-down list 701 and is information about the number of printable sheets. The number of printable sheets is calculated based on the subscription plan ID of the subscription management data shown in Table 1 and the print event data shown in Table 3. In FIG. 7(a), "10 sheets" is displayed as information 703. Information 704 belongs to the device ID of the image forming apparatus 102 selected from the drop-down list 701 and is information about the remaining print paper and print paper shipping threshold. Information 704 is displayed only when a print paper subscription has been contracted. The remaining print paper is the remaining amount of print paper in the print paper remaining amount data shown in Table 4. The print paper shipping threshold is the print paper shipping threshold in the subscription plan management data shown in Table 2. In Fig. 7(a), "218 sheets / 100 sheets" is displayed as information 704. "218 sheets" is the number of remaining print sheets, and "100 sheets" is the print sheet shipping threshold.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7B, the usage status confirmation screen 710 includes a drop-down list 701, information 702, information 703, a message 711, and information 712. The message 711 indicates that print paper management is shared among multiple image forming apparatuses 102. Specifically, the message 711 indicates that there is an image forming apparatus 102 in a shared print paper subscription state (used by one user) that shares the remaining print paper and print paper shipping threshold. In FIG. 7B, the message 711 indicates that printer A, printer B, and printer C are in a shared print paper subscription state and that the remaining print paper and print paper shipping threshold are shared among them. The usage status confirmation screen 710 may be configured to allow the user to select an image forming apparatus 102 to be in a shared print paper subscription state as appropriate. In this case, it is preferable to display the image forming apparatus 102 displayed on the usage status confirmation screen 710 by its name. Information 712 is the sum of the remaining amount of print paper between the image forming apparatuses 102 that have entered into a shared print paper subscription contract and the sum of the print paper shipping threshold. In FIG. 7(b), "718 sheets / 200 sheets" is displayed as information 712. "718 sheets" is the sum of the remaining number of print paper, and "200 sheets" is the sum of the print paper shipping threshold. This usage status confirmation screen 710 allows you to check the usage status of the subscription service after transitioning to a shared print paper subscription contract.

[0064] <<Second embodiment>> The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 8. Differences from the previous embodiment will be mainly described, and similar details will not be described. In this embodiment, the closing date is set every 30 days, starting from the date of application for the print paper subscription. In this case, the starting date of the print paper subscription for the first device may differ from the starting date of the print paper subscription for the second device. This embodiment describes the processing for this. As described above, in step S410, the print paper subscription for the first device is linked to the print paper subscription for the second device. At this time, the subscription management unit 301 can adjust the closing dates of the subscriptions. FIG. 8 illustrates the contract states of the print paper subscriptions for the first device and the second device. State 800 in FIG. 8 is a state in which a print paper subscription for the second image forming device 102 is created when a print paper subscription for the first image forming device 102 already exists. State 800 corresponds to the state immediately after step S404 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. In state 800, the print paper subscription for the first image forming device 102 was created on the first day, and the print paper subscription for the second image forming device 102 was created on the 15th day from that date.

[0065] State 810 in FIG. 8 indicates the interval between closing dates for print paper subscriptions, with the closing date occurring every 30 days from the application date. State 810 shows the start date of the print paper subscription for the first device and the start date for the second device after the subscription management unit 301 has adjusted the subscription start dates. In step S410, the subscription management unit 301 aligns the closing date of the newly created print paper subscription with the closing date of the previously created print paper subscription (see arrow 811). In this process, for example, a new contract ID "SUB004" is applied for contract ID "SUB003" in the subscription management data shown in Table 1, and a print subscription is shared with SUB003, so the closing dates are aligned. In this case, the closing date for contract ID "SUB004" is set to "2023 / 12 / 15," the closing date for contract ID "SUB003." The closing date is the deadline for determining the timing of delivery. In this embodiment, the subscription management unit 301 can change this closing date. This configuration is effective when you want to align closing dates. The closing date for the contract ID "SUB004" may be shorter than the initial closing date. Specifically, the initial closing date for the second print paper subscription is shortened from the 45th day to the 30th day (see arrow 812). Since this embodiment assumes a 30-day subscription plan, the shortened 15 days are not billed. Alternatively, the billing amount may remain for 30 days, and any remaining prints that do not reach the print limit on the 30th day (the closing date) may be made available for use in the following month and beyond. As described above, in this embodiment, when a print paper subscription is shared among multiple image forming devices 102, aligning the start dates of each subscription facilitates inventory management of print paper for the shared image forming devices 102.

[0066] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0067] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) A server that manages a delivery service that delivers printing paper, an acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying each of the plurality of printing devices that are the subject of the delivery service, user information relating to the user who uses each of the printing devices, and usage number information relating to the number of sheets of printing paper used for printing by each of the printing devices; A server characterized by comprising a decision means for deciding to deliver the printing paper to a single user based on the number of sheets used information of all printing devices commonly used by the single user when at least two of the multiple printing devices are in a state where they can be used in common by the single user based on the identification information and the user information. (Configuration 2) The server is communicably connected to a display device capable of displaying a screen, The server according to configuration 1, further comprising an instruction means for instructing the display device to display an input screen for inputting the user information. (Configuration 3) The server according to configuration 2, wherein the instruction means instructs the display device to display the delivery information determined by the determination means. (Configuration 4) The server according to configuration 2 or 3, wherein the acquiring means acquires the user information from the input screen. (Configuration 5) The server is communicably connected to the printing device, 5. The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the identification information and the used sheet count information from the printing device. (Configuration 6) The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the user information includes an address of the user. (Configuration 7) The server according to configuration 6, further comprising instruction means for instructing a sender of the print paper to send the print paper to the address of the user determined by the determination means. (Configuration 8) The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the user information includes an ID for identifying the user. (Configuration 9) A server described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the decision means decides to deliver when the total number of sheets used by all of the printing devices as the number of sheets used information of all of the printing devices is equal to or greater than a threshold value. (Configuration 10) The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the deadline for determining the timing for determining delivery is changeable. (Configuration 11) The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the printing paper for the delivery determined by the determining means is printing paper that can be commonly used by all of the printing devices. (Method 12) A method for controlling a server that manages a delivery service that delivers printing paper, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring identification information for identifying each of the plurality of printing devices that are the subject of the delivery service, user information relating to the user who uses each of the printing devices, and usage number information relating to the number of sheets of printing paper used for printing by each of the printing devices; A server control method characterized by comprising a decision process for deciding to deliver the printing paper to a single user based on the number of sheets used information of all printing devices commonly used by the single user when at least two of the multiple printing devices are in a state where they can be used in common by the single user based on the identification information and the user information. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the server according to any one of configurations 1 to 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 102 Image forming device 104 Subscription Management Services 227 Display device 301 Subscription Management Department 302 Print Information Management Department 303 Storage 304 Printing paper management department US users

Claims

1. A server that manages a delivery service that delivers printing paper, an acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying each of the plurality of printing devices that are the subject of the delivery service, user information relating to the user who uses each of the printing devices, and usage number information relating to the number of sheets of printing paper used for printing by each of the printing devices; A server characterized by comprising a decision means for deciding to deliver the printing paper to a single user based on the number of sheets used information of all printing devices commonly used by the single user when at least two of the multiple printing devices are in a state where they can be used in common by the single user based on the identification information and the user information.

2. the server is communicatively connected to a display device capable of displaying a screen; 2. The server according to claim 1, further comprising an instruction means for instructing said display device to display an input screen for inputting said user information.

3. 3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the instruction means instructs the display device to display the delivery information determined by the determination means.

4. 3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the acquiring means acquires the user information from the input screen.

5. the server is communicably connected to the printing device; 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the identification information and the used sheet count information from the printing device.

6. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the user information includes an address of the user.

7. 7. The server according to claim 6, further comprising instruction means for instructing a sender of the print paper to deliver the print paper to the address of the user determined by the determination means.

8. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the user information includes an ID for identifying the user.

9. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the delivery when the total number of sheets used by all of the printing devices is equal to or greater than a threshold value as the information on the number of sheets used by all of the printing devices.

10. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the deadline for determining the delivery timing can be changed.

11. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the printing paper for the delivery determined by the determining means is printing paper that can be commonly used by all of the printing devices.

12. A method for controlling a server that manages a delivery service that delivers printing paper, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring identification information for identifying each of the plurality of printing devices that are the subject of the delivery service, user information relating to the user who uses each of the printing devices, and usage number information relating to the number of sheets of printing paper used for printing by each of the printing devices; A server control method characterized by comprising a decision process for deciding to deliver the printing paper to a single user based on the number of sheets used information of all printing devices commonly used by the single user when at least two of the multiple printing devices are in a state where they can be used in common by the single user based on the identification information and the user information.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the server according to claim 1.

Images