Image forming device

Abstract

To enable contents of a concluded contract of an image forming device to be confirmed by both of an operation panel and means other than the operation panel.SOLUTION: A printer 200 is provided with an image forming part 290, a touch panel 240, a processor 210, and a communication interface 270. The processor 210 executes: a step S10 of determining whether a prescribed contract of the printer 200 is concluded or not; a step S50 of displaying, on the touch panel 240, contents of the contract when it is determined that the contract has been concluded in the step S10; and steps S100, S200 and S300 of outputting the contents of the contract displayed in the step S50, by any of printing by the image forming part 290, transmission of a mail to a mobile terminal 300 through the communication interface 270 and display of a two-dimensional code information by the touch panel 240.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming device that operates based on a contract. [Background technology]

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a server communicates data with a printing device with which a contract has been concluded. The server also acquires information on the consumption amount of consumables in the printing device. The server then determines whether the consumption status of the consumables is appropriate for the concluded contract. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-199394 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the contract details are displayed on the operation panel of the printing device. However, if the operation panel is small, it may be difficult to check the contract details.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows the contents of a contract concluded regarding the image forming apparatus to be confirmed both on the operation panel and by means other than the operation panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus equipped with an image forming unit, a panel, a control unit, and a communication unit, and the control unit executes a contract determination process that determines whether a contract covering the image forming apparatus has been concluded, a contract display process that displays the contract contents of the contract on the panel when the contract determination process determines that the contract has been concluded, and an output process that outputs the contract contents displayed in the contract display process by either printing it using the image forming unit, sending it by email to a user terminal using the communication unit, or displaying two-dimensional code information on the panel.

[0007] In the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, when the control unit determines in the contract determination process that a specific contract covering the image forming apparatus has been concluded, the control unit executes a contract display process and an output process. In the contract display process, the contract contents are displayed on a panel. In the output process, the contract contents displayed in the contract display process are output by printing by the image forming unit, sending by email to a user terminal by the communication unit, or displaying two-dimensional code information on the panel. This allows the user to check the contract details both on the panel and by means other than the panel, so that the user can easily check the contract details even if the operation panel is small. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the content of a contract concluded regarding an image forming apparatus can be confirmed both on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus and by means other than the operation panel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a printer. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a mobile terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an outline of an on-demand printing service provided by a printing service providing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an overview of a subscription printing service provided by a printing service providing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main screen displayed on a touch panel. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed on a touch panel. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a contract content screen displayed on a touch panel. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a contract plan screen displayed on a touch panel. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print history screen displayed on a touch panel. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output selection screen displayed on a touch panel. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which print history information is printed. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a two-dimensional code displayed on a touch panel. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure executed by a processor of the printer. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure in a printing process. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure in a mail transmission process. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure in a two-dimensional code display process. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main screen displayed on a touch panel in a modified example. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure executed by a processor of a printer in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Printing service provision system> 1 shows an example of the configuration of a print service providing system 1 according to an embodiment. The print service providing system 1 is configured to be able to provide a print service based on the conclusion of a contract. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the print service providing system 1 provides, for example, an on-demand print service or a subscription print service.

[0012] In FIG. 1, the print service providing system 1 includes a first server 100A, a second server 100B, a printer 200, a mobile terminal 300, and a transaction server 400. The first server 100A provides an on-demand printing service, and the second server 100B provides a subscription printing service. While the print service providing system 1 includes both the first server 100A and the second server 100B in FIG. 1, the print service providing system 1 may include only one of the servers depending on the type of print service contracted. The first server 100A, the second server 100B, the printer 200, the mobile terminal 300, and the transaction server 400 are connected to a network NT. The first server 100A, the second server 100B, the printer 200, the mobile terminal 300, and the transaction server 400 can communicate with each other via the network NT. The first server 100A or the second server 100B is an example of a server, and the printer 200 is an example of an image forming device. In this embodiment, when there is no need to distinguish between the first server 100A and the second server 100B, they will be referred to as "servers 100A, 100B" as appropriate.

[0013] The network NT includes, for example, the Internet, a mobile phone communication line, etc. In particular, the mobile terminal 300 and the printer 200 operating in close proximity on the same premises may directly transmit and receive information via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0014] <server> Both the first server 100A and the second server 100B have a communication function for sending and receiving data and an information processing function for processing data. Therefore, the first server 100A and the second server 100B have almost the same server configuration, and this common configuration is shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the first server 100A and the second server 100B each have a processor 110, a memory 115, and a communication interface 190. The processor 110, the memory 115, and the communication interface 190 are connected to each other via a bus 105 so that they can send and receive data.

[0015] The memory 115 includes a volatile memory 120 and a non-volatile memory 130. The volatile memory 120 is, for example, a DRAM. The volatile memory 120 stores various programs and data to be processed. The non-volatile memory 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The non-volatile memory 130 has a program storage area 131 and a data storage area 132. The program storage area 131 stores various programs that perform processing to provide the print service. The data storage area 132 stores various data generated by the processing programs.

[0016] The processor 110 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU. The processor 110 executes various programs stored in a program storage area 131. The processor 110 performs various processes including data communication with the printer 200 and the mobile terminal 300.

[0017] The communication interface 190 is a network interface for connecting to the network NT and transmitting and receiving information.

[0018] The memory 115 is not limited to being configured with the above-mentioned device elements. For example, the memory 115 may be configured with a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, a HDD, a USB memory that is detachable from the server 100, a buffer provided in the processor 110, or a combination thereof.

[0019] Furthermore, the memory 115 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. The same applies to the memory 215 of the printer 200, which will be described later.

[0020] <Printer> 3, the printer 200 has a processor 210, a memory 215, a touch panel 240, operation keys 250, a transport mechanism 260, a communication interface 270, and an image forming unit 290. The processor 210, the memory 215, the touch panel 240, the operation keys 250, the transport mechanism 260, the communication interface 270, and the image forming unit 290 are connected via a bus 205 so as to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0021] The memory 215 includes a volatile memory 220 and a nonvolatile memory 230. The volatile memory 220 includes an image data storage area 222 that stores image data to be printed. The volatile memory 220 is, for example, a DRAM. The nonvolatile memory 230 includes a program storage area 231 and a data storage area 232. The nonvolatile memory 230 is, for example, an NVRAM, a flash memory, or the like. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 231. The various programs include firmware such as a print processing program, and processing programs based on the flowcharts in Figures 15 to 18 and 20 described below. The data storage area 232 stores various data generated by the processing programs.

[0022] The processor 210 is a device that performs data processing. The processor 210 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 210 executes various programs stored in the program storage area 231. The processor 210 that executes various programs is an example of a control unit.

[0023] The touch panel 240 is capable of displaying various information and accepts user operations on the display screen. The touch panel 240 is, for example, a device that integrally combines a liquid crystal display and a transparent touchpad. The operation keys 250 are devices that mechanically accept user press operations. As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel 240 and the operation keys 250 are provided on the front side of the printer 200. The communication interface 270 is a network interface for connecting to the network NT and transmitting or receiving information. The touch panel 240 is an example of a panel, and the communication interface 270 is an example of a communication unit.

[0024] The conveying mechanism 260 conveys sheets supplied from a tray capable of holding multiple sheets. The image forming unit 290 is located on a path along which sheets are conveyed by the conveying mechanism 260. The image forming unit 290 forms an image corresponding to a print job on the sheet conveyed by the conveying mechanism 260 using a predetermined method. The predetermined method is not particularly limited. Examples of the predetermined method include an inkjet method and a laser method. The image forming unit 290 prints on the sheet according to a print job sent from the mobile terminal 300 or a print job that the image forming unit 290 has generated itself based on operations on the touch panel 240 and the operation keys 250. The image forming unit 290 is an example of an image forming unit.

[0025] <Mobile device> The mobile terminal 300 is configured as a portable terminal such as a smartphone, which has a function for displaying image information, a function for inputting operations, a communication function for sending and receiving data, and a function for processing data. The common configuration is shown in Figure 4.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 300 includes a CPU 310, a memory 320, a communication control unit 330, a touch panel 340, and a large-capacity memory 370.

[0027] The large-capacity memory 370 includes a program storage area 371 and a data storage area 372. The large-capacity memory 370 is, for example, a flash memory. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 371 as, for example, firmware. The CPU 310 executes the various programs stored in the program storage area 371. The CPU 310 executes various processes, including data communication with the server 100 and the printer 200, via the communication control unit 330 and wireless communication such as the network NT, a mobile phone communication line, or a wireless LAN.

[0028] Mobile terminal 300 displays various information and accepts various operations by the user on touch panel 340, which is, for example, an integrated combination of a liquid crystal display and a transparent touch pad. By operating touch panel 340, the user can input various instructions to mobile terminal 300.

[0029] The mobile terminal 300 may be another information terminal such as a general-purpose personal computer or a tablet computer, etc. The mobile terminal 300 is an example of a user terminal.

[0030] <Trade Server> 1, the transaction server 400 is a server for performing online settlement via the network NT. The transaction server 400 has a processor, a memory, and a communication interface for connecting to the network NT (not shown).

[0031] <On-demand printing service> FIG. 5 shows an overview of the on-demand printing service provided by the print service providing system 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the first server 100A provides the on-demand printing service. The on-demand printing service is provided when an on-demand contract is concluded in which the user purchases the allowable number of prints that can be printed using the printer 200. Specifically, the on-demand printing service is a printing service in which the maximum number of prints that can be made when printing images on sheets can be increased according to the charge number guaranteed by the on-demand printing authorization purchased based on the user's purchase request. Note that the on-demand contract is an example of a contract.

[0032] In an on-demand printing service, a user purchases a charge amount by paying a fee in order to print. That is, the user purchases a charge amount by paying a fee using a so-called on-demand method. When the user requests the purchase of a charge amount on the mobile terminal 300, the identification information of the printer 200 and a purchase request for the charge amount are sent to the first server 100A. When the processor 110 of the first server 100A accepts the purchase request, the transaction server 400 performs a payment process for the charge amount for the user and adds the value of the charge amount newly purchased by the user to the printable number of sheets corresponding to the specified printer 200. The printable number is stored in the data storage area 132 of the non-volatile memory 130 of the first server 100A in correspondence with each individual printer 200. The added printable number is sent from the first server 100A to the printer 200, and the printable number stored in the data storage area 232 of the non-volatile memory 230 of the printer 200 is also updated.

[0033] The processor 210 of the printer 200 executes printing when it receives a print job from the user's mobile terminal 300. Note that the print job does not necessarily have to be received from the mobile terminal 300. It may also be received from another terminal such as a PC. Furthermore, the print job may be accepted via the touch panel 240 or operation keys 250 of the printer 200 in response to a user's operation. The processor 210 of the printer 200 updates the printable number stored in the data storage area 232 of the non-volatile memory 230 by subtracting the number of pages printed by the user. The subtracted printable number is sent from the printer 200 to the first server 100A, and the printable number stored for each individual printer 200 in the data storage area 132 is also updated. In other words, the printable number is managed synchronously in both the first server 100A and the printer 200. When the processor 210 of the printer 200 receives a print job, it consumes the printable number and executes printing. Furthermore, the processor 210 of the printer 200 becomes unable to print when the number of printable sheets reaches zero.

[0034] <Subscription printing service> FIG. 6 shows an overview of the subscription printing service provided by the print service providing system 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the second server 100B provides the subscription printing service. The subscription printing service is provided when a subscription contract is concluded. A subscription contract is a contract that allows a user to print an allowable number of pages using the printer 200 for a specified period of time at a fixed price. Specifically, the subscription printing service is a printing service in which the number of pages that can be printed can be set according to the contract plan number guaranteed by the subscription printing authority granted to the user for a specified period based on the user's fixed-fee contract. The number of pages that can be printed is the upper limit of the number of pages that can be printed on a sheet. The contract plan number is the upper limit of the number of pages that can be printed during the contract period determined by the contract plan. When printing more than the contract plan number, the subscription printing service may charge the user an additional fee corresponding to the number of pages exceeding the contract plan number in addition to the fixed fee. Note that a subscription contract is an example of a contract.

[0035] In a subscription printing service, a user's contract is automatically renewed periodically at a specified subscription contract period in order to print. The printing service fee for each subscription contract period is billed to the user in arrears after the end of that contract period. Multiple contract plans are available, each specifying the contract plan number, which is the maximum number of pages that can be printed in a specified period, and the contract period, and the user selects one of the contract plans to sign up. As long as the number of pages printed by the user within the specified period, which is the number of pages printed during the period, is within the number of pages in the contract plan, printing can be done without additional charges. If the number of pages printed during the specified period exceeds the number of pages in the contract plan, the user is charged an additional fee for the excess number of pages. Furthermore, if the number of pages printed during a subscription contract period does not reach the number of pages in the contract plan, the remaining number, calculated by subtracting the number of pages printed during the period from the contract plan number, is carried over to the following month as a carryover print number with an expiration date.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the second server 100B and the printer 200 each synchronize and store two parameters: the number of pages printed during the period and the number of pages carried over. The number of pages printed during the period is the number of pages printed by the user within a specified period. The number of pages carried over is the remaining number of pages carried over to the next contract period if the number of pages printed during the period does not reach the number of pages in the contract plan. The second server 100B and the printer 200 also statically store the number of pages in the contract plan. That is, when the user selects a contract plan to use the subscription printing service via the second server 100B, the number of pages in the contract plan is transmitted from the second server 100B to the printer 200. The second server 100B and the printer 200 then statically store the number of pages in the contract plan. Note that if synchronization between the second server 100B and the printer 200 is not particularly necessary, this may be omitted.

[0037] For example, if the subscription contract period is one month from the beginning to the end of the month, the number of pages printed during the period for each of the second server 100B and the printer 200 is reset to 0 at the beginning of each month. After that, the number of pages actually printed during the subscription contract period is counted up by the printer 200 as the number of pages printed during the period. The value counted up by the printer 200 is sent from the printer 200 to the second server 100B every time printing is performed by the printer 200, or periodically, and is stored in the second server 100B.

[0038] In addition, the second server 100B calculates the number of carryover prints at the beginning of each month. The printer 200 stores the number of carryover prints calculated by the second server 100B. That is, if the number of prints during the period during the previous month's subscription contract cycle does not reach the number of prints in the contract plan, the second server 100B calculates the remaining number of prints by subtracting the number of prints during the period from the number of prints in the contract plan as the number of carryover prints for the current month. If the number of prints during the period during the subscription contract cycle exceeds the number of prints in the contract plan, the printer 200 counts up the excess number as the number of additional prints for the current month. The printer 200 then transmits the counted-up number of additional prints to the second server 100B. The second server 100B may store the number of additional prints transmitted by the printer 200.

[0039] The processor 210 of the printer 200 can continue printing during the current month's subscription contract period as long as the number of prints during the period does not exceed the total number of prints in the contract plan and the number of prints carried over. Even if the number of prints exceeds the total, the excess number of prints may be counted up and synchronously stored as an additional print number, and the corresponding additional fee may be charged the following month.

[0040] In both the on-demand and subscription printing services, the cost of consumables such as ink and toner is included in the fee for the printing service. Therefore, even if a consumable runs out, the user can request the manufacturer or operating company to ship the consumables and have them replenished without incurring any additional costs.

[0041] Furthermore, regardless of whether an on-demand contract or a subscription contract has been concluded, the printer 200 stores information indicating that the contract has been concluded.

[0042] <Features of this embodiment> Generally, when a printing contract such as that described above is concluded, if a user wants to check the contract details, they must separately log in to, for example, a website provided on the web, which is time-consuming. Therefore, in this embodiment, the printing contract details are displayed on the touch panel 240 of the printer 200, allowing the user to check the contract details on the touch panel 240, thereby improving convenience. This will be described in detail below.

[0043] <Screen and print examples> 7 to 14 show examples of screens and printouts displayed on touch panel 240 when the user checks the contract details. As shown in Fig. 7, main screen 240A displayed on touch panel 240 displays multiple icons 240a1, such as fax, copy, and scan icons, as well as a settings icon 240a2 and ink icons 240a3 indicating the remaining ink levels of each color in the ink cartridges.

[0044] When setting icon 240a2 is operated on main screen 240A shown in Fig. 7, setting screen 240B shown in Fig. 8 is displayed. As shown in Fig. 8, setting screen 240B displays lists 240b1 to 240b4 for allowing the user to select various setting items. Lists 240b1 to 240b4 include list 240b1 for selecting contract details.

[0045] When list 240b1 is operated on setting screen 240B shown in Fig. 8, contract content screen 240C shown in Fig. 9 is displayed. As shown in Fig. 9, contract content screen 240C displays lists 240c1 to 240c4 that allow the user to select contract content to be displayed on touch panel 240. List 240c1 corresponds to contract plan information, list 240c2 corresponds to print history information, list 240c3 corresponds to payment information for the contract, and list 240c4 corresponds to shipping information for consumables used in printer 200. Note that information other than the above may also be included in the lists.

[0046] At least one of the operation of the setting icon 240a2 on the main screen 240A and the operation of the list 240b1 on the setting screen 240B is an example of an operation on a panel.

[0047] When list 240c1 is operated on contract details screen 240C shown in FIG. 9, contract plan screen 240D shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 10, contract plan screen 240D displays contract plan information related to the contract plan that has been concluded. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the contract plan information displays that the contract plan is a subscription plan, the monthly amount, and the number of pages per month. In this example, the number of pages per month is, for example, 700 pages. Note that the contract plan information may include information other than the above. The contract plan information is an example of contract details. In addition, contract plan screen 240D displays output button 240d1 for outputting the displayed contract plan information and non-output button 240d2 for not outputting it. When output button 240d1 is operated, output selection screen 240F shown in FIG. 12 (described later) is displayed. On the other hand, when non-output button 240d2 is operated, the screen returns to an appropriate screen, such as contract details screen 240C shown in FIG. 9 or main screen 240A shown in FIG. 7.

[0048] When list 240c2 is operated on contract details screen 240C shown in FIG. 9, print history screen 240E shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 11, print history screen 240E displays print history information for the concluded contract plan. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the print history information displays the period print count, which is the number of pages printed in the current month, the contract plan count, and the carryover print count. In this example, the period print count is, for example, 350 pages, and the carryover print count is, for example, 30 pages. Note that the print history information may include information other than the above. The print history information is an example of contract details. Furthermore, print history screen 240E displays output button 240e1 for outputting the displayed print history information and non-output button 240e2 for not outputting it. When output button 240e1 is operated, output selection screen 240F shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later, is displayed. On the other hand, when the non-output button 240e2 is operated, the screen returns to an appropriate screen such as the contract content screen 240C shown in FIG. 9 or the main screen 240A shown in FIG.

[0049] Although not shown, when list 240c3 is operated on contract content screen 240C shown in FIG. 9, a payment information screen is displayed. The payment information screen displays payment information for the concluded contract plan. The payment information includes, for example, a billing history, the next billing date for the subscription plan, and a billing history for additional charges. The payment information may include information other than the above. The payment information is an example of contract content. Furthermore, when list 240c4 is operated on contract content screen 240C shown in FIG. 9, a consumables shipping information screen is displayed. The consumables shipping information screen displays shipping information for consumables such as ink cartridges. The shipping information includes information indicating the shipping status, such as the shipping date and time and whether the item is currently being shipped. The shipping information may include information other than the above. The shipping information is an example of contract content. The payment screen and the consumables shipping information screen also display an output button and a non-output button.

[0050] When the output button is operated on the contract plan screen 240D shown in FIG. 10 , the print history screen 240E shown in FIG. 11 , the payment screen, or the consumables shipping information screen, an output selection screen 240F shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 12 , the output selection screen 240F displays a print button 240f1, an email send button 240f2, and a two-dimensional code display button 240f3 to allow the user to select a method for outputting the contract details. When the print button 240f1 is operated, printing of information related to the contract details is executed. When the email send button 240f2 is operated, information related to the contract details is sent by email to the mobile terminal 300 via the servers 100A and 100B. When the two-dimensional code display button 240f3 is operated, the information related to the contract details is encoded to generate a two-dimensional code, which is then displayed on the touch panel 240.

[0051] FIG. 13 shows an example of a sheet S on which printing history information is printed. For example, after the printing history information is displayed on the touch panel 240, when the print button 240f1 is operated on the output selection screen 240F shown in FIG. 12, the printing shown in FIG. 13 is executed. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the printer name s1, the number of sheets printed during the period s2 represented by numbers and a pie chart, the number of sheets in the contract plan, and the number of sheets carried over s3 are printed on the sheet S. Note that information other than the above may also be printed. Note that if the size and performance of the touch panel 240 allow the printed content of the sheet S to be displayed, content equivalent to that of the sheet S may be displayed on the touch panel 240.

[0052] An example of a two-dimensional code is shown in Fig. 14. When two-dimensional code display button 240f3 is operated on output selection screen 240F shown in Fig. 12, two-dimensional code display screen 240G shown in Fig. 14 is displayed. The user can read and decode the two-dimensional code displayed on touch panel 240 using mobile terminal 300, for example, to display information related to the corresponding contract details on mobile terminal 300.

[0053] <Control procedure> An example of a control procedure executed by the processor 210 of the printer 200 to realize the above-described screen display will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 15, in step S10, printer 200 determines whether a contract for printing using printer 200 has been concluded. This determination may be made by referring to contract information stored in printer 200, or by printer 200 making an inquiry to servers 100A and 100B. If a contract has not been concluded (step S10: NO), printer 200 ends the flowchart. On the other hand, if a contract has been concluded (step S10: YES), printer 200 proceeds to the next step S20. Step S10 is an example of a contract determination process.

[0055] In step S20, printer 200 determines whether or not the user has operated to display the contract details. Specifically, it determines whether or not list 240b1 has been operated on setting screen 240B shown in Fig. 8. Printer 200 repeats this step S20 (step S20: NO) until the user has operated to display the contract details, and if the user has operated to display the contract details (step S20: YES), printer 200 proceeds to the next step S30.

[0056] In step S30, printer 200 displays contract content screen 240C, which includes a contract content list, on touch panel 240. As described above, contract content screen 240C displays lists 240c1 to 240c4 that allow the user to select contract content to display from contract plan information, print history information, payment information, and shipping information. Step S30 is an example of list display processing.

[0057] In step S40, printer 200 determines whether any of lists 240c1 to 240c4 displayed in step S30 has been operated by the user. Printer 200 repeats step S40 until any of the lists has been operated (step S40: NO), and if any of the lists has been operated (step S40: YES), proceeds to the next step S50.

[0058] In step S50, printer 200 displays information related to the contract details corresponding to the list selected in step S40 on touch panel 240. Step S50 is an example of a contract display process. Note that the information related to the contract details may be displayed on a panel other than touch panel 240. For example, it may be displayed on a panel that displays only text.

[0059] In step S60, printer 200 determines whether the user has performed an output operation for information related to the contract details. Specifically, it determines whether output buttons 240d1, 240e1 have been operated on contract plan screen 240D shown in Fig. 10 or print history screen 240E shown in Fig. 11. Printer 200 repeats this step S60 (step S60: NO) until an output operation has been performed, and if an output operation has been performed (step S60: YES), proceeds to the next step S70.

[0060] In step S70, the printer 200 determines whether printing has been selected as the output method. Specifically, it determines whether the print button 240f1 has been operated on the output selection screen 240F shown in FIG. 12 above. If printing has been selected (step S70: YES), the printer 200 proceeds to the next step S100. In step S100, the printer 200 executes printing processing. Details of the printing processing will be described later. Thereafter, this flowchart ends.

[0061] On the other hand, in step S70, if printing is not selected (step S70: NO), the printer 200 proceeds to the next step S80.

[0062] In step S80, the printer 200 determines whether email transmission has been selected as the output method. Specifically, it determines whether the email transmission button 240f2 has been operated on the output selection screen 240F shown in FIG. 12 above. If email transmission has been selected (step S80: YES), the printer 200 proceeds to the next step, S200. In step S200, the printer 200 executes email transmission processing. Details of the email transmission processing will be described later. Thereafter, this flowchart ends.

[0063] On the other hand, in step S80, if email transmission is not selected (step S80: NO), the printer 200 proceeds to the next step S300. This case corresponds to the case where the two-dimensional code display button 240f3 is operated on the output selection screen 240F shown in FIG.

[0064] In step S300, the printer 200 executes a two-dimensional code display process. The two-dimensional code display process will be described in detail later. After that, this flowchart ends.

[0065] In the above steps S100, S200, and S300, the contract details displayed in step S50 are output by printing, sending an email to the mobile terminal 300, or displaying a two-dimensional code on the touch panel 240. Steps S100, S200, and S300 are examples of output processing.

[0066] FIG. 16 shows an example of a control procedure executed in the printing process of step S100.

[0067] 16, in step S105, printer 200 transmits the type of contract content selected in step S40 to the corresponding server 100A, 100B. The corresponding server is first server 100A if an on-demand contract has been concluded, and second server 100B if a subscription contract has been concluded. The types of contract content include contract plan information, print history information, payment information, and consumables shipping information.

[0068] In step S110, printer 200 determines whether it is possible to generate print data related to the contract details selected in step S40 based on its own printing capabilities. If printer 200 determines that it is possible to generate print data (step S110: YES), it proceeds to the next step S115. Step S110 is an example of a first determination process.

[0069] In step S115, printer 200 requests information necessary for generating print data from corresponding servers 100A and 100B, and receives the information necessary for generating print data transmitted from servers 100A and 100B in response to the request.

[0070] In step S120, printer 200 generates print data related to the contract details based on the information received in step S115. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S135, which will be described later. Step S120 is an example of the generation process.

[0071] On the other hand, in step S110, if the printer 200 determines that it is not possible to generate print data (step S110: NO), the process proceeds to the next step S125.

[0072] In step S125, printer 200 requests the corresponding servers 100A and 100B to generate print data related to the contract details via communication interface 270. Step S125 is an example of request processing.

[0073] In step S130, the printer 200 receives the print data sent from the servers 100A and 100B in response to the request sent in step S125, and then proceeds to the next step, S135.

[0074] In step S135, printer 200 determines whether the paper size of the tray provided in printer 200 is a predetermined size. The predetermined size is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, A4 size or letter size. The paper size of the tray may be the paper size set in the tray, or the size of the paper actually stored in the tray may be detected by a sensor. If the paper size of the tray is the predetermined size (step S135: YES), printer 200 proceeds to step S145, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the paper size of the tray is not the predetermined size (step S135: NO), printer 200 proceeds to the next step S140. Note that the paper size is an example of a paper condition related to paper for printing by image forming unit 290, and step S135 is an example of a second determination process.

[0075] In step S140, printer 200 displays an error message on touch panel 240. The error message may be, for example, "Paper size is different." Step S140 is an example of error display processing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step, S145.

[0076] In step S145, printer 200 determines whether the paper type of the tray provided in printer 200 is a predetermined type. The predetermined type is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, plain paper or recycled paper. The paper type of the tray may be the paper type set in the tray, or the type of paper actually stored in the tray may be detected by a sensor. If the paper type of the tray is the predetermined type (step S145: YES), printer 200 proceeds to step S155, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the paper type of the tray is not the predetermined type (step S145: NO), printer 200 proceeds to the next step S150. Note that the paper type is an example of a paper condition related to paper for printing by image forming unit 290, and step S145 is an example of a second determination process.

[0077] In step S150, printer 200 displays an error message on touch panel 240. The error message may be, for example, "Paper type is incorrect." Step S150 is an example of error display processing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step, S155.

[0078] In step S155, printer 200 determines whether or not there is paper in a specific tray provided in printer 200. The specific tray is, for example, a tray with the highest priority. Whether or not paper is stored in the specific tray is detected by a sensor provided in the tray. If there is paper in the specific tray (step S155: YES), printer 200 proceeds to step S165, which will be described later. On the other hand, if there is no paper in the specific tray (step S155: NO), printer 200 proceeds to the next step S160. Note that the presence or absence of paper in the specific tray is an example of a paper condition related to paper for printing by image forming unit 290, and step S155 is an example of a second determination process.

[0079] In step S160, printer 200 displays an error message on touch panel 240. The error message may be, for example, "No paper." Step S160 is an example of error display processing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step, S165.

[0080] In step S165, printer 200 executes printing based on the print data using image forming unit 290. Step S165 is an example of printing processing. This completes this flow chart.

[0081] FIG. 17 shows an example of a control procedure executed in the mail transmission process in step S200.

[0082] 17, in step S210, printer 200 displays a confirmation message on touch panel 240 to ask the user to confirm that he or she wants to send the email. The confirmation message may be, for example, "Are you sure you want to send the contract details by email?" Note that the process may proceed to the next step, S220, without executing step S210.

[0083] In step S220, printer 200 sends the type of contract content selected in step S40 above and a request to send information related to the contract content by email to mobile terminal 300 to the corresponding server 100A, 100B. The request includes information such as an email address. In response, the corresponding server 100A, 100B sends the information related to the contract content by email to mobile terminal 300. This completes the flow chart.

[0084] FIG. 18 shows an example of a control procedure executed in the two-dimensional code display process in step S300.

[0085] In step S310, the printer 200 encodes the information relating to the contract details selected in step S40 above to generate a two-dimensional code, which is displayed on the touch panel 240. This completes the process of this flowchart.

[0086] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, when processor 210 of printer 200 determines in step S10 that a predetermined contract covering printer 200 has been concluded, it executes step S50. In step S50, the contract details are displayed on touch panel 240. This allows the user to easily check the details of the concluded contract on touch panel 240 of printer 200, thereby improving convenience.

[0087] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, when the user operates the touch panel 240 in step S20, the contract contents of the contract can be displayed on the touch panel 240. This allows the user to check the contract contents at a desired timing.

[0088] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the user can select the information he or she wants to display from among the contract plan information, print history information, payment information, and shipping information using a plurality of lists 240c1 to 240c4 displayed on touch panel 240. This allows the user to quickly check the necessary information in the contract details.

[0089] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the user can select how to output the contract details displayed on the touch panel 240: by printing, by sending an email to the mobile terminal 300, or by displaying a two-dimensional code on the touch panel 240. This allows the contract details to be output in a manner that suits the user's convenience, thereby improving convenience.

[0090] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, if the performance of printer 200 is relatively high, print data of the contract contents can be generated in printer 200. On the other hand, if the performance of printer 200 is relatively low, print data of the contract contents can be generated by servers 100A and 100B. This allows the contract contents to be printed regardless of the performance of printer 200.

[0091] In particular, in this embodiment, if predetermined paper conditions, such as paper size, paper type, and the presence or absence of paper in a specific tray, are met, the print data of the contract contents is printed. On the other hand, if the paper conditions are not met, an error message is displayed to notify the user that printing will not be performed. This prevents the contract contents from being printed on paper that the user does not intend.

[0092] In this embodiment, the contract for printing is an on-demand contract in which the number of prints allowed increases according to the user's purchases. This allows the user to easily check the details of the on-demand contract.

[0093] In this embodiment, the printing contract is a subscription contract in which the number of prints allowed is set for a fixed period of time. This allows the user to easily check the details of the subscription contract.

[0094] <Modification> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the spirit and technical concept thereof.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the contract details are displayed on the touch panel 240 in response to a user operation on the touch panel 240, but this is not limiting. For example, the contract details may be displayed on the touch panel 240 at predetermined intervals.

[0096] FIG. 19 shows an example of a main screen 240A displayed on the touch panel 240 in this modification. As shown in FIG. 19, a pop-up message 240a4 is displayed on the main screen 240A at predetermined intervals. The predetermined interval may be, for example, once a week, once a month, or at a specific date and time. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the pop-up message 240a4 displays "Please confirm the contract details." When the user operates the pop-up message 240a4, the screen transitions to the contract details screen 240C shown in FIG. 9 described above. The subsequent screen transitions are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

[0097] Fig. 20 shows an example of a control procedure executed by the processor 210 of the printer 200 in this modified example. Note that in Fig. 20, the same steps as those in Fig. 15 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0098] Step S10 is the same as in Fig. 15. If a contract has been concluded in step S10 (step S10: YES), the printer 200 proceeds to the next step S15.

[0099] In step S15, the printer 200 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed. The printer 200 repeats step S15 until the predetermined period has elapsed (step S15: NO), and if the predetermined period has elapsed (step S15: YES), the printer 200 proceeds to the next step S25.

[0100] In step S25, printer 200 displays pop-up message 240a4 on touch panel 240. When pop-up message 240a4 is operated, printer 200 proceeds to the next step S30. The procedure from step S30 onwards is the same as that in FIG.

[0101] According to the modification described above, a message prompting the user to check the contract details is displayed at predetermined intervals, and the contract details can be displayed on the touch panel 240 based on the message. This makes it possible to prompt the user to check the contract details periodically.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the predetermined contract for the printer 200 is an on-demand contract or a subscription contract, but the predetermined contract may be a contract other than the above. For example, it may be a delivery contract for consumables.

[0103] Furthermore, in the above, the flowcharts shown in Figures 15 to 18 and 20 do not limit the present disclosure to the procedures shown in the above flows, and steps may be added or deleted or the order may be changed within the scope that does not deviate from the intent and technical idea of ​​the disclosure.

[0104] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0105] Although not specifically illustrated, the present disclosure can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the spirit thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1. Printing service provision system 100A First Server (Example of a server) 100B Second server (example of server) 200 Printer (an example of an image forming device) 210 Processor (an example of a control unit) 240 Touch panel (Example of panel) 240A Main Screen 240B Settings screen 240C Contract details screen 240c1 List 240c2 List 240c3 List 240c4 list 240D contract plan screen 240E Print history screen 240F Output selection screen 240G 2D code display screen 270 Communication Interface (Example of communication section) 290 Image forming unit 300 Mobile terminal (example of user terminal)

Claims

1. an image forming unit; The panel and A control unit; The Communications Department and An image forming apparatus comprising: The control unit a contract determination process for determining whether a contract covering the image forming device has been concluded; a contract display process for displaying the contract contents on the panel when it is determined in the contract determination process that the contract has been concluded; an output process of outputting the contract content displayed in the contract display process by any one of printing by the image forming unit, sending by email to the user terminal by the communication unit, and displaying two-dimensional code information on the panel; An image forming apparatus characterized by executing the above.

2. When it is determined that the contract has been concluded in the contract determination process, the control unit: The contract display process is executed based on an operation on the panel.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. When it is determined that the contract has been concluded in the contract determination process, the control unit: The contract display process is executed at predetermined intervals.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. The contents of the contract are as follows: The contract plan information, the print history information, the payment information for the contract, and the shipping information for the consumables used in the image forming device are included. The control unit further Before executing the contract display process, a list display process is executed to display a list for allowing the user to select the contract contents to be displayed from the contract plan information, the print history information, the payment information, and the shipping information.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. The control unit further a first determination process for determining whether print data relating to the contract content can be generated when the printing is selected in the output process; a generation process for generating the print data when it is determined in the first determination process that the print data can be generated; a request process for requesting the server to generate the print data via the communication unit when it is determined in the first determination process that the print data cannot be generated; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus executes the following steps.

6. The control unit further a second determination process for determining whether a paper condition related to paper for printing by the image forming unit is satisfied after the generation process or the request process; an error display process for displaying an error on the panel when it is determined in the second determination process that the paper condition is not satisfied; a printing process in which the print data is printed by the image forming unit when it is determined in the second determination process that the paper condition is satisfied; 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus executes the following steps.

7. The said contract: A contract in which a user purchases the maximum number of pages that can be printed using the image forming apparatus.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. The said contract: This is a contract that sets the number of pages that can be printed using the image forming device for a fixed period of time.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images