Server, program and printing management method

Abstract

To provide a printing service in which the number of choices of combinations of printable numbers and charged amounts can be changed according to a consumption degree of coloring material when a user purchases printable numbers.SOLUTION: There is provided a server 100 that is connected to a printer 200, and comprises a memory 110 and a CPU 120, and the memory 110 stores a plurality of plans as combinations of printable numbers and charged amounts. The plurality of plans includes a plan A which can be selected without reference to a calculated value, and plans B to E which can be selected only when the calculated value exceeds a threshold. The CPU 120 executes: acquisition processing to acquire a consumption history 212 showing a history of consumption of ink by the printer 200; determination processing to calculate the calculated value based on the consumption history 212; extraction processing to extract the plan A and a plan whose calculated value is larger than the threshold among the plans B to E; and transmission processing to transmit the extracted plans to a terminal device 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server, a program, and a print management method for providing a prepaid print service. [Background technology]

[0002] Prepaid printing services have been known for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a prepaid printing service using an image forming system equipped with a terminal, a printer, and a server. This prepaid printing service grants a user printing authority for a printable number of sheets corresponding to a fee. To request the server to purchase a printable number of sheets from a terminal, the terminal first accepts a touch panel operation from the user and displays a number selection screen on the touch panel. The number selection screen includes three selection icons, each displaying a fee and the number of printable sheets corresponding to the fee. The terminal accepts a touch operation on one of the selection icons from the user and then accepts a touch operation on a confirmation icon. The terminal then sends a billing request to the server requesting the purchase of the printable number corresponding to the fee at the fee displayed on the touched selection icon. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-066871 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printing service of the above-mentioned prior art, the number of combinations of printable sheets and charge amounts displayed on the print quantity selection screen is predetermined, so the number of options for printable sheet number and charge amount combinations remains the same when a user purchases a printable sheet number.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a printing service that allows a user to change the number of options for combinations of printable sheets and charge amounts when purchasing printable sheets, depending on the degree of colorant consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the server of the present invention is a server capable of communicating with a printing device, and is equipped with a memory unit and a control unit, wherein the memory unit stores multiple plan information indicating combinations of the number of printable sheets and the amount charged for printing the number of printable sheets, and the multiple plan information includes first plan information linked to first condition information used to determine the first condition that the plan information can be selected regardless of the degree of colorant consumption in the printing device, and second plan information linked to second condition information used to determine the second condition that the plan information can be selected only in specific cases, and the control unit executes an acquisition process to acquire history information indicating the history of colorant consumption operations in the printing device, a determination process to determine the degree of consumption based on the history information, and a transmission process to send the first plan information and the second plan information if the degree of consumption determined in the determination process satisfies the second condition, and to send the first plan information but not the second plan information if the second condition is not satisfied.

[0007] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the program of the present invention is a program that can be executed by a control unit of a server that can communicate with a printing device, stores multiple plan information indicating combinations of the number of printable sheets and the amount charged to print the number of printable sheets, and stores first plan information, which is plan information linked to first condition information used to determine the first condition that the plan can be selected regardless of the degree of colorant consumption in the printing device, and second plan information, which is plan information linked to second condition information used to determine the second condition that the plan can only be contracted in specific cases, and executes an acquisition process that acquires history information indicating the history of colorant consumption operations in the printing device, a determination process that determines the degree of consumption based on the history information, and a transmission process that sends the first plan information and the second plan information if the degree of consumption determined in the determination process satisfies the second condition, and sends the first plan information but does not send the second plan information if the second condition is not satisfied.

[0008] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the printing management method of the present invention is a printing system in which a printing device and a server are communicatively connected, and the server stores multiple plan information indicating combinations of the number of printable sheets and the amount charged to print the number of printable sheets, and stores first plan information, which is plan information linked to first condition information used to determine the first condition that the plan can be selected regardless of the degree of colorant consumption in the printing device, and second plan information, which is plan information linked to second condition information used to determine the second condition that the plan can be selected only in specific cases.The printing management method is executed in the printing system and includes: an acquisition step of acquiring history information indicating the history of colorant consumption operations in the printing device; a determination step of determining the degree of colorant consumption based on the history information; and a transmission step of transmitting the first plan information and the second plan information if the consumption degree determined in the determination step satisfies the second condition, and transmitting the first plan information but not the second plan information if the second condition is not satisfied. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a printing service can be provided that allows a user to change the number of options for combinations of printable sheets and chargeable amounts when purchasing printable sheets, depending on the degree of colorant consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2] 10 is a table showing a user table. [Figure 3] 10 is a table showing a plan table. [Figure 4] 1 is a table showing consumption history. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for purchasing the printable number of sheets. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a determination process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an extraction process. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a top screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a plan selection screen displayed to user 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a plan selection screen displayed to user 2. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for purchasing the printable number of sheets when a calculated value is used. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for a determination process when an order history is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] <Embodiment 1> A printing system according to this embodiment will be described. The printing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a server 100, a printer 200, and a terminal device 300. The server 100, the printer 200, and the terminal device 300 can communicate with each other via a network 400.

[0012] <Server configuration> The server 100 is installed and managed by, for example, a person in charge of the manufacturer of the printer 200. The server 100 includes a memory 110, a CPU 120, a communication IF 130, a bus 140, and a touch panel 150. The memory 110, the CPU 120, the communication IF 130, and the touch panel 150 can communicate with each other via the bus 140. Note that the touch panel in this embodiment includes a sensor that detects receipt of a touch operation from a user, and a display that displays a screen.

[0013] The memory 110 is configured by, for example, RAM, ROM, HDD, etc. The memory 110 stores a control program 111, a user table 112, and a plan table 113. The control program 111 includes a program related to the provision of print services.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the user table 112 is a file in which the user ID, device ID, calculated value, and remaining printable number of pages for multiple users are stored in rows, linked to each other. The user ID is a character string used to identify the user. The device ID is a character string used to identify the printer 200. The calculated value is a numerical value that indicates the degree of ink consumption by the printer 200. The remaining printable number is a numerical value that indicates the upper limit of the number of pages that can be printed by the printer 200.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the plan table 113 is a file in which multiple plans and purchase conditions are linked and stored on each row. A plan is an option for a combination of the number of printable sheets and the charge amount when a user purchases the number of printable sheets. Specifically, the number of printable sheets is a value added to the remaining number of printable sheets. The charge amount is a value representing the amount charged to the user to add the number of printable sheets to the remaining number of printable sheets. In other words, it is a value representing the amount required to print the number of printable sheets. In this embodiment, five plans are stored: Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, and Plan E.

[0016] The purchase conditions are conditions that allow a user to select a plan associated with the purchase conditions. For example, according to the plan table 113, the purchase conditions for plan A are stored as "none (always)." In other words, plan A is a plan that all users can select.

[0017] Furthermore, the purchase conditions for plans B to E store conditions related to the calculated values. The conditions related to the calculated values ​​include thresholds. For example, the purchase condition for plan B stores "calculated value > -0.4." This indicates that for a user to select plan B, the calculated value associated with the user's user ID must be greater than the threshold "-0.4."

[0018] The CPU 120 executes a control program 111 stored in the memory 110 .

[0019] The communication IF 130 is connected to the network 400 and communicates with the printer 200 and the terminal device 300 .

[0020] The touch panel 150 can receive touch operations from a person in charge of the manufacturer of the printer 200 and can display the contents of the user table 112 .

[0021] <Printer configuration> The printer 200 is owned by a user who receives printing services from the printing system 1. The printer 200 includes a memory 210, a communication IF 220, a print head 230, an ink tank 240, a CPU 260, and a bus 270. The memory 210, the communication IF 220, the print head 230, and the CPU 260 can communicate with each other via the bus 270.

[0022] The memory 210 stores a control program 211, a device ID, a user ID, the remaining number of printable sheets, and a consumption history 212. The control program 211 is a program for controlling printing by the print head 230, and is executed by the CPU 260. The device ID, user ID, and remaining number of printable sheets are in the same format as those stored in the user table 112. More specifically, if the printer 200 is a device of user 1, the memory 210 stores the user ID "us1," the device ID "dv1," and the remaining number of printable sheets "235." The consumption history 212 is a file in which the amount of ink consumed by the printer 200 is stored line by line. Details of the consumption history 212 will be described later.

[0023] The communication IF 220 is connected to the network 400 and communicates with the server 100 and the terminal device 300 .

[0024] The print head 230 prints an image, for example, by inkjet printing, on a print sheet that has been transported to the print head 230 by a transport unit (not shown).

[0025] The ink tank 240 is a container that stores ink to be supplied to the print head 230 .

[0026] <Configuration of terminal device> The terminal device 300 can transmit print data to the printer 200 to execute a print process. The terminal device 300 is, for example, a personal computer (PC). The terminal device 300 includes a communication IF 310, a memory 320, a CPU 330, a touch panel 340, and a bus 350. The communication IF 310, the memory 320, the CPU 330, and the touch panel 340 can communicate with each other via the bus 350.

[0027] The communication IF 310 is connected to the network 400 and communicates with the server 100 and the printer 200 .

[0028] The memory 320 stores an application program 321, a user ID, a device ID, and the remaining printable number of pages. The application program 321 is a program provided by the manufacturer of the printer 200. The application program 321 enables the terminal device 300 to execute various processes, such as sending print data to the printer 200 and requesting user-selectable plans from the server 100. The user ID and device ID are registered in advance by user operation: the user ID of the owner of the terminal device 300 and the device ID of the printer 200 owned by the owner of the terminal device 300. Specifically, if User 1 is the owner of the terminal device 300, the user ID "us1" and device ID "dv1" are registered in advance by user operation. The procedure for registering the user ID and device ID will be described later. The remaining printable number is in the same format as that stored in the user table 112. Specifically, if the printer 200 is User 1's device, the memory 210 stores the remaining printable number "235."

[0029] The touch panel 340 can accept touch operations from the user and display a top screen 500 and a plan presentation screen 510, which will be described later.

[0030] <Service registration> Next, the service registration procedure for the print service will be described. To apply for a new use of the print service, the terminal device 300 accepts operation of the touch panel 340 from the user and launches the application program 321. When the application program 321 is launched for the first time, the terminal device 300 displays a usage application screen on the touch panel 340. The usage application screen includes input boxes, such as a user ID input box, for entering personal information required for service registration of the print service. The terminal device 300, which displays the usage application screen, accepts input into each input box via the touch panel 340. Having accepted the input, the terminal device 300 transmits usage application information to the server 100. The usage application information is information related to the application for use of the print service, including the entered user ID.

[0031] Upon receiving the application information, the server 100 registers the user ID in the user table 112. The server 100 also registers, linked to the user ID, a calculated value of "0.0" and a value of "100" indicating that the remaining number of printable sheets is 100. A calculated value greater than "0.0" indicates less ink consumption than expected by the manufacturer of the printer 200, and a calculated value less than "0.0" indicates more ink consumption than expected by the manufacturer of the printer 200. The method for calculating the calculated value will be described later.

[0032] A representative of the manufacturer of printer 200 periodically operates touch panel 150 to display the contents of user table 112 and confirms the application for use of the printing service. After confirming the application for use of the printing service, the representative of the manufacturer of printer 200 operates touch panel 150 to link the device ID of printer 200 to be sent to the user with the user ID and register it in user table 112. This completes the user's service registration in user table 112. In other words, this completes a new application for use received from the user. For example, user table 112 in FIG. 2 shows a case in which user 4 has newly applied for use of the printing service and service registration has been completed.

[0033] <Starting to use the printing service> Next, a procedure for causing the printer 200 to execute a print process after service registration is complete will be described. Once service registration is complete, a person in charge at the manufacturer of the printer 200 will send the printer 200 and a bottle filled with ink to the user.

[0034] Upon receiving the printer 200, the user operates the touch panel 340 to register the device ID of the printer 200 in the memory 320. Once registration is complete, the terminal device 300 receives information from the server 100 indicating that the remaining number of printable sheets is 100. The terminal device 300 then registers "100" as the remaining number of printable sheets in the memory 320. This allows the terminal device 300 to send print data to the printer 200 and execute the print process as long as the remaining number of printable sheets is greater than "0." In other words, the user can use the print service.

[0035] To execute a print process, the terminal device 300 accepts a print data specification from the user via the touch panel 340. The print data includes a print image, which is the text or image to be printed, and print settings such as print color settings, image quality settings, and layout settings. When the print data specification is accepted, the terminal device 300 accepts a touch operation of a print button displayed on the touch panel 340. When the print button operation is accepted, the terminal device 300 transmits a response request to the printer 200 inquiring whether the print process can be executed. If the printer 200 is not executing a print process, the terminal device 300 receives a response from the printer 200 indicating that the print process can be executed. On the other hand, if the printer 200 is executing a print process, after the ongoing print process has finished, the terminal device 300 receives a response from the printer 200 indicating that the print process can be executed. Upon receiving the response, the terminal device 300 transmits the print data to the printer 200 and executes the print process.

[0036] <Printing process details> When the printer 200 receives the print data, the printing process is executed. The printing process is initiated by the CPU 260 executing the control program 211. When the printing process is initiated, the CPU 260 obtains a print image for one sheet of printing paper from the print data. The CPU 260 then instructs a transport unit (not shown) to transport the printing paper. When the transport unit transports the printing paper to the print head 230, the CPU 260 instructs the print head 230 to eject ink according to the print image for one sheet of printing paper and the print settings.

[0037] When printing of the print image for one sheet of printing paper is completed, CPU 260 subtracts "1" from the remaining number of printable sheets stored in memory 210. Furthermore, CPU 260 records the ink consumption in consumption history 212. Specifically, CPU 260 calculates the ink consumption by multiplying the number of times the print head is driven by the amount of ink ejected per drive. The amount of ink ejected per drive is predetermined by the manufacturer of printer 200. After calculating the ink consumption, CPU 260 records the calculated ink consumption and the date and time when CPU 260 received the print data at the end of consumption history 212.

[0038] When the recording of the consumption history is completed, if the print data includes a print image for multiple sheets of printing paper, the CPU 260 further acquires a print image for one sheet of printing paper from the print data and executes instructions for transport and printing. That is, the CPU 260 instructs the transport unit to transport the printing paper. When the printing paper is transported to the print head 230 by the transport unit, the CPU 260 instructs the print head 230 to eject ink according to the print image for one sheet of printing paper and the print settings.

[0039] When printing of all print images included in the print data is completed, the CPU 260 ends the print process.

[0040] 4 in this embodiment records the case where CPU 260 received print data including print images for two sheets of printing paper at 14:00 on March 20, 2024. It also records that when CPU 260 received print data for two sheets of printing paper and executed printing, 0.30 ml of ink was consumed in printing the first sheet, and 0.20 ml of ink was consumed in printing the second sheet.

[0041] <Reduction in remaining printable pages due to execution of printing process> When the printer 200 finishes executing the printing process, it transmits information indicating the remaining number of printable sheets to the server 100 and the terminal device 300. As a result, the remaining number of printable sheets stored in the user table 112 of the server 100 and the remaining number of printable sheets stored in the memory 320 of the terminal device 300 become the same value as the remaining number of printable sheets stored in the memory 210.

[0042] If the print data includes print images for a number of sheets that exceeds the remaining number of printable sheets, the terminal device 300 will be unable to send the print data to the printer 200 and have the printer 200 execute the print process. To have the printer 200 execute the print process for a number of sheets that exceeds the remaining number of printable sheets, the terminal device 300 needs to add a value indicating the number of sheets that exceeds the remaining number of printable sheets to the remaining number of printable sheets stored in the memory 320. To add a value indicating the number of sheets that exceeds the remaining number of printable sheets to the remaining number of printable sheets, the terminal device 300 needs to accept a purchase operation for the number of printable sheets from the user via the touch panel 340.

[0043] <How to purchase printable sheets> 5, 6, and 7, the details of the program processing related to the provision of printing services in this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure for purchasing the number of printable sheets. When the terminal device 300 accepts an operation on the touch panel 340 from the user (S10), it launches the application program 321 (S12). When the application program 321 is launched, the terminal device 300 displays the top screen 500 on the touch panel 340 (S14). After displaying the top screen 500, the terminal device 300 accepts a touch operation on the purchase icon 501 from the user (S16). Upon accepting the operation on the purchase icon 501, the terminal device 300 transmits a request signal to the server 100 (S18). The request signal is a signal requesting information regarding the number of printable sheets and the charge amount for the plans selectable by the user. The request signal also includes information indicating the user's user ID, which is stored in the memory 320.

[0044] Upon receiving the request signal, the server 100 identifies the device ID associated with the user ID indicated in the request signal from the user table 112. After identifying the device ID, the server 100 instructs the printer 200 identified by the identified device ID to transmit the consumption history 212 (S20). When the printer 200 that received the instruction transmits the consumption history 212, the server 100 receives the consumption history 212 from the printer 200 and temporarily stores it in the memory 110 (S22). Upon receiving the consumption history 212, the server 100 executes a determination process to calculate the user's calculated value (S24). After the determination process is completed, the server 100 executes an extraction process to extract plans that the user can select (S26). The determination process and extraction process will be described later. After completing the extraction process, the server 100 transmits information regarding the number of printable sheets and the charge amount for the plan extracted in the extraction process to the terminal device 300 (S28).

[0045] The terminal device 300, which has received the information regarding the number of printable sheets and the charge amount, displays a plan selection screen 510 on the touch panel 340 (S30). The plan selection screen 510 includes plan selection icons 511 that respectively display the received information regarding the number of printable sheets and the charge amount. The terminal device 300 that displays the plan selection screen 510 accepts operation of the plan selection icon 511 from the user via the touch panel 340 (S32). The terminal device 300 that has accepted the operation of the plan selection icon transmits the selected plan information and payment information to the server 100 (S34). The selected plan information is information regarding the number of printable sheets and the charge amount for the plan indicated by the plan selection icon that accepted the operation. The payment information is, for example, information indicating a credit card number or a PIN.

[0046] Upon receiving the selected plan information and payment information, the server 100 executes payment processing (S36). That is, the server 100 bills the credit card company for the amount indicated in the selected plan information. Furthermore, the server 100 adds the number of printable sheets indicated in the selected plan information to the remaining number of printable sheets linked to the user's user ID in the user table 112. After completing the payment processing, the server 100 transmits information indicating the remaining number of printable sheets to the printer 200 and the terminal device 300 (S38, S39). As a result, the remaining number of printable sheets stored in the memory 210 of the printer 200 and the remaining number of printable sheets stored in the memory 320 of the terminal device 300 become the same value as the remaining number of printable sheets stored in the user table 112. The server 100 then transmits a purchase completion notice to the terminal device 300 notifying that the purchase of the remaining number of printable sheets has been completed (S40).

[0047] Upon receiving the purchase completion notification, the terminal device 300 displays on the touch panel 340 a text message indicating that the purchase of the printable number has been completed and a value indicating the number of printable numbers remaining after the purchase (S42). This allows the user to confirm that the purchase of the printable number has been completed and the number of printable numbers remaining after the purchase.

[0048] <Decision process> 6 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the determination process (S24) executed by the CPU 120 of the server 100. The CPU 120 reads the calculated value associated with the user ID from the user table 112 and temporarily stores it in the memory 110 (S50). After storing the calculated value, the CPU 120 reads one line from the beginning of the consumption history 212 temporarily stored in the memory 110 (S51). The CPU 120 that executed the read determines whether or not the end mark of the file has been read (S53). If the end mark of the file has been read (S53: YES), the CPU 120 executes the process of S65, which will be described later.

[0049] If the end mark of the file has not been read (S53: NO), the CPU 120 extracts from the read information the amount of ink consumed in printing one sheet of print image (S55). For example, in the case of the consumption history 212 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 120 reads the first line of the consumption history 212, which is recorded in chronological order, in S51, and extracts "0.10" indicating the amount of ink consumed in S55. After extracting the amount of ink consumed, the CPU 120 determines whether the extracted amount of ink consumed is equal to or greater than twice the standard value (S57). The standard value is a value predetermined by the manufacturer of the printer 200 and represents the amount of ink consumption expected by the manufacturer. In this embodiment, the standard value is "0.10," which indicates that the amount of ink consumed in printing one sheet of print image is 0.10 ml.

[0050] If the extracted ink consumption amount is more than twice the standard value (S57: YES), CPU 120 subtracts 0.02 from the calculated value temporarily stored in memory 110 (S59). After subtracting the calculated value, CPU 120 returns to the process of S51.

[0051] If the extracted ink consumption amount is not twice the standard value or more (S57: NO), the CPU 120 determines whether the extracted ink consumption amount is 0.5 times the standard value or less (S61).

[0052] If the extracted ink consumption amount is 0.5 times the standard value or less (S61: YES), CPU 120 adds 0.02 to the calculated value temporarily stored in memory 110 (S63). After adding the calculated value, CPU 120 returns to the processing of S51. If the extracted ink consumption amount is not 0.5 times the standard value or less (S61: NO), CPU 120 returns to the processing of S51.

[0053] If the end mark of the file is read (S53: YES), CPU 120 associates the calculated value temporarily stored in memory 110 with the user ID and records it in user table 112 (S65). After recording the calculated value, CPU 120 ends the determination process.

[0054] <Extraction process> 7 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the extraction process (S26) executed by the CPU 120 of the server 100. The CPU 120 reads the calculated value associated with the user ID in the user table 112 and temporarily stores it in the memory 110 (S71). After storing the calculated value, the CPU 120 reads one line from the beginning of the plan table 113 stored in the memory 110 (S73). The CPU 120 that executed the read determines whether or not the end mark of the file has been read (S75). If the end mark of the file has been read (S75: YES), the CPU 120 ends the extraction process.

[0055] If the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), CPU 120 determines whether the read information includes a threshold as a purchase condition (S77). If the purchase condition does not include a threshold (S77: NO), CPU 120 extracts information related to the number of printable sheets and the charge amount for the plan from the read information and temporarily stores it in memory 110 (S78). As an example, a purchase condition of "none (always)" for plan A, which can be selected by all users, does not include a threshold. In this case, CPU 120 extracts information indicating "10" as the number of printable sheets and "200" as the charge amount and temporarily stores this information in memory 110. After storing the information related to the number of printable sheets and the charge amount, CPU 120 returns to the processing of S73.

[0056] If the purchase conditions include a threshold (S77: YES), CPU 120 extracts the threshold included in the purchase conditions (S79). For example, for plan B, the threshold "-0.4" is extracted. After extracting the threshold, CPU 120 determines whether the calculated value satisfies the purchase conditions (S81). For example, for plan B, the CPU 120 determines whether the calculated value read in S71 is greater than the threshold "-0.4" read in S79.

[0057] If the calculated value satisfies the purchase condition (S81: YES), CPU 120 extracts information regarding the number of printable sheets and the charge amount for the plan from the read information and temporarily stores it in memory 110 (S83). For example, for plan B, information indicating "50" as the number of printable sheets and "900" as the charge amount is extracted and temporarily stores it in memory 110. After storing the information regarding the number of printable sheets and the charge amount, CPU 120 returns to the processing of S73. If the calculated value does not satisfy the purchase condition (S81: NO), CPU 120 returns to the processing of S73.

[0058] If the end mark of the file has been read (S75: YES), the CPU 120 ends the extraction process.

[0059] <User 1 purchase example> The following describes the case where user 1 purchases a print limit. To purchase a print limit, user 1 operates touch panel 340 (S10) and launches application program 321 (S12). When application program 321 is launched, top screen 500 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on touch panel 340 (S14). Top screen 500 includes three icons: a print icon that instructs printer 200 to execute a print process; a purchase icon 501 that sends a request signal to server 100; and a bottle order icon 502 that orders a bottle containing ink. User 1, who has displayed top screen 500, touches purchase icon 501 (S16) and sends a request signal from terminal device 300 to server 100 (S18). The request signal includes information indicating user 1's user ID, "us1."

[0060] Upon receiving the request signal, the server 100 identifies the device ID "dv1" associated with the user ID "us1" from the user table 112. In other words, it identifies the printer 200 owned by user 1. Once the device ID has been identified, the server 100 instructs the printer 200 owned by user 1 to transmit the consumption history 212 (S20). When the printer 200 that has received the instruction transmits the consumption history 212, the server 100 receives the consumption history 212 from the printer 200 and temporarily stores it in the memory 110 (S22). Upon receiving the consumption history 212, the server 100 calculates a calculated value for user 1 and records it in the user table 112 (S24). In the purchase example of user 1, the calculated value after executing the determination process in S24 is assumed to be "0.42", which is stored in the user table 112 shown in FIG. 2.

[0061] When the determination process (S24) is completed, the CPU 120 of the server 100 executes an extraction process (S26). The CPU 120 reads the calculated value "0.42" for user 1 recorded in the user table 113 and temporarily stores it in the memory 110 (S71). After storing the calculated value, the CPU 120 reads the first row from the plan table 113 (S73). That is, the CPU 120 reads the row for plan A. At this point, the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), so the CPU 120 determines whether the purchase conditions of the read row for plan A include a threshold value (S77). Because the purchase conditions for plan A do not include a threshold value (S77: NO), the CPU 120 extracts information indicating the number of printable pages "10" and the billing amount "200" for plan A from the read information and temporarily stores this information in the memory 110 (S78). When the process of S78 is completed, the CPU 120 returns to the process of S73.

[0062] Returning to the process of S73, CPU 120 reads the next row of plan table 113 (S73). That is, CPU 120 reads the row for plan B. At this point, the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), so CPU 120 determines whether the purchase conditions of the read row for plan B include a threshold (S77). Because the purchase conditions for plan B include a threshold (S77: YES), CPU 120 extracts the threshold value "-0.4" included in the purchase conditions for plan B (S79). Because the calculated value "0.42" is greater than the threshold value "-0.4" (S81: YES), CPU 120 extracts information indicating the number of printable pages "50" for plan B and information indicating the billing amount "900" from the read information and temporarily stores them in memory 110 (S83). Upon completing the process of S83, CPU 120 returns to the process of S73.

[0063] Returning to the process of S73, the CPU 120 reads the next row of the plan table 113 (S73). That is, the CPU 120 reads the row for plan C. At this point, the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), so the CPU 120 determines whether the purchase conditions of the read row for plan C include a threshold (S77). Because the purchase conditions for plan C include a threshold (S77: YES), the CPU 120 extracts the threshold value "0.0" included in the purchase conditions for plan C (S79). Because the calculated value "0.42" is greater than the threshold value "0.0" (S81: YES), the CPU 120 extracts information indicating the number of printable pages "100" for plan C and information indicating the billing amount "1500" from the read information, and temporarily stores these in the memory 110 (S83). Upon completing the process of S83, the CPU 120 returns to the process of S73.

[0064] Returning to the process of S73, CPU 120 reads the next row of plan table 113 (S73). That is, CPU 120 reads the row for plan D. At this point, the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), so CPU 120 determines whether the purchase conditions of the read row for plan D include a threshold (S77). Because the purchase conditions for plan D include a threshold (S77: YES), CPU 120 extracts the threshold value "0.4" included in the purchase conditions for plan D (S79). Because the calculated value "0.42" is greater than the threshold value "0.4" (S81: YES), CPU 120 extracts information indicating the number of printable pages "300" for plan D and information indicating the billing amount "4000" from the read information and temporarily stores them in memory 110 (S83). Upon completing the process of S83, CPU 120 returns to the process of S73.

[0065] Returning to the processing of S73, CPU 120 reads the next row of plan table 113 (S73). That is, CPU 120 reads the row for plan E. At this point, the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), so CPU 120 determines whether the purchase conditions of the read row for plan E include a threshold (S77). Because the purchase conditions for plan E include a threshold (S77: YES), CPU 120 extracts the threshold value "0.8" included in the purchase conditions for plan E (S79). Because the calculated value "0.42" is less than the threshold value "0.8" (S81: NO), CPU 120 returns to the processing of S73.

[0066] Returning to the process of S73, the CPU 120 reads the next row of the plan table 113 (S73). Here, the CPU 120 reads the end mark of the file in the plan table 113 (S75: YES) and ends the extraction process.

[0067] After completing the extraction process (S26), the server 100 transmits to the terminal device 300 (S28) information indicating the number of printable sheets "10" and the charge amount "200" for plan A, information indicating the number of printable sheets "50" and the charge amount "900" for plan B, information indicating the number of printable sheets "100" and the charge amount "1500" for plan C, and information regarding the number of printable sheets "300" and the charge amount "4000" for plan D.

[0068] Upon receiving the information regarding the number of printable sheets and the fee, the terminal device 300 displays the plan selection screen 510 shown in Fig. 9 on the touch panel 340 (S30). The plan selection screen 510 includes plan selection icons 511 that display the received information regarding the number of printable sheets and the fee for each of the plans A, B, C, and D, and a text message 512 that urges the user to reduce ink consumption. Therefore, the user 1 can select from the four plans A, B, C, and D.

[0069] <User 2 purchase example> The following describes the case where User 2 purchases the printable number of sheets. The processes of S10 to S14 are the same as those of User 1, and therefore will be omitted. User 2, who has displayed the top screen 500 in S14, touches the purchase icon 501 (S16) and transmits a request signal from the terminal device 300 to the server 100 (S18). The request signal includes information indicating User 2's user ID "us2."

[0070] Upon receiving the request signal, the server 100 identifies the device ID "dv2" associated with the user ID "us2" from the user table 112. In other words, it identifies the printer 200 owned by user 2. Once the device ID has been identified, the server 100 instructs the printer 200 owned by user 2 to transmit the consumption history 212 (S20). When the printer 200 that has received the instruction transmits the consumption history 212, the server 100 receives the consumption history 212 from the printer 200 and temporarily stores it in the memory 110 (S22). Upon receiving the consumption history 212, the server 100 calculates a calculated value for user 2 and records it in the user table 112 (S24). In the purchase example of user 2, the calculated value after executing the determination process in S24 is "-0.28", which is stored in the user table 112 shown in FIG. 2.

[0071] When the determination process (S24) is completed, the CPU 120 of the server 100 executes an extraction process (S26). The CPU 120 reads the calculated value "-0.28" for user 1 recorded in the user table 112 (S71). After reading the calculated value, the CPU 120 reads the first row from the top of the plan table 113 (S73). That is, the CPU 120 reads the row for plan A. At this point, the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), so the CPU 120 determines whether the purchase conditions of the read row for plan A include a threshold value (S77). Because the purchase conditions for plan A do not include a threshold value (S77: NO), the CPU 120 extracts information indicating the printable number of pages for plan A, "10," and the billing amount, "200," from the read information and temporarily stores the information in the memory 110 (S78). Upon completing the process of S78, the CPU 120 returns to the process of S73.

[0072] Returning to the process of S73, CPU 120 reads the next row of plan table 113 (S73). That is, CPU 120 reads the row for plan B. At this point, the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), so CPU 120 determines whether the purchase conditions of the read row for plan B include a threshold (S77). Because the purchase conditions for plan B include a threshold (S77: YES), CPU 120 extracts the threshold value "-0.4" included in the purchase conditions for plan B (S79). Because the calculated value "-0.28" is greater than the threshold value "-0.4" (S81: YES), CPU 120 extracts information indicating the number of printable sheets "50" for plan B and information indicating the billing amount "900" from the read information and temporarily stores them in memory 110 (S83). Upon completing the process of S83, CPU 120 returns to the process of S73.

[0073] Returning to the processing of S73, the next row of plan table 113 is read (S73). That is, CPU 120 reads the row for plan C. At this point, the end mark of the file has not been read (S75: NO), so CPU 120 determines whether the purchase conditions of the read row for plan C include a threshold (S77). Because the purchase conditions for plan C include a threshold (S77: YES), the threshold value "0.0" included in the purchase conditions for plan C is extracted (S79). Because the calculated value "-0.28" is less than the threshold value "0.0" (S81: NO), CPU 120 returns to S73.

[0074] Returning to S73, the CPU 120 executes the processes of S75 to S81 for the remaining rows of plans D and E in the plan table 113. As with plan C, information on the number of printable sheets and the charge amount is not extracted, and the process returns to S73.

[0075] Returning to S73, the CPU 120 reads the next row of the plan table 113 (S73). Here, the CPU 120 reads the end mark of the file of the plan table 113 (S75: YES), and ends the extraction process.

[0076] After completing the extraction process (S26), the server 100 transmits to the terminal device 300 information indicating the number of printable sheets for plan A, "10," and the charge amount, "200," and information indicating the number of printable sheets for plan B, "50," and the charge amount, "900" (S28).

[0077] Upon receiving the information regarding the number of printable sheets and the fee, the terminal device 300 displays the plan selection screen 520 shown in Fig. 10 on the touch panel 340 (S30). The plan selection screen 520 includes plan selection icons 521 that display the received information regarding the number of printable sheets and the fee for plans A and B, respectively, and a text message 522 that urges the user to reduce ink consumption. Therefore, user 2 can select between plans A and B.

[0078] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment, the memory 110 of the server 100 stores plan A, which is selectable by all users, and plans B to E, which are linked with a purchase condition that the plan cannot be selected unless the calculated value is greater than a threshold value. The CPU 120 of the server 100 calculates a calculation value based on the consumption history 212, which stores the amount of ink consumed (S24), and extracts plans whose calculated value is greater than the threshold value, i.e., plans that the user can select (S26). Plan A is always displayed on the plan selection screen 510, and the plan extracted from plans B to E in S26 is also displayed (S30). The displayed plans are selectable by the user when purchasing the number of printable sheets. Therefore, the number of plans that the user can select can be changed between one and two or more, depending on the amount of ink consumed.

[0079] Conventional prepaid printing services allowed all users to select the same plan regardless of their ink consumption. Because the same plan requires the same fee, users who consume less ink may feel a sense of unfairness compared to users who consume more ink. For example, if a user sets the image quality setting to high and prints a solid photo, the user who prints a text-only document without a photo at normal image quality settings may consume more ink. Despite this, if the same plan is selected, the fee is the same. Therefore, users who consume less ink may have to pay the same fee as users who consume more ink, which can lead to a sense of unfairness. In contrast, in the first embodiment, users who consume more ink may only be able to select Plan A, while users who consume less ink may also be able to select Plans B to E. In this case, users who consume less ink may be able to select Plans B to E, which have a lower per-page printing cost than Plan A, which makes them feel more valued and less likely to feel unfair.

[0080] Furthermore, the threshold value differs for plans B to E, and the decision to extract a plan in S26 is made for each plan. Therefore, the number of plans displayed, in other words, the number of plan options available to the user, varies from 1 to 5. In other words, the number of plan options can be changed in multiple stages. This allows users who consume less ink than standard and have an increased number of selectable plans to further increase the number of plans, providing an incentive to continue saving ink.

[0081] Furthermore, the calculated value is a value calculated based on the amount of ink consumed. Therefore, it is possible to classify the ink consumption level in more detail than if the ink consumption amount were used directly as the ink consumption level. Furthermore, since the memory 110 only needs to store the calculated value, it does not need to continue to store the calculated consumption history, and therefore the memory capacity used can be reduced.

[0082] The threshold value included in the purchase conditions is set to a higher value the lower the charge per printable page, and the calculated value is set to a higher value the less ink is consumed. Therefore, users who save ink will have more affordable plans and are more likely to feel like they are getting a good deal.

[0083] The calculated value is adjusted for each print based on the amount of ink consumed to print one sheet of paper, allowing for detailed classification of ink consumption levels.

[0084] After receiving the request signal from the terminal device 300, the server 100 obtains the consumption history 212 and calculates the calculated value. This allows the server 100 to accurately reflect the actual ink consumption of the printer 200, including the amount of ink consumed in the printing process immediately before sending the request signal.

[0085] The print data also includes image quality settings, so the user can reduce ink consumption by lowering the image quality, thereby actively increasing the calculated value.

[0086] Furthermore, a text message 512 urging the user to reduce ink consumption is displayed on the plan selection screen 510. Therefore, it is possible to urge the user to reduce ink consumption.

[0087] The extraction process (S26) is repeated until the end mark of the file is read from the plan table 113. Therefore, when adding a new plan, it is only necessary to write the number of printable sheets, the charge amount, and the purchase conditions into the plan table 113, and there is no need to rewrite the program, making it easy for the person in charge at the manufacturer of the printer 200 to manage.

[0088] In addition, the plans displayed in the display process (S30) of the plan selection screen are only those plans that are determined to be selectable by the user in the extraction process (S26). Unselectable plans are not displayed, so there is no risk that the user will mistakenly believe that an unselectable plan is selectable.

[0089] <Modification of the First Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the consumption history 212 records the amount of ink consumed by the printer 200. Alternatively, the consumption history 212 may record coverage. Coverage is the percentage of the amount of ink actually consumed, with the amount of ink consumed when printing one sheet of printing paper entirely in one color being set to 100%. When using coverage, for example, in the determination process (S24), instead of S57, a process is executed to determine whether the coverage is 75% or more, and instead of S61, a process is executed to determine whether the coverage is 25% or less.

[0090] In the first embodiment, the calculated value is a value calculated based on the amount of ink consumed in printing a print image for one sheet of printing paper. Alternatively, the amount of ink consumption may be used as the calculated value as is. For example, in the determination process (S24), the following process is performed to calculate the total amount of ink consumed within three months from the time the determination process was executed. First, the first line of the consumption history 212 is read. Next, the date and time is extracted from the information in the read line. Then, it is determined whether the extracted date and time is within three months from the time the determination process was executed. If it is within three months from the time the determination process was executed, the amount of ink consumption is extracted from the information in the read line and added to the calculated value. The above operation is repeated until the end mark of the consumption history 212 file is read. In this way, a calculated value that is the total amount of ink consumed within three months from the time the determination process was executed can be calculated.

[0091] In this case, the threshold is the amount of ink that the manufacturer expects to be consumed within three months. For example, the purchase condition is set as "calculated value ≦ 100". This means that the user can select a plan if the calculated value calculated in the decision process, i.e., the total amount of ink consumed within three months, is 100 ml or less.

[0092] Although S77 determines whether the colorant can be selected regardless of the consumption level by determining whether the threshold is met, other determination methods may be used. Specifically, the purchase condition may be set to a threshold that is as small as possible below the value calculated when the user's consumption level is at its maximum in the determination process. In this case, S77 and S78 are unnecessary, making the process flow clearer and simpler.

[0093] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, after receiving the request signal, the server 100 receives the consumption history 212 (S22) and executes the determination process (S24). In contrast, in the second embodiment, after the print process (S89) is completed, the server 100 receives the consumption history 212 from the printer 200 (S90) and executes the determination process (S24). Therefore, in the procedure for purchasing the printable number of sheets in the second embodiment, after receiving the request signal, the server 100 does not receive the consumption history 212 (S90) or execute the determination process (S24).

[0094] 11 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure for purchasing the printable number of sheets in embodiment 2. When the same processes as those in embodiment 1 are performed, the same reference numerals as those in embodiment 1 are assigned. After completing the printing process (S89), the printer 200 transmits information indicating the device ID and the consumption history 212 to the server 100 (S90).

[0095] The server 100 receives the information indicating the device ID and the consumption history 212 and temporarily stores the consumption history 212 in the memory 110. Then, a determination process is executed to calculate a calculated value (S24). In the first embodiment, the calculated value to be read is identified based on the user ID in S50 of the determination process (S24), but in this embodiment, the calculated value to be read is identified based on the device ID. The other processes S51 to S65 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0096] As a result, when a user purchases the printable sheet count, the user's calculated value has already been calculated. Therefore, in the printable sheet count purchasing procedure of the second embodiment, the server 100 receives the request signal in S18 and skips S20 to S24 and executes the extraction process (S26). The other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, so they will not be described here.

[0097] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> According to the second embodiment, after the printing process is completed, the server 100 receives the consumption history 212 from the printer 200 and executes the determination process. By periodically executing the determination process, the load on the CPU 120 for executing the determination process can be distributed. Therefore, even if many users simultaneously apply to purchase the printable number of sheets, the processing load on the CPU 120 is unlikely to become heavy.

[0098] <Modification of the second embodiment> In the second embodiment, after the printing process (S89) is completed, the consumption history 212 is received from the printer 200 (S90) and the determination process (S24) is executed. Alternatively, the processes of S90 and S24 may be executed when the printer 200 is started. Alternatively, the processes of S90 and S24 may be executed at a predetermined time every day.

[0099] <Embodiment 3> In the first embodiment, the server 100 executes the determination process based on the consumption history 212 that stores the amount of ink consumed by the printer 200. In the third embodiment, instead of the consumption history 212, the order history is used.

[0100] <About order history> The order history is a file for recording the date and time when a bottle order signal is received from the terminal device 300. The order history is also created in the memory 110 when the service is registered. Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the server 100 receives the application information during the service registration process, creates an order history, associates it with the user ID, and stores it in the memory 110. The order history then records the date and time when the application information was received. In other words, the date and time when the application information was received is recorded as the date and time when the initial order signal was received.

[0101] <Bottle ordering and order history recording> When the remaining ink level, which is the amount of ink stored in the ink tank 240, becomes low, the ink will be smudged when printing is performed that requires more ink than the remaining ink level. Therefore, when the remaining ink level becomes low, the user needs to refill the ink tank 240 with ink. The user can refill the ink tank 240 with ink by pouring ink from a bottle filled with ink into the ink tank 240. When a user of a printing service places an order with the manufacturer of the printer 200, the bottle filled with ink is sent free of charge. In other words, the manufacturer of the printer 200 pays the cost of ink and shipping, and the user does not have to bear the cost of ink or shipping.

[0102] The procedure for ordering a bottle will now be described. To order a bottle, the user operates the touch panel 340 to launch the application program 321. When the application program 321 is launched, a top screen 500 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the touch panel 340. The user touches a bottle ordering icon 502 displayed on the top screen 500 to display a color selection screen (not shown). After the color selection screen is displayed, the user operates the touch panel 340 to select the bottle of the color they wish to order, and causes the terminal device 300 to send an order signal to the server 100. The order signal is a signal related to ordering a bottle, and includes information indicating the color of the selected bottle and information indicating the user ID stored in the memory 320.

[0103] Upon receiving the order signal, the server 100 identifies the order history linked to the user ID from the user ID included in the order signal. After identifying the order history, the server 100 records the date and time when the order signal was received at the end of the order history file.

[0104] The person in charge of the manufacturer of printer 200 periodically operates touch panel 150 to display the order history and check the order status of the bottle. After confirming the bottle order, the person in charge of the manufacturer of printer 200 sends the bottle of the color selected by the user to the user.

[0105] <Procedure for purchasing printable sheets using order history> The procedure for purchasing the printable quantity in the third embodiment is the same as the procedure for purchasing in the first embodiment, except for the processing contents of S20 to S24. In the first embodiment, the server 100 instructs the printer 200 to transmit the consumption history 212 (S20), and receives the consumption history 212 from the printer 200 (S22). In the third embodiment, instead of these processings S20 and S22, the server 100 identifies the user's order history from the user ID included in the request signal received in S18, and reads the identified order history from the memory 110. In addition, the server 100 executes a determination process (S24) based on the read order history.

[0106] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the determination process (S24) executed by the CPU 120 when using the order history. When the same process as in the first embodiment is performed, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are assigned. The CPU 120 reads the calculated value associated with the user ID in the user table 112 and temporarily stores it in the memory 110 (S50). After storing the calculated value, the CPU 120 reads the first line of the order history stored in the memory 110 and temporarily stores it in an area of ​​the memory 110 assigned to the variable "current" (S100). In other words, when registering a service, the server 100 reads the date and time when the application information was received and temporarily stores it in the memory 110. After reading the first line, the server 100 reads the next line of the order history and temporarily stores it in an area of ​​the memory 110 assigned to the variable "next" (S102). After storing it in the memory 110, the CPU 120 determines whether the end mark of the file has been read (S53). If the end mark of the file has been read (S53: YES), the CPU 120 executes the process of S65, which will be described later.

[0107] If the end mark of the file has not been read (S53: NO), the CPU 120 calculates the order interval, which is the number of days from the date and time of receipt of the order signal stored in the variables current and next (S104). After calculating the order interval, the CPU 120 determines whether the order interval is equal to or less than 0.5 times the standard value (S106). The standard value is a value predetermined by the manufacturer of the printer 200 and represents the order interval expected by the manufacturer. In this embodiment, the standard value is "30," which indicates that the order interval is 30 days.

[0108] If the order interval is equal to or less than 0.5 times the standard value (S106: YES), CPU 120 subtracts 0.02 from the calculated value temporarily stored in memory 110 (S59). After subtracting the calculated value, CPU 120 copies the reception date and time stored in the area of ​​memory 110 allocated to the variable next to the area of ​​memory 110 allocated to the variable current, and returns to the process of S102.

[0109] If the order interval is not equal to or less than 0.5 times the standard value (S106: NO), the CPU 120 determines whether the order interval is equal to or more than twice the standard value (S108).

[0110] If the order interval is more than twice the standard value (S108: YES), CPU 120 adds 0.02 to the calculated value temporarily stored in memory 110 (S63). After adding the calculated value, CPU 120 copies the reception date and time stored in the area of ​​memory 110 allocated to the variable next to the area of ​​memory 110 allocated to the variable current, and returns to the processing of S102. If the order interval is not less than 0.5 times the standard value (S108: NO), CPU 120 copies the reception date and time stored in the area of ​​memory 110 allocated to the variable next to the area of ​​memory 110 allocated to the variable current, and returns to the processing of S102.

[0111] If the end mark of the file is read (S53: YES), CPU 120 associates the calculated value temporarily stored in memory 110 with the user ID and records it in user table 112 (S65). After recording the calculated value, CPU 120 ends the determination process.

[0112] <Effects of the Third Embodiment> According to the third embodiment, the shorter the interval between orders for bottles filled with ink, the smaller the calculated value, and the longer the interval between bottle orders, the larger the calculated value. The smaller the calculated value, the more expensive the plans available to the user are limited to. A shorter interval between bottle orders increases the number of deliveries, and the ink costs and shipping costs paid by the printer 200 manufacturer increase by the number of deliveries. Therefore, the printer 200 manufacturer can pass on the ink costs and shipping costs to the price by limiting the plans available to users who receive bottles frequently to more expensive plans. Conversely, by ordering bottles of multiple colors together, users can shorten the order interval compared to ordering them separately and actively increase the calculated value.

[0113] <Modification of the third embodiment> In the third embodiment, the calculated value is calculated based on the order history, which records the date and time when the bottle order signal was received. Alternatively, the calculated value may be calculated based on the filling history, which records the date and time when ink was filled from the bottle into the ink tank 240. In this case, the memory 210 of the printer 200 stores the filling history. Also, a remaining ink amount detection sensor that detects when ink is filled is connected to the ink tank 240. When the remaining ink amount detection sensor detects that the remaining ink amount has increased by a certain amount, the memory 210 records the date and time of detection in the filling history. In this modification, unlike the third embodiment, the server 100 is configured to receive the filling history from the printer 200.

[0114] In the third embodiment, in order to prevent the calculated value from decreasing, the user may order a bottle after the remaining ink level reaches zero and the printer 200 is no longer able to perform printing. When using the refill history, the calculated value does not change even if the user orders a bottle in advance before the remaining ink level becomes low. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the calculated value decreasing when ordering bottles in advance, which would reduce the number of selectable plans.

[0115] <Other variations> In the first to third embodiments, printer 200 is configured to perform printing using an inkjet method. Alternatively, printer 200 may be configured to form a toner image on a photosensitive member and transfer the formed toner image to printing paper using an electrophotographic method. In this case, printer 200 includes a photosensitive drum on which the photosensitive member is formed and a toner cartridge filled with toner. A remaining amount detection sensor that detects the remaining amount of toner is connected to the toner cartridge. CPU 260 of printer 200 calculates the amount of toner consumption based on the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining amount detection sensor, and stores the calculated amount in consumption history 212.

[0116] In the first to third embodiments, the determination process (S24) is configured to calculate a calculated value. However, instead of a value, a degree indicating the amount of ink consumption, such as "high," "medium," or "low," may be determined. For example, in the determination process (S24), as in the third modification, the total amount of ink consumed within three months from the time the determination process is executed is calculated. Next, if the calculated amount of ink consumption is more than twice the amount of ink consumption assumed by the manufacturer, the ink consumption degree is determined to be "high." If the calculated amount of ink consumption is less than 0.5 times the amount of ink consumption assumed by the manufacturer, the ink consumption degree is determined to be "low." If neither of these is true, the ink consumption degree is determined to be "medium." The determined consumption degree is recorded in the user table 112.

[0117] In this case, the purchase conditions include a degree of ink consumption, such as "high, medium, low," instead of a threshold value. For example, the purchase conditions are defined as "high, medium, low," "medium, low," and "low." "High, medium, low" means that the user can select a plan when the ink consumption degree determined in the determination process is "high," "medium," or "low." "Medium, low" means that the user can select a plan when the ink consumption degree determined in the determination process is "medium" or "low." "Low" means that the user can select a plan when the ink consumption degree determined in the determination process is "low."

[0118] In the first to third embodiments, five types of plans are stored in the plan table 113. Alternatively, there may be more than five types of plans. Conversely, there may be fewer than five types of plans.

[0119] In the first to third embodiments, the threshold included in the purchase condition is set to a larger value as the charge per printable sheet is lower, and the calculated value is calculated to be larger as the ink consumption is lower. Conversely, the threshold may be set to a smaller value as the charge per printable sheet is lower, and the calculated value may be calculated to be smaller as the ink consumption is lower. In this case, the purchase condition has the inequality sign reversed, such as "calculated value<threshold value." In the extraction process (S26), if the calculated value is smaller than the threshold, information on the printable sheet number and the charge amount is extracted.

[0120] In the first to third embodiments, the calculation value is calculated by adding or subtracting a fixed value of "0.02" in the determination process (S24). Alternatively, the addition or subtraction value may be changed depending on the difference between the ink consumption amount and the standard value. For example, the value obtained by subtracting the ink consumption amount from the standard value is added to the calculation value.

[0121] According to this modification, the value added to or subtracted from the calculated value in the determination process changes, so that the calculated value can be classified in more detail.

[0122] In the first to third embodiments, in the determination process (S24), the calculated value is calculated based on all ink consumption amounts recorded in the consumption history 212. Alternatively, only ink consumption amounts within a predetermined period may be used to calculate the calculated value. For example, after S53, the date and time are extracted from the information of the read line. The processes of S55 to S63 are executed only if the extracted date and time is within three months prior to the execution of the determination process.

[0123] In this modified example, even if there is a month in which ink consumption temporarily increases, the consumption history for that month is not used in calculating the calculated value after a certain period of time has passed. Therefore, even if the number of selectable plans decreases due to a temporary increase in ink consumption, the number of selectable plans will return to normal after the certain period of time, allowing you to once again feel like you are getting a good deal.

[0124] In the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, unselectable plans are not displayed. However, unselectable plans may be displayed. When unselectable plans are displayed, the unselectable plans are displayed darker than the selectable plans and are not displayed in a state where a user selection operation is not accepted. More specifically, the application program 321 stores the plan table 113 in advance and compares it with the information on the number of printable sheets and the charge amount transmitted from the server in S28. Plans whose information on the number of printable sheets and the charge amount received in S28 match are displayed as selectable plans in a state where a user selection operation is accepted. On the other hand, plans whose information on the number of printable sheets and the charge amount received in S28 do not match are displayed in a darker state than the selectable plans and are not displayed in a state where a user selection operation is accepted. This allows the user to compare all plans. Furthermore, seeing the number of unselectable plans can serve as an opportunity to reconsider the user's colorant consumption behavior.

[0125] In the first to third embodiments, the standard value is predetermined by the manufacturer of the printer 200. Alternatively, the standard value may be changed as appropriate by the system by calculating the ink consumption of all service subscribers or the average or median of the order interval.

[0126] In the first to third embodiments, the number of selectable plans increases when ink is saved. Alternatively, the number of selectable plans may increase when ink consumption is high. In this case, the process of S57 and the process of S61 in the determination process (S24) are swapped. In other words, if the ink consumption amount extracted in S55 is more than twice the standard value, "0.02" is added to the calculated value. If ink consumption is high, it is expected that the user is a heavy user who purchases the maximum number of prints multiple times. Therefore, heavy users of the printing service can be motivated to continue using the service.

[0127] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the spirit and technical concept of the present invention.

[0128] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above-mentioned embodiments and their modifications may be appropriately combined and used. Furthermore, the contents described for each example, such as the modifications of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, may be combined and modified within the applicable range.

[0129] <Correspondence between Examples and Invention> The memory 110 is an example of a "storage unit," and the CPU 120 is an example of a "control unit." Information indicating a user ID or a device ID is an example of "identification information." Information relating to the number of printable sheets and the charge amount stored in the plan table 113 is an example of "plan information." The consumption history 212 is an example of "history information." Ink is an example of a "colorant." Information relating to the number of printable sheets and the charge amount for plan A stored in the plan table 113 is an example of "first plan information." Information indicating the purchase conditions for plan A stored in the plan table 113 is an example of "first condition information," and "none (always)" is an example of a "first condition." Information relating to the number of printable sheets and the charge amount for plans B to E stored in the plan table 113 are examples of "second plan information" and "third plan information." Information indicating the purchase conditions for plans B to E stored in the plan table 113 is an example of "second condition information" and "third condition information," and conditions relating to calculated values ​​are examples of "second condition" and "third condition." The calculated value is an example of a "consumption degree." The threshold is an example of a "reference degree." S22 is an example of an "acquisition process." S24 is an example of a "determination process." Twice the standard value is an example of a "first judgment value." 0.5 times the standard value is an example of a "second judgment value." "0.02" is an example of a "fixed value." 0.5 times the standard value in embodiment 3 is an example of a "third judgment value." Twice the standard value in embodiment 3 is an example of a "fourth judgment value." Three months in other modified examples is an example of a "predetermined period." [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1 Printing System 100 servers 110 memory 120 CPU 130 Communication Interface 140 Bus 150 Touch Panel 200 printers 210 memory 220 Communication Interface 230 print head 240 ink tank 260 CPU 300 Terminal Equipment 310 Communication Interface 320 memory 330 CPU 340 Touch Panel 350 Bus 400 Network

Claims

1. A server capable of communicating with a printing device, A storage unit and a control unit are provided, The storage unit storing a plurality of plan information indicating combinations of the number of printable sheets and the amount of charge required to print the number of printable sheets; the plurality of plan information include first plan information linked to first condition information used to determine whether a first condition is met, that is, whether a selection is possible regardless of a consumption rate of colorant in the printing device, and second plan information linked to second condition information used to determine whether a second condition is met, that is, whether a selection is possible only in specific cases; The control unit an acquisition process for acquiring history information indicating a history of colorant consumption operations in the printing device; a determination process for determining the consumption degree based on the history information; a transmission process of transmitting the first plan information and the second plan information when the consumption degree determined in the determination process satisfies the second condition, and transmitting the first plan information but not transmitting the second plan information when the consumption degree determined in the determination process does not satisfy the second condition; A server that runs

2. The control unit In the transmission process, if the consumption degree determined in the determination process indicates that the consumption of the colorant is less than the reference degree included in the second condition, the first plan information and the second plan information are transmitted, and if the consumption degree determined in the determination process does not indicate that the consumption of the colorant is less than the reference degree included in the second condition, the first plan information is transmitted and the second plan information is not transmitted. The server of claim 1 .

3. the plurality of plan information includes third plan information linked to third condition information used to determine a third condition, and a reference degree included in the third condition indicates that consumption of colorant is less than a reference degree included in the second condition; The control unit In the transmission process, if the consumption degree determined in the determination process indicates that the consumption of the colorant is less than a reference degree included in the third condition, the third plan information is transmitted, and if the consumption degree determined in the determination process does not indicate that the consumption of the colorant is less than a reference degree included in the third condition, the third plan information is not transmitted. The server of claim 2.

4. The reference degree is a threshold value, the consumption degree determined in the determination process is a calculated value calculated based on the history information, In the transmission process, If the calculated value indicates that the consumption of the colorant is less than the threshold value included in the second condition, transmit the first plan information and the second plan information; if the calculated value does not indicate that the consumption of the colorant is less than the threshold value included in the second condition, transmit the first plan information but do not transmit the second plan information; Furthermore, if the calculated value indicates that the consumption of the colorant is less than the threshold value included in the third condition, the third plan information is transmitted, and if the calculated value does not indicate that the consumption of the colorant is less than the threshold value included in the third condition, the third plan information is not transmitted. The server of claim 3.

5. the threshold value is set to a larger value as the ratio of the charge amount to the printable number of sheets is smaller, The calculated value is smaller as the consumption of the colorant is greater, and is larger as the consumption of the colorant is less, In the transmission process, If the calculated value is greater than the threshold included in the second condition, transmit the first plan information and the second plan information; if the calculated value is equal to or less than the threshold included in the second condition, transmit the first plan information and do not transmit the second plan information; Furthermore, if the calculated value is greater than the threshold value included in the third condition, the third plan information is transmitted, and if the calculated value is equal to or less than the threshold value included in the third condition, the third plan information is not transmitted. The server of claim 4.

6. the history information indicates a history of the consumption amount of colorant for each print of the printing device, In the determination process, the control unit extracting the consumption amount from the history information, subtracting a fixed value from the calculated value if the consumption amount is equal to or greater than a first determination value, and adding the fixed value to the calculated value if the consumption amount is equal to or less than a second determination value, and calculating the calculated value, wherein the second determination value is smaller than the first determination value; The server of claim 5.

7. the history information indicates an order history of colorants to be provided in the printing device; In the determination process, the control unit calculating an order interval of the colorant from the order history, subtracting a fixed value from the calculated value if the order interval is equal to or less than a third judgment value, and adding the fixed value to the calculated value if the order interval is equal to or greater than a fourth judgment value, and calculating the calculated value, wherein the fourth judgment value is greater than the third judgment value; The server of claim 5.

8. the control unit determines the consumption degree of the colorant based on the history information within a predetermined period in the determination process. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The control unit When a request signal requesting the selectable plan information is received, the acquisition process is performed; In the determination process, the consumption degree is determined based on the history information linked to the identification information included in the request signal; Executing the transmission process in response to the request signal. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A program executable by a control unit of a server capable of communicating with a printing device, the server storing a plurality of plan information indicating combinations of printable numbers of sheets and charges required to print the printable number of sheets, the program storing first plan information linked to first condition information used to determine a first condition that a plan can be selected regardless of a consumption rate of colorant in the printing device, and second plan information linked to second condition information used to determine a second condition that a contract can be made only in specific cases, an acquisition process for acquiring history information indicating a history of colorant consumption operations in the printing device; a determination process for determining the consumption degree based on the history information; a transmission process of transmitting the first plan information and the second plan information when the consumption degree determined in the determination process satisfies the second condition, and transmitting the first plan information but not transmitting the second plan information when the consumption degree determined in the determination process does not satisfy the second condition; A program that executes the following.

11. A printing management method executed in a printing system in which a printing device and a server are communicatively connected, the server stores a plurality of plan information indicating combinations of printable sheets and charges required to print the printable sheets, and stores first plan information, which is the plan information linked to first condition information used to determine a first condition that a plan can be selected regardless of a consumption level of colorant in the printing device, and second plan information, which is the plan information linked to second condition information used to determine a second condition that a plan can be selected only in specific cases, an acquisition step of acquiring history information indicating a history of colorant consumption operations in the printing device; determining a consumption level of the colorant based on the historical information; a transmission step of transmitting the first plan information and the second plan information when the consumption degree determined in the determination step satisfies the second condition, and transmitting the first plan information but not transmitting the second plan information when the consumption degree determined in the determination step does not satisfy the second condition; A printing management method comprising:

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