Image forming apparatus, system, method of controlling image forming apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide a mechanism capable of preventing a user from suffering an unexpected disadvantage in an image forming apparatus with which a subscription contract is signed.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 101 which acquires contract information managed by a device management server 102 or a service management server 103 and receives provision of a service corresponding to the contract information, a CPU201 updates use state information of the image forming apparatus 101 (step S1104), extracts partial information from the contract information and the use state information (step S1106), and displays the partial information (step S1107).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a system, a control method for an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the introduction of subscription contracts, fixed-price services have become widespread, in which users who sign a service contract rent the device itself and consumables, eliminating initial investment and maintenance costs. In such contract-based flat-rate services, an image forming device communicates with a management server to obtain contract information indicating the status of the service contract from the server, and controls the image forming device according to the obtained contract information. In this case, for example, control of the image forming device may include restricting use of the image forming device until the image forming device completes service authentication to confirm that a service contract has been concluded.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that restricts the use of an image forming device when the number of copies exceeds the contracted number. Furthermore, a system has already been implemented that allows users to view and edit contract information managed by a server in the form of a dashboard viewable on a browser. This allows users to view contract information at any time from an information processing device such as a personal computer and change it as needed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-90825 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Furthermore, even image forming devices without a browser can view contract information by acquiring contract information managed by a server in the form of a dashboard and displaying the acquired contract information on a display device. However, image forming device displays have limited display space, so they may not always be able to display contract information equivalent to a dashboard. For this reason, when copying or USB printing using an image forming device, if a user prints without viewing the information in the form of a dashboard and understanding the image forming device's usage status, they may suffer unexpected disadvantages. For example, copying unimportant documents may cause the monthly print limit to be reached, making it impossible to copy important documents that were scheduled to be printed later.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a mechanism that can prevent users from suffering unexpected disadvantages when using an image forming apparatus with which a subscription contract has been concluded. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that acquires contract information managed by a server and receives services according to the contract information, and is characterized by comprising an update means for updating usage information of the image forming apparatus, an extraction means for extracting a portion of information from the contract information and the usage information, and a display means for displaying the portion of information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a user from suffering unexpected disadvantages when using an image forming apparatus with which a subscription contract has been concluded. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic hardware configuration of a device management server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic hardware configuration of a service management server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic hardware configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram in the first embodiment from when a user concludes a service contract until the service of the service contract becomes available on the image forming device, and further until some of the contract information of the service contract can be displayed on the image forming device. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of contract information of a service contract in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sequence up to a dashboard display on an information processing device when printing is performed on an image forming device during a service contract in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of usage status information in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a partial display of usage status information and contract information in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a process from printing to partial information display processing in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram relating to a change of contract information of a service contract in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen intended to display more detailed information than the partial display of usage status information and contract information in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence relating to acquisition of contract information from a device management server in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of contract information for each of a plurality of service contracts in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of account information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram from an operation request for account information to a partial information display process in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a login screen and a status confirmation screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of partial display of usage status information and each contract information in the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of contract-based display-related settings in the third embodiment. [Figure 21] 11 is a flowchart showing a process from printing to partial information display processing in the third embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which part of the usage information and contract information is displayed in the status line in a modified example. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a pop-up screen in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, not all of the combinations of features described in each of the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Furthermore, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in each of the embodiments. For example, each component constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can perform the same function. Furthermore, any component may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of each embodiment can be combined.

[0011] First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 14. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system. The information processing system 100 (system) has an image forming apparatus 101, a device management server 102 (server), a service management server 103 (server), and an information processing apparatus 104. The image forming apparatus 101, the device management server 102, the service management server 103, and the information processing apparatus 104 are communicably connected via a communication network 105 such as the Internet. The image forming apparatus 101 stores contract information in a storage (204 in Fig. 2) described later, and controls the image forming apparatus 101 in accordance with the stored contract information.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 101 receives contract information by communicating with the device management server 102 via the communication network 105. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 101 transmits usage status information and various setting information of the image forming apparatus 101 in response to requests from the device management server 102 or the information processing apparatus 104. Note that in the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 will be described as an example of a multifunction peripheral having a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, etc. However, the image forming apparatus 101 is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, and may be an apparatus having one or more functions of a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, a fax function, etc.

[0013] The device management server 102 holds the contract information notified by the service management server 103, and provides the contract information to the image forming apparatus 101 based on the held contract information. The device management server 102 also holds the usage status information and various setting information notified by the image forming apparatus 101, and provides the usage status information and various setting information to the service management server 103 based on the held usage status information and various setting information. The information processing apparatus 104 requests the image forming apparatus 101 to transmit the usage status information and various setting information of the image forming apparatus 101, and receives the usage status information and various setting information of the image forming apparatus 101 from the image forming apparatus 101.

[0014] The information processing device 104 can display the usage status information and various setting information of the image forming device 101 received from the image forming device 101 on various browsers, and can also change the setting information. Furthermore, the information processing device 104 performs user authentication with the service management server 103, requests contract information of a service contract concluded by the authenticated user from the service management server 103, and receives the contract information. The information processing device 104 can display the contract information received from the service management server 103 on various browsers, and can also make inquiries and various requests regarding the service contract.

[0015] The communication network 105 may be configured to be connected wirelessly to an access point (not shown) as long as it has a network configuration that allows the transmission of image data and the like. A communication protocol such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (hereinafter referred to as "HTTP") is used for communication between the image forming apparatus 101, the device management server 102, the service management server 103, and the information processing apparatus 104. A known method is used to control communication between the image forming apparatus 101, the device management server 102, the service management server 103, and the information processing apparatus 104. Note that, although the device management server 102 is used for communication between the image forming apparatus 101 and the service management server 103, this is not a limitation. For example, the image forming apparatus 101 and the service management server 103 may directly exchange contract information and the like via the communication network 105. Note that details of the contract information and details of control of the image forming apparatus 101 performed in accordance with the contract information will be described later.

[0016] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 has a control unit 200. The control unit 200 has a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage 204, an operation unit I / F 205, a reading unit I / F 206, a printing unit I / F 207, an external storage I / F 208, and a communication unit I / F 209. The image forming apparatus 101 also has an operation unit 210, a reading unit 211, and a printing unit 212. The control unit 200 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 101 using the CPU 201 and other components. The CPU 201 is a computer that performs various types of control, such as reading control and printing control, by reading a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the storage 204 into the RAM 203 and executing it.

[0017] The ROM 202 stores control programs and the like. The ROM 202 also stores boot programs, font data, and the like. The RAM 203 is the main memory of the CPU 201 and is used as a work area. The RAM 203 is also used as a temporary storage area for expanding various control programs stored in the ROM 202 or the storage 204. The storage 204 stores image data, print data, an address book, various programs, account information, various setting information, and the like. The storage 204 also stores contract information notified from the device management server 102 via the communication unit I / F 209.

[0018] In the first embodiment, it is assumed that a flash memory is used as the storage 204, but an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD, HDD, or eMMC may also be used. In the image forming apparatus 101, one CPU 201 executes each process described below using one memory (RAM 203), but this is not limiting. For example, each process described below may be executed by multiple CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages working together. Also, some of the processes may be executed by hardware circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs.

[0019] The operation unit I / F 205 connects the control unit 200 to the operation unit 210. The operation unit 210 includes, for example, a display unit such as a touch panel and hard keys, and displays information to the user and detects input from the user. The reading unit I / F 206 connects the control unit 200 to the reading unit 211. The reading unit 211 is, for example, a scanner that reads an image of a document. The image read by the reading unit 211 is converted into image data such as binary data by the CPU 201. Furthermore, the CPU 201 performs encryption and image processing on the image data converted into binary data or the like in accordance with settings at the time of reading. The image data generated through various processes in this manner is sent to the device management server 102 or the like, printed on recording paper by the printing unit 212, or stored in the external storage device 213. Furthermore, the reading unit I / F 206 stores status information relating to the reading unit 211, including the reading operation status and error information, in the RAM 203, and notifies the CPU 201 of the status information.

[0020] Printing unit I / F 207 connects control unit 200 to printing unit 212. Printing unit 212 is, for example, a printer. CPU 201 transfers image data to be printed (image data to be printed) to printing unit 212 via printing unit I / F 207. Printing unit 212 prints an image based on the transferred image data on recording paper fed from a paper feed cassette (not shown). Printing unit I / F 207 also stores status information related to printing unit 212, including the printing operation status and error information, in RAM 203 and notifies CPU 201 of the status information.

[0021] The external storage I / F 208 connects the control unit 200 to the external storage device 213. The CPU 201 saves image data in the external storage device 213 via the external storage I / F 208. In the first embodiment, a USB interface and a USB memory are assumed as the external storage I / F 208 and the external storage device 213. An SD card or the like may also be used as the external storage device 213. The communication unit I / F 209 connects the control unit 200 to the communication network 105. The communication unit I / F 209 can transmit various types of information within the image forming apparatus 101 to the device management server 102, the service management server 103, and the information processing device 104.

[0022] The various types of information within the image forming apparatus 101 refer to various types of setting information related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 101 (printing, account control, etc.), and usage status information including the number of pages printed by the image forming apparatus 101 and error information. The communication unit I / F 209 also receives requests to refer to various types of information within the image forming apparatus 101 and requests to change setting information from the device management server 102 and the information processing apparatus 104, reads various types of information from the storage 204, and changes setting information. A Web server application that processes HTTP transmits various types of information to the device management server 102 and the information processing apparatus 104, and receives requests to change contract information and setting information from the device management server 102 and the information processing apparatus 104.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a schematic hardware configuration of the device management server 102. The device management server 102 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a storage 304, and a communication interface 305. The CPU 301 is a computer that performs processes such as calculation, determination, and control of data and commands in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302 or the storage 304. The ROM 302 stores the control program and other programs. The RAM 303 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 301 performs various processes. The storage 304 stores an operating system (OS), application software, and control programs. The storage 304 also stores usage status information, various setting information (not shown), and service contract information for the image forming apparatus 101 (described below). The communication interface 305 exchanges data with devices on the same network or the Internet using a wireless LAN or a wired LAN compatible with standards such as IEEE802.11a, using protocols such as TCP / IP.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic hardware configuration of the service management server 103. The service management server 103 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a storage 404, and a communication interface 405. The schematic hardware configuration of the service management server 103 is similar to that of the device management server 102 described above. However, unlike the device management server 102, the service management server 103 operates controls for managing various services. For example, if a service contract concluded by a user provides for the use of a main unit and consumables for a fixed period of time at a fixed price, the service management server 103 has a dashboard function for clearly displaying the contract details and processing for automatic delivery of the main unit and consumables that have reached the end of their service life. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of the device management server 102 described above, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] 3 and 4 are not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be configured such that the services that can be provided by the device management server 102 or the service management server 103 are realized by a server on the cloud. Also, the device management server 102 and the service management server 103 do not have to be configured by a single server each. In other words, the functions provided by the device management server 102 and the service management server 103 may be realized by a server system consisting of three or more servers, or by a single server that aggregates all of the functions.

[0026] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic hardware configuration of the information processing device 104. The information processing device 104 has a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a storage 504, an operation unit I / F 505, a display unit I / F 506, and a communication unit I / F 507. The CPU 501 is a computer that realizes each function of the information processing device 104 by controlling the various hardware components 502 to 507 that constitute the information processing device 104. The CPU 501 sends signals to the various hardware components 502 to 507 via a bus line, and also realizes mutual data communication with other hardware components.

[0027] Furthermore, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the information processing device 104 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 502. More specifically, the CPU 501 executes an OS that controls the information processing device 104. Application programs arranged on the OS then interact with each other to perform the operation and control of functions desired by the user. The OS and various programs are stored in the ROM 502 and are executed by being read out in the RAM 503. The ROM 502 is a memory for storing the control program and various data used by the CPU 501.

[0028] The RAM 503 is a work memory for temporarily storing programs and data used by the CPU 501 for calculations. The storage 504 is a storage device in which various data and programs are saved. In the first embodiment, the storage 504 is assumed to be an HDD, but may be another non-volatile storage device such as an SSD. The operation unit I / F 505 connects the information processing device 104 to an operation unit 508. The operation unit 508 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit I / F 506 connects the information processing device 104 to a display unit 509. The display unit 509 is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0029] The communication unit I / F 507 is, for example, a network I / F for performing wired LAN communication. The communication unit I / F 507 may be a network I / F for performing wireless LAN communication, or may be a USB I / F or the like. In the first embodiment, the information processing device 104 is assumed to be a personal computer, and therefore the operation unit 508 and the display unit 509 are described as not being included in the information processing device 104. However, if the information processing device 104 is a smartphone or the like, the operation unit 508 and the display unit 509 will be configured to be included in the information processing device 104, but the present invention can be applied even in such a case.

[0030] 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process from when a user concludes a service contract to when the service under the service contract becomes available on the image forming apparatus 101 and further when some of the contract information under the service contract becomes displayable on the image forming apparatus 101. Each step of the image forming apparatus 101 in FIG. 6 is implemented by the CPU 201 loading a control program read from the ROM 202 or storage 204 into the RAM 203 and executing it. Each step of the device management server 102 in FIG. 6 is implemented by the CPU 301 loading a control program read from the ROM 302 or storage 304 into the RAM 303 and executing it. Each step of the service management server 103 in FIG. 6 is implemented by the CPU 401 loading a control program read from the ROM 402 or storage 404 into the RAM 403 and executing it. Each step of the information processing apparatus 104 in FIG. 6 is implemented by the CPU 501 loading a control program read from the ROM 502 into the RAM 503 and executing it. These points also apply to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 8, 12, 14, and 17, which will be described later.

[0031] The following describes an example in which a user uses information processing device 104 to access a system that manages services and concludes a service contract. The service of the service contract concluded by the user is a service that allows the main body of image forming device 101 and consumables (such as toner cartridges and drum cartridges) attached to image forming device 101 to be used for a fixed period of time at a fixed price. In other words, the service contract concluded by the user is a subscription contract for image forming device 101. Furthermore, the consumables covered by the service contract are toner cartridges and drum cartridges, but may also be other parts replaceable by the user, such as a cassette for feeding paper or a fixing unit. Furthermore, the user does not have to be only a person who uses the service, but may also be a worker who performs work such as initial installation and maintenance.

[0032] In step S601, the user accesses a system that manages services on the service management server 103 using the information processing device 104 and concludes a service contract on the system. In step S602, in response to the user concluding the service contract on the service management server 103, the CPU 401 performs a service registration process that links the user information with the image forming device 101. The user information includes contract information (hereinafter simply referred to as "contract information") of the service contract concluded by the user. The contents of the service registration process are saved in the storage 404. In step S603, when the service registration process is completed on the service management server 103, the service provider delivers the image forming device 101 registered in step S602 to the user.

[0033] In step S604, when the user receives the image forming apparatus 101, the user unpacks the image forming apparatus 101 and then begins initial installation of the image forming apparatus 101. In step S605, in the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 201 performs initial installation processing in accordance with the user's instructions for initial installation of the image forming apparatus 101. In this initial installation processing, the CPU 201 performs initial settings such as network settings for connecting to the Internet. In step S606, in the image forming apparatus 101, when network connection is completed through initial settings, the CPU 201 communicates a device registration request to the device management server 102. In communicating this device registration request, the CPU 201 transmits identification information such as the product serial number of the image forming apparatus 101 together with the device registration request. Note that the device registration request may be communicated to the device management server 102 from the information processing apparatus 104 or a smartphone (not shown) instead of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0034] In step S607, in device management server 102, in response to the image forming apparatus 101 communicating a device registration request, CPU 301 performs device registration processing based on the identification information received from image forming apparatus 101. Furthermore, when the registration processing is completed in device management server 102, CPU 301 returns the registration result to image forming apparatus 101. In step S608, in device management server 102, CPU 301 notifies service management server 103 that device registration is complete. At this time, CPU 301 transmits identification information such as the product serial number of image forming apparatus 101 along with the device registration completion notification to service management server 103. Note that if service management server 103 is made up of multiple servers, this device registration completion notification may be configured to be sent to the server responsible for each service.

[0035] In step S609, in the service management server 103, in response to the device management server 102 notifying the device management server 102 of the completion of device registration, the CPU 401 notifies the device management server 102 of contract information. In this contract information notification, the CPU 401 notifies the device management server 102 of contract information (for example, 700 in FIG. 7 , described later) linked to the image forming apparatus 101. In the first embodiment, the contract information is information related to the contract, including information for determining that a contract has been concluded for use in activation after initial configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. Details of the contract information will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. In the device management server 102, the CPU 301 saves the contract information notified from the service management server 103 in the storage 304.

[0036] In step S610, the CPU 201 in the image forming apparatus 101 communicates a contract information acquisition request to the device management server 102. Furthermore, in the device management server 102, upon receiving the contract information acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 301 (transmission means) notifies the image forming apparatus 101 of the contract information stored in the storage 304 in an HTTP response. Note that in the first embodiment, only one piece of contract information for a service contract is provided, but if a user has concluded multiple service contracts, the contract information for the multiple service contracts may be notified collectively.

[0037] In step S611, the CPU 201 (receiving means) of the image forming apparatus 101 receives contract information from the device management server 102 and stores the received contract information in the storage 204. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 201 reflects control according to the received contract information in subsequent control of the image forming apparatus 101. Specifically, for example, once the CPU 201 confirms that a service contract has been concluded, it releases the previously restricted functions of the image forming apparatus 101 related to the service of the service contract, making them available to the user. In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 is provided on the condition that the user has concluded a service contract. Therefore, until it is confirmed in step S611 that the service contract has been concluded, all basic functions of the image forming apparatus 101, such as the printing function, scanning function, and copying function, are restricted. Then, after step S611, these functions become available according to the contract information of the service contract whose conclusion has been confirmed.

[0038] In step S612, the CPU 201 performs partial information display processing in the image forming apparatus 101. In this partial information display processing, the CPU 201 displays part of the usage status information and contract information on the operation unit 210. Similar processing to this partial information display processing is performed in step S804 in FIG. 8, which will be described later. Therefore, a detailed description of this partial information display processing will be made in conjunction with the description of step S804 in FIG. 8, which will be described later.

[0039] 7 is a diagram showing an example of contract information for a service contract. In the first embodiment, contract information 700 for a service contract (hereinafter simply referred to as "contract information 700") includes contract plan information 701, contract device information 702, first contract consumables information 703, and second contract consumables information 704. Note that the contract information 700 may include other information, or may include contract consumables information other than the first and second contract consumables information 703 and 704. Furthermore, since the contract information 700 is information linked to the service contract, it is updated when the user changes the service contract. However, as long as the information is linked to the service contract, it may include information that changes even if the user does not change the service contract.

[0040] Contract plan information 701 is information relating to the contract plan of the service contract concluded by the user. Contract name 711 is information indicating the contract name of the service contract concluded by the user. Contract number 712 is an ID issued when the service contract is concluded, and is information for uniquely identifying the service contract. The contract number 712 is also information used by CPU 201 of image forming apparatus 101 in step S611 to determine that a service contract has been concluded.

[0041] The contract start date 713 is information indicating the start date of the contract period of the service contract agreed upon with the user. The information indicated by the contract start date 713 also coincides with the start date of use of the image forming apparatus 101. The contract end date 714 is information indicating the scheduled end date of the contract period of the service contract agreed upon with the user when the service contract was concluded. Unless the user requests mid-contract cancellation or renewal of the service contract, the date indicated by the information on the contract end date 714 will be the end date of the contract period of the service contract. If the service contract is renewed, the contract end date 714 is also updated accordingly. The contract plan 715 is information indicating the fee plan determined for each service contract.

[0042] The print limit number 716 is information indicating the maximum number of pages that can be printed, as determined for each service contract. Some service contracts set a monthly print limit, such as 30 pages per month. Whether printing becomes impossible when the number of pages printed reaches the limit, or whether printing becomes possible if the user pays a specified amount per page, differs for each service contract. In the first embodiment, printing becomes impossible when the number of pages printed reaches the limit. Note that if a service contract with no print limit is concluded, any number of pages can be printed per month.

[0043] The contracted device serial number 717 is the serial number of a device for which a service contract is valid. In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 is a device supplied by a service provider. Therefore, the contracted device serial number 717 is information indicating the serial number of the image forming apparatus 101 delivered to the user by the service provider. Note that, when a user purchases the image forming apparatus 101 and concludes a service contract that allows the use of only consumables at a fixed price, the contracted device serial number 717 is information indicating the serial number of the image forming apparatus 101 that the user registered when the service contract was concluded.

[0044] The contracted device information 702 is information about the image forming device 101 supplied by the service provider. Note that if a user purchases the image forming device 101 and concludes a service contract that allows the use of only consumables at a fixed price, the contracted device information 702 is not included in the contracted information 700. The contracted device serial number 721 is information that indicates the same thing as the contracted device serial number 717.

[0045] The estimated lifespan 722 is information indicating the number of pages that the image forming apparatus 101 can print while maintaining a predetermined standard of print quality in a typical usage environment and method, as a number of pages specified by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 101. Depending on the usage environment, usage method, and individual differences in the image forming apparatus 101, it may be possible to print more pages than the estimated lifespan 722, or it may be possible that print quality will deteriorate if the number of pages printed is less than the estimated lifespan 722. For this reason, the estimated lifespan 722 is merely information indicating a guideline value. The planned main body replacement date 723 is information indicating the planned date for replacing the image forming apparatus 101. In the first embodiment, the planned main body replacement date 723 is the same date as the contract expiration date 714, but depending on the service contract plan, it may be a date earlier than the contract expiration date 714.

[0046] The automatic delivery contract 724 is information indicating whether a service contract for automatic delivery of the image forming apparatus 101 has been concluded when the image forming apparatus 101 main body is replaced. The user can select whether to have the main body automatically delivered when concluding the service contract, and can change the contract during the service contract. If automatic delivery of the main body is not performed, the user requests a replacement of the main body from the service provider and specifies a convenient date for the replacement. In the first embodiment, the automatic delivery contract 724 is set to "None." Replacing the main body requires the user to perform tasks such as transferring the image forming apparatus 101 settings, and a temporary storage location for the automatically delivered main body must be secured. Therefore, if the main body is automatically delivered at a time the user does not intend, the user may be confused. Users who do not want such a situation are expected to set the automatic delivery contract 724 to "None."

[0047] The automatic delivery estimate 725 is information indicating the conditions for automatic delivery of the main unit when the automatic delivery contract 724 is set to "Yes." In the first embodiment, the automatic delivery contract 724 is set to "No," so the condition for automatic delivery of the main unit is set to "-." The "-" indicates that there are no conditions. Note that possible conditions for automatic delivery of the main unit include, for example, "when the number of printed sheets reaches XXXX sheets" or "three days before the scheduled date for replacement of the main unit."

[0048] The first contracted consumable information 703 is information related to the first consumable provided to the user in accordance with the service contract. In the first embodiment, the first contracted consumable information 703 is information related to a toner cartridge. The estimated lifespan 731 is information indicating an estimated lifespan value related to the toner cartridge. A detailed description of the estimated lifespan 731 is omitted here, as it is similar to the estimated lifespan 722. The automatic delivery contract 732 is information indicating whether a service contract for automatic delivery of the first consumable has been concluded. In the first embodiment, the automatic delivery contract 732 is set to "Yes." The automatic delivery estimate 733 is information indicating the conditions for automatic delivery of the first consumable when the automatic delivery contract 732 is set to "Yes." In the first embodiment, the automatic delivery estimate 733 is set to "toner cartridge remaining amount: 10%." Information on the remaining amount of the toner cartridge is notified from the image forming apparatus 101 to the device management server 102 and the service management server 103 as usage status information (e.g., 900 in FIG. 9 , described later).

[0049] Second contract consumable information 704 is information relating to second consumables provided to the user in accordance with a service contract. In the first embodiment, second contract consumable information 704 is information relating to drum cartridges. Estimated life 741 is information indicating an estimated life value for a drum cartridge. A detailed explanation of estimated life 741 will be omitted as it is similar to estimated life 722. Automatic delivery contract 742 is information indicating whether a service contract for automatic delivery of second consumables has been concluded. Automatic delivery estimate 743 is information indicating the conditions for automatic delivery of second consumables when automatic delivery contract 742 is set to "Yes." A detailed explanation of automatic delivery contract 742 and automatic delivery estimate 743 will be omitted as they are similar to automatic delivery contract 724 and automatic delivery estimate 725.

[0050] 8 is a sequence diagram showing a process up to a dashboard display on the information processing device 104 when printing is performed on the image forming device 101 during the service contract. In step S801, the user of the information processing device 104 communicates a print execution request to the image forming device 101. Note that the first embodiment takes as an example a case where a print execution request is made from the operation unit 508 of the information processing device 104. However, the print execution request in step S801 is not limited to this, and includes all print execution requests, such as a request to copy a document made on the operation unit 210 of the image forming device 101, for example.

[0051] In step S802, in response to a print execution request transmitted by the user in the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 201 uses the printing unit 212 to execute printing in accordance with the print settings of the print job when the print execution request was transmitted in step S801. In step S803, when the print execution is completed in the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 201 executes a usage information update process. In this usage information update process, the CPU 201 updates the usage information of the image forming apparatus 101, which changes each time one page is printed.

[0052] 9 is a diagram showing an example of usage status information. In the first embodiment, usage status information 900 is stored in the storage 204 and includes print counter information 901 and consumable remaining amount information 902. Note that the usage status information 900 may also include other information obtainable by the image forming apparatus 101. In the first embodiment, print counter information 901 includes device total print count 911, monthly print count 912, and total print counts 913, 914, 915, and 916 for four-color drum cartridges. Furthermore, consumable remaining amount information 902 includes remaining amounts 921, 922, 923, and 924 for four-color toner cartridges.

[0053] In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 uses all the YMCK drum cartridges and toner cartridges when printing in color, and only the K drum cartridge and toner cartridge when printing in monochrome. Therefore, in the usage status information 900, only the total number of printed pages 916 for the K drum cartridge is greater than the total number of printed pages 913, 914, and 915 for the YMC drum cartridges, and matches the total number of printed pages on the device 911. The monthly number of printed pages 912 is information indicating the number of pages printed this month. The value of the monthly number of printed pages 912 increases along with the total number of printed pages on the device 911 and is reset to 0 each month. In the first embodiment, the service contract begins on January 23rd, as indicated by the contract start date 713. Therefore, the value of the monthly number of printed pages 912 accumulates from January 23rd to February 22nd and is reset to 0 on February 23rd. Thereafter, the monthly number of printed pages 912 is similarly processed each month.

[0054] Returning to the description of Fig. 8, in step S804, CPU 201 performs partial information display processing in image forming apparatus 101. In this partial information display processing, CPU 201 displays part of usage information 900 and contract information 700 on operation unit 210 of image forming apparatus 101 as needed, based on usage information 900 updated in step S803. At this time, CPU 201 displays important information (for example, monthly print count 912) selected from usage information 900 on operation unit 210 in order to notify the user of necessary information within the limited display area of ​​operation unit 210.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a partial display of the usage status information 900 and the contract information 700. FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the operation unit 210 on which a portion of the usage status information 900 and the contract information 700 is displayed. FIG. 10A is a home screen 1000. FIG. 10B is a copy basic screen 1001. The home screen 1000 has buttons that serve as entrances to various functions, such as a menu button 1010 and a copy button 1011. When the copy button 1011 is pressed, the home screen 1000 transitions to a copy basic screen 1001 (transition screen). The copy basic screen 1001 has buttons for making various settings for copying. Examples of such buttons include a black and white start button 1012 and a color start button 1013.

[0056] Both the home screen 1000 and the basic copy screen 1001 have a status line 1014, a status check button 1015 for transitioning to a status check screen (for example, 1200 in FIG. 12 described below), and a monthly print status 1016. The status line 1014 is an area for displaying messages related to various warnings and errors. In the first embodiment, the information displayed on the status line 1014 is switched at regular intervals, thereby enabling the display of numerous warnings and errors.

[0057] The monthly printing status 1016 has a numerator that is the monthly print count 912 from the usage status information 900 and a denominator that is the print limit 716 from the contract information 700, and displays the actual print results and print limit for this month. In the first embodiment, it is emphasized that it would be disadvantageous to the user if the monthly print count 912, which is information related to the number of prints, reaches the print limit 716 at a timing unexpected by the user, and therefore the monthly printing status 1016 is displayed in this manner on the operation unit 210. Note that in the first embodiment, two screens, the home screen 1000 and the copy basic screen 1001, are given as examples of screens that display part of the usage status information 900 and contract information 700, but other screens (transition screens) may also be displayed.

[0058] Returning to the description of FIG. 8 , in step S804, the CPU 201 in the image forming apparatus 101 updates the display of the monthly printing status 1016 based on the contract information 700 stored in the storage 204 and the usage status information 900 updated in step S803. In the first embodiment, the monthly print count 912 and the print limit 716 are displayed in fractional notation as part of the usage status information 900 and the contract information 700, but this is not limited to this, and other information may also be displayed. The entire usage status information 900 and the contract information 700 may also be displayed. A detailed description of the processing flow of the image forming apparatus 101 from step S802 to step S804 will be provided separately in the description of the flowchart in FIG. 11 , which will be described later.

[0059] In step S805, the CPU 201 in the image forming apparatus 101 notifies the device management server 102 of usage status information 900 each time printing of one page requested in step S801 is completed. In the first embodiment, the usage status information 900 is notified for each page, but it may be notified at different intervals (for example, every five pages). The usage status information 900 may also be notified collectively after all printing has been completed. In this case, for example, if 1000 pages are printed as one print job, the usage status information 900 is notified after the 1000 pages have been printed. This would delay the service management server 103's automatic delivery arrangements and the detection of the lifespan of the device and consumables, so it is better to notify the usage status information 900 frequently.

[0060] In step S806, the CPU 301 in the device management server 102 performs a usage status information update process. In this usage status information update process, the CPU 301 updates the usage status information 900 of the image forming apparatus 101 managed by the storage 304 based on the usage status information 900 notified in step S805. In step S807, the CPU 301 in the device management server 102 notifies the service management server 103 of the usage status information 900 updated in step S806. In step S808, the CPU 401 in the service management server 103 performs a usage status information update process. In this usage status information update process, the CPU 401 updates the usage status information 900 of the image forming apparatus 101 managed by the storage 404 based on the usage status information 900 notified in step S807.

[0061] In step S809, the CPU 401 in the service management server 103 performs a dashboard update process. In this dashboard update process, the CPU 401 updates the dashboard information using the usage information 900 updated in step S808. The dashboard information is a collection of information to be displayed on a dashboard. In step S810, the CPU 501 in the information processing device 104 communicates a dashboard information acquisition request to the service management server 103. This communication of the dashboard information acquisition request is made when a user uses the information processing device 104 at any timing to access a system that manages services and view dashboard information.

[0062] In step S811, in the service management server 103, in response to the information processing device 104 communicating a dashboard information acquisition request, the CPU 401 notifies the information processing device 104 of the dashboard information. In step S812, in the information processing device 104, the CPU 501 performs a dashboard display update process. In this dashboard display update process, the CPU 501 displays the dashboard information on the display unit 509 based on the dashboard information notified in step S811. Note that how the dashboard information is specifically displayed on the display unit 509 of the information processing device 104 is not the essence of the present invention, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted and not shown.

[0063] The usage status information update process and partial information display process in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the process from print execution to partial information display process in the image forming apparatus 101. In other words, the flowchart in Fig. 11 describes in detail each process from step S802 to step S804 in Fig. 8. Each step in Fig. 11 (control method of the image forming apparatus) is realized in the image forming apparatus 101 by the CPU 201 (computer) loading a control program (program) read from the ROM 202 or storage 204 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

[0064] In step S1101, CPU 201 uses print unit 212 to execute printing in accordance with the print settings of the print job when the print execution request was communicated in step S801. In step S1102, CPU 201 determines whether the print job has ended due to printing all pages or stopping due to an error. If CPU 201 determines that the print job has ended due to printing all pages or stopping due to an error, this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if CPU 201 determines that the print job has not ended due to printing all pages or stopping due to an error, the process proceeds to step S1103.

[0065] In step S1103, CPU 201 determines whether printing of one page has been completed. If CPU 201 determines that printing of one page has not been completed, the process returns to step S1102. On the other hand, if CPU 201 determines that printing of one page has been completed, the process proceeds to step S1104. In step S1104, CPU 201 (updating means) updates usage status information 900 (updating step). In this process, CPU 201 adds 1 to the value of information belonging to print counter information 901 of usage status information 900 as necessary. For example, when black monochrome printing is being performed, 1 is added to each of the values ​​of device total print count 911, monthly print count 912, and drum cartridge (K) total print count 916.

[0066] In step S1105, CPU 201 determines whether the screen currently displayed on operation unit 210 is a screen displaying a portion of usage information 900 and contract information 700. If CPU 201 determines that the screen currently displayed on operation unit 210 is not a screen displaying a portion of usage information 900 and contract information 700, the process returns to step S1102. On the other hand, if CPU 201 determines that the screen currently displayed on operation unit 210 is a screen displaying a portion of usage information 900 and contract information 700, the process proceeds to step S1106. Note that in the first embodiment, if the screen currently displayed on operation unit 210 is the home screen 1000 or the copy basic screen 1001, it is determined that the screen is a screen displaying a portion of usage information 900 and contract information 700. On the other hand, if the screen currently displayed on the operation unit 210 is other than the home screen 1000 or the copy basic screen 1001, it is determined that the screen is not a screen that displays part of the usage information 900 and the contract information 700.

[0067] In step S1106, CPU 201 (extraction means) extracts information necessary for partial display from usage status information 900 and contract information 700 (extraction process). In the first embodiment, the values ​​(partial information) of monthly print count 912 and upper print limit 716 are extracted from usage status information 900 and contract information 700 saved in storage 204. In step S1107, CPU 201 (display means) updates the partial display of usage status information 900 and contract information 700 displayed on operation unit 210 (display process). At this time, CPU 201 updates the partial display by replacing the values ​​constituting monthly print status 1016 with the values ​​extracted in step S1106. Thereafter, processing returns to step S1102.

[0068] 12 is a sequence diagram related to a change in contract information 700. In step S1201, the user of the information processing device 104 communicates a dashboard information acquisition request to the service management server 103. In step S1202, in response to the user's communication of the dashboard information acquisition request at the service management server 103, the CPU 401 notifies the information processing device 104 of the dashboard information. In step S1203, the CPU 501 of the information processing device 104 performs a dashboard display update process. In this dashboard display update process, the CPU 501 displays the dashboard information on the display unit 509 based on the dashboard information notified in step S1202.

[0069] In step S1204, the user of the information processing device 104 notifies the service management server 103 of a change to the contract information 700 based on the dashboard information displayed on the display unit 509. In the first embodiment, the contract plan 715, the contract name 711 linked to the contract plan 715, and the maximum print count 716 of the contract information 700 are changeable. In step S1205, the CPU 401 performs a contract information update process in the service management server 103. In this contract information update process, the CPU 401 updates the contract information 700 stored in the storage 304 based on the change to the contract information 700 notified in step S1204.

[0070] In step S1206, the CPU 401 in the service management server 103 performs a dashboard information update process. In this dashboard information update process, the CPU 401 updates the dashboard information based on the contract information 700 updated in step S1205. In step S1207, the CPU 401 in the service management server 103 notifies the device management server 102 of the contract information 700, similar to step S609. In the device management server 102, the CPU 301 saves the contract information 700 notified from the service management server 103 in the storage 304.

[0071] In step S1208, CPU 301 in device management server 102 notifies image forming apparatus 101 of contract information 700. In image forming apparatus 101, CPU 201 stores contract information 700 in storage 204, similar to step S611 described above. In steps S1209 and S1210, CPU 201 in image forming apparatus 101 performs processing to release function restrictions and display partial information. Steps S1209 and S1210 are similar to steps S611 and S612 described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The detailed display of the usage status information 900 and the contract information 700 in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen intended to display more detailed information than the partial display of the usage status information 900 and the contract information 700 performed in step S804 or the like. In the first embodiment, all of the contract information 700 is displayed on the operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 101 using six screens shown in FIGS. 13A to 13F. The six screens shown in FIGS. 13A to 13F are a status check screen 1300, a subscription information screen 1301, a contract plan information screen 1302, a contract device information screen 1303, a first contract consumables information screen 1304, and a second contract consumables information screen 1305. Note that, although the contract information 700 is displayed on the operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 101 in the first embodiment, the number of screens and information displayed may be increased or decreased, for example, the usage status information 900 may also be displayed.

[0073] 13A is a screen that serves as an entrance for displaying various screens related to the status of the image forming apparatus 101. The status check screen 1300 is a screen that is displayed when the user presses and selects (predetermined operation) a status check button 1015 (predetermined button) on the home screen 1000, the basic copy screen 1001, or the like shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. The status check screen 1300 may also be displayed when the user presses and selects (predetermined operation) a display area (first display area) for the monthly print status 1016 on the home screen 1000, the basic copy screen 1001, or the like shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. When the user presses a close button 1311, the status check screen 1300 transitions to the original screen, such as the home screen 1000 or the basic copy screen 1001.

[0074] 13B is a screen that is displayed when the user presses a subscription information button 1312 on the status check screen 1300. The subscription information screen 1301 transitions to the status check screen 1300 when the user presses a back button 1313. In the first embodiment, the user can view each piece of information in the contract information 700 by pressing each of the buttons 1314 to 1317 on the subscription information screen 1301. That is, when the user presses each of the buttons 1314 to 1317 in addition to the status check button 1015 described above, the CPU 201 (details display means) of the image forming apparatus 101 displays each of the screens 1302 to 1305 on the operation unit 210, which show each piece of information in the contract information 700 in detail. When the user presses any of the buttons 1314 to 1317, the CPU 201 (second acquisition unit) of the image forming apparatus 101 attempts to acquire the contract information 700 if communication with the device management server 102 is possible.

[0075] The following describes how the contract information 700 is acquired from the device management server 102, using FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram related to the acquisition of the contract information 700 from the device management server 102. In step S1401, when each of the buttons 1314 to 1317 is pressed in the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 201 communicates a contract information acquisition request to the device management server 102. At this time, in the device management server 102, in response to the communication of the contract information acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 301 notifies the image forming apparatus 101 of the contract information 700 stored in the storage 304 in an HTTP response. In this way, the CPU 201 (second acquisition unit) of the image forming apparatus 101 acquires the latest contract information from the device management server 102 when performing a partial information display process in step S1403, which will be described later.

[0076] In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the information to be notified is limited in accordance with the pressed button. For example, when contract plan information button 1314 is pressed, CPU 301 of device management server 102 notifies image forming apparatus 101 of only contract plan information 701 of contract information 700. However, CPU 301 of device management server 102 may notify image forming apparatus 101 of all contract information 700 regardless of which button is pressed. In steps S1402 and S1403, CPU 201 of image forming apparatus 101 performs processing to release function restrictions and display partial information. Steps S1402 and S1403 are similar to steps S611 and S612 described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 13, a contract plan information screen 1302 shown in FIG. 13(C) is a screen that is displayed when the user presses a contract plan information button 1314 on the subscription information screen 1301. The contract plan information screen 1302 displays contract plan information 701 from the contract information 700. The contract plan information screen 1302 transitions to the subscription information screen 1301 when the user presses a back button 1318. A contract device information screen 1303 shown in FIG. 13(D) is a screen that is displayed when the user presses a contract device information button 1315 on the subscription information screen 1301. The contract device information screen 1303 displays contract device information 702 from the contract information 700. The contract device information screen 1303 transitions to the subscription information screen 1301 when the user presses a back button 1319.

[0078] A first contract consumable information screen 1304 shown in FIG. 13(E) is a screen that is displayed when the user presses a first contract consumable information button 1316 on the subscription information screen 1301. The first contract consumable information screen 1304 displays first contract consumable information 703 from the contract information 700. The first contract consumable information screen 1304 transitions to the subscription information screen 1301 when the user presses a back button 1320. A second contract consumable information screen 1305 shown in FIG. 13(F) is a screen that is displayed when the user presses a second contract consumable information button 1317 on the subscription information screen 1301. The second contract consumable information screen 1305 displays second contract consumable information 704 from the contract information 700. The second contract consumable information screen 1305 transitions to the subscription information screen 1301 when the user presses a back button 1321.

[0079] As described above, the image forming apparatus 101 with which a subscription contract has been concluded can prevent the user from suffering unexpected disadvantages by displaying a portion of the usage status information and contract information in the monthly printing status 1016 so that the user can visually check it. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 101 displays the monthly printing status 1016, which displays a portion of the usage status information and contract information, on the home screen 1000, etc., making it easy for the user to visually check the usage status information and a portion of the contract information. Furthermore, by pressing the status check button 1015, etc., on the image forming apparatus 101, the user can view details of the contract information on the contract plan information screen 1302, etc. This allows the user to easily understand the contract information even when they cannot check the dashboard information displayed on the information processing apparatus 104.

[0080] Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a user concludes multiple service contracts with the image forming apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 101 performs account management. Note that in the second embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, one service contract is concluded with one image forming apparatus 101, and the device management server 102 and the image forming apparatus 101 receive contract information 700 for the service contract in steps S609 and S611. The image forming apparatus 101 does not perform account management. In contrast, in the second embodiment, three service contracts are concluded with the image forming apparatus 101, and the image forming apparatus 101 receives contract information for each of the three service contracts and stores it in the storage 204. The image forming apparatus 101 performs account management.

[0081] An example of contract information in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing examples of contract information for each of a plurality of service contracts. Service contract information 1500 shown in FIG. 15(A) and service contract information 1501 shown in FIG. 15(B) have the same plurality of items as contract information 700 shown in FIG. 7, but the values ​​of each item may differ. In this regard, service contract information 1500 (hereinafter simply referred to as "contract information 1500") differs from contract information 700 in the values ​​of each of the items: contract name 1511, contract number 1512, contract plan 1513, and maximum print count 1514. Similarly, service contract information 1501 (hereinafter simply referred to as "contract information 1501") differs from contract information 700 in the values ​​of each of the items: contract name 1521, contract number 1522, contract plan 1523, and maximum print count 1524.

[0082] Note that contract names 1511 and 1521 and print limit numbers 1514 and 1524 are linked to contract plans 1513 and 1523. Contract information 1500 is a plan that allows unlimited printing, with print limit number 1514 having no upper limit (all-you-can-print) and contract plan 1513 being a fixed monthly fee. On the other hand, contract information 1501 is a pay-as-you-go plan, with print limit number 1524 having no upper limit, but contract plan 1523 charging per page. Note that in the second embodiment, contract information 1501, which is pay-as-you-go, charges per page, but it may also be pay-as-you-go that differs from contract information 1501, for example, in that the fee varies depending on the paper size. Also, compared to the second embodiment, the number of contract information items or the items with different values ​​may be different.

[0083] Account management according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of account information. Account information 1600 includes an account name 1601, a password 1602, a contract number 1603, and authority 1604. The account information 1600 also includes four accounts 1611 to 1614. The account name 1601 and the password 1602 are used when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 101. The contract number 1603 indicates which contract information each of the accounts 1611 to 1614 is associated with. The authority 1604 indicates the authority of each of the accounts 1611 to 1614. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the accounts 1611 and 1613 are associated with the contract information 700, the account 1612 is associated with the contract information 1500, and the account 1614 is associated with the contract information 1501.

[0084] 17 is a sequence diagram from an operation request for account information to partial information display processing. In step S1701, the user of the information processing device 104 communicates an operation request for account information 1600 to a Web server application included in the image forming device 101. In step S1702, the CPU 201 of the image forming device 101 operates the account information 1600 stored in the storage 204 in response to the operation request received by the Web server application. Note that if accounts have already been registered in the image forming device 101 and there is no need to change the accounts, steps S1701 and S1702 can be omitted. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that four accounts 1611 to 1614 shown in FIG. 16 have already been registered in the image forming device 101. In step S1703, the user of the image forming device 101 performs a login operation using the operation unit 210.

[0085] The login operation in step S1703 will be described below with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen and a status check screen. A login screen 1800 shown in FIG. 18(A) and a status check screen 1801 shown in FIG. 18(B) are displayed on the operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 101. The login screen 1800 has an account input field 1811, a password input field 1812, an input section 1813, a login button 1814, and a status check button 1815. The user can input an account name and a password by operating the input section 1813 with the account input field 1811 or the password input field 1812 selected.

[0086] Furthermore, when the user presses login button 1814 after inputting the account name and password, the login process of step S1704, which will be described later, begins. Furthermore, when the user presses status check button 1815, the login screen 1800 transitions to status check screen 1801. The status check screen 1801 is almost the same as the above-mentioned status check screen 1300. However, in the second embodiment, since contract information is linked to an account, there is no contract information to be displayed on the status check screen 1801 before login. For this reason, the status check screen 1801 does not have a button corresponding to the above-mentioned subscription information button 1312.

[0087] Returning to the description of FIG. 17, in step S1704, when the user presses login button 1814 in image forming apparatus 101, CPU 201 (login means) performs login processing. In this login processing, CPU 201 compares account information 1600 stored in storage 204 with the input contents in account input field 1811 and password input field 1812. If there is an account for which a matching result is obtained, CPU 201 determines that account to be the login account and determines the login to be successful, but if there is no account for which a matching result is obtained, determines the login to be unsuccessful. If the login is successful, the process proceeds to step S1705. On the other hand, if the login is unsuccessful, the process returns to step S1703.

[0088] In step S1705, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 101 communicates a contract information acquisition request to the device management server 102. In the second embodiment, the contract information for the service contract consists of three pieces of contract information: contract information 700, contract information 1500, and contract information 1501. Therefore, in the device management server 102, upon receiving the contract information acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 301 notifies the image forming apparatus 101 of the contract information 700, 1500, and 1501 stored in the storage 304 in an HTTP response.

[0089] In step S1706, the CPU 201 (first acquisition unit) of the image forming apparatus 101 performs a contract selection process upon receiving the three pieces of contract information 700, 1500, and 1501 from the device management server 102. In this contract selection process, the CPU 201 compares the contract number of the login account determined in step S1704 with the contract numbers of the received three pieces of contract information 700, 1500, and 1501. Furthermore, the CPU 201 selects, from the three pieces of contract information 700, 1500, and 1501, the contract information with the matching contract number as the contract information for the login account. Then, the CPU 201 displays the home screen 1000 on the operation unit 210.

[0090] When logging in with accounts 1611 and 1613, contract information 700 is selected as the contract information for the login account; when logging in with account 1612, contract information 1500 is selected; and when logging in with account 1614, contract information 1501 is selected. In steps S1707 and S1708, CPU 201 performs processing to release function restrictions and display partial information in image forming apparatus 101. Steps S1707 and S1708 are the same as steps S611 and S612 described above, except that the contract information selected in step S1706 is used, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0091] As described above, the image forming apparatus 101 with which a subscription contract has been concluded displays usage status information and a portion of the contract information linked to the login account in the monthly printing status 1016 so that the user can view it. In this way, the image forming apparatus 101 allows the user to view the monthly printing status 1016 corresponding to their own account, thereby preventing the user from suffering unexpected disadvantages. Furthermore, even if the service contracts differ for each account, the image forming apparatus 101 can appropriately display the monthly printing status 1016 by selecting the contract information linked to the login account.

[0092] <Third embodiment> The third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 19 to 21. In the third embodiment, information display according to contract information linked to an account logged in to the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. Note that in the third embodiment, only differences from the second embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, information according to contract information linked to an account logged in to the image forming apparatus 101 is displayed on the operation unit 210.

[0093] A partial display of the usage status information 900 and the contract information 700, 1500, and 1501 in the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a partial display of the usage status information 900 and the contract information 700, 1500, and 1501. In the third embodiment, one of a home screen 1900 shown in FIG. 19(A), a home screen 1901 shown in FIG. 19(B), and a home screen 1902 shown in FIG. 19(C) is displayed on the operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 101. The home screen 1900 shown in FIG. 19(A) includes a monthly printing status 1911. The monthly printing status 1911 is similar to the monthly printing status 1016 described above. The home screen 1901 shown in FIG. 19(B) includes a remaining contract period 1912. The remaining contract period 1912 displays the value obtained by subtracting the current date from the contract expiration date. 19(C) has a pay-per-use price 1913. The pay-per-use price 1913 displays the value of the contract plan (for example, contract plan 1523 of contract information 1501) when the service contract is a pay-per-use contract.

[0094] In the second embodiment, the home screen 1000 was displayed on the operation unit 210 in the contract selection process in step S1706. In this regard, in the third embodiment, the home screen displayed on the operation unit 210 is switched depending on the contract information linked to the login account determined in step S1704. Specifically, in the case of contract information 700 (monthly limit), a home screen 1900 with a limit is displayed, in the case of contract information 1500 (unlimited printing), an unlimited home screen 1901 is displayed, and in the case of contract information 1501 (pay-per-use), a pay-per-use home screen 1902 is displayed.

[0095] The associated settings between the contract information and the display information are managed by the contract-based display-related settings 2000 shown in FIG. 20 . The contract-based display-related settings 2000 include a plan 2001 and a display setting 2002, and set the information to be displayed on the home screen for each contract plan included in the contract information. The contract-based display-related settings 2000 are stored in the storage 204. A user can change the settings of the contract-based display-related settings 2000 from the operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 101. Note that display switching based on the contract-based display-related settings 2000 is possible not only on the home screen but also on all screens that display a portion of the usage information and contract information, such as the basic copy screen. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the information displayed on the operation unit 210 is divided into monthly limit, unlimited printing, and pay-per-use, but may be divided by other criteria. Furthermore, the information displayed on the home screen, etc., may be changed.

[0096] In the second embodiment, the updating of the usage information and the partial display is realized by the flowchart shown in FIG. 11. In this respect, in the third embodiment, the display information is switched by the contract-based display-related setting 2000, so there is a partial difference from the flowchart shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, the updating of the usage information and the partial display in the third embodiment will be described using FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the process from printing execution to partial information display processing in the image forming apparatus 101. In other words, the flowchart in FIG. 21 describes in detail each process from step S802 to step S804 in FIG. 8. Each step in FIG. 21 is realized by the CPU 201 in the image forming apparatus 101 loading a control program read from the ROM 202 or storage 204 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

[0097] Steps S2101 to S2105 are the same as steps S1101 to S1105 described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. In step S2106, the CPU 201 references the contract-based display-related settings 2000 stored in the storage 204 to determine extraction information. Specifically, in the case of contract information 700 (with monthly limit), the monthly print count 912 and print limit 716 are determined as the extraction information, and in the case of contract information 1500 (unlimited printing), the contract end date 1515 is determined as the extraction information. Furthermore, in the case of contract information 1501 (pay-per-use), the contract plan 1523 is determined as the extraction information. In step S2107, the CPU 201 extracts information necessary for partial display from the usage information 900 and the three pieces of contract information 700, 1500, and 1501. In the third embodiment, the information determined as the extraction information in step S2106 is extracted.

[0098] In step S2108, the CPU 201 updates a portion of the display of the usage status information 900 and each piece of contract information 700, 1500, and 1501 displayed on the operation unit 210. At this time, in the case of contract information 700 (with monthly upper limit), the CPU 201 updates the portion of the display by replacing the value constituting monthly printing status 1911 with the value of the information extracted in step S2107. Furthermore, in the case of contract information 1500 (unlimited printing), the CPU 201 updates the portion of the display by replacing the value constituting remaining contract days 1912 with the value obtained by subtracting the current date from the contract expiration date, which is the value of the information extracted in step S2107. Furthermore, in the case of contract information 1501 (pay-per-use), the CPU 201 updates the portion of the display by replacing pay-per-use price 1913 with the information extracted in step S2107. Thereafter, the process returns to step S2102.

[0099] As described above, the image forming apparatus 101 displays the monthly printing status 1911, the remaining contract days 1912, or the pay-as-you-go price 1913 as part of the usage information and contract information in accordance with the display settings 2002 for the contract plan of the service contract. In this way, the image forming apparatus 101 can prevent the user from suffering unexpected disadvantages by displaying part of the usage information and contract information in accordance with the contract plan of the service contract. This allows the image forming apparatus 101 to appropriately display part of the usage information and contract information even when the service contract differs for each account, as in the second and third embodiments.

[0100] <Other> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the monthly print count 912 may be managed for a predetermined period other than monthly, or may be managed in a location other than the usage status information 900 (for example, contract information).

[0101] Furthermore, in the second and third embodiments, partial and detailed display (hereinafter referred to as "partial and detailed display") of usage information and contract information is performed based on contract information linked to the account into which the user logs in. However, partial and detailed display may be performed only when the user logs in with an account that meets specific conditions, and partial and detailed display may not be performed when the user logs in with another account. For example, partial and detailed display may be performed only when the user logs in with the administrator's account 1611 (predetermined account), and partial and detailed display may not be performed when the user logs in with another account. In this way, the present invention can be realized even when the information shown to the user is restricted according to the authority 1604 for each of the accounts 1611 to 1614.

[0102] Furthermore, in the status line 1014 (second display area) of the home screen 1000, etc., the usage information and part of the contract information may be displayed while switching with other warnings or errors (other information). In this case, the display area for part of the usage information and contract information on the home screen 1000, etc., is increased, allowing more detailed information to be displayed. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when part of the usage information and contract information is displayed on the status line. The home screen 2200 shown in FIG. 22(A) has a status line 2201. The CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 101 displays part of the usage information and contract information on the status line 2201. Note that the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 101 may change the information displayed on the status line 2201 depending on various conditions, such as the contract plan and authority, as described in the description of each embodiment.

[0103] Home screen 2202 shown in FIG. 22(B) has status line 2203. In FIG. 22(B), instead of the usage status information and part of the contract information, other warnings are displayed on status line 2203. Therefore, in status line 2203 (second display area), the usage status information and part of the contract information are not always displayed, but are displayed while switching with other warnings and errors (other information), which reduces user recognition. However, the display area on operation unit 210 for part of the usage status information and part of the contract information is larger, and the amount of information that can be displayed increases, thereby improving user visibility.

[0104] Furthermore, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 101 may display a portion of the usage information and contract information only when a partial display condition is met. Examples of the partial display condition include the number of days remaining until the contract expiration date falling below a predetermined value, or the number of pages printed per month exceeding a certain value. This partial display condition prevents the display on the operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 101 from being constantly overwhelmed by the partial display of the usage information and contract information.

[0105] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 101 may display part of the usage status information and contract information on the login screen 1800 (transition screen), or more detailed information may be displayed on the status confirmation screen 1801. Furthermore, device-dependent information such as the contract device serial number is common regardless of the account used for login. Therefore, the CPU 201 (common display means) of the image forming apparatus 101 may provide convenience to the user by displaying information common to multiple pieces of contract information on each screen shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 13, regardless of the login account.

[0106] Furthermore, a portion of the usage information and contract information may be displayed as a pop-up when the image forming apparatus 101 satisfies a pop-up condition, such as when logging in. For example, in the sequence shown in FIG. 17 , the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 101 displays a pop-up screen on the operation unit 210 after the process of step S1708 is completed. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the pop-up screen. A portion of the usage information and contract information based on the login account is displayed on the pop-up screen 2300. When the user presses the OK button 2301 on the pop-up screen 2300, the pop-up screen 2300 closes and the pop-up display ends. This allows the user to understand the status of the image forming apparatus 101 when starting to operate the image forming apparatus 101. Note that the pop-up condition is not limited to the above-described login, and may also be, for example, when the image forming apparatus 101 is powered on or when the image forming apparatus 101 wakes up from sleep mode.

[0107] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of each of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0108] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus that acquires contract information managed by a server and receives services according to the contract information, a first acquisition means for acquiring usage status information of the image forming apparatus; an extraction means for extracting a portion of information from the contract information and the usage information; and a display unit that displays the part of the information. (Configuration 2) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the display means displays the part of the information on a home screen of the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 3) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the display means displays the part of the information on a transition screen that transitions in response to an operation on the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 4) An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that it is provided with a detailed display means for displaying more detailed information about the contract information or the usage status information than the partial information when a predetermined operation is performed on the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 5) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation for selecting a first display area that displays the part of the information. (Configuration 6) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of selecting a predetermined button. (Configuration 7) A login means for determining a login account for the image forming apparatus; a first acquisition means for acquiring the contract information linked to the login account from the server, 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the extraction unit extracts the part of information from the usage information and the contract information linked to the login account. (Configuration 8) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 7, wherein the display means displays the part of the information when the login account is a predetermined account. (Configuration 9) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 7 or 8, further comprising a common display means for displaying information common to a plurality of pieces of contract information regardless of the login account. (Configuration 10) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the extraction means extracts the part of information from the contract information and the usage information in accordance with a display setting for the contract information. (Configuration 11) An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that the display means switches between displaying the partial information and the other information in a second display area that displays other information different from the partial information. (Configuration 12) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the display means displays the part of the information on a pop-up screen when the image forming apparatus satisfies a pop-up condition. (Configuration 13) The image forming device according to Configuration 12, wherein the pop-up condition is when the power of the image forming device is turned on, when the image forming device returns from sleep, or when a login is performed on the image forming device. (Configuration 14) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the display means displays the part of the information when the image forming apparatus satisfies a partial display condition. (Configuration 15) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, wherein the part of the information is information relating to the number of prints made by the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 16) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, further comprising a second acquisition means for acquiring the contract information from the server when the display means displays the part of the information. (System 1) A system having a server and an image forming device that receives services according to contract information managed by the server, The server a transmission unit for transmitting the contract information to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus, a receiving means for receiving the contract information from the server; an update unit that updates the usage status information of the image forming apparatus; an extraction means for extracting a portion of information from the contract information and the usage information; and a display means for displaying the part of the information. (Method 1) A control method for an image forming apparatus that acquires contract information managed by a server and receives services according to the contract information, comprising: an updating step of updating the usage status information of the image forming apparatus; an extraction step of extracting some information from the contract information and the usage information; a display step of displaying the part of the information. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 16. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 101 Image forming device 102 Device Management Server (Server) 103 Service Management Server (Server) 201 CPU (update means) (extraction means) (display means)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus that acquires contract information managed by a server and receives services according to the contract information, an update unit that updates the usage status information of the image forming apparatus; an extraction means for extracting a portion of information from the contract information and the usage information; and a display unit that displays the part of the information.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the part of the information on a home screen of the image forming apparatus.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the part of the information on a transition screen that transitions in response to an operation on the image forming apparatus.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detail display unit that displays, when a predetermined operation is performed on the image forming apparatus, more detailed information than the partial information about the contract information or the usage status information.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation for selecting a first display area that displays the part of the information.

6. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of selecting a predetermined button.

7. a login means for determining a login account for the image forming apparatus; a first acquisition means for acquiring the contract information linked to the login account from the server, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extracting unit extracts the part of the information from the usage information and the contract information linked to the login account.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display unit displays the part of the information when the login account is a predetermined account.

9. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a common display unit that displays information common to a plurality of pieces of contract information regardless of the login account.

10. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extracting unit extracts the part of the information from the contract information and the usage information in accordance with a display setting for the contract information.

11. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit switches between displaying the partial information and the other information in a second display area that displays other information different from the partial information.

12. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the part of the information in a pop-up screen when the image forming apparatus satisfies a pop-up condition.

13. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the pop-up condition is when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, when the image forming apparatus returns from sleep mode, or when a login is performed on the image forming apparatus.

14. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the part of the information when the image forming apparatus satisfies a partial display condition.

15. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the part of the information is information relating to the number of prints made by the image forming apparatus.

16. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second acquisition unit that acquires the contract information from the server when the display unit displays the part of the information.

17. A system including a server and an image forming apparatus that receives a service according to contract information managed by the server, The server a transmission unit for transmitting the contract information to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus, a receiving means for receiving the contract information from the server; an update unit that updates the usage status information of the image forming apparatus; an extraction means for extracting a portion of information from the contract information and the usage information; and a display means for displaying the part of the information.

18. A control method for an image forming apparatus that acquires contract information managed by a server and receives a service according to the contract information, comprising: an updating step of updating the usage status information of the image forming apparatus; an extraction step of extracting some information from the contract information and the usage information; a display step of displaying the part of the information.

19. 2. A program for causing a computer to execute the means of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images