Information processing program, information processing device, information processing method, printing program, printing device, and printing method

Abstract

To provide a new method for presenting subscription to a printing service that provides consumable items consumed in printing on a printing device.SOLUTION: An information processing program causes a control unit of an information processing device to execute print processing and presentation processing. The print processing includes communicating, in response to a single operation performed on an input unit, with a printing device via a communication unit and causing the printing device to execute printing. Notification processing includes notifying a user of subscription information to a printing service when the number of consecutive prints, which is the number of sheets of paper continuously printed by the printing device in accordance with the print processing, exceeds a predetermined upper limit. The printing service is a service that provides consumable items consumed in printing on the printing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for services provided in relation to printing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known service that automatically orders and delivers consumables such as toner and ink when the remaining amount of the consumables in a printing device becomes low. The printing device of Patent Document 1 displays a screen prompting the user to sign a delivery contract when the remaining amount of the consumables becomes low and the user does not have a delivery contract for the consumables. This printing device can prompt the user to sign a delivery contract for the consumables at an appropriate time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-111023 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a new method for offering a subscription to a print service that provides consumables for consumption in printing on a printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing program executable by a control unit in an information processing device including an input unit, a communication unit, and a control unit, and causes the control unit to execute a printing process and a notification process. The printing process communicates with a printing device via the communication unit and causes the printing device to execute printing in response to a single operation performed using the input unit. The notification process notifies subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service when the number of continuous prints, which is the number of sheets of paper continuously printed by the printing device in accordance with the printing process, exceeds a predetermined upper limit. The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing program executable by a control unit in a printing device including an input unit, a communication unit, a control unit, and a printing unit, and causes the control unit to execute a printing process and a notification process. The printing process involves the printing unit continuously printing on a number of sheets of paper, which is a continuous print count, in response to a single operation performed using the input unit or a single operation performed using the input unit of the information processing device, which is determined based on a command received from the information processing device via the communication unit. The notification process involves notifying the user of subscription information for a printing service when the continuous print count exceeds a predetermined upper limit. The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the user can be prompted to subscribe to the printing service at a timing when the user feels that a large number of consumables have been consumed in the printing device, thereby effectively encouraging the user to subscribe to the printing service.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an apparatus corresponding to a computer that operates according to the program, or a method implemented by the program. According to such an aspect, it is possible to effectively encourage subscription to a printing service. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]Fig. 1A is a block diagram of an information processing device, a printing device, and an administration server according to a first embodiment, and Fig. 1B is a block diagram of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a continuous printing process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a block diagram of an information processing device, a printing device, and an operation server according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 4B is a block diagram of the printing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a continuous printing process according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described. [1. First embodiment] [(1) Overview] The information processing device 1 of the first embodiment is connected to a wide area network 4 such as the Internet, and is configured as, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or laptop computer, or a desktop PC (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The information processing device 1 communicates with a printing device 2 and is capable of printing using the printing device 2. The information processing device 1 may communicate with the printing device 2 via a local area network, for example, or may communicate directly with the printing device 2.

[0011] The information processing device 1 is also capable of communicating with an operation server 3 for providing a printing service via a wide area network 4. Here, the printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by a printing device 2 designated by a user. The consumables may be, for example, colorants such as ink or toner, or print media such as paper. Specifically, the printing service may be, for example, a subscription service that provides consumables consumed by the printing device 2 in each unit period, provided that predetermined usage conditions are met, in exchange for paying a basic fee for each unit period. The basic fee may be a flat rate, or may be a fee that varies depending on some factor based on a flat rate.

[0012] More specifically, the unit period may be, for example, a month or a year. In other words, in the printing service, if the usage conditions are met, consumables to be consumed by the printing device 2 each month (or each year) may be provided by paying a basic fee every month (or every year).

[0013] Furthermore, the usage condition may be, for example, that the amount of printing performed by the printing device 2 in a unit period is below an upper limit. Specifically, for example, if paper is used as the printing medium, the usage condition may be that the number of sheets of paper printed by the printing device 2 in a unit period is below a predetermined upper limit. Furthermore, the printing service may have multiple plans with different upper limit numbers that subscribers to the printing service can choose from. Needless to say, the higher the upper limit number of sheets in a plan, the higher the basic fee for each unit period.

[0014] Alternatively, for example, the printing service may be one in which consumables are delivered when the remaining amount of the consumables in the printing device 2 is low, and a fee is charged according to the amount of the delivered consumables. In this case, when the remaining amount of the consumables in the printing device 2 is low, the information processing device 1 may notify the operation server 3 of the low remaining amount, and the consumables may be delivered in response to the notification.

[0015] On the other hand, the operation server 3 is provided on the cloud and executes various processes related to the print service. Specifically, for example, the operation server 3 may execute processes for users to subscribe to the print service and processes for managing the fees of users who subscribe to the print service.

[0016] [(2) Information processing device] The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, a display unit 12, an input unit 13, and first and second communication units 14 and 15 (see FIG. 1B).

[0017] The control unit 10 includes a CPU 10A and a memory 10B. The CPU 10A executes processing in accordance with a program loaded into the memory 10B. The memory 10B may include, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, or a flash memory.

[0018] The storage unit 11 has a configuration as an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The storage unit 11 is a part for storing programs executed by the CPU 10A and various data, and may be configured as a storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0019] The storage unit 11 stores programs installed in the information processing device 1. As an example, the storage unit 11 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 11A and a print application 11B that runs on the OS 11A. Details of the print application 11B will be described later.

[0020] The display unit 12 is a part that displays various images, and may be, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices for receiving input operations from a user. Specifically, the input unit 13 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and / or a touch panel.

[0021] The first communication unit 14 is a component for communicating with the printing device 2. The first communication unit 14 may communicate with the printing device 2 via a local area network, for example, or may communicate directly with the printing device 2 in accordance with standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0022] The second communication unit 15 is a component for accessing the wide area network 4, and communicates with devices such as the management server 3 via the wide area network 4. [(3) Printing device] The printing device 2 has a function of printing an image on a print medium such as paper based on print data received from the information processing device 1 (see FIG. 2). Of course, the printing device 2 is not limited to this, and may have a function as a label printer that prints a label image on a tape-like print medium, or may be configured as a portable mobile printer. Furthermore, the printing device 2 may be configured as a multifunction device that has a scanning function, a copying function, and a fax function in addition to a printing function.

[0023] The printing device 2 includes a control unit 20, a printing unit 21, a display unit 22, an input unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 20 includes a CPU 20A and a memory 20B. The memory 20B may include semiconductor memory such as ROM, RAM, NVRAM, or flash memory. A printing program 20C for implementing various functions of the printing device 2, history information 20D, and the like are stored in non-volatile memory such as ROM or flash memory in the memory 20B. The CPU 20A performs overall control of the printing device 2 by executing processes in accordance with the printing program 20C stored in the memory 20B. The history information 20D is a record of printing performed by the printing device 2 and is information indicating the amount of consumables consumed in each printing operation.

[0024] The printing unit 21 has, for example, an inkjet or electrophotographic printing mechanism, and prints an image on a print medium. The display unit 22 displays various information to the user.

[0025] The input unit 23 accepts various input operations from the user. Specifically, the input unit 23 may include, for example, a button and / or a touch panel. The communication unit 24 is a component for communicating with the information processing device 1. The communication unit 24 may communicate with the information processing device 1 via a local area network, for example, or may communicate directly with the information processing device 1 in accordance with a standard such as USB or Bluetooth.

[0026] [(4) Printing application] The CPU 10A of the control unit 10 of the information processing device 1 causes the printing device 2 to execute printing by performing processing in accordance with the print application 11B installed in the information processing device 1. Hereinafter, the subject of the processing realized by the CPU 10A operating in accordance with the print application 11B may be referred to as the print application 11B.

[0027] The print application 11B communicates with the printer 2 via the first communication unit 14 in order to cause the printer 2 to execute printing. Specifically, for example, the print application 11B may have a function for editing and creating files including images, text, etc., in accordance with operations received from a user via the input unit 13, or may have a function for viewing the files. Furthermore, the print application 11B may send print data based on these files to the printing device 2, and cause the printing device 2 to execute printing based on the print data.

[0028] Additionally, the printing application 11B may be configured as, for example, a printer driver that controls the printing device 2. That is, the printing application 11B may transmit to the printing device 2 print data based on a file that is edited, generated, viewed, etc. by another application installed on the information processing device 1. Then, the printing device 2 may execute printing based on the print data.

[0029] Furthermore, if the number of consecutive prints to be executed by the printing device 2 due to a "single operation" received via the input unit 13 exceeds the upper limit, the printing application 11B performs a notification process to notify the user of subscription information regarding subscription to the printing service. The number of consecutive prints is the number of sheets of paper that the printing device 2 will print continuously.

[0030] Note that "one operation" may be, for example, a single touch operation, a single click, or a single double click performed on a button provided in a window displayed on the display unit 12 by the print application 11B. Of course, these operations are performed using, for example, a mouse or a touch panel. In addition, "one operation" may be, for example, pressing any key on the keyboard once, or may be, for example, a single operation performed by pressing multiple keys simultaneously or pressing multiple keys in a predetermined order, such as a shortcut key.

[0031] Furthermore, the "single operation" may be, for example, an operation to instruct printing of one or more files that are open in the print application 11B for editing, creation, viewing, etc. In addition to this, the "single operation" may be, for example, an operation to instruct printing of one or more files selected by the print application 11B or another application.

[0032] [(5) Continuous printing process] Next, the continuous printing process executed by the print application 11B will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 3. In the continuous printing process, the printer 2 performs continuous printing on the number of sheets of paper to be continuously printed (hereinafter, continuous printing), and also notifies the user of subscription information for the print service.

[0033] In S100, the printing application 11B receives the above-mentioned "single operation" for executing continuous printing on the printing device 2 via the input unit 13. The printing application 11B also determines the number of sheets to be continuously printed based on one or more files to be printed, and generates print data.

[0034] In the next step S105, the print application 11B sends a print command and print data to the printer 2 to instruct printing, and then the process proceeds to step S110. The print command and print data may be sent all at once, or may be sent multiple times. At least one of the print command and print data contains data indicating the number of sheets to be continuously printed. Upon receiving the print command and print data, the printer 2 executes continuous printing.

[0035] In S110, the printing application 11B determines whether the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds a predetermined upper limit. If the determination is affirmative (S110: YES), the printing application 11B proceeds to S115, and if the determination is negative (S110: NO), the printing application 11B ends this process.

[0036] In S115, the print application 11B determines whether the notification conditions are met, and if a positive determination is obtained (S115: YES), the process proceeds to S120, and if a negative determination is obtained (S115: NO), the process ends. Specifically, in S115, a positive determination may be made if both or either of the notification conditions related to the remaining amount and the notification conditions related to the fee are met. Note that, in order to determine these notification conditions, the print application 11B appropriately acquires the remaining amount and history information 20D of the consumables provided by the print service (hereinafter, the target consumables) from the printing device 2.

[0037] The notification condition regarding the remaining amount is a condition in which the remaining amount of the target consumable in the printing device 2 does not reach a predetermined level. Specifically, the above condition may be, for example, a condition that the remaining amount of the target consumable in the printing device 2 is depleted while continuous printing is being performed. Also, for example, the above condition may be, for example, a condition that the remaining amount of the target consumable in the printing device 2 is depleted or almost depleted after continuous printing is performed.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, the above condition may be that the remaining amount of the target consumable in the printing device 2 after continuous printing is performed falls below the consumption amount for N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1) times. The consumption amount for N times means the amount obtained by multiplying the predicted consumption amount of the target consumable in the current continuous printing performed by N. Furthermore, N times may be, for example, several times.

[0039] The printing application 11B may calculate a predicted value of the consumption amount of the target consumable during the current continuous printing based on, for example, the consumption state of the target consumable understood from the history information 20D and the number of consecutively printed sheets. Then, the printing application 11B may determine whether the above condition is satisfied based on the calculation result of the predicted value and the remaining amount of the target consumable in the printing device 2.

[0040] Also, for example, assume that multiple colorants of different colors are used in the printing device 2 and these are the target consumables. In this case, the remaining amount of the target consumable in the printing device 2 may be the average or minimum remaining amount of these colorants. Furthermore, the consumption amount of the target consumable may be the average consumption amount of each colorant when continuous printing is performed or the maximum consumption amount of each colorant.

[0041] On the other hand, the notification condition for fees is that the variable fee for a unit period including the present (hereinafter referred to as the current unit period) exceeds the basic fee for the printing service. The variable fee is a predicted fee if the target consumables are purchased in the amount consumed in the current unit period without using the printing service. The amount consumed in the current unit period may also be the amount consumed immediately before or after continuous printing is performed in the printing device 2.

[0042] Specifically, the print application 11B may obtain the consumption amount (hereinafter, actual consumption amount) of the target consumables in the current unit period based on the history information 20D immediately before the continuous printing from the printer 2. Then, the variable fee immediately before the continuous printing may be calculated based on the price information of the target consumables per unit amount and the actual consumption amount.

[0043] In addition, the printing application 11B may, for example, predict the consumption of the target consumables during this continuous printing, and calculate the variable fee for the time immediately after the continuous printing based on the sum of the predicted consumption and the actual consumption, and price information.

[0044] In addition, the price information of the target consumables may be provided from an external device such as the management server 3, or may be stored in the memory unit 11 of the information processing device 1 or the memory 20B of the control unit 20 of the printing device 2.

[0045] As mentioned above, it is possible that a printing service may offer multiple plans with different upper limit numbers. In this case, the notification condition regarding the fee may be, for example, a condition that the variable fee exceeds the basic fee corresponding to one of the plans (e.g., the cheapest basic fee), or a condition that the variable fee exceeds the average basic fee of each plan.

[0046] In S120, the print application 11B executes a notification process to notify the user of subscription information for the print service. Specifically, the subscription information may be a message suggesting or encouraging subscription to the print service. The subscription information may include, for example, the consumption amount of the target consumables and the variable fee for the current unit period, or the subscription information may be a comparison between the variable fee for the current unit period and the basic fee for the print service.

[0047] Furthermore, the printing application 11B may notify the subscription information for the printing service via, for example, the display unit 12 of the information processing device 1 or a speaker (not shown). In addition, the printing application 11B may, for example, communicate with the printing device 2 and notify the subscription information for the printing service via the display unit 22 of the printing device 2, or may notify the subscription information by causing the printing device 2 to print a message on paper.

[0048] In the following S125, the print application 11B inquires of the user whether or not to subscribe to the print service via the display unit 12. If the print application 11B receives a reply from the user via the input unit 13 that the user will subscribe to the print service (S125: YES), the process proceeds to S130; otherwise (S125: NO), the process ends.

[0049] In S130, the print application 11B accepts input of subscription procedure information required to subscribe to the print service from the user via the input unit 13, and proceeds to S135. Specifically, the subscription procedure information may include, for example, the user's name, contact information, and address, the model name and identification information of the printing device 2 that is the target of the print service, credit card information used for payment, the plan selected by the user, etc.

[0050] In S135, the print application 11B transmits the subscription procedure information and the benefit information indicating that the user has subscribed to the print service as a result of the notification process to the operation server 3, and then ends this process. The benefit information includes the number of consecutive prints.

[0051] The operation server 3 then executes a process for the user to subscribe to the printing service after receiving the subscription procedure information and the benefit information. The operation server 3 also grants a benefit to the user according to the number of consecutive prints included in the benefit information. Specifically, for example, the basic fee may be reduced or points may be awarded according to the number of consecutive prints over a certain period of time.

[0052] [2. Second Embodiment] [(1) Overview] In the second embodiment, the printing device 2 is also subject to the same printing service as in the first embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if the number of consecutive prints in the continuous printing performed by the printing device 2 due to a "single operation" exceeds the upper limit, a notification process for subscription information to the printing service is performed. However, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the notification process is performed by the printing device 2. Below, the printing device 2 of the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0053] In the second embodiment, the printing device 2 is connected to a wide area network 4 such as the Internet, and is capable of communicating with the operating server 3 via the wide area network 4 (FIG. 4A).

[0054] In the second embodiment, the printing device 2 has the function of printing an image on a printing medium such as paper based on print data received from the information processing device 1, similar to the first embodiment (see FIG. 4B). The printing device 2 also includes a control unit 20, a printing unit 21, a display unit 22, and an input unit 23, similar to those in the first embodiment. In addition to these, the printing device 2 of the second embodiment also includes first and second communication units 25 and 26, and a media I / F 27.

[0055] The first communication unit 25 is a part for communicating with the information processing device 1. The first communication unit 25 may communicate with the information processing device 1 via a local area network, for example, or may communicate directly with the information processing device 1 in accordance with a standard such as USB or Bluetooth.

[0056] The second communication unit 26 is a component for accessing the wide area network 4, and communicates with devices such as the management server 3 via the wide area network 4. The media I / F 27 is a detachable storage medium such as a USB memory or an SD card (registered trademark).

[0057] On the other hand, the information processing device 1 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and communicates with the printing device 2 and causes the printing device 2 to execute the processes. However, the information processing device 1 of the second embodiment may be configured not to execute the processes corresponding to S110 to S135 in the continuous printing process of the first embodiment.

[0058] [(2) Printing Program] The CPU 20A of the control unit 20 of the printing device 2 performs processing in accordance with the printing program 20C stored in the memory 20B, thereby performing overall control of the printing device 2 (see FIG. 4B). Hereinafter, the subject of processing realized by the CPU 20A operating in accordance with the printing program 20C may be referred to as the printing program 20C.

[0059] As in the first embodiment, the printing program 20C executes printing in accordance with print commands and print data received from the information processing device 1. In addition, the printing program 20C prints at least one file stored in the media I / F 27 (hereinafter also referred to as direct printing). Specifically, for example, when a storage medium is connected to the media I / F 27, the printing program 20C may access the storage medium and display the file names of the files stored in the storage medium on the display unit 22. Furthermore, the printing program 20C may select one or more files stored in the storage medium as the files to be printed in accordance with an operation received via the input unit 23. The printing program 20C may then generate print data based on the files to be printed and perform direct printing based on the print data.

[0060] That is, the printing program 20C performs printing based on operations received via the input unit 13 of the information processing device 1 or the input unit 23 of the printing device 2. If the number of consecutive prints caused by a "single operation" received via these input units 13, 23, similar to that in the first embodiment, exceeds the upper limit, the printing program 20C performs notification processing of subscription information to the printing service.

[0061] It should be noted that the "single operation" received via the input unit 13 of the information processing device 1 is the same as in the first embodiment. Meanwhile, the "single operation" received via the input unit 23 of the printing device 2 may be a single touch operation performed on a button displayed on the display unit 22. In addition to this, the "single operation" may be, for example, pressing any button once, or may be, for example, a single operation achieved by pressing multiple buttons simultaneously, or by pressing multiple buttons in a predetermined order, such as a shortcut key. Furthermore, the "single operation" received via the input unit 23 of the printing device 2 may be, for example, an operation to instruct direct printing.

[0062] [(3) Continuous printing process] Next, the continuous printing process executed by the printing program 20C will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 5. In the continuous printing process, continuous printing is performed on the number of sheets of paper for continuous printing, and subscription information for the printing service is notified.

[0063] In S200, the printing program 20C accepts the instruction for continuous printing generated by the above-mentioned "single operation," and proceeds to S205. Specifically, for example, when "one operation" is performed on the input unit 13 of the information processing device 1, the printing program 20C receives a print command and print data from the information processing device 1. At this time, the printing program 20C may grasp the operation performed on the input unit 13 based on the contents of the received print command and print data, and determine whether "one operation" has been performed based on the grasped operation. The printing program 20C also grasps the number of consecutive prints based on the print command and print data.

[0064] Additionally, the printing program 20C may receive a "single operation" instructing direct printing, for example, via the input unit 23 of the printing device 2. In this case, the printing program 20C determines the number of consecutive prints based on one or more files selected as print targets that are stored in a storage medium connected to the media I / F 27.

[0065] In S205, which is reached when a continuous printing instruction resulting from a "single operation" is received, the printing program 20C starts continuous printing using the printing unit 21. Specifically, for example, if a "single operation" is performed on the input unit 13 of the information processing device 1, continuous printing may be started based on print data received from the information processing device 1. Also, for example, if a "single operation" is performed on the input unit 23 of the printing device 2, continuous printing may be started based on one or more files stored in a storage medium.

[0066] In S210, the printing program 20C determines whether the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit. If the determination is affirmative (S210: YES), the printing program 20C proceeds to S215, and if the determination is negative (S210: NO), the printing program 20C ends this process.

[0067] In S215, the printing program 20C determines whether the notification conditions are met as in the first embodiment, and if a positive determination is obtained (S215: YES), the process proceeds to S220, and if a negative determination is obtained (S215: NO), the process ends. Specifically, in S215, a positive determination may be made if both the notification conditions related to the remaining amount and the notification conditions related to the fee are met, or a positive determination may be made if only one of these notification conditions is met.

[0068] When determining whether the notification condition regarding the remaining amount is satisfied, the printing program 20C may use a sensor or the like to acquire the remaining amount of each colorant or the remaining number of sheets of paper in the printing device 2 as the remaining amount of the target consumable. Then, similar to the first embodiment, it may be determined whether the remaining amount of the target consumable reaches a predetermined level.

[0069] Furthermore, when determining whether the notification conditions for fees are satisfied, the printing program 20C may, as in the first embodiment, ascertain the actual consumption amount for the current unit period based on the history information 20D. Then, for example, the variable fee for the time immediately prior to continuous printing may be calculated based on the price information and actual consumption amount of the target consumables. Additionally, as in the first embodiment, the printing program 20C may predict the consumption amount of the target consumables due to printing the number of continuous prints based on the history information 20D. Then, the variable fee for the time immediately prior to continuous printing may be calculated based on the sum of the predicted consumption amount and the actual consumption amount and the price information.

[0070] Furthermore, even when a printing service is provided with multiple plans with different upper limit numbers, notification conditions regarding fees may be determined in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In S220, the printing program 20C executes a process of notifying the user of the subscription information for the printing service, similar to S120 of the continuous printing process of the first embodiment. The printing program 20C may notify the user of the subscription information via the display unit 22 of the printing device 2, or may notify the user of the subscription information by causing the printing device 2 to print a message on paper. The printing program 20C may also communicate with the information processing device 1 and notify the user of the subscription information via the display unit 12 of the information processing device 1 or a speaker (not shown), for example.

[0071] In the following steps S225 to S235, the same processes as those in steps S125 to S135 in the continuous printing process of the first embodiment are carried out. That is, in S225, the printing program 20C inquires of the user whether or not to subscribe to the printing service via the display unit 22. If the printing program 20C receives a reply from the user via the input unit 23 that the user will subscribe to the printing service (S225: YES), the program proceeds to S230; otherwise (S225: NO), the program ends this process.

[0072] In S230, the print program 20C accepts the entry of the subscription procedure information from the user via the input unit 23, and then the process proceeds to S235. In S235, the printing program 20C transmits the membership procedure information and the benefit information including the number of consecutive prints to the operation server 3, and then ends this process.

[0073] Then, the operation server 3 that has received the subscription procedure information and the benefit information executes the process for the user to subscribe to the print service and provides the user with a benefit, in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0074] In S225 to S235, inquiries to the user and acceptance of inputs from the user may be performed via the display unit 12 and input unit 13 of the information processing device 1 by the printing program 20C communicating with the information processing device 1.

[0075] [3.Effects] (1) According to the first and second embodiments, the notification process can present the user with the option to subscribe to the printing service at a timing when the user feels that a large amount of consumables has been consumed in the printing device 2. This makes it possible to effectively encourage the user to subscribe to the printing service.

[0076] (2) Furthermore, after the notification process notifies the user of the subscription information for the printing service, when the user accepts the subscription to the printing service, the print application 11B or the print program 20C transmits the benefit information including the number of consecutive prints to the operation server 3. Therefore, the user who subscribes to the printing service as a result of the notification process can be given a benefit based on the number of consecutive prints, thereby favorably encouraging the user to subscribe to the printing service.

[0077] (3) Furthermore, by executing a notification process when the remaining amount notification condition is satisfied, it is possible to present the user with the opportunity to subscribe to the printing service when the remaining amount of a target consumable provided by the printing service becomes low. Therefore, for example, when the remaining amount of a target consumable in the printing device 2 becomes low during or after continuous printing, or when the user may have the impression that the remaining amount of a target consumable in the printing device 2 becomes low after continuous printing, it is possible to present the user with the opportunity to subscribe to the printing service. This makes it possible to effectively encourage the user to subscribe to the printing service.

[0078] (4) Furthermore, by executing the notification process when the fee notification conditions are met, it is possible to present a subscription to the printing service when the variable fee for the target consumable exceeds the basic fee for the printing service. In other words, it is possible to present a subscription to the printing service in a situation where there is a cost benefit to subscribing to the printing service. This makes it possible to effectively encourage subscription to the printing service.

[0079] 4. Other Embodiments (1) In the continuous printing process of the first and second embodiments, the processes of S115 and S215 may be omitted. In other words, if the number of continuously printed sheets exceeds the upper limit, a notification process of subscription information to the printing service may be executed.

[0080] (2) In the continuous printing process of the first embodiment, the notification process is executed after the print command is sent. However, the execution timing of the notification process is not limited to this, and the notification process may be executed before the print command is sent. In other words, the notification process may be executed before the start of continuous printing, or during or after continuous printing is being executed.

[0081] In the continuous printing process of the second embodiment, the notification process is executed after the start of continuous printing. However, the timing of the execution of the notification process is not limited to this, and the notification process may be executed before the start of continuous printing, or during or after continuous printing is being executed.

[0082] In the first and second embodiments, when it is determined whether to perform notification processing based on notification conditions related to fees, it is assumed that the variable fee for the time immediately after continuous printing is calculated. When the notification processing is performed after continuous printing, the variable fee may be calculated based on the consumption amount of the target consumables ascertained from the history information 20D immediately after continuous printing.

[0083] (3) In the first and second embodiments, the printing application 11B or the printing program 20C may, for example, periodically calculate a variable fee for the consumption amount of the target consumable in the current unit period (for example, this month) based on the history information 20D. If the variable fee exceeds the basic fee for the printing service, the printing application 11B or the printing program 20C may execute a notification process.

[0084] (4) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0085] (5) In addition to the information processing device 1 and printing device 2 described above, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, a USB memory, a CD, or a DVD, on which the printing application 11B or the printing program 20C is stored, or a method corresponding to continuous printing processing realized by the printing application 11B or the printing program 20C (in other words, an information processing method or a printing method).

[0086] [5. Correspondence of Wording] The print application 11B in the first embodiment corresponds to an example of an information processing program.

[0087] S100 and S105, and S200 and S205 in the continuous printing process of the first and second embodiments respectively correspond to an example of printing process. Furthermore, S115 and S215 correspond to an example of an acquisition process and a calculation process, respectively.

[0088] Moreover, S120 and S220 each correspond to an example of a notification process. Furthermore, S125 and S130, and S225 and S230 each correspond to an example of a reception process.

[0089] Furthermore, S135 and S235 each correspond to an example of a subscription process. [6. Technical Ideas Disclosed in the Present Specification] [Item 1] an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; An information processing program executable by the control unit in an information processing device comprising: a printing process in which communication is performed with a printing device via the communication unit in response to a single operation performed using the input unit, and printing is executed by the printing device; a notification process for notifying subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service when the number of consecutive prints, which is the number of sheets of paper that the printing device continuously prints in accordance with the printing process, exceeds a predetermined upper limit number; causing the control unit to execute The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Information processing program.

[0090] [Item 2] Item 1 is an information processing program according to the present invention, The printing service is a service that provides the consumables consumed in printing by the printing device in a predetermined unit period in exchange for paying a predetermined basic fee. Information processing program.

[0091] [Item 3] Item 1 or Item 2, an information processing program an acceptance process for accepting a subscription to the printing service via the input unit after notifying the subscription information to the printing service by the notification process; a subscription process for transmitting, via the communication unit, information about the user subscribing to the print service and the number of continuous prints to a server that performs processing related to the print service when the subscription to the print service is accepted in the acceptance process; an information processing program that causes the control unit to further execute the above.

[0092] [Item 4] Item 3: An information processing program according to any one of items 1 to 3, further causing the control unit to execute an acquisition process for acquiring the remaining amount of the consumable in the printing device; In the notification process, when the remaining amount of the consumables acquired in the acquisition process does not reach a predetermined level, and the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit number, the subscription information to the printing service is notified. Information processing program.

[0093] [Item 5] An information processing program according to any one of item 2 and item 3 or 4 which cites item 2, further causing the control unit to execute a calculation process to calculate a variable fee, which is a fee for acquiring the consumables in an amount corresponding to the consumption amount of the printing device in the unit period, without subscribing to the printing service; In the notification process, when the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit number and the variable fee calculated in the calculation process after the printing device has printed the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the basic fee, the subscription information to the printing service is notified. Information processing program.

[0094] [Item 6] an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; An information processing device comprising: The control unit a printing process in which communication is performed with a printing device via the communication unit in response to a single operation performed using the input unit, and printing is executed by the printing device; When the number of consecutive prints, which is the number of sheets of paper that the printing device continuously prints in accordance with the printing process, exceeds a predetermined upper limit number, a notification process is executed to notify subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service; The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Information processing device.

[0095] [Item 7] an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; An information processing method that can be executed by an information processing device comprising: communicating with a printing device via the communication unit in response to a single operation performed using the input unit, and causing the printing device to execute printing; When the number of consecutive prints, which is the number of sheets of paper that the printing device continuously prints, exceeds a predetermined upper limit number, notification of subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service is provided; The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Information processing methods.

[0096] [Item 8] an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; A printing department; A printing program executable by the control unit in a printing device comprising: a printing process in which the printing unit continuously prints on a plurality of sheets of paper, the number of continuous print sheets being a number of sheets, in response to a single operation performed using the input unit or a single operation performed using the input unit of the information processing device, the number of sheets being grasped based on a command received from the information processing device via the communication unit; a notification process for notifying subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service when the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds a predetermined upper limit; causing the control unit to execute The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Printing program.

[0097] [Item 9] Item 8. The printing program according to item 8, The printing service is a service that provides the consumables consumed in printing by the printing device in a predetermined unit period in exchange for paying a predetermined basic fee. Printing program.

[0098] [Item 10] Item 8 or Item 9, the printing program an acceptance process for accepting a subscription to the printing service via the input unit after notifying the subscription information to the printing service by the notification process; a subscription process for transmitting, via the communication unit, information about the user subscribing to the print service and the number of continuous prints to a server that performs processing related to the print service when the subscription to the print service is accepted in the acceptance process; a printing program that causes the control unit to further execute the above;

[0099] [Item 11] The printing program according to any one of items 8 to 10, further causing the control unit to execute an acquisition process for acquiring the remaining amount of the consumable in the printing device; In the notification process, when the remaining amount of the consumables acquired in the acquisition process does not reach a predetermined level, and the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit number, the subscription information to the printing service is notified. Printing program.

[0100] [Item 12] A printing program according to any one of item 9 and item 10 or 11 which cites item 9, further causing the control unit to execute a calculation process to calculate a variable fee, which is a fee for acquiring the consumables in an amount corresponding to the consumption amount of the printing device in the unit period, without subscribing to the printing service; In the notification process, when the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit number and the variable fee calculated in the calculation process after the printing device has printed the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the basic fee, the subscription information to the printing service is notified. Printing program.

[0101] [Item 13] an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; A printing department; A printing device comprising: The control unit a printing process in which the printing unit continuously prints on a plurality of sheets of paper, the number of continuous print sheets being a number of sheets, in response to a single operation performed using the input unit or a single operation performed using the input unit of the information processing device, the number of sheets being grasped based on a command received from the information processing device via the communication unit; a notification process for notifying subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service when the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds a predetermined upper limit; Run The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Printing device.

[0102] [Item 14] an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; A printing department; A printing method executable by a printing device comprising: causing the printing unit to continuously print on a plurality of sheets of paper in a continuous printing number in response to a single operation performed using the input unit or a single operation performed using the input unit of the information processing device, the operation being grasped based on a command received from the information processing device via the communication unit; If the number of sheets continuously printed exceeds a predetermined upper limit, notification of subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service is provided; The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Printing method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1...information processing device, 10...control unit, 11...memory unit, 11B...printing application, 12...display unit, 13...input unit, 14...first communication unit, 15...second communication unit, 2...printing device, 20...control unit, 20C...printing program, 20D...history information, 21...printing unit, 22...display unit, 23...input unit, 24...communication unit, 25...first communication unit, 26...second communication unit, 27...media I / F, 3...operation server.

Claims

1. an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; An information processing program executable by the control unit in an information processing device comprising: a printing process in which, in response to a single operation performed using the input unit, communication is performed with a printing device via the communication unit, and the printing device executes printing; a notification process for notifying subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service when the number of consecutive prints, which is the number of sheets of paper that the printing device continuously prints in accordance with the printing process, exceeds a predetermined upper limit number; causing the control unit to execute The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Information processing program.

2. 2. The information processing program according to claim 1, The printing service is a service that provides the consumables consumed in printing by the printing device in a predetermined unit period in exchange for paying a predetermined basic fee. Information processing program.

3. 3. The information processing program according to claim 1, an acceptance process for accepting a subscription to the printing service via the input unit after notifying the subscription information to the printing service by the notification process; a subscription process for transmitting, via the communication unit, information about the user subscribing to the print service and the number of continuous prints to a server that performs processing related to the print service when the subscription to the print service is accepted in the acceptance process; an information processing program that causes the control unit to further execute the above.

4. 3. The information processing program according to claim 1, further causing the control unit to execute an acquisition process for acquiring the remaining amount of the consumable in the printing device; In the notification process, when the remaining amount of the consumables acquired in the acquisition process does not reach a predetermined level, and the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit number, the subscription information to the printing service is notified. Information processing program.

5. 3. The information processing program according to claim 2, further causing the control unit to execute a calculation process to calculate a variable fee, which is a fee for acquiring the consumables in an amount corresponding to the consumption amount of the printing device in the unit period, without subscribing to the printing service; In the notification process, when the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit number and the variable fee calculated in the calculation process after the printing device has printed the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the basic fee, the subscription information to the printing service is notified. Information processing program.

6. an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; An information processing device comprising: The control unit a printing process in which, in response to a single operation performed using the input unit, communication is performed with a printing device via the communication unit, and the printing device executes printing; When the number of consecutive prints, which is the number of sheets of paper that the printing device continuously prints in accordance with the printing process, exceeds a predetermined upper limit number, a notification process is executed to notify subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service; The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Information processing device.

7. an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; An information processing method that can be executed by an information processing device comprising: communicating with a printing device via the communication unit in response to a single operation performed using the input unit, and causing the printing device to execute printing; When the number of consecutive prints, which is the number of sheets of paper that the printing device continuously prints, exceeds a predetermined upper limit number, notification of subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service is provided; The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Information processing methods.

8. an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; A printing department; A printing program executable by the control unit in a printing device comprising: a printing process in which the printing unit continuously prints on a plurality of sheets of paper, the number of continuous print sheets being a continuous number of sheets, in response to a single operation performed using the input unit or a single operation performed using the input unit of the information processing device, the operation being grasped based on a command received from the information processing device via the communication unit; a notification process for notifying subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service when the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds a predetermined upper limit; causing the control unit to execute The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Printing program.

9. 9. The printing program according to claim 8, The printing service is a service that provides the consumables consumed in printing by the printing device in a predetermined unit period in exchange for paying a predetermined basic fee. Printing program.

10. 10. The printing program according to claim 8 or claim 9, an acceptance process for accepting a subscription to the printing service via the input unit after notifying the subscription information to the printing service by the notification process; a subscription process for transmitting, via the communication unit, information about the user subscribing to the print service and the number of continuous prints to a server that performs processing related to the print service when the subscription to the print service is accepted in the acceptance process; a printing program that causes the control unit to further execute the above;

11. 10. The printing program according to claim 8 or claim 9, further causing the control unit to execute an acquisition process for acquiring the remaining amount of the consumable in the printing device; In the notification process, when the remaining amount of the consumables acquired in the acquisition process does not reach a predetermined level, and the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit number, the subscription information to the printing service is notified. Printing program.

12. 10. The printing program according to claim 9, further causing the control unit to execute a calculation process to calculate a variable fee, which is a fee for acquiring the consumables in an amount corresponding to the consumption amount of the printing device in the unit period, without subscribing to the printing service; In the notification process, when the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the upper limit number and the variable fee calculated in the calculation process after the printing device has printed the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds the basic fee, the subscription information to the printing service is notified. Printing program.

13. an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; A printing department; A printing device comprising: The control unit a printing process in which the printing unit continuously prints on a plurality of sheets of paper, the number of continuous print sheets being a continuous number of sheets, in response to a single operation performed using the input unit or a single operation performed using the input unit of the information processing device, the operation being grasped based on a command received from the information processing device via the communication unit; a notification process for notifying subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service when the number of consecutively printed sheets exceeds a predetermined upper limit; Run The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Printing device.

14. an input unit; The Communications Department and A control unit; A printing department; A printing method executable by a printing device comprising: performing continuous printing on a plurality of sheets of paper, the number of continuous print sheets being a number of sheets, by the printing unit, in response to a single operation performed using the input unit or a single operation performed using the input unit of the information processing device, which is grasped based on a command received from the information processing device via the communication unit; If the number of sheets continuously printed exceeds a predetermined upper limit, notification of subscription information regarding subscription to a printing service is provided; The printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by the printing device. Printing method.

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