Program, electronic device, method, and printing system

Abstract

To provide a novel method of presenting subscription to printing service providing consumables to be consumed in printing by a printer.SOLUTION: A program causes a control unit of an electronic device to execute quantity determination processing and change processing. In the quantity determination processing, it is determined whether a printing quantity in a current unit period that a printer as an object of printing service having a plurality of plans has exceeds a first upper-limit quantity of a first plan corresponding to the current unit period. The change processing is processing to change a first plan of the printing service to a second plan, and executed when it is determined through the quantity determination processing that a printing quantity halfway in the current unit period exceeds the first upper-limit quantity. A second upper-limit quantity of the second plan is larger than the first upper-limit quantity of the first plan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to techniques for providing services related 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 a print service to provide consumables consumed in printing on a printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a program executable by a control unit in an electronic device including a control unit, the program causing the control unit to execute a sheet count determination process and a change process. The sheet count determination process determines whether the number of sheets printed in a current unit period, which is the number of sheets printed in a printing device that is a target of a printing service having multiple plans including first and second plans, exceeds a first upper limit, which is the upper limit of the number of sheets in the first plan corresponding to the current unit period. The change process is a process for changing the printing service plan corresponding to the current unit period from the first plan to the second plan. One of multiple printing service plans is set corresponding to the unit period, and each of the multiple plans has a different upper limit of the number of sheets and a basic fee corresponding to the upper limit of the number of sheets, which increases as the upper limit of the number of sheets increases. In the printing service, if the number of sheets printed at the end of the unit period does not exceed the upper limit of the plan corresponding to the unit period, consumables consumed for printing on the printing device during the unit period are provided by paying the basic fee for the plan. The change process is executed when the sheet count determination process determines that the number of sheets printed during the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit. The second upper limit number of cards for the second plan is greater than the first upper limit number of cards for the first plan.

[0006] According to the above configuration, if the number of printed sheets per unit period temporarily increases, the printing service plan can be changed accordingly, thereby making it possible to provide the printing service in a manner appropriate for the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are block diagrams of a printing system and an administration server according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Fig. 2A is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 2B is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a plan change process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a plan return process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Fig. 5A is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment, and Fig. 5B is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described. [1. First embodiment] [(1) Overview] The printing system 1 of the first embodiment has an operation server 2, an information processing device 3, and a printing device 4. The operation server 2 and the information processing device 3 are connected to a wide area network 4, such as the Internet. The printing device 4 is capable of communicating with the information processing device 3 and performs printing in response to instructions from the information processing device 3. The printing system 1 is configured to provide a service for printing performed by the printing device 4 (hereinafter, a printing service) (see FIG. 1A).

[0009] A printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by a printing device 4 designated by a printing service subscriber. In this embodiment, the printing service covers one printing device 4 as an example, but as described below, the printing service may also cover multiple printing devices 4. Furthermore, consumables may include, for example, colorants such as ink or toner, or print media such as paper. Specifically, a printing service may be a subscription service that provides consumables consumed by a printing device 4 in each unit period in exchange for a basic fee paid for each unit period, provided that the total number of printed sheets in each unit period does not exceed a maximum number of sheets. Hereinafter, the number of sheets of paper used in printing by a printing device 4 will be referred to as the number of printed sheets. Furthermore, the total number of printed sheets refers to the total number of printed sheets in a unit period. Furthermore, the basic fee may be a flat rate, or a fee that varies depending on some factor based on a flat rate.

[0010] More specifically, the unit period may be, for example, a month or a year. In other words, in the printing service, by paying a basic fee every month (or every year), consumables to be consumed by the printing device 4 each month (or each year) may be provided, provided that the total number of printed sheets for each month (or each year) does not exceed the upper limit.

[0011] In addition, printing services offer multiple plans with different upper limit pages that subscribers can choose from. One of the plans is set for each unit period, and printing services are provided according to the set plan. Needless to say, the higher the upper limit page count of the plan, the higher the basic fee for each unit period.

[0012] In addition, in a printing service, if the total number of printed sheets in a unit period exceeds the upper limit, consumables may be provided for that unit period by paying an excess fee according to the excess number, which is the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the upper limit.

[0013] [(2) Management Server] The operation server 2 is configured as a server on the cloud, can communicate with the information processing device 3 via a wide area network 5, and is configured to perform processing for providing a printing service (see FIG. 1B). Specifically, for example, the operation server 2 may perform processing for signing up for the printing service, billing the subscriber of the printing service, and arranging for the supply of consumables to the subscriber. The operation server 2 may also be able to communicate with the printing device 4 that is the target of the printing service via the wide area network 5.

[0014] The management server 2 includes a control unit 20, a communication unit 21, and a storage unit 22. The control unit 20 includes a CPU 20A and a memory 20B. The CPU 20A executes processing in accordance with a program loaded into the memory 20B. The memory 20B may include, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, or a flash memory.

[0015] The communication unit 21 is a component for accessing the wide area network 5, and communicates with devices such as the information processing device 3 via the wide area network 5. The storage unit 22 has a configuration as an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The storage unit 22 is a part for storing programs executed by the CPU 20A and various data, and may be configured as a storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0016] The storage unit 22 stores programs installed in the operation server 2. As an example, the storage unit 22 stores an operating system (hereinafter, OS) 22A and a management program 22B that runs on the OS 22A. Details of the management program 22B will be described later.

[0017] Furthermore, a management DB 22C for managing the print service is stored in the storage unit 22. The management DB 22C has multiple pieces of management information (details of which will be described later), and each piece of management information corresponds to a subscriber to the print service.

[0018] [(3) Information processing device] The information processing device 3 is configured as, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone, a tablet device, or a laptop computer, or a desktop PC (see FIG. 2A). The information processing device 3 communicates with the printing device 4 and is capable of printing using the printing device 4. The information processing device 3 may communicate with the printing device 4 via a local area network, for example, or may communicate directly with the printing device 4.

[0019] The information processing device 3 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a display unit 32, an input unit 33, and first and second communication units 34 and 35. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 30A and a memory 30B. The CPU 30A executes processing in accordance with a program loaded into the memory 30B. The memory 30B may include, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, or a flash memory.

[0020] The storage unit 31 has a configuration as an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The storage unit 31 is a part for storing programs executed by the CPU 30A and various data, and may be configured as storage such as an HDD or SSD, for example.

[0021] The storage unit 31 stores programs installed in the information processing device 3. As an example, the storage unit 31 stores an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as OS) 31A and a print application 31B that runs on the OS 31A.

[0022] The print application 31B is configured to perform processing for receiving a print service. In addition, the print application 31B may have a function for causing the printing device 4 to execute printing. Specifically, for example, the print application 31B may have a function for editing and creating files containing images, text, etc. according to instructions from a user, and may have a function for viewing the files. In addition, the print application 31B may be configured as, for example, a printer driver that controls the printing device 4.

[0023] The display unit 32 is a part that displays various images, and may be, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input unit 33 includes one or more input devices for receiving input operations from a user. Specifically, the input unit 33 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and / or a touch panel.

[0024] The first communication unit 34 is a component for communicating with the printing device 4. The first communication unit 34 may communicate with the printing device 4 via a local area network, for example, or may communicate directly with the printing device 4 in accordance with standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0025] The second communication unit 35 is a component for accessing the wide area network 5, and communicates with devices such as the management server 2 via the wide area network 5. [(4) Printing device] The printing device 4 has a function of printing an image on a printing medium such as paper based on print data received from the information processing device 3 (see FIG. 2B). Of course, the printing device 4 is not limited to this, and may have a function as a label printer that prints a label image on a tape-like printing medium, or may be configured as a portable mobile printer. Furthermore, the printing device 4 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.

[0026] The printing device 4 includes a control unit 40, a printing unit 41, a display unit 42, an input unit 43, and a communication unit 44. The control unit 40 includes a CPU 40A and a memory 40B. The memory 40B may include semiconductor memory such as ROM, RAM, NVRAM, flash memory, etc. A printing program 40C for implementing various functions of the printing device 4, history information 40D, etc. are stored in the non-volatile memory such as ROM or flash memory in the memory 40B.

[0027] The CPU 40A performs overall control of the printing device 4 by executing processes in accordance with a printing program 40C stored in the memory 40B. Furthermore, the history information 40D is a record of printing performed by the printing device 4, and indicates the total number of printed sheets in each past unit period on the printing device 4, the number of printed sheets up to the present time in the current unit period (hereinafter referred to as the current number of printed sheets), and the number of remaining sheets in the current unit period. The remaining number of sheets is the number of sheets until the number of printed sheets in the current unit period reaches the upper limit number, and is calculated by subtracting the current number of printed sheets from the upper limit number. The history information 40D also indicates the remaining amount of consumables in the printing device 4 at the present time. The history information 40D is generated by the CPU 40A, which executes processing in accordance with the printing program 40C.

[0028] The printing unit 41 has, for example, an inkjet or electrophotographic printing mechanism, and prints an image on a print medium. The display unit 42 displays various information to the user.

[0029] The input unit 43 accepts various input operations from the user. Specifically, the input unit 43 may include, for example, a button and / or a touch panel. The communication unit 44 is a component for communicating with the information processing device 3. The communication unit 44 may communicate with the information processing device 3 via a local area network, for example, or may communicate directly with the information processing device 3 in accordance with standards such as USB or Bluetooth.

[0030] (5) Management Program The CPU 20A of the control unit 20 of the operating server 2 is configured to perform processing for providing a print service by performing processing in accordance with a management program 22B installed in the operating server 2 (see FIG. 1B). Hereinafter, the subject of processing realized by the CPU 20A operating in accordance with the management program 22B may be referred to as the management program 22B.

[0031] The management program 22B executes processing for new subscription procedures to the print service. Specifically, when the management program 22B receives a request to subscribe to the print service via the information processing device 3, it creates an account corresponding to the new subscriber. The management program 22B also acquires information about the subscriber from the information processing device 3, and based on that information, creates management information corresponding to the subscriber's account and registers it in the management DB 22C.

[0032] The management information may include the subscriber's name and contact information, the print service and plan to which the subscriber subscribes, and the model name and identification information of the printing device 4 that is the target of the print service. A subscriber can subscribe to one or more print services, and the target printing device 4 is determined for each print service. In other words, one account may be subscribed to one or more print services. In addition, the management program 22B terminates or adds print services, changes print service plans, etc., in accordance with instructions received from the subscriber via the information processing device 3.

[0033] The management information may also include usage history information for each subscribed printing service. The usage history information is provided for each printing service. The usage history information may also include the total number of printed sheets in each past unit period for the printing device 4 that is the target of the corresponding printing service, the current number of printed sheets and the remaining number of sheets in the current unit period, and the current remaining amount of consumables for the printing device 4.

[0034] Furthermore, the management program 22B acquires printing information about the printing device 4 that is the target of the printing service in order to bill subscribers for the printing service, arrange for the supply of consumables, etc. The printing information may include, for example, the current number of printed sheets and the remaining number of printed sheets on the printing device 4, the remaining amount of consumables on the printing device 4, and the total number of printed sheets for each past unit period.

[0035] The printing information may also be generated by the printing device 4, in which case the management program 22B may receive the printing information from the printing device 4 via the information processing device 3. If the printing device 4 is capable of communicating with the operation server 2 via the wide area network 5, the management program 22B may receive the printing information from the printing device 4 via the wide area network 5. Alternatively, for example, the information processing device 3 may generate the printing information based on information acquired from the printing device 4. In this case, the management program 22B may receive the printing information from the information processing device 3.

[0036] Then, when the management program 22B receives the print information, it updates, based on the print information, the usage history information included in the management information about the print service targeted at the printing device 4 that is the sender of the print information.

[0037] [(6) Plan change processing] Next, the plan change process executed by management program 22B will be described using the flowchart in Figure 3. The plan change process is executed periodically during each unit period for each printing service to which each subscriber subscribes, and if the number of printed pages during the unit period exceeds the upper limit, the printing service plan is temporarily changed to a plan with a higher upper limit. Hereinafter, the plan originally selected for the printing service corresponding to the plan change process will be referred to as the first plan, and the changed plan will be referred to as the second plan. If the plan is temporarily changed to the second plan during the unit period, the printing service is provided as if the second plan had been selected from the beginning of that unit period.

[0038] In S100, the management program 22B acquires printing information about the printing device 4 that is the target of the printing service (hereinafter referred to as the target printing device 4), updates the usage history information of the management information of the printing service based on the printing information, and proceeds to S105.

[0039] In S105, the management program 22B determines whether the notification conditions are met, and if a positive determination is obtained (S105: YES), it proceeds to S110, and if a negative determination is obtained (S105: NO), it proceeds to S120.

[0040] Specifically, the notification condition may be, for example, that the current number of printed sheets exceeds a first upper limit, which is the upper limit for the first plan, or that the remaining number of sheets reaches a predetermined lower limit. In these cases, it may be determined whether the notification condition is met based on the printing information acquired in S100.

[0041] The notification condition may be, for example, a condition that the total number of printed sheets in the current unit period is predicted to exceed a first upper limit. In this case, the prediction may be made based on the total number of printed sheets in past unit periods indicated by usage history information in the management information of the printing service. More specifically, for example, if the current number of printed sheets exceeds a predetermined threshold and the average total number of printed sheets in the most recent multiple unit periods exceeds the first upper limit, the total number of printed sheets in the current unit period may be predicted to exceed the first upper limit. Also, for example, if the unit period is a month, the total number of printed sheets in the current unit period may be predicted to exceed the first upper limit if the current number of printed sheets exceeds the threshold and the total number of printed sheets in the same month last year (or the average of the total number of printed sheets in the same month over the past multiple years) exceeds the first upper limit.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, the management program 22B may predict whether the total number of sheets to be printed in the current unit period will exceed a first upper limit number based on the planned number of sheets to be printed. The planned number of sheets to be printed refers to the number of sheets that the subscriber plans to print in the current unit period using the target printing device 4. Specifically, for example, if the current number of sheets to be printed exceeds a predetermined value and the planned number of sheets to be printed exceeds the first upper limit number, the total number of sheets to be printed in the current unit period may be predicted to exceed the first upper limit number.

[0043] The number of sheets to be printed may be determined based on an operation received from a user by the target printing device 4 or an information processing device 3 that can print on the target printing device 4 (hereinafter referred to as the target information processing device 3). Then, the management program 22B may receive the number of sheets to be printed from the target printing device 4 or the target information processing device 3 in the same way as the printing information.

[0044] In S110, the management program 22B notifies the subscriber that the first plan for the current unit period will be temporarily changed to the second plan, and then proceeds to S115. Note that the second upper limit number, which is the upper limit number for the second plan, is greater than the first upper limit number. Furthermore, the management program 22B may notify the subscriber of the remaining number of cards in addition to or instead of changing the plan.

[0045] Specifically, the notification may be performed, for example, by the following notification procedure. That is, the management program 22B may send a command to the target information processing device 3 and perform the notification via the display unit 32 of the target information processing device 3 or a speaker (not shown). Also, for example, if the target printing device 4 is connected to the wide area network 5, the management program 22B may send a command to the target printing device 4 and perform the notification via the display unit 42 of the target printing device 4 or a speaker (not shown). Also, for example, the management program 22B may send an email to the subscriber's email address to perform the notification.

[0046] Furthermore, in S110, the management program 22B inquires of the subscriber whether or not he or she agrees to change the first plan of the printing service to the second plan, and receives a response to the inquiry.

[0047] Specifically, the inquiry and the reception of the response may be performed by the following confirmation procedure. That is, the management program 22B may make the inquiry via the target information processing device 3 or the target printing device 4, in the same manner as the notification procedure described above. Furthermore, the target information processing device 3 or the target printing device 4 that made the inquiry may receive a response to the inquiry from the subscriber via an input unit and transmit the response to the inquiry to the management program 22B.

[0048] In S115, the management program 22B notifies the user that printing on the target printing device 4 will be suppressed during the current unit period according to the notification procedure described above, and then proceeds to S120. More specifically, for example, the management program 22B may notify the user that printing on the target printing device 4 will be suppressed if the length of the remaining period until the end of the unit period is below a threshold and the end of the unit period is approaching.

[0049] In S120, the management program 22B determines whether the change conditions are satisfied, and if a positive determination is obtained (S120: YES), it proceeds to S125, and if a negative determination is obtained (S120: NO), it terminates this processing.

[0050] Specifically, for example, the change condition may be that the current number of printed sheets exceeds the first upper limit number of sheets. In this case, it may be determined whether the change condition is satisfied based on the current number of printed sheets indicated by the printing information acquired in S100.

[0051] Alternatively, the change condition may be, for example, that the current number of printed sheets exceeds the first upper limit number of sheets, and the excess fee for the current unit period exceeds the difference obtained by subtracting the basic fee of the first plan from the basic fee of the second plan (hereinafter also referred to as the difference in basic fees). In this case, the management program 22B may calculate the excess number of sheets based on the current number of printed sheets and the first upper limit number of sheets indicated in the printing information acquired in S100, and calculate the excess fee based on the excess number of sheets.

[0052] In S125, the management program 22B determines whether the subscriber agrees to change the first print service plan to the second print service plan based on the response received in S110. If the determination is affirmative (S125: YES), the management program 22B proceeds to S130, and if the determination is negative (S125: NO), the management program 22B ends this process.

[0053] In S130, the management program 22B changes the management information for the print service, temporarily changing the first plan for the print service to the second plan, and then ends this process. As a result, the print service is provided for the current unit period as if the second plan had been selected from the start. Therefore, although the plan was changed from the first plan to the second plan midway through the current unit period, the basic fee for the current unit period will be based on the second plan.

[0054] [(7) Plan restoration process] Next, the plan restoration process executed by the management program 22B will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 4. The plan restoration process is executed periodically according to the individual print services to which each subscriber subscribes, and the second plan that was temporarily changed by the plan change process is restored to the original first plan.

[0055] In S200, the management program 22B determines whether it is the start of a new unit period, and if a positive determination is obtained (S200: YES), it proceeds to S205, and if a negative determination is obtained (S200: NO), it terminates this processing.

[0056] In S205, the management program 22B determines whether the plan of the print service has been temporarily changed to the second plan through the plan change process based on the management information of the print service. If a positive determination is obtained (S205: YES), the management program 22B proceeds to S210, and if a negative determination is obtained (S205: NO), the management program 22B ends this process.

[0057] In S210, the management program 22B uses the confirmation procedure described above to inquire of the subscriber whether they agree to changing the second plan of the print service back to the first plan, and accepts a response to the inquiry. If the management program 22B receives a response that the subscriber agrees to the plan change (S210: YES), it proceeds to S215, and if the management program 22B does not receive a response (S210: NO), it proceeds to S220.

[0058] In S215, the management program 22B changes the management information of the print service, thereby changing the second plan of the print service back to the first plan, and ends this process. As a result, after the unit period in which the print service is temporarily changed to the second plan, the print service is provided as if the first plan had been selected.

[0059] In S220, the management program 22B changes the management information of the print service so that the second plan for the print service will continue in the future, and then ends this process. As a result, the print service will be provided as if the second plan had been selected even after the unit period in which the plan was temporarily changed to the second plan.

[0060] [2. Second Embodiment] [(1) Overview] The printing system 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that multiple printing devices 4 are covered by one printing service, but other aspects are similar to those of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A to 4). Specifically, in the printing service of the second embodiment, by paying a basic fee, consumables to be consumed in a unit period are provided for target printing devices 4 of multiple target printing devices 4 whose total number of printed sheets in a unit period does not exceed an upper limit number.

[0061] In addition, in the printing service of the second embodiment, if the total number of printed sheets in a unit period on the target printing device 4 exceeds the upper limit, consumables for the target printing device 4 may be provided by paying an excess fee according to the excess number, which is the difference between the total number of printed sheets on the target printing device and the upper limit.

[0062] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the management program 22B temporarily changes the first plan of the print service to the second plan when the number of printed sheets in a unit period exceeds the upper limit number in at least one of the multiple target printing devices 4 of the print service. In other words, the plan is changed when the number of target printing devices 4 whose number of printed sheets in a unit period exceeds the upper limit number reaches N or more (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1). The threshold value is determined as appropriate.

[0063] The following describes the printing system 1 of the second embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. [(2) Plan change processing] In the second embodiment, the management program 22B also executes the same plan change process (see FIG. 3) as in the first embodiment to temporarily change the plan of the print service. However, in the second embodiment, there are multiple target printing devices 4 for the print service, so some of the plan change process differs from the first embodiment. Below, the plan change process of the second embodiment will be explained using FIG. 3, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0064] In S100, the management program 22B acquires printing information for a plurality of target printing devices 4, and updates the usage history information of the management information for the printing service based on the acquired printing information.

[0065] In S105, it is determined whether the notification conditions similar to those in the first embodiment are met for each target printing device 4. If the notification conditions are met for N or more target printing devices 4 (S105: YES), the management program 22B proceeds to S110, and if not (S105: NO), the management program 22B proceeds to S120.

[0066] In S110, the same process as in the first embodiment is performed. Note that the notification procedure in the second embodiment differs from that in the first embodiment in that notification can be performed via multiple target printing devices 4.

[0067] In S115, the management program 22B notifies the user that printing on the target printing device 4 in the current unit period will be suppressed, as in the first embodiment. In addition, the management program 22B notifies the user of target printing devices 4 with a relatively large number of remaining sheets, and suggests printing on those target printing devices 4. Specifically, for example, the management program 22B may notify the user of target printing devices 4 that do not satisfy the notification conditions, or may notify M target printing devices 4 (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) selected in descending order of the number of remaining prints. Note that these notifications and suggestions are performed using the same notification procedure as in S110.

[0068] In S120, it is determined whether the change condition is met. Specifically, the change condition may be, for example, that the current number of printed sheets at N or more target printing devices 4 exceeds a first upper limit. Alternatively, the change condition may be, for example, that the current number of printed sheets at N or more target printing devices 4 exceeds the first upper limit and the excess fee exceeds the difference in the basic fee. Therefore, in S120, it is determined for each target printing device 4 whether the current number of printed sheets exceeds the first upper limit, and the excess fee is calculated based on the excess number of sheets at each target printing device 4 where the current number of printed sheets exceeds the first upper limit.

[0069] In S125 and S130, if the subscriber's consent has been obtained, the print service plan is temporarily changed from the first plan to the second plan. [(3) Plan restoration process] In the second embodiment, the management program 22B also executes the same plan restoration process (see FIG. 4) as in the first embodiment to restore the temporarily changed second plan of the print service to the first plan.

[0070] 3. Third Embodiment [(1) Overview] The printing system 1 of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the plan change process and plan restoration process are executed by a print application 31B of an information processing device 3 that controls a printing device 4 that is a target of a print service whose plan is changed by these processes. However, other parts of the printing system 1 are similar to those of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2B to 5A).

[0071] In the third embodiment, the CPU 30A of the control unit 30 of the information processing device 3 executes the plan change process and the plan restoration process by operating in accordance with the print application 31B installed in the information processing device 3. Hereinafter, the subject of the process realized by the CPU 30A operating in accordance with the print application 31B may be referred to as the print application 31B.

[0072] The information processing device 3 of the third embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that management information 31C is stored in the storage unit 31 (see FIG. 5A). The management information 31C is information related to printing services, and may include the subscriber's name and contact information, the subscribed printing service and its plan, and the model name and identification information of the target printing device 4 of the printing service.

[0073] The following describes the printing system 1 of the third embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. [(2) Plan change processing] Next, the plan change process executed by the print application 31B will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 3. The plan change process of the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that it is executed by the print application 31B and in some of the processing. The following describes the plan change process of the third embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0074] In S100, the print application 31B receives the history information 40D from the target printing device 4, and determines the total number of printed sheets in the past unit period, the current number of printed sheets, and the remaining number of sheets based on the history information 40D.

[0075] In S105, the printing application 31B determines whether the same notification condition as in the first embodiment is satisfied. If the notification condition is that the total number of sheets to be printed in the current unit period is predicted to exceed the first upper limit, the printing application 31B may make the prediction based on the history information 40D received in S100. Alternatively, for example, the management program 22B may predict whether the total number of sheets to be printed in the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit based on the planned number of sheets to be printed. In this case, the printing application 31B may determine the planned number of sheets to be printed based on an operation received via the input unit 33. Furthermore, the printing application 31B may determine the planned number of sheets to be printed based on an operation received from the user at the target printing device 4, and may also receive the planned number of sheets to be printed from the target printing device 4.

[0076] In S110, the print application 31B performs the same processing as in the first embodiment. In the notification procedure of the third embodiment, the print application 31B may issue a notification via the display unit 32 or a speaker (not shown), or may send a command to the target printing device 4 and issue a notification via the display unit 42 of the target printing device 4 or a speaker (not shown). In the confirmation procedure of the third embodiment, the print application 31B may issue an inquiry using the above notification procedure. Alternatively, the print application 31B may receive a response to the inquiry from the subscriber via the input unit 33, or the target printing device 4 may receive a response from the subscriber via the input unit 43, and the print application 31B may receive the response from the target printing device 4.

[0077] In the following S115, the print application 31B notifies the user that printing at the target printing device 4 in the current unit period will be suppressed, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, by the notification procedure described above.

[0078] In S120, the print application 31B determines whether a change condition similar to that in the first embodiment has been satisfied. For example, the change condition may be that the current number of printed sheets exceeds a first upper limit. In this case, the determination of whether the change condition has been satisfied may be based on the history information 40D received in S100. Alternatively, the change condition may be that the current number of printed sheets exceeds the first upper limit and the excess fee for the current unit period exceeds the difference in the basic fee. In this case, the print application 31B may calculate the excess number of sheets based on the history information 40D, for example, and may also calculate the excess fee based on the excess number of sheets and price information received from, for example, the management program 22B.

[0079] In S125, the print application 31B determines, based on the response received in S110, whether the subscriber has agreed to change the first plan of the print service to the second plan.

[0080] In S130, the print application 31B sends a command to the management program 22B to instruct it to temporarily change the first plan of the print service to the second plan, and then ends this processing. The print application 31B also updates the management information 31C to reflect the temporary change from the first plan of the print service to the second plan. Meanwhile, the management program 22B, which has received the command, changes the management information of the print service to temporarily change the first plan of the print service to the second plan.

[0081] [(3) Plan restoration process] Next, the plan restoration process executed by the print application 31B will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 4. The plan change process of the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that it is executed by the print application 31B and in some of the processing. The following describes the plan restoration process of the third embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0082] In S200, the print application 31B determines whether it is the start of a new unit period. In S205, the print application 31B determines, based on the management information 31C, whether or not the first plan of the print service has been temporarily changed to the second plan by the plan change process.

[0083] In S210, the print application 31B inquires of the subscriber whether or not they agree to revert the second plan of the print service to the first plan, according to the confirmation procedure described above, and receives a response to the inquiry.

[0084] In S215, the print application 31B sends a command to the management program 22B to instruct it to change the second plan of the print service back to the first plan, and updates the management information 31C accordingly, and then ends this process.

[0085] In S220, the print application 31B sends a command to the management program 22B to instruct it to continue the second plan of the print service, and updates the management information 31C accordingly, and then ends this process.

[0086] On the other hand, the management program 22B that receives the above command changes the management information of the print service, and in response to instructions from the print application 31B, changes the second plan of the print service back to the first plan or continues the second plan.

[0087] [4. Fourth Embodiment] [(1) Overview] The printing system 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that multiple printing devices 4 are covered by a single printing service, but is otherwise similar to the third embodiment (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2B-5A). In other words, the printing service of the fourth embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment, and by paying a basic fee, consumables to be consumed in a unit period are provided for target printing devices 4 whose total number of printed pages in a unit period does not exceed an upper limit. Furthermore, if the total number of printed pages for a target printing device 4 exceeds the upper limit, consumables for that target printing device 4 may be provided by paying an excess fee.

[0088] Also, in the fourth embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, when the number of printed sheets in a unit period for N or more target printing devices 4 exceeds the upper limit number, the printing application 31B executes processing to temporarily change the first plan of the printing service to the second plan.

[0089] The following describes the printing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, focusing on the differences from the third embodiment. [(2) Plan change processing] In the fourth embodiment, the print application 31B also executes the same plan change process (see FIG. 3) as in the third embodiment to temporarily change the plan of the print service. However, in the fourth embodiment, there are multiple target printing devices 4 for the print service, so some of the plan change process differs from the third embodiment. Below, the plan change process of the fourth embodiment will be explained using FIG. 3, focusing on the differences from the third embodiment.

[0090] In S100, the printing application 31B receives history information 40D from each target printing device 4 and, based on this history information 40D, determines the total number of printed sheets in the past unit period, the current number of printed sheets, and the remaining number of sheets for each target printing device 4.

[0091] In S105, it is determined whether the notification conditions similar to those in the third embodiment are satisfied for each target printing device 4. If the notification conditions are satisfied for N or more target printing devices 4 (S105: YES), the printing application 31B proceeds to S110, and if not (S105: NO), the printing application 31B proceeds to S120.

[0092] In S110, the same process as in the third embodiment is performed. Note that the notification procedure in the fourth embodiment differs from that in the third embodiment in that notification can be performed via multiple target printing devices 4.

[0093] In S115, the printing application 31B, as in the second embodiment, notifies the user that printing on the target printing device 4 in the current unit period will be suppressed, notifies the user of the target printing device 4 with a relatively large number of remaining sheets, and suggests printing on the target printing device 4. Note that these notifications and suggestions are performed using the same notification procedure as in S110.

[0094] In S120, it is determined whether the change condition is satisfied, similarly to the second embodiment. In S125 and S130, if the subscriber's consent has been obtained, the print service plan is temporarily changed from the first plan to the second plan.

[0095] [(3) Plan restoration process] In the fourth embodiment, the print application 31B also executes the same plan restoration process (see FIG. 4) as in the third embodiment to restore the temporarily changed print service plan from the second plan to the first plan.

[0096] [5. Fifth Embodiment] [(1) Overview] The printing system 1 of the fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the plan change process and plan restoration process are executed by a printing program 40C of a printing device 4 that is the target of a printing service whose plan is changed by these processes (see FIGS. 1A to 2A, 3, 4, and 5B). However, other parts of the printing system 1 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0097] In the fifth embodiment, the CPU 40A of the control unit 40 of the printing device 4 executes the plan change process and the plan return process by operating in accordance with the printing program 40C of the printing device 4. Hereinafter, the subject of the process realized by the CPU 40A operating in accordance with the printing program 40C may be referred to as the printing program 40C.

[0098] The printing device 4 of the fifth embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that management information 40E is stored in memory 40B (see FIG. 5B). The management information 40E is information related to printing services, and may include the subscriber's name and contact information, the subscribed printing service and its plan, and the model name and identification information of the printing device 4 that is the target of the printing service.

[0099] Furthermore, the printing device 4 of the fifth embodiment includes first and second communication units 45 and 46 instead of the communication unit 44. The first communication unit 45 is a component for communicating with the information processing device 3. The first communication unit 45 may communicate with the information processing device 3 via a local area network, for example, or may communicate directly with the information processing device 3 in accordance with a standard such as USB or Bluetooth.

[0100] The second communication unit 46 is a component for accessing the wide area network 5, and communicates with devices such as the administration server 2 via the wide area network 5, for example. The following describes the printing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0101] [(2) Plan change processing] Next, the plan change process executed by the printing program 40C will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 3. The plan change process of the fifth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that it is executed by the printing program 40C and in some processing. The following explains the plan change process of the fifth embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0102] In S100, the printing program 40C determines the total number of printed sheets in the past unit period, the current number of printed sheets, and the remaining number of sheets based on the history information 40D. In S105, the printing program 40C determines whether the notification condition is met, similar to that in the first embodiment. If the notification condition is that the total number of sheets to be printed in the current unit period is predicted to exceed the first upper limit, the printing program 40C may make the prediction based on the history information 40D. Alternatively, for example, the printing program 40C may predict whether the total number of sheets to be printed in the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit based on the number of sheets planned to be printed. In this case, the printing program 40C may determine the number of sheets to be printed based on an operation received via the input unit 43. Furthermore, the printing program 40C may determine the number of sheets to be printed based on an operation received from the user at the target information processing device 3, and may also receive the number of sheets to be printed from the target information processing device 3.

[0103] In S110, the printing program 40C performs the same processing as in the first embodiment. In the notification procedure of the fifth embodiment, the printing program 40C may issue a notification via the display unit 42 or a speaker (not shown), or may send a command to the target information processing device 3 and issue a notification via the display unit 32 of the target information processing device 34 or a speaker (not shown). In the confirmation procedure of the fifth embodiment, the printing program 40C may issue an inquiry using the notification procedure. Alternatively, the printing program 40C may receive a response to the inquiry from the subscriber via the input unit 43, or the target information processing device 3 may receive a response from the subscriber via the input unit 33, and the printing program 40C may receive the response from the target information processing device 3.

[0104] In the following S115, the printing program 40C notifies the user by the notification procedure described above that printing by the printing device 4 in which the printing program 40C is installed will be suppressed during the current unit period, as in the first embodiment.

[0105] In S120, the printing program 40C determines whether the same change condition as in the first embodiment has been met. For example, the change condition may be that the current number of printed sheets exceeds the first upper limit. In this case, the determination of whether the change condition has been met may be based on the history information 40D. Alternatively, the change condition may be that the current number of printed sheets exceeds the first upper limit and the excess fee for the current unit period exceeds the difference in the basic fee. In this case, the printing program 40C may calculate the excess number of sheets based on the history information 40D, and may also calculate the excess fee based on the excess number of sheets and price information received from, for example, the management program 22B.

[0106] In S125, the printing program 40C determines, based on the response received in S110, whether the subscriber has agreed to change the first printing service plan to the second plan.

[0107] In S130, the printing program 40C sends a command to the management program 22B to instruct it to temporarily change the first plan of the printing service to the second plan, and then ends this processing. The printing program 40C also updates the management information 40E to reflect the temporary change from the first plan of the printing service to the second plan. Meanwhile, upon receiving the command, the management program 22B changes the management information of the printing service, thereby temporarily changing the first plan of the printing service to the second plan.

[0108] [(3) Plan restoration process] Next, the plan restoration process executed by the printing program 40C will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4. The plan change process of the fifth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that it is executed by the printing program 40C and in some processing. Below, the plan restoration process of the fifth embodiment will be explained, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0109] In S200, the printing program 40C determines whether it is the start of a new unit period. In S205, the printing program 40C determines, based on the management information 40E, whether or not the first plan of the printing service has been temporarily changed to the second plan by the plan change process.

[0110] In S210, the printing program 40C uses the confirmation procedure described above to inquire of the subscriber whether or not they agree to revert the second plan of the printing service to the first plan, and receives a response to the inquiry.

[0111] In S215, the printing program 40C sends a command to the management program 22B to instruct it to change the second plan of the printing service back to the first plan, and updates the management information 31C accordingly, and then ends this process.

[0112] In S220, the printing program 40C sends a command to the management program 22B to instruct it to continue the second plan of the printing service, and updates the management information 31C accordingly, and then ends this process.

[0113] On the other hand, the management program 22B that receives the above command changes the management information of the printing service, and in response to instructions from the printing program 40C, changes the second plan of the printing service back to the first plan or continues the second plan.

[0114] [6. Sixth Embodiment] [(1) Overview] The printing system 1 of the sixth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that multiple printing devices 4 are covered by a single printing service, but is otherwise similar to the fifth embodiment (see FIGS. 1A-2A, 3, 4, and 5B). In other words, the printing service of the sixth embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment, and by paying a basic fee, consumables to be consumed in a unit period are provided for target printing devices 4 whose total number of printed pages in a unit period does not exceed an upper limit. Furthermore, if the total number of printed pages for a target printing device 4 exceeds the upper limit, consumables for that target printing device 4 may be provided by paying an excess fee.

[0115] Also, in the sixth embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, the printing program 40C executes processing to temporarily change the first plan of the printing service to the second plan when the number of printed sheets in a unit period for N or more target printing devices 4 exceeds the upper limit number.

[0116] The printing system 1 of the sixth embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the third embodiment. [(2) Plan change processing] In the sixth embodiment, the printing program 40C also executes the same plan change process (see FIG. 3) as in the fifth embodiment to temporarily change the plan of the printing service. However, in the sixth embodiment, there are multiple target printing devices 4 for the printing service, so some of the plan change process differs from the fifth embodiment. Below, the plan change process of the sixth embodiment will be explained using FIG. 3, focusing on the differences from the fifth embodiment.

[0117] In S100, the printing program 40C receives history information 40D from the target printing device 4 (hereinafter, "its own device") on which the printing program 40C is installed and from other target printing devices 4. Then, based on the history information 40D of its own device and the history information 40D of the other target printing devices 4, the printing program 40C determines the total number of printed sheets in a past unit period, the current number of printed sheets, and the number of remaining sheets for each target printing device 4.

[0118] In S105, it is determined whether the notification conditions similar to those in the fifth embodiment are met for each target printing device 4. If the notification conditions are met for N or more target printing devices 4 (S105: YES), the printing program 40C proceeds to S110, and if not (S105: NO), the printing program 40C proceeds to S120.

[0119] In S110, the same process as in the fifth embodiment is performed. Note that the notification procedure in the sixth embodiment differs from that in the fifth embodiment in that notification can be performed via multiple target printing devices 4.

[0120] In S115, the printing program 40C, as in the second embodiment, notifies the user that printing on the target printing device 4 in the current unit period will be suppressed, notifies the user of the target printing device 4 with a relatively large number of remaining sheets, and suggests printing on the target printing device 4. Note that these notifications and suggestions are executed using the same notification procedure as in S110.

[0121] In S120, it is determined whether the change condition is satisfied, similarly to the second embodiment. In S125 and S130, if the subscriber's consent has been obtained, the print service plan is temporarily changed from the first plan to the second plan.

[0122] [(3) Plan restoration process] In the sixth embodiment, the print program 40C also executes the same plan return process (see FIG. 4) as in the fifth embodiment to return the temporarily changed print service plan from the second plan to the first plan.

[0123] [7. Effects] (1) According to the above embodiment, if the current number of printed sheets exceeds the first upper limit, the first plan of the printing service for that unit period can be temporarily changed to the second plan. This allows the printing service to be provided in a manner appropriate for the subscriber.

[0124] (2) When the unit period in which the service was temporarily changed to the second plan expires, the printing service will be reverted to the first plan originally selected by the subscriber. This allows the service to be provided in accordance with the subscriber's requests.

[0125] (3) When the notification conditions are met, the plan change process S110 notifies the subscriber that the first plan for the current unit period will be temporarily changed to the second plan. Therefore, when the plan is changed due to the satisfaction of the change conditions, the subscriber can be notified of this. Therefore, the plan can be changed smoothly.

[0126] (4) An example of a notification condition is when the current number of printed sheets exceeds a first upper limit number of sheets. By using such a notification condition, a change in the printing service plan can be notified at an appropriate time.

[0127] (5) An example of a notification condition is when the remaining number of sheets for the current unit period reaches a lower limit. By using such a notification condition, a change in the printing service plan can be notified at an appropriate time.

[0128] (6) In addition, in S110 of the plan change process, the remaining number of cards for the current unit period is notified. This allows the subscriber to know when and if a plan change will occur, improving convenience.

[0129] (7) An example of a notification condition is that the total number of prints in the current unit period is predicted to exceed the first upper limit number based on the subscriber's planned print count. By using such a notification condition, a change in the printing service plan can be notified at an appropriate time.

[0130] (8) An example of a notification condition is that the total number of printed sheets in the current unit period is predicted to exceed the first upper limit number based on the total number of printed sheets in the past unit period. By using such a notification condition, a change in the printing service plan can be notified at an appropriate time.

[0131] (9) If the current number of printed pages exceeds the first upper limit and the excess fee for the current unit period exceeds the difference in basic fees between the second plan and the first plan, the printing service plan for that unit period may be temporarily changed. This allows the subscriber to change the printing service plan at a time when it provides cost benefits.

[0132] (10) In addition, in S115 of the plan change process in the second, fourth, and sixth embodiments, the target printing device 4 with a relatively large number of remaining sheets is notified. This allows the subscriber to be prompted to print on the target printing device 4 with a large number of remaining sheets.

[0133] (11) In addition, in S115 of the plan change process, a notification is issued that printing on the target printing device 4 will be suppressed. This makes it possible to issue a warning when there is a high possibility that the number of printed sheets in the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number.

[0134] 8. Other Embodiments (1) In the plan change process in the above embodiment, if the change conditions are met, the first plan of the printing service may be temporarily changed to the second plan regardless of the subscriber's intention. Also, in the plan return process, the second plan of the printing service that was temporarily changed may be returned to the second plan regardless of the subscriber's intention.

[0135] (2) 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.

[0136] (3) In addition to the above-mentioned management server 2, information processing device 3, and printing device 4, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory, hard disk drive, USB memory, CD, or DVD, on which the management program 22B, printing application 31B, or printing program 40C is stored, or a method corresponding to the plan change processing and plan restoration processing realized by the management program 22B, printing application 31B, or printing program 40C.

[0137] [9. Correspondence of Wording] The administration server 2 of the first and second embodiments, the information processing device 3 of the third and fourth embodiments, and the printing device 4 of the fifth and sixth embodiments each correspond to an example of an electronic device.

[0138] Furthermore, in the plan change processing of the first to sixth embodiments, S105 corresponds to an example of prediction processing, S110 corresponds to an example of change notification processing, S115 corresponds to an example of suppression notification processing, S120 corresponds to an example of number determination processing and fee determination processing, and S130 corresponds to an example of change processing.

[0139] Moreover, S215 in the plan restoration process in the first to sixth embodiments corresponds to an example of the change process. Moreover, S115 in the plan change processing in the second, fourth, and sixth embodiments corresponds to an example of a printing notification processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1...printing system, 2...operation server, 20...control unit, 21...communication unit, 22...memory unit, 22B...management program, 22C...management information, 3...information processing device, 30...control unit, 31...memory unit, 31B...printing application, 31C...management information, 32...display unit, 33...input unit, 34...first communication unit, 35...second communication unit, 4...printing device, 40...control unit, 40C...printing program, 40D...history information, 40E...management information, 41...printing unit, 42...display unit, 43...input unit, 44...communication unit, 45...first communication unit, 46...second communication unit, 5...wide area network.

Claims

1. A program executable by a control unit in an electronic device including the control unit, The control unit a number determination process for determining whether or not the number of printed sheets, which is the number of sheets printed in a current unit period, exceeds a first upper limit number, which is the upper limit number of sheets of the first plan corresponding to the current unit period, in a printing device that is a target of a printing service having a plurality of plans including a first plan and a second plan; a change process for changing the plan of the printing service corresponding to the current unit period from the first plan to the second plan; One of the plurality of plans of the printing service is set corresponding to a unit period, and a different upper limit number is set for each of the plurality of plans, and a basic fee is set according to the upper limit number so that the higher the upper limit number, the higher the basic fee is set according to the upper limit number, and in the printing service, if the number of printed sheets at the end of the unit period does not exceed the upper limit number of the plan corresponding to the unit period, consumables consumed in printing by the printing device during the unit period are provided by paying the basic fee of the plan, The change process is executed when it is determined in the sheet count determination process that the number of printed sheets during the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets, The second upper limit number of the second plan is greater than the first upper limit number of the first plan. program.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, The change process further includes a process for changing the plan of the print service corresponding to the unit period next to the current unit period from the second plan to the first plan. program.

3. 3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, a change notification process for notifying that the plan corresponding to the current unit period will be changed from the first plan to the second plan; Further, a program to be executed by the control unit.

4. 4. The program according to claim 3, The change notification process is executed when it is determined that the number of printed sheets during the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets. program.

5. 4. The program according to claim 3, The change notification process is executed when the number of remaining sheets until the number of printed sheets in the current unit period reaches the first upper limit number reaches a predetermined lower limit number. program.

6. 4. The program according to claim 3, The change notification process further notifies the user of the number of sheets remaining until the number of printed sheets in the current unit period reaches the first upper limit number. program.

7. 4. The program according to claim 3, acquires a planned number of sheets to be printed, which is the number of sheets of paper that the user will use for printing on the printing device during the current unit period, and further causes the control unit to execute a prediction process for predicting whether the number of sheets to be printed at the end of the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets based on the acquired planned number of sheets to be printed; The change notification process is executed when the prediction process predicts that the number of printed sheets at the end of the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets. program.

8. 4. The program according to claim 3, further causing the control unit to execute a prediction process for predicting whether the number of printed sheets at the end of the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number based on the number of printed sheets in the unit period prior to the current unit period; The change notification process is executed when the prediction process predicts that the number of printed sheets at the end of the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets. program.

9. 3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, In the printing service, if the number of printed sheets in the unit period exceeds the upper limit number of sheets of the plan corresponding to the unit period, the consumables for the unit period are provided by paying an excess fee according to the excess number, which is the difference between the number of printed sheets and the upper limit number, further causing the control unit to execute a fee determination process for determining whether the excess fee corresponding to the excess number of sheets in the current unit period exceeds the difference between the basic fee of the second plan and the basic fee of the first plan when the number of printed sheets in the middle of the current unit period exceeds the upper limit number of sheets of the first plan; The change process is executed when the number of printed sheets is determined to exceed the first upper limit number in the sheet count determination process, and when the excess fee is determined to exceed the difference in fee in the fee determination process. program.

10. 3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, The printing service is targeted at a plurality of printing devices including the printing device, and by paying the basic fee of the plan, the consumables to be consumed during the unit period are provided for a printing device among the plurality of printing devices whose number of printed sheets at the end of the unit period does not exceed the upper limit number of sheets, the number-of-sheets determination process determines whether the number of printed sheets in the current unit period exceeds the first upper limit number for each of the plurality of printing devices; the change process is executed when it is determined in the sheet count determination process that the number of printed sheets during the current unit period for at least one of the plurality of printing devices will exceed the first upper limit number, a printing notification process for notifying a printing device among the plurality of printing devices that has a relatively large number of remaining sheets before the number of printed sheets in the current unit period reaches the first upper limit number; and a program for causing the control unit to execute the above.

11. 3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, a suppression notification process that notifies the user that printing will be suppressed when the number of sheets remaining until the number of printed sheets in the current unit period reaches the first upper limit number reaches a predetermined lower limit number; and a program for causing the control unit to execute the above.

12. An electronic device having a control unit, The control unit a number determination process for determining whether or not the number of printed sheets, which is the number of sheets printed in a current unit period, exceeds a first upper limit number, which is the upper limit number of sheets of the first plan corresponding to the current unit period, in a printing device that is a target of a printing service having a plurality of plans including a first plan and a second plan; a change process for changing the plan of the printing service corresponding to the current unit period from the first plan to the second plan; One of the plurality of plans of the printing service is set corresponding to a unit period, and a different upper limit number is set for each of the plurality of plans, and a basic fee is set according to the upper limit number so that the higher the upper limit number, the higher the basic fee is set according to the upper limit number, and in the printing service, if the number of printed sheets at the end of the unit period does not exceed the upper limit number of the plan corresponding to the unit period, consumables consumed in printing by the printing device during the unit period are provided by paying the basic fee of the plan, The change process is executed when it is determined in the sheet count determination process that the number of printed sheets during the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets, The second upper limit number of the second plan is greater than the first upper limit number of the first plan. electronic equipment.

13. 1. A method executable in an electronic device having a controller, comprising: In a printing device that is a target of a printing service having a plurality of plans including a first plan and a second plan, determining whether or not the number of printed sheets, which is the number of sheets printed in a current unit period, exceeds a first upper limit number, which is the upper limit number of sheets of the first plan corresponding to the current unit period; performing a process for changing the plan of the printing service corresponding to the current unit period from the first plan to the second plan; One of the plurality of plans of the printing service is set corresponding to a unit period, and a different upper limit number is set for each of the plurality of plans, and a basic fee is set according to the upper limit number so that the higher the upper limit number, the higher the basic fee is set according to the upper limit number, and in the printing service, if the number of printed sheets at the end of the unit period does not exceed the upper limit number of the plan corresponding to the unit period, consumables consumed in printing by the printing device during the unit period are provided by paying the basic fee of the plan, a process for changing the plan of the printing service from the first plan to the second plan is executed when it is determined that the number of printed sheets during the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets; The second upper limit number of the second plan is greater than the first upper limit number of the first plan. method.

14. A printing system having a server, an information processing device, and a printing device, the printing device performs printing in response to an instruction from the information processing device, and is a target of a printing service having a plurality of plans including a first plan and a second plan; the server executes a process for providing the print service; The information processing device includes: a first communication unit that communicates with the printing device; a second communication unit that communicates with the server; a control unit, The control unit a number determination process for determining whether or not the number of printed sheets, which is the number of sheets printed in a current unit period, exceeds a first upper limit number, which is the upper limit number of sheets of the first plan corresponding to the current unit period, in the printing device; a change process for changing the plan of the printing service corresponding to the current unit period from the first plan to the second plan by communicating with the server via the second communication unit; One of the plurality of plans of the printing service is set corresponding to a unit period, and a different upper limit number is set for each of the plurality of plans, and a basic fee is set according to the upper limit number so that the higher the upper limit number, the higher the basic fee is set according to the upper limit number, and in the printing service, if the number of printed sheets at the end of the unit period does not exceed the upper limit number of the plan corresponding to the unit period, consumables consumed in printing by the printing device during the unit period are provided by paying the basic fee of the plan, The change process is executed when it is determined in the sheet count determination process that the number of printed sheets during the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets, The second upper limit number of the second plan is greater than the first upper limit number of the first plan. Printing system.

15. A printing system having a server, an information processing device, and a printing device, the printing device performs printing in response to an instruction from the information processing device, and is a target of a printing service having a plurality of plans including a first plan and a second plan; the server executes a process for providing the print service; The server a communication unit that communicates with the information processing device; a control unit, The control unit a number determination process for determining whether the number of printed sheets, which is the number of sheets printed in a current unit period, exceeds a first upper limit number, which is the upper limit number of sheets of the first plan corresponding to the current unit period, by communicating with the information processing device via the communication unit; a change process for changing the plan of the printing service corresponding to the current unit period from the first plan to the second plan; One of the plurality of plans of the printing service is set corresponding to a unit period, and a different upper limit number is set for each of the plurality of plans, and a basic fee is set according to the upper limit number so that the higher the upper limit number, the higher the basic fee is set according to the upper limit number, and in the printing service, if the number of printed sheets at the end of the unit period does not exceed the upper limit number of the plan corresponding to the unit period, consumables consumed in printing by the printing device during the unit period are provided by paying the basic fee of the plan, The change process is executed when it is determined in the sheet count determination process that the number of printed sheets during the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets, The second upper limit number of the second plan is greater than the first upper limit number of the first plan. Printing system.

16. A printing system having a server, an information processing device, and a printing device, the printing device performs printing in response to an instruction from the information processing device, and is a target of a printing service having a plurality of plans including a first plan and a second plan; the server executes a process for providing the print service; The printing device a first communication unit that communicates with the information processing device; a second communication unit that communicates with the server; a control unit, The control unit a number determination process for determining whether or not the number of printed sheets, which is the number of sheets printed in a current unit period, exceeds a first upper limit number, which is the upper limit number of sheets of the first plan corresponding to the current unit period; a change process for changing the plan of the printing service corresponding to the current unit period from the first plan to the second plan by communicating with the server via the second communication unit; One of the plurality of plans of the printing service is set corresponding to a unit period, and a different upper limit number is set for each of the plurality of plans, and a basic fee is set according to the upper limit number so that the higher the upper limit number, the higher the basic fee is set according to the upper limit number, and in the printing service, if the number of printed sheets at the end of the unit period does not exceed the upper limit number of the plan corresponding to the unit period, consumables consumed in printing by the printing device during the unit period are provided by paying the basic fee of the plan, The change process is executed when it is determined in the sheet count determination process that the number of printed sheets during the current unit period will exceed the first upper limit number of sheets, The second upper limit number of the second plan is greater than the first upper limit number of the first plan. Printing system.

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