Information processing apparatus, control method of information processing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To identify the status of use of a recording material which is specified in a subscription service that a user subscribes to.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus for providing a subscription service of an image forming apparatus to a user is configured to: acquire information indicating the number of sheets used by the image forming apparatus for forming images in a predetermined period and the amount of recording materials used for forming the images; derive the amount of recording materials used per predetermined number of sheets, based on the acquired information; and output UI screen data showing the derived amount of recording materials used per predetermined number of sheets and an upper limit of the recording materials to be used per predetermined number of sheets designated in the subscription service, to a client terminal used by the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, one way of using image forming devices such as printers and multifunction peripherals is through subscription contracts, whereby a user pays a predetermined flat rate to use the image forming device and the recording material used for said image formation within a specified period of time. In some subscription contracts, an upper limit on the amount of recording material that can be used per sheet of a specified size (coverage rate) is set.

[0003] Regarding a technology for issuing a warning regarding the remaining amount of recording material, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for estimating the remaining amount of recording material after image formation based on the current remaining amount of recording material and the amount of recording material used in image formation, and issuing a warning if the estimated remaining amount is smaller than a threshold value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-39782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology of Patent Document 1 above provides a warning to indicate that the remaining amount of recording material is low, but it is not possible to grasp the recording material usage status in light of the terms of the subscription service to which the user has subscribed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device for providing a user with a subscription service for an image forming device, and is characterized by having: an acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the number of sheets on which the image forming device has formed images over a specified period and the amount of recording material used for the image formation; a derivation means for deriving the amount of recording material used per specified number of sheets based on the acquired information; and an output means for outputting UI screen data to the client terminal that displays the derived amount of recording material used per specified number of sheets and the contractual upper limit of recording material usage per specified number of sheets in the subscription service. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to grasp the usage status of recording materials in light of the contract details of the subscription service to which the user has subscribed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of each device constituting the system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of each device that configures the system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a client terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing between the devices. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print service (a process for generating a UI screen). [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a client terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a client terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing between the devices. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a client terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing between the devices. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a service change determination process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments for implementing the technology of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the technology of the present disclosure according to the claims. Not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential as solutions for the technology of the present disclosure, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Note that identical configurations will be described using the same reference numerals. Also, each process (step) in a flowchart will be denoted with an "S" at the beginning.

[0010] <<Embodiment 1>> 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 100 according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 101, a client terminal 102, and a print server 103, and the apparatuses 101 to 103 are connected to networks 104 to 105.

[0011] The networks 104 to 105 are so-called communication networks realized by, for example, a LAN such as the Internet, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM or frame relay line, a cable television line, a wireless line for data broadcasting, etc. The networks 104 to 105 may be any network as long as they are capable of transmitting and receiving data. In this embodiment, the network 104 is the Internet, and the network 105 is a local network (LAN).

[0012] Network 105 is a LAN to which image forming apparatus 101 and client terminal 102 are connected. Image forming apparatus 101, client terminal 102, and print server 103 communicate with each other via the LAN. That is, image forming apparatus 101 and client terminal 102 can access network 104 and print server 103 via network 105.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 101 is a multifunction machine or printer that has a copy function, a scanner function, a fax transmission function, and the like in addition to a printing function.

[0014] The client terminal 102 is a device for processing data such as a personal computer or mobile terminal for using cloud services. Specifically, the client terminal 102 is a computer used by a user of the image forming apparatus 101, which sends a print job to the image forming apparatus 101 or sends a print instruction to the print server 103.

[0015] The print server 103 provides a service for issuing print instructions to devices registered in the contract information subscribed by the user. When the print server 103 receives data from a device registered in the registration information, it performs various processes corresponding to the received data.

[0016] Here, the print server 103 is published on the Internet as a cloud service with multiple redundant servers. Furthermore, the functions of each service may be realized by a single server or a single virtual server, or may be realized by multiple servers or multiple virtual servers. Alternatively, multiple virtual servers may be executed on a single server.

[0017] The print server 103 is a server that provides print services, and manages print service contracts and provides printing-related functions. The print server 103 stores contract information for each user. In this embodiment, the user registers a service plan, user information, and device information, which is information about the image forming apparatus 101, in the print server 103 via the client terminal 102, and the print server 103 stores the contract information. In other words, the print server 103 is a device that provides users with a subscription service that enables them to use the image forming apparatus 101 and the recording material used in the image formation for a fixed fee.

[0018] (Hardware configuration of image forming device) 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 has a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a network controller 204, a disk controller (DKC) 205, a raster controller 207, and a print engine 208. The image forming apparatus 101 also has an operation panel 209, a storage device 210, and an equipment I / F 211. The devices 201 to 211 are connected to the system bus 211 so as to be able to send and receive data to and from each other.

[0019] The CPU 201 controls the entire image forming apparatus 101. Specifically, the CPU 201 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to a system bus 211 based on a control program, resource data (resource information), and the like. The control program, resource data (resource information), and the like are stored in a ROM 202 or an external memory 206 connected via a DKC 205. The RAM 203 functions as the CPU 201's main memory, work area, and the like. The memory capacity of the RAM 203 may be expandable by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The storage device 210 is an external storage device that functions as a large-capacity memory and stores programs for processing units 311 to 316 (described later) according to this embodiment. The operation panel (operation unit) 209 is a device that displays a screen and accepts user operation instructions via the screen. The operation panel 209 may be provided with buttons and a display unit such as an LCD panel for setting the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 101, displaying the operation status of the image forming apparatus 101, and performing operations such as copying. The network controller 204 is a device for communicating data with an external device, such as a network interface card (NIC). The print engine 208 is a device for printing on a recording medium. The print engine 208 may use a known printing technology for printing, such as electrophotography (laser beam), inkjet, or dye sublimation (thermal transfer). The raster controller 207 is a controller that converts print data defined in a language such as PDL (Page Description Language) or PDF (Portable Document Format) into image data. The device I / F 211 is an interface for connecting to an external device via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like.

[0020] (Client terminal and print server hardware configuration) FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminal 102 and the print server 103. The hardware configuration of the print server 103 may be the same as that of the client terminal 102, so a duplicated description will be omitted. The print server 103 may be a single device or a system consisting of multiple devices. The print server 103 may also be a system in which processes are performed while devices are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The client terminal 102 and the print server 103 may each include all of the components shown in FIG. 2(b). Alternatively, some of the components in FIG. 2(b) may be omitted, or the client terminal 102 and the print server 103 may each include additional components.

[0021] The client terminal 102 and the print server 103 each include a CPU 231, a ROM 232, a RAM 233, a network controller 234, an input control unit 235, a storage device 236, and a display 237. The devices 231 to 237 are connected to a system bus 241 so as to be able to send and receive data to and from each other.

[0022] The CPU 231 is a processing circuit that controls the entire device in which the CPU 231 is installed. For example, the CPU 231 executes application programs, an operating system, etc. stored in the storage device 236. The CPU 231 also controls temporary storage of information, files, etc. used for executing programs in the RAM 233. The ROM 232 is a memory that stores programs such as basic I / O (Input / Output) programs and various data. The RAM 233 is a temporary storage memory that functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 231. The network controller 234 is a device for communicating data with external devices, such as a network interface card (NIC).

[0023] The input control unit 235 is a device that controls input to the apparatus in which the input control unit 235 is installed. The client terminal 102 and the print server 103 each exchange data with external devices via the input control unit 235. The storage device 236 is one type of external storage device and functions as a large-capacity memory. The storage device 236 stores application programs, an operating system (OS), and the like. The display 237 is a display device that displays program results, information necessary for input operations, and the like. The display 237 may also have a function to accept user operation instructions via a screen such as a touch panel.

[0024] (System functional configuration) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration (software configuration) of each device constituting the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. The software configuration has been described by extracting functions related to this embodiment from among the image forming apparatus 101, the client terminal 102, and the print server 103. The software modules of the image forming apparatus 101 are stored in the storage device 210, and are loaded into the RAM 203 and executed by the CPU 201, as described above. The software modules of the client terminal 102 and the print server 103 are stored in the storage device 236 of each device, and are implemented by being deployed to the RAM 233 and executed by the CPU 231, as described above. Each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 101, the client terminal 102, and the print server 103 may also perform part of the functions of the other functional units.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 101 has a data transmission / reception unit 311, a data storage unit 312, a data management unit 313, a print control unit 314, a scan control unit 315, and a user interface unit 316. The data transmission / reception unit 311 transmits and receives data to and from the client terminal 102 and the print server 103. The data transmission / reception unit 311 transmits, for example, print result information of the image forming apparatus 101 to the print server 103, and receives data such as print instructions from the print server 103.

[0026] The data storage unit 312 stores data entered by the user, device information, etc. The data management unit 313 manages data by saving data to the data storage unit 312, updating and deleting saved data, etc. The print control unit 314 controls printing. The scan control unit 315 controls scanning. The user interface unit 316 accepts user input. In accordance with the input content accepted by the user interface unit 316, printing by the print control unit 314 and scanning by the scan control unit 315 are performed.

[0027] The client terminal 102 has a data transmission / reception unit 321, a data storage unit 322, a print instruction unit 323, a user interface unit 324, and a print service data display unit 325. The data transmission / reception unit 321 transmits and receives data to and from the image forming apparatus 101 and the print server 103. The data transmission / reception unit 321 transmits, for example, data such as print instructions to the image forming apparatus 101, and receives data such as scan data from the image forming apparatus 101. The data transmission / reception unit 321 also transmits data such as information registration instructions and print instructions to the print server 103, and receives data such as contract information and print history information from the print server 103.

[0028] The data storage unit 322 stores data related to the image forming apparatus 101, user information related to the print server 103, etc. The print instruction unit 323 issues print instructions via the print server 103 or directly to the image forming apparatus 101. The print instruction unit 323 may be a client application for the print server 103 or may be a printer driver.

[0029] The user interface unit 324 accepts user input. In accordance with the input content accepted by the user interface unit 324, the unit issues instructions to the image forming apparatus 101 and the print server 103. The print service data display unit 325 displays data such as UI data received from the print server 103. The print service data display unit 325 may be a browser or a client application for the print server 103.

[0030] The print server 103 includes a data storage unit 331 , a user management unit 332 , a contract management unit 333 , a print history management unit 334 , a statistical information generation unit 335 , an electronic image formation unit 336 , and a data transmission / reception unit 337 .

[0031] The data storage unit 331 stores data related to contracts registered for the print service provided by the print server 103, data related to users, data related to devices, print history, and the like.

[0032] The user management unit 332 manages user data, such as saving data related to users who use the print service provided by the print server 103 in the data storage unit 331, and updating and deleting saved user data. Table 1 below shows an example of data managed by the user management unit 332.

[0033] [Table 1]

[0034] The user ID column records an ID that uniquely identifies a user. The password column records the basic authentication password used when a user logs in with a user ID. The user management unit 332 compares the user ID and password combination included in the login request from the client terminal 102 with the user ID and password combination managed in the user management table of Table 1. If the comparison results in a matching combination being present in the user information managed by the user management unit 332, the user management unit 332 returns a login result of success to each client terminal. The login status column records the user's login status. In the login status column, on indicates a logged-in status, and off indicates a logged-out status. The login expiration date column indicates the expiration date of the authentication status of the logged-in user.

[0035] The contract management unit 333 manages service plans handled in the print service provided by the print server 103, such as saving the service plans in the data storage unit 331, updating and deleting the saved service plans, etc. The contract management unit 333 also manages the contract status indicating which service plans the user or device has subscribed to. Table 2 below shows examples of service plans managed by the contract management unit 333.

[0036] [Table 2]

[0037] The plan ID column records an ID that uniquely identifies the service plan provided by the print service. The color column records the print type. The color column indicates whether the print type is color or black and white for the service plan.

[0038] The coverage rate column records the upper limit of the coverage rate specified in the service plan. The upper limit of the coverage rate may be expressed in terms of the print area (image formation area) or the amount of printing material (recording material) used. When expressed in terms of the print area, the upper limit of the coverage rate can be said to indicate the upper limit of the ratio of the printable area using the printing material to the entire printable area of ​​a single sheet of printing paper of a specified size. When expressed in terms of the amount of printing material used, the upper limit of the coverage rate can be said to indicate the upper limit of the ratio of the amount of printing material that can be used for printing to the amount of printing material that would be used if printing were done using the printing material to the entire printable area of ​​a single sheet of printing paper of a specified size. In other words, the upper limit of the coverage rate can be said to indicate the upper limit of the amount of recording material that can be used for printing per specified number of sheets of a specified size.

[0039] For example, if the image forming apparatus is an apparatus that prints using CMYK toners as printing materials and the color column type is color, the upper limit of the coverage rate specified in the service plan will be as follows: When expressed in terms of print range, the upper limit of the coverage rate indicates the upper limit of the ratio of the total print range that can be printed with each CMYK toner to the total print range when each CMYK toner is used to print the entire print range of one sheet of printing paper. When expressed in terms of the amount of printing material used, the upper limit of the coverage rate indicates the upper limit of the ratio of the total amount of CMYK toner that can be used for printing to the total amount of use when each CMYK toner is used to print the entire print range of one sheet of printing paper.

[0040] Furthermore, if the image forming apparatus is an apparatus that prints using toners of the CMYK printing materials and the color row type is black and white, the upper limit of the coverage rate specified in the service plan will be as follows: When expressed in terms of print range, the upper limit of the coverage rate indicates the upper limit of the ratio of the total print range that can be printed with K toner to the total print range when K toner is used for the entire print range of one sheet of printing paper. When expressed in terms of the amount of printing material used, the upper limit of the coverage rate indicates the upper limit of the ratio of the total amount of K toner that can be used to the total amount of K toner used when K toner is used for the entire print range of one sheet of printing paper.

[0041] The billing interval column records the interval at which billing is performed. For example, 1 month or 1 year is recorded in the billing interval column. For example, if 1 month is recorded as the billing interval, it indicates that the fee will be billed monthly. If 1 year is recorded as the billing interval, it indicates that the fee will be billed annually. The contract period column records the unit of time for which the user subscribes to the service plan. For example, 1 month or 1 year is recorded in the contract period column. For example, if 1 year is recorded as the contract period, it indicates that the service plan is subscribed to and renewed on a yearly basis. If 1 month is recorded as the contract period, it indicates that the service plan is subscribed to and renewed on a monthly basis. As in the above example, the billing interval and the contract period may be different.

[0042] The Maximum Number column records the maximum number of pages that can be printed within a billing interval. A blank field indicates that there is no limit. The Fee column records the service plan fee for each billing interval. For example, in Table 2, if the service plan has plan A as its plan ID, it indicates that a fixed fee of 20 USD per month will be charged. In addition, in the case of service plan E, it indicates that a variable fee of 0.7 USD per page will be charged. Note that fees can also be set by combining fixed and variable fees, such as plan F, where the fee is 20 USD if the number of pages printed does not exceed the limit in the Maximum Number column, and an additional 0.7 USD per page if it does exceed the limit.

[0043] Table 3 below shows an example of the contract status managed by the contract management unit 333.

[0044] [Table 3]

[0045] The contract ID column records an ID that uniquely identifies a contract. The user ID column records an ID that uniquely identifies a user. The user ID column in Table 3 registers the same user ID as the user ID registered in the user ID column in Table 1. The plan ID column records an ID that uniquely identifies a service plan. The plan ID column in Table 3 registers the same ID plan as the ID plan registered in the ID plan column in Table 2. The device ID column records an ID that uniquely identifies a device, and indicates the device ID of the device used with the subscribed service plan.

[0046] The start date column records the date when the user subscribes to the service plan and begins. The renewal date column records the end date of the period when the user subscribes to the service plan and indicates the date when the contract is renewed or terminated. The closing date column records the date when the next fee is charged.

[0047] The print history management unit 334 manages the print history by storing the print results received from the image forming apparatus 101 in the data storage unit 331 and creating a print history from the stored print results. Table 4 below shows an example of the print history managed by the print history management unit 334.

[0048] [Table 4]

[0049] The Device ID column records an ID that uniquely identifies the device and indicates the device that performed the printing. The Document column records the name of the document that was printed. The Page column indicates the page number of the printed page in the document in the numerator, and the total number of pages in the document in the denominator. The Color column indicates whether the printing was performed in color or black and white.

[0050] The coverage rate indicates the coverage rate of printing material used on one sheet of printing paper of a specified size. The coverage rate may be expressed in terms of the printing area or the amount of printing material used. When expressed in terms of the printing area, the coverage rate can be said to indicate the ratio of the area printed using printing material to the entire printable area of ​​one sheet of printing paper. When expressed in terms of the amount of printing material used, the coverage rate can be said to indicate the ratio of the amount of printing material used to print the relevant page to the amount of printing material used if printing was done using the entire printable area of ​​one sheet of printing paper.

[0051] The date and time column indicates the date and time when printing was performed.

[0052] The statistical information generation unit 335 generates statistical information related to user contracts and printing from information managed by the user management unit 332, contract management unit 333, and print history management unit 334, and generates a UI for displaying this statistical information. As an example of statistical information, it generates statistical information indicating whether printing is exceeding the upper limit coverage rate specified in the service plan to which the user has subscribed. For a user with a user ID of userA in the user management table of Table 1, contract information is obtained from the contract status management table of Table 3, which indicates that the service plan with a plan ID of planA is subscribed to by a device with a device ID of DeviceA. For the device with the device ID of DeviceA, the printing history management table of Table 4 indicates the amount of printing material used (coverage rate) per specified number of sheets (1 sheet) per print as follows: That is, the coverage rate is 10% for 1 / 3 page of ABC.pdf, 5% for 2 / 3 page of ABC.pdf, 15% for 3 / 3 page of ABC.pdf, and 30% for 1 / 1 page of XYZ.ppptx. Since the total coverage rate for four pages is 10% + 5% + 15% + 30% = 60%, the average coverage rate per page is calculated to be 60% / 4 = 15%. Furthermore, for the service plan with the above plan ID of planA, 30% is obtained as the specified upper limit coverage rate from the service plan management table in Table 2. From the calculated average coverage rate and the obtained upper limit coverage rate, statistical information can be generated that shows that the user with user ID userA is not printing more than the upper limit coverage rate specified in the service plan.

[0053] The statistical information generating unit 335 also manages a glossary used to create a UI that displays the generated statistical information. Table 5 below shows an example of a glossary managed by the statistical information generating unit 335.

[0054] [Table 5]

[0055] Table 5 shows, as an example, three patterns of glossaries corresponding to the relationship between the amount of printing material used per specified number of sheets and a specified upper limit coverage rate (threshold). Specifically, if the average coverage rate during the contract period is less than the specified upper limit coverage rate (threshold) multiplied by a specified percentage, the following message will be displayed. That is, a message will be displayed indicating that the average coverage rate (amount of recording material used) during the contract period is equal to or less than the specified upper limit coverage rate (equal to or less than the upper limit of recording material used). If the average coverage rate during the contract period is equal to or greater than the specified upper limit coverage rate multiplied by a specified percentage and is equal to or less than the specified upper limit coverage rate, the following message will be displayed. That is, a message will be displayed indicating that the average coverage rate during the contract period is about to exceed the specified upper limit coverage rate. If the average coverage rate during the contract period exceeds the specified upper limit coverage rate, a message will be displayed indicating that the average coverage rate during the contract period has exceeded the specified upper limit coverage rate. The glossary ID column records an ID that uniquely identifies the glossary used by the statistical information generation unit 335. The language column records the language used in the glossary, which is the language used in the country where the subscription service is provided. The language column in Table 5 indicates that Japanese (ja) is used. A language code is set in the language column as an example. The glossary column records sentences and terms to be displayed in the UI. The condition column records the conditions for selecting a glossary, and a glossary that satisfies the conditions of the statistical information generated by the statistical information generation unit 335 is selected. For example, if the statistical information generated by the statistical information generation unit 335 indicates that the average coverage rate during the contract period is 15% and the upper limit coverage rate is 30%, glossaryA is selected because the condition of glossaryA is met. Furthermore, although the value obtained by multiplying the upper limit coverage rate by 0.8 is used as one of the reference values ​​for the condition, this number is not limited to 0.8 and may be any number other than 0.8.

[0056] In Table 5, the average coverage rate for the contract period is used as the criteria, but the average coverage rate for the most recent period rather than the entire contract period may be used as the criteria, or a combination of the average coverage rates for the entire contract period and the most recent period may be used as the criteria. Table 6 below shows an example of a glossary table for conditions based on a combination of the average coverage rate for the entire contract period and the most recent period (a specified period in the past).

[0057] [Table 6]

[0058] The definitions of each column in Table 6 are the same as those in Table 5. In Table 6, the most recent period is set to two months, but this period is not limited to two months and may be any period other than two months. An example will be described in which the statistical information generated by the statistical information generation unit 335 indicates that the average coverage rate for the contract period is 15%, the average coverage rate for the most recent two months is 25%, and the upper limit coverage rate is 30%. Since the condition in Table 5 applies to glossary A, the UI displays the message "Below the plan's specified value." However, since the condition in Table 6 applies to glossary B', the UI displays the message "Approximately exceeding the plan's specified value." As in the above example, it is also possible to generate statistical information based on not only the entire contract period but also recent trends and display it on the UI.

[0059] When a print instruction is issued from the print server 103 to the image forming apparatus 101, the electronic image forming unit 336 creates electronic data of a print job to be sent as a print instruction. By sending the electronic data to the image forming apparatus 101, the image forming apparatus 101 executes printing. The data transmitting / receiving unit 337 transmits data such as print instructions to the image forming apparatus 101 and receives data such as operation data from the image forming apparatus 101. The data transmitting / receiving unit 337 also receives data such as information registration instructions and print instructions from the client terminal 102 and transmits data such as statistical information generated by the statistical information generating unit 335 to the client terminal 102.

[0060] 4, 5, and 6, a method for notifying a user of the average coverage rate of printed materials printed by the user along with the upper limit of the coverage rate specified for the print service in an information processing device and program that is the object of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the user operating the client terminal 102 is assumed to be the user whose user ID column in Tables 1 and 3 above is userA. The user A is assumed to be the user who uses the image forming device 101, and the image forming device 101 is assumed to be the device whose device ID column in Tables 3 and 4 above is DeviceA. Furthermore, it is assumed that userA has subscribed to a service plan whose plan ID is planA in Tables 2 and 3 above, and has registered DeviceA as the device to be used.

[0061] (UI screen displaying coverage rate information) 4 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen that displays coverage rate information. The UI screen 410 is displayed on the display 237 of the client terminal 102 used by user A. The UI screen 410 is generated by the statistical information generation unit 335 of the print server 103 according to this embodiment. The UI screen 410 is displayed on the print service data display unit 325. The UI screen 410 (display 237) displays an example of a dashboard-style UI provided by the print server 103 according to this embodiment. In other words, the statistical information generation unit 335 can be said to generate UI screen data that displays the coverage rate and the upper limit usage amount of recording material per specified number of sheets under the subscription service contract (plan upper limit coverage rate), and output it to the client terminal 102.

[0062] The UI screen 410 displays the average coverage rate of printouts printed by user A on a device subscribed to a service plan and the upper limit coverage rate specified in the service plan. The UI screen 410 also displays a UI screen title 411, a period 412, a description 413, a current coverage rate 414, and a message 415.

[0063] UI screen title 411 is an area that displays the title of UI screen 410, and in the example of FIG. 4, it indicates that this is a UI for coverage rate information for Device A. Period 412 displays the start date and end date of the print history that are the basis for calculating the average coverage rate, with the start date displayed to the left of the hyphen and the end date displayed to the right of the hyphen. The start date and end date of period 412 can be changed as long as they are within the contract period. In other words, the above screen information can be said to include information representing a screen that displays the contract period of the service used by the user.

[0064] Explanation 413 explains the display of the coverage rate, and indicates that the left side of the slash is the average coverage rate of the printed material, and the right side of the slash is the upper limit of the coverage rate specified for the print service.

[0065] The current coverage rate 414 displays the average coverage rate of the printouts printed by user A using Device A and the upper limit of the coverage rate specified in plan A. In the current coverage rate 414, the average coverage rate of the printouts printed by user A using Device A is displayed to the left of the slash, and the upper limit of the coverage rate specified in plan A is displayed to the right of the slash.

[0066] Message 415 displays a sentence to be communicated to user A, and displays a glossary sentence selected by the statistical information generation unit 326 based on the conditions of the glossary table shown in Table 5. In other words, the above screen information can be said to include information representing a screen that displays a message corresponding to the relationship between the coverage rate and the threshold value.

[0067] (Processing flow between devices) Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing between devices. Fig. 5 shows an example of a sequence from when a user signs a contract for a print service to when the average coverage rate, which is one piece of statistical information about the results of printing during the contract, is acquired.

[0068] In S501, a user whose user ID is userA performs user registration on the print server 103 via the client terminal 102. In S501, the data transmission / reception unit 321 of the client terminal 102 of userA transmits a user registration instruction including information for user registration, such as the user ID and password entered via the user interface unit 324, to the data transmission / reception unit 337. In S502, the user management unit 332 stores the received user ID and password in the user management table shown in Table 1 stored in the data storage unit 331, and returns a user registration instruction result indicating successful user registration to the client terminal 102.

[0069] In S503, the data transmission / reception unit 321 of the client terminal 102 of user A transmits the user ID and password entered in the user interface unit 324 to the data transmission / reception unit 337. In S504, the user management unit 332 refers to the user management table shown in Table 1 stored in the data storage unit 331, checks whether the user ID and password match those of user A, and if they match, returns a login result indicating that the login was successful.

[0070] In S505, user A signs up for a service plan for the print service. In S505, the data transmitter / receiver 321 of the client terminal 102 sends a contract registration instruction to the data transmitter / receiver 337, which includes information for the contract, such as device information, service plan information, and contract period information, entered in the user interface unit 324. In S506, the contract management unit 333 stores the received contract information in the contract status management table shown in Table 3, which is stored in the data storage unit 331, and returns a contract registration instruction result indicating that the contract registration was successful.

[0071] Thereafter, in steps S507 to S513, processing related to printing by the image forming apparatus 101 using the print server 103 is executed, and this processing is executed asynchronously and repeatedly with the processing of steps S514 to S517, which will be described later.

[0072] In S507, when user A inputs a print instruction to the user interface unit 324, the print instruction unit 323 transmits the print instruction to the data transmission / reception unit 337 via the data transmission / reception unit 321. In S508, the data transmission / reception unit 337 of the print server 103 returns a notification to the data transmission / reception unit 321 that it has completed receiving the print instruction.

[0073] In S509, the electronic image forming unit 336 creates electronic data of a print job to be sent as a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 101 based on the print instruction received in S507. Then, the created electronic data of the print job (print instruction data) is sent to the data transmitting / receiving unit 311 of the image forming apparatus 101. In S510, the data transmitting / receiving unit 311 of the image forming apparatus 101 returns a notification to the data transmitting / receiving unit 337 that it has completed receiving the print instruction data.

[0074] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a print instruction is sent from the client terminal 102 to the image forming apparatus 101 via the print server 103, but the present invention is not limited to this. A print instruction may also be sent directly from the data transmission / reception unit 321 of the client terminal 102 to the data transmission / reception unit 311 of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0075] In S511, the image forming apparatus 101 executes printing based on the print instruction received in S509. That is, the image forming apparatus 101 performs image formation.

[0076] In S512, the data transmission / reception unit 311 transmits the print results and log data to the data transmission / reception unit 337. Specifically, in S511, the data transmission / reception unit 337 transmits the date and time of printing, document information, the number of printed sheets and paper (sheets), information on printing materials such as the toner and ink used, the coverage rate of the printing materials, sensor data of the image forming apparatus 101, and the like. The coverage rate of the printing materials is generated from the amount of printing materials used in the printing process and the size of the paper. In other words, it can be said that the print server 103 acquires image formation information indicating the number of sheets on which the image forming apparatus 101 formed images and the amount of recording material used in the image formation. Note that the coverage rate may be generated by a method other than the above. Furthermore, if printing fails in S511 due to a paper jam or the like, the coverage rate may be set to 0%, or may be excluded from the calculation of the average coverage rate, or the coverage rate may be generated from the printing process up until the failure.

[0077] In S513, the print history management unit 334 stores the received print results and log data in the print history management table shown in Table 4 stored in the data storage unit 331. Then, the data transmission / reception unit 337 of the print server 103 returns a notification to the data transmission / reception unit 301 that reception has been completed.

[0078] Thereafter, steps S514 to S517 execute processing related to obtaining statistical information on the print results using print server 103, and are executed asynchronously and repeatedly with the processing of steps S507 to S513 described above. The statistical information may be obtained in steps S514 to S517 after printing in steps S507 to S513 is executed only once, or the statistical information may be obtained after printing is executed multiple times. Furthermore, obtaining the statistical information in steps S514 to S517 may be executed only once, or multiple times.

[0079] In S514, user A requests acquisition of statistical information on the print results corresponding to the print instruction executed in S507. In S514, when user A inputs the request to acquire statistical information into the user interface unit 324, the data transmission / reception unit 321 transmits the request to acquire statistical information to the data transmission / reception unit 337.

[0080] In S515, the statistical information generation unit 335 of the print server 103 generates statistical information from information managed by the user management unit 332, the contract management unit 333, and the print history management unit 334, and generates a UI screen for displaying the statistical information. In this embodiment, information related to the coverage rate and a UI screen are generated as the statistical information.

[0081] (UI screen generation process) FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the detailed flow of the UI screen generation process (S515).

[0082] In S601, the statistical information generation unit 335 determines whether or not it has received an acquisition request input for an average coverage rate, which is one type of statistical information, from the client terminal 102. If the statistical information generation unit 335 obtains a determination result that it has received an acquisition request input for an average coverage rate, which is one type of statistical information, from the client terminal 102 (YES in S601), the process proceeds to S602. Note that if it has not obtained a determination result that it has received an acquisition request input for an average coverage rate (NO in S601), the process of S601 is repeatedly executed until it obtains a determination result that it has received an acquisition request input for an average coverage rate.

[0083] In S602, the statistical information generation unit 335 determines whether the print history of the device for which the coverage rate is to be calculated is present in the print history management table shown in Table 4, which is managed by the print history management unit 334. If the determination result indicates that the print history of the device is not present in the print history management table (NO in S602), the process proceeds to S610. If the determination result indicates that the print history of the device for which the coverage rate is to be calculated is present in the print history management table (YES in S602), the process proceeds to S603.

[0084] In S603, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires the print history of the device for which the coverage rate is to be calculated from the print history management table shown in Table 4 managed by the print history management unit 334. In S604, the statistical information generation unit 335 calculates an average coverage rate from the coverage rate of the device history acquired in S603. That is, the statistical information generation unit 335 calculates the average coverage rate corresponding to the amount of printing material used per predetermined number of sheets (one sheet) on which the image forming apparatus 101 formed images during a predetermined period.

[0085] In S605, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires the contract status of the device for which the coverage rate is to be calculated from the contract status management table shown in Table 3 managed by the contract management unit 333, and acquires the plan ID of the service plan to which the device is subscribed. In S606, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires a service plan list from the service plan management table shown in Table 2 managed by the contract management unit 333. From the service plan list, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires service plan information for the plan ID to which the device acquired in S605 is subscribed. In S607, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires a glossary list from the glossary table shown in Table 5 managed by the statistical information generation unit 335 itself.

[0086] In S608, it is determined whether there is a glossary from the glossary list acquired in S607 that meets the average coverage rate calculated in S604 and the conditions of the service plan information acquired in S606. If the determination result indicates that there is no glossary that meets the conditions (NO in S608), the process proceeds to S610. If the determination result indicates that there is a glossary that meets the conditions (YES in S608), the process proceeds to S609.

[0087] In S609, the statistical information generating unit 335 determines the glossary to be used as the glossary that satisfies the conditions.

[0088] In S610, the statistical information generating unit 335 creates a UI screen relating to the coverage rate to be provided to the user. Specifically, the statistical information generating unit 335 creates a UI screen corresponding to the process that has been passed through.

[0089] (UI to be created) 7(a) to 7(c) are diagrams showing examples of UIs created in the UI creation process. Fig. 7(a) shows an example of a UI when the process moves from S602 to S610, Fig. 7(b) shows an example of a UI when the process moves from S608 to S610, and Fig. 7(c) shows an example of a UI when the process moves from S609 to S610.

[0090] When the process moves from S602 to S610, the statistical information generation unit 335 creates a UI 710 in which the section 711 corresponding to the average coverage rate and the section 712 corresponding to the glossary are left blank, as shown in Fig. 7(a) . This is because there is no print history, and it is not possible to calculate the average coverage rate or determine the glossary.

[0091] When the process moves from S608 to S610, the statistical information generation unit 335 creates a UI 720 in which the average coverage rate is entered only in the section 721 corresponding to the average coverage rate and the section 722 corresponding to the glossary is left blank, as shown in Fig. 7(b). This is because there is a print history but no glossary that meets the conditions.

[0092] When the process moves from S609 to S610, the statistical information generation unit 335 creates a UI 730 as shown in Fig. 7C. That is, the UI 730 is created by entering the average coverage rate in a section 731 corresponding to the average coverage rate of the UI, and entering the glossary determined in S609 in a section 732 corresponding to the glossary. This is because there is a print history and there is also a glossary that meets the conditions.

[0093] As explained above, by executing the processes from S601 to S610, information about the coverage rate and a UI screen are generated in S515. In other words, it can be said that the statistical information generation unit 335 generates UI screen data that displays the amount of recording material used per predetermined number of sheets in a predetermined period and the upper limit of recording difference usage per predetermined number of sheets under the subscription service contract.

[0094] In S516, the print server 103 returns the information about the coverage rate and the UI screen created in S515 to the data transmission / reception unit 321. In other words, it can be said that the data transmission / reception unit 337 of the print server 103 outputs the UI screen data generated by the statistical information generation unit 335 to the client terminal.

[0095] In S517, the print service data display unit 325 displays the information about the coverage rate and the UI screen received by the data transmission / reception unit 321 in S516.

[0096] In addition, if there are multiple pieces of statistical information provided by the print server 103, a configuration may be adopted in which a request to obtain different statistical information is made from the UI screen displayed by the print service data display unit 325, thereby repeatedly executing the processes of S514 to S517 and displaying each piece of statistical information.

[0097] As described above, in this embodiment, the coverage rate of each printout printed by the user during the contract period of the print service is saved, and the average coverage rate of these printouts is notified to the user along with the upper limit of the coverage rate specified for the print service. This allows the user to understand whether the user is complying with the print service regulations. In other words, the user can understand the usage status of the recording material specified for the service used by the user.

[0098] <<Embodiment 2>> In embodiment 1, we described a method for notifying a user of the average coverage rate of printed materials that the user printed during the contract period of the print service. However, it is possible that the user may want to know not only the average coverage rate but also the coverage rate for each print (each image formation).

[0099] In this embodiment, a mode will be described in which the user is notified of the coverage rate for each print in addition to the average coverage rate. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user operating the client terminal 102 is the user whose user ID column in Tables 1 and 3 of the first embodiment is userA. It is assumed that userA is the user who uses the image forming apparatus 101, and that image forming apparatus 101 is the device whose device ID column in Tables 3 and 4 of the first embodiment is DeviceA. It is also assumed that userA has subscribed to a service plan whose plan ID is planA in Tables 2 and 3 of the first embodiment, and has registered DeviceA as the device to be used.

[0100] (UI screen displaying coverage rate information) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displaying coverage rate information according to this embodiment. Similar to FIG. 4, FIG. 8(a) shows a case where the average coverage rate of printed materials printed by a device subscribed to a service plan and the upper limit coverage rate stipulated in the service plan are displayed. FIG. 8(b) shows a case where the print history of printing by a device subscribed to a service plan is displayed. In FIG. 8(b), information on the coverage rate for each print is displayed as the print history. The UI screen 810 is generated by the statistical information generation unit 335 of the print server 103 according to this embodiment.

[0101] The UI screen 810 is displayed on the display 237 of the client terminal 102 used by a user who has logged in with the user ID of userA. Like the UI screen 410, the UI screen 810 displays a UI screen title 411, a period 412, a description 413, a current coverage rate 414, and a message 415. The UI screen 810 also displays a details button 811.

[0102] The details button 811 is a button for transitioning the screen from the UI screen 810 of Fig. 8(a) to the UI screen 820 of Fig. 8(b). When the details button 811 is pressed by a user operation, the UI screen switches from the UI screen 810 shown in Fig. 8(a) to the UI screen 820 shown in Fig. 8(b).

[0103] The UI screen 820 displays a title 821, a description 822, a table 823, and a close button 824. The UI screen 820 displays print history information showing the print history of printing performed on a device for which user A has subscribed to a service plan. The UI screen 820 displays information on the average coverage rate for each printed page as print history information.

[0104] Title 821 is the title of the UI screen and indicates that this is a UI showing print history information for Device A. Description 822 explains the print history display and displays the names of each item in the print history table. The descriptions of each item are the same as those in the print history management table shown in Table 4 of the first embodiment. Table 823 is a print history table that displays information for each page printed by a device that has subscribed to a service plan. Information for each print job may also be displayed. Specifically, the average coverage rate per page for one print job may be calculated and displayed. For example, because three pages of the document "ABC.pdf" in Table 823 of FIG. 8 are printed in one print job, these three rows may be combined into one row, and the coverage rate column may display an average value of 10%. Close button 824 is a button for transitioning from UI screen 820 shown in FIG. 8(b) to UI screen 810 shown in FIG. 8(a). When the close button 824 is pressed by a user operation, the UI screen switches from the UI screen 820 shown in FIG. 8(b) to the UI screen 810 shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0105] (Processing flow between devices) Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing between devices. Fig. 9 shows an example of a sequence from when a user signs a contract for a print service to when the user acquires information on the average coverage rate and the coverage rate for each printed page, which is one piece of statistical information on the results of printing during the contract. Note that steps S901 to S917 are the same as steps S501 to S517 in Fig. 5, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0106] After the image forming apparatus 101 executes printing in S911, the process proceeds to S921. In S921, the image forming apparatus 101 displays the coverage rate as a print result on the user interface unit 316. User A can know the coverage rate for each print by checking the coverage rate displayed on the user interface unit 316. As with the method described in Patent Document 1, there is a method for estimating the amount of printing material used in a print before the print is performed. Since the coverage rate is the ratio of the amount of printing material used to the paper, the coverage rate can also be estimated in a similar manner. In S921, the coverage rate is displayed after printing is performed in S511, but the coverage rate may be estimated before printing, and the estimated coverage rate may be displayed before printing is performed in S511.

[0107] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displaying an estimated average coverage rate and an upper limit coverage rate. Similar to the UI screen 410, the UI screen 1010 displays a UI screen title 411 and a period 412. The UI screen 1010 further displays a description 1011, a coverage rate 1012, and a message 1013.

[0108] Explanation 1011 displays the estimated average coverage rate / plan upper limit coverage rate. The estimated average coverage rate indicates that the average coverage rate was determined by estimation.

[0109] The coverage rate 1012 indicates the estimated average coverage rate and the plan upper limit coverage rate. In the message 1013, since there is no print history, the section corresponding to the glossary is blank.

[0110] In S917, the print service data display unit 325 displays the information about the coverage rate and the UI screen received by the data transmission / reception unit 321 in S916. Thereafter, in S922, the user A selects (presses) the details button 811 on the UI screen 810 by user operation, thereby inputting a print history acquisition request to the user interface unit 324. As a result, the data transmission / reception unit 321 transmits the print history acquisition request to the data transmission / reception unit 337.

[0111] In S923, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires the print history of the device from the print history management table shown in Table 4 of the first embodiment managed by the print history management unit 334, and creates a UI screen 820 that displays the print history. In S924, the print server 103 returns the UI screen 820 that displays the print history, created in S923, to the data transmission / reception unit 321.

[0112] In S925, the print service data display unit 325 displays the UI screen 820 that displays the print history information received by the data transmission / reception unit 321 in S924.

[0113] As described above, in this embodiment, the average coverage rate and the plan upper limit coverage rate estimated when the user prints are notified to the user. The average coverage rate for each printout is also saved, and the print history is notified to the user. These notifications allow the user to understand the average coverage rate for each printout.

[0114] <<Embodiment 3>> In the first embodiment, a method for notifying a user of the average coverage rate of printouts that the user has printed during the contract period of the print service, together with the upper limit of the coverage rate stipulated for the print service, has been described. This method allows the user to understand whether the user is complying with the print service regulations, but there is a possibility that the average coverage rate of the printouts that the user has printed may exceed the upper limit of the print service regulations.

[0115] In this embodiment, a method is described for changing the contract to a service plan with a higher upper limit of coverage rate when the average coverage rate of printed materials printed by a user exceeds the upper limit of coverage rate specified for the print service.

[0116] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user operating the client terminal 102 is a user whose user ID column in Tables 1 and 3 of embodiment 1 is userA. The user of userA is a user who uses the image forming device 101, and the image forming device 101 is a device whose device ID column in Tables 3 and 4 of embodiment 1 is deviceA. It is also assumed that the user of userA has subscribed to a service plan whose plan ID is planA in Tables 2 and 3 of embodiment 1, and has registered DeviceA as the device to be used.

[0117] Table 7 below shows an example of the print history managed by the print history management unit 334 in this embodiment. The explanation of each column in Table 7 is the same as Table 4.

[0118] [Table 7]

[0119] (Processing flow between devices) Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing between devices. Fig. 11 shows an example of a sequence in which a user signs a contract for a print service, the average coverage rate of printed materials printed during the contract exceeds the upper limit of the coverage rate specified in the print service, and the contract is changed to a service plan that meets the conditions. Note that steps S1101 to S1113 are the same as steps S501 to S513 in Fig. 5, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] In S1112, the data transmission / reception unit 311 transmits the print result and log data to the data transmission / reception unit 337. That is, the print server 103 receives the print result transmitted from the image forming apparatus 101. In S1113, the print server 103 stores the print information (image formation information) received in S1112. Then, the data transmission / reception unit 337 of the print server 103 returns a notification that reception is complete to the data transmission / reception unit 301. After the processing of S1113 is completed, in S1121, the print server 103 determines whether to change the service plan and performs the change processing. It is assumed that the processing of S1107 to S1113, S1121, and S1122 is repeatedly executed.

[0121] (Service change determination process) 12 is a flowchart showing the detailed flow of the service change determination process (S1121). The service change determination process (S1121) is executed by the print server 103.

[0122] In S1201, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires the print history of the device for which the coverage rate is to be calculated from the print history management table shown in Table 4 managed by the print history management unit 334. In S1202, the statistical information generation unit 335 calculates the average coverage rate from the coverage rate of the device history acquired in S1201.

[0123] In S1203, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires the contract status of the device for which the coverage rate is to be calculated and the plan ID of the service plan to which the device is subscribed, from the contract status management table shown in Table 3 managed by the contract management unit 333. In S1204, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires a list of service plans from the service plan management table shown in Table 2 managed by the contract management unit 333. Then, the statistical information generation unit 335 acquires, from the list of service plans, service plan information of the plan ID to which the device acquired in S1203 is subscribed.

[0124] In S1205, the statistical information generation unit 335 determines whether the average coverage rate calculated in S1202 exceeds the upper limit coverage rate of the service plan acquired in S1204. If the determination result indicates that the average coverage rate does not exceed the upper limit coverage rate of the service plan (NO in S1205), the processing shown in FIG. 12 ends. If the determination result indicates that the average coverage rate exceeds the upper limit coverage rate of the service plan (YES in S1205), the processing proceeds to S1206. In S1206, the print server 103 changes the contracted service plan. That is, the service plan is changed to one that specifies an upper limit coverage rate that satisfies the average coverage rate.

[0125] In this embodiment, the average coverage rate calculated in S1202 is 50% according to Table 7. Furthermore, the upper limit coverage rate of the service plan acquired in S1204 is 30% according to Tables 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the average coverage rate is 50% and the upper limit coverage rate of the service plan is 30%, so in this embodiment, the average coverage rate exceeds the upper limit coverage rate of the service plan, and therefore the service plan is changed. According to Table 2, the upper limit coverage rate of the service plan with plan ID planC is 60%, which is greater than the average coverage rate of 50% in this embodiment, so the contract details of userA are changed to the service plan plan plan planC. As described above, by performing the processes from S1201 to S1206, a service plan change determination and change process are performed in S1121.

[0126] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 11, in S1122, if the service plan was changed in S1121, service plan change information indicating the service plans before and after the change is transmitted to the data transmission / reception unit 321. The data transmission in S1122 is performed by sending an email via an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server, for example. This allows the user operating the client terminal to recognize that the service plan has been changed.

[0127] As described above, in this embodiment, if the average coverage rate of the printed materials printed by the user exceeds the upper limit of the coverage rate specified for the print service, the contract contents are changed to a service plan that specifies a higher upper limit of the coverage rate. By performing this processing, the user can sign up for a service plan that is appropriate for the status of the print coverage rate.

[0128] <Other embodiments> The above describes a case where a coverage rate that defines the amount of printing material used per sheet is used, but this is not limiting. For example, a coverage rate that defines the amount of printing material used per a predetermined number of sheets, such as 3 sheets, 5 sheets, 10 sheets, 50 sheets, or 100 sheets, may also be used. When such a coverage rate is used, the same effects as those described above are achieved.

[0129] The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. The program may also be provided by recording it on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0130] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration examples. (Configuration 1) An information processing device for providing a user with a subscription service for an image forming device, an acquiring unit for acquiring information indicating the number of sheets on which the image forming apparatus has formed images in a predetermined period and the amount of recording material used for the image formation; a calculation unit for calculating a usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets based on the acquired information; an output unit that outputs UI screen data that displays the derived usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets and the contractual upper limit usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets in the subscription service to a client terminal used by the user; An information processing device comprising: (Configuration 2) The UI screen data further displays a message corresponding to the relationship between the usage amount of the recording material and the upper limit usage amount of the recording material. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1, (Configuration 3) When the usage amount of the recording material is less than a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, the UI screen data further displays a message indicating that the usage amount of the recording material is equal to or less than the upper limit usage amount of the recording material. 3. The information processing device according to configuration 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) The information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the UI screen data further displays a message indicating that the usage amount of the recording material is about to exceed the upper limit usage amount of the recording material when the usage amount of the recording material is equal to or greater than a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio and is equal to or less than the upper limit usage amount of the recording material. (Configuration 5) The information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the usage amount of the recording material is greater than the upper limit usage amount of the recording material, the UI screen data further displays a message indicating that the usage amount of the recording material exceeds the upper limit usage amount of the recording material. (Configuration 6) The UI screen data is If the usage amount of the recording material is less than a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, and the usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets in a past predetermined period is less than a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, 6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, further displaying a message indicating that the amount of recording material used is equal to or less than the upper limit of the amount of recording material used. (Configuration 7) The UI screen data is The amount of recording material used is equal to or greater than the upper limit of the amount of recording material used multiplied by a predetermined ratio, and is equal to or less than the upper limit of the amount of recording material used, or If the usage amount of the recording material is smaller than the value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, and the usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets in a past predetermined period is equal to or greater than the value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount value of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, Further displaying a message indicating that the usage amount of the recording material is about to exceed the upper limit usage amount of the recording material. 7. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 8) The UI screen data further displays the amount of recording material used per the predetermined number of sheets for each image formation. 8. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. (Configuration 9) The system further includes a change means for changing the content of the subscription service contract with which the user has signed up; When the usage amount of the recording material exceeds the upper limit usage amount of the recording material, the changing means changes the contract content to one that specifies an upper limit usage amount of the recording material that is greater than the usage amount of the recording material. 9. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, (Configuration 10) The UI screen data further displays a period during which the information was acquired. 10. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9. (Configuration 11) 11. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the predetermined period is a contract period of a subscription service to which the user has subscribed. (Configuration 12) 1. A method for controlling an information processing device for providing a user with a subscription service for an image forming device, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring information indicating the number of sheets on which the image forming apparatus has formed images in a predetermined period and the amount of recording material used for the image formation; a deriving step of deriving a usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets based on the acquired information; an output step of outputting UI screen data, which displays the derived usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets and the contractual upper limit usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets in the subscription service, to a client terminal used by the user; A control method comprising: (Configuration 13) 13. A program for causing a computer to carry out the method according to claim 12.

Claims

1. An information processing device for providing a user with a subscription service for an image forming device, an acquiring unit for acquiring information indicating the number of sheets on which the image forming apparatus has formed images in a predetermined period and the amount of recording material used for the image formation; a calculation unit for calculating a usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets based on the acquired information; an output unit that outputs UI screen data that displays the derived usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets and the contractual upper limit usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets in the subscription service to a client terminal used by the user; An information processing device comprising:

2. The UI screen data further displays a message corresponding to the relationship between the usage amount of the recording material and the upper limit usage amount of the recording material.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. When the usage amount of the recording material is less than a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, the UI screen data further displays a message indicating that the usage amount of the recording material is equal to or less than the upper limit usage amount of the recording material.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

4. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the UI screen data further displays a message indicating that the usage amount of the recording material is about to exceed the upper limit usage amount of the recording material when the usage amount of the recording material is equal to or greater than a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio and is equal to or less than the upper limit usage amount of the recording material.

5. When the usage amount of the recording material is greater than the upper limit usage amount of the recording material, the UI screen data further displays a message indicating that the usage amount of the recording material exceeds the upper limit usage amount of the recording material.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

6. The UI screen data is If the usage amount of the recording material is less than a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, and the usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets in a past predetermined period is less than a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, Further display a message indicating that the amount of recording material used is equal to or less than the upper limit of the amount of recording material used.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

7. The UI screen data is The amount of recording material used is equal to or greater than the upper limit of the amount of recording material used multiplied by a predetermined ratio, and is equal to or less than the upper limit of the amount of recording material used, or If the usage amount of the recording material is smaller than the value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, and the usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets in a past predetermined period is equal to or greater than the value obtained by multiplying the upper limit usage amount of the recording material by a predetermined ratio, Further displaying a message indicating that the usage amount of the recording material is about to exceed the upper limit usage amount of the recording material.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

8. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the UI screen data further displays the amount of recording material used per the predetermined number of sheets for each image formation.

9. The system further includes a change means for changing the content of the subscription service contract with which the user has signed up; When the usage amount of the recording material exceeds the upper limit usage amount of the recording material, the changing means changes the contract content to one that specifies an upper limit usage amount of the recording material that is greater than the usage amount of the recording material.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

10. The UI screen data further displays a period during which the information was acquired.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

11. The predetermined period is the contract period of the subscription service to which the user has subscribed.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

12. 1. A method for controlling an information processing device for providing a user with a subscription service for an image forming device, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring information indicating the number of sheets on which the image forming apparatus has formed images in a predetermined period and the amount of recording material used for the image formation; a deriving step of deriving a usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets based on the acquired information; an output step of outputting UI screen data that displays the derived usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets and the contractual upper limit usage amount of the recording material per predetermined number of sheets in the subscription service to a client terminal used by the user; A control method comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 12.

Images