Communication system, printer, and computer program for printer

Abstract

To disclose a technique capable of outputting information on a printer when the printer cannot transmit status information.SOLUTION: The first printer repeatedly sends first status information indicating a status of the first printer to the server. The second printer repeatedly sends second status information indicating a status of the second printer to the server. The first printer displays a designation screen for designating a printer incapable of sending the status information to the server, and sends second printer identification information for identifying a second printer to the server in a case where the second printer is designated on the designation screen after the second printer has changed from a state capable of sending the second status information to the server to a state incapable of sending the second status information. The server outputs the second printer identification information to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique related to a communication system including a printer and a server. [Background technology]

[0002] When an error occurs in the image forming device of Patent Document 1, the image forming device notifies a person near the image forming device or a person near an external device of the error. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-057226 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not disclose any circumstances under which an error occurs that makes an image forming device unable to perform communication. This specification discloses a technology that can output information about a printer when the printer is unable to send status information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a communication system including a first printer, a second printer, and a server. The first printer may include a first status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits first status information indicating the status of the first printer to the server. The second printer may include a second status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits second status information indicating the status of the second printer to the server. The first printer may further include a display unit, a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a designation screen for designating a printer that cannot send status information to the server, and an identification information transmission unit that transmits second printer identification information identifying the second printer to the server when the second printer is designated on the designation screen after the second printer changes from a state in which it can send the second status information to the server to a state in which it cannot send the second status information. The server may include an output unit that outputs the second printer identification information to an external device when the second printer identification information is received from the first printer.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the first printer displays the designation screen, allowing it to accept designation of the second printer after the second printer has changed to a state in which it is unable to send second status information to the server. In this case, the first printer transmits second printer identification information that identifies the second printer to the server. As a result, the server can output the second printer identification information to an external device. This allows a person in charge of repairing the printer to know the second printer identification information and perform work to resolve the problem with the second printer.

[0007] The above-mentioned first printer, a computer program for implementing the first printer, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the first printer are also novel and useful. The above-mentioned server, a computer program for implementing the server, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the server are also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 shows a sequence diagram of a status information management process. [Figure 3] 1 shows a sequence diagram of a first embodiment and a fifth embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 shows a sequence diagram of the second and sixth embodiments. [Figure 5] 10 shows a sequence diagram of the third and seventh embodiments. [Figure 6] 10 shows a sequence diagram of a fourth embodiment and an eighth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Outline of communication system 2: Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a plurality of printers 10, 110 and a management server 200. In this embodiment, the printers 10, 110 belong to the same local area network (LAN) and are typically able to communicate with the management server 200 via the LAN and the Internet 6. However, in a modified example, the printers 10, 110 may belong to different LANs.

[0010] (Printer 10, 110 configuration) Printer 10 has a serial number SN1. Printer 10 is a peripheral device capable of executing a printing function, such as a PC or smartphone (not shown). In a modified example, printer 10 may be a multi-function device capable of executing a scanning function, a facsimile function, etc. in addition to the printing function. Printer 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a communication interface 18, and a control unit 30. Each of the units 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line.

[0011] The operation unit 12 is an interface that allows the user to input various information to the printer 10, and includes, for example, a touch screen and buttons. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The print execution unit 16 includes, for example, an inkjet or laser printing mechanism. The communication interface 18 is an interface for connecting to a LAN via wired or wireless connection.

[0012] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 is configured with a ROM, a RAM, etc., and stores a program 40. The CPU 32 realizes various processes in accordance with the program 40 in the memory 34.

[0013] Printer 110 has a serial number SN2 that is different from the serial number of printer 10. Except for the different serial number, printer 110 has the same configuration as printer 10. That is, printer 110 has an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a print execution unit 116, a communication interface 118, and a control unit 130. Control unit 130 has a CPU 132 and memory 134. Memory 134 stores a program 140.

[0014] The multiple printers 10, 110 are owned by the same person (hereinafter referred to as a "specific person"). In this embodiment, the specific person is a corporation. In a modified example, the specific person may be an individual. Possession is not limited to ownership, but also includes possession such as rental.

[0015] (Configuration of management server 200) Hereinafter, the management server 200 will be referred to as the "server 200." The server 200 is a server for managing the status information of each printer 10, 110. In this embodiment, the server 200 is installed on the Internet 6 by the vendor of each printer 10, 110. However, in a modified example, the server 200 may be provided by a business operator other than the above-mentioned vendor. Also, in another modified example, the server 200 may not be installed on the Internet 6. In this case, each printer 10, 110 and the server 200 may be connected to the same LAN.

[0016] The server 200 includes a communication interface 218 and a control unit 230. The units 218 and 230 are connected to a bus line. The communication interface 218 is connected to the Internet 6. The control unit 230 includes a CPU 232 and a memory 234. The memory 234 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, etc., and stores a program 240. The CPU 232 performs various processes in accordance with the program 240 in the memory 234.

[0017] The memory 234 also stores a management table 250. The management table 250 stores status information for each printer 10, 110 owned by the specific person, as well as various printers owned by people other than the specific person. The management table 250 stores serial numbers, status information, and user IDs in association with each other. The serial number is the serial number of the printer. The user ID is information that identifies the person who owns the printer. The user ID of the specific person who owns the printer 10, 110 is "U1."

[0018] (Overview of the technology of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the server 200 periodically receives status information from each printer 10, 110 and stores the status information for each printer 10, 110 in the management table 250. The server 200 can then provide the status information for each printer 10, 110 to a business that provides printer maintenance and management services (hereinafter referred to as a "service provider"). In this case, for example, if a malfunction occurs in one of the printers 10, 110, the service provider can be notified and can take action to resolve the malfunction. This action can include, for example, operating the printer remotely or visiting the printer's installation location and operating the printer directly.

[0019] Here, when the server 200 is no longer able to receive status information from one of the printers 10, 110, it knows that the printer is no longer able to send status information, i.e., that the printer is offline. Therefore, the service technician can also know that the printer is offline. However, if the printer is offline, the service technician cannot remotely operate the printer to resolve the offline status. Furthermore, the service technician cannot know why the printer went offline. In other words, the service technician cannot know whether the printer was intentionally turned off by the user or whether a malfunction occurred in the printer. If the printer is offline for the former reason, it would be pointless for the service technician to visit the printer's location.

[0020] In order to prevent such unnecessary work, in this embodiment, when a malfunction occurs in one of the multiple printers 10, 110 (for example, 110) and the printer goes offline, the user can use another printer (for example, 10) to notify the server 200 of the malfunction. The technology of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0021] (Status information management process: Figure 2) First, the status information management process will be described with reference to Figure 2. This process is performed by each printer 10, 110 transmitting status information to the server 200, which then stores the status information. Note that, in the following, for ease of understanding, the processes executed by the CPUs 32, 132, and 232 of the devices 10, 110, and 200 will be described as the subject of processing, rather than the CPU.

[0022] Printer 10 repeatedly transmits status information to server 200. For example, printer 10 may transmit status information to server 200 at predetermined time intervals, or may transmit status information to server 200 each time the status changes. At stage T10, printer 10 is currently printing. Therefore, at T10, printer 10 transmits serial number SN1 and status information indicating that printing is in progress to server 200.

[0023] When the server 200 receives the serial number SN1 and the status information from the printer 10 at T10, it stores the status information indicating "printing" in association with the serial number SN1 in the management table 250 at T12. Although not shown, the server 200 also stores the serial numbers SN1 and SN2 of the printers 10, 110 owned by the specific person in association with the user ID "U1" of the specific person. Therefore, at T12, the server 200 further stores the user ID "U1" in association with the serial number SN1 and the status information.

[0024] At the stage T20, the printer 10 has finished printing and is in a standby state where it can perform printing. Therefore, at T20, the printer 10 transmits the serial number SN1 and status information indicating that it is ready to print to the server 200.

[0025] When the server 200 receives the serial number SN1 and the status information from the printer 10 in T20, the server 200 changes the status information associated with the serial number SN1 from status information indicating that printing is in progress to status information indicating that printing is possible in T22.

[0026] Like printer 10, printer 110 also repeatedly transmits status information to server 200. At stage T30, printer 110 is in a standby state where it is ready to print. Therefore, at T30, printer 110 transmits serial number SN2 and status information indicating that it is ready to print to server 200.

[0027] When the server 200 receives the serial number SN2 and the status information from the printer 110 in T30, in T32, it associates the serial number SN2 with the status information indicating that printing is possible and the user ID "U1" and stores them in the management table 250.

[0028] Thereafter, at T34, a failure occurs in the printer 110. More specifically, the printer 110 transitions to a communication error state in which it is unable to send status information to the server 200.

[0029] At T40, the server 200 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since it stored the status information of the printer 110 (i.e., since T32) without receiving status information from the printer 110. In this case, at T42, the server 200 changes the status information associated with the serial number SN2 from status information indicating printable to status information indicating offline.

[0030] The server 200 can output the serial number and status information of each printer 10, 110 to the outside. For example, when the server 200 receives access from a terminal device of a service provider, it transmits the serial number and status information of each printer 10, 110 to the terminal device. This allows the service provider to view the serial number and status information of each printer 10, 110. As described above, even if the status information associated with the serial number SN2 indicates offline, the service provider cannot know why the printer 110 went offline. In such a situation, when the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed, the service provider can know that a malfunction has occurred in the printer 110.

[0031] (Processing for notifying of printer 110 failure: Figure 3) Next, referring to FIG. 3, a process by which printer 10 notifies server 200 of a malfunction of printer 110 will be described. FIG. 3 is a continuation of the process from FIG. 2. The user of each printer 10, 110 will know that printer 110 has malfunctioned. For example, if printer 110 displays information indicating a communication error on display unit 114, the user can know that printer 110 has malfunctioned by looking at the information. In this case, the user performs a predetermined operation on printer 10 in T110 to notify server 200 of the malfunctioning printer.

[0032] When the printer 10 accepts a predetermined operation in T110, it sends a list request including the serial number SN1 to the server 200 in T112.

[0033] When the server 200 receives the list request from the printer 10 in T112, in T120, it identifies the user ID "U1" associated with the serial number SN1 included in the list request from the management table 250. Next, in T122, the server 200 identifies the serial number SN2 associated with status information indicating offline from among one or more other serial numbers associated with the user ID "U1" from the management table 250. Then, in T124, the server 200 sends the list 300 including the identified serial number SN2 to the printer 10.

[0034] When the printer 10 receives the list 300 from the server 200 in T124, the printer 10 displays the printer designation screen SC1, including the serial number SN2 in the list 300, on the display unit 14 in T130. That is, the printer designation screen SC1 includes the serial number SN2 associated with status information indicating offline. The printer designation screen SC1 does not include serial numbers not associated with status information indicating offline. In this way, only the serial numbers of printers that may be malfunctioning are displayed, allowing the user to easily specify the serial number SN2 of the malfunctioning printer 110. Furthermore, the printer designation screen SC1 does not include the serial numbers of printers not associated with the user ID "U1." In this way, printers that the user cannot use are excluded, allowing the user to easily specify the serial number SN2 of a printer 110 that the user can use. Note that in this case, since only one serial number SN2 is identified by the server 200 in T122, the printer designation screen SC1 including only one serial number SN2 is displayed in T130. However, if multiple serial numbers associated with the user ID "U1" and status information indicating offline are identified in T122, a printer designation screen SC1 including the multiple serial numbers is displayed in T130.

[0035] In T132, the printer 10 accepts the specification of the serial number SN2 included in the printer specification screen SC1. In this case, in T134, the printer 10 transmits a status change request including the serial number SN2 to the server 200.

[0036] When the server 200 receives a status change request from the printer 10 in T134, it changes the status information associated with the serial number SN2 included in the status change request from status information indicating offline to status information indicating repair required in T140. Then, when the server 200 receives access from the service provider's terminal device, it transmits the serial number and status information of each printer 10, 110 to the terminal device in T142. This allows the service provider to know that the status information associated with the serial number SN2 indicates that repair is required. In other words, the service provider can know that the printer 110 has gone offline due to some kind of malfunction in the printer 110. Therefore, the service provider can go to the location where the printer 110 is installed and, for example, directly operate the printer 110 to repair the printer 110 or install a new printer in place of the printer 110.

[0037] (Effects of this embodiment) According to this embodiment, the printer 10 displays the printer designation screen SC1 (T130), and after the printer 110 changes to a state in which it is unable to send status information to the server 200, it is able to accept the designation of the printer 110 (T132). In this case, the printer 10 transmits the serial number SN2 that identifies the printer 110 to the server 200 (T134). As a result, the server 200 is able to output the serial number SN2 to the outside (T142). This allows the service provider to know the serial number SN2 and perform work to resolve the malfunction of the printer 110.

[0038] (Correspondence) Printer 10 and printer 110 are examples of a "first printer" and a "second printer," respectively. List 300 is an example of a "first list." Each printer corresponding to all serial numbers stored in management table 250 is an example of "N printers." The two printers 10 and 110 are an example of "M printers." T10 and T20 in FIG. 2 are an example of a process executed by a "first status transmission unit." T30 is an example of a process executed by a "second status transmission unit." T112 is an example of a process executed by a "request transmission unit." T120 to T124 are an example of a process executed by a "first list transmission unit." T124 is an example of a process executed by a "first list reception unit." T130 is an example of a process executed by a "display control unit." T134 is an example of a process executed by an "identification information transmission unit." T142 is an example of a process executed by an "output unit."

[0039] (Second embodiment: Figure 4) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows the process following Fig. 2. T210 and T212 are the same as T110 and T112 in Fig. 3.

[0040] When the server 200 receives the list request from the printer 10 in T212, in T220, it identifies the user ID "U1" associated with the serial number SN1 included in the list request from the management table 250. Next, in T222, the server 200 identifies, for each of all serial numbers SN1 and SN2 associated with the user ID "U1," the serial number and the status information associated with that serial number from the management table 250. Then, in T224, the server 200 transmits to the printer 10 a list 310 including each of the identified serial numbers SN1 and SN2 and each of the identified status information.

[0041] When the printer 10 receives the list 310 from the server 200 in T224, in T225 the printer 10 identifies from the list 310 the serial number SN2 associated with the status information indicating offline. Next, in T230 the printer 10 displays a printer designation screen SC1 including the identified serial number SN2 on the display unit 14. Because only the serial numbers of printers that may be malfunctioning are displayed in this manner, the user can easily specify the serial number SN2 of the malfunctioning printer 110. Furthermore, because printers that the user cannot use are excluded, the user can easily specify the serial number SN2 of a printer 110 that the user can use. Note that in this case, because only one serial number SN2 is identified by the printer 10 in T225, the printer designation screen SC1 including only one serial number SN2 is displayed in T230. However, if multiple serial numbers associated with the status information indicating offline are identified in T225, the printer designation screen SC1 including the multiple serial numbers is displayed in T230. T232 to T242 are the same as T132 to T142 in FIG.

[0042] In this embodiment, list 310 is an example of a "second list." T212 is an example of a process executed by a "request sending unit." T220 to T224 are examples of a process executed by a "second list sending unit." T224 is an example of a process executed by a "second list receiving unit."

[0043] (Third Example: Figure 5) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows the process following that of Fig. 2. When the printer 10 accepts a predetermined operation in T310, it displays the printer designation screen SC2 on the display unit 14 in T312. The printer designation screen SC2 includes an input field for directly entering the serial number of the malfunctioning printer. The printer 10 accepts the input of the serial number SN2 in T314. In this case, the printer 10 sends a status change request to the server 200 in T316, which includes the serial number SN2 as the serial number of the malfunctioning printer and the serial number SN1 as the serial number of the sending printer.

[0044] When the server 200 receives a status change request from the printer 10 in T316, it executes a determination process in T320 based on each serial number included in the status change request. This determination process is a process for determining whether the serial number of the malfunctioning printer and the serial number of the sending printer are associated with the same user ID in the management table 250. In other words, this determination process is a process for determining whether the malfunctioning printer and the sending printer are owned by the same person.

[0045] In this case, the server 200 determines that the serial number SN2 of the failed printer and the serial number SN1 of the source printer are associated with the same user ID "U1" (YES in T320), and proceeds to T340. T340 and T342 are similar to T140 and T142 in FIG. 3. If the server 200 determines that the serial number of the failed printer and the serial number of the source printer are not associated with the same user ID (NO in T320), it does not execute T340 or T342. If an incorrect serial number is entered as the serial number of the failed printer in T314, it is determined in T320 that the failed printer and the source printer are not owned by the same person (NO in T320). In this situation, T340 and T342 are not executed, and the service provider does not need to perform any work to resolve the failure. In this embodiment, T320 is an example of processing executed by a "server-side determination unit."

[0046] (Fourth embodiment: Figure 6) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows the processing continued from Fig. 2. T410 to T424 are the same as T210 to T424 in Fig. 4. When the printer 10 receives the list 310 from the server 200 in T424, in T430 the printer 10 displays the printer designation screen SC2 on the display unit 14. In T432, the printer 10 accepts input of the serial number SN2.

[0047] At T434, printer 10 executes a determination process based on the input serial number SN2 and list 310. This determination process is a process for determining whether the input serial number is included in list 310. Because each serial number associated with the same user ID in management table 250 is included in list 310, this determination process, like the third embodiment, is a process for determining whether the failed printer and the sending printer are owned by the same person.

[0048] In this case, the printer 10 determines that the entered serial number SN2 is included in the list 310 (YES in T434), and in T436 sends a status change request including the serial number SN2 to the server 200. T440 and T442 are the same as T140 and T142 in FIG. 3. If the printer 10 determines that the entered serial number is not included in the list 310 (NO in T434), it does not execute T436. As a result, T440 and T442 are also not executed. If an incorrect serial number is entered as the serial number of the faulty printer in T432, it is determined in T434 that the faulty printer and the sending printer are not owned by the same person (NO in T434). In such a situation, T436 to T442 are not executed, and the service provider does not have to perform any work to resolve the fault.

[0049] In this embodiment, T412 is an example of processing executed by a "request receiving unit." T420 to T424 are examples of processing executed by a "second list sending unit." T424 is an example of processing executed by a "second list receiving unit." T434 is an example of processing executed by a "printer-side determining unit."

[0050] (Fifth to eighth examples) In the fifth to eighth embodiments, the server 200 manages only the status information of each printer owned by the specific person. In other words, the server 200 is a server dedicated to the specific person. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the table 250 does not have a column in which a user ID is written. Also, there is no row containing the user ID "U2."

[0051] 3, in the fifth embodiment, the list request in T112 does not include the serial number SN1. When the server 200 receives the list request from the printer 10 in T112, the server 200 identifies the serial number SN2 associated with the status information indicating offline from the management table 250 in T122 without executing T120. The subsequent processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0052] 4, in the sixth embodiment, the list request in T212 does not include the serial number SN1. When the server 200 receives the list request from the printer 10 in T212, the server 200 identifies the serial number and the status information associated with each of all serial numbers SN1 and SN2 from the management table 250 in T222 without executing T220. The subsequent processing is the same as in the second embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, in the seventh embodiment, the status change request in T316 does not include the serial number SN1 of the sending printer. When the server 200 receives the status change request from the printer 10 in T316, it does not determine in T320 whether the serial number of the failed printer and the serial number of the sending printer are associated with the same user ID. Instead, the server 200 determines in T320 whether the serial number of the failed printer included in the status change request is included in the management table 250. In other words, the server 200 determines whether the failed printer is a printer to be managed. The subsequent processing is the same as in the third embodiment.

[0054] 6, in the eighth embodiment, the list request in T412 does not include the serial number SN1. When the server 200 receives the list request from the printer 10 in T412, the server 200 identifies the serial number and the status information associated with each of all serial numbers SN1 and SN2 from the management table 250 in T422 without executing T420. The subsequent processing is the same as in the fourth embodiment.

[0055] In the fifth to eighth embodiments described above, the two printers 10, 110 are examples of "N printers" and "M printers." That is, M may be a value different from N, as in the first to fourth embodiments described above, or may be the same value as N, as in the fifth to eighth embodiments described above.

[0056] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

[0057] (Variation 1) The output of T142 in Fig. 3 is not limited to sending information about each printer 10, 110 to the service provider's terminal device, but may instead be, for example, displaying the serial number SN2 associated with status information indicating the need for repair on a monitor connected to server 200. In another variation, the output may be sending an email including the serial number SN2 to the service provider's email address. Generally speaking, "outputting the second printer identification information to the outside" includes any output method that allows the service provider to recognize the second printer identification information.

[0058] (Variation 2) In T122 of FIG. 3, the server 200 may identify all serial numbers SN1, SN2 associated with the user ID "U1" from the management table 250, and in T124 send a list 300 including all identified serial numbers SN1, SN2 to the printer 10. In this case, in T130, the printer 10 displays a printer designation screen SC1 including all serial numbers SN1, SN2 on the display unit 14. Generally speaking, "one or more printers" may include printers that are capable of sending status information to the server.

[0059] (Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the processes of the steps in FIGS. 2 to 6 are implemented by software (for example, programs 40, 140, 240), but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0060] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives alone is technically useful.

[0061] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing, even if each claim depends on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can depend on only those some of the claims. To the extent that there is no technical contradiction, each claim can also depend on other claims that were not dependent at the time of filing. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A communication system including a first printer, a second printer, and a server, the first printer includes a first status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits first status information indicating a status of the first printer to the server; the second printer includes a second status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits second status information indicating a status of the second printer to the server; The first printer further comprises: A display unit; a display control unit that displays on the display unit a designation screen for designating a printer that is unable to transmit status information to the server; an identification information sending unit that sends second printer identification information that identifies the second printer to the server when the second printer is designated on the designation screen after the second printer changes from a state in which it can send the second status information to the server to a state in which it cannot send the second status information, the server includes an output unit that outputs the second printer identification information to an external device when the second printer identification information is received from the first printer; Communication system. (Item 2) M printers (M is an integer equal to or greater than 2) including the first printer and the second printer are owned by a specific person, The communication system described in item 1, wherein the specification screen includes one or more printer identification information indicating one or more printers among the M printers, the one or more printer identification information including the second printer identification information. (Item 3) 3. The communication system according to item 2, wherein each of the one or more printers is a printer among the M printers that is unable to send status information to the server. (Item 4) The server further A memory is provided for storing, for each of N printers (N being an integer of 2 or more), printer identification information for identifying the printer and status information indicating the status of the printer in association with each other, The first printer further comprises: a first list receiving unit that receives from the server a first list including the one or more printer identification information items that indicate the one or more printers that cannot transmit status information to the server; Item 4. The communication system according to item 3, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the specification screen including the one or more printer identification information items included in the first list. (Item 5) The N printers include the M printers and other printers owned by persons other than the specific person, the memory stores, for each of the N printers, printer identification information that identifies the printer, status information that indicates the status of the printer, and owner identification information that identifies the owner of the printer, in association with each other; The first printer further comprises: a request sending unit that sends a list request including first printer identification information that identifies the first printer to the server; The server further Item 5. The communication system of item 4, further comprising a first list sending unit that, when the list request is received from the first printer, identifies specific owner identification information associated with the first printer identification information included in the list request, identifies the one or more printer identification information indicating the one or more printers that are unable to send status information to the server from among the M printer identification information associated with the specific owner identification information, and sends the first list including the one or more printer identification information to the first printer. (Item 6) The server further A memory is provided for storing, for each of N printers (N being an integer of 2 or more), printer identification information for identifying the printer and status information indicating the status of the printer in association with each other, The first printer further comprises: a second list receiving unit that receives from the server a second list including printer identification information that identifies each of the M printers among the N printers and status information that indicates a status of each of the M printers; The communication system described in item 3, wherein the display control unit uses the second list to identify the one or more printer identification information indicating the one or more printers that are unable to send status information to the server, and causes the display unit to display the specification screen including the one or more printer identification information. (Item 7) The N printers include the M printers and other printers owned by persons other than the specific person, the memory stores, for each of the N printers, printer identification information that identifies the printer, status information that indicates the status of the printer, and owner identification information that identifies the owner of the printer, in association with each other; The first printer further comprises: a request sending unit that sends a list request including first printer identification information that identifies the first printer to the server; The server further Item 6. The communication system of item 6, further comprising a second list sending unit that, when the list request is received from the first printer, identifies specific owner identification information associated with the first printer identification information included in the list request, and sends the second list to the first printer, for each of M printer identification information associated with the specific owner identification information, the second list including the printer identification information and status information associated with the printer identification information. (Item 8) 2. The communication system according to item 1, wherein the specification screen includes an input field for directly inputting printer identification information that identifies a printer that is unable to transmit status information to the server. (Item 9) The server further a memory for storing, for each of N printers (N being an integer of 2 or more), printer identification information for identifying the printer, status information indicating the status of the printer, and owner identification information for identifying the owner of the printer, in association with each other; the identification information transmission unit transmits, to the server, first printer identification information that identifies the first printer and second printer identification information that identifies the second printer when the second printer is specified on the specification screen; The server further a server-side determination unit that, when the first printer identification information and the second printer identification information are received from the first printer, determines whether the first printer identification information and the second printer identification information are associated with the same owner identification information; The output unit outputting the second printer identification information to an external device when it is determined that the first printer identification information and the second printer identification information are associated with the same owner identification information; Item 9. A communication system according to item 8, wherein the second printer identification information is not output to the outside if it is determined that the first printer identification information and the second printer identification information are not associated with the same owner identification information. (Item 10) The server further a memory for storing, for each of N printers (N being an integer of 2 or more), printer identification information for identifying the printer, status information indicating the status of the printer, and owner identification information for identifying the owner of the printer, in association with each other; The first printer further comprises: a request sending unit that sends a list request including first printer identification information that identifies the first printer to the server; The server further a second list sending unit that, when the list request is received from the first printer, identifies specific owner identification information associated with the first printer identification information included in the list request, and sends a second list to the first printer, the second list including M (M is an integer of 2 or more) printer identification information associated with the specific owner identification information, and status information associated with the printer identification information; The first printer further comprises: a second list receiving unit that receives the second list from the server; a printer-side determination unit that determines whether or not the second printer identification information is included in the second list when the second printer is specified on the specification screen, The identification information transmission unit If it is determined that the second printer identification information is included in the second list, sending the second printer identification information to the server; 9. The communication system of claim 8, wherein the second printer identification information is not sent to the server if it is determined that the second printer identification information is not included in the second list. (Item 11) a first printer, A display unit; a first status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits first status information indicating a status of the first printer to the server; a display control unit that displays on the display unit a designation screen for designating a printer that is unable to transmit status information to the server; an identification information sending unit that sends second printer identification information that identifies the second printer to the server when the second printer, which is different from the first printer, is designated on the designation screen after the second printer changes from a state in which it is able to send second status information indicating the status of the second printer to the server to a state in which it is unable to send the second status information, and the second printer identification information is output to the outside by the server; A first printer comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 2: communication system, 10: printer, 12: operation unit, 14: display unit, 16: print execution unit, 18: communication interface, 30: control unit, 32: CPU, 34: memory, 40: program, 110: printer, 112: operation unit, 114: display unit, 116: print execution unit, 118: communication interface, 130: control unit, 132: CPU, 134: memory, 140: program, 200: management server, 218: communication interface, 230: control unit, 232: CPU, 234: memory, 240: program, 250: management table

Claims

1. A communication system including a first printer, a second printer, and a server, the first printer includes a first status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits first status information indicating a status of the first printer to the server; the second printer includes a second status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits second status information indicating a status of the second printer to the server; The first printer further comprises: A display unit; a display control unit that displays on the display unit a designation screen for designating a printer that is unable to transmit status information to the server; an identification information sending unit that sends second printer identification information that identifies the second printer to the server when the second printer is designated on the designation screen after the second printer changes from a state in which it can send the second status information to the server to a state in which it cannot send the second status information; the server includes an output unit that outputs the second printer identification information to an external device when the second printer identification information is received from the first printer; Communication system.

2. M printers (M is an integer equal to or greater than 2) including the first printer and the second printer are owned by a specific person, 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the specification screen includes one or more printer identification information indicating one or more printers among the M printers, the one or more printer identification information including the second printer identification information.

3. 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein each of the one or more printers is a printer among the M printers that is incapable of transmitting status information to the server.

4. The server further a memory for storing, for each of N printers (N being an integer of 2 or more), printer identification information for identifying the printer and status information indicating the status of the printer in association with each other; The first printer further comprises: a first list receiving unit that receives, from the server, a first list including the one or more printer identification information items that indicate the one or more printers that cannot transmit status information to the server; The communication system according to claim 3 , wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the specification screen including the one or more pieces of printer identification information included in the first list.

5. The N printers include the M printers and other printers owned by persons other than the specific person, the memory stores, for each of the N printers, printer identification information that identifies the printer, status information that indicates the status of the printer, and owner identification information that identifies the owner of the printer, in association with each other; The first printer further comprises: a request sending unit that sends a list request including first printer identification information that identifies the first printer to the server; The server further 5. The communication system according to claim 4, further comprising a first list sending unit that, when the list request is received from the first printer, identifies specific owner identification information associated with the first printer identification information included in the list request, identifies the one or more printer identification information indicating the one or more printers that are unable to send status information to the server from among M printer identification information associated with the specific owner identification information, and sends the first list including the one or more printer identification information to the first printer.

6. The server further a memory for storing, for each of N printers (N being an integer of 2 or more), printer identification information for identifying the printer and status information indicating the status of the printer in association with each other; The first printer further comprises: a second list receiving unit that receives from the server a second list including printer identification information that identifies each of the M printers among the N printers and status information that indicates a status of each of the M printers; 4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit uses the second list to identify the one or more printer identification information items that indicate the one or more printers that are unable to transmit status information to the server, and causes the display unit to display the specification screen including the one or more printer identification information items.

7. The N printers include the M printers and other printers owned by persons other than the specific person, the memory stores, for each of the N printers, printer identification information that identifies the printer, status information that indicates the status of the printer, and owner identification information that identifies the owner of the printer, in association with each other; The first printer further comprises: a request sending unit that sends a list request including first printer identification information that identifies the first printer to the server; The server further 7. The communication system of claim 6, further comprising a second list sending unit that, when the list request is received from the first printer, identifies specific owner identification information associated with the first printer identification information included in the list request, and sends the second list to the first printer, for each of M printer identification information associated with the specific owner identification information, the second list including the printer identification information and status information associated with the printer identification information.

8. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the designation screen includes an input field for directly inputting printer identification information for identifying a printer that is unable to transmit status information to the server.

9. The server further a memory for storing, for each of N printers (N being an integer of 2 or more), printer identification information for identifying the printer, status information indicating the status of the printer, and owner identification information for identifying the owner of the printer, in association with each other; the identification information transmission unit transmits, to the server, first printer identification information for identifying the first printer and second printer identification information for identifying the second printer when the second printer is designated on the designation screen; The server further a server-side determination unit that, when the first printer identification information and the second printer identification information are received from the first printer, determines whether the first printer identification information and the second printer identification information are associated with the same owner identification information; The output unit outputting the second printer identification information to an external device when it is determined that the first printer identification information and the second printer identification information are associated with the same owner identification information; 9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the second printer identification information is not output to the outside when it is determined that the first printer identification information and the second printer identification information are not associated with the same owner identification information.

10. The server further a memory for storing, for each of N printers (N being an integer of 2 or more), printer identification information for identifying the printer, status information indicating the status of the printer, and owner identification information for identifying the owner of the printer, in association with each other; The first printer further comprises: a request sending unit that sends a list request including first printer identification information that identifies the first printer to the server; The server further a second list sending unit that, when the list request is received from the first printer, identifies specific owner identification information associated with the first printer identification information included in the list request, and sends a second list to the first printer, the second list including M (M is an integer of 2 or more) printer identification information associated with the specific owner identification information, and status information associated with the printer identification information, for each of the M printer identification information associated with the specific owner identification information; The first printer further comprises: a second list receiving unit that receives the second list from the server; a printer-side determination unit that determines whether or not the second printer identification information is included in the second list when the second printer is specified on the specification screen, The identification information transmission unit If it is determined that the second printer identification information is included in the second list, sending the second printer identification information to the server; The communication system according to claim 8 , wherein if it is determined that the second printer identification information is not included in the second list, the second printer identification information is not transmitted to the server.

11. a first printer, A display unit; a first status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits first status information indicating a status of the first printer to the server; a display control unit that displays on the display unit a designation screen for designating a printer that is unable to transmit status information to the server; an identification information sending unit that sends second printer identification information that identifies the second printer to the server when the second printer, which is different from the first printer, is designated on the designation screen after the second printer changes from a state in which it is capable of transmitting second status information indicating the status of the second printer to the server to a state in which it is not capable of transmitting the second status information, and the second printer identification information is output to the outside by the server; A first printer comprising:

12. a computer program for a first printer, the computer program comprising: The computer of the first printer comprises the following parts: a first status transmission unit that repeatedly transmits first status information indicating a status of the first printer to the server; a display control unit that displays a designation screen on a display unit of the first printer for designating a printer that is unable to transmit status information to the server; an identification information sending unit that sends second printer identification information that identifies the second printer to the server when the second printer, which is different from the first printer, is designated on the designation screen after the second printer changes from a state in which it is capable of transmitting second status information indicating the status of the second printer to the server to a state in which it is not capable of transmitting the second status information, and the second printer identification information is output to the outside by the server; A computer program that functions as a

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