Information processing system and information processing method

Abstract

When the liquid refill container is reused, a user of the liquid ejection apparatus may unintentionally purchase and use a liquid refill container filled with low-quality liquid.SOLUTION: The liquid vessel includes a two-dimension code representing vessel information including identification information, history information corresponding to a history of recycling, and communication information for communication with the management device. The management device stores reference information including identification information and history information in association with each other. A two-dimension code is imaged by a mobile terminal, and identification information is transmitted to a management device. The management device creates reference information by referring to the standard information on the basis of the received identification information, and transmits the reference information to the portable terminal. And (2) transmitting, by the mobile terminal, transfer information according to the reference information to the image forming apparatus, and performing, by the image forming apparatus, the outputting based on the transfer information. (1) The mobile terminal performs, based on the reference information, outputting according to whether a combination of the identification information and the history information indicated by the two-dimension code matches the standard information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been reusable liquid refill containers for refilling liquid into liquid ejection devices. In the technology of Patent Document 1, the liquid refill container has a liquid storage portion for storing liquid, a dispensing portion connected to the liquid storage portion, and a cap portion attached to the dispensing portion. The liquid storage portion is made of metal. After liquid is poured from the liquid refill container into the liquid ejection device, the liquid refill container is collected and the liquid storage portion is cleaned. Thereafter, liquid is poured into the liquid storage portion again and used to produce new liquid refill containers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-129862 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not anticipate a situation in which a third party fills a used liquid storage portion with a liquid of lower quality than the liquid originally stored in the liquid storage portion, and a new liquid refill container is produced and distributed on the market. In other words, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the problem that in such a case, a user of a liquid ejection device may unintentionally purchase and use a liquid refill container filled with a low-quality liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized in the following aspects.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing system including a mobile terminal, an image forming apparatus, and a management apparatus. The image forming device receives a liquid from a liquid container that contains the liquid and forms an image on a recording target using the liquid. The liquid container has a two-dimensional code on its surface that represents container information including identification information for identifying the liquid container, history information according to a reuse history of the liquid container, and communication information used for communication with the management device. The portable terminal includes an imaging unit capable of capturing an image of the two-dimensional code, a first communication unit that communicates with the image forming device and the management device, a first output unit that outputs information, and a first control unit that controls the portable terminal. The image forming apparatus includes a second communication unit that communicates with the portable terminal, a second output unit that outputs information, and a second control unit that controls the image forming apparatus. The management device includes a management memory unit that stores standard information that associates the identification information and the history information of the liquid storage container, a third communication unit that communicates with the mobile terminal, and a third control unit that controls the management device. The first control unit of the mobile terminal acquires the container information based on the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit, and uses the communication information to transmit the identification information to the management device via the first communication unit. The third control unit of the management device creates reference information by referring to the standard information stored in the management memory unit based on the identification information received by the third communication unit, and transmits the reference information to the mobile terminal via the third communication unit. (i) a process in which the first control unit of the mobile terminal performs, based on the reference information received by the first communication unit, an output according to whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information, by the first output unit; (ii) the first control unit of the portable terminal transmits transfer information corresponding to the reference information received by the first communication unit to the image forming device, and the second control unit of the image forming device performs an output by the second output unit based on the transfer information received by the second communication unit, indicating whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information; At least one of the above is performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 200. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid storage container 400. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system 1b according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 1b according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment: A1. Information processing system configuration: 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing system 1 is an information processing system that can confirm whether a liquid container 400 that supplies ink to an image forming device 200 has been provided by a person who assigned identification information Iid to the liquid container 400 and affixed a two-dimensional code 408 to the liquid container 400. The information processing system 1 includes a mobile terminal 100, the image forming device 200, and a management device 300.

[0009] Image forming apparatus 200 is supplied with liquid from liquid storage container 400 that stores liquid, and forms an image on a recording target PO using the liquid (see the left part of FIG. 1). Image forming apparatus 200 includes image forming section 220, second communication section 260, second output section 270, and second control section 280.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 200. An image forming unit 220 forms an image on a recording target PO using liquid as ink (see the middle left part of FIG. 2). The image forming unit 220 includes an ink holding unit 222, a print head 224, a head transport unit 226, and a medium transport unit. To facilitate understanding of the technology, the medium transport unit is omitted from FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to one another. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis form a left-handed system.

[0011] The ink holding section 222 holds ink supplied from the liquid storage container 400 and supplies the ink to the print head 224. The ink holding section 222 has a plurality of spaces. The ink holding section 222 holds ink of different colors supplied to each of these spaces.

[0012] The print head 224 ejects ink droplets toward a printing paper serving as a recording target PO. The head transport unit 226 reciprocates the print head 224 along the X-axis direction. The medium transport unit holds the printing paper serving as a recording target PO at a position on the negative Z-axis side relative to the head transport unit 226, and transports it in the positive Y-axis direction. As a result, an image is formed on the printing paper serving as a recording target PO by a large number of dots formed by a large number of ink droplets.

[0013] The second communication unit 260 communicates with the mobile terminal 100 (see the middle left part of FIG. 1). More specifically, the second communication unit 260 communicates information with the mobile terminal 100 using Bluetooth (trademark).

[0014] The second output unit 270 outputs information (see the middle left part of FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the second output unit 270 is a display that displays an image. More specifically, the second output unit 270 is a liquid crystal display.

[0015] The second control unit 280 controls the image forming apparatus 200. The second control unit 280 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 282, which is a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 284, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 286. The RAM 284 includes a main memory, which is a semiconductor memory. The ROM 286 includes a flash memory. The CPU 282 realizes various functions by loading computer programs stored in the ROM 286 into the main memory and executing them.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid storage container 400. The liquid storage container 400 stores a liquid. More specifically, the liquid storage container 400 stores one color of ink to be supplied to the image forming apparatus 200. After the liquid storage container 400 supplies the stored liquid to the image forming apparatus 200, it is returned to the manufacturer, refilled with liquid, and provided to the user again. In this embodiment, the liquid storage container 400 has been used at least once in the past, returned to the manufacturer, refilled with liquid, and provided to the user of the image forming apparatus 200. The liquid storage container 400 includes a liquid storage portion 410 and a lid portion 420.

[0017] The liquid storage section 410 stores ink, which is a liquid (see the lower left part of FIG. 3). The liquid storage section 410 has a cylindrical outer shape. The liquid storage section 410 is made of stainless steel. The liquid storage section 410 has a flow port 412 that allows the liquid to pass through (see the middle left part of FIG. 3). The liquid storage section 410 supplies the liquid to the image forming device 200 through the flow port 412. More specifically, the liquid is supplied to one of a plurality of spaces in the ink holding section 222 of the image forming device 200 (see the lower center part of FIG. 2).

[0018] The lid portion 420 is removably attached to the liquid storage portion 410. When the lid portion 420 is attached to the liquid storage portion 410, it closes the flow port 412. When the liquid storage container 400 is transported, the lid portion 420 is attached to the liquid storage portion 410. The lid portion 420 is made of resin.

[0019] A two-dimensional code 408 is affixed to the surface of the liquid storage portion 410 (see the lower left part of Figure 3). When the liquid storage container 400 is refilled with liquid by the manufacturer, a new two-dimensional code 408 is affixed to the surface of the liquid storage portion 410. The two-dimensional code 408 represents container information Ict. The container information Ict includes identification information Iid, history information Ihs, and communication information Icm.

[0020] The identification information Iid is information for identifying the liquid container 400. Each liquid container 400 is assigned a different identification information Iid when the liquid container 400 is manufactured.

[0021] The history information Ihs is information according to the reuse history of the liquid storage container 400. The history information Ihs includes the following information (a) to (c).

[0022] (a) A record of all recovery processes from the first recovery process to the last recovery process of the liquid storage container 400. The recovery process record includes a history of the recovery process, such as the date and time of recovery, the identification number of the worker in charge of the recovery work, and the base number where the recovery work was performed.

[0023] (b) A record of all cleaning processes for the liquid storage container 400 from the first time the liquid storage container 400 was collected to the last time the liquid storage container 400 was collected. The cleaning process record includes a history of the cleaning process, such as the date and time of cleaning, the identification number of the worker who performed the cleaning work, and the number of the equipment used for the cleaning work.

[0024] (c) A record of all processes for filling the liquid storage container 400 with liquid, from the first time the liquid storage container 400 is collected to the last time it is collected. The record of the filling process includes a history of the filling process, such as the date and time of filling, the identification number of the worker who performed the filling work, and the number of the equipment used for the filling work.

[0025] The communication information Icm is information used for communication with the management device 300. The communication information Icm includes the global IP address of the management device 300.

[0026] When the liquid storage container 400 is refilled with liquid by the manufacturer, a new two-dimensional code 408 reflecting this information is attached to the surface of the liquid storage portion 410.

[0027] Mobile terminal 100 is a computer that communicates information with image forming apparatus 200 and management apparatus 300 (see the upper center part of FIG. 1). Specifically, mobile terminal 100 is a smartphone. Mobile terminal 100 includes an imaging unit 110, a first input unit 120, a first communication unit 160, a first output unit 170, and a first control unit 180.

[0028] The imaging unit 110 can capture an image of the two-dimensional code 408. Specifically, the imaging unit 110 is a digital still camera equipped with a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

[0029] The first communication unit 160 communicates with the image forming apparatus 200 and the management apparatus 300. More specifically, the first communication unit 160 communicates information with the management apparatus 300 via a mobile communication network and the Internet. The first communication unit 160 communicates information with the image forming apparatus 200 via Bluetooth.

[0030] The first output unit 170 outputs information. In this embodiment, the first output unit 170 is a display that displays an image. More specifically, the first output unit 170 is a liquid crystal display.

[0031] The first input unit 120 receives information input from the user of the mobile terminal 100. Specifically, the first input unit 120 is a touch panel. The first input unit 120 is disposed on the mobile terminal 100 so as to overlap with the first output unit 170, which is a display.

[0032] The first control unit 180 controls the mobile terminal 100. The first control unit 180 includes a CPU 182, which is a processor, a RAM 184, and a ROM 186. The RAM 184 includes a main memory, which is a semiconductor memory. The ROM 186 includes a flash memory. The CPU 182 realizes various functions by loading computer programs stored in the ROM 186 into the RAM 184 and executing them.

[0033] The management device 300 is a computer that communicates with the mobile terminal 100 (see the upper right part of FIG. 1). The management device 300 is also a management server that manages the reuse status of a large number of liquid storage containers 400. The management device 300 includes a management memory unit 330, a third communication unit 360, and a third control unit 380.

[0034] The management storage unit 330 stores reference information Irf. Specifically, the management storage unit 330 is a hard disk. The reference information Irf stores identification information Iid and history information Ihs of each liquid container 400 in association with each other (see the upper right part of FIG. 1). When a liquid container 400 is refilled with liquid and reused by the manufacturer, the history information Ihs of that liquid container 400 is updated. The history information Ihs includes the above-mentioned information (a) to (c).

[0035] The third communication unit 360 communicates with the mobile terminal 100. More specifically, the third communication unit 360 communicates information with the mobile terminal 100 via the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0036] The third control unit 380 controls the management device 300. The third control unit 380 includes a CPU 382, ​​which is a processor, a RAM 384, and a ROM 386. The RAM 384 includes a main memory, which is a semiconductor memory. The ROM 386 includes a flash memory. The CPU 382 realizes various functions by loading computer programs stored in the ROM 386 and the management storage unit 330, which is a hard disk, into the main memory and executing them.

[0037] A2. Operation of information processing systems: Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 1. In this embodiment, the liquid container 400 has been used at least once in the past, collected by the manufacturer, filled with liquid, and provided to the user of the image forming apparatus 200. As a result of the processing in Fig. 4, the user of the image forming apparatus 200 can check whether the two-dimensional code 408 of the liquid container 400 matches the reference information Irf that was updated by the person who assigned identification information Iid to the liquid container 400 and affixed the two-dimensional code 408 to the liquid container 400 when it was reused.

[0038] In step S120, the user of the image forming apparatus 200 captures an image of the two-dimensional code 408 using the mobile terminal 100. As a result, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 acquires the container information Ict (see the upper left part of FIG. 1).

[0039] In step S140, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 performs information communication using the communication information Icm included in the container information Ict via the first communication unit 160, and transmits the identification information Iid to the management device 300 (see the upper center part of Figure 1).

[0040] In step S320, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 creates reference information Irs1 by referencing the reference information Irf stored in the management storage unit 330 based on the identification information Iid received by the third communication unit 360. The reference information Irs1 functions as a key for determining whether the liquid container 400 was provided by the person who assigned the identification information Iid to the liquid container 400 and affixed the two-dimensional code 408 to the liquid container 400. In this embodiment, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 identifies the history information Ihs associated with the received identification information Iid in the reference information Irf based on the received identification information Iid. The third control unit 380 of the management device 300 creates reference information Irs1 based on the identified history information Ihs. In this embodiment, the reference information Irs1 includes the identified history information Ihs itself.

[0041] In step S340, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 transmits the reference information Irs1 to the mobile terminal 100 via the third communication unit 360 (see the middle center part of FIG. 1). Step S340 includes step S342 and step S344.

[0042] In step S342, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 encrypts the reference information Irs1. In step S344, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 transmits the encrypted reference information Irs1 to the mobile terminal 100 via the third communication unit 360 (see the middle center of FIG. 1).

[0043] In step S150, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 transmits the encrypted reference information Irs1 received by the first communication unit 160 to the image forming apparatus 200 as transfer information Itf (see the middle left part of FIG. 1).

[0044] In step S155, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 transmits to the image forming apparatus 200 the history information Ihs included in the container information Ict acquired in step S120.

[0045] In step S260, the second control unit 280 of the image forming apparatus 200 decrypts the encrypted reference information Irs1 received by the second communication unit 260.

[0046] In step S280, the second control unit 280 of the image forming apparatus 200 causes the second output unit 270 to output, based on the decoded reference information Irs1, whether or not the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf (see the middle left part of FIG. 2). Specifically, the second control unit 280 first determines whether or not the decoded reference information Irs1 matches the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 received from the mobile terminal 100.

[0047] If the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 of the liquid container 400 matches the reference information Irf of the management device 300, then the decoded reference information Irs1 matches the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 received from the mobile terminal 100. If the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 of the liquid container 400 does not match the reference information Irf of the management device 300, then the decoded reference information Irs1 does not match the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 received from the mobile terminal 100.

[0048] If the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf, text and an image indicating that the liquid storage container 400 has been reused and provided by the manufacturer of the liquid storage container 400 are displayed on the second output unit 270 of the image forming device 200 (see the left-hand portion of the middle of FIG. 2). After confirming this display, the user of the image forming device 200 can supply liquid from the liquid storage container 400 to the image forming device 200 (see the arrow Asp in the middle left of FIG. 1).

[0049] On the other hand, if the two do not match, text and an image indicating that the liquid storage container 400 is not reused and provided by the manufacturer of the liquid storage container 400 are displayed on the second output unit 270 of the image forming device 200. The user is then warned that supplying liquid from the liquid storage container 400 to the image forming device 200 may result in the quality of the print results being different from the expected quality.

[0050] In step S160, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 decrypts the encrypted reference information Irs1 received by the first communication unit 160.

[0051] In step S180, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 performs output according to whether or not the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf, based on the decoded reference information Irs1, via the first output unit 170. Specifically, the first control unit 180 first determines whether or not the decoded reference information Irs1 matches the history information Ihs included in the container information Ict acquired in step S120.

[0052] If the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 of the liquid container 400 matches the reference information Irf of the management device 300, the decoded reference information Irs1 matches the history information Ihs included in the container information Ict acquired in step S120. If the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 of the liquid container 400 does not match the reference information Irf of the management device 300, the decoded reference information Irs1 does not match the history information Ihs included in the container information Ict acquired in step S120.

[0053] If the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf, text and an image indicating that the liquid storage container 400 has been reused and provided by the manufacturer of the liquid storage container 400 are displayed on the first output unit 170.

[0054] On the other hand, if the two do not match, text and an image indicating that the liquid storage container 400 is not reused and provided by the manufacturer of the liquid storage container 400 are displayed on the first output unit 170 of the mobile terminal 100. The user is then warned that supplying liquid from the liquid storage container 400 to the image forming device 200 may result in the quality of the print results being different from the expected quality.

[0055] By performing this process, the user of the image forming device 200 can perform the following check via the first output unit 170 and / or the second output unit 270 by capturing an image of the two-dimensional code 408 attached to the liquid container 400 with the mobile terminal 100. That is, the user of the image forming device 200 can check whether the captured image of the liquid container 400 matches the reference information Irf provided by the person who assigned the identification information Iid to the liquid container 400 and attached the two-dimensional code 408 including the history information Ihs to the liquid container 400 when it was reused. This prevents the user of the image forming device 200 from unintentionally purchasing and using a liquid container 400 that is filled with a lower quality liquid than the liquid originally contained in the liquid container 400.

[0056] In this embodiment, a two-dimensional code is used as a means for storing the container information Ict in the liquid container 400. Therefore, the above technical effect can be obtained without mounting an expensive memory element in the liquid container 400.

[0057] According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent erroneous input of the container information Ict, unlike an embodiment in which the user of the image forming apparatus 200 reads the container information Ict represented by characters and symbols written on the liquid storage container 400 and manually inputs the characters and symbols into the first input unit 120 of the mobile terminal 100. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0058] In this embodiment, reference information Irs1 is created in accordance with the history information Ihs identified in the management device 300 (see S320 in FIG. 4). That is, reference information indicating that the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the associated identification information Iid and history information Ihs stored in the management storage unit 330 is not transmitted from the management device 300 to the outside.

[0059] This prevents a situation in which the reference information indicating that the two are consistent from being obtained by a third party who intercepts communication between the management device 300 and the mobile terminal 100. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a third party will copy the reference information indicating that the two are consistent and send it to the image forming device 200, thereby allowing the image forming device 200 to use a liquid container 400 produced by the third party. In other words, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a liquid container 400 produced by a third party who assigns identification information Iid to the liquid container 400 and poses the two-dimensional code 408 on the liquid container 400 when it is reused will be used in the image forming device 200.

[0060] In this embodiment, encrypted reference information Irs1 is transmitted from the management device 300 to the mobile terminal 100, and then transmitted from the mobile terminal 100 to the image forming device 200 (see S340 and S150 in FIG. 4). This reduces the possibility that the reference information Irs1 will be obtained by a third party who intercepts communication between the management device 300 and the mobile terminal 100 or communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the image forming device 200. As a result, it reduces the possibility that a third party will transmit copied reference information Irs1 to the image forming device 200, thereby causing the image forming device 200 to use a liquid container 400 that the third party produced. In other words, it reduces the possibility that a liquid container 400 produced by a third party who assigns identification information Iid to the liquid container 400 and poses as the person who affixed the two-dimensional code 408 to the liquid container 400 when it is reused will be used in the image forming device 200.

[0061] In this embodiment, the history information Ihs includes the above information (a) to (c). That is, the history information Ihs includes history information that is added each time the liquid container 400 is reused. Using this history information Ihs, a user of the image forming apparatus 200 can determine whether the imaged liquid container 400 is a liquid container 400 that has been reused by the manufacturer that assigned the identification information Iid to the liquid container 400 and affixed the two-dimensional code 408 to the liquid container 400. Therefore, each time the liquid container 400 is reused, it is possible to more reliably prevent counterfeiting by a third party.

[0062] B. Second embodiment: FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system 1b according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In the second embodiment, the form of a two-dimensional code 408b attached to a liquid container 400b differs from the configuration of the two-dimensional code 408 attached to the liquid container 400 in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the information transmitted from the mobile terminal 100 to the management device 300 differs from step S140 in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the method of creating reference information created in the management device 300 and the content of the reference information differ from those in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the entity that determines whether the combination of identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches reference information Irf differs from that in the first embodiment. In other respects, the information processing system 1b according to the second embodiment is the same as the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0063] The liquid storage container 400b has a two-dimensional code 408b on the surface of the lid 420. The two-dimensional code 408b arranged on the surface of the lid 420 is indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 3 (see the upper right part of Fig. 3).

[0064] This configuration offers the following advantages when reusing the liquid storage container 400b: By creating a new lid 420 and attaching it to the liquid storage portion 410, a new two-dimensional code 408b can be attached to the liquid storage container 400b without the two-dimensional code 408b previously attached to the liquid storage container 400 becoming an obstacle. For example, there is no need to remove the two-dimensional code 408 attached to the liquid storage portion 410 that is to be washed and reused, and then attach a new two-dimensional code 408.

[0065] In the second embodiment, the history information Ihs includes the following information (a') to (c'). (a') A record of the recovery process in the process when the liquid storage container 400b was last recovered. (b') A record of the cleaning process of the liquid storage container 400b in the process when the liquid storage container 400b was last collected. (c') A record of the process of filling the liquid storage container 400b with liquid in the process when the liquid storage container 400b was last collected. The information included in the record of the recovery process, the record of the cleaning process, and the record of the filling process is the same as in the first embodiment, except that the information (a') to (c') above does not include records of recovery processes prior to the final recovery.

[0066] Even in this embodiment, the history information Ihs includes information that is not known to third parties and is updated each time the liquid storage container 400b is reused. Therefore, using this history information Ihs, it is possible to determine with a higher degree of accuracy whether the liquid storage container 400b is a liquid storage container 400b that has been reused by the manufacturer that assigned the identification information Iid to the liquid storage container 400b and affixed the two-dimensional code 408b to the liquid storage container 400b.

[0067] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 1b of the second embodiment. The processing in FIG. 6 corresponds to the processing in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment.

[0068] In the second embodiment, step S142 is executed instead of step S140 in Fig. 4. In step S142, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 causes the first communication unit 160 to transmit to the management device 300 the history information Ihs in the container information Ict obtained in step S120, in addition to the identification information Iid.

[0069] In step S320, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 creates reference information Irs2 by referring to the reference information Irf stored in the management storage unit 330, based on the identification information Iid received by the third communication unit 360. In the second embodiment, step S320 includes step S322 and step S324.

[0070] In step S322, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 compares the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs received by the third communication unit 360 with the associated identification information Iid and history information Ihs held in the reference information Irf stored in the management storage unit 330. That is, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 determines whether the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs received by the third communication unit 360 is consistent with the associated identification information Iid and history information Ihs held in the reference information Irf stored in the management storage unit 330.

[0071] In step S324, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 generates reference information Irs2 according to the result of the comparison. That is, in the second embodiment, the reference information Irs2 is information indicating whether the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408b is consistent with the reference information Irf held by the management device 300.

[0072] The process in step S340 in the second embodiment is the same as the process in step S340 in the first embodiment.

[0073] The processes in steps S150 and S160 are the same as those in steps S150 and S160 in the first embodiment, except that the process in step S155 is not performed in the second embodiment.

[0074] In step S280, the second control unit 280 of the image forming apparatus 200 causes the second output unit 270 to output, based on the decoded reference information Irs2, whether or not the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408b matches the reference information Irf (see the middle left part of FIG. 2). The reference information Irs2 is information indicating whether or not the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408b matches the reference information Irf held by the management device 300. Therefore, the second control unit 280 does not determine whether or not the two match, but instead causes the second output unit 270 to output, based on the reference information Irs2, whether or not the two match.

[0075] In step S180, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 causes the first output unit 170 to output, based on the decoded reference information Irs2, whether or not the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf. The first control unit 180 does not determine whether or not the two match, but instead causes the first output unit 170 to output, based on the reference information Irs2, whether or not the two match.

[0076] In the second embodiment, the management device 300 determines whether the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf. This reduces the processing load on the image forming device 200 and the mobile terminal 100.

[0077] C. Other Embodiments: C1. Alternative Embodiment 1: (1) In the first embodiment, the mobile terminal 100 is a smartphone. However, the mobile terminal may be other devices equipped with a camera and a communication function, such as a tablet computer or a notebook computer.

[0078] (2) In the first embodiment described above, the liquid storage portion 410 is made of metal, more specifically, stainless steel (see FIG. 3). However, the liquid storage portion may be made of other materials, such as resin or fiber-reinforced resin. However, by making the liquid storage portion out of metal, it is possible to make an inexpensive liquid storage portion that can be reused multiple times.

[0079] (3) In the first embodiment, the container information Ict includes identification information Iid, history information Ihs, and communication information Icm (see the lower left part of FIG. 3). However, the container information may also include other information, such as the color of the ink or the distinction between pigment and dye.

[0080] (4) The two-dimensional code 408 attached to the liquid storage container 400 may be a sticker that is attached over the liquid storage container 400 each time the liquid storage container 400 is reused. The two-dimensional code 408 attached to the liquid storage container 400 may also be attached to the liquid storage container 400 by attaching a rewritable recording medium. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code 408 may be printed on the liquid storage container 400.

[0081] Similarly, information such as the manufacturer's logo and the product number of the ink contained in the liquid container 400 can be attached to the liquid container 400 in various ways, such as by sticker, rewritable media, or printing.

[0082] (5) In the first embodiment, the history information Ihs includes the above-mentioned information (a) to (c). However, the history information Ihs can also include the following information. (a") A record of the recovery process in a portion of the process from the first recovery of the liquid storage container 400 to the last recovery, including the last recovery process. (b) A record of the cleaning process of the liquid storage container 400 in a part of the process from the first time the liquid storage container 400 was collected to the last time the liquid storage container 400 was collected, including the last time the liquid storage container 400 was collected. (c") A record of the process of filling the liquid storage container 400 with liquid during a portion of the process from the first time the liquid storage container 400 was collected to the last time the liquid storage container 400 was collected, including the last time the liquid storage container 400 was collected.

[0083] (6) In the first embodiment, the history information Ihs includes the information (a) to (c) described above. However, the history information Ihs may further include a production record of when the liquid storage container 400 was first produced. The production record may include the date and time of production or shipping, the identification number of the worker in charge of the production work, the number of the equipment used in the production work, the manufacturing lot number, etc.

[0084] (7) In the first embodiment, the first communication unit 160 and the second communication unit 260 communicate information via Bluetooth (see the middle left part of FIG. 1). However, the first communication unit 160 and the second communication unit 260 may communicate information via other methods, such as infrared communication, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0085] By having first communication unit 160 and second communication unit 260 communicate information using a communication means that does not involve the Internet, the following effect can be obtained even when image forming device 200 is being used that does not have a function for communicating via the Internet: That is, a user of the image forming device can check whether an image of a liquid container that has been photographed matches the reference information provided by the person who assigned identification information to the liquid container and affixed a two-dimensional code containing history information to the liquid container when it was reused.

[0086] (8) In the first embodiment, the first communication unit 160 and the third communication unit 360 communicate information via a mobile communication network and the Internet (see the upper right part of FIG. 1). However, the first communication unit 160 and the third communication unit 360 may communicate information using other methods, such as satellite communication.

[0087] (9) In the first embodiment, in step S344, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 transmits the reference information Irs1 to the mobile terminal 100 via the third communication unit 360 (see the center of the middle row in FIG. 1). However, the management device may transmit the reference information to both the mobile terminal and the image forming device.

[0088] (10) In the first embodiment, in step S150 of FIG. 4, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 transmits the encrypted reference information Irs1 received by the first communication unit 160 to the image forming apparatus 200 as transfer information Itf (see the middle left part of FIG. 1). However, the transfer information Itf can also be unencrypted reference information Irs1. The transfer information Itf can also be other information obtained by adding other information to the reference information Irs1. Furthermore, the transfer information Itf can also be other information created based on the reference information Irs1. In other words, the transfer information Itf only needs to be information that changes depending on the reference information Irs1.

[0089] (11) In the first embodiment, in step S280 of FIG. 4, the second control unit 280 of the image forming apparatus 200 causes the second output unit 270 to output a result according to whether or not the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf (see the lower left part of FIG. 4). Then, in step S180 of FIG. 4, the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 causes the first output unit 170 to output a result according to whether or not the combination of the identification information Iid and history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf (see the lower center part of FIG. 4). However, one of these processes does not have to be performed.

[0090] Even in such a case, by performing the other processing, the user of the image forming device 200 can confirm whether the image of the liquid storage container 400 matches the reference information Irf provided by the person who assigned identification information Iid to the liquid storage container 400 and attached a two-dimensional code 408 including history information Ihs to the liquid storage container 400 when it was reused.

[0091] C2. Alternative Embodiment 2: (1) In the first embodiment, in step S344 of Fig. 4, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 transmits encrypted reference information Irs1 to the mobile terminal 100 via the third communication unit 360 (see the middle center of Fig. 1). However, the management device may transmit the reference information to the mobile terminal without encrypting it.

[0092] (2) In the first embodiment, in step S280 of Fig. 4, the second control unit 280 of the image forming apparatus 200 performs output based on the decoded reference information Irs1, by the second output unit 270, indicating whether or not the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf (see the middle left part of Fig. 2). However, the information processing system may be configured such that steps S260 and S280 of Fig. 4 are not performed in the image forming apparatus 200.

[0093] C3. Alternative Embodiment 3: In the second embodiment, in step S142 of FIG. 6 , the first control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 transmits the history information Ihs, in addition to the identification information Iid, to the management device 300 via the first communication unit 160. Then, in step S322 of FIG. 6 , the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 compares the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs received via the third communication unit 360 with the associated identification information Iid and history information Ihs held in the reference information Irf stored in the management storage unit 330. However, as shown in the first embodiment, the information processing system may also be configured not to perform such processing. In such a configuration, the comparison between the two is performed in the mobile terminal 100 and / or the image forming device 200.

[0094] C4. Alternative Embodiment 4: In the first embodiment, in step S320, the third control unit 380 of the management device 300 creates reference information Irs1 by referring to the reference information Irf stored in the management storage unit 330, based on the identification information Iid received by the third communication unit 360. The reference information Irs1 is information corresponding to the history information Ihs associated with the identification information Iid received in the reference information Irf (see the upper right part of FIG. 1 ).

[0095] However, as shown in the second embodiment, the reference information can be information that is not based on the history information Ihs, such as information indicating whether the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408b is consistent with the reference information Irf held by the management device 300.

[0096] C5. Alternative Embodiment 5: In the second embodiment, the history information Ihs includes the above-mentioned information (a') to (c'). However, the history information Ihs may also be information that includes one or two of the above-mentioned information (a') to (c'). Furthermore, the history information Ihs may also include other information, such as the number of times the liquid container has been reused and information indicating the quality of the liquid container when it was last reused, and may not include the above-mentioned information (a') to (c').

[0097] C6. Alternative Embodiment 6: In the first embodiment, the history information Ihs includes the information (a) to (c) described above. However, the history information Ihs may also be information that includes one or two of the information (a) to (c) described above. Furthermore, the history information Ihs may also include other information, such as the number of times the liquid container has been reused and information indicating the quality of the liquid container when it was last reused, and may not include the information (a) to (c) described above.

[0098] C7. Alternative Embodiment 7: In the first embodiment, the second output unit 270 is a liquid crystal display (see the middle left part of FIG. 2). However, the second output unit 270 may be another image display device, such as an organic EL display. The second output unit 270 may also be another type, such as a speaker and amplifier that output sound, or a lamp that lights up in different ways depending on whether the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf.

[0099] C8. Alternative Embodiment 8: In the first embodiment, the first output unit 170 is a liquid crystal display (see the upper center part of FIG. 1). However, the first output unit 170 can also be another image display device, such as an organic EL display. The first output unit 170 may also be another form, such as a speaker and amplifier that output sound, or a lamp that lights up in different ways depending on whether the combination of the identification information Iid and the history information Ihs represented by the two-dimensional code 408 matches the reference information Irf.

[0100] C9. Alternative Embodiment 9: In the second embodiment, the liquid storage container 400b has a two-dimensional code 408b on the surface of the lid portion 420 (see the upper right part of FIG. 3). However, as shown in the first embodiment, the liquid storage container may also have a two-dimensional code 408 attached to the surface of the liquid storage portion 410. The liquid storage container may also have a two-dimensional code 408 attached to both the liquid storage portion 410 and the lid portion 420. The liquid storage container may also have a two-dimensional code 408 attached to a sticker that is attached to both the liquid storage portion 410 and the lid portion 420. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code may be attached to a portion of the liquid storage container that is not visible from the outside when the lid portion 420 is attached to the liquid storage portion 410, but is visible from the outside when the lid portion 420 is removed from the liquid storage portion 410.

[0101] D. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0102] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing system including a mobile terminal, an image forming apparatus, and a management apparatus. The image forming device receives a liquid from a liquid container that contains the liquid and forms an image on a recording target using the liquid. The liquid container has a two-dimensional code on its surface that represents container information including identification information for identifying the liquid container, history information according to a reuse history of the liquid container, and communication information used for communication with the management device. The portable terminal includes an imaging unit capable of capturing an image of the two-dimensional code, a first communication unit that communicates with the image forming device and the management device, a first output unit that outputs information, and a first control unit that controls the portable terminal. The image forming apparatus includes a second communication unit that communicates with the portable terminal, a second output unit that outputs information, and a second control unit that controls the image forming apparatus. The management device includes a management memory unit that stores standard information that associates the identification information and the history information of the liquid storage container, a third communication unit that communicates with the mobile terminal, and a third control unit that controls the management device. The first control unit of the mobile terminal acquires the container information based on the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit, and uses the communication information to transmit the identification information to the management device via the first communication unit. The third control unit of the management device creates reference information by referring to the standard information stored in the management memory unit based on the identification information received by the third communication unit, and transmits the reference information to the mobile terminal via the third communication unit. (i) a process in which the first control unit of the mobile terminal performs, based on the reference information received by the first communication unit, an output according to whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information, by the first output unit; (ii) the first control unit of the portable terminal transmits transfer information corresponding to the reference information received by the first communication unit to the image forming device, and the second control unit of the image forming device performs an output by the second output unit based on the transfer information received by the second communication unit, indicating whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information; At least one of the above is performed. With this configuration, a user of the image forming device can perform the following checks via the first output unit and / or the second output unit by capturing an image of the two-dimensional code attached to the liquid container with a mobile terminal. That is, the user of the image forming device can check whether the captured image of the liquid container matches the reference information provided by the person who assigned identification information to the liquid container and attached a two-dimensional code including history information to the liquid container when it was reused. This prevents the user of the image forming device from unintentionally purchasing and using a liquid container filled with a lower quality liquid than the liquid originally contained in the liquid container.

[0103] (2) In the information processing system of the above form, the third control unit of the management device encrypts the reference information and transmits the encrypted reference information to the mobile terminal via the third communication unit, the first control unit of the mobile terminal transmits the encrypted reference information received via the first communication unit to the image forming device as the transfer information, the second control unit of the image forming device decrypts the encrypted reference information received via the second communication unit, and the second output unit outputs the information depending on whether or not there is consistency based on the decrypted reference information, which can be implemented as process (ii). This configuration reduces the possibility that the reference information will be obtained by a third party who intercepts communication between the management device and the portable terminal. As a result, it reduces the possibility that a third party will transmit copied reference information to the image forming device and allow the image forming device to use a liquid container manufactured by the third party. In other words, it reduces the possibility that a liquid container manufactured by a third party who assigns identification information to the liquid container and poses as the person who affixed the two-dimensional code to the liquid container when it is reused will be used in the image forming device.

[0104] (3) In the information processing system of the above form, the first control unit of the mobile terminal may transmit the history information in addition to the identification information to the management device via the first communication unit, and the third control unit of the management device may compare the combination of the identification information and the history information received via the third communication unit with the corresponding identification information and history information held in the reference information stored in the management memory unit, and create the reference information according to the result of the comparison. In this embodiment, the management device determines whether the combination of the identification information and history information represented by the two-dimensional code matches the reference information, thereby reducing the processing load on the image forming device and the mobile terminal.

[0105] (4) In the information processing system of the above form, the third control unit of the management device may create the reference information corresponding to the history information associated with the received identification information in the reference information by referring to the standard information stored in the management memory unit based on the identification information received by the third communication unit. In this aspect, the management device does not transmit reference information indicating that the combination of identification information and history information represented by the two-dimensional code matches the associated identification information and history information stored in the management storage unit. This prevents a third party from intercepting communication between the management device and the mobile terminal and obtaining the reference information indicating the match. As a result, the possibility that a third party would copy the reference information indicating the match and send it to the image forming device and allow a liquid container manufactured by the third party to be used in the image forming device is reduced. In other words, the possibility that a liquid container manufactured by a third party who assigns identification information to the liquid container and poses the two-dimensional code on the liquid container when reused is used in the image forming device is reduced.

[0106] (5) In the information processing system of the above form, the history information may include at least one of a record of the recovery process in the processing when the liquid storage container was last recovered, a record of the cleaning process of the liquid storage container in the processing when the liquid storage container was last recovered, and a record of the process of filling the liquid storage container with liquid in the processing when the liquid storage container was last recovered. In this aspect, the history information is information that is not known to third parties and includes information that is updated each time the liquid container is reused. According to the above aspect, using such history information, it is possible to determine with a higher degree of accuracy whether the liquid container is a liquid container that has been reused by the manufacturer that assigned identification information to the liquid container and affixed a two-dimensional code to the liquid container.

[0107] (6) In the information processing system of the above form, the history information may include at least one of a record of the recovery process in all processes from the process when the liquid storage container was first recovered to the process when it was last recovered, a record of the cleaning process of the liquid storage container in all processes from the process when the liquid storage container was first recovered to the process when it was last recovered, and a record of the process of filling the liquid storage container with liquid in all processes from the process when the liquid storage container was first recovered to the process when it was last recovered. In this aspect, the history information includes information that is added each time the liquid container is reused. According to the above aspect, such history information can be used to determine whether the imaged liquid container is a liquid container that has been reused by the manufacturer that assigned identification information to the liquid container and affixed a two-dimensional code to the liquid container. Therefore, counterfeiting by a third party can be prevented with a higher degree of certainty each time the liquid container is reused.

[0108] (7) In the information processing system of the above form, the first output unit of the mobile terminal is a display that displays an image, and in the process (i), the first control unit of the mobile terminal uses the first output unit to display a message depending on whether the combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information.

[0109] (8) In the information processing system of the above form, the second output unit of the image forming device may be a display that displays an image, and in the process (ii), the second control unit of the image forming device may execute a process in which the second output unit displays a display depending on whether the combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information.

[0110] (9) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid storage container for use in the information processing system described in (1) above, the liquid storage container comprising: a liquid storage portion for storing liquid, the liquid storage portion having a flow port for passing the liquid and supplying the liquid to the image forming device via the flow port; and a lid portion removably attached to the liquid storage portion, the lid portion closing the flow port when attached to the liquid storage portion, and the two-dimensional code on a surface of the lid portion. By adopting this configuration, when reusing a liquid storage container, a new lid portion can be created and attached to the liquid storage portion, allowing a new two-dimensional code to be applied to the liquid storage container without the two-dimensional code previously applied to the liquid storage container getting in the way.

[0111] (10) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method using a mobile terminal, an image forming apparatus, and a management device. The image forming apparatus receives liquid from a liquid container that contains the liquid and forms an image on a recording target using the liquid. The liquid container has a two-dimensional code on its surface that represents container information, the two-dimensional code including identification information for identifying the liquid container, history information according to a reuse history of the liquid container, and communication information used for communication with the management device. The management device stores reference information that associates the identification information and the history information of the liquid container. The information processing method includes capturing an image of the two-dimensional code using the mobile terminal to obtain the container information, transmitting the identification information to the management device using the mobile terminal, creating reference information using the management device by referring to the standard information stored in the management memory unit based on the identification information received by the management device, and transmitting the reference information to the mobile terminal using the management device. In the information processing method, (i) a process in which the mobile terminal performs an output based on the received reference information, according to whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code matches the reference information; (ii) the mobile terminal transmits transfer information corresponding to the received reference information to the image forming device, and the image forming device outputs a signal based on the received transfer information indicating whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code matches the reference information; At least one of the above is performed.

[0112] (11) In the information processing method of the above aspect, the transmission of the reference information by the management device to the mobile terminal includes encrypting the reference information by the management device and transmitting the encrypted reference information to the mobile terminal by the management device, and the encrypted reference information received by the mobile terminal is transmitted to the image forming device as the transfer information, and the image forming device decrypts the received encrypted reference information and performs the output depending on whether or not there is a match based on the decrypted reference information, which can be an aspect executed as the process (ii).

[0113] (12) In the information processing method of the above aspect, the method may further include transmitting the history information in addition to the identification information to the management device by the mobile terminal, and the creation of reference information by the management device may include comparing the received combination of the identification information and the history information with the associated identification information and history information held in the standard information stored in the management device, and creating the reference information according to the result of the comparison by the management device.

[0114] (13) In the information processing method of the above aspect, the creation of reference information by the management device may include creating the reference information corresponding to the history information associated with the received identification information in the standard information by referring to the standard information stored in the management device based on the received identification information.

[0115] (14) In the information processing method of the above aspect, the history information may include at least one of a record of the recovery process in the process when the liquid storage container was last recovered, a record of the cleaning process of the liquid storage container in the process when the liquid storage container was last recovered, and a record of the process of filling the liquid storage container with liquid in the process when the liquid storage container was last recovered.

[0116] (15) In the information processing method of the above aspect, the history information may include at least one of a record of the recovery process in all processes from the time the liquid storage container was first recovered to the time it was last recovered, a record of the cleaning process of the liquid storage container in all processes from the time the liquid storage container was first recovered to the time it was last recovered, and a record of the process of filling the liquid storage container with liquid in all processes from the time the liquid storage container was first recovered to the time it was last recovered.

[0117] (16) In the information processing method of the above aspect, the mobile terminal may be provided with a display for displaying an image as a first output unit, and in the process (i), the mobile terminal may execute a process in which the first output unit displays a display depending on whether or not the combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information.

[0118] (17) In the information processing method of the above aspect, the image forming device may be provided with a display for displaying an image as a second output unit, and in the process (ii), the image forming device may perform a process in which the second output unit displays a display depending on whether the combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information.

[0119] The present disclosure may be realized in various forms other than the information processing system, the liquid container, and the information processing method, such as an image forming apparatus, a method for supplying liquid to an image forming apparatus, a method for distributing liquid containers, a method for reusing liquid containers, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1...information processing system, 1b...information processing system, 100...mobile terminal, 110...imaging unit, 120...first input unit, 160...first communication unit, 170...first output unit, 180...first control unit, 182...CPU, 184...RAM, 186...ROM, 200...image forming device, 220...image forming unit, 222...ink holding unit, 224...print head, 226...head transport unit, 260...second communication unit, 270...second output unit, 280...second control unit, 282...CPU, 284...RAM, 286...ROM, 300...management Device, 330...management memory unit, 360...third communication unit, 380...third control unit, 382...CPU, 384...RAM, 386...ROM, 400...liquid storage container, 400b...liquid storage container, 408...two-dimensional code, 408b...two-dimensional code, 410...liquid storage unit, 412...flow port, 420...lid unit, Asp...arrow indicating liquid supply, Icm...communication information, Ict...container information, Ihs...history information, Iid...identification information, Irf...reference information, Irs1...reference information, Irs2...reference information, Itf...transfer information.

Claims

1. An information processing system including a mobile terminal, an image forming apparatus, and a management apparatus, the image forming apparatus receives a liquid from a liquid storage container that stores the liquid, and forms an image on a recording target using the liquid; the liquid container has a two-dimensional code on a surface thereof, the two-dimensional code representing container information including identification information for identifying the liquid container, history information according to a history of reuse of the liquid container, and communication information used for communication with the management device; The mobile terminal an imaging unit capable of imaging the two-dimensional code; a first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus; a first output unit that outputs information; a first control unit that controls the mobile terminal; the image forming apparatus, a second communication unit that communicates with the mobile terminal; a second output unit that outputs information; a second control unit that controls the image forming apparatus, The management device a management storage unit that stores reference information that associates the identification information and the history information of the liquid container; a third communication unit that communicates with the mobile terminal; a third control unit that controls the management device; The first control unit of the mobile terminal acquiring the container information based on the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit; Using the communication information, the first communication unit transmits the identification information to the management device; The third control unit of the management device creating reference information by referring to the standard information stored in the management storage unit based on the identification information received by the third communication unit; transmitting the reference information to the mobile terminal by the third communication unit; (i) a process in which the first control unit of the mobile terminal performs, based on the reference information received by the first communication unit, an output according to whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information, by the first output unit; (ii) a process in which the first control unit of the portable terminal transmits transfer information corresponding to the reference information received by the first communication unit to the image forming device, and the second control unit of the image forming device performs an output by the second output unit based on the transfer information received by the second communication unit, indicating whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information; An information processing system in which at least one of the above is performed.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The third control unit of the management device encrypting the reference information; transmitting the encrypted reference information to the mobile terminal by the third communication unit; An information processing system in which the process (ii) is performed in which the first control unit of the mobile terminal transmits the encrypted reference information received by the first communication unit to the image forming device as the transfer information, the second control unit of the image forming device decrypts the encrypted reference information received by the second communication unit, and the second output unit outputs the information based on the decrypted reference information, depending on whether or not there is a match.

3. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The first control unit of the mobile terminal transmitting the history information in addition to the identification information to the management device by the first communication unit; The third control unit of the management device comparing the combination of the identification information and the history information received by the third communication unit with the identification information and the history information associated with each other and held in the reference information stored in the management storage unit; An information processing system that creates the reference information according to the result of the comparison.

4. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The third control unit of the management device An information processing system that creates reference information corresponding to the history information associated with the received identification information in the reference information by referring to the standard information stored in the management memory unit based on the identification information received by the third communication unit.

5. 5. The information processing system according to claim 1, The history information is a record of the recovery process in the process when the liquid container was last recovered; a record of a cleaning process of the liquid container in a process when the liquid container was last collected; and a record of a process of filling the liquid container with liquid in a process when the liquid container was last collected.

6. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5, The history information is A record of all recovery steps from the first recovery of the liquid container to the last recovery of the liquid container; a record of all cleaning steps for the liquid container from the first time the liquid container is collected to the last time the liquid container is collected; and a record of all processes of filling the liquid storage container with liquid from the process when the liquid storage container is first collected to the process when it is last collected.

7. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the first output unit of the mobile terminal is a display that displays an image, In the process (i), the first control unit of the mobile terminal displays, via the first output unit, whether or not the combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information.

8. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the second output unit of the image forming device is a display that displays an image, In the process (ii), the second control unit of the image forming device displays, via the second output unit, whether or not the combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information.

9. The liquid container used in the information processing system according to claim 1, a liquid storage section that stores a liquid, the liquid storage section having a flow port through which the liquid passes, and that supplies the liquid to the image forming device through the flow port; a lid portion that is removably attached to the liquid storage portion, the lid portion closing the flow port when attached to the liquid storage portion, A liquid storage container having the two-dimensional code on the surface of the lid.

10. An information processing method using a mobile terminal, an image forming apparatus, and a management apparatus, comprising: the image forming apparatus receives a liquid from a liquid storage container that stores the liquid, and forms an image on a recording target using the liquid; the liquid container has a two-dimensional code on a surface thereof, the two-dimensional code representing container information including identification information for identifying the liquid container, history information according to a history of reuse of the liquid container, and communication information used for communication with the management device; the management device stores reference information that associates the identification information and the history information of the liquid container with each other, The information processing method includes: capturing an image of the two-dimensional code using the mobile terminal to acquire the container information; transmitting the identification information to the management device by the mobile terminal; creating, by the management device, reference information by referring to the standard information stored in the management storage unit based on the identification information received by the management device; transmitting the reference information to the mobile terminal by the management device; and (i) a process in which the mobile terminal performs an output based on the received reference information, according to whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code matches the reference information; (ii) the mobile terminal transmits transfer information corresponding to the received reference information to the image forming device, and the image forming device outputs a signal based on the received transfer information indicating whether or not a combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code matches the reference information; An information processing method in which at least one of the above is performed.

11. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, The transmission of the reference information by the management device to the mobile terminal includes: encrypting the reference information by the management device; transmitting the encrypted reference information to the mobile terminal by the management device; An information processing method in which the mobile terminal transmits the encrypted reference information received as the transfer information to the image forming device, and the image forming device decrypts the received encrypted reference information and performs the output based on whether or not there is a match based on the decrypted reference information, as process (ii).

12. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, further comprising: transmitting the history information to the management device in addition to the identification information by the mobile terminal; The management device creates the reference information by: By the management device, a combination of the received identification information and the history information is compared with the identification information and the history information associated with each other and held in the reference information stored in the management device; generating, by the management device, the reference information according to a result of the matching.

13. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, The management device creates the reference information by: An information processing method including creating reference information corresponding to the history information associated with the received identification information in the standard information by referring to the standard information stored in the management device based on the received identification information.

14. 14. An information processing method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, The history information is a record of the recovery process in the process when the liquid container was last recovered; a record of a cleaning process of the liquid container in a process when the liquid container was last collected; and recording a process of filling the liquid container with liquid in a process when the liquid container was last collected.

15. 15. The information processing method according to claim 14, The history information is A record of all recovery steps from the first recovery of the liquid container to the last recovery of the liquid container; a record of all cleaning steps for the liquid container from the first time the liquid container is collected to the last time the liquid container is collected; and recording all processes of filling the liquid container with liquid from the process when the liquid container is first collected to the process when it is last collected.

16. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, the mobile terminal includes a display that displays an image as a first output unit; In the process (i), the mobile terminal uses the first output unit to display whether or not the combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information.

17. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, the image forming device includes a display that displays an image as a second output unit, In the process (ii), the image forming device performs a process of displaying, via the second output unit, whether or not the combination of the identification information and the history information represented by the two-dimensional code is consistent with the reference information.

Images