Information processing device, information processing system, and control method and program for information processing device

Abstract

The object is to provide an information processing device that can manage printing with at least the second print instruction out of a first print instruction that instructs printing via a cloud service and a second print instruction that instructs printing without using a cloud service. [Solution] A first client terminal 103 is capable of issuing a first print instruction that instructs printing via an application service 106, and a second print instruction that instructs printing without via the application service 106. The application service 106 includes an acquisition unit that acquires the total number of prints on printing paper used in an image forming device 102, the first number of prints on printing paper used in the first print instruction after the image forming device 102 is registered, and the number of prints on printing paper used up to the time of registration at the time of registration, and a notification unit that notifies whether the second number of prints on printing paper used in the second print instruction after the time of registration is valid based on each number.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Cloud computing, in which numerous electronic devices are connected to the Internet to provide various services, has become popular in recent years. Cloud computing, in which data transmitted from various electronic devices is used on the cloud, is becoming increasingly common. In office environments, numerous electronic devices, such as multifunction printers, projectors, and network cameras, can operate and transmit data to the cloud. Continuously connecting electronic devices to the cloud allows users to receive real-time instructions, such as updates and maintenance operations, from the cloud. Recent changes in work styles have also increased the need for telecommuting. Telecommuters increasingly use cloud services, such as cloud printing services, scanning services, and consumable delivery services, for their work. In telecommuting situations, companies may provide telecommuters with company-issued printers and register them with cloud services before use. In some cases, companies may cover printing costs incurred for work-related printing using the company-issued printers. Patent Document 1 discloses a system that allows telecommuters to specify whether printing is for official or personal purposes when printing on a printing device. In the system described in Patent Document 1, printing costs are borne by different parties depending on whether the printing is for official or personal purposes; that is, the cost of printing for official purposes is borne by the employer, and the cost of printing for personal purposes is borne by the telecommuter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-049059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the system described in Patent Document 1, if a telecommuter improperly uses the system, i.e., if they print for personal purposes despite specifying printing for official purposes, the company may be charged for the printing costs. Also, for example, if printing other than via the cloud print service is prohibited, it may be possible to suppress printing for personal purposes, but there is a risk that business data managed in an external system may no longer be able to be printed via the cloud print service.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing device that can manage printing in accordance with at least a second print instruction between a first print instruction that instructs printing via a cloud service and a second print instruction that instructs printing without using a cloud service. Similarly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing system, a control method for an information processing device, and a program that can manage printing in accordance with at least the second print instruction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device that is communicably connected to an image forming device capable of printing and a terminal device communicably connected to the image forming device, and that provides a cloud service, wherein the image forming device is configured to be registerable to a predetermined registration destination related to the cloud service, and the terminal device is configured to be able to issue a first print instruction to instruct the image forming device to print via the information processing device, and a second print instruction to instruct the image forming device to print without going through the information processing device, and the information processing device is able to print a previous image by the printing, regardless of whether the image forming device is registered to the predetermined registration destination. The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising an acquisition means for acquiring the total number of prints on the printing paper used in the image forming apparatus, the first number of prints on the printing paper used in the image forming apparatus for printing in accordance with the first print instruction since the image forming apparatus was registered, and the number of prints on the printing paper used in the image forming apparatus for printing up to the time the image forming apparatus was registered at the time of registration; and a notification means for notifying whether the second number of prints on the printing paper used in the image forming apparatus for printing in accordance with the second print instruction since the image forming apparatus was registered is valid or not, based on the total number of prints, the first number of prints, and the number of prints at the time of registration acquired by the acquisition means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, of a first print instruction that instructs printing via a cloud service and a second print instruction that instructs printing without using a cloud service, it is possible to manage printing in accordance with at least the second print instruction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the information processing system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed among an image forming apparatus, a first client terminal, a second client terminal, a device management service, and an application service. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display of a second client terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed among an image forming apparatus, a first client terminal, a second client terminal, a device management service, and an application service according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed in an information processing system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a modified example of a flowchart showing processing executed in the information processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in each embodiment. For example, each component constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can perform the same function. Also, any component may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of each embodiment can be combined.

[0010] First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1000 includes an image forming apparatus 102, a first client terminal (terminal apparatus) 103, and a second client terminal (management apparatus) 104. The information processing system 1000 also includes a device management service 105 and an application service 106. The apparatuses included in the information processing system 1000 are communicably connected to each other. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 and the first client terminal 103 are communicably connected to each other via a local network 101. The image forming apparatus 102 and the first client terminal 103 are communicably connected to a second client terminal 104 via the local network 101 and the Internet 100 in this order. The image forming apparatus 102 and the first client terminal 103 are also communicably connected to the device management service 105 and the application service 106. The second client terminal 104, the device management service 105, and the application service 106 are communicably connected to each other via the Internet 100. The Internet 100 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a communication network such as a LAN, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM or frame relay line, a cable television line, a wireless line for data broadcasting, etc. The local network 101 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a communication network such as a LAN.

[0011] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) that has a printing function as well as a copying function, a scanning function, a fax transmission function, and the like, but is not limited thereto. For example, the image forming apparatus 102 may be an SFP (Single Function Printer). The image forming apparatus 102 can be registered to a predetermined registration destination related to a cloud service. In this embodiment, this predetermined registration destination is a device management service 105. The first client terminal 103 is an apparatus that can issue a first print instruction that instructs the image forming apparatus 102 to print via an application service 106, and a second print instruction that instructs the image forming apparatus 102 to print without via the application service 106. A user (hereinafter simply referred to as a "user") of the first client terminal 103 can use the image forming apparatus 102 in the same house as the first client terminal 103, for example, while working from home. The first client terminal 103 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, a desktop or notebook personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The image forming apparatus 102 is a company-issued apparatus provided by an organization such as a company to which the user of the first client terminal 103 belongs.

[0012] The second client terminal 104 is a device that manages the first client terminal 103 and the image forming apparatus 102. The user of the second client terminal 104 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "administrator") belongs to the same organization, such as a company, as the user of the first client terminal 103. The second client terminal 104 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a desktop or laptop personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The device management service 105 is a registration destination for the image forming apparatus 102. This allows management of registration information for the image forming apparatus 102. The registration of the image forming apparatus 102 with the device management service 105 is performed by the first client terminal 103 or the second client terminal 104. The device management service 105 can also acquire and manage operational information, such as the number of printed sheets used by the image forming apparatus 102. The application service 106 is an information processing device that provides cloud services to the image forming apparatus 102, the first client terminal 103, and the second client terminal 104. The services are not particularly limited and may include, for example, a print service, a scan service, an automatic consumable delivery service, a monitoring service, and a fault management service. In this embodiment, a print service will be described as an example. The application service 106 can cause the image forming device 102 to execute printing in response to a first print instruction from the first client terminal 103. The device management service 105 and the application service 106 are each published on the Internet 100 as cloud services consisting of at least one server or virtual server.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing system. FIG. 2(a) is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2(b) is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a first client terminal, a second client terminal, a device management service, and an application service. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the image forming apparatus 102 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, and a network interface card (NIC) 204. The image forming apparatus 102 also includes a disk controller (DKC) 205, a raster controller 207, a print engine 208, an operation panel (operation unit) 209, a storage device 210, and a device I / F 211. These pieces of hardware included in the image forming apparatus 102 are connected to each other via a system bus 200 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The CPU 201 is a computer that controls the entire image forming apparatus 102. This control is performed based on a control program stored in the ROM 202 or a control program and resource data (resource information) stored in an external memory 206 connected via a disk controller 205. The RAM 203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is configured so that its memory capacity can be expanded by adding an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The storage device 210 is an external storage unit that functions as a large-capacity memory. The network interface card 204 exchanges data with external devices. The raster controller 207 is a controller that converts print data written in PDL or PDF language into image data. The print engine 208 performs printing using, for example, an electrophotographic method (laser beam method), an inkjet method, or a dye-sublimation (thermal transfer) method. The operation panel 209 displays a screen and accepts operation instructions from a user via the screen. The operation panel 209 also includes buttons and an LCD panel for performing operations such as setting the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 102 and displaying the operation status of the image forming apparatus 102. The device I / F 211 is a connection interface with an external device that can be connected via USB or the like.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the first client terminal 103, the second client terminal 104, the device management service 105, and the application service 106 each include a CPU 220, a ROM 221, and a RAM 222. Each device also includes an input control unit 224, a storage device 225, and a display 226. These pieces of hardware included in each device are communicatively connected to one another via a system bus 219. The CPU 220 is a computer that controls the entire device. The CPU 220 executes application programs, an operating system, and the like stored in the storage device 225, and controls the temporary storage of information, files, and the like required for program execution in the RAM 222. The ROM 221 stores programs such as I / O programs and various data. These programs include, for example, programs for causing a computer to execute each unit and each means (a control method of an information processing device) of the application service 106. The RAM 222 functions as the main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 220. The input control unit 224 exchanges data with external devices. The storage device 225 is an external storage means that functions as a large-capacity memory. The display 226 displays, for example, program results and information required for input operations. The display 226 may also have a touch panel function.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of an information processing system. FIG. 3(a) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3(b) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a first client terminal. FIG. 3(c) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a second client terminal. FIG. 3(d) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a device management service. FIG. 3(e) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of an application service. The software shown in FIG. 3(a) is stored in the storage device 210, and is loaded into RAM 203 by the CPU 201 and executed. The software shown in FIGS. 3(b) to 3(e) is each stored in the storage device 225, and is loaded into RAM 222 by the CPU 220 and executed.

[0016] 3(a), the image forming apparatus 102 has a data transmission / reception unit 301, a data storage unit 302, a data management unit 303, a print control unit 304, a scan control unit 305, and a user interface unit 306. The data transmission / reception unit 301 transmits various data such as operation data of the image forming apparatus 102 to the application service 106, and receives various data from the application service 106. The data storage unit 302 stores input data from the user, device information of the image forming apparatus 102, and the like. Table 1 shows an example of data stored in the data storage unit 302.

[0017] [Table 1]

[0018] As shown in Table 1, the relationship between the type of paper used by the image forming apparatus 102 for printing and the number of sheets (number of sheets printed by the device) is stored. Paper types include A4 size paper, A5 size paper, B4 size paper, and B5 size paper. In printing by the print control unit 304, 1,000 sheets of A4 size paper, 2,000 sheets of A5 size paper, 500 sheets of B4 size paper, and 0 sheets of B5 size paper are used. The data management unit 303 performs data management such as storing data in the data storage unit 302 and updating and deleting data stored in the data storage unit 302. The user interface unit 306 accepts input from the user. In response to the input accepted by the user interface unit 306, the print control unit 304 prints, the scan control unit 305 scans, and so on.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3B, the first client terminal 103 has a data transmission / reception unit 311, a data storage unit 312, a print driver unit 313, and a user interface unit 314. The data transmission / reception unit 311 transmits various data such as print instructions to the image forming apparatus 102 and receives various data such as scan data from the image forming apparatus 102. The data transmission / reception unit 311 also transmits various data such as print instructions to the application service 106 and receives various data from the application service 106. The data storage unit 312 stores data related to the image forming apparatus 102 and data related to the application service 106. The print driver unit 313 issues a first print instruction to instruct the image forming apparatus 102 to print via the application service 106 and a second print instruction to instruct the image forming apparatus 102 to print without via the application service 106. The user interface unit 314 accepts input from a user. As a result, instructions are given to the image forming apparatus 102, instructions to the application service 106, etc. in accordance with the input content received by the user interface unit 314.

[0020] 3(c), the second client terminal 104 has a data transmission / reception unit 321, a data storage unit 322, and a user interface unit 323. The data transmission / reception unit 321 transmits various data, such as an instruction to register the image forming apparatus 102, to the device management service 105, and receives various data from the application service 106. The data storage unit 322 stores information about the application service 106, etc. The user interface unit 323 accepts input from the user. As a result, instructions, etc. are given to the application service 106 in accordance with the input content accepted by the user interface unit 323.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3(d), the device management service 105 has a data storage unit 331, a device management unit 332, a device-specific print count management unit 333, and a data transmission / reception unit 334. The data storage unit 331 stores information related to the device management service 105. The device management unit 332 manages data such as storing data in the data storage unit 331 and updating or deleting data stored in the data storage unit 331. The device-specific print count management unit 333 manages the number of prints made by the image forming apparatus 102. This number is stored in the data storage unit 341. Table 2 shows an example of data managed by the device-specific print count management unit 333.

[0022] [Table 2]

[0023] As shown in Table 2, the cloud print count and the print count at registration are managed for each ID (device ID) of the image forming apparatus 102. The ID of the image forming apparatus 102 is used to identify the image forming apparatus 102 registered in the device management service 105. In Table 2, there are image forming apparatuses 102 with ID "AAAAA," image forming apparatuses 102 with ID "BBBBB," and image forming apparatuses 102 with ID "CCCCC." For example, the image forming apparatus 102 with ID "AAAAAA" has a cloud print count of 1,000 and a print count at registration of 0. The "cloud print count" is the number of sheets of paper used by the image forming apparatus 102 for printing in response to the first print instruction. The "print count at registration (number at registration)" is the number of sheets of paper used by the image forming apparatus 102 for printing up to the time the image forming apparatus 102 with ID "AAAAA" was registered. It does not matter whether this printing is based on the first print instruction or the second print instruction. The data transmission / reception unit 334 transmits various data such as print instructions to the image forming apparatus 102, and receives various data such as operation data from the image forming apparatus 102. The data transmission / reception unit 334 also receives various data such as print instructions from the first client terminal 103, and transmits various data stored in the data storage unit 331 to the first client terminal 103. The data transmission / reception unit 334 also receives various data such as print instructions from the second client terminal 104, and transmits various data stored in the data storage unit 331 to the second client terminal 104.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3(e), the application service 106 has a data storage unit 341, a user management unit 342, an electronic image forming unit 343, and a data transmission / reception unit 344. The data storage unit 341 stores various data such as data on the image forming apparatus 102 registered in the device management service 105 and user data. The user management unit 342 manages data related to users who use the application service 106. This data is stored in the data storage unit 341. The user management unit 342 also performs data management such as storing data in the data storage unit 341 and updating and deleting data stored in the data storage unit 341. Table 3 shows an example of data managed by the user management unit 342.

[0025] [Table 3]

[0026] As shown in Table 3, a password, login status, and login expiration date are managed for each user ID (user ID). The user ID is used to identify the user. In Table 3, there are users with IDs "user A," "user B," and "user C." For example, the user with ID "user A" uses "abcde" as the basic authentication password used when logging in. Also, in Table 3, the login status of the user with ID "user A" is "On," and the login expiration date is "December 31, 2022, 0:00." The "login expiration date" refers to the expiration date of the authentication status of the logged-in user. Note that a login status of "Off" refers to a logout state. The device management unit 332 compares the combination of the user ID and password included in a login request from the first client terminal 103 or the second client terminal 104 with Table 3. If the result of this collation is, for example, a match, the device management unit 332 returns a login result of success to the first client terminal 103 and the second client terminal 104. When a print instruction is issued from the application service 106 to the image forming apparatus 102, the electronic image forming unit 343 creates electronic data of a print job to be sent as the print instruction. By sending the electronic data to the image forming apparatus 102, printing is performed in the image forming apparatus 102. The data transmission / reception unit 344 transmits various data such as print instructions to the image forming apparatus 102 and receives various data such as operation data from the image forming apparatus 102. The data transmission / reception unit 344 also receives various data such as device registration and print instructions from the first client terminal 103 and transmits various data stored in the data storage unit 341 to the first client terminal 103. The data transmission / reception unit 344 also receives various data such as device registration and print instructions from the second client terminal 104 and transmits various data stored in the data storage unit 341 to the second client terminal 104.

[0027] In the information processing system 1000, for example, when a user working from home using the first client terminal 103 prints on the image forming apparatus 102, the user can print according to either a first print instruction or a second print instruction. However, there is a risk that the user may mistakenly or intentionally print according to the first print instruction when printing according to the second print instruction, i.e., private printing, is intended. In this case, the cost of the printing may be charged to the user's company. Furthermore, in the information processing system 1000, if printing other than according to the first print instruction is prohibited, printing according to the second print instruction can be suppressed. However, in this case, there is a risk that business data managed in an external system, for example, may not be printed on the image forming apparatus 102 via the application service 106.

[0028] Therefore, the information processing system 1000 (application service 106) is configured to reduce such a phenomenon. The following describes this configuration and operation. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed among the image forming apparatus, the first client terminal, the second client terminal, the device management service, and the application service. In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 4, the processing executed by the image forming apparatus 102 is executed by the CPU 201 after a program stored in the storage device 210 is loaded into the RAM 203. The first client terminal 103, the second client terminal 104, the device management service 105, and the application service 106 are executed by the CPU 220 after a program stored in the storage device 225 is loaded into the RAM 222. Hereinafter, the user operating the first client terminal 103 is assumed to be the user with the user ID "user A" in Table 3. Hereinafter, this user will be referred to as the "first user." The first user is also the user who uses the image forming apparatus 102. The image forming apparatus 102 is assumed to be the image forming apparatus with the device ID "AAAAA" in Table 2. Furthermore, the user operating the second client terminal 104 is assumed to be the user with the user ID "user B" in Table 3. Hereinafter, this user will be referred to as the "second user." The second user has the authority to manage the first client terminal 103 and the image forming device 102, i.e., the first user, using the second client terminal 104. This allows the second user to remotely view and operate data on the first client terminal 103 and the image forming device 102.

[0029] 4, in step S401, the data transmitter / receiver 311 of the first client terminal 103 transmits the user ID and password entered in the user interface unit 314 to the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106. This transmission causes a login request to be made.

[0030] In step S402, the user management unit 342 of the application service 106 refers to Table 3 stored in the data storage unit 341 to check whether the user ID and password transmitted in step S401 match those of the first user. If the result of this check indicates a match, the user management unit 342 returns a login result to the first client terminal 103 indicating that the login was successful.

[0031] In step S403, the data transmitter / receiver 321 of the second client terminal 104 transmits the user ID and password entered in the user interface unit 323 to the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106 as a login request.

[0032] In step S404, the user management unit 342 of the application service 106 refers to Table 3 stored in the data storage unit 341 to check whether the user ID and password transmitted in step S403 match those of the second user. If the result of this check indicates a match, the user management unit 342 returns a login result to the second client terminal 104 indicating that the login was successful.

[0033] In step S405, a registration instruction to register the image forming apparatus 102 with the device management service 105 is input to the user interface unit 314 of the first client terminal 103. The data transmission / reception unit 311 of the first client terminal 103 transmits this registration instruction to the data transmission / reception unit 334 of the device management service 105. Note that the registration instruction in step S405 may be issued by the second client terminal 104.

[0034] In step S406, based on the registration instruction transmitted in step S405, the data transmission / reception unit 334 of the device management service 105 requests the number of prints at registration from the image forming apparatus 102. As described above, the number of prints at registration is the number of sheets of printing paper that have been used by the image forming apparatus 102 for printing up to the point in time when the image forming apparatus 102 was registered.

[0035] In step S407, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the number of sheets to be printed at the time of registration for the ID "AAAAA" in Table 2 to the data transmission / reception unit 334 of the device management service 105. As a result, the number of sheets to be printed at the time of registration transmitted in step S407 is stored in the data storage unit 331 of the device management service 105.

[0036] In step S408, the data transmission / reception unit 334 of the device management service 105 returns to the first client terminal 103 the registration result in accordance with the registration instruction transmitted in step S405.

[0037] In the subsequent steps S409 to S413, printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 102 in response to the first print instruction. This printing is performed periodically and asynchronously with the other steps. In step S409, the first print instruction is input to the user interface unit 314 of the first client terminal 103. The print driver unit 313 of the first client terminal 103 transmits this first print instruction to the data transmission / reception unit 344 of the application service 106 via the data transmission / reception unit 311.

[0038] In step S410, the electronic image forming unit 343 of the application service 106 creates electronic data for the print job based on the first print instruction sent in step S409. Then, the data transmitting / receiving unit 344 of the application service 106 sends this data to the data transmitting / receiving unit 301 of the image forming device 102.

[0039] In step S411, the print control unit 304 of the image forming device 102 executes printing of the data transmitted in step S410. The number of sheets of printing paper used in this printing is written in Table 1 in the data storage unit 302 of the image forming device 102.

[0040] In step S412, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the number of prints written in step S411 to the data transmission / reception unit 334 of the device management service 105. The device-specific print count management unit 333 of the device management service 105 stores this number of prints in the cloud print count for ID "AAAAA" in Table 2 of the data storage unit 331.

[0041] In step S413, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits, for example, the result of the success or failure of the printing in step S411 to the data transmission / reception unit 344 of the application service 106. Other information transmitted to the data transmission / reception unit 344 includes, for example, the number and type of printing paper used in the printing in step S411, information about the ink used in the printing in step S411, data from various sensors of the image forming apparatus 102, etc.

[0042] In the subsequent steps S414 to S416, printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 102 in accordance with the second print instruction. This printing is performed periodically and asynchronously with the other steps. In step S414, the second print instruction is input to the user interface unit 314 of the first client terminal 103. The print driver unit 313 of the first client terminal 103 transmits this second print instruction to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 via the data transmission / reception unit 311.

[0043] In step S415, the print control unit 304 of the image forming apparatus 102 executes printing based on the second print instruction sent in step S414. The number of sheets of printing paper used in this printing is written in Table 1 in the data storage unit 302 of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0044] In step S416, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits, for example, the result of the success or failure of the printing in step S415 to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the first client terminal 103. Other information transmitted to the data transmission / reception unit 301 includes, for example, the number and type of printing paper used in the printing in step S415, information about the ink used in the printing in step S415, data from various sensors of the image forming apparatus 102, etc.

[0045] In step S417, the data transmission / reception unit 344 of the application service 106 transmits a request for the number of prints in the image forming apparatus 102 to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102. This number of prints is the total number of print sheets used by the image forming apparatus 102 for printing, that is, the total number of sheets for each type of print paper in Table 1, regardless of whether the image forming apparatus 102 is registered with the device management service 105. This number of prints is also stored in the data storage unit 302 of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0046] In step S418, the data transmitter / receiver 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the total number of printed sheets stored in the data storage unit 302 to the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106 in accordance with the request in step S417. This allows the data transmitter / receiver 344 (acquisition means) to acquire the total number of printed sheets (acquisition step).

[0047] In step S419, the data transmission / reception unit 344 of the application service 106 transmits a request for the number of prints in the image forming apparatus 102 to the data transmission / reception unit 334 of the device management service 105. This number of prints includes the first number of prints (cloud print number) and the number of prints at registration (see Table 2). The first number of prints is the number of print sheets used in the image forming apparatus 102 for printing in response to the first print instruction after the image forming apparatus 102 was registered. The number of prints at registration is the number of print sheets used in the image forming apparatus 102 for printing up to the time the image forming apparatus 102 was registered. The first number of prints and the number of prints at registration are each stored in the data storage unit 331 of the device management service 105.

[0048] In step S420, the data transmitter / receiver 334 of the device management service 105 transmits the first number of prints and the number of prints at the time of registration stored in the data storage unit 331 to the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106 in accordance with the request in step S419. This enables the data transmitter / receiver 344 to acquire the first number of prints and the number of prints at the time of registration (acquisition step).

[0049] In step S421, the application service 106, for example, the user management unit 342, calculates the difference between the total number of printed sheets acquired in step S418 and the first number of printed sheets acquired in step S420. Then, the user management unit 342 (comparison means) compares the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets with the number of printed sheets at the time of registration acquired in step S420. If the result of this comparison shows that the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets does not match the number of printed sheets at the time of registration, the process executes steps S422 to S424. On the other hand, if the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets matches the number of printed sheets at the time of registration, the process ends. Here, "the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets does not match the number of printed sheets at the time of registration" is equivalent to the fact that the number of sheets of printing paper used for printing the second print instruction (hereinafter referred to as the "second number of printed sheets") has occurred since the image forming apparatus 102 was registered.

[0050] For example, suppose the total number of printed sheets is 201, the first number of printed sheets is 100, and the number of printed sheets at the time of registration is 100. This total number of printed sheets is calculated as (first number of printed sheets: 100) + (second number of printed sheets: 1) + (number of printed sheets at the time of registration: 100). The difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets is then compared with the number of printed sheets at the time of registration. Specifically, (total number of printed sheets: 201) - (first number of printed sheets: 100) = (difference: 101), and this difference (101 sheets) does not match the number of printed sheets at the time of registration (100 sheets). This is because printing was performed based on a second print instruction, either erroneously or intentionally, i.e., private printing was performed. This second number of printed sheets is deemed invalid. Also, for example, suppose the total number of prints is 200, the first number of prints is 100, and the number of prints at the time of registration is 100. Note that this total number of prints is calculated as (first number of prints: 100) + (second number of prints: 0) + (number of prints at the time of registration: 100). The difference between the total number of prints and the first number of prints is then compared with the number of prints at the time of registration. Specifically, (total number of prints: 200) - (first number of prints: 100) = (difference: 100), and this difference (100) matches the number of prints at the time of registration (100). This is because printing based on a second print instruction, i.e., private printing, was not performed. This second number of prints is deemed to be valid. The first user may be notified that the second number of prints is valid. In step S421, the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets is compared with the number of printed sheets at the time of registration, but this is not limiting. For example, the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the number of printed sheets at the time of registration may be compared with the first number of printed sheets.

[0051] In step S422, the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106 transmits to the data transmitter / receiver 311 of the first client terminal 103 a notification that the difference between the total number of prints and the first number of prints in step S421 does not match the number of prints at the time of registration (a discrepancy has occurred). In this way, the data transmitter / receiver 344 (notification means) can notify whether the second number of prints is valid or not based on the total number of prints, the first number of prints, and the number of prints at the time of registration, i.e., in accordance with the result of the comparison of the numbers (notification step). Then, if the result of this comparison shows that the difference between the total number of prints and the first number of prints does not match the number of prints at the time of registration, the first client terminal 103 is notified that the second number of prints is invalid. The first client terminal 103 is the recipient of the notification of whether the second number of prints is valid or not.

[0052] In step S423, the reason why the second number of printed sheets is deemed invalid because the numbers do not match (reason for discrepancy), i.e., an opinion regarding the occurrence of the second number of printed sheets, is input to the user interface unit 314 of the first client terminal 103. Then, the data transmitter / receiver 311 (transmitting means) of the first client terminal 103 transmits this reason to the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106. This allows the data transmitter / receiver 344 (receiving means) to receive this reason.

[0053] In step S424, the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106 transmits the reason received in step S420 to the data transmitter / receiver 321 of the second client terminal 104. This allows the data transmitter / receiver 321 (receiving means) to receive this reason.

[0054] As described above, the information processing system 1000 (application service 106) can manage the legitimacy of the second print count used in printing the second print instruction between the first print instruction and the second print instruction. This prevents the company from being billed for the printing costs if printing is mistakenly or intentionally performed according to the first print instruction when printing should have been performed according to the second print instruction (private printing). Furthermore, the information processing system 1000 also allows printing according to the second print instruction if there is a valid reason.

[0055] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. The description will focus on differences from the previous embodiment, and similar details will be omitted. FIG. 5 illustrates a screen displayed on the display of a second client terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5(a) illustrates a screen for managing discrepancy reasons entered by telecommuters. The discrepancy reason management screen 501 shown in FIG. 5(a) is implemented by loading a program stored in the storage device 225 of the second client terminal 104 into the RAM 222 and executing it with the CPU 220. The discrepancy reason management screen 501 includes a search content screen 502, a search button 503, a discrepancy details screen 504, an approve button 505, and a disapprove button 506. The search content screen 502 lists the name and work system (telecommuting) of the person with the device ID "AAAAA." Operating the search button 503 performs a search of the data storage unit 331 based on the contents of the search content screen 502. The difference details screen 504 lists the device ID, telecommuter, detection date, whether there is a difference, the number of differences, the reason for the difference, and the relationship between approval and disapproval. Pressing one telecommuter on the difference details screen 504 transitions to the approval history screen 521 shown in FIG. 5(c). The detection date is the date when step S421 (see FIG. 4) was executed. The presence or absence of a difference indicates whether there is a difference in the number of sheets as a result of the comparison in step S421. The number of differences is the number of sheets for which a difference is determined to exist in step S421. The reason for the difference is the reason received in step S423. If there is no difference, the reason for the difference is left blank. The administrator using the second client terminal 104 can approve or disapprove the reason for the difference. If the administrator has not performed an approval or disapproval operation, an approve button 505 or a disapproval button 506 is displayed. Pressing the approve button 505 or the disapproval button 506 transitions to the approval operation screen 511 shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0056] Fig. 5(b) is a screen on which the administrator performs the approval operation. The approval operation screen 511 shown in Fig. 5(b) is realized by loading a program stored in the storage device 225 of the second client terminal 104 into the RAM 222 and executing it by the CPU 220. The approval operation screen 511 includes a transmission content 512, a transmission message 513, and a send button 514. The transmission content 512 is similar to the difference details screen 504 of the difference reason management screen 501. The send message 513 displays a message input by the administrator via the user interface unit 323. The send button 514 is a button for transmitting the message displayed in the transmission message 513 from the data transmission / reception unit 311 to the first client terminal 103.

[0057] Fig. 5(c) is a screen for checking the past approval history of the image forming device used by the telecommuter. The approval history screen 521 shown in Fig. 5(c) is realized when a program stored in the storage device 225 of the second client terminal 104 is loaded into the RAM 222 and executed by the CPU 220. The approval history screen 521 includes an approval history details screen 522. The approval history details screen 522 is similar to the difference details screen 504 of the difference reason management screen 501. This approval history details screen 522 displays "Approved" if the administrator has performed an approval operation, and displays "Waiting for approval" if the administrator has not performed an approval operation.

[0058] As described above, in this embodiment, the approval operation screen 511 (decision means) allows the administrator to check the reason for the difference and decide whether to approve or disapprove the reason for the difference depending on the content of the reason. If disapproval is decided, the first user using the first client terminal 103 is billed for the second number of printed sheets. This prevents the company to which the first user belongs from being billed for the second number of printed sheets. Furthermore, if disapproval is decided, a notice to that effect is sent to the first user. This allows, for example, the first user to once again understand that printing has been performed in accordance with the second print instruction. Furthermore, if approval is decided, a notice to the effect that approval has been decided is sent to the first user.

[0059] Third Embodiment The third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 6. The description will focus on differences from the previous embodiments, and similar aspects will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed among an image forming apparatus, a first client terminal, a second client terminal, a device management service, and an application service according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the user operating the first client terminal 103 is assumed to be a user with a user ID of "user A" in Table 3. Hereinafter, this user will be referred to as the "first user." The first user is also a user using the image forming apparatus 102. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 102 is assumed to be an image forming apparatus with a device ID of "BBBBB" in Table 4. Furthermore, the user operating the second client terminal 104 is assumed to be a user with a user ID of "user B" in Table 3. Hereinafter, this user will be referred to as the "second user." Table 4 is a table showing an example of data stored in the data storage unit 331 of the device management service 105.

[0060] [Table 4]

[0061] As shown in Table 4, the relationship between the image forming device 102, the user ID, and the operation restriction is stored. The operation restriction is whether or not printing other than printing based on the first print instruction is paused in the image forming device 102. If printing is not paused, it is set to "no restriction." Printing other than printing based on the first print instruction includes printing based on a second print instruction, printing via an external system, etc.

[0062] In the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 6, steps S401 to S424 are executed, which are similar to those in the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 4. After step S424 is executed, step S611 is executed. In step S611, the content of a warning to the first user is input to the user interface unit 323 of the second client terminal 104. The data transmitter / receiver 321 of the second client terminal 104 transmits the content of the warning to the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106. As a result, the data transmitter / receiver 344 receives the content of the warning.

[0063] In step S612, the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106 transmits the content of the warning received in step S611 to the data transmitter / receiver 311 of the first client terminal 103.

[0064] In step S613, an instruction to suspend printing other than printing based on the first print instruction is input to the user interface unit 323 of the second client terminal 104. The data transmitter / receiver 321 of the second client terminal 104 transmits this instruction to suspend printing to the data transmitter / receiver 334 of the device management service 105. As a result, the data transmitter / receiver 321 receives the instruction to suspend printing. Note that the instruction to suspend printing is not limited to being transmitted from the data transmitter / receiver 321, and may also be transmitted from the data transmitter / receiver 344 of the application service 106.

[0065] In step S614, the data transmission / reception unit 334 of the device management service 105 transmits the print pause instruction received in step S613 to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102. As a result, the data transmission / reception unit 301 receives the print pause instruction.

[0066] In step S615, the print control unit 304 of the image forming apparatus 102 suspends printing in accordance with the print suspension instruction received in step S614, thereby prohibiting the image forming apparatus 102 from accepting a second print instruction.

[0067] In step S616, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the result of the print suspension process to the data transmission / reception unit 334 of the device management service 105. As a result, the result of the print suspension process is written to Table 4 in the data storage unit 331.

[0068] As described above, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 is prohibited from printing with the second print instruction after the non-approval decision is made. This prevents telecommuters from repeatedly printing for personal use. Note that this printing prohibition is at least temporary. For example, the prohibition on printing with the second print instruction can be lifted by an administrator's operation.

[0069] <Fourth embodiment> The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The description will focus on differences from the previous embodiments, and similar aspects will be omitted. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed in an information processing system according to the fourth embodiment. Hereinafter, the user operating the first client terminal 103 is assumed to be the user with the user ID "user A" in Table 3. Hereinafter, this user will be referred to as the "first user." The first user is also the user using the image forming apparatus 102. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 102 is assumed to be the image forming apparatus with the device ID "AAAAA" in Table 2. Furthermore, the user operating the second client terminal 104 is assumed to be the user with the user ID "user B" in Table 3. Hereinafter, this user will be referred to as the "second user." Table 5 is a table showing an example of data stored in the data storage unit 341 of the application service 106.

[0070] [Table 5]

[0071] As shown in Table 5, the relationship between the device ID, the warning threshold, and the suspension threshold for printing other than printing based on the first print instruction is stored. The warning threshold is a value used to determine whether the period during which a difference reason is not input exceeds the threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, a warning notification is issued. The suspension threshold for printing other than printing based on the first print instruction is a value used to determine whether the period during which a difference reason is not input exceeds the threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, printing other than printing based on the first print instruction is suspended. Each threshold is set in advance.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, in step S701, the application service 106 receives the total number of printed sheets from the image forming apparatus 102 and stores the total number of printed sheets in the data storage unit 341.

[0073] In step S702, the application service 106 receives the first print count and the registration print count from the device management service 105, and stores these counts in the data storage unit 341.

[0074] In step S703, the application service 106 calculates the difference between the total number of printed sheets received in step S701 and the total number of printed sheets received in step S702. The application service 106 then determines whether the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the total number of printed sheets matches the number of printed sheets at the time of registration received in step S702. If the determination in step S703 determines that they match, the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S703 determines that they do not match, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0075] In step S704, the application service 106 notifies the first client terminal 103 of the occurrence of a difference.

[0076] In step S705, the application service 106 determines whether or not the reason for the difference has been received from the first client terminal 103. If it is determined in step S705 that the reason for the difference has been received, the process proceeds to step S706. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S705 that the reason for the difference has not been received, the process proceeds to step S707.

[0077] In step S706, the application service 106 notifies the second client terminal 104 of the reason for the difference.

[0078] In step S707, the application service 106 obtains the warning threshold from Table 5 and determines whether the period during which the reason for the discrepancy has not been received exceeds the warning threshold. If the determination in step S707 determines that the period exceeds the warning threshold, the process proceeds to step S708. On the other hand, if the determination in step S707 determines that the period does not exceed the warning threshold, the process returns to step S705, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0079] In step S708, the application service 106 issues a warning or suspends printing other than the printing according to the first print instruction. The warning is issued in the same manner as in step S612. The printing suspension process is the same as in step S615.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a modified example of a flowchart showing processing executed in an information processing system. Steps S701 to S706 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 are the same as steps S701 to S706 in FIG. 7. If it is determined in step S705 that a reason for the difference has not been received, the process proceeds to step S801. In step S801, the application service 106 obtains the pause threshold for printing other than printing based on the first print instruction from Table 5. The application service 106 then determines whether the period during which a reason for the difference has not been received exceeds the pause threshold. If it is determined in step S801 that the period exceeds the pause threshold, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S801 that the period does not exceed the pause threshold, the process returns to step S705, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0081] In step S802, the application service 106 executes a process to temporarily suspend printing other than the printing according to the first print instruction. This process is performed by, for example, the user management unit 342 (processing means) of the application service 106.

[0082] As described above, in this embodiment, if the reason for the difference has not been received, a warning notification can be sent after a predetermined period of time. This warning notification can, for example, prompt the first user using the first client terminal 103 to send the reason for the difference. Furthermore, if the reason for the difference has not been received, processing can be performed to temporarily suspend printing in response to the second print instruction on the image forming apparatus 102. This can prevent telecommuters from repeatedly printing for personal use.

[0083] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0084] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) An information processing device that is communicatively connected to an image forming device capable of printing and a terminal device communicatively connected to the image forming device, and that provides cloud services, the image forming device is configured to be registerable to a predetermined registration destination related to the cloud service, the terminal device is configured to be able to issue a first print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing via the information processing device, and a second print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing without via the information processing device, The information processing device includes: an acquisition means for acquiring the total number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing, regardless of whether the image forming device is registered in the predetermined registration destination, the first number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing in accordance with the first print instruction after the image forming device is registered, and the number of print sheets at the time of registration of the printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing up to the time the image forming device is registered; and a notification means for notifying whether the second number of prints of printing paper used in the image forming device for printing in accordance with the second print instruction after the image forming device was registered is valid or not, based on the total number of prints, the first number of prints, and the number of prints at the time of registration acquired by the acquisition means. (Configuration 2) A comparison means is provided for comparing the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets with the number of printed sheets at the time of registration, 2. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the notification means notifies whether the second number of prints is valid or not, depending on the result of the comparison by the comparison means. (Configuration 3) The information processing device described in Configuration 2 is characterized in that the notification means notifies that the second number of printed sheets is not valid if, as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets does not match the number at the time of registration. (Configuration 4) When the notification means notifies the terminal device that the second number of printed sheets is invalid, the terminal device can transmit an opinion regarding the occurrence of the second number of printed sheets to the information processing device, 4. The information processing device according to configuration 3, further comprising a receiving means for receiving the opinions. (Configuration 5) The information processing device according to Configuration 4, wherein, when the opinion is determined to be disapproved, a charge for the second number of printed sheets is made to the user of the terminal device. (Configuration 6) An information processing device according to configuration 4, characterized in that it comprises a processing means that, if the opinion is not received by the receiving means, after a predetermined period of time, prompts the terminal device to send the opinion, or performs processing to at least temporarily prohibit the image forming device from printing with the second print instruction. (Configuration 7) An information processing device described in any one of configurations 2 to 6, characterized in that the notification means is capable of notifying that the second number of printed sheets is valid when, as a result of comparison by the comparison means, the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets matches the number at the time of registration. (Configuration 8) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the notification means notifies the terminal device of the presence or absence of the validity. (Configuration 9) An information processing system including an image forming device capable of printing, a terminal device communicably connected to the image forming device, and an information processing device communicably connected to the image forming device and the terminal device and providing a cloud service, the image forming device is configured to be registerable to a predetermined registration destination related to the cloud service, the terminal device is configured to be able to issue a first print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing via the information processing device, and a second print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing without via the information processing device, The information processing device includes: an acquisition means for acquiring the total number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing, regardless of whether the image forming device is registered in the predetermined registration destination, the first number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing in accordance with the first print instruction after the image forming device is registered, and the number of print sheets at the time of registration of the printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing up to the time the image forming device is registered; and a notification means for notifying whether the second number of prints of printing paper used in the image forming device for printing in accordance with the second print instruction after the image forming device was registered is valid or not, based on the total number of prints, the first number of prints, and the number of prints at the time of registration acquired by the acquisition means. (Configuration 10) A management device is provided which is communicably connected to the terminal device and manages the terminal device, the terminal device includes a transmission means for transmitting, when the notification means notifies that the second number of printed sheets is invalid, a comment regarding the occurrence of the second number of printed sheets to the management device; 10. The information processing system according to configuration 9, wherein the management device includes a receiving unit for receiving the opinions. (Configuration 11) The management device includes a decision unit that decides whether to approve or disapprove the opinion received by the receiving unit, An information processing system as described in configuration 10, characterized in that if the approval is decided, a notification of the approval decision is made to the user using the terminal device, and if the non-approval is decided, a notification of the non-approval decision is made to the user using the terminal device. (Configuration 12) The information processing system according to configuration 11, wherein, when the non-approval is determined, a bill for the second number of printed sheets is sent to the user of the terminal device. (Configuration 13) The information processing system according to configuration 11 or 12, wherein the image forming apparatus can at least temporarily prohibit the printing according to the second print instruction after the non-approval decision. (Method 1) A method for controlling an information processing device that is communicatively connected to an image forming device capable of printing and a terminal device communicatively connected to the image forming device and that provides a cloud service, comprising: the image forming device is configured to be registerable to a predetermined registration destination related to the cloud service, the terminal device is configured to be able to issue a first print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing via the information processing device, and a second print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing without via the information processing device, The control method for the information processing device includes: an acquisition step of acquiring the total number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing, regardless of whether the image forming device is registered in the predetermined registration destination, the first number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing in accordance with the first print instruction since the image forming device was registered, and the number of print sheets at the time of registration of the printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing up to the time the image forming device was registered; and a notification step of notifying whether the second number of prints of printing paper used in the image forming device by printing in accordance with the second print instruction after the image forming device was registered is valid or not, based on the total number of prints, the first number of prints, and the number of prints at the time of registration acquired in the acquisition step. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 102 Image forming device 103 First client terminal 104 Second client terminal 105 Device Management Service 106 Application Services 342 User Management Department 344 Data Transmitter / Receiver 1000 Information Processing Systems

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus that is communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus capable of printing and a terminal device communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus, and that provides a cloud service, the image forming device is configured to be registerable to a predetermined registration destination related to the cloud service, the terminal device is configured to be able to issue a first print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing via the information processing device, and a second print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing without via the information processing device, The information processing device includes: an acquisition means for acquiring the total number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing, regardless of whether the image forming device is registered in the predetermined registration destination, the first number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing in accordance with the first print instruction since the image forming device was registered, and the number of print sheets at the time of registration of the printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing up to the time the image forming device was registered; An information processing device characterized by comprising: a notification means for notifying whether the second number of prints of printing paper used in the image forming device for printing with the second print instruction after the image forming device was registered is valid or not, based on the total number of prints, the first number of prints, and the number of prints at the time of registration acquired by the acquisition means.

2. a comparison means for comparing the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets with the number of printed sheets at the time of registration; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies whether the second number of prints is valid or not, depending on the result of the comparison by the comparison unit.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the notification means notifies that the second number of printed sheets is not valid if, as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets does not match the number of printed sheets at the time of registration.

4. When the notification means notifies that the second number of printed sheets is invalid, the terminal device is capable of transmitting an opinion regarding the occurrence of the second number of printed sheets to the information processing device, 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a receiving means for receiving the opinions.

5. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when the opinion is determined to be disapproved, a charge for the second number of printed sheets is made to the user of the terminal device.

6. The information processing device according to claim 4, further comprising a processing means for prompting the terminal device to send the opinion after a predetermined period of time, or for at least temporarily prohibiting the image forming device from printing with the second print instruction, if the opinion is not received by the receiving means.

7. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the notification means is capable of notifying that the second number of printed sheets is valid when, as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, the difference between the total number of printed sheets and the first number of printed sheets matches the number at the time of registration.

8. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies the terminal device of the presence or absence of the validity.

9. An information processing system including an image forming device capable of printing, a terminal device communicably connected to the image forming device, and an information processing device communicably connected to the image forming device and the terminal device and providing a cloud service, the image forming device is configured to be registerable to a predetermined registration destination related to the cloud service, the terminal device is configured to be able to issue a first print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing via the information processing device, and a second print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing without via the information processing device, The information processing device includes: an acquisition means for acquiring the total number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing, regardless of whether the image forming device is registered in the predetermined registration destination, the first number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing in accordance with the first print instruction since the image forming device was registered, and the number of print sheets at the time of registration of the printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing up to the time the image forming device was registered; an information processing system characterized by comprising a notification means for notifying whether the second number of prints of printing paper used in the image forming device for printing with the second print instruction after the image forming device was registered is valid or not, based on the total number of prints, the first number of prints, and the number of prints at the time of registration acquired by the acquisition means.

10. a management device that is communicably connected to the terminal device and manages the terminal device; the terminal device includes a transmission means for transmitting, when the notification means notifies that the second number of printed sheets is invalid, a comment regarding the occurrence of the second number of printed sheets to the management device; 10. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the management device comprises a receiving unit for receiving the opinions.

11. the management device includes a decision means for deciding whether to approve or disapprove the opinion received by the receiving means, The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that, if the approval is decided, a notification of the approval decision is given to the user using the terminal device, and, if the non-approval is decided, a notification of the non-approval decision is given to the user using the terminal device.

12. 12. The information processing system according to claim 11, wherein, when the non-approval is determined, a charge for the second number of printed sheets is made to the user of the terminal device.

13. The information processing system according to claim 11 , wherein the image forming apparatus can at least temporarily prohibit the printing according to the second print instruction after the non-approval is determined.

14. A method for controlling an information processing device that is communicatively connected to an image forming device capable of printing and a terminal device communicatively connected to the image forming device and that provides a cloud service, comprising: the image forming device is configured to be registerable to a predetermined registration destination related to the cloud service, the terminal device is configured to be able to issue a first print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing via the information processing device, and a second print instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform the printing without via the information processing device, The control method for the information processing device includes: an acquisition step of acquiring the total number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing, regardless of whether the image forming device is registered in the predetermined registration destination, the first number of print sheets of printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing in accordance with the first print instruction since the image forming device was registered, and the number of print sheets at the time of registration of the printing paper used in the image forming device for the printing up to the time the image forming device was registered; and a notification step of notifying whether the second number of prints of printing paper used in the image forming device by printing with the second print instruction after the image forming device was registered is valid or not, based on the total number of prints, the first number of prints, and the number of prints at the time of registration acquired in the acquisition step.

15. 2. A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images