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

Abstract

This system provides a mechanism that allows users to become aware of payment problems. [Solution] The image processing device 100 is available for use at a fixed rate for the contracted period. The image processing device 100 communicates with a contract management device 300 that manages the contract status of the image processing device 100, etc. The image processing device 100 controls the functions available on the image processing device 100 based on control information received from the contract management device 300. In addition, the image processing device 100, If a payment problem is determined to have occurred based on the control information, the system will perform a control to notify the system of the occurrence of the payment problem.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method for an information processing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A flat-rate service that leases devices such as image processing devices at a fixed rate during the contracted period has become widespread. In such a flat-rate service, it is necessary to limit the functions of the leased devices based on the contract status. As a related technology, the technology of Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In Patent Document 1, an image processing apparatus makes an inquiry to a server that manages the contract status of this image processing apparatus and controls whether to limit the functions of this image processing apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a flat-rate service, for example, when a settlement trouble occurs due to a credit card settlement company or a financial institution, even if there is no problem with the user's procedure, the functions of the image processing apparatus are restricted. In this case, it is common for the service operation company to send an email notifying the user to that effect to the user's PC or the like, but the user often does not notice the email, and the user is confused by the situation where the image processing apparatus suddenly becomes unusable.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can make a user recognize the occurrence of a settlement trouble.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an information processing device that can be used for a fixed fee during a contracted period, comprising: communication means for communicating with a management device that manages the contract status of the information processing device; and control means for performing control that restricts the functions available on the information processing device based on control information received from the management device, wherein, if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with the contract for the information processing device, the control means performs control to notify the occurrence of the settlement trouble. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, users can be made aware of the occurrence of payment problems. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the image processing device as an information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the functions of the image processing device. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the contract management device that manages the contract status of the image processing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows an example of contract information managed by the Contract Management Department. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the procedure for the contract status verification process performed by the contract management device shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows the procedure for the reception control process performed by the image processing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the notification process in S606. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a dialog box displayed on the control panel in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the steps of the print control process performed by the image processing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10]Figure 3 is a flowchart showing another procedure for the contract status verification process performed by the contract management device. [Figure 11] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing another procedure for the notification process in S606. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a printed document produced by the printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows another step in the print control process performed by the image processing device shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the image processing device 100 as an information processing device according to this embodiment.

[0011] In Figure 1, the image processing device 100 includes a CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, FlashROM 104, USB I / F control unit 105, scanner I / F control unit 106, printer I / F control unit 107, NVRAM 108, panel control unit 109, sensor control unit 110, and network I / F control unit 115. These are connected to each other via a bus 116. The image processing device 100 also includes a scanner 111, a printer 112, an operation panel 113, and various sensors 114.

[0012] The CPU 101 executes the software program for the image processing unit 100 and controls the entire image processing unit 100. The ROM 102 is read-only memory and stores the boot program and fixed parameters of the image processing unit 100. The RAM 103 is random-access memory and is used by the CPU 101 to store temporary data when controlling the image processing unit 100. The FlashROM 104 is rewritable non-volatile memory and stores various data such as installed applications, application data, and print data.

[0013] The USB HI / F control unit 105 is for controlling the USB host interface and controls communication with various USB devices. The scanner I / F control unit 106 controls the scanner 111. The printer I / F control unit 107 controls the printer 112. The NVRAM 108 is a non-volatile memory and stores various setting values of the image processing apparatus 100. The panel control unit 109 controls the operation panel 113, causes various information to be displayed on the operation panel 113, and acquires operation information of the operation panel 113 by the user from the operation panel 113. The sensor control unit 110 controls various sensors 114. The various sensors 114 are, for example, human presence sensors that determine whether there is a person in front of the image processing apparatus 100.

[0014] The network I / F control unit 115 controls data transmission and reception with the LAN network 117. The bus 116 is a system bus that transfers control signals output from the CPU 101 and data signals output from each component connected to the bus 116.

[0015] In this embodiment, the CPU 101 can function as various means by executing a program. A control circuit such as an ASIC that operates in cooperation with the CPU 101 may function as these means. Also, these means may be realized by the cooperation between the CPU 101 and a control circuit that controls the operation of the image processing apparatus 100. Also, the CPU 101 does not necessarily have to be a single one and may be plural. In this case, the plural CPUs 101 can execute processing in a distributed manner. Also, the plural CPUs 101 may be arranged in a single computer or may be arranged in a plurality of physically different computers. Also, the means realized by the CPU 101 executing a program may be realized by a dedicated circuit.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. The image processing apparatus 100 is configured such that a user can use it during the contracted period by applying for a subscription contract, for example, a monthly fixed payment contract. As its functions, as shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 201, a display unit 202, a communication unit 203, and a function restriction unit 204. The printing unit 201 is a function for executing printing by the printer 112. The display unit 202 is a function for displaying various screens on the operation panel 113. The communication unit 203 is a function for communicating with external devices by the network I / F control unit 115. The function restriction unit 204 is a function for restricting the function of the printing unit 201 based on control information, which will be described later, received from the contract management apparatus 300.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a contract management apparatus 300 that manages the contract status of the image processing apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the contract management apparatus 300 includes a contract management unit 301, a settlement management unit 302, and a function restriction notification unit 303. The contract management unit 301 manages the contract information in FIG. 4 indicating the content of the contract made by the user. The settlement management unit 302 manages the settlement status. The function restriction notification unit 303 transmits control information used for controlling to restrict the functions available on the device (for example, the image processing apparatus 100) used by a user who has concluded a subscription contract to the said device.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contract information managed by the contract management unit 301 in FIG. 3. The contract information includes, for each printer ID, which is unique information for identifying the device used by a user who has concluded a subscription contract, contract status, settlement status, the last successful settlement date, the next settlement date, notification content indicating the content of the control information transmitted to the said device, and the like. Based on this contract information, the contract management apparatus 300 determines, for example, whether the functions of the image processing apparatus 100, which is the device used by a user who has concluded a subscription contract, can be used. The contract management apparatus 300 transmits control information used for controlling to restrict the functions available on the image processing apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 100 based on the result of this determination.

[0019] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the contract status confirmation process performed by the contract management device 300 in Figure 3. The contract management device 300 periodically performs the contract status confirmation process shown in Figure 5 for all devices under management, including the image processing device 100. In this embodiment, as an example, the contract status confirmation process is performed on the image processing device 100, which is a device managed by the contract management device 300.

[0020] In Figure 5, first, the contract management device 300 determines whether or not the image processing device 100 is under contract based on the above contract information (S501). If it is determined in S501 that the image processing device 100 is not under contract, the process proceeds to S504, which will be described later. If it is determined in S501 that the image processing device 100 is under contract, the process proceeds to S502.

[0021] In S502, the contract management device 300 determines whether or not a payment problem has occurred. In the determination in S502, for example, an API provided by the payment service company is used to determine whether or not a payment problem has occurred.

[0022] If it is determined in S502 that a payment problem has occurred, the process proceeds to S503. In S503, the contract management device 300 sets the control information to "Payment problem occurred," indicating that a payment problem has occurred. Next, the contract management device 300 sets the control information to "Function restriction occurred," indicating that the functions available on the image processing device 100 are restricted (S504). Then, the contract management device 300 transmits this control information to the image processing device 100 (S505) and terminates the process.

[0023] If it is determined in S502 that no payment problems have occurred, the process proceeds to S506. In S506, the contract management device 300 sets the control information to "No function restrictions," indicating that there are no restrictions on the functions available on the image processing device 100 (S506). The process then proceeds to S505, where this control information is transmitted to the image processing device 100, and the process ends.

[0024] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration was explained in which the contract status confirmation process is performed periodically. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the contract management device 300 may perform the contract status confirmation process when it receives an inquiry from the image processing device 100.

[0025] Next, we will describe the processing performed by the image processing device 100 that receives control information transmitted from the contract management device 300.

[0026] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the reception control process performed by the image processing device 100 in Figure 1. The reception control process in Figure 6 is realized when the CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 executes a program stored in the ROM 102 or the like.

[0027] In Figure 6, first, the CPU 101 receives the control information transmitted from the contract management device 300 in S505 as described above (S601). Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not "Functional restrictions apply" is set in the received control information (S602). If it is determined that "Functional restrictions apply" is set in the control information, the process proceeds to S603. If it is determined that "Functional restrictions apply" is not set in the control information, the process proceeds to S604.

[0028] In S603, the CPU 101 sets functional limitations on the image processing unit 100 (S603). As a result, the image processing unit 100, for example, has its printing unit 201's functionality restricted, rendering it unable to print. The process then proceeds to S605, which will be described later.

[0029] In S604, the CPU 101 removes the functional restrictions in the image processing device 100. As a result, all functions corresponding to the contract details become available in the image processing device 100. Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the received control information is set to "settlement trouble" (S605).

[0030] If it is determined in S605 that the control information is set to "payment trouble detected," the process proceeds to S606. In S606, the CPU 101 performs the notification process shown in Figure 7, described later, to notify that a payment trouble has occurred. The control information set to "payment trouble detected" may be stored in RAM 103 or similar. After that, the process terminates.

[0031] If it is determined in S605 that the control information does not have "payment trouble detected," the process proceeds to S607. In S607, CPU101 deletes the control information that was previously received and stored and had "payment trouble detected" detected. After that, the process terminates.

[0032] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the notification processing procedure for S606 in Figure 6.

[0033] In Figure 7, the CPU 101 issues a notification indicating that a payment problem has occurred (S701). Specifically, the CPU 101 displays the dialog 801 shown in Figure 8 on the control panel 113 as a notification indicating that a payment problem has occurred. The dialog 801 includes a message 802 indicating that a payment problem has occurred, a "Check Later" button 803, and a "Confirmed" button 804. If the user selects either the "Check Later" button 803 or the "Confirmed" button 804 in the dialog 801, the process proceeds to S702.

[0034] In S702, the CPU 101 determines whether the user pressed the "Check Later" button 803 or the "Checked" button 804.

[0035] If it is determined in S702 that the user has pressed the "Check Later" button 803, the process proceeds to S703. In S703, the CPU 101 temporarily hides the display of dialog 801. This allows the user to postpone responding to the notification indicating a payment problem and operate the image processing device 100. In this case, after a certain period of time, the dialog 801 is displayed again on the operation panel 113 in the image processing device 100. Once S703 is completed, the process ends.

[0036] If it is determined in S702 that the user has pressed the "Confirmed" button 804, the process proceeds to S704. In S704, the CPU 101 dismisses the display of dialog 801. After that, the process terminates. Even if the user accidentally presses the "Confirmed" button 804, if the payment problem is not resolved, the control information indicating "payment problem" is resent from the contract management device 300 to the image processing device 100. Therefore, when this control information is received, dialog 801 is displayed again on the operation panel 113.

[0037] Next, we will explain the processing that the image processing device 100 performs when it receives a print command from a user.

[0038] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the print control process performed by the image processing device 100 in Figure 1. The print control process in Figure 9 is realized by the CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 executing a program stored in the ROM 102 or the like. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the above-described reception control process is performed before the print control process in Figure 9 is executed, and that the function restrictions are set or released in the image processing device 100.

[0039] In Figure 9, the CPU 101 receives a print command from the user (S901). Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not function restrictions are set (S902).

[0040] If S902 determines that a function restriction has been set, the CPU 101 will not execute the print command according to the received print command (S903). At this time, for example, a screen containing a contract expiration message may be displayed on the control panel 113. After that, this process will terminate.

[0041] If S902 determines that no function restrictions are set, CPU101 executes printing according to the received print command (S904). After that, this process terminates.

[0042] According to the embodiment described above, if it is determined that a payment trouble has occurred based on the control information received from the contract management device 300, control is performed to notify the user of the occurrence of the payment trouble. This makes the user aware of the occurrence of the payment trouble.

[0043] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the control information includes "payment trouble detected," indicating that a payment trouble has occurred, and information indicating whether or not to restrict the functions available on the image processing device 100 ("functions restricted" or "functions not restricted"). As a result, the image processing device 100 can easily determine, with minimal resources, whether or not a payment trouble has occurred and whether or not to restrict the functions available on the image processing device 100, based on the control information received from the contract management device 300.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, if it is determined that a settlement problem has occurred based on the control information received from the contract management device 300, a dialog box 801 notifying the user of the settlement problem will be displayed on the operation panel 113. This allows the user who operates the operation panel 113 to issue a print command to the image processing device 100 to be aware that a settlement problem has occurred.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, when the contract management device 300 detected a payment problem, the image processing device 100 issued a notification informing the user of the payment problem and restricted the functionality of the image processing device 100. However, a certain amount of time is required between the notification of the payment problem and the user resolving the payment problem, during which time the user is unable to use the image processing device 100, which is inconvenient. To avoid such an inconvenient situation, it is preferable not to restrict the functionality of the image processing device 100 for a predetermined period after the occurrence of a payment problem.

[0046] In contrast, in this embodiment, the image processing device 100 is controlled so as not to restrict its functions until a predetermined period has elapsed since the occurrence of a payment problem. Note that in this configuration, the content of the contract status confirmation process shown in Figure 5 above differs in some respects. The procedure for the contract status confirmation process in this configuration will be described below.

[0047] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing another procedure for the contract status confirmation process performed by the contract management device 300 in Figure 3. The contract status confirmation process in Figure 10 is similar to the contract status confirmation process in Figure 5 described above, and the differences from the contract status confirmation process in Figure 5 will be explained below. The contract management device 300 periodically performs the contract status confirmation process in Figure 10 for all devices under management, including the image processing device 100. In this embodiment, as an example, the contract status confirmation process is performed on the image processing device 100, which is a device managed by the contract management device 300.

[0048] In Figure 10, first, the contract management device 300 determines whether or not the image processing device 100 is under contract based on the contract information, similar to S501 described above (S1001). If it is determined in S1001 that the image processing device 100 is not under contract, the process proceeds to S1005, which will be described later. If it is determined in S1001 that the image processing device 100 is under contract, the process proceeds to S1002.

[0049] In S1002, the contract management device 300 determines whether or not a settlement problem has occurred, similar to S502 described above. The determination method in S1002 is the same as in S502 described above. If it is determined that no settlement problem has occurred, this process proceeds to S1007, which will be described later. If it is determined that a settlement problem has occurred, this process proceeds to S1003.

[0050] In S1003, the contract management device 300 sets the control information to "Settlement trouble occurred," indicating that a settlement trouble has occurred, similar to S503 described above.

[0051] Next, the contract management device 300 determines, based on the above contract information, whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the settlement trouble occurred (S1004). The predetermined period is, for example, a few hours to a few days. If it is determined that a predetermined period has elapsed since the settlement trouble occurred, the process proceeds to S1005. If it is determined that a predetermined period has not elapsed since the settlement trouble occurred, the process proceeds to S1007.

[0052] In S1005, the contract management device 300 sets the control information to "Functional limitations apply," similar to S504 described above. Then, the contract management device 300 transmits this control information to the image processing device 100 (S1006), similar to S505 described above, and terminates this process.

[0053] In S1007, the contract management device 300 sets the control information to "no function restrictions," similar to S506 described above. The process then proceeds to S1006, where this control information is transmitted to the image processing device 100, and the process ends.

[0054] In the embodiment described above, the control information transmitted from the contract management device 300, based on the determination made by the contract management device 300, includes "payment trouble occurred" and "no function restrictions" until a predetermined period has elapsed since the occurrence of a payment trouble. In other words, the image processing device 100 is not restricted in function until a predetermined period has elapsed since the occurrence of a payment trouble. This reduces inconvenience to the user compared to a configuration in which the image processing device 100 becomes immediately unusable upon the occurrence of a payment trouble.

[0055] In the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which the contract status confirmation process shown in Figure 10 is performed periodically. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the contract management device 300 may perform the contract status confirmation process shown in Figure 10 when it receives an inquiry from the image processing device 100.

[0056] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which a dialog box 801 is displayed on the operation panel 113 as a notification of the occurrence of a payment problem. However, in the small model of the image processing device 100, there are problems such as the small screen size of the operation panel 113 making it difficult to notice the notification, or the inability to fully display the notification. In addition, when a user issues a print command to the image processing device 100 from a PC or the like, the user does not look at the operation panel 113 of the image processing device 100, and therefore may not notice the dialog box 801 displayed on the operation panel 113.

[0057] Therefore, in this embodiment, a notification is printed to inform the system of the occurrence of a payment problem. Note that in this configuration, the content of the notification process in S606 in the reception control process shown in Figure 6 above differs in some respects. The procedure for the notification process in S606 in this configuration will be described below.

[0058] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing another step in the notification process of S606 in Figure 6.

[0059] In Figure 11, the CPU 101 controls the printer 112 to print a notification indicating the occurrence of a payment problem (S1101). This results in the output of the printout 1201 shown in Figure 12. This printout 1201 contains a message informing the user of the payment problem, instructions on how to resolve the problem, and information indicating when printing will be disabled if the payment problem is not resolved. The process then terminates.

[0060] In the embodiment described above, if it is determined that a settlement problem has occurred based on the control information received from the contract management device 300, a printed document 1201 notifying the user of the settlement problem is output. This allows the user to be aware of the settlement problem without using the operation panel 113.

[0061] In the embodiment described above, a configuration for printing a notification informing the user of a payment problem was explained. However, if the user is using paper that is more expensive than plain paper, such as glossy paper, printing the notification informing the user of a payment problem on this expensive paper would be a significant financial burden for the user.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, the system controls whether or not to print a notification indicating a payment problem based on the type of paper used. Note that in this configuration, the print control process described in Figure 9 differs slightly. The procedure for the print control process in this configuration will be described below.

[0063] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the print control process performed by the image processing device 100 in Figure 1. The print control process in Figure 13 is similar to the print control process in Figure 9 described above, and the differences from the print control process in Figure 9 will be explained below. The print control process in Figure 13 is implemented by the CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 executing a program stored in the ROM 102, etc., similar to the print control process in Figure 9 described above. It is assumed that, similar to the print control process in Figure 9 described above, the reception control process described above is executed before the print control process in Figure 13 is executed, and that function restrictions are set or released in the image processing device 100.

[0064] In Figure 13, first, the CPU 101 receives a print command from the user, similar to S901 described above (S1301). Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a function restriction is set, similar to S902 described above (S1302).

[0065] If it is determined in S1302 that a functional restriction has been set, the CPU 101 will not execute the print command according to the received print instruction, as described in S903 above (S1303). After that, this process will terminate.

[0066] If it is determined in S1302 that no functional restrictions are set, the CPU 101 executes printing according to the received print command (S1304). Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a notification informing of a payment trouble has been printed (S1305). If it is determined that this notification has been printed, this process ends. If it is determined that this notification has not been printed, this process proceeds to S1306.

[0067] In S1306, the CPU 101 determines whether the printing paper is glossy paper, which is more expensive than plain paper. In S1306, for example, if the paper setting set by the user when issuing the print command is glossy paper, it is determined that the printing paper is glossy paper. In this case, the CPU 101 terminates the process without printing this notification. On the other hand, if the paper setting set by the user when issuing the print command is a type of paper other than glossy paper, it is determined that the printing paper is not glossy paper. In this case, the CPU 101 prints this notification (S1307). As a result, for example, the printed document 1201 described above is output. After that, the process terminates.

[0068] In the embodiment described above, the printed document 1201 is output when the user has set the printing paper to something other than glossy paper, which is more expensive than plain paper, and the printed document 1201 is not output when the printing paper is set to glossy paper. This prevents the notification informing of a payment problem from being printed on expensive paper, thereby reducing the user's financial burden.

[0069] <Other examples> Although embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take the form of, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium (storage medium). Specifically, it may be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices (for example, a host computer, interface devices, imaging devices, web applications, etc.), or to an apparatus consisting of a single device.

[0070] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0071] Furthermore, the disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) An information processing device that can be used for a fixed fee during the contract period, comprising: communication means for communicating with a management device that manages the contract status of the information processing device; and control means for performing control that restricts the functions available on the information processing device based on control information received from the management device, wherein if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with the contract of the information processing device, the control means performs control to notify the occurrence of the settlement trouble. (Configuration 2) The information processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the control information includes information indicating that the settlement trouble has occurred and information indicating whether or not to restrict the functions available on the information processing apparatus. (Configuration 3) The information processing apparatus according to Configuration 2, characterized in that the control information transmitted from the management device when the management device determines that a predetermined period has not elapsed since the occurrence of the settlement trouble includes information indicating that the settlement trouble has occurred and information indicating that the functions available on the information processing apparatus will not be restricted, and the control information transmitted from the management device when the management device determines that the predetermined period has elapsed since the occurrence of the settlement trouble includes information indicating that the settlement trouble has occurred and information indicating that the functions available on the information processing apparatus will be restricted. (Configuration 4) An information processing device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, further comprising a display means, wherein when it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with the contract of the information processing device, the control means causes a notification indicating the occurrence of the settlement trouble to be displayed on the display means. (Configuration 5) An information processing device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, further comprising a printing means, wherein when it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with the contract of the information processing device, the control means causes the printing means to output a printed document indicating the occurrence of the settlement trouble. (Configuration 6) The information processing apparatus according to Configuration 5, characterized in that the control means causes the printing means to output a printed document notifying the occurrence of the payment trouble when the user has set the printing paper to a predetermined type of paper that is more expensive than plain paper, and does not cause the printing means to output a printed document notifying the occurrence of the payment trouble when the user has set the printing paper to a predetermined type of paper. (Configuration 7) The information processing apparatus according to Configuration 6, characterized in that the predetermined type of paper is glossy paper. (Configuration 8) A control method for an information processing device that can be used at a fixed rate for the contracted period, comprising: a communication step that communicates with a management device that manages the contract status of the information processing device; and a control step that performs control to restrict the functions available on the information processing device based on control information received from the management device, wherein if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with the contract for the information processing device, the control step performs control to notify the occurrence of the settlement trouble. (Configuration 9) A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for an information processing device that can be used for a fixed fee during the contract period, wherein the control method for the information processing device comprises a communication step that communicates with a management device that manages the contract status of the information processing device, and a control step that performs control to restrict the functions available on the information processing device based on control information received from the management device, and if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with the contract for the information processing device, the control step performs control to notify the computer of the occurrence of the settlement trouble. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100 Image Processing Devices 101 CPU 112 Printers 113 Control Panel 115 Network I / F Control Unit 201 Printing Department 202 Display section 203 Communications Department 204 Function Limitation Section 300 Contract management device 801 Dialog 1201 Printed matter

Claims

1. An information processing device that can be used for a fixed fee during the contract period, A communication means for communicating with a management device that manages the contract status of the aforementioned information processing device, The system includes control means that perform control to restrict the functions available to the information processing device based on control information received from the management device, The information processing device is characterized in that, if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with respect to the contract of the information processing device, the control means performs control to notify the occurrence of the settlement trouble.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control information includes information indicating that the settlement trouble has occurred and information indicating whether or not to restrict the functions available on the information processing apparatus.

3. The control information transmitted from the management device, based on the management device's determination that a predetermined period has not elapsed since the occurrence of the payment trouble, includes information indicating that the payment trouble has occurred and information indicating that the functions available on the information processing device will not be restricted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the control information transmitted from the management device after the management device has determined that a predetermined period has elapsed since the occurrence of the settlement trouble includes information indicating that the settlement trouble has occurred and information indicating that the functions available on the information processing apparatus are restricted.

4. Further equipped with display means, The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with respect to the contract of the information processing device, the control means causes the display means to display a notification indicating the occurrence of the settlement trouble.

5. Further equipped with printing means, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with the information processing apparatus, the control means causes the printing means to output a printed document indicating the occurrence of the settlement trouble.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means causes the printing means to output a printout notifying the occurrence of the payment trouble when the user has set the printing paper to a predetermined type of paper that is more expensive than plain paper, and does not cause the printing means to output a printout notifying the occurrence of the payment trouble when the user has set the printing paper to a predetermined type of paper.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the predetermined type of paper is glossy paper.

8. A method for controlling an information processing device that can be used at a fixed rate for the duration of the contract, A communication process that communicates with a management device that manages the contract status of the aforementioned information processing device, The system includes a control step that performs control to restrict the functions available to the information processing device based on control information received from the management device, A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that, if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred with the contract of the information processing device, the control step performs a control to notify the occurrence of the settlement trouble.

9. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for an information processing device that can be used at a fixed rate for the contracted period, The control method for the information processing device is as follows: A communication process that communicates with a management device that manages the contract status of the aforementioned information processing device, The system includes a control step that performs control to restrict the functions available to the information processing device based on control information received from the management device, A program characterized in that, if it is determined based on the control information that a settlement trouble has occurred in the contract of the information processing device, the control step performs control to notify the occurrence of the settlement trouble.

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