Recording system and control method

Abstract

To disclose a program for realizing a novel recording service which is highly convenient to a user, a recording system, and a control method.SOLUTION: A server 30 of a printing system 1 stores a device ID of a printer 20 and the number of printable pages that can be printed on the printer 20 in association with each other in a server management table ST. A portable terminal device 10 receives the number of pages charged from a user, and transmits to the server 30 allowable amount setting information to add the received number of pages charged to the number of printable pages (S133). The server 30 adds the number of pages charged to the number of printable pages of the printer 20 and synchronizes information about the number of printable ages of the printer 20 with information about the number of printable pages in the server management table ST (S149, S153).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention , written The present invention relates to a recording system and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printer that has a card interface means for inserting a memory card and executes printing based on the printable number stored on the memory card. A user of the printer can cause the printer to print only the printable number of sheets on the memory card. The user can continue to use the printing service by purchasing the printable number. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-137501 A (Figs. 3 and 4) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printer of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in addition to the number of printable sheets, personal information is stored in the memory card. When a user executes printing, personal authentication is performed, and printing can be executed if the authentication is successful. For this reason, there is a concern that the users who can use the printing service of the printer may be limited.

[0005] Therefore, this specification aims to realize a new recording service that is highly convenient for users. Notes A recording system and a control method are disclosed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As disclosed herein The recording system comprises a recording device, a server, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the recording device and the server, the information processing device having an input interface, the recording device having a recording unit which executes a recording operation on a recording medium, and a recording device storage unit which stores recording device side recording permission information relating to a recording device side recording permission amount permitting recording by the recording unit, the server having a server storage unit which stores recording device identification information which identifies the recording device and server side recording permission information relating to the server side recording permission amount permitting recording by the recording unit in association with each other, and the information processing device stores the recording device identification information and the accepted recording permission amount permitting recording by the recording unit via the input interface. and an allowance amount setting process for transmitting to the server a setting command for causing the server to set the server-side recording permission information corresponding to the recording device identification information received by the allowance amount setting process. When the server receives the setting command from the information processing device by the allowance amount setting process, the server transmits the accepted recording permission amount to the recording device and adds the accepted recording permission amount to the recording device-side recording permission amount indicated by the recording device-side recording permission information. The server and the recording device communicate with each other, and perform an update process for updating the recording permission information of the server-side recording permission information and the recording device-side recording permission information based on one of the recording permission information.

[0007] In addition, the contents disclosed in this specification are Recording system equipped with information processing device Not limited to implementation as a recording device, server, A program executed by a computer of an information processing device It may also be usefully implemented as a control method in a recording system. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The above configuration Notes The recording system and control method make it possible to realize a new recording service that is highly convenient for users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the printer management table shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a server management table shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when an initial device setting process is executed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a menu screen displayed on a display of the portable terminal device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a printing process executed by a mobile terminal device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram when the printing process shown in FIG. 6 is executed. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart of a non-printing synchronization process executed by the printer. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart of a charging process executed by a mobile terminal device. [Figure 10] 2 is a charge screen shown on the display shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when the charging process shown in FIG. 9 is executed. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart of an application process executed by a mobile terminal device. [Figure 13]13 is a sequence diagram when the application process shown in FIG. 12 is executed. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart of a takeover process executed by the mobile terminal device. [Figure 15] 15 is a sequence diagram when the takeover process shown in FIG. 14 is executed. [Figure 16] 15A and 15B are diagrams showing data in a server management table corresponding to the replaced printer and the replaced printer before and after the takeover process shown in FIG. 14 is executed. [Figure 17] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Printing system 1 configuration) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present specification. The printing system 1 is used for a printing service provided to a user. The printing service is a service that allows a user to print by being charged for the number of printable sheets, which is the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by a printer 20. When a user applies for this printing service, the user pays an initial fee and is granted a predetermined number of printable sheets (e.g., 2000 sheets). In the following description, "charging" may refer to setting the number of printable sheets or increasing the number of printable sheets by charging an additional fee.

[0011] Moreover, in this embodiment, the printer 20 is, for example, an inkjet printer. The printer 20 sent from the vendor to the user is filled with an amount of ink necessary to print more than the predetermined printable number of sheets granted to the user (for example, 2000 sheets + α sheets). Therefore, with this printing service, after obtaining the printer 20, the user does not need to take the trouble of filling the printer 20 with ink or replacing ink cartridges until printing the printable number of sheets granted by paying the initial fee. Therefore, this printing service is a service that is highly convenient for the user, as it does not require the work of refilling the printer 20 with ink.

[0012] Furthermore, if the user wishes to print more than the specified number of printable pages granted by paying the initial fee, the user pays an additional fee. By purchasing the additional number of printable pages, the user can continue to use the printer 20. If the amount of ink remaining in the printer 20 acquired by paying the initial fee becomes low as the user repeatedly purchases additional numbers of printable pages, the printer 20 can be replaced by the user's request, thereby allowing the printing service to continue. The number α is a number appropriately set by the vendor providing the printing service.

[0013] The printing system 1 includes a mobile terminal device 10, a printer 20, and a server 30. The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly (for example, by a LAN) via a router 2 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 are connected to each other by the router 2 and the Internet 3 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The printer 20 and the server 30 are connected to each other by the router 2 and the Internet 3 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The above-mentioned network configuration is an example. For example, the server 30 may be disposed in the LAN. The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 connected to the server 30 may be multiple, and multiple mobile terminal devices 10 may be connected to one printer 20. That is, there may be multiple mobile terminal devices 10 that execute the printing process and the charging process described later, and the printer 20 that executes the printing may be selected from the multiple printers 20.

[0014] (Configuration of mobile terminal device 10) The mobile terminal device 10 causes a printer 20 to print an image on paper (an example of a recording medium of the present application). The mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a smartphone. The mobile terminal device 10 includes a terminal CPU 11, a terminal storage unit 12, a short-range communication unit 13, a display 14, an input I / F (abbreviation of interface) 15, an image acquisition unit 16, and an external communication unit 17. These components are capable of communicating with each other via a bus 18.

[0015] The terminal storage unit 12 is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and a buffer provided in the terminal CPU 11. The terminal storage unit 12 stores a terminal program 12A, an application program (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an application) 12B, and print data 12C. The terminal program 12A is a program that controls the mobile terminal device 10 in an integrated manner, and provides basic functions and services to the application 12B. The terminal program 12A is, for example, Android (registered trademark) OS or iOS (registered trademark). If the mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a PC, the terminal program 12A is, for example, Windows (registered trademark) OS. The application 12B is, for example, a program provided by a vendor of the printer 20, and is a program that uses the functions of the terminal program 12A and the like to execute various processes, which will be described later, such as setting processing and print commands for the printer 20 and charge commands for the server 30. The terminal CPU 11 executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B to control the mobile terminal device 10 and execute commands for the server 30. The print data 12C is an image to be printed that has been converted into a data format that can be interpreted by the printer 20. The terminal storage unit 12 is also used to store the number of printable sheets of the printer 20. As will be described later, the mobile terminal device 10 stores the number of printable sheets obtained from the server 30 in the terminal storage unit 12, for example, and uses the stored information on the number of printable sheets for displaying the charge screen 71 (printable sheet number display unit 72) in Fig. 10, etc.

[0016] In the following description, the mobile terminal device 10 that executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B on the terminal CPU 11 may be described simply by the device name. For example, the description "the mobile terminal device 10" may mean "the mobile terminal device 10 that executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B on the terminal CPU 11." The same applies to the printer 20 that executes the printer program 26B1 on the printer CPU 26A and the server 30 that executes the server program 32B1 on the server CPU 32A, which will be described later.

[0017] The short-distance communication unit 13 wirelessly communicates with the printer 20 over a short distance. The short-distance communication unit 13 wirelessly communicates with a short-distance communication unit 21 of the printer 20 (described later) by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication). The display 14 displays various information, and may employ an LCD or an organic EL display, but is not limited to these. The input I / F 15 may employ a touch panel integrally configured with the display 14, and accepts user operations on icons and the like displayed on the display 14. The input I / F 15 may also be a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

[0018] The image acquisition unit 16 acquires an image captured by, for example, a camera (not shown) included in the mobile terminal device 10. The image acquisition unit 16 may also acquire images by connecting to an external device such as a HDD. The image acquired by the image acquisition unit 16 is converted into print data 12C and stored in the terminal storage unit 12.

[0019] The external communication unit 17 transmits and receives data to and from the router 2 by wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, for example. The external communication unit 17 is connected to the printer 20 via the router 2. The external communication unit 17 is also connected to the server 30 via the router 2 and the Internet 3. The external communication unit 17 may be configured to be connected to the router 2 by wired communication such as a LAN cable.

[0020] (Printer 20 Configuration) The printer 20 is, for example, an inkjet type color printer. The printer 20 includes a short-distance communication unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a tank unit 23, an ink remaining amount detection unit 24, a printing unit 25, a user I / F 27, and a printer control unit 26. The external communication unit 22 transmits and receives signals to and from external devices (the mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 in this embodiment) connected via a network. The tank unit 23 stores ink. In this embodiment, there are four types of ink (magenta M, cyan C, yellow Y, and black BK), and a plurality of tank units 23 are provided for each type of ink. That is, the printer 20 uses the plurality of tank units 23 to store the four types of ink independently. In this embodiment, when the printer 20 is supplied from the vendor to the user, each of the plurality of tank units 23 is filled with an amount of ink that can print a predetermined number of sheets of paper when the single-color coverage is set to 5%, for example. The predetermined number is a number that is greater than the printable number of pages that is granted to a user who applies for a print service, and can be set appropriately by a vendor that provides the print service.

[0021] Furthermore, the tank section 23 is provided so that the user cannot refill it with ink. Specifically, the tank section 23 is disposed in a position where the user cannot touch it. Furthermore, the tank section 23 is fixed to the printer 20 so that it cannot be detached. The ink remaining amount detection section 24 detects the remaining amount of ink stored in the tank section 23. The ink remaining amount detection section 24 is an optical sensor disposed in the tank section 23 and detects the level of the ink liquid, thereby detecting the remaining amount of ink. The ink remaining amount detection section 24 is disposed in each of the multiple tank sections 23 and detects the remaining amount of ink in each of the multiple tank sections 23. The printer 20 may be configured so that the tank section 23 is replaceable by the user.

[0022] The printing unit 25 performs printing using ink stored in the tank unit 23. The printing unit 25 executes processing to print images such as print data 12C on paper using a known inkjet method. The user I / F 27 is, for example, a touch panel, a push button switch, or the like, and receives operation input from the user and displays various information. The printer control unit 26 provides overall control over the printer 20. The printer control unit 26 includes a printer CPU 26A and a printer storage unit 26B. The above-described configuration of the printer 20 is an example. For example, the printer 20 may be configured without including a user I / F 27 such as a touch panel.

[0023] Printer CPU 26A executes printer program 26B1 in printer storage unit 26B to control the operation of printer 20. Printer program 26B1 is a program that comprehensively manages printer 20 and causes printer 20 to execute various processes. Printer storage unit 26B is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and buffers provided in printer CPU 26A.

[0024] Furthermore, the printer storage unit 26B stores a printer management table PT. The printer management table PT is a table that stores information about the printer 20 regarding the use of the print service. The information stored in the printer management table PT is used as appropriate when various processes described below are executed. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer management table PT stores a device ID, the number of printable sheets, the remaining ink amount, activation information, device settings, and synchronization date and time in association with each other.

[0025] The device ID is, for example, a serial number set by the vendor of the printer 20, and is unique information that can distinguish any printer 20 from other printers 20. The device ID is not limited to a serial number, and may be, for example, a wired MAC address or a wireless MAC address of the short-range communication unit 21 or the external communication unit 22. The printable number indicates the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by the printer 20. A user who uses the printer 20 can print only the printable number stored in the printer management table PT. The printable number is increased (charged) by the number of sheets according to the amount charged by the user. On the other hand, the number of sheets of paper used by the printer 20 for printing is subtracted from the printable number. The addition and subtraction of the printable number will be described in detail later.

[0026] The remaining ink amount indicates the remaining ink amount detected by the ink remaining amount detection unit 24. After performing an operation that uses ink, such as refilling ink, checking the nozzles, and printing, the printer 20 stores the remaining ink amount detected by the ink remaining amount detection unit 24 in the printer management table PT. The activation information indicates that when the activation information is set to the ON state, printing by the printing unit 25 is permitted, and when the activation information is set to the OFF state, printing by the printing unit 25 is restricted. Restricting printing means, for example, putting the printer 20 in a state in which printing by the printing unit 25 is not possible. In addition, "◯" in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 indicates that the activation information is set to the ON state, and "×" indicates that the activation information is set to the OFF state. The device settings are setting information such as the functions (printing, etc.) of the printer 20, settings of each function (paper size, color, magnification, etc.), and the language to be displayed on the user I / F 27. The synchronization date and time is the date and time when the previous (most recent) synchronization process was performed with the server 30. The synchronization process here is, for example, a process of matching the number of printable sheets of the server 30 and the printer 20. The synchronization process in this embodiment is an example of the update process of the present application. The update process of the present application includes a process of communicating between the server 30 and the printer 20 and updating one of them to the latest information based on the information on the recording allowance amount, such as the number of printable sheets and the number of printed sheets (see FIG. 17 described later), based on the information on the recording allowance amount, such as the number of printable sheets and the number of printed sheets. Therefore, the update process is not limited to a process in which both the server 30 and the printer 20 have the same information on the number of printable sheets (matching process) as in the synchronization process, but includes a concept of matching the number of printable sheets as a result of updating the information on one of them based on the information on the other. Another embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 17.

[0027] (Server 30 Configuration) As shown in Fig. 1, the server 30 includes an external communication unit 31 and a server control unit 32. The external communication unit 31 communicates with the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 connected via a network. The server control unit 32 centralizes and controls the server 30. The server control unit 32 includes a server CPU 32A and a server storage unit 32B. The server CPU 32A controls the operation of the server 30 by executing a server program 32B1 in the server storage unit 32B. The server program 32B1 is a program that centralizes and manages the server 30, and causes the server 30 to execute various processes.

[0028] The server storage unit 32B is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and a buffer provided in the server CPU 32A. The server storage unit 32B also stores a server management table ST (FIG. 3). The server management table ST is a table that stores information required to use the print service. The server management table ST stores information about each printer 20 that uses the print service in association with the device ID of the printer 20, and is managed by the vendor. The information stored in the server management table ST is used as appropriate when various processes described later are executed.

[0029] In the server management table ST, the device ID, the printable number, the activation information, the exchange application information, and the planned recharge number are stored in association with each other, as shown in Fig. 3. The device ID, the printable number, and the activation information are the same data as those in the printer management table PT described above, and the data in the printer management table PT corresponding to the same device ID is stored.

[0030] In this embodiment, the server 30 manages the printable number of each printer 20 using the printing service by using a server management table ST that associates the device ID with the printable number. The server 30 manages the latest printable number in the server management table ST by executing a synchronization process that synchronizes the printable number of the printer 20, which increases or decreases according to the operation of each user, with the printer 20.

[0031] When the replacement application information is set to the ON state, it indicates that a request for replacement of the printer 20 has already been made, and when it is set to the OFF state, it indicates that a request for replacement of the printer 20 has not yet been made. The planned charge quantity is the printable quantity that has been charged by the user and has not yet been reflected in the printer 20. The replacement application information may be stored and managed in the printer management table PT of the printer 20.

[0032] (Initial device configuration process) Next, the user's work in the initial device setting process of the printer 20 and the contents of the processing of each device will be described. When the user purchases the printer 20 for the first time and the printer 20 arrives from the vendor, the user performs the work shown in FIG. 4. Each device, the mobile terminal device 10, the printer 20, and the server 30, executes each process according to the user's work. In the sequence diagrams from FIG. 4 onwards, the work performed by the user (person) is indicated by an arrow pointing diagonally downward to the left. Also, the processes, contents and order of the work shown in FIG. 4 onwards are merely examples. Also, a case will be described where the printer 20 with the device ID "dv1" (see FIG. 2) is set as the printer 20.

[0033] First, in step (hereinafter, simply referred to as S) 11 in FIG. 4, the user operates the user I / F 27 to turn on the power of the printer 20 (S11). When the printer 20 is turned on, the printer CPU 26A executes the printer program 26B1 and starts the system of the printer 20 (S13). When the system is started, the printer 20 executes initial setup and the like. The initial setup here is, for example, a preparation process for executing printing by the printing unit 25, such as a filling process of the printing unit 25 with ink and a check process for nozzle clogging. After the initial setup is completed, the printer 20 detects the remaining ink amount of the printing unit 25 by the printing unit 25. At this point, the remaining ink amount ink1 is almost full. Also, the printable number pr1 is in a blank state where nothing is set, or is zero. The printer 20 may execute initial setup, detection of the remaining ink amount, and the like after the printable number pr1 is set.

[0034] When the printer 20 executes system startup, etc., it transitions to a state in which it can accept communication settings (S15). The printer 20 supplies power to the short-range communication unit 21 and the external communication unit 22, and transitions to a state in which it can communicate with an external device. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal device 10 is powered on, for example, it executes the terminal program 12A to start up the system, and then executes the application 12B in response to an operational input to the input I / F 15, etc., to start up the application program (S17).

[0035] The user also appropriately performs communication settings for the printer 20 and the mobile terminal device 10. For example, when connecting the printer 20 and the mobile terminal device 10 by wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, the printer 20 accepts input of the SSID and encryption key of the router 2 on the touch panel of the user I / F 27 (S15). The printer 20 connects to the router 2 by wireless communication based on the accepted SSID and encryption key. Similarly, the mobile terminal device 10 connects to the router 2 by wireless communication based on an operation input to the input I / F 15. The mobile terminal device 10 detects the printer 20 (such as the MAC address of the external communication unit 22) on the same network based on the start of the application 12B or a predetermined operation input after the start (S17), and becomes capable of communicating with the printer 20 by wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard (S19). The printer 20 also becomes capable of communicating with the server 30 through the router 2.

[0036] The method of connecting the printer 20 and the mobile terminal device 10 to the router 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, when connecting by short-distance wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication standard, the printer 20 transitions to a pairing mode in which pairing is performed by the short-distance communication unit 21 based on a specific button operation (such as a long press of an arbitrary button) of the user I / F 27 (S15). Also, the mobile terminal device 10 uses the OS function of the terminal program 12A based on a predetermined operation input to the input I / F 15, for example, and executes connection with the printer 20 by short-distance wireless communication by the short-distance communication unit 13 (S19). The predetermined operation input here is, for example, an operation to select the printer 20 searched by communication via Bluetooth (registered trademark). Then, the mobile terminal device 10 may exchange the SSID and encryption key of the router 2 required for connection of wireless communication via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) with the printer 20 by short-distance wireless communication in response to the connection of the short-distance wireless communication, and execute communication setting of the printer 20.

[0037] The mobile terminal device 10 displays, for example, a list of the printers 20 detected in S19 on the display 14 and accepts the selection of the printer 20. For example, if the selected printer 20 is the printer 20 to be connected for the first time, the mobile terminal device 10 requests information about the printer 20 (S19). Note that the printer 20 to be connected for the first time here is, for example, a printer 20 with which data such as print data 12C has not been exchanged in the past. The mobile terminal device 10 stores, for example, the printer name and device ID with which communication has been performed in the past in the terminal storage unit 12. When connecting to a printer 20 with which data such as a printer name is not available in the terminal storage unit 12, the terminal storage unit 12 may determine that the printer 20 is the printer 20 to be connected for the first time and request information.

[0038] When the printer 20 receives an information request from the mobile terminal device 10, it transmits the device ID "dv1", the remaining ink level "ink1", and the device settings "dc1" to the mobile terminal device 10 (S21). When the printer 20 is shipped from the vendor, no data is stored in the printer management table PT. The printer 20 is shipped with the device ID and device settings stored in a storage area of ​​the printer storage unit 26B other than the printer management table PT. In S21, the printer 20 transmits the device ID and device settings stored in the printer storage unit 26B. The printer 20 also transmits the remaining ink level detected by the remaining ink level detection unit 24. When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the device ID and the like in S21, it displays the menu screen 51 shown in FIG. 5 on the display 14. The mobile terminal device 10 displays, on the menu screen 51, for example, a print icon 52 for commanding the printer 20 to execute a print function, a setting icon 55 for setting the printer 20, and a status icon 57 for checking the status of the printer 20.

[0039] The mobile terminal device 10 also displays information on the printer 20 selected in S19 on the printer display section 61 provided at the bottom of the menu screen 51. The mobile terminal device 10 displays, for example, the word "online" on the printer display section 61 to indicate that communication with the printer 20 has become possible. When the selection button 63 on the printer display section 61 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a list of printer names (such as model numbers) of the printers 20 detected on the same network, and accepts the selection of the printer 20 to perform printing or the like. When the selection button 63 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 also displays in the list the printers 20 to which a print command has been sent in the past and which have performed a charge process. For example, when these printers 20 are offline or not on the same network, the mobile terminal device 10 displays the printer names with the word "offline" or the like added to distinguish them from the online printers 20. The mobile terminal device 10 accepts the selection of the printer 20 for executing the charging process, which will be described later, from among the printers 20 displayed in this list (S111 in FIG. 9).

[0040] Furthermore, when the print icon 52 is touched with any printer 20 selected on the printer display unit 61, the mobile terminal device 10 executes a print command for the printer 20. Furthermore, when the setting icon 55 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 displays device settings and the like obtained from the printer 20. Furthermore, when the status icon 57 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 displays status information obtained from the printer 20, such as the amount of remaining ink.

[0041] In response to receiving the device ID and the like, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits a printer management table registration command to the printer 20 to store each item in the printer management table PT (S23). In response to receiving the command of S23, the printer 20 registers (stores) the device ID "dv1", the remaining ink amount "ink1" detected in S13, and the device setting "dc1" in the printer management table PT in association with each other (S27). The printer 20 also maintains the printable number pr1 in the printer management table PT in the blank state after initial installation. The printer 20 also sets the activation information in the printer management table PT to an off state. The printer 20 sets the synchronization date and time "cd1" to a blank state. This completes the registration in the printer management table PT. The printer 20 may have the device ID and device settings set in the printer management table PT at the stage of being shipped from the vendor.

[0042] Furthermore, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts user information via the input I / F 15 in S29. For example, when the user registration of the application 12B is not registered, or when the user registration of the printer 20 is not registered, the mobile terminal device 10 executes the acceptance of user information in S29. This user information is, for example, information on a login user for logging in to the application 12B, or information on a user who uses the printer 20, such as a user ID, password, user name, address, age, sex, occupation, contact email address, and payment method. The process of accepting user information is not limited to the initial device setting process. For example, the registration of user information may be executed before the initial device setting process (such as when the application 12B is started for the first time), or may be executed when a charge process or an exchange process, which will be described later, is executed.

[0043] When the mobile terminal device 10 accepts the user information in S29, it transmits the accepted user information to the server 30 (S31). When the server 30 acquires the user information from the mobile terminal device 10, it stores the acquired user information in the server storage unit 32B (S33). In this way, information on the user who uses the printer 20 is registered in the server 30. The server 30 may manage the user information separately from the server management table ST, or may manage the user information in association with the device ID in the server management table ST.

[0044] After completing the registration in the printer management table PT by executing S27, the printer 20 accesses the server 30 and executes the registration process (S35). The printer 20 accesses, for example, the URL of the server 30 stored in the printer storage unit 26B in advance. When the printer 20 successfully accesses the server 30, the printer 20 becomes capable of communicating with the server 30 (S35). The printer 20 also transmits, for example, a command to the server 30 requesting the registration of the device ID, the number of printable sheets, and activation information. The server 30 collates the received device ID with a preregistered serial number of the vendor, and when it detects a matching device ID, it associates the received device ID and other information with the server management table ST and registers it (S35). The printer 20 may obtain information on the access destination of the server 30 from the mobile terminal device 10. The printer registration process (S35) may be executed by the mobile terminal device 10.

[0045] Furthermore, when the user completes the registration of the user information in S29, the user applies for the service (S37). For example, the user operates the input I / F 15 to register the registered user information, information about the printer 20 selected in S19, the method of paying for the selected printer 20, and the like, to the server 30. The method of payment may be selected from the payment methods registered in S31, or new information such as credit card information may be registered. As a result, the user information and the billing method are associated with information about the printer 20 (such as the device ID) that is the subject of billing, and are registered in the server 30.

[0046] The server 30 also charges the printer 20, which is registered for the first time in the server management table ST, with a predetermined number of printable sheets (e.g., 2000 sheets) as an initial charge (S39). For example, the server 30 may automatically charge a predetermined number of printable sheets for the first time for a user who has completed the service application in S37 and is associated with the device ID of the printer 20, which is registered for the first time in the server management table ST. Alternatively, the server 30 may confirm with the user via the mobile terminal device 10 whether or not the initial charge has been performed (S39). When the initial charge process is completed, the server 30 transmits a charge completion notification to the mobile terminal device 10 (S41). The printable sheet number for the initial charge may be set in the printer management table PT at the time the printer 20 is sent from the vendor to the user.

[0047] When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the completion notification of S41, it transmits to the printer 20 a synchronization start command to synchronize the printable number of sheets for the initial charge with the server 30 (S43). The mobile terminal device 10 may display on the display 14 that it has received the completion notification and cause the printer 20 to execute synchronization, or may accept a command from the user.

[0048] When the printer 20 receives the synchronization start command in S43, it executes a process of synchronizing the printable number with the server 30 (S45). The printer 20, for example, inquires of the server 30 about the printable number charged in the initial charge in S39. The server 30 responds to the printer 20 with the printable number initially charged based on the device ID. The printer 20 executes the printable number synchronization process by overwriting the printable number in the printer management table PT with the printable number acquired from the server 30. When the printer 20 completes the synchronization process, it updates the synchronization date and time "cd1" in the printer management table PT to the current date and time. Note that the condition for starting the synchronization process in S45 is not limited to the transmission of the synchronization start command from the mobile terminal device 10 to the printer 20. For example, the printer 20 may start the synchronization process based on a predetermined operation input to the input I / F 15.

[0049] When the server 30 completes the synchronization process of S45, it sets the printer 20 to a state in which printing is possible (S47). In the server management table ST, the server 30 sets the activation information associated with the device ID of the printer 20 that completed the initial charge in S39 to an ON state ("O" in FIG. 3). When the server 30 updates the activation information in the server management table ST, it sends an activation command to the printer 20 to set the activation information to an ON state (S49). When the printer 20 receives the activation command of S49 from the server 30, it sets the activation information in the printer management table PT of its own device to an ON state. This makes the printer 20 ready to print the print data 12C and the like received from the mobile terminal device 10. The server 30 sets the initial value of the exchange identification information in the server management table ST to an OFF state.

[0050] When the activation information is set to the ON state, the printer 20 transmits a completion notification to the mobile terminal device 10 (S50). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the completion notification of S50, for example, the menu screen 51 displays that the printer is ready to print. The contents of the initial device setting process shown in FIG. 4 are only an example. For example, if there is no plan to charge the printer 20 with an additional printable number, the user may not register user information or register a credit card. In this case, the printer 20 may be charged with the printable number of the initial charge. In addition, when performing the initial device setting process for the replaced printer 20 described later, it is not necessary to register user information or perform the initial charge. In addition, the printer 20 may be charged with the printable number of the initial charge or the like at the time of shipping from the vendor or manufacturing factory. In addition, the server 30 may set the printable number in the printer 20 regardless of the charge action at a predetermined timing, for example, at the timing when the printer 20 is connected for the first time and registered in the server management table ST.

[0051] The mobile terminal device 10 may also determine whether the synchronization start command transmitted in S43 has been transmitted to the printer 20 (S44). If the mobile terminal device 10 cannot receive the completion notification in S50 even after a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the command in S43, the mobile terminal device 10 may determine that the synchronization start command has not been transmitted. For example, if the user is outside the range of the LAN network, it is difficult to transmit the synchronization start command from the mobile terminal device 10 to the printer 20. Also, if the printer 20 is turned off, it is difficult to transmit the synchronization start command. If the mobile terminal device 10 cannot receive the completion notification in S50, for example, it may perform a notification process to notify the user that it is necessary to perform an operation on the printer 20 to start the synchronization process (S46). For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may display text such as "Press the push button switch of the printer 20 for three seconds to execute the synchronization process" on the touch panel of the user I / F 27. Then, the printer 20 may execute the synchronization process again based on the pressing of the push button switch for three seconds.

[0052] (Printing process) Next, the print processing executed by the mobile terminal device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. The print processing is processing for causing the printer 20 to execute printing. First, in S51, the mobile terminal device 10 determines whether or not a print execution operation has been performed. The print execution operation is an operation by the user on the print icon 52 on the menu screen 51. In response to the print execution operation being performed (S51: YES), the number of sheets of paper to be used for printing and the like are specified on a print execution screen (not shown) displayed on the display 14. Hereinafter, the number of sheets of paper specified on the print execution screen will be referred to as the designated number of sheets to print.

[0053] If the print icon 52 is not operated, the mobile terminal device 10 makes a negative determination in S51 (S51: NO) and repeats S51. On the other hand, in response to the operation of the print icon 52 (S51: YES), the mobile terminal device 10 acquires the printable number and activation information from the printer 20 (S53). Next, in S55, the mobile terminal device 10 judges whether the printable number acquired in S53 is equal to or greater than the designated print number. If the printable number is less than the designated print number (S55: NO), the mobile terminal device 10 stops the print process (S57). In this case, a message is displayed on the display 14 prompting the user to perform a charge process for the printable number, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the printable number is equal to or greater than the designated print number (S55: YES), the mobile terminal device 10 judges whether the activation information acquired in S53 is in an ON state (S59). The determination of the printable number and the specified number of sheets to be printed may be performed by a device other than the mobile terminal device 10, such as the printer 20. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may send a print command without requesting the printable number in S73 and without comparing it with the specified number of sheets to be printed. The printer 20 may then stop printing if the printable number is less than the specified number of sheets in the print command received from the mobile terminal device 10.

[0054] If the activation information is in the OFF state (S59: NO), the mobile terminal device 10 stops the print process in S57. In this case, since the activation information is in the OFF state, a message prompting the user to perform the initial device setting process is displayed on the display 14. On the other hand, if the activation information is in the ON state (S59: YES), the mobile terminal device 10 executes S65. In S65, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits a print command to the printer 20 and causes the printer 20 to execute printing. The information in the print command is information on the print settings specified by the user's print execution operation, and specifically, information on the print data 12C, the specified number of copies to be printed, color tone, etc.

[0055] Next, in S67, the mobile terminal device 10 judges whether printing is completed. The mobile terminal device 10 makes a negative judgment in S67 (S67: NO) until it receives a print completion notice from the printer 20, and when it receives a print completion notice (S67: YES), it acquires the printable number from the printer 20 (S69). When the printer 20 executes printing, it subtracts the printable number according to the number of printed sheets. When the mobile terminal device 10 receives a print completion notice, it acquires the printable number after subtraction from the printer 20, updates the information in the terminal storage unit 12, and ends the process shown in FIG. 6. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 uses the acquired updated information as the printable number displayed in response to the operation of the status icon 57 on the menu screen 51 and the printable number on the print screen displayed in response to the operation of the print icon 52. The mobile terminal device 10 may acquire other information, such as information on the remaining ink level, from the printer 20 in response to the print completion notice and update it. Furthermore, the mobile terminal device 10 does not have to acquire information such as the number of printable sheets from the printer 20. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may acquire information on the number of printable sheets from the server 30 and display the information.

[0056] (Operation of the printing system 1 in the printing process) Next, the operation of the printing system 1 in the above-mentioned printing process will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As an example, a case will be described in which the number of printable sheets is sufficient for the number of sheets specified to be printed and the activation information is in the ON state.

[0057] In S71, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts a print execution operation by the user (YES in S51 in FIG. 6). In S73, in response to accepting the print execution operation, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits to the printer 20 a printable sheet count request for acquiring the printable sheet count and an activation information request for acquiring activation information.

[0058] In S75, the printer 20 transmits the printable number and activation information stored in the printer management table PT in response to a request from the mobile terminal device 10. In S77, the mobile terminal device 10 confirms the printable number and activation information (S55, S59 in FIG. 6) in response to acquiring the printable number and activation information from the printer 20 (S53 in FIG. 6). In S79, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits a print command to the printer 20 in response to the fact that the printable number is equal to or greater than the designated print number (S55: YES) and that the activation information is in the ON state (S59: YES). For example, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits the print data 12C to instruct the printer 20 to print the print data 12C. It is not necessary for the mobile terminal device 10 to determine whether the printable number is equal to or greater than the designated print number or whether the activation information is in the ON state. For example, the printer 20 may determine the number of printable sheets and notify the mobile terminal device 10 of an error.

[0059] In S81, the printer 20 determines whether or not communication with the server 30 is possible. Here, if the printer 20 is unable to communicate with the server 30 due to, for example, a failure of the router 2, a change in the network settings, or a malfunction of the server 30, the printer 20 cannot synchronize the printable number with the server 30. In the printing system 1, the printable number is managed by the server 30 in association with the device ID, so permitting the printer 20 to print in a communication-disabled state is undesirable, as it may lead to unauthorized use. On the other hand, if the printer 20 is uniformly prohibited from printing when the above-mentioned network failure occurs, it may lead to a decrease in usability.

[0060] Therefore, when the printer 20 of this embodiment determines in S81 that it is able to communicate with the server 30 (S81: YES), it controls the printing unit 25 to execute printing in S85. When the printer 20 completes the printing, it updates the printable number in the printer management table PT (S87). Specifically, the printer 20 subtracts the number of sheets used in the printing from the printable number. When the printer 20 has completed the printing, it sends a print completion notification to the mobile terminal device 10 indicating that the printing has been completed (S89).

[0061] On the other hand, if the printer 20 determines that it cannot communicate with the server 30 (S81: NO), it determines whether the offline printable conditions are met (S83). These offline printable conditions are conditions that allow printing even in an offline state where communication with the server 30 is not possible in order to ensure the usability described above. If the printer 20 determines that the offline printable conditions are met (S83: YES), it executes printing in S85 and executes the processes from S87 onwards, as in the case where S81 is positive. It should be noted that the printer 20 does not have to determine the offline printable conditions in S83. For example, the printer 20 may execute printing within the range of the printable number of sheets, regardless of whether it is able to communicate with the server 30 or not.

[0062] The offline printing condition is, for example, an upper limit on the number of pages that can be printed while in the offline state. In this case, even if the printer 20 makes a negative determination in S81, it will make a positive determination in S83 until the cumulative number of pages printed in the offline state reaches the upper limit. Alternatively, the offline printing condition is a threshold for the duration of the offline state. In this case, even if the printer 20 makes a negative determination in S81, it may make a positive determination in S83 until the duration of the offline state reaches the threshold.

[0063] Furthermore, after sending the print completion notification in S89, the printer 20 sends the printable number updated in S87 to the mobile terminal device 10 (S91). The printer 20 also sends a synchronization command to the server 30 to synchronize the printable number (S93). The printer 20 sends the printable number updated in S87, i.e., the printable number after subtraction by the printing process, to the server 30. Note that if the printer 20 is unable to communicate with the server 30, it may wait a predetermined time and then send a synchronization command to the server 30 again.

[0064] When the server 30 receives the synchronization command from the printer 20, it updates (overwrites) the printable number in the server management table ST corresponding to the device ID of the printer 20 that sent the synchronization command with the received printable number (S95). As a result, the printable number in the server management table ST matches the printable number of the printer 20 after printing has been executed. When the server 30 completes the update process in S95, it sends a completion notification to the printer 20 (S97). When the printer 20 receives the completion notification in S97, it updates the synchronization date and time in the printer management table PT to the current date and time (S99). When the printer 20 updates the synchronization date and time, it sends a notification to the mobile terminal device 10 that synchronization has been completed (S101).

[0065] The above-mentioned printing process is an example. For example, the printer 20 may execute the synchronization process of the printable number of sheets each time a sheet of paper is printed, or may execute the synchronization process after completing all of the print jobs when a plurality of print jobs are accepted at once. The printer 20 may execute the synchronization process of the printable number of sheets via the mobile terminal device 10. For example, when the printer 20 cannot communicate with the server 30, the printer 20 transmits the printable number of sheets and a command requesting synchronization to the mobile terminal device 10. The mobile terminal device 10 may execute the synchronization process of the printable number of sheets with the server 30 based on receiving the command from the printer 20. When the printer 20 cannot communicate with the server 30, the printer 20 may execute printing based on a print command from the mobile terminal device 10 while the offline printable condition is satisfied.

[0066] (Non-printing synchronous processing) Next, the non-printing synchronization process executed by the printer 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. The non-printing synchronization process is a process in which the printer 20 synchronizes the printable number of sheets with the server 30 when no printing is being performed. For example, when the activation information in the printer management table PT is set to ON, the printer 20 executes the non-printing synchronization process shown in Fig. 8 when the power is ON.

[0067] First, when the printer 20 starts the non-printing synchronization process, in S105, it determines whether a certain period of time has passed since the synchronization date and time in the printer management table PT. This certain period is a period during which the synchronization process is repeatedly executed, and may be, for example, several tens of minutes or several hours. If the certain period of time has not passed since the synchronization date and time in the printer management table PT, that is, if the certain period of time has not passed since the previous synchronization process (S105: NO), the printer 20 repeatedly executes the determination process of S105.

[0068] Also, if a certain period of time has passed since the synchronization date and time (S105: YES), the printer 20 judges whether communication with the server 30 is possible (S107). For example, the printer 20 accesses a specific URL of the server 30, and judges that communication is possible if the access is successful (S107: YES). Alternatively, the printer 20 may transmit data to the server 30 to confirm whether communication is possible, and judge whether communication is possible based on a response from the server 30. If the printer 20 can communicate with the server 30 (S107: YES), the printer 20 executes a synchronization process of the printable number with the server 30 (S109). The printer 20 notifies the server 30 of the printable number in the printer management table PT and updates the printable number in the server management table ST, as in S93 of FIG. 7. Also, since the printer 20 has executed the synchronization process, it updates the synchronization date and time in the printer management table PT to the current date and time. The printer 20 ends the process shown in FIG. 8, and starts the process again from S105. 8 and restarts the process from S105. If the printer 20 cannot communicate with the server 30 (S107: NO), the printer 20 makes a positive determination in S105 and executes the synchronization process if synchronization has not been performed for a certain period of time.

[0069] The above-mentioned content of the non-printing synchronization process is an example. For example, the server 30 may be the main body to execute the synchronization process. The server 30 may maintain a specific communication port (such as a high port of TCP) constantly connected to the printer 20 and perform periodic communication with the printer 20 to execute the synchronization process of the printable number. For example, the server 30 may inquire of the printer 20 at predetermined intervals whether the synchronization process can be executed, and execute the synchronization process with the printer 20 based on receiving a response indicating that the synchronization process can be executed. The server 30 may obtain the printable number from the printer 20 and update the printable number in the server management table ST after a certain period has elapsed since the previous synchronization process, similar to the synchronization date and time of the printer 20. In this case, if the printer 20 is executing or is scheduled to execute printing by the printing unit 25 when receiving an inquiry from the server 30, the printer 20 may not execute the synchronization process until the printing is completed. For example, when the printer 20 receives an inquiry from the server 30 during printing, the printer 20 may respond to the server 30 that it cannot perform synchronization processing, or may respond to the server 30 that it can perform synchronization processing after printing is completed.

[0070] The printer 20 may also execute the synchronization process based on an operation input from the user. For example, the printer 20 may execute the process from S107 onward in FIG. 8 based on a predetermined operation input (such as a long press of the power button) to the user I / F 27. The mobile terminal device 10 may also transmit a command to execute the synchronization process to the printer 20 based on a predetermined operation input to the application 12B. The printer 20 may, for example, start the non-printing synchronization process in FIG. 8 based on receiving a command to start the synchronization process from the mobile terminal device 10. In this case, after transmitting the command for the synchronization process, the mobile terminal device 10 may determine whether the command has been transmitted successfully, similarly to S44 and S46 in FIG. 4, and if the command has not been transmitted, may display a message on the display 14 prompting a predetermined operation or the like to the user I / F 27. The printer 20 may not execute the non-printing synchronization process shown in FIG. 8. For example, the printer 20 may execute a synchronization process with the server 30 at least one of the following timings: when the printer 20 receives the above-mentioned predetermined operation input, before printing starts, after printing is completed, when the printer is turned on, and when the printer returns from the power saving mode. For example, when the printer 20 does not receive an operation input or a print command for a certain period of time, the printer 20 may enter a power saving mode that limits some of the functions of the printer 20 (such as hiding the touch panel of the user I / F 27) and aims to save power. Then, when the printer 20 receives an operation input or a print command in the power saving mode, the printer 20 may return to the normal state from the power saving mode and execute a synchronization process when returning.

[0071] (Charge processing) Next, the charging process executed by the mobile terminal device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. The charging process is a process of adding the number of printable sheets in response to the user being charged for the number of printable sheets. The charging process can be executed on a charging screen 71 shown in FIG. 10. The charging screen 71 includes a printable sheet number display section 72 and a charge number display section 73. The printable sheet number display section 72 is arranged on the upper side of the charging screen 71 and displays the number of printable sheets. For example, the printable sheet number may be obtained from the server management table ST of the server 30 and stored in the terminal storage section 12. The mobile terminal device 10 may obtain the printable sheet number from the printer 20, store it in the terminal storage section 12, and use it for displaying the printable sheet number display section 72. The charge number display section 73 is arranged on the lower side of the charging screen 71, and displays a plurality of charge icons 74 in a list format. Each of the multiple charge icons 74 displays a different number of sheets of paper and a charge amount according to the number of sheets of paper.

[0072] Returning to FIG. 9, the charge process will be described. In S111, the mobile terminal device 10 executes a charge screen display process. For example, after the selection button 63 is operated on the menu screen 51 of FIG. 5, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a list of printer names of printers 20 on the same network and printers 20 that have previously executed (communicated with) print and charge processes, and accepts the selection of the printer 20 for which the charge process is to be executed. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may store history information in the terminal storage unit 12 for printers 20 that have previously printed or otherwise processed. In addition, when an icon for charge (not shown) is selected on the screen after the status icon 57 is operated on the menu screen 51 of FIG. 5 with an arbitrary printer 20 selected from the list, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a charge screen 71 on the display 14. Note that the program for displaying the charge screen 71 and executing the charge process of FIG. 9 may be a program separate from the application program for displaying the menu screen 51 and executing the above-mentioned print process, etc.

[0073] In S113, the mobile terminal device 10 acquires the printable number stored in the printer management table PT, and executes a printable number display process for displaying the acquired printable number on the printable number display section 72. Next, the mobile terminal device 10 determines whether a charge operation has been performed (S115). A charge operation is an operation on the charge icon 74 by the user. In response to the user operating any of the charge icons 74, the mobile terminal device 10 determines YES in S115, and executes a printable number setting process in S117. Note that the mobile terminal device 10 does not need to display the printable number on the charge screen 71. In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 does not need to acquire the printable number from the printer 20.

[0074] The printable number setting process is a process for causing the server 30 to add the number of sheets of paper displayed on the charge icon 74 operated by the user (hereinafter referred to as the charge number) to the printable number stored in the server management table ST. Furthermore, the added printable number is reflected in the server management table ST of the printer 20 by a synchronization process.

[0075] When the portable terminal device 10 displays the printer 20 accepted on the charge screen 71, i.e., the menu screen 51, it transmits to the server 30 permitted amount setting information for adding the charge number to the printable number in the server management table ST corresponding to the device ID of the printer 20 selected on the printer display unit 61 (see FIG. 5) (S117). When the portable terminal device 10 receives a charge completion notification from the server 30 indicating that synchronization of the printable number after addition has been completed (S119), it ends the charge process shown in FIG. 9. For example, the portable terminal device 10 erases the charge screen 71 on the display 14 and displays the menu screen 51.

[0076] (Operation of the printing system 1 in the charge process) Next, the operation of the printing system 1 when the above-mentioned charge process is executed will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 11, starting from the state where the menu screen 51 is displayed. First, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts an operation to display the charge screen 71 on the menu screen 51 (S121). The mobile terminal device 10 displays the charge screen 71 (S123, S111 in FIG. 9) and transmits a printable number request to the printer 20 (S125). In response to receiving the printable number request, the printer 20 transmits the printable number stored in the printer management table PT to the mobile terminal device 10 (S127). In response to receiving the printable number, the mobile terminal device 10 displays the printable number on the printable number display section 72 (S129, S113 in FIG. 9).

[0077] In S131, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts a charge operation on the charge screen 71 (S115 in FIG. 9). In S133, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits to the server 30, in response to the acceptance of the charge operation by the user, permission amount setting information for charging the charge amount indicated in the charge icon 74 operated by the charge operation (S133, S117 in FIG. 9). The mobile terminal device 10 transmits to the server 30, as permission amount setting information, the device ID of the currently selected printer 20 (for example, the printer 20 selected on the printer display unit 61), the selected charge amount, and an instruction to instruct addition. Note that the method of executing the charge process is not limited to the above-mentioned method of transmitting an instruction to add to the server 30. For example, a server that executes the settlement of the charge may be provided separately from the server 30, and the charge process for the server 30 may be started in response to the settlement process being executed between the mobile terminal device 10 and the settlement server. In addition, various methods such as a method other than online (convenience store payment, counter payment, bank withdrawal) can be used as a method of charging.

[0078] In addition, in S133, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits the permission amount setting information including the "command to instruct addition (one example of the setting command of the present application)" to the server 30, but the method of instructing the addition is not limited to this. For example, the command command for addition (one example of the setting command of the present application) and the permission amount setting information such as the charge number may be transmitted to the server 30 as separate information. Alternatively, the server 30 may interpret the reception of only the permission amount setting information such as the charge number and device ID as a command command for charging and execute the charge process. In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 can instruct the server 30 to charge by transmitting only the permission amount setting information. In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 may transmit to the server 30 a setting command for overwriting the current printable number with the added printable number, instead of a command to add, as the command in S133.

[0079] In S135, when the server 30 receives the permitted amount setting information from the mobile terminal device 10, the server 30 updates the planned charge quantity associated with the device ID of the received permitted amount setting information to the charge quantity in the server management table ST. For example, when the server 30 receives the permitted amount setting information with the device ID being "dv1" and the charge quantity being "2000", the server 30 updates the planned charge quantity "cg1" associated with "dv1" in the server management table ST to "2000" (see FIG. 3).

[0080] In S137, the server 30 executes a process to obtain the printable number in the printer management table PT from the printer 20. This is because when printing or the like is performed, the printable number of the printer 20 may have been updated (subtracted) to the latest information. Alternatively, when another user performs a charge process at the same time, the printable number in the printer management table PT may have been updated (added).

[0081] The server 30 updates the printable number of the printer 20 to be charged in the server management table ST with the printable number acquired in S137 (S139). That is, before adding the printable number, the server 30 acquires the printable number of the printer 20 to be charged and updates the printable number in the server management table ST to the latest state.

[0082] When the server 30 updates the printable number in the server management table ST, it transmits the recharge number to the printer 20 and requests the printer 20 to increment the recharge number (S141). When the printer 20 receives the recharge number from the server 30, it determines whether or not recharge is possible (S143). For example, when printing is in progress, the printable number may change during the recharge process. For this reason, when printing is in progress, the printer 20 determines that recharge is not possible and waits until the printing process is complete. Alternatively, the printer 20 notifies the server 30 that recharge is not possible. The printer 20 may perform recharge even when printing is in progress.

[0083] If the printer 20 determines in S143 that charging is possible, it transmits a notification to the server 30 that charging preparation is complete (S145). In S145, the printer 20 transmits to the server 30 the value of the printable number obtained by adding the charge number received in S141 to the printable number in the printer management table PT. This allows the server 30 to confirm that the charge number has been sent to the printer 20 correctly by checking the printable number after the addition. When the server 30 receives the charge preparation completion notification in S145, it transmits a response notification to the printer 20 to that effect (S147). When the printer 20 receives the response notification in S147, it adds the charge number to the printable number in the printer management table PT and updates the printable number (S149).

[0084] Furthermore, when the server 30 receives the charge preparation completion notification of S145, it updates the planned charge quantity associated with the device ID of the printer 20 to be charged in the server management table ST to zero (S151). After updating the planned charge quantity, the server 30 updates the printable quantity of the printer 20 to be charged to the printable quantity after charging (S153).

[0085] This allows the server 30 to reliably update the printable number of the printer 20, and then update the printable number in the server management table ST of the server 30 itself. For example, if the server 30 adds the printable number in the server management table ST at a stage when there is no response from the printer 20 after sending the charge command of S141 to the printer 20, the printable number of the printer 20 may not be added, and the planned charge number may become zero. As a result, the non-printing synchronization process of FIG. 8 may update the printable number in the server management table ST of the server 30 with the printable number in the printer management table PT of the printer 20 that has not been charged.

[0086] In addition, even if the communication between the server 30 and the printer 20 is cut off during the charging process, the server 30 can resume the charging process for the printer 20 with the remaining planned charging number. On the other hand, if the printer 20 executes the increment process of the printable number in the printer management table PT immediately after receiving S141, for example, before receiving the response notification of S147, if the communication between the printer 20 and the server 30 is cut off at the stage of executing the notification of S141, there is a possibility that an illegal act will be committed in which the planned charging number does not become zero and only the printable number in the printer management table PT increases. Therefore, the server 30 and the printer 20 perform the notifications of S145 and S147, and after confirming that they are in a state where they can reliably execute the charging process, they add each other's printable number. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of illegal charging of the printable number.

[0087] Also, in S139 and S153, the server 30 updates the printable number in the server management table ST with the printable number obtained from the printer 20, i.e., executes data overwriting. Meanwhile, in S149, the printer 20 adds the charge number obtained from the server 30 to the printable number in the printer management table PT. This is because, in this embodiment, the printer 20 may execute printing and update the printable number at any time, i.e., the printer 20 holds the latest information on the printable number, and it is basically preferable to make the printable number of the printer 20 match the printable number of the server 30, except for the initial charge.

[0088] When the printer 20 updates the printable number in the printer management table PT in S149, it transmits a completion notification to the server 30 that charging is complete (S155). The printer 20 may, for example, transmit only information indicating completion, or may transmit the printable number after adding the charged number. The server 30 updates the printable number in the server management table ST in S153, and upon receiving the completion notification of S155, transmits a notification to the mobile terminal device 10 that charging is complete (S157). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the charge completion notification (S119 in FIG. 9), it ends the charge process shown in FIG. 9.

[0089] The above-described contents of the charge process are merely examples. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may notify the server 30 of the printable number after adding the charge number in S117 and S133, without notifying the server 30 of the charge number. The server 30 may update the printable number in the server management table ST or the printer management table PT with the printable number after the addition received from the mobile terminal device 10. The mobile terminal device 10 may not transmit the number of sheets such as the charge number to the server 30. For example, an identification number may be assigned to each of the charge icons 74 shown in FIG. 10, and the mobile terminal device 10 may notify the server 30 of the identification number of the selected charge icon 74. The server 30 may include a database in which the identification number of the charge icon 74 and the charge number are associated with each other, and may specify the charge number based on the identification number received from the mobile terminal device 10. The mobile terminal device 10 may accept the charge number as a numerical value such as 2500 sheets.

[0090] The printing system 1 may also perform an auto-charge function that automatically charges the printable number. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may set in advance in the server 30 the charge number to be charged when the printable number of the selected printer 20 has decreased to a predetermined printable number. The server 30 may then execute a synchronization process to cause the printer 20 to execute a process of adding a preset charge number based on the fact that the printable number of the printer 20 has decreased to the predetermined printable number, thereby synchronizing. In this case, the process of setting the charge number for auto-charge from the mobile terminal device 10 to the server 30 is an example of the permitted amount setting process of the present application. Therefore, the permitted amount setting process and the recording permitted amount addition process of the present application do not need to be executed at the same time. After the recording permitted amount is set in the server 30, the recording permitted amount addition process may be executed after a certain condition such as auto-charge is met.

[0091] (Application processing) Next, the application process executed by the mobile terminal device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 12. The application process is a process in which, based on a notification from the server 30, a notification is issued to the user urging replacement of the printer 20, and a request for replacement of the printer 20 is made to the server 30. For example, when the mobile terminal device 10 starts an application 12B that executes printing, etc. by the printer 20, the process shown in Fig. 12 is started. Note that the server that requests replacement may be a server different from the server 30 that manages the number of printable sheets, etc.

[0092] First, in S161 of Fig. 12, the mobile terminal device 10 judges whether or not it has received a replacement request notification from the server 30. The replacement request notification is a notification from the server 30 to the mobile terminal device 10 urging the mobile terminal device 10 to replace the printer 20. The mobile terminal device 10 executes the judgment process of S161 until it receives the replacement request notification (S161: NO), and when it receives the replacement request notification (S161: YES), it displays the replacement notification on the display 14 (S163). After displaying the replacement notification, the mobile terminal device 10 executes replacement acceptance processing (S165).

[0093] When the mobile terminal device 10 executes the exchange acceptance process based on the user's operation input to the input I / F 15, it transmits an exchange application notification to the server 30 (S167) and judges whether or not the takeover code has been received from the server 30 (S169). If the mobile terminal device 10 has not received the takeover code (S169: NO), it ends the process shown in Fig. 12. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal device 10 receives the takeover code (S169: YES), it displays the received takeover code on the display 14 (S173) and ends the process shown in Fig. 12.

[0094] (Operation of the printing system 1 in application processing) Next, the user's work in the application process and the contents of the processing of each device will be described. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the printer 20 before replacement will be referred to as printer 20A, and the printer 20 after replacement will be referred to as printer 20B (see FIG. 15). Furthermore, when printers 20A and 20B are collectively referred to, they will be referred to as printer 20.

[0095] First, in S181, the server 30 updates the printer information. For example, in the non-printing synchronization process shown in Fig. 8, the printer 20 updates the remaining ink amount information in the printer management table PT to the latest remaining amount information using the remaining ink amount detection unit 24, and periodically transmits the remaining ink amount together with the number of printable pages to the server 30. Based on the information received from the printer 20, the server 30 updates the remaining ink amount associated with the device ID of the sending printer 20. This synchronizes the remaining ink amount information in the printer management table PT and the server management table ST.

[0096] Note that the printer 20 may transmit the remaining ink amount to the server 30 at a specified timing, such as when the power is turned on, rather than at the timing of the non-printing synchronous process. The server 30 may also acquire the remaining ink amount. For example, the server 30 may keep a specific communication port constantly connected to the printers 20 registered in the server management table ST whose activation information is in the ON state, and inquire about the remaining ink amount at specified intervals. The server 30 may update the remaining ink amount in the server management table ST based on the inquiry result.

[0097] When the server 30 receives the information on the remaining ink amount from each printer 20 (S181), it judges whether or not each printer 20 needs to be replaced (S183). When the remaining ink amount of the printer 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the server 30 judges that the printer 20 needs to be replaced (S183: YES). The method of judging whether or not the printer 20 needs to be replaced is not limited to the method of comparing the remaining ink amount with the predetermined amount. For example, the server 30 calculates the amount of ink that has been used up from the update information on the remaining ink amount, and estimates the date and time when the ink is expected to run out completely. The server 30 may judge that the printer needs to be replaced when the estimated date and time is a predetermined number of days away. Alternatively, the server 30 may estimate the number of pages that can be printed with the remaining ink amount from the update information on the remaining ink amount and the number of pages that can be printed, and judge that the printer needs to be replaced when the number of pages that can be printed falls below the predetermined number. The server 30 may also receive values ​​of judgment conditions such as the predetermined amount for judging the remaining ink amount, the predetermined number of days before the ink runs out, and the predetermined number of pages that can be printed from the user.

[0098] The server 30 may also determine whether or not replacement is necessary based on information other than the remaining ink amount. For example, the server 30 may determine whether or not replacement is necessary based on the number of days that have passed since a reference date and time such as the date and time of manufacture or purchase of the printer 20, or the date and time of the first registration in the server management table ST. In this way, the server 30 can determine whether or not replacement is necessary based on the period during which the user has used the printer 20. Alternatively, the server 30 may notify the user of replacement based on the timing of sales of a successor model of the printer 20, a new model of the printer 20, or the like. The timing of sales of a successor model may be determined using a fixed number of years such as two or four years, or may be determined using release information from the vendor. The server 30 may also notify the user of replacement based on, for example, the total number of printed sheets since the user started using the printer 20 reaching a predetermined number of printed sheets. The determination of whether or not replacement is necessary may also be performed by a device other than the server 30, such as the mobile terminal device 10 or the printer 20. The mobile terminal device 10 may display a replacement notification based on the remaining ink amount obtained from the printer 20.

[0099] The server 30 judges whether the exchange application information in the server management table ST is in an ON state for the printer 20 judged to need exchange in S183, that is, whether an exchange has already been applied for (S185). When the server 30 judges that an exchange has not been applied for the target printer 20 (S185: YES), it notifies the portable terminal device 10 of an exchange request notice (S187). In S187, for example, the server 30 may transmit the exchange request notice only to the portable terminal device 10 of the user who has registered the user for the printer 20A to be exchanged and who is capable of executing the charge process shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, more specifically, who has registered a payment method such as a credit card, and to the application 12B to which the user is logged in. Alternatively, the server 30 may transmit the exchange request notice to the portable terminal device 10 and the application 12B to which the user is logged in of all users who have registered the user. The server 30 may also transmit the exchange request notice to all users who have used the printer 20A, for example, to all portable terminal devices 10 that have sent a print command to the printer 20A. Furthermore, the server 30 may transmit the exchange request notification to an email address or the like other than the mobile terminal device 10.

[0100] When the portable terminal device 10 receives the replacement request notification of S187 (S161 in FIG. 12: YES), it displays the replacement notification on the display 14 (S163). For example, when the portable terminal device 10 starts the application 12B, it searches for the printers 20 on the same network and displays a list of the detected printer names on the display 14. The printers 20 displayed in this list are, for example, printers for which communication settings have been completed and initial installation has been completed. The portable terminal device 10 may display a warning mark or the like on the printer 20A notified in the replacement request notification from among the printers in the list, to notify the user that replacement is necessary.

[0101] After displaying the exchange notification in S163, the mobile terminal device 10 executes an exchange acceptance process (S165). For example, when the mobile terminal device 10 accepts an operation to select the printer 20A at the input I / F 15, it accepts information on the shipping destination of the new printer and transmits an exchange application notification including the shipping address information to the server 30 (S167). The exchange application notification is a response to the exchange request notification in S187, and is information indicating that an exchange has been requested by the user, and includes, for example, information indicating the recipient (destination) that received the exchange request notification in S187. The information indicating the recipient here is, for example, a user ID or the ID of the application 12B.

[0102] When the server 30 receives the exchange application notification of S167, it judges the received exchange application (S195). For example, if the user ID of the destination sent in S187 does not match the user ID of the exchange application notification received in S167, the server 30 rejects the exchange application (S195: NO) and transmits an exchange rejection notification to the mobile terminal device 10 (S197). The mobile terminal device 10 makes a negative judgment in S169 of FIG. 12 (S169: NO) and ends the process. For example, if an exchange application notification is fraudulently sent by forging or the like even though the exchange request notification has not been sent from the server 30, the server 30 may arrange for the delivery of a new printer 20 even though the replacement deadline for the old printer 20A is not approaching. Therefore, the server 30 of this embodiment approves the exchange application only when the destination of the exchange request notification and the sender of the exchange application notification match.

[0103] If the user ID of the destination of S187 matches the user ID of the sender of S167, the server 30 approves the replacement application (S195: YES). FIG. 16 shows the state of the server management table ST when the printable number is transferred from the printer 20A before replacement to the printer 20 after replacement. If the server 30 judges in S195 that the printer 20A needs replacement and approves the replacement application, the server 30 changes the replacement application information corresponding to the printer 20A (the replacement application information corresponding to the device ID "dv1" in the diagram on the left side of FIG. 16) to ON. As a result, even if the server 30 judges again in S183 that replacement is necessary (S183: YES), the server 30 judges in S185 that the printer 20A needs replacement and does not send the replacement request notification in S187. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary replacement request notifications from being sent each time the remaining ink level decreases.

[0104] If the exchange request notification received in S167 includes information about a shipping address, the server 30 issues a command to ship a new printer 20 (S199). For example, the server 30 notifies the delivery center of the shipping address information and the model information of the replaced printer 20B. Note that a user who does not wish to have the printer shipped can use a printer 20B other than the printer 20A at home by requesting an exchange without inputting a shipping address, for example. Alternatively, the user may purchase the printer 20B at a brick-and-mortar store such as a retail store or a home appliance retailer.

[0105] Furthermore, when the server 30 approves the exchange application in S195, it issues a takeover code (S201) and transmits the issued takeover code to the mobile terminal device 10 (S203). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the takeover code in S203, it makes an affirmative determination in S169 of Fig. 12 (S169: YES) and displays the takeover code (S173). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the takeover code after transmitting the exchange application notification in S167, it displays the takeover code on the display 14.

[0106] This takeover code is information for determining whether the user executing the takeover process, which transfers the printable number from the original printer 20A to the replaced printer 20B, is the user who executed the application process. As shown in Fig. 16, the takeover code 97 is, for example, a character string that combines alphanumeric characters, and is temporarily associated in the server management table ST with the device ID of the printer 20A that accepted the replacement application. The user makes a note of the takeover code 97 displayed on the display 14 and records it.

[0107] (Handover process) Next, the takeover process executed by the mobile terminal device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 14. The takeover process is a process for transferring the printable number from the printer 20A before replacement to the printer 20B after replacement.

[0108] 14, the mobile terminal device 10 receives a designation of the replaced printer 20B based on a predetermined operation on the input I / F 15, and then determines whether or not input of the takeover code 97 has been received (S213). If the takeover code 97 has not been received (S213: NO), the mobile terminal device 10 receives the designation of the printer 20B, etc. (S211).

[0109] On the other hand, when the portable terminal device 10 accepts the input of the takeover code 97 (S213: YES), it transmits a takeover command to the server 30 (S215). Next, the portable terminal device 10 judges whether or not a connection request for connecting the old printer 20A has been received from the server 30 (S217). When the portable terminal device 10 receives the connection request (S217: YES), it displays a screen for requesting the connection of the printer 20A on the display 14 (S218), and ends the process shown in FIG.

[0110] Furthermore, if the mobile terminal device 10 has not received a connection request (S217: NO), it determines whether or not it has received from the server 30 the printable number to be handed over from printer 20A to printer 20B (S219). The mobile terminal device 10 repeatedly executes the determination process of S217 until it receives the printable number (S219: NO). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the printable number (S219: YES), it displays the received printable number, i.e., the printable number to be handed over and the handover destination, etc., on the display 14 (S221), and receives user approval for the displayed handover details (S223).

[0111] If the user does not approve the transfer (S223: NO), the mobile terminal device 10 ends the process shown in FIG. 14. On the other hand, if the transfer is approved (S223: YES), the mobile terminal device 10 transmits an approval notice indicating that the transfer contents have been approved by the user to the server 30 (S225). After transmitting the approval notice, the mobile terminal device 10 judges whether or not a transfer completion notice indicating that the transfer process has been completed has been received from the server 30 (S227). The mobile terminal device 10 repeatedly executes the judgment process of S227 until it receives a transfer completion notice (S227: NO). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the transfer completion notice (S227: YES), it executes post-transfer process (S229) and ends the process shown in FIG. 14.

[0112] (Operation of printing system 1 during handover process) Next, the user's operations during the takeover process and the content of the processes performed by each device will be described. First, in S211 of Fig. 15, the mobile terminal device 10 executes an acceptance process for the replaced printer 20B. After obtaining the takeover code 97 in the above-mentioned application process, the user performs an operation on the input I / F 15 to select the (replaced) printer 20B to which the user wishes to take over.

[0113] In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which the printable number is transferred to a new printer 20B shipped from a vendor. For example, after requesting the shipment of the printer 20B, the user performs communication settings of the printer 20B that has been sent to the user's house, connects the printer 20B to the router 2, and enables communication between the printer 20B and the server 30. In this state, the initial installation and communication settings of the printer 20B are complete, the activation information is in the OFF state, and the printer 20B is in a state in which printing is not possible.

[0114] The mobile terminal device 10 accepts input of a takeover code 97 for handing over to the selected printer 20B based on a predetermined operation on the input I / F 15 (S213). When the takeover code 97 is input, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits a takeover command to the server 30 (S215). The mobile terminal device 10 transmits to the server 30 the device ID of the printer 20B and information on the input takeover code 97, together with the takeover command.

[0115] When the server 30 receives the takeover command of S215, it executes a process of searching for the printer 20A before replacement on the network based on the received takeover code 97 (S241). The server 30, for example, sends a message to the printer 20A to confirm the communication connection status (S243), and confirms the communication connection status based on the response of the printer 20A to that message. If the server 30 does not receive a normal response from the printer 20A, it sends a connection request to the mobile terminal device 10 (S245). In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 makes an affirmative determination in S217 of FIG. 14 (S217: YES), and displays the connection request on the display 14 (S218). The mobile terminal device 10 displays a message on the display 14, for example, "The printer 20A before replacement does not seem to be connected to the network. Please check the connection." This can prompt the user to connect the printer 20A to the network.

[0116] On the other hand, when the server 30 receives a normal response from the printer 20A to the message confirming the communication connection status in S243 (S247), it transmits a print restriction command to the printer 20A to restrict printing (S249). When the printer 20A receives the print restriction command from the server 30, it transitions to a state in which printing is restricted (S251). The printer 20A transitions to a state in which it does not accept, for example, a print command from the mobile terminal device 10 or a print command based on an operation input of the user I / F 27, or does not execute printing even if it accepts the command. When the printer 20A completes the transition to the print restriction state, it responds to the server 30 that the transition has been completed (S253). Note that when the printer 20A is currently printing or has a print job scheduled to be executed, it is preferable that the printer 20A transitions to the print restriction state after the printing is completed.

[0117] Furthermore, the method by which the server 30 confirms communication with the printer 20A is not limited to the method of sending a confirmation message described above. For example, in a configuration in which periodic communication is performed from the printer 20 to the server 30, the server 30 may determine that communication with the printer 20A is possible if, for example, the printer 20A accesses the server 30 within a certain period of time. Alternatively, the server 30 may determine that communication is possible if, for example, the printer 20A accesses the server 30 within a certain period of time and the server 30 is able to send a print restriction command to the printer 20A.

[0118] When the server 30 receives the transition completion notification from the printer 20A in S253, it transmits a command to the printer 20 requesting the number of printable sheets (S255). When the printer 20A receives the request command in S255, it transmits the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT, i.e., the current number of printable sheets, to the server 30 (S257). When the server 30 receives the number of printable sheets from the printer 20A, it updates the number of printable sheets associated with the device ID of the printer 20A in the server management table ST to the received number of printable sheets (S259). This allows the number of printable sheets in the server management table ST to match the number of printable sheets in the latest state of the printer 20A. Furthermore, by limiting the printing of the printer 20A, it is possible to suppress any subsequent fluctuations in the number of printable sheets.

[0119] When the server 30 updates the printable number in the server management table ST, it transmits the updated printable number, i.e., the printable number of the printer 20A, to the mobile terminal device 10 as information on the printable number to be taken over (S261). After transmitting the takeover command to the server 30 in S215, the mobile terminal device 10 receives the printable number in S261 and displays information on the printer 20A from which the printer will take over, the printer 20B to which the printer will take over, the printable number to be taken over, etc., on the display 14, and confirms the user's approval of the contents to be taken over (S223).

[0120] The user checks the displayed contents to confirm whether the printable number will be transferred to the intended printer 20A, 20B, whether the printable number to be transferred is correct, etc. When the mobile terminal device 10 accepts the operation to approve (S223: YES), it displays a screen indicating that the handover process is being executed on the display 14. In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits an approval notice to the server 30 (S225). When the server 30 receives the approval notice, it executes user authentication (S263). In S263, the server 30 confirms whether the user executing the handover, i.e., the user who sent the approval notice in S225, is the user who uses the printer 20A before replacement. Note that if the handover contents are not approved, the server 30 cancels the print restriction on the printer 20A since it has interrupted the handover process.

[0121] The method of user authentication is not particularly limited. For example, the server 30 may register the email address of the user who uses the printer 20A in advance in the server management table ST in association with the device ID during user registration or the like shown in FIG. 4. Then, in S263, the server 30 may send an email containing an authentication URL to the registered user's email address, and may determine that the user authentication has been successful if access to the URL is detected within a predetermined time. If the user authentication fails, the server 30 may send a message to the mobile terminal device 10 that is the sender of S225 indicating that the authentication has failed. In addition, the server 30 may release the printing restriction on the printer 20A since the handover process has been interrupted.

[0122] If the user authentication in S263 is successful, the server 30 sends a zero command to the printer 20A to set the printable number to zero (S265). When the printer 20A receives the zero command, it updates the printable number in the printer management table PT to zero (S267) and notifies the server 30 that it has been updated to zero (S269). This makes it possible to set the printable number of the printer 20A before the transfer to zero, and then transfer the printable number to the new printer 20B. Note that the server 30 may leave a specified number, such as one, of the printer 20A's printable number rather than setting it to zero.

[0123] When the server 30 receives the notification of S269, it executes a charge-prohibited setting that restricts charging to the replaced printer 20A (S271). For example, the server 30 may store a charge-prohibited flag indicating that charging is not possible in the planned charge quantity of the printer 20A (see FIG. 16), and when a charge to the printer 20A is accepted from the mobile terminal device 10, it may notify the mobile terminal device 10 that charging is not possible based on the charge-prohibited flag.

[0124] After executing S271, the server 30 sends a command to printer 20B to add the inherited printable number, i.e., the printable number of printer 20A, to its own printable number (S273). Printer 20B adds the received printable number to the printable number in its own printer management table PT, and sends a notification to the server 30 that the addition was successful (S275). On receiving the notification of S275, the server 30 adds the inherited printable number to the printable number of printer 20B in the server management table ST (S277).

[0125] For example, as shown in FIG. 16, by executing the above-mentioned takeover process, the printable number of the printer 20A becomes zero (blank state), and the printable number of the printer 20B is charged with the printable number "pr1" taken over from the printer 20A. Also, if the activation information of the printer 20B is in the OFF state at the time of takeover (new purchase, etc.), the activation information of the replaced printer 20B is turned ON in accordance with the activation information of the replaced printer 20A being turned OFF. The timing of changing the activation information of the printers 20A and 20B is not particularly limited, but for example, the server 30 may send a command to the printer 20A in the command of S249 to turn the activation information of the printer 20A OFF. Also, the server 30 may send a command to the printer 20B in accordance with the command of S273 to turn the activation information ON. Alternatively, when the command to add the printable number of sheets in S273 is received, the printer 20B may automatically set the activation information to ON and notify the result to the server 30 in S275. Furthermore, since the takeover is complete, the server 30 sets the exchange application information of the printer 20A to OFF. Furthermore, since the takeover is complete, the server 30 deletes the takeover code 97 that was associated with the printer 20A.

[0126] The server 30 transmits a completion notification to the mobile terminal device 10 to the effect that the takeover has been completed (S277). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the completion notification (S227: YES in FIG. 14), it executes post-processing after the takeover (S229). For example, as post-processing, the mobile terminal device 10 may display the replaced printer 20A in a state different from the state before the takeover, such as by displaying the printer 20A in a grayed-out state, and may not accept any operations on the printer 20A. Alternatively, the mobile terminal device 10 may execute post-processing to delete the icon of the printer 20A.

[0127] Incidentally, the mobile terminal device 10 is an example of an information processing device. The application 12B is an example of a program. The print data 12C is an example of recording data. The display 14 is an example of a display unit. The printer 20 is an example of a storage device. The printer 20A is an example of a replaced recording device. The printer 20B is an example of a replacement recording device. The printing unit 25 is an example of a recording unit. The printer memory unit 26B is an example of a recording device memory unit. The server 30 is an example of a reception server. The device ID is an example of recording device identification information. The charge screen 71 is an example of a selection screen. The printable number of sheets in the server management table ST is an example of server-side recording permission information and server-side recording permission amount. The printable number of sheets in the printer management table PT is an example of recording device-side recording permission information and recording device-side recording permission amount. The charge number accepted on the charge screen 71 in FIG. 10 is an example of accepted recording permission amount. S111 to S115, S121, and S123 are examples of a reception process and a reception step. S133 is an example of an allowed amount setting process and an allowed amount setting step. S79 is an example of a recording process. S93 and the process of FIG. 8 are examples of an update process and an update step. S167 is an example of an exchange application process. S163 is an example of a notification process. S273 and S277 are examples of an association process.

[0128] (Effects) According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained. (1) The server 30 stores the device ID for identifying the printer 20 and the printable number in the server management table ST in association with each other. When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the charge number (S111 to S115), it transmits to the server 30 the permission amount setting information (an example of a setting command) for causing the server 30 to execute a setting for adding the charge number to the printable number corresponding to the received device ID (S133). According to this, the server 30 can manage the printable number permitted for each printer 20 in association with the device ID of the printer 20. Also, any user who uses the printer 20 can charge the printable number by specifying the device ID and the charge number and transmitting the permission amount setting information to the server 30. That is, charging can be performed by unspecified users who use the printer 20. The user can execute printing within the range permitted by the printable number by issuing a print command to the printer 20. The charge number can also be shared between users. This makes it possible to realize a new printing service that is highly convenient for users.

[0129] (2) In addition, in S133, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits the device ID of the currently selected printer 20 (for example, the printer 20 selected on the printer display unit 61), the selected recharge number, and a command to instruct the addition, i.e., information related to the setting of the recharge number, to the server 30 as permitted amount setting information. This allows the server 30 and the printer 20 to execute a process of adding the recharge number to the printable number based on the recharge number.

[0130] (3) In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 may transmit the charge number to the server 30 in S133 and cause the server 30 to execute a process of adding the charge number to the printable number in the server management table ST. By having the server 30 perform the process of adding the charge number, after the server 30 has performed the addition process, it is possible to execute a synchronization process with the printer 20 at the timing of the server 30 side.

[0131] (4) In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 may execute an auto-charge in S133 to automatically charge the number of printable sheets. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may notify the server 30 in S133 of the number of sheets to be charged or a charge command to be issued when the number of printable sheets falls to a predetermined number for the printer 20 selected by the user. This makes it possible to automatically charge the number of printable sheets every time the number of printable sheets falls to the predetermined number. Since the user does not need to perform charging as needed, a printing service that is highly convenient for the user can be provided.

[0132] (5) In addition, in S133, the mobile terminal device 10 may notify the server 30 of the printable number after adding the charge number. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may obtain the latest printable number from the printer 20 or the server 30, and send the result of adding the charge number in S133. This reduces the processing load on the server 30 and the printer 20 involved in the addition process.

[0133] (6) In addition, in S111, the mobile terminal device 10 displays on the display 14 a charge screen 71 for accepting the selection of the charge number, and accepts the selection of a charge icon 74 at the input I / F 15. The mobile terminal device 10 causes the server 30 to execute the charge of the charge number corresponding to the selected charge icon 74. According to this, by accepting the selection of the charge number to be executed from among the pre-set charge numbers, the processing content of the charge process can be simplified. For example, by setting the charge number and identification information for identifying the charge number in advance between the application 12B and the server 30, the mobile terminal device 10 can cause the server 30 to identify the number to be charged by transmitting identification information of the selected charge number to the server 30 without transmitting the value of the charge number.

[0134] (7) Furthermore, when accepting the selection of the recharge quantity in S111, the portable terminal device 10 displays a list of printer names of printers 20 on the same network and printers 20 that have previously executed print and recharge processes, i.e., printers 20 that have communicated with the portable terminal device 10, in response to the selection of the selection button 63 on the menu screen 51. When a status icon 57 on the menu screen 51 is selected with any printer 20 selected from the list, the portable terminal device 10 displays a recharge screen 71 for the selected printer 20. This makes it possible to accept the selection of the printer 20 to be recharged from among the printers 20 on the same network as the portable terminal device 10 and the history of printers 20 that have previously communicated.

[0135] (8) In addition, in S79, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits a print command to the printer 20, and causes the printer 20 to print the print data 12C. This allows multiple users to issue print commands to the same printer 20, and allows the printer 20 to be shared.

[0136] (9) Furthermore, the server 30 and printer 20 synchronize the printable number in the server management table ST with the printable number in the printer management table PT (S93 in FIG. 7, FIG. 8). In S77, the mobile terminal device 10 sends a print command to the printer 20 if the printable number acquired from the printer 20 in S75 is equal to or greater than the number of pages specified in the print execution operation (S55 in FIG. 6: YES). This allows the print command to be issued to the printer 20 only if the printable number of pages of the printer 20 is equal to or greater than the number of pages to be printed. This prevents the occurrence of a situation in which the printable number runs out midway and printing becomes impossible.

[0137] (10) The server 30 also accepts an application for replacing the printer 20. The mobile terminal device 10 transmits the replacement application to the server 30 in response to an operational input to the input I / F 15 (S167). This allows the user to execute the replacement application on the mobile terminal device 10 in response to the remaining ink level of the printer 20 decreasing.

[0138] (11) Furthermore, when the remaining ink level (one example of the remaining colorant level) obtained from the printer 20A falls below a predetermined level, the server 30 transmits a replacement request notification to the mobile terminal device 10 (S187). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the replacement request notification, it executes a replacement notification display (S163). This makes it possible to prompt the user to replace the printer 20 at an appropriate time depending on the reduction in the remaining ink level. Note that the determination of the remaining ink level may be executed by the mobile terminal device 10.

[0139] (12) In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits the takeover command of S215 to the server 30, thereby transferring the printable number of the printer 20A before replacement to the printable number of the printer 20B after replacement (S273, S277). This allows the remaining printable number of the printer 20A that needs to be replaced to be transferred to the new printer 20B for use.

[0140] (13) The mobile terminal device 10 may also transmit a start command to at least one of the server 30 and the printer 20 to start synchronization processing of the printable number. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 commands the printer 20 to perform synchronization processing during the initial charge in FIG. 4 (S43). The mobile terminal device 10 may also transmit a print command in S79 in FIG. 7 to the printer 20 to cause the printer 20 to execute synchronization processing after printing. The mobile terminal device 10 may also transmit a start command to the printer 20 to start synchronization processing during non-printing in FIG. 8. The mobile terminal device 10 may also transmit a command to the server 30 to synchronize the printable number with the printer 20. This allows the server 30 and the printer 20 to synchronize the printable number at any timing, such as before the charge processing, after the print processing, or after the power is turned on.

[0141] (14) The printer 20 is configured to make it difficult for a user to refill the printer with ink. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized use of the printer 20, such as using the printer 20 for printing other than that performed by the printing system 1 after refilling the printer with ink.

[0142] (15) Furthermore, the printing system 1 restricts the printing operation of the printer 20 in response to the printable number of sheets satisfying a predetermined condition. Here, "satisfying a predetermined condition" refers to, for example, "the condition in which the printable number in the printer management table PT becomes zero" or "the condition in which the printable number becomes less than the designated number of sheets to be printed (S55: NO)" in the above embodiment. Therefore, S55 and S57 are examples of control steps. This makes it possible to restrict the printing service provided by the printer 20 in response to the printable number charged by the user or the service provided by the vendor.

[0143] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the remaining printable number after subtraction by printing is synchronized (matched) between the printer 20 and the server 30, but the update process of the present application is not limited to matching the printable number. Figure 17 shows a printing system 1A of another embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for configurations similar to those of the above embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 17, for example, the server 30 of the printing system 1A stores the number of printed sheets 151 and the number of charged sheets 152 in the server storage unit 32B. The printer 20 stores the number of printed sheets 153 and the number of charged sheets 154 in the printer storage unit 26B. The number of printed sheets 151, 153 is the total number of printed sheets printed by the printer 20. That is, the number of printed sheets 151, 153 is a number that increases with an increase in the number of prints, unlike the number of printable sheets in the above embodiment. The number of charged sheets 152, 154 is the total number of charged sheets charged by the mobile terminal device 10. That is, the number of charged sheets 152, 154 is a number that increases with each charge from the mobile terminal device 10. In this case, the number of printable sheets is a value obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets 151, 153 from the number of charged sheets 152, 154. The printer 20 and the server 30 execute an update process to update the information on one of the printed numbers 151, 153 and the charged numbers 152, 154 based on the information on the other. The printed number 151 and the charged number 152 are examples of server-side recording permission information. The printed number 153 and the charged number 154 are examples of recording device-side recording permission information.

[0145] In more detail, for example, 5000 sheets are charged to the printer 20 at the time of purchase as an initial value of the charged number 154. When the printer 20 executes a print process, it increases the printed number 153 by the number of sheets printed (S307). For example, after printing, if the value obtained by subtracting the printed number 153 from the charged number 154, i.e., the number of printable sheets, becomes zero, the printer 20 restricts subsequent print operations. Alternatively, the printer 20 may not execute printing if the number of printable sheets calculated before printing is insufficient. For example, the printer 20 may cancel printing of the print command when "the condition that the number of printable sheets exceeds the number of sheets specified for printing in the print command" or "the condition that (the printed number 153 + the number of sheets specified for printing) exceeds the charged number 154" is met before printing (an example of "when the recording permission information satisfies a predetermined condition" in the present application) (an example of a control step in the present application). Also, the server 30 may determine the number of printable sheets by subtracting the number of printed sheets 151 from the number of charged sheets 152, and may limit printing by controlling activation information of the printer 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of printable sheets (an example of the permitted printing amount in this application) itself can be managed by calculation without being stored in the device.

[0146] Also, for example, when the server 30 receives a charge command from the mobile terminal device 10 (S310), it adds the charge number (e.g., 1000 sheets) instructed by the charge command to the charged number 152 (S303). The server 30 updates (overwrites) the charged number 154 of the printer 20 with the charged number 152 after the addition (S305). As a result, the charged number is added to the charged number 154 of the printer 20 (e.g., 5000+1000=6000 sheets). The server 30 may notify the printer 20 of the charge number to be added as in the above embodiment without overwriting the charged number 154, and have the printer 20 execute the addition process. Alternatively, the server 30 may notify the printer 20 of the difference between the charged number 152 after the addition and the printed number 151. Then, the printer 20 may add the received difference value to the printed number 153 to calculate and update the charged number 154.

[0147] The printer 20 sets the updated charged number 154 (e.g., 6,000 sheets) as an upper limit, and when it receives a print command from the mobile terminal device 10 or the like (S310), it executes printing until the printed number 153 becomes equal to or greater than the charged number 154. As described above, the printer 20 increases the printed number 153 by the number of printed sheets, for example, each time printing is completed (S307). Then, the printer 20 updates (overwrites) the printed number 151 of the server 30 with the increased printed number 153 (S309).

[0148] Incidentally, in the other embodiments described above, the printed number 151 and the charged number 152 are examples of server-side recording permission information. The printed number 153 and the charged number 154 are examples of recording device-side recording permission information. The amounts obtained by subtracting the printed numbers 151 and 153 from the charged numbers 152 and 154 are examples of the server-side recording permission amount and the recording device-side recording permission amount.

[0149] (Effects) According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained. The server 30 sends the charged number 152, which is the sum of the charged number received from the mobile terminal device 10, to the printer 20, and updates the charged number 154 of the printer 20 (S305). The printer 20 also updates the printed number 153 with the number of sheets printed by the printing operation executed based on the print command of S310 (S307). The printer 20 updates the printed number 151 of the server 30 based on the updated printed number 153 (S309). In this way, the server 30 notifies the charged number 152 and the printer 20 notifies the printed number 153, allowing the two to manage the number of printable sheets together. The frequency of communication during the update process can be reduced.

[0150] (Modification) Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the mobile terminal device 10, which is a smartphone, is used as the information processing terminal of the present application, but this is not limiting. As the information processing device, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or other terminal can be used. Furthermore, a single printer 20 may receive print commands or additional printable sheets may be purchased from a plurality of mobile terminal devices 10. In addition, in the present embodiment, the server 30 communicates with one mobile terminal device 10, but the server 30 may communicate with multiple mobile terminal devices 10. For example, the server 30 may receive recharge commands from multiple mobile terminal devices 10, add the recharge number to the printable number associated with each printer 20 based on the recharge command from each mobile terminal device 10, and store the recharge number in the server storage unit 32B. This allows each user to recharge their personal printer 20 or a shared printer 20 from any location. In this case, the server 30 may notify each mobile terminal device 10 of the updated printable number. The printer 20 may be configured so that the user can refill ink (so that each ink tank in the tank unit 23 can be replaced). Another example of a means for refilling consumables such as ink is a configuration in which ink can be poured into the tank unit 23 from a bottle containing ink. In addition, although an inkjet printer 20 is employed as the recording device of the present application, a laser printer or a thermal printer may also be used. The recording device is not limited to a printer for personal users, but may be a commercial or industrial printing machine. Therefore, the recording device may be a multifunction machine having a scanning function, a copying function, a fax function, etc. in addition to a printing function. The recording device may also be a laser marker that uses a laser to mark metal members, etc. Therefore, the recording medium of the present application is not limited to paper, but may be metal members, etc.

[0152] Furthermore, printer 20 is configured to store printer management table PT in printer storage unit 26B, but this is not limited to the above. For example, printer 20 may be equipped with a reading I / F capable of reading IC cards, memory cards, etc. Printer 20 may then read and use information in printer management table PT, such as the device ID and printable number of sheets, from an IC card or the like attached to the reading I / F. In other words, printer 20 may be configured to manage printer management table PT using an IC card or the like. Alternatively, printer 20 may store and manage information in printer management table PT, such as the number of printable pages, in a memory provided in an ink tank of printing unit 25, or in the case of a laser printer, in a memory of a toner cartridge or a memory of a photosensitive drum, or in other memory other than the memory unit in which printer program 26B1 is stored. Furthermore, the application 12B that executes the initial device setting process, the print process, the charge process, the application process, and the handover process may be a different application program. Furthermore, the permitted recording amount indicated by the recording permission information in this application is not limited to the number of printed sheets. For example, the permitted recording amount may be the amount of ink or toner consumed. The permitted recording amount may be the amount of ink permitted to be ejected (dots (pixels)) or the amount of ink permitted to be used (e.g., ml). Alternatively, the permitted recording amount may be defined by the number of rotations of a member that rotates in conjunction with the printing operation, such as a photosensitive drum.

[0153] The processes of S249 and S251 for restricting printing by the replaced printer 20A may be executed by issuing a command from the mobile terminal device 10 to the printer 20A. In the above embodiment, the printable number of one printer 20A is transferred to one printer 20B, but this is not limited to the above. The printable number of the printer 20A may be divided and transferred to multiple printers 20B. The printable numbers of multiple printers 20A may be integrated and transferred to one printer 20B. The application process accepts an application for replacement from a user, but the server 30 may automatically issue a takeover code 97 and ship the printer 20B to the user of the printer 20A that it has determined needs replacement, regardless of whether an application has been made or not. Some or all of the processes of the server 30, such as checking the connection in S243, restricting printing in S249, and obtaining the number of printable sheets in S255, may be executed by a device (such as the mobile terminal device 10 or the printer 20) other than the server 30. Similarly, the processes of the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may be executed by the server 30.

[0154] Furthermore, the mobile terminal device 10 may store the printable number obtained from the printer 20 or the server 30 in the terminal storage unit 12 and notify the user of the number. This allows the user to check the latest printable number by operating the mobile terminal device 10, for example. The mobile terminal device 10 may also cooperate with the server 30 and the printer 20 to execute a synchronization process for the printable number. Even if the user is in a location where communication with the printer 20 is not possible (e.g., outside the LAN), the user can check the latest printable number and issue a command to the server 30 to take over, etc. Furthermore, the replacement identification information when replacing the printer 20 is not limited to the takeover code 97. For example, the serial number of the printer 20 that is assigned to each product can be used as the replacement identification information. In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 does not need to obtain the replacement identification information from the server 30, unlike the takeover code 97. For example, a serial number may be printed on the box of the replacement printer 20B shipped from the vendor, and the server 30 may determine the number of printable sheets to be taken over by accepting the serial number at the time of takeover. In this case, there is no need for an application process to request the issuance of the takeover code 97, etc.

[0155] In the above embodiment, the printer 20 is replaced based on the remaining amount of ink. However, the printer 20 may be replaced when a malfunction occurs in the printer 20 or when the user desires a printer 20 different from the printer 20 currently being used. In the charge process of FIG. 9, by selecting a desired charge icon 74 from the charge screen 71 displayed on the display 14, the charge number corresponding to the selected charge icon 74 is charged (added) to the printable number. However, the system may be configured so that the user can input the desired charge number, the charge number input by the user is charged to the printable number, and the vendor bills the user for the amount according to the input charge number. The printing system 1 is not limited to a configuration in which paper is charged, and may be configured so that points or an amount of ink is charged. In this case, the points or amount of ink per print may be calculated according to, for example, single-sided or double-sided printing, or the amount of ink used in the print data, and counted from the charged points or amount of ink. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 1, 1A printing system (recording system), 10 portable terminal device (information processing device), 12B application (program), 14 display (display unit), 15 input I / F, 20 printer (storage device), 20A printer (replaceable recorded device), 20B printer (replaceable recording device), 25 printing unit (recording unit), 26B printer memory unit (recording device memory unit), 30 server (reception server), 32B server memory unit, 71 charge screen (selection screen).

Claims

1. A recording device, A server; an information processing device capable of communicating with the recording device and the server; A recording system comprising: The information processing device includes: Equipped with an input interface, The recording device includes: a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium; a recording device storage unit for storing recording device side recording permission information relating to a recording device side recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit; Equipped with The server, a server storage unit that stores recording device identification information for identifying the recording device and server-side recording permission information related to a server-side recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit, in association with each other; The information processing device includes: a receiving process of receiving, via the input interface, the recording device identification information and an accepted recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit; an allowance amount setting process for transmitting to the server a setting command for causing the server to set the server-side recording permission information corresponding to the recording device identification information received in the receiving process; Run The server, when the setting command is received from the information processing device by the permission amount setting process, the accepted recording permission amount is transmitted to the recording device, and the accepted recording permission amount is added to the recording device side recording permission amount indicated by the recording device side recording permission information; The server and the recording device a recording system which performs mutual communication and performs an update process for updating one of the server-side recording permission information and the recorder-side recording permission information based on the other recording permission information.

2. The recording device comprises:

2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the colorant contained in the recording device is configured to be non-refillable by a user.

3. The information processing device, 3. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein record data to be recorded is transmitted to the recording device, and recording of the record data by the recording section is executed in the recording device.

4. The server, A recording system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, capable of accepting the setting commands from a plurality of the information processing devices, and storing the server-side recording permission information corresponding to the recording device in response to each of the setting commands, the server-side recording permission information being shared by the plurality of the information processing devices.

5. A recording device; A server; an information processing device capable of communicating with the recording device and the server; A control method for a recording system comprising: The information processing device includes: Equipped with an input interface, The recording device includes: a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium; a recording device storage unit for storing recording device side recording permission information relating to a recording device side recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit; Equipped with The server, a server storage unit that stores recording device identification information for identifying the recording device and server-side recording permission information related to a server-side recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit, in association with each other; a receiving step of receiving, via the input interface, the recording device identification information and an accepted recording permission amount that permits recording by the recording unit; an allowance amount setting step of transmitting to the server a setting command for causing the server to set the server-side recording permission information corresponding to the recording device identification information received in the receiving step; a step of transmitting the accepted recording permission amount from the server to the recording device when the setting command is received from the information processing device in the permission amount setting step, and adding the accepted recording permission amount to the recording device side recording permission amount indicated by the recording device side recording permission information; an updating step of causing the server and the recording device to communicate with each other and updating one of the server-side recording permission information and the recording device-side recording permission information based on the other recording permission information; A control method comprising:

6. The control method according to claim 5, further comprising a control step of restricting operations related to recording depending on whether the recording device side recording permission information satisfies a predetermined condition.

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