Management program, management device, management system and management method

Abstract

To suppress the occurrence of a situation in which a user of a printer possesses an unnecessary cartridge.SOLUTION: A management program 62a causes a controller 51 to execute first and second reception processing, cartridge determination processing, first and second shipping processing, and shipping determination processing. The first reception processing receives a service start request. The second reception processing receives cartridge type information and consumable item remaining amount information. When the cartridge determination processing determines that first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d are service available cartridges, the first shipping processing instructs to ship first to fourth service dedicated cartridges. When the shipping determination processing determines that first to fourth remaining amount shortage conditions are satisfied, the second shipping processing instructs to ship the first to fourth service dedicated cartridges.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to techniques for managing printing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an information management server that provides a flat-rate printing service to a printer user. When a flat-rate printing service contract is concluded between the printer user and the information management server, the server performs a process to send a dedicated cartridge used in the flat-rate printing service to the printer user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-193592 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the possibility that the printer user already owns a dedicated cartridge before a flat-rate printing service contract is concluded with the printer user. Therefore, even if the printer user already owns a dedicated cartridge, a dedicated cartridge may be shipped to the printer user, and as a result, the printer user may end up owning an extra cartridge.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to prevent a situation in which a user of a printing device ends up with an extra cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a management program configured to cause a control unit provided in a management device of a management system configured to enable communication between a printing device in which a cartridge containing a colorant is installed and the management device to execute a first reception process, a second reception process, a cartridge determination process, a first shipping process, a shipping determination process, and a second shipping process.

[0007] The first receiving process receives a service start request for requesting the printing device to start a shipping service for shipping a cartridge. The second reception process receives, from the printing device, cartridge type information indicating the type of the mounted cartridge that is the cartridge mounted in the printing device, and cartridge remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of color material in the cartridge.

[0008] When a service start request is received, the cartridge determination process determines, based on the received cartridge type information, whether or not the mounted cartridge is a service compatible cartridge that is compatible with the shipping service.

[0009] In the first shipping process, when it is determined in the cartridge determination process that the mounted cartridge is not a service compatible cartridge, a service compatible cartridge is shipped. When the cartridge determination process determines that the mounted cartridge is a service compatible cartridge, the shipping determination process determines whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the mounted cartridge needs to be replaced is met based on the received cartridge remaining amount information.

[0010] The second shipping process ships the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination process that the shipping conditions are met. The management program of the present disclosure configured as above can, if the installed cartridge is a service compatible cartridge, not ship the service compatible cartridge until the installed cartridge needs to be replaced. Therefore, the management program of the present disclosure can prevent the user of the printing device from having an extra cartridge.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a management program configured to cause a control unit provided in a management device of a management system configured to enable communication between a printing device in which multiple color material cartridges having different color materials are installed and the management device to execute a first reception process, a second reception process, a color material cartridge judgment process, a first shipping process, a shipping judgment process, and a second shipping process.

[0012] The first receiving process receives a service start request for requesting the start of a shipping service for shipping a plurality of color material cartridges to a printing device. The second reception process receives from the printing device color material cartridge type information indicating the type of the installed color material cartridge, which is a color material cartridge installed in the printing device, and color material cartridge remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of color material in the color material cartridge.

[0013] When a service start request is received, the color material cartridge determination process determines, based on the received color material cartridge type information, whether or not each of one or more installed color material cartridges is a service-compatible cartridge that is a cartridge that supports the shipping service.

[0014] In the first delivery process, when it is determined in the color material cartridge determination process that the mounted color material cartridge is not a service compatible cartridge, a service compatible cartridge of a color material corresponding to the mounted color material cartridge is delivered.

[0015] When the color cartridge determination process determines that the installed color cartridge is a service compatible cartridge, the shipping determination process determines whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the installed color cartridge needs to be replaced is met based on the received color cartridge remaining amount information.

[0016] In the second shipping process, when it is determined in the shipping determination process that the shipping condition is met, a complimentary cartridge of a color material corresponding to the installed color material cartridge is shipped. The management program of the present disclosure configured as above can prevent the service cartridge from being shipped if the installed color cartridge is a service cartridge until the installed color cartridge needs to be replaced. Therefore, the management program of the present disclosure can prevent the user of the printing device from having an extra color cartridge.

[0017] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a management device and a management system configured to execute the above program may be provided. In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a management method for use in a management device on which the above program is executed may be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device, a printer, and a service server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for applying for a printing service. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing a first part of a service start process. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a second part of the service start process. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a third part of the service start process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. (1) Configuration of management system 1 The management system 1 of this embodiment is a system that manages a printing service, and includes a terminal device 2, a printer 3, a service server 4, and a delivery server 5, as shown in FIG.

[0020] The printing service includes a shipping service that automatically delivers cartridges that can be installed in the printer 3, and a billing service that charges according to the number of sheets of print media printed by the printer 3 (hereinafter, "print count"). This billing service charges a fixed amount up to the number of sheets printed (hereinafter, "prescribed number") specified for each service plan within a service unit period (for example, one month), and charges an additional fee for printing beyond the prescribed number. Note that if the number of sheets printed within a service unit period is less than the prescribed number, the surplus is carried over to the next service unit period.

[0021] The terminal device 2, the printer 3, the service server 4, and the delivery server 5 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a WAN 6. WAN is an abbreviation for Wide Area Network. In this embodiment, the WAN 6 is the Internet.

[0022] 2, the terminal device 2 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The terminal device 2 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0023] The control unit 11 includes a CPU 21 and a memory 22. The CPU 21 executes a program stored in the memory 22, thereby realizing various functions of the terminal device 2. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to being realized by executing a program, and some or all of the functions may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

[0024] The memory 22 includes a semiconductor memory (eg, a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory) which is a non-transitory tangible recording medium. The communication unit 12 performs data communication with the service server 4 via the WAN 6 .

[0025] The display unit 13 includes a display device (not shown) and displays various images on the display device. The input unit 14 includes a keyboard and a mouse. The input unit 14 outputs input operation information for identifying an input operation performed by a user of the terminal device 2 via the keyboard and mouse.

[0026] The storage unit 15 includes auxiliary storage devices such as an HDD and an SSD, and stores various data. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. SSD is an abbreviation for Solid State Drive.

[0027] The printer 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a display unit 33, an input unit , a printing unit 35, and an attachment unit . The control unit 31 includes a CPU 41 and a memory 42. The CPU 41 executes a program stored in the memory 42, thereby realizing various functions of the printer 3. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 31 are not limited to being realized by executing a program, and some or all of the functions may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware. The memory 42 is a semiconductor memory (e.g., It is equipped with a ROM, RAM and flash memory to store programs and data.

[0028] The communication unit 32 performs data communication with the service server 4 via the WAN 6 . The display unit 33 includes a display device (not shown) and displays various images on the display device. The input unit 34 includes a touch panel installed on the display screen of the display unit 33 and switches installed around the display screen of the display unit 33. The input unit 34 outputs input operation information for identifying an input operation performed by the user via the touch panel and the switches.

[0029] The printing unit 35 has a printing mechanism using inkjet technology or electrophotographic technology, and is capable of printing images onto a print medium. A first cartridge 37a, a second cartridge 37b, a third cartridge 37c, and a fourth cartridge 37d are removably mounted in the mounting portion 36. The first, second, third, and fourth cartridges 37a to 37d contain color materials (ink in this embodiment) that are applied to a printing medium by the printing portion 35 to print an image on the printing medium. The first, second, third, and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d contain cyan, magenta, yellow, and black color materials, respectively.

[0030] The service server 4 includes a control unit 51, a communication unit 52, and a storage unit 53. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 61 and a memory 62. The CPU 61 executes a program stored in the memory 62, thereby implementing various functions of the service server 4. Note that the various functions implemented by the control unit 51 are not limited to being implemented by executing a program, and may be implemented partially or entirely using one or more pieces of hardware. The memory 62 includes a semiconductor memory (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory) that is a non-transient tangible recording medium, and stores programs and data.

[0031] The memory 62 stores a management program 62a. The management program 62a is a computer program for causing the CPU 61 to realize a function for managing the print service. The communication unit 52 performs data communication between the terminal device 2, the printer 3, and the delivery server 5 via the WAN 6. The storage unit 53 includes an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD and an SSD, and stores various data.

[0032] When the shipping server 5 receives a cartridge shipping instruction, which will be described later, from the service server 4, it notifies the shipping operator to ship the cartridge according to the contents of the cartridge shipping instruction. As a result, the cartridge is shipped according to the cartridge shipping instruction.

[0033] (2) Printing service application Next, a procedure for an owner of the printer 3 (hereinafter, a service user) to apply for a printing service will be described.

[0034] First, when the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2 via the input unit 14, as shown in process P1 of FIG. 3, the terminal device 2 accesses a website (hereinafter, the service website) set up on the service server 4 to provide a printing service.

[0035] Furthermore, as a result of the service user performing an input operation on the terminal device 2, as shown in process P2, the terminal device 2 creates an account for using the print service and logs in to the service website. The account is created by registering at least the service user's name, email address, and password.

[0036] Next, the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2, as shown in process P3. In this manner, the terminal device 2 registers the printer 3 on the service website. Specifically, the terminal device 2 transmits printer identification information for identifying the printer 3 to the service server 4.

[0037] When the service server 4 receives the printer identification information, as shown in process P4, it communicates with the printer 3 via the WAN 6 and detects the printer 3 corresponding to the printer identification information.

[0038] When the service server 4 detects the printer 3, it registers the printer 3 as a registered printer for the service user's account, and transmits a registration success notice to the terminal device 2 indicating that the registration was successful, as shown in process P5.

[0039] Next, the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2, which causes the terminal device 2 to send a service start request for applying for a printing service for the registered printer to the service server 4, as shown in process P6. The service start request includes plan information indicating the type of plan for the applied printing service, delivery destination information indicating the delivery destination of the cartridge, and payment information (e.g., a credit card number) for debiting the usage fee for the printing service.

[0040] When the service server 4 receives the service start request, as shown in process P7, it performs periodic information notification settings to cause the printer 3 to transmit notification information periodically (for example, every 12 hours). The notification information includes firmware identification information, page count information, consumable remaining amount information, replacement count information, and cartridge type information.

[0041] The firmware identification information indicates the type and version of the firmware of the printer 3. The page count information indicates the number of pages printed by the printer 3. The consumable remaining amount information indicates the remaining amount of color material in the first, second, third and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d. The replacement count information indicates the number of times the first, second, third and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d have been replaced.

[0042] The cartridge type information indicates whether the cartridges 37a to 37d are commercially available cartridges, bundled cartridges, or dedicated service cartridges. Commercially available cartridges are cartridges that can be purchased at a store. Bundled cartridges are cartridges that are bundled with the printer 3. Dedicated service cartridges are cartridges exclusively used for printing services.

[0043] Hereinafter, the service dedicated cartridges corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d will be referred to as the first, second, third and fourth service dedicated cartridges, respectively. When periodic information notification settings are made for the printer 3, the printer 3 transmits the first notification information to the service server 4 as shown in process P8.

[0044] When the service server 4 receives the notification information, as shown in process P9, it performs service activation setting on the printer 3. As a result, the printer 3 is set from the normal mode to the service mode.

[0045] When the printer 3 is set to the service mode, it transmits an activation completion notification to the service server 4 as shown in process P10. When the service server 4 receives the activation completion notification, as shown in process P11, it transmits a registration completion notification to the terminal device 2. This allows the service user to recognize that the print service application has been completed.

[0046] (3) Processing Executed in the Service Server 4 Next, a description will be given of the procedure of the service start processing executed by the CPU 61 of the service server 4. The service start processing is processing that is repeatedly executed while the control unit 51 is in operation.

[0047] When the service start process is executed, the CPU 61 first determines whether or not a service start request has been received in S10, as shown in Fig. 4. If a service start request has not been received, the CPU 61 ends the service start process.

[0048] On the other hand, if a service start request has been received, the CPU 61 determines in S20 whether or not notification information has been received from a registered printer for the account that sent the service start request received in S10 (hereinafter, the service target account).

[0049] If notification information has not been received from the registered printer, the process of S20 is repeated to wait until notification information is received. Then, when notification information is received from the registered printer, the CPU 61 determines in S30 whether the first cartridge 37a is a service cartridge based on the cartridge type information included in the notification information received in S20. Service cartridges include included cartridges and dedicated service cartridges.

[0050] If the first cartridge 37a is not a service compatible cartridge, the CPU 61 sets a first service incompatible flag F1 provided in the memory 62 in S40 and proceeds to S70. Setting a flag refers to setting the value of the flag to 1, and clearing a flag refers to setting the value of the flag to 0.

[0051] On the other hand, if the first cartridge 37a is a service cartridge, the CPU 61 determines in S50 whether a first remaining amount shortage condition is satisfied based on the consumables remaining amount information included in the notification information received in S20. The first remaining amount shortage condition in this embodiment is that the remaining amount of color material in the first cartridge 37a is equal to or less than a first shortage amount that is set in advance.

[0052] If the first remaining amount insufficiency condition is not satisfied, the CPU 61 proceeds to S70. On the other hand, if the first remaining amount insufficiency condition is satisfied, the CPU 61 sets the first insufficiency flag F11 provided in the memory 62 in S60 and proceeds to S70.

[0053] When the process proceeds to S70, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the second cartridge 37b is a service compatible cartridge based on the cartridge type information included in the notification information received in S20.

[0054] If the second cartridge 37b is not a service compatible cartridge, the CPU 61 sets a second service incompatible flag F2 provided in the memory 62 in S80, and proceeds to S110.

[0055] On the other hand, if the second cartridge 37b is a service cartridge, the CPU 61 determines in S90 whether a second remaining amount shortage condition is satisfied based on the consumables remaining amount information included in the notification information received in S20. The second remaining amount shortage condition in this embodiment is that the remaining amount of color material in the second cartridge 37b is equal to or less than a second remaining amount shortage that is set in advance.

[0056] If the second remaining amount insufficiency condition is not met, the CPU 61 proceeds to S110. On the other hand, if the second remaining amount insufficiency condition is met, the CPU 61 proceeds to S100. The second shortage flag F12 provided in the memory 62 is set, and the process proceeds to S110.

[0057] In S110, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the third cartridge 37c is a service compatible cartridge based on the cartridge type information included in the notification information received in S20.

[0058] If the third cartridge 37c is not a service compatible cartridge, the CPU 61 sets a third service incompatible flag F3 provided in the memory 62 in S120, and proceeds to S150.

[0059] On the other hand, if the third cartridge 37c is a service cartridge, the CPU 61 determines in S130 whether a preset third remaining amount shortage condition is met based on the consumables remaining amount information included in the notification information received in S20. The third remaining amount shortage condition in this embodiment is that the remaining amount of color material in the third cartridge 37c is equal to or less than a preset third shortage amount.

[0060] If the third remaining amount insufficiency condition is not met, the CPU 61 proceeds to S150. On the other hand, if the third remaining amount insufficiency condition is met, the CPU 61 sets the third insufficiency flag F13 provided in the memory 62 in S140 and proceeds to S150.

[0061] When the process proceeds to S150, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the fourth cartridge 37d is a service compatible cartridge based on the cartridge type information included in the notification information received in S20, as shown in FIG.

[0062] If the fourth cartridge 37d is not a service compatible cartridge, the CPU 61 sets a fourth service incompatible flag F4 provided in the memory 62 in S160, and proceeds to S190.

[0063] On the other hand, if the fourth cartridge 37d is a service cartridge, the CPU 61 determines in S170 whether a fourth remaining amount shortage condition is satisfied based on the consumables remaining amount information included in the notification information received in S20. The fourth remaining amount shortage condition in this embodiment is that the remaining amount of color material in the fourth cartridge 37d is equal to or less than a fourth remaining amount shortage that is set in advance.

[0064] If the fourth remaining amount insufficiency condition is not satisfied, the CPU 61 proceeds to S190. On the other hand, if the fourth remaining amount insufficiency condition is satisfied, the CPU 61 sets the fourth insufficiency flag F14 provided in the memory 62 in S180 and proceeds to S190.

[0065] In S190, the CPU 61 determines whether or not all of the first service incompatibility flag F1, the second service incompatibility flag F2, the third service incompatibility flag F3, and the fourth service incompatibility flag F4 are set.

[0066] Here, if the first to fourth non-service compatible flags F1 to F4 are set, the CPU 61 transmits an all cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S200, and proceeds to S370. The all cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship all color service dedicated cartridges (i.e., the first, second, third, and fourth service dedicated cartridges) compatible with the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0067] In addition, in S190, if at least one of the first to fourth service non-compliance flags F1 to F4 is cleared, the CPU 61 clears the first service non-compliance flag F1 in S210. It is determined whether the first service incompatibility flag F1 is set. Here, if the first service incompatibility flag F1 is cleared, the CPU 61 proceeds to S230. On the other hand, if the first service incompatibility flag F1 is set, the CPU 61 transmits a first cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S220, and proceeds to S230. The first cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship a first dedicated service cartridge compatible with the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0068] When the process proceeds to S230, the CPU 61 determines whether the second service incompatibility flag F2 is set. Here, if the second service incompatibility flag F2 is cleared, the CPU 61 proceeds to S250. On the other hand, if the second service incompatibility flag F2 is set, the CPU 61 transmits a second cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S240, and proceeds to S250. The second cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship a second dedicated service cartridge corresponding to the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0069] At S250, the CPU 61 determines whether the third service incompatibility flag F3 is set. If the third service incompatibility flag F3 is cleared, the CPU 61 proceeds to S270. On the other hand, if the third service incompatibility flag F3 is set, the CPU 61 transmits a third cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 at S260 and proceeds to S270. The third cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship a third service-only cartridge corresponding to the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0070] In S270, the CPU 61 determines whether the fourth service incompatibility flag F4 is set. If the fourth service incompatibility flag F4 is cleared, the CPU 61 proceeds to S290. On the other hand, if the fourth service incompatibility flag F4 is set, the CPU 61 transmits a fourth cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S280 and proceeds to S290. The fourth cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship a fourth service-only cartridge corresponding to the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0071] When the process proceeds to S290, the CPU 61 judges whether or not the first shortage flag F11 is set, as shown in Fig. 6. If the first shortage flag F11 is cleared, the CPU 61 proceeds to S310. On the other hand, if the first shortage flag F11 is set, the CPU 61 transmits a first cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S300, and proceeds to S310.

[0072] In S310, the CPU 61 judges whether the second shortage flag F12 is set. If the second shortage flag F12 is cleared, the CPU 61 proceeds to S330. On the other hand, if the second shortage flag F12 is set, the CPU 61 transmits a second cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S320 and proceeds to S330.

[0073] In S330, the CPU 61 judges whether the third shortage flag F13 is set. If the third shortage flag F13 is cleared, the CPU 61 proceeds to S350. On the other hand, if the third shortage flag F13 is set, the CPU 61 transmits a third cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S340 and proceeds to S350.

[0074] When the process proceeds to S350, the CPU 61 checks whether the fourth shortage flag F14 is set. Here, if the fourth shortage flag F14 is cleared, the CPU 61 proceeds to S370. On the other hand, if the fourth shortage flag F14 is set, the CPU 61 transmits a fourth cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S360, and proceeds to S370.

[0075] In S370, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the first service incompatibility flag F1, the second service incompatibility flag F2, the third service incompatibility flag F3, and the fourth service incompatibility flag F4 are all cleared.

[0076] If the first to fourth service incompatibility flags F1 to F4 are cleared, the CPU 61 starts a billing service for billing the service target account in S380 and proceeds to S410. On the other hand, if at least one of the first to fourth service incompatibility flags F1 to F4 is set, the CPU 61 determines in S390 whether all of the first service incompatibility flag F1, the second service incompatibility flag F2, the third service incompatibility flag F3 and the fourth service incompatibility flag F4 are set.

[0077] Here, if the first to fourth service incompatibility flags F1 to F4 are set, the CPU 61 proceeds to S410. On the other hand, if at least one of the first to fourth service incompatibility flags F1 to F4 is cleared, the PU 61 starts a billing service for billing the service target account in S400, and proceeds to S410.

[0078] In S410, the CPU 61 clears all of the first to fourth service incompatibility flags F1 to F4 and the eleventh to fourteenth shortage flags F11 to F14, and ends the service start process.

[0079] (4) Effects The management program 62a configured in this manner is configured to cause the control unit 51 provided in the service server 4 of the management system 1 configured to be able to communicate with the printer 3 and the service server 4 to execute a first receiving process, a second receiving process, a cartridge determination process, a first shipping process, a shipping determination process, and a second shipping process. The printer 3 is equipped with first, second, third, and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d that contain cyan, magenta, yellow, and black color materials.

[0080] The first reception process receives a service start request for requesting the printer 3 to start a printing service including a shipping service for shipping the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d. The second reception process receives from the printer 3 cartridge type information indicating the types of the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d attached to the printer 3, and consumable remaining amount information indicating the remaining amounts of color materials in the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d.

[0081] When a service start request is received, the cartridge determination process determines whether or not the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d mounted in the printer 3 are service compatible cartridges based on the received cartridge type information.

[0082] In the first shipping process, when it is determined that the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d mounted in the printer 3 are not service compatible cartridges, first to fourth cartridge shipping instructions instructing the shipping of the first to fourth service dedicated cartridges are sent to the shipping server 5. In this way, cartridge shipping corresponding to each of the first to fourth cartridge shipping instructions is performed. The first shipping process includes preparation processing for shipping, ordering processing, and the like.

[0083] The shipping judgment process is performed when the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d installed in the printer 3 are If it is determined that the cartridge is a service compatible cartridge, it is determined whether or not the first to fourth remaining amount insufficiency conditions set in advance are met based on the received consumables remaining amount information.

[0084] In the second shipping process, when it is determined that the first to fourth remaining amount shortage conditions are met, first to fourth cartridge shipping instructions instructing the shipping of the first to fourth service-only cartridges are sent to the shipping server 5. In this way, cartridges are shipped in accordance with the first to fourth cartridge shipping instructions, respectively. The second shipping process includes a process of preparing for shipping, an order process, and the like.

[0085] As a result, when the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d installed in the printer 3 are service compatible cartridges, the management program 62a can prevent the first to fourth service compatible cartridges from being shipped until it becomes necessary to replace the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d installed in the printer 3. As a result, the management program 62a can prevent the user of the printer 3 from ending up with extra cartridges.

[0086] Furthermore, even if the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d installed in the printer 3 are service cartridges, when the remaining amount of color material in the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d becomes low, the management program 62a can automatically ship the first to fourth service-only cartridges to the user of the printer 3. As a result, the management program 62a can cause the service server 4 to make a shipping decision as to whether or not to ship the service cartridges. Therefore, the management program 62a can eliminate the need for the user of the printer 3 to make the shipping decision, thereby improving the convenience of the user of the printer 3.

[0087] In addition, commercially available cartridges that can be purchased at a store, bundled cartridges that are included with the printer 3, and service-only cartridges that are exclusive to the printing service can be installed in the printer 3. The service-compatible cartridges are the bundled cartridges and the service-only cartridges. Because the bundled cartridges are service-compatible cartridges, the user of the printer 3 can use the printer 3 with the printing service started without waiting for the arrival of the service-only cartridge.

[0088] Furthermore, the management program 62a is configured to cause the control unit 51 to further execute a first charging start process. The first charging start process starts a charging service for charging for printing by the printer 3 when it is determined that all of the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d installed in the printer 3 are service-compatible cartridges. This allows the management program 62a to start the charging service at an appropriate time for use of the printer 3 using service-compatible cartridges of all colors.

[0089] Furthermore, the management program 62a is configured to cause the control unit 51 to further execute a second charging start process. The second charging start process starts a charging service for charging for printing by the printer 3 when it is determined that some of the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d installed in the printer 3 are service-compatible cartridges. This allows the management program 62a to start a charging service at an appropriate time for use of the printer 3 using some of the service-compatible cartridges of the colors.

[0090] The management program 62a is also configured to cause the control unit 51 to execute a full shipping process. The full shipping process is a process for sending the first to fourth service-only cartridges 37a to 37d to the printer 3 when it is determined that none of the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d are service-compatible cartridges. An all-cartridge shipping instruction instructing the shipping of the cartridges is transmitted to the shipping server 5. This allows the management program 62a to ship all the service-compatible cartridges of all colors at once, thereby improving the efficiency of the shipping process.

[0091] In the embodiment described above, the printer 3 corresponds to a printing device, and the service server 4 corresponds to a management device. The first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d correspond to the cartridge and the color material cartridge, and the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d mounted in the printer 3 correspond to the mounted cartridge and the mounted color material cartridge.

[0092] Moreover, S10 corresponds to a first reception process and a first reception step, and S20 corresponds to a second reception process and a second reception step. Moreover, S30, S40, S70, S80, S110, S120, S150, and S160 correspond to a cartridge determination process, a cartridge determination step, a color material cartridge determination process, and a color material cartridge determination step.

[0093] Moreover, S210 to S280 correspond to a first shipping process and a first shipping step, S50, S60, S90, S100, S130, S140, S170, and S180 correspond to a shipping decision process and a shipping decision step, and S290 to S360 correspond to a second shipping process and a second shipping step.

[0094] Moreover, the cartridge type information corresponds to color material cartridge type information, the consumables remaining amount information corresponds to cartridge remaining amount information and color material cartridge remaining amount information, and the first, second, third and fourth remaining amount shortage conditions correspond to shipping conditions.

[0095] Moreover, S370 and S380 correspond to a first charging start process, S370, S390, and S400 correspond to a second charging start process, and S190 and S200 correspond to a full shipping process. Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0096] For example, in the above embodiment, the service server 4 is one physical server. However, the service server 4 may be composed of multiple physical servers. The service server 4 may be composed of at least one of multiple virtual servers constructed by dividing one physical server by virtualization software.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the first to fourth remaining amount insufficiency conditions are conditions in which the remaining amounts of color material in the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d are equal to or less than the first to fourth insufficiencies. However, the time until the remaining amount of color material reaches 0 may be calculated based on the decreasing tendency of the remaining amounts of color material in the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d, and it may be determined that the first to fourth remaining amount insufficiency conditions are met if this time is short.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the printing device of the present disclosure is the printer 3. However, the printing device of the present disclosure includes a multifunction machine, a copier, and a facsimile machine having a scanner function for reading an image from a document. The printing device is not limited to an inkjet printer, but also includes a laser printer and an LED printer. An LED printer refers to a printer in which a means for exposing a photoconductor is an LED head. In this case, the color material is a toner.

[0099] In the above embodiment, multiple functions of one component may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component. Alternatively, one function that is realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0100] In addition to the above-mentioned service server 4, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system including the service server 4 as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as the service server 4, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, and a management method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] Reference Signs List 1: management system, 2: terminal device, 3: printer, 4: service server, 37a: first cartridge, 37b: second cartridge, 37c: third cartridge, 37d: fourth cartridge, 51: control unit, 52: communication unit, 62a: management program

Claims

1. A control unit of a management device in which a printing device in which a cartridge containing a color material is mounted and a management device are configured to be able to communicate with each other, a first receiving process for receiving a service start request for requesting the printing device to start a shipping service for shipping the cartridge; a second receiving process for receiving, from the printing device, cartridge type information indicating a type of the mounted cartridge, which is the cartridge mounted in the printing device, and cartridge remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of the color material in the cartridge; a cartridge determination process for determining, upon receiving the service start request, whether or not the mounted cartridge is a service compatible cartridge that is a cartridge that corresponds to the shipping service, based on the received cartridge type information; a first shipping process for shipping the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the cartridge determination process that the mounted cartridge is not the service compatible cartridge; a shipping determination process for determining whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the mounted cartridge needs to be replaced is established based on the received cartridge remaining amount information when the mounted cartridge is determined to be the service compatible cartridge in the cartridge determination process; a second shipping process for shipping the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination process that the shipping condition is met; A management program that is configured to run

2. 2. The management program according to claim 1, a commercially available cartridge which is the cartridge that can be purchased at a store, a packaged cartridge which is the cartridge that is packaged with the printing device, and a service-only cartridge which is the cartridge exclusively used for the delivery service are mountable on the printing device; The service cartridge is the bundled cartridge and the dedicated service cartridge.

3. a communication unit configured to communicate with a printing device in which the cartridge containing the coloring material is mounted; A control unit configured to control the communication unit; A management device comprising: The control unit is a first receiving process for receiving a service start request for requesting the printing device to start a shipping service for shipping the cartridge; a second receiving process for receiving, from the printing device, cartridge type information indicating a type of the mounted cartridge, which is the cartridge mounted in the printing device, and cartridge remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of the color material in the cartridge; a cartridge determination process for determining, upon receiving the service start request, whether or not the mounted cartridge is a service compatible cartridge that is a cartridge that corresponds to the shipping service, based on the received cartridge type information; a first shipping process for shipping the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the cartridge determination process that the mounted cartridge is not the service compatible cartridge; a shipping determination process for determining whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the mounted cartridge needs to be replaced is established based on the received cartridge remaining amount information when the mounted cartridge is determined to be the service compatible cartridge in the cartridge determination process; a second shipping process for shipping the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination process that the shipping condition is met; 2. A management device configured to execute the

4. A management system configured to be capable of communicating with a management device and a printing device in which a cartridge containing a color material is mounted, The control unit of the management device a first receiving process for receiving a service start request for requesting the printing device to start a shipping service for shipping the cartridge; a second receiving process for receiving, from the printing device, cartridge type information indicating a type of the mounted cartridge, which is the cartridge mounted in the printing device, and cartridge remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of the color material in the cartridge; a cartridge determination process for determining, upon receiving the service start request, whether or not the mounted cartridge is a service compatible cartridge that is a cartridge that corresponds to the shipping service, based on the received cartridge type information; a first shipping process for shipping the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the cartridge determination process that the mounted cartridge is not the service compatible cartridge; a shipping determination process for determining whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the mounted cartridge needs to be replaced is established based on the received cartridge remaining amount information when the mounted cartridge is determined to be the service compatible cartridge in the cartridge determination process; a second shipping process for shipping the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination process that the shipping condition is met; A management system that is configured to run

5. A management method executed by a management device of a management system configured to be capable of communicating with a printing device in which a cartridge containing a color material is installed, the management method comprising: a first receiving step of receiving a service start request for requesting the start of a shipping service for shipping the cartridge to the printing device; a second receiving step of receiving, from the printing device, cartridge type information indicating a type of the mounted cartridge, which is the cartridge mounted in the printing device, and cartridge remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of the color material in the cartridge; a cartridge determination step of determining, upon receiving the service start request, whether or not the mounted cartridge is a service compatible cartridge that is a cartridge that corresponds to the shipping service, based on the received cartridge type information; a first shipping step of shipping the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the cartridge determination step that the mounted cartridge is not the service compatible cartridge; a shipping determination step of determining, when it is determined in the cartridge determination step that the mounted cartridge is the service compatible cartridge, whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the mounted cartridge needs to be replaced is established based on the received cartridge remaining amount information; a second shipping step of shipping the service compatible cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination step that the shipping condition is met; A management method comprising:

6. A management system is configured so that a management device can communicate with a printing device in which a plurality of color material cartridges having different colors of color materials are mounted, the management device includes a control unit, A shipping service for shipping a plurality of the color material cartridges to the printing device is started. a first reception process for receiving a service start request; a second receiving process for receiving from the printing device color material cartridge type information indicating a type of the installed color material cartridge, which is the color material cartridge installed in the printing device, and color material cartridge remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of the color material in the color material cartridge; a color cartridge determination process for determining, when the service start request is received, whether or not the one or more mounted color cartridges are service compatible cartridges that are cartridges that correspond to the shipping service, for each of the one or more mounted color cartridges, based on the received color cartridge type information; a first delivery process for delivering the service cartridge of the color material corresponding to the installed color cartridge when the color material cartridge determination process determines that the installed color material cartridge is not the service cartridge; a shipping determination process for determining whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the installed color material cartridge needs to be replaced is established based on the received color material cartridge remaining amount information when the installed color material cartridge is determined to be the service compatible cartridge in the color material cartridge determination process; a second shipping process for shipping the service cartridge of the color material corresponding to the installed color material cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination process that the shipping condition is met; A management program that is configured to run

7. 7. The management program according to claim 6, The control unit further includes: A management program configured to execute a first charging start process that starts a charging service for charging for printing by the printing device when it is determined in the color cartridge determination process that all of the multiple installed color cartridges installed in the printing device are the service-compatible cartridges.

8. The management program according to claim 6 or 7, The control unit further includes: A management program configured to execute a second billing start process that starts a billing service that charges for printing by the printing device when the color material cartridge determination process determines that some of the multiple installed color material cartridges installed in the printing device are service-compatible cartridges.

9. The management program according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The control unit further includes: A management program configured to execute a full shipping process for shipping the service-compatible cartridges of the color material corresponding to the installed color material cartridges for all of the installed color material cartridges when the color material cartridge judgment process determines that all of the installed color material cartridges are not the service-compatible cartridges.

10. a communication unit configured to communicate with a printing device in which a plurality of color material cartridges having different colors of color materials are mounted; A control unit configured to control the communication unit; A management device comprising: The control unit is a first receiving process for receiving a service start request for requesting the start of a shipping service for shipping a plurality of the color material cartridges to the printing device; The type of the color material cartridge that is installed in the printing device a second reception process for receiving from the printing device color material cartridge type information indicating the type of the color material cartridge and color material cartridge remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the color material in the color material cartridge; a color cartridge determination process for determining, when the service start request is received, whether or not the one or more mounted color cartridges are service compatible cartridges that are cartridges that correspond to the shipping service, for each of the one or more mounted color cartridges, based on the received color cartridge type information; a first delivery process for delivering the service cartridge of the color material corresponding to the installed color cartridge when the color material cartridge determination process determines that the installed color material cartridge is not the service cartridge; a shipping determination process for determining whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the installed color material cartridge needs to be replaced is established based on the received color material cartridge remaining amount information when the installed color material cartridge is determined to be the service compatible cartridge in the color material cartridge determination process; a second shipping process for shipping the service cartridge of the color material corresponding to the installed color material cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination process that the shipping condition is met; 2. A management device configured to execute the

11. A management system configured to be capable of communicating with a management device and a printing device in which a plurality of color material cartridges having different colors of color materials are mounted, The control unit of the management device a first receiving process for receiving a service start request for requesting the start of a shipping service for shipping a plurality of the color material cartridges to the printing device; a second receiving process for receiving from the printing device color material cartridge type information indicating a type of the installed color material cartridge, which is the color material cartridge installed in the printing device, and color material cartridge remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of the color material in the color material cartridge; a color cartridge determination process for determining, when the service start request is received, whether or not the one or more mounted color cartridges are service compatible cartridges that are cartridges that correspond to the shipping service, for each of the one or more mounted color cartridges, based on the received color cartridge type information; a first delivery process for delivering the service cartridge of the color material corresponding to the installed color cartridge when the color material cartridge determination process determines that the installed color material cartridge is not the service cartridge; a shipping determination process for determining whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the installed color material cartridge needs to be replaced is established based on the received color material cartridge remaining amount information when the installed color material cartridge is determined to be the service compatible cartridge in the color material cartridge determination process; a second shipping process for shipping the service cartridge of the color material corresponding to the installed color material cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination process that the shipping condition is met; A management system that is configured to run

12. A management method executed by a management device of a management system configured to be capable of communicating with a printing device in which a plurality of color material cartridges having different colors of color materials are mounted, the management device comprising: a first receiving step of receiving a service start request for requesting the start of a shipping service for shipping a plurality of the color material cartridges to the printing device; a second receiving step of receiving from the printing device color material cartridge type information indicating a type of the installed color material cartridge, which is the color material cartridge installed in the printing device, and color material cartridge remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of the color material in the color material cartridge; When the service start request is received, the color material cartridge type information is a color material cartridge determination step of determining whether or not each of the one or more installed color material cartridges is a service compatible cartridge that is a cartridge that corresponds to the shipping service; a first delivery step of delivering the service cartridge of the color material corresponding to the installed color cartridge when it is determined in the color material cartridge determination step that the installed color material cartridge is not the service cartridge; a shipping determination step of determining whether or not a preset shipping condition indicating that the installed color material cartridge needs to be replaced is established based on the received color material cartridge remaining amount information when the installed color material cartridge is determined to be the service compatible cartridge in the color material cartridge determination step; a second shipping step of shipping the service cartridge of the color material corresponding to the installed color material cartridge when it is determined in the shipping determination step that the shipping condition is met; A management method comprising:

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