Recording device, communication device, and program

Abstract

To receive information from a server surely.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: mounting means on which consumables can be mounted; requesting means that requests a service system to transmit service relevant information concerning the consumables mounted on the mounting means, through communication means; receiving means that receives the service relevant information transmitted by the server system in response to the request by the requesting means, through the communication means; determining means that when a state of the communication means is transited from a first state where the means cannot communicate with the server system to a second state where the means can communicate with the server system, determines whether or not the request for the service relevant information by the requesting means is necessary on the basis of a history of reception of the service relevant information by the receiving means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device, a communication device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a system in which a server manages consumables used in a printer, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a management server determines whether a toner container installed in an image forming device can be used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-17940 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above conventional technology, it may take a relatively long time from when the image forming device inquires of the management server about the availability of the toner container until it receives a response. If the image forming device and the management server cannot communicate during that time because the image forming device is turned off, for example, the image forming device may not be able to receive a response from the management server.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for reliably acquiring information from a server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, A mounting means capable of mounting a consumable item; A communication means capable of communicating with a server system that provides a predetermined service; The consumables attached to the attachment means are The identification information of the consumables a requesting means for requesting service-related information from the server system; In response to a request by the request means via the communication means The service-related information identified based on the identification information is transmitted from the server system. A receiving means for receiving the signal; an acquisition means for acquiring a reception history indicating whether the service-related information has been received from a storage means for storing the reception history; When the state of the communication means changes from a first state in which communication with the server system is not possible to a second state in which communication with the server system is possible, The information acquired by the acquisition means and a determination means for determining whether or not the request means needs to request the service-related information based on a reception history. A recording device is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably obtain information from a server. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a consumables management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a service operation mode using a consumables management system. [Diagram 3] 1A is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a recording apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a connection between a consumables mounting unit and an ink cartridge. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a management server. [Diagram 5] 6A to 6C are flowcharts showing an example of control by a management server. [Figure 6] 6A to 6D are flowcharts showing an example of control of the recording apparatus. [Figure 7] 6A and 6B are flowcharts showing detailed control of the recording device. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing detailed control of the recording device 1. [Figure 9] 4A to 4C are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of data stored in a storage unit of a recording device. [Figure 10]6A to 6C are sequence charts showing the flow of operations of a recording device and a management server in a type determination process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] <1. Consumables Management System SY> <1.1. Overall structure> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a consumables management system SY according to an embodiment. The consumables management system SY includes a recording device 1, a management server 2, and a host device 3. The recording device 1 and the host device 3 are installed in a user's office or the like, and are connected to each other via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. The management server 2 is installed in an office or the like of a provider of an automatic consumables delivery service, which will be described later, and is connected to the recording device 1 via a network NW such as the Internet. Note that the communication method via the network NW described above is merely an example, and other communication methods can be adopted as appropriate.

[0011] The recording device 1 receives print job data including image data from the host device 3, and records an image on a recording medium based on the received data. In this embodiment, the recording device 1 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record an image. However, the recording method of the recording device 1 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an electrophotographic printer. Furthermore, the recording device 1 may be a multifunction device equipped with a scanner or the like, and may record an image based on image data of a document read by the scanner.

[0012] <1.2. Operational form of the consumables management system SY> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a service operation form using the consumables management system SY. Here, an outline of an operation form of a consumables automatic delivery service of an ink cartridge 5 (see FIG. 3(b)), which is a consumable installed in a recording device 1, using the consumables management system SY is illustrated. The recording device 1 transmits information about the consumables to the management server 2 via the network NW. When the management server 2 receives information about the consumables from the recording device 1, it judges whether the consumables are subject to the consumables automatic delivery service. Then, it may judge whether a new ink cartridge 5 needs to be delivered depending on the usage status of the consumables. It may also judge whether an additional fee is required. The service provider of the consumables automatic delivery service sends the ink cartridge 5, which is a consumable, to the contractor based on the judgment result of the management server 2. With this operation form, when the ink cartridge 5 needs to be replaced, a new ink cartridge 5 is delivered to the contractor. Therefore, the contractor can use the recording device 1 continuously without having to wait for the delivery of the consumables. The management server 2 can be connected to multiple recording devices 1 (recording device 1A, recording device 1B) and manages automatic delivery to multiple subscribers (subscriber A, subscriber B).

[0013] For example, the automatic delivery service may be a subscription service that allows a subscriber to use the automatically delivered ink cartridges 5 without additional charge until the number of sheets printed by the recording device 1 reaches a specified number by paying a fixed monthly amount. Also, for example, the automatic delivery service may be a pay-as-you-go service in which the subscriber pays a fee according to the number of ink cartridges 5 delivered automatically. Note that the service to which this embodiment can be applied is not limited to the automatic delivery service. For example, it may be a service in which points are given to the subscriber according to the number of ink cartridges 5 used by the subscriber. In this case, the points given to the subscriber may be managed in the management server 2. Also, the consumables are not limited to those that are automatically delivered, and may be those that the user purchased individually as long as they are consumables that are eligible for the service.

[0014] <2. Recording device 1> <2.1. Hardware configuration> Fig. 3(a) is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the recording device 1. The recording device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a recording unit 13, a storage unit 14, a reading unit 15, and a consumables mounting unit 16. Note that the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 3(a) is an example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0015] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 that performs overall control of the recording device 1, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 that serves as a main storage device for storing temporary data during control, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113 in which a control program is stored. For example, the CPU 111 reads out a program stored in the ROM 113 into the RAM 112 and executes the program, thereby realizing various functions related to the recording device 1. In other words, information processing by software stored in the ROM 113 is specifically realized by the CPU 111, which is an example of hardware, so that the control unit 11 can execute each function.

[0016] At least a part of the functions realized by the control unit 11 may be realized by a known semiconductor device such as a programmable logic device (PLD) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Although the control unit 11 is shown here as a single element, the control unit 11 may be divided into two or more elements as necessary.

[0017] The communication unit 12 is a communication interface between the recording device 1 and an external device. For example, the control unit 11 receives print job data including image data from the host device 3 via the communication unit 12. The control unit 11 also transmits and receives information to and from the management server 2 via the communication unit 12. Note that, in this embodiment, a wireless LAN is used as a means for connecting the communication unit 12 to the network NW, but other communication methods may be used.

[0018] The recording unit 13 records an image on a recording medium. For example, the control unit 11 causes the recording unit 13 to record an image based on print job data received from the host device 3 via the communication unit 12.

[0019] The storage unit 14 stores various information. For example, the control unit 11 stores information received from the management server 2 in the storage unit 14. In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 is configured with a flash ROM, which is a non-volatile memory. Note that the storage unit 14 may be any other storage element as long as it is a non-volatile memory.

[0020] The reading unit 15 reads information about the ink cartridge 5 as a consumable item that is mounted in the consumable item mounting unit 16 .

[0021] <2.2. Consumables mounting section 16> 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing a connection state between the consumables mounting unit 16 and the ink cartridges 5. In this embodiment, a black cartridge 51 and a color cartridge 52, which are examples of the ink cartridges 5, are detachably attached to the consumables mounting unit 16, one each.

[0022] When the black cartridge 51 is mounted in the consumable mounting portion 16, the connection socket 163 of the consumable mounting portion 16 and the connection terminal 511 of the black cartridge 51 are electrically connected. At this time, the control portion 11 can control the reading portion 15 to read out the information written in the nonvolatile memory 512 of the black cartridge 51. Similarly, when the color cartridge 52 is mounted in the consumable mounting portion 16, the connection socket 164 and the connection terminal 521 are electrically connected. Thus, the control portion 11 can control the reading portion 15 to read out the information written in the nonvolatile memory 522. In this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 512 and the nonvolatile memory 522 store identification information (hereinafter, referred to as a cartridge ID) capable of identifying the individual black cartridge 51 and the color cartridge 52, respectively, as information related to the consumables.

[0023] The control unit 11 and management server 2 can use the cartridge ID to identify each individual ink cartridge 5 mounted in the recording device 1. There is no limit to the number or type of ink cartridges 5 mounted in the consumables mounting unit 16. For example, the consumables mounting unit 16 may be configured to be capable of mounting four types of ink cartridges, namely cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Furthermore, the consumables mounting unit 16 may be configured to be capable of mounting two or more cartridges of the same type (for example, black cartridge 51).

[0024] It is possible to change the manner in which the reading unit 15 reads the cartridge ID. For example, the ink cartridge 5 may be provided with a barcode, a QR code (registered trademark), an IC tag, or the like that includes the cartridge ID as information, and the reading unit 15 may be a reader that can read these.

[0025] <3. Management Server 2> 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the management server 2. The management server 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage unit .

[0026] The control unit 21 includes a CPU 211 that controls the management server 2 in an integrated manner, a RAM 212 as a main storage device that stores temporary data during control, and a hard disk drive 213 in which a control program is stored. For example, the CPU 111 reads out a program stored in the hard disk drive 213 into the RAM 212 and executes it, thereby realizing various functions related to the management server 2. That is, the information processing by the software stored in the hard disk drive 213 is specifically realized by the CPU 211, which is an example of hardware, so that the control unit 21 can execute each function. Note that, although an example in which the management server 2 in this example is configured by one server device (information processing device) will be described, the present embodiment is not limited to this. A configuration in which a plurality of server devices on the cloud work together to execute each function may be used. That is, the management server 2 may be configured by a plurality of server devices. In this disclosure, a configuration consisting of one server device or a plurality of server devices is also called a server system.

[0027] The communication unit 22 is a communication interface between the management server 2 and an external device. For example, the control unit 21 communicates with a number of recording devices 1 via the communication unit 22. Note that, in this embodiment, a wired LAN is used as a means for connecting the communication unit 22 to the network NW, but other communication methods may be used.

[0028] The storage unit 23 stores various information related to the automatic delivery service. In this embodiment, the storage unit 23 is configured as a hard disk drive, but other configurations can also be appropriately adopted.

[0029] <4. Control example> <4.1. Example of control of management server 2> Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 5(c) are flowcharts showing an example of control of the management server 2. The behavior of the management server 2 in the consumables automatic delivery service of this embodiment will be described below. Each of the flowcharts in Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 5(c) is realized by the CPU 211 reading a program stored in the hard disk drive 213 into the RAM 212 and executing it. In addition, in the management server 2, when the communication unit 22 receives a command from the recording device 1 or another client device (for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer), the control unit 21 executes processing according to the command. Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 5(c) show the processing performed by the control unit 21 when each command is received. In the following description, each step is simply represented as S511, etc.

[0030] FIG. 5(a) is a flowchart showing a process (cartridge registration process) for pre-registering the cartridge ID of an ink cartridge 5 to be delivered to a contractor. This flowchart is executed by the control unit 21 based on receipt of a cartridge registration command by the communication unit 22. In this embodiment, the cartridge registration command is a command for storing in the storage unit 23 the cartridge ID of an ink cartridge 5 to be automatically delivered to a contractor. For example, the cartridge registration command is automatically issued by a cartridge production management server (not shown). Alternatively, for example, the cartridge registration command may be manually issued by a cartridge inventory manager from an arbitrary client device.

[0031] At S511, the control unit 21 receives an arbitrary number of cartridge IDs via the communication unit 22. At S512, the control unit 21 stores the received cartridge IDs in the storage unit 23. At this time, the control unit 21 stores the cartridge ID in association with information about the contractor at the delivery destination, or information about the recording device 1 used by the contractor (such as identification information for the recording device 1). Through the above processing, the management server 2 can store information about cartridges to be automatically delivered.

[0032] The consumables automatic delivery service, which will be described in detail later, checks whether the ink cartridge 5 installed in the contractor's recording device 1 is one provided by this service (an ink cartridge covered (supported) by this service). The management server 2 can perform such a check by executing the cartridge registration process in advance.

[0033] Fig. 5(b) is a flowchart showing the type determination process for the ink cartridge 5 installed in the recording device 1. This flowchart is executed by the control unit 21 based on the communication unit 22 receiving a cartridge type determination command issued by the recording device 1. In this embodiment, the cartridge type command is a command for determining whether or not the cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 installed in the recording device 1 is one that has been stored in the storage unit 23 by the cartridge registration process shown in Fig. 5(a).

[0034] In S521, the control unit 21 receives, from the recording device 1, the cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 attached to the recording device 1 via the communication unit 22. In this embodiment, the number of cartridge IDs received is one per command, but the control unit 21 may receive multiple cartridge IDs per command.

[0035] In S522, the control unit 21 searches for the cartridge ID received in S521. As an example, the cartridge registration process in Fig. 5(a) checks whether the information about the recording device 1 that sent the cartridge type command and the cartridge ID received in S521 are associated and stored in the storage unit 14. If these are associated and stored in 14, the control unit 21 may recognize that the cartridge ID received in S521 is registered in the storage unit 14.

[0036] S523 is a conditional branch based on the search result of S522. If the cartridge ID is registered in the storage unit 23, the control unit 21 proceeds to S524, and if the cartridge ID is not registered in the storage unit 23, the control unit 21 proceeds to S525.

[0037] In S524, the control unit 21 transmits, via the communication unit 22, to the recording device 1 a response indicating that the cartridge corresponds to an automatic delivery cartridge that is eligible for the automatic delivery service (hereinafter, referred to as an automatic delivery cartridge), and ends the flow chart.

[0038] On the other hand, if the process proceeds from S523 to S525, the control unit 21 transmits a response to the recording device 1 via the communication unit 22 to the effect that the cartridge does not correspond to an automatically delivered cartridge, and the flow chart ends.

[0039] Through the above process, the management server 2 can determine whether or not the ink cartridge 5 installed in the recording device 1 corresponds to an automatically delivered cartridge, and notify the recording device 1 of this.

[0040] 5(c) is a flowchart showing the process of determining whether or not delivery of the ink cartridge 5 is necessary. This flowchart is executed by the control unit 21 based on the fact that the communication unit 22 has received a cartridge delivery determination command issued by the recording device 1. The cartridge delivery determination command is a command for requesting delivery of the ink cartridge 5 depending on the status of the recording device 1 or the ink cartridge 5.

[0041] In S531, the control unit 21 receives information about the status of the recording device 1 from the recording device 1 via the communication unit 22. The information about the status of the recording device 1 may include, for example, whether or not an automatically delivered ink cartridge 5 is installed. The information about the status of the recording device 1 may also include the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 5 installed in the recording device 1.

[0042] In S532, the control unit 21 refers to the information regarding the status of the recording device 1 received in S531 and determines whether or not delivery of the ink cartridge 5 is required. For example, if an automatically delivered ink cartridge 5 is installed in the recording device 1, the remaining ink level in the ink cartridge 5 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and a delivery request has not yet been made, it may be determined that delivery of the ink cartridge 5 is required.

[0043] S533 is a conditional branch based on the result of the determination in S532. If the control unit 21 determines in S532 that delivery of the ink cartridge 5 is required, the process proceeds to S534, and if the control unit 21 determines in S532 that delivery of the ink cartridge 5 is not required, the process ends the flowchart.

[0044] In S534, the control unit 21 transmits information requesting delivery of the ink cartridge 5 through the communication unit 22, and ends the flowchart. In this embodiment, the transmission destination is a cartridge order management server (not shown). For example, the cartridge order management server manages delivery destination information for consumables, and when it receives a delivery request for the ink cartridge 5 from the management server 2, it arranges for the ink cartridge 5 to be delivered to the delivery destination of the target contractor. Note that the transmission destination in S534 is not limited to the cartridge order management server.

[0045] Through the above process, the management server 2 can place an order for the ink cartridge 5 to be delivered to the user of the recording device 1 for which a replacement ink cartridge 5 is required.

[0046] The behavior of the management server 2 shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) enables the ink cartridges 5 to be automatically delivered to the user of the recording device 1 using the automatic delivery service, with just the right amount of ink cartridges 5 being delivered.

[0047] <4.2. Control example of recording device 1> Figures 6(a) to 6(d) are flowcharts showing an example of control of the recording device 1. The following describes the behavior of the recording device 1 in the consumables automatic delivery service of this embodiment. For example, after a user of the recording device 1 operates the recording device 1, the control unit 11 performs the processes shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(d).

[0048] FIG. 6A is a flow chart showing the process executed by the control unit 11 when the user starts up the recording device 1 by turning on the power.

[0049] In S611, the control unit 11 performs a cartridge recognition process. The cartridge recognition process is a process in which the reading unit 15 reads the cartridge ID from the ink cartridge 5 mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16. Details will be described later.

[0050] In S612, the control unit 11 performs device status transmission processing. In this embodiment, the device status transmission processing is processing for notifying the management server 2 of the status of the recording device 1. Note that, as will be described in detail later, this processing includes processing for transmitting a cartridge delivery determination command to the management server 2. In other words, the management server 2 executes the flowchart of FIG. 5(c) based on the processing of S612 by the control unit 11.

[0051] In S613, the control unit 11 performs a cartridge type determination process. In this embodiment, the cartridge type determination process is a process of transmitting a cartridge type determination command to the management server 2 if necessary, and receiving information as to whether or not the cartridge corresponds to an automatic delivery cartridge (hereinafter referred to as automatic delivery applicability information) as a response. Details will be described later. This flowchart ends when S613 ends. Note that the recording device 1 may be configured to be operable by the user even while the control unit 11 is executing the processes of S612 and S613.

[0052] The automatic delivery applicable / inapplicable information can be said to be information as to whether or not the ink cartridge 5, which is an example of a consumable, was provided (subject to the service) based on a contract for the use of the recording device 1. Moreover, the contract for the use of the recording device 1 can be said to be a contract for the delivery of the ink cartridge 5, which is an example of a consumable installed in the recording device 1. If the service is a service for providing points, in S613 the control unit 11 receives, as a response, information from the management server 2 indicating whether or not the ink cartridge is subject to a service for providing points by using the ink cartridge 5.

[0053] 6(b) is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the control unit 11 when the user replaces the ink cartridge 5 of the recording device 1 and installs it in the consumable mounting unit 16. Steps S621 to S623 are the same as steps S611 to S613, respectively. Note that the recording device 1 may be configured to be operable by the user even while the control unit 11 is executing the processing of S622 and S623.

[0054] Fig. 6(c) is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the control unit 11 after the recording device 1 receives image data from the host device 3 and the recording unit 13 records an image on a recording medium. S631 and S632 are the same processing as S612 and S612, respectively. Here, since the mounting state of the ink cartridge 5 in the consumable mounting unit 16 does not change, the control unit 11 omits the cartridge recognition processing corresponding to S611 in Fig. 6(a). Note that even while the flowchart shown in Fig. 6(c) is being executed, the recording device 1 can receive image data from the host device 3 and record an image on a recording medium by the recording unit 13.

[0055] FIG. 6(d) is a flowchart showing the process performed by the control unit 11 when the recording device 1 is unable to communicate with the management server 2 after it is started and then becomes able to communicate again. The cause of the recording device 1 being unable to communicate with the management server 2 is, for example, a temporary interruption of the wireless LAN connection between the communication unit 12 and the network NW. S641 and S642 are the same processes as S612 and S612, respectively. Even while the flowchart shown in FIG. 6(d) is being executed, the recording device 1 can receive image data from the host device 3 and record the image on the recording medium by the recording unit 13. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 6(d) is executed when the recording device 1 itself is started and the recording device 1 transitions from a state in which it is unable to communicate with the management server 2 to a state in which it is able to communicate. Therefore, when the recording device 1 becomes able to communicate with the management server 2 at the time of starting up (power on), the control unit 11 executes the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0056] Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 8 are flowcharts showing detailed control of the recording device 1. Also, Figures 9(a) to 9(c) are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of data stored in the storage unit 14 of the recording device 1.

[0057] In addition, in Figures 9(a) to 9(c), the reception history "TRUE" indicates that the cartridge identified by the target cartridge ID has received automatic delivery applicability information. Furthermore, the reception history "FALSE" indicates that the cartridge identified by the target cartridge ID has not yet received automatic delivery applicability information. Furthermore, the automatic delivery applicability "TRUE" indicates that the cartridge identified by the target cartridge ID is an automatic delivery cartridge. Furthermore, the automatic delivery applicability "FALSE" indicates that the cartridge identified by the target cartridge ID is not an automatic delivery cartridge.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the memory unit 14 stores the cartridge ID (information relating to consumables) in association with service-related information. The memory unit 14 is capable of storing a plurality of such associated records. The memory unit 14 is capable of storing, as the service-related information, information (reception history) indicating whether the recording device 1 has received automatic delivery applicable / invalid information. The memory unit 14 is also capable of storing, as the service-related information, automatic delivery applicable / invalid information for the target ink cartridge 5. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 performs storage control for the storage of automatic delivery applicable / invalid information by the memory unit 14.

[0059] In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 manages information separately for the black cartridge 51 and the color cartridge 52. That is, a database for managing information about the black cartridge 51 and a database for managing information about the color cartridge 52 are constructed separately in the storage unit 14. The configuration of the storage unit 14 is not limited to this, and for example, information about a plurality of types of ink cartridges 5 may be managed collectively. Below, the process performed by the control unit 11 of the recording device 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7(a) to 9.

[0060] FIG. 7A is a flow chart showing the cartridge recognition process, that is, a specific process of S611 in FIG. 6A.

[0061] In S711, the control unit 11 reads the cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16. For example, the control unit 11 reads out the cartridge ID stored in the non-volatile memory 512 of the black cartridge 51 and the non-volatile memory 522 of the color cartridge 52 by the reading unit 15. The control unit 11 stores the cartridge ID read by the reading unit 15 in the RAM 112.

[0062] In S712, the control unit 11 searches the storage unit 14 to see if the cartridge ID read and stored in the RAM 112 in S711 is stored therein.

[0063] S713 is a conditional branch based on the search result of S712. If the cartridge ID read in S711 is not stored in the storage unit 14, i.e., if the ID is not registered, the control unit 11 proceeds to S714. On the other hand, if the cartridge ID read in S711 is stored in the storage unit 14, i.e., if the ID is registered, the control unit 11 ends the flowchart.

[0064] In S714, the control unit 11 stores (registers) the cartridge ID read in S711 in the storage unit 14. After that, the control unit 11 ends the flow chart.

[0065] Next, an example of the flow of registering a cartridge ID will be described based on the flowchart in Fig. 7(a). In the following description, it is assumed that the data on the black cartridge 51 stored in the memory unit 14 is in the state shown in Fig. 9(a). In the following description, it is assumed that the flowchart in Fig. 7(a) is started when the black cartridge 51 with the cartridge ID "2000" is mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16.

[0066] First, the control unit 11 reads the cartridge ID of the black cartridge 51 mounted in the consumables mounting unit 16 by the reading unit 15 (S711). Then, the control unit 11 searches whether the read cartridge ID (2000) is stored in the memory unit 14 (S712). However, since the ID is not stored in the memory unit 14, the control unit 11 registers the cartridge ID (S713→S714). Specifically, the control unit 11 registers "2000" as the cartridge ID in a new area of ​​the memory unit 14. In this state, the recording device 1 has not received a response from the management server 2 as to whether the black cartridge 51 is an automatic delivery cartridge. Therefore, the control unit 11 stores information indicating that the reception history for the ID is "FALSE" in the memory unit 14 (FIG. 9(b)).

[0067] By the above-described process, if the cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 mounted in the consumable mounting portion 16 is not one stored in the storage portion 14, the cartridge ID can be stored in the storage portion 14.

[0068] FIG. 7B is a flow chart showing the device status transmission process, that is, a specific process of S612 in FIG. 6A.

[0069] In S721, the control unit 11 acquires whether automatic delivery is applicable. For example, the control unit 11 reads the cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16 from the RAM 112. Then, the control unit 11 acquires automatic delivery applicable / inapplicable information for the read cartridge ID from the storage unit 14. The cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 can be stored in the RAM 112 in the cartridge recognition process.

[0070] For example, assume that an ink cartridge 5 with a cartridge ID of "1000" is mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16, and the data for the ink cartridge 5 stored in the memory unit 14 is in the state shown in FIG. 9(c). In this case, the control unit 11 first obtains that the cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16 is "1000". Then, the control unit 11 determines that the ink cartridge 5 mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16 is an automatically delivered cartridge, since the automatic delivery applicability for the cartridge ID "1000" is "TRUE".

[0071] In S722, the control unit 11 acquires the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 5. The remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 5 may be estimated, for example, from the number of ink ejections (dot count) during recording by the recording unit 13. Note that the method of estimating the remaining amount of ink is not limited to this, and the remaining amount of ink may also be physically detected by a sensor or the like, for example by electrically detecting the presence or absence of ink using an electrode pin.

[0072] In S723, the control unit 11 transmits a cartridge delivery determination command to the management server 2 via the communication unit 12. At this time, the control unit 11 also transmits the automatic delivery applicability information for the ink cartridge 5 acquired in S721 to the management server 2. The control unit 11 also transmits the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 5 acquired in S722 to the management server 2. Thereafter, the control unit 11 ends the flowchart.

[0073] Here, a case will be described where an ink cartridge 5 with cartridge ID "2000" is mounted in the consumables mounting unit 16, and the data for the ink cartridge 5 stored in the memory unit 14 is in the state shown in Fig. 9(c). In this case, the control unit 11 determines in S721 that the automatic delivery applicable is "FALSE", and therefore in S723 transmits information to the management server 2 that the ink cartridge 5 mounted in the consumables mounting unit 16 is not an automatic delivery cartridge. In this case, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 determines in S532 that delivery is not required.

[0074] An example of a case in which the ink cartridge 5 does not qualify as an automatic delivery cartridge is a case in which the user of the recording device 1 has not signed up for an automatic delivery service for the ink cartridge 5. Another example is a case in which the user of the recording device 1 has signed up for an automatic delivery service, but for some reason has purchased a commercially available ink cartridge 5 and installed it in the consumable mounting unit 16. In this embodiment, in such cases, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 determines that automatic delivery of the ink cartridge 5 is not necessary.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the type determination request process, that is, S613 in FIG. 6(a).

[0076] In S801, the control unit 11 checks the reception history of the response to the type determination request. For example, the control unit 11 reads out the cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16 from the RAM 112. Then, the control unit 11 obtains from the storage unit 14 the automatic delivery applicable / inapplicable information for the read cartridge ID, i.e., the presence or absence of the reception history of the response to the type determination request.

[0077] For example, assume that an ink cartridge 5 with cartridge ID "1000" is mounted in the consumables mounting section 16, and the data for the ink cartridge 5 stored in the memory section 14 is in the state shown in Figure 9(b). At this time, for the cartridge ID "1000", it is set to "TRUE", indicating that a response to the type determination request has already been received. Therefore, the control section 11 recognizes that the ink cartridge 5 with cartridge ID "1000" has already received a response to the type determination request, i.e., there is a reception history.

[0078] Also, for example, assume that an ink cartridge 5 with cartridge ID "2000" is mounted in the consumable mounting portion 16, and the data for the ink cartridge 5 stored in the memory portion 14 is in the state shown in Fig. 9(b). At this time, the data is "FALSE", indicating that a response to the type determination request for the cartridge ID "2000" has not yet been received. Therefore, the control portion 11 recognizes that a response to the type determination request for the ink cartridge 5 with cartridge ID "2000" has not yet been received, i.e., there is no reception history.

[0079] S802 is a conditional branch based on the confirmation result of S801. If the control unit 11 determines in S801 that there is a reception history, the flow chart ends. In other words, if the response result to the type determination request has already been stored in the storage unit 14, the control unit 11 omits sending a cartridge type determination command to the management server 2 (S803). This makes it possible to reduce the load on the management server 2. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines in S801 that there is no reception history, the flow proceeds to S803.

[0080] If there is no reception history for either or both of the black cartridge 51 and the color cartridge 52, the control unit 11 may perform the processes from S803 onwards for the ink cartridge 5 with no reception history. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may execute the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 separately for the case where the black cartridge 51 is targeted and the case where the color cartridge 52 is targeted.

[0081] In S803, the control unit 11 transmits a cartridge type determination command to the management server 2 via the communication unit 12. At this time, the control unit 11 also transmits the cartridge ID of the ink cartridge 5 for which there is no reception history to the management server 2. Thereafter, in S804 to S806, the control unit 11 waits until the communication unit 12 receives a response from the management server 2 to the cartridge type determination command.

[0082] S804 is a conditional branch based on whether communication between the communication unit 12 of the recording device 1 and the management server 2 is not possible. If communication between the communication unit 12 and the management server 2 is not possible, the control unit 11 ends the flowchart. On the other hand, if communication between the communication unit 12 and the management server 2 is possible, the control unit 11 proceeds to S805.

[0083] S805 is a conditional branch based on whether the wait state after command transmission has continued for a predetermined time or more, i.e., whether a timeout has occurred. Depending on the load status of the management server 2, it may take some time from command transmission to receiving a response. For this reason, the control unit 11 repeats the processes of S804 to S806 and continues to wait for a response until a timeout occurs (for example, one minute after command transmission). If the wait state after command transmission has timed out, the control unit 11 exits the wait state and ends the flowchart. On the other hand, if the wait state after command transmission has not timed out, the control unit 11 proceeds to S806.

[0084] S806 is a conditional branch based on whether or not a response from the management server 2 has been received by the communication unit 12. If the control unit 11 has not received a response from the management server 2 by the communication unit 12, the control unit 11 returns to S804. Therefore, after S803, the control unit 11 repeats S804 to S806 until the flow chart ends due to the conditional branch of S804 or S805. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 has received a response from the management server 2 by the communication unit 12, the control unit 11 proceeds to S807.

[0085] In S807, the control unit 11 receives information regarding whether automatic delivery is applicable from the management server 2 via the communication unit 12. In this manner, the control unit 11 confirms information regarding whether automatic delivery is applicable, which is an example of service-related information regarding the consumable attached to the consumable attachment unit 16, from the management server 2 via the communication unit 12 capable of communicating with the management server 2, which is an external device.

[0086] In S808, the control unit 11 stores (registers) the information received in S807 in the storage unit 14. After that, the flow chart ends.

[0087] For example, suppose that the ink cartridge 5 with the cartridge ID "2000" is mounted in the consumable mounting section 16, and the data on the ink cartridge 5 stored in the memory section 14 is in the state shown in FIG. 9(b). Then, suppose that the communication section 12 receives information that the ink cartridge 5 does not correspond to an automatic delivery cartridge. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the control section 11 registers "FALSE" indicating that the ink cartridge does not correspond to an automatic delivery cartridge, as information related to the cartridge ID "2000", in a predetermined position in the memory section 14. In addition, the control section 11 rewrites the reception history of the cartridge ID "2000" registered in the predetermined position in the memory section 14 to "TRUE" indicating that the cartridge has been received. The control section 11 ends the flowchart after S808.

[0088] <5. Specific flow of classification request processing> 10(a) to 10(c) are sequence charts showing the flow of operations in the type determination process of the recording device 1 and the management server 2. Each sequence chart shows the flow when the recording device 1 executes the type determination request process shown in S613 of FIG. 6(a), more specifically, the flow shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0089] The consumables management system SY is configured so that the recording device 1 can reliably receive a response to a type determination request, which is an example of service-related information, from the management server 2 through the processing of the recording device 1 and management server 2 described above. The sequence charts in Fig. 10(a) to Fig. 10(c) are intended to explain that the recording device 1 can reliably receive a response from the management server 2 even if the communication unit 12 is temporarily unable to communicate with the management server 2.

[0090] Each sequence chart shows the flow when the ink cartridge 5 with the cartridge ID "2000" is mounted in the consumables mounting unit 16 and the data for the ink cartridge 5 stored in the memory unit 14 is in the state shown in Fig. 9(b). For example, when a user mounts the ink cartridge 5 in the consumables mounting unit 16 and turns on the power, the recording device 1 and management server 2 operate in the flow shown in each sequence chart after passing through the processes of S611 and S612.

[0091] The sequence chart in FIG. 10(a) shows the flow when the communication unit 12 of the recording device 1 is capable of communicating with the management server 2 continuously.

[0092] First, in S1001, the control unit 11 checks the reception history of the response to the type determination request (S801 in FIG. 8). In this case, the reception history of the ink cartridge 5 with the cartridge ID "2000" is "FALSE" (FIG. 9(b)), so in S1002 the control unit 11 sends an information request (cartridge type determination command) to the management server 2 (S803 in FIG. 8).

[0093] In S1003, the management server 2 executes a determination process for the received request. After that, in S1004, the management server 2 transmits a response according to the result of the determination process. Specifically, the management server 2 determines whether or not the cartridge ID received from the recording device 1 is the one registered by the cartridge registration process of FIG. 5(a) according to the flowchart of FIG. 5(b) (S521-S523). Then, the management server 2 transmits a response according to the determination result to the recording device 1 (S524-S525).

[0094] In S1005, the control unit 11 registers the response from the management server 2. Specifically, the reception history of the cartridge ID "2000" registered in a predetermined position in the storage unit 14 is rewritten from "FALSE" to "TRUE" indicating that the cartridge has been received. The control unit 11 also registers "FALSE" indicating that the cartridge is not an automatic delivery cartridge in a predetermined position in the storage unit 14 as information related to the cartridge ID "2000".

[0095] In this way, when the communication unit 12 can continuously communicate with the management server 2, the communication unit 12 can receive from the management server 2 a response transmission to the first information request from the control unit 11. If the recording device 1 is subsequently restarted, the recording device 1 performs the type determination process again, but because the reception history for the cartridge ID "2000" has been rewritten to "TRUE" by this process, the control unit 11 proceeds to Yes at the condition branch of S802. This prevents the information request (cartridge type determination command) from being sent again to the management server 2, thereby reducing the processing load on the management server 2.

[0096] 10(b) shows an example of a flow when the communication unit 12 of the recording device 1 becomes unable to communicate with the management server 2. For example, the communication unit 12 may become unable to communicate with the management server 2 when the power of the recording device 1 is turned off.

[0097] S1011 to S1013 are the same as S1001 to S1003. In S1014, the management server 2 transmits a response, but since the communication unit 12 is in a state where communication is not possible, the communication unit 12 cannot receive this response. After that, when the communication unit 12 returns to a state where communication is possible, for example, the type determination process of S613 is executed again in the startup process of FIG. 6(a), so the control unit 11 checks the reception history again in S1015. Here, since the communication unit 12 was unable to receive the response transmission in S1014, the reception history of the ink cartridge 5 with the cartridge ID "2000" remains "FALSE". Therefore, the control unit 11 transmits an information request to the management server 2 again in S1016 (S802 to S803 in FIG. 8). Then, in response to this information request, the management server 2 performs a determination process similar to S1013 in S1017, and transmits a response in S1018. In S1019, the control unit 11 registers the response content.

[0098] In this way, even if the communication unit 12 becomes unable to communicate when the control unit 11 makes an information request to the management server 2 and is waiting for a response, the control unit 11 makes an information request to the management server 2 again depending on whether there is a history of receiving a type determination request. Therefore, the recording device 1 can reliably receive information from the management server 2.

[0099] The sequence chart in FIG. 10(c) shows another example of the flow when the communication unit 12 of the recording device 1 becomes unable to communicate with the management server 2.

[0100] S1021 to S1023 are the same as S1001 to S1003. When the communication unit 12 returns from a non-communicable state to a communicable state, for example, the type determination process of S613 is executed again in the startup process of FIG. 6(a), so the control unit 11 checks the reception history again in S1024. At this point, the management server 2 has not transmitted a response, so the reception history of the ink cartridge 5 with the cartridge ID "2000" remains "FALSE". Therefore, the control unit 11 transmits an information request to the management server 2 again in S1025 (S802 to S803 in FIG. 8). Thereafter, in S1026, the management server 2 transmits a response to the first information request (S1022). Also, in S1027, the management server 2 performs a determination process for the second information request (S1025). In S1028, the control unit 11 registers the response content based on the response transmission (S1026) to the first information request (S1022).

[0101] After the registration, the control unit 11 receives a response transmission (S1029) to the second information request (S1025) from the management server 2, but does not register the content of the second response transmission because the response content has already been registered in the storage unit 14. This is because, for example, when the control unit 11 executes the processes shown in Figs. 6(a) to 6(d) again, the type determination request process proceeds to Yes in the conditional branch of S802. In other words, when the reception history of information about the ink cartridge 5, which is a consumable item mounted in the consumable item mounting unit 16, is stored in the storage unit 14, the control unit 11 does not store further information in the storage unit 14 even if the information is further received via the communication unit 12. This allows the control unit 11 to appropriately store service-related information in the storage unit 14.

[0102] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the state of the communication unit 12 capable of communicating with the management server 2, which is an external device, transitions from a state in which communication with the management server 2 is not possible to a state in which communication is possible, it is determined whether or not a request for the service-related information is required based on the reception history of the information. Specifically, when the communication unit 12 becomes capable of communicating with the management server 2 due to recovery from power off, etc., a type determination request process (S613, FIG. 8) is executed during the startup process (FIG. 6(a)). In this process, it is determined whether or not to send a cartridge type determination command depending on the presence or absence of a reception history of automatic delivery applicable / inapplicable information for the cartridge mounted in the consumable mounting unit 16, which is an example of service-related information (S802). Therefore, the recording device 1 can reliably receive the service-related information from the management server 2.

[0103] That is, in this embodiment, the recording device 1 is described as making an inquiry about service-related information to the management server 2 and storing the response result. According to this embodiment, even if communication with the management server 2 becomes impossible at one time, the recording device 1 can reliably receive the service-related information from the management server by making an inquiry when communication becomes possible again.

[0104] <6. Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge is exemplified as the consumable item, but other aspects can be adopted. For example, when the recording device 1 is an electrophotographic printer, the consumable item may be toner. That is, the consumable item may be a recording material other than the ink cartridge. Or, the consumable item may be a consumable item other than the recording material.

[0105] 6(a) to 8 in the above embodiment may be made executable by updating the control program of the recording device having the communication unit 12 and the consumables mounting unit 16. For example, when a service provider concludes a contract with a contractor, the service provider may update the control program of a recording device owned by the contractor or a recording device leased to the contractor. In this way, a consumables management system SY may be constructed and an automatic consumables delivery service may be operated.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the recording device 1 includes the control unit 11 and the communication unit 12, but other configurations are also possible. For example, a communication device having a control unit capable of executing the communication unit 12 and the processes shown in Fig. 6(a) to Fig. 8 may be connected to a recording device having a consumables mounting unit 16, thereby enabling the recording device to execute the above-mentioned processes. In this case, the service provider may establish a consumables management system SY and operate an automatic consumables delivery service by connecting a communication device to a recording device owned by a contracted customer or a recording device leased to a customer.

[0107] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0108] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1: recording device, 2: management server 2, 5: ink cartridge, 11: control unit, 12: communication unit, 16: consumables mounting unit, SY: consumables management system

Claims

1. A mounting means capable of mounting a consumable item; A communication means capable of communicating with a server system that provides a predetermined service; a requesting means for requesting service-related information relating to the consumable, the service-related information including identification information of the consumable attached to the attachment means, from the server system via the communication means; a receiving means for receiving, from the server system via the communication means, the service-related information specified based on the identification information in response to a request made by the requesting means; an acquisition means for acquiring a reception history indicating whether the service-related information has been received from a storage means for storing the reception history; and a determination means for determining whether or not a request for the service-related information by the request means is required based on the reception history acquired by the acquisition means when a state of the communication means transitions from a first state in which communication with the server system is not possible to a second state in which communication with the server system is possible. A recording apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, The storage means is provided in the recording device. A recording apparatus comprising:

3. 3. The recording device according to claim 2, the determination means determines to cause the request by the request means to be executed when the state of the communication means transitions from the first state to the second state and the reception history for the consumable item mounted in the mounting means indicates that the service-related information has not been received. A recording apparatus comprising:

4. A recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 3, The storage means is further capable of storing the service-related information received by the receiving means, The recording device further includes a storage control means for causing the storage means to store the service-related information received by the receiving means, when the reception history for the consumable item attached to the attachment means is stored in the storage means, even if the reception means receives the service-related information for the consumable item attached to the attachment means, the storage control means does not store the service-related information in the storage means. A recording apparatus comprising:

5. A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a reading means for reading information about the consumables attached to the attachment means, the request means requests the service-related information by transmitting the information on the consumable read by the reading means. A recording apparatus comprising:

6. 6. The recording device according to claim 5, The request means transmits information regarding the consumables mounted on the mounting means to the server system, the receiving means receives the service-related information from the server system when the information on the consumable item is registered in the server system in association with the recording device. A recording apparatus comprising:

7. A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the transition of the communication means from the first state to the second state is caused by the power of the recording device being turned on from off; A recording apparatus comprising:

8. A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The service-related information is information indicating whether the consumable item mounted in the mounting unit is eligible for the predetermined service. A recording apparatus comprising:

9. 9. The recording device according to claim 8, the predetermined service is a service related to delivery of the consumables to be installed in the recording device; A recording apparatus comprising:

10. A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the consumable is a recording material for recording an image on a recording medium; A recording apparatus comprising:

11. A communication device connectable to a recording device having a mounting means for mounting a consumable item, a requesting means for requesting service-related information relating to the consumable, including identification information of the consumable attached to the attachment means, from the server system providing a predetermined service via a communication means capable of communicating with the server system; a receiving means for receiving, from the server system via the communication means, the service-related information specified based on the identification information in response to a request made by the requesting means; an acquisition means for acquiring a reception history indicating whether the service-related information has been received from a storage means for storing the reception history; and a determination means for determining whether or not a request for the service-related information by the request means is required based on the reception history acquired by the acquisition means when a state of the communication means transitions from a first state in which communication with the server system is not possible to a second state in which communication with the server system is possible. A communication device comprising:

12. A computer of a recording device having a mounting means for mounting a consumable item and a communication means for communicating with a server system that provides a predetermined service, a requesting means for requesting service-related information relating to the consumable, the information including identification information of the consumable attached to the attachment means, from the server system via the communication means; a receiving means for receiving, from the server system via the communication means, the service-related information specified based on the identification information in response to a request by the requesting means; an acquisition means for acquiring a reception history indicating whether the service-related information has been received from a storage means for storing the reception history; a determination means for determining whether or not a request for the service-related information by the request means is required based on the reception history acquired by the acquisition means, when a state of the communication means transitions from a first state in which communication with the server system is not possible to a second state in which communication with the server system is possible; A program that functions as a means to

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