Recording apparatus, recording system, and control method

Abstract

To disclose a recording device, a recording system, and a control method that achieve a novel recording service having high convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A printer 20 of a printing system 1 performs initial introduction for causing printing operation by a printing part 23 in an initial state in which printing operation by the printing part 23 is disabled (S37), and determines whether the initial introduction has been completed normally (S49). The printer 20 makes a transition from the initial state to a state in which printing is enabled (S53, S54) on the basis of determination that the initial introduction has been completed normally (S49: YES).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, various recording devices that execute recording operations only for a set permitted recording amount have been proposed. For example, the following Patent Document 1 describes a printer equipped with a card interface means into which a memory card can be inserted. The printer described in Patent Document 1 allows a user to print only the printable number written on the memory card. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-137501 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using the above-mentioned types of printers, initial setup is performed to execute printing operations, such as filling the inkjet head with ink. If the printable number of pages on the memory card is made available to the printer before such initial setup is completed, it may be difficult to use the memory card or the information on the printable number stored on the memory card with other printers if the initial setup does not end normally. As a result, there is a risk that the convenience of the printing service may decrease.

[0005] Therefore, this specification discloses a recording device, a recording system, and a control method that realize a new recording service that is highly convenient for users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The recording device disclosed in this specification is a recording device comprising a recording unit that performs recording operations on a recording medium and a controller, wherein the controller performs an initial introduction process that performs initial introduction to cause the recording unit to perform recording operations in an initial state in which recording operations by the recording unit are not possible, a completion judgment process that judges whether the initial introduction process has been completed successfully, and a transition process that transitions the recording device from the initial state to a state in which recording operations by the recording unit can be performed within the range of the recording permission amount that allows recording operations by the recording unit, based on the judgment by the completion judgment process that the initial introduction process has been completed successfully.

[0007] Furthermore, the contents disclosed in this specification are not limited to implementation as a recording device, but may be implemented as, for example, a recording system including a recording device and a server, and may also be usefully implemented as a control method in a recording system. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the recording device, recording system, and control method configured as above, a new recording service that is highly convenient for users can be realized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of card information. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a management DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a first-time setup process according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 6 is a flowchart showing the process contents of the printer in the initial setup process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing the process contents of the printer in the initial setup process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a first-time setup process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the process contents of a printer in a first-time setup process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the process contents of a printer in a first-time setup process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Printing system 1 configuration) A printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention that embodies the recording system of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the printing system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a mobile terminal device 10, a printer 20, and a server 30. The printing system 1 provides a printing service to a user. The printing service here is a service that allows a user to print as many sheets as he or she desires by paying, for example, a purchase fee for the printer 20 or a fee for the number of printable sheets, which is the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by the printer 20.

[0011] For example, when a vendor of the printer 20 accepts an application to purchase the printer 20 from a user, the vendor delivers the printer 20 and an IC card 41, which will be described later, to the user. The number of printable sheets is stored in this IC card 41. The user can use the printer 20 by attaching the IC card 41 to the printer 20. For example, the IC card 41 may store a predetermined number of printable sheets (e.g., 2000 sheets) at the time of being sent from the vendor, or may store information of 0 (zero). After starting up the printer 20 with the IC card 41 attached, the printer 20 can use the number of printable sheets on the IC card 41 by performing the initial setup, which will be described later.

[0012] The printer 20 of this embodiment is, for example, an inkjet printer that performs color printing using an inkjet method. The printer 20 may also be an inkjet printer that performs monochrome printing. The printer 20 is also an example of a recording device of the present application. The recording device of the present application is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may also be, for example, a laser printer that performs printing using an electrophotographic method or a thermal printer that performs printing using a thermal transfer method. The recording device of the present application may also have a FAX function in addition to or instead of a printing function. In this case, the recording device may limit the number of FAX transmissions and receptions depending on the permitted number of sheets stored in the IC card 41.

[0013] The ink storage unit 23A (see FIG. 1) of the printer 20 sent from the vendor to the user is filled with an amount of ink (e.g., enough ink for 10,000 sheets) that allows printing of a predetermined number of printable sheets (e.g., 2,000 sheets) or more that is provided at the time of purchase. Therefore, in this printing service, the user does not need to take the trouble of filling the printer 20 with ink or replacing the ink storage unit 23A after purchasing the printer 20 and before printing the number of printable sheets provided by inserting the IC card 41. As a result, in the printing system 1 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to refill the printer 20 with ink, and it is possible to provide a service that is highly convenient for the user.

[0014] Furthermore, if the user continues to use the printer 20 and finds that the specified number of printable sheets (e.g., 2000 sheets) provided when the IC card 41 is inserted is insufficient, the user can pay an additional fee to purchase additional printable sheets and increase the number of printable sheets stored in the IC card 41. In the following explanation, increasing the number of printable sheets may be referred to as "charging." By charging the additional number of printable sheets, the user can continue to use the printer 20.

[0015] Furthermore, if the ink remaining in the printer 20 becomes low or runs out as a result of repeatedly charging the additional printable number, the user can request a replacement of the printer 20. In response to the user's request for replacement, the vendor will ship a replacement printer 20. By inserting the IC card 41 from the old printer 20 into the new printer 20, the user can take over the printable number and continue to use the printing service.

[0016] (Network configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a router 2. A user can operate the mobile terminal device 10 to give a print instruction to the printer 20. The communication connecting the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may be wireless communication according to a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or wired communication such as LAN. The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may be connected without going through the router 2. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may be connected by short-distance wireless communication according to a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or by wired communication using a USB cable. The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may be multiple, and multiple mobile terminal devices 10 may be connected to one printer 20. That is, there may be multiple mobile terminal devices 10 that perform printing processing and charging processing, and the printer 20 that performs printing may be selected from the multiple printers 20.

[0017] The mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a router 2 and the Internet 3. The server 30 is, for example, a server used by a vendor of the printer 20. A user can operate the mobile terminal device 10 to apply to the server 30 for the purchase of an increased number of prints or for a replacement of the printer 20.

[0018] (Configuration of mobile terminal device 10) The mobile terminal device 10 is an information processing device operated by a user, for example, a smartphone. The mobile terminal device 10 is not limited to a smartphone, and may be other information processing devices such as a tablet terminal or a PC. The mobile terminal device 10 can receive operations by a user and instruct a printer 20 to print an image on paper. The mobile terminal device 10 includes a terminal CPU 11, a terminal storage unit 12, a short-range communication unit 13, an operation display unit 14, a camera 16, and an external communication unit 17. These components are capable of communicating with each other via a bus 18.

[0019] The terminal storage unit 12 is configured by combining RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, etc. The terminal storage unit 12 stores a terminal program 12A and an application program (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an application) 12B. The terminal program 12A is a program that comprehensively controls the mobile terminal device 10, and provides basic functions and services to the application 12B. The terminal program 12A is, for example, Android (registered trademark) OS or iOS (registered trademark). The application 12B is, for example, a program provided by the vendor of the printer 20, and is a program that uses the functions of the terminal program 12A, etc. to execute various processes such as setting processes for the printer 20, print commands, and notification processes for the server 30.

[0020] In the following description, the terminal CPU 11 that executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B may be described simply as the device name. For example, the description "the mobile terminal device 10" may mean "the mobile terminal device 10 that executes the terminal program 12A and the application 12B on the terminal CPU 11." The same applies to the printer 20 that executes the printer program 27A on the printer CPU 26 and the server 30 that executes the server program 33A on the server CPU 32, which will be described later.

[0021] The terminal storage unit 12 also stores print data 12C. The print data 12C is image data to be printed. The short-distance communication unit 13 performs short-distance wireless communication with the printer 20. The short-distance communication unit 13 performs short-distance wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication). The operation display unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel, and includes a liquid crystal panel, a light source such as an LED that emits light from the back side of the liquid crystal panel, a touch-sensitive film attached to the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the like. The operation display unit 14 displays various information and accepts user operation inputs. The mobile terminal device 10 does not need to include the short-distance communication unit 13. The user interface of the mobile terminal device 10 is not limited to a touch panel, and may be a combination of, for example, an operation button, a slide switch, a keyboard, a mouse, an LCD, an organic EL display, and the like.

[0022] Camera 16 has an imaging element such as a CCD (short for Charge Coupled Device) and captures an image in response to an operation input to operation display unit 14. Mobile terminal device 10, for example, stores the image captured by camera 16 in terminal storage unit 12 and processes it as print data 12C. Note that print data 12C is not limited to the image captured by camera 16. For example, print data 12C may be text data created by mobile terminal device 10.

[0023] The external communication unit 17 transmits and receives data to and from the router 2 by wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, for example. The mobile terminal device 10 communicates with the printer 20 and the server 30 via the external communication unit 17. The mobile terminal device 10 may also communicate with the printer 20 via the short-range communication unit 13.

[0024] (Printer 20 Configuration) The printer 20 includes a short-distance communication unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a printing unit 23, a printer operation unit 24, a printer CPU 26, a printer storage unit 27, and an attachment unit 28. The short-distance communication unit 21 transmits and receives data to and from the short-distance communication unit 13 of the mobile terminal device 10 by short-distance wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication standard, for example. The external communication unit 22 transmits and receives data to and from the router 2 by wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, for example.

[0025] The printing unit 23 includes an ink storage unit 23A, an inkjet head 23C, an ink remaining amount detection unit 23E, an ejection amount detection unit 23F, a maintenance unit 23G, etc., and performs color printing by an inkjet method. The ink storage unit 23A stores, for example, a plurality of types of ink (magenta, cyan, yellow, black, etc.). A plurality of ink storage units 23A are provided for each type of ink. That is, the printer 20 uses a plurality of ink storage units 23A to store four types of ink independently. The ink storage unit 23A of this embodiment is filled with an amount of ink that can print, for example, 10,000 sheets, at the time of delivery from the vendor to the user.

[0026] The ink containing unit 23A is structured so that it cannot be replaced or refilled with ink by the user of the printer 20. For example, the ink containing unit 23A is disposed in a position that cannot be touched by normal user operations. The ink containing unit 23A is fixed to the printer 20 so that the user cannot attach or detach it from the printer 20. The ink containing unit 23A may be structured so that it can be replaced by the user.

[0027] The printer 20 also includes a valve 23H between the ink containing unit 23A and the inkjet head 23C. The valve 23H is attached to a tube that connects the inkjet head 23C and the ink containing unit 23A and supplies ink, for example. The valve 23H is closed when the printer 20 is shipped from the factory, and regulates the movement of ink from the ink containing unit 23A to the inkjet head 23C. The valve 23H also opens based on the control of the printer 20, allowing the movement of ink from the ink containing unit 23A to the inkjet head 23C.

[0028] The ink remaining amount detection unit 23E detects the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink containing unit 23A. The ink remaining amount detection unit 23E is an optical sensor that is disposed in each of the ink containing units 23A and detects the ink remaining amount by detecting the height of the ink liquid surface. The ink remaining amount detection unit 23E detects the ink remaining amount in each of the ink containing units 23A. The printer 20 stores the ink remaining amount 27B of each color in the ink containing unit 23A in the printer memory unit 27 and manages the ink remaining amount 27B of each color individually. Note that the printer 20 may only manage the ink remaining amount 27B of at least one color in the ink containing unit 23A.

[0029] The inkjet head 23C has a plurality of nozzles that eject ink onto the paper. The printing unit 23 ejects the ink stored in the ink storage unit 23A from the inkjet head 23C onto the paper, thereby printing on the paper. The ejection amount detection unit 23F detects the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head 23C. The method of detecting the ejection amount is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a method using a thermocouple. The ejection amount detection unit 23F has a thermocouple at a position facing the ejection port of each nozzle. The temperature of the thermocouple changes when ink ejected from each ejection port adheres to the thermocouple. The printer 20 may detect the ejection amount based on the temperature change (cooling effect) of the thermocouple of the ejection amount detection unit 23F.

[0030] The maintenance unit 23G includes a cap, a suction pump, a waste liquid tank, etc., and the cap is attached to the nozzle face of the inkjet head 23C, and the pump is driven to suck ink from the inkjet head 23C into the waste liquid tank. When the printer 20 is to recover from a clogged nozzle, for example, the maintenance unit 23G performs a so-called suction purge to suck ink that has clogged in the inkjet head 23C. The printer 20 may not include the maintenance unit 23G. Alternatively, the maintenance unit 23G may apply a positive pressure to the inkjet head 23C to discharge ink from the inkjet head 23C.

[0031] The printer operation unit 24 is a touch panel or a switch that accepts user operation input to the printer 20. The printer operation unit 24 may not have an output device such as a touch panel, and may be configured with only an input device such as a switch or a button. The printer CPU 26 controls the printer 20. The printer storage unit 27 is configured by combining, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, and a HDD. The printer storage unit 27 stores a printer program 27A. The printer CPU 26 executes the printer program 27A to control each part of the printer 20. For example, the printer 20 prints the print data 12C acquired from the mobile terminal device 10 by the printing unit 23 by executing the printer program 27A with the printer CPU 26. The acquisition in this application is a concept that includes not only a process of actively acquiring information by notifying other devices, but also a passive process of receiving information based on receiving a notification from another device.

[0032] The printer storage unit 27 also stores device identification information 27C capable of identifying the printer 20. The device identification information 27C is, for example, a serial number set by the vendor of the printer 20, and is unique information capable of identifying any printer 20 from other printers 20. Note that the device identification information 27C is not limited to a serial number, and may be, for example, a wired MAC address or a wireless MAC address of the short-range communication unit 21 or the external communication unit 22.

[0033] The attachment unit 28 is an interface capable of reading data from the IC card 41 and writing data to the IC card 41. The IC card 41 is, for example, a contact-type IC card that performs reading and writing. The IC card 41 is an example of an external storage medium of the present application. Note that the external storage medium of the present application is not limited to a contact-type IC card, and may be a non-contact-type IC card, a memory card such as an SD card, or an external storage such as a USB memory.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows an example of card information 41A stored in IC card 41. As shown in FIG. 2, card information 41A includes a card ID, a printable number, and activation information. The card ID is information that can individually identify IC card 41. In FIG. 2, the card ID stores a value of "CID1" as an example. As described above, the printable number is information that indicates the number of sheets of paper that are permitted to be printed by printer 20. In FIG. 2, the printable number stores a value of "pr1" as an example. Printer 20 subtracts the printable number every time printing is performed by printing unit 23. When the printable number becomes zero, printer 20 prohibits printing by printing unit 23. The printable number is an example of a permitted recording amount in this application.

[0035] The activation information is information indicating whether or not execution of each function such as printing is permitted. For example, when the activation information is set to an ON state, the printing operation of the printing unit 23 is permitted, and when the activation information is set to an OFF state, the printing operation of the printing unit 23 is restricted. For example, when the IC card 41 is shipped from a vendor to a user or when it is purchased at a home appliance retail store, activation information in the OFF state is stored. When the activation information is in the OFF state, printing is prohibited even if the number of printable sheets is one or more. Note that the printing system 1 may control the activation information so that, for example, for one IC card 41 (card ID), only one printer 20 has the activation information in the ON state. In this case, the activation information is set exclusively so that there are not multiple printers 20 that can print simultaneously with one card ID.

[0036] Also, a single card ID may be used to enable printing on multiple printers 20. For example, multiple IC cards 41 with the same card ID may be issued, and the printing system 1 may provide a service that allows simultaneous printing on each of the printers 20 equipped with the IC cards 41. Also, the "◯" in FIG. 2 indicates that the IC cards 41 are set to the on state, and the "×" indicates that the IC cards 41 are set to the off state. Also, the card information 41A in FIG. 2 is an example. For example, the IC card 41 may store the remaining ink amount 27B detected by the printer CPU 26 as the card information 41A.

[0037] (Server 30 Configuration) Next, the configuration of the server 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 includes an external communication unit 31, a server CPU 32, and a server storage unit 33. The server 30 is, for example, a server managed by a vendor of the printer 20. The external communication unit 31 is connected to the router 2 via the Internet 3, and transmits and receives data to and from the router 2. The server CPU 32 controls the server 30. The server storage unit 33 is configured by combining a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, a HDD, and the like. The server storage unit 33 stores a server program 33A, a management DB 33B, and identification information data 33C. The server 30 executes the server program 33A of the server storage unit 33 with the server CPU 32, thereby executing an update process of the management DB 33B, a communication process with the mobile terminal device 10 via the router 2, and the like.

[0038] In addition, the management DB 33B stores information about the printer 20 that uses the print service. As shown in FIG. 3, the management DB 33B stores device identification information 27C, card ID, activation information, remaining ink amount 27B, printable number, and user information in association with each other. The device identification information 27C is the identification information of the printer 20 described above. In FIG. 3, the device identification information 27C stores values ​​of "dv1, dv2, dv3, ..." as an example. The card ID is the card ID of the IC card 41 attached to the printer 20 identified by the device identification information 27C. In FIG. 3, the card ID stores values ​​of "CID1, CID2, ..." as an example. Similarly, the activation information and remaining ink amount 27B are the activation information and remaining ink amount 27B of the printer 20 identified by the device identification information 27C. As an example, the remaining ink amount 27B in FIG. 3 stores values ​​of "ink1, ink2, ink3, ...". The printable number is the printable number stored in the IC card 41 attached to the printer 20. As an example, the printable number is stored values ​​of "pr1, pr2, pr3, ..." in FIG. 3. The user information is information about the user of the printer 20 that is registered when the printer 20 is first used, as will be described later. As an example, the user information in FIG. 3 stores values ​​of "User1, User2, ...".

[0039] Also, the identification information data 33C has registered therein the card ID of the IC card 41 sold by the vendor and the device identification information 27C of the printer 20. As will be described later, the server 30 judges whether the printer 20 or IC card 41 that is the sender is legitimately sold by the vendor based on whether the card ID and device identification information 27C acquired from the printer 20 are registered in the identification information data 33C. Therefore, the card ID and device identification information 27C registered in the identification information data 33C are, for example, information on the IC card 41 or printer 20 manufactured and sold by the vendor through a legitimate route. The card ID database and the device identification information 27C database may be separate databases.

[0040] (First time setup process) Next, the user's work in the initial setup process for setting up the printer 20 and the contents of the processing of each device will be described. For example, when the user purchases the printer 20 for the first time and the printer 20 arrives from the vendor, the user performs the setup work shown in FIG. 4. The printer 20 and each device of the server 30 execute each process according to the user's work. Also, the printer 20 executes the processes shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 according to the initial setup process of FIG. 4. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 4, the work performed by the user (person) is indicated by an arrow pointing diagonally downward to the left. Also, the processes, the contents and the order of the work shown in FIG. 4 and subsequent figures are merely examples. Also, in the following explanation, the explanation will be divided into cases (1) to (4) in FIG. 4.

[0041] First, in step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 11 in Fig. 4, the user inserts the IC card 41 into the insertion section 28 of the printer 20 sent from the vendor. This IC card 41 may be a card sent from the vendor together with the printer 20, or may be a card purchased at a home appliance retailer or the like. As described above, when the IC card 41 is sent to the user from the vendor or when the IC card 41 is purchased at a home appliance retailer or the like, activation information in the off state is stored. Since the activation information of the IC card 41 is in the off state, the printer 20 is in a state in which it cannot perform a printing operation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the initial state).

[0042] After inserting the IC card 41, the user operates the power button of the printer operation unit 24 to power on the printer 20 (S13). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the printer 20 is turned on and power is supplied, the printer CPU 26 executes the printer program 27A to start the system. After starting the system, the printer 20 judges whether the IC card 41 is inserted in the mounting unit 28 (S15). The printer 20 judges whether the IC card 41 is inserted correctly in the mounting unit 28, for example, based on the contents of a signal that is energized through a terminal of the mounting unit 28. Here, "correctly inserted" refers to, for example, a state in which it is confirmed that the IC card 41 is inserted in the mounting unit 28 in the correct orientation, that reading and writing processes can be performed on the IC card 41, and that the necessary card information 41A has been written in the IC card 41.

[0043] If the IC card 41 is not properly inserted in the mounting portion 28 (S15: NO), the printer 20 repeats the determination process of S15. Note that, for example, if the printer 20 cannot confirm that the IC card 41 is inserted even after a certain period of time has elapsed after startup, the printer 20 may display a warning or the like on the printer operation portion 24 to prompt the user to insert the IC card 41.

[0044] If the IC card 41 is properly inserted in the mounting portion 28 (S15: YES), the printer 20 requests network settings (S17). For example, the printer 20 displays a message such as "Please set up the network" on the printer operation unit 24. After displaying the message, when the printer 20 receives a predetermined operation input to the printer operation unit 24, the printer 20 displays a setting screen for receiving the SSID and encryption key, or a setting screen for receiving the IP address and default gateway on the printer operation unit 24, and receives the communication settings of the external communication unit 22.

[0045] Furthermore, after displaying the network setting screen in S17, the printer 20 determines whether the network settings have been accepted (S19). The user checks the display on the printer operation unit 24, inputs the SSID of the router 2, etc., and executes the network settings (S21 in FIG. 4). For example, after the user inputs the network settings, the user presses the enter button displayed on the printer operation unit 24. When the printer 20 detects that the enter button has been pressed, it makes an affirmative determination in S19 (S19: YES) and enables the network connection (S23). Note that the printer 20 may notify an error if the network settings are not input within a certain period of time after the display of the setting screen (S19: NO).

[0046] The printer 20 supplies power to the short-range communication unit 21 and the external communication unit 22, for example, to enable the printer 20 to communicate with an external device. The printer 20 also uses the SSID and encryption key input by the user to access the router 2 via the external communication unit 22 by wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, and becomes capable of communicating with the router 2 (S23). As a result, the printer 20 becomes capable of communicating with the mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 via the external communication unit 22 and the router 2.

[0047] Next, the printer 20 executes reading of the IC card 41 (S25). The printer 20 reads the card ID from the IC card 41 attached to the attachment section 28. The printer 20 transmits the read card ID and the device identification information 27C of the printer 20 to the server 30 (S27). For example, the printer storage section 27 stores information on the access destination of the vendor's server 30 (URL or global IP address). In S27, the printer 20 accesses the server 30 based on the access destination information previously stored in the printer storage section 27, and transmits the card ID and the like (S27). The printer 20 may inquire about the access destination information from the mobile terminal device 10 or the like.

[0048] When the server 30 receives the information of S27 from the printer 20, it judges whether the IC card 41 and the printer 20 are genuine based on the received information (S29). If each of the card ID and the device identification information 27C received in S27 is registered in the identification information data 33C, the server 30 judges that the IC card 41 and the printer 20 are genuine (S29: YES). Also, if either the card ID or the device identification information 27C received in S27 is not registered in the identification information data 33C, the server 30 judges that they are not genuine (S29: NO). After executing the genuineness judgment process of S29, the server 30 notifies the printer 20 of the genuineness judgment result, i.e., information on whether or not it is registered in the identification information data 33C (S31).

[0049] The method of determining whether or not the product is genuine is not limited to the method using the above-mentioned identification information data 33C. For example, the server 30 controls so that one printer 20 is associated with one IC card 41 (card ID). In this case, the server 30 may determine that the product is not genuine if the card ID received in S27 has already been associated with another printer 20 in the management DB 33B. Alternatively, the server 30 may control so that one printer 20 with activation information turned on is associated with one IC card 41. The server 30 may determine that the product is not genuine if the card ID received in S27 has already been associated with another printer 20 in the management DB 33B and the associated activation information is turned on. This makes it possible to prevent the use of a counterfeit IC card 41.

[0050] Also, for example, the server 30 may transmit the information received in S27 to the vendor or the like and execute a process of inquiring whether or not it is registered, or may print the received information and accept a confirmation result by the administrator of the vendor who has seen the printout. Also, the printer 20 and the IC card 41 may be associated with each other in advance and registered in the management DB 33B or the like. The vendor sends the printer 20 and the IC card 41, in which the device identification information 27C and the card ID are associated, to the user in a package. As a result, the server 30 may determine that the product is genuine if the card ID and the device identification information 27C received in S27 are associated with each other and registered in the management DB 33B (S29: YES). Alternatively, the server 30 may receive only one of the card ID and the device identification information 27C from the printer 20 and determine whether or not it is genuine.

[0051] Furthermore, the determination as to whether the IC card is genuine may be executed by a device other than the server 30, for example, the printer 20. For example, the card ID of the IC card 41 previously associated with the printer 20 is stored in the printer storage unit 27. As shown in S33 of Fig. 4, the printer 20 may determine that a genuine IC card 41 has been inserted if the read card ID matches the card ID (previously associated ID) stored in the printer storage unit 27 after reading the card ID of the IC card 41 in S25 of Fig. 5, and then execute the processes from S37 onwards, which will be described later.

[0052] (1) If the product is determined to be genuine As shown in FIG. 5, when the printer 20 executes the transmission process of S27, it judges whether the judgment result received from the server 30 indicates that the product is judged to be genuine (S35). When the printer 20 receives the judgment result that the product is genuine (S35: YES), it executes the initial installation (S37). The initial installation here is, for example, a preparation process for executing printing by the printing unit 23. As an example of the initial installation of the present application, for example, an operation of passing the ink in the ink storage unit 23A to the inkjet head 23C can be adopted. More specifically, the valve 23H (see FIG. 1) of the printer 20 is shipped from the vendor and is closed in the state before the initial installation is executed. On the other hand, the inkjet head 23C side is filled with shipping liquid. The shipping liquid is, for example, a liquid that is filled in the ink flow path in the state shipped from the factory and maintains the state of the flow path of the tube, etc. When the printer 20 starts the initial installation of S37, it opens the valve 23H and passes the ink from the ink storage unit 23A to the inkjet head 23C. An example of a means for passing ink to the inkjet head 23C is to drive the inkjet head 23C until the liquid filling the flow path of the inkjet head 23C is replaced from the shipping liquid with ink, and then the shipping liquid is ejected. Note that, as a means for replacing the liquid in the flow path of the inkjet head 23C, in addition to driving the inkjet head 23C, for example, a maintenance unit 23G (see FIG. 1) may be driven to suck the shipping liquid from the nozzle surface side of the inkjet head 23C, thereby discharging the shipping liquid from the nozzles of the inkjet head 23C. Also, a printing operation (test printing) may be performed to discharge the shipping liquid from the inkjet head 23C.

[0053] Alternatively, the printer 20 may perform, as the initial setup, a process of checking for clogging of the nozzles of the inkjet head 23C or a test printing. In addition, if the printing unit 23 is configured to print by an electrophotographic method, the printer 20 may perform, as the initial setup, an operation of rotating a toner stirring member in the toner storage unit for a certain period of time, that is, a process of stirring the toner by performing so-called running of the toner cartridge, and supplying the toner to the developing roller.

[0054] 5, when the printer 20 starts the initial introduction in S37, for example, it fills the inkjet head 23C with ink from the ink storage unit 23A and ejects ink (including shipping liquid) from the inkjet head 23C. After starting the ejection, the printer 20 determines whether ejection has been performed for a predetermined time (S39). The printer 20 continues ejecting ink until the predetermined time has elapsed (S39: NO). After the predetermined time has elapsed (S39: YES), the printer 20 ends the ejection of ink, that is, ends the initial introduction (S41).

[0055] When the printer 20 completes the initial introduction in S37, S39, and S41, it transmits the result of the initial introduction to the server 30 (S43). For example, the printer 20 detects the amount of ink discharged by the discharge amount detection unit 23F in the initial introduction in which ink is discharged after S37, and transmits the detected amount of ink discharged to the server 30 as the result of the initial introduction. For example, the printer 20 transmits the amount of ink discharged at the point when the increase in the amount of ink discharged detected by the discharge amount detection unit 23F decreases and the amount of change becomes stable, as the result of the initial introduction, to the server 30 as the result of the initial introduction. Alternatively, the printer 20 may detect the amount of ink discharged per unit time after a preset time, for example, the work time required to replace the shipping liquid with ink, has elapsed, and transmit the detected amount of ink discharged to the server 30 as the result of the initial introduction. The server 30 determines whether the initial introduction has been completed normally based on the amount of ink discharged received from the printer 20, as described later. Therefore, the predetermined time determined in S39 is a time during which the ejection amount during the initial introduction can be detected, for example, a time required for the ejection amount to stabilize to a degree that allows determination as to whether the initial introduction has been performed normally.

[0056] In S43, the printer 20 transmits the card ID and the device identification information 27C together with the result of the initial installation to the server 30. The server 30 may transmit only either the device identification information or the card ID to the server 30. When the server 30 receives the information in S43, it judges whether the result of the initial installation for the printer 20 that sent the information is normal or not (S45). For example, if the received discharge amount is within a predetermined threshold range, the server 30 judges that the initial installation has been completed normally (S45: YES). The lower limit value that specifies the range used in the judgment process in S45 is, for example, the lower limit discharge amount at which a reduction in the discharge amount can be detected when a tube or nozzle is clogged and the discharge amount is reduced. The upper limit value is, for example, the upper limit discharge amount at which an increase in the discharge amount can be detected when excessive discharge is caused from the inkjet head 23C due to damage to the nozzle. Therefore, the range of the threshold value can be set to the range of the discharge amount normally discharged from the inkjet head 23C without the above-mentioned abnormality occurring. The server 30 may determine the discharge amount using only the lower limit value or the upper limit value.

[0057] When the server 30 determines in S45 that the initial installation has been completed normally (S45: YES), it notifies the printer 20 of the determination result that the initial installation has been completed normally (S47). In addition, when the received discharge amount is outside the range of a predetermined threshold, the server 30 determines that the initial installation has not been completed normally (S45: NO), and notifies the printer 20 of the determination result that the initial installation has been completed abnormally (S47).

[0058] The process contents of the initial setup and the method of determining whether the initial setup has been completed normally are not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, if the printer 20 has a scanner function, the printer 20 performs test printing after filling the inkjet head 23C with ink. The printer 20 displays a message requesting scanning of the printed test page on the printer operation unit 24. The user checks the message and scans the test page with the scanner of the printer 20. The printer 20 transmits image data of the scanned test page to the server 30. Alternatively, the user may capture the test page with the camera 16 of the mobile terminal device 10 and transmit the captured image data to the server 30. The server 30 determines whether the initial setup has been completed normally by performing image analysis of the image data received from the printer 20 or the mobile terminal device 10. For example, the server 30 may determine that the initial setup has been completed normally when the desired test pattern is formed without missing dots, dot misalignment, or the like, for the test pattern printed on the test page, or when the dots are successfully formed at a certain rate or more. Furthermore, the printer 20 and the server 30 may determine whether the initial installation has been completed normally by using both the method of determining the amount of ink ejected and the method of analyzing image data.

[0059] Alternatively, the initial setup and confirmation process may be, for example, a process for confirming whether the touch panel of the printer operation unit 24 is displayed normally, or a process for confirming whether setting information such as clock information can be received and displayed normally on the touch panel (whether the settings can be reflected).In addition, the initial setup and confirmation process may be a process for confirming whether physical mechanisms such as the transport rollers and inkjet head 23C are operating normally and can transport and print paper.

[0060] Furthermore, the determination of whether the result of the initial installation is normal may be executed by a device other than the server 30, for example, the printer 20. For example, if the discharge amount detected in the initial installation is outside the threshold range, the printer 20 may notify the user or the server 30 of an error or the like. Also, if the discharge amount detected in the initial installation is within the threshold range, the printer 20 may notify the server 30 that the initial installation has been completed normally. Then, when the printer 20 receives a response to the notification from the server 30, it may execute the processes from S53 onwards (such as writing the number of printable sheets) described below.

[0061] (2) If the completion is judged to be normal 6, when the printer 20 transmits the result of the initial installation in S43, the printer 20 judges whether or not it has received a normal completion judgment result from the server 30 (S49). When the printer 20 receives the normal completion judgment result (S49: YES), the printer 20 reads the printable number from the IC card 41 (S51). As described above, a predetermined printable number is charged on the IC card 41, for example, at the time it is sent from the vendor. The printer 20 writes the printable number read in S51 to the printer storage unit 27 (S53). Next, the printer 20 sets the activation information of the card information 41A to ON (S54).

[0062] As a result, the printer 20 is in a printable state where printing can be performed by the printing unit 23 within the range of the printable number. The printer 20 executes printing processing, etc., using the printable number stored in the printer storage unit 27. For example, when the printer 20 completes printing based on a print command received from the mobile terminal device 10, it subtracts the number of printed sheets (hereinafter, may be referred to as the print number) from the printable number in the printer storage unit 27. The printer 20 also updates the printable number information in the IC card 41 with the printable number after the subtraction. The printer 20 also notifies the server 30 of the printable number information after the subtraction. The server 30 executes synchronization of the printable number by updating the printable number associated with the device identification information 27C of the sender printer 20 in the management DB 33B based on the printable number received from the printer 20.

[0063] Incidentally, S53 and S54 are an example of the transition process of the present application. The printer 20 may be configured not to use activation information. For example, the printer 20 may transition to a printable state by executing S53 and writing the printable number to the printer storage unit 27. That is, the printer 20 may complete the transition process of the present application by executing S53 and writing the printable number. In this case, the printer 20 may be configured not to execute S54. The server 30 may not manage activation information. The printer 20 may appropriately read the printable number from the IC card 41 without writing it from the IC card 41 to the printer storage unit 27. For example, the printer 20 reads the printable number from the IC card 41 before starting the printing process and executes printing. When the printer 20 completes printing, it may subtract the number of prints from the printable number of the IC card 41 and update the printable number of the IC card 41 with the subtracted value.

[0064] Furthermore, the IC card 41 may have the printable number of zero set at the time of delivery from the vendor. In this case, the printer 20 may write zero into the printer storage unit 27. Alternatively, the printer 20 may charge the IC card 41. When the printer 20 receives a normal completion determination result from the server 30 in S47, it may write a predetermined printable number into the IC card 41.

[0065] When the printer 20 executes S54, it notifies the user that it is in a state where printing can be performed (S55). For example, the printer 20 may notify the user that it is in a state where printing can be performed by displaying a message such as "Preparation to perform printing is complete" on the printer operation unit 24. Alternatively, the printer 20 may notify the user that it is in a state where printing can be performed by turning on or off a specific indicator lamp.

[0066] After executing S55, the printer 20 transmits the printer information to the server 30 (S57). For example, the printer 20 transmits the following printer information to the server 30: the card ID, the number of printable sheets, activation information, device identification information 27C, and information on the remaining ink level detected by the remaining ink level detection unit 23E. At this point, the remaining ink level 27B is almost full (for example, the remaining amount that allows printing of 10,000 sheets). The server 30 newly registers the card ID, etc. received from the printer 20 in the management DB 33B (S59). As a result, information on the printer 20 for which the initial installation has been successfully completed is registered in the management DB 33B.

[0067] The server 30 may register the card ID and device identification information 27C in the management DB 33B as appropriate, rather than all at once in S59. For example, the server 30 may register the card ID and device identification information 27C in the management DB 33B after determining that the product is genuine in S29, and may register the activation information (on state) in the management DB 33B after determining that the product is normally completed in S45. If the initial setup process is interrupted midway due to a network failure or the like, the server 30 may hold the information up to the time of interruption and resume the setup process from the point of interruption or from the beginning (determination of genuineness in S29) at the next or subsequent setup processes.

[0068] The server 30 may also execute a process of registering user information in the management DB 33B in association with the information of the printer 20. For example, when the printer 20 is accessed from the mobile terminal device 10 during or after the setup process of FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the printer 20 may display a message on the mobile terminal device 10 to prompt the user to register. When the mobile terminal device 10 receives a notification requesting user registration from the printer 20, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts user information from the user via the operation display unit 14. This user information is, for example, information about the user who uses the printer 20, such as the user's name, address, age, sex, occupation, contact email address, and payment method. The mobile terminal device 10 notifies the server 30 of, for example, the accepted user information, the device identification information 27C of the printer 20, and the card ID. This allows the server 30 to register the user information in the management DB 33B in association with the device identification information 27C of the printer 20, etc.

[0069] (3) If it is determined to have completed abnormally 6 (S49: NO), and notifies the user that the printer 20 may be broken (S61). For example, the printer 20 displays a message to the effect that "the printer itself may be broken" on the printer operation unit 24. The printer 20 may also display on the printer operation unit 24 a contact point for inquiries about the printer 20 failure or a contact point for requesting a replacement.

[0070] (4) If the product is determined to be non-genuine Also, when the printer 20 receives a result of the judgment from the server 30 in S31 that the IC card 41 is not genuine, that is, that the printer 20 is non-genuine, the printer 20 makes a negative judgment in S35 of FIG. 5 (S35: NO) and notifies the user that the IC card 41 and the printer 20 are non-genuine (S63). For example, the printer 20 displays a message such as "The IC card 41 and the printer 20 may be non-genuine" or "There may be an abnormality in the IC card 41 and the printer 20" on the printer operation unit 24. Also, when the printer 20 is notified by the server 30 of which of the card ID and the device identification information 27C is not registered in the identification information data 33C or which is abnormal, the printer 20 may specify the one (IC card 41 or the printer 20) that has been notified of the abnormality and notify the user. For example, the printer 20 may display a message such as "The vendor could not confirm the registration of the IC card 41. Please contact us for a replacement of the IC card 41" on the printer operation unit 24.

[0071] Incidentally, in the first embodiment, the printer 20 is an example of a recording device. The external communication unit 22 is an example of a communication interface. The discharge amount detection unit 23F is an example of a consumption amount sensor. The printing unit 23 is an example of a recording unit. The printer CPU 26 is an example of a controller. The printer storage unit 27 is an example of a storage unit. The device identification information 27C is an example of recording device identification information. The printable number is an example of a recording permission amount and recording permission information. The mounting unit 28 is an example of a reading unit. The IC card 41 is an example of an external storage medium. The card ID is an example of medium identification information. S37 is an example of an initial introduction process and an initial introduction step. S49 is an example of a completion judgment process and a completion judgment step. S53 and S54 are examples of a transition process and a transition step. S43 is an example of a transmission process and a first transmission process. S17 and S19 are examples of a communication setting judgment process. S45 is an example of a result judgment process. S47 is an example of a second transmission process. S27 is an example of a third transmission process. S29 is an example of a registration determination process. S31 is an example of a fourth transmission process.

[0072] (Effects) According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained. (1) In the first embodiment, the printer 20 executes the initial setup to execute the printing operation by the printing unit 23 in the initial state where the printing operation by the printing unit 23 is not possible (S37), and judges whether the initial setup is completed normally (S49). The printer 20 transitions from the initial state to the printable state (S53, S54) based on the judgment that the initial setup is completed normally (S49: YES). According to this, the printer transitions to the printable state after the initial setup is completed normally. Therefore, if the initial setup fails, the printer does not write the printable number to the printer storage unit 27 or change the activation information 27E to the ON state. It is possible to prevent the IC card 41 from being associated with the printer 20 that has failed in the initial setup, i.e., needs to be replaced, and registered in the server 30. Conversely, it is possible to prevent the normal printer 20 from being associated with the IC card 41 that needs to be replaced. Because of the association, there is no need for the user to inquire at the vendor's inquiry desk about the IC card 41, etc., and the user can replace either the printer 20 or the IC card 41 and perform the initial setup again. A new printing service that is highly convenient for the user can be realized.

[0073] In addition, although the printer 20 of the present application prohibits printing operations, it does not prohibit the charging process of the printable number of sheets. Therefore, the user can charge the printable number of sheets to the printer 20 or the server 30 before or during the initial installation, thereby improving the user's convenience.

[0074] (2) The printer 20 also transmits the results of the initial installation to the server 30 (S43), and in S49 determines whether the initial installation was completed normally based on the server 30's determination of the information transmitted in S43. This allows the server 30 to perform processes for determining the results of the initial installation, such as determining the discharge amount and analyzing the image data. This reduces the processing load on the printer 20 during the initial setup process.

[0075] (3) The printer 20 also determines whether or not communication settings for the external communication unit 22 have been accepted (S19), and if communication settings have been accepted (S19: YES), executes the initial setup. This ensures that not only the initial setup related to printing but also the communication settings are completed, and then the process of writing the printable number of sheets to the printer storage unit 27 and the process of changing the activation information to the ON state can be executed.

[0076] (4) Furthermore, as an initial implementation of S37, the printer 20 fills the inkjet head 23C with ink and prepares the printing unit 23 to a state in which printing can be performed. This allows the printer 20 to execute processes such as writing the number of printable sheets to the printer memory unit 27 after confirming whether printing by the printing unit 23 is possible.

[0077] (5) In addition, in S53, printer 20 writes the printable number to printer storage unit 27. Thereafter, printer 20 executes the printing operation within the range of the printable number in printer storage unit 27. This allows the printing operation to be executed using the printable number stored in printer storage unit 27 provided in printer 20. Even if IC card 41 is removed or server 30 cannot be accessed, it becomes possible to manage the printable number and perform printing.

[0078] (6) In addition, in S53, the printer 20 reads the printable number from the IC card 41 attached to the attachment portion 28, and stores the read printable number in the printer storage portion 27. This allows the printer 20 to execute printing operations, etc., using the printable number stored in the printer storage portion 27. It is no longer necessary to access the IC card 41 every time the printable number is increased or decreased. The frequency of writing and reading operations to the IC card 41 can be reduced.

[0079] (7) The printer 20 also transmits the result of the initial installation to the server 30 (S43). The server 30 determines whether the initial installation was completed normally based on the result of the initial installation received in S43 (S45), and transmits the determination result to the printer 20 (S47). In S49, the printer 20 determines whether the initial installation was completed normally based on the determination result received in S47. This allows the server 30 to perform the process of determining the result of the initial installation, such as determining the discharge amount. This reduces the processing load on the printer 20 during the initial setup process.

[0080] (8) The printer 20 also includes a discharge amount detection unit 23F that detects the amount of ink discharged from the printing unit 23 during printing operation, and transmits the discharge amount detected by the discharge amount detection unit 23F when the printing unit 23 is operated (test operation, nozzle check, test printing, etc.) during initial installation to the server 30 in S43. The server 30 determines in S45 that the initial installation has been completed normally based on the received discharge amount being within a predetermined threshold range. This allows the server 30 to determine the amount of ink actually discharged during the printing operation of the printer 20. Abnormalities in the discharge amount due to nozzle clogging, nozzle damage, etc. can be detected.

[0081] (9) In addition, in S43, the printer 20 may transmit image data obtained by reading an image of the paper on which printing has been performed by the printing unit 23 to the server. In S45, the server 30 may perform image analysis on the received image data and determine whether the initial installation has been completed normally based on the results of the image analysis. This allows the server 30 to determine the image actually printed by the printing operation of the printer 20. Printing defects such as missing dots due to clogged nozzles can be detected.

[0082] (10) The server 30 also has identification information data 33C that stores multiple pieces of device identification information 27C that can identify the printer 20. The printer 20 transmits its own device identification information 27C to the server 30 (S27). The server 30 determines whether the received device identification information 27C is stored in the identification information data 33C (S29), and if so, transmits a determination result indicating that the printer 20 is genuine to the printer 20 (S31). The printer 20 starts initial installation based on the reception of the determination result that the printer 20 is genuine (S35: YES). This allows the printer 20 to confirm whether the device identification information 27C of the printer 20 is registered by the vendor, that is, whether the printer 20 is genuine, and then allows printing based on the initial installation and the number of printable sheets. The use of non-genuine printers 20 can be suppressed.

[0083] (11) Furthermore, in S19, if the printer 20 has accepted the communication settings (S19: YES), in S27, the printer 20 transmits the device identification information 27C to the server 30. This allows the printer 20 to start the process of transmitting the device identification information 27C when the communication settings have been made and the printer 20 is able to communicate with the server 30. This makes it possible to prevent failures in transmitting the device identification information 27C.

[0084] (12) After the printer 20 is powered on (S13), the printer 20 executes S17 and S19 based on the fact that the IC card 41 is inserted in the mounting portion 28 (S15: YES). This allows the printer 20 to accept communication settings when the IC card 41 is inserted in the mounting portion 28 and the information on the IC card 41 can be read. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which communication is possible but the IC card 41 cannot be read or is not inserted.

[0085] (13) In addition, the identification information data 33C stores a plurality of card IDs. In S27, the printer 20 transmits the card ID of the IC card 41 inserted in the printer. In S29, the server 30 determines whether the card ID is stored in the identification information data 33C in addition to the device identification information 27C. If both the device identification information 27C and the card ID are stored in the identification information data 33C (S29: YES), the server 30 transmits the determination result that the product is genuine in S31. This makes it possible to confirm whether not only the printer 20 but also the IC card 41 is genuinely sold by the vendor and registered. It is possible to prevent the use of fraudulent IC cards 41.

[0086] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present application will be described. In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 20 includes an attachment unit 28 that reads an IC card 41, and reads and uses the printable number stored in the IC card 41. In contrast, the printer 20 of the second embodiment obtains and uses the printable number from the server 30. In addition, in the first embodiment, the printer operation unit 24 is used to notify the user of the printable state in S55 of FIG. 4. In contrast, the printer 20 of the second embodiment notifies the user via the mobile terminal device 10. In the following description, the same content as in the first embodiment described above will be omitted as appropriate.

[0087] Also, the mobile terminal device 10 is set to be able to communicate with the printer 20 and the server 30 via the router 2. For example, when the mobile terminal device 10 is powered on, it executes the terminal program 12A to start up the system. After starting up the system, the SSID of the router 2 and the like are input to the mobile terminal device 10 in response to an operation input to the operation display unit 14, and the mobile terminal device 10 becomes able to communicate with the printer 20 and the like via the router 2.

[0088] 7, the printer storage unit 27 stores a printable number 27D and activation information 27E. The printable number 27D is the printable number acquired from the server 30, as described below. For example, when the printer 20 is sent from the vendor, the printer storage unit 27 does not store the printable number, or a printable number indicating "zero" is stored. Note that when the printer 20 is sent from the vendor, a predetermined printable number 27D may be stored in the printer storage unit 27, or the printable number 27D may be charged by the user before the setup process described below.

[0089] Furthermore, when the printer 20 is sent from the vendor, the activation information is in the OFF state. Therefore, the printer 20 is in an initial state in which it cannot perform a printing operation. Also, unlike the first embodiment, the identification information data 33C of the server 30 does not register a card ID, and only the device identification information 27C of the genuine printer 20 sold by the vendor is registered.

[0090] (First time setup process) Next, the initial setup process of the second embodiment will be described. First, as in the first embodiment, when the user purchases the printer 20 for the first time and the printer 20 arrives from the vendor, the user performs the setup work shown in Fig. 8. Each of the mobile terminal device 10, the printer 20, and the server 30 performs each process according to the user's work. Also, the printer 20 performs the processes shown in Figs. 9 and 10 according to the initial setup process of Fig. 8.

[0091] First, as shown in FIG. 8, the user turns on the printer 20 (S13) and sets up the network (S21). The printer 20 enables the network connection and becomes capable of communicating with the mobile terminal device 10 and the server 30 (S17, S19, S23). Next, the printer 20 displays the access destination of the web server of the printer 20 on the printer operation unit 24 (S71). The printer 20 executes a program that functions as a web server, such as an EWS (Embedded Web Server) program, on the printer CPU 26 and starts up the web server. The printer 20 displays a specific URL of a web page published on the web server on the printer operation unit 24. The printer 20 may display the URL as characters or as a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). In addition, if the printer 20 can communicate with the mobile terminal device 10, it may notify the application 12B of the mobile terminal device 10 of the URL.

[0092] For example, the user operates the mobile terminal device 10 to capture an image of the QR code (registered trademark) on the printer operation unit 24 with the camera 16, and accesses the Web server (S73). The mobile terminal device 10 executes a usage start registration process to start using the printer 20 based on an operation input to the operation display unit 14 (S75). For example, when the URL displayed in S71 is accessed, the printer 20 causes the mobile terminal device 10 to display a Web page that includes a message such as "Do you want to start using the printer?" and a start use button (not shown) that instructs the user to start using the printer.

[0093] After displaying the Web page, the printer 20 determines whether the start use button on the Web page has been pressed (S77). The printer 20 displays the Web page until the start use button is pressed (S77: NO). When the start use button is pressed (S77: YES), the printer 20 transmits the device identification information 27C to the server 30 (S79). Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, the printer 20 of the second embodiment transmits the device identification information 27C based on an instruction to start use from the user after enabling the network connection (S23). Note that the second embodiment does not use an IC card 41, and therefore does not transmit the card ID in S79.

[0094] Also, the method of checking whether the destination has been accessed is not limited to the method of determining whether the start use button has been operated. For example, a positive determination (S77: YES) may be made in S77 based on whether the URL displayed on the printer operation unit 24 has been accessed. In other words, the user's intention to use the service may be deemed to be indicated by merely accessing the URL through a browser or the like, and the process from S79 onward may be continued.

[0095] The server 30 determines whether the device identification information 27C received in S79 is registered in the identification information data 33C (S81), and transmits the determination result to the printer 20 (S31). If the server 30 determines that the printer 20 is genuine (S35 in FIG. 9: YES), the printer 20 executes initial installation (S37, S39, S41), and transmits the result of the initial installation and the device identification information 27C to the server 30 (S83 in FIG. 10).

[0096] The server 30 judges the result of the initial installation (S45) and transmits the judgment result to the printer 20 (S47) in the same manner as in the first embodiment. If the server 30 judges that the initial installation has been completed normally based on the result of the initial installation (S45: YES), it notifies the printer 20 of the printable number (S85). For example, the printer 20 is given a predetermined printable number (e.g., 2000 sheets) as an initial charge when it is purchased, and is registered in the server 30. The server 30 transmits the printable number for this initial charge in S85. Alternatively, if the printable number has already been charged by the user, the server 30 may transmit the printable number after charging to the printer 20. For example, when the printer 20 receives the result of the normal judgment in S47, it may display a screen for charging on the mobile terminal device 10 and accept a charge instruction. Then, the server 30 may transmit the accepted printable number after charging to the printer 20. Additionally, the server 30 may transmit a value of "zero" as the number of printable sheets.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 10, when the printer 20 receives a normal judgment result (S49: YES), it judges whether or not it has received the printable number from the server 30 (S87). The printer 20 executes the judgment process of S87 until it receives the printable number from the server 30 (S87: NO), and when it receives the printable number (S87: YES), it writes the printable number received from the server 30 as the printable number 27D in the printer storage unit 27 (S89). Next, the printer 20 changes the activation information 27E in the printer storage unit 27 from the OFF state to the ON state (S90). As a result, the printer 20 becomes in a printable state in which it can execute printing based on a print command from the mobile terminal device 10 within the range of the printable number 27D.

[0098] When the printer 20 executes S90, it notifies the mobile terminal device 10 that it is in a printable state (S91). The printer 20 may, for example, keep the session when the Web page was accessed in S73 and S75 connected with the mobile terminal device 10 and execute the notification of S91. Also, for example, when the mobile terminal device 10 executes the application 12B, the application 12B may execute periodic communication with the printer 20. Then, the printer 20 may notify the mobile terminal device 10 that it is in a printable state in response to the communication from the application 12B. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may display characters such as "Online" or "Printable" in the part of the display screen of the application 12B where the printer name of the printer 20 is displayed, or may display a message such as "Printer name XXX is now in a printable state." In this way, the user of the mobile terminal device 10 can recognize that the printer 20 has transitioned from the initial state to a printable state by looking at the display of the mobile terminal device 10. The user can operate the application 12B to send a print command to the printer 20 and cause the printer 20 to execute printing.

[0099] If the printer 20 determines that the printer 20 (3) completed abnormally, it notifies the portable terminal device 10 of the possibility of a malfunction of the printer 20 (S49: NO, S93 in FIG. 10) and notifies the user. If the printer 20 determines that the printer 20 is a non-genuine product (4), it notifies the portable terminal device 10 of the fact that the printer 20 is a non-genuine product (S35: NO, S95 in FIG. 9) and notifies the user. This allows the user to know the results of the initial setup process for the printer 20 on the portable terminal device 10 without having to directly look at the printer operation unit 24 of the printer 20.

[0100] Incidentally, in the second embodiment, the mobile terminal device 10 is an example of an information processing device. S89 and S90 are examples of a transition process. S71 is an example of an access destination notification process. S77 is an example of an access determination process. S79 is an example of a third transmission process.

[0101] (Effects) As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved. In addition, the second embodiment achieves the following effects. (1) In S89, the printer 20 of the second embodiment stores the printable number acquired from the server 30 in the printer storage unit 27. This allows the printer 20 to execute print processes and the like based on the printable number stored in the printer storage unit 27, eliminating the need to access the server 30 every time the printable number is increased or decreased. This reduces the frequency of communication with the server 30.

[0102] (2) Furthermore, when the printer 20 accepts the communication settings in S19 (S19: YES), it notifies the printer 20 of the access destination through the external communication unit 22 (S71). The printer 20 determines whether the notified access destination has been accessed by the mobile terminal device 10 (S77). When the printer 20 has been accessed (S77: YES), the printer 20 transmits device identification information 27C to the printer 20 in S79. This makes it possible to confirm the user's intention to use the printer 20 based on whether the mobile terminal device 10 has accessed the printer 20. When the user has accessed the printer 20 and intends to use the printer, the printer 20 transmits device identification information 27C, and processing such as determining whether the printer is genuine can be carried out.

[0103] (Modification) Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of each of the above embodiments are listed below. In each of the above embodiments, the printable number is stored in the IC card 41 or the printer storage unit 27, and the printable number is decremented each time printing is performed to determine whether printing is possible. However, the printable number may be managed using an amount that increases with printing, such as the number of printed sheets printed by the printer 20. Although the mobile terminal device 10, which is a smartphone, is used as the information processing terminal of the present application, the present invention is not limited to this. Terminals such as desktop PCs, notebook PCs, and tablet PCs can also be used as the information processing device. The activation information is not limited to information indicating whether or not the printing operation is restricted, and may be information indicating whether or not writing the printable number to the printer storage unit 27 is permitted. For example, in the first embodiment, when the activation information is off, writing of the printable number from the IC card 41 to the printer storage unit 27 is restricted. Also, in the second embodiment, when the activation information is off, a process of writing the printable number acquired from the server 30 to the printer storage unit 27 and a process of acquiring the printable number from the server 30 are restricted. Then, when the initial installation is completed, the activation may be turned on, and the printer may transition to a state in which the printable number can be written to the printer storage unit 27. That is, the printable number may be written to the printer storage unit 27 after the activation information is turned on. 4 and S89 and S90 in Fig. 8 (transition processing of the present application), the activation information is set to the ON state after the number of printable sheets is written to the printer storage unit 27. However, as the transition processing of the present application, the process of setting the activation information to the ON state (S54 or S90) may be executed first, and then the process of writing the number of printable sheets (S53 or S89) may be executed. Alternatively, the transition process of the present application does not need to execute the process of changing the activation information to the ON state in S54 and S90. For example, the printer 20 and the server 30 may be configured not to use the activation information, and the printer 20 may transition to the printable state by simply writing the printable number in the printer storage unit 27.

[0104] Furthermore, when the printer 20 performs its own determination of authenticity and initial installation, it may process all of the initial setup processing and execute only registration in the management DB 33B (S57) with the server 30. That is, the printer 20 does not need to communicate with the server 30 except for S57. Furthermore, when the printing system 1 is a system that does not use the management DB 33B, the printing system 1 does not need to include the server 30. Furthermore, a single printer 20 may receive print commands and be charged for the number of printable sheets from a plurality of mobile terminal devices 10. The printer 20 may be configured so that the user can refill the ink (so that each ink tank in the ink storage unit 23A can be replaced). Another example of a means for refilling consumables such as ink is a configuration in which ink can be poured into the ink storage unit 23A from a bottle containing ink. In addition, although an inkjet printer 20 is employed as the recording device of the present application, a laser printer or a thermal printer may also be used. The recording device is not limited to a printer for personal users, but may be a commercial or industrial printing machine. Therefore, the recording device may be a multifunction machine having a scanning function, a copying function, a fax function, etc. in addition to a printing function. The recording device may also be a laser marker that uses a laser to mark metal members, etc. Therefore, the recording medium of the present application is not limited to paper, but may be metal members, etc. The recording device in the present application may also be a FAX machine. Therefore, the printing system 1 may be a FAX system that limits the number of FAX transmissions and receptions according to the permitted number stored in the IC card 41. Furthermore, although the printer 20 executes the initial setup when the IC card 41 is inserted for the first time, the printer 20 may execute the initial setup at other times (such as every predetermined number of startups). Furthermore, the printer 20 may not execute the initial setup when the IC card 41 is inserted, but may execute the initial setup when a print instruction is received for the first time. Further, the initial introduction in this application refers to a preparation process for image formation, and for example, in the case of a FAX function, it may be a preparation process for performing FAX transmission and reception.

[0105] In addition, printer 20 may store and manage number of printable sheets 27D and activation information 27E in memory other than the memory unit in which printer program 27A is stored, such as memory provided in an ink tank of printing unit 23, or in the case of a laser printer, memory of a toner cartridge or memory of a photosensitive drum. Furthermore, the permitted recording amount indicated by the recording permission information in this application is not limited to the number of printed sheets. For example, the permitted recording amount may be the amount of ink or toner consumed. The permitted recording amount may be the amount of ink permitted to be ejected (dots (pixels)) or the amount of ink permitted to be used (e.g., ml). Alternatively, the permitted recording amount may be defined by the number of rotations of a member that rotates in conjunction with the printing operation, such as a photosensitive drum.

[0106] In each of the above embodiments, the server 30 may monitor the remaining ink level of the printer 20, and notify the mobile terminal device 10 or the like to replace the printer 20 when the remaining ink level falls below a predetermined level. The server 30 may also accept a charge for the number of printable sheets from the mobile terminal device 10 and increase the number of printable sheets of the printer 20. Furthermore, the server 30 does not need to accept user information or register the accepted user information in the management DB 33B. When the IC card 41 is removed from the mounting section 28 after the initial setup process is normally completed, the printer 20 may prohibit printing or may execute printing based on the printable number of sheets stored in the printer memory section 27. There is no particular limitation on the method for acquiring the printer 20. For example, the user may acquire the printer 20 from a real store such as a retail store, or a virtual store such as an EC site set up on the Internet 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1 printing system (recording system), 10 portable terminal device (information processing device), 20 printer (recording device), 22 external communication unit (communication interface), 23F discharge amount detection unit (consumption amount sensor), 23 printing unit (recording unit), 26 printer CPU (controller), 27 printer memory unit (memory unit), 27C device identification information, 28 mounting unit (reading unit), 30 server, 33C identification information data, 41 IC card (external storage medium).

Claims

1. a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium; A controller; A communication interface for communicating with the server; A recording device comprising: The controller: an initial setup process for executing an initial setup for causing the recording unit to perform a recording operation in an initial state in which the recording unit is unable to perform a recording operation; a completion determination process for determining whether the initial installation process has been completed normally; a transition process for transitioning the recording device from the initial state to a state in which a recording operation by the recording unit can be executed within a range of a recording permission amount that permits the recording operation by the recording unit, based on the determination that the initial installation process has been normally completed by the completion determination process; a first transmission process of transmitting a result of the initial installation process to the server; Run The server, a result determination process for determining whether the initial installation process has been normally completed based on the result of the initial installation process received by the first transmission process; a second transmission process of transmitting a determination result of the result determination process to the recording device; Run The controller: The recording device, in the completion determination process, determines whether or not the initial installation process has been completed normally based on the determination result received in the second transmission process.

2. The controller: execute a communication setting determination process to determine whether or not a communication setting for the communication interface has been accepted; The recording device according to claim 1 , wherein the initial setup process is executed based on the communication setting determination process determining that the communication settings have been accepted.

3. The recording unit is a printing unit that performs printing on a print medium using a colorant; The controller:

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initial installation process prepares the printing unit to a state in which printing can be performed on the print medium using the colorant.

4. a storage unit capable of storing recording permission information relating to the recording permission amount, The controller: In the transfer process, the recording permission information is stored in the storage unit; 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording section that performs a recording operation within the range of the permitted recording amount indicated by the recording permission information stored in the storage section after the transfer process is performed.

5. A reading unit capable of reading information from an external storage medium, The controller:

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the transfer process, the recording permission information is read from the external storage medium attached to the reading section, and the read recording permission information is stored in the storage section.

6. The controller, The recording apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the recording permission information acquired from the server is stored in the storage unit in the transfer process.

7. A recording device; a server in communication with the recording device; A recording system comprising: The recording device includes: A recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording medium, an initial setup process for executing an initial setup for causing the recording unit to perform a recording operation in an initial state in which the recording unit is unable to perform a recording operation; a completion determination process for determining whether the initial installation process has been completed normally; a transition process for transitioning the recording device from the initial state to a state in which a recording operation by the recording unit can be executed within a range of a recording permission amount that permits the recording operation by the recording unit, based on the determination that the initial installation process has been normally completed by the completion determination process; a first transmission process of transmitting a result of the initial installation process to the server; Run The server, a result determination process for determining whether the initial installation process has been normally completed based on the result of the initial installation process received by the first transmission process; a second transmission process of transmitting a determination result of the result determination process to the recording device; Run The recording device includes: A recording system, in which the completion determination process determines whether or not the initial installation process has been completed normally based on the determination result received in the second transmission process.

8. The recording unit is a printing unit that performs printing on a print medium using a colorant; The recording device includes: a consumption sensor for detecting a consumption amount of the colorant in the printing unit during a printing operation; the consumption detected by the consumption sensor when the printing unit is operated in the initial installation process is transmitted to the server in the first transmission process; The server, The recording system according to claim 7 , wherein in the result determination process, it is determined whether or not the initial installation process has been completed normally based on the consumption amount received from the recording device.

9. The recording unit is a printing unit that performs printing on a print medium using a colorant; The recording device includes: In the first transmission process, image data obtained by reading an image of the print medium on which printing has been performed by the printing unit is transmitted to the server; The server, The recording system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein in the result judgment process, image analysis is performed on the image data received from the recording device, and whether or not the initial installation process has been completed successfully is judged based on the result of the image analysis.

10. The server, identification information data for storing a plurality of pieces of recording device identification information capable of identifying the recording device; The recording device includes: executes a third transmission process of transmitting the recording device identification information of the own device to the server; The server, a registration determination process for determining whether or not the recording device identification information received in the third transmission process is stored in the identification information data; a fourth transmission process of transmitting a determination result indicating that the recording device has been registered to the recording device based on the determination that the recording device identification information is stored in the identification information data by the registration determination process; Run The recording device includes: The recording system according to claim 7 , wherein the initial installation process is started based on receiving a determination result indicating registration by the fourth transmission process.

11. A recording device; a server in communication with the recording device; A recording system comprising: The recording device includes: A recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording medium, an initial setup process for executing an initial setup for causing the recording unit to perform a recording operation in an initial state in which the recording unit is unable to perform a recording operation; a completion determination process for determining whether the initial installation process has been completed normally; a transition process for transitioning the recording device from the initial state to a state in which a recording operation by the recording unit can be executed within a range of a recording permission amount that permits the recording operation by the recording unit, based on the determination that the initial installation process has been normally completed by the completion determination process; Run The server, identification information data for storing a plurality of pieces of recording device identification information capable of identifying the recording device; The recording device includes: executes a third transmission process of transmitting the recording device identification information of the own device to the server; The server, a registration determination process for determining whether or not the recording device identification information received in the third transmission process is stored in the identification information data; a fourth transmission process of transmitting a determination result indicating that the recording device has been registered to the recording device based on the determination that the recording device identification information is stored in the identification information data by the registration determination process; Run The recording device includes: A recording system that starts the initial installation process based on receiving a judgment result indicating registration by the fourth transmission process.

12. The recording device includes: a communication interface for communicating with the server; execute a communication setting determination process to determine whether or not a communication setting for the communication interface has been accepted; The recording system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the third transmission process is executed based on the determination that the communication settings have been accepted in the communication settings determination process.

13. The recording device includes: A reading unit capable of reading information from an external storage medium, 13. The recording system according to claim 12, wherein the communication setting determination process is executed based on the fact that the external storage medium is attached to the reading unit after the power is turned on.

14. The external storage medium is storing medium identification information capable of identifying the external storage medium; The identification information data is storing a plurality of the medium identification information; The recording device includes: In the third transmission process, the medium identification information of the external storage medium attached to the own device is transmitted to the server; The server, In the registration determination process, it is determined whether or not the medium identification information received in the third transmission process is stored in the identification information data in addition to the recording device identification information; The recording system described in claim 13, wherein, based on the determination made by the registration determination process that both the recording device identification information and the medium identification information are stored in the identification information data, the fourth transmission process transmits a determination result indicating that the information has been registered to the recording device.

15. The recording device includes: A device capable of communicating with an information processing device via the communication interface; an access destination notification process for notifying an access destination for accessing the device via the communication interface based on the determination that the communication settings have been accepted by the communication settings determination process; an access determination process for determining whether or not the access destination notified by the access destination notification process has been accessed from the information processing device; Run The recording system according to claim 12 , wherein the third transmission process is executed based on the determination in the access determination process that the access destination has been accessed from the information processing device.

16. A recording device; a server in communication with the recording device; A control method for a recording system comprising: The recording device includes: A recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording medium, The control method includes: an initial introduction step of performing an initial introduction for causing the recording unit to perform a recording operation in an initial state in which the recording unit is unable to perform a recording operation; a completion determination step for determining whether the initial introduction step has been completed normally; a transition step of transitioning the recording device from the initial state to a state in which a recording operation by the recording unit can be executed within a range of a recording permission amount that permits a recording operation by the recording unit, based on the determination that the initial introduction step has been normally completed by the completion determination step; a first transmission step of transmitting a result of the initial introduction step from the recording device to the server; a result determination step in which the server determines whether the initial installation step has been completed normally based on the result of the initial installation step received in the first transmission step; a second transmission step of transmitting the determination result of the result determination step from the server to the recording device; Including, A control method, wherein in the completion determination step, the recording device determines whether or not the initial installation step has been completed normally based on the determination result received in the second transmission step.

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