Printing system, printing device, and server

Abstract

To provide a printing system, a printing device, and a server capable of executing notification for a user according to a print permission amount and improving convenience for the user.SOLUTION: A printer 20 of a printing system 1 causes a printing unit 25 to execute printing operation within a range of the number of printable sheets. If the number of printable sheets is less than a print number-of-sheets threshold 26B2 (S11: NO) and the number of printable sheets is less than a print executable number of sheets 26B4 based on an ink remaining amount (S13: NO), the printer 20 executes charge reminder notification to prompt execution of a charge to increase the number of printable sheets (S15). By receiving the charge reminder notification, a user can appropriately determine charge timing for the number of printable sheets.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a printing system, a printing device, and a server. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printing system that manages the number of printable sheets of a printer. The printer in Patent Document 1 has a card interface means for inserting a memory card, and executes printing based on the number of printable sheets stored in the memory card. A user of the printer can make the printer execute printing only up to the number of printable sheets 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] In the printing system of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a user can continue to use the printing service by purchasing the number of printable sheets. Therefore, in order to make the printing service more comfortable to use, a technology is required that can notify the user according to the remaining number of printable sheets.

[0005] The present application has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a printing system, a printing device, and a server that can notify a user according to the permitted printing amount, thereby improving convenience for the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing system disclosed in this specification is a printing system comprising an information processing device and a printing device capable of communicating with the information processing device, wherein the printing device comprises a container for containing a colorant and a printing unit that performs printing on a sheet using the colorant, and causes the printing unit to perform a printing operation within the range of a print allowable amount that permits printing operation by the printing unit, and the printing system executes a notification process that provides notification according to two states: the state of the print allowable amount and the state of the remaining amount of the colorant contained in the container.

[0007] Furthermore, the contents disclosed in this specification are not limited to implementation as a printing system, but may also be usefully implemented as, for example, a printing device capable of communicating with an information processing device and a server, or a server capable of communicating with an information processing device and a printing device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the printing system, printing device, and server configured as above, a notification according to the permitted printing amount is given to the user, thereby improving convenience for the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the printer management table shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a server management table shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the content of a charge reminder notification determination process executed by the printer. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of an exchange notification determination process executed by the printer. [Figure 6] 13 is a sequence diagram when a charge reminder notification process and an exchange notification process are executed. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the printable number of sheets and the printable number of sheets, and each threshold value. [Figure 8]11A to 11C are diagrams showing the transition of screens displayed on a mobile terminal device when applying for recharge and exchange. [Figure 9] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing the transition of screens displayed on a mobile terminal device when applying for recharge and exchange. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for executing a charge process and an exchange application process. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of printable sheets, the remaining amount of ink, and redirect destination information. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an EWS page displayed in case 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an EWS page displayed in case 2 of another example. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 illustrates an EWS page that is displayed when the number of printable sheets reaches zero. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 shows an EWS page displayed in cases 3 and 4. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 shows an EWS page displayed in cases 3 and 4 of another example. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for accepting an instruction to access a server by an application. [Figure 18] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing transitions of display screens on the mobile terminal device 10 when an instruction to access a server by an application is accepted. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for executing a charge process and an exchange application process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (First embodiment) A printing system 1 according to a first embodiment, which is an embodiment of the printing system of the present application, will be described below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the printing system 1. The printing system 1 includes, for example, a plurality of printers 20 and a mobile terminal device 10, and provides a printing service to a user. In this printing service, a user who has paid for the number of printable sheets, which is the number of sheets (paper, OHP, etc.) that can be printed by the printer 20, is provided with the number of printable sheets according to the amount, and the user can use the number for printing. In the following description, setting the number of printable sheets or increasing the number of printable sheets by additional charging may be referred to as "charging". In the printing system 1 of this embodiment, as described later, the mobile terminal device 10 can instruct the server 30 to charge to increase the number of printable sheets.

[0011] The printer 20 is, for example, an inkjet printer. The printer 20 sent from the vendor to the user is filled with an amount of ink necessary to print at least a predetermined number of printable sheets (for example, 2000 sheets + α sheets). Therefore, with this printing service, the user does not need to take the trouble of filling the printer 20 with ink or replacing ink cartridges between obtaining the printer 20 and printing the above-mentioned predetermined number of printable sheets. Therefore, with this printing service, there is no need to refill the printer 20 with ink, making it a highly convenient service for the user.

[0012] Furthermore, if the user wishes to print more than the above-mentioned predetermined number of printable sheets, the user pays an additional fee and makes a charge. By purchasing the additional number of printable sheets, the user can continue to use the printer 20. If the printer 20 runs low on ink due to the user repeatedly purchasing the additional number of printable sheets, the user applies for a replacement of the printer 20. The user can continue to use the printing service by using the newly shipped printer 20. When the printer 20 itself is replaced, the printer 20 is an example of a container that contains the colorant of the present application.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a mobile terminal device 10, a printer 20, and a server 30. In order to avoid the drawing becoming complicated, only one mobile terminal device 10 and one printer 20 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 are connected to each other via a router 2 so that they can communicate with each other. In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 are connected to the server 30 via the router 2 and the Internet 3 so that they can communicate with each other. In addition, the above-mentioned network configuration is an example. For example, the server 30 may be placed in a LAN, and the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may be connected to the server 30 without going through the Internet 3. In addition, the number of the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 connected to the server 30 may be one or more. In addition, one printer 20 may be shared by multiple mobile terminal devices 10, and one mobile terminal device 10 may use multiple printers 20 separately.

[0014] (Configuration of mobile terminal device 10) The mobile terminal device 10 causes a printer 20 to print an image on a sheet. The mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a smartphone. The mobile terminal device 10 includes a terminal control unit 11, a short-range communication unit 13, a touch panel 14, and an external communication unit 16. These components are capable of communicating with each other via a bus 19.

[0015] The terminal control unit 11 includes a terminal CPU 17 and a terminal storage unit 18. The terminal storage unit 18 is configured by combining, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, and the like. The terminal storage unit 18 stores a terminal program 18A, an application program (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an application) 18B, a browser software (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a browser software) 18C, and a printable number 18D. The terminal program 18A, the application 18B, the browser software 18C, and the printable number 18D are stored in, for example, a readable and writable flash memory or a ROM such as an SSD in the terminal storage unit 18. The terminal program 18A is a program that comprehensively controls the mobile terminal device 10, and provides basic functions and services to the application 18B and the browser software 18C. The terminal program 18A is, for example, Android (registered trademark) OS or iOS (registered trademark). In addition, when the mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a PC, the terminal program 18A is, for example, Windows (registered trademark) OS.

[0016] The application 18B 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 18A to execute various processes such as setting processes and print instructions for the printer 20, and charge instructions for the server 30. The terminal control unit 11 executes the terminal program 18A and the application 18B in the terminal CPU 17, and generally controls the mobile terminal device 10.

[0017] The browser software 18C is software for displaying a web page of a web server, such as Safari (registered trademark), Microsoft Edge (registered trademark), Google Chrome (registered trademark), or Firefox (registered trademark). The browser software 18C is used when displaying a web page of the server 30. The printable number 18D is information on the printable number of sheets of the printer 20 (see FIG. 2) stored on the mobile terminal device 10 side. The mobile terminal device 10 displays the current printable number 18D on a screen for accepting a print instruction to the printer 20, for example.

[0018] In the following description, the terminal control unit 11 that executes the terminal program 18A, the application 18B, and the browser software 18C on the terminal CPU 17 may be simply described by the device name. For example, the description "the mobile terminal device 10" may mean "the terminal control unit 11 that executes the terminal program 18A, the application 18B, and the browser software 18C on the terminal CPU 17." In addition, in this specification, the processing of the terminal CPU 17 according to the instructions written in the program is mainly indicated. That is, the processing of "determination," "transmission," and the like in the following description represents the processing of the terminal CPU 17. The processing by the terminal CPU 17 includes hardware control. The same also applies to the printer control unit 26 (printer 20) that executes the printer program 26B1 on the printer CPU 26A and the server control unit 32 (server 30) that executes the server program 32B1 on the server CPU 32A, which will be described later. In addition, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data that has the same substantial meaning but different formats is treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification.

[0019] Furthermore, the terminal storage unit 18 that stores the programs (terminal program 18A, application 18B, etc.) may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory storage media. The same applies to the printer storage unit 26B that stores the printer program 26B1 and the server storage unit 32B that stores the server program 32B1, which will be described later.

[0020] The short-distance communication unit 13 is a communication interface capable of short-distance wireless communication, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication). The touch panel 14 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel or a touch-sensitive film attached to the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and changes the display content of the liquid crystal panel based on the control of the terminal control unit 11. The touch panel 14 also receives an operation input from a user and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation input to the terminal control unit 11. Note that the mobile terminal device 10 may include a power button and the like in addition to the touch panel 14. Also, the user interface included in the mobile terminal device 10 is not limited to the touch panel 14. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may include a display device such as an LCD or an organic EL display, and an input device such as a push button switch or a slide switch, separately.

[0021] The external communication unit 16 is a communication interface capable of wireless communication conforming to, for example, the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard. The mobile terminal device 10 is connected to a router 2 via the external communication unit 16. The router 2 is connected to a server 30 via the Internet 3. Note that the external communication unit 16 is not limited to a wireless communication interface, and may be a wired communication interface to which a wired cable such as a LAN cable can be connected.

[0022] (Printer 20 Configuration) The printer 20 is, for example, an inkjet type color printer. The printer 20 includes a short-distance communication unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a tank unit 23, an ink remaining amount detection unit 24, a printing unit 25, a user IF (abbreviation of interface) 27, and a printer control unit 26. The short-distance communication unit 21 is, for example, a communication interface capable of short-distance wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC. The printer 20 can communicate with the short-distance communication unit 13 via the short-distance communication unit 21, and acquires setting information and print instructions from the mobile terminal device 10. In this application, the term "acquire" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request. In other words, the process in which the printer 20 receives an instruction without making a request is also included in the concept of "the printer 20 acquires an instruction."

[0023] The external communication unit 22 includes, for example, a communication interface capable of wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, and a wired communication interface to which a LAN cable can be connected. The printer 20 is connected to the router 2 via the external communication unit 22. The external communication unit 22 may be configured to include only one of the wireless communication interface or the wired communication interface.

[0024] The tank section 23 stores ink. In this embodiment, there are four types of ink (magenta M, cyan C, yellow Y, and black BK), and a plurality of tank sections 23 are provided for each type of ink. That is, the printer 20 uses a plurality of tank sections 23 to store each of the four types of ink independently. The printer 20 may be a monochrome printer. In this embodiment, when the printer 20 is supplied from the vendor to the user, each of the plurality of tank sections 23 is filled with an amount of ink that can print the above-mentioned predetermined number of printable sheets (for example, 2000 sheets + α) when the monochrome coverage is 5%, for example.

[0025] The tank unit 23 is provided so that the user cannot refill it with ink. Specifically, the tank unit 23 is located in a position where the user cannot touch it. The tank unit 23 is fixed to the printer 20 so that it cannot be detached. The ink remaining amount detection unit 24 detects the remaining amount of ink stored in the tank unit 23. The printer 20 may be configured so that the tank unit 23 is replaceable by the user. In this case, the tank unit 23 (such as an ink cartridge) that is removable from the printer 20 is an example of a container of the present application. In addition, if the printer 20 is a printer other than the inkjet type, for example, a laser type printer, a toner container that contains toner and is not replaceable, or a replaceable toner cartridge, is an example of a container of the present application. Therefore, the notification of replacement of the container of the present application may be a notification of replacement of the printer 20 itself that contains the colorant, or a notification of replacement of a part such as a tank that contains the colorant in the printer 20.

[0026] The ink remaining amount detection unit 24 is an optical sensor disposed in the tank unit 23 and detects the ink remaining amount by detecting the height of the ink liquid surface. The ink remaining amount detection unit 24 is disposed in each of the tank units 23 and detects the ink remaining amount in each of the tank units 23. The method of detecting the ink remaining amount is not limited to the above-mentioned method using an optical sensor. For example, the printer 20 may count dots during printing and calculate the ink consumption amount and ink remaining amount based on the number of dots counted. The dot count here refers to the number of dots that are included in the image data printed by the printer 20 and are printed with ink. In other words, the ink remaining amount may be calculated by software processing.

[0027] The printing unit 25 executes printing using the ink stored in the tank unit 23. The printing unit 25 includes, for example, an inkjet head, and prints image data included in a print instruction obtained from the mobile terminal device 10 onto a sheet using a known inkjet method. The user IF 27 is, for example, a touch panel, a push button switch, or the like, and receives operation input from the user and displays various information. Note that the printer 20 may not be configured to include a user IF 27 such as a touch panel.

[0028] The printer control unit 26 controls the printer 20. The printer control unit 26 includes a printer CPU 26A and a printer storage unit 26B. The printer CPU 26A controls the operation of the printer 20 by executing a printer program 26B1 in the printer storage unit 26B. The printer program 26B1 is a program that controls the printer 20 overall and causes the printer 20 to execute various processes. The printer program 26B1 also includes a program that causes the printer 20 to function as a Web server, such as an EWS (Embedded Web Server) program. The printer 20 accepts access to the Web server by executing the printer program 26B1 with the printer CPU 26A. The printer storage unit 26B is configured by combining, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, a HDD, and the like. The printer program 26B1 is stored, for example, in a rewritable ROM (such as a flash memory) of the printer storage unit 26B.

[0029] The printer storage unit 26B also stores a printer management table PT. The printer management table PT is stored, for example, in a rewritable ROM of the printer storage unit 26B. The printer management table PT is data that stores information about the printer 20 in relation to the use of the print service. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer management table PT stores a device ID, a printable number of sheets, a remaining amount of ink, and device settings in association with each other. The device ID is, for example, a serial number set by the vendor of the printer 20, and is unique information that can distinguish any printer 20 from other printers 20. The device ID is not limited to a serial number, and may be information unique to other devices, such as the MAC address of the short-range communication unit 21 or the external communication unit 22. The printable number indicates the number of sheets that can be printed by the printer 20. A user who uses the printer 20 can print (as many sheets) within the range of the printable number stored in the printer management table PT.

[0030] The number of printable sheets is increased (charged) by the number of sheets according to the amount charged by the user. On the other hand, the number of printable sheets is decreased by the number of sheets used by the printer 20 when printing. For example, when the number of printable sheets becomes zero or less, the printer 20 is in a state where printing cannot be performed. For example, the printer 20 executes printing every time it receives a print instruction, subtracts the number of printable sheets from the number of printable sheets, and continues printing until the number of printable sheets becomes zero. When the number of printable sheets becomes zero, the printer 20 prohibits printing and notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of an error. Alternatively, when the number of printable sheets of the print instruction is equal to or greater than the number of printable sheets at the time of receiving the print instruction, the printer 20 may notify the mobile terminal device 10 of an error without executing printing and leaving the number of printable sheets unchanged.

[0031] The remaining ink amount indicates the amount of remaining ink detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit 24. After the printer 20 executes an operation that uses ink, such as refilling the inkjet head with ink, checking the nozzles, printing, etc., the printer 20 stores the remaining ink amount detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit 24 in the printer management table PT. The device settings are setting information such as the functions of the printer 20 (printing, etc.), settings for each function (sheet size, color, magnification, etc.), and the language to be displayed on the user IF 27.

[0032] In addition, the printer storage unit 26B stores, for example, a print count threshold 26B2, a remaining ink threshold 26B3, a printable number of sheets 26B4, and password information 26B5 in a rewritable ROM of the printer storage unit 26B. The print count threshold 26B2 is a value used to determine the printable number in the printer management table PT, i.e., the remaining number of printable sheets of the printer itself. When the printable number of sheets falls below the print count threshold 26B2, the printer 20 issues a charge reminder notice or a charge page notice. For example, the initial value of the print count threshold 26B2 is set by the vendor in the printer 20, and the value of the print count threshold 26B2 can be changed based on instructions from the user. The method of receiving an instruction to change the print count threshold 26B2 from the user is not particularly limited, but for example, the instruction may be received by an operational input to the user IF 27 of the printer 20, the instruction may be received on the Web page of the EWS described above, or the instruction may be received on the screen of the application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10. By changing the print count threshold 26B2, the user can change the timing of receiving a charge reminder notice, etc., to a desired timing. Note that the printer 20 may be configured such that the print count threshold 26B2 set by the vendor cannot be changed.

[0033] The ink remaining amount threshold 26B3 is a value used to determine the ink remaining amount in the printer management table PT, that is, the ink remaining amount of the printer itself. As described later, when the ink remaining amount of the printer 20 becomes less than the ink remaining amount threshold 26B3, the printer 20 executes a notification to encourage the printer 20 to be replaced or a notification of a replacement application page to apply for replacement. By recognizing this replacement notification, the user operates the application 18B or the like to request the delivery of a replacement printer 20. For example, the ink remaining amount threshold 26B3 is set to a value that shortens the period from when the user is notified of the replacement of the printer 20 based on the ink remaining amount threshold 26B3 to when the replacement printer 20 is delivered to the user, compared to the period from when it is determined that the ink remaining amount is less than the ink remaining amount threshold 26B3 to when the ink remaining amount is expected to run out due to the execution of printing. For example, the ink remaining amount threshold 26B3 is set to a value equal to or greater than the product of the average number of days required to ship the printer 20 and the average amount of ink used per day. The average amount of ink used per day may be calculated, for example, from the remaining ink amounts of multiple printers 20 registered in the server management table ST of the server 30. Alternatively, the printer 20 may calculate and use the average amount of ink used per day after use begins.

[0034] Also, if the printer 20 is configured to allow replacement of the tank unit 23, the printer 20 may execute a notification urging the user to replace the tank unit 23 or a notification of a replacement application page to apply for replacement when the remaining ink level falls below the remaining ink level threshold 26B3. In this case, the remaining ink level threshold 26B3 may be set to a value that shortens the period from when the user is notified to replace the tank unit 23 to when a replacement tank unit 23 is delivered to the user, compared to the expected period until the remaining ink level runs out from the time when it is determined that the remaining ink level is below the remaining ink level threshold 26B3. Therefore, the "replacement of the container" in this application is a concept that includes replacement of the printer 20 itself and replacement of only the container that contains the colorant of the printer 20.

[0035] The printable number of sheets 26B4 is the number of sheets that can be printed with the remaining ink in the tank unit 23. The printer 20 calculates the printable number of sheets 26B4, for example, by dividing the remaining ink amount by a preset average consumption of ink per sheet. Alternatively, the printer 20 may calculate the printable number of sheets 26B4 by calculating the average consumption of ink per sheet based on the reduction in the remaining ink amount per predetermined period and the number of printed sheets printed in that predetermined period. The printer 20 calculates the printable number of sheets 26B4 for each color. The printer 20 may calculate and update the information of the printable number of sheets 26B4 every time the ink remaining amount detection unit 24 detects the remaining ink amount, or may calculate the printable number of sheets 26B4 appropriately when executing a process using the printable number of sheets 26B4 described later. The printer 20 may calculate the printable number of sheets 26B4 for each color and store only the smallest printable number of sheets 26B4 in the printer storage unit 26B. The printable number of sheets 26B4 is an example of the printable amount of the present application. The printable amount of the present application is not limited to an amount defined in units of sheets (one sheet), but may be, for example, an amount defined in units of one side (one surface) of one sheet. In this case, the printer 20 may determine how many remaining surfaces can be printed from the printable amount.

[0036] The password information 26B5 is information about a password used for login authentication via an EWS Web page. Login authentication via a Web page will be described in detail later (see FIG. 8). The method of setting the password in the password information 26B5 is not particularly limited. For example, the vendor may set an initial password in advance in the password information 26B5 and store it in the printer 20. The printer 20 may also accept a change to the password in the password information 26B5 from the user via the EWS page or the user IF 27.

[0037] (Server 30 Configuration) 1, the server 30 includes an external communication unit 31 and a server control unit 32. The external communication unit 31 is connected to the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 via the Internet 3 and a router 2. The server control unit 32 includes a server CPU 32A and a server storage unit 32B. The server CPU 32A comprehensively controls the operation of the server 30 by executing a server program 32B1 in the server storage unit 32B. The server program 32B1 is a program that comprehensively controls the server 30 and causes the server 30 to execute various processes.

[0038] The server storage unit 32B is configured by combining, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, etc. Also, the server storage unit 32B stores a server management table ST. The server management table ST is data that stores information required to use the print service. The server management table ST stores information about each printer 20 that uses the print service in association with the device ID of the printer 20, and is managed by the vendor.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the server management table ST stores, for example, a device ID and a printable number of sheets in association with each other. The device ID and the printable number of sheets are the same data as those in the printer management table PT described above, and data in the printer management table PT corresponding to the same device ID is stored. The server 30 of this embodiment manages the printable number of each printer 20 using the printing service by using the server management table ST that associates the device ID with the printable number of sheets. The server 30 executes a synchronization process to synchronize the printable number, which increases or decreases in response to print instructions and charge instructions from the mobile terminal device 10, with the printer 20, and manages the latest printable number in the server management table ST.

[0040] The information in the printer management table PT and the server management table ST shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is an example. For example, the server 30 may manage whether or not printing can be performed on the printer 20 in the server management table ST. For example, the server 30 may store activation information in association with each device ID. The activation information here means, for example, that when data indicating ON is set, printing by the printing unit 25 is permitted, and when data indicating OFF is set, printing by the printing unit 25 is restricted. The server 30 may restrict the printing operation of the printer 20 by, for example, synchronizing the activation information in the printer management table PT for each device ID with the activation information in the server management table ST. The server 30 may also obtain the remaining ink amount of each printer 20 from the printer management table PT and store it in the server management table ST, and notify the mobile terminal device 10 of the replacement of the printer 20 according to the reduction in the remaining ink amount.

[0041] (Charge reminder notification processing, exchange notification processing) Next, the charge reminder notification process and exchange notification process executed by the printing system 1 will be described. First, the charge reminder notification determination process executed by the printer 20 will be described. FIG. 4 shows the contents of the charge reminder notification determination process. The printer 20 starts the process shown in FIG. 4, for example, after the printing execution is completed and the number of printed sheets is subtracted from the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT. Note that the start condition of the process in FIG. 4 is not limited to the above-mentioned condition for the end of printing. The printer 20 may start the process in FIG. 4 at other times, for example, when printing starts or when the power is turned on.

[0042] First, when the printer 20 starts the process of Fig. 4, in step (hereinafter simply referred to as "S") 11, the printer 20 determines whether the printable number is equal to or greater than the print number threshold 26B2. The printer 20 reads the printable number from the printer management table PT and determines whether the read printable number is equal to or greater than the print number threshold 26B2. If the printer 20 determines that the printable number is equal to or greater than the print number threshold 26B2 (S11: YES), it ends the process shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the printer 20 does not issue a charge reminder notice, which will be described later.

[0043] On the other hand, if the number of printable sheets is less than the print number threshold 26B2 (S11: NO), the printer 20 determines whether the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the number of printable sheets 26B4 (S13). For example, the printer 20 detects the amount of remaining ink using the ink remaining amount detection unit 24 at the end of printing, calculates the number of printable sheets 26B4 for each color, and compares the number of printable sheets with the smallest number of printable sheets 26B4. If the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the number of printable sheets 26B4 (S13: YES), the printer 20 ends the process shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the printer 20 does not issue a charge reminder notice, which will be described later.

[0044] If the number of printable sheets is less than the number of printable sheets 26B4 (S13: NO), the printer 20 sends a charge reminder notice instruction to the server 30 (S15). This charge reminder notice instruction is information that instructs the server 30 to execute a charge reminder notice to the mobile terminal device 10. After executing S15, the printer 20 ends the process shown in FIG.

[0045] (1) If the number of pages that can be printed is less than the number of pages that can be printed Fig. 6 shows the contents of the processing of each device in the charge reminder notification process and the exchange notification process described later. First, the case where the number of printable sheets is less than the number of printable sheets 26B4 will be described. The printer 20, for example, executes the charge reminder notification judgment shown in Fig. 4 every time printing is completed, and if the number of printable sheets is less than the print number threshold 26B2 (S11: NO) and the number of printable sheets is less than the number of printable sheets 26B4 (S13: NO), it sends a charge reminder notification instruction to the server 30 (S15).

[0046] When the server 30 acquires the instruction of S15 from the printer 20, it transmits a charge reminder notice to the mobile terminal device 10 (S21). This charge reminder notice is information that causes the mobile terminal device 10 to execute a charge reminder notice to the user. The method of determining the mobile terminal device 10 to be notified is not particularly limited. For example, for each printer 20 registered in the server management table ST, a mobile terminal device 10 capable of executing charge (such as the mobile terminal device 10 of the administrator) may be registered, and the server 30 may transmit the charge reminder notice to the registered mobile terminal device 10. Alternatively, the printer 20 may notify the server 30 in S15 of the terminal ID of the mobile terminal device 10 that has accepted a print instruction until just before, and the server 30 may determine the notification destination based on this terminal ID.

[0047] When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the notification of S21, it executes display of a charge reminder (S23). The method of displaying the charge reminder is not particularly limited. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a message such as "The number of printable sheets is running low, please charge" on the touch panel 14. Alternatively, the mobile terminal device 10 may display a link to a charge page, which will be described later, together with the message.

[0048] For example, the mobile terminal device 10 executes the display of the charge reminder in S23 and then receives a charge instruction from the user (S25). For example, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a combination of the printable number of sheets to be charged (hereinafter, may be referred to as the charge number) and the amount of money required to charge that number of sheets, and receives the selection of the charge number from among them (S25). The mobile terminal device 10 may also receive the value of the charge number to be charged from the user.

[0049] When the mobile terminal device 10 receives a charge instruction (S25), it transmits the charge instruction to the server 30 (S27). The printer 20 transmits, for example, information on the selected charge number and the device ID of the printer 20 that will perform the charge to the server 30. When the server 30 acquires the charge instruction, it performs charging on the printer 20 that received the instruction. The server 30 executes, for example, a process for collecting the charge fee based on a payment method such as a credit card that has been registered in advance, and transmits an instruction to add the charge number instructed in S27 to the printer 20 with the specified device ID (S29).

[0050] When the printer 20 receives the instruction to add in S29, it adds the instructed charge number to the printable number in the printer management table PT (S31). When the printer 20 completes the addition process in S31, it sends a completion notice to the server 30 (S33). In sending the completion notice, the printer 20 sends the printable number after the addition to the server 30. When the server 30 receives the completion notice from the printer 20, it updates (overwrites) the printable number in the server management table ST with the printable number obtained from the printer 20 (S35). This is because the printer 20 subtracts the printable number in the printer management table PT in response to printing execution, and the printer 20 holds the latest information on the printable number. Therefore, the server 30 overwrites the printable number in the server management table ST with the information from the printer 20 (the printable number after the addition).

[0051] After updating the server management table ST, the server 30 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 that the charge has been completed (S37). In S37, the server 30 transmits the updated printable number to the mobile terminal device 10. The mobile terminal device 10 updates its own printable number 18D with the acquired printable number (S39). This makes it possible to urge the user to charge when the printable number falls to a predetermined number based on the print number threshold 26B2.

[0052] (2) If the number of printable sheets is greater than or equal to the number of sheets that can be printed On the other hand, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the printer 20 will not send a charge reminder notification instruction (see the cross in Figure 6) even if the number of printable sheets is less than the print count threshold 26B2 (S11: NO), but if the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the number of printable sheets 26B4 (S13: YES).

[0053] (Exchange notification processing) Next, the replacement notification process will be explained using Figures 5 and 6. Figure 6 shows the contents of the replacement notification process. For example, when printing is finished, the printer 20 updates the remaining ink amount in the printer management table PT based on the detection value of the remaining ink detection unit 24, and starts the process shown in Figure 6. Note that the printer 20 may also start the process of Figure 6 at other times, such as during printing.

[0054] First, the printer 20 judges whether the remaining ink amount in the printer management table PT is equal to or greater than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 (S17). For example, if the remaining ink amount of all colors is equal to or greater than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3, the printer 20 makes a positive judgment in S17 (S17: YES) and ends the process shown in FIG. 5. In this case, the printer 20 does not send a replacement notification instruction, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the remaining ink amount of at least one color of all the remaining ink amounts of colors is less than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 (S17: NO), the printer 20 sends a replacement notification instruction to the server 30 (S19) and ends the process shown in FIG. 5. The printer 20 may use the same remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 for all colors, or may use a different remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 for each color.

[0055] 6, when the server 30 receives the instruction of S19 from the printer 20, it transmits a replacement notification to the mobile terminal device 10 in the same manner as the charge reminder notification described above (S41). When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the replacement notification of S41, it displays the replacement notification on the touch panel 14 (S43). For example, the mobile terminal device 10 displays a message such as "The ink level is low. If you wish to continue using the printing service, please request the delivery of a replacement printer 20" or a link to an replacement application page, which will be described later, on the touch panel 14. This makes it possible to urge the user to replace the printer 20 depending on the ink level.

[0056] The method of prompting for charge or notifying of replacement is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, the printer 20 may directly transmit the charge prompt or replacement notification to the mobile terminal device 10 without going through the server 30. The server 30 may execute the charge prompt notification determination process shown in FIG. 4 or the replacement notification determination process shown in FIG. 5. The server 30 may obtain the printable number or remaining ink amount from the printer 20 each time printing is completed, calculate the printable number 26B4, and determine the printable number. Similarly, the application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10 may execute the process shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 to notify of charge prompt or replacement. The destination of the charge prompt or replacement notification is not limited to the mobile terminal device 10. For example, the printer 20 may display a message prompting for charge on the touch panel of the user IF 27.

[0057] Next, an example of the charge reminder notification process and the replacement notification process will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a graph in which the printable number of sheets in the printer management table PT is set on the horizontal axis and the printable number of sheets 26B4 is set on the vertical axis. The straight line 41 shown in FIG. 7 is a straight line where the printable number and the printable number of sheets 26B4 are the same value. The hatched area 43 in FIG. 7 is an area where the printable number is equal to or greater than the printable number of sheets 26B4. That is, when the printer 20 transitions to the area 43, the printable number held by the user as the right to print is greater than the number of sheets that can be printed with the remaining ink in the tank section 23 of the printer 20 itself. If the printable number is further charged in this state, there is a high possibility that the charged number of sheets cannot be used before the ink runs out. That is, there is a high possibility that the user cannot use up the charged number of sheets. As a result, a process occurs in which the printable number is transferred from the old printer 20 to the new printer 20 for replacement. Therefore, when the number of printable sheets transitions to area 43, which is equal to or greater than the number of printable sheets 26B4, the printer 20 of this embodiment prohibits the issuance of a charge reminder notice.

[0058] More specifically, for example, the remaining ink threshold 26B3 is set to a value equivalent to the remaining ink amount that allows printing of 500 sheets. The print count threshold 26B2 is also set to 500 sheets. The initial value of the number of printable sheets 26B4 is set to 10,000 sheets. In other words, the printer 20 has an initial amount of remaining ink that allows printing of only 10,000 sheets. The initial value of the number of printable sheets is set to 2,000 sheets.

[0059] The printable number of sheets 26B4 and the printable number of sheets are reduced according to the number of sheets printed in the print process each time the user executes printing. For example, at timing T1, the printable number of sheets reaches the printable number threshold 26B2 (500 sheets in this case). The printer 20 executes a charge reminder notice (S15) because the printable number of sheets falls below the printable number threshold 26B2 (S11: NO in FIG. 4) and the printable number is also below the printable number of sheets 26B4 (S13: NO in FIG. 4). As a result, the user executes the first charge, and the printable number of sheets increases to 2000 sheets.

[0060] Similarly, the user prints, sees the charge reminder notice, and charges (timing T2, for example). Then, at timing T3, charging is performed, and the number of printable sheets becomes equal to or greater than the number of printable sheets 26B4. In other words, the state of printer 20 moves into area 43. Thereafter, as the printing process is performed, if the remaining ink level falls below the remaining ink level threshold 26B3 (the number of printable sheets 26B4 falls below 500), printer 20 issues a replacement notice (timing T4).

[0061] Also, at time T5, the printer 20 does not execute a charge reminder notice because the printable number of sheets is less than the print count threshold 26B2 (S11: NO), but the printable number is equal to or greater than the printable number of sheets 26B4 (S13: YES) (see FIG. 4). This prevents the printable number of sheets from being overcharged to the number of sheets that can be printed. The values ​​and variations in the graph shown in FIG. 7 are merely examples. For example, the ink remaining amount threshold 26B3 may be less than or greater than the print count threshold 26B2. When the ink remaining amount threshold 26B3 is less than the print count threshold 26B2, for example, when the ink remaining amount threshold 26B3 is 100 sheets, the time T4 comes after the time T5. In this case, the replacement notice at the time T4 is executed after the time T5 in which the restriction process of not executing the charge reminder notice is executed.

[0062] In addition, the method of limiting the charge reminder notification is not limited to not issuing the notification (prohibiting execution). For example, the printer 20 may limit the number of times the charge reminder notification is issued. The printer 20 may set a limit on the number of times, such as issuing the notification once every two times. The printer 20 may also limit the charge reminder notification even if the printable number 26B4 is equal to or greater than the printable number (S13: YES, even in the area opposite the area 43 across the straight line 41 in FIG. 7). For example, as shown at timing T6 in FIG. 7, after issuing a charge reminder notification once, if the printable number is less than the print number threshold 26B2 because the number of charged sheets is small even if charging is executed, the execution of the charge reminder notification may be limited. In addition, the printable number 26B4 used in S13 in FIG. 4 may be a value obtained by correcting the printable number 26B4 by +α, as shown by the dashed line 45 in FIG. 7. This makes it possible to start limiting the charge reminder notification when the number of pages that can be printed with the remaining ink is +α more than the number of pages that can be printed. This allows the user to more reliably use up the number of pages that can be printed before the ink runs out. In other words, it is possible to more reliably prevent the number of pages that can be printed from being carried over. Conversely, the number of pages that can be printed 26B4 used in S13 of FIG. 4 may be a value that is corrected by -α to the number of pages that can be printed 26B4.

[0063] (Charge processing, exchange application processing) Next, a case will be described where an instruction to access the server 30 is received via the EWS of the printer 20, and a charge process and an exchange application process are executed. The printer 20 of this embodiment changes the access destination information of the web page to be notified when the number of printable sheets falls below the print count threshold 26B2 or when the remaining ink level falls below the remaining ink level threshold 26B3.

[0064] (Case 1: The number of printable pages is equal to or greater than the print page threshold 26B2, and the remaining ink is equal to or greater than the remaining ink threshold 26B3) First, the case where the printable number of sheets is equal to or greater than the print number threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink amount is equal to or greater than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 (hereinafter referred to as "Case 1") will be described. Figures 8 and 9 show the transition of screens displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 when applying for recharge and exchange. Figure 10 shows the processing contents of each device when executing the recharge process and exchange application process.

[0065] First, as shown in S51 of FIG. 10, the mobile terminal device 10 accesses the EWS of the printer 20. The method of accessing the web page of the EWS of the printer 20 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the EWS page) from the mobile terminal device 10 is not particularly limited. For example, the browser software 18C may be started on the mobile terminal device 10 and a URL may be input, or a QR code (registered trademark) of the access destination may be displayed on the user IF 27 of the printer 20 and read by the mobile terminal device 10 to access the page. When the EWS page is accessed from the mobile terminal device 10 or when a predetermined operation is performed after the access, the printer 20 transmits a login page to the mobile terminal device 10 (S53). As described later, the printer 20 accepts a password on this login page, and only when authentication using the accepted password is successful, notifies the server 30 of the access destination information. This allows only users who have been successfully authenticated to perform charge processing or exchange application processing.

[0066] Screen 51 in Fig. 8 shows a state in which an EWS login page is displayed by browser software 18C on touch panel 14 of mobile terminal device 10. As shown in Fig. 8, screen 51 displays address box 53 for inputting a URL and the like, EWS page 55 (login page), and the like. EWS page 55 displays input box 57 for inputting a password, login button 59 for instructing execution of login, and the like. In addition, EWS page 55 displays, for example, various statuses of printer 20. The user inputs a password in input box 57 and touches login button 59.

[0067] When the login button 59 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 sends the password entered in the input box 57 to the printer 20 (S55 in FIG. 10). The printer 20 executes an authentication process to determine whether the password acquired in S55 matches the password in the password information 26B5 (S57). If the printer 20 determines that the password entered in the EWS page 55 matches the password set in the password information 26B5, it sets a message to be displayed on the EWS page 61 (see FIG. 8) after login (S59).

[0068] When the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the print number threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink amount is equal to or greater than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3, the printer 20 sets the message 63 shown in FIG. 8 indicating the current number of printable sheets as a message to be displayed (S59). Also, as described later, the printer 20 adds a message to be displayed on the EWS page 61 when the number of printable sheets falls below the print number threshold 26B2 or when the remaining ink amount falls below the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3. Details of the message to be added will be described later. When the printer 20 sets the message to be displayed (S59), it transmits the EWS page 61 after login (see FIG. 8) to the mobile terminal device 10 (S61). As shown in the screen 60 of FIG. 8, the EWS page 61 after login displays the message 63 of the number of printable sheets, a link 65 for accessing the server 30, and a logout button 67 for instructing the execution of logout. For example, the printer 20 displays the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT of the printer itself in the message 63. Furthermore, the printer 20 displays the words "Go to website" on the link 65. Furthermore, the printer 20 executes a logout process based on the touch operation of the logout button 67.

[0069] When the mobile terminal device 10 receives a touch operation on the link 65 while the screen 60 is displayed on the touch panel 14 (S63), it executes physical authentication with the printer 20 (S65 to S71). This physical authentication is an authentication process for preventing a charge or exchange application by an unauthorized user, and is a process for confirming whether or not the user is near the printer 20, that is, whether or not the user is a legitimate user who can use the printer 20, by receiving an operation on the printer 20. For example, when the mobile terminal device 10 receives a touch operation on the link 65 (S63), it transmits a start notification of physical authentication to the printer 20 (S65). When the EWS of the printer 20 acquires the start notification from the mobile terminal device 10 (S65), it causes the mobile terminal device 10 to display a pop-up screen 69 shown in FIG. 8 (S66). The EWS causes the pop-up screen 69 to display messages 71 such as "Go to Web site", "Waiting action", and "Please press OK on the main panel".

[0070] Furthermore, when the printer 20 receives the start notification, it displays the screen 73 of Fig. 8 on the user IF 27 and accepts the physical authentication (S67). As shown in Fig. 8, the printer 20 displays a message 75 of "Allow access to advanced settings", an OK button 77, and a cancel button 79 on the screen 73. When the OK button 77 is touched, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 that the physical authentication has been accepted (S71). This allows the printer 20 to start displaying a Web page of the server 30, which will be described later, based on the success of the physical authentication.

[0071] Furthermore, if the cancel button 79 is touched or if the printer 20 cannot detect a touch operation of the OK button 77 even after a certain time has elapsed since the display of the screen 73, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 that the physical authentication has failed. This makes it possible to guide only authorized users who are near the printer 20 to the charge page, etc. of the server 30. Note that the method of performing physical authentication is not limited to the above-mentioned method of requesting physical operation of the printer 20, and for example, authentication between the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may be performed by short-range wireless communication such as NFC.

[0072] When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the notification of S71, it requests (S73) from the printer 20 a URL (hereinafter referred to as Web portal one-time URL) for accessing the top page, charge page, or exchange application page (hereinafter referred to as Web portal page) of the server 30. This Web portal one-time URL is information in which a one-time token and access destination information are added to a base URL for accessing a Web page of the server 30, for example, as described below. Web portal one-time URL = Base URL + one-time token + access destination information

[0073] The base URL here is, for example, information on the host name or domain name of a Web server on which a charge page or an exchange application page of the server 30 is provided. The base URL information is, for example, set in advance in the server storage unit 32B or the like based on information on the Web server of the server 30. The one-time token is, for example, information for identifying the access source device (mobile terminal device 10), and is a string of numbers or letters that is temporarily issued to the source device to prevent unauthorized access such as spoofing. The server 30 may exchange this one-time token with the mobile terminal device 10 to perform communication while authenticating the access source, or may use the value of the one-time token to encrypt data to be transmitted and received.

[0074] The access destination information is information indicating whether to access the top page, charge page, or exchange application page, and is information for changing the Web page displayed on the mobile terminal device 10. When the printer 20 acquires the request of S73, it requests a one-time token from the server 30 (S75). When the server 30 acquires the request of S75, it generates a one-time token based on a predetermined arithmetic expression or the like (S77), and transmits the generated one-time token to the printer 20 (S79).

[0075] When the printer 20 acquires the one-time token from the server 30, it sets access destination information (S81). In S81, the server 30 sets information indicating which Web page, the top page, the charge page, or the exchange application page, is to be accessed as the access destination information. The data format of the access destination information is not particularly limited, but may be set to different numbers, such as "1" for the top page, "2" for the charge page, and "3" for the exchange application page. As will be described later, the server 30 changes the Web portal site displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 based on this access destination information. For this reason, the access destination information for identifying each page is set in advance as common data for the printer 20 and the server 30, for example. Alternatively, the printer 20 may acquire information indicating the relationship between each page and the value of the access destination information from the server 30.

[0076] FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the number of printable sheets, the remaining ink amount, and the access destination information. The printer 20 has, for example, the table data shown in FIG. 11 in the printer storage unit 26B, and when the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the print number threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink amount is equal to or greater than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 (case 1), sets the information for accessing the top page in the access destination information (S81). Also, when the number of printable sheets is less than (is less than) the print number threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink amount is equal to or greater than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 (hereinafter referred to as "case 2"), the printer 20 sets the information for accessing the charge page in the access destination information. Also, when the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the print number threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink amount is less than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 (hereinafter referred to as "case 3"), the printer 20 sets the information for accessing the exchange application page in the access destination information. Furthermore, when the number of printable sheets is less than the print count threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink level is less than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3 (hereinafter referred to as "Case 4"), the printer 20 sets information for accessing the exchange request page in the access destination information. In other words, when the number of printable sheets is low and the remaining ink level is also low, the printer 20 prioritizes the exchange request notification (Case 4). Note that the setting values ​​for the access destination information shown in FIG. 11 are only an example. For example, in Case 4, the printer 20 may set information for accessing the top page in the access destination information.

[0077] Since this is Case 1, the printer 20 sets information for accessing the top page as the access destination information (S81). After executing S81, the printer 20 adds the one-time token information acquired in S79 and the access destination information set in S81 to the base URL information to generate a Web portal one-time URL (S83). The printer 20 transmits the generated Web portal one-time URL to the mobile terminal device 10 (S85).

[0078] The mobile terminal device 10 accesses the Web portal one-time URL acquired in S85 with the browser software 18C (S87). When the server 30 accepts the access in S87, it determines the access destination, etc. based on the accessed Web portal one-time URL (S89). Since the access destination information indicating the top page is set this time, the server 30 transmits the Web page of the top page to the printer 20 (S91). The mobile terminal device 10 displays the Web page acquired in S91, i.e., the top page, on the touch panel 14 (S93).

[0079] In addition, in the access in S87 or the access after displaying the top page, the server 30 judges whether the mobile terminal device 10 that is the connection source is a legitimate user based on the one-time token in the URL. For example, the server 30 may perform authentication using the one-time token when transmitting and receiving data to and from the mobile terminal device 10, and may also perform encryption of data using the one-time token. In addition, the authentication method of the mobile terminal device 10 is not limited to the method using the one-time token, and may be, for example, a method of performing authentication by sending a one-time pass to a registered email address.

[0080] 8, when the mobile terminal device 10 acquires the Web page of S91, it displays the top page 83 of the server 30 in the browser software 18C, and displays the URL of the top page 83 in the address box 85. As shown in the screen 81, the top page 83 displays a message 87 indicating "Printer management page," "Number of printable sheets," and "Last synchronization time." The number of printable sheets is, for example, information on the number of printable sheets in the server management table ST. The last synchronization time is the latest time when synchronization processing was performed between the number of printable sheets in the printer management table PT of the printer 20 and the number of printable sheets in the server management table ST.

[0081] Also, the top page 83 displays a charge button 88 and a printer exchange button 89. When the server 30 acquires information indicating that the touch operation of the charge button 88 has been accepted from the mobile terminal device 10, the server 30 displays a charge page 91 shown in FIG. 9. When the server 30 acquires information indicating that the touch operation of the printer exchange button 89 has been accepted from the mobile terminal device 10, the server 30 displays an exchange application page 105 shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, when the physical authentication by the printer 20 is successful, the server 30 displays the top page, the charge page, and the exchange application page without requiring authentication. For this reason, it is preferable in terms of security to ensure that the user who executes the charge or exchange application is the same as the user who succeeded in the physical authentication. Therefore, the server 30 issues a one-time token to determine the access source. In other words, by using the one-time token, authentication on the page that accepts the instruction for the charge or exchange application can be omitted. The server 30 may execute authentication of the user again when displaying the top page, the charge page, or the exchange application page without issuing a one-time token. Furthermore, if replacement of the printer 20 is not necessary, such as when the remaining ink level is equal to or exceeds the remaining ink level threshold 26B3, the server 30 may perform control such that the printer replacement button 89 is grayed out and cannot be operated.

[0082] The screen transitions at the top of FIG. 9 show screen transitions of recharge pages 91, 92, and 93. The server 30 displays the recharge pages 91 to 93 on the mobile terminal device 10 and accepts a recharge instruction. Note that the address box 85 and the like are omitted from the illustration of the recharge pages 91 to 93. When the recharge button 88 on the screen 81 is touched, the server 30 displays the recharge page 91 on the mobile terminal device 10. The server 30 displays recharge buttons 95 indicating multiple recharge quantities and the fees required to purchase each recharge quantity on the recharge page 91. When any of the multiple recharge buttons 95 (the recharge button 95 for 100 sheets in the illustrated example) is touched, the server 30 displays the recharge page 92. The server 30 displays an input box 97 for inputting a credit card number and a payment button 99 for accepting a payment instruction on the recharge page 92, in addition to the recharge quantity and fee of the selected recharge button 95. The user inputs the credit card number to be used for payment into an input box 97, and touches a payment button 99. Note that the method of accepting the recharge amount is not limited to a method of accepting a selection from the displayed recharge amounts, and a method of accepting an input of the recharge amount value may also be used.

[0083] Based on the touch operation of the settlement button 99, the server 30 collects the fee from the credit card specified in the input box 97 and executes the process of adding the number of printable sheets, similar to S27 to S39 in FIG. 6. The method of payment is not limited to credit card, and other methods such as debit, electronic money, bank account, etc. may be used. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to confirm the printer 20 in which charging is being performed, information 101 of the serial number of the printer may be displayed on the charge page 91, etc. Then, when charging of the number of printable sheets is completed, the server 30 displays the charge page 93 on the mobile terminal device 10. The server 30 displays information on the charged number of sheets, a message 103 that indicates that the settlement has been completed, and a message that the user should confirm the number of printable sheets after charging on the charge page 93. This allows charging of the number of printable sheets to be performed.

[0084] 9 shows the screen transition of exchange application pages 105, 106. The server 30 displays the exchange application pages 105, 106 on the mobile terminal device 10 and accepts an instruction to apply for a replacement of the printer 20. When the printer replacement button 89 on the screen 81 is touched, the server 30 displays the exchange application page 105 on the mobile terminal device 10. The server 30 displays, on the exchange application page 105, an input box 107 for inputting the delivery address of the replacement printer 20 and an exchange application button 108 for instructing the exchange application.

[0085] The user inputs the delivery address of the replacement printer 20 in the input box 107, and touches the replacement request button 108. When the replacement request button 108 is touched, the server 30 notifies the vendor's worker or the like of an instruction to ship the replacement printer 20 to the address entered in the input box 107. The server 30 also displays an replacement request page 106 on the mobile terminal device 10. The server 30 displays a message 109 on the replacement request page 106 to the effect that the replacement request has been accepted, a reception number, and a request to wait until the printer arrives. This allows the user to request the server 30 to ship the replacement printer 20. The reception number is a number for the vendor to confirm the shipping status, etc.

[0086] (Case 2: The number of printable sheets is less than the print number threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink level is equal to or greater than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3) Next, the case 2 in FIG. 11 will be described. In the following description, the same contents as those in the case 1 described above will be omitted as appropriate. First, in S59 in FIG. 10, the printer 20 sets a message to be displayed on the EWS page 61 after login (S59), and causes the mobile terminal device 10 to display the EWS page 61 after login (S61). FIG. 12 shows the EWS page 61 in case 2. As shown in FIG. 12, in case 2, the printer 20 adds a message 111 encouraging charging in addition to the message displayed on the EWS page 61 in case 1 in FIG. 8. This allows the user who has accessed the login page to recognize that charging is necessary.

[0087] When the EWS page 61 is displayed in S61, the mobile terminal device 10 and the like execute S63 to S79 ​​in the same manner as in Case 1. In S81, the printer 20 sets information for accessing the charge page as the access destination information. As a result, when the Web portal site is accessed in S87, the server 30 determines to display the charge page based on the access destination information in S89, and displays the charge page 91 in FIG. 9 on the mobile terminal device 10 (S91, S93). That is, by changing the access destination information in S81, the printer 20 changes the Web portal site displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 from the top page to the charge page 91. As a result, by displaying the charge page 91 in response to a touch operation of the link 65 while encouraging the user to charge with the message 111 on the EWS page 61 in FIG. 12, the user's effort in the charge operation can be reduced, and the user can smoothly perform the charge operation.

[0088] The display mode of the message 111 shown in FIG. 12 is an example and can be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a link 113 may be displayed separately from the link 65. When the link 65 is touched, the printer 20 or the like displays the top page 83 on the mobile terminal device 10, and when the link 113 is touched, the printer 20 or the like displays the charge page 91. The server 30 may also display text suggesting charge, such as "Charge now," on the link 113. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, the server 30 may change the message 111 to be displayed when the number of printable sheets becomes zero. For example, the server 30 may delete text such as "The number of printable sheets will soon run out" in FIG. 12 and display only text "Charge on the following page" in the message 111. When the link 65 is touched, the printer 20 or the like displays the charge page 91. Furthermore, the server 30 may display a message that emphasizes the need to charge more each time the number of printable sheets falls below a threshold number of printable sheets (e.g., 500 sheets). The server 30 may change the size, thickness, color, etc. of the characters in the message 111 to emphasize the need to charge more each time the number of printable sheets falls to 400 sheets, 300 sheets, 200 sheets, and so on. This makes it possible to more clearly communicate to the user that a charge is necessary.

[0089] (Case 3: The number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the print count threshold 26B2, and the remaining ink level is less than the ink level threshold 26B3; Case 4: The number of printable sheets is less than the print count threshold 26B2, and the remaining ink level is less than the ink level threshold 26B3) Next, cases 3 and 4 in Fig. 11 will be described. In S59 in Fig. 10, the printer 20 sets a message to be displayed on the EWS page 61 after login (S59), and causes the mobile terminal device 10 to display the EWS page 61 after login (S61). Fig. 15 shows the EWS page 61 in cases 3 and 4. As shown in Fig. 15, in cases 3 and 4, the printer 20 adds a message 115 encouraging replacement in addition to the message displayed on the EWS page 61 for case 1 in Fig. 8. This makes it possible for a user who has accessed the login page to recognize that a request for replacement is required.

[0090] When the EWS page 61 is displayed in S61, the mobile terminal device 10 and the like execute S63 to S79 ​​in the same manner as in Case 1. In S81, the printer 20 sets information for accessing the exchange application page as the access destination information. As a result, the server 30 decides to display the exchange application page based on the access destination information in S89, and displays the exchange application page 105 of FIG. 9 on the mobile terminal device 10 (S91, S93). That is, by changing the access destination information in S81, the printer 20 changes the Web portal site displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 from the top page to the exchange application page 105. As a result, by displaying the exchange application page 105 in response to a touch operation of the link 65 while encouraging the user to exchange with the message 115 on the EWS page 61 in FIG. 15, the user's effort in making an exchange application can be reduced, and the user can smoothly perform the exchange application operation. As in the case of charging in FIG. 13, in the case of an exchange application, as shown in FIG. 16, a link 117 for displaying an exchange application page 105 may be displayed in addition to the link 65 for displaying the top page 83.

[0091] (Access via Application 18B) Next, a case will be described where an instruction to access the server 30 is accepted by the application 18B, and a charge process and an exchange application process are executed. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the mobile terminal device 10 accesses the EWS of the printer 20 (S51 to S61), and then the server 30 is accessed. However, the method of accepting an instruction to access the server 30 is not limited to a method using the EWS, and a method using the application 18B may also be used. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same contents as those in the case of using the EWS in Fig. 10, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0092] FIG. 17 shows a sequence diagram in the case where an instruction to access the server 30 is accepted by the application 18B. First, as shown in FIG. 17, the mobile terminal device 10 accepts an operation for the application 18B (S101). FIG. 18 shows a screen 121 displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 after a predetermined operation for the application 18B is accepted. For example, a user touches an icon of the application 18B displayed on the touch panel 14 to start the application 18B. The mobile terminal device 10 executes the application 18B on the terminal CPU 17 and displays a menu screen (not shown) on the touch panel 14. When a setting item such as printer management is touched on the menu screen, the mobile terminal device 10 displays the screen 121 on the touch panel 14. The application 18B displays a printer name 123, a printable number message 124, and a move button 125 on the screen 121. The printer name 123 is the printer name of the selected printer 20, and is the printer name of the printer 20 to be charged or exchanged. The printable number message 124 is a message indicating the printable number 18D.

[0093] When the move button 125 is touched while the screen 121 is displayed (S103), the mobile terminal device 10 executes physical authentication with the printer 20 with the printer name 123 (selected) in S105 and thereafter. The mobile terminal device 10 executes physical authentication with the printer 20, for example, in the same manner as in the case of the EWS described above. When the mobile terminal device 10 accepts the touch operation of the move button 125 (S103), it transmits a notification of the start of physical authentication to the printer 20 (S105). When the printer 20 acquires the start notification from the mobile terminal device 10 (S105), it transmits an acquisition notification indicating that the start notification has been acquired to the mobile terminal device 10 (S106). When the application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10 acquires the notification in S106, it transitions the screen displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 from the screen 121 shown in FIG. 18 to a screen 127 (S107). The mobile terminal device 10 displays a message 129 such as "Please press OK on the main unit panel" on the screen 127, similar to the pop-up screen 69 in Fig. 8. When a cancel button 131 displayed on the screen 127 is touched, the mobile terminal device 10 interrupts the physical authentication being performed, displays the screen 121, and executes the process from S103 again.

[0094] Furthermore, when the printer 20 transmits the acquisition notification in S106, it displays the screen 73 on the user IF 27 and accepts the physical authentication (S67), similar to the case of the EWS in FIG. 8. When the OK button 77 on the user IF 27 is operated, that is, when the physical authentication is successful, the printer 20 and the mobile terminal device 10 execute the processes from S71 onward, similar to the case of FIG. 10 (case of the EWS). Note that FIG. 18 shows a case where the top page 83 is displayed (case (1)). The mobile terminal device 10 executes the processes from S73 (see FIG. 10) onward, for example, by the application 18B. When the mobile terminal device 10 acquires the Web portal one-time URL in S85 in FIG. 10, it starts the browser software 18C and accesses the acquired URL. As a result, even when an instruction to access the server 30 is received by application 18B, the Web portal site displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 can be changed to a charge page 91 or an exchange application page 105 depending on the number of printable pages and the amount of remaining ink, just as when the instruction is received by the EWS described above.

[0095] When displaying the screen 121 in S101 and S103, the application 18B may display a message 111 encouraging a charge, a button showing a charge link (link 113), a message 115 encouraging an exchange application, and a button showing a link to an exchange application (link 117) on the screen 121, similar to the EWS page 61 shown in Figs. 12 to 16. In addition, the subject and method of comparing the printable number of sheets and the print number threshold 26B2, and the remaining ink amount and the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 as shown in Fig. 11 to determine the message 111 to be displayed, etc., are not particularly limited. For example, the application 18B may execute a process of determining the message 111, etc. In detail, the application 18B may obtain the printable number of sheets, the remaining ink amount, the print number threshold 26B2, and the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 of the printer management table PT from the printer 20 before displaying the screen 121, as shown in S102 of Fig. 17, and change the display of the message 111 and the button to be displayed according to cases 1 to 4 of Fig. 11. This makes it possible to inform the user of the need to charge or apply for an exchange using the message 111, etc. Alternatively, the printer 20 may notify the portable terminal device 10 of the result of comparing the number of printable sheets with the print number threshold 26B2, or information on which of cases 1 to 4 the case applies to. The portable terminal device 10 may also obtain information such as the number of printable sheets from the server 30 and use the information to determine the message 111, etc.

[0096] Incidentally, in the first embodiment described above, the mobile terminal device 10 is an example of an information processing device. The printer 20 is an example of a printing device. The tank unit 23 is an example of a container. The printable number of sheets is an example of an allowed printing amount. S15, S19, and S85 are examples of notification processing. The print number threshold 26B2 is an example of an allowed amount threshold. The remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 is an example of a remaining amount threshold. S59 and S61 are examples of display processing.

[0097] (Effects) According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained. (1) The printer 20 of the first embodiment causes the print unit 25 to execute a printing operation within the range of the number of printable sheets. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 20 executes a charge reminder notification in S15 according to two states: the number of printable sheets (S11) and the amount of remaining ink (S13, number of printable sheets 26B4). Also, in FIG. 10, the printer 20 changes the access destination information and issues a notification according to the two states: the number of printable sheets and the amount of remaining ink (S81, S85). This allows notifications to be issued at more appropriate times according to the number of printable sheets and the amount of remaining ink, and prevents excessive notifications from being issued.

[0098] (2) In the process of FIG. 4, the printer 20 issues a notification depending on whether the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the print count threshold 26B2. If the number of printable sheets is less than the print count threshold 26B2 (S11: NO), the printer 20 issues a charge reminder notification to prompt the user to charge to increase the number of printable sheets (S15). The printer 20 also changes whether or not to execute S15 depending on the determination results of S11 and S13. This allows the printer 20 to issue a charge reminder notification when the number of printable sheets becomes less than the print count threshold 26B2, allowing the user to charge at an appropriate time. Also, by changing whether or not to issue a charge reminder notification depending on the determination results of S11 and S13, excessive issuance of charge reminder notifications can be suppressed.

[0099] (3) If the number of printable pages is equal to or exceeds the number of printable pages that can be printed with the remaining ink (S13: YES), the printer 20 restricts the execution of the charge reminder notification in S15. This restricts charging more than the number of printable pages that can be printed with the remaining ink (26B4), and prevents the process of transferring the number of printable pages from occurring when replacing an old printer 20 with a new printer 20. As a result, the effort required for replacement is reduced, and usability is improved.

[0100] (4) The printer 20 executes S15 and causes the portable terminal device 10 to display content urging the user to perform charging (S23). The content urging the user to perform charging may be displayed on the user IF 27 of the printer 20, or a display urging the user to perform charging may be executed on both the portable terminal device 10 and the user IF 27. In this way, the user of the printer 20 can be urged to perform charging via the user IF 27 of the portable terminal device 10 and the printer 20.

[0101] (5) When the remaining ink level is less than the ink level threshold 26B3 (S17: NO), the printer 20 notifies the user to replace the printer 20 (S19). The ink level threshold 26B3 is set to a value that shortens the period from notifying the user to replace the printer 20 to delivering a replacement printer 20 to the user, compared to the period from the time when it is determined that the remaining ink level is less than the ink level threshold 26B3 to the time when the ink level is expected to run out due to the execution of printing. This can eliminate or shorten the downtime during which the user cannot use the printer 20 because the replacement printer 20 has not arrived, thereby improving usability. Note that if the printer 20 is configured to have a replaceable tank unit 23, the printer 20 may notify the user to replace the tank unit 23. In this case, the tank unit 23 is an example of a container in the present application. The ink level threshold 26B3 may not be a value that is preset according to the period for delivering the printer 20 described above. For example, the server 30 may change the remaining ink threshold 26B3 of the printer 20 depending on the congestion of printer 20 shipments, etc.

[0102] (6) The printer 20 can accept changes to the print count threshold 26B2. This allows the user to set the print count threshold 26B2 for which they would like to receive a charge reminder notification, and to issue the charge reminder notification at the desired timing. The printer 20 may be configured not to accept changes to the print count threshold 26B2 from the user.

[0103] (7) The server 30 has charge pages 91-93 that accept instructions for charge to increase the number of printable sheets, and exchange request pages 105, 106 that accept instructions to exchange the printer 20. The printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of access destination information related to at least one of the charge pages 91-93 and the exchange request pages 105, 106 according to the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level (S85). This makes it possible to change the page notified to the user according to the remaining number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level.

[0104] (8) When the number of printable sheets is less than the print number threshold 26B2, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of access destination information for the charge page 91 (S81, Case 2 in FIG. 11). This makes it possible to guide the user to the charge page 91 in response to the reduction in the number of printable sheets, and to urge the user to charge the number of printable sheets.

[0105] (9) When the remaining ink level is less than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of access destination information for the replacement request page 105 (S81, cases 3 and 4 in FIG. 11). This makes it possible to guide the user to the replacement request page 105 in response to a decrease in the remaining ink level, and to urge the user to replace the printer 20.

[0106] (10) When the number of printable pages is less than the print count threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink level is less than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3, the printer 20 does not notify the access destination information for the recharge page 91, but rather notifies the access destination information for the exchange request page 105 (Case 4 in FIG. 11). In this way, when the remaining ink level is low and an exchange is necessary, encouraging an exchange takes priority over encouraging a recharge. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of a process that takes over the remaining number of printable pages due to a recharge during the exchange procedure for the printer 20.

[0107] (11) The printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of a Web portal one-time URL for accessing the charge page 91 as information related to the charge page, and notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of a Web portal one-time URL for accessing the exchange application page 105 as information related to the exchange application page (S85). This makes it possible to change (redirect) the Web page displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 to the charge page 91 or the exchange application page 105, allowing the user to more smoothly execute charge and exchange applications.

[0108] (12) The printer 20 has an EWS (an example of an internal server) accessible from the mobile terminal device 10, and when the mobile terminal device 10 accesses the EWS (S51), the printer 20 displays an EWS page 61 (an example of an internal server page) on the mobile terminal device 10, which displays a link 65 for accessing the server 30 (S61). When the number of printable sheets is less than the print number threshold 26B2, the printer 20 displays a message 111 on the EWS page 61 prompting the user to charge (see FIG. 12, S59, S61). This allows the user to more reliably recognize that charging is required by the message 111. Also, when the remaining ink level is less than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3, the printer 20 displays a message 115 on the EWS page 61 prompting the user to replace the printer (FIG. 15, S59, S61). This allows the user to more reliably recognize that the printer 20 needs to be replaced by the message 115.

[0109] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present application will be described. In the above first embodiment, the printer 20 executes the determination of the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level in S81 (FIG. 11) of FIG. 10, and changes the Web portal one-time URL (access destination information) notified to the mobile terminal device 10, but another device may execute the determination of the number of printable sheets, etc. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the server 30 executes the determination of the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for the same contents as the above-mentioned first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0110] FIG. 19 shows a sequence diagram in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, in the second embodiment, the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 execute S51 to S73 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In S73, the mobile terminal device 10 requests the printer 20 for a Web portal one-time URL (S73). When the printer 20 acquires the request of S73, it requests the server 30 for a one-time talk (S111). In addition, the printer 20 transmits the printable number and remaining ink amount in the printer management table PT of the printer 20, i.e., the latest printable number and remaining ink amount information, to the server 30 (S111). This enables the server 30 to make a judgment using the printable number and the like, as described later.

[0111] When the server 30 receives the request in S111, it generates a one-time token (S113) and responds to the printer 20 with the generated one-time token (S79). The server 30 also associates the generated one-time token with the information on the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level obtained in S111 and stores them in the server storage unit 32B (S113). When the printer 20 receives the one-time token from the server 30 (S79), it generates a Web portal one-time URL (S115). In the second embodiment, the server 30 determines the Web portal page to be displayed based on the information transmitted in S111. For this reason, the printer 20 does not execute the process of determining the access destination information in the first embodiment (S81). In S115, the printer 20 generates information as a Web portal one-time URL by adding a one-time token to a base URL obtained by removing the access destination information from the Web portal one-time URL in the first embodiment, as shown below. Web Portal One-Time URL = Base URL + One-Time Token

[0112] The printer 20 transmits the Web portal one-time URL generated in S115 to the mobile terminal device 10 (S85). The mobile terminal device 10 accesses the Web portal one-time URL acquired in S85 with the browser software 18C (S87). When the server 30 accepts the access in S87, it detects a one-time token based on the accessed Web portal one-time URL (S117). The server 30 reads out from the server storage unit 32B the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink amount associated with the detected one-time token in S113, and determines them. That is, the server 30 executes a determination of the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink amount for the printer 20 that originated the access in S111.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 11, the server 30 performs a comparison based on the number of printable sheets and the print number threshold 26B2, and the remaining ink amount and the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 (cases 1 to 4) in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and determines the Web portal page to be displayed (S117). For example, in case 1 of FIG. 11, the server 30 transmits the top page 83 to the mobile terminal device 10 (S91). In addition, in case 2, the server 30 transmits the charge page 91 to the mobile terminal device 10 (S91). In addition, in cases 3 and 4, the server 30 transmits the exchange request page 105 to the mobile terminal device 10. In this way, even when the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink amount are determined on the server 30 side, the Web portal page to be displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 can be changed to an appropriate page in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0114] The method of setting the print count threshold 26B2 and the remaining ink threshold 26B3 used in the judgment in S117 in the server 30 is not particularly limited. For example, if the same print count threshold 26B2 and remaining ink threshold 26B3 are used in all printers 20, the same print count threshold 26B2 and remaining ink threshold 26B3 may be stored in advance in the server storage unit 32B. Also, if the printer 20 accepts a change in the print count threshold 26B2 from the user, the server 30 may acquire the print count threshold 26B2 and remaining ink threshold 26B3 from the printer 20 in S111 of FIG.

[0115] The above-mentioned process of determining the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level may be executed by the application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 may hold information on the charge page 91 and the exchange request page 105, and determine the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level obtained from the printer 20 to determine the Web portal page to be accessed. The server 30 may also determine the Web portal page to be notified to the mobile terminal device 10 prior to S115, for example, at the time of S113.

[0116] (Access via Application 18B) In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, an instruction to access the server 30 may be received by the application 18B. The application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 execute the processes from S101 to S71 as shown in Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, receive an instruction to move to the WEB site of the server 30 by the application 18B, and execute the processes from S73 onwards in Fig. 19 after the physical authentication is completed. This makes it possible to change the Web portal site displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 even when an instruction to access the server 30 is received by the application 18B and the server 30 determines the number of printable sheets, etc.

[0117] Incidentally, in the above-described second embodiment, S91 is an example of the notification process.

[0118] (Effects) According to the second embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved. (1) In addition, the server 30 of the second embodiment notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of at least one of the charge pages 91-93 and the exchange request pages 105, 106 according to the number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level (S91). This makes it possible to change the Web portal page notified to the user according to the remaining number of printable sheets and the remaining ink level.

[0119] (2) Furthermore, the server 30 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of the charge page 91 as information related to the charge page, and notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of the exchange request page 105 as information related to the exchange request page. This allows the mobile terminal device 10 to display a more appropriate Web portal page depending on the number of printable sheets and the remaining amount of ink.

[0120] (Modification) Although the specific examples of the present application have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above.

[0121] For example, the printing system 1 in each of the above embodiments may be configured to be capable of executing at least one of a method of accepting access to the server 30 using the EWS and a method of accepting access to the server 30 using the application 18B. Furthermore, the printing system 1 may be configured to be capable of executing only one of the processes of issuing a charge reminder notice or an exchange notice shown in FIG. 6 and changing the Web portal site displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 shown in FIGS. 8 to 19. In each of the above embodiments, the printable number is stored in the printer management table PT or the like, and the printable number is subtracted each time printing is performed to determine whether printing can be performed. In contrast, 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. In this case, for example, the value obtained by subtracting the accumulated printed number, which is the accumulated number of printed sheets, from the accumulated charged number, which is the accumulated value of the charged number, may be managed as the printable number (the permitted printing amount in this application). In addition, the printing system 1 is a system that associates the device ID with the printable number of sheets and records them in the server management table ST, and manages the printable number of sheets for each printer 20, but is not limited to this. For example, the printing system 1 may be a system that manages the printable number of sheets in association with a user. The user here may be a user registered in the application 18B, a user who uses the mobile terminal device 10, or the like.

[0122] 4 and 5 and determines whether to issue a charge reminder notice or a replacement notice, other devices may execute these processes. For example, the server 30 or the application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10 may determine whether to issue a charge reminder notice or a replacement notice based on the number of printable sheets, the number of printable sheets 26B4, the remaining ink threshold 26B3, etc. Furthermore, printer 20 is configured to store printer management table PT in printer storage unit 26B, but this is not limited to the above. For example, printer 20 may be equipped with a reading IF capable of reading IC cards, memory cards, etc. Printer 20 may then read and use information in printer management table PT, such as the device ID and printable number of sheets, from an IC card or the like attached to the reading IF. In other words, printer 20 may be configured to manage printer management table PT using an IC card or the like. Alternatively, printer 20 may store and manage information in printer management table PT, such as the number of printable pages, in a memory provided in an ink tank of tank section 23, or in the case of a laser printer, in a memory of a toner cartridge or a memory of a photosensitive drum, or in other memory other than the memory section in which printer program 26B1 is stored. Furthermore, the permitted printing amount in this application is not limited to the number of printable sheets. For example, the permitted printing amount may be the amount of ink or toner consumed. The permitted printing amount may be the amount of dots (pixels) of ink permitted to be ejected or the amount of ink permitted to be used (e.g., ml). Alternatively, the permitted printing 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.

[0123] The configuration of the printing system 1 in each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example. The printing system 1 may not include the server 30. The printing system 1 may use one printer 20 for multiple portable terminal devices 10, or may use multiple printers 20 for one portable terminal device 10. For example, a charge reminder notice or exchange notice may be sent from one printer 20 to multiple portable terminal devices 10. The printing system 1 may also be configured to include only one mobile terminal device 10 and one printer 20. The printing system 1 may also be configured to include one mobile terminal device 10 and multiple printers 20, or multiple mobile terminal devices 10 and one printer 20. The printer 20 does not need to execute physical authentication using the user IF 27 such as S67. 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 printer 20 may be configured so that the user can refill ink (so that each ink tank in the tank unit 23 can be replaced). Another example of a means for refilling consumables such as ink is a configuration in which ink can be poured into the tank unit 23 from a bottle containing ink. Although an inkjet printer 20 is used as the printing device of the present application, a laser printer or a thermal printer may also be used. The printing device is not limited to a printer for personal use, but may be a commercial or industrial printing machine. Therefore, the printing device may be a multifunction machine that has a scanning function, a copying function, a fax function, etc. in addition to a printing function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1 printing system, 10 portable terminal device (information processing device), 20 printer (printing device), 23 tank section (container), 25 printing section, 26B2 print count threshold (permitted amount threshold), 26B3 ink remaining amount threshold (remaining amount threshold), 30 server, 65 link, 91, 92, 93 charge page, 105, 106 exchange request page, 111, 115 message.

Claims

1. An information processing device; a printing device capable of communicating with the information processing device; A printing system comprising: The printing device includes: A container for containing a colorant; a printing unit that performs printing on a sheet using the colorant, causing the printing unit to execute a printing operation within a range of a print allowance amount that permits the printing operation by the printing unit; The printing system includes: executing a notification process for providing a notification in accordance with two states, that is, the state of the print permitted amount and the state of the remaining amount of the colorant contained in the container; In the notification process, when the permitted printing amount is less than the permitted printing amount threshold and the permitted printing amount is less than a printable amount that can be printed with the remaining amount of colorant, which is the remaining amount of colorant, a charge prompt notification is executed to prompt the user to charge to increase the permitted printing amount, When the remaining amount of colorant is less than a remaining amount threshold, a printing system notifies a user to replace the container.

2. The printing system includes:

2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein in the notification process, when the permitted print amount is equal to or greater than a printable amount that can be printed with the remaining amount of colorant, execution of the charge reminder notification is limited.

3. The printing system includes:

3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the notification process executes the charge reminder notification by displaying a message urging the user to charge on at least one of a display unit of the information processing device and a display unit of the printing device.

4. The remaining amount threshold is:

4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the value is a value that shortens the period from notifying a user of the need to replace the container to delivering a replacement container to the user, compared to the period from the time when it is determined that the remaining amount of colorant is less than the remaining amount threshold to the time when the remaining amount of colorant is expected to run out due to execution of printing.

5. The printing device includes: The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the permitted amount threshold value can be changed.

6. a server capable of communicating with the printing device; The server, a charge page for receiving a charge instruction for increasing the permitted printing amount; a replacement application page for receiving an instruction to replace the printing device; having The printing system includes: The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein in the notification process, information relating to at least one of the charge page and the exchange application page is notified to the information processing device in accordance with the two states.

7. The printing system includes: The printing system according to claim 6 , wherein, in the notification process, when the permitted print amount is less than the permitted amount threshold, information relating to the charge page is notified to the information processing device.

8. The printing system includes: The printing system according to claim 7 , wherein, in the notification process, when the remaining amount of colorant is less than the remaining amount threshold, information related to the exchange request page is notified to the information processing device.

9. The printing system includes: A printing system as described in claim 8, wherein when the printing permission amount is less than the permission amount threshold and the remaining colorant amount is less than the remaining amount threshold, in the notification process, information related to the charge page is not notified, and information related to the exchange application page is notified.

10. The printing device includes: A printing system as described in claim 9, wherein the notification process is executed, and information relating to the charge page is notified to the information processing device of information for accessing the charge page, and information relating to the exchange application page is notified to the information processing device of information for accessing the exchange application page.

11. The server, 10. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein the notification process is executed to notify the information processing device of the charge page as information relating to the charge page, and to notify the information processing device of the exchange application page as information relating to the exchange application page.

12. The printing device includes:

12. A printing system as described in any one of claims 6 to 11, further comprising an internal server accessible from the information processing device, and when the internal server is accessed from the information processing device, causes the information processing device to display an internal server page displaying a link to access the server, and if the print permission amount is less than an permission amount threshold, causes the internal server page to display a message encouraging charging, and if the remaining amount of colorant, which is a colorant remaining amount, is less than a remaining amount threshold, causes the internal server page to display a message encouraging replacement.

13. A communication unit capable of communicating with an information processing device and a server; A container for containing a colorant; a printing unit that performs printing on a sheet using the colorant; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit is a printing process for causing the printing unit to execute a printing operation within a range of a print allowance amount that allows the printing operation by the printing unit; a notification process for notifying the user in accordance with two conditions, that is, the state of the printable amount and the state of the remaining amount of the colorant contained in the container; Run In the notification process, when the permitted printing amount is less than the permitted printing amount threshold and the permitted printing amount is less than a printable amount that can be printed with the remaining amount of colorant, which is the remaining amount of colorant, a charge prompt notification is executed to prompt the user to charge to increase the permitted printing amount, When the remaining amount of colorant is less than a remaining amount threshold, the printing device notifies a user to replace the container.

14. A communication unit capable of communicating with the information processing device and the printing device; A control unit; Equipped with The printing device includes: A container for containing a colorant; a printing unit that performs printing on a sheet using the colorant, causing the printing unit to execute a printing operation within a range of a print allowance amount that permits the printing operation by the printing unit; The control unit is executing a notification process for providing a notification in accordance with two states, that is, the state of the print permitted amount and the state of the remaining amount of the colorant contained in the container; In the notification process, when the permitted printing amount is less than the permitted printing amount threshold and the permitted printing amount is less than a printable amount that can be printed with the remaining amount of colorant, which is the remaining amount of colorant, a charge prompt notification is executed to prompt the user to charge to increase the permitted printing amount, If the remaining amount of colorant is less than a remaining amount threshold, the server notifies a user to replace the container.

Images