Management program, management device, management system and management method

Abstract

To improve convenience related to the preparation of a consumable item.SOLUTION: A management program 62a is configured to cause a controller 51 included in a service server 4 of a management system 1 comprising a printer 3, a terminal device 2, and the service server 4 to execute status information acquisition processing and shipping determination processing. When receiving an information update request for requesting update of information from the terminal device 2, the status information acquisition processing acquires status information including consumable item remaining amount information related to a remaining amount of first, second, third, fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d of the printer 3 from the printer 3. The shipping determination processing performs determination for shipping first to fourth service dedicated cartridges to a user on the basis of the consumable item remaining amount information acquired from the printer 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes that when an update button on the ink level display screen of a printer utility launched on a personal computer is pressed, the printer utility obtains status information indicating the remaining ink level from the printer and displays the remaining ink level based on this status information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-15948 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A printer user must check the remaining ink level using a printer utility, and if the ink level is low, must prepare additional consumables. The present disclosure aims to improve convenience regarding preparation of consumables. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a management program configured to cause a control unit provided in a management device of a management system including a printing device, a terminal device, and a management device to execute a status information acquisition process and a shipping determination process.

[0006] The printing device has a function of printing images on a print medium. The terminal device is operated by a user who uses the printing device. The management device is configured to be able to communicate with the printing device and the terminal device.

[0007] When an information update request for updating information is received from a terminal device, the status information acquisition process acquires status information from the printing device, the status information including remaining amount information on the remaining amounts of consumables of the printing device and being information on the state of the printing device.

[0008] The shipping decision process makes a decision as to whether to ship the consumable to the user based on remaining amount information acquired from the printing device. The management program of the present disclosure configured in this manner can cause the management device to make a shipping decision as to whether or not to ship the consumables. Therefore, the management program of the present disclosure can eliminate the need for a user to make a shipping decision, and can improve the convenience of preparing consumables.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a management device comprising a printing device, a communication unit configured to communicate with a terminal device, and a control unit configured to control the communication unit, wherein the control unit is configured to execute a status information acquisition process and a shipping determination process.

[0010] The management device of the present disclosure is a device controlled by the management program of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as the management program of the present disclosure. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a management system in which a printing device, a terminal device operated by a user who uses the printing device, and a management device are configured to be able to communicate with each other, The unit is configured to execute a status information acquisition process and a shipping determination process.

[0011] The management system of the present disclosure is a system controlled by the management program of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as the management program of the present disclosure. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a management method executed by a management device of a management system in which a printing device, a terminal device, and the management device are configured to be able to communicate with each other, the management method including a status information acquisition step and a shipping determination step.

[0012] The management method disclosed herein is a method executed by the management program disclosed herein, and by executing this method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the management program disclosed herein. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device, a printer, and a service server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for applying for a printing service. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates a print service management image. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing an update process. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a shipping determination process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. (1) Configuration of management system 1 The management system 1 of this embodiment is a system that manages a printing service, and includes a terminal device 2, a printer 3, a service server 4, and a delivery server 5, as shown in FIG.

[0015] The printing service includes a shipping service that automatically delivers cartridges that can be installed in the printer 3, and a billing service that charges according to the number of sheets of print media printed by the printer 3 (hereinafter, "print count"). This billing service is a service in which a fixed fee is charged up to the number of sheets printed (hereinafter, "prescribed number") specified for each service plan within a service unit period (for example, one month), and an additional fee is charged for printing beyond the prescribed number. Note that if the number of sheets printed within a service unit period is less than the prescribed number, the surplus is carried over to the next service unit period.

[0016] The terminal device 2, the printer 3, the service server 4, and the delivery server 5 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a WAN 6. WAN is an abbreviation for Wide Area Network. In this embodiment, the WAN 6 is the Internet.

[0017] 2, the terminal device 2 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The terminal device 2 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0018] The control unit 11 includes a CPU 21 and a memory 22. The CPU 21 executes a program stored in the memory 22, thereby realizing various functions of the terminal device 2. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to being realized by executing a program, and some or all of the functions may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

[0019] The memory 22 includes a semiconductor memory (eg, a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory) which is a non-transitory tangible recording medium. The communication unit 12 performs data communication with the service server 4 via the WAN 6 .

[0020] The display unit 13 includes a display device (not shown) and displays various images on the display device. The input unit 14 includes a keyboard and a mouse. The input unit 14 outputs input operation information for identifying an input operation performed by a user of the terminal device 2 via the keyboard and mouse.

[0021] The storage unit 15 includes auxiliary storage devices such as an HDD and an SSD, and stores various data. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. SSD is an abbreviation for Solid State Drive.

[0022] The printer 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a display unit 33, an input unit , a printing unit 35, and an attachment unit . The control unit 31 includes a CPU 41 and a memory 42. The CPU 41 executes a program stored in the memory 42, thereby realizing various functions of the printer 3. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 31 are not limited to being realized by executing a program, and some or all of the functions may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware. The memory 42 includes a semiconductor memory (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory) that is a non-transient tangible recording medium, and stores programs and data.

[0023] The communication unit 32 performs data communication with the service server 4 via the WAN 6 . The display unit 33 includes a display device (not shown) and displays various images on the display device. The input unit 34 includes a touch panel installed on the display screen of the display unit 33 and switches installed around the display screen of the display unit 33. The input unit 34 outputs input operation information for identifying an input operation performed by the user via the touch panel and the switches.

[0024] The printing unit 35 has a printing mechanism using inkjet technology or electrophotographic technology, and is capable of printing images onto a print medium. A first cartridge 37a, a second cartridge 37b, a third cartridge 37c, and a fourth cartridge 37d are removably mounted in the mounting portion 36. The first, second, third, and fourth cartridges 37a to 37d contain color materials (ink in this embodiment) that are applied to a printing medium by the printing portion 35 to print an image on the printing medium. The first, second, third, and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d contain cyan, magenta, yellow, and black color materials, respectively.

[0025] The service server 4 includes a control unit 51, a communication unit 52, and a storage unit 53. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 61 and a memory 62. The CPU 61 executes a program stored in the memory 62, thereby implementing various functions of the service server 4. Note that the various functions implemented by the control unit 51 are not limited to being implemented by executing a program, and may be implemented partially or entirely using one or more pieces of hardware. The memory 62 includes a semiconductor memory (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory) that is a non-transient substantial recording medium, and stores programs and data.

[0026] The memory 62 stores a management program 62a. The management program 62a is a computer program for causing the CPU 61 to realize a function for managing the print service. The communication unit 52 performs data communication between the terminal device 2, the printer 3, and the delivery server 5 via the WAN 6. The storage unit 53 includes an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD and an SSD, and stores various data.

[0027] When the shipping server 5 receives a cartridge shipping instruction, which will be described later, from the service server 4, it notifies the shipping operator to ship the cartridge according to the contents of the cartridge shipping instruction. As a result, the cartridge is shipped according to the cartridge shipping instruction.

[0028] (2) Printing service application Next, a procedure for an owner of the printer 3 (hereinafter, a service user) to apply for a printing service will be described.

[0029] First, when the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2 via the input unit 14, as shown in process P1 of FIG. 3, the terminal device 2 accesses a website (hereinafter, the service website) set up on the service server 4 to provide a printing service.

[0030] Furthermore, as a result of the service user performing an input operation on the terminal device 2, as shown in process P2, the terminal device 2 creates an account for using the print service and logs in to the service website. The account is created by registering at least the service user's name, email address, and password.

[0031] Next, the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2, whereby the terminal device 2 registers the printer 3 on the service website as shown in process P3. Specifically, the terminal device 2 transmits printer identification information for identifying the printer 3 to the service server 4.

[0032] When the service server 4 receives the printer identification information, as shown in process P4, it communicates with the printer 3 via the WAN 6 and detects the printer 3 corresponding to the printer identification information.

[0033] When the service server 4 detects the printer 3, it registers the printer 3 as a registered printer for the service user's account, and transmits a registration success notice to the terminal device 2 indicating that the registration was successful, as shown in process P5.

[0034] Next, the service user performs an input operation on the terminal device 2, which causes the terminal device 2 to send a service start request for applying for a printing service for the registered printer to the service server 4, as shown in process P6. The service start request includes plan information indicating the type of plan for the applied printing service, delivery destination information indicating the delivery destination of the cartridge, and payment information (e.g., a credit card number) for debiting the usage fee for the printing service.

[0035] When the service server 4 receives the service start request, as shown in process P7, it performs periodic information notification settings to cause the printer 3 to transmit notification information periodically (for example, every 12 hours). The notification information includes firmware identification information, page count information, consumable remaining amount information, replacement count information, and cartridge type information.

[0036] The firmware identification information indicates the type and version of the firmware of the printer 3. The page count information indicates the number of pages printed by the printer 3. The consumable remaining amount information indicates the remaining amount of color material in the first, second, third and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d. The replacement count information indicates the number of times the first, second, third and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d have been replaced.

[0037] The cartridge type information indicates whether the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d are commercially available cartridges, bundled cartridges, or dedicated service cartridges. Commercially available cartridges are cartridges that can be purchased at a store. Bundled cartridges are cartridges that are bundled with the printer 3. Dedicated service cartridges are cartridges exclusively used for printing services.

[0038] Hereinafter, the service dedicated cartridges corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d will be referred to as the first, second, third and fourth service dedicated cartridges, respectively. When periodic information notification settings are made for the printer 3, the printer 3 transmits the first notification information to the service server 4 as shown in process P8.

[0039] Upon receiving the notification information, the service server 4 performs service activation setting on the printer 3 as shown in process P9. As a result, the printer 3 is set from the normal mode to the service mode.

[0040] When the printer 3 is set to the service mode, it transmits an activation completion notification to the service server 4 as shown in process P10. When the service server 4 receives the activation completion notification, as shown in process P11, it transmits a registration completion notification to the terminal device 2. This allows the service user to recognize that the print service application has been completed.

[0041] (3) Printing service management images When the terminal device 2 accesses the service website after receiving the activation completion notification, the terminal device 2 can display a print service management image SM on the display screen of the display unit 13 as shown in FIG.

[0042] The printing service management image SM includes a cyan remaining amount display area R1, a magenta remaining amount display area R2, a yellow remaining amount display area R3, a black remaining amount display area R4, a shipping information display area R5, a status display area R6, a number of printed sheets display area R7, a carryover number of printed sheets display area R8, an additional number of printed sheets display area R9, and an update button B1.

[0043] The cyan remaining amount display area R1 indicates the remaining amount of cyan colorant contained in the first cartridge 37a. The magenta remaining amount display area R2 indicates the remaining amount of magenta colorant contained in the second cartridge 37b. The yellow remaining amount display area R3 indicates the remaining amount of yellow colorant contained in the third cartridge 37c. The black remaining amount display area R4 indicates the remaining amount of black colorant contained in the fourth cartridge 37d.

[0044] The shipping information display area R5 indicates the shipping status of the service-only cartridge, and may display, for example, "Shipped," "Preparing for shipping," "Order accepted," "Shipping instructed," etc.

[0045] The status display area R6 shows the current status of the printer 3. For example, if communication between the printer 3 and the service server 4 is possible, the status display area R6 displays "online." If communication between the printer 3 and the service server 4 is not possible, the status display area R6 displays "offline." If a malfunction occurs in the printer 3, the status display area R6 displays "error."

[0046] The print count display area R7 displays the number of prints that can be printed for a fixed amount within the current service unit period (i.e., the specified number of sheets) and the number of prints that the printer 3 has printed within the current service unit period up to the specified number (hereinafter, the fixed usage number). The print count display area R7 in Fig. 4 shows that the specified number is 100 sheets and the fixed usage number is 100 sheets.

[0047] The carryover print count display area R8 displays the number of prints carried over to the current service unit period because the specified number of prints was not printed in the past service unit period (hereinafter, the carryover number of prints), and the number of prints printed by the printer 3 in the current service unit period up to the carryover number ( 4. The carryover print quantity display area R8 in FIG. 4 shows that the carryover quantity is 40 sheets and the carryover usage quantity is 10 sheets.

[0048] The additional print count display area R9 displays the number of prints that can be printed as a result of the additional purchase (hereinafter, the added number of sheets) and the number of prints that the printer 3 has printed with the additional purchase up to the added number (hereinafter, the additional usage number of sheets). The additional print count display area R9 in Fig. 4 shows that the added number of sheets is 20 sheets and the additional usage number is 0 sheets.

[0049] The fixed number of pages and the carryover number of pages are the number of pages that can be printed for a fixed fee within a service unit period. An additional fee is charged for using the additional number of pages.

[0050] The update button B1 is operated when updating the display contents in the print service management image SM. When the update button B1 is clicked, the terminal device 2 transmits an information update request to the service server 4.

[0051] (4) Processing Executed in Service Server 4 Next, a description will be given of the procedure of the update process executed by the CPU 61 of the service server 4. The update process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the control unit 51 is in operation.

[0052] When the update process is executed, the CPU 61 first determines whether or not an information update request has been received in S10, as shown in Fig. 5. If an information update request has not been received, the CPU 61 ends the update process.

[0053] On the other hand, when an information update request is received, the CPU 61 determines in S20 whether the registered printer of the account that sent the information update request received in S10 (hereinafter, the service target account) is online. The "online state" means that the registered printer and the service server 4 can communicate data with each other via the WAN 6.

[0054] If the registered printer is not online, the process of S20 is repeated until the registered printer is online. When the registered printer is online, the CPU 61 acquires status information from the registered printer in S30. The status information includes page count information, consumable remaining amount information, and cartridge type information.

[0055] Next, in S40, the CPU 61 executes a shipping determination process, which will be described later. Then, in S50, the CPU 61 determines whether or not a cartridge shipping instruction has been sent in the process of S40. Here, if a cartridge shipping instruction has not been sent, the CPU 61 proceeds to S70.

[0056] On the other hand, if a cartridge shipping instruction has been sent, the CPU 61 sends a shipping instruction notification indicating that the cartridge shipping instruction has been sent to the terminal device 2 in S60, and proceeds to S70. Upon receiving the shipping instruction notification, the terminal device 2 displays "Shipping has been instructed" in the shipping information display area R5 of the printing service management image SM.

[0057] When proceeding to S70, the CPU 61 calculates the flat-rate usage number, the carryover usage number, and the additional usage number based on the page count information included in the status information received in S30, and updates the calculated flat-rate usage number, the carryover usage number, and the additional usage number as the billing information for the registered printer.

[0058] Then, in S80, the CPU 61 transmits the updated billing information to the terminal device 2 and ends the update process. Upon receiving the billing information, the terminal device 2 updates the display contents of the print count display area R7, the carryover print count display area R8, and the additional print count display area R9 of the print service management image SM based on the fixed usage amount, the carryover usage amount, and the additional usage amount included in the billing information.

[0059] Next, the procedure of the shipping determination process executed in S40 will be described. When the shipping determination process is executed, the CPU 61 first determines in S210 whether a preset first remaining amount shortage condition is met based on the consumable remaining amount information included in the status information received in S30, as shown in Fig. 6. The first remaining amount shortage condition in this embodiment is that the remaining amount of color material in the first cartridge 37a is equal to or less than a preset first shortage amount.

[0060] Here, if the first remaining amount insufficient condition is not met, the CPU 61 proceeds to S230. On the other hand, if the first remaining amount insufficient condition is met, the CPU 61 transmits a first cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S220, and proceeds to S230. The first cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship a first dedicated service cartridge corresponding to the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0061] When the process proceeds to S230, the CPU 61 determines whether or not a second condition is satisfied based on the consumables remaining amount information included in the status information received in S30. The second condition in this embodiment is that the remaining amount of color material in the second cartridge 37b is equal to or less than a second shortage amount that is set in advance.

[0062] Here, if the second remaining amount insufficient condition is not met, the CPU 61 proceeds to S250. On the other hand, if the second remaining amount insufficient condition is met, the CPU 61 transmits a second cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S240, and proceeds to S250. The second cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship a second dedicated service cartridge corresponding to the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0063] In S250, the CPU 61 determines whether a third condition is satisfied based on the consumables remaining amount information included in the status information received in S30. The third condition is that the remaining amount of color material in the third cartridge 37c is equal to or less than a third shortage amount.

[0064] Here, if the third remaining amount insufficient condition is not met, the CPU 61 proceeds to S270. On the other hand, if the third remaining amount insufficient condition is met, the CPU 61 transmits a third cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S260, and proceeds to S270. The third cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship a third dedicated service cartridge corresponding to the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0065] In S270, the CPU 61 determines whether a fourth insufficient remaining amount condition is satisfied based on the consumables remaining amount information included in the status information received in S30. The fourth insufficient remaining amount condition in this embodiment is that the remaining amount of color material in the fourth cartridge 37d is equal to or less than a fourth insufficient amount that is satisfied in advance.

[0066] Here, if the fourth remaining amount insufficient condition is not met, the CPU 61 ends the shipping determination process. On the other hand, if the fourth remaining amount insufficient condition is met, the CPU 61 transmits a fourth cartridge shipping instruction to the shipping server 5 in S280 and ends the shipping determination process. The fourth cartridge shipping instruction is an instruction to ship a fourth dedicated service cartridge corresponding to the registered printer of the service target account to the delivery address of the service target account.

[0067] (5) Effects The management program 62a configured in this manner is configured to cause the control unit 51 provided in the service server 4 of the management system 1 having a printer 3, a terminal device 2, and a service server 4 to execute a status information acquisition process and a shipping judgment process.

[0068] The printer 3 has a function of printing an image on a print medium. The terminal device 2 is operated by a user who uses the printer 3. The service server 4 is configured to be able to communicate with the printer 3 and the terminal device 2.

[0069] When an information update request for updating information is received from the terminal device 2, the status information acquisition process acquires status information from the printer 3, including consumable remaining amount information regarding the remaining amounts in the first, second, third and fourth cartridges 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d of the printer 3.

[0070] The shipping decision process makes a decision as to whether to ship the first to fourth service dedicated cartridges to the user, based on the remaining consumable amount information acquired from the printer 3. Note that "decision to ship" includes "decision to order cartridges", "decision to prepare to ship cartridges", and "decision to prepare to order cartridges". As a result, the management program 62a can cause the service server 4 to make a shipping decision as to whether or not to ship the first to fourth service-only cartridges. Therefore, the management program 62a can eliminate the need for a user to make a shipping decision, and can improve the convenience of preparing the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d.

[0071] Furthermore, the management program 62a is configured to cause the control unit 51 to further execute a result transmission process. The result transmission process transmits a shipping instruction notice to the terminal device 2 when a cartridge shipping instruction has been transmitted. This allows the management program 62a to make the user aware of the result of the shipping decision.

[0072] The status information includes page count information that indicates the number of pages printed by the printer 3. The management program 62a is configured to cause the control unit 51 to further execute an accounting update process and an accounting transmission process.

[0073] The billing update process updates billing information indicating the amount of billing to be charged to the user according to the number of printed pages (i.e., the number of fixed-amount pages used, the number of pages carried over, and the number of additional pages used) based on the page count information obtained from the printer 3. The billing transmission process transmits the billing information updated by the billing update process to the terminal device 2.

[0074] This allows the management program 62a to make the user aware of the billing information. Furthermore, if the status information cannot be obtained from the printer 3, the status information obtaining process waits until communication with the printer 3 becomes possible, and when communication with the printer 3 becomes possible, obtains the status information from the printer 3. This enables the management program 62a to make the service server 4 obtain the status information more reliably.

[0075] In the embodiment described above, the printer 3 corresponds to a printing device, and the service server 4 corresponds to a management device. Moreover, S10 to S30 correspond to a status information acquisition process and a status information acquisition step, S40 corresponds to a shipping decision process and a shipping decision step, the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d correspond to consumables, and the consumable remaining amount information corresponds to remaining amount information.

[0076] In addition, S50 and S60 correspond to the result transmission process, and the shipping instruction notification corresponds to the judgment result information. The page count information corresponds to the usage amount information, S70 corresponds to the billing update process, and S80 corresponds to the billing transmission process.

[0077] Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various modified forms. For example, in the above embodiment, the service server 4 is one physical server. However, the service server 4 may be composed of multiple physical servers. The service server 4 may be composed of at least one of multiple virtual servers constructed by dividing one physical server by virtualization software.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the first to fourth remaining amount insufficiency conditions are conditions in which the remaining amounts of color material in the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d are equal to or less than the first to fourth insufficiencies. However, the time until the remaining amount of color material reaches 0 may be calculated based on the decreasing tendency of the remaining amounts of color material in the first to fourth cartridges 37a to 37d, and it may be determined that the first to fourth remaining amount insufficiency conditions are met if this time is short.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the printing device of the present disclosure is the printer 3. However, the printing device of the present disclosure includes a multifunction device having a scanner function for reading an image from a document, a copy machine, and a facsimile. The printing device is not limited to an inkjet printer, but also includes a laser printer and an LED printer. An LED printer refers to a printer in which the means for exposing a photoconductor is an LED head. In this case, the remaining amount of the consumable is the remaining amount of toner.

[0080] In the above embodiments, multiple functions of one component may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0081] In addition to the above-mentioned service server 4, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system including the service server 4 as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as the service server 4, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, and a management method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1... management system, 2... terminal device, 3... printer, 4... service server, 51... control unit, 52... communication unit, 62a... management program

Claims

1. A printing device having a function of printing an image on a print medium; a terminal device operated by a user of the printing device; A control unit of a management system including a management device configured to be able to communicate with the printing device and the terminal device, a status information acquisition process for acquiring the status information from the printing device when an information update request is received from the terminal device, the status information being information regarding a state of the printing device and including remaining amount information regarding a remaining amount of a consumable of the printing device; a shipping determination process for determining whether to ship the consumable to the user based on the remaining amount information acquired from the printing device; A management program that is configured to run

2. 2. The management program according to claim 1, The control unit further includes: a management program configured to cause execution of a result transmission process for transmitting, to the terminal device, determination result information indicating a result of the shipping determination process;

3. 3. The management program according to claim 1, further comprising: the status information includes usage information regarding usage of the printing device; The control unit further includes: a billing update process for updating billing information indicating a billing amount to be billed to the user according to the usage amount information acquired from the printing device; an accounting transmission process for transmitting the accounting information updated by the accounting update process to the terminal device; A management program that is configured to run

4. The management program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The status information acquisition process is a management program that, when the status information cannot be acquired from the printing device, waits until it becomes possible to communicate with the printing device, and acquires the status information from the printing device when it becomes possible to communicate with the printing device.

5. a printing device having a function of printing an image on a print medium, and a communication unit configured to communicate with a terminal device operated by a user of the printing device; A control unit configured to control the communication unit; A management device comprising: The control unit is a status information acquisition process for acquiring the status information from the printing device when an information update request is received from the terminal device, the status information being information regarding a state of the printing device and including remaining amount information regarding a remaining amount of a consumable of the printing device; a shipping determination process for determining whether to ship the consumable to the user based on the remaining amount information acquired from the printing device; 2. A management device configured to execute the

6. A management system in which a printing device having a function of printing an image on a print medium, a terminal device operated by a user of the printing device, and a management device are configured to be able to communicate with each other, The control unit of the management device a status information acquisition process for acquiring the status information from the printing device when an information update request is received from the terminal device, the status information being information regarding a state of the printing device and including remaining amount information regarding a remaining amount of a consumable of the printing device; a shipping determination process for determining whether to ship the consumable to the user based on the remaining amount information acquired from the printing device; A management system that is configured to run

7. A management method executed by a management device of a management system configured to be capable of communicating with a printing device having a function of printing an image on a print medium, a terminal device operated by a user of the printing device, and the management device, comprising: a status information acquisition step of acquiring the status information from the printing device when an information update request is received from the terminal device, the status information being information on the status of the printing device and including remaining amount information on remaining amounts of consumables of the printing device; a shipping determination step of determining whether to ship the consumable to the user based on the remaining amount information acquired from the printing device; A management method comprising:

Images